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Manimahesh Yatra 2025

Context: 

The Manimahesh Yatra, dedicated to Lord Shiva, began on Krishna Janmashtami (August 16) but was suspended midway on August 25 due to a cloudburst and the resulting flash floods.

Manimahesh Yatra

  • Every year, on the eighth day of the light half of the moon in the month of Bhado (August–September), a fair is held at Manimahesh Lake, which attracts thousands of pilgrims who assemble there to take a dip in the holy water.
  • Manimahesh Lake is situated in the Budhil Valley of Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, and lies 26 km from Bharmour at an altitude of about 13,000 feet at the base of Mount Kailash.
  • Lord Shiva is believed to have created the Manimahesh Lake after marrying Goddess Parvati. Manimahesh means the “Jewel of Shiva’s Crown”.

Religious Significance

  • Lord Shiva, believed to reside in the Kailash peak overlooking the lake, is the presiding deity of the Manimahesh Yatra. A Shivling-shaped rock formation on the peak is revered as his divine manifestation.
  • The vast snowfield at the mountain’s base is locally called “Shiva’s Chaugan”, symbolising the sacred playground of Lord Shiva.
  • A marble idol of Lord Shiva stands at one corner of Manimahesh Lake, where pilgrims offer worship after taking a holy dip and circumambulating the lake three times. 

Coconut Development Board Launches Revised Schemes

Context: 

On the occasion of World Coconut Day (2nd September), the Coconut Development Board (CDB) launched its newly revised schemes. 

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• The revised scheme is focused on integrated development through production, processing, marketing, and exports.

• Revised Subsidy Norms:

  • Area Expansion Programme: subsidy raised from ₹6,500 to ₹56,000 per hectare.
  • Seedling Production: subsidy enhanced from ₹8 to ₹45 per seedling.

• Coconut Development Board (CDB) also presented the Export Excellence Awards at the Adlux Convention Centre, Angamaly in Kerala. 

World Coconut Day 

  • It has been celebrated annually on September 2 since 2009.
  • The theme for the day in 2025 is “Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action”
  • The day also commemorates the foundation of the International Coconut Community (ICC) on September 2, 1969.

Coconut Development Board (CDB) 

• It is a statutory body (under the Coconut Development Board Act, 1979) established in 1981 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

• CBD aims to integrate the development of coconut cultivation and industry in the country with a focus on productivity increase and product diversification.

  • India is one of the largest coconut producers in the world, accounting for about one-third of global output. 

• It is headquartered at Kochi, Kerala, with regional offices at Bangalore in Karnataka, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Guwahati in Assam and Patna in Bihar.

20th Global Sustainability Summit

Context: 

Recently, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development hosted the 20th Global Sustainability Summit in New Delhi. 

20th Global Sustainability Summit 

  • The summit is based on the theme “Reimagining Sustainability: Resilient. Regenerative.” 
  • Summit aims to bring together government, industry, and global stakeholders to discuss pathways for sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth.
  • Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) has been chosen as the “Official Mascot” of the Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) 2025.

Key Takeaways from the Summit

  • India emerged as one of the best-performing G20 nations in meeting sustainability commitments.
  • The country achieved 50% renewable energy capacity ahead of schedule and set a target of 500 GW by 2030.
  • Renewable energy is now available at globally unmatched rates under the principle of “One Nation, One Grid”.
  • The Union Commerce and Industry Minister emphasised the “Zero Defect, Zero Effect” mantra and the need for inclusive, climate-resilient growth.
  • India is expanding global trade partnerships through FTAs and currently contributes 18% to global growth.

BHARATI Initiative

Context: 

Recently, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched the BHARATI initiative to boost agri-food exports.

BHARATI Initiative

  • BHARATI, which stands for Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement, has been designed to empower 100 agri-food and agri-tech startups, accelerate their journey, promote innovation and create new export opportunities for young entrepreneurs. 
  • The goal is to increase agri-food exports to $50 billion by 2030 through innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • A pilot programme starting in September 2025 will provide three months of training and support for selected startups.
  • The initiative seeks to drive innovation in high-value categories such as GI-tagged agri-products, organic foods, superfoods, novel processed Indian agri-foods, livestock products and AYUSH products.
  • It seeks to resolve export challenges related to product development, value addition, quality assurance, perishability, wastage and logistics.
  • Aligned with the Government of India’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, Digital India and Start-Up India, the BHARATI initiative will build globally competitive agri-products, drive innovation-led backward integration, and expand global demand for Indian food and beverages. 

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

  • APEDA was set up in 1986 under the APEDA Act, 1985, as a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
  • It serves as the apex body responsible for promoting and developing agricultural exports, with support in areas such as marketing, transportation, and value addition.
  • APEDA also functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic products. 

Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited

Context:

Recently, the Prime Minister of India launched Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited to empower rural women entrepreneurs in Bihar.

Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited

  • The Sangh is a cooperative financial institution established to provide affordable credit facilities to women linked with Jeevika’s self-help groups.
  • It functions as a digital financial system, enabling transparent and timely fund transfers directly into the bank accounts of members, reducing dependence on microfinance institutions (MFIs) that charge high interest rates.
  • Its primary goal is to promote women’s entrepreneurship by ensuring easy availability of larger loans at lower interest rates, thereby supporting small enterprises and producer companies in rural areas.
  • The initiative will empower over 20 lakh women in Bihar, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthening community-led enterprises.
  • By providing a structured financial alternative, the Sangh seeks to reduce financial vulnerability among rural women while fostering digital inclusion through 12,000 trained community cadres equipped with tablets.
  • It enhances women’s economic empowerment, supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship, and contributes to inclusive rural development.

India – Thailand Joint Military Exercise Maitree – XIV

Context: 

The 14th edition of the India–Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE is being hosted by India at the Joint Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya, from September 1 to 14, 2025.

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  • The exercise was inaugurated with a ceremonial opening on September 1, 2025.
  • Training will focus on company-level counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban terrain under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
  • Modules include tactical drills, joint planning, special weapons skills, physical endurance, and raiding operations.
  • The 13th edition of the exercise was held at Fort Vachiraprakan, Tak Province, Thailand.

Significance of the Exercise

  • It enhances interoperability and mutual understanding between the Indian and Thai Armies.
  • It strengthens bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirms both countries’ commitment to regional peace, stability, and security.
  • It provides a platform for sharing best practices in counter-terrorism operations.

Exercise MAITREE

  • It was first instituted in 2006 as a bilateral military exercise between India and Thailand.
  • It is conducted annually, alternating between the two countries.
  • Focus areas traditionally include counter-terrorism operations, jungle warfare, and semi-urban combat training.
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