Daily Current Affairs- 4th April 2025

Daily Current Affairs 4th April 2025

New Chola inscription discovered near Madurai’s Melavalavu

In the News: A significant archaeological discovery has been made atop the Somagiri hills in Melavalavu, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. An inscription related to Rajaraja Chola I, dating back to around 1000 CE, has been unearthed, shedding light on Chola influence in the Pandya region.

Factual Details:

• Discovery Location: Somagiri hills, Melavalavu village, Madurai district, Tamil Nadu.
• Historical Significance: The inscription pertains to Rajaraja Chola I, one of the most prominent rulers of the Chola dynasty, who reigned from 985 to 1014 CE. This finding indicates the extent of Chola influence into the Pandya territories during his reign.
• Content of the Inscription: While specific details of the inscription's content are pending further analysis, such inscriptions typically document royal decrees, land grants, or commemorate significant events.
• Archaeological Context: The Somagiri hills and surrounding areas, including Melavalavu and Keelavalavu, are known for historical remnants, including Jain caves and other inscriptions, highlighting the region's rich cultural and religious heritage.
• Preservation Concerns: The proximity of granite quarrying activities poses a threat to these historical sites, emphasizing the need for protective measures to preserve such invaluable cultural artifacts.  

GI Tag to Warangal Chapata Chilli

In the News: The Warangal Chapata Chilli, also known as 'Tomato Chilli', has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Government of India as of March 28, 2025. This recognition highlights the unique characteristics and regional significance of this chilli variety, marking it as the 18th product from Telangana to receive such a designation.

Factual Details:

• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: The GI tag is a form of intellectual property protection that identifies a product as originating from a specific place, where its quality, reputation, or other characteristics are intrinsically linked to its geographical origin. For the Warangal Chapata Chilli, this tag acknowledges its distinctive attributes and ties to the Warangal region.
• Cultivation Regions: This chilli variety is cultivated across approximately 6,700 acres in the districts of Warangal, Hanumakonda, Mulugu, and Jayashankar Bhupalpally in Telangana. The cultivation supports around 20,000 farmers in these regions.
• Unique Characteristics:
  • Appearance: The Warangal Chapata Chilli is characterized by its bright red color and a blocky, tomato-like shape, leading to its nickname 'Tomato Chilli'.
  • Pungency: It has a mild pungency, making it suitable for various culinary uses, including pickles. ]
  • Variants: The chilli is available in three distinct types: Single Patti, Double Patti, and Odalu.
• Economic Impact:
  • Pricing: Prior to receiving the GI tag, the Warangal Chapata Chilli was priced around ₹300 per kilogram. With the GI recognition, prices are anticipated to increase to between ₹450 and ₹500 per kilogram, enhancing farmers' income.
  • Market Demand: The chilli's natural red pigment makes it highly sought after in international markets, including the USA, China, the UK, Germany, and other European countries, particularly as a natural colouring agent in the food and beverage industry.
• Historical Context: The cultivation of the Warangal Chapata Chilli has a history spanning over 80 years, with its origins traced to Nagaram village in Jammikunta mandal. The practice of seed sharing among local communities, especially within the Velama community, facilitated its spread to neighbouring areas.
• Application and Recognition Process: The application for the GI tag was submitted in 2022 by the Thimmampet Chilli Farmer Producer Company Limited, in collaboration with the Janna Reddy Venkat Reddy Horticultural Research Station and Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University. The GI Registry of India officially granted the tag on March 28, 2025. 

T.N. Assembly unanimously adopts resolution on retrieval of Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka

In the News: On April 2, 2025, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Central Government to take immediate steps to retrieve Katchatheevu Island from Sri Lanka. The resolution, moved by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, emphasised that reclaiming the island is the only permanent solution to protect the traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen and alleviate their hardships caused by frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy.

• Background of the Issue: Katchatheevu is a 285-acre uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. In 1974, the island was ceded to Sri Lanka through a bilateral agreement between the Indian and Sri Lankan governments. This transfer has been a longstanding point of contention, particularly among Tamil Nadu's fishing communities, who have traditionally fished in the surrounding waters.
• Rationale Behind the Resolution: Tamil Nadu fishermen have faced ongoing challenges, including arrests and boat seizures by the Sri Lankan Navy, for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary near Katchatheevu. According to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's statement on March 27, 2025, 97 Indian fishermen were imprisoned in Sri Lanka, with approximately 530 arrests occurring in 2024 alone.
  • The resolution asserts that retrieving Katchatheevu is essential to safeguard the livelihoods and traditional fishing rights of Tamil Nadu's fishermen.
• Political Consensus and Historical Context: The resolution received unanimous support from all political parties in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, including the AIADMK and BJP. While opposition parties questioned the timing and intent, they endorsed the resolution's objective.
  • This marks the fourth instance the Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed such a resolution, with previous ones in 1991, 2013, and 2014 under different administrations.
• Appeal to the Central Government: The resolution calls upon the Union Government to review the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1974 and undertake all necessary measures to reclaim Katchatheevu. It also urges Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage with the Sri Lankan government during his official visit to Sri Lanka from April 4-6, 2025, to secure the release of imprisoned fishermen and their boats as a goodwill gesture.  

Remittances to India from advanced economies surpass Gulf inflows: RBI

In the News: Recent data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) indicates a significant shift in India's remittance patterns. For the first time, remittances from advanced economies (AEs) such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, and Australia have surpassed those from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. In the financial year 2023-24, these advanced economies collectively accounted for more than half of India's total remittances, marking a pivotal change in the source of these inflows.

Factual Details:

• Remittance Growth: India's remittances have more than doubled from $55.6 billion in 2010-11 to $118.7 billion in 2023-24.
• Shift in Source Countries:
  • United States: The U.S. emerged as the largest contributor, with its share increasing from 23.4% in 2020-21 to 27.7% in 2023-24.
  • United Kingdom: The UK's share rose from 6.8% to 10.8% during the same period.
  • GCC Countries: Collectively, the GCC's contribution declined to 38% of total remittances in 2023-24.
• Reasons for the Shift:
  • Migration Patterns: There's been a notable migration of skilled Indian professionals to advanced economies, leading to higher earnings and, consequently, larger remittances.
  • Employment Sectors: In countries like the U.S., a significant portion of Indian migrants are employed in high-paying sectors such as management, business, science, and arts.
  • Educational Pursuits: An increasing number of Indian students are pursuing higher education in these advanced economies, often leading to employment and subsequent remittances.
• State-wise Remittance Distribution:
  • Maharashtra: Received the largest share at 20.5% in 2023-24, though this was a decline from 35.2% in 2020-21.
  • Kerala: Its share nearly doubled to 19.7% from about 10% during the same period.
  • Other States: Tamil Nadu (10.4%), Telangana (8.1%), and Karnataka (7.7%) also saw significant shares.
• Impact of Migration Policies: Agreements like the 'Migration and Mobility Partnership' between India and the UK, signed in May 2021, have facilitated increased migration and subsequent remittances 

 Danish PM On Trump’s Greenland Claim

In the News: During her recent visit to Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly addressed the United States' renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic territory, stating unequivocally, "You cannot annex another country." This statement comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's persistent assertions that the U.S. should assume control over Greenland, citing strategic and national defense considerations.

• S. Interest in Greenland:
  • President Trump has reiterated his desire for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance and potential contributions to national security.
  • S. Vice President JD Vance suggested that Denmark has underinvested in Greenland, proposing that U.S. involvement could be beneficial.
• Denmark's Response:
  • Prime Minister Frederiksen, alongside Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, criticized the U.S. for exerting pressure and threatening Danish sovereignty.
  • Frederiksen emphasized that such actions undermine trust between longstanding allies and called for cooperation rather than coercion.
• Greenland's Position:
  • Greenland's leadership reaffirmed that the island is "not for sale," highlighting the overwhelming opposition among Greenlanders to U.S. control.
  • A January poll indicated that only 6% of Greenland's population supports U.S. governance.  

 

Chandrayaan’s ChaSTE scores a first after taking moon’s temperature

In the News: India's Chandrayaan-3 mission has achieved a significant milestone with its Chandra's Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) payload conducting the first-ever in-situ measurements of the Moon's surface and subsurface temperatures near the lunar south pole.

Factual Details:

• ChaSTE Payload:
  • Objective: To measure the thermal properties, including temperature profiles and thermal conductivity, of the lunar surface and subsurface.
  • Design: Equipped with a probe housing ten platinum resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) spaced approximately 1 cm apart along its length, capable of penetrating up to 10 cm into the lunar regolith.
• Measurement Details:
  • Surface Temperature: ChaSTE recorded a peak surface temperature of approximately 355 K (82°C), which is higher than the previously estimated ~330 K (57°C). This discrepancy is attributed to the probe's deployment on a sunward-facing slope with an inclination of about 6°.
  • Subsurface Temperature Gradient: The experiment provided temperature readings at various depths, revealing significant spatial variability in thermal properties at high lunar latitudes, a phenomenon less pronounced in equatorial regions.
• Significance of Findings:
  • Thermal Behavior Insights: These measurements offer crucial data on the Moon's thermal behavior, essential for understanding the stability of potential water-ice deposits and for planning future lunar exploration missions.
  • Resource Exploration: The data aids in identifying regions with favorable thermal conditions that might harbor water-ice, a vital resource for sustained lunar habitation and exploration. 

11th BRICS Environment Ministers

In the News: On April 3, 2025, the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting convened in Brasília, Brazil, under Brazil's chairmanship. The meeting brought together environment ministers and high-level representatives from the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—along with newly inducted members: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. The primary focus was to enhance collaboration on pressing environmental issues and to advance sustainable development agendas.

Key Highlights:

• India's Contributions:
  • Climate Finance Mobilization: India advocated for the 'Baku to Belem Roadmap,' aiming to mobilize $1.3 trillion to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of developing nations. India highlighted that the proposed $300 billion per year by 2035 under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance is significantly below the required amount.
  • Diverse Energy Mix: Reaffirmed support for a diversified energy portfolio, including fossil fuels, hydrogen, nuclear, and renewables, to ensure energy security and facilitate a just transition.
  • Global Initiatives: Encouraged BRICS nations to participate in global sustainability initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, Leadership Group for Industry Transition, and Global Biofuel Alliance to accelerate collective climate action.
• Joint Declaration Highlights:
  • Commitment to Multilateralism: The ministers emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global environmental challenges.
  • Poverty Eradication: Recognized as a fundamental requirement for sustainable development, underscoring the need to address environmental issues in conjunction with socio-economic challenges.
  • Implementation Plan: Approval of the Annual Work Plan for the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation for the period of 2023–2027, outlining collaborative activities in areas such as air quality, biodiversity, waste management, and climate change.
• Brazil's Leadership:
  • Ecological Transition: Brazil's Environment Minister, Marina Silva, highlighted the capacity of developing countries to lead a just global ecological transition, noting that BRICS nations represent around half of the world's population and 39% of global GDP.
  • Renewable Energy Goals: Emphasized the need to triple the use of renewable energy sources and double energy efficiency, ensuring a fair and well-planned transition away from fossil fuels.