Pravasi Bharatiya Divas – 18th edition
International
Context
- The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in two years on 9th January.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)
- Objective – It is a significant event that honors the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland.
- Historic background – It symbolises Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa in 1915.
- Organised by – Ministry of External Affairs. Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event.
Indian Diaspora
- The diaspora encompasses a group of people who can either trace their origins to India or who are Indian citizens living abroad, either temporarily or permanently.
- As per the Indian Ministry of External Affairs [2024], the global Indian diaspora numbers approximately 35.42 million, consisting of 85 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and 19.57 million people of Indian origin (PIOs).
- Top 5 countries where the Indian diaspora resides: United States of America (USA): 5.4Mn, United Arab Emirates (UAE): 3.6Mn, Malaysia: 2.9Mn, Canada: 2.8Mn and Saudi Arabia: 2.4Mn.
- India is the origin of the largest number of international migrants in the world, touching nearly 18 million, according to the UN World Migration Report 2024.
Importance of the Diaspora
- Remittances: In 2024, India received an estimated $129.1 billion worth of remittances, the highest ever for a country in any year.
- India’s share in global remittances was 14.3% in 2025, the highest such share since the turn of the millennium for any country.
- These contribute significantly to foreign exchange reserves and rural household incomes.
- Investment & Trade: NRIs and PIOs invest in Indian real estate, startups, and infrastructure, and act as trade facilitators between India and their countries of residence.
- Tech & Innovation: Indian-origin professionals in Silicon Valley, academia, and global corporations contribute to knowledge transfer, mentorship, and innovation linkages.
- Cultural Ambassadors: The diaspora promotes Indian languages, yoga, cuisine, Cinema, and festivals globally.
- Policy Advocacy: Diaspora communities often influence foreign policy decisions in host countries in favor of India.
- Citizen Diplomacy: Diaspora involvement helps India manage relations during bilateral tensions or negative media coverage.
- Global Recognition: Their achievements enhance India’s image as a land of talent and opportunity.
PANKHUDI Portal
Health and Society
In News
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched PANKHUDI Portal.
PANKHUDI Portal
- It is an integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and partnership facilitation digital portal.
- Objective – It is aimed at strengthening coordination, transparency, and structured stakeholder participation in initiatives for women and child development.
Features
- It is developed as a single-window digital platform that brings together individuals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributors, corporate entities, and government agencies working in the domain of women and child development.
- It supports and strengthens the implementation of the Ministry’s flagship missions—Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti—through a structured and transparent digital mechanism.
AdditionalInformation – Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0
- This is an integrated nutrition support program focused on combating malnutrition and improving early childhood development.
- Target Beneficiaries: Children (0–6 years), adolescent girls (14–18 years), and pregnant/lactating women.
Mission Vatsalya
- This mission focuses on child protection and the welfare of children in difficult circumstances, aiming to ensure “No Child is Left Behind”.
- Objectives: To secure a healthy, happy childhood for every child through better implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act (2015) and POCSO Act (2012).
Mission Shakti
- This umbrella scheme is dedicated to the safety, security, and economic empowerment of women. It is divided into two sub-schemes:
Sambal (Safety and Security):
- One Stop Centres (OSC): Integrated support for victims of violence.
- Women Helpline (181): 24/7 emergency assistance.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Prevention of gender-biased sex selection and promotion of girls’ education.
- Nari Adalats: Community-level alternative dispute resolution forums.
Samarthya (Empowerment):
- Shakti Sadan: Rehabilitation homes (merging former Swadhar Greh and Ujjawala schemes).
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Maternity benefit scheme.
- Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW): Facilitating access to government services.
Graham-Blumenthal Sanctions Bill
International
Context
- S. President Donald Trump has given his nod to the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill that will authorise the US President to levy up to 500% tariffs on nations that knowingly purchase Russian oil or uranium.
Graham-Blumenthal Sanctions Bill
- Objective – This Bill would give the US tremendous leverage against countries like China, India, and Brazil to incentivise them to stop buying the cheap Russian oil.
- In 2018, under similar pressure from the previous Trump administration, India had “zeroed out” its oil imports from Iran and Venezuela as well.
- Tariffs on India: The United States has imposed high tariffs on Indian goods, up to 50%.
- Part of this tariff is connected to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
- India’s Stand: India says the decision to buy oil from Russia is based on national interest. It wants to ensure energy security and keep fuel prices affordable for its people.
Spina Bifida
Health and Society
Context
- Many countries launched national awareness campaigns and programs to prevent spina bifida through folic acid supplementation.
Spina Bifida
- It is a congenital defect of the spinal cord caused by improper closure of the neural tube during early pregnancy.
- The condition results in varying degrees of paralysis, ranging from mild weakness of the feet to complete paralysis of the lower limbs.
- Many affected children also suffer from hydrocephalus, urinary and bowel incontinence, and orthopaedic deformities such as clubfoot.
- Role of Folic Acid in Prevention: Periconceptional folic acid intake prevents over 70% of Spina Bifida cases.
- Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin that supports neural tube development in the embryo.
U.S. Withdraw From International Solar Alliance
International
Context
- The United States has announced its withdrawal from the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
International Solar Alliance
- Started – The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November 2015 in Paris.
- Solar powered countries – It is an initiative with 124 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn.
- Objective – To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.
- Headquarter – National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram.
- Members: Member Countries are countries which have signed and ratified the Framework Agreement of the ISA.
- At present, 120 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement.
Satellite Tagging of Sea Turtles Aims to Aid Conservation
Geography & Environment
Context
- In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting on Chennai’s coast have been satellite-tagged and released as part of a two-year telemetry study (2025–27) to strengthen conservation efforts.
- It will track turtle movements, nesting behaviour, migratory routes, and interactions with fishing activities across key sites.
Olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)
- They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles in the world.
- Distribution – They get their name from the olive green colour of their heart-shaped shell, and inhabit warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
- These are carnivores and feed mainly on jellyfish, shrimp etc.
- These turtles are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
- Major nesting sites in India are Rushikulya rookery coast (Odisha), Gahirmatha beach (Bhitarkanika National park) and the mouth of the Debi River.
- Odisha is the largest mass nesting site for Olive Ridleys in the world.
Conservation status
- Protection status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
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