C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies Ltd. (STL) achieve India''s  First Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over Multi-Core Fibre

• A landmark achievement, C-DOT, jointly with Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), has successfully tested India’s first QKD transmission over a 4-core Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) — marking a major milestone in the nation''s journey towards quantum-secured communication networks.
• Multi-Core Fibre (MCF) technology provides a powerful solution by enabling data transmission  across multiple cores within a single fibre, significantly saving physical space and infrastructure costs.
• In the context of QKD — which typically requires a dedicated dark fibre for the quantum  channel, MCF offers a significant advantage: it enables the physical separation of quantum  and classical signals into distinct cores within single fibre. This allows for the simultaneous transmission of QKD and high-capacity data traffic on a single fibre without compromising quantum signal integrity thereby saving fibre cost.
• In this activity, the quantum signals of QKD were transmitted through one core, while simultaneously, the other three cores on the same fibre were used to carry high-speed user data. A stable QKD link was established over a distance exceeding 100 km, validating the robustness and stability of quantum communication even amidst high-capacity classical data traffic.
• The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), India’s premier telecom R&D centre under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of  India, has emerged as a key player in advancing India’s quantum communication ecosystem. 
•  C-DOT has successfully developed and deployed industry-grade Quantum Key Distribution  (QKD) systems. Notably, C-DOT’s QKD systems have received Technology Approval from the  Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), a body under the DoT. 
• Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) is a leading global provider of integrated digital networks, specialising in optical fibre manufacturing and network designs, with 10+ global manufacturing plants and a customer base spanning 100+ countries.
• As a trailblazer in Optical  Networking, Optical Connectivity, Data Centres, and Enterprise solutions, STL has recently developed Multi-Core Fibre (MCF), positioning it at the forefront of building future-ready,  scalable fibre networks. STL’s Multicore fibre leverages Space Division Multiplexing in 7 and 4  core fibre to achieve ultra-high transmission capacity per fibre within the same diameter. 
• Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, stated, “This initiative is a  key milestone for India’s telecom ecosystem. This achievement clearly establishes the  feasibility of integrated quantum-classical networks over next-generation optical fibres saving  costs for QKD deployments drastically”.
• Rahul Puri, CEO, Optical Networking Business, STL said: "This breakthrough collaboration with C-DOT underscores India’s growing prowess in pioneering next-gen digital infrastructure. By successfully integrating QKD with our indigenously developed MCF, we have demonstrated how cutting-edge optical innovations can revolutionized secure communication.
•  We are committed to advancing India’s quantum communication ambitions while driving global optical leadership. This milestone is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in building a digitally sovereign and secure nation."
• Both C-DOT and Sterlite Technologies (STL) reaffirm their commitment to advancing India''s capabilities in quantum communication and optical network innovations. This achievement is a foundational step toward realizing a cost effective, secure and resilient national quantum communication infrastructure.

India’s Journey of Heritage Preservation

• The Our heritage is not just built of stones, scripts or ruins. It lives in every whisper of a temple wall, every carving on ancient forts and every folk song passed down through generations.
• It tells stories of who we were, what we stood for and how we endured. World Heritage Day is a heartfelt reminder that these timeless treasures are not only to be admired, but protected. 
• This year’s theme: “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 years of ICOMOS Actions” reminds us that preserving our past is key to protecting our future.

 The Story Behind World Heritage Day

• World Heritage Day is celebrated every year on 18th April. It is also called the International Day for Monuments and Sites. The day is meant to honor and protect human heritage. It also appreciates the people and groups who work to preserve it.
• The day was started in 1982 by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). Later, in 1983, UNESCO officially adopted it. Every year, ICOMOS gives a special theme for the day. Based on this theme, people and groups hold events and activities around the world to celebrate and protect heritage.

Understanding the World Heritage Convention

• UNESCO, which stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, works to protect and preserve important cultural and natural heritage around the world. To help with this, UNESCO’s member countries adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972. 
• This agreement explains what countries need to do to find and take care of special sites that can be added to the World Heritage List. India became part of this Convention in November 1977.
•  Today, the World Heritage List includes 1,223 sites that are considered valuable to all of humanity. These include 952 cultural sites, 231 natural sites, and 40 sites that have both cultural and natural importance. As of October 2024, 196 countries have joined the World Heritage Convention.

World Heritage Sites: Protecting Future

• World Heritage Sites are special places on Earth that have great value for all of humanity. These can be cultural, natural, or a mix of both. They are protected under an international agreement led by UNESCO. UNESCO gives the World Heritage title to places that are culturally, historically or scientifically important.
• Over the years, India has steadily expanded its presence on the World Heritage List. In July 2024, a proud addition was made with the inscription of “Moidams: The Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty” from Assam as a cultural property. With this, India now has 43 sites on the World Heritage List and 62 more on UNESCO’s Tentative List.
•  The country’s journey began in 1983 with the listing of Agra Fort, followed by the Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves. These sites are preserved not only as symbols of history but also as learning spaces for generations to come.

Government’s Initiatives to Promote India’s Rich Cultural Heritage

• India has taken several meaningful steps to protect, restore, and promote its vast cultural and natural heritage. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s timeless traditions and historical treasures.
• Retrieval of Antiquities: Archaeological Survey of India is committed to the protection of cultural property. Government has retrieved 655 antiquities from foreign countries from the year 1976 to 2024, of which 642 antiquities have been retrieved since 2014.
• Adopt a Heritage’ Scheme: The "Adopt A Heritage" programme was launched in 2017 and revamped as "Adopt A Heritage 2.0" in 2023. It allows private and public groups to help develop facilities at protected monuments using their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. So far, 21 MoUs have been signed between the Archaeological Survey of India and various partner organisations across different states under this programme.
• 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee: Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture, successfully hosted the 46^th Session of the World Heritage Committee in Delhi from 21^st to 31^st July 2024. The meeting was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, and attended by nearly 2900 international and national delegates from more than 140 countries. Delegates gathered to discuss and collaborate on preserving cultural, natural and mixed heritage marking a significant step in India’s global role in heritage protection.
• Building Monuments of National Importance: India has 3,697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites declared of national importance. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for their conservation and maintenance. It also ensures basic amenities at these sites, such as pathways, signages, benches, facilities for differently-abled visitors, sound and light shows, and souvenir shops.
• Revival and Redevelopment of Heritage Sites: India has revived key heritage sites through conservation and development projects. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, Mahakaal Lok in Ujjain, and Ma Kamakhya Corridor in Guwahati enhance pilgrim experiences and boost tourism. The Chardham Road Project improves connectivity to sacred sites. Additionally, projects in Somnath and the Kartarpur Corridor promote cultural heritage and easier access for devotees.
• Must See Portal: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has created a portal to showcase "Must-See Monuments and Archaeological Sites of India." It highlights nearly a hundred prominent sites, including World Heritage properties and UNESCO Tentative List sites. The portal provides essential information such as history, access details, facilities and panoramic views. It aims to promote these sites for global visitors.
• Digitization of Cultural Heritage in India: The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), set up in 2007, works to digitize and document India''s heritage and antiquities. So far, over 12.3 lakh antiquities and 11,406 heritage sites have been recorded. For 2024–25, ₹20 lakh was allocated to the mission. The Indian Heritage in Digital Space (IHDS) initiative further aims to use digital technology to preserve and present India’s cultural legacy through immersive tools and research support.
• Status of Classical Languages: On October 3, 2024, the Government granted classical language status to Assamese, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, and Bengali, raising the total to 11 classical Indian languages. This move reflects India’s strong commitment to preserving its diverse and ancient linguistic heritage.
• India’s first Archaeological Experiential Museum: Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Archaeological Experiential Museum in Vadnagar on 16th January 2025. Built at a cost of ₹298 crore, the museum covers 12,500 square meters. It showcases Vadnagar''s 2,500-year-old history with over 5,000 artifacts, including ceramics, coins, tools and skeletal remains. It features nine galleries and a 4,000-square-meter excavation site offering an immersive experience of ongoing archaeological discoveries.
• Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum: On 29th July 2024, a state-of-the-art museum spanning 100,000 square feet was inaugurated at Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in New Delhi. The museum showcases the site''s rich history, architecture, and conservation journey, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.
• India''s Literary Milestone on the MOWCAP Register: In a historic achievement, three of India''s literary treasures: Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahrdayāloka-Locana, were inscribed into the 2024 Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) Regional Register. This recognition, announced on 8th May 2024 in Mongolia, underscores the global significance of India''s rich literary and cultural heritage.

Conclusion

• World Heritage Day reminds us that protecting our heritage is a shared responsibility. From ancient monuments to timeless literature, India continues to preserve its cultural and natural legacy through strong national efforts and global collaboration. These efforts ensure that our rich heritage inspires, educates, and unites generations to come

Gita and Natyashastra enter UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, India’s tally reaches 14

• In a significant recognition of India’s cultural heritage, the Bhagavad Gita and Bharat Muni’s Natyashastra have been added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
• With the new inclusions, India now has 14 inscriptions on this international register
• The inclusion of the Gita and Natyashastra in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register is a global recognition of our timeless wisdom and rich culture. These texts have nurtured civilisation and consciousness for centuries, and their insights continue to inspire the world.”
• The Memory of the World (MoW) Register lists documentary heritage include scriptures of world significance and outstanding universal value. The program was launched by UNESCO in 1992 to preserve and promote access to documentary heritage of global significance.
• Several Indian leaders also expressed their pride in the achievement. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal shared images of the manuscripts on social media, highlighting the global recognition of India’s timeless knowledge and artistic excellence.
• “This honour is another significant acknowledgement of our unparalleled intellectual and artistic heritage. India shines brighter as a beacon of knowledge, culture and wisdom,” 

 NATYASHASTRA:

•  Traditionally attributed to the sage Bharata, Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts. Comprising 36,000 verses, the “Naṭyashastra embodies a comprehensive set of rules that define natya (drama), abhinaya (performance), rasa (aesthetic experience), bhava (emotion), sangita (music),” the UNESCO citation says.
• — Natyashastra is most notable for its exposition of the concept of rasa, literally “juice/essence”, which Bharata says is the goal of any performance art. “Bharatamuni makes a groundbreaking statement in Natyashastra, asserting that ‘no meaning can blossom forth without rasa’, a profound contribution to world literature,” the UNESCO citation says.

BHAGAVAD GITA: 

Traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa, Bhagavad Gita is a Sanskrit scripture comprising 700 verses that are organised in 18 chapters, embedded in the sixth book (Bhishma Parva) of the epic poem Mahabharata.

• The text is generally dated to the first or second century BCE, although there is considerable debate on the matter. According to Winthrop Sargeant, who produced one of the most well-regarded English translations of the Gita, the oral composition was likely written down for the first time in the second or third centuries CE. (Sargeant, Bhagavad Gita, 1979).
•  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, better known as UNESCO, launched the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme in 1992 with the aim of “guarding against the collective amnesia, calling upon the preservation of the valuable archive holdings and library collections all over the world, and ensuring their wide dissemination”.
• The central project of the MoW Programme was to create a compendium of documents — manuscripts, oral traditions, audio-visual materials, and library and archive holdings — which are of “world significance and outstanding universal value”. This is the MoW Register.
• Beginning in 1997, the Register has been biennally updated — with the exception of a lengthy gap between 2017 and 2023 — with between nine (in 1999) and 78 (in 2017) additions. In any year, at most two submissions from a country are added. With the latest additions, the Register now contains 570 entries.
• The Register contains 13 submissions by India, including two joint-submissions. These range from the Rig Veda (added in 2005) and the collective works of the Shaivite philosopher Abhinavagupta (added in 2023), to the archives of the first summit meeting of the Non Aligned Movement in Belgrade in 1961 (added in 2023) and the archives of the Dutch East India Company (added in 2003)

Mission Amrit Sarovar

·         India’s water challenges have long demanded both structural and participatory interventions. Against this backdrop, the Government of India launched the Mission Amrit Sarovar in 2022 as a flagship initiative under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The mission aims to construct and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district across the country, thereby fostering water conservation, ensuring sustainability, and reviving traditional community water bodies through public participation.

·         Launched with the vision of building 50,000 Amrit Sarovars by August 15, 2023, the initiative has now been extended and has become a nationwide movement converging rural development, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

·          It is not merely a reservoir creation initiative—it represents the fusion of national pride, ecological restoration, and grassroots governance. In the backdrop of growing concerns regarding groundwater depletion and rural water scarcity, Mission Amrit Sarovar has emerged as a strategic response—blending tradition with modernity and institutional alignment with public mobilization.

·         As on March 2025, over 68,000 Sarovars have been completed, enhancing surface and groundwater availability across various regions. Under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, over 46,000 Sarovars were constructed/rejuvenated. These Sarovars have not only addressed immediate water needs but also established sustainable water sources, symbolizing Government''s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability and community well-being.

·         The Mission Amrit Sarovar was announced on 24th April 2022 by the Prime Minister during the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day at Palli Gram Panchayat, Samba District, Jammu. Anchored by the Ministry of Rural Development, the initiative involves seven ministries: Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This mission is also supported by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N). This multi-stakeholder approach was intended to ensure convergence, efficiency, and participatory ownership of the initiative. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has provided a centralized digital platform which tracks real-time progress at the granular level, ensuring transparency and enabling coordination between departments and states.

·         The objective of this mission is “construction/rejuvenation of at least 75 Amrit Sarovar (ponds) in every district of the country”. Each Amrit Sarovar is designed to have a pondage area of minimum of 1 acre (0.4 hectare) with water holding capacity of about 10,000 cubic meter.

·          Importantly, the reservoirs also serve as socio-cultural hubs—many are associated with national heroes and freedom fighters, nurturing a sense of ownership and respect.

The mission’s core vision is to:

·         Conserve water and promote sustainable water management practices

·         Strengthen decentralized governance and empower Gram Panchayats

·         Foster employment under MGNREGA and related schemes

·         Revive traditional and cultural water structures and community participation

·         Institutional Convergence and Implementation Mechanism

·         Mission Amrit Sarovar works are being taken up by the states and districts with convergence from various ongoing schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (Mahatma Gandhi NREGS), 15th Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayi Yojna sub-schemes such as the Watershed Development Component, Har Khet ko Pani, besides States’ own schemes.

·         For the monitoring of the progress of Amrit Sarovars, following arrangements are in place at the Panchayat level:

·         Two dedicated Prabharis for each Amrit Sarovar will be positioned i.e. Panchayat Pratinidhi and Panchayat level officer.

·         Gram Panchayat will nominate Panchayat Pratinidhi, who will act as citizen supervisor, and will be responsible for faithful and fair execution of the Amrit Sarovar in the Panchayat while protecting the community interest.

·         Panchayat level officer will monitor the progress and ensure faithful implementation of the mission in the panchayat while reporting the progress in the form of document, with appropriate photos and videos. 

·         As per the guidelines of Mission Amrit Sarovar, effective maintenance and sustainability of Amrit Sarovars requires a formation and clear mapping of users’ groups associated with each Sarovar largely drawn from members of SHGs. A User Group is a voluntary group that operates collectively to conserve and manage the Sarovar for promoting water use efficiently. It is a representative body of user members of the Sarovar with adequate representation of women and weaker sections. Proper identification and coordination of these user groups are essential for the optimal use and upkeep of the Sarovars. The user group will also be responsible for the ongoing use and maintenance of the Amrit Sarovar including the plantation activities. The removal of silt from the catchment area should be done by the users’ groups voluntarily after every monsoon season.

Different types of user groups could be formed based on the usage:

·         Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) / Pani Samiti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, GoI)

·         Self Help Groups (NRLM)

·         Fishermen group (Department of Fisheries, Gol)

·         Van Samiti (Forest Department)

·         Aquaculture practitioners

·         Water chestnut cultivators

·         Lotus cultivators

·         Makhana cultivators

·         Duckery

·         Water for Livestock users

·         Domestic water users

·         Any other depending on the socio-economic importance of local lakes

·         In order to optimize the benefit of the Amrit Sarovars and to ensure that the implementation is done in the most credible manner, latest and most relevant technologies like remote sensing and geospatial are being used extensively from site selection till its completion.

Community Engagement and Innovative Practices

·         Jan Bhagidari has been the core of this Mission and involves people’s participation at all levels. So far 65,285 user groups have been formed for each Amrit Sarovar. These user groups are fully involved during the entire process of development of an Amrit Sarovar viz feasibility assessment, execution and its utilization. To encourage mobilization of citizens and non-Government resources for supplementing the Government’s efforts to achieve the target, explicit provisions have been made in the guidelines of the Mission Amrit Sarovars as follows:

·         Laying the foundation stone for the Amrit Sarovar to be led by freedom fighter or her/his family member or by the family of martyr (post-independence) or a local Padma awardee, and in case no such citizen is available, by the eldest member of the local Gram Panchayat.

·         Provision for people to participate by donating construction material, benches and by Shramdaan. 

·         If village community so desires, beautification works on the Sarovar site may mobilize necessary donations through crowd sourcing and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions.

·         Provision has been made that on the occasion of Independence Day/ Republic Day, the National Flag is to be hoisted at each Amrit Sarovar site, by the freedom fighter or his/her family member or by the family member of martyr or a local Padma Awardee. On Amrit Sarovars sites, national events are to be celebrated.

·         Possible users of such water structure, including for irrigation, fishery or water chestnut cultivation, should be identified and creation of their group are encouraged.

·         The Mission promotes the formation of user groups, particularly among farmers, fisherfolk, and local communities, to ensure optimal use of water resources for irrigation, aquaculture, and allied activities

Economic and Ecological Impact

·         Mission Amrit Sarovar is boosting the rural livelihood as the completed Sarovars have been identified for the purpose of different activities such as irrigation, fisheries, duckery, cultivation of water chestnut and animal husbandry, etc. These activities are being carried out by different user groups which are linked to each Amrit Sarovar.

·         The Ground Water Resources Assessment by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), in collaboration with State Governments, shows a significant rise in groundwater recharge due to sustained conservation efforts. Recharge from tanks, ponds and water conservation structures increased from 13.98 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) in 2017 to 25.34 BCM in 2024, reflecting the success of water conservation such as Mission Amrit Sarovar and the role of tanks, ponds & water conservation structures in sustaining groundwater levels. These Sarovars have not only addressed immediate water needs but also established sustainable water sources that can be utilised for irrigation and other purposes thereby improving agricultural productivity

Ministry of Tribal Affairs Reviews Tribal Welfare Schemes in Delhi

·         The Government of India remains steadfast in its commitment to the holistic development of tribal communities across the country.

·         A comprehensive suite of initiatives—ranging from scholarships, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), Article 275(1) grants, PM-JANMAN, DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), to livelihood programs and Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)—continue to drive inclusive growth and empowerment among tribal populations.

·         In line with this vision, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs conducted a three-day National Review and Orientation Meeting from 15th to 17th April 2025 in New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Shri VibhuNayar, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the guidance of Hon’ble Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri JualOram. The review brought together Principal Secretaries, Tribal Welfare Secretaries, Directors, and senior officials from States and Union Territories to evaluate progress and recalibrate strategies for accelerated implementation.

·         Strengthening IEC Campaign, Benefit Saturation Camp &Ground-Level Implementationof PM-JANMAN & DAJGUA

·         In his inaugural address, Secretary Shri VibhuNayar stressed the importance of district- and block-level capacity building and robust institutional mechanisms to ensure effective on-ground execution& IEC Campaign ofPM-JANMAN and DAJGUA.

Key Highlights:

·         PM-JANMAN, launched on 15th November 2023 from Khunti (the birthplace of Bhagwan Birsa Munda), aims to uplift 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 30,000 habitations, providing comprehensive last-mile delivery of housing, water, sanitation, education, healthcare, nutrition, and digital connectivity for approximately 45 lakh beneficiaries.

·         DAJGUA, a convergence-based initiative across 17 Union Ministries, targets the transformation of 63,843 tribal villages in 549 districts, impacting over 5.5 crore tribal citizens through 25 integrated interventions.

·         States have been directed to achieve complete saturation of interventions under PM-JANMAN by 15th November 2025, marking the 150th birth anniversaryofBhagwan Birsa Munda.

·         Emphasis was placed on village-wise tracking, physical completion, and quarterly progress reporting ending June 2025, with certification from Gram Sabhas as a mandatory milestone for saturation.

·         States were encouraged to replicate best practices from high-performing districts and bring lagging areas at par through knowledge-sharing and convergence.

·         States were encouraged to start IEC Campaign & Benefit saturation camp for DAJGUA in coming few weeks.

·         States were encouraged to sanction interventions under DAJGUA at faster pace.

Elevating Quality of Education through EMRS

·         The review laid strong emphasis on improving academic and infrastructural standards in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). The Ministry’s vision is to transform EMRS into centres of academic excellence, nurturing future tribal leaders and innovators.

Action Points:

·         Recruitment and continuous training of qualified teachers

·         Infrastructure upgrades and smart classroom facilities

·         Integration of experiential learning and 21st-century skills

·         Enhanced student and staff welfare mechanisms

·         State-wise progress on each EMRS construction was closely reviewed

Expanding Access and Efficiency in Scholarships

·         To ensure no tribal student is left behind, the Secretary urged states to step up efforts to increase awareness and timely disbursal of pre- and post-matric scholarships.

Directives to States:

·         Ensure timely and transparent disbursal

·         Remove bureaucratic and procedural bottlenecks

·         Integrate all states into the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or states having portal to integrate NSP portal throughAPI-based systems

·         Ensure disbursal at the beginning of the academic year to maximize impact

Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh: A Year of Impactful Action

·         Recognizing the year as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, Shri VibhuNayarhas given special emphasis to States and TRIs to organize thematic events/ activities / campaigns / initiatives that honour tribal heritage while promoting social and economic inclusion. The key themes include:Education & Skill Development, Health & Nutrition, Livelihood & Entrepreneurship, Preservation of Tribal Art, Culture, and Language, Infrastructure and Service Delivery.

·         whole-of-government approach—involving collaboration with Line Ministries, State Departments, NGOs, and Corporates—was advocated to ensure deeper engagement and measurable impact.

·         Preserving Tribal Arts, Culture, and Languages: Adi Sanskriti& Adi Vaani

·         The Secretary emphasized accelerating theinitiatives like Adi Sanskriti and Adi Vaani.

·         Adi Sanskriti Project focuses on creating quality content for Tribal Art Academy, Digital Repository, and Tribal Haat to curate and promote tribal art, cuisine, rituals, and cultural expressions.

·         Adi Vaani, an AI-driven multilingual translation platform, is being leveraged to overcome language barriers in education and governance.

·         States have been instructed to identify low-resource tribal languages for AI-based documentation and development.

Combating Sickle Cell Disease: Centers of Competency

·         As part of the National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia, the Ministry announced the establishment of Centers of Competency in tribal regions. These centres will act as hubs for screening, treatment, capacity building, and community outreach.

·         The three-day review culminated in a renewed commitment to inclusive, technology-driven, and community-centric approaches to tribal development. The roadmap ahead emphasizes:

·         Stronger inter-ministerial convergence

·         Capacity building at every administrative level

·         Active community participation for sustainable outcomes

·         The Ministry of Tribal Affairs continues to lead with vision and resolve, ensuring that

·         tribal citizen becomes a key stakeholder in India''s growth storyTop of Form   

Bose Institute team shares $3 million breakthrough prize for contributions to CERN’s ALICE

·         Scientists from the Bose Institute’s Experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) group have been awarded the prestigious 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. The recognition comes as part of their contribution to the ALICE collaboration at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator.

·         The $3 million prize has been jointly awarded to over 13,500 researchers across four LHC experiments—ATLAS, CMS, ALICE and LHCb—for their collective work on data collected during LHC Run 2 (2015–2024).

·          The ALICE collaboration, in which the Bose Institute has played a leading role from India, was allocated $500,000 of the total prize money.

·         The funds will be used to support a Breakthrough Prize studentship programme, which will allow selected PhD students to pursue research at CERN for up to two years.

·         Bose Institute, Kolkata, an autonomous research institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, is the only such institution from the country involved in the ALICE experiment.

·         The current HEP group at the institute comprises Prof. Supriya Das, Dr. Sidharth Kumar Prasad, Dr. Saikat Biswas, Dr. Sanchari Thakur, and senior research fellow Mintu Haldar. The group’s contributions span detector hardware development, simulation, data-taking, operations, and physics analysis.

·         The ALICE experiment is dedicated to studying quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a state of matter that existed shortly after the Big Bang. Bose Institute joined the ALICE collaboration under the leadership of former director Prof. Sibaji Raha, who served as the Principal Investigator.

·         In a statement, Prof. Kaustuv Sanyal, Director of Bose Institute, congratulated the team, calling it a proud moment for the entire Indian high-energy physics community.

·         “This is a great achievement not only for the Bose Institute team but also for the entire community of Indian high energy physicists working in mega-science projects such as ALICE at CERN. Such awards will encourage young minds to join this kind of complex and large experimental programs for exploration of new physics,” he said.

·         Among the notable contributions from the Bose Institute is the development and deployment of an indigenously built Photon Multiplicity Detector (PMD) based on a proportional counter.

·         This detector played a key role in measuring inclusive photons at forward rapidity and was active in ALICE’s data-taking efforts from 2008 to 2018. Faculty members and students from the institute also led data clean-up, calibration, and quality assurance processes for the PMD dataset.

·         In addition, the institute participated in the upgrade of ALICE’s Time Projection Chamber (TPC), which now operates using Micro-Pattern Gas Detector (MPGD) technology to handle high-luminosity environments.

·         The upgraded read-out chambers, consisting of Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) foils, offer low ion backflow, improved energy resolution, and long-term stability.

·         Faculty members and trainees from Bose Institute have also led six ALICE publications and contributed significantly to several others, marking their influence across various areas of the experiment’s physics programme.

·         Congratulating the entire ALICE team, spokesperson Prof. Marco Van Leeuwen said, “I would like to congratulate the entire collaboration and the LHC community for this well-deserved recognition of the scientific advancements achieved through our collective efforts.”

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra,

·         The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday announced that the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which has not taken place since 2020, will resume this year. This comes as a part of a larger rapprochement between India and China in recent months.

·         While the yatra had initially been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, deteriorating relations between India and China meant that it did not resume even after the virus was no longer a concern.

·         Since 2024, however, both countries have been looking to improve ties. They signed a pact last October to disengage at Demchok and Depsang, the two remaining friction points on the border.

·         The resumption of the yatra was formally discussed for the first time at the Special Representatives meet in Beijing between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China Foreign Minister Wang Yi in December.

·          Lake Mansarovar, known locally as Mapam Yumtso, is a high altitude freshwater lake near Mount Kailash in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

·         Both the lake, which is at an elevation of 4,600 metres, and the adjacent 6,638-metre high mountain, which Hindus believe is the home to Lord Shiva, are sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Tibetan Bon religion.

·         Hundreds of pilgrims make the arduous journey to the region each year; they generally trek to Lake Manasarovar, and then circumambulate the nearby Mount Kailash.

There are two primary routes to reach Lake Mansarovar from India.

·         LIPULEKH PASS ROUTE: Lipulekh pass lies at an altitude of 5,115 metres, on the border between Uttarakhand and TAR, near the trijunction with Nepal. It is an ancient passageway between the Indian subcontinent and the Tibetan Plateau, frequented by traders and pilgrims alike.

·         — While the Lipulekh pass route is the most direct way to get to Mansarovar from India — as the crow flies, the lake is roughly 50 km from the border — the terrain makes the journey very challenging. Currently, this route entails roughly 200 km of hard trekking. Before 2020, it had been operational since 1981.

·         NATHU LA PASS ROUTE: Nathu La pass lies at an altitude of 4,310 metres on the border between Sikkim and TAR. It is one of two mountain passes in the region — the other being Jelep La — that have connected Sikkim and Tibet since ancient times.

·         The route to Mansarovar from Nathu La is much longer in terms of distance — close to 1,500 km. But it is fully motorable, meaning pilgrims can make it all the way to the lake without any trekking. (They would only need to trekk 35-40 km for the circumambulation of Mount Kailash). This route became operational in 2015.

·          NEPAL ROUTE: No private operators function on the two official routes. There is, however, a third route through Nepal in which private companies do operate.

·         In theory, this route has been accessible to Indians since 2023, when China reopened its border with Nepal. But visa and permit requirements, as well as high costs due to China-imposed fees, have meant that few have likely availed this option.

Hindi and Urdu — a tale of twins

·         Recently, the Supreme Court has upheld the use of Urdu on the signboard of a municipal council building in Maharashtra in Varshatai w/o Sanjay Bagade vs State Of Maharashtra case. The court has said that language is culture and must not become a cause for dividing people, and Urdu “is the finest specimen of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, or the Hindustani tehzeeb”.

·         The first Urdu newspaper, Jam-i-Jahan-Numa, was published on March 27, 1822. The weekly was launched by Harihar Dutta from Kolkata.

·         — The Urdu press, the voice of revolution during colonial rule, was instrumental in the promulgation of the Vernacular Press Act, 1877. It coined the war cry of the freedom struggle,” Inqilab Zindabad”, which is still the slogan of dissent.

·         — Maulvi Muhammad Baqir (1780-1857), a Urdu journalist, was the first to lay down his life for the nation. He started a Urdu newspaper, ‘Delhi Urdu Akhbar’, dedicated to the nationalist cause in the wake of the revolt of 1857. After the revolt broke out on 10 May 1857, Baqir renamed the paper as ‘Akhbar-us-Zafar’ (Paper of Zafar) to pay tribute to the leader of the revolt.

WTO Bhutan turns to ‘green’ cryptocurrency to fuel economy

·          The Himalayan nation of Bhutan is exploring ways to mine and leverage green cryptocurrencies using hydropower to boost its economy and create jobs to reduce brain drain, the chief executive of its sovereign wealth fund said.

·         Green cryptocurrencies are digital currencies mined using clean energy resources such as wind, hydro or solar power instead of fossil fuel.

·         Sandwiched between Asian giants India and China, Bhutan has earned millions of dollars in recent years by investing in some of the world’s most popular cryptocurrencies and used some of its profit to pay government salaries for two years, two senior officials in Thimphu, the capital said.

·         “We are a nation that runs 100% on hydropower, and every digital coin we mine in Bhutan using hydropower offsets that coin which gets mined using fossil fuels,” said Ujjwal Deep Dahal, the CEO of the fund, Druk Holding and Investments Ltd.

·         “So a coin mined in Bhutan will contribute to the green economy,” he told Reuters on Tuesday.

·         Dahal said the fund, which controls Bhutan’s only power generation utility, began adding cryptocurrencies to its portfolio in 2019, seeing virtual currencies as a tactical investment and a gamechanger for the country.

·         Bhutan is famed for its Gross National Happiness (GNH) index, an economic gauge that incorporates factors ignored by the usual measures of gross domestic product, such as recreation, emotional well-being and sustainability.

·         It uses hydropower to operate energy-guzzling supercomputers to create digital assets that can be added to the blockchain.

·         Officials are exploring whether large conglomerates could buy Bhutan’s “green” coins to meet their targets on environmental, social and governance (ESG) norms.

·         “Bitcoin has not just given more value to hydropower energy, it has also increased access to liquidity in foreign currency,” said Dahal, who added that training Bhutan’s young people in blockchain and AI techniques would fuel jobs.

·         The nation of about 800,000 is battling an exodus of young, educated people. The government estimates that more than a tenth of its young people sought greener pastures between 2022 and 2023, taking unemployment in that age group to 16.5% in 2024.

·         Analysts said Bhutan’s ambitious plan to become the capital of green digital currency depends on expanding its hydropower generation to a potential of 33 gigawatts versus existing capacity of about 3.5 gigawatts.