Current Affairs 16 February 2024

CONTENTS

1. Female Genital Mutilation
2. Bharat Ratna Awardees – Diverse Contributions
3. Joint Inauguration of UPI and RuPay Services
4. Cassini Spacecraft
5. UN World Restoration Flagships
6. Pallava Dynasty
7. Kaji Nemu

Female Genital Mutilation

Context:

Recently, the UN agencies stated that in 2024, nearly 4.4 million girls are at risk of female genital mutilation around the world.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
2. Challenges in Eradicating FGM
3. Global Initiatives Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
4. Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 and the Way Forward

Understanding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

• FGM encompasses all non-medical procedures altering or injuring female genitalia, recognized globally as a violation of human rights, health, and the integrity of girls and women.
• Concentrated in Western, Eastern, and North-Eastern Africa, as well as some Middle Eastern and Asian nations.
• Global concern due to increased migration, impacting girls and women in Europe, Australia, and North America.
• Girls undergoing FGM face short-term complications and enduring consequences for sexual, reproductive, and mental health.

FGM Status in India

• No legislation currently banning FGM in India.
• Officially, the Ministry of Women and Child Development reported no supporting data for FGM existence in India (2017).
• Unofficial reports suggest FGM practices within the Bohra community in Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.

Challenges in Eradicating FGM

• Deeply rooted in cultural and social norms, passed down as a tradition through generations.
• Changing ingrained beliefs and practices proves challenging.
• Lack of understanding among individuals in communities practicing FGM about its harmful consequences.
• Limited awareness and education contribute to the perpetuation of FGM.
• Inadequate data collection and reporting hinder efforts to comprehend the issue’s scope and target effective interventions.

Global Initiatives Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

• The United Nations Population Fund and UNICEF have jointly led the world’s largest program to eliminate FGM since 2008.
• The UN General Assembly declared February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation in 2012 to focus efforts on eradication.
• The 2024 theme is “Her Voice. Her Future,” aligning with the UN’s goal to eliminate FGM by 2030, as per Sustainable Development Goal 5.3.

Sustainable Development Goal 5.3 and the Way Forward

• SDG 5.3 aims to eradicate harmful practices, including child, early, and forced marriage, as well as female genital mutilation.
• Strengthening laws to explicitly ban FGM and imposing penalties for performers or facilitators is crucial.
• Governments must ensure effective law enforcement through relevant agencies.
• Launching comprehensive awareness campaigns is essential to educate communities about FGM’s harmful effects on physical, psychological, and sexual health.
• These campaigns should target both individuals within practicing communities and others.
• Efforts to combat FGM must be grounded in human rights principles, respecting the rights of women and girls.
• Advocacy for the inclusion of FGM prevention and response measures in the international human rights framework is imperative.

-Source: The Hindu

Bharat Ratna Awardees – Diverse Contributions

Context:

India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, is poised to be bestowed upon five distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to politics, governance, and agriculture. The recipients, including Karpoori Thakur, Mankombu Sambasivan (MS) Swaminathan, Pamulaparthi Venkata (P. V.) Narasimha Rao, Lal Krishna Advani, and Chaudhary Charan Singh, have left indelible marks in their respective fields.

Relevance:

GS: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Bharat Ratna
2. Contributions of Bharat Ratna Awardees (2024)

About Bharat Ratna:

Highest Civilian Award: Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954, stands as the highest civilian award in India.

Eligibility:

• Inclusive Criteria: The award is open to any individual without distinction of race, occupation, position, or gender. While predominantly awarded to India-born citizens, exceptions include the naturalized citizen Mother Teresa and non-Indians such as Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela.

Special Considerations:

• Posthumous Awards: Originally, posthumous awards were not permitted, but the statutes were amended in 1955 to allow them. Lal Bahadur Shastri became the first posthumous recipient.

Recognition Criteria:

• Exceptional Service: Conferred in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order across any field of human endeavor.

Nomination Process:

• Prime Minister’s Recommendation: The Prime Minister recommends the awardees to the President, and no formal recommendations are required.

Limitations:

• Annual Cap: The number of awards is capped at a maximum of three per year.

Award Components:

• Recognition: Recipients receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. However, the award does not carry any monetary grant.

Contributions of Bharat Ratna Awardees (2024)

Karpoori Thakur:

• Served twice as Bihar’s 11th Chief Minister (1970-71 and 1977-79) and known as “Jan Nayak.”
• Pioneered reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) based on Mungeri Lal Commission recommendations.
• Introduced a groundbreaking reservation model in 1978, allocating 26% of reservations with specific quotas for OBCs, Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), women, and economically backward classes among upper castes.
• Advocate for marginalized communities’ rights, emphasizing social justice and inclusive development.

Mankombu Sambasivan (MS) Swaminathan:

• Recognized as the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution.’
• Collaborated with Norman Borlaug to develop high-yielding wheat and rice varieties in the 1960s and ’70s.
• Advocated for fair prices for agricultural produce and sustainable farming practices.
• Played a pivotal role in developing the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act, 2001.
• Received prestigious awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, and Albert Einstein World Science Award.

Pamulaparthi Venkata (P. V.) Narasimha Rao:

• Served as the 9th Prime Minister of India (1991-1996).
• Reset India’s foreign policy, improving ties with the United States and establishing relations with Israel.
• Maintained national independence by refusing to give up India’s right to pursue its nuclear strategy.
• Initiated economic liberalization and resurgence through the LPG reforms of 1991.
• Enacted the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments Acts, mandating one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.

Lal Krishna Advani:

• Served as the 7th Deputy Prime Minister of India (1999-2004) and President of the Bharatiya Janata Party since its inception in 1980.
• Widely regarded for intellectual ability, strong principles, and unwavering support for a strong and prosperous India.

Chaudhary Charan Singh:

• Indian politician, freedom fighter, and 5th Prime Minister of India.
• Led Uttar Pradesh in abolishing the zamindari system as agriculture minister in 1952.
• Advocated for peasants’ interests and rights, introducing measures for their welfare.
• Promoted values of democracy, secularism, and social justice.
• Engaged in a non-violent struggle for independence and imprisoned several times, following Mahatma Gandhi’s principles.

-Source: The Hindu

Joint Inauguration of UPI and RuPay Services

Context:

The Prime Minister of India, alongside the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, jointly inaugurated the launch of Unified Payment Interface (UPI) services in Sri Lanka and Mauritius, along with the introduction of RuPay card services in Mauritius. This collaborative effort signifies a significant step towards enhancing digital payment systems and financial connectivity between the three nations, fostering economic cooperation and showcasing a commitment to digital innovation.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. RuPay
2. UPI
3. Benefits of RuPay and UPI for Users in Mauritius and Sri Lanka

RuPay:

• Payment System by NPCI: RuPay is a payment system and financial services product developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• Domestic Card Network: It functions as a domestic card payment network, usable at ATMs, POS devices, and e-commerce websites across India.
• Empowered by RBI and IBA: The provision under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, empowered the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to establish a secure electronic payment and settlement system in India.
• Card Variants: RuPay offers various card variants, including Government scheme cards, RuPay Classic, Platinum, and Select, catering to different segments of society.
• Global Expansion: Besides being available in Asian countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, and UAE, RuPay has expanded to Africa through Mauritius, becoming the first non-Asian country to issue RuPay cards.
• MauCAS in Mauritius: The use of RuPay technology in Mauritius enables local issuance through the Mauritius Central Automated Switch (MauCAS) card network, a digital hub operated by the Bank of Mauritius for routing payments.

UPI:

• Digital Payment System: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a digital and real-time payment system developed by NPCI in 2016.
• Built Over IMPS: UPI is built over the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure, allowing instant money transfers between any two parties’ bank accounts.
• Integration of Banking Features: UPI integrates various banking features, enabling seamless fund routing and merchant payments through a single mobile application.
• Transaction Volume: In 2023, UPI recorded more than 100 billion transactions, amounting to Rs 2 lakh crores.
• International Acceptance: UPI payments are accepted in several countries, including France, UAE, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bhutan, and Nepal, highlighting its global reach and acceptance.

Benefits of RuPay and UPI for Users in Mauritius and Sri Lanka

Convenient Transactions:

• Users in Mauritius and Sri Lanka will experience convenience in making transactions, both domestically and internationally, through the adoption of RuPay and UPI.

Seamless Cross-Border Transactions:

• RuPay cards and UPI connectivity facilitate seamless transactions for individuals traveling between India, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, eliminating the need for currency exchange and reducing transactional complexities.

Expanded Accessibility:

• RuPay cards will be accepted at ATMs and PoS terminals in Mauritius, expanding the accessibility of digital payments for users in the region.

QR Code Payments:

• UPI connectivity in Sri Lanka enables users to make QR code-based payments at merchant locations, providing a convenient alternative to traditional payment methods.

Financial Inclusion:

• The availability of RuPay cards and UPI services empowers individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to participate in the digital economy, fostering financial inclusion.

Cost-Effective Transactions:

• UPI transactions offer a cost-effective solution, reducing expenses associated with traditional banking services and facilitating affordable financial transactions.

Trade and Tourism Growth:

• Seamless payment solutions contribute to the growth of trade and tourism between India, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka, fostering economic cooperation and collaboration.

Support for Local Businesses:

• Increased digital transactions support local businesses by promoting cashless transactions, enhancing transparency, and reducing reliance on cash-based transactions.

Strengthened Economic Ties:

• The launch of UPI and RuPay services strengthens economic and strategic ties between the three countries, aligning with India’s “neighbourhood first” policy and “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

Digital Innovation and Progress:

• The introduction of RuPay and UPI reflects a commitment to embracing digital innovation, positioning Mauritius and Sri Lanka as progressive economies in the global digital landscape.

Access to Advanced Financial Solutions:

• By leveraging advanced payment technologies, users gain access to innovative financial solutions that empower them to manage their finances more efficiently and securely.

-Source: Indian Express

Cassini Spacecraft

Context:

Recent findings from data collected by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft reveal the presence of a vast ocean beneath the icy surface of Saturn’s moon Mimas.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Cassini Spacecraft Overview
2. Key Facts about Mimas

Cassini Spacecraft Overview

Mission Background:

• Cassini-Huygens was a collaborative space mission involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) with the goal of exploring Saturn.

Launch Date:

• Launched on October 15, 1997, the Cassini-Huygens mission aimed to provide comprehensive insights into Saturn and its moons.

Components:

• The mission comprised NASA’s Cassini orbiter, marking the first space probe to orbit Saturn, and the ESA’s Huygens probe, which successfully landed on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

Spacecraft Details:

• Cassini-Huygens was one of the largest interplanetary spacecraft.
• The Cassini orbiter, weighing 2,125 kg (4,685 pounds), measured 6.7 meters (22 feet) in length and 4 meters (13 feet) in width.
• Instruments onboard Cassini included radar for mapping Titan’s cloud-covered surface and a magnetometer for studying Saturn’s magnetic field.
• The disk-shaped Huygens probe, mounted on Cassini, weighed 349 kg (769 pounds), was 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) across, and carried six instruments for studying Titan’s atmosphere and surface.

Mission Highlights:

• Orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, completing 294 orbits around the planet.
• Provided extensive knowledge about Saturn, including the structure of its atmosphere and rings, and their interactions with the planet’s moons.
• Discovered six named moons and identified Enceladus and Titan as promising locations to search for extraterrestrial life.
• Cassini played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the Saturnian system and contributed significantly to planetary exploration.

Key Facts about Mimas

Position and Size:

• Mimas is the smallest and innermost among Saturn’s major regular moons.

Surface Characteristics:

• The moon’s surface is icy and exhibits a high concentration of craters.

Gigantic Crater – Herschel:

• Mimas features a colossal crater named Herschel, measuring 80 miles (130 km) in diameter.
• Within the Herschel crater, a central peak rises to a height of 4 miles, comparable to the height of Mount Everest on Earth.
• Herschel stands out as one of the solar system’s largest impact structures, considering the size of the celestial body.

Low Density Composition:

• Mimas has a low density, indicating that it is primarily composed of water ice.

Solar System Significance:

• Mimas contributes to our understanding of the diversity and composition of moons within the Saturnian system, showcasing unique geological features and characteristics.

-Source: Indian Express

UN World Restoration Flagships

Context:

The United Nations named seven initiatives from across Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia as the intergovernmental organisation’s World Restoration Flagships.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. UN World Restoration Flagships Overview
2. Seven Recognized Initiatives

UN World Restoration Flagships Overview

Initiation and Leadership:

• The World Restoration Flagship is an integral part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, spearheaded by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Objective:

• Aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems across the globe, encompassing every continent and ocean.

Award Recognition:

• Initiatives recognized by the UNEP and FAO through the UN World Restoration Flagships are eligible for technical and financial support from the organization.

Global Commitments:

• Focuses on tracking and endorsing noteworthy initiatives contributing to global commitments for the restoration of one billion hectares of ecosystems.

Seven Recognized Initiatives:

Restoring Mediterranean Forests Initiative:

• Involves Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
• Novel approach protecting and restoring natural habitats, leading to the restoration of around two million hectares of forests since 2017.

Living Indus Initiative:

• Approved by the Pakistan parliament post the 2022 climate change-induced floods.
• Designates the Indus River as a living entity with rights, serving as a protective measure for rivers globally.

Acción Andina Social Movement:

• Led by Peruvian conservation non-profit ECOAN.
• Aims to protect and restore a one-million-hectare forest area.

Sri Lanka Mangrove Regeneration Initiative:

• Science-driven program co-led by local communities.
• Focuses on restoring the natural balance in the ecosystem.

Terai Arc Landscape Initiative:

• Targets the restoration of critical forest corridors in the Terai Arc Landscape, involving local communities as citizen scientists, anti-poaching units, and forest guards.
• Supported the growth of the tiger population in the shared landscape of India and Nepal.

Regreening Africa’s Agriculture:

• Expected to benefit over 600,000 households.

Growing Forests in Africa’s Drylands Initiative:

• Aims to expand from 41,000 restored hectares to 229,000 hectares by 2030.

-Source: Indian Express

Pallava Dynasty

Context:

Archaeologists recently discovered an eighth-century Kotravai sculpture, an artifact that dates back to the Pallava period, near Ulundurpet, Tamil Nadu.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Pallava Dynasty Overview

Historical Period:

• The Pallava Dynasty was a prominent power in South India, spanning from the 3rd to the 9th centuries.

Territorial Rule:

• Ruled the northern regions of Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, with Kanchipuram as their capital.

Religious Patronage:

• Supported Buddhism, Jainism, and the Brahminical faith.
• Notable patrons of music, painting, and literature.

Origins:

• Initially feudatories of Andhra Satavahanas, the Pallavas gained autonomy after the decline of Andhra Satavahanas at Amaravati.
• Established their capital at Kanchipuram in the 4th century CE.
• The rule of Mahendravarman I and Narasimhavarman I witnessed a significant increase in the wealth and influence of the Pallava realm.

Cultural Contributions:

• Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang depicted Bodhidharma, initiator of the Chan (Zen) school of Buddhism in China, as a Pallava prince.
• Known for their contributions to Dravidian architecture, particularly temple architecture.
• Transitioned from rock-cut architecture to stone temples.
• Mahabalipuram became a significant center for art, architecture, and literature under Pallava rule.
• Notable temples include Kailasanatha Temple, Shore Temple, and Vaikuntaperumal shrine.

Religion:

• Adopted the local religion of Shaivism and embraced Dravidian cultural elements.
• Conflicts:
• Engaged in continuous conflicts with the Chalukya Dynasty in the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south.
• Eventually subdued by the Chola kings in the 8th century CE.

Decline:

• The rise of the Rashtrakutas marked the decline of the Pallava Dynasty.
• Vijayalaya, the Chola King, defeated Aparajitavarman, the last Pallava King, in 897 AD.

-Source: The Hindu

Kaji Nemu

Context:

Recently, the Assam government declared the GI-tagged ‘Kaji Nemu’ (Citrus Limon) as the State Fruit.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Kaji Nemu: Overview

Characteristics:

• Elongated and oblong, distinguishing it from other lemon varieties.
• Recognized for its unique aroma, health benefits, and traditional association with Assamese cuisines.
• Oval-shaped, offering more juiciness compared to other lemon types.

Popularity and Export:

• Renowned for its distinct aroma and antioxidant properties.
• Traditionally linked to Assamese cuisines.
• Exported to various countries, including the Middle East.

Culinary and Medicinal Use:

• Widely used in culinary and commercial applications.
• Extensively valued for its medicinal properties.

Cultivation:

• Grown across all districts of Assam, ensuring year-round availability.

Nutrient Powerhouse:

• Considered a nutrient powerhouse, contributing to overall health.

Citrus Diversity in Assam:

• Assam boasts 16 species and 52 hybrid varieties of citrus.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

• Awarded the GI tag in 2019, cementing its association with Assamese culinary heritage.

-Source: The Hindu