Content :

1. National Girl Child Day 2025
2. India’s Deep Ocean Mission Gains Momentum: Human Submersible to Launch This Year

National Girl Child Day 2025

Context and Significance

• Date of Celebration: January 24 annually.
• Objective: To promote awareness about the rights, education, and welfare of girl children, addressing gender disparities and societal challenges.
• Initiated by: Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2008.
• Key Focus:
  • Gender equality.
  • Awareness about issues like female foeticide and declining sex ratios.
  • Advocacy for education and empowerment of girls.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance,Social Issues )

Important Themes and Objectives

a. Awareness of Rights:

• Highlighting the fundamental rights of girl children, as enshrined in the Constitution of India.
• Emphasizing their right to education, health, and equal opportunities.

b. Advocacy Against Gender Bias:

• Promoting societal change to eliminate discriminatory practices like female foeticide and child marriage.
• Focus on improving the child sex ratio and addressing issues of neglect and abuse.

c. Empowerment and Welfare:

• Encouraging education for girls and fostering their participation in societal and economic activities.
• Promoting an inclusive environment for the holistic growth of girl children.

Major Government Initiatives

a. Legal Framework:

• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006):
  • Targets the elimination of child marriages through penalties and awareness.

• POCSO Act (2012):
  • Protects children from sexual offenses, with updated rules in 2020 for better implementation.

• Juvenile Justice Act (2015):
  • Ensures care and protection for children in need, addressing their rights comprehensively.

b. Dedicated Programs and Schemes:

• Mission Vatsalya:
  • Aimed at child protection, offering services like the Child Helpline (1098) and the Track Child Portal.
  • The Track Child Portal (2012) links missing children reports with those residing in Child Care Institutions (CCIs).

• PM CARES for Children Scheme:
  • Supports children orphaned by COVID-19 through education, health, and financial assistance.

• Collaborations with NIMHANS & E-SAMPARK:
  • Provides mental health and medical care for children, emphasizing emotional well-being.

Challenges Addressed

• Declining Sex Ratio: Rising concerns about societal preferences for male children, leading to skewed ratios.

• Gender Disparities in Education:Limited access to education for girls in rural and underprivileged areas.

• Gender-Based Violence:Addressing violence, abuse, and neglect faced by girl children.

Broader Implications

• Social Advancement: Empowering girl children leads to improved societal metrics such as literacy rates, maternal health, and economic productivity.
• Economic Growth:Educating and empowering girls contributes to workforce diversification and national development.
• Global Commitments:Aligns with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Way Forward

• Strengthening Implementation: Ensure effective enforcement of child protection laws and policies.
• Community Engagement: Mobilize local communities to eliminate stereotypes and biases.
• Focus on Education: Expand educational initiatives tailored to girls, particularly in rural and backward areas.
• Healthcare Accessibility: Enhance health programs targeting adolescent girls and reduce maternal mortality rates.

India’s Deep Ocean Mission Gains Momentum: Human Submersible to Launch This Year

Context and Significance

• Launch Year: 2025 for the first human submersible (500 meters depth).
• Future Target: A manned mission to explore depths of 6,000 meters in 2026.
• Objective:
  • To establish India’s dominance in deep-sea exploration.
  • To strengthen the blue economy by unlocking underwater resources.
• Global Recognition: India joins an elite group of six nations with advanced deep-sea technology capabilities.

Relevance: GS 3(Technology)

Highlights

a. Technological Milestones:

• Deep-Sea Manned Vehicle (Submersible):
  • The 2025 submersible will operate at a depth of 500 meters.
  • A subsequent model will dive to a depth of 6,000 meters, showcasing advanced engineering and research capabilities.
  • Entirely indigenous technology, reinforcing India’s self-reliance.

b. Strategic Vision:

• Aligns with India’s space mission (Gaganyaan), symbolizing dual achievements in space and ocean exploration.
• Strengthens the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

c. Focus on Sustainability and Economy:

• Unlock critical resources like:
  • Rare metals and critical minerals: Vital for industries like electronics, renewable energy, and defense.
  • Marine biodiversity: Promotes sustainable fisheries and ecosystem conservation.
• Contribution to economic growth through the Blue Economy framework.

Mission Objectives and Impacts

a. Objectives:

1. Resource Exploration:
   1. Accessing untapped mineral wealth and rare earth elements on the ocean floor.
   1. Discovery of deep-sea biodiversity for sustainable use.

• Scientific Research:
  • Enhancing understanding of deep-sea ecosystems.
  • Studying potential impacts of climate change on marine environments.

• Economic Growth:
  • Boosting India’s GDP through sustainable resource utilization.

• Technological Advancement:
  • Development of cutting-edge indigenous technology.

b. Impacts:

• Economic:
  • Reducing dependency on imported critical minerals.
  • Establishing India as a leader in ocean-based economies.

• Environmental:
  • Facilitating marine conservation through informed exploration.

• Global Standing:
  • Strengthening India’s geopolitical position in oceanic resource exploration.

 Challenges Addressed

• Technological Barriers:
  • Advanced materials and pressure-resistant systems are required for missions at extreme depths.

• Pandemic-Induced Delays:
  • Despite setbacks during COVID-19, the mission’s progress showcases India’s resilience.

• Environmental Concerns:
  • Commitment to responsible and sustainable exploration to avoid ecological damage.

Stakeholders and Contributions

• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): Core agency for implementation.

• Collaborators:
  • NITI Aayog: Strategic planning and policy alignment.
  • Scientific Advisors: Ensuring cutting-edge innovation and global standards.

• Leadership:
  • Dr. Jitendra Singh: Highlighting the mission’s significance and alignment with national priorities.
  • Other ministries such as Finance and Defense: Cross-sectoral collaboration.

Broader Implications

a. Global Recognition:

• Positions India as a technological leader in oceanic and space exploration.
• Aligns with international goals such as the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

b. Blue Economy Potential:

• Diversification of economic activities related to oceans:
  • Marine biotechnology.
  • Ocean-based renewable energy.
  • Sustainable fisheries.

c. Strategic Edge:

• Strengthens India’s claim in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), enhancing geopolitical influence.
• Supports national security by fostering advanced underwater technology.

Way Forward

• Technological Readiness: Strengthen indigenous manufacturing for mission-critical components.
• Environmental Stewardship: Ensure exploration aligns with global conservation standards.
• Global Partnerships:Collaborate with other countries and institutions to leverage expertise.
• Capacity Building: Train scientists and engineers to handle advanced oceanic technology.