Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment distributes PPE Kits and Ayushman Cards to Sewer and Septic Tank Workers under NAMASTE Scheme.

About NAMASTE Scheme (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem)

• Objective: Formalize sanitation workers, promote mechanized cleaning, and ensure safety.
• Implementing Ministries: Jointly by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Implementing Agency: National Safai Karmacharis Finance Development Corporation (NSKFDC) under MoSJE 
• Duration: FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 (3 years).
• Target Group: Sewer & septic tank workers (SSWs), and wastepickers (added in 2024).

RBI directs state-owned banks to penalize companies for violating Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 by obtaining guarantees from overseas banks, as per reports.

About FEMA, 1999 

• It replaced the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), 1973
• Objective: Facilitates external trade & payments, promotes orderly forex market development
• Jurisdiction: Applies across India and to Indian entities abroad
• Directorate of Enforcement investigates violations under the Act. 

Madras High Court directs T.N. government maintain communal harmony in Thiruparankundram hill.

About Thiruparankundram hill

• Located in Madurai district. 
• Rock cut Thiruparankundram temple is located here. 
  • It was built here in the 8th century during the reign of Pandyas.
  • It is one among the six temples of Lord Muruga, chief deity of the ancient Tamils of South India, son of the warrior goddess Korravai.
• A Muslim shrine Sekunder (Sikandar Shah, the last Sultan of the Madurai Sultanate) is also located here. 
• Also, Cave associated with Jain religion are also located here. 

A cow of the Ongole breed (named viatina-19), has set a record in Brazil by fetching 41 crores at an auction.

About Ongole breed

• It is also called the Nellore breed, belongs to Andhra Pradesh.
• Characteristics:
  •  The Ongole are large-sized animals with loosely knit frames
  • The forehead is broad between the eyes and slightly prominent. Eyes are elliptical in shape.

Other Important indigenous breeds: Gir (Gujarat), Hallikar (karnataka), Khillari (maharashtra), Tharpakar (Rajasthan),and Deoni (Andhra Pradesh).

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to bring a dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy.

About GCCs

• GCCs are designed to leverage global talent pools and technological advancements to enhance organizational capabilities and drive business transformation.
• India’s GCC are emerging as strategic hubs reshaping the Indian corporate landscape while influencing global business dynamics.
• Present Scenario: Number of GCCs in India has grown from ~1430 (FY 2019) to >1700(FY 2024) in FY24. 
  • As of FY24, GCCs in India employ nearly 1.9 million professionals.

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences celebrated its 50th Institute Day.

About NIMHANS

• Established: 1972 (Bengaluru)
• Mission: Tripartite mission of delivering unparalleled patient care, conducting pioneering research, and imparting cutting-edge training.
• Status of Organisation: Declared Deemed University(1994), conferred status of ‘Institute of National Importance’ (2012) through a separate act of Parliament.
• Designated nodal centre for the ambitious Tele MANAS (Tele mental health Assistance and Nationally Actionable Plan through States) programme.
  • Tele MANAS is a toll-free helpline (14416) available nationwide, offering a wide range of mental health services.

Kerala has secured approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to erect a check dam across the Silandhi river using forest land from Anamudi Shola National Park.

• Silandhi river, is a tributary of the Amaravathy river which in turn feeds the Cauvery river.

About Anamudi Shola National Park

• Location: along Western Ghats (Idukki District Kerala)
• Surrounded by:  Eravikulam National park, Pampadum Shola National park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Mathikettan Shola Park.
• Tallest peak: Anamudi (2,695 m) 
• Flora:  Southern subtropical hill forests, southern montane wet temperate forests and moist deciduous forests.
• Fauna:  Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Indian Bison, Nilgiri tahr, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Sambar, etc.

The 13th edition of joint military exercise 'Ekuverin' between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force has commenced in Maldives.

About Exercise Ekuverin

• It is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives.
  • Ekuverin means ‘Friends' in Dhivehi language spoken in Maldives.
• Aim: Enhancing interoperability in counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations, and carry out joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.