• 04 Dec 2025

Birth Anniversary of Dr Rajendra Prasad

Why in News?

President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 3rd December 2025.

Key Points

• About: Rajendra Prasad was born on 3rd December 1884 in Zeradei, Siwan, Bihar, and passed away on 28th February 1963 in Patna, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions.
  • Deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s views on caste and untouchability, he embraced simplicity and lived a life rooted in Gandhian values.
• Role in the Freedom Struggle: Prasad gave up his legal career to join the independence movement in 1920 and was imprisoned during the Salt Satyagraha in 1931 and the Quit India Movement in 1942.
  • He presided over the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress in 1934 and became Congress President after Subhash Chandra Bose's resignation in 1939.
• Role in Constitutional Making: He was appointed President of the Constituent Assembly in 1946.
  • He led committees on the National Flag, Rules of Procedure, and Finance and Staff.
• Literary Works: Satyagraha at Champaran (1922), India Divided (1946), Atmakatha (1946), and Bapu ke Kadmon Mein (1954).
• Award: He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1962.

• Presidency: Elected as India’s first President in 1950, he served for over 12 years(the longest tenure by any President) and remains the only President to be unanimously re-elected, in both 1952 and 1957.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0

Why in News?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly inaugurated the 4th edition of the Kashi–Tamil Sangamam (KTS 4.0) in Varanasi, marking a renewed celebration of the historic cultural bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

• Origin: Launched in 2022 during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Sangamam reaffirms India’s deep civilisational heritage and celebrates the longstanding movement of ideas, spirituality and culture between the two regions.
  • Since 2022, Sangamam editions have expanded, KTS 1.0 (foundation), KTS 2.0 (larger public participation, real-time Tamil translation, high footfall exhibitions), and KTS 3.0 (knowledge-centred focus on Sage Agastya, NEP 2020-aligned sessions).
• Theme: This edition is centred on the theme “Let Us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, placing Tamil language learning and linguistic unity at the heart of the Sangamam.
• Key Programmes: Major initiatives include Tamil Karkalam (Tamil teaching in Varanasi schools), Tamil Karpom (Tamil-learning study tours for 300 Kashi-region students), and the Sage Agastya Vehicle Expedition tracing ancient civilisational routes.
• Organiser: Anchored in Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and held under the Ministry of Education, the initiative is supported by IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University as knowledge partners, with active participation from ten Union ministries, including Railways, Culture, Tourism, Textiles and Youth Affairs & Sports, along with the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• Cross-Regional Participation: Over 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu, spanning students, teachers, writers, farmers, artisans, professionals, women and spiritual scholars will participate in cultural, academic and heritage programmes in Kashi.
• Tamil Teaching in UP Schools: Fifty Tamil teachers will teach introductory Tamil in 50 Varanasi schools between 2nd–15th December 2025, enabling 1,500 students to learn spoken Tamil.
  • Simultaneously, 300 students from Uttar Pradesh will travel to Tamil Nadu for immersive Tamil learning, cultural sessions and visits to sites with historic Tamil–Kashi linkages.
• Sage Agastya Expedition: The SAVE expedition will travel from Tenkasi to Kashi (2nd–10th December 2025), highlighting connections across dynasties (Chera, Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Chalukya, Vijayanagara), and celebrating the shared heritage of Tamil and Indian knowledge traditions.
• Symbolic Conclusion: The 2025 edition will conclude with a grand Valedictory Function at Rameswaram, completing a symbolic north–south cultural arc from Kashi to Tamil Nadu.

Gyanesh Kumar Takes Charge of IDEA Council

Why in News?

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Key Points

• Background: International IDEA, established in 1995, now has 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan as observers, and has held observer status at the United Nations General Assembly since 2003.
• Partnerships: Alongside India’s leadership, Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice-Chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026. 
• Milestone: The Chairmanship represents a significant global milestone, acknowledging the Election Commission of India (ECI) as one of the world’s most credible, transparent, and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs), with India being a founding member contributing consistently to IDEA’s governance and democratic initiatives.
• Vision: CEC Gyanesh Kumar pledged that India’s Chairmanship would be decisive, ambitious, and action-oriented, guided by the theme “Democracy for Inclusive, Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable World”, with focus on two pillars: Reimagining Democracy for the Future and Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy.

India's First All-Electric Tug Project

Why in News?

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off India’s first all-electric green tug, marking a major national milestone in sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

• A tug (or tugboat) is a powerful, manoeuvrable vessel used to assist larger ships in harbour operations such as guiding, towing, berthing, escorting and emergency response, especially in confined port waters where precision is required.

Key Points

• Purpose & Design: The tugboat, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, is being developed to advance India’s maritime decarbonisation goals, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions, optimised energy efficiency, and a 60-ton bollard pull capacity.
• GTTP Roadmap: The Green Tug Transition Programme aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 tugs scheduled in Phase 1 (2024–2027). 
  • Two each will be deployed at DPA, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, with DPA becoming the first to start construction.
• Future Integration: Once deployed, the tug will support harbour manoeuvring, escorting and emergency responses with zero emissions, generating critical data for future GTTP phases. 
  • The initiative aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal commitments, and international decarbonisation frameworks.
• Strategic Impact: DPA’s leadership demonstrates India’s move toward clean-energy ports, strengthens Make in India shipbuilding through Atreya Shipyard, and positions the country as a future global hub for green maritime innovation.