📚 GK DIGEST

World Environment Day 2025 celebrated theme "Solutions to Plastic Pollution" with India hosting global celebrations. Plastic waste challenges: 3.5 million tonnes annual generation, 60% recycled, 40% unmanaged causing environmental damage; single-use plastic ban implemented July 2022 covering straws, plates, cups, packaging; Extended Producer Responsibility requiring manufacturers manage plastic waste; alternatives promotion biodegradable materials, paper, jute, bamboo products. Clean energy progress: 190 GW renewable capacity (44% installed); coal share declining to 48% from 70% decade ago; electric mobility 2.5 million EVs; energy efficiency programs saving 250 billion units electricity. Pollution control: National Clean Air Programme reducing particulate matter 20% in 131 cities; industrial emission norms tightened; BS-VI vehicle standards; National River Conservation Plan treating 3,000 MLD sewage; Namami Gange project ₹30,000 crore cleaning Ganga. Biodiversity conservation: 5.28% protected areas; mangrove cover 4,992 sq km increasing; Project Tiger, Elephant successful; community forest management 30 million hectares. Circular economy push: e-waste recycling rules; battery waste management; construction demolition waste reuse; composting organic waste. International commitments: Paris Agreement 33% emissions intensity reduction achieved ahead of 2030 target; 2070 net-zero pledge; International Solar Alliance leadership; Loss and Damage Fund advocacy for vulnerable nations.

India observed World Ocean Day highlighting Blue Economy potential and conservation. India's coastline: 7,517 km across 9 states, 4 union territories; Exclusive Economic Zone 2.02 million sq km (6th largest globally); oceanic resources supporting 4 million fisherfolk, 14.5 million livelihoods. Marine ecosystem: coral reefs Andaman-Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Gulf of Kutch; mangroves Sundarbans (largest), Gujarat, Maharashtra; seagrass beds; 2,546 marine species including endangered turtles, dugongs, whale sharks. Blue Economy sectors: fisheries contributing $7 billion exports; shipping 95% trade by volume, 1,400+ ports-harbors; offshore energy oil-gas, wind farms; marine biotechnology; tourism diving, beaches; desalination plants addressing water scarcity. Conservation initiatives: 26 marine protected areas covering 31,000 sq km; Project Dugong conserving sea cows; turtle conservation centers hatching eggs safely; coral reef restoration artificial reefs, transplantation; plastic waste collection drives; sustainable fishing practices limiting overexploitation. Challenges: overfishing depleting stocks; marine pollution plastic, oil spills, industrial effluents; coastal erosion affecting settlements; illegal fishing territorial water violations; climate change coral bleaching, sea level rise threatening coastal areas; ship breaking yards environmental concerns. Sagarmala Programme: ₹6 lakh crore port-led development modernizing infrastructure, connectivity; coastal community development; cruise tourism promotion; inland waterways activation.

World Blood Donor Day 2025 recognized voluntary blood donors' contribution saving lives. Blood requirement: 14 million units annually, 10 million collected leaving 4 million deficit; accident victims, surgeries, maternal care, cancer treatment, thalassemia patients depend on regular supply. Blood donation scenario: voluntary donors 90% collections (target 100%); replacement donation declining with awareness; blood banks 3,000+ including government, private, NGO; component separation plasma, platelets, red cells optimizing usage from single donation. Government initiatives: National Blood Transfusion Council coordinating across states; e-RaktKosh digital platform connecting donors, recipients, blood banks processing 50,000+ requests monthly; blood storage centers strategic locations; mobile blood donation camps during disasters; youth engagement college campaigns; corporate CSR blood donation drives. Challenges: seasonal shortages summer months, festivals; blood group availability O-negative universal donor scarcity; platelet shelf-life 5 days requiring continuous donation; voluntary donation culture building against paid donation history; screening infections HIV, hepatitis, malaria preventing transfusion-transmitted; cold chain maintenance; rural area access. Eligibility: 18-65 years age; 50+ kg weight; 3-month interval between donations; healthy without recent illness, medications affecting blood; myths addressing donation weakening body, weight gain (scientifically incorrect). Celebrity ambassadors promoting; social media campaigns #DonateBloodSaveLife; recognition certificates, badges encouraging repeat donation; plasma donation COVID-19 treatment success expanding acceptance.

India celebrated 11th International Yoga Day with theme "Yoga for Self and Society" emphasizing collective well-being. PM led mass demonstration in New Delhi with 50,000+ participants; simultaneous events 190+ countries; UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition 2016 acknowledging India's contribution. Yoga's global reach: 300 million practitioners worldwide; yoga tourism generating $80 billion globally; India attracting 1.2 million wellness tourists annually; yoga teacher training certifications; studios proliferating urban, rural areas; digital platforms livestreaming classes reaching millions. Health benefits scientific validation: stress reduction cortisol levels; cardiovascular health blood pressure, cholesterol; flexibility, strength muscular-skeletal; mental health anxiety, depression management; immunity enhancement; chronic disease prevention diabetes, hypertension; pregnancy, post-natal recovery; senior citizens mobility, balance preventing falls. AYUSH Ministry promotion: Common Yoga Protocol standardizing practices; National Institutes Morarji Desai, Patanjali conducting research; integration mainstream healthcare hospitals offering complementary therapy; insurance coverage wellness programs; school curriculum inclusion physical education; Army, paramilitary training incorporating; corporate wellness programs reducing employee stress, absenteeism. Traditional knowledge preservation: ancient texts Patanjali's Yoga Sutras; various styles Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Bikram; spirituality connection meditation, pranayama beyond physical asanas; Ayurveda synergy lifestyle medicine. Commercialization concerns: cultural appropriation Western repackaging; expensive classes limiting accessibility; fitness fad diluting spiritual essence; copyright battles traditional knowledge patents abroad.

India observed National Olympic Day commemorating formation of Indian Olympic Association 1927. Olympic journey: first participation 1900 Paris (Norman Pritchard 2 silver athletics); 1928 Amsterdam first gold (hockey); field hockey dominance 8 gold medals 1928-1980; individual sports breakthrough Abhinav Bindra 2008 Beijing shooting gold; Tokyo 2020 best performance 7 medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze) including Neeraj Chopra javelin historic gold. Paris 2024 expectations: 100+ athlete contingent largest ever; medal prospects athletics (javelin, steeplechase), shooting, wrestling, boxing, badminton, hockey, archery; Target Olympic Podium Scheme supporting 150+ athletes with ₹200+ crore funding training, equipment, coaching, exposure; Khelo India program grassroots talent identification across states; SAI centers providing world-class facilities; foreign coaching expertise hired. Infrastructure development: National Centers of Excellence sports-specific training; high-altitude training Shimla, Bhopal; sports science support biomechanics, nutrition, psychology; injury prevention, rehabilitation; performance analytics technology. Challenges: administrative issues IOA-NSF conflicts; doping violations tarnishing reputation; medal conversion pressure underperforming favorites; rural talent access limited; Olympic Games hosting aspiration 2036 infrastructure investment ₹1 lakh crore Ahmedabad frontrunner. Historical moments: KD Jadhav 1952 wrestling bronze first individual medal; PT Usha 1984 Los Angeles 4th missed bronze 1/100 second heartbreak; Karnam Malleswari 2000 Sydney weightlifting bronze first woman medalist; Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu inspiring generations.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking focused on prevention, treatment, recovery. India's drug challenge: 31 million cannabis users, 2.3 million opioid users, 1.2 million sedatives/inhalers; Punjab, Northeast states severely affected; Afghanistan heroin trafficking Golden Crescent proximity; synthetic drugs MDMAchemical precursors smuggling; youth vulnerability peer pressure, stress, unemployment; HIV, hepatitis spread needle sharing. Legal framework: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 prohibiting production, trafficking with stringent penalties including death sentence; Narcotics Control Bureau coordinating law enforcement; state anti-narcotics cells; border security intercepting smuggling routes; international cooperation Interpol, UNODC; money laundering prosecution targeting cartel finances. Rehabilitation: 469 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts providing counseling, detoxification, vocational training; Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan focusing 272 identified districts with awareness campaigns, treatment; helplines toll-free support; de-addiction centers government-NGO partnership; Workplace policies mandatory testing certain sectors; stigma reduction emphasizing medical condition not moral failing. Prevention: school education substance abuse dangers; community engagement religious leaders, youth clubs; alternative livelihoods poppy cultivators Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh; sports, skill programs engaging vulnerable youth; family counseling addressing domestic factors; media campaigns celebrity endorsements. Challenges: cross-border smuggling porous borders; darknet sales cryptocurrency payments; pharmaceutical opioid misuse; synthetic drug labs clandestine manufacturing; corruption law enforcement; under-reporting social stigma preventing treatment seeking; inadequate rehabilitation infrastructure long waitlists.