Prelims Current Affairs includes World Teachers Day, Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (1936–2025), Sir Creek region, Army conducted Exercise Drone Kavach in the forward areas of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, Durga Puja immersions, Bathukamma Festival of Telangana, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) Initiative and Lecanemab, a new drug for treating early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY

Celebrated: On 5 October every year
Purpose: To recognize the contributions of teachers and to improve the status of the teaching profession globally.
Declared By: UNESCO and ILO
First Observed: 1994

2. WORLD HABITAT DAY

Observed: On the first Monday of October every year.
Purpose: To reflect on the state of towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter.
Declared By: United Nations General Assembly in December 1985
First Celebrated: 1986

HISTORY

3. THUMRI MUSIC & PANDIT CHHANNULAL MISHRA

Current Context: India lost a legendary classical musician with the demise of Pandit Chhannulal Mishra (1936–2025), Padma Vibhushan awardee and one of the last great exponents of the Purab Ang of Banaras Gharana in Thumri music.

ABOUT THUMRI MUSIC

• Form: Semi-classical vocal form of Hindustani music, called the lyric of Indian classical music.

• Origin: Eastern Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow & Banaras) in the 18th century CE.

• Themes: Love, devotion, Radha-Krishna stories.

• Languages: Braj Bhasha, Awadhi, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit.

• Distinct Feature: Emphasis on bhava (emotion) and improvisation.

• Associated Dance Form: Kathak.

• Types:

  • Purbi Thumri (Banaras Gharana – slow, emotional)

  • Punjabi Thumri (Patiala Gharana – fast, lively)

• Major Exponents: Girija Devi, Begum Akhtar, Rasoolan Bai, Siddheshwari Devi, Chhannulal Mishra.

PLACE IN NEWS

4. SIR CREEK DISPUTE

Current Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently warned Pakistan against any aggression in the Sir Creek region, stating India would give a “resounding and decisive response.”

ABOUT SIR CREEK

• Location: 96 km tidal estuary in the marshy Rann of Kutch, between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan).

• Flows Into: Arabian Sea.

• Importance: Strategic security zone, fishing rights, oil & gas exploration, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

NATURE OF THE DISPUTE

• Origin: 1914 Bombay Resolution between Sindh (then British India) and the Ruler of Kutch.

• Pakistan’s Claim: Boundary lies on the eastern bank (giving full creek to Sindh).

• India’s Claim: Boundary follows thalweg principle (mid-channel line).

• Counter-point: Pakistan says creek is non-navigable; India says it is navigable at high tide, hence international maritime law applies.

DEFENCE

5. EXERCISE DRONE KAVACH

Current Context: The Spear Corps of Eastern Command of the Indian Army conducted Exercise Drone Kavach in the forward areas of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh to test combat readiness against drone warfare.

ABOUT EXERCISE DRONE KAVACH

• Conducted By: Indian Army’s Spear Corps under Eastern Command.

• Duration: Four days.

• Participants: Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

• Purpose: To validate next-gen drone technologies, tactical manoeuvres, and multi-domain battlefield readiness.

GEOGRAPHY

6. ICHAMATI RIVER

Current Context: During Durga Puja immersions, heightened security was deployed on the Ichamati River along the India-Bangladesh border.

ABOUT ICHAMATI RIVER

• Type: Trans-boundary river between India and Bangladesh.

• Origin: Bifurcation of Mathabhanga River (distributary of Padma) at Mahjdia, Nadia district (West Bengal).

• Course: Flows through Nadia & North 24 Parganas (India), then Satkhira & Khulna (Bangladesh).

• Length: About 216 km; joins Kalindi River at Hasnabad, and outfalls into Bay of Bengal.

• Issues: Siltation, thin flow in dry season, floods in rainy season.

HISTORY

7. BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL

Current Context: The Bathukamma Festival of Telangana has recently set two Guinness World Records during its grand celebrations organized by the State Government.

ABOUT BATHUKAMMA FESTIVAL

• Type: Floral festival celebrated by women in Telangana.

• Meaning: Bathukamma means “Mother Goddess Come Alive.”

• Legends: Connected with Goddess Gauri and Chola dynasty folklore.

• History: Promoted by the Kakatiya dynasty as a festival of feminine strength and agricultural prosperity.

• Time of Celebration: During Durga Navratri (September–October), lasting 9 days.

• Culmination: Saddula Bathukamma or Pedda Bathukamma.

• State Recognition: Declared as the State Festival of Telangana.

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

8. SWACHH SHEHAR JODI INITIATIVE

Current Context: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) Initiative, pairing mentor and mentee cities to improve sanitation and waste management.

ABOUT SWACHH SHEHAR JODI INITIATIVE

• Nature:

  • Structured mentorship and collaboration program.

  • Includes 72 mentor cities and around 200 mentee cities.

  • Implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U).

• Objectives:

  • Support weaker cities by replicating best practices.

  • Encourage peer learning and knowledge sharing.

• Implementation:

  • Mentor Cities: Top performers in Swachh Survekshan rankings (2022–2024).

  • Mentee Cities: Low performers, often from bottom state rankings.

  • Funding: Capacity Building (CB) Funds under SBM-U 2.0, with possible State/UT top-ups.

HEALTH & DISEASE

9. LECANEMAB DRUG

Current Context: Australia has approved the use of Lecanemab, a new drug for treating early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, aimed at slowing its progression.

ABOUT LECANEMAB DRUG

• Nature:

  • A monoclonal antibody drug.

  • Administered intravenously (IV) through a drip bag.

• Working:

  • Targets amyloid proteins in the brain.

  • Works with brain immune cells to clear amyloid build-up.

  • Shown to reduce disease progression by 27% in clinical trials.

• Issues:

  • High cost and limited accessibility.

  • Potential side effects like brain swelling.

ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

• A progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills.

• Most common cause of dementia (60–80% of cases).

• Usually affects people aged 65+ years; 10% of cases occur below this age.

• Symptoms caused by toxic amyloid protein build-up damaging brain cells.

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