Today's Brief 1-2/05/2025

1 . Thrissur Pooram, the grandest temple festival in Kerala, unfolds annually in Thrissur, typically in April-May.

Conceived by Maharaja Sakthan Thampuran in 1796, it brings together ten prominent temples in a vibrant homage to Lord Vadakkunnathan.

The week-long festivities commence with the Kodiyettam and feature captivating elephant processions, where richly adorned elephants carry deities from the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady sides.

The Kudamattam showcases a dazzling exchange of colorful umbrellas atop the elephants, while the enthralling Ilanjithara Melam and Panchavadyam provide mesmerizing percussion performances.

The Pooram culminates in a breathtaking fireworks display, painting the night sky with vibrant hues.

This spectacular festival, with its deep-rooted traditions and artistic expressions, embodies the cultural richness and unity of Kerala, drawing massive participation from all communities.

This year, the flag hoisting occurred on April 30th, with the main Pooram scheduled for May 6th.

2 .The National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) 

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

is a crucial body that forms part of India's three-tiered national security structure, operating under the National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat. 

It serves as an advisory group, comprising eminent experts from outside the government with expertise in fields like national and international security, foreign affairs, defense, science and technology, and economic affairs.

The primary function of the NSAB is to conduct long-term strategic analysis on matters of national security and provide its perspectives and policy recommendations to the National Security Council (NSC) and the government

 It acts as a think tank, offering independent insights and non-bureaucratic perspectives to support informed decision-making on complex and evolving threats and strategic issues.

While its recommendations are not legally binding, they carry significant weight in shaping India's national security policies.

Recently, the NSAB was reconstituted, and Alok Joshi, the former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was appointed as its new chairman.

3.The 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s victory in 1975

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

marks a historic milestone in the nation’s struggle for independence and reunification.

On April 30, 1975, the fall of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) signaled the end of the Vietnam War, culminating in the liberation of the South and the unification of the country under one government.

This victory was the result of decades of resistance, first against French colonial rule and later against U.S. intervention, and it stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Vietnamese people.

The 1975 Spring Offensive, led by the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces, rapidly advanced through South Vietnam, leading to the collapse of the U.S.-backed regime.

The capture of Saigon, famously depicted by images of helicopters evacuating the U.S. embassy, became an iconic moment in global history.

A year later, in 1976, Vietnam was officially reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with Hanoi as its capital.

This victory not only ended foreign military involvement but also inspired anti-colonial movements worldwide during the Cold War era.

4 .World Labour Day,

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

also known as International Workers' Day or May Day, is observed every year on May 1st to honor the contributions and struggles of workers across the globe.

The day traces its origins to the late 19th century labor movement, particularly the Haymarket Affair of 1886 in Chicago, where workers protesting for an eight-hour workday faced violent repression.

In response, the International Socialist Conference declared May 1st as a day to commemorate workers' rights and demand fair labor conditions.

Labour Day symbolizes the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, reasonable hours, and social protections, celebrating the victories of the labor movement while highlighting ongoing challenges like exploitation in the gig economy, gender pay gaps, and job insecurity due to automation.

The day is marked by marches, rallies, and cultural events where workers and unions unite to demand better policies and recognition. Governments and organizations also use the occasion to acknowledge workers' contributions through awards and public speeches.

While significant progress has been made such as weekends, paid leave, and workplace safety laws many struggles persist, reminding us that the fight for workers' dignity and economic justice continues.

Labour Day serves as both a celebration of workers' achievements and a call to action for fairer, more equitable working conditions worldwide.

5 .The International Labour Organization (ILO), founded in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles and later becoming a United Nations agency in 1946, is a global body dedicated to advancing social justice and decent working conditions worldwide.

Born from the aftermath of World War I with the conviction that lasting peace requires fair labor practices, the ILO brings together governments, employers, and workers from its 187 member states to set labor standards, develop policies, and promote rights at work.

Through international conventions and recommendations, the ILO establishes minimum standards on issues like fair wages, workplace safety, child labor elimination, and non-discrimination, while also providing research, policy advice, and technical assistance to help nations implement these standards.

Notable achievements include significant progress in combating child labor through Convention No. 182, advancing gender equality in workplaces, and guiding global responses to labor crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the organization continues to face modern challenges such as informal employment, the gig economy's precarious work conditions, automation's impact on jobs, and protecting migrant workers' rights.

As the world of work evolves, the ILO remains committed to its founding principle that "labour is not a commodity," striving to ensure economic development translates into dignified employment opportunities for all in an increasingly complex global economy.