9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – November 29th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Still a nightmare for domestic violence survivors

GS Paper 2

• MUMBAI MEASLES OUTBREAK DUE TO LOW VACCINATION COVERAGE
• WHY INDIA MUST STAND WITH PALESTINE
• Unsure Payout – India’s health insurers get away with denying too many claims. Regulator must step in

GS Paper 3

• Loss and Damage decisions, pitfalls and promises
• What Does Inclusion Being Key To Growth Mean?
• Long-term ecological, environmental effects of herbicide-tolerant crops haven’t been considered
• The regulatory puzzle of MIIs

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• CITES COP19: Rare Jeypore Ground Gecko listed in Appendix 2 to stall its trafficking
• Why perennial rice developed in China is a big deal
• Birth certificate to be made mandatory for jobs, driving license, passport, voting right
• Why was Google sued for its location tracking practices?
• India’s SARAS radio telescope provides astronomers clues to the nature of Universe’s first stars and galaxies
• Centre plans to document cultures, social practices of indigenous, tribal societies
• India-Malaysia joint military exercise ‘Harimau Shakti-2022’
• Defence Ministers of India, France discuss defence industrial cooperation
• eGramSwaraj and Audit Online of Ministry of Panchayati Raj wins GOLD AWARD under the National Awards for e-Governance
• What’s known about the Russian volcano that may be about to erupt?

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Still a nightmare for domestic violence survivors

News- The article explains the challenges associated with accessing services with respect to domestic violence.

What are the facts associated with Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is a punishable offence under Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (PWDVA). It is a violation of human rights.

The latest round of the National Family Health Survey-5（2019-21）reveals that 32% of ever-married women aged 18-49 years have ever experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence committed by their husbands.

Despite almost a third of women being subject to domestic violence, the National Family Health Survey-5 （2019-21） reports that only 14% of women have ever sought help.

What are the issues related with Domestic Violence faced by Women?

Despite the law existing on paper, women are still largely unable to access the law in practice. Its promise and provisions are unevenly implemented, unavailable and out of reach for most Indian women.

The research in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu reveals that Women were hopeful that things would change, that they could change their husband’s behaviour.

Women believed that they would become ‘a problem’ or a source of ‘tension’ for their families, and bringing them shame and dishonour, irrespective of the survivor’s level of education, caste, or class.

For migrant women, transpeople or those with several sisters, or ill, older or deceased parents, it was felt even more acutely that the perpetrator’s violence was their individual responsibility to manage.

Parents,in a majority of cases, insisted on their daughter preserving the family environment which they should do by adjusting to their husband’s and his family’s needs better.In a minority of cases, the daughter’s welfare was prioritised over the well-being of the ‘the family’ and steps were taken to help mediate or exit the relationship.

NFHS-5 data reports that women are more likely than men to justify a scenario in which it is acceptable for a husband to beat or hit his wife.

With few safe houses across India, Many women have nowhere else to go.

Access to legal justice through the courts was a material possibility only for women with independent wealth and connections or those supported by specialist non-governmental organisations.

What are the issues regarding role of state?

Across the States, we heard that the police were more likely to send women back to violent households to reconcile with the perpetrator.

Several States are yet to implement Protection officers. And where they are in post, they are under resourced, under-skilled and overworked.

Women know all too well that the state serves patriarchal and heteronormative interests first. The state is failing women.

GS Paper 2

MUMBAI MEASLES OUTBREAK DUE TO LOW VACCINATION COVERAGE

News– The article explains how the chances of children getting measles infection gets reduced if they are properly vaccinated.

What is Measles Outbreak?

Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that can severely sicken young children.

Generally, it affects the children but it can affect the other age population as well.

However, it is highly dangerous for unvaccinated children.

What is the News?

Recently, several measles cases have been reported in Mumbai and nearby districts.  According to an ANI report, the BMC has reported that 78 new patients were admitted to the hospital on Monday.

What are the main Symptoms of Measles?

• High fever which starts 10-12 days after exposure to the virus
• Runny nose
• Sore throat and cough
• Conjunctivitis (red and watery eyes)
• Skin rash around the face and upper neck which spreads later
• Small white spots inside the cheeks

How to protect the Children from Measles?

The measles vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent this infection. It is usually given as a combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to children between 12-15 months of age. The second dose is usually given between 4 to 6 years of age. Adults who have never received immunization can also consult their doctors to get the doses.

According to CDC, the two doses are 97% effective against the virus. In some countries, vaccination against chickenpox is also combined with the MMR vaccine.

What is the Way forward?

In my opinion Proper strategy to be followed up by the concerned authority in addition to vaccination of children should be adopted to avoid any outbreak.

We can also learn from our successful strategy that we adopted to contain the spread of COVID-19.

WHY INDIA MUST STAND WITH PALESTINE

News– The article explains how the India’s shifting stand on Israel-Palestine reflects the changing contour of India’s foreign Policy.

What is Israel-Palestine Conflict?

The conflict has been ongoing for more than 100 years between Jews and Arabs over a piece of land between the Jordan river and Mediterranean river.

In 1947, the UN voted for Palestine to be split into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem becoming an international city. That plan was accepted by Jewish leaders but rejected by the Arab side and never implemented.

What is Present Scenario?

Israel still occupies the West Bank, and although it pulled out of Gaza the UN still regards that piece of land as part of occupied territory.

Israel claims the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Tensions escalated in recent month over Israel’s actions concerning Al-Asqa mosque in East Jerusalem.

What is India’s stand on this Issue?

During the 1947 UN General Assembly Resolution), India submitted that independence for Palestine should be the primary purpose of any plan for the future of the country.

India was also among the first countries that recognized the Palestinian state. In 1998, India co-sponsored the draft resolution on “the right of Palestinians to self-determination” in UNGA.

India has now taken cognizance of Human right violation done by Israel on Palestine

India supported installation of Palestinian flag at UN premises along with other observer states, like the flags of member states, in September 2015. There have been regular bilateral visits between India and Palestine.

India traditionally believes in the 2- State Solution and supports the establishment of a sovereign independent and the viable state of Palestine. India’s support for Palestine has not deterred its growing relationship with Israel. However, over the years, the Indian government has diluted its reaction to Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

What is the way Forward?

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Israel, there has been increased cooperation in military and intelligence ventures. So, India must adopt a balanced approach to dealing with this complex issue.

Unsure Payout – India’s health insurers get away with denying too many claims. Regulator must step in

News: India’s out-of-pocket expenditure is around 55% of total health expenditure which is more than the global average of 18%.

However, the experience of individual with health policies has been unsatisfactory even though it has been over two decades since the insurance market opened up.

What are the problems with health insurance in India?

Health insurance in India has three main problems – it covers only hospitalisation, exclusions as many people are excluded from getting the insurance, and limits on covering the hospital bills.

Many times, people are excluded from getting the insurance benefit due to different reasons and people bear the cost of paying medical expenses even though they have insurance for it.

For example, during the pandemic, many insured found that a significant amount of their hospital bills fell outside the purview of insurance.

Some fear of being cheated as the claims process is often handled by third party administrators. 

The largest buyer of health insurance is GoI and the state government for their different schemes.

Even though, a good number of people are not covered under their schemes and they remain vulnerable to health emergencies in the absence of a first-rate insurance system.

Therefore, IRDAI needs to find a way to enhance the quality of insurance policies by providing individual satisfaction.

GS Paper 3

Loss and Damage decisions, pitfalls and promises

News- The article explains the issue of climate financing with respect to Loss and Damage mechanism.

What is the decision relating to new funding arrangements focusing on L and D?

The decision includes a transitional committee to prepare elements relating to the operationalisation of the new funding arrangements to be adopted at COP28.

The decision restores the faith of countries, especially those vulnerable, in the process of multilateralism.

The new funding arrangements will complement the existing arrangements and include sources, funds, processes and initiatives under and outside the Convention and the Paris Agreement.

What are the issues associated with new funding arrangement?

Lack of clarity on the source of funding accruing to the new fund only.

There is a question mark over the new L and D fund with non-compliance by developed countries as far as climate finance commitment is concerned.

This dilutes the consistent demand by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to set up a dedicated loss and damage response fund, which would be on top of existing climate finance commitments.

The decision again recognises the mitigation-centric nature of the history of climate change negotiations to be suiting the agenda of developed countries. The mitigation-centric nature of the negotiation can be traced to Article 2 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992.

What is the viewpoint of developed countries?

The developed countries have consistently opposed being made liable for climate-change related adverse effects. The basis for their contribution to various funds so far is the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR).

They only acknowledge their responsibility in view of the pressures their societies place on the environment and of the technologies and financial resources they command.

The compensation aspect involves a serious legal hurdle of establishing causal relations between the injurer and the victim since the adverse effects of climate change occur substantially later than the greenhouse gas emissions that cause them.

What are the demands of Alliance of Small Island States?

During the negotiation process for the UNFCCC in 1991, AOSIS, unsuccessfully tried to include the establishment of an international insurance pool as a collective loss-sharing scheme.  But it requires more research and deliberation amongst major emitters in developed and developing countries.

In Egypt, AOSIS, demanded a dedicated L and D Response Fund. It wanted funding from governments on a grant basis.

The fund would also draw upon other potential sources, which include, as UN Chief Antonio Guterres advocates, a windfall tax on oil and gas companies’ profits.

The AOSIS favours a dedicated L and D response fund including the German-backed “Global Shield Scheme” against climate risks which is aimed at increasing re-arranged finance to be disbursed before or just after disasters happen, and avoid a piecemeal approach.

What Does Inclusion Being Key To Growth Mean?

News: The article discusses the problems faced in achieving inclusive growth at the time of Nehru and measures that can be taken to improve it.

How did the concept of inclusive growth fail during the Nehru period?

At the time of Nehru, it was argued that poverty can be reduced by focusing on growth. However, this concept failed to provide the desired result.

The failure led to the emergence of cottage industry under the title of “New Economics” which argued that redistribution was the only way to reduce poverty.

However, this argument does not hold importance as inclusive growth is important for the overall growth of a nation.

Why is inclusive growth important?

Growth raises incomes of the poor along with revenues of the government which help the government to launch anti-poverty programmes.

Inclusive growth is important for the overall growth of a nation and the government should focus on inclusion in its policies and programmes.

Why did the growth during the Nehru era not achieve the desired result?

India at the time of Nehru was at the early development stage. Therefore, in the early stage of development the most abundant resource of developing countries is labour.

A country at an early stage can only grow by using the full potential of its labour force.

For example, 68% of the South Korean workforce was employed in agriculture in 1960. This proportion fell to 18% by 1990. In the later decades, industry and services absorbed an additional half of the workforce with real wages rising 8-10% annually.

However, India under Nehru adopted a development strategy that was centred not on the utilisation of its abundant labour force but on its low capital.

Indians had a low level of income with a saving rate of just 7-9%. With these low capital resources, the government chose to invest them almost entirely in heavy industries which employed less than 5% of the nation’s workforce.

Even though, this development strategy created a modern industry, 95% of the workforce was excluded and relied on sectors such as agriculture, cottage and household enterprises.

Census data show that the proportion of workforce in agriculture remained unchanged at 69. 7% between 1951 and 1971 whereas workers in countries like South Korea became skilled at the same period of time.

However, with the change in policies, the growth rate in India began to change.

What changes were brought in India?

As per the Employment-Unemployment Survey, the proportion of workforce in agriculture fell from 58. 5% in 2004-05 to 48. 9% in 2011-12. These years also saw the annual growth rate reach 8%.

However, the process of direct inclusion of workforce into the mainstream of the economy remains slow in India compared to other fast-growing economies of Asia.

What are the concerns?

Policy-makers focusses on capital and skilled-labour-intensive industries such as automobiles, railways, steel, telecom equipment, IT, finance for output but for employment, they rely on MSMEs which have little capacity to impart skills to their employees.

Therefore, to grow at 8% or higher rates India must recognise that inclusion is an integral part of rapid growth and only then India’s labour-intensive industries can grow leading to overall development of the nation.

Long-term ecological, environmental effects of herbicide-tolerant crops haven’t been considered

News: The government recently approved the environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) mustard (“DMH-11 hybrid”) in India.

What are the preconditions attached to the approval of the DMH-11 hybrid?

DMH-11 carries a gene for herbicide resistance (also termed herbicide tolerance or HT). The GEAC in its recommendation made on October 18 for environmental release of DMH-11 has accepted a) Usage of any formulation of herbicide is recommended only under controlled and specified conditions exclusively for hybrid seed production, b) Usage of any formulation of herbicide is not permitted for cultivation in the farmer’s field under any situation. c) Usage of herbicide would require the necessary permission as per procedures and protocols of safety assessment of insecticides/herbicides by CIB&RC (Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee).

What are the concerns related to the DMH-11 hybrid?

1) Long-term ecological and economic consequences are not analysed properly, 2) Details of the mandatory trials to ensure food and environmental safety which is a prerequisite before environmental release have not been made public, 3) A detailed long-term assessment of the potential social and economic benefits of using DMH-11 and its potential drawbacks are not made.

The other drawbacks include,

HT offers short-term benefits at the cost of long-term sustainability: HT crops imposes strong selective pressure for resistant weeds to emerge. Once that happens, still higher amounts of herbicide need to be used; the cycle continues progressively.

Can be a disaster for the normal crop: The deployment of herbicide-resistant or HT crops has been accompanied by deleterious outcomes in several places including the US, Australia, and Canada.

Usage of herbicides: There have been numerous recent reports highlighting the illegal use of unapproved herbicide-resistant crops.

Role of CIB&RC: Safety assessment by CIB&RC raises debate as it is not the competent body for recommending approval of GM crops.

The regulatory puzzle of MIIs

News: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constituted a committee to review the governance framework for market infrastructure institutions (MIIs). The committee recently released its draft report for public comments.

What are Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs)?

MIIs are unique institutions providing vital infrastructure for trading, settlement and record-keeping. Stock exchanges, depositories and clearing houses are all Market Infrastructure Institutions(MIIs) and constitute a key part of the nation’s vital economic infrastructure.

They are vested with regulatory responsibilities while also pursuing commercial interests like other profit-oriented entities.

What are some key recommendations of the committee on MIIs?

-The regulatory framework should ensure that MIIs, in pursuance of their business objectives, should not lose sight of the regulatory roles vested in them as the first-line regulators.

-Tightening the norms should not deter innovation or customer focused service provision by MIIs. Hence, the committee calls for a review of the requirements related to the appointment and the role and responsibility of directors on the board and key managerial personnel (KMPs).

-The committee proposes a) Steps to improve the transparency and accountability in the functioning of MIIs, b) Metrics for the monitoring of their performance and measures for the safekeeping and sharing of information held by them, c) Independent directors must constitute two-thirds of the total strength of the board, d) Roles and responsibilities of the directors should be clearly defined, and the board should play an active role in the risk management framework of MIIs, e) Periodical assessment of the performance of the board and its members by an external agency, and f) SEBI meetings with independent and non-independent directors once a year.

What is the success story of the National Stock Exchange (NSE)?

The BSE had a record of several governance failures by the late 1980s. Then a government expert committee recommended the creation of the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

In the newly created NSE the three groups — ownership, management and trading — were kept separate. The NSE had the freedom of a private organisation, though its entire ownership was with public sector units.

What are the challenges in the functioning of MIIs?

MIIs have severe design challenges because,

1) They have to make a profit for the shareholders and perform regulatory functions. These two can be in conflict, 2) Misgovernance is another challenge with MIIs. Every key management person’s appointment decision of exchanges is controlled by the regulator(government), 3) Personnel at MIIs have begun to behave like civil servants: Not take decisions and push every small question up through the hierarchy and get multiple signatures. This has hampered operational capability, 4) Exchanges (and MIIs) in India can no longer be described as autonomous organisations that rapidly take decisions.

What should be done?

There is a need to get back to the journey of establishing capable exchanges. India needs to question the process of turning MIIs into de facto PSUs.  Further, the SEBI report emphasises increased government control of exchanges. This should be avoided. India needs to follow NSE like approach to improve the performance of MIIs.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

CITES COP19: Rare Jeypore Ground Gecko listed in Appendix 2 to stall its trafficking

Source: The post is based on the article “CITES COP19: Rare Jeypore Ground Gecko listed in Appendix 2 to stall its trafficking” published in Down To Earth on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

Jeypore Ground Gecko has been included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Note: The animals listed under Appendix II may not necessarily be threatened with extinction, but trade in such species should be controlled to ensure it does not threaten their existence.

What is the Jeypore Ground Gecko?

Jeypore Ground Gecko is a wild reptile species endemic to India.

The species is rare and was first described by a British officer and amateur naturalist Colonel Richard Henry Beddome in 1878 and rediscovered by a team of researchers in 2011 after a gap of over 130 years.

IUCN Status: Endangered

The species does not occur in the protected areas described under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 thereby making it highly vulnerable to habitat loss and poaching for domestic and international trade.

Distribution: It is found in the Eastern Ghats and is known to be present in four locations including southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh.

– Its occurrence is estimated in less than 5,000 square kilometres of fragmented geographical area. 

– The species resides below rock boulders in high forested hills at an altitude of 1,100-1,400 metres.

Threats: Habitat loss and degradation, forest fires, tourism, quarrying and mining activity are among the reasons for the species’ decline.

Why perennial rice developed in China is a big deal

Source: The post is based on the article “Why perennial rice developed in China is a big deal” published in Livemint on 29th November 2022.

What is the News?

Farmers in China are now growing a perennial variety of rice, that does not need to be planted every year. 

What is the Perennial Variety of Rice?

Perennial rice is a variety of long-lived rice that is capable of regrowing season after season without reseeding.

What is the Perennial Variety of Rice developed by China?

Researchers at Yunnan University have developed a variety of perennial rice named PR23 by cross-breeding regular annual rice Oryza sativa with a wild perennial variety from Africa. 

What are the benefits of perennial rice developed by China?

Firstly, unlike regular rice which is planted every season, PR23 can yield eight consecutive harvests across four years (as these plants with stronger roots grow back vigorously after each harvest). 

Secondly, growing PR23 is much cheaper since it requires: less labour, seeds, and chemical inputs.

Thirdly, growing perennial rice over a period of four years resulted in remarkable environmental benefits such as soils accumulating close to a ton of organic carbon  (per hectare per year) along with increases in water available to plants. 

Why is this discovery of the Perennial rice variety important?

Rice feeds about half of the world and its farming and consumption are primarily in Asia. Hence, perennial rice could be a transformational innovation if it proves to be economically sustainable.

What are the learnings for India? 

India is the world’s second-largest rice producer, after China, and the largest exporter with a 40% share in global trade. It is grown during both summer and winter crop seasons. 

Perennial rice can reduce the drudgery of annual transplantation, a back-breaking task, and generate savings on seeds and — other inputs.

China’s early success in perennial rice variety has another lesson for India. That is to raise investments in public research and agricultural sciences. This can help counter the impact of climate change on food security and rural incomes.

Birth certificate to be made mandatory for jobs, driving license, passport, voting right

Source: The post is based on the article “Birth certificate to be made mandatory for jobs, driving license, passport, voting right” published in The Hindu on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Home Ministry proposed an amendment to the Registration of Birth and Death (RBD) Act,1969. The bill will be introduced in the winter session of parliament.

What is the Registration of Birth and Death (RBD) Act,1969?

The Registration of Birth and Death is mandatory under the provisions of the Registration of Births and Deaths (RBD) Act,1969.

The act was enacted to promote uniformity and comparability in the registration of Births and Deaths across the country.

The events of births, stillbirths and deaths are registered at the place of occurrence of the event i.e where the event took place. 

A birth/death should be registered within 21 days. After 21 days, birth/death can be registered under the RBD Act with an order of a First-Class Magistrate issued after verifying the facts about the birth or death.

What are the proposed amendments to the RBD Act?

Firstly, it is proposed that the Chief Registrar (appointed by the States) would maintain a unified database at the State level. It would then integrate it with the data at the “national level,” maintained by the Registrar General of India (RGI). This implies that the Centre will be a parallel repository of data.

– This database at the national level may be used to update the Population Register, the Electoral Register, and the Aadhar, ration card, passport and driving license databases.

Secondly, it has been proposed to make birth certificates a mandatory document for almost every sphere of life — admission in educational institutions, inclusion in the voter list, appointment in Central and State government jobs, issue of driving licenses and passports.

Thirdly, it will be mandatory for hospitals and medical institutions to provide a copy of all death certificates, stating the cause of death, to the local registrar apart from the relative of the deceased.

Why was Google sued for its location tracking practices?

Source: The post is based on the article “Why was Google sued for its location tracking practices?” published in The Hindu on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

Recently, Google has reached an agreement with the Attorney-Generals of 40 U.S. States to pay a historic $391.5 million settlement over its location tracking practices.

What is the lawsuit against Google about?

Google was found to violate state consumer protection laws by misleading its users about its location-tracking practices since at least 2014. 

The company misled consumers into thinking they had turned off location tracking, when, in fact, the company continued to collect their location information and use that for advertising. 

How does Google use the Location data?

Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business. The company uses the personal and behavioural data it collects to build detailed user profiles and target them with ads. 

In fact, location data is among the most sensitive and valuable personal information Google collects. Even a limited amount of location data can expose a person’s identity, routines and can be used to infer personal details.

What does this mean for Google?

As part of the settlement, Google has agreed to significantly improve its location tracking disclosures and user controls starting next year. 

Google has also been asked to be more transparent about its practices such as:

Google must show additional information to users whenever they turn a location-related account setting ‘on’ or ‘off’. 

Google is not allowed to hide any key information about location tracking to its users and it must give them details about the types of location data it collects and how it is used, at an enhanced “Location Technologies” webpage.

India’s SARAS radio telescope provides astronomers clues to the nature of Universe’s first stars and galaxies

Source: The post is based on the article “India’s SARAS radio telescope provides astronomers clues to the nature of Universe’s first stars and galaxies” published in PIB on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

Raman Research Institute RRI) in Bengaluru have determined properties of radio luminous galaxies formed just 200 million years after the Big Bang, a period known as the Cosmic Dawn. This was done using SARAS Telescope.

What is the SARAS Telescope?

Shaped Antenna measurement of the background Radio Spectrum 3 (SARAS) Telescope is indigenously designed and built at Raman Research Institute(RRI).

Aim: To detect extremely faint radio wave signals from the depths of time, from our “Cosmic Dawn” when the first stars and galaxies formed in the early Universe.

What is Cosmic Dawn?

For a period of roughly 100 million years in the early universe, starting about 380,000 years after the big bang, the cosmos was completely dark. 

Then, stars and galaxies began to form, emitting light and ionizing the intergalactic hydrogen gas in a process called cosmic dawn.

Detecting a faint signal from cosmic dawn is extremely difficult. The celestial signal is exceptionally faint – buried in sky radio waves that come to us from the gas in our own Galaxy, the Milky Way, which are a million times brighter. 

Besides, this cosmic signal is in a radio wavelength band used by numerous terrestrial communications equipment and TV and FM radio stations, which makes detecting the extra-terrestrial signal extremely difficult.

However, RRI scientists and engineers have designed the SARAS radio telescope to discern signals from Cosmic Dawn.

What has the SARAS 3 Telescope found about Cosmic Dawn?

In 2020, the SARAS telescope was deployed in lakes in Northern Karnataka, on Dandiganahalli Lake and Sharavati backwaters by the RRI.

The telescope has improved the understanding of the astrophysics of Cosmic Dawn. It has shown that less than 3% of the gaseous matter within early galaxies was converted into stars and that the earliest galaxies that were bright in radio emission were also strong in X-rays.

Centre plans to document cultures, social practices of indigenous, tribal societies

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre plans to document cultures, social practices of indigenous, tribal societies” published in The Hindu on 29th November 2022.

What is the News?

The President of India has addressed a National Workshop on ‘Janjatiya Anusandhan – Asmita, Astitva evam Vikas’, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The workshop was organized by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes(NCST).

What are the key highlights of her address?

Firstly, the knowledge of tribal communities needs to be included in the Indian Knowledge System(IKS). The National Education Policy is now focusing on that.

Secondly, the population of Scheduled Tribes in India is more than 10 crore. To ensure the benefits of development reach all of them and at the same time, their cultural identity should remain intact.

Thirdly, history tells us that tribal society never accepted slavery. They were always at the forefront of retaliating against any attack on the country. Struggles and sacrifices in many revolts such as Santhal, Hul, Kol, Birsa, Bhil movement by tribal communities across the country can inspire all the citizens.

What steps are being taken by NCST to preserve Tribal Culture?

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes(NCST) along with the Union government is now pushing for the “re-documentation” of the cultures and social practices of indigenous and tribal societies in India.

This is because the existing scholarly literature on tribals is heavily reliant on the body of knowledge created by the colonizing government.

The re-documentation will enable the government to understand tribal societies, identity and rights better.

India-Malaysia joint military exercise ‘Harimau Shakti-2022’

Source: The post is based on the article “India-Malaysia joint military exercise Harimau Shakti-2022” published in PIB on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

India – Malaysia joint military Exercise “Harimau Shakti -2022” has commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia.

What is Exercise Harimau Shakti?

Exercise Harimau Shakti is a joint annual military training exercise between India and Malaysia.

The exercise has been conducted since 2012.

Significance: The exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army which in turn will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.

What are the other exercises between India and Malaysia?

Exercise Udarashakti: It is a bilateral air force exercise between India and Malaysia.

Defence Ministers of India, France discuss defence industrial cooperation

Source: The post is based on the article “Defence Ministers of India, France discuss defence industrial cooperation” published in The Hindu on 29th November 2022.

What is the News?

The 4th India-France annual defence dialogue was chaired by the Indian Defence Minister and his French counterpart.

What are the key takeaways from the 4th India-France defence dialogue?

Defence Cooperation: The two countries discussed ways to strengthen defence industrial cooperation with focus on ‘Make in India’. They agreed that the technical groups from both the countries should meet early next year and take the key cooperation issues forward.

Military Cooperation: Increasing military-to-military cooperation by expanding the scope of bilateral exercises also came up during the dialogue. 

– In 2021, the navies of the Quad grouping —India, the United States, Japan and Australia — conducted complex maritime drills in the eastern Indian Ocean Region as part of a French Navy-led exercise called “La Pérouse” for the first time.

– In 2022, the chiefs of the air forces of India and France flew fighter planes operated by each other during “Exercise Garuda VII” between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF) in Rajasthan.

eGramSwaraj and Audit Online of Ministry of Panchayati Raj wins GOLD AWARD under the National Awards for e-Governance

Source: The post is based on the article “eGramSwaraj and Audit Online of Ministry of Panchayati Raj wins GOLD AWARD under the National Awards for e-Governance” published in PIB on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

eGramSwaraj and AuditOnline of Ministry of Panchayati Raj have won the GOLD AWARD under the category “Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering for Digital Transformation” of the National Awards for e-Governance. 

What is eGramSwaraj?

Launched by: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) 

Purpose: It is a user-friendly web-based portal launched to strengthen e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country.

Aim: To bring in better transparency and strengthen the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country through decentralized Profiling, Planning, Physical Progress, Reporting and Work-Based Accounting.

What is AuditOnline?

AuditOnline is an online application developed under the e-panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) initiated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj(MoPR). 

Purpose: To facilitate the financial audit of accounts at all three levels of Panchayats viz District, Block and Village Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Line department by Auditors (State AG/LFA). 

This application not only facilitates the auditing of Panchayat accounts but also provides for maintaining audit records. 

What’s known about the Russian volcano that may be about to erupt?

Source: The post is based on the article “What’s known about the Russian volcano that may be about to erupt?” published in The Hindu on 28th November 2022.

What is the News?

The Shiveluch volcano in Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka peninsula may be gearing up for its first powerful eruption in 15 years.

Where is Shiveluch volcano?

Shiveluch is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.

It has erupted at least 60 times in the past 10,000 years.

It has two main parts: Old Shiveluch, which tops 3,283 metres and Young Shiveluch – a smaller, 2,800-metre peak protruding from its side.

Young Shiveluch lies within an ancient caldera – a large crater-like basin that likely formed when the older part underwent a catastrophic eruption at least 10,000 years ago. It is this part that has become extremely active.

About Kamchatka Peninsula

Kamchatka Peninsula is a peninsula in the Russian Far East. The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Okhotsk make up the peninsula’s eastern and western coastlines respectively.

The peninsula has a high density of volcanoes and associated volcanic phenomena, with 29 active volcanoes being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List site in the Volcanoes of Kamchatka group.

The peninsula is part of a vast belt of Earth known as the “Ring of Fire” which circles the Pacific Ocean and is prone to eruptions and frequent earthquakes.

Most of the peninsula’s volcanoes are surrounded by sparsely populated forests and tundra, so pose little risk to local people, but big eruptions can spew glass, rock and ash into the sky, threatening aircraft.