Current Affairs - National

The second edition of the Kala Utsav 2025 – Artists in Residence Programme took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is the official residence of the President of India. The event saw the participation of artists representing three significant indigenous art forms—Sohrai Art from Jharkhand, Pattachitra from Odisha, and Patua Painting from West Bengal. President Droupadi Murmu's interaction with the artists highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting traditional art forms in national venues of prominence such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This not only honours the artists but also brings wider recognition to these unique cultural expressions.

Maharashtra’s first glass bridge was inaugurated over the Napne Waterfall, located near Nadhavade village in the scenic Konkan region. This perennial waterfall, which flows throughout the year, is now a centrepiece of the Sindhuratna Tourism Scheme—a state initiative aimed at spotlighting lesser-known yet beautiful destinations. The glass bridge offers a unique experience to visitors, enhancing tourism in the area while also creating an iconic viewpoint. The project is expected to draw more attention to the natural beauty of the Konkan region and encourage eco-friendly tourism practices in Maharashtra.

The ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a major initiative focused on the digitisation and preservation of India’s ancient manuscripts. With an aim to conserve over one crore historical texts, the mission envisions the creation of a National Digital Repository to make these cultural treasures globally accessible. By safeguarding fragile manuscripts and enabling easy access for researchers, students, and historians, the mission seeks to revive India’s civilisational knowledge and ensure its transmission to future generations. This aligns with broader efforts under ‘Viksit Bharat’ to preserve traditional wisdom and promote cultural and linguistic heritage across the nation.

The ‘Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana’ launched by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is specifically designed to provide comprehensive legal aid to defence personnel and their families. This initiative recognises the unique challenges faced by soldiers and ex-servicemen, including legal issues like land disputes and service entitlements, which are difficult to address due to their remote postings. By integrating Sainik Boards as legal aid centres and involving defence families as paralegal volunteers, the scheme offers accessible, community-driven support. It aims to ensure that those protecting the nation’s borders receive equal protection and justice at home, reinforcing a system of respect and care.

Bharat NCX 2025 is a cybersecurity exercise aimed at bolstering India's operational cyber readiness. Organised by the National Security Council Secretariat in collaboration with Rashtriya Raksha University, the event simulates real-world cyber threats such as infrastructure breaches, deepfakes, and AI-driven malware. It features initiatives like the Strategic Decision-Making Exercise (STRATEX) for senior leadership and a conclave for Chief Information Security Officers, fostering dialogue on advanced threat mitigation. The cybersecurity startup exhibition highlights indigenous innovations, reinforcing India's digital autonomy. This comprehensive approach makes Bharat NCX a critical step toward improving national cyber resilience in the face of evolving threats.