Alluri Sitaram Raju

Alluri Sitaram Raju 

• The Defence Minister stated that the election of Droupadi Murmu as India’s first tribal President reflects the government’s commitment to the ideals of Alluri Sitarama Raju, whose 128th birth anniversary was marked in recognition of his leadership against British rule in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. 
• Alluri Sitaram Raju was an Indian revolutionary born on 4 July 1897 in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, who led the Rampa Rebellion (1922–24) against the British in response to the 1882 Madras Forest Act that restricted Adivasi rights. 
• He organized guerrilla warfare with the support of Adivasis, farmers, and local villagers, earning the title “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of the Jungle) for his bravery in the forest regions of East Godavari and Visakhapatnam. 
• After two years of fierce resistance, he was captured and executed by the British on 7 May 1924, his tactics were so effective that the British reportedly spent over ₹40 lakhs to suppress his uprising.

India Post - Nation's Largest Logistics Network 

• Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia recently emphasized that India Post has transformed from a traditional mail service into the nation’s largest logistics network, operating through more than 1.64 lakh service points across the country. 
• India Post is operated by the Department of Posts (DoP), which functions under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.  
• It has been a key part of India's communication system for over 150 years, offering services such as mail delivery, small savings schemes, life insurance (PLI & RPLI), and retail services like bill collection and form sales. 
• India Post runs the world’s most widely distributed postal network and also serves as a government agent for schemes like MGNREGS wage disbursement and old age pension payments, supporting the country’s socio-economic development. 

Russia First to Recognise Taliban Government 

• Russia has officially become the first country to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan, marking a significant shift in diplomatic engagement with the regime that took control of Kabul in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. forces. 
• The move breaks from the global trend, where most countries have withheld formal recognition of the Taliban regime due to concerns over human rights, women’s freedoms, and terror links. 
• Russia's recognition may pave the way for greater diplomatic and economic engagement with Afghanistan, especially in terms of regional security and trade. 
• It could also influence other neighbouring countries’ stance and reshape geopolitical dynamics in South and Central Asia. 

AERB Licences Indigenous Reactors at Kakrapar 

• The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has granted NPCIL a licence to operate two indigenously developed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat. 
• A Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) uses heavy water as both coolant and moderator, and natural uranium as fuel, offering efficiency in nuclear power generation. 
• The AERB, India’s nuclear safety regulator under the Department of Atomic Energy, is responsible for licensing and ensuring safety across all stages of nuclear projects. 

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report 

Aerial view of Andaman and Nicobar Island 

• The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was prepared for the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP) to evaluate the environmental viability of the proposed development. 
• The report was commissioned by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) and carried out by the private consultant Vimta Labs. 
• It downplays the risk of future mega-earthquakes and tsunamis, despite expert concerns about the region’s seismic sensitivity. 
• The Great Nicobar Infrastructure Project (GNIP) includes the development of an international transshipment port, airport, township, gas and solar-based power plants in the Great Nicobar region. 
• ANIIDCO, a government undertaking, is the nodal agency for executing development projects in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including the GNIP.

Himachal First to Use Face ID for Ration Delivery 

• Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS). 
• The system uses a mobile app to scan the beneficiary’s face at Fair Price Shops, replacing older methods like fingerprints and OTPs that often failed in remote areas. 
• Developed by the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDTG), the FaceAuth system aims to ensure faster, reliable, and inclusive access to subsidised food grains.