Daily Prelims Notes 22 January 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

22 January 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Museveni regrets Indians’ expulsion by Idi Amin in 1970s
2. NISAR Mission on track for a launch soon: NASA official
3. Climate crisis: Drought causes mass elephant deaths in Zimbabwe game reserve
4. What are ecological droughts?
5. New amendments in wildlife trade rules enable issuing licences for certain Schedule II species
6. India among nations overusing “Watch” group antibiotics
7. With just two speakers, a language in Kerala with no script is on the brink of extinction
8. Mission Karmayogi: The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)
9. Project BHISHM
10. Call for Pre-proposals for setting T-Hubs launched under National Quantum Mission
11. Rare Earth Metals May Be Lurking in Your Junk Drawer
12. At least 25 killed in Ukrainian strikes on Russian-controlled Donetsk
13. Features of Ayodhya temple
14. How Ramayana became popular outside India, from east Asia to the Caribbean
15. Independence of district judiciary is part of basic structure of Constitution: Supreme Court

1. Museveni regrets Indians’ expulsion by Idi Amin in 1970s

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

• Nearly 52 years after Ugandan dictator Idi Amin expelled the Indian community from Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni acknowledged the decision as a mistake and expressed gratitude for the Indian community’s contributions to Uganda.
• This rare expression of regret was made at the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, acknowledging the historical trauma inflicted on the Indian diaspora.

Expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1970s:

• In August 1972, Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of around 80,000 Indians, as well as thousands of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, who had been integral to Ugandan society.
• The expulsion took place against the backdrop of anti-Indian sentiment and black supremacy in Uganda, with Amin accusing a minority of the Indians of disloyalty, non-integration, and commercial malpractice, claims that Indian leaders disputed.
• Amin defended the expulsion by arguing that he was “giving Uganda back to ethnic Ugandans”.
• This expulsion impacted many, including individuals like former U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel, who trace their roots back to Uganda during Amin’s regime.
• President Museveni, speaking at the NAM summit, highlighted the Indian community’s role in Uganda’s economic development, noting that the convention centre where the summit was held was built by one of those affected by Amin’s decision.

Non-Alignment Movement (NAM):

• NAM is a forum that is not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. After the United Nations, it is the largest grouping of states worldwide.
• Drawing on the principles agreed upon at the Bandung Conference in 1955, the NAM was established in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia through the initiative of President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, President of Egypt Gamal Abdel Nasser, Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, President of Indonesia Sukarno, and President of Ghana Kwame Nkrumah.
• After the breakup of Yugoslavia, a founding member, its membership was suspended in 1992 at the regular ministerial meeting held in New York during the regular annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.
• As of October 2019, the organization consists of 120 member states, including the non-UN member state of Palestine, as well as 17 other observer countries and 10 observer organizations.
• Approximately, two-thirds of the United Nations’ members are represented in the Non-Aligned Movement, and they comprise 55% of the world’s population.

Source: TH

2. NISAR Mission on track for a launch soon: NASA official

Subject: S&T

Section: Space tech

Context:

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission, designed to observe natural processes and changes in Earth’s complex ecosystems, is on track for an “early 2024” launch.

About the Mission:

• The Joint Collaboration: NISAR is a Low Earth Orbit observatory developed jointly by NASA and ISRO, highlighting international collaboration in space exploration.
• Launch Vehicle: The mission is set to launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota onboard ISRO’s GSLV Mark-II launch vehicle.
• Data Utility: NISAR data will offer unprecedented detail and assist researchers in various ways, including monitoring volcanic activity, tracking groundwater use effects, measuring ice sheet melt rates, and observing changes in global vegetation distribution.
  • The open science and open data policy makes the mission unique in its scope.
• Mission Life: The $1.5-billion NISAR mission has a planned mission life of three years and will survey Earth’s land and ice-covered surfaces every 12 days following a 90-day commissioning period.

Advanced SAR Technology

• Dual-Band SAR:NISAR carries L and S dual-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) using the Sweep SAR technique, providing both wide coverage and high-resolution data.
• Observatory Structure: The SAR payloads are mounted on the Integrated Radar Instrument Structure (IRIS) along with the spacecraft bus, forming an observatory.
• Contributions: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) provides the L-band SAR and several key components, while ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre contributes the spacecraft bus, S-band SAR electronics, launch vehicle, and mission operations.

Important Milestones achieved

• Thermal Vacuum Testing: The thermal vacuum testing, a critical system-level test, was successfully completed in Bengaluru. This test ensures that the spacecraft can operate effectively under extreme temperature conditions.
• EMI and EMC Testing: Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing have also been successfully accomplished.
• Upcoming Vibration Tests: The next phase involves conducting vibration tests to simulate the harsh launch environment. This test will subject the satellite to intense vibrations while mimicking the conditions of a rocket launch.

Source: TH

3. Climate crisis: Drought causes mass elephant deaths in Zimbabwe game reserve

Subject: Environment

Section: Protected Areas

Context:

• In the last two months of 2023, over 160 elephants and numerous other wildlife species perished in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park due to a severe drought caused by climate change, as reported by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks).
• This drought affected the southern African region and had a significant impact on the park, which spans 14,600 square kilometres and is home to around 45,000 elephants.
• The drought was influenced by the El Niño weather pattern linked to climate change.
• This prolonged dry spell also caused elephants to migrate from Hwange to neighbouring Botswana in search of water and food.

About Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve):

• Located in Zimbabwe, is part of the Kavango Zambezi Trans frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA), which includes Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
  • Hwange National Park is also known for its diverse wildlife, including over 100 mammal and 400 bird species.
  • It is the largest natural reserve in Zimbabwe. It lies near to the Victoria falls.
• Unlike other parts of KAZA-TFCA, Hwange National Park lacks perennial rivers or other reliable natural water sources, making it heavily reliant on 110 solar-powered boreholes for water during dry seasons.

Severe drought forecast:

• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that an El Niño weather phenomenon will cause hot, dry weather with little rainfall in the southern African region during this period.
• This aligns with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s classification of southern Africa as a region at high risk of climate change, with increased heat and reduced rainfall.
• Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department reports a significant rise in both daily minimum and maximum temperatures over the last century, with fewer cold days and more hot days.

Climate change threat to wildlife:

• The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to support climate-resilient landscapes and communities.
  • In 2019, over 200 elephants in Zimbabwe died due to severe drought.
  • IFAW advocates for wildlife conservation as a key solution to climate change at international forums like COP28.
• The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) also stresses the impact of reduced water access on wildlife and human welfare.
• There is the risk of flash floods and harsh droughts in Africa’s industrializing landscapes and the struggle of smaller species to adapt to reduced rainfall and drying water sources. Larger animals like buffaloes and antelopes become weakened and easy prey for predators under severe water shortages.
• Following the devastating drought in 2019,ZimParks and its partners are taking mitigatory measures, including one of southern Africa’s largest wildlife translocation exercises. Over 2,500 animals, including 400 elephants, are being moved from the arid south to more favourable northern conservancies. This translocation, a costly last resort, aims to alleviate the impact of climate change on wildlife in Zimbabwe.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW):

• Founded in 1969, in New Brunswick, Canada.
• IFAW is one of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world.
• The organization works to rescue individual animals, safeguard populations, preserve habitat, and advocate for greater protection.
• Brian Davies founded IFAW.
• IFAW was instrumental in ending the commercial seal hunt in Canada.
• In 1983Europe banned all whitecoat harp seals products. This ban helped save over 1 million seals.
• IFAW operates in over 40 countries.
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States

Source: DTE

4. What are ecological droughts?

Subject: Geography

Section: Climatology

Drought impact in India:

• India has reported a drought at least once every three years in the last five decades. It has lost between two and five per cent of its GDP due to the impacts of drought, according to a 2022 report from the United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), which also included a global drought index that compared India’s drought vulnerability to that of sub-Saharan Africa.

How are droughts defined in India?

• India identifies three types of droughts: meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural.

1. Meteorological Drought: This occurs when there is a significant shortfall in precipitation compared to the long-term average for a specific period. The India Meteorological Department defines a meteorological drought when seasonal rainfall is less than 75% of its long-term average. It’s classified as moderate if the deficit is between 26-50% and severe if it exceeds 50%.
2. Hydrological Drought: Defined by low water levels in surface and sub-surface sources like streams, reservoirs, and These droughts can occur even with average or above-average precipitation if water usage depletes reserves.
3. Agricultural Drought: This happens when a meteorological drought lasts for at least four weeks, leading to reduced soil moisture and vegetation. Signs include distress in agricultural communities, such as cattle sales, fodder shortages, migration, limited drinking water, increased demand for labor, and rising commodity prices.

• For a state in India to officially declare a drought, it must meet certain criteria outlined in the Drought Manual of 2016. These criteria include rainfall deficit, dry spell duration, soil moisture, sown area, vegetation health (via remote sensing), reservoir and groundwater levels, stream flow, and socio-economic impacts.

Ecological drought:

• Ecological drought is distinct from other drought types in its focus on the interconnectedness between humans and ecosystems within the context of drought.
• Defined as an episodic water deficit that pushes ecosystems beyond vulnerability thresholds, ecological drought affects ecosystem services and triggers feedback in both natural and human systems.
• This concept emphasizes the ripple effect caused by changes in an ecosystem due to drought, impacting communities dependent on those ecosystems for essential goods and services.
• Studies in the Western Ghats have shown that persistent water deficits can distress certain tree species and alter their geographic distribution, affecting species persistence, diversity, and ecosystem function.
• Drought is also increasingly linked to wildfires in the region.
• The 2016 Drought Manual in India acknowledges drought’s environmental effects, like loss of forest cover, increased wildlife migration and human-animal conflicts. However, it doesn’t include specific indicators for monitoring or assessing ecological drought.

Source: Mongabay

5. New amendments in wildlife trade rules enable issuing licences for certain Schedule II species

Subject: Environment

Section: Environmental law and Org

Context:

• The Indian government has revised the Wild Life (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules 2024, providing new guidelines for issuing wildlife trade licenses. This is the first update since 1983 and came into effect on January 16, 2024.

About Wild Life (Protection) Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules 2024:

• The 1983 rules restricted licenses for trading wild animals listed under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972,except in exceptional cases with central government approval.
• The new guidelines state that licenses will not be granted for animals specified in Schedule I without prior consultation with the central government.
• Officials must consider the applicant’s capacity to handle the business, including facilities, equipment, and premises feasibility.
• The source and method of obtaining supplies and the number of existing licenses in the area are also factors to be considered, as well as the impact on hunting or trading the concerned wild animals.
• The notification does not explain why restrictions on Schedule II species have been lifted.
• In a 2022 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, four schedules of wild animals were merged into two, reducing the total from six to four.
• Schedule I now includes animals requiring utmost protection, while Schedule II covers species needing comparatively lower protection.
• Plant species are listed under Schedule II, and Schedule IV is for species protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
• Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 lists various birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, including sparrows, owls, snakes, turtles, deer, and frogs.
• According to the World Wildlife Report 2020, about 6,000 species of flora and fauna were seized globally between 1999-2018, indicating the scale of the wildlife trade.

Key provisions of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2021:

• Standing Committees of State Boards of Wildlife:
  • The Bill proposes setting up of Standing Committees of State Boards of Wildlife.
  • These committees will function like the National Board for Wildlife NBWL).
  • It will be able to make decisions on wildlife management and permissions granted for projects without having to refer most projects to the NBWL.
• Rationalization of Schedules for Wildlife:
  • The bill rationalises Schedules for Wildlife under the Act by bringing it down from 6 to 4 major schedules.
  • For example, A schedule I category of wildlife (such as Tigers) are the highest protected under the Act.
• Wildlife Management Plans:
  • The Bill mandates that Wildlife Management Plans which are prepared for sanctuaries and national parks across the country will now become a part of the Wildlife Act.
  • Further, they will have to be approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state.
  • Earlier, the plans were approved through executive orders.
• There is also the insertion of a new section 42A about surrender of wild animals and products.
• The inclusion of the new Section 62A(l) that defines alien invasive species.
• It has mandated the need to consult the Gram Sabha in protected areas falling under scheduled areas or areas recognised to possess forest rights based on claims under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:

• The Act was enacted for the protection of plants and animal species.
• It has six schedules that give varying degrees of protection.
  • Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection – offenses under these are prescribed the highest penalties.
  • Species listed in Schedule III and Schedule IV are also protected, but the penalties are much lower.
  • Schedule V includes the animals which may be hunted. The specified endemic plants in Schedule VI are prohibited from cultivation and planting. The hunting to the Enforcement authorities has the power to compound offenses under this Schedule (i.e. they impose fines on the offenders).
• The act has been amended in 1982, 1986, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2006 and 2013.

6. India among nations overusing “Watch” group antibiotics

Subject: S&T

Section: Health

Context:

• In the Data Point published from a government survey (“Over 38% patients on more than one antibiotic”), which shows that an overwhelming number of inpatients are  prescribed antibiotics by hospitals across India.

Antimicrobial Resistance

• Antimicrobial Resistance is the resistance acquired by any microorganism (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasite, etc.) against antimicrobial drugs that are used to treat infections.
• It occurs when a microorganism changes over time and no longer responds to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified AMR as one of the top ten threats to global health.
• Microorganisms that develop antimicrobial resistance are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

Reasons for the Spread of AMR

• Antibiotic consumption in humans: Unnecessary and injudicious use of antibiotic fixed dose combinations could lead to emergence of bacterial strains resistant to multiple antibiotics.
• Social factors: Include self-medication, Access to antibiotics without prescription, Lack of knowledge about when to use antibiotics.
• Cultural Activities: Mass bathing in rivers as part of religious mass gathering occasions, Antibiotic Consumption in Food Animals, Antibiotics which are critical to human health are commonly used for growth promotion in poultry.
• Pharmaceutical Industry Pollution: The wastewater effluents from the antibiotic manufacturing units contain a substantial amount of antibiotics, leading to contamination of rivers and lakes.
• Environmental Sanitation: Untreated disposal of sewage water bodies – leading to contamination of rivers with antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant organisms.
• Infection Control Practices in Healthcare Settings: A report on hand-washing practices of nurses and doctors found that only 31.8% of them washed hands after contact with patients.

Initiatives taken to Prevent AMR

• National Programme on AMR containment: Launched in 2012. Under this programme, AMR Surveillance Network has been strengthened by establishing labs in State Medical College.
• National Action Plan on AMR: It focuses on One Health approach and was launched in April 2017 with the aim of involving various stakeholder ministries/departments.
• AMR Surveillance and Research Network (AMRSN): It was launched in 2013, to generate evidence and capture trends and patterns of drug resistant infections in the country.
• AMR Research & International Collaboration: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has taken initiatives to develop new drugs /medicines through international collaborations in order to strengthen medical research in AMR.
• Antibiotic Stewardship Program: ICMR has initiated Antibiotic Stewardship Program (AMSP) on a pilot project across India to control misuse and overuse of antibiotics in hospital wards and ICUs.
• DCGI had banned 40 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) which were found inappropriate.

What are the Global Measures?

• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW): Held annually since 2015, WAAW is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance worldwide and encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to slow the development and spread of drug-resistant infections.
• The Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS): WHO launched the GLASS in 2015 to continue filling knowledge gaps and to inform strategies at all levels.

7. With just two speakers, a language in Kerala with no script is on the brink of extinction

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

• Kookanam’s Chakaliya community in Kerala faces the extinction of Madhika,  a unique language.
• UNESCO classifies languages in its ‘Atlas of Endangered Languages’ .

About Madhika Language :

• Madhika Language have similarities to Kannada language.
• Madhika combines Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam, adding complexity.

Reason of decline : 

• The disappearance of Madhika is attributed to the lack of interest, script, educational promotion, social stigma, and a dominating Malayalam language.

About Chakaliya community

• Chakaliya community, initially recognized as Scheduled Tribe, later included in the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala.
• Nomadic and worshipers of Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma, they migrated from Karnataka centuries ago.
• Social stigma associated with the community and neglect contribute to Madhika’s decline.

What are the Constitutional Provisions Related to Languages in India?

• Article 29: It protects the interests of minorities. It ensures that all citizens have the right to preserve their distinct language, script, or culture.
• Eighth Schedule: It lists the official languages of the republic of India. Part XVII of the Indian constitution deals with the official languages in Articles 343 to 351. The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages.
• Six languages in India currently have ‘Classical’ status listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Article 343:It states that the official language of the Union government is Hindi in Devanagari script, and numerals should follow the international form of Indian numerals.
• Article 345: The legislature of a State may by law adopt any one or more of the languages in use in the State or Hindi as the Language or Languages to be used for all or any of the official purposes of that State.
• Article 346: It recognizes India’s linguistic diversity by allowing multiple languages to be used in official communications. It also provides a mechanism to ensure effective communication between states and between a State and the Union.
• Article 347: It gives the President the power to recognise a language as an official language of a given state, provided that the President is satisfied that a substantial proportion of that state desires that the language be recognised. Such recognition can be for a part of the state or the whole state.
• Article 348(1):It provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in English language until Parliament by law otherwise provides.
• Article 348(2): Provides further that notwithstanding the provisions of Article 348(1), the Governor of a state may, with the previous consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi or any other language used for any official purpose, in proceedings in the High Court.
• Article 350: Every person shall be entitled to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the Union or a State in any of the languages used in the Union or in the State, as the case may be.
• Article 350A of the Indian Constitution provides that every state must provide primary education in a mother tongue.
• Article 350B provides for the appointment of a “Special Officer” for linguistic minorities.
• Article 351:It gives power to the union government to issue a directive for the development of the Hindi language.

8. Mission Karmayogi: The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)

Subject: Schemes

Aim:

• It aims to transform capacity-building in the bureaucracy through institutional and process reforms.

Key Features and objectives of Mission Karmayogi:

• Holistic Capacity Building: Mission Karmayogi focuses on the holistic development of civil servants, ensuring they acquire the right skills, attitudes, and competencies to meet the challenges of governance in the 21st century.
• Competency Framework: The mission introduces a competency framework that identifies specific competencies required for various roles in the civil services. This framework is designed to align with the changing demands of the government and society.
• Digital Learning Platform – iGOT Karmayogi: A digital learning platform named “iGOT Karmayogi” has been launched to provide a centralized and integrated platform for learning and development. The platform offers online courses, training programs, and resources for civil servants.
• Individual Development Plans: Mission Karmayogi emphasizes the creation of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for civil servants. These plans are tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of each officer, allowing for personalized learning and skill development.
• Collaboration with Institutions: The mission encourages collaboration with reputed national and international institutions, industry experts, and academia to ensure that civil servants receive cutting-edge training and exposure to best practices.
• Behavioral Training: In addition to technical skills, Mission Karmayogi emphasizes behavioral training to instill the right values, ethics, and attitudes among civil servants. This includes fostering a spirit of innovation, accountability, and citizen-centric governance.
• Annual Capacity Building Plans: Departments and ministries are required to prepare Annual Capacity Building Plans (ACBPs) under Mission Karmayogi. These plans outline the training needs and strategies for capacity building within their respective organizations.
• Civil Services Competency Atlas: A comprehensive Civil Services Competency Atlas has been developed as part of the mission. It provides a detailed mapping of competencies required at various levels of governance and for different roles within the civil services.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The mission includes mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the impact of capacity-building initiatives. This ensures that the training programs are effective in enhancing the performance and capabilities of civil servants.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: – Mission Karmayogi aims to make capacity-building initiatives more inclusive by addressing the diverse needs of civil servants. It recognizes the importance of diversity in civil services and encourages equal opportunities for all officers.

Governance Structure:

• Human Resource Council: NPCSCB will be governed by the Prime Minister’s Human Resource Council, which will also include state Chief Ministers, Union Cabinet ministers, and experts.
• Cabinet Secretary Coordination Unit: There will be a Cabinet Secretary Coordination Unit comprising select secretaries and cadre controlling authorities.
• Capacity Building Commission: It will include experts in related fields and global professionals. This commission will prepare and monitor annual capacity building plans and audit human resources available in the government.

• Special Purpose Vehicle: Finally, there will be a wholly-owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which will govern the iGOT-Karmayogi platform.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: An appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework will also be put in place for performance evaluation of all users of the iGOT-Karmayogi platform so as to generate a dashboard view of Key Performance Indicators.

9. Project BHISHM

Subject: S&T

Section: Awareness in IT

Context:

• Two Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHMA have been deployed in Ayodhya to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities during the upcoming ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony.

More on news:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22, 2024 and 8,000 guests are expected to attend the event.

About Project BHISHMA:

• The Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHMA is a revolutionary mobile hospital equipped with cutting-edge technology.
• This cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri.
• It is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
• This Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies.
• It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
• The whole unit contains 72 easily transportable components that can be conveniently carried by hand, cycle, or even drone.
• Advanced medical equipment, RFID-tagged for efficient repacking and redeployment, is a key feature of the Cube.

Benefits of the initiative:

• This project will effectively bridge the crucial time gap from primary care to definitive care, potentially saving numerous lives in the golden hour of emergencies.
• These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios.

10. Call for Pre-proposals for setting T-Hubs launched under National Quantum Mission

Subject: S&T

Section: Awareness in IT

Context:

• A milestone in the journey of the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is reached with the launch of the call for pre-proposals for setting up Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs).

About the initiative:

• The initiative is launched by the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• The preproposal invites academia institutions/ R&D Labs to submit innovative pre-proposals in consortia mode.
• This is in alignment with the objectives of the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to set up T-Hubs in Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices.
• The NQM will also work in collaboration with industry and startups to translate research to deployable technologies.
• The initiative highlighted the spirit of collaboration in the mission could help make a meaningful impact at the national and global level.

About National Quantum Mission (NQM):

• National Quantum Mission (NQM) launched on 19th April 2023, is  being implemented by DST.
• The mission is launched with a total outlay of Rs.6003.65 Crore for a period of eight years. 
• The Mission aims to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT). 
• This will accelerate QT led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).
• The National Quantum Mission will focus on developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications, and navigation.
• The Mission would greatly benefit various sectors including communication, health, financial, energy with applications in drug design, space, banking, security etc. 
• The Mission will also provide a huge boost to National priorities like Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

11. Rare Earth Metals May Be Lurking in Your Junk Drawer

Subject: Geography

Section: Eco geography

Context:

• Studies from China and the Netherlands reveal that reusing or recycling rare earth metals could meet as much as 40 percent of the demand for the metals in the United States, China and Europe by 2050.

More on news:

• Only about 1 percent of rare earth metals in old electronic products are currently reused or recycled, researchers estimate.
• A vast and largely overlooked source of rare earth metals could be in our homes, sitting in the back of our cabinets and junk drawers.
• It is estimated that reusing or recycling these rare earth metals from old cell phones, hard drives, electric motors and turbines could meet as much as 40 percent of the demand for the metals in the United States, China and Europe by 2050.
• The United States  relies heavily on imports of these materials which are called rare earths, making American supply chains vulnerable to disruption and geopolitical risks.
• The scientists found that the United States, the European Union and Japan could accumulate rare-earth stockpiles in their old electronics and other products that will  far exceed what they would find mining the earth.
• Companies like Apple are developing robots that help to recover critical materials, including rare earths, from old iPhones.

About Rare Earths:

• Rare Earths are a set of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, specifically the 15 lanthanides plus scandium (Atomic Number 21) and Yttrium (Atomic Number 39).
• This  Lanthanide series comprises the 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 57 to 71 i.e. from lanthanum through lutetium.
• Scandium and yttrium are considered rare-earth elements because they tend to occur in the same ore deposits as the lanthanides and exhibit similar chemical properties, but have different electronic and magnetic properties.
• Cerium (AN 58) is the most abundant rare earth metal.
• Their color ranges from Shiny Silver to Iron Gray. They are soft, malleable, ductile and usually reactive, especially at elevated temperatures or when finely divided.

Rare Earths in India:

• The Rare Earth (RE) resources in India are reported to be the fifth largest in the world.
• Indian resources contain Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) while Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) are not available in extractable quantities.
• 07 million tonnes in-situ monazite (containing ~55-60% total Rare Earth Elements oxide) resource occurring in the coastal beach placer sands in parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat and in the inland placers in parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
• In Indian deposits, only Neodymium and Praseodymium are available and are being extracted up to 99.9 % purity level.

Applications of Rare Earths:

• Rare earths are essential for green technology, like electric vehicles and wind turbines.
• They have a critical role in moving the world away from burning fossil fuels.
• They are also used in industries like aircraft, missile and satellite manufacturing.

Recycling of rare earths:

• Reusing and recycling rare earths can cut down on the need for mining, which can pollute soil and water with toxic heavy metals like arsenic.
• Being able to tap already-mined rare earths would be another advantage of switching to renewable energy from burning fossil fuels, which drives global warming.
• Unlike fossil fuels, which are ‘burnt out’ and permanently lost once consumed, the rare earths can be ‘recovered’ as alternative supply.
• In the 1980s, Japanese researchers coined the term urban mining to describe collecting rare metals from discarded appliances and electronic devices, rather than from the earth.
• Common metals like iron, copper and aluminum are already widely recycled.
• Only about 1 percent of rare earths in old products are reused or recycled
• The world instead relies on mining for its supply of rare earths, about 70 percent of which comes from China.

Challenges in rare earth recycling:

• Rare earths are often combined with other metals, so extracting them can be difficult.
• Some rare-earth recycling methods require hazardous chemicals and lots of energy.
• Extracting the few grams, or even milligrams, of rare earths that are present in each old product can be a daunting task.

12. At least 25 killed in Ukrainian strikes on Russian-controlled Donetsk

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

• At least 25 people were killed and 20 were injured, including two children, in Ukrainian shelling near a market in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine

More on news:

• Kyiv once again committed a barbaric terrorist act against the civilian population of Russia.
• Donetsk is one of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow said in 2022 it would recognize as Russian territory – an annexation process which is illegal under international law.
• Kyiv’s troops have withdrawn from the village of Krokhmalne in the northeast of the country, close to the border between Kharkiv and Luhansk regions
• Russia had captured the village of Krokhmalne in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.

Ukraine strikes oil terminal in Russia:

• Ukraine carried out a drone attack on a Russian oil terminal about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of Saint Petersburg.
• A significant fire broke out at the Chemical transport terminal Novatek facility in Ust-Luga(at Baltic sea terminal), which sits on the Gulf of Finland.
• The blaze was at site of Russia second largest natural gas terminal ieNovatek(south west of St Petersburg)

About Baltic sea:

• The Baltic Sea is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that is enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and the North and Central European Plain.
• The Baltic Sea is connected by artificial waterways to the White Sea via the White Sea–Baltic Canal and to the German Bight of the North Sea via the Kiel Canal.

About Gulf of Finland:

• The Gulf of Finland is the easternmost arm of the Baltic Sea.
•  It extends between Finland to the north and Estonia to the south, to Saint Petersburg in Russia to the east where the river Neva drains into it. 
• Other major cities around the gulf include Helsinki and Tallinn. 

Areas in news:

Ukraine:

• Donetsk,
• Kharkiv,
• Krokhmalne,
• Luhansk.

Russia:

• Ust Luga.

13. Features of Ayodhya temple

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

India’s Ayodhya Ram Mandir temple inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

More on news:

• On 22 January 2024 the Prime Minister of India, served as the MukhyaYajman of rituals for the event and performed the Prana Pratishtha  of Ram Lalla at the temple.

About the architecture:

• The original design for Ram Mandir was devised in 1988 by the Sompura family of Ahmedabad.
• The Sompuras have contributed to the design of over 100 temples worldwide for at least 15 generations, including the Somnath temple.
• The chief architect of the temple was Chandrakant Sompura, assisted by his two sons, Nikhil Sompura and Ashish Sompura, who are also architects.
• The temple’s main structure will be built on a raised platform with three storeys.
•  It will have five mandapas in the middle of the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and on the entrance passage.
• Three mandapas on one side shall be of Kudu, Nritya and Rang, and the two mandapas on the other side will be of Kirtan and Prarthana. 
• In Nagara style, the mandapas are to be decorated with shikhara.

Features of the temple:

• The temple is being built in traditional Nagara style.
• The length of the temple (east to west) will be 380 feet, width 250 feet and height 161 feet.
• The temple will be three-storeyed. 
• The height of each floor will be 20 feet.
• There will be a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates in the temple.
• There will be an idol of Shri Ramlalla Sarkar in the main sanctum and Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor.
• There will be five pavilions in the temple: dance pavilion, color pavilion, assembly pavilion, prayer pavilion and kirtan pavilion.
• Artworks of gods and goddesses are being carved on the pillars and walls.
• Entry to the temple will be from the east side by climbing 32 stairs from Singhdwar.
• A rectangular wall is being built around.
• the temple. Its total length in all four directions will be 732 meters and width will be 14 feet.
• Four temples dedicated to Surya Bhagwan, Maa Bhagwati, Ganapati and Bhagwan Shiva will be built on the four corners of the park.
• There will be a temple of Maa Annapurna in the northern arm and Hanuman ji temple in the southern arm.
• Sitakoop of ancient times will be present near the temple.
• Other temples proposed in the temple complex will be dedicated to Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vashishtha, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Maharishi Agastya, Nishadraj, Mata Shabri and Rishipatni Devi Ahilya.
• The ancient temple of Bhagwan Shiva on Navratna Kuber Tila in the south-western part has been renovated and a Jatayu statue has been installed there.

Technological Aspects:

• To protect the temple from soil moisture, a 21 feet high plinth has been made of granite.
• 14-meter thick roller-compacted concrete has been laid under the temple.
• It has been given the form of an artificial rock.
• Ramps and lifts have been arranged in the temple for the disabled and elderly.
• Sewer treatment plant, water treatment plant, water system for fire fighting and independent power station have been constructed independently in the temple complex, so that there is minimum dependence on external resources.
• A Visitor Facilitation Center with a capacity of 25,000 is being constructed, where there will be lockers for keeping the luggage of the visitors and medical facilities.
• Facilities of bathroom, toilet, wash basin, open taps etc. will also be available in the temple premises.
• The temple is being constructed completely according to Indian tradition and with indigenous technology. 
• Special attention is being given to the environment and water conservation.
• Of the total area of 70 acres, 70 percent of the area will always be green.

14. How Ramayana became popular outside India, from east Asia to the Caribbean

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

Context:

• India’s PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated a grand temple to Hindu god Ram in the flashpoint city of Ayodhya.

More on Ramayana:

• The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic which was composed some time in the 5th century BCE.
• It is  about the exile and then return of Rama, prince of Ayodhya.
• It was composed in Sanskrit by the sage Valmiki, who taught it to Rama’s sons, the twins Lava and Kush.
• The Ramayana is a smriti text from ancient India and is one of the two important epics of Hinduism known as the Itihasas, the other being the Mahabharata.

How the Ramayana spread in Asia:

• The Ramayana traveled from India to the rest of Asia in “the early centuries of the Christian era” along three routes.
• By land i.e.  the northern route took the story from the Punjab and Kashmir into China, Tibet, and East Turkestan.
• By sea i.e. the southern route carried the story from Gujarat and South India into Java, Sumatra, and Malaya.
• By land i.e. the eastern route delivered the story from Bengal into Burma, Thailand, and Laos. 
• Vietnam and Cambodia obtained their stories partly from Java and partly from India via the eastern route.
• The Ramayana became an integral part of the culture of many of these countries.
• In Thailand the Ayutthaya kingdom (1351 to 767) is believed to have been based on the Ayodhya of the Ramayana.
• In Cambodia, the Angkor Wat temple complex, built in the 12th century, features murals from the Ramayana, and was originally a temple dedicated to Vishnu.

How it survives in the region today:

• The Ramayana remains an important part of the culture of many of these Southeast Asian countries, though the dominant religions range here from Buddhism (for eg. Cambodia, Laos) to Islam (Malaysia, Indonesia).
• The Ramakien, a version of the Ramayana, is Thailand’s national epic.
• The current king belongs to the Chakri dynasty, whose rulers are all named after Ram. Vajiralongkorn, the current constitutional monarch, is styled Rama X.
• Thai Ramakien owes much to the Tamil epic i.e. Kamban Ramayan.
• In Laos too, the story of Phra Ram is the national epic.

Differences between Indian epic and Other countries Ramayan:

• In Cambodia’s Reamker, a mermaid princess Suvannamaccha falls in love with Lord Hanuman.
• In Java, the Javanese deity Dhayana and his sons become part of the story.
• The Malaysian Hikayat Seri Rama is more sympathetic to Ravana (Maharaja Wana).
• In Laos, Phra Ram is considered a previous incarnation of Gautama Buddha.

Ramayana outside Asia:

• A major current that took the Ramayana to Africa, the Caribbean, etc. was the girmitiya migration outside India in the 19th century.
• The girmitiyas were not rich traders likely to influence kings, but there is a more personal element in how they remembered and preserved the tale of Ram.
• In an alien land, the Ramcharitmanas became a source of succor, of nostalgia, the symbol of a homeland more real than the actual home.

About Girmitiya:

• The word ‘girmitiya’ comes from ‘agreement’, which these people signed (or were made to sign) to work in the plantations.
• Girmitiyas also known as Jahajis are the indentured laborers from British India transported to work on plantations in Fiji, South Africa, Eastern Africa (namely Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda), Malaysia, Singapore, and the Caribbean (namely Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname) as part of the Indian indenture system.
• Majority of these girmitiya laborers were from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• They  carried their culture and religion along with them and a large part of this culture was Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, written in Awadhi and arguably the most popular religious text in North India.

Versions of Ramayana:

• Uttar Pradesh (Awadh) – The Ramcharitmanas was written by Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century.
• Tamil Nadu – The Tamil Kambaramayanam, a popular version, written by poet Kamban in the 12th century.
• Odisha – The Jagamohana Ramayana or Dandi Ramayana composed by Balarama Dasa in the early 16th century.
• Maharashtra – The Marathi Bhavartha Ramayana written by Sant Eknath in the 16th century.
• Andhra Pradesh – The Sri Ranganatha Ramayanam was adapted by Gona Budda Reddy and is the Telugu version of the Ramayana between 1300 and 1310 CE.
• Bengal – The Bengali KrittivasiRamayan written by Krittibas Ojha in the 15th century.

Places mentioned in Ramayana:

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh:

• Believed to be Rama’s birth place, it has numerous temples and sites linking it to the Ramayana.
• Kanak Bhawan Temple, Hanuman Garhi Temple, Sarayu River ghat are places of attraction.

Prayag, Uttar Pradesh

• Prayag, the modern-day Allahabad, is where Rama met Rishi Bhardwaja to receive his blessings and wisdom to survive the trials he was to face during the 14-year-long exile. On his return from Sri Lanka, Rama and his retinue landed at the ashram of Sage Bhardwaja once again before moving onward for Ayodhya.
• Bhardwaj Ashram, Mankameshwar Temple, Shringverpur are places of attraction.

Chitrakoota, Madhya Pradesh

• One of the most important stops in the journey, Chitrakoot is believed to have housed Rama, Sita and Laxmana for more than 11 years during their exile from Ayodhya.
• It was here Rama and Sita met one of the seven immortal sages, Atri and his chaste wife Anusuya Devi.
• Ramghat, Hanuman Dhara, Kamadgiri, Janki Kund, Sphatik Shila, Gupt Godavari, Sita ki Rasoi, Devi Anusuya Temple are places related to Lord Rama.

Panchavati, Nashik

• A once-upon-the-time forest, Panchavati housed the trio for some time. It was here that Lakshmana cut off the nose of demoness Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana.
• Kala Ram temple, Sita Gufa, Tapovan, Ram Kund are places of attraction.

Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh

• Lepakshi is believed to be the spot where Jatayu, the holy giant bird that tried to rescue Sita from Ravana’s throes, fell lifeless after his fight with the demon king. Before dying, he narrated the incident to Rama and Laxmana and guided them towards Lanka.
• Lepakshi Temple is the most revered site present here.

Kishkindha, Karnataka

• Now known as Hampi, this highly popular place is supposedly the meeting point of Rama and Sugriv, the monkey king who helped Rama in his battle with Ravana.
• Pampa Sarovar is located in this place.

Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu

• Perhaps the most famous of all the sites, Rameshwaram is the site where the fabled bridge between India and Sri Lanka was built by Rama’s army. Before embarking on this mission to cross the sea for Lanka, Rama installed a Shiva Lingam and worshiped it with full devotion.
• Ramanathaswamy Temple is present here.

Ashoka Vatika, Sri Lanka

• Ashoka Vatika, now famous as the site of the sacred Sita Amman Temple in Sri Lanka, is where Ravana kept Sita after abducting her. This place is located in the beautiful region named Nuwara Eliya.
• Sita Amman Temple, Divurumpola (Sita underwent the fire ordeal here) are few revered sites present here.

Talaimannar, Sri Lanka

• The battle site of Ramayana, this is where Rama killed Ravana and rescued Sita.
• Thereafter, at Rama’s behest, Lakshmana installed Ravana’s brother Vibhishana as the King of Lanka.
• Soon after, Sita, Rama and Lakshmana started for Ayodhya to reunite with their family.
• Eventually, the reunion led to the celebrations we now know as Diwali.

15. Independence of district judiciary is part of basic structure of Constitution: Supreme Court

Subject: Polity

Section: Judiciary

Context:

• The SC has held that the independence of district judiciary is part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

More on news:

• A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices V. Ramasubramanian and P.S. Narasimha observed in a judgment that the independence of district judiciary is part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
• SC  has said that judicial independence from the executive and the legislature requires the judiciary to have a say in matters of finances.
• Justice Narashimha said that  important to recognise that the district judiciary is a vital part of the independent judicial system, which is in turn  part of the basic structure of the Constitution

Importance of District Judiciary:

• The independence of the district judiciary must also be equally a part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
•  The district judiciary is, in most cases, also the court which is most accessible to the litigant.
• The judgment records the crucial role played by the district judiciary in the justice administration system.
• It is important to ensure the financial security and economic independence of the district judiciary.
• Judiciary must possess the inherent power to compel payment of those sums of money which are reasonable and necessary to carry out its mandated responsibilities, and its powers and duties to administer justice

Constitutional provisions:

• Appointment:
  • Article 233 of the Constitution of India(Part 6)
  • Appointments of persons to be, and the posting and promotion of, district judges in any State shall be made by the Governor of the State in consultation with the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to such State.
  • ⁠A person not already in the service of the Union or of the State shall only be eligible to be appointed a district judge if he has been for not less than seven years an advocate or a pleader and is recommended by the High Court for appointment.
• Qualifications:
  • He should have been an advocate or pleader for 7 years.
  • He should be recommended by the high court.
  • He shouldn’t already be in the service of the center or state.

Basic structure Doctrine:

• It was developed by the Supreme Court of India in a series of constitutional law cases in the 1960s and 1970s that culminated in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, where the doctrine was formally adopted.
• The basic structure doctrine is a common law legal doctrine that the constitution of a sovereign state has certain characteristics that cannot be erased by its legislature.
• The origins of the basic structure doctrine are found in the German Constitution which, after the Nazi regime, was amended to protect some basic laws.
• The doctrine is recognised in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Uganda.
• The Supreme Court is yet to define or clarify as to what constitutes the basic structure of the Constitution.
• From the various judgments, the following have emerged as basic features of the Constitution or elements  of the ‘basic structure’ of the constitution:
  • Supremacy of the Constitution
  • Sovereign, democratic and republican nature of the Indian polity
  • Secular character of the Constitution
  • Separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary
  • Federal character of the Constitution
  • Unity and integrity of the nation
  • Welfare state (socio-economic justice)
  • Judicial review
  • Freedom and dignity of the individual
  • Parliamentary system
  • Rule of law
  • Harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
  • Principle of equality
  • Free and fair elections
  • Independence of Judiciary
  • Limited power of Parliament to amend the Constitution
  • Effective access to justice
  • Principle of reasonableness
  • Powers of the Supreme Court under Articles 32, 136, 141 and 142