Today's Brief 11/03/2025

IE Analysis:https://youtu.be/H3u4lOu-Ga4?si=UqXsRw80zvJSHW5t

JN Analysis:

1 .Mauritius, officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, is a beautiful island nation located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.

Its capital is Port Louis, and English is the official language, though French and Creole are widely spoken. The country has a rich colonial history, having been ruled by the Dutch, French, and British before gaining independence on March 12, 1968, and later becoming a republic on March 12, 1992.

Mauritius is renowned for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and lush landscapes, with Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire being its highest peak at 828 meters.

The island was once home to the famous but extinct Dodo bird. Despite being a small nation, Mauritius has a strong and diverse economy, driven by tourism, textiles, sugar, IT, and financial services, making it one of Africa’s most developed economies.

The country is also unique for having no official army, relying instead on its police force and coast guard for security. Mauritius is a melting pot of cultures and religions, with Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism being practiced widely.

It is known for its delicious cuisine, particularly Dholl Puri, a popular flatbread stuffed with split peas. The island celebrates various festivals, including Diwali, Eid, and Chinese New Year, reflecting its cultural diversity. Another

interesting fact is that Mauritius is home to the rare "Blue Mauritius" stamp, one of the most valuable in the world.

Additionally, Ile aux Aigrettes, a small conservation island, plays a crucial role in protecting the nation’s rare wildlife species. With its breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and thriving economy, Mauritius remains a fascinating and significant country on the global stage.

2 .Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, born on November 9, 1948, was a distinguished Indian classical devotional singer and composer, particularly celebrated for his profound contributions to Carnatic music.

He dedicated a significant portion of his career to the preservation and popularization of Annamacharya Sankeerthanas, serving the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam's (TTD) Annamacharya Project as a Special Grade Vocal Artiste from 1978 to 2006. His expertise extended to composing tunes for numerous songs, with a notable focus on Annamacharya's compositions.

Recognized for his mastery, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2020 and held the esteemed positions of TTD Asthana Vidwaan and Ahobhilamatam Asthana Vidwaan.

Garimella Balakrishna Prasad's legacy is marked by his ability to render Annamacharya's works in diverse Indian musical genres, ensuring their enduring appreciation. He passed away on March 9, 2025, in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, leaving behind a rich musical heritage.

3 .Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried primarily by rodents, posing a significant health risk to humans. Transmission typically occurs through the inhalation of airborne particles from infected rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, although direct contact and rodent bites can also lead to infection.

These viruses can cause severe respiratory illnesses, most notably Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), which impacts the kidneys. Initial symptoms often mimic the flu, including fever, muscle aches, and headaches, but can progress to life-threatening conditions like respiratory failure in HPS or kidney failure in HFRS.

Prevention is paramount, emphasizing rodent control, safe cleanup of rodent-infested areas, and proper food storage. While there is no specific cure, treatment focuses on supportive care to manage symptoms.

Therefore, awareness of hantavirus risks and taking necessary precautions, especially in rodent-prone environments, is crucial for safeguarding public health.

4 .Madhav National Park located in Shivpuri district has been declared as the new tiger reserve

Once a royal hunting preserve for Mughal emperors and the Maharaja of Gwalior, it was declared a National Park in 1959. The park's diverse ecosystem, encompassing lakes, dry deciduous forests, and thorn scrublands, provides habitat for a rich array of wildlife, including antelopes like Nilgai and Chinkara, various deer species, and leopards.

park also has Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes, which attract numerous migratory birds, and the historic George Castle, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

5 .Armenia, officially known as the Republic of Armenia, is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, bordered by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

Its capital and largest city is Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Armenian is the official language, and the country uses the Armenian dram (AMD) as its currency. Armenia has a rich and ancient history, being the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD, and it remains a deeply religious nation with a majority belonging to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The country is known for its breathtaking landscapes, with Mount Ararat, a symbol of Armenia, towering just across the border in Turkey.

Armenia is also home to Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world.

The nation has a tragic history, particularly the Armenian Genocide of 1915, in which 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Empire.

Despite historical hardships, Armenia has a strong cultural heritage, particularly in literature, music, and architecture, with medieval churches and monasteries such as Geghard and Tatev attracting visitors from around the world.

The country’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, mining, and technology, with a growing IT sector earning it the nickname “Silicon Valley of the Caucasus.” 

Armenian cuisine is famous for dishes like khorovats (barbecue), dolma, and lavash, a traditional flatbread that is a UNESCO cultural heritage item. The Armenian alphabet, invented in 405 AD by Mesrop Mashtots, is unique and still in use today.

Armenia is also known for its love of chess, which is taught in schools as a compulsory subject. Despite its small size, Armenia has a strong diaspora worldwide, contributing to its cultural and economic influence beyond its borders.

6 .CISF Raising Day,

(GS Paper 3: Technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security, disaster management.)

observed annually on March 10th, commemorates the establishment of the Central Industrial Security Force in 1969, marking a crucial milestone in India's national security framework. 

7 .e-Shram Portal

(GS Paper 2: Governance, constitution, polity, social justice, international relations.)

 is an initiative by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, aimed at creating a national database of unorganized workers.

Launched in August 2021, the portal is designed to register and provide benefits to workers in sectors such as construction, agriculture, domestic work, gig economy, street vending, and other informal jobs.

Workers registering on the e-Shram Portal receive a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN), which helps them access various social security schemes and welfare benefits. The registration process is free and can be done online through the portal (eshram.gov.in) or at Common Service Centers (CSCs).

Registered workers are also eligible for accidental insurance coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), providing ₹2 lakh in

case of death or permanent disability and ₹1 lakh for partial disability.

The main objectives of the portal include integrating different government schemes, providing better employment opportunities, and ensuring social security for unorganized workers.

Over 28 crore workers have already registered, making it one of India's largest welfare databases. The portal also helps in the effective implementation of policies and support systems for workers in the unorganized sector, which forms a significant part of India's workforce.