Sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik has won the first ever Fred Darrington award for excellence in art and culture for his 10-feet high sand sculpture of Lord Ganesha, which will be showcased in Dorset, in south-west England, until Nov.

• The award was launched at SandWorld on Saturday(5 April) to mark 100 years since legendary sand sculptor Darrington first started making artistic sand sculptures on the Weymouth beach in 1925.
• Pattnaik, a Padma Shri award winner, is also the first Indian sculptor to exhibit at Sandworld, an annual international sand art festival that takes place in Weymouth, Dorset, where sand artists from across the world showcase their sculptures.
• The Lord Ganesha sculptor has the message ‘World Peace' on its plinth.
• Pattnaik was handed a gold medal containing a caricature of Darrington and a glass wave containing sand from his own sculpture. Pattnaik dedicated the award to his fans and hoped many people would come to see the Ganesha sculpture.

Saudi Arabia has put a temporary halt on issuing visas to citizens from 14 countries, including India.

This pause affects the granting of Umrah, business, and family visit visas.

The countries impacted by this decision are Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.

Why the ban?

Authorities say the step is also aimed at stopping individuals from undertaking Hajj without proper registration. The decision is intended to prevent a repeat of last year’s Hajj tragedy, when a stampede occurred due to extreme heat and the presence of unregistered pilgrims.

The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada is being observed from April 8 to April 22, 2025, led by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This annual campaign aims to strengthen efforts toward eliminating malnutrition and promoting healthy nutrition practices across India. The campaign seeks to enhance the health and well-being of women and children across India.

This year’s Poshan Pakhwada focuses on 4 key themes 

• Focus on the First 1,000 Days of Life – Emphasizing critical early childhood nutrition.
• Promoting Poshan Tracker – Encouraging community use of the app for real-time nutrition monitoring.
• Community-Based Management of Malnutrition (CMAM) – Strengthening local responses to undernutrition.
• Addressing Childhood Obesity – Promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles.

Objectives of Poshan Pakhwada 2025:

• Enhancing Grassroots Nutrition Outcomes: Implementing targeted efforts at village, block, and district levels to improve nutritional status among vulnerable populations. 
• Community Engagement and Education: Conducting home visits, outreach programs, and awareness campaigns to educate communities about holistic nutrition practices. 
• Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding: Spreading awareness about the benefits of early nutrition practices to ensure optimal child development. 
• Empowering Citizens through the Poshan Tracker: Encouraging the use of the Poshan Tracker among beneficiaries to actively monitor and improve nutrition in their communities. 

Implementation and Activities:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is collaborating with various other ministries, including Rural Development, Health & Family Welfare, Education, Jal Shakti, and Panchayati Raj, to ensure the effective execution of Poshan Pakhwada. Activities planned during this fortnight include health check-ups at Anganwadi centers, nutrition camps, awareness drives on balanced diets and hydration, and the promotion of local, nutritious foods. Communities are also encouraged to register on the Poshan Tracker app to facilitate better access to nutrition services.

Significance

Poshan Pakhwada focuses on both malnutrition and obesity, targeting vulnerable groups including children, pregnant and lactating women. By combining traditional wisdom and technology, it aims to build a healthier, more nourished India

Padma Shri awardee Ram Sahay Pandey, a legendary figure in Rai folk dance, has passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire generations.

• Pandey died at a private hospital in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, after a prolonged illness.
• His final rites will be performed in his native village of Kanera Dev, where his extraordinary journey will come to a close.
• He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2022.

About  Ram Sahay Pandey

Born on March 11, 1933, in Maddhar Patha village in Sagar district, Pandey discovered his love for Rai (also spelled Raai) dance at the age of 14 during a local fair. Enchanted by its rhythm and expressive beauty, he devoted his life to mastering and promoting this traditional art form.

The Board of Oman India Joint Investment Fund - Management Company, a private equity fund manager promoted by the Oman Investment Authority and the State Bank of India, has appointed Satish Chawla as its Chief Executive Officer.

• Chavva joins from British International Investment, the UK’s development finance institution, where he held various roles, including heading Direct Private Equity for South Asia.
• He brings over 20 years of experience across private equity investing and finance.
• Chavva has a deep association with OIJIF, having previously served as Director of Investments at OIJIF between 2016 and 2022. Prior to that, he was with Citi Group in India and the UK, including in its private equity arm,
• Citi Venture Capital International for over 9 years.
• Chavva holds a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, a Master of Science in Computational and Applied Mathematics from the University of Texas, and an MBA from INSEAD.

Why in the News?

• Naini Lake, a key attraction in Nainital, has reached a water level of 4.7 feet, its lowest in five years.

Key Points:

Concerns Over Drinking Water Scarcity:

⇒ Experts warn that Naini Lake’s water level may drop below the "zero level," raising concerns about drinking water shortages before summer.

⇒ The "zero level" does not indicate complete drying but refers to the lake’s water falling below its normal gauge level, determined based on historical data.

Water Extraction and Declining Levels:

⇒ Naini Lake, with a deepest point of 89 feet, has a gauge level of 12 feet.

⇒ Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan extracts 10 million litres daily to supply drinking water to Nainital.

⇒ Reduced snowfall and rainfall during winter, along with long-term maintenance issues, have contributed to the drop.

Historical and Geographical Significance:

⇒ Naini Lake is a natural kidney-shaped lake surrounded by seven hills in Nainital.

⇒ English businessman P. Barron discovered it in the mid-19th century, leading to Nainital’s development as a British hill station.

Rising Demand and Impact on the Lake:

⇒ According to environmental scientists, in 2024 Naini Lake supplied 76% of the city's water.

⇒ Population growth, increased tourism, and commercial activities have negatively impacted the lake.

Human-Induced Degradation:

⇒ A 2017 Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology report found that Naini Lake faces the most human-made disturbances among Kumaon lakes.

⇒ Issues include unplanned construction, encroachments, and degradation of recharge zones.

⇒ Concrete structures reduce rainwater infiltration, worsening water shortages in low-rainfall years.

⇒ Dumping debris into Sukhatal Lake, a crucial recharge source, has caused it to shrink from its original two-hectare area.

⇒ Encroachments and illegal constructions have reduced the lake's catchment area, with houses and hotels expanding near the lake.

Pollution and Civic Issues:

⇒ Discharge of untreated wastewater and improper solid waste disposal contribute to pollution.

⇒ Inadequate sewer systems lead to sewage overflow into stormwater drains, which discharge into the lake.

Changing Weather Patterns and Climate Impact:

⇒ Climate change has altered weather patterns in Uttarakhand.

⇒ A study by Climate Trends found that between 1970 and 2022, annual mean temperatures in the state increased by 1.5°C.

⇒ Rising temperatures have affected rainfall and snowfall patterns.

⇒ Annual rainfall declined from 2,400 mm in 2022 to 2,000 mm in 2024.

⇒ Nainital received only 107 mm of rainfall from January to March 2025, lower than in previous years.

⇒ While the region had four snowfall days in winter 2022, it had none in 2025.

⇒ Naini Lake reached zero level only twice in the 1900s but has exceeded that mark over ten times since 2000.

Need for Rejuvenation and Conservation Efforts:

⇒ Several legal petitions have sought to protect the lake, with a Supreme Court ruling in 1993 banning commercial complexes in Nainital.

⇒ However, unregulated construction, including homestays and building on wetlands, continues.

⇒ In 2021, concerns were raised about the Sukhatal Lake revamp project, leading to a Public Interest Litigation(PIL) in the Uttarakhand High Court.

⇒ The HC halted construction in November 2022, but work resumed in 2024 under a beautification plan.