Current Affairs

THE WAQF ACT, 1995

Why in the news?

The Modi government proposed amendments to the 1995 Waqf Act to improve accountability and transparency which include women, register properties and enhance judicial scrutiny of Waqf assets.

What is Waqf?

• Origin: Arabic word meaning “confinement” or “prohibition.”
• It refers to the properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under the Islamic law.
• It is a legal entity and manages properties such as mosques, graveyards, orphanages, schools, and other community institutions.
• Act
  • First passed by Parliament in 1954, later repealed and replaced by a new Waqf Act in 1995.
  • In 2013, the Act was further amended to grant the Waqf Board extensive powers to designate property as 'Waqf Property.'

The Waqf board

• It is said to be the third-largest landholder in India after the Railways and the Defence department.
• Currently, there are 872,292 registered Waqf properties spread across 8 lakh acres.
• These properties generate Rs 200 crore in revenue.

PRESIDENT MURMU IN FIJI

Why in the News?

During the first ever visit by Indian President Draupadi Murmu held bilateral talks with Fijian President Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere, wherein she was conferred with the highest civilian award of Fiji – Companion of the Order of Fiji. She stated that India remains committed to strengthening its relations and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

About Draupadi Murmu

• She is from Mayurbhanj district, Odisha
• She was elected as the 15th President of India.
• Preceded by: Ram Nath Kovind
• Ethnicity: Santhal Tribe
• She is the first tribal woman and the youngest to be elected as President of India.
• She holds the record of being the only Governor of Jharkhand to complete a full tenure.
• Previous Offices: Governor of Jharkhand, Minister of State for Fisheries and Animal, Minister of State for Commerce and Transport, Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly

Draupadi Murmu, President of India

About Fiji

• It is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean.
• Independence: From British rule in October 1970
• Capital: Suva
• Official Languages: English, Fijian, and Hindi
• Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)
• It consists of over 330 islands.
• History
  • The indentured laborers, known as 'Girmitiyas,' were brought to Fiji from India between 1879 and 1916 to work in the sugarcane fields under British colonial rule.
  • Their descendants form a significant part of the Fijian population today.
• Government: Parliamentary Democracy
• President: Wiliame Katonivere
• Prime Minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
• Neighboring Countries: Vanuatu, Tonga, New Caledonia, and Samoa

Location of Fiji

NATIONAL HANDLOOM DAY

• It is annually celebrated on 7^th August.
• Inception: It was first inaugurated in Chennai in 2015, commemorating the Swadeshi Movement of 1905.
• Purpose: To recognize and promote the contributions of handloom weavers to India's cultural heritage.
• It is the second-largest employment provider after agriculture.
• Handloom exports reached $1802.36 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year contributing 4% to the GDP.
• This year’s celebration will extend to 75 prominent handloom clusters across India.

General Knowledge

NANO- MAGNETOGENETIC INTERFACE FOR NEURODYNAMICS (MIND) TECHNOLOGY

• Developed by: South Korea
• It is a magneto genetics technology that allows control of brain circuits using magnetism.
• It allows for wireless, remote, and precise modulation.
• Tested on mice, it can activate specific neurons to alter behaviors such as maternal instincts and feeding.
• Achievement: Activation of inhibitory GABA receptors in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), which is responsible for maternal behaviours.