Published on: September 17, 2025
Snippets : 17 SEPTEMBER 2025
Snippets : 17 SEPTEMBER 2025
- The Delhi High Court heard filmmaker Karan Johar’s plea to protect his personality and publicity rights from disparaging online content, reflecting India’s evolving recognition of personality rights. These rights safeguard a public figure’s name, image, likeness, and unique persona from unauthorized use, ensuring brand equity. Indian courts, through cases like Jackie Shroff (2024), link personality rights with privacy (Article 21) and intellectual property principles, though no statutory definition exists. Performer’s rights under the Copyright Act further complement protection.
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has drafted India’s first National Policy on Geothermal Energy to promote it as a renewable resource supporting the 2070 net-zero target. The policy emphasizes research, cost-effective technologies, data repository creation, and global collaboration. With the Geological Survey of India identifying 10 geothermal provinces, the plan includes FDI allowance, indigenous technology promotion, and oil-gas sector linkages. Effective implementation could diversify India’s renewable mix and strengthen energy security.
- On 9 September 2025, the Ho tribe in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, protested against alleged interference by the Deputy Commissioner in removing village heads (Mundas). The district clarified that the Manki-Munda system, a hereditary, decentralized governance model resolving socio-political disputes, remains intact. Historically, British colonial policies, including the Permanent Settlement and Wilkinson’s Rules, affected Ho autonomy. Presently, tensions persist between customary law and modern administration, highlighting the tribe’s concerns over self-governance, identity, and recognition of traditional judicial bodies.
- The South Western Railway’s Railway Protection Force (RPF) reached out to 2,08,869 solo women travellers across 4,869 trains this year under Operation Meri Saheli. Launched in 2020, the initiative ensures safe boarding, journey assistance, and emergency support. SWR has 10 dedicated teams with 25 women personnel. Nationwide, 250 teams cover 500 trains daily, assisting nearly 13,000 women. Feedback highlights enhanced safety, confidence, and trust in Indian Railways’ women-centric safety efforts.
- India has secured its first International Seabed Authority (ISA) licence to explore polymetallic sulphide nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge, northwest Indian Ocean. These nodules, rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper, are crucial for advanced technologies and renewable energy. Covering 3,00,000 sq. km, the region lies along the Indian-Arabian tectonic plate boundary. The move strengthens India’s blue economy, ensures strategic access to critical minerals, and enhances its geopolitical presence in the Indian Ocean.
- Scientists at the University of Tasmania developed Aquamonitrix, a portable ion chromatograph enabling on-site chemical analysis of soil and water. Unlike conventional lab systems costing ~$100,000, this battery-operated device (~$10,000) is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and user-friendly. Equipped with a UV detector, it measures nitrate and nitrite accurately. Aquamonitrix serves both as an educational tool and an environmental monitoring solution, useful for studying nitrogen cycles, detecting pollutants like arsenic, and bridging theory with practical field applications.
- On 15 September 2025, NITI Aayog launched two key initiatives under its Frontier Tech Hub: the AI for Viksit Bharat Roadmap and the NITI Frontier Tech Repository. Aiming to transform India into a Developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, the roadmap focuses on accelerating AI adoption across industries and leveraging Generative AI for R&D. The repository showcases 200+ tech impact stories in agriculture, healthcare, education, and security. New programs include Frontier 50 for aspirational districts and NITI Frontier Tech Impact Awards.
- On September 13, India commemorates the 77th anniversary of Operation Polo, the 1948 military action integrating Hyderabad into India. Hyderabad, India’s largest princely state, was ruled by Nizam Mir Usman Ali, who sought independence despite a Hindu-majority population and agrarian unrest. Led by Major General J.N. Chaudhuri, the Indian Army subdued Hyderabad in four days, dissolving the Razakar militias. Military administration followed until 1949, paving the way for civilian rule and Hyderabad’s first democratic elections in 1952.
- The prehistoric sites located in and around Hirebenakal in the Gangavathi taluk of the Koppal district, Karnataka, feature at least 30 rock paintings and over 100 megalithic structures, believed to be around 3,000 years old. The paintings depict human figures, animals, and hunting scenes, offering insights into Iron Age-megalithic period life. The sites are facing threats from stone quarrying, encroachment, agriculture, and natural weathering, causing the paintings to fade and structures to be damaged. Conservation efforts have been deemed inadequate by locals and historians. Inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list is being sought to boost conservation and prevent further damage. The site is currently on UNESCO’s tentative list.
