Current Affairs – March 25, 2025

{GS1 – A&C – Art} Ghodemodhini and Phugadi *

• Context (IE): Ghodemodhini and Phugadi traditional folk dances are integral to Goa’s Shigmotsav celebrations, showcasing the region’s cultural heritage and martial traditions.

Shigmotsav

• Festival and Community: Shigmotsav, or Shigmo, is a spring festival in Goa celebrated by agricultural communities like the Kunbis, Gawdas, and Velips to mark the paddy harvest.
• Traditional Rituals: It begins with ‘Naman,’ invoking local deities, followed by ‘romta mell,’ where men play percussion instruments like Ghumat, Dhol, Mhadle, and Tashe.
• Folk Dances and Performances: Celebrations feature traditional dances like Ghode Modni, Gopha, and Phugadi, performed by participating communities.

Ghodemodhini

• Ghodemodhini, or Ghode Modni, translates to ‘horse dance’ and represents the valor of ancient warriors.
• Significance: It depicts the bravery of the Maratha warriors who fought against Portuguese rule in Goa.
• Performance Style: Dancers wear warrior costumes with elaborate headgear and wield swords while riding wooden horse frames strapped to their waists.
• Musical Accompaniment: Traditional percussion instruments like the ghumat, dhol, and tashe set the rhythm for the dance.
• Festival Association: Primarily performed during Shigmotsav in villages across Goa, especially in Ponda, Bicholim, and Sattari.
• Cultural Importance: A tribute to Goa’s martial legacy, the dance also features in temple celebrations and processions.

Phugadi

Source: Vikaspedia

• Phugadi is a traditional Goan folk dance performed by women in circles, signifying joy and festivity.
• Variants include Baithak (seated) Phugadi and Zhimma Phugadi performed in standing motion.
• Performance Style: Women form circles and execute rhythmic claps and twirls in sync with folk songs.
• Musical Elements: Accompanied by local songs and hand claps, without instrumental support.
• Festival Association: Performed during Shigmotsav, Navratri, and other religious and seasonal festivals.
• Cultural Importance: It symbolises unity, femininity, and festive cheer, passed down through generations as part of Goa’s intangible heritage.

{GS1 – MIH – Personalities} Aurangzeb and His Legacy *

• Context (IE): Recent clashes in Nagpur have brought Aurangzeb’s tomb into controversy.

Aurangzeb’s Early Life and Reign

• Birth: Born on November 3, 1618, in Dahod, Gujarat, as the son of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
• Ascension: Took the throne in 1658 after eliminating rivals, including Dara Shikoh, Shuja, and Murad.
• Title: Adopted the title Alamgir (‘World Conqueror’).
• Division of Reign: His 50-year rule is divided into two halves:
  • First 25 years: Governed from Delhi, overseeing northern India.
  • Last 25 years: Focused on Deccan campaigns, never returning to Delhi.

Religious Policy

• Islamic Orthodoxy: Advocated strict Sunni Islamic rule, enforcing Islamic laws and customs.
• Jizya Tax: Reinstated the jizya tax on non-Muslims, leading to resentment.
• Persecution of Religious Leaders: Ordered the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur for refusing to convert, fueling Sikh resistance.
• Though a hardline Sunni, he chose to be buried near a Sufi saint, reflecting complex religious views.

Deccan Campaigns and Expansion

• Annexation of Sultanate: Conquered Bijapur (1686) & Golconda (1687), bringing under Mughal control.
• Maratha Resistance: Faced fierce opposition from Shivaji & Sambhaji, which drained imperial resources.
• Economic Strain: Prolonged military campaigns weakened the treasury.
• Administrative Challenges: Over-centralization hindered governance, allowing regional uprisings.

Aurangzeb’s Role in Mughal Decline

• Religious Policies: His enforcement of orthodox Islamic policies alienated large sections of population.
• Financial Mismanagement: Excessive military spending led to economic instability and fiscal crisis.
• Rise of Rebellions: Rajputs, Jats, Sikhs, and Marathas rebelled, further fragmenting the empire.
• Succession Crisis: His authoritarian rule resulted in weak successors and internal strife post-1707.

Aurangzeb’s Burial in Khuldabad

• Location: Aurangzeb lies buried in Khuldabad, Maharashtra, inside the Dargah complex of Sheikh Zainuddin, a 14^th century Chishti saint.
• Contrast with Predecessors: Unlike the grand tombs of other Mughal emperors, Aurangzeb’s grave is a modest structure, later enclosed by a marble screen ordered by British Viceroy Lord Curzon.
• Reason for Simplicity: As per his own wish, he was buried in a simple tomb in line with Islamic austerity.
• Historical Names: The area was formerly known as Rauza and renamed Khuldabad in honour of Aurangzeb’s posthumous title, Khuld-Makani (one who resides in eternity).

Symbolism of Aurangzeb’s Grave

• Mughal tombs were more victory monuments for successors than mere memorials.
• Self-Realization: In a letter to Son Azam, he admitted a sense of remorse for failures in governance.
• Contrast with Mughal Grandeur: His grave symbolises the empire’s decline.

{GS1 – MIH – Personalities} Shaheed Diwas

• Context (PIB): Shaheed Diwas, observed on March 23 every year, commemorates the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev & Rajguru, who were executed by British colonial authorities in 1931.

Historical Background

• Lahore Conspiracy Case (1928): Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev assassinated British police officer J.P. Saunders, mistaking him for James Scott, who was responsible for Lala Lajpat Rai’s death.
• Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA): The three revolutionaries were members of HSRA, an organisation advocating armed resistance against British rule.
• Execution (1931): They were sentenced to death under the Lahore Conspiracy Case and hanged in Lahore Central Jail on March 23, 1931.

Contributions of the Revolutionaries

Bhagat Singh (1907-1931)

• Joined the National College, Lahore, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, emphasising Swadeshi education.
• Became a member of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1924, which later became HSRA.
• Revolutionary Thinker: Influenced by Marxist and socialist ideologies.
• Criticism of Blind Faith: Advocated rational thinking, social justice, and secularism.
• Central Legislative Assembly Bombing (1929): Protested British policies with non-lethal bombs alongside Batukeshwar Dutt.
• Arrested and executed at the age of 23, becoming an enduring symbol of resistance.
• Wrote extensively under pseudonyms like Balwant and Vidrohi, promoting nationalism and freedom.
• Symbol of Resistance: His execution intensified anti-British sentiment.

Shivaram Rajguru (1908-1931)

• Born in Maharashtra, he was known for his skills as a marksman (sharp shooting with a gun).
• Advocated armed resistance and actively participated in the assassination of J.P. Saunders.
• Executed alongside Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, leaving a legacy of patriotism.

Sukhdev Thapar (1907-1931)

• Born in Punjab, he played a key role in mobilising youth for the freedom struggle.
• Actively trained young revolutionaries and were instrumental in planning the Saunders assassination.
• Remembered for his unwavering commitment to India’s independence.

{GS1 – PIC – Personalities} Lohia’s New Socialism and Social Justice Politics **

• Context (IE | PIB): On his 115^th birth anniversary, Ram Manohar Lohia’s vision of New Socialism and its impact on social justice is revisited.

About Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia

• Born in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Visionary leader, freedom fighter and champion of social justice.
• Advocated justice, equality, selflessness and non-violence.

Key Contributions

• Freedom Struggle: Participated in the Quit India Movement (1942); imprisoned multiple times.
• Anti-Colonialism: Protested Portuguese rule in Goa.
• Literary Works: Wrote The Caste System, Wheel of History, Gandhi and Socialism, Marx etc.
• Social Reforms: Proposed “Sapta Kranti” in 1963, advocating for a new world order based on socialism & addressing inequalities across caste, class & gender through economic democracy.
• Four-Pillar State Concept: Power distributed across villages, districts, provinces & centres to prevent centralisation & strengthen local governance.
• Anti-Congressism: Criticised Congress dominance, advocating multi-party democracy; Championed opposition unity in 1967 elections; Inspired Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, & Nitish Kumar.
• Political Vision: Proposed a six-point plan for Socialism combining Marxist economics with Gandhian ethics for poverty eradication and equality.

Source: IE

Lohia’s Vision of New Socialism

Key Principles of His Socialism

1. Maximum attainable equality: Bridging economic and social gaps.
2. Global standard of living: Ensuring minimum living standards.
3. World government: Promoting international cooperation.
4. Civil disobedience: As a tool for democratic change.
5. Decentralised governance: Strengthening grassroots democracy & ensure equitable power distribution.
6. Technological advancement: For sustainable economic growth.

Sapta Kranti (Seven Revolutions)

1. Gender equality: Equal rights for men and women.
2. Abolition of racial discrimination: Ending colour-based inequalities.
3. Eradication of caste discrimination: Dismantling hierarchical structures.
4. National freedom: Ending foreign influences.
5. Economic equality: Through production growth.
6. Right to privacy: Protection from collective intrusions.
7. Limiting armaments: Restricting military expansion.

Lohia vs. Nehru’s Socialism

• Lohia: Grassroots democracy, small-scale industries, immediate caste abolition, wary of state power.
• Nehru: Centralised planning, large-scale industrialisation, and gradual caste reform saw the state as an agent of progress.

Lohia’s Legacy

• Decentralisation & grassroots democracy: Reflected in 73^rd & 74^th Amendments (1992).
• Caste-based reservations & OBC upliftment: Foundation of modern affirmative action policies.
• Language and regional politics: Advocated Indian languages in governance and education.

Also refer to Nehru’s Legacy of Secularism.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Constitution and the Cow Slaughter ban

• Context (IE): The 1958 SC ruling in Mohammad Hanif Quareshi v. State of Bihar shaped the legal and constitutional debate on cattle slaughter bans in India.

Directive Principles and Cow Protection

• Constituent Assembly debated making cow protection a fundamental right but ultimately included it under Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
• Article 48 directs the state to modernise agriculture & prohibit the slaughter of useful cattle.
• The amendment was moved by Thakur Dass Bhargava, who also served as amicus curiae (Friend of the court) in the case.

Mohammad Hanif Qureshi Case

• It was a landmark case that addressed the constitutionality of cattle slaughter bans.
• The petitioners argued that the bans violated their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 25.
• Bihar Preservation and Improvement of Animals Act, 1955, along with similar state laws, restricted the slaughter of cows, calves, bulls, and bullocks. These laws were enacted post-Partition and were linked to the cow’s symbolic resistance against British rule.

Key Legal Arguments

• Right to Equality (Article 14): Bovine butchers treated differently/ discriminated from other butchers.
• Right to Religion (Article 25): The ban infringed upon their religious practices.
• Right to Trade and Profession (Article 19(1)(g)): The ban on cattle slaughter impeded their livelihood.

Supreme Court Ruling (1958)

• The five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das, partially upheld state bans while framing the debate around economic viability rather than religious sentiments.
• Allowed bans on slaughter of productive animals (eg-she-buffaloes, breeding bulls, working bullocks).
• Struck down bans on unserviceable cattle, emphasising legislative discretion in determining when an animal becomes unproductive.
• Rejected religious claims, stating that cow slaughter was not a core tenet of Islam.
• Justified restrictions under public interest citing economic importance of cattle for dairy & agriculture.

Economic Justification for the Ban

• Court referred to data from the First Five-Year Plan, highlighting milk shortages and nutritional concerns.
• It emphasised that protecting cattle was essential for India’s agrarian economy and dairy sector.
• It acknowledged religious sentiments but prioritised economic and public welfare considerations.

Post-1958 Developments

• States amended laws to provide clarity on which animals were fit for slaughter.
• Despite the ruling, many states enacted stricter laws over time, leading to further legal challenges.
• SC in State of Gujarat v. Mirzapur Moti Kureshi Kassab Jamat 2005 upheld a near-total ban on cow slaughter.

Broader Constitutional Implications

• The ruling set a precedent for balancing religious practices against broader public interest.
• Similar debates emerged in case of firecracker bans during Diwali & restrictions on Jallikattu & Kambala.
• Advocates argue that constitutional fraternity requires communities to refrain from extreme positions that conflict with larger societal interests.

{GS2 – Polity – Laws} IT Act and Content Blocking

• Context (IE): X has challenged Indian govt’s use of Section 79(3)(b) of IT Act, alleging broad takedown orders that bypass due process under Section 69A, risking arbitrary censorship, lack of transparency.
• Govt defends Section 79(3)(b) as it provides independent authority to direct content removal, citing national security, public order and misinformation concerns.

Section 69A of the IT Act

• Section 69 of IT Act allows govt to issue content-blocking orders to online intermediaries (ISPs, telecom service providers, search engines, online marketplaces, etc.), but includes procedural safeguards.
• However, the Section requires the information or content being blocked to be deemed a threat to India’s national security, sovereignty, or public order.
• In such blocking orders, the central or state govt should mention reasons in writing.
• The PIL filed by Shreya Singhal in 2012 challenged Section 69A.
• SC held Section 69A to be “constitutionally valid”, emphasising that an adequate level of procedural safeguards had been incorporated.
• However, SC struck down Section 66A (penalised the sending of offensive messages through a communication device) for being unconstitutional (for violating freedom of speech under Article 19(1)(a)), leading to Section 69A becoming the primary legal tool for content blocking.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridge

• Context (TH | PIB): A Yoga event was held at the Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Meghalaya as part of the countdown to International Day of Yoga 2025.

Living Root Bridge

• Unique Structure: Formed by guiding the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastica) through hollow Areca nut palm canes across streams, they take 10-15 years to form a stable structure.
• Location and Origin: Found in Meghalaya, primarily in the West Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills, these bridges were developed by the Khasi people about 180 years ago.
• Age & Strength: Many bridges in Meghalaya are over a century old & continue to strengthen with age.
• Longevity and Strength: Once fully grown, they last over 500 years, supporting more than 50 people at a time, despite some decay due to continuous water exposure.
• Tourism: Major attractions like Riwai Root Bridge & Umshiang Double Decker Bridge draw global visitors.
• UNESCO Recognition: On the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Source: Wikipedia

{GS3 – S&T – BioTech} Bacteria-Based Cancer Therapies

• Context (TH): Scientists are exploring genetically engineered bacteria to target and destroy cancer cells, particularly for solid tumours resistant to conventional treatments.

Mechanism of Bacteria-Based Therapies

• Tumour Microenvironment Utilisation: Bacteria thrive in low-oxygen, acidic environments of tumours.
• Direct Tumour Destruction: Some bacterial strains can attack and destroy cancer cells.
• Immune System Activation: Engineered bacteria can stimulate immune responses against cancer cells.
• Challenges: Safety concerns, risk of spreading bacteria & the complexity of tumour-bacteria interactions.

Scientific Advances

• Synthetic Biology & Genetic Engineering: Scientists now program bacteria to produce and deliver anti-cancer agents within tumours.
• Targeted Drug Delivery: Engineered bacteria deliver tumour-specific proteins to immune cells, enhancing immune response.
• Efficacy in Lab: Engineered E. coli strain has shown tumour shrinkage & elimination in animal models.
• Potential for Synergy: Bacterial therapies could work alongside immunotherapy and chemotherapy for better treatment outcomes.

Applications

• High-Mortality Cancer: Effective for colon, ovarian & metastatic breast cancers resistant to treatments.
• Immunotherapy Enhancement: Some bacterial components, like cell wall fragments, have successfully controlled melanoma in human studies.

Prospects

• Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: With improved bacterial engineering, these therapies could provide a powerful tool for targeted cancer treatment.
• Reduced Side Effects: Bacterial-based approaches may minimise collateral damage to healthy tissues compared to conventional treatments.
• Personalized Medicine: Advances in microbiome research may lead to customised bacterial therapies tailored to individual patients.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} IOS SAGAR and AIKEYME

• Context (PIB): The Indian navy launches ‘Indian Ocean Ship Sagar’ (IOS SAGAR) and ‘Africa India key maritime engagement’ (AIKEYME), initiatives aimed at consolidating the Indian Navy’s stature as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

IOS SAGAR

• It is an initiative towards continued cooperation with IOR nations.
• INS Sunayna: A naval ship is being deployed to Southwest IOR with a combined crew of India and 9 Friendly Foreign Countries.
  • Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, South Africa.
• The ship is planned to be deployed for over a month in April 2025 and will be undertaking port calls at Dar-es-Salaam, Nacala, Port Louis, Port Victoria and Male.
  • The port call is an intermediate port where ships customarily stop for supplies, repairs, or transshipment of cargo.
• Activities: It would also be undertaking Joint surveillance of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius and Seychelles.
  • Participants of IOS Sagar are also planning to witness harbour phase activities of Exercise AIKEYME.

AIKEYME

• Multilateral maritime engagement exercise with African Countries.
  • AIKEYME’ means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit.
• Objective: To enhance interoperability with the navies/ maritime agencies.
• Host: The maiden edition of the exercise is being co-hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) and will be conducted at/ off Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
• It is planned to be inaugurated in mid-April 2025. The exercise is scheduled over six days.
• Harbour Phase of Exercise: It would include TableTop and Command Post exercises on Piracy and Information sharing, along with Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS).
• Sea Phase: Seamanship evolutions, Search & Rescue, Small Arms firing & Helicopter Operations.

{GS3 – S&T – IPR – GI} Dalle Chilly *

• Context (IE): Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has successfully exported the 1^st consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to Solomon Islands.

About Dalle Chilly

• Dalle Chilly: Also known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, it is renowned for its intense pungency, bright red color, and high nutritional value.
• Cultivation: Primarily grown in the Himalayan regions, including Sikkim, Nepal, and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.
• Medicinal Properties: Rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium.
• Heat Level: Its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it a sought-after spice for both culinary and medicinal applications.
  • Scoville scale is a measurement of pungency (spiciness/heat) of chili peppers and other substances.

Credit: Wikipedia

Read More> Geographical Indication.

{Prelims – In News} US Ends CHNV Migrant Parole Programme

• Context (IE): The US govt announced the termination of the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) migrant parole program, affecting migrants who were granted parole since October 2022.

Parole in the US

• Parole under the Immigration and Nationality Act allows individuals to enter and stay legally in the US temporarily under the supervision of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• The DHS Secretary can grant parole for two years (subject to renewal) on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
• Limitations: Parole does not equate to formal admission into the US. Parolees must separately apply for long-term residency.

{Prelims – PIN India} Chorabari Glacier *

• Context (TS): Geologists warn about the unchecked removal of moraines from Chorabari glacier.

About Chorabari Glacier

• Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, near the famous Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand).
• It was renamed Gandhi Sarovar after some of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were scattered in the lake.
• River Source: It’s a major source for the Mandakini River, which is a tributary of the Alaknanda River.
• Outburst Flooding: In the 2013 Uttarakhand floods, a part of its glacial lake, Chorabari Tal, breached due to heavy rainfall, causing massive destruction in Kedarnath.
• Glacial Retreat: The snout of the glacier has retreated several hundred meters from the moraine, indicating a shrinking trend.

{Prelims – PIN World – Oceania} New Zealand

• Context (TH): A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island.

About New Zealand

• Location: An island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, consisting of 2 main islands, North Island and South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
  • It is situated southeast of Australia.

Geography

• Climate: Varies from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate climates in the far south.
• Southern Alps: A 480 km long mountain range on South Island, home to Aoraki/Mount Cook (12,316 ft), the country’s highest peak.
• Longest River: Waikato River (North Island).

Seismic Activity and Tectonic Setting

• New Zealand is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
• The country sits on the boundary of two major tectonic plates:
  • The North Island and western South Island lie on the Indo-Australian Plate.
  • The eastern South Island is on the Pacific Plate.
• This plate interaction leads to regular seismic activity, with major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occurring over time.

Government and People

• Capital: Wellington (located on the North Island).
• Government: Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch as head of state.
• Indigenous People: The Māori have a rich cultural heritage, influencing language, traditions, and governance. Te Reo Māori is one of New Zealand’s official languages.