🌐 International News
The largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere was unveiled in Johannesburg, South Africa. Located within the BAPS Multi-Cultural Centre, the temple functions as a religious, educational, and cultural hub.
Inauguration highlights:
- Key attendees – Deputy President Paul Mashatile and spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj
- Organization – BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha)
- Purpose – Religious worship, education, and cultural activities
BAPS stands for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a Hindu spiritual organization known for building magnificent temples worldwide. Such cultural centres promote diaspora engagement and preserve cultural heritage.
This highlights India’s cultural and spiritual outreach globally, strengthening ties with the Indian diaspora in Africa.
Largest Hindu temple (Southern Hemisphere) – Johannesburg | BAPS Centre
President Donald Trump signed an executive order announcing the U.S. exit from the UN Human Rights Council and stopping funding for UNRWA, the UN agency providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
Key actions:
- Withdrawal from UNHRC – U.S. exits the UN Human Rights Council
- UNRWA funding stopped – Halts financial support to Palestinian aid agency
- Review mandate – Order requires review of U.S. contributions to UN bodies
- Reasoning – Reflects dissatisfaction with UN’s conflict resolution role
UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) provides humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. UNHRC (UN Human Rights Council) deals with global human rights issues and allegations of violations.
This signals a significant shift in U.S. multilateral engagement strategy and could impact international humanitarian efforts.
U.S. exits UNHRC | Stops UNRWA funding
GMR Airports Ltd (GAL) joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), committing to align its operations with the 10 UNGC principles focused on responsible corporate practices.
Focus areas of commitment:
- Human rights – Protection and promotion of fundamental rights
- Environmental sustainability – Eco-friendly aviation infrastructure
- Anti-corruption – Transparent and ethical business practices
- Labour standards – Fair treatment and workplace conditions
The UNGC is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, promoting responsible corporate practices globally through 10 universally accepted principles in human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
This reinforces ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainability commitments in aviation infrastructure.
GAL joins UNGC | 10 sustainability principles
Dubai will host the Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit 2025 on April 12–13, 2025 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre. This international summit will bring together global leaders, peacekeepers, and Nobel Laureates.
Event details:
- Expected participants – 2,800 peacekeepers
- Speakers – 72 distinguished speakers including 10 Nobel Laureates
- Patronage – Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan
International summits often serve important diplomatic and peace-building roles, bringing together global leaders to address conflicts and promote cooperation.
Dubai Summit | April 12–13, 2025
🇮🇳 National News
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the innovative ‘Chandrayaan Se Chunao Tak’ campaign in West Delhi. The initiative features a special space-themed polling booth at Vikaspuri, inspired by India’s space missions.
Campaign objectives:
- Boost participation – Encourage youth and elderly voters
- Innovative approach – Space theme to attract attention
- National pride – Links electoral participation with space achievements
The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting free and fair elections across India. Innovative voter awareness campaigns like this improve electoral participation rates.
ECI campaign – West Delhi | Space-themed booth
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the ‘Watershed Yatra’ as part of WDC-PMKSY 2.0 (Watershed Development Component – Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana). This national-level outreach campaign focuses on soil and water conservation.
Key focus areas:
- Soil conservation – Preventing erosion and degradation
- Water conservation – Improving water retention and availability
- Agricultural productivity – Enhancing farm yields
- Sustainable resource management – Long-term environmental sustainability
PMKSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, a flagship irrigation scheme. Watershed development improves water retention and soil quality through integrated land and water management.
This supports rural sustainability and agricultural resilience, helping farmers adapt to climate challenges.
Watershed Yatra | Under WDC-PMKSY 2.0
Fort William in Kolkata has been renamed ‘Vijay Durg’, marking a significant step in India’s decolonization efforts. The fort serves as the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command.
Key details:
- Decision date – December 2024
- Strategic importance – Headquarters of Eastern Command
- Inspiration – Named after Vijaydurg Fort in Maharashtra, linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Symbolism – Part of India’s decolonization efforts
The Eastern Command is one of the Indian Army’s seven operational commands, responsible for military operations in India’s eastern region including the borders with China, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
This symbolizes honoring indigenous heritage over colonial legacies, part of broader efforts to reclaim Indian identity.
Fort William → Vijay Durg | Eastern Command HQ
💼 Business & Economy
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has proposed an ATM interchange fee hike aimed at compensating banks and White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs) for rising operational costs.
Rationale for the proposal:
- Operational costs – Addresses increasing expenses for ATM maintenance
- Bank compensation – Fair remuneration for ATM services
- Network expansion – May support growth of ATM infrastructure
NPCI operates retail payment systems in India including UPI, RuPay, and manages the ATM network infrastructure. The interchange fee is charged by the card-issuing bank to the ATM owner for each transaction.
NPCI proposes ATM fee hike
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that 98.12% of ₹2000 notes have been returned after the withdrawal announcement. Only ₹6,691 crore worth of notes remain in circulation.
The Reserve Bank of India is India’s central bank responsible for monetary policy, currency management, and financial system regulation. The high return rate indicates successful implementation of the withdrawal process.
₹2000 notes – 98.12% returned
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), committing to measure and disclose emissions linked to its financed activities in support of India’s net-zero efforts.
Significance:
- Carbon accounting – Will track emissions from financed projects
- Disclosure commitment – Transparent reporting of carbon footprint
- Net-zero support – Aligns with India’s climate goals
PCAF promotes standardized carbon accounting for financial institutions, helping banks understand and reduce the carbon footprint of their lending and investment portfolios.
IOB joins PCAF for carbon disclosure
South Indian Bank launched two new current accounts tailored specifically for startups and entrepreneurs.
New account offerings:
- SIB Business Startup Current Account – For small businesses and startups
- SIB Corporate Startup Current Account – For larger startup entities
Current accounts are designed for businesses to handle high-volume transactions with features like unlimited deposits, withdrawals, and overdraft facilities.
South Indian Bank – 2 startup current accounts
Gold investments in India surged by 60% in 2024, reaching ₹1.5 lakh crore ($18 billion), driven by multiple factors favorable to gold investment.
Key drivers of growth:
- Higher gold prices – Appreciation in gold value
- Lower import duties – Reduced taxation on gold imports
- Festive demand – Traditional buying during festivals
Gold is considered a safe-haven investment asset, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. Indians traditionally view gold as both an investment and a cultural asset.
Gold investment ↑ 60% | ₹1.5 lakh crore
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IICA and the Carbon Market Association of India (CMAI) to support India’s carbon market initiatives. The agreement was announced during the IICA-CMAI Masterclass in the presence of Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Carbon markets enable trading of emission reduction credits, allowing companies to buy and sell carbon credits as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
IICA + CMAI MoU on decarbonisation
India’s first Ferret Research Facility was inaugurated at THSTI (Translational Health Science and Technology Institute), Faridabad. The facility will support biomedical research and vaccine development.
Animal research models like ferrets are crucial for vaccine and disease studies, particularly for respiratory diseases as ferrets share similarities with human respiratory systems.
First Ferret Facility – THSTI Faridabad
ISRO unveiled FEAST 2025, a structural analysis tool designed for aerospace applications. The software was launched at IIT Hyderabad during a national meet.
Structural analysis software is essential in aerospace design, helping engineers analyze stress, strain, and structural integrity of spacecraft and launch vehicles.
ISRO → FEAST 2025 at IIT Hyderabad
👔 Appointments
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, has been appointed as Acting Chair of the GSMA Board. The appointment followed the resignation of José María Álvarez-Pallete.
GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, promoting industry standards and innovation in mobile communications.
Gopal Vittal – Acting Chair, GSMA
📅 Important Days
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on February 6, 2025. The day raises awareness against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is recognized as a serious human rights violation affecting millions of women and girls globally.
Significance:
- Human rights focus – Recognized as a violation of rights
- Global awareness – Highlights the extent of the practice
- Prevention efforts – Promotes education and legal action
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) involves non-medical procedures that cause injury to female genital organs. It has no health benefits and can cause severe physical and psychological harm.
Feb 6 – Zero Tolerance for FGM
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