UPSC Key: Flash floods, Lothal, and Vande Mataram

The Union Government has introduced the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bill proposes to give Vande Mataram, India's National Song, the same legal protection that is currently provided to the National Anthem under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. If passed, intentionally insulting or disrupting the singing of Vande Mataram could become a punishable offence. The song was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and first appeared in his novel Anandamath in 1882.

The first two stanzas were adopted as India's National Song on 24 January 1950.Lothal is one of the most important cities of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization), located in present-day Gujarat. It is famous for having one of the world's earliest known dockyards, showing that the Harappans had advanced knowledge of maritime trade and engineering. Lothal was an important trading centre with countries such as Mesopotamia and is also known for bead-making, pottery, and metalwork. Today, the National Maritime Heritage Complex is being developed near Lothal to showcase India's rich maritime history and cultural heritage.Flash floods are sudden floods that occur within a few hours of very heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, or the rapid release of water.

They are common in hilly and mountainous regions such as the Himalayas, but can also occur in urban areas with poor drainage systems. Recent studies show that climate change, extreme rainfall, saturated soil, deforestation, and unplanned urbanisation are increasing the frequency and intensity of flash floods in India. Experts recommend better early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, improved land-use planning, and region-specific disaster management strategies to reduce the impact of these disasters.