Current Affairs – March 20, 2025

{GS1 – Geo – Solar System} Vernal or Spring Equinox *

• Context (LM): The Vernal Equinox on 20^th March marks the official start of astronomical spring in the Northern Hemisphere and astronomical autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

• The term vernal means “spring,” signifying the transition from winter to longer, warmer days in the north, while the south experiences the shift towards cooler autumn nights.
• On this day, the Sun crosses the celestial equator, signalling seasonal change.

What is an Equinox?

• An equinox occurs twice a year – once in March and once in September – when the centre of the Sun aligns with Earth’s equatorial plane.

• March Equinox: Brings longer, warmer days in the Northern Hemisphere (spring) and shorter, cooler days in the Southern Hemisphere (autumn).
• September (Autumnal) Equinox: Brings shorter, cooler days in the Northern Hemisphere (autumn) and longer, warmer days in the Southern Hemisphere (spring).

What Happens During an Equinox?

• NASA explains that on the day of an equinox:
  • Observers at the equator see the Sun directly overhead at noon. Both hemispheres receive nearly equal sunlight, making day and night approximately equal, with slight variations due to latitude and atmospheric effects.
  • Following the March Equinox, the Sun continues moving northward in the sky each day until the June Solstice, after which it starts moving south again.
  • During the September Equinox, the Sun crosses the equatorial plane and continues moving southward until the December Solstice before heading northward again.
• Because of this movement, the March Equinox is sometimes called the Northward Equinox, while the September Equinox is referred to as the Southward Equinox.
• Earth’s orbit is slightly elliptical, but it is the constant axial till (not its distance from the Sun) – that determines equinoxes and solstices. Equinoxes mark points of balance in this journey, while solstices represent the extremes.
• This tilt causes the Sun’s rays to hit Earth at varying angles throughout the year. Direct rays concentrate energy in summer, increasing warmth, while slanted rays spread energy over a larger area in winter, leading to cooler temperatures.

Seasons

• Seasons result from the 23.5° tilt of the Earth’s axis. The tilt remains fixed in space as Earth orbits the Sun, causing:
  • The Northern Hemisphere to tilt toward the Sun in June, leading to summer.
  • The Northern Hemisphere to tilt away from the Sun in December, bringing winter.
• This axial tilt determines the intensity and duration of sunlight received in different regions.

Source: history.co.uk

What is a Solstice?

• A solstice happens when the Sun reaches its maximum or minimum declination—its farthest point north or south of the celestial equator—occurring around June 20–21 (Summer Solstice) and December 21–22 (Winter Solstice).
• At the solstices, the Sun is directly overhead at noon along the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) in June or the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) in December. These lines of latitude, defined by Earth’s tilt, mark the northernmost and southernmost points where the Sun can be directly overhead.

{GS1 – MH – Personalities} Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Temple *

• Context (IE): Maharashtra’s first temple dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj was inaugurated in Bhiwandi.

Significance and Structural Features

• First in Maharashtra and the second in India (first in Srisailam, Telangana), dedicated to Shivaji Maharaj.
• Central Figure: Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji stands at 6.5 feet and is sculpted by artist Arun Yogiraj.
• Foundation & Construction: Laid in 2017, built by Shivkranti Pratishthan using reinforced concrete, bricks, and real stone for durability.
• Architectural Inspiration: Modeled after Shivaji’s forts, featuring bastions, fortifications, grand entrance.
• Design: The main entrance (sabha mandap) is 42 ft high, with a teakwood gate. Includes circular bastions with intricately carved pillars, 5 spires & decorative temple arches (mahirap).
• Murals & Historical Displays: 36 murals (9×6 ft) depict Shivaji Maharaj’s life, alongside a museum of historical weapons and a scenic garden.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Source: Wikipedia

• Birth: Born on 19^th February 1630 at Shivneri Fort, Maharashtra to Shahaji Bhonsle and Jijabai.
• Early Conquests: Captured Torna Fort in 1645 at age 15, beginning his military campaigns.
• Guerrilla Warfare: Mastered hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and strategic fortifications, effectively countering larger Mughal forces.
• Conflict with Mughals: Signed the Treaty of Purandar (1665), ceding 23 forts, but later recaptured Purandar in 1670; escaped from Aurangzeb’s captivity in 1666.
• Crowned as Chhatrapati on 6^th June 1674 at Raigad Fort, formally establishing the Maratha Empire.
• Administration: Introduced the Ashta Pradhan (Council of Eight Ministers) for efficient governance and a strong revenue system.
• Naval Power: Built a powerful navy, securing coastal defenses, earning title “Father of Indian Navy”.
• Diplomacy: Negotiated strategic treaties like Purandar and Rajapur to manage conflicts and alliances.
• Religious Tolerance: Ensured fair treatment of all religions, promoting secular governance.
• Legacy: Died on 3^rd April 1680, leaving behind a strong Maratha Empire, shaping Indian history.

Efforts for Recognition of Legacy

• UNESCO Recognition: Maharashtra government has sought UNESCO’s recognition for 12 forts (Lohagad, Salher, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Shivneri, Suvarnadurg, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, Panhala, Khanderi (Maharashtra) & Gingee (Tamil Nadu))under the Maratha Military Landscape of India.
• Proposed Agra Memorial: The state seeks permission to build a memorial in Agra, marking Shivaji Maharaj’s escape from Aurangzeb’s captivity in 1666.

{GS1 – MIH – Movements} PEPSU Muzhara Movement

• Context (IE): The Muzhara Movement, commemorated on March 19, was a tenant farmers’ struggle in Punjab for land ownership since the 1930s.

About the Muzhara Movement

• Biswedari System (1870s): Maharaja of Patiala introduced a feudal system where biswedars (landlords) controlled villages and land, reducing original landowners to tenant farmers.
• Exploitative Practices: Muzharas had to surrender a significant share of their produce to landlords, who further paid revenue to the Maharaja and British authorities.
• Forced Tenancy: Some small farmers lost their land and became tenants under British rule.

Origins of the Movement

• Early Resistance (1930s): Muzharas initiated protests against the feudal system, demanding ownership of the land they tilled.
• Role of Political Movements: Inspired by the Akali and Praja Mandal movements, tenant farmers mobilised against the landlords.
• Expansion Post-Independence: After 1947, resistance intensified against landlords who continued claiming a share of produce despite India’s independence.

Key Events

• October 1948: Maharaja attempted to grant 1/3^rd of village lands to jagirdars, which farmers rejected.
• March 1949: Muzharas in Kishangarh resisted landlords’ attempts to reclaim land, sparking movement.
• March 17, 1949: A clash with Patiala police resulted in death of a police officer, leading to mass arrests.
• March 19, 1949: Kishangarh attacked, 4 muzharas got killed. The day became a symbol of resistance.
• 1951: Congress government set up an Agrarian Reforms Enquiry Committee to address land issues.
• 1952: Implementation of PEPSU Tenancy (Temporary Provision) Act, allowing peasants to acquire land ownership by paying compensation.

Key Leaders of the Movement

Impact and Achievements

• End of the Biswedari System: The movement led to the abolition of the feudal landlord system in PEPSU.
• Land Ownership for Farmers: Tenant farmers finally gained land rights in 1952.
• Institutional Reforms: The PEPSU Tenancy Act provided a legal framework for land redistribution.

PEPSU Province

• Formation of PEPSU (1948): PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union) was created by merging eight princely states post-independence.
• Abolition in 1956: PEPSU was merged into Punjab, but its agrarian struggles shaped future land reforms.

{GS1 – MIH – Movements} Uprising of Patharughat (1894) *

• Context (IE): Recently, the Uprising of Patharughat (1894) was in the news.

Patharughat Uprising

• Also called Patharughat Peasant Revolt, was a significant but lesser-known freedom struggle that took place on January 28, 1894, in Assam’s Darrang district.
• Unfair Taxation: It was a protest by farmers against unfair British taxation. Between 1826 and 1893, land revenue rates were enhanced several times, crippling peasant economy.
  • Tax policy was framed with a dual strategy to increase public revenue resources & to squeeze peasantry so much that they would be forced to give up their traditional occupation to join labour market.
• British Response: British police opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing over 140 farmers.
• The uprising is often compared with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919).
• Krishak Swahid Diwas: Every year on January 28, the government and local people pay respects to the martyrs in an official function.

Doli-Puran

• Doli-Puran: A historical ballad in Assamese. Composed by Narrottam Das, it narrates events related to the Patharughat Peasant Resistance of 1894.
• Narottam was an eyewitness to the uprising and described the events in his songs Doli (earth/soil).

{GS2 – IR – India-New Zealand} India-New Zealand Relations **

• Context (DD | TH): The Indian PM and New Zealand PM Luxon discussed key areas of collaboration during Luxon’s first official visit to India to participate in the Raisina Dialogue.

Indo-New Zealand Bilateral Relations

Historical Linkages

• Early Indian Settlers: Migrated to Christchurch in the 1850s.
• Military Cooperation: Indian troops fought alongside ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) in the Gallipoli Campaign (1915).
• Diplomatic Ties: Established in 1950, evolving into a High Commission later.
• Common Interests: Shared democratic values, Commonwealth membership, and legal frameworks.
• Tourism and Sports: Cricket, hockey, and mountaineering have fostered goodwill.
• Strategic Engagement: New Zealand’s “Opening Doors to India” policy (2011) and “India-NZ 2025 – Investing in the Relationship” strategy (2020) aim to strengthen long-term ties.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

• Bilateral Trade Value (2023-24): USD 1.75 billion.
  • Exports to NZ: Pharmaceuticals, mechanical machinery, made-up textile articles, pearls, precious stones, and metals.
  • Imports from NZ: Wool, iron & steel, fruit & nuts, aluminium.
• FTA Negotiations Resumed (after being stalled in 2015 due to dairy and agriculture issues), focusing on dairy, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and critical minerals.
• Customs Cooperation: Signed agreement (Aug 2024) to boost trade and combat organised crime.
• Skilled Worker Mobility: Addressing illegal migration and formalising labour exchanges.

Defence and Security Cooperation

• Institutionalized Partnership: Signed MoU for enhanced military cooperation.
• Naval Cooperation: Naval visits of INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata in 2023 & INSV Tarini in 2024; India’s participation in Combined Maritime Forces.
• Security Concerns Addressed: China’s expansionism and Khalistani separatist threats.
• Joint Task Force: India contributes staff to Combined Task Force 150, led by RNZ Navy (Jan 2025).

Counterterrorism Cooperation

• Joint Condemnation of Terrorism: Referred to the 2019 Christchurch and 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Against Extremism: Commitment to counter terrorist financing & dismantling terror networks.

Indo-Pacific and Global Diplomacy

• Indo-Pacific Stability: New Zealand joined India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
• Maritime Commitments: Freedom of navigation, adherence to UNCLOS (1982).
• Geopolitical Stances: Shared position on the Ukraine war and two-state solution for Gaza.
• UNSC Reforms: New Zealand reiterated support for India’s permanent UNSC seat.
• Diplomatic Expansion: New Zealand increased its diplomatic presence in India by over 60%.

Cultural Relations

• Indian Diaspora in NZ: ~250,000 people, third-largest ethnic group.
• Education and Mobility: India is 2nd largest source of international students in NZ (~8,000 students) in the academic fields of IT, hospitality, science, engineering, and architecture.
• Cultural Engagements: Indian festivals (Diwali, Holi, Baisakhi, Onam) are widely celebrated.
• Arts: NZ schools teach Indian dance forms (Kathak, Bharatnatyam), Bollywood dance & Hindi language.
• Sports Collaboration: Celebrating 100 years of sporting ties in 2026, promoting player exchanges.
• Tourism and Cultural Ties: Strengthening cooperation in tourism and cultural initiatives.
• Mountaineering Legacy: Sir Edmund Hillary, an NZ hero, is iconic in India for his Everest expedition.

Challenges in Bilateral Relations

• Market Access Issues: India withdrew from RCEP (2019) over concerns of unfair market access.
• Tariff Barriers: India’s average import tariff (17.8%) contrasts with NZ’s low tariff (2.3%).
• Skilled Worker Access: India seeks better opportunities for IT professionals, while NZ is reluctant to offer work opportunities similar to Australia and China.
• Dairy Industry Concerns: NZ seeks greater access to India’s protected dairy market.
• Anti-India Activities in NZ: Luxon assured action against illegal elements operating in New Zealand.

About New Zealand

• Island Nation: New Zealand is a remote island country in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main islands (North and South) and several smaller islands.
• No Land Borders, and Australia is its nearest neighbour, located over 1,600 km to the northwest.
• Geopolitical Position: It lies in Australasia with Australia and marks the southwestern boundary of Polynesia, bordered by the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

  

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Govt Rejects Arecanut Board Proposal *

• Context (TH): Union Govt reaffirms no plan for Arecanut Board in Karnataka.

Arecanut

Source: TH

• Scientific Name: Areca catechu.
• Common Names: Supari, Betel Nut, Areca Palm.
• Best Climate: 14ºC to 36ºC (affected below 10ºC & above 40ºC); ideal rainfall of 750mm to 4500mm.
• Soil: Best in gravelly laterite, red clay loam soils; unsuitable in sandy or calcareous soils.
• Harvest Season: June to December.

Arecanut Production in India

• India: Largest producer and consumer of areca nut.
• Karnataka: Leads with 40% of total production.
• Other Major Producers: Kerala (25%), Assam (20%), Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, West Bengal.

Geographical Indication Tag for Arecanut

• ‘Sirsi Supari’ (Karnataka) received a GI tag for its unique shape, texture, and hardness.
• Tirthahalli Arecanut (Karnataka): Known for high-grade nuts used in premium markets.

Grading

• Arecanut is boiled, and the husk is removed and dried before sorting into grades.
• Key Grades: Rashi, Bette, Gorabalu; Nuli & Hasa fetch highest prices due to quality.

Existing Institutional Support for Arecanut

• ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (Kasaragod): Leads R&D efforts.
• Arecanut Research Centre: Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University, Shivamogga, Karnataka.
• Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development (Calicut): Implements training programs under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).

Government Initiatives for Arecanut Farmers

• 100% Import Duty imposed on areca nut to protect domestic growers.
• Minimum Import Price (MIP): Raised from ₹251/kg to ₹351/kg.
• State Horticulture Mission (Karnataka): ₹37 Cr under MIDH for disease management (2024-25).

{GS3 – Envi – Wetlands} Ana Sagar lake

• Context (ToI): SC ordered the removal of ‘Seven Wonders’ replicas from Ana Sagar Lake, part of which is a designated Wetland, to balance tourism with environmental conservation.

About Ana Sagar Lake

• Artificial lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan, spread over 13 km, formed by damming the Luni (Lavanavari) River.
• Built By: Arnoraja Chauhan (Anaji), grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan (1135-1150 AD).
• Island: Located in the centre, accessible by boat.
• Seasonal Impact: Dries up every summer.
• Historical Additions to the Lake on its Surroundings:
  • Khobra Behroon temple
  • Baradari Pavilions (1637 AD): Built by Shah Jahan.
  • Daulat Bagh Gardens: Constructed by Jehangir on the banks.
  • British Residency: Now a circuit house on a nearby hill.

Source: Rajasthan.gov.in

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Audible Enclaves *

• Context (TH): Researchers have developed a method to create sound pockets that are audible only to specific individuals.

What are Audible Enclaves?

• Small pockets of sound that remain undisturbed by surrounding noise.
• Designed to allow only specific individuals to hear a sound privately, even in crowded spaces.
• Based on precise sound wave manipulation, ensuring selective auditory perception.

Technology Behind Audible Enclaves

• Parametric Array Loudspeakers: Use high-frequency waves modulated with an audio signal to create focused sound beams.
• Advanced Technique: When two high-frequency waves of different frequencies (which are inaudible on their own) intersect, non-linear interactions generate a sound wave audible only at that precise location.
• Controlled Sound Projection: Only individuals within the defined zone can hear the transmitted sound.

Significance of Audible Enclaves

• Acoustic Privacy: Facilitates personal sound experiences without the need for headphones.
• Noise Pollution Reduction: Minimizes unwanted sound spillover in public areas.
• Technological Innovation: Pioneers advancements in sound directionality and auditory control.

Applications of Audible Enclaves

• Privacy & Security: Enables confidential communication in public spaces.
• Virtual Reality & Gaming: Enhances immersive audio experiences.
• Smart Cities, Public Announcement: Deliver targeted messages without background noise interference.
• Museums & Heritage Sites: Provides localised audio guides without disturbing others.
• Conservation & Nature Reserves: Preserves natural soundscapes, allowing selective audio playback.

{Prelims – Reports} Future of the Free Speech Index 2025

• Context (TH): Future of the Free Speech Index by Future of Free Speech, a U.S.-based think tank.
  • It builds on and extends the findings of a previous report, “Who Cares about Free Speech? (2021)”.

• Components: The index is a composite measure based on answers to 8 questions about willingness to allow controversial speech, criticism of government, media freedom, and open Internet.
• Countries: It is based on surveys of individuals from 33 countries from different regions of the world.

Key Findings

• Top Performers: Norway (1^st), Denmark (2^nd) and Hungary (3^rd) show the highest levels of support for free speech. Indonesia (56.8), Malaysia (55.4), and Pakistan (57.0) showed the biggest improvements.
• Low Performers: Nigeria (31^st), Malaysia (32^nd) and Jordan (33^rd) remained at the lower end of ranking.
  • Muslim-majority countries and the Global South show the lowest levels of support.
• Overall Decline: More countries have seen declines rather than improvements in free speech support since 2021. Some of the biggest drops occur in democratic nations like the US and Israel.
  • While abstract support for free speech remains strong, commitment to protecting controversial speech is eroding in many parts of the world.
• Restricting use of AI: There is strong support for governments and tech companies to restrict the use of generative AI tools.

About India

• India ranked 24^th with a score of 62.6, between South Africa (66.9) and Lebanon (61.8).
• While a majority of Indians consider it very important to speak freely without government censorship, support for criticism of government policies was below the global average.
• Nations that are more supportive of free speech tend to enjoy more freedom of expression in practice and vice versa. But India was an exception to this pattern.
• Actual protection of free speech is very low compared to the popular support.