Daily Prelims Notes 27 May 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

27 May 2024

1. Portion of Hampi’s Virupaksha temple collapses: What is its history and the threats it faces today?

Sub: History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

• The Virupaksha temple pavilion in Hampi, Karnataka, collapsed on May 21 due to heavy rains.

Details:

• The pavilion (saalu mantap) suffered damage, with allegations of neglect directed at the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• The stone pillars of the pavilion weakened over time due to natural wear and heavy rains.
• A committee has been formed to assess the damage and restoration needs.
• Restoration Efforts:
  • ASI began restoration in 2019, with two phases completed by The pavilion was slated for future restoration.

Restoration Challenges:

• Funding, logistics, and sourcing the original type of stone pose challenges.
• The restoration of the pavilion is estimated to cost Rs 50 lakhs and take three to four months.
• Broader Preservation Concerns
• Rs 8 crore was allocated last year for regional monument restoration.
• Continuous worship and commercial activities around the temple impact its preservation. UNESCO highlights the need to balance modern use with conservation efforts.

Virupaksha Temple:

• Located in Hampi in the Vijayanagara district of Karnataka, India.
• The temple dates back to the 7th century, gaining prominence in the 14th century under the Vijayanagara Empire (1336 to 1646).
• The temple is dedicated to Sri Virupaksha.
• The temple was built by Lakkan Dandesha, a nayaka (chieftain) under the ruler Deva Raya II, also known as Prauda Deva Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire.
• It exemplifies Dravidian architecture with grand gopurams (towering gateways), intricate carvings, and a sanctum sanctorum housing a Shiva lingam.
• Historians say all temples had pavilions where traders sold articles, such as those used in worship. Sometimes devotees visiting the temple also camped under the pavilions.
  • There is also a Virupakshini Amma temple (mother goddess) in a village called Nalagamapalle, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, approximately 100 km from Tirupati.
• ‘Kalyanamantapa’, is a notable feature in the temple construction in Vijayanagar kingdom.
• Hampi, the empire’s capital, was a vital centre for religious and cultural activities, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vijayanagar empire:

• The Vijayanagara Empire witnessed the reign of four dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
• Founded by the brothers Harihara I and Bukka Ray I of the Sangama dynasty, members of a pastoralist cowherd community that claimed Yadava lineage.
• The Vijayanagara Empire expanded from a strategic position on the banks of the Tungabhadra River to become one of the most powerful kingdoms of its time.
• The Empire stands today as evidence of what is known as the last ‘great Hindu empire’ of South India.
• It at its height ruled the lands of the modern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and some parts of Telangana, Maharashtra and some parts of Sri Lanka.
• The wealth and fame of the empire inspired visits by and writings of medieval European travellers such as Domingo Paes, Fernão Nunes, and Niccolò de’ Conti.
• The empire lasted until 1646, although its power greatly declined after a major military defeat in the Battle of Talikota in 1565 by the combined armies of the Deccan sultanates.

Sources of the Vijayanagara Empire

Source: TH

2. As right as rain – monsoon-inspired marketing ideas

Sub: Geography

Sec: Indian geography

Discovery of Cherrapunji Gin:

• Cherrapunji Gin, a new product in a colourful metal bottle with graphics inspired by Meghalaya’s forests is found In Shillong’s Police Bazaar.
• The gin is made using rainwater harvested in Mawsynram, Cherrapunji’s sister town, and local botanicals such as Khasi mandarin and sohmarit wild peppers, giving it spicy and citrus notes.
• The gin offers a taste of Meghalaya and the experience of drinking in the rain of the wettest place on earth. The product has received positive initial responses.
• Ingredients in Cherrapunji gin: Juniper from eastern Himalayas, GI tagged (geographical indication) Khasi mandarin, smoked tea from Lushai hills and Kaji (aromatic lime) from Assam valley makes it like no other gin.

Rainwater in Marketing

• Other brands globally use rainwater, marketed as a natural and pure alternative to conventional water. Examples include Oregon Rain (US) and Cloud Rain (Tasmania), noted for their purity due to low nitrate and mineral content.
• There’s potential for Indian brands to introduce rainwater variants in bottled water.

Rain-Inspired Perfumes

• Mitti Attar: In Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, the centuries-old technique of distilling rainwater and soil produces “Mitti Attar,” capturing the scent of first rain and soil, known as Petrichor.
  • It has received a GI (geographical indication) status.
• Leading perfume brands have created scents inspired by rain, such as Marc Jacobs’ “Rain,” Floraiku’s “In the Rain,” and Demeter’s “Petrichor.”

Emotional Connection with Rain:

• Rain evokes nostalgic and romantic emotions, reminding people of childhood, monsoons, and the nurturing aspects of rain.
• Products incorporating rainwater or rain themes can appeal to these emotions.
• Future possibilities include rainwater in soaps, shampoos, gourmet dishes, and designs in jewellery or garments inspired by rain.

Source: TH_BL

3. How close is the World Health Organization to agreeing on pandemic response rules?

Sub: IR

Sec: Int org

WHO Health Assembly Negotiations

• Health officials from the 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) will meet in Geneva from May 27-June 1.
• Purpose: To finalize negotiations on new rules for responding to pandemics after more than two years of discussions.

Key Objectives:

• Revising the International Health Regulations (IHR) to improve responses to outbreaks.
• Creating a legally-binding Pandemic treaty to enhance global defences against future pandemics.

Significance:

• Seen as the most important meeting since the WHO’s creation in 1948, pivotal for Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s legacy.
• Challenges: While some reforms may be agreed upon, other elements might face delays.

Current International Health Regulations (IHR):

• Came into existence in 2005
• Adopted after the 2002/3 SARS outbreak
• Obligates countries to report public health events with potential cross-border impact and includes measures on trade and travel.
• Inadequacies: Effective for regional epidemics (such as Ebola) but insufficient for global pandemics (Eg.- Covid-19).

Changes to Global Health Rules:

• Update in the IHR (2005):
  • New Alerts System: Introduces different risk levels for outbreaks, including an “early action alert” and a “pandemic emergency” for severe threats.
    • Currently, the WHO has only one level of emergency – a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The new system envisages an intermediary stage called an “early action alert”.
  • Strengthening Obligations: Enhances state obligations to report public health events from “may” to “should”.

WHO Pandemic Treaty:

• Aim: Address COVID-19 shortcomings, particularly vaccine distribution inequities (avoiding a repeat of the “vaccine apartheid”) and improve transparency and cooperation.

Key Provisions:

• Establishment of the COP: 
  • The current negotiating texts have also proposed an establishment of the Conference of Parties (COP) to oversee the implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement.
• International Treaty: 
  • The proposed establishment of a COP suggests that an agreement could be a classic international treaty adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution as opposed to the alternative Article 21 opt-out regulations.
• Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS): 
  • To address this issue, the current draft of the Agreement proposes a quid pro quo mechanism, formally titled the WHO PABS System.
    • It compels countries to share genome sequence information and samples with WHO-coordinated networks and databases.
    • In return for access to this data, manufacturers will be required to provide 10% of their products free of charge and 10% at not-for-profit prices.
• Legal Obligations on Benefits-Sharing: 
  • The current text of the provision aims to establish legal obligations on benefits-sharing for all users of biological materials and genetic sequence data under PABS.
  • A robust PABS system, particularly for low- and middle-income countries, including some African nations, seems non-negotiable for promoting equity in access to medical countermeasures.
• Article 12: Proposes reserving 20% of tests, treatments, and vaccines for WHO distribution to poorer countries during emergencies (the exact portion still debated).
• Comparison: Would be the second major health treaty after the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (a treaty which aims to reduce smoking via taxation and rules on labelling and advertising).

Negotiation Dynamics

• Country Positions:
  • Wealthy vs. Poorer Countries: Major rifts and technicalities have complicated negotiations.
  • Missed Deadlines: The May 10 deadline was missed, and emergency meetings have been held to boost morale.
• Contentious Issues:
  • Drug and Vaccine Sharing: A major point of contention.
  • Financing: Debate over creating a dedicated fund or using existing resources like the World Bank’s $1 billion pandemic fund.
  • Political Pressure: Right-wing groups and politicians argue the treaty threatens national sovereignty, which the WHO denies.

Future Actions:

• IHR Rules: More advanced in negotiations, likely to pass, and take effect automatically after 12 months unless opted out.
• Pandemic Treaty: This will require ratification and is unlikely to be finalized by the WHA meeting. Planning for further negotiations will continue.

Source: IE

4. What is the current status with respect to spice exports?

Sub: Economy

Sec: External sector

Context:

• The Indian authorities have initiated several measures to ensure that Indian spices comply with food safety standards of the importing countries.

Background of the news:

• Last month, Hong Kong and Singapore recalled certain spice mix products of the MDH and Everest Group allegedly over the presence of a higher than prescribed level of the sterilizing agent Ethylene Oxide (ETO). 
• Countries have different standards for ETO and maximum (pesticide) residue levels (MRL).
• The European Union has stringent norms for both ETO and MRLs while Japan largely sources only organic products.

Where does contamination occur?

•  India does not use ETO as a pesticide but only as a sterilizing agent to reduce microbial load in finished (spice) goods. 
• Many of the large factories receive material from the farm/mandies, which is then fed on automated lines.
• It leaves them with high microbial levels and forces companies to opt for ETO sterilization.
• The contamination levels can be reduced early through the processes adopted for value addition.

Indian spice exports:

• A quick export estimate data available with the Spices Board India shows that India enjoys a significant share in the global market for spices and spice products.
• In 2023-2024, India exported spices worth $4.4 billion (nearly 14 lakh tonnes), which is 12.3% higher than the financial year 2022-2023.
• Chili, spice oils and oleoresins, curry powder and paste, cumin, mint products, cardamom and pepper are some of the largest exported spices and spice products in the financial year 2022-2023.
• In terms of production, garlic, ginger and chili were the top three spices produced in FY23.
• China, Bangladesh, west Asian countries and the U.S. are important markets for Indian spices.
• India’s share in total spice production globally is about 70%.

Spice Board of India:

• Spices Board was constituted on 26th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986 with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960).
• The Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• Headquartered in Kochi, the board operates state-of-the-art testing laboratories in several cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Tuticorin, Kandla, and Guntur, ensuring mandatory quality checks for exported spices.
• Following the recall by Hong Kong and Singapore, the Spices Board issued a detailed protocol to all manufacturing exporters to prevent ETO contamination.
• The board is starting mandatory testing of spice consignments to Singapore and Hong Kong for ETO.

5. How Europe’s AI convention balances innovation and human rights

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Awareness in AI and computer

Context:

• The Council of Europe (COE) took a big step by adopting the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law i.e. the ‘AI convention’  on May 17.

Definition of AI:

• The definition of AI is similar to the one in the EU AI Act, which is based on the OECD’s definition of AI ie An AI system is a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments.

What is Europe’s AI convention?

• The agreement is a comprehensive convention covering AI governance and links to human rights, democracy, and the responsible use of AI.
• The framework convention will be opened for signature in Vilnius, in Lithuania.
• The Convention aims to create a balanced framework that encourages technological advancement while safeguarding fundamental freedoms and democratic values. 
• By establishing clear guidelines, it seeks to prevent AI from undermining democratic institutions.
• The COE is an intergovernmental organization formed in 1949, with 46 members today, including the Holy See, Japan, and the U.S., plus countries of the EU bloc and others.

What is a framework convention?

• A ‘framework convention’ is a legally binding treaty that specifies the broader commitments and objectives under the Convention, and sets mechanisms to achieve them.
• Those agreements that are negotiated under the framework convention will be called protocols.
• The framework convention approach is useful because it allows flexibility even as it encodes the core principles and processes by which the objectives are to be realized.
• The AI convention can catalyze the negotiation of similar conventions at the regional level in other places.
• As the U.S. is also a member of the COE, the convention can indirectly affect AI governance in the U.S. as well, which matters because the country is currently a hotbed of AI innovation.

Scope of the convention:

• Article 1 of the convention states that the provisions of this Convention aim to ensure that activities within the lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems are fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
• Article 3 states that the scope of this Convention covers the activities within the lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems that have the potential to interfere with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law as follows:
  • Each Party shall apply this Convention to the activities within the lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems undertaken by public authorities or private actors acting on their behalf.
  • Each Party shall address risks and impacts arising from activities within the lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems by private actors to the extent not covered in subparagraph a, in a manner conforming with the object and purpose of this Convention.

AI convention and National Security:

• Article 3(b) allows Parties the flexibility in this matter but without allowing them to completely exempt the private sector.
• The exemptions in Articles 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4 are broad and pertain to the protection of national security interests, research, development and testing, and national defense, respectively.
• The ‘General Obligations’ in the convention pertain to the protection of human rights (Article 4), the integrity of democratic processes, and respect for the rule of law (Article 5).
• While disinformation and deep fakes haven’t been addressed specifically, Parties to the convention are expected to take steps against them under Article 5.
• The convention also indicates (in Article 22) that Parties can go beyond the commitments and obligations specified.

Need the AI convention:

• The convention takes a comprehensive approach to mitigating risks from the application and use of AI systems for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

About Council of Europe(COE):

• The Council of Europe is an international organization with the goal of upholding human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.
• Founded in 1949, it brings together 46 member states with a population of approximately 675 million as of 2023.
• It operates with an annual budget of approximately 500 million euros.
• The organization is distinct from the European Union (EU), although people sometimes confuse the two organizations – partly because the EU has adopted the original European flag, designed for the Council of Europe in 1955, as well as the European anthem.
• No country has ever joined the EU without first belonging to the Council of Europe.
• The Council of Europe is an official United Nations Observer.