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One Liners 09-06-2025
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History, Art and Culture
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Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev
On June 7, 1606, Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, became a martyr, a pivotal event deeply influencing the Sikh faith.
- Spiritual Contributions - He compiled the Adi Granth, Sikhism's holy scripture, and completed the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), fostering Sikh identity and growth.
- Mughal Persecution - Emperor Jahangir, viewing Sikhism's influence as a threat, falsely accused Guru Arjan Dev of supporting Prince Khusrau, initiating persecution.
- Unimaginable Torture - Imprisoned in Lahore, Guru Arjan Dev endured brutal torture, including sitting on a red-hot plate and boiling sand, yet remained steadfast in faith.
- Sacrifice and Legacy - He merged with the Divine in the Ravi River, becoming Sikhism's first martyr. His sacrifice inspired a shift towards a more militaristic approach (Miri-Piri).
- Enduring Inspiration - Guru Arjan Dev's legacy continues to inspire millions, symbolizing resilience, faith, and ultimate sacrifice for one's beliefs.
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Polity & Governance
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Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag (BBA)
Recently, Union Home Minister inaugurated the BBA (Indian Languages Section) on June 6, 2025, in New Delhi, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign languages in Indian governance.
- Implemented by - Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
- Purpose - To decrease the dominance of English in administration, promoting the use of mother tongues in decision-making and official communication.
- Why Now? The BBA, for which the Union Budget 2024-25 allocated ₹56 crore, was launched to empower regional languages and encourage decision-making in native tongues.
- Historical Disparities - Regional languages were often sidelined in national discourse. The BBA, supported by C-DAC, addresses this by enabling Centre-State communication in native languages, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020's emphasis on mother tongue-based administration.
- Impact- True potential is achieved when governance occurs in India's own languages, addressing language-based disparities.
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International Relations and Issues
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India-EAEU Free Trade Agreement Discussions Expected
Recent, Discussion concerning a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries are anticipated to commence this year, as stated by Andrey Sobolev, the Russian Trade Commissioner in India.
- Eurasian Economic Union - The EAEU is an international economic union of northern Eurasian countries. Established by a treaty on May 29, 2014, it succeeded the Eurasian Economic Community.
- Principles - The EAEU champions the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor. Its primary goals include boosting member states' competitiveness, fostering cooperation, and promoting stable development to enhance living standards.
- Member States - The union comprises five member states: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia.
- Governance Structure - The EAEU's supreme authority is the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, formed by heads of member states.
- Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) - Based in Moscow, is the permanent supranational regulatory body. The Court of the EAEU, located in Minsk, ensures uniform application of treaties.
- Distinctions from the EU - Unlike the European Commission, the EEC has limited power, lacking the authority to bring non-compliant member states to court. Disputes are often resolved bilaterally. The EAEU also does not share a common currency, unlike the EU.
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World Bank Finances Inga 3 Hydropower Project
The World Bank has approved $250 million in financing for the Inga 3 hydropower project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite civil society opposition and governance concerns
- Grand Inga Project - This hydroelectric project on the Congo River in the DRC is the world's largest proposed hydropower scheme. It's located 50 km upstream of the river's mouth
- Project's Unique Site - The site boasts exceptionally high average river flows, second only to the Amazon, and a natural 97-meter drop. This allows for diverse, lower-impact designs.
- Enormous Power Potential - The Grand Inga project could generate up to 40,000 megawatts (MW), more than double the power of China's Three Gorges Dam and over a third of Africa's current electricity production.
- Phased Development - With an estimated cost of $80 billion, the project will be developed in seven phases, starting with Inga 3.
- Funding - Is sourced from the World Bank, African Development Bank, and others. Inga 3, costing $14 billion, is projected to generate 4,800 MW.
- Existing Infrastructure - Inga 3 will be situated on the Inga Falls, already home to the operational Inga 1 (351 MW) and Inga 2 (1,424 MW) hydroelectric facilities, commissioned in 1972 and 1982 respectively.
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Environment
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Sindoor
On World Environment Day, the PM of India planted a Sindoor (Bixa orellana) sapling at his New Delhi residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
- Sindoor Plant - Known as 'Annatto' in English, the Sindoor plant is a tropical shrub famous for its bright red seeds. Its globular, spiky red-brown seed pods grow in clusters.
- Native Region and Cultivation - Originally from Brazil, this plant now thrives in various tropical countries, including Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, Indonesia, India, and Kenya.
- Ideal Growing Conditions - Sindoor plants need a frost-free, warm, and humid climate with ample direct sunlight. They adapt to almost any soil type but prefer neutral to slightly alkaline conditions.
- Diverse Applications - The seeds yield a widely used dye in the food, textile, paint, and cosmetic industries. Its extracts are also a common industrial food coloring, adding yellow or orange hues to products like cheese and ice cream.
- Traditional Use - Traditionally, the plant's red-orange color has been used as a cosmetic by tribal communities.
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- New Flamingo Sanctuary
- The Tamil Nadu government has officially designated a Greater Flamingo Sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in the Ramanathapuram district.
- Location - Situated within the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, the sanctuary at Dhanushkodi.
- Encompasses diverse - Ecosystems, including mangroves, sand dunes, mudflats, and marshes.
- Critical Flyway Stopover - This newly declared sanctuary is a vital stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, crucial for thousands of migratory wetland birds, supporting 128 bird species, including Greater and Lesser Flamingos.
- Ecological Significance - The region boasts rich ecosystems, including mangrove forests like Avicennia and Rhizophora, which stabilize the coastline and provide essential habitats for marine life and nesting sea turtles.
- Greater Flamingo - Is a large wading bird, recognizable by its pink feathers. It is distributed across Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe, inhabiting shallow, saline wetlands.
- Conservation Status - The Greater Flamingo is listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN and is under Schedule-II of the Wildlife Protection Act. Gujarat's state bird is the Greater Flamingo, and Kutch-Rann is known as India's flamingo capital.
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Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' Launched
On World Environment Day 2025, PM inaugurated the 2nd phase of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign by planting a sapling at Mahavir Jayanti Park in New Delhi, urging citizens to plant trees in honor of their mothers.
- Campaign's Goal - Phase 2 of this nationwide initiative, which began on June 5, 2025, aims to plant an ambitious 10 crore trees across India between June 5 and September 30, 2025. It blends environmental activism with cultural sentiment.
- Significance - The campaign strengthens grassroots participation in environmental sustainability, boosting India's contribution to global climate change efforts.
- Additional Green Initiatives - PM Modi also flagged off 200 electric buses in Delhi. This move promotes green public transportation and actively combats urban air pollution.
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Waste Picker App Launched on Environment Day
On World Environment Day, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the Waste Picker Enumeration App under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) NAMASTE Scheme.
- Aiming to - Empower waste pickers nationwide.
- NAMASTE Scheme - The NAMASTE Scheme a joint MoSJE and MoHUA initiative, launched in 2022, ensures dignity and safety for urban sanitation workers until 2026 across 500 cities.
- Objectives - Include achieving zero sanitation worker fatalities, ensuring skilled task performance, and providing alternative livelihoods, fostering worker collectivization into Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Scheme Components - NAMASTE provides Ayushman Bharat health insurance, livelihood assistance through counseling and training, and capital subsidies for sanitation machinery.
- Waste Picker App's Purpose - The app will profile 2.5 lakh waste pickers, providing formal identity, social protection, ID cards, health insurance, PPE, and skill development, integrating them into the circular economy.
- Impact and Resources - This initiative improves working conditions, enhances livelihood security, and strengthens waste picker collectives. "Resource Guide" and "Charting Change" were released to inform stakeholders about waste picker integration.
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Poor Prisoner Scheme Funds
The Government of India is concerned about the underutilization of funds for the 'Support to Poor Prisoners' Scheme, launched in May 2023, to assist those unable to secure bail.
- Aim - This initiative provides financial aid to prisoners who cannot pay fines or bail, aiming to alleviate their financial burdens.
- Implementation Framework - The MHA issued SOPs, requiring district-level 'Empowered Committees' and state-level 'Oversight Committees' to sanction assistance.
- Identification Process - Jail authorities inform the District Legal Services Authority if undertrials aren't released within a week of bail, leading to financial status investigation and potential relief up to ₹40,000.
- Exclusions Apply - Prisoners accused under acts like the Prevention of Corruption Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act are ineligible.
- Impact on Overcrowding - Effective implementation can reduce prison overcrowding, as undertrials contribute significantly to the national average occupancy rate exceeding 131%.
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Science
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Diphtheria Resurges in Europe
Western Europe is experiencing its largest diphtheria outbreak in 70 years, beginning in 2022 and primarily affecting vulnerable populations.
- Diphtheria, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, is a highly contagious bacterial infection attacking the respiratory tract. It can cause severe complications due to toxins, with a 30% fatality rate.
- Outbreak Snapshot - Since 2022, Europe has seen 536 cases and three fatalities, mainly among young male migrants. Infections are linked to their journeys or temporary accommodations.
- Impact on Vulnerable - Limited healthcare access and vaccination gaps have disproportionately affected migrants and the homeless, compounding their risk.
- Vaccination - Is crucial for prevention. Globally, 16% of children were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated in 2023, highlighting a critical need for robust immunization.
- Long-Term Concerns - These outbreaks underscore the necessity of sustained public health efforts and high vaccination coverage to prevent the re-emergence of this preventable disease.
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