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1. On the 95th birth anniversary of Shyamji Krishna Varma, the Prime Minister honored the revolutionary and freedom fighter born on October 4, 1857, in Mandvi, Gujarat. Inspired by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Varma established the Indian Home Rule Society and India House in London in 1905, along with The Indian Sociologist, a journal promoting nationalist ideas and revolutionary activities against British rule. As the first President of the Bombay Arya Samaj, he influenced key figures like Veer Savarkar. Facing British criticism, Varma moved from England to Paris and later settled in Geneva during World War I, where he lived until his death on March 30, 1930.
2. The canal system connected to Odisha's Hirakud Dam is set for major renovation to modernize irrigation, reduce water wastage, and enhance agricultural productivity for local farmers. Key objectives include addressing the disrepair of canals like Bargarh and Sasan, which currently suffer from significant water loss and inefficiency. The renovation will convert earthen canals to concrete paths for better water distribution and improve access in tail-end areas. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between irrigation potential and actual use, ultimately boosting crop yields. The Hirakud Dam, conceived by Er. M. Visveswaraya in 1937 and built around 1952-53, is the longest major earthen dam globally, spanning 25.8 km. It forms the Hirakud Reservoir, one of Asia's largest artificial lakes, and has a hydroelectric capacity of 359.8 MW, irrigating 436,000 hectares of land. Cattle Island, located in the reservoir, is home to a large herd of wild cattle.
3. The government has introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical research organizations (CROs) as part of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials (Amendment) Rules, 2024, to ensure the safety of clinical trials. These regulations define roles, duties, and liabilities for CROs, including registration, license approval and renewal, inspection, and potential suspension for non-compliance. The aim is to maintain product quality, expedite clinical trials for new medications and vaccines, and enhance transparency. The Drugs Technical Advisory Committee (DTAB) was consulted in framing these regulations. A CRO can be commercial, academic, or individually owned and is appointed by sponsors to manage specific clinical trial tasks. Responsibilities must be formally delegated in writing. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board, established under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, advises the government on technical drug and cosmetic matters.
4. Recently, Nepal, India, and Bangladesh signed a tripartite agreement to facilitate cross-border electricity trade. Under this agreement, Nepal will export surplus electricity to Bangladesh from June 15 to November 15 each year. India will facilitate the transmission of this electricity through its territory. In the first phase, Nepal will export 40 MW of hydroelectric power to Bangladesh at a rate of 6.4 cents per unit. The three countries are members of several international groups, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) initiative, and the Non-Aligned Movement. This agreement enhances regional cooperation and energy security among the nations.
5. Little Prespa Lake, situated on the Albanian-Greek border, is gradually drying up, transforming from a lake into a marshy watering hole with much of its area now consisting of swamps or dried land. This decline is attributed to environmental threats from climate change, including rising temperatures, reduced snowfall, and decreased precipitation. Additionally, the diversion of the Devoll River for irrigation in the 1970s has significantly contributed to water loss. Lake Prespa is one of Europe's oldest tectonic lakes and the highest on the Balkan Peninsula, located at an altitude of 853 meters. The lake system comprises two lakes: Great Prespa Lake, bordering Albania, Greece, and North Macedonia, and Small Prespa Lake, located in Greece. These lakes are nestled between Prespa National Park (in Greece and Albania) and Galicica National Park (in North Macedonia), with the Galicica Mountains separating Lake Prespa from Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes.