Daily Prelims Notes 25 August 2022

Daily prelims Notes

25 August 2022

Table Of Contents

1. Untouchability in India
2. Amends Supreme Court Judges Rules
3. Corporate Bond
4. 135AA of the Customs Act
5. Women in science
6. Theatre group to cut short Yakshagana shows
7. Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance
8. ‘The worst in 500 years’: Europe’s great drought, explained
9. Explained: What is Mandala in art?
10. Sulfuric acid: The next resource crisis that could stifle green tech and threaten food security
11. India said to plan sops for rupee use in Russia trade
12. Nine new forms

1. Untouchability in India

Subject :Polity

Section : Constitution

Context: : Rajasthan case

• Article 17 of the Constitution of India has abolished “Untouchability”, its practice in any form is forbidden and enforcement of any disability arising out of “Untouchability” is an offence punishable in accordance with law.
• In pursuance of this Constitutional provision, the Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955 was enacted and notified on 08.05.1955. Subsequently, it was amended and renamed in the year 1976 as the Protection of Civil Rights {PCR} Act, 1955. The PCR Act prescribes punishment for the enforcement of any disability arising from the practice of untouchability. The Act is implemented by respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.
• Section 7 of the PCR Act prescribes punishment for preventing any person from exercising any right accruing to him by reasons of the abolition of “untouchability”. Explanation I of the said section, inter-alia, states that a person shall be deemed to boycott another person who refuses to let such a person use or occupy any house, which would be commonly done in the ordinary course. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Central assistance is also provided to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for effective implementation of the PCR Act, which, inter-alia, includes incentive for inter-caste marriages where one of the spouses is a member of a Scheduled Caste and awareness generation.

2. Amends Supreme Court Judges Rules

Subject :Polity

Section :Judiciary

Context:The Supreme Court Judges (Amendment) Rules, 2022.

• The government has amended the original Supreme Court Judges Rules of 1959 in exercise of powers conferred to it under the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958.
• Rule entitle a retired Chief Justice rent-free Type – VII accommodation in Delhi for six months from the date of superannuation.
• A notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice said the accommodation would be other than the designated official residence.
• The amended Rules added that a retired Chief Justice and judges of the Supreme Court shall be entitled to a chauffeur, secretarial assistant and a round-the-clock security cover in addition to his or her personal security guard for a period of a year from the date of retirement.
• Further, the amended Rules mandated that a retired Chief Justice and judges should be extended, as per protocol, courtesies at ceremonial lounges at airports.

Supreme Court Judges

• Articles 124 to 147 in Part V of the Constitution deal with the organisation, independence, jurisdiction, powers, procedures and so on of the Supreme Court.
•  The Parliament is also authorised to regulate them.

Salaries and Allowances

• The salaries, allowances, privileges, leave and pension of the judges of the Supreme Court are determined from time to time by the Parliament. They cannot be varied to their disadvantage after their appointment except during a financial emergency.
• They are also paid sumptuary allowance and provided with free accommodation and other facilities like medical, car, telephone, etc.
• The retired chief justice and judges are entitled to 50 per cent of their last drawn salary as monthly pension.

3. Corporate Bond

Subject: Economy

Context: In FY22, the amount of money raised through public issuances of corporate bonds was just about 2 percent of the amount of money raised through private placement as per a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Concept:

Corporate Bonds:

• Corporate Bonds are debt instruments that a private firm or company issues to raise money from the public. 
• People who invest in corporate bonds are called bondholders and lend money to the company by buying the issued corporate bonds.
• When the bondholders invest in the corporate bonds of a company, the company makes a legal commitment to provide regular interest payments on the principal amount based on the corporate bond rates. Furthermore, after maturity, the company has to pay back the principal amount to the bondholders. Corporate bond types offer numerous features but have to fulfill the basic legal obligations such as interest payments (not in the case of zero-coupon bonds) and the repayment of principal.

Types of Corporate Bonds

• Zero-coupon Bonds: 
  • These types of bonds do not pay regular interest to the bondholders but are available at a discount.
  • The only payment done is for repaying the principal amount at the time of maturity. However, bondholders have to pay taxes on the accrued interest value.
• Convertible Bonds: 
  • They are hybrid bonds that have the option to be converted to stocks based on the underlying asset of the bond.
  • Once the bonds are converted to regular shares, the bondholders become shareholders and the issuer is not liable to pay interest in the future.
• Floating Rate Bonds: 
  • Floating rate bonds have fluctuating interest rates and provide different interest payments to the bondholders every time.
  • The coupon rate is based on the prevailing interest rates in the market and the ability of the company to provide a certain interest to the bondholders.
• Fixed-Rate Bonds: 
  • Fixed-rate corporate bonds, also called vanilla bonds, pay the bondholders a predetermined amount as interest.
  • The coupon rate is fixed at the time of issuance of such bonds and does not change throughout the tenure of the corporate bonds.
• Investment Grade Bonds: 
  • Corporate bonds are classified based on their credit ratings. Investment-grade bonds are those corporate bonds that have a credit rating higher than BBB- and go up to the highest possible rating of AAA.
  •  Investment-grade bonds are issued by financially strong companies and have a negligible possibility of default on payments.
• Junk Corporate Bonds:
  • Junk bonds are a type of bond that carries a higher risk of default.
  • The issuer of such bonds may not have the adequate cash flow to pay regular interest or repay the principal amount to the bondholders at the time of maturity.
  • The bonds issued by financially struggling companies are termed junk bonds and generally have higher yields as it is only through a high yield that junk bonds can offset any risk of default.

Issuing of bonds:

• Public Issue-
  • When an issue / offer of securities is made to new investors for becoming part of shareholders’ family of the issuer, it is called a public issue.
  • Public issues can be further classified into
    • Initial Public Offer (IPO): When an unlisted company makes either a fresh issue of securities or offers its existing securities for sale or both for the first time to the public, it is called an IPO. This paves way for listing and trading of the issuer’s securities in the Stock Exchanges.
    • Follow on Public Offer (FPO): When an already listed company makes either a fresh issue of securities to the public or an offer for sale to the public, it is called a Follow on Public Offer (FPO).
• Private placement:
  • A private placement is the sale of securities to a relatively small number of select investors as a way of raising capital. Investors involved in private placements are usually large banks, mutual funds, insurance companies and pension funds.
  • A private placement is different from a public issue, in which securities are made available for sale on the open market to any type of investor.
  • Private placement of shares or convertible securities by listed issuer can be of two types:
    • Preferential allotment: When a listed issuer issues shares or convertible securities, to a selected group of persons as per SEBI guidelines, it is called a preferential allotment. The issuer is required to comply with various provisions which inter-alia include pricing, disclosures in the notice, lock-in etc., in addition to the requirements specified in the Companies Act.
    • Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP): When a listed issuer issues equity shares or securities convertible into equity shares to qualified institutions buyers only in terms of provisions as per SEBI guidelines, it is called a QIP.
• Rights Issue:
  • When an issue of securities is made by an issuer to its shareholders existing as on a particular date fixed by the issuer (i.e. record date), it is called a rights issue.
  • The rights are offered in a particular ratio to the number of securities held as on the record date.

• Bonus Issue:
  • When an issuer makes an issue of securities to its existing shareholders as on a record date, without any consideration from them, it is called a bonus issue.
  • The shares are issued out of the Company’s free reserve or share premium account in a particular ratio to the number of securities held on a record date.

4. 135AA of the Customs Act

Subject :Economy

Section :External Sector

Context:

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced ₹1 lakh penalty for the first offence under section 135AA of the Customs Act.

Details:

Union Budget 2022 inserted section 135AA to protect the import and export data submitted to Customs by importers or exporters in their declarations by making the publishing of such information unless provided by the law, as an offence under Customs Act.

Concept:

135AA of the Customs Act:

• Union budget 2022 inserted section 135AA  in the custom Act
• The section prohibits unauthorized publication of import-export data. 
• Publication involves informations relating to:
  • the value or
  • classification or
  • quantity of goods entered for export from India, or import into India, or
  • the details of the exporter or importer of such goods
• An individual can be punished with six months imprisonment or with a fine that can be extended to Rs 50,000  or both for unauthorised publication of export and import data.
• The penalty can be increased by 100% for each subsequent offence.

Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC)?

• The Central Board of Indirect Taxes is under the Department of Revenue, Finance Ministry, Government of India.
• The CBIC was previously known as the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
• It engages in policy formulation of matters concerned with the levy and collection of central excise duties, customs, central goods and services tax and IGST, administration of these taxes, prevention of smuggling and also narcotics to the extent prescribed.
• The CBIC is the administrative authority for its subordinate organisations, including Central Excise and Central GST Commissionerates, Custom Houses and the Central Revenues Control Laboratory.
• CBIC is a statutory body established under the Central Boards of Revenue Act, 1963.
• CBIC was formed in 1964 when the Central Board of Revenue was split into the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Excise and Customs, which was renamed the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in 2018.
• The Central Board of Revenue was set up under the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1924 as the apex body of the Income Tax Department.
• The CBIC Chairperson is the senior-most Indian Revenue Service (IRS – Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer in India.
• CBIC Functions
  • CBIC administers indirect taxes in India such as goods and services tax, and customs.
  • Collection of Goods & Services Tax and previously Central Excise Duty and Service Tax.
  • Collection of Customs Duty on Land Customs Stations, Inland Container Depots (ICDs), Special Economic Zones (SEZs) & Container Freight Stations (CFSs).
  • Collection of Customs Duty on International Airports, Seaports, Custom Houses, International Air Cargo Stations & International ICDs.
  • Prevention of Smuggling on International Airports & Sea.
  • Prevention of Smuggling through Land Customs Station & Border Checkpoints.

5. Women in science

Subject : Science and Technology

• Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing a dedicated scheme ‘Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)’ to ensure participation of women in the field of Science and Technology (S&T) through various gender enabling programmes.
• ‘Women Scientists Scheme (WOS)’ under WISE-KIRAN provides various opportunities to women scientists and technologists, especially those who had break in their career to pursue research.
• Under this scheme, women scientists are being encouraged to pursue research in frontier areas of science and engineering, on problems of societal relevance and to take up S&T-based internship followed by self-employment
• This initiative primarily aimed at providing opportunities to women scientists and technologists between the age group of 27-57 years who had a break in their careerand not having regular employment, to explore possibility of re-entry into the profession..
• Following three categories of fellowships, with research grants, are available for India citizen:
• Women Scientist Scheme-A(WOS-A): Research in Basic/Applied Science
• Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B): S&T interventions for Societal Benefit
• Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C): Internship in Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) for the Self-Employment.
• Further, Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) encourages women scientists and technologists to undertake international collaborative research in premier institutions in USA. In addition to fellowship programmes,
• DST also provides support for development of research infrastructure and creation of state-of-the-art research laboratories under ‘Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence (CURIE) Programme’ in women institutions to enhance women’s participation in S&T domain. DST has also started a new programme “Vigyan Jyoti” for meritorious girl students of Class 9-12 to encourage them to pursue education and career in science and technology particularly in the areas where women are underrepresented.
• Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)aims to transform institutions for more gender sensitive approach and inclusiveness with ultimate goal to improve the gender equity in S&T.
• “SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research)” scheme of Science and Engineering Research Board of DST aims to address lower participation of women scientists in research activities and to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering. In addition to this, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is also implementing ‘Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation Programme (BioCARe)’ to enhance the participation of Women Scientists in Biotechnology research and also instituted Janaki Ammal National Women Bioscientist Awards to recognize the contributions of senior and young women scientists in the country who are working in the areas of Biology and Biotechnology. Further, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) is giving 5 years’ relaxation in upper age limit to women candidates to be eligible for award of Fellowships/Associateships to pursue doctoral and postdoctoral research to promote women in science & technology. Moreover, Ministry of Earth Sciences has initiated a special award called “National Award for Woman Scientist” since 2018 which is being conferred to one-woman scientist each year.

6. Theatre group to cut short Yakshagana shows

Subject :History

Section: Art and Culture

• Shows spanning entire nights will be truncated after loudspeaker ban

DIFFERENT FORMS OF TRADITIONAL THEATRE

BhandPather

• It is the traditional theatre form of Kashmir, is a unique combination of dance, music and acting.
• Satire, wit and parody are preferred for inducing laughter.
• In this theatre form, music is provided with surnai, nagaara and dhol.
• Since the actors of BhandPather are mainly from the farming community, the impact of their way of living, ideals and sensitivity is discernible.

Swang

• Originally the theatre form Swang, was mainly music-based. Gradually, prose too, played its role in the
• The softness of emotions, accomplishment of rasa alongwith the development of character can be seen in this theatre form.
• The two important styles of Swang are from Rohtak and Haathras. In the style belonging to Rohtak, the language used is Haryanvi (Bangru) and in Haathras, it is Brajbhasha.

Nautanki

• It is usually associated with Uttar Pradesh. The most popular centres of this traditional theatre form are Kanpur, Lucknow and Haathras.
• The meters used in the verses are: Doha, Chaubola, Chhappai, Behar-e-tabeel. There was a time when only men acted in Nautanki but nowadays, women have also started taking part in the performances.
• Among those remembered with reverence is Gulab Bai of Kanpu She gave a new dimension to this old theatre form.

Raasleela

• It is based exclusively on Lord Krishna legends; it is believed that Nand Das wrote the initial plays based on the life of Krishna.
• In this theatre form the dialogues in prose combined beautifully with songs and scenes from Krishna’s pranks.

Bhavai

• It is the traditional theatre form of Gujarat. The centers of this form are Kutch and Kathiawar.
• The instruments used in Bhavai are: bhungal, tabla, flute, pakhaawaj, rabaab, sarangi, manjeera, etc.
• In Bhavai, there is a rare synthesis of devotional and romantic sentiments.

Jatra

• Fairs in honour of gods, or religious rituals and ceremonies have within their framework musical plays are known as Jatra.
• This form was born and nurtured in Bengal.
• Krishna Jatra became popular due to Chaitanya’s influence.
• Later, however, worldly love stories too, found a place in Jatra. The earlier form of Jatra has been musical. Dialogues were added at later stage.
• The actors themselves describe the change of scene, the place of action, etc.

Maach

• It is the traditional theatre form of Madhya Pradesh. The term Maach is used for the stage itself as also for the play.
• In this theatre form songs are given prominence in between the dialogues. The term for dialogue in this form is bol and rhyme in narration is termed vanag. The tunes of this theatre form are known as rangat.

Bhaona

• It is a presentation of the Ankia Naat of Assam.
• In Bhaonacultural glimpses of Assam, Bengal Orissa, Mathura and Brindavan can be seen.
• The Sutradhaar, or narrator begins the story, first in Sanskrit and then in either Brajboli or Assamese.

Tamaasha

• It is a traditional folk theatre form of Maharashtra. It has evolved from the folk forms such as Gondhal, Jagran and Kirtan.
• Unlike other theatre forms, in Tamaasha the female actress is the chief exponent of dance movements in the play.
• She is known as Murki. Classical music, footwork at lightning-speed, and vivid gestures make it possible to portray all the emotions through dance.

Dashavatar

• It is the most developed theatre form of the Konkan and Goa regions.
• The performers personify the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu-the god of preservation and creativity.
• The ten incarnations are Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narsimha (lion-man), Vaman (dwarf), Parashuram, Rama, Krishna (or Balram), Buddha and Kalki.
• Apart from stylized make-up, the Dashavatar performers wear masks of wood and papier mache.

Krishnattam,

• Folktheatre of Kerala, came into existence in the middle of 17th century A.D. under the patronage of King Manavada of Calicu
• Krishnattam is a cycle of eight plays performed for eight consecutive days. The plays are Avataram, Kaliamandana, Rasa krida, kamasavadha, Swayamvaram, Bana Yudham, VividaVadham, and Swargarohana.
• The episodes are based on the theme of Lord Krishna – his birth, childhood pranks and various deeds depicting victory of good over evil.

Mudiyettu,

• Traditionalfolk theatre form of Kerala is celebrated in the month of Vrischikam (November-December).
• It is usually performed only in the Kali temples of Kerala, as an oblation to the Goddess.
• It depicts the triumph of goddess Bhadrakali over the asura Darika. The seven characters in Mudiyettu-Shiva, Narada, Darika, Danavendra, Bhadrakali, Kooli and Koimbidar (Nandikeshvara) are all heavily made-up.
• Mudiyettu was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity after Koodiyattam

Koodiyaattam,

• One of the oldest traditional theatre forms of Kerala, is based on Sanskrit theatre
• The characters of this theatre form are: Chakyaaror actor, Naambiyaar, the instrumentalists and Naangyaar, those taking on women’s roles.
• The Sutradhar or narrator and the Vidushak or jesters are the protagonists. It is the Vidushak alone who delivers the dialogues.
• Emphasis on hand gestures and eye movements makes this dance and theatre form unique.
• Koodiyaattam was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Traditionaltheatre form of Karnataka, is based on mythological stories and Puranas. The most popular episodes are from the Mahabharata i.e. Draupadi swayamvar, Subhadra vivah, Abhimanyu vadh, Karna-Arjun yuddh and from Ramayanae. Raajyaabhishek, Lav-kushYuddh, Baali-Sugreevayuddha and Panchavati.

Therukoothu

• The most popular form of folk drama of Tamil Nadu, literally means “streetplay”.
• It is mostly performed at the time of annual temple festivals of Mariamman (Rain goddess) to achieve rich harvest.
• At the core of the extensive repertoire of Therukoothu there is a cycle of eight plays based on the life of Draupadi.
• Kattiakaran, the Sutradhara of the Therukoothu performance, gives the gist of the play to the audience and Komali entertains the audience with his buffoonery.

7. Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance

Subject :Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context: Recently, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena had visited the Anang Tal Baoli inside Sanjay Van, and directed officials to restore the heritage stepwell within the next two months.

• The Anang Tal lake in South Delhi, believed to have been built a thousand years ago, has been declared a monument of national importance through a gazette notification by the Ministry of Culture earlier this week.
• The notification, issued on August 22, stated: “The central government is of the opinion that the ancient mound including Anang Tal, Tehsil Mehrauli, district South Delhi, National Capital Territory Delhi… is an ancient site and remains of national importance; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (24 of 1958), the central government hereby gives notice of its intention to declare the said ancient site and remains to be of national importance…”

Anang Tal

• The lake is situated in Mehrauli, Delhi and is claimed to be created by Tomar King, Anangpal II, in 1,060 AD.
  • He is known to have established and populated Delhi in the 11^th century.
• The millennium old Anang Tal signifies the beginning of Delhi.
• Anang Tal has a strong Rajasthan connection as Maharaja Anangpal is known as nana (maternal grandfather) of Prithviraj Chauhan whose fort Rai Pithora is on the list of the ASI.

Who was Anangpal II?

• Anangpal II, popularly known as AnangpalTomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
• He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually became Delhi.
  • Evidence about the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of Masjid Quwaatul Islam, adjacent to Qutub Minar.
• Multiple inscriptions and coins suggest AnangpalTomar was the ruler of present-day Delhi and Haryana in between the 8^th-12^th centuries.
  • He had built the city from ruins and under his supervision, Anang Tal Baoli and Lal Kot were constructed.
• AnangpalTomar II was succeeded by his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan.
  • Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat in the Battle of Tarain (present-day Haryana) by the Ghurid forces.

What are the Key Points About the Tomar Dynasty?

• Tomara dynasty is one of the minor early medieval ruling houses of northern India.
• Puranic evidence (writings of the Puranas) gives its early location in the Himalayan region. According to bardic tradition, the dynasty was one of the 36 Rajput tribes.
• The history of the family spans the period between the reign of Anangpal, who founded the city of Delhi in the 11^th century CE, and the incorporation of Delhi within the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom in 1164.
• Although Delhi subsequently became decisively a part of the Chauhan kingdom, numismatic and comparatively late literary evidence indicates that Tomara kings such as Anangapal and Madanapal continued to rule as feudatories, presumably until the final conquest of Delhi by the Muslims in 1192–93.

National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities

• The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) is an Indian government agency responsible for maintaining cultural heritage database under the Ministry of Culture of the government of India.
• It was launched in 2007 aimed at studying, researching and preserving the cultural heritage of India.
• The main goal of the agency is to make information available online to the general public, explicitly for scholars and students interested or associated with the subject.
• Responsible to maintain two national registers such as national registers on antiquities and national register on Built Heritage & Sites (BH&S), it is referred to one of the important databases of the country in architectural and historical perspectives alongside the Archaeological Survey of India, a nodal agency of the NMMA.

8. ‘The worst in 500 years’: Europe’s great drought, explained

Subject :Geography

Section: Physical Geography

• European media has been full of dramatic pictures of drying, exposed riverbeds. Some of Europe’s biggest rivers — Rhine, Po, Loire, Danube — which are usually formidable waterways, are unable to support even mid-sized boats.
• After the record-breaking summer heat, 2022 may be the worst drought year in Europe in 500 years. China, US too are facing drought.
• Apart from agriculture and drinking water supplies, the most visible impact has been the disruption in Europe’s waterways. Europe depends heavily on its rivers to move cargo in an economical manner, including coal to power plants. With water levels down to less than a metre in some stretches, most large ships have been rendered unusable.

Global Drought Observatory (GDO)

• An agency of the European Commission released an “analytical report” on Tuesday where it said about 64% of the continent’s landmass was experiencing drought conditions, as per data available till August 10. And the situation was only “worsening” as of that date, it said.

Po (river)

• The Po is the longest river in Italy. It flows eastward across northern Italy starting from the Cottian Alps.
• The river’s length is either 652 km (405 mi) or 682 km (424 mi), if the Maira, a right bank tributary, is included.
• The headwaters of the Po are a spring seeping from a stony hillside at Pian del Re, a flat place at the head of the Val Po under the northwest face of Monviso.
• The Po then extends along the 45th parallel north before ending at a delta projecting into the Adriatic Sea near Venice.
• Source – Monte Viso , Mouth – Adriatic Sea

Loire

• The Loire is the longest river in France and the 171st longest in the world.
• With a length of 1,006 kilometres (625 mi), it drains 117,054 km2 (45,195 sq mi), more than a fifth of France’s land while its average discharge is only half that of the Rhône.
• Source – Massif Central Mouth – Atlantic Ocean

Rhine and Danube already covered

9. Explained: What is Mandala in art?

Subject :History

Section: Art and Culture

• A spectacular ‘Mandala’ art installation, bigger than the size of a football field, currently covers a public park in Liverpool in the United Kingdom. Unveiled on August 12, the piece of land art called The Knowsley Mandala is made of natural elements, and is expected to last a month after which it will slowly fade away.
• The artist behind the creation at Halewood Park Triangle is Yorkshire-based James Brunt, who is known for using natural materials found in forests, parks, and on beaches to create elaborate artworks that he photographs to document before they wither.

The art form

• Mandala patterns are motifs that are centuries old, and are used to depict the cosmos. They have been adapted by artists the world over, each of whom has added their own interpretation to these designs.
• Literally meaning the “circle” or the “centre” in Sanskrit, mandala is defined by a geometric configuration that usually incorporates the circular shape in some form. While it can also be created in the shape of a square, a mandala pattern is essentially interconnected.
• Mandala is rooted in Hinduism and Buddhism. Mandala imagery first appeared in the Vedas (c. 1500-500 BC), and Buddhist missionaries travelling along the Silk Road are believed to have taken it to regions outside India. By the sixth century, mandalas were recorded in China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia and T Separately, native American peoples are believed to have used the mandala as representation of a deity or the cosmos, and as a spiritual form.

Its meaning

• It is believed that by entering the mandala and moving towards its centre, one experiences a cosmic process of transforming the universe and that of moving from emotions of suffering to the feeling of joy.
• In Hindu philosophical systems, a mandala or yantra is usually in the shape of a square with a circle at its centre.
• A traditional Buddhist mandala is a circular painting that is meant to help its creator discover their true self.
• There are various elements incorporated within the mandala, each of which has its own meaning. For instance, the eight spokes of the wheel (the Dharmachakra) represent the eight-fold path of Buddhism that brings liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The lotus flower depicts balance, and the sun represents the universe. Facing up, triangles represent action and energy, and facing down, they represent creativity and knowledge.

Mandala in modern Indian art

• While it continues to appear in Buddhist Thangka paintings, it has a central place in the works of even mainstream artists associated with tantric and neo-tantric spiritual movements.
• Choosing to transition from the more figurative depictions of the previous generations of Indian artists, Sohan Qadri and Prafulla Mohanty, in the 1960s, gained widespread recognition for their works that were imbibed with tantric symbolism such as mandalas, which are also used in rituals of tantric initiation.

Mandala in therapy

• As part of art therapy, participants are encouraged to create and colour mandalas. Studies have also been conducted to understand if mandalas can help reduce stress. Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung explored the psychological effects of mandalas and introduced it in psychotherapy.

10. Sulfuric acid: The next resource crisis that could stifle green tech and threaten food security

Subject: Science and Technology

• Without sulfur in the form of , industries would struggle to produce the phosphorus fertilisers that raise farm yields or extract the essential metals used in everything from solar panels to electric car batteries.
• Yet a problem looms, which has gone largely unnoticed. More than 80 per cent of the global sulfur supply is a waste product, extracted from fossil fuels like oil and natural gas (which typically contain between 1 per cent and 3 per cent sulfur by weight) to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, the gas that causes acid rain.
• Sulfuric acid prices would rise,stoking competition in which more profitable green technology industries are likely to outbid fertiliser producers. This would increase the cost of food production and make food more expensive for consumers, especially in developing countries where farmers are least able to afford the higher costs.

An essential industrial chemical

• Sulfur is found in a wide range of products, including tyres, sulfur fertiliser, paper, soap and detergent.
• But its most important application is in industrial chemistry, decomposing a wide range of materials.
• The rapidly expanding use of low-carbon technologies, such as high-performance batteries, light-weight motors for vehicles, and solar panels, will significantly increase mining of mineral deposits, particularly laterite ores that are increasingly important sources of cobalt and nickel. All of these are currently extracted using large quantities of sulfuric acid.
• The US Geological Survey estimates that there is an almost limitless supply of sulfate minerals in evaporites (rocks laid down by the natural evaporation of shallow, salty seas or lakes) and large resources of iron sulfides and elemental sulfur in volcanic deposits, but accessing these would require expanding mining and mineral processing.
• Converting sulfates to sulfur using current methods consumes a lot of energy and emits a lot of carbon. Sulfur mining and sulfide ore processing can pollute the air, soil and water, acidifying surface pools and aquifers and emitting toxins including arsenic, thallium and mercury. And there are always human rights issues associated with intensive mining.

11. India said to plan sops for rupee use in Russia trade

Subject: Economy

Section: External sector

Details:

• India may give incentives to exporters settling trades using rupees to boost the acceptability of the currency and increase sales of goods to Russia, which has fallen because of western sanctions, according to government and industry sources.
• The move is designed to boost Russian trade after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) put in place a mechanism for international trade settlements using the rupee last month. Indian companies are already swapping out the dollar and euro for Asian currencies to settle trades to avoid Western sanctions imposed on Russia after their invasion of Ukraine.
• The most likely incentive that will be granted would apply a current programme for trades using fully convertible currencies such as the dollar and the euro to the rupee, which is only partially convertible, according to the three sources. Under the existing programme, Indian exporters receive rebates on a portion of the taxes and customs duties accumulated during the entire process of manufacturing a good. The new incentive would apply those rebates to goods exported using the rupee as a currency, the sources said
• Convertibility of currency means when currency of a country can be freely converted into foreign exchange at market determined rate of exchange that is, exchange rate as determined by demand for and supply of a currency. For example, convertibility of rupee means that those who have foreign exchange (e.g. US dollars, Pound Sterlings etc.) can get them converted into rupees and vice-versa at the market determined rate of exchange. Rupee is both convertible on capital account and current account.

Rupee convertibility and its advantages:

Tarapore Committee on capital account convertibility: A committee on capital account convertibility was setup by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the chairmanship of former RBI deputy governor S.S. Tarapore to “lay the road map” to capital account convertibility. In 1997, The Tarapore Committee had indicated the preconditions for Capital Account Convertibility. The three crucial preconditions were fiscal consolidation a mandated inflation target and strengthening of the financial system.

12. Nine new forms

Subject :Economy

Section: 

Context: The Corporate Affairs Ministry (MCA) on Wednesday announced the next big step in the rollout of Version 3.0 of MCA21, India’s first mission mode e-governance project. It has decided to, from September 1, on-board corporates currently on Version 2.0, sources said.

• MCA has identified as many as nine company forms —DIR3-KYC Web, DIR3-KYC Eform, DPT-3, DPT-4, CHG-1, CHG-4, CHG-6, CHG-8 and CHG-9 — that will go live from September 1 and would be the first set to be launched on the MCA21 V3 portal. “In view of the upcoming launch of 9 company forms in version-3, LLP filings on MCA21 V-3 portal will not be available from August 27 (00.00 AM) to August 28 (23.59 hrs). However, MCA21 V-2 portal for company filings will remain available,” MCA said on Wednesday.
• MCA also said that remaining company forms and other modules like e-adjudication, compliance management systems are scheduled to be fully deployed within the calendar year.
• MCA is currently rolling out MCA21 Version 3.0 in phases to ensure minimum disruption in regulatory filings.
• The Version 3.0 module has already been implemented for limited liability partnerships (LLPs). MCA 21 is the online portal of the MCA, which has made all company-related information accessible to stakeholders and the general public. It was initially launched in 2006.
• L&T Infotech has a contract for operating and maintaining MCA21 V3.0.