9 February 2025

• Culture: 52nd New Delhi World Book Fair concluded at Bharat Mandapam. Over two million visitors in nine days. Russia was the focus country.
• International: Sam Nujoma, Namibia's founding father and first president, died at age 95 in Windhoek.
• Sports: 38th National Games, Uttarakhand, continued in athletics phase.
• Delhi: The BJP registered a historic win in the Delhi assembly election (results declared February 8). Government formation process under way.

GS area: International Relations (world history, Africa)

Sam Nujoma, Namibia's first president and founder of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), died at 95 on the night of February 8-9, 2025, in Windhoek:

• Born: 12 May 1929 in Owambo (then South West Africa, a German and then South African territory).
• SWAPO founding: In 1960 Nujoma co-founded and became the first president of SWAPO, the main liberation movement. He led it for 47 years.
• Armed struggle: After the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 2145 in 1966 withdrawing South Africa's mandate over Namibia and South Africa refused to comply, SWAPO launched a guerrilla war (the South African Border War / Namibian War of Independence).
• Allies: SWAPO received arms and training from Cuba and the Soviet Union. The 1988 New York Accords and the Tripartite Accord led to South African withdrawal.
• Independence: Namibia became independent on 21 March 1990. Nujoma was sworn in as its first president that day. He served until 2005.
• Status: The National Assembly formally bestowed the title "Founding Father of the Namibian Nation" in December 2005.
• Generation: He was among the last leaders of African independence, alongside Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia) and Julius Nyerere (Tanzania).

India-Namibia relations: Bilateral ties trace to solidarity during the independence struggle. India recognised SWAPO early and provided scholarships. Trade is modest but defence and capacity-building cooperation exists.

Static linkage: History (decolonisation, African nationalism, Cold War).

GS area: Art and Culture, Governance

The 52nd New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF) concluded on February 9 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi:

• Organised by: National Book Trust (NBT) of India under the Ministry of Education.
• Duration: Nine days (ending February 9).
• Footfall: Over two million visitors, one of the highest in the fair's history.
• Focus country: Russia. The Russian pavilion was a prominent feature.
• Theme: "We the People of India," commemorating 75 years of the Indian Republic.
• Publishers: Approximately 2,000 publishers from over 50 countries participated.
• National Book Trust: A statutory body established in 1957 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Education. Promotes production and sale of good literature at modest prices in multiple Indian languages.
• Bharat Mandapam: International Exhibition and Convention Centre (IECC) complex in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Inaugurated in July 2023. Also hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit in 2023 and Bharat Tex 2025.

Static linkage: Art and Culture (institutions, publishing, books).

GS area: Polity (governance, communal relations)

The Gujarat Disturbed Areas Act was invoked in Surat to seal a property:

• Full name: Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Areas Act, 1991.
• Purpose: Prevents panic selling and distress sale of property by minority communities in communally sensitive areas. Requires the District Collector's prior approval for any property transfer in a notified area.
• "Disturbed Area": Any area the state government notifies as prone to communal violence or where communal tension may arise from property transactions.
• 2020 amendment: Expanded the penalty for violations to three to five years of imprisonment. Also strengthened enforcement powers.
• Constitutional debate: Critics argue the "improper clustering" provision is vague and infringes property rights (Article 300A) and freedom of residence (Article 19(1)(e)). Supporters argue it protects minorities from being compelled to sell in distress.
• Supreme Court: The SC upheld the Act's validity in Th. Valji Khimji and Co. v. State of Gujarat (1984), finding it a reasonable restriction.

Static linkage: Polity (constitutional law, minorities, property rights).

GS area: Economy (minerals, agriculture)

Geological Survey of India reported exploitable potash deposits in Punjab:

• Districts: Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib.
• India's potash situation:
  • India imports approximately 50 lakh tonnes of potash per year (100 per cent import dependence for MOP: Muriate of Potash).
  • Domestic reserves: 23,091 million tonnes in Rajasthan (Nagaur-Ganganagar belt), but none commercially mined.
  • Punjab finding is smaller but closer to farm demand zones.
• Uses: Potash (potassium fertilizers) is a macro-nutrient for plant health. Deficiency causes poor root development, disease susceptibility and reduced yield.
• Import sources: Canada (Nutrien, Canpotex), Russia (Eurochem) and Jordan (APC).
• PM-PRANAM scheme: Incentivises states to reduce overall fertilizer subsidy use by promoting alternatives including SSP and nano fertilizers.

Static linkage: Agriculture, Economy (minerals, fertilizers).

GS area: Social Justice, Governance

The Union Cabinet approved extending NCSK until 2028:

• Established: Under the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act 1993.
• Status: Non-statutory since 1994 (funding renewed through Cabinet approval). The founding legislation lapsed; the commission now functions through executive orders.
• Composition: Chairperson and up to two Vice-Chairpersons appointed by the Central Government.
• Role: Monitors the implementation of laws and schemes for sanitation workers; recommends measures to eliminate manual scavenging; investigates grievances.
• Allocation: 50.91 crore rupees for the extension period.
• Data on sanitation workers: Approximately 65 per cent lack protective equipment according to NCSK reports. The Supreme Court in Safai Karamchari Andolan v. Union of India (2014) directed complete abolition of manual scavenging by a fixed date.
• Legal framework: Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013 (replaces the 1993 Act).

Static linkage: Social justice (vulnerable communities, Dalit rights).

GS area: Science and Technology

India's AI strategy gained attention as global AI governance frameworks solidified:

• India's AI workforce: 420,000 AI professionals (estimated as of early 2025). One of the largest globally after the US and China.
• Enterprise AI adoption: Industry surveys indicate approximately 92 per cent of Indian enterprises use AI tools, among the highest rates globally.
• IndiaAI Mission: 10,372 crore rupees approved (FY 2024-25 to FY 2028-29). Key pillars: GPU capacity, application development, data platforms, AI safety and trustworthy AI.
• Regulation gap: India is not a signatory to the Bletchley Declaration (November 2023) from the UK AI Safety Summit, though it attended the Seoul AI Summit (May 2024). India has not established a sovereign AI safety institute.
• Tier I diffusion concern: US export controls under the Framework for Access and Controls on AI Systems (FACS) designate countries into tiers based on trust. India's Tier 2 status limits access to frontier chips. India is seeking Tier 1 status (as part of India-US COMPACT).

Static linkage: Science and Technology (AI governance, digital policy).

• Delhi government formation: After the BJP's decisive 48-seat win in the Delhi Assembly election (results February 8), the party began consultations on forming the government. Arvind Kejriwal lost his New Delhi constituency to BJP's Parvesh Verma. Rekha Gupta was subsequently announced as Chief Minister-designate (sworn in February 20).
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Began February 19. India's matches to be held at a neutral venue (UAE). Pakistan is the host. Eight teams (Pakistan, India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Bangladesh).