INS Sharda 

• INS Sharda has docked at Maafilaafushi, Maldives, to take part in a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise.  
• The Maldives, a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean, is made up of 26 coral atolls, with its landscape formed entirely by coral reefs. 
• It is home to the world’s seventh-largest coral reef system, accounting for approximately 3.14% of the global reef area. 

INS Sharda 

 Operation Abhyaas 

• In response to growing tensions between India and Pakistan, Bengaluru conducted a civil defence mock drill, Operation Abhyas, led by the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directives.  
• The drill, held in Halasuru, focused on enhancing emergency preparedness with activities like firefighting, rescue and high-rise evacuations.  
• It aimed to raise public awareness and test coordination among various services amid heightened national alert following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. 

 Adishakti Abhyan 

• To mark the 300th birth anniversary of social reformer Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maharashtra government has launched the Adishakti Abhiyan, a women’s empowerment initiative with a budget of Rs 10.50 crore.  
• The campaign aims to address critical issues like malnutrition, child marriage and gender-based violence while promoting women’s participation in local governance.  
• It will ensure effective delivery of welfare schemes and create committees at various levels for community outreach and awareness.