26th June News Analysis

A double blow’: Imports of dry fruits hit, traders in Khari Baoli tackle challenges

Current Context:

Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice and dry fruit market in Old Delhi, is facing a severe supply crunch due to two back-to-back disruptions in import routes. First, the closure of the Attari-Wagah border with Pakistan after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack choked supplies from Afghanistan. Soon after, the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict disrupted dry fruit and herb imports from Iran. These dual shocks have led to shortages and a steep rise in prices of almonds, pistachios, dates, and Ayurvedic herbs like Salam Mishri.

Traders describe this as a “double blow” as both traditional sources — Afghanistan via land and Iran via sea — have been simultaneously hit. As a result, the market is selling only the remaining pre-existing stocks. Containers from Iran, usually offloaded at Indian ports and then distributed via godowns, have ceased to arrive, severely affecting supply chains.

Almond prices rose by Rs 400-450/kg, pistachios by Rs 300/kg, and Kimia dates doubled from Rs 250 to Rs 400/kg. The disruption has also affected the availability of medicinal herbs, as some Ayurvedic ingredients are also sourced from Iran. Political leaders like MP Praveen Khandelwal acknowledged the impact, citing increased freight charges and broken supply chains. However, hopes remain among traders that the conflict will end soon, and supply routes will be restored.

Feature of the News:

1. Trade Routes & Disruption:
   • Attari-Wagah border closed post-Pahalgam attack, cutting land route from Afghanistan.
   • Iranian sea-route disrupted due to Iran-Israel conflict.
   • These routes are crucial for dry fruits, saffron, dates, and medicinal herbs.
2. Impact on Prices & Availability:
   • Almonds: ↑ Rs 400-450/kg
   • Pistachios: ↑ Rs 300/kg, now over Rs 1,000/kg
   • Dates (Kimia): ↑ from Rs 250/kg to Rs 400/kg
   • Ayurvedic herbs like Salam Mishri also affected.
3. Economic & Market Response:
   • Traders relying on existing stock.
   • Retailers unable to meet fresh demand.
   • Surge in retail inflation for niche goods.
   • Traders’ associations anticipate normalization post-conflict.
4. Government & Political Response:
   • MP Khandelwal: Government tracking situation.
   • Price hike attributed to supply disruption + freight inflation.
   • No immediate intervention or alternate sourcing strategies announced.

Explainers:

1. What is Khari Baoli and why is it significant?

Khari Baoli is Asia’s largest wholesale spice market located in Old Delhi. It is a historic trading hub for dry fruits, herbs, and spices, and serves as a key distribution node for products imported via Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.

2. Why are Iran and Afghanistan critical for India’s dry fruit imports?

• Iran: Major source for dates (Kimia, Mariam, Zahedi), pistachios, almonds, and saffron. Also supplies Ayurvedic herbs.
• Afghanistan: Supplier of figs, apricots, almonds, and other dried fruits.
  Both are land or sea-linked suppliers with relatively affordable freight.

3. What is the role of the Attari-Wagah border?

This land crossing between India and Pakistan is a vital trade route for importing goods from Afghanistan. It was shut following the Pahalgam terror attack, disrupting overland trade.

4. How do geopolitical tensions impact food and commodity trade?

Conflicts like Iran-Israel war and India-Pakistan standoffs affect:

• Shipping lanes (for sea-borne cargo)
• Land route security (e.g., Wagah border)
• Insurance premiums and freight costs
• Import timelines, leading to price spikes and shortages

5. What policy issues emerge from this situation?

• Overdependence on limited suppliers
• Lack of diversified sourcing strategy
• Need for buffer stock mechanisms
• Absence of clear import route alternatives during emergencies

Conclusion:

The crisis unfolding in Khari Baoli illustrates how regional geopolitical conflicts can ripple into local economies, especially in markets heavily dependent on specific trade corridors. The simultaneous disruption of imports from both Iran and Afghanistan has exposed India’s trade vulnerabilities in niche commodities like dry fruits and Ayurvedic herbs. It has led to inflationary pressures, supply shortages, and uncertainty among traders. This situation highlights the urgent need for India to diversify its sourcing strategies, build resilient supply chains, and develop contingency mechanisms for essential imports. For policymakers, it serves as a timely reminder that economic resilience is as much about trade route security as it is about foreign policy stability.

Centre’s outreach to tribal people can be starting point for bottom-up development. But it won’t be easy

Current Context (Detailed Summary of the Article):

On June 15, 2025, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs initiated a large-scale outreach campaign across 1 lakh tribal-dominated villages to ensure doorstep delivery of two flagship tribal welfare programmes: PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) and DAJGUA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan). These schemes aim to provide tribal communities with essential documentation like Aadhaar, Ayushman Bharat cards, Forest Rights Act (FRA) titles, pensions, and Jan Dhan accounts while integrating them into broader welfare entitlements.

Despite these measures, the realisation of benefits remains patchy. PM JANMAN, launched in 2023, targets 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 states and 1 UT, while DAJGUA focuses on filling infrastructural gaps in nearly 64,000 villages. However, physical inaccessibility, bureaucratic hurdles, landlessness, and lack of basic identity documents still limit access.

A prominent challenge is the documentation gap: many tribal populations, especially displaced groups like the Katkari in Maharashtra, struggle to obtain basic certificates due to non-recognition of their villages post-displacement by projects like dams. The issue of displacement remains critical — millions of tribals have been uprooted post-Independence due to development projects without proper rehabilitation.

President Droupadi Murmu and NITI Aayog have acknowledged these systemic issues, including landlessness among PVTGs, and called for proactive governance responses. The new outreach drive is a step towards participatory governance but must go beyond symbolism and tackle structural challenges on the ground.

Feature of the News:

1. Schemes in Focus: PM JANMAN & DAJGUA

• PM JANMAN (2023): Targets 75 PVTGs in 18 states + 1 UT; focuses on socio-economic development.
• DAJGUA (2024): Addresses infrastructure gaps in 63,843 tribal villages.
• New Campaign (2025): Doorstep delivery of welfare services and documentation to 1 lakh tribal villages.

2. Objectives of the Outreach Campaign

• Provide essential documents (Aadhaar, Ayushman, pension, Jan Dhan, FRA titles).
• Raise awareness of existing government schemes.
• Promote participatory governance through community mobilisation.

3. Implementation Challenges

• Geographical barriers: Tribal regions are often remote and difficult to access.
• Documentation gap: Many tribals lack birth/death certificates or official identity due to administrative neglect.
• Landlessness: Especially prevalent among PVTGs; flagged by the President in Nov 2024.
• Displacement trauma: Caused by dams, industries, mines, and sanctuaries post-Independence.

4. Policy and Governance Gaps

• Fragmented welfare delivery mechanisms.
• Poor rehabilitation and recognition post-displacement.
• Lack of cohesive land rights policy.
• Inadequate grassroots-level institutional support.

Explainers:

1. What is PM JANMAN?

Launched in 2023, it is a centrally sponsored scheme focusing on holistic development of PVTGs through interventions in housing, health, education, and livelihood. It also aims to ensure legal and identity documentation and FRA land rights.

2. What is DAJGUA?

Initiated in 2024, DAJGUA targets gaps in rural tribal infrastructure — roads, drinking water, electricity, schools — in around 64,000 villages. It is aligned with the PM JANMAN mission in its development goals.

3. Who are PVTGs and why are they vulnerable?

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are 75 communities identified for their pre-agricultural level of technology, stagnant or declining population, low literacy, and economic backwardness. Many of them live in isolation with minimal access to government services.

4. What are the major access issues faced by tribal groups?

• Landlessness: Many have no formal rights over land.
• Lack of documents: No Aadhaar, birth, or caste certificates due to administrative exclusion.
• Displacement: From dams, wildlife zones, or mining projects, often without rehabilitation.
• Unrecognized settlements: Displaced villages not registered in official records (e.g., Katkari of Dimbhe Dam area).

5. How can participatory governance help?

It enables local tribal communities to take charge of planning, monitoring, and implementing schemes — increasing efficiency, awareness, and trust in the system. Community mobilisation and awareness are key tools here.

6. What policy lessons can be drawn?

• Documentation-first approach is crucial.
• Mapping displaced tribal communities.
• FRA implementation must be fast-tracked.
• Need for tribal-specific civil registration and land provisioning systems.
• Convergence of ministries (Tribal Affairs, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj) is essential.

Conclusion:

The outreach campaign by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs marks a significant step toward inclusive governance, aiming to bridge the long-standing developmental divide between tribal and non-tribal populations. However, its success hinges not just on delivery but on deep structural reforms — particularly in addressing landlessness, displacement, and lack of documentation. While the intent of schemes like PM JANMAN and DAJGUA is commendable, implementation must be grounded in the lived realities of tribal communities. To ensure long-term impact, the state must move beyond token outreach and embed participatory, rights-based approaches in tribal governance, recognising their unique socio-historical vulnerabilities and developmental aspirations.

After six-year wait, 36 Indian pilgrims arrive at Mount Kailash and Mansarovar for yatra

Current Context:

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been resumed after a six-year suspension, disrupted first by the COVID-19 pandemic and later by the India-China border tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A group of 36 Indian pilgrims reached Mount Kailash and Mansarovar Lake, marking a significant milestone in restoring people-to-people ties between the two Asian powers.

The resumption follows a bilateral agreement between PM Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during a summit in Kazan in 2024, aimed at reviving cultural and diplomatic channels stalled since 2020. The Yatra represents one of the oldest pilgrimage exchanges and holds immense significance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bons, offering a cross-civilizational heritage link that surpasses geopolitics.

This revival also aligns with broader bilateral objectives, including reopening tourism, visas, and economic dialogue mechanisms. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as the nodal agency, has coordinated logistics, medical support, and cultural sensitivities—like sending Indian cooks ahead to ease the pilgrims’ experience. Chinese authorities too have improved infrastructure, biometrics at Nathu La, medical facilities, and interpretation services.

The cultural, strategic, and symbolic value of this event is significant, given its occurrence during visits of high-level Indian dignitaries like NSA Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to China for SCO meetings.

Feature of the News:

1. Pilgrimage and Its Significance:

• Mount Kailash (6,638 m): Revered as the abode of Lord Shiva in Hinduism, center of spiritual cosmos in Buddhism, salvation site in Jainism (Mount Ashtapada), and sacred in Bon religion.

The Bon religion is the indigenous spiritual tradition of Tibet, predating the advent of Buddhism in the region. It is rooted in animism and shamanism, emphasizing rituals to appease natural and spiritual forces. Bon followers regard Mount Kailash, known to them as Tisé, as their most sacred site, believed to be the seat of the sky goddess Sipaimen. Unique among the faiths revering Kailash, Bon practitioners perform the circumambulation (Kora) counterclockwise, unlike Buddhists and Hindus who do so clockwise. Over centuries, Bon absorbed several elements from Tibetan Buddhism, giving rise to Yungdrung Bon, a reformed monastic tradition with its own scriptures and rituals. Today, Bon is officially recognized in Tibet and continues to be practiced in parts of Tibet, Nepal, and Indian Himalayan regions, reflecting the deep cultural and spiritual diversity of the trans-Himalayan region.

• Mansarovar Lake: Twin to Rakshas Tal; considered spiritually purifying, visited for ritual bathing and parikrama.
• Kora/Parikrama: Sacred circumambulation route of ~52 km around Kailash.

2. Resumption Details:

• First Group Size: 36 pilgrims (ages 18–69), assisted by doctors and support teams.
• Duration & Route: June 15–July 2; over 3,000 km through Nathu La (Sikkim) and Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand).
• Planned Groups: 15 batches, ~750 pilgrims in total.
• Key Support Measures: Acclimatisation itinerary, Indian food, oxygen support, multilingual guides.

3. Diplomatic and Cultural Implications:

• People-to-People Mechanism: First such contact post-LAC crisis and pandemic disruptions.
• 2001–2002 Chinese Regulation: Ban on climbing Mount Kailash to preserve sanctity.
• 1981 Bilateral Agreement: Restart of ancient pilgrimage routes between India and China.

4. Local Socio-Economic Angle:

• Tibetan porters and towns faced downturn during hiatus.
• Revived yatra may rejuvenate cross-border cultural economy and tourism in Tibetan Autonomous Region (Ali Prefecture).

Explainers:

1. What is the importance of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in India-China diplomacy?

• It’s civilizational diplomacy—a non-political, people-led engagement that survives despite strategic differences.
• Helps de-escalate tensions by building trust through shared cultural experiences.
• Reinforces India’s influence among regional faith-based stakeholders and religious tourists.

2. Why is the MEA involved in this pilgrimage?

• The Ministry of External Affairs handles foreign cooperation and pilgrimage diplomacy in cross-border locations.
• Acts as a nodal agency for coordinating logistics, safety, medical care, and interfacing with Chinese officials.

3. What does this yatra reflect about India’s cultural diplomacy strategy?

• Soft power revival through spiritual diplomacy.
• Helps project India’s plural faith heritage, accommodating Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and Bon traditions.

4. What does China gain from this engagement?

• A gesture of cultural cooperation to ease bilateral tension.
• Revives local economies in Tibet dependent on spiritual tourism.
• Enhances global image in handling religious diplomacy sensitively.

5. What are the geopolitical implications?

• Resumption during visits by India’s NSA and Defence Minister signals strategic signalling from both sides.
• Indicates a slow recalibration of bilateral relations toward pragmatic coexistence despite unresolved border disputes.

Conclusion:

The relaunch of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after six years is more than a symbolic spiritual journey; it marks the first successful thaw in India-China post-COVID diplomacy, paving the way for broader restoration of contact and cooperation. It reflects the enduring power of faith and civilizational bonds to reconnect two neighbours amidst complex geopolitics, offering a template for constructive engagement through culture, not confrontation.

Axiom-4 Mission: What Shubhanshu Shukla’s trip to ISS means for India’s space program

Current Context:

On June 26, 2025, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom-4, marking a historic moment for India’s evolving human spaceflight program. This mission, backed by collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is not just symbolic—it acts as a technological rehearsal for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission and a signal of India’s rising presence in the global space arena.

Shukla’s comment at lift-off—that this isn’t just his journey, but India’s entry into routine human spaceflight—embodied the national aspiration to elevate space capabilities. With ISRO playing an active, equal partner role in planning and troubleshooting, India’s contributions to Axiom-4 went far beyond tokenism. The lessons from Axiom-4 will directly inform Gaganyaan’s manned mission, slated for 2027.

More broadly, the mission reflects India’s emergence as a serious spacefaring nation capable of matching technological front-runners. ISRO’s achievements—ranging from lunar and Martian missions to developing indigenous launch systems—are now being extended into the domain of human spaceflight, a strategic technology once exclusive to global superpowers.

Yet challenges remain. India’s participation in the global space economy stands at just 2%, despite immense potential. With the future of strategic technologies revolving around space (alongside AI, quantum computing, and clean energy), India’s policy must focus on scaling private participation, attracting global capital, retaining top talent, and innovating consistently. Human spaceflight can catalyse youth interest and economic benefits if backed by institutional support and clear policy direction.

Feature of the News:

1. Axiom-4 Mission and India’s Role:

• Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla part of Axiom-4 crew to ISS aboard SpaceX Dragon.
• ISRO played an equal partner role — not just symbolic participation but involvement in mission planning and problem-solving.
• Axiom-4 serves as a knowledge base and test bed for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.

2. India’s Human Spaceflight Journey:

• Gaganyaan (announced in 2018) aims for India’s first independent human spaceflight by 2027.
• ISRO plans a permanent Indian space station and a manned Moon mission by 2040.
• Human spaceflight is now seen as a strategic capability, not just scientific prestige.

3. Global Context and Strategic Implications:

• Space is becoming a strategic domain akin to nuclear power—potentially exclusionary.
• Countries like the US and China are racing to create long-term habitats on Moon and Mars.
• Human spaceflight offers scientific, commercial, and geopolitical advantages.

4. Economic and Innovation Potential:

• India’s space sector = 2% of global space economy; huge room for growth.
• Private sector can mirror US model (e.g., SpaceX, Blue Origin).
• Space tech = future-defining domain like AI, quantum, clean energy.
• Human spaceflight inspires youth participation, start-ups, and R&D investment.

Explainers:

1. Who is Shubhanshu Shukla and why is his mission significant?

Shukla is India’s representative on Axiom-4, a private space mission. His journey to the ISS symbolizes India’s official entry into the human spaceflight era and provides operational experience for Gaganyaan.

2. What is the Axiom-4 mission?

It is a commercial mission to the ISS, operated by Axiom Space in partnership with NASA and SpaceX. It carries astronauts from multiple countries, including India. The spacecraft used is SpaceX’s Dragon, launched via Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center.

3. How is ISRO involved in Axiom-4?

• Not just a ceremonial participant — ISRO contributed engineers and mission planners.
• A dedicated Indian team, including Chairman V. Narayanan, worked on real-time troubleshooting.
• The mission is expected to provide operational lessons for India’s indigenous human space missions.

4. What is Gaganyaan and how is Axiom-4 helping?

Gaganyaan is ISRO’s human spaceflight program aiming to send Indian astronauts into Low Earth Orbit using an Indian launch system. Axiom-4 offers:

• Exposure to manned space operations
• Life support system trials
• Coordination learnings
• Crew management protocols

5. What are India’s larger space ambitions?

• Indian Space Station in coming decades
• Human landing on the Moon by 2040
• Expansion of private sector space startups
• Building capacity in strategic space technologies

6. How can India leverage this moment?

• Invest in R&D for human-rated launch vehicles and life support systems
• Incentivize private space companies via policy and funding
• Strengthen international cooperation on equal footing
• Create a vibrant space talent pool through STEM education and global missions

Conclusion: Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey aboard Axiom-4 is more than just a personal or symbolic milestone — it is a launchpad for India’s next strategic leap in space exploration. It affirms India’s readiness to become a full-fledged spacefaring power, not just through satellite launches but by entering the domain of manned missions and deep space ventures. The challenge now is to convert this achievement into sustained technological, economic, and strategic gains. For that, India must align its policies, industry ecosystem, talent pool, and global partnerships to build a self-reliant and innovation-driven space future.

At least 12 killed in mass shooting at religious festival in Mexico’s Guanajuato

Current Context:

On the evening of June 25, 2025, a mass shooting at a religious festival in Irapuato, in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, claimed the lives of at least 12 people, including a 17-year-old minor, and injured 20 others. The attack occurred during street celebrations for St. John the Baptist, a widely observed Catholic holiday in Mexico. Eyewitness videos showed participants dancing and celebrating moments before gunmen opened fire, prompting chaos and a frantic rush for shelter.

The Guanajuato Attorney General’s Office confirmed the casualties and said the injured had been hospitalized. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack, calling it “very unfortunate” and said an investigation is underway.

This shooting is part of a disturbing trend of escalating violence in Guanajuato, one of Mexico’s most violent states, primarily due to ongoing drug cartel rivalries and the breakdown of public security mechanisms. In May 2025, a similar incident in the same state resulted in the deaths of seven people during another Catholic gathering.

Public outrage is growing, with citizens and opposition leaders calling the violence “terrorism in its worst form.” The Mexican state is increasingly being criticised for its inability to prevent or contain armed violence, especially at cultural or religious gatherings.

Feature of the News:

1. Nature of the Incident:

• Event: Mass shooting at a St. John the Baptist religious celebration in Irapuato, Guanajuato.
• Casualties: 12 dead (including 1 minor, aged 17); 20 hospitalised.
• Setting: Open street celebration with music and dance before gunfire erupted.
• Cause: Gunmen opened fire; motives yet to be officially confirmed, but patterns suggest drug/cartel-related violence.

2. Local and National Response:

• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered an investigation.
• Public criticism calls it “domestic terrorism”, pointing to the rising frequency and scale of such attacks.

3. Background:

• Guanajuato has long been among the most violent regions in Mexico.
• Recent similar incidents include a May 2025 shooting at a Catholic party (7 killed).
• Violence is widely attributed to rivalries between drug cartels, such as Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

4. Law & Order Crisis:

• Inadequate law enforcement at local levels.
• Frequent targeting of religious and civilian gatherings, raising questions on security preparedness.
• Displacement, trauma, and fear are becoming widespread in cartel-dominated areas.

Explainers:

1. Why is Guanajuato so prone to violence?

Guanajuato, once an industrially stable region, is now marred by drug cartel conflicts, especially between CJNG and Santa Rosa de Lima. The competition over smuggling routes and fuel theft has created high civilian risk zones.

2. What is the significance of the St. John the Baptist festival?

Celebrated across Mexico, it involves community prayers, music, dance, and street feasts. These open-air events become vulnerable targets in areas with poor police surveillance and cartel presence.

3. What does this incident reveal about internal security in Mexico?

The inability to prevent shootings at public and religious gatherings points to:

• Weak community policing
• Infiltration of cartels into local governance
• Failure in intelligence sharing and pre-emptive action
• Erosion of citizen trust in state protection

4. Why is it referred to as ‘terrorism’?

Though not ideological like conventional terrorism, such brutal, public acts of violence carried out with intent to instil fear and exert dominance fit broader definitions of narco-terrorism. Opposition leaders are invoking this term to underscore the systemic failure.

5. How does this relate to India’s UPSC themes?

• Comparative internal security scenarios.
• Understanding cartel-based vs. insurgency-based violence.
• Role of civil-military coordination, border security, and urban policing.
• International cooperation in combating transnational organized crime.

Conclusion:

The tragic shooting in Irapuato underscores Mexico’s deepening internal security crisis, where drug cartels now possess capabilities and impunity rivaling insurgent groups. The attack during a religious celebration reflects a chilling trend where public spaces are no longer safe. It is a stark reminder of how organized crime, if left unchecked, can corrode state authority, destabilize civilian life, and erode democratic governance. For countries like India, it offers a critical lesson in pre-emptive policing, decentralised security coordination, and the need to fortify vulnerable communities against such organized threats.

On a keto diet and with rapid weight loss, a 28-year-old developed gallstones: What’s driving the spike in younger people?

Current Context:

Gallstone disease, once considered typical of middle-aged individuals, is now being diagnosed at alarming rates among young adults and even teenagers, with cases increasingly tied to extreme weight-loss diets, high-fat and low-fibre food patterns, and obesity. A clinical case of a 28-year-old on a keto diet brought attention to how aggressive dietary regimens can disrupt gallbladder function and cause cholesterol-saturated bile to solidify into stones.

This health trend is being fueled by modern lifestyle choices — poor nutrition, high consumption of fast food, sugary beverages, refined carbs, and sedentary routines. Gallstone formation is often silent but can result in acute symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, and may lead to severe complications if left untreated.

The shift towards highly processed diets with minimal fibre and essential nutrients has significantly increased the risk of gallstones, alongside rising cases of obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance in youth. Further risk factors include hormonal changes during pregnancy and contraceptive use, especially among women.

The article calls for urgent lifestyle interventions — a return to balanced diets (such as the Mediterranean or DASH diets), physical activity, and public health awareness to mitigate the risk of gallstone disease and broader metabolic disorders in India’s younger population.

Feature of the News:

1. Understanding Gallstones:

• Gallstones are hardened bile deposits that form in the gallbladder, typically due to cholesterol supersaturation or infrequent bile emptying.
• Bile is critical for digesting fats and absorbing vitamins A, D, E, and K.

2. Keto Diet as a Trigger:

• The ketogenic diet is high in fats and low in carbohydrates.
• This leads to:
  • High cholesterol secretion into bile.
  • Decreased gallbladder contractions, causing bile stasis.
  • Rapid fat breakdown → cholesterol-rich bile → gallstone formation.

3. Modern Diet & Lifestyle Risks:

• High-fat, low-fibre diet leads to bile retention and cholesterol crystallisation.
• Refined sugars and carbs impact insulin sensitivity, increasing triglycerides — another gallstone risk.
• Fast foods and sugary drinks contribute to obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

4. Low Fibre Intake:

• Low fibre slows digestion → bile sits longer in gallbladder → risk of stone formation.
• Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help dilute bile and regulate metabolism.

5. Obesity as a Central Risk Factor:

• Overweight individuals produce more bile cholesterol.
• Obesity also causes gallbladder motility issues.
• Increasing obesity among youth mirrors gallstone trends.

6. Additional Contributing Factors:

• Diabetes and insulin resistance increase gallstone risk via abnormal lipid metabolism.
• Hormonal contraceptives and pregnancy alter bile composition and gallbladder function.
• Genetics can predispose, but environment/lifestyle act as triggers.

Explainers:

1. How does a keto diet increase gallstone risk?

A keto diet lowers carbohydrate intake drastically and increases fat intake, which:

• Promotes more cholesterol in bile.
• Reduces gallbladder contractions due to less dietary fibre.
• Results in bile saturation and stagnation, ideal for gallstone development.

2. Why are gallstones increasing in the younger population?

• Young adults increasingly consume high-fat, processed foods.
• Sedentary lifestyles, especially post-pandemic, worsen metabolic health.
• Early obesity, unmonitored weight loss programs, and limited awareness.

3. What kind of diet protects against gallstones?

• Mediterranean Diet: Olive oil, nuts, vegetables, lean proteins.
• DASH Diet: Emphasis on low sodium, high fibre, fruits, and whole grains.
• These diets support better cholesterol balance and promote gallbladder motility.

4. Why is fibre important in gallstone prevention?

• Fibre binds bile salts and excess cholesterol.
• Enhances digestion and gallbladder emptying.
• Reduces the bile concentration time in the gallbladder.

5. What policy or health action is needed?

• Public awareness campaigns on dangers of fad diets.
• Integrating dietary counselling in fitness and weight-loss programs.
• School and college-level health education on balanced diets and NCD prevention.
• Urban policy promoting physical activity-friendly infrastructure and regulated food environments.

Conclusion: The rising trend of gallstone disease among young adults is a symptom of larger lifestyle and dietary imbalances in modern society. The case of a 28-year-old suffering from keto-induced gallstones exemplifies how unsupervised diet trends, coupled with low physical activity, can quickly translate into clinical problems. As gallstone risk merges with the rising burden of obesity, diabetes, and poor nutrition in India’s youth, preventive public health strategies, dietary reform, and early awareness become urgent priorities. In health, as in economics, early correction yields the highest returns.

Developed by Pune’s ARDE and Bharat Forge: Close Quarter Battle carbine ready for frontline ops

Current Context:

India has taken a significant leap in defence indigenisation with the development of a fully indigenous Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbine jointly designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune and Bharat Forge Ltd. This compact and lightweight 5.56×45 mm weapon has now cleared all performance, maintainability, and quality trials for frontline use in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI/CT) operations.

As part of a Ministry of Defence initiative launched through an RFP in November 2022 to procure over 4.23 lakh carbines, the ARDE-Bharat Forge model emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) after extensive multi-condition evaluation among five shortlisted weapons. The carbine is designed to fire both NATO-standard and INSAS ammunition, with a range of 200 meters and a weight below 3.3 kg.

The project exemplifies the success of public-private partnerships in defence manufacturing, with advanced materials such as forged steel and metal injection moulding ensuring precision, reliability, and adaptability across harsh terrains—from subzero to desert heat. Notably, ARDE also extended this design platform to a more powerful Ugram assault rifle (7.62×51 mm), expanding the scope of Make-in-India weapons development.

Feature of the News:

1. Weapon and Design Characteristics:

• Type: 5.56×45 mm Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbine
• Developed by: ARDE (DRDO)
• Manufactured by: Bharat Forge Ltd
• Weight: Less than 3.3 kg
• Effective Range: 200 meters
• Ammunition Compatibility: Both NATO and INSAS standard
• Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
• Technology: Forged steel + Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)
• Use: Close combat, CI/CT ops, urban warfare

2. Procurement Process & RFP Status:

• RFP issued: November 2022 for 4.23 lakh units
• Selection Process: Comparative trials among multiple bidders
• Result: Bharat Forge’s carbine was selected as L1 (lowest bidder)
• Evaluation: Based on cost, quality, terrain tests, and maintainability

3. Industrial and Strategic Significance:

• Partners: Bharat Forge & AWEIL selected as industry collaborators
• Testing Environments: Sub-zero to desert heat; multi-terrain trials
• Strategic Outcome: Promotes Atma Nirbhar Bharat in defence tech
• Synergy Outcome: First-of-its-kind successful collaboration between a DRDO lab and Indian private defence manufacturer

4. Extended Development – Assault Rifle ‘Ugram’:

• Design Origin: Based on CQB platform
• Calibre: 7.62×51 mm
• Range: 500 meters
• Manufacturing Partner: Dvipa Defence India Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad

Explainers:

1. Why is CQB carbine important for India’s military operations?

In counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations—often fought in urban environments, forests, or close quarters—soldiers require light, compact, and reliable weapons. The CQB carbine fits this role by being:

• Easy to maneuver
• Effective in close-range combat
• Adaptable to different ammunition types used by Indian forces

2. How does this fit into Atma Nirbhar Bharat in Defence?

• Reduces reliance on foreign small arms (e.g., Sig Sauer rifles from the US)
• Increases indigenous capacity for mass production of modern infantry weapons
• Opens up export potential once fully inducted and scaled

3. What makes this carbine technically superior?

• Forged steel and MIM technologies offer high strength and low weight
• Compatibility with existing Indian ammunition eliminates need for supply overhaul
• Field tested across India’s diverse terrains for reliability
• High rate of fire and durability improve battlefield performance

4. What does the success of this project indicate about DRDO-private partnerships?

• Efficient technology transfer and co-development
• Cost-effective, fast-tracked production
• Potential replication in future infantry weapon development and modernisation
• Boosts private sector capabilities under defence offset and Make-in-India schemes

5. What is the broader military and policy significance?

• Enhances India’s tactical warfare readiness
• Strengthens local industry’s role in national security
• Helps India meet infantry modernisation goals outlined in key policy documents like DAP-2020 and Raksha Shakti Mission

Conclusion:

The induction-ready CQB carbine, jointly built by DRDO’s ARDE and Bharat Forge, represents a decisive leap in India’s quest for strategic autonomy in defence manufacturing. Its selection under the Indian Army’s procurement process not only strengthens frontline combat capabilities but also showcases a robust public-private defence ecosystem emerging under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative. With future-ready platforms like the Ugram assault rifle already in development, India’s indigenous defence production is rapidly evolving from aspiration to battlefield reality.

When cities have trees that don’t belong, the birds notice

Current Context:

A recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru, highlights how increasing urban heat and declining green cover are severely impacting bird diversity in the city. Bengaluru, home to over 350 bird species, now sees biodiversity clustering around areas with lower heat, while urban heat islands show a significant loss in avian species.

The study uses satellite data and eBird records to correlate heat distribution with bird presence. Findings suggest that while green cover is vital, the type of vegetation is equally crucial. The dominance of exotic trees like Jacaranda and Tabebuia, which make up 77% of Bengaluru’s tree population, offers little ecological value to local fauna. Instead of benefiting biodiversity, these exotic trees contribute to ecological disbalance and even human health issues.

Further, Bengaluru’s historical landscape of savannahs, open fields, wetlands, and man-made tanks has largely been replaced by uniform tree planting for beautification and cooling. But such monoculture afforestation ignores the city’s ecological heritage and often destroys important open habitats essential for grassland and wetland birds.

Experts stress that true ecological restoration requires integrating native species—grasses, shrubs, and trees—while respecting the historical and climatic context of each city. A one-size-fits-all tree plantation approach is counterproductive. Urban planning should include city-specific biodiversity goals, restoration of grasslands and wetlands, and equitable access to green spaces, particularly for vulnerable populations most affected by urban heat.

Feature of the News:

Ecological Perspective:

• 77% of Bengaluru’s tree species are exotic.
• Native species support bird diversity, exotic ones do not.
• Heat islands show significantly less biodiversity.
• Savannas and wetlands, crucial for open habitat birds, are being lost.

Scientific Findings:

• Increased urban heat affects birds’ reproductive success and food sources.
• Tree species richness positively correlates with bird species richness.
• Not all birds benefit from green cover—some thrive in open areas.

Urban Planning Perspective:

• Restoration based on historical land use is key (e.g., open grasslands, irrigation tanks).
• Afforestation with exotic species can cause long-term ecological harm.
• Native biodiversity is better preserved through mixed strategies including small gardens, wetlands, and native flora.

Socioeconomic Equity Angle:

• Heat stress and biodiversity loss affect poor and marginalised the most.
• Restricted access to green spaces deepens urban inequalities.
• Green restoration must be inclusive and context-sensitive.

Explainers:

1. What Are Heat Islands?

Urban Heat Islands (UHIs) are zones within cities that experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to concrete surfaces, lack of vegetation, and high human activity. They reduce local biodiversity and increase heat-related illnesses, especially in poor communities.

2. Why Exotic Trees Harm Urban Biodiversity:

Exotic trees, although aesthetically appealing, often:

• Do not support native insect, bird, or mammal populations.
• Alter soil composition and hydrology.
• Outcompete native flora, leading to monocultures.

3. Importance of Historical Land Use in Urban Ecological Planning:

Every city has a unique ecological past. For instance, Bengaluru historically featured open fields, water tanks, and savannah-type ecosystems. Restoration that ignores these legacies leads to ecological mismatch, harming species adapted to such habitats.

4. Urban Biodiversity Strategy:

• Diversify urban greenery: Go beyond trees to include shrubs, grasses, and herbs.
• Zone-wise planning: Identify which areas need savannah restoration, wetland revival, or tree plantations.
• Inclusivity: Ensure equitable access to green spaces for all urban residents.

Conclusion:

The study underscores the urgent need to reform urban biodiversity policies by shifting from cosmetic afforestation to ecologically informed restoration. Protecting and enhancing native biodiversity in cities like Bengaluru requires attention to local ecological histories, promotion of native species, and equitable access to green spaces to combat rising heat and safeguard ecological and social well-being.