A new study has revealed that the mysterious silk decorations in some spider webs known as stabilimenta may be sophisticated tuning devices that enhance the spider’s ability to locate its next meal by controlling how vibrations travel through the web.
Stabilimenta are distinctive silk structures found in certain orb-weaving spider webs, often appearing as zigzags or as a dense platform near the web’s center. According to the latest research in 2025, stabilimenta may serve as sophisticated “tuning devices,” helping spiders detect prey by enhancing the way vibrations travel across the web.
Key Findings from Recent Studies
Vibration Control: Recent experiments combining field observation and simulation show that stabilimenta can significantly affect the transmission of vibrational signals, making it easier for spiders to pinpoint where prey has landed elsewhere in their web.
Defensive Role: Research also suggests stabilimenta help protect spider webs from birds, reducing web damage by acting as a visible deterrent. Birds often hesitate or avoid webs with stabilimenta.
Prey Capture Effects: Contrary to prior assumptions that these silk decorations attract more prey, rigorous manipulation and field data show webs with stabilimenta may actually catch fewer insects—possibly up to 34% less—than those without.
Other Functions: There is ongoing debate over additional potential roles, including water collection, temperature regulation, or signaling to other animals; these are not yet fully established.
Ongoing Research The function of stabilimenta is not uniform; it may vary between species and even among individuals, depending on environmental context and behavior. Scientists are now interested in how these findings on spider silk engineering could inform new, bio-inspired materials with tunable mechanical properties.
Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary
Hidden deep within the undulating hills of Latehar district in Jharkhand, the Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary remains one of India’s most intriguing yet lesser-known wildlife destinations.
About Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, located in the Latehar district of Jharkhand, is India's first and only protected area dedicated exclusively to the conservation of the endangered Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes). Established in 1976, it covers an area of approximately 63.25 square kilometers and is an integral part of the larger Palamau Tiger Reserve landscape. Key Features
Targeted Conservation: The sanctuary's primary goal is to protect the rapidly declining population of Indian grey wolves, a crucial yet often overlooked apex predator in India's grasslands and open ecosystems.
Unique Habitat: Unlike many other sanctuaries focusing on dense forests, Mahuadanr is characterized by dry deciduous forests, rugged terrain, rocky plateaus, and open grasslands, which are the preferred habitats for the Indian wolf for denning and hunting.
Indian Grey Wolf: This subspecies of the grey wolf is smaller and leaner than its northern relatives, adapted to arid and semi-arid landscapes. They are elusive and tend to hunt in small groups or alone, rather than large packs.
Rich Biodiversity: Beyond wolves, the sanctuary is home to other diverse wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, hyenas, jackals, wild boars, and spotted deer. It is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with various species like peafowl, partridges, and raptors.
Community Coexistence: Local tribal communities play a vital role in conservation efforts. Their traditional practices and local knowledge, such as avoiding den areas during the breeding season (November to February), help ensure the wolves' survival and foster human-wildlife coexistence.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme - CAG
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India plays a crucial role in ensuring financial accountability and transparency in
Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) through regular audits and has recently constituted a special committee to address systemic issues within these schemes.
Role and Mandate
Constitutional Authority: The CAG is an independent constitutional body (Articles 148-151) responsible for auditing all receipts and expenditures from the Consolidated Fund of India and the states, which includes funds allocated to CSS.
Audit Types: The CAG conducts financial, compliance, and performance audits of CSS to ascertain whether the funds are legally available, applied to the intended purpose, and used with due regard to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Accountability: CAG reports help ensure the executive (government) is accountable to Parliament and state legislatures for the utilisation of public funds in implementing these schemes. The reports are examined by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Key Findings and Observations CAG audit reports on various CSS have consistently highlighted significant issues over the years, including:
Procedural and Financial Irregularities: Audits have exposed serious anomalies in tendering processes, award of works without approved project reports, and overall financial mismanagement.
Fund Diversion and Misappropriation: Funds meant for specific schemes (e.g., National Social Assistance Programme) have been diverted for publicity of other government programs or other unapproved purposes.
Ineligible Beneficiaries and Fake Accounts: Reports have found instances of benefits being extended to ineligible individuals, payments made in the names of deceased patients, and multiple beneficiaries linked to single or invalid mobile numbers (e.g., in the Ayushman Bharat scheme).
Implementation Lapses and Delays: Audits often red-flag significant delays in project implementation, non-creation of durable assets (e.g., in MGNREGA findings from 2013), and failure to achieve the desired goals and outcomes of the schemes.
Lack of Monitoring and Data Issues: Deficiencies in monitoring mechanisms, unreliable beneficiary data, and poor input controls in IT systems have been repeatedly pointed out.
Recent Developments
Formation of a Special Panel: In late 2025, the CAG established a high-level committee to address "problems and issues" in CSS and recommend ways to strengthen their budgeting, accounting, and payment frameworks.
Focus on Outcome-Based Audits: The CAG is increasingly focusing on outcome-based audits to assess the actual impact and effectiveness of the schemes on the ground, moving beyond just compliance and financial audits.
Third-Party Evaluation: The Ministry of Finance has mandated third-party evaluations of all CSS and Central Sector Schemes to continue beyond March 2026, aligning with the CAG's push for greater accountability and data-driven approvals.
ASEAN Defence Meet
The most recent ASEAN defence meet was the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) held on October 31, 2025, and the 12th ADMM-Plus (ADMM-Plus) which took place on November 1, 2025, both in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Key Details and Outcomes
Host and Chair: Malaysia chaired the meetings with the theme "ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity".
Attendees: Defence Ministers from the 11 ASEAN member states and eight ADMM-Plus Dialogue Partners attended, including India, represented by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Key Discussions and Outcomes:
Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration: Ministers signed a 25-point declaration addressing regional challenges.
Indo-Pacific Security: India emphasized the importance of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and adherence to UNCLOS.
New Initiatives: Concept papers were adopted for new initiatives, including the ASEAN Defence Search and Rescue Exercise (ADSARX) and Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI) Security.
Joint Exercises: Upcoming joint maritime exercises with the US were welcomed, and "Plus One" format drills with China, India, and South Korea were planned.
ASEAN-India Cooperation: A second informal meeting discussed deeper engagement, including defence technology, and scheduled the second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise for 2026.
Chairmanship Handover: The Philippines will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN and ADMM in 2026 with the theme "Navigating Our Future Together".
Tri-Service Mega Drill”Trishul”
The Indian Armed Forces are currently conducting a major tri-service mega drill called 'Trishul' along the western border with Pakistan. The large-scale exercise, which began around October 30, 2025, and is scheduled to continue until November 10-13, 2025, involves the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force operating together in a multi-domain wargame.
Key Details of Exercise 'Trishul':
Participants: All three services of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force), along with the Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force (BSF), are participating to enhance synergy and interoperability.
Operational Area: The drills cover a vast expanse from the creek and desert sectors of Gujarat and Rajasthan, extending into the northern Arabian Sea.
Assets Deployed: The exercise involves the deployment of major military platforms including Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets, T-90S and Arjun main battle tanks, frigates, destroyers, attack helicopters, missile systems (BrahMos and Akash), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Objectives: The primary goal is to validate integrated operations across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, demonstrating the armed forces' joint combat readiness and rapid response capabilities.
Strategic Context: The exercise follows a recent military standoff and a strong warning from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the strategic Sir Creek region, signaling India's operational preparedness and self-reliance in defence technology (Atmanirbharta).
Impact: India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to restrict airspace over the exercise areas, a move that prompted Pakistan to issue its own NOTAMs and put its forces on high alert, reflecting regional tensions.
This is the first tri-service drill of this scale and complexity since "Operation Sindoor" was conducted in May 2025.
Doctrine of Severability
The Supreme Court clarified that the Doctrine of Severability is applicable in Suits for Specific Performance, but only in exceptional cases.
About Doctrine of Severability
The Doctrine of Severability (also known as the Doctrine of Separability) is a legal principle that allows courts to invalidate only the unconstitutional or illegal parts of a law or contract, while permitting the remaining valid portions to remain in effect and be enforced. The core idea is to preserve as much of the original law or agreement as possible without violating fundamental constitutional principles or the original intent of the creators.
Key Principles
Partial, Not Total, Invalidation: Only the portion that violates the law or constitution is struck down, not the entire document.
Separability of Provisions: The valid part must be functionally and physically separate from the invalid part. If the removal of the offending part makes the rest of the law meaningless or inoperable, then the entire law will be declared void.
Legislative or Party Intent: Courts assess the original intent of the legislature (for laws) or the parties (for contracts). If the valid portions can still achieve the primary purpose of the original document after severance, the doctrine applies. If the invalid part was essential to the main object, the whole is struck down.
Constitutional Compliance: The primary goal is to ensure that all enforced provisions comply with the constitution and protect fundamental rights.
Burden of Proof: The person challenging the constitutionality of a law typically bears the burden of proving which specific parts are invalid and that those parts are not severable from the rest of the statute.
Application in the Indian Constitution In India, the Doctrine of Severability is intrinsically linked to Article 13 of the Constitution. Article 13 states that any law inconsistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights shall be void to the extent of that inconsistency. This phrase provides the textual basis for the judiciary to apply the doctrine and strike down only the offending provisions.
Landmark cases have shaped its application in India:
A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950): The Supreme Court held that the challenged Section 14 of the Preventive Detention Act was violative of Article 14 but was severable from the rest of the Act, which remained valid.
R.M.D.C. v. Union of India (1957): The Court laid down key rules for applying the doctrine, emphasizing that the legislative intent is the determining factor and that the whole act is void if the valid and invalid parts are inseparable.
Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980): The Court declared certain sections of the 42nd Amendment Act unconstitutional as they violated the basic structure of the Constitution, but the rest of the Act was upheld.
Navtej Johar v. Union of India (2018): The Supreme Court applied the doctrine to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations by declaring certain provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional, while the remaining parts of the section continued to be valid.
UNESCO's Creative Cities Network
Recently, Lucknow has officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) under the Gastronomy category during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference.
About UNESCO's Creative Cities Network
The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is a global initiative launched in 2004 that promotes cooperation among cities that identify creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. The network includes over 400 cities from more than 100 countries, working together to place creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their local development plans.
Key Aspects of the UCCN
Mission: To foster international cooperation and leverage creativity and cultural industries for urban development, social inclusion, and cultural vibrancy, aligning with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Creative Fields: Cities can join the network under one of seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature, or Music.
Objectives: The network aims to strengthen international cooperation, stimulate creativity in urban development, enhance cultural production and dissemination, develop creative hubs, and improve access to cultural life.
Benefits: Member cities gain international recognition, a platform for collaboration, and opportunities to highlight their cultural assets globally.
Recent Additions As of late 2023 and the most recent 2025 announcements, the UCCN has welcomed new members, with the network currently comprising over 400 cities.
Notable recent additions from India include Lucknow (Gastronomy, 2025), Kozhikode (Literature, 2023), and Gwalior (Music, 2023). These cities join other Indian members such as Jaipur, Varanasi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Srinagar.
Alfvén Waves
Researchers have made a major advance in solar physics by capturing the first direct evidence of small-scale torsional Alfvén waves in the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
About Alfvén Waves Alfvén wavesare low-frequency, transverse electromagnetic waves that propagate along magnetic field lines within a plasma (an ionized gas or conducting fluid). They were first predicted in 1942 by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Hannes Alfvén, the founder of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Key Characteristics
Nature: They are a type of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave, where both the magnetic field and the plasma particles oscillate.
Propagation: They travel in the direction of the background magnetic field lines.
Motion: The oscillations of the ions and the perturbations of the magnetic field are transverse (perpendicular) to the direction the wave is traveling, similar to "wiggles" on a stretched string.
Restoring Force: The tension in the magnetic field lines provides the restoring force for the oscillation, while the ion mass density provides the inertia.
Energy Transport: Alfvén waves effectively transport energy and momentum through magnetized plasmas.
Dispersionless: Basic Alfvén waves can maintain their shape over extended distances without spreading out.
Occurrence and Significance Alfvén waves occur wherever magnetic fields interact with plasma, which is the most common state of matter in the universe. They are observed in:
The Sun: They are crucial for explaining the mystery of why the Sun's outer atmosphere (corona) is millions of degrees hotter than its surface, by transporting energy from the solar surface into the corona.
Space: They are found in the solar wind, the Earth's magnetosphere, and the magnetotail. They help accelerate charged particles, contributing to phenomena like auroras.
Astrophysical Environments: They are present in stellar interiors, black hole accretion disks, and galaxy clusters.
Laboratory Settings: They are studied in fusion devices like tokamaks to understand plasma stability and confinement, which is vital for achieving sustained nuclear fusion.
Variants A variant, the kinetic Alfvén wave, can have a parallel electric field, enabling it to exchange energy directly with plasma particles and accelerate them to high speeds. This process is important in space weather and particle energization in various regions of space.
Exercise MILAN
India will host three major international maritime events in Feb 2026 at Visakhapatnam, namely, the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Exercise MILAN 2026, and Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs.
About Exercise MILAN Exercise MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy that aims to enhance professional interaction, interoperability, and maritime cooperation among participating "friendly" navies. Key Details
Host: Indian Navy.
Frequency: Biennial (every two years).
Location: Originally held at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it was shifted to Visakhapatnam, the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, in 2022 due to the increase in the scale of participation.
Phases: The exercise generally has two phases: a Harbour Phase (featuring seminars, cultural events, and expert exchanges to build camaraderie) and a Sea Phase (involving operational drills and manoeuvres).
Purpose: The primary objectives include honing operational skills, learning best practices, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and strengthening diplomatic ties consistent with India's "Act East Policy" and the "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) initiative.
Latest Edition (MILAN 2024)
When: February 19 to 27, 2024.
Where: Visakhapatnam.
Participation: It was the 12th edition and the largest to date, with delegations from over 50 countries and nearly 20 foreign warships taking part.
Activities: The sea phase included advanced air defence operations, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare drills, and cross-deck helicopter landings.
Future Edition (MILAN 2026)
When: Scheduled from February 15 to 25, 2026.
Where: Visakhapatnam.
Significance: It will be held simultaneously with two other major events: the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs, as part of the Prime Minister's MAHASAGAR vision.
CA-03/11/2025
National Beekeeping and Honey Mission
The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) launched in 2021 by the Government of India which is driving the ambitious "Sweet Revolution.
About National Beekeeping and Honey Mission The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to promote the holistic growth of the beekeeping sector, with the goal of achieving a "Sweet Revolution" in the country. The scheme aims to boost farmers' income, enhance agricultural production through pollination, and generate employment opportunities in rural areas.
Key Details
Implementing Agency: The National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Funding: It is a 100% Central Government-funded scheme.
Period and Budget: Launched in 2020 with a ?500 crore outlay for three years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2022-23), it has been extended through FY 2025-26 using remaining funds.
Implementation Structure The mission is implemented through three Mini Missions (MMs):
Mini Mission-I: Focuses on improving production and productivity through scientific beekeeping and pollination.
Mini Mission-II: Deals with post-harvest management and infrastructure development for beehive products.
Mini Mission-III: Supports research and technology generation for different agro-climatic conditions.
Achievements India is now the world's second-largest honey exporter. Under the NBHM, achievements include sanctioning testing labs and processing units, developing Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and registering thousands of beekeepers on the Madhukranti portal to improve traceability and quality control.
Objectives of National Beekeeping and Honey Mission The primary objectives of India's National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) are to promote the holistic growth of the beekeeping industry and achieve the goal of a "Sweet Revolution" in the country. This is intended to boost farmers' income, generate employment, and enhance agricultural production through scientific beekeeping practices.
Key objectives include:
Income and Employment Generation: To create livelihood support for farm and non-farm households, especially in rural areas, through beekeeping.
Enhancing Crop Productivity: To improve the yield and quality of various crops (fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, etc.) by promoting beekeeping for pollination support.
Infrastructure Development: To build essential facilities such as:
Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres (IBDCs)/Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
State-of-the-art honey and beehive product testing labs.
Quality Control and Traceability: To establish robust systems, including the "Madhukranti" portal and blockchain technology, for online registration and source traceability of honey to ensure quality and prevent adulteration.
Technological Advancement & Skill Development: To promote, develop, and disseminate the latest scientific technologies and provide skill development training to beekeepers.
Empowerment of Women: To specifically focus on training and capacity building for women through the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for involvement in beekeeping.
Market Support and Value Addition: To assist with the post-harvest management of beehive products, including collection, processing, storage, branding, and marketing for both domestic and export markets.
Strengthening Institutional Framework: To support beekeepers by encouraging collective approaches through the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and federations.
Diversification of Products: To maximize economic benefits by producing other high-value beehive products like beeswax, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom.
The mission is implemented through three Mini Missions focusing on (I) Production and Productivity, (II) Post-harvest management, and (III) Research and Technology generation.
Gogabeel Lake
India’s one more wetland, Gogabeel Lake in Katihar district of Bihar, has got a tag of international importance as a Ramsar site.
About Gogabeel Lake Gogabeel Lake is a significant oxbow lake and wetland ecosystem located in the Katihar district of Bihar, India. It holds the distinction of being Bihar's first Community Reserve and was recently designated as a Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance.
Key Features
Formation and Location: Gogabeel is an oxbow lake, a U-shaped body of water formed when a wide meander of a river is cut off, creating a free-standing body of water. It is formed by the flow of the Kankhar and Mahananda rivers to the north and the Ganga river to the south and east.
Area: The lake and surrounding land cover approximately 217 acres (around 88 hectares of waterbody during the summer) and is a permanent water body, although it shrinks in the dry season.
Protected Status: It was notified as a Community Reserve and Conservation Reserve in August 2019, making it Bihar's first such protected area. Its recent recognition as India's 94th Ramsar site highlights its global ecological importance.
Community Management: A unique aspect of Gogabeel Lake is its management, which is a participatory conservation model actively involving local communities. This approach integrates local stewardship with international environmental commitments.
Biodiversity and Ecology The lake is a vital ecological habitat and a paradise for birdwatchers, especially during the winter months.
Avian Species: It is home to over 130 species of birds, with approximately 30 of these being migratory species. Migratory birds such as Northern Lapwings, Bluethroats, and Wood Sandpipers visit the lake.
Threatened Species: The lake provides habitat for several threatened species, including the Lesser Adjutant Stork (listed as 'Vulnerable' by IUCN), and the Black-necked Stork, White Ibis, and White-eyed Pochard, which are all classified as 'Near Threatened'.
Aquatic Life: The wetland supports a rich diversity of aquatic flora and fauna, including fish species like the Helicopter Catfish (Walago attu).
Ecological Role: The lake plays a crucial role in maintaining the regional hydrological balance, helping in flood control during the monsoon and assisting in groundwater replenishment.
Water Lettuce
El Salvador’s Lake Suchitlan is overwhelmed by invasive water lettuce which is impacting thousands of families dependent on fishing and tourism.
About Water Lettuce Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), also known as water cabbage or Nile cabbage, is a free-floating, tropical and subtropical aquatic plant with velvety, light green leaves arranged in a rosette that resembles a head of lettuce. It is widely used in water gardens and aquariums for its aesthetic appeal and ability to absorb excess nutrients, but it is considered an invasive species in many regions due to its rapid growth rate.
Key Characteristics
Appearance: The leaves are thick, ridged, and covered in short, white, water-repellent hairs, which help the plant float. The leaves form a cup-like rosette and can grow up to 6 inches wide and 10 inches long.
Roots: Long, feathery, unbranched roots dangle beneath the floating leaves, providing habitat for small aquatic organisms and fish fry.
Flowers and Fruit: It produces small, inconspicuous white or green flowers in the center of the rosette, followed by small green berries that contain seeds.
Reproduction: Water lettuce primarily reproduces asexually through stolons (runners) that produce "daughter" plants, forming dense, interconnected mats. It can also reproduce by seed, which can overwinter in the mud in some climates.
Habitat and Growing Conditions
Habitat: It thrives in still or slow-moving freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, marshes, and irrigation channels.
Climate: It prefers warm water temperatures (70-80°F or 21-30°C) and is sensitive to frost. In colder climates, it is typically grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
Light: Grows well in full sun to partial shade.
Water Quality: Prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.5-7.5) and can help purify water by absorbing excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which inhibits algae growth.
Uses and Concerns
Benefits: In contained environments, water lettuce provides shade, which helps cool the water and reduces algae blooms. Its roots offer shelter for fish and other aquatic life. It has also been studied for its potential in phytoremediation (cleaning contaminated water) and has traditional medicinal uses in some cultures.
Invasiveness: Outside of its native pantropical range, it is often a highly invasive weed. Dense mats can:
Block sunlight, killing submerged native plants.
Deplete dissolved oxygen levels, harming fish and other aquatic animals.
Impede water flow in canals and hinder recreational activities like boating and fishing.
Serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, including those that are vectors for diseases.
Toxicity: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and is considered toxic to dogs and not palatable for human consumption in large quantities, though it has been used as a famine food or animal feed in some areas.
Due to its potential to become invasive, many regions and states (such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas) have listed it as a prohibited or noxious plant, and it should not be released into natural waterways.
Ramnami Tribe
Two members of the Ramnami tribe became emotional when the Prime Minister broke the protocol allowing them to adorn him with their traditional headgear- peacock feather crown- recently.
About Ramnami Tribe The Ramnami Tribe (or Ramnami Samaj) is a Hindu sect in Chhattisgarh, India, known for their unique form of devotion where adherents have the name of the god 'Ram' tattooed on their bodies and imprinted on their clothing and homes. The practice originated in the late 19th century as a peaceful protest against the caste discrimination that denied lower-caste individuals entry to temples.
Core Beliefs and Practices
Nirgun Worship: The Ramnamis worship a formless (nirgun) divine entity, identified as "Ram," rather than the physical deity from the Ramayana epic. They emphasize that God is omnipresent and accessible to everyone, a belief rooted in the 15th-century Bhakti movement.
Tattooing as Defiance and Devotion: The practice began with the founder, Parasuram, who tattooed the word "Ram" on his forehead after being denied temple entry. The tattoos, known as godna in the local language, are a powerful symbol of identity, equality, and lifelong resistance against oppression.
Simple Lifestyle and Equality: The community promotes a simple, austere lifestyle, abstains from drinking or smoking, and mandates the daily chanting of "Ram". They prioritize gender equality, with both men and women getting tattooed.
Absence of Idol Worship: Ramnamis do not worship idols or enter traditional temples, believing that chanting the name and wearing it on the body brings them closer to God.
Scripture and Music: They consider Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas a sacred text and recite verses from it daily. Their primary musical instrument during bhajans (devotional songs) is the ghungroo (anklet bells).
Annual Gatherings: The community gathers annually for a three-day "Bada Bhajan Mela" (fair), a major event for communal worship and social interaction.
Current Status and Challenges
Declining Tattoos: The most significant shift is the decline in full-body tattooing among the younger generation. Due to the stigma and fear of discrimination in modern urban job markets, many young Ramnamis are choosing not to get fully tattooed, opting instead for a single, less visible tattoo on their arm or hand.
Modernity vs. Tradition: Urbanization, increased access to education, and the aspiration for modern jobs are challenging the traditional Ramnami way of life.
Preservation of Faith: Despite changes in physical practices, the core beliefs of the community—equality, devotion, and a simple life—remain important, and their annual gatherings continue to attract many devotees.
The Ramnami tribe stands as a living example of a community that used spiritual devotion and a unique form of body art as a powerful tool for social dignity and change in the face of historical caste-based oppression.
Enshittification
The now-viral term ‘enshittification’ helped put a name to a change that internet users are noticing: the feeling that many of your digital experiences, transactions, and services are not improving with time but are actually becoming worse because of their makers’ updates.
About Enshittification Enshittification is a term coined by science fiction author and technology activist Cory Doctorow to describe the pattern of decline in quality of online platforms and services over time. This degradation is a deliberate process driven by the pursuit of profit maximization, ultimately making the platforms worse for their users and business customers alike.
The process typically unfolds in a three-stage lifecycle:
Attract Users: The platform initially offers a high-quality, valuable service, often below cost (subsidized by venture capital), to attract a critical mass of users and lock them in through network effects.
Attract Business Customers: Once users are locked in and dependent, the platform begins to abuse them to make the service better for business customers (e.g., advertisers, third-party sellers), compromising user experience with ads or algorithmic changes.
Extract Value for Shareholders: Finally, the platform abuses both users and business customers to extract maximum value for its shareholders and executives, at which point the service becomes a "useless pile of shit" and eventually dies, or faces user exodus.
Common Examples The phenomenon has been observed across many major digital platforms:
Amazon: Search results are flooded with paid ads and Amazon's own brands, making it difficult to find quality third-party products.
Facebook: The user feed is dominated by "sponsored" and "recommended" content and ads, rather than posts from friends and family, to the point where organic content is barely visible.
Google Search: Once-minimalist search results are now filled with ads, AI-generated overviews (SERPs), and search engine optimized content farms, rather than the most relevant organic results.
Uber/Lyft: After using venture capital to undercut traditional taxis, these services implemented surge pricing and dynamically adjusted driver payments, making them often more expensive than a regular cab while degrading quality for both riders and drivers.
Netflix: After achieving market dominance in the streaming wars, Netflix introduced an ad-supported tier, cracked down on password sharing, and raised prices, degrading the original value proposition.
Reddit: Changes to the API pricing effectively shut down many popular third-party apps, forcing users onto the official app which provides more profit to the company.
Solutions To counteract enshittification, Doctorow advocates for two key principles:
The Right of Exit: Ensuring users can leave a platform easily without losing data (data portability and interoperability).
The End-to-End Principle: Requiring platforms to deliver what users ask for, rather than algorithmically determined or prioritized content.
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Civil society organisations and conservationists in Assam have urged authorities to declare the Roumari-Donduwa Wetland Complex within Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ramsar Site, citing its international ecological significance and rich avian biodiversity.
About Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nagaon district of Assam, India, covering an area of approximately 70.13 sq km on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
It forms an integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system and serves as a notified buffer zone of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
The sanctuary has a diverse habitat offering refuge to a variety of wildlife, including the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic water buffaloes, barking deer, fishing cats, leopard cats, civets, wild pigs, and more.
Historically, Laokhowa was home to more than 70 Indian rhinoceroses in the early 1980s, but they were wiped out by poaching. Efforts have been made to reintroduce rhinos from Kaziranga National Park.
Furthermore, it is a habitat for more than 225 bird species, including resident and migratory birds, with notable species such as the endangered Bengal Florican.
The sanctuary also has a rich variety of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, making it an ecologically significant protected area.
Laokhowa, together with Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, acts as a connecting corridor for animal migration between Kaziranga and Orang National Parks, contributing to regional biodiversity conservation and ecological balance.
The area is not only important for wildlife preservation but also supports local tourism, with the best visiting period being from November to April.
The sanctuary is accessible by road from Nagaon (about 28 km away) and Guwahati (approximately 148 km), with accommodation available in Nagaon town.
Conservation initiatives continue to enhance the sanctuary's role as a wildlife paradise and ecological stronghold in Assam.?
Nigeria
The US President has ordered the Department of War to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria
About Nigeria Nigeria is a large and diverse federal republic in West Africa, known as the "Giant of Africa" due to its large population and economy. Its capital city is Abuja, while Lagos remains the largest urban area and commercial hub.
Key Facts
Official Language: English
Population: Over 230 million people, making it the most populous country in Africa and the world's sixth-most populous country.
Currency: Nigerian Naira (?)
Independence: Gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960.
Government: Federal presidential republic with a three-tier structure (Federal, 36 State, and 774 Local Governments).
Main Religions: Christianity and Islam are the two dominant religions, roughly split between the southern and northern parts of the country, respectively.
Geography and Climate Nigeria is bordered by Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. Its geography includes southern coastal swamps, tropical forests, woodlands, grasslands, and northern semi-desert areas. Nigeria possesses various natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, tin, iron ore, and coal.
Economy and Trade The economy is heavily influenced by crude oil, which accounts for a significant portion of export earnings. Nigeria, a member of OPEC, is working to diversify its exports beyond oil to include commodities such as cocoa beans, fertilizers, cashew nuts, and manufactured goods like textiles.
People and Culture Nigeria is a diverse nation with over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages. The largest groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, comprising over 60% of the population. While English is the official language for national unity, Nigerian Pidgin is commonly used for daily communication.
Burevestnik Missile
The Russian President recently announced that Russia had tested its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.
About Burevestnik Missile The Burevestnik missile (official Russian designation 9M730, NATO reporting name: SSC-X-9 Skyfall) is a Russian nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile designed to have an effectively unlimited range. Its primary purpose is to serve as a strategic deterrent capable of evading current and future missile defense systems through its low-altitude, unpredictable flight path.
Key Features
Propulsion: The missile uses a miniature nuclear reactor for propulsion, a key difference from conventional cruise missiles that are limited by the amount of chemical fuel they can carry. It is launched using a solid-fuel booster, after which the nuclear-powered engine takes over for sustained flight.
Unlimited Range: The nuclear power source means the missile's range is theoretically unlimited, allowing it to stay airborne for days or even circle the globe before striking a target.
Evasion Capabilities: It is designed to fly at very low altitudes (between 50 and 100 meters above ground level), which makes it difficult for radar systems to detect and intercept.
Unpredictable Path: The ability to fly a long, circuitous, and unpredictable flight path further complicates defense efforts, in contrast to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that follow a more predictable trajectory.
Development and Status
Announcement: Russian President Vladimir Putin first unveiled the Burevestnik as one of six new strategic weapons in March 2018.
Testing: The program has faced significant challenges and a history of test failures, including a 2019 accident that resulted in the deaths of five nuclear scientists and a release of radiation. However, Russian officials recently claimed a successful test on October 21, 2025, during which the missile reportedly flew for approximately 15 hours, covering about 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles).
Current Status: The missile is currently in the development phase, with Russian officials stating that preparations for its deployment will begin soon. Western experts note that the technical viability and safety of the weapon are still debated, and the longer it flies, the more time air defenses have to track and potentially intercept it.
Strategic Significance The Burevestnik is primarily a political weapon intended to signal to the West that Russia can overcome existing and future NATO missile defense systems. Its development is considered by some experts to be a response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001.
ISRO’s LVM3 M5 Launches(Bahubali), India’s Heaviest Communication Satellite CMS-03
ISRO's LVM3-M5 mission successfully launched the CMS-03 communication satellite, which is India's heaviest communication satellite to date launched from Indian soil. The launch vehicle, the LVM3 rocket, is popularly nicknamed "Bahubali" for its heavy-lift capability.
Mission Details
Launch Vehicle: LVM3-M5 (formerly GSLV Mk III), India’s most powerful operational launch vehicle, featuring two solid strap-on boosters (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).?
Payload: CMS-03, a multi-band communication satellite designed to provide services over a wide oceanic region, including the Indian landmass.?
Launch Date & Time: November 2, 2025, at 17:26 IST.?
Orbit: Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), with the satellite separated at an altitude of about 179.8 km and an inertial velocity of 10.14 km/s.?
Significance: This is the first time ISRO has launched a satellite over 4,000 kg into GTO from Indian soil, reducing dependence on foreign launch services for heavy satellites.?
Technical Highlights
The LVM3-M5 mission is the fifth operational flight of the LVM3 series and the eighth consecutive successful launch for this vehicle.?
The rocket’s payload capacity was enhanced by 10% for this mission, showcasing ISRO’s continuous improvements in launch technology.?
The CMS-03 satellite will be used for both civilian and strategic purposes, including naval communication and maritime surveillance, strengthening India’s maritime security infrastructure.?
Broader Impact
The successful launch of CMS-03 demonstrates India’s growing capability in launching heavy communication satellites indigenously, supporting national progress and self-reliance in space technology.?
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan highlighted that the mission was accomplished despite challenging weather conditions and noted that the LVM3 rocket will be used for future missions, including the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.?
The satellite is also a replacement for the GSAT-7 series, which was launched in 2013, and will provide advanced communication services for the Indian Navy and other strategic users.?
This launch marks a major leap in India’s space ambitions and reinforces ISRO’s reputation for excellence and innovation in space technology
What are CMS-03's payload and communication capabilities
CMS-03's payload includes advanced transponders capable of supporting voice, data, and video links over multiple frequency bands, namely C, extended C, and Ku bands. These multi-band payloads enable secure, high-capacity, and robust communication links between warships, submarines, aircraft, and shore-based Maritime Operations Centres.
The satellite provides significantly expanded coverage and bandwidth compared to its predecessor GSAT-7, ensuring real-time connectivity even in remote or contested oceanic zones.
The satellite strengthens network-centric naval operations, improves situational awareness, and supports India’s strategic blue-water ambitions by underpinning the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness grid.
It enables coordinated responses to maritime threats and improves fleet coordination with secure information flow across vast ocean areas.
Beyond military use, CMS-03 also aids civilian agencies involved in disaster response, remote sensing, and telemedicine by enhancing digital access and connectivity in remote territories.
Overall, CMS-03 represents a major leap in India's indigenous satellite communication capability with high-throughput, secure, multi-band links critical for modern naval operations and strategic maritime communication independence under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
