Short notes on Current Affairs 26.01.2026

Bharat Parv 2026

Event Overview

• Bharat Parv–2026 is a six-day national cultural festival organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
• It is being held at the historic Red Fort complex, Delhi, as part of the Republic Day celebrations.
• The festival runs from 26 to 31 January 2026 and is open to the public free of cost.

Inauguration & Dignitaries

• The festival was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla.
• Present at the inauguration were:
  • Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
  • Secretary (Tourism) Shri Suman Billa
  • Senior dignitaries, artists, and representatives from States, Union Territories, and Central Ministries.

Theme & Significance

• The festival aligns with the constitutional spirit of unity in diversity and people’s participation.
• Special significance in 2026 as India commemorates 150 years of the national song “Vande Mataram”.
• The event symbolises India’s freedom struggle, cultural pride, and national unity.

Key Messages from Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla

• Described Bharat Parv as a celebration of India’s multifaceted soul.
• Highlighted how the festival reflects India’s historical journey through:
  • Republic Day tableaux
  • Cultural performances
  • Exhibitions blending tradition and innovation
• Paid tribute to:
  • Folk artists preserving cultural traditions
  • Farmers sustaining the nation
  • Artisans and weavers maintaining centuries-old crafts
• Emphasised that India’s diversity at Bharat Parv reflects deep cultural essence, not just visual variety.
• Stressed the integration of technology, art, human resources, and traditional knowledge in shaping modern India.

Key Messages from Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

• Highlighted Bharat Parv as a major national platform for showcasing India’s folk culture.
• Emphasised that folk arts and traditions form the foundation of India’s national spirit and development.
• Reiterated the government’s commitment to:
  • Preserving cultural heritage
  • Connecting tradition with modern aspirations

Objectives of Bharat Parv–2026

• Showcase India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage
• Promote domestic tourism
• Provide a platform for artisans and States/UTs
• Generate tourism awareness
• Strengthen national integration through cultural participation

Major Attractions

• 41 Republic Day tableaux on display
• 48 cultural performances by:
  • State/UT troupes
  • North Zonal Cultural Centre
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi
  • Renowned artists
• 22 performances by Armed Forces and Paramilitary Bands
• A grand food court featuring:
  • 60 stalls with cuisines from across India
  • Live cooking demonstrations
• 102 handicrafts and handloom stalls by:
  • States
  • Central Ministries
  • DC Handicrafts, DC Handlooms, and TRIFED
• 34 State Tourism Pavilions and 24 Central Ministry stalls
• Interactive zones including:
  • Nukkad nataks
  • Quizzes
  • Children’s engagement areas
  • Experiential cultural spaces

Participation & Scale

• Participation from all States and Union Territories
• Involvement of over 25 Central Ministries and Departments
• Contributions from leading national institutions and organisations

Festival Timings

• 26 January 2026: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• 27–31 January 2026: 12:00 Noon – 9:00 PM

Overall Significance

• Bharat Parv–2026 serves as a comprehensive cultural showcase integrating heritage, tourism, arts, cuisine, and public participation.
• The festival reinforces the idea that India’s progress is rooted in cultural continuity, where tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously.

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Relics dating to the Neolithic period at Lakkundi village, Gadag district of Karnataka

Overview of Excavation

• Excavations began on January 16 at the Kote Veerabhadreshwar temple in Lakkundi village, Gadag district.
• Relics dating to the Neolithic period have been unearthed, boosting efforts to nominate Lakkundi for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
• The discoveries follow a “treasure” found by a local family while digging a house foundation.

Historical Significance of Lakkundi

• Lakkundi, once called Lokkigundi, is historically rich, with inscriptions dating to the 11th and 12th centuries.
• It was known as the “village of hundred wells and temples”.
• Lakkundi is linked to Queen Attimabbe, an 11th-century Jain philanthropist, who built temples, Jain basadis, and sank wells for public benefit.
• The village also supported 12th-century sharanas like Shivasharana Ajaganna and Sharane Muktayakka, followers of Basaveshwara’s teachings.
• Architectural heritage included several wonders, but many are now lost; only 13 temples with Kalyana Chalukya style are mentioned in the Mumbai State Gazetteer.

Excavation and Heritage Projects

• Excavations aim to uncover buried temples and wells, a long-pending initiative revived under H.K. Patil, Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, and Tourism.
• In November 2024, the KSTDC and Archaeology Museums and Heritage Department collected 1,050 historical relics from local households and identified 13 inscriptions.
• Many relics are now displayed in an open museum at Lakkundi, with villagers contributing land for heritage development.

UNESCO World Heritage Site Proposal

• The State is actively pushing for inclusion of Lakkundi monuments in UNESCO’s tentative list.
• Collaboration with INTACH is ongoing to fine-tune the proposal; two meetings have been held so far.
• This aligns with the Budget announcement about securing UNESCO recognition.

Protected Monuments

• Seven ASI-protected monuments exist in Lakkundi.
• The State has declared 16 temple structures as protected, with plans to add eight more by the end of the month.
• A comprehensive study is being conducted to potentially include 20 more temples and structures, likely by February.

Future Plans and Challenges

• There is a proposal to relocate parts of the village to facilitate monument restoration.
• Final decisions on relocation will depend on excavation results and surveys of ancient structures.

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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gets Ashok Chakra

Overview

• On the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards for personnel of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
• Awards recognize exceptional courage in operations and sustained distinguished service across key operational and command roles.

Gallantry Awards

• Ashok Chakra (highest peacetime gallantry award):
  • Awarded to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (IAF) for his ground-breaking mission to the International Space Station in June 2025.
• Other Gallantry Awards:
  • Kirti Chakra: 3
  • Shaurya Chakra: 12 (including 1 posthumous)
  • Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry): 1
  • Sena Medals (Gallantry): 44 (5 posthumous)
  • Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry): 6 (Navy)
  • Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry): 2 (Air Force)

Distinguished Service Awards

• Total of 301 military decorations approved, including:
  • Param Vishisht Seva Medals: 30
  • Uttam Yudh Seva Medals: 4
  • Ati Vishisht Seva Medals: 56
  • Yudh Seva Medals: 9
  • Bars to Sena Medals (Distinguished): 2
  • Sena Medals (Distinguished): 43
  • Nao Sena Medals (Distinguished): 8
  • Vayu Sena Medals (Distinguished): 14
• Additional awards:
  • Vishisht Seva Medals: 135
  • Mention-in-Despatches: 98 (5 posthumous)

Operations Recognized

• Awards cover personnel involved in key operations such as:
  • Operation Rakshak
  • Operation Snow Leopard
  • Operation Hifazat
  • Operation Orchid
  • Operation Meghdoot
  • Rescue and casualty evacuation missions
• Army personnel received the majority of awards (81 Mention-in-Despatches).

Key Highlights

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Air Force officer to receive Ashok Chakra for a space mission, highlighting the evolving nature of modern military operations.
• A mix of peacetime gallantry, combat operations, and distinguished service awards underscores recognition of both bravery in action and sustained leadership/service.
• Several awards were posthumous, honoring ultimate sacrifice.

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Mark Tully, a veteran journalist, Passed Away

Career Overview

• Mark Tully, veteran journalist and acclaimed author, passed away at age 90 in Delhi.
• He served as Chief of Bureau, India, for the BBC for 22 years, becoming one of the most recognisable foreign journalists in South Asia.
• After radio journalism, he moved into documentary filmmaking and authored several influential books on India.

Journalistic Philosophy

• Tully believed that the story mattered more than the medium.
• His long BBC radio career shaped his concise writing style, where exceeding 300 words was discouraged.
• Despite this constraint, his lifelong fascination remained modern, independent India.

Early Life and Identity

• Born in 1935 in Calcutta (Kolkata) to William Scarth Carlisle Tully and Patience Trebi.
• His childhood coincided with Quit India Movement, communal violence, and World War II.
• Educated in the United Kingdom, he often described himself as a “relic of the Raj”, reflecting his dual identity.

BBC Career in India

• Returned to India in the early 1960s as an assistant at the BBC’s New Delhi bureau.
• At a time when Akashvani dominated Indian radio, the BBC faced government pressure and operational challenges.
• Under Tully’s leadership, the BBC earned credibility by covering major events:
  • 1965 India–Pakistan War
  • 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
  • Emergency (1975)
  • Punjab insurgency (early 1980s)

Reporting Ingenuity and Afghanistan Story

• During the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, when foreign agencies left Kabul:
  • Tully and colleague Satish Jacob gathered news by interviewing passengers arriving on Kabul–Delhi flights.
• This reporting led to revelations about Murtaza Bhutto, son of Pakistan’s former PM Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, seeking support in India against General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime.
• Tully later met Murtaza Bhutto in central Delhi.

Emergency-Era Legend

• During the Emergency, rumours circulated that Tully had falsely reported resignations of Cabinet Ministers.
• An alleged order from Indira Gandhi’s inner circle instructed I&B Minister Inder Kumar Gujral to punish and jail Tully.
• Gujral refused and later verified that Tully had broadcast no such report, highlighting both political tension and journalistic integrity.

Honours and Recognition

• Knighted in 2002 by the British Crown.
• Awarded Padma Bhushan in 2005 by the Government of India.
• A regular presence at the Press Club of India and India International Centre, known for accessibility and deep historical insight.

Legacy

• Mark Tully transcended his role as a foreign correspondent to become the “voice of India” to the world.
• His reporting combined historical depth, cultural sensitivity, and journalistic courage.
• He remains a towering figure in Indian journalism, admired for credibility, humility, and narrative skill.

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Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) Departed from Indonesia

Overview

• The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) departed Belawan, Indonesia, after a successful three-day port call.
• The visit aimed at boosting maritime engagement with Indonesia, a key member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
• It also advanced India’s maritime vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

Indian Naval Assets Involved

• The port call involved:
  • INS Tir
  • INS Shardul
  • INS Sujata
  • ICGS Sarathi
• Crew members and naval trainees from these vessels actively participated in bilateral engagements.

Engagements with the Indonesian Navy

• Personnel engaged extensively with the Indonesian Navy, strengthening:
  • Professional cooperation
  • People-to-people ties
• Activities conducted included:
  • Professional interactions
  • Training visits
  • Cultural exchanges
  • Friendly sports meets
• These interactions fostered mutual understanding, trust, and camaraderie between the two maritime forces.

Training and Professional Exposure

• Indian naval trainees visited facilities of Naval Regional Command I of the Indonesian Navy.
• The visits provided trainees with:
  • Insights into operational roles and responsibilities
  • Exposure to regional maritime command structures
• This contributed to capacity building and professional development of future Indian naval officers.

Strategic Significance

• Indonesia’s role as a strategic maritime partner in the Indo-Pacific makes such engagements crucial.
• The visit reinforced:
  • India’s commitment to maritime security cooperation
  • Regional stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Aligns with India’s broader Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategy.

Key Takeaways

• The port call highlights the Indian Navy’s focus on training diplomacy and maritime partnerships.
• Strengthens India–Indonesia defence relations through operational and cultural engagement.
• Demonstrates India’s intent to promote a collaborative, rules-based maritime order under the MAHASAGAR vision.

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Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)

Strategic Shift by Deendayal Port Authority (DPA)

• DPA is pivoting from a ₹27,000–30,000 crore mega shipbuilding cluster to a smaller, faster-to-execute ₹4,500-crore shipyard at Kandla, Gujarat.
• The shift reflects a pragmatic response to weak investor interest in the larger project and aims to de-risk capital exposure.
• The mega shipbuilding cluster at Veera village (2,000+ acres) remains a long-term vision, to be revived when market conditions improve.

Joint Venture & Key Stakeholders

• DPA is close to finalising a joint venture with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
• Other EoI respondents included JM Baxi and Accurate Industrial Controls (with Korea’s Komac Consultants).
• Equity structure:
  • DPA will contribute land as equity.
  • GRSE (technology/operating partner) will contribute shipbuilding expertise, technology, and capital.

Project Location & Land Development

• The shipyard will be developed on ~120 acres of reclaimed waterfront land within Kandla creek, between existing cargo and oil jetties.
• Land reclamation has begun; earlier encroachments have been removed.
• DPA is responsible for:
  • Land acquisition, reclamation, and grading
  • Waterfront development with required depth
  • Core civil infrastructure (roads, drainage, boundary walls, utilities, office buildings)

Shipyard Capacity & Capabilities

• The shipyard is designed to build:
  • At least 2 VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carrier) or VLGCs(Very Large Gas Carrier) per year, or
  • Up to 6 Handymax vessels annually
• Operational expectation is ~3 vessels per year initially.
• The facility will also support partial in-house manufacturing of electric tugs for DPA.
• Designed for future scalability, including offshore structures and expanded capacity.

Infrastructure & Capital Investment

• A VLCC-compliant dry dock is central to the project and the largest cost component.
  • Estimated cost: ~₹1,500 crore, per an L&T study.
• VLCCs typically exceed:
  • 300 metres in length
  • 300,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT)
• The project will be executed in three phases.

Role of the Technology & Operating Partner

• Responsibilities include:
  • Shipyard design, construction, and commissioning
  • Installation of workshops, manufacturing equipment, utilities, and launch systems
  • Manpower planning and operational readiness
  • Short-, medium-, and long-term business planning
  • Developing a technology roadmap for future expansion

Gujarat’s Shipbuilding Landscape

• The Kandla yard would become Gujarat’s 11th shipyard, raising total capacity to 5.4 lakh DWT.
• Over the last decade:
  • Six shipyards shut down
  • Pipavav shipyard was revived by Swan Energy in December 2024
  • ABG Shipyard units (Magdalla, Dahej) and Alcock Ashdown yards (Bhavnagar, Chanch) remain idle

Relationship with the Larger Veera Shipbuilding Cluster

• The Kandla project is positioned as a fast-track pilot to:
  • Build execution capability
  • Develop skilled manpower
  • Test the JV model
  • Reduce risk for future large-scale investments
• Once the Veera cluster is operational, the Kandla yard is expected to transition to ship repair and maintenance.

Industry & Policy Context (India vs Global Leaders)

• According to ICRA (2025):
  • India’s global shipbuilding market share is only 0.06%.
  • China, South Korea, and Japan control ~95% of global shipbuilding.
• Structural disadvantages for India include:
  • High working-capital interest rates (9–10%) vs 4–8% globally
  • Lack of an integrated maritime ecosystem (suppliers, R&D, automation)
  • Smaller, less automated shipyards compared to global peers

Overall Assessment

• The Kandla shipyard represents a measured, execution-focused entry into large commercial shipbuilding.
• It balances ambition with realism by prioritising:
  • Speed
  • Capital efficiency
  • Capability building
• Success of this project could restore investor confidence and act as a catalyst for India’s broader shipbuilding ambitions.

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VLCCs and VLGCs

VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)

• Full form: Very Large Crude Carrier
• Purpose: Transport crude oil over long distances
• Typical size:
  • Deadweight tonnage (DWT): ~200,000 to 320,000+ tonnes
  • Length: Often 300 metres or more
• Key features:
  • Double-hull design (for safety and pollution control)
  • Extremely deep draft when fully loaded
• Why special dry docks are needed:
  • Massive length and weight
  • Heavy structural loads during construction and repair
  • Requires deep, long, and heavily reinforced dry docks

VLGC (Very Large Gas Carrier)

• Full form: Very Large Gas Carrier
• Purpose: Transport liquefied gases, mainly:
  • LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
  • Sometimes ammonia
• Typical size:
  • DWT: ~80,000 to 100,000 tonnes
  • Length: Around 225–230 metres
• Key features:
  • Special pressurised or refrigerated cargo tanks
  • Advanced safety and temperature-control systems
• Why special dry docks are needed:
  • Complex tank containment systems
  • High safety and quality standards during construction
  • Precise fabrication and testing requirements

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Kolhapur–Vaibhavwadi Railway Line

Landmark infrastructure decision

• The sanctioning of the Kolhapur–Vaibhavwadi railway line marks a major milestone in Maharashtra’s infrastructure and logistics strategy.
• It reflects the State’s renewed emphasis on port-led economic growth and hinterland connectivity.

Strategic objectives of the rail corridor

• Designed not merely as a connectivity project but as a logistics and economic catalyst.
• Aims to improve logistics efficiency, reduce costs, boost agri-exports, and enable inclusive growth in the Konkan region.

Policy prioritisation

• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane have prioritised connecting ports with productive hinterlands.
• The project aligns with Maharashtra’s ambition to emerge as a national maritime and logistics hub.

Project details

• Length: 107 km
• Expected completion: Late 2029
• Will connect Konkan Railway with the Central Railway network.
• Strengthens trade linkages with Goa and Karnataka.

Impact on port connectivity

• Addresses long-standing rail connectivity gaps affecting Konkan ports such as Jaigad, Angre, Redi and Vijaydurg.
• These ports currently handle 23–25 million tonnes annually, with a combined potential exceeding 60 million tonnes.
• Poor rail evacuation has constrained capacity and increased logistics costs.

Logistics and cost efficiencies

• Cargo movement time expected to reduce by 35–40%.
• Logistics costs likely to fall by ₹400–700 per tonne.
• The corridor is projected to handle 20–30 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Investment and industrial impact

• Improved connectivity expected to attract port-based and logistics investments over the next decade.
• Growth opportunities in shipbuilding, marine services, coastal logistics, and port-linked industries.
• Positive spillover effects on MSMEs, coastal industries, and tourism.

Benefits to agriculture and agri-exports

• Western Maharashtra’s agriculture-driven economy currently faces high transport costs and long port access times.
• Rail connectivity will benefit farmers, FPOs, food processors, and agri-logistics players.
• Perishable cargo transit times may reduce by 6–8 hours.
• Logistics costs for agri produce could drop by 15–20%.

Cold-chain and export competitiveness

• Faster access to cold chains, reefer transport, and export terminals.
• Enhanced competitiveness in horticulture, spices, cashew, fisheries, and processed foods.

Role of Jaigarh port

• JSW Jaigarh Port is exploring direct handling of agricultural exports.
• Currently, exports are routed via JNPT, ~350 km away, costing ~₹60,000 per container and causing two days of port holding.
• Direct exports via Jaigarh could:
  • Reduce logistics costs by ~10%
  • Cut turnaround time by up to two days
  • Enable fresher produce and better price realisation.

Regional development outcomes

• Positions Jaigarh as a key agri-export gateway for mango, cashew, kokum, spices, and processed foods.
• Expected to generate direct and indirect employment, boost tourism revenue, and support balanced regional growth.

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