India Hosts UNESCO’s 20th ICH Session

Why in News?

Recently, The Government of India will host the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from 8 to 13 December 2025 in New Delhi.  

What is the historical background?

• 2003 convention – For the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on 17thOctober 2003 during its 32nd General Conference in Paris.
• Significance – The Convention responded to global concerns that living cultural traditions, oral practices, performing arts, social customs, rituals, knowledge systems, and craftsmanship were increasingly threatened by globalisation, social change, and limited resources.
• The Convention placed communities, especially indigenous communities, groups, and individual practitioners, at the heart of safeguarding efforts, acknowledging their vital role in creating, maintaining and transmitting cultural heritage.
• It underscored the interdependence between tangible and intangible heritage, the need for global cooperation, and the importance of raising awareness among younger generations.
• Conservation mechanisms – With a shared global commitment to protecting humanity’s living heritage, the Convention formally established mechanisms for international cooperation, support, and recognition, laying the foundation for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists and the subsequent work of the Intergovernmental Committee.
• The purposes of this Convention
  • To safeguard the intangible cultural heritage;
  • To ensure respect for the intangible cultural heritage of the communities, groups and individuals concerned;
  • To raise awareness at the local, national and international levels of the importance of the intangible cultural heritage, and ensuring mutual appreciation thereof;
  • To provide for global cooperation and assistance.

• Functions of the Intergovernmental Committee

• Promotes and monitors the objectives and implementation of the 2003 Convention.
• Provides guidance on best practices and recommends measures for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
• Prepares and submits to the General Assembly the draft plan for the use of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund.
• Mobilises additional resources for the Fund in accordance with the Convention’s provisions.
• Drafts and proposes operational directives for the implementation of the Convention.
• Examines periodic reports submitted by States Parties and compiles summaries for the General Assembly.
• Evaluates requests from States Parties and makes decisions regarding:
• Inscription of elements on UNESCO’s ICH Lists (as per Articles 16, 17 and 18).
• Granting of international assistance.

What about the 20th Session of Intergovernmental Committee?

• Nodal agencies – The Ministry of Culture (MoC), Government of India and its autonomous body, the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) are the nodal agencies to host the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee at the Red Fort (Lal Qila) in New Delhi.
• This magnificent 17th-century fort in Delhi, known for its stunning red sandstone walls and grand architecture, palaces, gardens, and museums is itself on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• Key Agendas – By hosting the 20th session of the ICH Committee, India aims to:
  • Present and share its national ICH safeguarding model — combining institutional support, community participation, documentation and national inventory efforts — as a global good practice.
  • Encourage increased international cooperation via collaborative nominations, joint safeguarding initiatives, capacity building, sharing of resources, technical exchange.
  • Bring greater global visibility to India’s intangible heritage — including lesser-known traditions, local crafts, regional festivals — thereby attracting global support, interest, research, tourism and resource mobilisation.
  • Use the session’s global spotlight to motivate further domestic efforts such as documentation, inventorying, nomination dossiers, community engagement, especially among youth and future generations.
  • Provide a platform for cultural diplomacy, project India’s soft-power, cultural richness, diversity and heritage leadership on a global stage.
  • Strengthen the link between heritage conservation and sustainable development, intangible heritage as a resource for livelihoods, community identity, social cohesion, and cultural tourism.

What are the importance of India’s intangible cultural heritage?

• Social & Cultural Identity – ICH preserves linguistic, ethnic, regional, tribal, religious and community identities – fostering social cohesion and pluralism in a diverse nation like India.
• Livelihoods & Crafts Economy – Traditional crafts, performing arts, craftsmanship, and cultural tourism provide livelihoods to artisans, performers, craftspeople, often in rural or marginalised communities.
• Institutional support under the ICH Scheme can help sustain these livelihoods, prevent skill loss, and promote inclusive development.
• Education & Transmission of Knowledge – Many intangible heritage forms embed traditional knowledge, ecological practices, oral histories, craftsmanship techniques, folklore, rituals, and indigenous wisdom.
• When documented and transmitted, these strengthen education, deepen cultural literacy and ensure intergenerational continuity.
• Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power – Dances, festivals, crafts, oral traditions — reflects India’s diversity, unity, values, and cultural depth.
• Promoting them globally enhances India’s soft power, cultural diplomacy and international image.
• Hosting the session further amplifies this impact.
• Global Heritage Governance & Leadership Role – With its vast heritage landscape, India’s active participation and role as host strengthen global heritage governance under UNESCO.
• It positions the nation as a key voice among developing countries, advocating for balanced, inclusive, and community-sensitive approaches to heritage preservation globally.

What are the India’s Contributions to ICH?

• Need for support – India’s vast and diverse intangible cultural heritage—encompassing living traditions, oral expressions, performing arts, rituals, crafts, and community practices—requires systematic institutional support for its preservation and transmission.
• Scheme – The Ministry of Culture launched the “Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India” as a centralised mechanism to strengthen ongoing but scattered preservation efforts.
• Institutional support – Meanwhile, the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) organizes capacity-building workshops to train individuals and increase awareness about the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
• Aims of the scheme – The Scheme aims to revitalise institutions, practitioners, communities, scholars, and organizations engaged in safeguarding ICH.
• Enhancing national and international recognition of India’s cultural traditions, including through UNESCO nominations.
• Support provided – It supports a wide range of stakeholders—universities, state governments, NGOs, cultural bodies, researchers, and individual practitioners.
• Key activities – The schemes includes the following activities:
  • Documentation and creation of ICH inventories;
  • Preservation and promotion of cultural expressions;
  • Preparation of UNESCO nomination dossiers;
  • Training and capacity building for artists; workshops and performances;
  • Dissemination initiatives;
  • Education–culture integration
  • Support for skill development through Sector Skill Councils under the National Vocational Educational Qualifications Framework (NVEQF).

What are India’s intangible cultural heritage inscribed by UNESCO?

• Elements inscribed – To date, 15 Indian elements have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, reflecting the country’s extraordinary civilisational depth and cultural continuity.
• Importance of the inscription – These inscriptions also reflect India’s commitment to safeguarding diverse cultural expression through community participation, documentation, training, and transmission, principles central to the 2003 convention.
• Inscription included – These inscriptions range from ancient performing arts like Kutiyattam and Chhau, to sacred traditions such as Vedic chanting, Buddhist chanting in Ladakh, and community-based practices like Ramlila, Ramman, and Sankirtana.
• Everyday cultural knowledge systems are equally represented through the metalcraft of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, the Kalbelia community’s dynamic music and dance, and large-scale social-spiritual gatherings like the Kumbh Mela.
• Elements such as Yoga, Durga Puja, and Garba showcase India’s vibrant contemporary cultural identity, while Novruz, celebrated across several countries including India, highlights regional cultural interconnectedness.

What lies ahead?

• India’s hosting of the 20th UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee session marks a milestone, blending symbolic significance with a real chance to lead.
• With a strong heritage infrastructure and history of cultural diversity, India is ready to showcase and share its safeguarding model.
• This event offers India an opportunity to highlight its living heritage, foster global cooperation, and shape a renewed approach to preserving intangible cultural heritage for current and future generations.
• The success of the 20thsession of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi will reflect positively on UNESCO, the Government of India, and the vitality of India’s cultural traditions.
• India’s heritage lives through its people, expressed in its languages, arts, rituals, festivals, and belief systems.
• Hosting this year’s session shows India’s enduring commitment to safeguarding its cultural legacy for future generations.

Reference

PIB| India Hosts UNESCO’s 20th ICH Session

Draft ISI Bill – 2025

Why in News?

Recently, protests erupted over the draft Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2025 released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

What is the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)?

• Establishment – The ISI was founded in December 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis in Kolkata and has since grown into one of India’s most prestigious academic and research institutions.
• Registration – The institute was originally registered in April 1932, under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, and later re-registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act of 1961.
• Being a society provided the institute its own memorandum of association, bye-laws, and regulations.
• Recognition – Parliament enacted the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, declaring ISI as an Institution of National Importance (INI).
• Legacy – Many scholars link the origin of the institute to the Bengal renaissance and credit the institute with shaping India’s planning and policy apparatus.
• Importance – The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) was developed at ISI, establishing the foundation of India’s official statistical system.
• Other than P.C.Mahalanobis, the institute has produced legendary scholars such as Professor C.R. Rao and S.R.S. Varadhan.
• With about 1,200 students and six centres across India, ISI offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Statistics, Mathematics, Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, Library and Information Science, Cryptology and Security, Quality Management Science and Operations Research.

What are the concerns of the academicians over the draft bill?

• Change in nature of the institute – The primary concern of those opposing the draft Bill is how the ISI’s institutional status will change, from an “a registered society to a statutory body corporate”.
• Lack of legitimate reason – Academicians noted that there is no transparent reason that MoSPI should repeal the (1959) Act, abolish the society and introduce a Bill which violates the basic spirit of the agreement between the general body of the society and the government.
• Undermines cooperative federalism – The move to bypass the society registered under the WB Societies Registration Act to a “statutory body corporate” infringes upon the jurisdiction of the Societies Registration Act and is against the spirit of cooperative federalism.
• Those opposing the draft Bill point out that the governance structure, as in the existing 1959 Act, vested authority in a council with academic representation, and procedural safeguards against government overreach.
• Gives enormous power to government – The proposed 2025 Bill, however, gives power to the Board of Governors (BoG), defined under Section 15 of the Act, which is heavily dominated by government nominees sidelining the authority of faculty and academic stakeholders.
• Concerns over funding – Since there is a push for a corporate model of funding in the draft Bill, getting funds for basic research projects could be a problem in the future.
• Section 29 of the proposed 2025 Act deals with ‘power to generate revenue’ which includes student fees, consultancy services and sponsored research projects among others.
• Control over appointments – Another critical area raised by those opposing the Bill is that all appointments will be controlled by the Union government, through the BoG.
• After the proposed Bill, there are apprehensions of political interference in the appointments by the Union Government.
• Government’s response – The government claims that the idea behind the legislation is the vision to make ISI not only one of the best in India but one of the foremost institutes in the world as the institute approaches its centenary in 2031.
• A press release stated that, over the years, four review committees had examined the functioning of ISI.
• The most recent, chaired by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar in 2020, recommended major reforms to strengthen governance, expand academic programmes, and make ISI globally competitive.

What lies ahead?

• The students and academicians are banking on the support of Opposition parties to oppose the proposed legislation.
• Government could consider the issues raised by the academicians and students to ensure the transparent and vibrant function of the ISI.

Reference

The Hindu| Draft ISI Bill

Haemorrhagic Septicaemia

Why in news?

At least 10 blackbucks have died at a zoo in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur due to a bacterial infection - Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS).

• HS – It is an acute, highly fatal bacterial disease that affects water buffaloes and cattle in tropical regions.
• Caused by – Bacteria - Pasteurella multocida serotypes B:2 (Asia) and E:2 (Africa). The disease is also known as Pasteurellosis.
• Symptoms – Fever, dullness, reluctance to move, profuse salivation, serous nasal discharge, severe respiratory distress, protrusion of the tongue, painful swelling of the throat, and diarrhoea.
• Geography – Endemic in India, Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East; sporadic in Europe.
• Host – Mainly affects cattle and water buffaloes, occasionally it affects camels, elephants, horses, donkeys, yaks, various species of deer, pigs, sheep and goats, etc.
• Transmission – Ingestion or inhalation via direct contact, fomites, contaminated feed/water, through respiratory secretions, etc.
• Seasonality – Worst epidemics occur during monsoon rains (high humidity & high temperature).
• Incubation Period – Usually few hours to days but some animals can carry the organism for varying periods without symptoms.
• Mortality rate – Animals usually collapse and died within 6–48 hours, animals with clinical signs, particularly buffalo, rarely recover (May be as high as 80%).
• Treatment – Timely antibiotic treatment can cure clinical cases if started early.
• Various sulfonamides, tetracyclines, penicillin, and chloramphenicol (where its use is permitted) are effective.
• Prevention – Key preventive measure, using inactivated P. multocida vaccines, especially before monsoon, segregate the sick animal from healthy ones, avoiding overcrowding, etc.

In Humans – While P. multocida can infect humans, the specific serotypes causing HS (B:2, E:2) haven't been confirmed to infect people, but caution is still advised.

It is listed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as a major transboundary animal disease.

References

1. The Hindu | 10 blackbucks die due to 'bacterial infection'
2. Indimmune | Haemorrhagic Septicaemia
3. MSD Veterinary | Hemorrhagic Septicemia

Masala Bonds

Why in news?

ED suspects that rules under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) were violated when Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) raised funds through Masala Bonds.

• Definition – Masala Bonds are bonds issued outside India but denominated in Indian Rupees (INR).
• Name – Coined by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2014 to give the bonds a uniquely Indian identity, similar to “Samurai Bonds” (Japan) or “Dim Sum Bonds” (China).
• Origin – In India, 1^st introduced in 2014 by IFC, which issued the Masala Bond worth Rs.1,000 crore for Indian infrastructure.
• Purpose – To help Indian entities raise funds internationally without facing exchange rate volatility.
• Types –
  • Short-term bonds – Maturity < 3 years, lower risk, lower returns.
  • Long-term bonds – Maturity > 3 years, used for large projects, higher yields.
  • Fixed-rate bonds – Stable interest, predictable returns.
  • Floating-rate bonds – Interest varies with market benchmarks.

Key Characteristics

• Denomination in INR – It is issued in Indian rupees, unlike conventional foreign bonds.
• Issuer – Indian entities such as Corporations, Financial institutions, or Government-backed entities.
• Listing – These bonds are listed on foreign exchanges, usually in financial centres like London or Singapore.
  • For example, 1^st Masala bond was listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
• Regulator – Governed by RBI and SEBI despite being issued in abroad.
• Maturity period –
  • 3 years if raised up to USD 50 million equivalent in INR per year.
  • 5 years if raised above USD 50 million equivalent.

Comparison between Conventional Foreign Bond and Masala Bond

• Uses of Funds –
  • Approved use – Refinancing rupee loans/debentures, affordable housing & township projects, working capital.
  • Restricted use – Real estate (except affordable housing), domestic equity investments, land purchase, prohibited FDI activities.
• Limitations – Currency risk for investors, restricted usage of funds, limited investor appetite in volatile markets.
• Significance – It reduce the currency risk for issuers, helps attract foreign capital for infrastructure and strengthen rupee & globalize Indian markets.

References

1. Indian Express | Masala Bonds & a Kerala political slugfest
2. Clear Tax | Masala Bond
3. Bajaj Finserv | Masala Bond

Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whales

Why in news?

A team of scientists has spotted the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whales for the first time in the wild along the coast of Baja California in Mexico.

• Scientific name – Mesoplodon ginkgodens
• Common Name – Japanese Beaked Whale.
• Family – Ziphiidae (Beaked Whales).
• Discovery – 1^st described in 1958.
• Distribution – Tropical and temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific from Sri Lanka and India through Japan to California.
• Indian Records – May inhabit the waters around India - near Colombo, Sri Lanka (1957 specimen), other suspected capture off Trincomalee.

Key Features

• Diversity – It is one of 24 species of beaked whales, which are second most diverse group of cetaceans after dolphins.
• Size – The maximum length is believed to be about 5 m long.
• Weight – About estimated as 1.5 and 3.6 tons.
• Appearance –
  • They have a robust body, a distinct beak, and a small dorsal fin located far back on the body.
  • Long, pointed beak with no teeth in the upper jaw.
  • Adult males have one pair of large teeth shaped like ginkgo leaves (or onions).
  • Teeth are broad at the base (up to 10 cm) and pointed at the tip.
  • Two V-shaped throat grooves, typical of beaked whales.
• It is the deepest-diving mammals on Earth which spend most of their lives in deep oceans.

• Coloration – Dark grey/blue-grey/black dorsally, pale grey ventrally. Skin turns black rapidly after death.
• Diet – Primarily fish and squid.
• Behavior – It is rarely observed at sea; little is known about its social or diving habits.
• Conservation Status –
  • IUCN – Data Deficient.
  • CITES – Appendix II.

References

1. Indian Express | Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale
2. Marine Mammal | Ginkgo-Toothed Beaked Whale

RGI Directions for the appointment of Census Functionaries

Why in News?

Recently, the Registrar General of India (RGI) has directed all the states and union territories to complete the appointment of census functionaries for the massive data collection exercise.

• Census functionaries are officers responsible for collecting data to carry out the population enumeration process.
• Primary Functionaries - The enumerators and supervisors are the primary census functionaries.
• Enumerator - An Enumerator is to be assigned the work of about 700-800 population.
• Besides, there shall be 10% reserve Enumerators and Supervisors for any contingencies.
• According to Rule 3 of the Census Rules (1990), teachers, clerks or any official of a state government and local authority can be appointed as an enumerator.
• Supervisor - He will be an officer generally of a rank higher than that of the enumerator and 1 Supervisor is to be engaged for every 6 Enumerators.
• Additional officers - In addition, the States will also appoint census officers.

• In the districts – the district collectors, district magistrates or any nominated officers.
• In a division – the divisional commissioner.
• In a municipal corporation – Municipal commissioner and the administrative head of the civic body.

The RGI has developed a web portal i.e, Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) for Census 2027 to manage and monitor all activities of census 2027.

• Census 2027, phases — The first, the House Listing and Housing Census, between April and September 2026.
• The second, Population Enumeration (PE), in February 2027.
• Importance – The exercise will be digital and will also include caste enumeration as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on April 30.

Reference

The Hindu| RGI Directions for the appointment of Census Functionaries