👣 1. Chhattisgarh Launches Charan Paduka Yojana for Tendu Leaf Collectors

The Chhattisgarh government has launched the Charan Paduka Yojana, a welfare initiative for Tendu leaf collectors, often referred to as the “Green Gold” gatherers of Central India.

• 👣 Under this scheme, tribal workers will be provided with free footwear, protective clothing, and health kits.
• 🌿 Tendu leaves are used to make bidis (local cigarettes), and thousands of tribal families depend on this seasonal forest-based livelihood.

📌 Why it matters?

This initiative mirrors the focus on dignity and safety for forest dwellers, aligning with India's Forest Rights Act, 2006, and reflects a push for inclusive rural development.

🚀 2. DRDO & IAF Successfully Test-Fire Indigenous ASTRA Missile

In a major boost to indigenous defence capabilities, the DRDO and Indian Air Force have successfully test-fired the ASTRA Mk-1 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter off the coast of Odisha.

• 🔥 The missile achieved precision strike capability, targeting fast-moving aerial objects.
• 🇮🇳 It is India's first indigenously developed BVR missile, now being inducted into IAF and Navy.
• Range: Over 110 km | Speed: Mach 4.5

📌 Historic Significance:

This strengthens India’s self-reliance goal under “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, reducing dependency on foreign missile systems like AIM-120 AMRAAM.

🏢 3. Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) to Hold NE Conference 2025 in Shillong

The IICA North East Conference 2025 will be hosted in Shillong, Meghalaya, aimed at promoting corporate governance, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks, and sustainable business models in the North East.

• 🏢 IICA functions under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• 🌱 Focus areas: Startups, compliance, CSR implementation, and regional entrepreneurship.

📌 Why it matters?

This marks a major step in mainstreaming the North East into India's corporate and development discourse — promoting inclusive economic policy and ease of doing business in frontier regions.

📖 4. Sarangkumar Limbale to Receive Chinta Ravindran Award 2025

Celebrated Dalit Marathi author and Sahitya Akademi winner Sarangkumar Limbale will be honored with the Chinta Ravindran Award for Literature 2025.

• 🖋 His seminal works like Akkarmashi (The Outcaste) have shaped Dalit autobiographical writing in India.
• The award recognizes literature that challenges societal injustice and promotes critical thought.

📌 Contextual Importance:

Limbale’s writing echoes the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, bringing forth the voices of the oppressed in Indian literature. This award cements his contribution to the Dalit literary renaissance.

🌳 5. New Tree Species Discovered in Assam: Garcinia kusum

Botanists have discovered a new species of tree, Garcinia kusum, in the Karbi Anglong forests of Assam.

• 🌱 It belongs to the same genus as Garcinia indica (Kokum), known for its medicinal and antioxidant properties.
• 🍃 The species could have potential uses in pharmaceutical and traditional medicine due to its unique phytochemical structure.

📌 Why it matters?

This adds to the biodiversity treasure of the Northeast, one of the world's eight mega biodiversity hotspots. It also highlights the urgent need for conservation of unexplored forest patches.