Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day For Disaster Risk Reduction , World Arthritis Day 2026, Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (Pmddky), Bathukamma Festival, Central Asian Flyway Digital Hub, Ins Trishul Arrives In Uk For Exercise Konkan-26 & Ins Sahyadri Reaches Russia For Indra-2026 Naval Exercise

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Current Context: The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on 13 October to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.

ABOUT THE DAY

• Started in: 1989, after a call by the UN General Assembly.
• Purpose: To celebrate how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks they face.
• 2026 Focus: “Resilience Starts at Home.”

BACKGROUND

• In 2015, at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, the international community was reminded that disasters hit hardest at the local level.
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is people-focused and action-oriented.

IMPORTANT DAYS

2. WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY 2026

Current Context: World Arthritis Day 2026 is observed on 12 October to mark the impact of arthritis and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

ABOUT WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY

• Launched in: 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI).
• 2026 Theme: “Achieve Your Dreams”
• Aim: To focus on the personal goals, dreams and aspirations of individuals with RMDs; emphasise early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, awareness and integration within society.

ABOUT ARTHRITIS AND RMDs

• Arthritis is a broad term for conditions characterised by inflammation and damage in the joints.
• RMDs include conditions involving joints, bones, muscles and connective tissues.
• Common types:
• Osteoarthritis: Involves damage to joint tissues and structures.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune and inflammatory chronic condition.

SCHEMES

3. PRADHAN MANTRI DHAN-DHANYA KRISHI YOJANA (PMDDKY)

Current Context: The Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year, marking a year of focused district-level action.

ABOUT PMDDKY

• Launched: 11 October 2025.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• Coverage: 100 selected districts across India, known as Dhan-Dhaanya districts or Aspirational Agricultural Districts.
• Annual outlay: ₹24,000 crore.
• Objective: To enhance agricultural productivity, increase adoption of crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices, augment post-harvest storage at panchayat and block levels, improve irrigation facilities, and facilitate availability of long-term and short-term credit.
• It integrates 36 schemes from 11 different departments for convergence.
• Districts identified using three key indicators: low productivity, low cropping intensity, and less agricultural credit disbursement.
• Time Period: Six-year initiative, beginning with 2025-26.

ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

• District Level: District Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti, headed by District Collector/DM.
• State Level: State Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Samiti, headed by Chief Secretary.
• National Level: National Executive Committee (headed by Union Minister for Agriculture) and National Monitoring Committee (headed by Secretary, DA&FW).

ART & CULTURE

4. BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL

Current Context: Telangana’s special festival of flowers, Bathukamma, began with Engilipula Bathukamma.

ABOUT BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL

• Nature: A traditional, seasonal and cultural festival celebrated mainly by women.
• Period: September-October, during the latter part of the monsoon and around Navratri.
• Duration: Nine days.
• Religious Association: Goddess Gauri, a form of Goddess Parvati.
• Meaning: “Bathukamma” translates to “Mother Goddess Come Alive”.
• Folklore: Connected to legends of Goddess Gauri, and King Dharmangada and Queen Satyavati of the Chola dynasty.
• Historically, the Kakatiya dynasty emphasised Bathukamma as a celebration of feminine strength and agricultural prosperity.
• Duration: Nine days during Durga Navratr,; culminates on “Saddula Bathukamma” or “Pedda Bathukamma”.
• Followed by: Boddemma, a 7-day festival.

ENVIRONMENT

5. CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY DIGITAL HUB

Current Context: The Central Asian Conservation Network (CACN) has launched a new Central Asian Flyway Digital Hub.

ABOUT THE DIGITAL HUB

• Aim: To strengthen sharing of knowledge and information for the conservation of migratory birds across one of the world’s major migration routes.
• It brings together information on bird species, important flyway sites, conservation initiatives, educational resources and participation opportunities.

KEY FEATURES

• Collection of educational and awareness materials for children, teachers, communities, birdwatchers and the wider public.
• Bird Collision Reporting Portal: For documenting bird deaths and injuries caused by infrastructure.
• Ringing and Resighting Portal: For recording observations of marked birds and understanding migration routes.

ABOUT THE CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY

• Nature: A major migratory route used by birds during their annual movement between breeding, stopover and wintering areas.
• Geographical Coverage: North, Central and South Asia and the Trans-Caucasus region.
• Countries Covered: The traditional CAF framework covers 30 countries. The newer CMS initiative describes a broader framework covering 37 range states.
• Migration Route: Connects breeding grounds in Siberia and other northern regions with non-breeding and wintering grounds in West and South Asia, including India and areas around the Indian Ocean.

DEFENCE

6. INS TRISHUL ARRIVES IN UK FOR EXERCISE KONKAN-26

Current Context: The Indian Navy’s guided-missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived in Plymouth, United Kingdom, for Exercise KONKAN-26.

ABOUT EXERCISE KONKAN-26

• Bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy.
• Phases: Harbour Phase and Sea Phase.
• Harbour Phase: Professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports fixtures and cultural engagements.
• Sea Phase: Operational drills across air, surface and sub-surface domains, including flying operations, firing exercises, air-defence drills, seamanship evolutions and anti-submarine warfare exercises.

DEFENCE

7. INS SAHYADRI REACHES RUSSIA FOR INDRA-2026 NAVAL EXERCISE

Current Context: INS Sahyadri arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for the bilateral naval exercise INDRA-2026.

ABOUT EXERCISE INDRA-2026

• Bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN), including Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
• Phases: Harbour phase in Vladivostok, followed by sea phase with drills in the Sea of Japan.
• Russian Navy’s participating vessel: Corvette Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov.
• Aim: Strengthen maritime cooperation, improve operational interoperability and support mutual understanding.

ABOUT INS SAHYADRI

• Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate.
• Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.
• Commissioned: 2012.

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