Current Affairs 26 February 2024

CONTENTS

1. Chinese Occupation of “Xiaokang” Border Defence Villages Raises Concerns Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
2. Digital Public Infrastructure
3. Rising Emphasis on Nutrition Security Fuels Surge in Horticulture Farming in India
4. Concerns over Interpol’s Notice System Misuse
5. Virtual Private Network
6. Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara
7. Sub-national Climate Fund

Chinese Occupation of “Xiaokang” Border Defence Villages Raises Concerns Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

Context:

In a recent development, Chinese nationals have started occupying previously vacant “Xiaokang” border defence villages along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. Constructed by China in 2019, the presence of these villages has sparked concerns within the Indian Army, prompting scrutiny over the occupants’ intentions and the strategic implications for the region.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Understanding “Xiaokang” Border Defence Villages
2. Line of Actual Control (LAC)
3. India’s Initiatives Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

Understanding “Xiaokang” Border Defence Villages

Definition and Purpose:

• Xiaokang or “well-off villages” are part of China’s strategic infrastructure development initiative along its borders, specifically along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.
• Notable areas of occupation include villages across from Lohit Valley and the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Constructed in regions with contested territorial claims or where reinforcing sovereignty is deemed necessary.

Design and Functionality:

• Dual-use infrastructure designed for both civilian settlement and military presence.
• Built in regions with contested territorial claims or where reinforcing sovereignty is deemed necessary.

Concerns for India:

• China has constructed 628 such villages along India’s borders with the Tibet Autonomous Region, indicating a deliberate effort to assert territorial claims along the LAC.
• Raises concerns among Indian military strategists, emphasizing the importance of heightened vigilance along the border.
• The potential dual-use nature of these villages raises apprehensions about increased militarization along the already tense LAC.
• Lack of transparency regarding the specific purpose and scale of the civilian population in these villages contributes to suspicion and hampers trust-building efforts.

Line of Actual Control (LAC)

• The Line of Actual Control (LAC) serves as the boundary between areas controlled by India and those controlled by China.
• Three Sectors: The LAC is divided into three main sectors:
  • Eastern Sector: Covers regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
  • Middle Sector: Encompasses Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
  • Western Sector: Spans across Ladakh.
• Differing Lengths: India claims the LAC to extend 3,488 km, whereas China’s claim is around 2,000 km, indicating a disparity in their perceptions.
• India’s Claim Line: India’s claim line is based on official maps released by the Survey of India, incorporating Aksai Chin and Gilgit-Baltistan. This diverges from the LAC, suggesting that LAC isn’t India’s precise claim line.
• China’s Claim Line: For China, the LAC is considered its claim line, except in the eastern sector where it asserts ownership over the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet.

India’s Initiatives Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)

Vibrant Villages Program:

• Aims to modernize 663 border villages, with 17 selected for development along the China-India border in regions like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Border Roads Organization (BRO):

• Completed 90 infrastructure projects along the India–China border, worth Rs 2,941 crore.
• As of September 2023, 36 projects in Arunachal Pradesh, 26 in Ladakh, and 11 in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Involved in constructing major highways like the Trans-Arunachal Highway, Frontier Highway, and East-West Industrial Corridor Highway to enhance connectivity, especially in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh and the Tawang region.

Border Area Development Programme (BADP):

• Centrally sponsored scheme addressing special developmental needs of people living in remote and inaccessible areas near the international border.
• Funds allocated for projects related to Infrastructure, Livelihood, Education, Health, Agriculture, and Allied sectors.

Railways:

• Indian Railways constructing strategic rail lines in the Northeast region to facilitate swift mobilization of the Indian army.

-Source: The Hindu

Digital Public Infrastructure

Context:

Recently, Nasscom and Arthur D. Little have jointly released a report titled-Digital Public Infrastructure of India – Accelerating India’s Digital Inclusion, which stated that India’s Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) are likely to propel India towards a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2030.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the Report on Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) in India
2. About Digital Public Infrastructure

Key Highlights of the Report on Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) in India

Role in India’s Economic Growth:

• DPIs are projected to play a crucial role in propelling India towards a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2030, contributing to the country’s overall goal of becoming an USD 8 trillion economy.

Enhancement of Efficiency and Inclusion:

• Expected to enhance citizens’ efficiency and promote social as well as financial inclusion.

Exponential Adoption of Mature DPIs:

• Mature DPIs like Aadhaar, UPI, and FASTag have witnessed exponential adoption by 2022 and are anticipated to scale up further, reaching even the remotest segments of the population.

Economic Impact:

• Mature DPIs have generated a significant economic value equivalent to 0.9% of India’s GDP. By 2030, this value is projected to increase to ~2.9%-4.2% of GDP, considering both direct and indirect impacts.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM):

• ABDM, focusing on digital health infrastructure, is expected to drive a substantial increase in the economic value of DPIs.

Global Leadership in DPI Development:

• India is a global leader in developing DPIs, utilizing them for widespread adoption of digital payments, data-sharing infrastructures, and boosting domestic businesses.

Government Support and IT Ecosystem:

• The success of DPIs is attributed to relentless government support and the thriving IT intellectual capital and startup ecosystem, creating a favorable environment for innovation and growth.

Evolution of Digital Entities:

• Existing digital entities are expected to evolve, leveraging new-age technologies such as AI and Web 3 to deliver superior user experiences.

Aadhaar’s Continued Significance:

• Aadhaar is expected to continue as a major contributor, expanding its use cases to a broader range of services within India’s digital infrastructure.

Foundation for Digital Revolution:

• DPIs or India Stack form the cornerstone of India’s digital revolution, enhancing the country’s ability to utilize digital technologies at a population scale for societal changes and economic growth.

Challenges and Recommendations:

• Challenges include lack of connections between stakeholders, absence of real-time data, limited language options, and restricted reach beyond government services.
• Governments are urged to provide policy support, regulatory clarity, and establish task forces to drive DPI adoption, along with partnering with startups and enterprises.

About Digital Public Infrastructure

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a collection of platforms and systems that enable the delivery of essential services to people, promoting digital inclusion and empowering citizens. It encompasses various components that facilitate the flow of people, money, and information. Here are key aspects of DPI:

Digital Identification:

• DPI includes a digital ID system that enables the secure and efficient identification of individuals in the digital realm.
• This system allows for seamless authentication and verification processes, enhancing access to services and enabling digital interactions.

Payment Infrastructure:

• DPI incorporates a real-time fast payment system that facilitates swift and convenient financial transactions.
• This infrastructure enables individuals and businesses to transfer funds quickly and securely, fostering economic activities and financial inclusion.

Data Exchange Solutions:

• DPI encompasses a consent-based data sharing system that governs the flow of personal information.
• This system ensures that individuals have control over their data and can choose how and when their information is shared.
• By empowering citizens with data control, DPI enables the realization of its benefits while ensuring privacy and security.

India’s DPI Implementation (India Stack):

• India has been a pioneer in developing a comprehensive DPI ecosystem known as India Stack.
• India Stack includes three foundational DPI components: digital identity (Aadhaar), real-time fast payment (UPI), and account aggregation built on the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA).
• DEPA establishes a digital framework that allows users to share their data on their own terms through consent managers, which are third-party entities.
• This approach ensures privacy, security, and user control over data while facilitating the seamless flow of information.

-Source: The Hindu

Rising Emphasis on Nutrition Security Fuels Surge in Horticulture Farming in India

Context:

In recent times, there has been a notable change in dietary preferences in India, emphasizing nutrition security over simple calorie intake. To cater to the changing dietary requirements of a growing population, horticulture farming is witnessing a significant increase nationwide.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of Horticulture Farming
2. State of Horticulture Sector in India
3. Challenges Confronting the Horticulture Sector in India

Overview of Horticulture Farming:

• Definition: Horticulture is the branch of agriculture focused on intensively cultivating plants directly used by humans for food, medicinal purposes, and aesthetic satisfaction.
• Scope: Involves the cultivation, production, and sale of vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, and ornamental or exotic plants.
• Etymology: The term “Horticulture” is derived from the Latin words “hortus” (garden) and “cultūra” (cultivation).
• Pioneers: L.H. Bailey is considered the Father of American Horticulture, while M.H. Marigowda is considered the Father of Indian Horticulture.

Classifications:

• Pomology: Deals with planting, harvesting, storing, processing, and marketing of fruit and nut crops.
• Olericulture: Involves producing and marketing vegetables.
• Arboriculture: Encompasses the study, selection, and care of individual trees, shrubs, or other perennial woody plants.
• Ornamental Horticulture: Further divided into Floriculture (production, use, and marketing of floral crops) and Landscape Horticulture (production and marketing of plants used for outdoor beautification).

State of Horticulture Sector in India:

• Production Ranking: India is the 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables globally.
• Economic Contribution: The Indian horticulture sector contributes approximately 33% to the agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA), making a substantial contribution to the Indian economy.
• Production Volume: India produces around 320.48 million tons of horticulture produce, surpassing food grain production, with significantly less land area used for horticulture.
• Productivity Comparison: Horticulture crop productivity is much higher than that of food grains, with a significant increase (38.5%) between 2004-05 and 2021-22.
• Global Leadership: India leads in the production of certain vegetables (ginger and okra) and fruits (banana, mangoes, and papaya), according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
• Export Ranking: India ranks 14th in vegetables and 23rd in fruits in terms of global exports, holding a mere 1% share in the global horticultural market.
• Challenges: Around 15-20% of fruits and vegetables in India are wasted along the supply chain or at the consumer level, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs).

Challenges Confronting the Horticulture Sector in India

Climate-Induced Risks:

• Shifts in Weather Patterns: Significant challenge with changes in temperature, rainfall, and unpredictable weather events causing reduced yields and crop losses.
• Extreme Events: Increased frequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and cyclones disrupting horticultural production and affecting crop quality.

Water Management Constraints:

• Limited Irrigation Access: Growth hindrance for horticultural crops, especially in water-stressed regions, due to restricted access to irrigation water.
• Depleting Water Resources: Unsustainable groundwater extraction and inefficient irrigation practices exacerbate water scarcity issues.

Pest and Disease Challenges:

• Pesticide Resistance: Growing resistance of pests and diseases to traditional pesticides demands the development and adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
• Invasive Species Threat: Introduction and spread of invasive pests like Desert locusts pose a significant threat, necessitating vigilant monitoring and effective management strategies.

Post-Harvest Concerns:

• Inadequate Storage Facilities: Lack of proper infrastructure resulting in post-harvest losses, diminishing the shelf life and market value of horticultural produce.

Transportation and Cold Chain Limitations:

• Cold Chain Insufficiency: Inadequate facilities for maintaining a cold chain lead to spoilage and wastage of perishable horticultural commodities during transportation.

-Source: Indian Express

Concerns over Interpol’s Notice System Misuse

Context:

Recently, there has been growing apprehension regarding the potential misuse of Interpol’s notice system, particularly focusing on the less scrutinized blue corner notices compared to their red counterparts. The number of blue notices has witnessed a significant increase over the past decade, leading to concerns raised by critics who argue that these notices are exploited by countries to target political refugees and dissidents, raising questions about the system’s integrity and purpose.

Relevance:

GS III: Internal Security

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Interpol
2. Concerns Regarding the Misuse of Interpol Notices: A Focus on Red Notices

About Interpol

• The International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO), commonly known as INTERPOL, is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
• Headquartered in Lyon, it has seven regional bureaus worldwide and a National Central Bureau in all 194 member states, making it the world’s largest police organization.
• INTERPOL provides investigative support, expertise, and training to law enforcement worldwide, focusing on three major areas of transnational crime: terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime.
• Its broad mandate covers virtually every kind of crime, including crimes against humanity, child pornography, drug trafficking and production, political corruption, copyright infringement, and white-collar crime.
• The agency also facilitates co-operation among national law enforcement institutions through criminal databases and communications networks.
• Contrary to popular belief, INTERPOL is itself not a law enforcement agency.
• INTERPOL is mostly funded by annual contributions by member police forces in 181 countries.
• It is governed by a General Assembly, composed of all member countries, which elects the Executive Committee and the President.
• Pursuant to its charter, INTERPOL seeks to remain politically neutral in fulfilling its mandate, as it is barred from interventions or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial nature or involving itself in disputes over such matters.
• The agency operates in four languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the nodal agency in the INTERPOL for India.

Types of Notices:

Concerns Regarding the Misuse of Interpol Notices: A Focus on Red Notices

Blue Notice vs. Red Notice:

• Blue Notice: Enquiry notice facilitating the exchange of crime-related information before criminal charges are filed.
• Red Notice: Issued to apprehend a wanted criminal for extradition or lawful means, targeting individuals sought for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Interpol’s Broad Authority:

• Jurisdiction: Interpol can act on requests from any country, regardless of the fugitive’s home country, as long as the alleged crime occurred there.
• Consequences: The individual may be detained while moving through a member state, with potential adverse outcomes, including freezing of bank accounts.

Controversies Surrounding Red Notices:

• Political Use: Interpol’s Constitution prohibits activities of a political nature, but concerns arise due to cases like Russia issuing notices for Kremlin opponents, contributing to a significant portion of public red notices.
• Abuse Allegations: China, Iran, Turkey, and Tunisia, among others, face accusations of exploiting Interpol’s notice system for authoritarian purposes.

Specific Case and Interpol’s Response:

• India’s Request: Interpol declined India’s second request for a red corner notice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated a “terrorist” by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the UAPA.
• Reasoning: Cited inadequate information and highlighted the “clear political dimension” of Pannun’s actions, beyond the scope of a red corner notice under Interpol’s Constitution.

Interpol’s Response to Criticism:

• Enhanced Supervision: Interpol has strengthened the oversight of its red notice system in response to growing criticism.
• Persisting Concerns: Despite improvements, concerns linger, particularly related to the issuance of blue notices.

-Source: The Hindu

Virtual Private Network

Context:

Recently, Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) passed a rule mandating VPN (virtual private network) providers to record and keep their customers’ logs for 180 days.

Relevance:

GS III- Science and Technology, Cyber Security

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is a VPN?
2. Why do people use VPN?
3. Why is anonymity or privacy so important for VPN providers and users?

What is a VPN ?

• Any and all devices connected to the internet are a part of a large network of computers, servers and other devices spread across the world.
• To identify each device connected to the internet, service providers globally assign a unique address to each such device called the internet protocol address or IP address.
• It is this IP address that helps websites, law enforcement agencies and even companies track down individual users and their accurate location.
• A virtual private network, when switched on, essentially creates a safe network within the larger global network of the internet and masks the IP address of the user by rerouting the data.
• Acting as a tunnel, a VPN takes data originating from one server and masks it in a different identity before delivering it to the destination server.
• In essence, a VPN creates several proxy identities for your data and delivers it safely without disturbing the content of the data.

Why do people use VPN?

• Safe encryption: A VPN connection masks your internet data traffic and guards it against unauthorised access. Anyone with network access and the desire to examine it can access unencrypted data. Hackers and online criminals are unable to decode this data when using a VPN.
• Hiding your location: VPN servers essentially serve as your online proxies. Your precise location cannot be identified since the demographic location data originates from a server located in another nation.
• Data privacy is upheld: The majority of VPN providers don’t keep records of your online activity. On the other hand, some providers track your behaviour but do not disclose this information to outside parties. This ensures that any possible records of your user behaviour are kept secret at all times.
• Secure data transfer: If you work from home, you might need to access crucial files on the network of your business. This type of information needs a secure connection for security reasons. A VPN connection is frequently necessary to access the network.

Why is anonymity or privacy so important for VPN providers and users?

• The main reason why privacy or anonymity is important for both VPN service providers and users is that it helps to avoid being tracked, mostly by websites and cybercriminals.
• Since VPN masks the location of a device from everyone, it also prevents government and law enforcement agencies from accurately identifying the location.
• VPN has also been of vital importance in countries that try to suppress dissent.
• By using VPNs, dissidents are able to spoof their location and stay safe.

-Source: Indian Express

Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara

Context:

Recently, the union Minister for Tribal Affairs visited the Sammakka- Saralamma Maha Jatara, in Medaram, Mulugu district of Telangana.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara: Commemorating Tribal Devotion in Telangana

Alternative Name:

• Also Referred To As: Medaram Jatara.

Tribal Goddess Honoring Festival:

• Location: Celebrated in the state of Telangana, India.
• Theme: Demonstrates tribal devotion, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to honor the goddesses.

Historical Context:

• Revolt Commemoration: Commemorates the resistance led by Sammakka and Saralamma, a mother-daughter duo, against taxes imposed by Kakatiya rulers during a 12th-century drought on the tribal population.

Geographical Setting:

• Location: Medaram, a remote area in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary within Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in Mulugu.

Frequency and Timing:

• Occurrence: A biannual event, held every two years.
• Timing: Celebrated during the believed visitation time of the tribal goddesses.

Rituals:

• Offerings: Participants present bangaram/gold (jaggery) equivalent to their weight to the goddesses.
• Ceremonial Bath: Involves a holy bath in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to River Godavari.

Cultural and Heritage Significance:

• Harmony and Preservation: Serves as a platform to enhance understanding and harmony between people and tribal communities.
• Global Promotion: Promotes the preservation of unique traditions, culture, and heritage of tribal communities on a global scale.

-Source: The Hindu, PIB

Sub-National Climate Fund

Context:

A delegation from the World Bank has arrived in Goa for talks with the state govt to set up the first sub-national climate resilient green fund.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Sub-national Climate Fund: Advancing Climate Resilient Solutions

Global Blended Finance Initiative:

• Objective: Develop mid-size climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions globally.

Mission:

• Objective: Invest in subnational climate-smart infrastructure and nature-based solutions that provide measurable and certified climate and sustainable development impacts at the local level.

Financial Model:

• Design: Crafted to attract both public and private investments.
• Outcome: Aims to deliver certified climate and Sustainable Development impacts along with Nature-based Solutions.

Structure:

• Fund Manager: Managed by Pegasus Capital.
• Technical Assistance: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) oversees the Technical Assistance component.
• Anchor Investor of Concessional Capital: The Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Governance:

• High-level Advisory Committee: Governs the Subnational Climate Fund (SCF).
• Role: Advises the SCF Consortium on optimal investment opportunities aligned with the SCF mission and broader theory of change.
• Composition: Includes experts in climate science, finance/economies, sector/technical, biodiversity/nature-based solutions, and environmental/social management systems (ESMS).

-Source: The Hindu