RAJARAJA CHOLA I: A PIONEERING CHOLA EMPEROR Rajaraja Chola I, a legendary ruler of the Chola dynasty, left an indelible mark on India’s history through his military conquests, administrative reforms, and cultural contributions. Born as Arulmozhi Varman in 947 CE, he earned the title “Rajaraja” meaning “King of Kings,” symbolizing his unparalleled leadership. His reign
DEALING WITH THE CHINA QUESTION TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: INDIAN EXPRESS China's increasing military capabilities and assertiveness have created challenges for India's defence preparedness. To address this, India must modernize its defence industrial base and strengthen security ties with like-minded Asian nations. Recent defence agreements with Australia and Japan highlight potential for deeper cooperation. India’s Defence
INDIA SIGNS THE FINAL ACT OF THE RIYADH DESIGN LAW TREATY The adoption of the Design Law Treaty (DLT) at the Diplomatic Conference in Riyadh by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) members, including India, is a significant step in enhancing the protection of industrial designs. This treaty simplifies procedures and strengthens international intellectual property (IP)
GLOBAL CRISIS OF FEMICIDE Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, is a grave violation of human rights driven by discrimination, unequal power dynamics, and harmful societal norms. On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November), a report titled "Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate
ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMS) AND VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL (VVPAT) The Supreme Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the return of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems. The court emphasized that EVMs are questioned mainly after electoral defeats and upheld their security
HIGH SEAS TREATY: A MILESTONE IN GLOBAL OCEAN GOVERNANCE The High Seas Treaty, formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, was signed by India in September 2024, representing a landmark step in international efforts to protect marine ecosystems. Developed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
NATIONAL MISSION ON NATURAL FARMING (NMNF) TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS The National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a new initiative launched by the Government of India to promote chemical-free and sustainable farming practices. What is Natural Farming? Natural farming is a chemical-free agricultural system that relies on inputs derived from livestock and plant
INDIANS NEED TO SHARE CONTRACEPTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU India’s family planning program, launched in 1952, aimed to stabilize the population and improve maternal and child health. However, there has been a significant decline in male sterilization, or vasectomy, with only 0.3% of sterilizations being performed on men as per NFHS-4 and
EMPOWERING WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE: CHALLENGES AND REFORMS Women’s participation in governance is vital for achieving gender equality and strengthening democracy. However, despite constitutional provisions and progressive legislation, women leaders in India face numerous challenges that limit their autonomy and effectiveness. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court of India has called for structural reforms to empower women
INDIA'S GDP GROWTH AND THE WAY FORWARD TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU The recent GDP growth rate dropped significantly to 5.4% in the second quarter of 2024-25, compared to 6.7% in the previous quarter. This slowdown raises questions about the country's economic trajectory and the steps needed to reinvigorate growth. Reasons for GDP Slowdown
DEVELOPMENT OF ICONIC TOURIST CENTRES TO GLOBAL SCALE UNDER SASCI The Indian government is actively enhancing tourism by allocating ₹3,295 crore for developing 40 iconic tourist projects across 23 states under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. This initiative aims to transform selected tourist destinations into globally recognized sites, boosting local
MGNREGA JOB CARD DELETIONS The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005, provides rural households with a legal guarantee of wage employment. However, recent data highlights a sharp increase in job card deletions, with over 5.53 crore cards removed in 2022-23. This raises concerns about transparency, workers' rights, and the effective implementation of
