23 July 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Batukeshwar Dutt

Why in News?

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid homage to revolutionary freedom fighter Batukeshwar Dutt on his death anniversary.

Who was Batukeshwar Dutt?

• Batukeshwar Dutt, also known as B.K. Dutt, was a leading Indian revolutionary associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

• He is most prominently remembered for participating with Bhagat Singh in the Central Legislative Assembly Bomb Case of 1929.

Early Life

• Date of Birth: 18 November 1910.

• Place of Birth: Bardhaman (Burdwan) district in Bengal.

• During childhood, he was fondly called Mohan and Battu.

• His father, Bihari Dutt, was a social worker.

• His mother was Kamini Devi.

Sources of Inspiration

• The nationalist values within his family deeply shaped his political outlook.

• He also drew inspiration from revolutionaries such as Surendranath Pandey and Vijay Kumar Sinha.

• A decisive moment came when he saw a British soldier brutally assault an innocent Indian child on Kanpur's Mall Road. The incident strengthened his determination to enter the freedom struggle.

Revolutionary Journey

• Entry into the HRA: He joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) through Suresh Chandra Bhattacharya, the editor of Pratap.

• He developed a close association with Bhagat Singh.

• He met Chandrashekhar Azad in 1924.

• Following the Kakori Conspiracy Case, he first moved to Bihar and later to Calcutta.

• In 1927, the HRA was reorganised as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

Role as a Bomb-Making Expert

• Batukeshwar Dutt underwent specialised training in bomb-making and emerged as one of the HSRA's foremost experts in the field.

• He prepared several bombs used in revolutionary activities and also trained other young revolutionaries in bomb-making techniques.

Central Legislative Assembly Bomb Case, 1929

• On 8 April 1929, Batukeshwar Dutt and Bhagat Singh threw non-lethal bombs inside the Central Legislative Assembly.

• Their aim was to oppose repressive British legislation and to “make the deaf hear”; the action was deliberately planned not to cause casualties.

• The episode brought Batukeshwar Dutt nationwide recognition within India's freedom movement.

Imprisonment and Later Years

• Bhagat Singh was awarded the death sentence, while Batukeshwar Dutt was sentenced to life imprisonment.

• During his incarceration, he was confined in the Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) in the Andaman Islands, Hazaribagh Jail, Delhi Jail and Bankipur Jail.

• The severe torture he suffered in prison caused permanent damage to his health.

• He was released in 1938 on the condition that he would stay away from political activity.

• After his release, he joined Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement.

• He was arrested once again during the Quit India Movement of 1942.

• His final release from imprisonment came in 1945.

• In 1958, in recognition of his contribution to the freedom struggle, he was nominated to the Bihar Legislative Council.

• Date of Death: 20 July 1965.

Aral Sea

Why in News?

• A recent study has estimated that the desiccation of the Aral Sea released more than 200 teragrams (Tg) of carbon from the exposed lake-bed sediments. As a result, a formerly stable carbon store has turned into a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Location and Basic Profile

• The Aral Sea is a saline lake of Central Asia situated between Kazakhstan to the north and Uzbekistan to the south.

• It was once the fourth-largest inland water body in the world.

• The surviving remnants of the lake are located east of the Caspian Sea, within the arid interior of Central Asia.

Formation and River System

• The depression containing the Aral Sea formed towards the end of the Neogene Period, approximately 23 to 2.6 million years ago.

• Its principal sources of water were the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers.

• Both river systems depend substantially on meltwater from glaciers.

Climate of the Region

• The surrounding region has a desert-continental climate.

• Its major climatic features are hot summers, cold winters, wide day-night temperature variations, low rainfall and high evaporation.

Why Did the Aral Sea Shrink?

• Until the 1960s, the Aral Sea extended over roughly 68,000 square kilometres.

• During the 1960s, the Soviet Union diverted the Syr Darya and Amu Darya to irrigate nearby desert areas, mainly for cotton cultivation.

• This large-scale diversion sharply reduced the volume of water reaching the lake and initiated its rapid decline.

Consequences of Desiccation

• By the 1980s, the Aral Sea had already lost nearly 80% of its water volume.

• The extinction of native fish species resulted in the collapse of the regional fishing industry.

• Extensive portions of the former lakebed were converted into the Aralkum Desert.

• The newly exposed sediments began releasing dust, salts, pollutants and greenhouse gases.

• The region suffered severe ecological decline, along with damaging effects on local livelihoods and public health.

• Today, the Aral Sea is close to disappearing completely.

Environmental Significance

• Historically, it functioned as a major inland aquatic ecosystem that supported fisheries and diverse biological life.

• Its drying is widely regarded as one of the most serious human-induced environmental disasters in the world.

• The exposed lakebed has become an important source of carbon emissions, dust storms and soil salinisation.

• The crisis demonstrates the far-reaching environmental costs of unsustainable management of water resources.

India's First Immersive Language Museum: Museum of Word (Shabdalok)

Why in News?

• India's first immersive language museum, the Museum of Word or Shabdalok, was inaugurated at the National Library in Kolkata.

About Shabdalok

• The Museum of Word, popularly called Shabdalok, is the first immersive museum in India dedicated to language.

• It is situated within the National Library campus in Kolkata, West Bengal.

• The National Library, functioning under the Ministry of Culture, developed the museum.

• Through interactive and technology-enabled exhibits, it presents India's linguistic wealth and follows the development of oral as well as written traditions.

Objectives

• To conserve and popularise India's linguistic diversity.

• To illustrate the historical development of Indian languages and writing systems.

• To deepen public appreciation of India's literary and cultural legacy.

• To offer visitors an engaging, technology-based educational experience.

Key Features

• Immersive Format: Shabdalok has been conceptualised as an interactive cultural experience rather than a traditional museum.

• Technology: It uses tools such as digital displays, holograms and motion-sensor technology.

• Nine Thematic Galleries: The museum has nine galleries covering the history of Indian languages, the evolution of scripts, literary traditions and the influence of languages on Indian civilisation and culture.

• First Phase: The initial phase focuses on the diversity of Indian languages, the evolution of scripts and literary traditions extending from ancient to contemporary times.

• Evolution of Words: A major attraction enables visitors to follow changes in pronunciation, meaning and usage of words across different historical periods.

• Languages Covered: It celebrates India's 22 Scheduled, officially recognised languages.

• It traces the journey of these languages from oral traditions and ancient manuscripts to printed books and modern digital or electronic texts.

Conocarpus Trees

Why in News?

• The Karnataka High Court directed the Greater Bengaluru Authority to examine a Public Interest Litigation seeking the removal of Conocarpus trees from across Bengaluru.

About Conocarpus

• Conocarpus is a genus of trees brought to India from Gulf countries for urban greening and landscape development.

• These trees became widely used because they grow quickly, tolerate difficult conditions and require little maintenance.

Species Recorded in India

• Conocarpus erectus, commonly called Buttonwood.

• Conocarpus lancifolius, commonly called Damask.

Major Characteristics

• Rapid Growth and Low Upkeep: The trees grow at a fast rate, need minimal maintenance and can survive with limited care.

• Resistance to Harsh Conditions: They are highly tolerant of drought and salinity, which makes them suitable for arid regions and coastal urban areas.

• Urban Use: They are extensively planted along roads, beside boundary walls, and in parks and other public spaces by both government agencies and private institutions.

• Powerful Root System: Their vigorous roots actively search for subsoil moisture and may spread towards nearby sources of water.

Environmental and Public Concerns

• Government Advisory: Owing to ecological and public-health concerns, the Government of India has advised all States and Union Territories to discontinue planting both species.

• Biodiversity Impact: The trees may displace indigenous tree species.

• Allelopathy: Experts have suggested that Conocarpus may release chemical compounds that suppress the growth of nearby plants.

• Health Concerns: Research from Pakistan and the Middle East has reported problems associated with allergenic pollen.

• Infrastructure Damage: When planted without adequate planning, their extensive roots may harm roads, pavements, pipelines and other urban infrastructure.

Invasive Status and Recent Developments

• Conocarpus has not formally been designated an invasive alien species in India.

• Nevertheless, experts advise treating it as an emerging invasive species until more conclusive scientific research is available.

• In August 2025, the Union Government advised every State and Union Territory to stop planting both Conocarpus species.

• The Karnataka High Court has now asked the Greater Bengaluru Authority to consider the PIL seeking their removal in Bengaluru.