UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 05-07-2025

One Liners 05-07-2025

History, Art and Culture

Punyatithi of Swami Vivekananda

July 4th, marks the Punyatithi of Swami Vivekananda, a revered Indian saint, philosopher, and the Father of Modern Indian Nationalism.

• Early Life- Born Narendranath Datta in 1863, he became a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. In 1893, he adopted the name Vivekananda.

• Core Message - Vivekananda emphasized unity, peace, service, and the divinity in every being. He spread the teachings of the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, integrating insights from Buddha and Jesus.

• Chicago Speech (1893) - His iconic "Sisters and Brothers of America" address at the Parliament of the World's Religions introduced Vedanta and Yoga to the West, establishing him as a global spiritual leader.

• Contribution - He championed character-building education and selfless service. He outlined four paths to spiritual liberation: Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga.

• Mission - In 1897, he founded the Ramakrishna Mission with the motto: "Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha" (for one's own salvation and for the welfare of the world), focusing on education, health, and spiritual guidance.

• Passing - Swami Vivekananda passed away on July 4, 1902, at Belur Math, believed to have attained mahasamadhi.

Geography

Roll Cloud

Recently, a rare roll cloud recently captivated observers over Portugal’s coastline, formed by the collision of a cool Atlantic air mass with hot, dry air during an intense European heatwave.

• Roll Cloud - A roll cloud is a rare, low-level, horizontal, tube-shaped cloud that appears to roll as it moves. Unlike funnel clouds, it is not attached to any thunderstorm or rotating vortex.
• Commonly observed - In coastal regions where oceanic and continental air masses interact, such as the U.S. Plains, Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria, and European Atlantic coasts.
• Formation - They form when cool, moist maritime air undercuts hot, dry continental air, triggering atmospheric gravity waves. Adiabatic cooling and condensation in the rising wave limb create the cloud.
• Characteristics - Roll clouds are long, tube-shaped, low-lying, often stretching hundreds of kilometers. They are detached from parent cloud systems and frequently appear in the morning, appearing to roll horizontally.
• Significance - Primarily a visual phenomenon, roll clouds indicate instability in the lower atmosphere and temperature gradients, sometimes acting as a precursor to storm development.

Social Issues

Sabrang Clinic India's First Transgender-Led Health Center

Recently, India’s first health clinic entirely staffed and managed by transgender individuals, has reopened in Hyderabad. Formerly Mitr Clinic, it faced a shutdown after USAID's funding freeze but now has renewed support from Tata Trusts.

• Sabrang Clinic - Provides specialized, stigma-free healthcare for the transgender community, managed and run exclusively by transgender individuals.
• Services Offered - The clinic offers a range of vital services, including gender-affirming care, HIV/AIDS treatment, mental health support, and general healthcare.
• Addressing Disparities - It directly tackles the healthcare disparities and discrimination transgender people often face in mainstream medical facilities.
• Community Empowerment - Beyond healthcare, Sabrang Clinic empowers the transgender community by creating crucial employment opportunities within the healthcare sector.
• Renewed Funding - The clinic’s reopening is a significant victory, enabled by renewed funding from Tata Trusts, ensuring its continued operation and impact.

Polity & Governance

Mahayogi Gorakhnath University

The President of India visited Gorakhpur in UP, to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several projects at Mahayogi Gorakhnath University, a significant event for eastern Uttar Pradesh's education and healthcare.

• Holistic Medical Education - President Murmu lauded the University’s integration of modern (Allopathy) and traditional (Ayurveda) medicine, noting its medical and Ayurveda colleges, and the upcoming 1800-bed hospital.
• Supporting NEP 2020 - She emphasized private universities' role in nation-building under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, recognizing Mahayogi Gorakhnath University as a vital educational hub in the Purvanchal region.
• Women's Empowerment - The President expressed pride in laying the Girls’ Hostel foundation, highlighting its importance in providing safe housing and enabling more girls to pursue higher education.

Indore Launches India's First Digital House Address Project

In a recent landmark move under the Smart Cities Mission, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) has launched India’s first Digital House Address Project, replacing conventional addresses with QR codes and GPS technology.

• Pilot Launch - The project successfully launched in Ward 82 of Sudama Nagar, marking the initial deployment of QR-based address plates integrated with the national Digipin system.
• Key Features - Each household receives a QR-coded metal plate linked to precise GPS coordinates. This integrates with Digipin and provides direct access to civic services via mobile scan.
• Process - Scanning the QR code on the affixed plate reveals exact location details, allowing users to interact with a portal for tax payments, complaints, or record viewing.
• Aim to – Simplify address identification, enhance service delivery, improve emergency response, digitize civic interaction, and foster data-driven governance.
• Benefits - It promises faster municipal services, improved emergency response, streamlined e-commerce deliveries, and accurate data for urban planning, boosting overall digital governance.

Tamil Nadu Launches Doorstep PDS

Recently, Tamil Nadu State government has launched a pilot project in Chennai to deliver essential commodities directly to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, improving their access to the public distribution system.

• Mobile Shop Concept - Vehicles equipped with essential goods — travel to beneficiaries' homes. A shopkeeper manages transactions using a weighing machine and a palm reader for identification.
• Beneficiary Impact - Senior citizens have expressed gratitude for the convenience of door-to-door service, particularly benefiting those with mobility challenges and fostering community support.
• Project Coverage - The pilot project extends across Cuddalore, Tirunelveli, and Dindigul districts, reaching diverse urban, rural, and coastal regions to ensure broad accessibility.
• Addressing Challenges - Consumer activist T. Sadagopan highlighted the need for effective communication strategies to inform and encourage participation among all eligible beneficiaries.
• Enhancing Accessibility - This initiative streamlines distribution, ensuring vulnerable populations receive necessary items, marking a significant step towards inclusive public service delivery

International Relations and Issues

Russia Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan

In a significant diplomatic move, Russia has become the first country to officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan since their return to power in August 2021.

• Official Recognition - Russia removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations and formally accepted the credentials of Afghanistan’s new ambassador, Gul Hassan Hassan.
• Taliban's Welcome - Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, controlled by the Taliban, hailed Russia's decision as a "historic step," urging other nations to follow suit.
• Backgound of Taliban Rule - The Taliban regained control in August 2021 after US and NATO troop withdrawal. Most nations have withheld formal recognition due to human rights concerns.
• Russia's Influence - As a permanent UN Security Council member and key regional player, Russia's recognition holds significant political weight and could influence countries like China, Iran, and Pakistan.
• Potential Impact- This move opens the door for fuller diplomatic  relations, potentially leading to wider international acceptance of the Taliban's rule and affecting regional dynamics.

Economy

Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

Recently, India's Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has launched its first international Representative Office in Dubai, UAE, marking a major step in its global expansion.

• Strategic Dubai Choice - Dubai was chosen as a strategic gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets, offering an investor-friendly environment and proximity to emerging steel markets.
• National Alignment - This expansion supports India's goal of increasing steel production to 300 million tonnes by 2030, solidifying its position as a global steel powerhouse.
• Office Functions - The Dubai office will boost exports, enhance commercial linkages, and facilitate direct engagement with international clients, focusing on Gulf and African markets.

• India-UAE Trade - SAIL's presence strengthens the India-UAE economic partnership, positioning steel as a key collaboration area and bridging Indian steel expertise with regional demand.

Security

 India Boosts Indigenous Defence with Acquisitions

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved capital acquisition proposals worth ₹1.05 lakh crore, exclusively through 100% indigenous sourcing, significantly enhancing India's defense capabilities.

• Key Approvals -   Ten capital acquisition proposals were cleared under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, emphasizing domestic manufacturing.
• Naval Plans - The DAC accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels, Submersible Autonomous Vessels, and Super Rapid Gun Mounts for the Navy.
• QR-SAM Procurement - A ₹30,000 crore procurement for three regiments of Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QR-SAM) is anticipated to bolster the Indian Army's air defense.
• Largest Helicopter Deal -The Cabinet Committee on Security greenlit a ₹62,700 crore deal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (Prachand) from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), marking the biggest-ever helicopter acquisition.
• About DAC - Established in 2001 post-Kargil War reforms, the DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence for procurement, chaired by the Defence Minister, ensuring time-bound and cost-effective acquisitions.

Science

US AI Copyright Rulings Favor Tech

Recent US court rulings have favored tech companies in AI copyright cases, though the debate over generative AI's use of copyrighted material remains ongoing.

• The Core Issue - Generative AI models train on vast datasets, including copyrighted works, prompting concerns of "theft" from creators who claim livelihood harm.
• Tech's Argument - Tech companies argue their use constitutes "fair use" because AI models create "transformative" outputs.
• Writers vs. Anthropic - A court ruled that Anthropic's use of pirated books for AI training was "transformative" and qualified as fair use.
• Writers vs. Meta - Claims against Meta for training Llama AI on shadow libraries were dismissed, as authors couldn't prove market harm, though the court suggested creator compensation.
• Unresolved Debate - Despite these rulings, the fundamental question of whether AI training on copyrighted content constitutes "stolen creative work" is still unresolved.