Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – HISTORY

Context: Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister, died in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on January 11, 1966 after he signed the Tashkent Declaration, ending the 1965 India-Pakistan War.

Background: –

• The official cause of death was a heart attack. However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery, with persistent rumors of poisoning.

Key takeaways

• The 1965 war started when the Pakistan Army began to wage an undeclared war in Jammu and Kashmir in August of that year, believing India would not be able to fight back after its 1962 loss to China. On September 1, Pakistan launched an attack in the Akhnoor sector near Jammu.
• In retaliation, the Indian Army launched an attack across the International Border in Punjab after Lal Bahadur Shastri gave a go-ahead for it.
• The Tashkent Declaration is the peace agreement signed between India and Pakistan on January 10, 1966, marking the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

Mediation:

• The Tashkent Declaration was facilitated by the Soviet Union, with Premier Alexei Kosygin acting as the mediator. The summit was held in Tashkent, then part of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, from January 4 to January 10, 1966.
• The declaration was signed by Lal Bahadur Shastri (Prime Minister of India) and Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan).

Provisions of the Declaration

• Restoration of Peace: Both nations agreed to restore pre-war positions by withdrawing troops to positions held before 5 August 1965.
• Non-Interference: Agreed not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
• Improved Relations: Commitments were made to restore economic and diplomatic relations, including communications, trade, and cultural exchanges.
• Respect for Sovereignty: Pledged to work towards maintaining international peace and respecting each other’s territorial integrity.
• Resolution of Disputes: Both sides agreed to resolve disputes through peaceful means, avoiding the use of force.
• Repatriation of Prisoners of War: Ensured the humane treatment and repatriation of all prisoners of war.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sonamarg on Monday to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel.

Background: –

• The Z-Morh will lead towards the Zojila tunnel, which is being constructed nearby. The Zojila, Asia’s longest tunnel, will cut through the Himalayan range at Zojila Pass to reach the Kargil district in Ladakh.

Key takeaways

• The Z-Morh Tunnel is a significant infrastructure project in Jammu and Kashmir, India, aimed at enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the strategically important region of Ladakh.
• Length: The main tunnel is approximately 6.4 kilometers long.
• Location: The tunnel connects Gagangir and Sonamarg in the Ganderbal district along the Srinagar-Leh highway. It is situated at an altitude of around 8,652 feet (2,637 meters).
• Structure: The project also includes an escape tunnel for emergencies and approach roads, bringing the total project length to about 12 kilometers.

Strategic and Economic Importance

• All-weather Access: The tunnel provides year-round connectivity to Sonamarg, a popular tourist destination, which was previously cut off during winter months due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
• Military Logistics: Z-Morh Tunnel plays a crucial role in enhancing strategic military logistics, ensuring uninterrupted access to Ladakh, an area of significant strategic importance for India’s defense.

Future Prospects

• The Z-Morh Tunnel is a crucial part of the broader Zojila Tunnel project, which aims to establish uninterrupted connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh. 
• While the Z-Morh Tunnel connects Sonamarg to the rest of Kashmir year-round, the Zojila Tunnel—under construction at an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet—will connect Sonamarg with Drass in Ladakh. 
• The Zojila Tunnel, which is expected to be completed by December 2026, will provide all-weather access to Ladakh’s strategic border regions, including Kargil and Leh.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research- National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR) has recognised the Gaddi, an indigenous dog breed from the Himalayas.

Background:

• The Gaddi will be joining the Rajapalayam, Chippiparai and Mudhol breeds that have already been recognised by the ICAR-NBAGR.
• The move by the government body is expected to help in conserving the Gaddi, a species that is not recognised by any kennel club at the moment.

Key takeaways

• The Gaddi Dog, also known as the Gaddi Kutta or Himalayan Sheepdog, is a native breed from the Himalayan regions of India, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
• The breed is named after the Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh and has been used by them to guard their flocks of sheep and goats from predators. Its ability to fight and fend off carnivores such as the Snow Leopard has also earned it the nickname of the ‘Indian Panther Hound’ or ‘Indian leopard Hound’.
• Size: Gaddi Dogs are medium to large-sized dogs, typically standing around 28 inches tall and weighing about 40 kg.
• Coat: They have a thick, weather-resistant double coat, predominantly black with some white markings on their feet, chest, and neck. This coat is suited for the harsh, cold environments of the Himalayas.

Source: Down To Earth

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: At least five people have died in the United States after a winter storm hit a large swathe of the country over the weekend. The extreme weather has been caused by the expansion of the polar vortex southwards.

Background: –

• Some 60 million people are under weather alerts across 30 states. Seven of them have declared emergencies. The National Weather Service has warned that severe thunderstorms, with the possibility of tornadoes and hail, would also take place in some regions over the next few days.

Key takeaways

• The polar vortex is a large area of low-pressure and cold air that swirls like a wheel around both of the Earth’s polar regions. There are two types of polar vortex: tropospheric and stratospheric.
• The tropospheric polar vortex occurs at the lowest layer of the atmosphere — it extends from the surface up to about 10 km to 15 km — where most weather phenomena occur.
• The stratospheric polar vortex occurs at around 15 km to 50 km high. Unlike the tropospheric polar vortex, the stratospheric polar vortex disappears during the summer and is the strongest during the autumn.
• When the polar vortex is strong and stable, it keeps the jet stream travelling around the planet in a circular path. The jet stream is a narrow band of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere which plays a key role in keeping cold air north and warm air south.
• However, when the polar vortex weakens, the jet stream loses stability, becoming more wavy and irregular. High-pressure systems can disrupt its flow, allowing cold air masses to move southward along with portions of the polar vortex. This shift results in the spread of arctic weather to lower latitudes.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Mains – GS 2

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 9th launched the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Odisha. 

Background: –

• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated on January 9th to honor the contributions of the Overseas Indian community to the development of India. 

Key takeaways 

• The Indian diaspora has grown since the first group of Indians was brought to countries in the East Pacific and the Caribbean islands as indentured laborers. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Indians were transported to work on plantations in British colonies facing a labor crisis following the abolition of slavery in 1833-34.
• In the second wave of migration, nearly 2 million Indians moved to Singapore and Malaysia to work on farms. 
• The third and fourth waves saw professionals migrating to Western countries and workers heading to Gulf and West Asian nations during the oil boom. Thus, we observe that the Indian diaspora has periodically spread to different regions of the world.
• According to India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of May 2024, approximately 35.42 million Indians were living abroad. This number comprised around 15.85 million non-resident Indians (NRIs) and nearly 19.57 million persons of Indian origin (PIOs).
• Among the nations hosting the largest Indian diaspora, the United States has the highest population of Indians, totaling 5.4 million individuals.

Role of Indian Diaspora

• India has the world’s largest diaspora, and is also the largest recipient of remittances. India saw the highest amount of remittance inflows in the world in 2023 at USD 125 billion.
• The diaspora contributes to growth through various forms of investment in the Indian economy in the form of foreign portfolio investment, foreign direct investment (FDI), transfer of knowledge and entrepreneurial network.
• The Indian diaspora, plays a vital role in promoting our culture and values, which contributes in shaping India’s soft power globally.

 Engagement with diaspora

• Over the last decade, the Centre has made a sustained effort to connect with the Indian community overseas, with PM Modi making it a point to address a community event during his foreign visits. 
• Every year, 25 lakh Indians immigrate overseas, making India the nation with the highest annual number of emigrants in the world.
• The Indian government’s approach to engaging with the Indian diaspora focuses on two main strategies. First, it implements policies aimed at the welfare and protection of overseas Indians. Second, it encourages the diaspora to contribute to India’s growth in various ways, such as through knowledge transfer and investments, etc. 

key initiatives of Indian governments related to diaspora:

• Know India Programme (KIP): It is an initiative by the Ministry of External Affairs aimed at Indian diaspora youth aged 21 to 35 years. The primary goal of the KIP is to strengthen the connection between young people of Indian origin and their ancestral homeland by enhancing their understanding of India.
• Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): The Fund, established in 2009, aims to assist overseas Indian nationals during times of distress and emergencies in the most deserving cases. The ICWF has played a crucial role in the emergency evacuation of Indian nationals from conflict zones, areas affected by natural disasters, and other challenging situations.
• E-Migrate: It is a comprehensive system designed to facilitate the safe and legal emigration of Indian workers. This initiative aims to make the emigration process more transparent and address complaints effectively.
• Inter-Governmental Labour migration Agreements: These agreements provide an overarching framework for cooperation on labor and manpower issues.
• Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY): It is an insurance scheme available to all Indian workers emigrating from India, requiring a nominal premium payment made to insurance companies.

Source: Indian Express

Q1.) Which of the following statements about the Tashkent Declaration is/are correct?

1. It was signed in 1965 to end the Indo-Pakistani War.
2. The declaration facilitated the restoration of pre-war positions and the withdrawal of troops.
3. It was mediated by the United States.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) Which of the following statements about the Z-Morh Tunnel is/are correct?

1. The Z-Morh Tunnel provides year-round connectivity to Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir.
2. It is part of the broader Zojila Tunnel project that connects Srinagar to Kargil.
3. The Z-Morh Tunnel is situated at an altitude of around 12,000 feet.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3.) Which of the following statements about the Gaddi Dog is/are correct?

1. The Gaddi Dog is a breed native to the Himalayan regions, recognized for guarding livestock.
2. It is known for its ability to fend off predators like Snow Leopards, earning it the nickname ‘Indian Panther Hound.’
3. It has been officially recognized by global kennel clubs.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – a