Current Affairs – December 12, 2024

{GS1 – MIH – Personalities} Subramania Bharati *

• Context (PIB | TH): PM released works of Subramania Bharati on his birth anniversary.

• He was also known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar. He was a Tamil poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer.
• He knew 32 languages, including three foreign languages. He considered Tamil and all other Indian languages to be in no way inferior to English.
• His writings on nationalism and independence played an important role in inspiring the masses in Tamil Nadu to support the Indian freedom struggle. Bharati’s compositions are mostly short lyrical outpourings on patriotic, devotional, and mystic themes, earning him the title of a lyrical poet.
• His best-known works include “Kaṇṇan Pattu” (Songs to Krishna), “Panchali Sapatham“ (Panchali’s Vow), and “Kuyil Pattu” (Kuyil’s Song).
• He translated Vedic hymns, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, and the Bhagavad Gita into Tamil.
• He started his career as the Assistant Editor of the Tamil daily Swadesamitran in 1904 and later edited the Tamil weekly “India” and the English newspaper “Bala Bharatham“ with M.P.T. Acharya.
• He assisted Sri Aurobindo in the “Arya” journal and later “Karma Yogi” in Pondicherry. His translation and adaptation of “Vande Mataram“ became a potent rallying cry for the nation’s freedom fighters.
• Bharati wrote “Panchali Sabatham,” an epic poem based on the Mahabharata, criticising social injustices and advocating for reform.
• He faced persecution for his views from the British authorities and orthodox elements within his own community, which led to his exile in 1908.

{GS2 – Polity – Laws} Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Act, 2024

• Context (TH): The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, which replaced the Aircraft Act 1934, received Presidential Assent.

Need for the Act

• Outdated Legislation: The Aircraft Act of 1934, though amended 21 times, failed to effectively address evolving aviation challenges.
• Global Compliance: Responds to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommendations to align with global aviation standards.
• Ease of Doing Business: Simplifies processes for aviation personnel and organisations, promoting efficiency and transparency.

Key Provisions

• Regulatory Roles: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) retain responsibilities for safety, security, and accident investigation under central government authority.
• Appeals: Central government acts as the final appellate authority for DGCA and BCAS orders.
• Aircraft Design Oversight: DGCA to regulate aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and design facilities.
• Expanded Rule-Making Powers: Central government gains authority over licensing, certification and international convention compliance.
• RTR Certification: DGCA will issue Radio Telephone Operator Restricted (RTR) certificates from DoT.
• Aviation Penalties: Introduces stricter penalties, including up to ₹1 crore fine or imprisonment for violations like unsafe flying or slaughtering animals near airports.
• Penalty Discretion: The central government retains discretion in setting penalties for other offences.
• Arbitration Authority: The government allowed unilateral appointment of arbitrators for land acquisition disputes near airports, exempting proceedings from the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996.

Benefits of the Act

• Streamlined Licensing: Single-window clearance through DGCA improves efficiency and transparency.
• Enhanced Oversight: Regulatory powers for design and safety align India with international standards.
• Legal simplicity: Replaces outdated laws with a comprehensive framework to address current challenges.

Issues

• DGCA remains under government control, unlike autonomous regulators in telecom or insurance.
• Unilateral appointment of arbitrators raises questions about fairness and constitutionality.
• Centralised discretion in penalty imposition risks inconsistencies.
• Inclusivity Concerns: Critics argue the Hindi title excludes non-Hindi-speaking citizens, alienating a significant population.

Way Forward

• Regulatory Independence: Transform DGCA into an autonomous body for enhanced credibility.
• Transparency: Ensure constitutional compliance for arbitrator appointments to uphold fairness.
• Penalty Rationalization: Create a standardised penalty framework to reduce discretion.
• Linguistic Inclusivity: Reconsider the Bill’s title to reflect India’s linguistic diversity.

{GS2 – Polity – Laws} Misuse of Section 498A IPC

• Context (IE): SC has raised concerns over the misuse of Section 498A of the IPC, emphasising its growing use as a tool for personal vendetta in matrimonial disputes.

Need for Section 498A IPC

• Protection Against Cruelty: Safeguards women from cruelty/harassment by husbands & their families.
• Immediate Legal Recourse: Timely intervention for women in cases of domestic abuse or cruelty.
• Curbing Dowry Practices: Supports Dowry Prohibition Act by addressing dowry-related harassment.

Issues Highlighted in Misuse

• Vague Allegations: Complaints often lack specific details like time, place, or nature of the alleged cruelty.
• Implication on Extended Families: Accusations may target distant relatives without involvement.
• Retaliation and Personal Vendetta: FIRs are increasingly filed as retaliatory measures in matrimonial disputes, often after divorce notices.
• Unsubstantiated Claims: Many complaints lack concrete evidence, weakening their credibility.

Judicial Interventions

• Arnesh Kumar Judgment (2014): Established guidelines to prevent unnecessary arrests and harassment under Section 498A.
• Quashing Frivolous FIRs: Recent cases highlight the court’s role in preventing misuse of legal processes under Section 482 of the CrPC.

Challenges in Addressing Misuse

• Judicial Scrutiny: Distinguishing genuine cases from false accusations remains challenging for courts.
• Balancing Justice: Ensuring victims are not deterred while protecting accused from undue harassment.
• Judicial Burden: Increased misuse of Section 498A contributes to overloaded courts.

Way Forward

• Awareness Programs: Promote legal awareness among women about the appropriate use of Section 498A and the consequences of misuse.
• Judicial Oversight: Strengthen judicial oversight and case law to prevent exploitation and effectively curb the misuse of Section 498A.
• Preventive Guidelines: Introduce safeguards to deter misuse while preserving the law’s protective intent.
• Reforms & Updates: Regular updates to Section 498A provisions are necessary to ensure balanced use.
• Support Systems: Use counselling and ADR methods to resolve matrimonial issues amicably.
• Ensure stringent scrutiny of allegations with credible evidence and avoid prosecuting in-laws or extended family without prima facie proof.

{GS2 – Polity – Laws} Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 **

• Context (TH | FE | ET): Lok Sabha passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024, aimed at modernising & strengthening the Railway Board’s functioning by granting statutory backing & enhancing autonomy.

Steps Taken to Modernise Railways

• Infrastructure Investment: The railway budget has significantly increased from ₹25,000-30,000 crore to ₹2.52 lakh crore, with major infrastructure expansion, including 31,000 km of new tracks.
• Development of Superfast Train Routes: Investments like extending the Arunachal Express demonstrate the government’s commitment to enhancing railway services, benefiting regions like Bihar.

Need for the Amendment

• Historical Framework Update: The existing framework was based on colonial-era laws and lacked statutory backing and operational autonomy.
• Modernization and Autonomy: Demands for decentralisation and autonomy, aligned with recommendations from Sreedharan Committee (2014).

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Statutory Backing to Railway Board: Integrates provisions from the Indian Railway Board Act 1905 into the Railways Act 1989, granting legal backing.
• Composition and Appointment: Central government determines the Railway Board’s members’ number, qualifications, terms and appointment procedures.
• Increased Autonomy for Railway Zones: Decentralizes decision-making, granting operational, financial and recruitment autonomy to Railway Zones.
• Independent Regulator: Proposes a body to oversee tariffs, safety & private sector involvement.
• Operational Efficiency: Introduces measures to improve infrastructure development, including expanding routes and introducing superfast trains.

Anticipated Benefits

• Accountability: Streamlined legal framework clarifies roles, strengthening governance & accountability.
• Improved Efficiency: Greater autonomy enables faster decision-making, accelerating implementation.
• Attracting Investment: An independent regulator creates a level playing field for private players, encouraging investment in railway infrastructure.
• Development: Infrastructure projects promote regional growth, particularly in underserved areas.

Concerns

• Privatisation Fears: Opposition expresses concerns about privatisation of the railways.
• Balancing Autonomy and Oversight: Railway Zones’ autonomy must be balanced with government oversight to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Passenger Welfare: Issues such as senior citizen concessions need to be addressed.

Way Forward

• Addressing Privatization Concerns: Clarify that private sector involvement will focus on infrastructure development, not privatising operations.
• Strengthening Oversight Mechanisms: Transparent appointments to the Railway Board and clear guidelines for the independent regulator will maintain a balance.
• Passenger-Centric Policies: Prioritize policies ensuring affordability and accessibility for vulnerable populations while maintaining the social responsibility of railways.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Carbon-14 Diamond Battery

• Context (BBC): Scientists have developed a battery technology known as the carbon-14 diamond battery, which has the potential to power devices for thousands of years.

Operational Mechanism

• Carbon-14 Isotope: The battery uses carbon-14 (C14), a radioactive isotope of carbon. It retains half its power even after thousands of years.
• Diamond Encapsulation: Carbon-14 is safely encased within a diamond structure, the hardest known substance, which prevents radiation leakage.
• Energy Capture: The battery functions similarly to solar panels but captures fast-moving electrons within the diamond structure instead of light particles.

Applications

• Medical Devices: The battery could be used in medical devices such as ocular implants, hearing aids, and pacemakers, significantly reducing the need for replacements.
• Extreme Environments: It has potential applications in extreme environments, both in space and on Earth, where replacing conventional batteries is impractical.
• Nuclear Waste Management: The battery provides a safe way to handle nuclear waste, utilising carbon-14 extracted from graphite blocks in nuclear fission power plants.

Benefits

• Safe Nuclear Waste Management: C14 is extracted from graphite blocks used in nuclear fission power plants. It reduces the radioactivity of the graphite blocks, addressing nuclear waste storage challenges.
• Cost Reduction: Decreases long-term nuclear waste storage expense and complexity.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} Google’s Willow Chip *

• Context (IE): Google has unveiled an advancement in quantum computing with its new state-of-the-art chip, Willow. It promises to shift the technology from theoretical possibilities to practical applications.

• The Willow chip is capable of solving an exceptionally complex computation in under five minutes—a task that would take a classical supercomputer approximately 10 septillion years to complete.

Functions

• Quantum Processing: The Willow chip processes quantum bits (qubits) instead of classical bits, enabling exponential computational power for certain problems.
• Error Correction: It incorporates advanced quantum error correction techniques to address the inherent instability of qubits.
• Algorithm Optimisation: Designed to execute quantum algorithms such as Shor’s algorithm (for factoring large numbers) and Grover’s algorithm (for unstructured search).
• Material Simulation: Enables precise simulations of molecular and material behaviours at quantum scales, important for chemistry and material science.

Uses

• Cryptography: Revolutionises cryptographic techniques, challenging classical encryption methods like the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithm.
• Drug Discovery: Assists in simulating complex molecules, reducing the time and cost.
• Logistics Optimisation: Solutions for large-scale optimisation problems like supply chain management.
• AI: Augments AI models with faster data processing and complex probability calculations.
• Climate Modeling: Helps simulate & analyse complex climate systems for better predictions & solutions.

Advantages

• Speed: Provides exponential speedups over classical computers for specific problem classes.
• Energy Efficiency: Uses significantly less energy for large computations than traditional supercomputers.
• Scalability: Incorporates designs to increase the number of qubits while minimising noise.
• Innovation Catalyst: Accelerates in fields like cryptography, physics, and biology.

Challenges

• Qubit Stability: Qubits are prone to loss of quantum state due to environmental interactions.
• Error Rates: Quantum error correction is still in its infancy, making long computations challenging.
• Hardware Scalability: Maintaining qubit fidelity and reducing noise as system scales up is a major hurdle.
• Cooling needs: It operates at extremely low temperatures, requiring advanced cryogenic technology.
• Algorithm Development: Lack of quantum algorithms optimised for practical, real-world problems.
• Cost: High development and maintenance costs limit accessibility and commercial viability.

Read More> Initiatives of the GOI for Quantum Computing.

{Prelims – In News} Bromalite

• Context (SD): Research on bromalites highlights the dominance of dinosaurs during Triassic Period.

• Bromalites are fossil traces of organisms consisting of material from their digestive system.
• This showed early dinosaurs, alongside reptiles like Polonosuchus, adapted better to changing environments, allowing them to eventually reign supreme.

{Prelims – In News} Ghost Gun

• Context (IE): Recently, the CEO of an American company was shot dead with a ghost gun in the US.

• “Ghost gun” is a term broadly used to describe firearms bought as incomplete frames and receivers, two primary components of a firearm. It can be turned into functional guns by assembling them with other parts that can be ordered separately.
• Untraceable: It does not have serial numbers, which makes it difficult for authorities to trace their origin.
• DIY Assembly: Individuals can assemble ghost guns at home using parts kits of 3D printers.
• Regulation Efforts: Various states in the US have enacted regulations requiring serial numbers and background checks for ghost gun components. However, the measure was challenged in the Supreme Court, and a final ruling has not been issued in the case.

{Prelims – In News} Rice Beer

• Context (DTE): 10,000 years ago, people in China began domesticating rice to make rice beer.

• It represents one of the earliest known uses of mold-based fermentation. Early brewers may have discovered fermentation by observing mouldy grains naturally turning sweeter and alcoholic​.

Regional Importance of Rice Beer in India

• Tribal culture: It is commonly associated with festivals, rituals, &community gatherings. Each tribe has unique preparation methods & ingredients. In Some tribal communities, newborn babies are traditionally given a few drops of rice beer, showcasing its cultural & health significance from start.
• Northeast India: Varieties like Apong in Arunachal Pradesh and Sujen in Assam are widely consumed. These beverages are known for their mild alcohol content and distinct flavours​.
• Central India: Hadia is prevalent in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. It is a significant part of tribal life and a staple beverage.​
• Health Benefits: It is a rich source of nutrients, acting as a natural antioxidant. It is known for its diverse medicinal properties, boost strength, combat fatigue, alleviate pain, & prevent gastrointestinal disorders.
• Rice beer GI tag from Odisha: Bodo Jou Gwran ( highest alcohol content of 16.11% in rice beer), Maibra Jou Bidwi (A welcome drink) and Bodo Jou Gishi.

{Prelims – In News} World Meditation Day

• Context (TH): The UNGA unanimously adopted a resolution declaring December 21 World Meditation Day. Liechtenstein introduced the resolution, which was co-sponsored by India.

• Aim: To improve overall human health, including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects.

Significance of December 21

• Winter Solstice: December 21 marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. It signifies the beginning of Uttarayana, an auspicious period for inner reflection and meditation.
• Connection with International Day of Yoga: The new World Meditation Day falls exactly six months after the International Day of Yoga, celebrated on June 21, the Summer Solstice.

{Prelims – PIN – Middle East} Saydnaya Prison, Syria

• Context (IE): Saydnaya Prison in Syria highlights systemic torture, secret executions, and human rights violations during the civil war.

• Saydnaya Prison was established in the 1980s. It consists of two main buildings, the “Red Building” for civilians and the “White Building” for military personnel.
• Amnesty International described Saydnaya as a “human slaughterhouse” due to the mass executions and brutal treatment of detainees.
• Mass Executions: Between 2011 and 2015, it is estimated that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were extrajudicially executed at Saydnaya.

Amnesty International

• It is a London-based Non-Governmental Organisation founded in 1961.
• It focuses on human rights, campaigning against abuses and advocating for justice and equality.
• It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to fight torture and protect human rights.