Daily Prelims Notes 8 March 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

8 March 2025

Table Of Contents

1. One dead, 180 missing after boats sink off Yemen, Djibouti, says IOM
2. As Greenland is set to vote, Denmark wants status quo, U.S. seeks to upend it
3. Boosting Value Addition in Spices to Achieve $10-Billion Export Target by 2030
4. Empower Women by Strictly Implementing the Law – Supreme Court

1. One dead, 180 missing after boats sink off Yemen, Djibouti, says IOM

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Four boats carrying migrants have sunk off Djibouti and Yemen killing at least one person and leaving more than 180 missing, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

About the route:

• The migration route from Djibouti to Yemen is a well-established but highly dangerous pathway used by migrants from the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopians, who seek better opportunities in the Gulf countries or wish to escape conflict, poverty, and political instability in their home countries.
• The route connects the Horn of Africa, specifically Djibouti and Somalia to Yemen, which is located on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.
• The journey typically involves crossing the Gulf of Aden, a body of water separating the Horn of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.

International Organization for Migration:

• IOM is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including refugees, internally displaced persons and migrant workers.
• IOM was established in 1951 as Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) to help resettle people displaced by World War II.
• It was granted Permanent Observer status to UN General Assembly in 1992.
• Cooperation agreement between IOM and the UN was signed in 1996.
• World Migration Report is published every year by International Organization for Migration (IOM) of the UN.
• It has 175 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries.
• India is a member of IOM.

2. As Greenland is set to vote, Denmark wants status quo, U.S. seeks to upend it

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Greenland is set to hold a general election on March 11. This election comes in the backdrop of heightened discussions about Greenland’s political future and its relationship with Denmark and the United States.

U.S. Interest in Greenland:

• In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland.
• Greenland holds significant strategic value due to its location, resources, and military relevance.
• It lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America and is vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.
• Additionally, there are opportunities for military expansion, including radar placements to monitor waters between Greenland, Iceland, and Britain, which are vital for observing Russian naval activities.

Growing Support for Independence:

• A movement in Greenland for independence from Denmark, which began in the 1970s, has gained momentum in recent months.
• Relations between Greenland and Denmark have been strained after revelations of historical mistreatment of Greenlanders under colonial rule.
• Despite the push for independence, Greenlanders are wary of becoming dependent on another foreign power, with many expressing a preference for a “free association” with the U.S. rather than full U.S. integration.

Historical Context:

• Greenland was a former colony of Denmark and formally became a territory of Denmark in 1953.
• In 2009, Greenland was granted broad self-governing autonomy but still remains under Danish sovereignty.
• Under the 2009 law, Greenland has the right to full independence through a referendum, and approval from both Greenland’s Parliament (Inatsisartut) and Denmark’s Parliament.
• Denmark currently provides substantial financial support to Greenland, which includes the annual subsidies. In return, Denmark maintains control over foreign policy and defence matters.

Greenland’s Economy:

• Greenland’s economy is currently dependent on fishing, which accounts for over 95% of its exports, as well as annual subsidies from Denmark. These subsidies make up around half of Greenland’s public budget.
• Greenland’s mining sector is underdeveloped, though it has potential for resources such as rare earth minerals, oil, and natural gas.

3. Boosting Value Addition in Spices to Achieve $10-Billion Export Target by 2030

Sub: Eco

Sec: Agri

Why in News

• India, despite being the largest producer and exporter of spices, holds a meagre 0.7% share in the global seasoning market, which is valued at $14 billion in 2024. The World Spice Organisation (WSO) has emphasized the need to enhance value addition in spices to achieve the Spices Board of India’s ambitious export target of $10 billion by 2030.

Details:

• India exports 1.5 million tonnes of spices annually, valued at $4.5 billion, accounting for 25% of the global spice market worth $20 billion.
• China holds 12% of the global seasoning market, while the U.S. holds 11%.
• Only 48% of India’s spice exports comprise value-added products, while the rest are exported as raw whole spices.
• To achieve the $10 billion export target by 2030, the share of value-added spices in total exports must increase to 70%.
• Developing nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications for spices can open new markets and diversify usage beyond culinary applications.
• While India remains the top spice producer, countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and China are becoming major players in the global spice trade.
• African nations have also entered spice production in recent years, intensifying competition.
• Domestically, new regions such as North-Eastern India, Odisha, and Jharkhand are emerging as significant spice producers.

Spice Board of India:

• Established: 1987 under the Spices Board Act, 1986.
• Regulatory and export promotion body for Indian spices.
• Operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
• Headquarters: Kochi, Kerala.
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Promotion of spice exports.
  • Quality control and certification of spices.
  • Conducting research and development in spice cultivation.
  • Training and capacity building of farmers.
  • Implementation of schemes to support spice farmers and exporters.
• Notable Initiatives:
  • Spice Parks: Infrastructure support for processing and value addition.
  • e-Spice Bazaar: A digital platform connecting spice farmers with buyers.
• 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.

World Spice Organisation (WSO):

• Established in 2011
• WSO is a technical partner of the All-India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF).
• Works as a global industry body focusing on sustainability, food safety, and value addition in the spice sector.
• Key Objectives:
  • Promoting sustainable spice farming.
  • Advocating for food safety and quality standards in spice production.
  • Facilitating farmer education on pesticide management and organic farming.
  • Collaborating with international regulatory bodies on spice trade standards.

All 52 spices under the Spices Board of India:

4. Empower Women by Strictly Implementing the Law – Supreme Court

Sub: Schemes

Sec: Vulnerable section

Context: –

• The Supreme Court emphasized that women do not need sympathy but empowerment in society.
• The observation was made on the eve of International Women’s Day by Justice Bela Trivedi.
• Justice Trivedi is one of the only two women judges currently serving in the Supreme Court, the other being Justice B.V. Nagarathna.

Exchange Between the Court and the Senior Advocate

Statement on “Ladies at Home”

• The senior advocate initially stated that “ladies at home” need to be empowered.
• Justice Trivedi clarified that empowerment is needed not just for “ladies at home” but for all women.

Argument on the Case

• The case in question was from Tamil Nadu, involving allegations of sexual harassment and molestation.
• The accused had been in custody for seven months.
• The defense lawyer argued that the case involved a simple injury and not an attempt to murder.

Court’s Stand on the Injury

• Justice Trivedi rejected the argument that the injury was “simple.”
• The injury was identified as a strangulation attempt using a nylon rope.

Final Decision by the Supreme Court

• The court issued a notice to the State on the limited question of reconsidering the sentence.
• However, it upheld the seriousness of the injury and the need for strict legal enforcement.

Women Empowerment Provisions

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 14 – Ensures equality before the law.
• Article 15(3) – Allows the State to make special provisions for women and children.
• Article 16 – Provides equal opportunities in public employment.
• Article 39(a) – Ensures the right to an adequate means of livelihood for men and women.
• Article 42 – Directs the State to provide just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
• Article 243D & 243T – Reserves one-third of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

 Legal Provisions

• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 – Protects women from domestic abuse.
• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 – Criminalizes giving and taking dowry.
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 – Prevents workplace harassment.
• The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amended in 2017) – Provides maternity leave and benefits.
• The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 – Prevents child marriages.
• The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 – Grants equal property rights to daughters.

Government Schemes for Women Empowerment

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) – Promotes girl child education and prevents female foeticide.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) – Provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women.
• One Stop Centre Scheme – Offers support to women affected by violence.
• Mahila Shakti Kendra – Provides skill development and employment opportunities.
• Ujjwala Scheme – Provides free LPG connections to reduce health hazards from traditional cooking fuels.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana – Encourages savings for a girl child’s education and marriage.

Institutional Mechanisms

• National Commission for Women (NCW) – Addresses grievances and advocates women’s rights.
• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) – Implements policies for women’s welfare.
• Women’s Helpline (181) – Provides immediate assistance to women in distress.
• NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) – Supports women entrepreneurs