In March, a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar, with its epicenter in the Sagaing region. In the wake of this disaster, the ruling military junta conducted airstrikes, resulting in seven fatalities in Naungcho, Shan State, despite international calls for restraint. Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur for Myanmar, condemned the junta's response, highlighting their tendency to perpetuate violence during humanitarian crises. The junta, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, continues to receive military support from countries like Russia, which complicates pressure efforts from international organizations.

The current military regime emerged from the February 2021 coup that ousted the elected government, leading to widespread protests across the country. The junta responded with lethal force, targeting peaceful demonstrators and instigating a climate of fear, effectively stifling early dissent. The international community, led by the International Criminal Court, has held Gen. Min Aung Hlaing accountable for previous crimes, including those against the Rohingya people.

In light of military aggression, a new resistance movement has surfaced, spearheaded by the opposition's National Unity Government (NUG) and supported by the People's Defense Forces (PDFs). Working alongside ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), this alliance is fostering guerilla warfare against the junta. Groups such as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Arakan Army (AA) have coordinated attacks on military positions, successfully seizing territory and disrupting the junta's control.

Despite these setbacks, the junta has managed to maintain power through overwhelming military force supported by allies. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has implemented conscription to bolster troop numbers amidst military challenges, prompting youth to flee the country.

China maintains a complex relationship with the junta, sometimes supporting its military while also negotiating ceasefires with rebel groups, indicating its strategic interest in regional stability. This duality allows the junta to remain resilient, particularly amid disunity among the EAOs and self-interest preventing a unified opposition under the NUG.

Key points:

• A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, leading to military airstrikes that killed seven in the Sagaing region.
• UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews criticized the junta's violent actions during a natural disaster.
• General Min Aung Hlaing's regime, which came to power after the 2021 coup, continues to face internal resistance and international scrutiny.
• The National Unity Government and People's Defense Forces are leading guerilla operations against the junta, with support from ethnic armed organizations.
• Coordinated attacks have resulted in significant territorial gains against the junta, particularly in northern Shan State.
• The junta maintains military strength due to support from nations like Russia and strategic actions from China to preserve its influence.
• Internal disunity among armed groups limits effective resistance to the junta, allowing Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to sustain power despite growing opposition.
• Military conscription has been enforced as the junta faces troop shortages, leading to further youth emigration.

Overall, Myanmar remains embroiled in conflict, with the military facing challenges from a growing resistance movement, yet retaining power through foreign military support and internal divisions among opposition forces.

A U.S. national named Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was arrested on March 31, 2025, for illegally entering North Sentinel Island, a protected tribal reserve in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He had traveled to the islands with the intention of approaching the island inhabited by the Sentinelese, a particularly vulnerable tribal group. Below are the key points regarding the incident:

• Arrest Location and Date: Polyakov, 24, was apprehended in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after entering a restricted tribal area.
• Arrival in the Islands: He arrived in Port Blair on March 26, 2025, before launching a boat from Kurma Dera beach on March 29.
• Objective and Preparations: Polyakov planned his expedition meticulously, researching sea conditions and using GPS for navigation while carrying items he referred to as "offerings" (a coconut and a can of cola).
• Activities on North Sentinel Island: Upon reaching the northeastern shore of North Sentinel by 10 a.m., he used binoculars to survey the area and remained offshore, attempting to get the attention of any potential inhabitants by blowing a whistle.
• Duration on the Island: He briefly landed for about five minutes, where he left the offerings, collected sand samples, and recorded video footage before departing.
• Return and Detection: Polyakov returned to Kurma Dera Beach at around 7 p.m. the same day, where local fishermen spotted him.
• Previous Attempts: Police revealed that this was not Polyakov's first attempt to visit North Sentinel Island; he previously attempted to approach the island in October the previous year but was thwarted by hotel staff. In January 2025, he rented a motor for his boat and allegedly recorded the Jarawa tribe illegally during another visit.
• Items Seized: Authorities confiscated his inflatable boat, an outboard motor, and a GoPro camera that recorded his landing on the island.
• Legal Proceedings: He currently faces charges under the Foreigners Act, 1946, as well as various sections relating to the protection of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. An FIR was filed based on the complaint from the Tribal Welfare Officer.
• Ongoing Investigation: The police department is continuing to gather details regarding Polyakov’s intentions and conduct during his stay in the islands, including interviews with hotel staff and fishermen.

In light of these events, the police have communicated details of the arrest to the Home Department, which will inform the Ministry of External Affairs and the U.S. Embassy. The Sentinelese community is safeguarded due to their vulnerable status, and any interactions with them are strictly prohibited to protect their way of life.

Important Sentences:

• A U.S. national named Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov was arrested for illegally entering North Sentinel Island.
• He arrived in Port Blair on March 26 and launched a boat towards the island from Kurma Dera beach on March 29.
• Polyakov carried a coconut and cola as offerings and documented his expedition with a GoPro camera.
• Police are investigating his previous attempts to access the island and questioning hotel staff.
• The arrest highlights the ongoing protection regulations surrounding the Sentinelese tribe, classified as a vulnerable tribal group.

Summary:

Thovalai’s traditional floral craft known as 'Manikka Malai' (garland of rubies) has recently been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a recognition that reflects the craftsmanship's historical and cultural significance. The journey for achieving the GI tag took nearly three years, and it comes from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This artisanal tradition, which has been practiced for over six generations, is mainly crafted by about 50 families within the Thovalai region of Kanniyakumari district.

The Manikka Malai garland is made using red and white Oleander flowers and Chamba fibre, with the green portions crafted from Chaste tree leaves. The flowers are artfully arranged to resemble gemstones when folded, giving the garland its distinctive appearance. The technique for creating this garland was believed to have been developed by Palani Pandaram approximately 150 to 180 years ago, and it is currently carried on by his descendants, who also conduct workshops to teach the art.

Among these descendants is M. T. Vanithasree, who expressed her happiness over the garland receiving the GI tag and proudly highlighted her involvement in showcasing the craft to world leaders during a past summit. Despite holding an MBA degree, she remains committed to continuing her family’s traditional business. She noted that the garland has a historical significance, as it has been used annually in festivals at the Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram since the era of the Travancore Kings.

The crafting process is meticulous, involving a traditional measurement unit, “Pagalam,” where the lengths are generally kept in odd numbers and can extend up to 11 pagalam, requiring an extensive crafting time. Ms. Vanithasree also mentioned that her grandfather received a national award for his work in this field in 1988.

Demand for the Manikka Malai is especially high during the Tamil months of Panguni and Vaikasi, which align with numerous temple festivals in the region. Ms. Vanithasree urges the Chief Minister to organize workshops in Thovalai to ensure the transmission of this ancient craft to future generations.

Key Points:

• Thovalai’s 'Manikka Malai' has received a GI tag after three years of application.
• The garland is made from Oleander flowers, Chamba fibre, and Chaste tree leaves; arranged to resemble gems.
• The craft is over 150 years old and taught by the descendants of its creator, Palani Pandaram.
• Approximately 50 families in Thovalai continue this traditional craftsmanship.
• M. T. Vanithasree represents the sixth generation of crafters and has showcased the craft to global leaders.
• The garland is an important cultural symbol, used in annual temple festivals.
• Crafting involves traditional measurements and can take up to a day for longer garlands.
• Demand peaks during Tamil festival months and Ms. Vanithasree advocates for workshops to sustain the craft's legacy.

Over the last two months, significant protests have taken place in India, focusing on the demand for the Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, to be transferred to Buddhist control. This conflict extends from a long-standing dispute regarding the administration of one of Buddhism’s most sacred sites. Buddhist groups are advocating for the repeal of the Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949, which currently oversees the temple's governance.

Historical Context:

• The Mahabodhi temple marks the site where Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha around 589 BCE.
• Initially, Emperor Ashoka constructed a simple shrine at this location in the 3rd century BCE.
• The current temple structure, built in the pyramid style during the Gupta dynasty in the 6th century CE, has undergone various expansions and restorations over the centuries.
• For many centuries, Buddhism faced decline in India, including at Gaya, with the local heritage neglected until restoration began in the late 19th century.

Control and Conflict:

• The Mahabodhi temple has been managed by a Hindu monastery, the Bodh Gaya Math, since the late 16th century, despite its Buddhist significance. The current Hindu head priest, Swami Vivekananda Giri, claims religious ties to both Buddhism and Hinduism.
• The protests for Buddhist control can be traced back to the struggles initiated by Sri Lankan monk Anagarika Dhammapala in the late 19th century, which eventually led to the establishment of the BGTA.
• The BGTA was intended to create a Committee with equal representation from both Hindus and Buddhists, but it has effectively maintained Hindu dominance over the temple. Complaints arise from Buddhists that Hindu rituals have increasingly overshadowed the temple's original Buddhist practices.

Current Legal Landscape:

• The tension between Buddhist and Hindu groups is compounded by the Places of Worship Act of 1991, which maintains the status of religious sites as they existed on August 15, 1947, making it difficult for Buddhists to reclaim authority over the temple legally.
• Some Buddhist monks filed a petition to challenge the BGTA in the Supreme Court in 2012, but the case has not progressed significantly.
• The recent protests were ignited by a forceful removal of fasting Buddhist monks protesting against the perceived "non-Buddhist" practices at the temple.

Key Highlights:

• Large-scale demonstrations in India demand Buddhist control over the Mahabodhi temple.
• The Mahabodhi temple is a site of immense historical and religious significance for Buddhists.
• Historical struggles for control date back to the late 19th century and include prominent figures like Anagarika Dhammapala.
• The Bodh Gaya Temple Act of 1949 is a central point of contention, as it offers limited management rights to Buddhists while placing the overall control in Hindu hands.
• Complications arise from the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which legally obstructs the reclamation of the site by Buddhists.
• The protests are organized by the All India Buddhist Forum, highlighting deep-rooted frustrations over the state of religious practices at a significant Buddhist temple.

The recent protests underscore the tensions not only over control of a historical and religious site but also reflect broader issues of religious identity and representation in India.