The following article highlights the recent developments in various domains across the globe. From social reforms to scientific discoveries and advancements, the events have had significant implications for societies, economies, and ecosystems.
Taiwan: A Pioneer in Legalising Gay Marriages
In an unprecedented move, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriages, bringing about a significant shift in the traditional societal norms. In a bill passed by the Taiwanese Parliament, same-sex couples were given equal rights as heterosexual couples– from tax benefits and insurance coverage to child custody provisions.
This follows India’s decriminalisation of homosexuality in 2018 after striking down certain provisions of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code by the Supreme Court.
UK’s Amendment to Kirpan Law
In the United Kingdom, the government has recently updated the ‘Offensive Weapons Bill.’ The amendment allows Sikhs to carry a longer ‘Kirpan (dagger)’, a symbol of faith in Sikhism, and use it during religious and cultural functions. This change came in light of controlling violent crimes in the UK, which saw a spike in knife and acid attacks.
However, the Sikhs’ right to carry longer kirpans (up to 3 feet) for religious reasons was preserved even when laws against possession of dangerous weapons were reinforced. It’s important to note that small Kirpans (around 3 inches or 7.6 cm) remain unaffected by this legislation as they are already protected under UK law.
Military Nursing Service to Achieve Ex-Servicemen Status
The ex-servicemen (ESM) status is soon to be granted to the Military Nursing Service (MNS) cadre as per the agreement between the Defence Ministry and the Indian Army. This status will enable retired MNS officers to acquire identity cards, seek re-employment in government organizations or PSUs, and apply for various resettlement schemes of the armed forces.
Moreover, serving MNS officers will be permitted to use star plates on their official vehicles. For instance, a brigadier from MNS can display a single star on their vehicle, while a major general can showcase two.
Graphite Reserves in India
The Arunachal Pradesh State government recently called upon the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to consider surveying and drilling for minerals along the India-China border. This follows reports of China’s heavy mining activities in Tibet.
| State | Percentage of Graphite Resources |
|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | 43% |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 37% |
| Jharkhand | 6% |
| Tamil Nadu | 5% |
| Odisha | 3% |
According to GSI, about 35% of India’s total Graphite reserves are found in Arunachal Pradesh, the highest discovered in the country to date.
Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK)
The Rajasthan government plans to revamp the Ujala Clinics, part of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram. The RKSK programme, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2014, aims at ensuring the holistic development of the adolescent population.
This programme’s strategic approach encompasses areas like nutrition, sexual reproductive health, substance misuse, non-communicable diseases, mental health, injuries and violence. The scheme envisages a shift from clinic-based services to a promotion and prevention approach, thereby reaching adolescents in their communities.
Mt. Makalu and its Surrounding Ecosystem
Mt. Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, is located in the Himalayas on the Nepalese-Tibetan (Chinese) border. It lies within Nepal’s Makalu-Barun National Park and Conservation Area, a 580-square-mile parkland that protects various ecosystems from tropical rainforests to alpine tundra above 13,000 feet.
The remote Barun Valley beneath Makalu is preserved as a Strict Nature Reserve due to its unique qualities and biodiversity. The region houses over 3,128 species of flowering plants, including 25 rhododendron species. Along with the diverse flora, the area is also renowned for its fauna, consisting of over 440 bird species and 88 mammal species, including the red panda, snow leopard, and the rare Asian golden cat.
