Daily Prelims Notes 7 December 2023

December 7, 2023
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

7 December 2023

Table Of Contents

1. Who is responsible for farming’s impact on the environment

Subject : Environment

Section: Agri and SD

Introduction:

The expansion of international trade has created global supply chains, directly linking consumers to geographically distant impacts, including carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, freshwater depletion, soil degradation and labour-rights issues – all of which have local, regional, and global relevance.
Due to its vast size and consumer market, India is a global anchor of the trade in agricultural products.

Food-based impact accounting:

Large land areas in India are used to service the international demand for food products, which puts pressure on national soil and water resources.
Similarly, India’s vast consumer market means that large amounts of land, even outside its borders, are used to satisfy domestic demand, which led to an increase in the environmental pressure in the exporting countries.
Measuring impacts and allocating responsibility is based on a production-based accounting method: it measures impacts in the place where the products are produced. But, there are concerns about its limitations in managing ‘leaks’, fixing accountability, and ensuring equity and justice among producers and consumers.
Another alternative is consumption-based accounting.

Consumption-based accounting:

It accounts for impact at the point of consumption, attributing all the social and environmental impacts that occurred during production and trade to the final products and to the eventual consumers.
This approach calls to adopt sustainable consumption practices as a form of environmental action.
It highlights the responsibility of industrialised states to mitigate the impact of climate change and the rights of developing economies to not carry an excessive burden.
This is an extension of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities that make up global climate governance.

What is the demand perspective?

Developed countries are the largest consumers so they are responsible for any consequences that occur during the production process.
It also includes the issue of equity and justice surrounding the issue of historical responsibility.
Studies suggest that developing economies like India have contributed only 23% of global cumulative emissions and are responsible for about 20-40% of the global average temperature rise since the preindustrial era.

Benefits of environmental action?

The European Commission recently initiated steps to ensure products consumed in the European Union have not contributed to deforestation in their country of origin.
India has a unique position in this regard, as India is a major consumer as well as a major producer of agricultural products.

Source: The Hindu

2. Climate change is making the world sick

Subject :Environment

Section: Climate change

Context:

The public health has been compromised by climate change in the form of heat stress, Lung damage from wildfire smoke, and the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes into new regions as temperatures rise.

Details:

From 2030malnutrition, malaria and dengue, diarrhoea, and heat stress will push global death tolls up by 250,000 per year, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The warmer temperatures and heavy rains create more hospitable conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes to breed and spread to new regions.
- Malaria (a mosquito-born disease) spread into the highlands of Africa that previously had been too cold for mosquitoes.
Diseases that are spreading fast due to warming and heavy rain are- Diarrhoea, Cholera, Malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile among others.
The world is already about 1.1 degrees C warmer than the average pre-industrial temperature and people in 2022 experienced about 86 days on average of dangerously high temperatures that resulted in drier forests and extreme wildfires.

Source: The Hindu

3. Electric- vehicle boom drives miner’s $100-m hunt for new palladium uses

Subject : Geography

Section: Economic geography

Context:

Russia’s MMC Norilsk Nickel is spending $100 Mn to find new uses for palladium as the electric-vehicle boom threatens the metal’s crucial catalytic converter market.

Palladium:

It is a rare and lustrous silvery-white metal.
- Nornickel mines about 40% of the world’s palladium.
- Nornickel is researching new uses of palladium in the hydrogen, solar power and chemical sectors.
South Africa is the leading producer of palladium followed by Russia, Canada, the USA and Zimbabwe, while Russia is the leading exporter.
Deposits:
- Ore deposits of palladium are rare. It is mainly found in the norite belt of the Bushveld Igneous Complex covering the Transvaal Basin in South Africa, the Stillwater Complex in Montana, United States; the Sudbury Basin and Thunder Bay District of Ontario, Canada, and the Norilsk Complex in Russia.
- Recycling is also a source, mostly from scrapped catalytic converters.
Application:
- 80% of all palladium ends up in autocatalysts that curb emissions in automobiles, but electric vehiclesdo not need a pollution-controlling device.
  - As a catalytic converter, Palladium converts as much as 90% of the harmful gases in automobile exhaust (hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide) into nontoxic substances (nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapour).
- Palladium is also used in electronics, dentistry, medicine, hydrogen purification, chemical applications, groundwater treatment, and jewellery.
- Palladium is a key component of fuel cells, in which hydrogen and oxygen react to produce electricity, heat, and water.
- New products:
  - Palladium can be used as a catalyst in hydrogen power systems, and solar power cells, as a catalyst for the synthesis of acids for biodegradable packaging, as an electrode for disinfecting water, and in the cosmetics industry.

4. Dhanwantri image in IMC logo

Subject: History

Section: Ancient India

Context: Dhanwantri image in IMC logo. Why doctor protesting

More about the news:

The logo of the National Medical Commission, featuring a colorful depiction of the physician god Dhanvantri, has faced criticism from doctors, prompting the Indian Medical Association to call for “corrective steps.”
The IMA expressed concerns about the neutrality of the logo, emphasizing that symbols of national institutions should be inclusive and avoid causing grievances among different sections of society.
NMC officials defended the logo, noting that the image of Dhanvantri had always been part of it, albeit in a dark silhouette. The new logo adds color to the image and replaces ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’.
The officials pointed out that the use of mythological symbols, such as the Caduceus in Greek mythology, is not uncommon in medical logos. Officials clarified that Dhanvantri had always been part of the logo, even though the logo was officially adopted in 2022 when the NMC took over from the Medical Council of India in 2020.

Who was Dhanvantari

Lord Dhanvantari holds a significant role in Ayurveda’s history, revered as the physician of the Gods and a skilled surgeon.
In Hinduism, worshipers seek his blessings for effective healing.
Legend has it that, as the king of Kashi i.eDivodasa,, Dhanvantari taught the science of Ayurveda to sages, including the renowned surgeon Susruta.
Dhanvantari recastedBrahma’s Ayurveda into 8 divisionsi.eshalya, shalakya, kayachikitsa, bhutavidya, kaumarabhrtya, agadatantra, rasayanatantra, vajikaranatantra and began teaching within the framework of pratyaksa (perception), agama (authoritative scripture), anumana (inference) and upamana (analogy).
He is also considered an avatar of Vishnu, and a well-known tale depicts him emerging from the churning ocean with a bowl of nectar during the quest for the elixir of life.
In the context of Ayurveda, physicians of the School of Atreya were known to refer surgical cases to practitioners from the School of Dhanvantari.

What is the meaning of the name:

The term “dhanus” is a symbolic representation indicating the science of surgery, and Dhanvantari, having mastered it, is associated with this knowledge.
The word “dhanvan” is linked to the concept of a desert, as seen in RigVeda [V.36.1], where “dhanvachara” signifies someone moving in a desert.
This aligns with a Vedic mantra expressing Lord Vishnu as akin to a place in the desert where water is provided to travelers (dhanvanivaprapaasi).
Therefore, Dhanvantari, as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu holding a pot of nectar, symbolizes a nourishing oasis in the desert of worldly existence.

What is the story of Dhanvantari:

Lord Dhanvantari is prominently featured in the Bhagavata Purana, emerging from the Ocean of Milk during the churning episode known as Samudra Mathana.
As the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean using the Mandara mountain and Vasuki, Dhanvantari appeared holding the pot of amrita (nectar).
This nectar was eventually seized by the Asuras, leading to the intervention of another avatar, Mohini, who reclaimed it.
Dhanvantari is revered as the father of Ayurveda, and according to the Charaka Samhita, Ayurvedic knowledge is eternal, revealed in each cycle of the universe’s creation. Lord Vishnu, when required, incarnates as Dhanvantari to reintroduce Ayurveda and alleviate human suffering.
The churning of the ocean of milk, a significant episode symbolizing spiritual endeavor for Self-realization, involves various divine interventions.
Lord Dhanvantari emerged during this process, personifying the divine source of Ayurvedic wisdom.
The subsequent events included the appearance of the deadly poison (halahala),consumed by Lord Shiva, and the ultimate manifestation of Lord Dhanvantari holding the coveted pot of ambrosia.
The demons, driven by greed, engaged in quarrels over the nectar pot, leading to Lord Vishnu’s trickery.
He assumed the form of Mohini, a captivating woman who successfully recovered the nectar from the demons and distributed it exclusively to the demigods. This revitalized the demigods, enabling them to triumph over the demons.
Lord Vishnu had prophesied Dhanvantari’s reappearance to teach the science of Ayurveda.
True to the prophecy, Dhanvantari descended at the plea of Lord Indra, who witnessed the afflictions of humanity.
The scriptures emphasize that remembering Dhanvantari’s name can provide relief from all diseases.
King Dirghatamas of Kashi earnestly performed austerities to please Lord Dhanvantari, seeking the boon of a son.
Pleased with the king’s devotion, Dhanvantari was born in the royal household of Kashi.
He orally imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda to sages and rishis, whose disciples later recorded these teachings in the Agni Purana.
Dhanvantari’s legacy endured through disciples like Susruta, Pauskalavata, Aurabha, and Vaitarana.

5. ₹930 crore saved from being siphoned off in financial frauds

Subject: Schemes

Section: IT and computer

Context:₹930 crore saved from being siphoned off in financial frauds

More about the news:

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that the timely action against over 3.80 lakh complaints through the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’ saved ₹930 crore from being siphoned off in financial frauds.
The system is part of the ‘Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)’ initiative.
Additionally, the MHA informed that more than 2.45 lakh SIM cards and 42,000 IMEIs reported by police from different states have been blocked by the Central government. The National Cyber Forensics Laboratory (Investigation), established under I4C, has provided services in around 8,840 cyber forensics cases.
The MHA has also provided financial assistance of ₹122.24 crore under the ‘Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)’ Scheme to states and union territories for capacity building.
The public can report cyber offenses, particularly those against women and children, on the ‘National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.‘
Seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) have been established under I4C to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies.

What is Cyber crime

It is unlawful acts wherein the computer is either a tool or a target or both.
Cyber crimes can involve criminal activities that are traditional in nature, such as theft, fraud, forgery, defamation and mischief, all of which are subject to the Indian Penal Code.
Cyber crimes are of two type:
- Computer as a Target :-using a computer to attack other computers–e.g. Hacking,Virus/Worm attacks,DOS attack etc.
- Computer as a weapon :-using a computer to commit real world crimes–e.g. Cyber Terrorism, IPR violations, Credit card frauds, EFT frauds, Pornography etc.

What are the Cyber crime control regime in India

Information Technology Act 2000 is the main law connected with cyber security in India.
Section 65 – Tampering with computer Source Document
Section 66 – Using password of another person
Section 66D – Cheating Using computer resource
Section 66E – Publishing private Images of Others
Section 66F – Acts of cyber Terrorism
Section 67 – Publishing Child Porn or predating children online
Section 69 – Govt.’s Power to block websites
Section 43A – Data protection at Corporate level
A cybercrime complaint can be filed using the National Crime Reporting Portal of India-This portal is an initiative of the Government of India to facilitate victims/ complainants to report cybercrime complaints online.

What is Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN or ICERT)

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN or ICERT) is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India.
CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur.
CERT-In has been operational since January 2004 and has been designated to serve as the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of cyber security:
- Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents.
- Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents.
- Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents.
- Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
- Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
CERT-IN has overlapping responsibilities with other agencies such as National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC).
Indian Penal Code, 1860 is also used to book criminals connected with cybercrimes.
India also has a cyber security policy.

What are the Government Initiatives to Cope with Cyber Crimes in India

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C):
- Coordinates nationwide efforts to combat various forms of cyber-crime.
National Cyber Forensic Laboratory:
- Offers early-stage cyber forensic support to Investigating Officers from all State/UT Police through online and offline modes.
CyTrain Portal:
- A Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platform designed for the capacity building of police officers, judicial officers, and prosecutors.
- Focuses on critical aspects of cyber-crime investigation, forensics, and prosecution.
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal:
- A platform allowing the public to report cyber-crime incidents, with special attention to crimes against women and children.
Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System:
- Enables immediate reporting of financial frauds.
- Assists in lodging online cyber complaints through a toll-free helpline.
Cybercrime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) Scheme:
- Provides financial assistance to States/UTs to enhance the capabilities of Law Enforcement Agencies in investigating cyber-crimes.
Joint Cyber Coordination Teams:
- Established to improve coordination among Law Enforcement Agencies in States/UTs, particularly in areas with multi-jurisdictional issues related to cyber-crimes.
Central Assistance for Modernization of Police:
- Offers financial support to States/UTs for the acquisition of modern weaponry, advanced communication/forensic equipment, and cyber policing equipment.
Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative:
- MeitY in collaboration with National e-Governance Division (NeGD) came up with this initiative in 2018 to build a cyber-resilient IT set up.
National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC)
- To battle cyber security threats in strategic areas such as air control, nuclear and space. It will function under the National Technical Research Organisation, a technical intelligence gathering agency controlled directly by the National Security Adviser in PMO.

6. Panel been setup for guidelines on seizure of e devices

Subject :Polity

Section: Constitution

Context: Panel being set up for guidelines on seizure of e-devices

More about the news:

The Indian government has requested additional time to formulate guidelines for investigative agencies regarding the search and seizure of electronic devices such as phones and laptops.
An Additional Solicitor General informed the court that a committee is being established to address this matter, and guidelines will be developed.
The court, expressing concern over the delay, emphasized the need for a resolution and urged the government to expedite the process.
The case involves petitions asserting that current powers of investigative agencies lack regulation in the context of search and seizure of digital devices, emphasizing the absence of guidelines regarding what can be seized and accessed, as well as the protection of personal data.
The court has adjourned the hearing to December 14, expecting progress by then.

7. The role of special inquiry committees of Parliament

Subject: Polity

Section: Parliament

Context:

Recently, the ethics committee of the Lok Sabha is believed to have recommended the expulsion of a Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lok Sabha for her unethical conduct and breach of privileges.

About ethics committee:

The ethics committee was constituted in 2000, to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of members and examine cases of ‘unethical conduct’ referred to it.
The Committee examines complaints filed against members of the House by:
other members; outsiders through a member; or referred by the Speaker.
The Committee makes a prima facie inquiry before deciding to examine a complaint and presents its report to the Speaker, who places it before the House for consideration.
The term ‘unethical’ is not defined.
It is left to the Committee to decide whether any act is unethical or not.

Role of Privileges committees:

The privileges committee or special inquiry committee examines the more serious accusations against a member.
In 1951, a special committee found a member guilty of promoting a business interest by putting questions in return for financial benefits.
It was again a special committee that inquired into the ‘cash for query’ scam of 2005 where 10 MPs of Lok Sabha were recommended for expulsion.

How is an expulsion constitutional?

The Constitution under Article 101 lists down the grounds for vacation of a seat by an MP.
It includes: voluntary resignation, disqualification and continuous absence from the House for 60 sittings.
Expulsion is not mentioned explicitly in the Constitution.
Supreme Court judgments in this regard:
In Raja Ram Pal versus Hon’ble Speaker (2007), it upheld the power of Parliament to expel its members for breach of privilege by interpreting Article 101 to include expulsion as a ground.
In Amarinder Singh versus Special committee, Punjab Vidhan Sabha (2010), the Supreme Court held expulsion by the State Assembly as unconstitutional.

Reconciliation of privileges of the House and democratic representation:

The privileges of the House developed in medieval Britain to protect the House of Commons from an authoritarian King.
It is important to preserve the dignity and privilege of the House.
It is equally imperative to ensure that democratic representation is not prejudiced for political reasons.
It must be noted that Parliamentary Committee proceedings are not as detailed as a judicial case that is conducted as per the Evidence Act.
Even in this case, the ethics committee is believed to have recommended legal inquiry and the CBI has already registered a preliminary inquiry.
It would be prudent to set up fast track courts to conduct trials for such cases in a time bound manner of say 60 days.
If they are convicted in such a trial, it would result in their disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Otherwise, they should continue to be a member of the House.

8. Google unveils ‘Gemini’, AI tech trained to behave like humans

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: AWARENESS IN IT,COMPUTER

Context:

Google Gemini, a new multimodal general AI model is now available to users across the world.

What is Google Gemini?

Google Gemini comes in three sizes: Ultra, Pro and Nano.
It is being seen as Google’s answer to ChatGPT which has been ahead of the gameso far when it comes to GenAI.

Gemini is multimodal, which means it is not limited to the type of information it can process and can work understand and operate across text, code, audio, image and video.
In contrast, ChatGPT cannot work on video at the moment.
It is also much more powerful than existing models.
Gemini can understand, explain and generate high-quality code in the world’s most popular programming languages, like Python, Java, C++ and Go.

What is the need of launching Gemini in three sizes?

Gemini will be available in different sizes to scale it as per the need.
Gemini Ultra, the largest and most capable model, will be meant for highly complex tasks.
Gemini Pro will be best at scaling across a wide range of tasks for regular users across the world.
Gemini Nano will manage on-device tasks.

About ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot capable of natural language generation, translation, and answering questions.
GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer.
GPT-3 was the largest language model in existence at the time of its 2020 launch, with 175 billion parameters.
The latest version, GPT-4, accessible through ChatGPT Plus or Bing Chat, has one trillion parameters.

9. Garba dance of Gujarat makes it to UNESCO list

Subject: History

Section: Art and culture

Context:

Gujarat’s traditional dance form, “Garba,” has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, becoming the 15th cultural element from India to receive this recognition.

More about Garba

Garba is a traditional dance form from Gujarat, India, primarily performed during the Navratri festival to worship the Hindu goddess Durga.
Origins: The term “Garba” comes from “Garbha” (womb) and “Deep” (lamp).The dance is performed around a central lamp or a representation of the Goddess, symbolizing life, death, and rebirth.
Nature of Dance: Garba is characterized by energetic, circular movements, clapping hands, and intricate footwork, reflecting the cyclical nature of life.
Music and Instruments: The dance is accompanied by rhythmic music, traditionally using instruments like the dhol (drum), harmonium, and flute, with modern adaptations including electronic instruments.
Traditional Attire: Women wear a chaniya choli (a colorful, embroidered skirt set) and men don a kediyu and dhoti or pajama, often embellished with mirrors and embroidery.
Inclusivity and Community Aspect: The dance is inclusive, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds, and emphasizing community participation.
Dandiya Raas Association: Garba is often followed by Dandiya Raas, another dance form using sticks (dandiyas), especially after the Aarti (worship ritual).

India’s ICH on the UNESCO list

Sangeet Natak Akademi is the nodal organisation which looks after this function, and files nominations of intangible cultural entities from India, for evaluation by the international body.
ICG from India include Kolkata’s Durga Puja (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Navroz (2016), Yoga (2016), traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among coppersmiths of Punjab (2014), Sankirtana, a ritual musical performance of Manipur (2013), and the Buddhist chanting of Ladakh (2012).
Before 2011, the list included Chhau dance, Kalbelia folk songs and dance of Rajasthan, and Mudiyettu, a dance drama from Kerala (2010), Ramman, a religious festival and theatre performance of Garhwal in the Himalayas (2009), and Kutiyattam or Sanskrittheatre, and Vedic chanting (2008).
Ramlila, a traditional performance of Ramayana, was also included in 2008.

What is UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) ?

ICH means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated with them that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as a part of their cultural heritage.
Furthermore, its importance is not in the cultural manifestation itself, but in the wealth of knowledge, know-how and skills that are transmitted from one generation to the next.
The adoption of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH by the General Conference of UNESCO in 2003 was a crucial step towards preserving intangible heritage.
UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity was established in the year 2008.

Criteria for the selection

There are three criteria for an intangible cultural heritage to be inscribed in the United Nations list.
The entity must-
- be recognized by communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals as part of their cultural heritage,
- be transmitted from generation to generation and be constantly recreated by communities and groups in response to their environment, their interaction with nature and their history and
- provide them with a sense of identity and continuity, thus promoting respect for cultural diversity and human creativity