STATE NEWS

Rajasthan’s First Namo Biodiversity Park

•  Rajasthan inaugurated its first ‘Namo Biodiversity Park’ on 5 October in Alwar, with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav leading the ceremony at Pratap Bandh.

 Popularly called ‘Namo Van’, the park has been developed as a major green space to improve the environment and serve as the lungs of the Alwar region.

 A symbolic tree plantation drive marked the opening, emphasizing the importance of nature and sustainability.

 The park aims to increase green cover, improve air quality, and inspire people to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles.

 Bhupender Yadav highlighted that Namo Van is both an ecological project and a platform for community awareness about environmental conservation.

 The initiative is expected to boost biodiversity preservation efforts in Rajasthan, supporting the Government’s wider ‘Green India’ and climate action commitments.

 This project is seen as a model for creating similar biodiversity parks across the state, encouraging replication in other regions.

SPORTS

First Women’s Blind T20 World Cup

 The world’s first Women’s T20 Blind Cricket World Cup is set to take place in November 2025.

 India and Sri Lanka will co-host this historic event, making it a landmark moment in inclusive sports.

 The tournament will be held from 11 to 23 November 2025, with matches spread across India and Sri Lanka.

 New Delhi will host the opening ceremony and initial matches, followed by the next set of games in Bengaluru.

 The final phase will be held in Colombo, featuring 15 crucial matches, including the semi-finals, final, and closing ceremony on 23 November.

 Teams from Australia, England, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the USA will compete in this global event.

 The tournament format will include 21 league matches, followed by two semi-finals and one final match to crown the champions.

DEFENCE

India–UK Naval Exercise KONKAN-2025

 The KONKAN-2025 naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy has begun off India’s western coast, showcasing their shared vision of free and secure seas.

 The drills are being conducted from 5–12 October 2025 and align with the strategic priorities of the India-UK Vision 2035.

 The exercise is divided into two phases — harbour and sea; the harbour phase features professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports, cultural exchanges, and Joint Working Group meetings.

 During the sea phase, both navies will engage in advanced training like anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, seamanship drills, and flying operations.

 The UK has sent its Carrier Strike Group 2025 (UK CSG-25), led by HMS Prince of Wales, with support from naval units from Norway and Japan, adding a multinational dimension.

 India has deployed its indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, along with other warships, submarines, and aircraft.

 After the exercise concludes on 12 October, UK CSG-25 will stay back to conduct a joint air-sea exercise with the Indian Air Force on 14 October, before continuing its wider deployment schedule.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

National CSR Conference 2025

 The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs has started the 2nd National Conference and Exhibition on Corporate Social Responsibility (NCCSR) in New Delhi.

 The two-day event began on 6 October and focuses on the theme “Leveraging CSR Excellence for Tribal Development.”

 The conference aims to support inclusive and sustainable growth by aligning government schemes, corporate CSR efforts, and indigenous wisdom.

 It provides a national platform for dialogue on CSR practices and their impact on tribal communities.

 Six expert panel discussions and a live social innovation lab are part of the programme to encourage practical solutions to social issues.

 A special tribal cultural showcase has been arranged to highlight traditional practices and heritage.

 The exhibition features innovative CSR models and projects, with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs overseeing the entire event.

NATIONAL NEWS

India’s 10th NATPOLREX & 27th NOSDCP Preparedness Exercise

 The Indian Coast Guard conducted the 10th NATPOLREX and 27th NOSDCP meeting off the Chennai coast from 5–6 October to test national readiness for marine pollution incidents.

 This biennial drill focused on oil spill response, enhancing coordination between ministries, coastal states, ports, and maritime agencies. Over 105 national delegates and 40 international observers from 32 countries participated.

 Director General Paramesh Sivamani of the Indian Coast Guard and NOSDCP oversaw the operations. Specialized vessels like Pollution Control Ships, Offshore Patrol Vessels, Fast Patrol Vessels, along with Chetak and Dornier aircraft, were deployed.

 For the first time, a shoreline clean-up drill was conducted at Marina Beach, simulating a large-scale oil spill near the coast with participation from local and state agencies.

 Technical sessions and real case studies, including the MV MSC ELSA 3 incident, were discussed to share best practices and improve response strategies.

 India emphasized its long-standing commitment to marine environmental protection, with the Coast Guard leading oil spill response since 1986 and the NOSDCP serving as the national framework since 1993.

 As over 75% of India’s energy imports arrive via sea, the exercise underlined the strategic importance of being fully prepared for marine pollution emergencies.