Art & Culture 

Thakkolam temple, a treasure trove of Tamil history, needs restoration - The Hindu 

The Jalanatheswarar temple at Thakkolam in Ranipet district, a treasure trove of Tamil history, particularly the reign of Cholas, is in bad shape.

Jalantheeswarar Temple

• Location: Situated in Thakkolam village, Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu.
• Deity: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Jalantheeswarar in the form of a prithvi lingam (sand lingam), known as Theenda Thirumeni.
• Historical Background: Originally built by Pallavas, later expanded by Cholas. Present structure dates back to the 16th-century Nayak period.
• Features: 
  • Spans 1.5 acres with a three-tiered gopuram (gateway tower).
  • Enclosed by concentric granite walls.
• Religious Significance: One of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams & glorified in Tevaram hymns by Saivite Nayanar Sambandar.

Ahead of Amit Shah’s visit to Assam, Koch-Rajbongshis refresh demand for Scheduled Tribe status - The Hindu 

Ahead of Home Minister’s visit to Assam, the Koch-Rajbongshis have refreshed their demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Koch-Rajbongshis

• Origin: Ancient tribe from the Koch kingdom referred to as Koch Rajbongshi, Rajbanshi, or Rajvanshi.
• Literal meaning: "Rajbongshi" means "royal community."
• Distribution: Indigenous to South Asia, residing in Nepal, Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Meghalaya, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
• Background: Historically part of the Kamata kingdom, ruled by the Koch dynasty.
• Social Classification: Categorized as OBC in Assam, SC in Bengal, and ST in Meghalaya.
• Language: Rajbongshi/Rajbanshi language (1 crore people (Census 2001)).
• Religion: Majority Hindus with distinct deities and rituals but a section converted to Islam, particularly in North Bengal, Assam, and Bangladesh.
• Beliefs: Also has Christian and Buddhist followers.
• Livelihood: Primarily engaged in agriculture and farming.
• Culture: Historically Animist, maintaining deep connections with nature.

World Affairs 

India second-largest arms importer after Ukraine in 2020-24, says SIPRI - The Hindu

Ukraine, involved in a war with Russia for the past four years, became the largest importer of major arms in the world during the period between 2020 and 2024, clocking a nearly 100-fold rise in imports compared with the figures for 2015–2019.

India’s Position

• 2nd largest arms importer globally: Though there is a 9.3% decline in imports (2015-19 to 2020-24).
• Major exporters to India: Russia and France (imports from Russia declined).
• Position of China: China exited the top 10 arms importers list for the first time since 1990-94.

India’s Dependence on Russia

• Imports from Russia: 36% of India's arms imports came from Russia (down from 55% in 2015-19 and 72% in 2010-14).
• Russia’s top three buyers: India (38%), China (17%), Kazakhstan (11%).

Pakistan’s Arms Imports

• Current status: Increased by 61% (2015-19 to 2020-24).
• Growing China’s dominance: China supplies 81% of Pak’s imports.

Global Arms Trade Trends

• European arms imports: Surged by 155%, driven by regional rearmament.
• U.S. arms exports: Rose to 43% of global exports.
• Russia’s global arms exports: Fell by 64%, dropping to 7.8% of total exports.
• France (9.6%) overtook Russia: France became 2nd largest global arms exporter.
• Top arms importers in Asia-Oceania (2020-24): India, Pakistan, Japan, Australia.

France’s Arms Exports

• Exported arms to 65 countries: India received the largest share (28%) of French arms exports (Qatar the 2nd largest recipient (9.7%)).
• India’s major deals with France:
  • 36 Rafale fighter jets
  • 6 Scorpene-class submarines
  • Upcoming deals: 26 Rafale-M jets, 3 submarines.

Global Arms Transfers

• Overall volume remained stable: Italy (4.8% global share) rose from 10th to 6th place in arms exports.
• Status of Ukraine: Ukraine received 8.8% of global arms imports (2020-24), with 35+ countries supplying weapons since 2022.
• Decline in imports: Saudi Arabia, India, and China.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

• About: Independent international think tank focused on conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.
• Establishment: 1966.
• Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
• Mandate:
  • Provides data, analysis, and recommendations based on open sources.
  • Supports policymakers, researchers, media, and the public with insights on security issues.
• Governance: Statutes adopted by the Swedish Government guide its operations.
• Funding: 
  • By the Swedish Government through an annual grant.
  • Also receives financial support from other organizations for research.

Why Mauritius matters - Indian Express

Indian Prime Minister will be in Mauritius today for a two-day State visit, his second since 2015. He will be the Chief Guest at Mauritius’ National Day Celebrations on March 12.

India-Mauritius Relations

• Location: Western Indian Ocean; key maritime neighbor of India.
• Indian Diaspora: ~70% of Mauritius' 1.2 million population is of Indian origin.
• Colonial Past: Former French (1700s) and later British colony.

Indian Migration:

• French Rule: Indians from Puducherry brought as artisans and masons.
• British Rule (1834-1900s): ~500,000 Indian indentured workers; ~⅔ settled in Mauritius.

• Mahatma Gandhi’s Visit (1901): Advocated education, political empowerment, and India ties.
• National Day (March 12): Commemorates Gandhi’s Dandi March.
• Relations Established: 1948 (one of the first by independent India).
• Mauritian Leadership: Dominated by Ramgoolam and Jugnauth families.
• Seewoosagur Ramgoolam:
  • Led Mauritius' freedom struggle; first PM (1968).
  • Close ties with Gandhi, Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, and Bose.
• Infrastructure & Defence:
  • 2015 MoU: India assisted in transport and defence infrastructure.
  • 2024: India-Mauritius jointly inaugurated airstrip and jetty projects.
  • Maritime Security: White-shipping information sharing between Indian Navy & Mauritius.
  • Role in EEZ Security: Surveillance, patrolling, anti-piracy, and anti-trafficking.
• FDI: Mauritius 2nd largest FDI source for India (2023-24) after Singapore.
• Trade agreements: Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) signed (2021).
• Development Assistance:
  • $1.1 billion in the last decade (Lines of Credit: $729M, Grants: $427M).
  • Key Projects: Metro Express (three phases), 96 small development projects (51 completed).
• India as First Responder: Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 Wakashio oil spill, Cyclone Chido relief.
• 1986: Agreement for Telemetry, Tracking, and Telecommand (TTC) Station.
• 2023 MoU: ISRO & Mauritius Research Council for joint satellite development.
• ITEC Program: ~4,940 Mauritians trained since 2002-03.
• Education: 2,300 Indian students in Mauritius (medicine, business, etc.).
• Cultural Links: Seewoosagur Ramgoolam’s Bihar ancestry, Maha Shivratri celebrations, Ganga Talao pilgrimage.

Union Minister Annpurna Devi to lead India's delegation at Commission on Status of Women at United Nations - The Hindu 

Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi will lead India’s delegation at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

• About: A global intergovernmental body dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Role: Part of the United Nations, working on political, economic, civil, social, and educational rights of women.
• Establishment: By ECOSOC resolution on 21 June 1946 as a functional commission of ECOSOC.
• Functions: 
  • Promotes women’s rights, documents gender issues, and shapes global gender equality standards.
  • Highlights urgent gender-based issues, including those faced by women in conflict zones.
  • Since 1996, monitors progress on the Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action and integrates gender perspectives in UN activities.
• Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action: Adopted by 189 countries, the most comprehensive global agenda for gender equality.
• Annual Sessions: At UN Headquarters, New York, with participation from UN member states, civil society organizations, and UN entities.

Economy 

What is behind the rise of quick commerce? - The Hindu

Quick commerce’s initial utility was presented to under-lockdown customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the youngest avenue of digital shopping, having outlived its initial utility, stayed on to alter how people shop — particularly in urban India.

Quick Commerce (Q-Commerce)

• About: A subset of e-commerce enabling rapid delivery (10-20 mins) through dark stores and distribution centers.
• Dark stores: Warehouses dedicated to fulfilling online orders, ensuring proximity to consumers for faster deliveries.
• Mobile app-based model: Leverages customer data for demand forecasting, inventory management, and personalized shopping experiences.
• Benefits for Brands:
  • Increased brand awareness due to market penetration.
  • Availability of low-cost employable workforce enhances efficiency in India.
• Supply-side advantages: Large-scale operations reduce costs, e.g., avoiding individual freezer placements in Kirana stores.
• Market Growth:
  • Current value: $3.34 billion.
  • Projected by 2029: $9.95 billion.
  • FY 2024 Growth: 76% YoY.
• Concerns raised by FMCG distributors & AICPDF:
  • Predatory pricing & deep discounting eliminating competition.
  • Differential pricing based on customer data (location, device, purchasing behavior).
  • VC & FDI-backed platforms using financial strength to dominate.
• CCI complaint: Allegations that platforms set artificially low prices to push out competitors before raising them later.

National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) - The Hindu

• Established: 1st June 2016 under Section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Purpose: Expedites corporate dispute resolution, ensures transparency, and enhances efficiency in corporate governance and insolvency processes.
• HQ: New Delhi.
• Functions
  • Hears appeals against NCLT orders under Section 61 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
  • Reviews decisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) under Sections 202 & 211 of IBC.
  • Appellate body for appeals against Competition Commission of India (CCI) decisions.
  • Reviews appeals against National Financial Reporting Authority orders.
  • Advises on legal issues referred by the President of India.
• Composition: A Chairperson, Judicial Members, and Technical Members.
• Appointments: Made by the Central Government based on expertise in law, finance, accountancy, management, or administration.
• Case Disposal:
  • Hears appeals from aggrieved parties and may confirm, modify, or set aside orders.
  • Required to dispose of appeals within six months of receipt.
  • Its decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court.
• Powers:
  • Regulates its own procedures and functions like a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
  • Can summon witnesses, demand documents, receive evidence, and issue commissions.
  • Orders can be enforced like a court decree.
  • Civil courts have no jurisdiction over matters under NCLAT’s authority.
  • No court can grant injunctions against NCLAT’s actions.

Defence 

First rear fuselage for LCA Mk1A handed over to HAL - PIB 

The first rear fuselage for Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A, produced by Indian Private Industry, Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Private Ltd, was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Tejas LCA Mk1A

• Overview: Advanced variant of India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Speciality: Features 40+ improvements over Tejas Mk1, enhancing combat capabilities and operational efficiency.
• Advanced avionics with AESA radars:
  • Israeli EL/M-2052 AESA Radar.
  • Indigenous Uttam AESA Radar.

Enhanced survivability:

• Upgraded Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A).
• Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS).
• Advanced Self-Protection Jammer pod.

• Weapons capability: Nine hardpoints for Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles, Air-to-Air/Ground missiles, and ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air missiles).
• Tejas LCA:
  • Overview: Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by HAL.
  • Induction: Inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in July 2016.
  • Variants: Tejas Mk1, Tejas Mk1A, and Trainer variant.
  • Role: Developed to replace ageing MiG variants in the IAF.