UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 15-05-2025

One Liners 15-05-2025

History, Art and Culture

Miss World Contestants Visit Buddhavanam

Recently, Contestants from 22 countries participating in Miss World 2025 recently visited Buddhavanam on Buddha Purnima.

• Theme Park - Located on the Krishna River's north bank in Telangana, Buddhavanam is a 279-acre Buddhist theme park.
• Development Objective - Sanctioned by the Indian government to create an integrated Buddhist Circuit, aiming to attract tourists.
• Key Attractions - Features Buddhacharitha Vanam (Buddha's life), Jataka Park, Dhyana Vanam, Stupa Vanam (with the Maha Stupa), and a museum.
• Historical Significance - Situated near Nagarjuna Sagar and the historically significant Nagarjunakonda, a Mahayana Buddhism center named after Acharya Nagarjuna.
• Archaeological Importance - Excavations at Nagarjunakonda revealed significant Buddhist structures and artifacts, many reconstructed on Nagarjunakonda Island and Anupu.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Seeks Report on Dongria Kondh Conditions

 Recently, NHRC has requested an Action Taken Report from Odisha's Chief Secretary over 10,000 families face poor living conditions and lack basic amenities and necessities.

• Vulnerable Tribal Group - The report concerns the "Dongria Kondh," a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) community.
• Niyamgiri Inhabitants - The Dongria Kondh are ancient residents of the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha.
• Cultural Identity - They deeply revere the hilltops and forests, consider themselves protectors of streams, and have unique customs and languages.
• Livelihood Dependence - Their economy relies on non-timber forest products collection and traditional horticulture.

Geography

Earthquake Hits Shigatse, Tibet

Recently, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Shigatse, Tibet, at a shallow depth of 10 km, as reported by Chinese authorities.

• Tibet's Location - Situated in Central Asia, Tibet is officially the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China, bordering India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
• "Roof of the World" - Lying on the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau (4,500–5,000m), Tibet features the Qiangtang Plateau, deep valleys, and the Himalayas.
• Significant Peaks - Home to Mount Everest and the sacred Mount Kailash, along with other major ranges like the Kunlun and Himalayas.
• Major River Origins - Several major Asian rivers, including the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) and the Indus, originate in Tibet.
• Diverse Flora and Fauna - Vegetation ranges from grasslands to sparse forests, supporting unique wildlife like the snow leopard and wild yak.

Polity & Governance

UPSC Chairman

It has been officially announced that Ajay Kumar, an accomplished bureaucrat with a notable tenure as the former Defence Secretary, is the newly appointed Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

• Appointed by: The President of India, as per Article 316 of the Constitution.
• Tenure: The Chairman holds office for a term of six years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever occurs first. Ajay Kumar's term will be until he turns 65 in October 2027.
• Eligibility: While the Constitution doesn't specify qualifications, it mandates that at least half of the UPSC members should have held a government office for a minimum of 10 years.
• Functions: The Chairman heads the UPSC, a constitutional body responsible for conducting examinations for appointments to the All India Services and Central Civil  Services (Group A and B).
• The UPSC - Is a constitutional body established by Article 315 of the Constitution of India.
• Role of UPSC- plays a crucial role in selecting competent individuals who will hold key positions in the Indian bureaucracy and contribute to the governance and administration of the country.

'Vruthi 2025

The recent 'Vruthi 2025 – The Clean Kerala Conclave' witnessed significant participation, drawing approximately 25,000 individuals and highlighting the strong commitment towards effective waste management in the state.

• 'Vruthi', a cleanliness -  Initiative focusing on body and mind, launched in Kerala in October 2024.
• Historical Context - Traditional household waste repurposing shifted post-liberalisation, increasing non-biodegradable waste and necessitating action.
• Campaign Goals - Promotes personal and public hygiene, encourages community participation for a garbage-free Kerala, and emphasizes clean public spaces.
• Approach vs. Swachh Bharat - 'Vruthi' prioritizes behavioural change and decentralised, community-led solutions, unlike the top-down Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Waste Management Insights - The 'Vruthi 2025' conclave highlighted successes and challenges in both centralised and decentralised waste management systems.
• Sustainability and Future - Continued government support, stronger EPR laws, and fostering citizen responsibility are crucial for the campaign's long-term success.

Minister Urges Youth to Join MY Bharat

• Union Minister in Patna encouraged youth to actively register on the ‘MY Bharat’ portal.
• MY Bharat Overview - Mera Yuva Bharat is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, launched on October 31, 2023.
• Core Objectives - Aims to foster inclusive youth participation in national development and prepare them as change-makers for Amrit Kaal and Viksit Bharat@2047.
• Platform Features - Offers volunteer mobilization in public welfare, digital profiles for skill listing, experiential learning through projects, and mentorship opportunities.
• Youth as Ambassadors - Engages youth to disseminate information about government schemes at the grassroots level.
• Nation-Building Contribution - The portal serves as a tech-driven platform for youth development and their active contribution to nation-building initiatives.

International Relations and Issues

Indian Lawyer Honored Globally

137802268395. Bhuwan Ribhu becomes the first Indian lawyer to receive the World Jurist Association’s Medal of Honour.

• Reason for Award - His two-decade fight against child exploitation through legal reforms and advocacy is acknowledged.

World Jurist Association's Medal (WJA) of Honour

• Contributions - It recognizes individuals with significant global impact on justice, rule of law, and human rights.
•  Past honorees include - Nelson Mandela and Ruth Bader Ginsburg & Winsten Churchill underscoring the award's significance.
• WJA's Initiative - Presented by the World Jurist Association, an international non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1963 dedicated to strengthening the rule of law worldwide.

Science

India's Surveillance Boost with EOS-09

1. will launch the EOS-09 satellite on May 18, 2025, from Sriharikota using PSLV.

• Satellite Capabilities - EOS-09 (RISAT-1B), weighing 1,710 kg, carries a C-band synthetic aperture radar for high-resolution, all-weather imaging.
• Key Applications - The satellite will bolster national security through border monitoring, aid in agriculture and forestry surveys, and support disaster management with real-time data.
• Advanced Technology - Featuring five operational modes, its radar can detect objects as small as one meter, crucial for precise surveillance.
• Orbit and Operation - EOS-09 will enter a sun-synchronous orbit, ensuring consistent imaging conditions.
• Enhanced Network - It will join existing satellites like Resourcesat and RISAT-2B, significantly improving India's monitoring and data analysis capabilities.

Miscellaneous

Bandaru Dattatraya's Life Story Unveiled

Recently, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar launched 'Janta Ki Kahani Meri Aatamkatha' on May 9, 2025. ¹

• Narrative Focus -The book delves into the multifaceted life of Bandaru Dattatraya, the current Governor of Haryana, encompassing his personal, political, and social experiences.
• Public Service Chronicle - It extensively documents his journey through public service, including his tenures as a Union Minister and Governor, providing insights into his contributions.
• Inspirational Objective - The autobiography aims to inspire younger generations by sharing authentic accounts of Dattatraya's struggles, unwavering dedication, and inherent humility.
• Personal Reflections - The book offers a candid look into the author's life, revealing the challenges and triumphs that shaped his career and character.
• Solemn Remembrance - The launch event also included a moment of silence to honor the victims of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

India Navigates Germanium Export Curbs

Recently, India engages with China over export restrictions on germanium, vital for semiconductors, fiber optics, and solar panels.

• Germanium Basics - A silvery-gray metalloid in Group 14, with atomic number 32, possessing a diamond-like structure and properties akin to silicon.
• Historical Context - Predicted by Mendeleyev in 1871 as ekasilicon, discovered in 1886, its semiconductor properties gained economic significance post-1945.
• Key Applications - Crucial in manufacturing transistors, rectifiers, and photocells due to its semiconductor properties.
• Natural Occurrence & Extraction - Widely distributed but rarely free, mainly extracted as a by-product of zinc production (75%) and from coal fly ash (25%).
• Global Production - China is the dominant producer (around 60%), with Canada, Finland, Russia, and the United States contributing the remainder.