India’s Cultural Diplomacy Through Gifts

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations

Context

PM Modi gifted traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, and regional artefacts to world leaders during his five-nation diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, and Italy.

Gifts Presented to World Leaders

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni received a Muga silk stole from Assam and an off-white Shirui Lily silk stole from Manipur.
Muga silk, known as the “golden silk” of Assam, is a rare textile produced in the Brahmaputra Valley without artificial dyes.
The Shirui Lily silk stole derives inspiration from the Shirui Kashong Peak of Manipur and the rare Shirui Lily flower.
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was gifted Meenakari and Kundan earrings from Rajasthan.
Norwegian Leader Jonas Gahr Støre received a pressed orchid painting and orchid paperweights made from real pressed orchids and ferns of Sikkim.
Harald V was presented with a silver sailboat model crafted using Tarakasi, the traditional silver filigree art of Cuttack, Odisha.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson received a Santiniketan messenger bag from West Bengal along with works of Rabindranath Tagore.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a Rogan painting featuring the “Tree of Life” motif from Gujarat.
Rogan art is a rare textile painting tradition from the Kutch region of Gujarat.
A box of Kesar mangoes from Junagadh, Gujarat, was also presented.

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

Context

The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region launched a Mission on “Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh”.

Mission on Arunachal Kiwi

Objective – to strengthen the entire kiwi value chain – from cultivation and post-harvest management to branding, exports and agri-tourism.
Significance – The mission aims to promote kiwi orchard tourism and farm-stay experiences in areas such as Ziro Valley and Dirang, combining horticulture with experiential tourism.
Note – Arunachal Pradesh currently contributes more than 50 percent of India’s kiwi production, producing over 7,050 metric tonnes annually.

Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia deliciosa)

It is a nutrient-rich woody deciduous vine native to eastern Asia.
It is known for its fuzzy brown skin, green/golden flesh, and edible black seeds.
It requires 700–800 chilling hours below 7°C during winter and best suited to mid-hill regions (800–1,500 m altitude).
It begins fruiting in 4–5 years and attains full commercial production by 7–8 years.

Syllabus: GS3/Species in News

Context

Researchers have revealed that sperm whales, which communicate using clicking sounds, also vary the sounds in ways that resemble how humans use vowels.

Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).

Sperm whales got their name because the semi-liquid, waxy substance in their head was first believed to be sperm.
Distribution: They occur throughout the world’s oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea.
Appearance: It is a large, dark-colored, toothed whale with a massive, square-shaped head that can make up more than a third of its body length.
Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales.
Threats: Deep-sea oil and gas exploration can cause multiple issues, such as loss of hearing, water pollution from hydrocarbons, and increased risk of being hit by ocean vessels.
Conservation Status: IUCN Vulnerable.
Protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act and possession or trade of any of its by-products, including Ambergris, is illegal.
They are listed in Appendix I of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
However, ambergris is not covered in CITES provisions as it is considered a naturally excreted waste product and trade of which is legal in many countries.

Ambergris

Ambergris means grey amber in French, is a waxy substance that originates from the digestive system of sperm whales.
Due to its high value in the market, ambergris is often called the ‘floating gold’ and ‘treasure of the sea’.

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

The recent Sample Registration Survey 2024 was released by the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI).

The Sample Registration System (SRS)

It provides reliable annual estimates of Infant Mortality Rate, Birth Rate, Death Rate and other Fertility & Mortality Indicators at the National and subNational levels.
Conducted by – Registrar General of India.

Major Findings

Birth Rate: It is live births per 1,000 population, it fell from 21 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024.
The number declined from 14.9 to 14.7 in urban areas and from 20.3 to 20.2 in rural areas.
The highest Birth Rate was observed at 26.8 in Bihar, whereas Andaman & Nicobar Islands had the lowest Birth Rate of 9.9.
Death Rate: It is deaths per 1,000 people, it is down from 6.7 to 6.4.
In 2024, Chhattisgarh recorded the highest Death Rate of 8.4, whereas the lowest Death Rate was recorded in Chandigarh at 3.9.
Infant Mortality Rate: The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) is the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births in a given year.
The present level of IMR (24 infant deaths per thousand live births, for the year 2024) is less than one-fifth as compared to 1971. In the last ten years, IMR has witnessed a decline of about 38%.
In 2024, the maximum IMR was reported in Chhattisgarh (36) and the minimum in Manipur (2).

Government Initiatives to Curb Infant Mortality in India

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) – It includes free drugs, consumables, free diet during the stay, free diagnostics, free transportation, and free blood transfusion if required.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides pregnant women a fixed day, free of cost, assured and quality antenatal checkup by a Specialist/Medical Officer on the 9th day of every month.
Mission Indradhanush: It was launched in 2014, aiming to achieve over 90% full immunisation coverage by strengthening routine immunisation services and targeting hard-to-reach populations.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK): Children from 0 to 18 years of age are screened for 32 health conditions (i.e. Diseases, Deficiencies, Defects, and Developmental delays) under RBSK to improve child survival.
Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) are established at public health facilities where children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and medical complications are admitted for treatment.