Current Affairs – August 23, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Art Forms} Kalamezhuthu (Dhulee Chithram)

• Context (TH): A Kalamezhuthu workshop organised by the Maharaja’s College, Kerala.

• Kalamezhuthu is a communal ritual art widely believed to have originated in the 9th century AD to worship the great Gods of the land, including Bhadrakaali, Ayyappan and Vettakkorumakan.
• It is also known as Kalam Pattu, Kalamezhuthu Pattu, Dhumakkali in Kerala and Kalam Karuppai in Tamil Nadu. Only natural products are used for the ritual to make the Kalam.
• The artists have traditionally belonged to the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars, Theeyadi Nambiars, and Theeyadi Unnis communities, each with its own unique kalam traits.
• It requires a lot of concentration, as it must be drawn according to religious guidelines similar to Thangka paintings. Coloured powders extracted from plants are used to make beautiful drawings on the floor.
• These are erased at the end of the ritual, with the rhythms of various musical instruments like the ilathalam, veekkanchenda, kuzhal, kombu and chenda, acting as accompaniment.

{GS1 – MIH – Personalities} Sarojini Naidu *

• Context (TP): The article deals with a speech delivered by Sarojini Naidu in the Constituent Assembly on July 22, 1947, reflecting on the significance of the newly adopted Indian flag and national unity.

  

  Source: Constitutionofindia.net

Sarojini Naidu’s Life and Contributions

• She was born in Hyderabad on February 13, 1879, and pursued her degrees from King’s College (London) and Girton College (Cambridge).
• She started as an influential speaker for Indian independence, women’s rights, and education in 1904.
• She addressed the Indian National Congress (INC) and Indian Social Conference in Calcutta in 1906.
• She received the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal in 1911 for flood relief work, which she returned in 1919 to protest the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• She joined Mahatma Gandhi in 1914, playing a significant role in organizing non-violent resistance.
• Women’s Rights Activism: In 1917, co-founded the Women’s Indian Association with Muthulakshmi Reddy; advocated for universal suffrage in London with Annie Besant.
• She maintained close contacts with the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), which was founded on October 31, 1920.
• She represented the Indian National Congress at the East African Indian National Congress in 1924.
• She was elected as the first Indian woman president of INC in 1925.
• She was a founding member of All India Women’s Conference (founded by Margaret Cousins in 1927).
• Civil Disobedience: Imprisoned for participating in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 (Darasana, Gujarat) and later during the Quit India Movement in 1942.
• She also participated in the second Round Table Conference in 1931 as a representative of Indian women.
• In 1947, she was appointed as United Province’s first female governor and advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity and worked to ensure a peaceful partition process, despite opposing the division.

Literary Achievements

• Nightingale of India: Earned the title for her poetic prowess, beginning her writing journey at 12.
• Key Publications: The Golden Threshold (1905), The Bird of Time (1915), The Broken Wing (1919), The Sceptred Flute (1948), The Feather of the Dawn (1961, posthumously edited by her daughter).

Enduring Legacy

• Death and Legacy: Passed away on 2 March 1949; her efforts in women’s empowerment and the independence struggle continue to resonate.
• National Women’s Day: Her birthday is honored as National Women’s Day in India, celebrating her impact on women’s rights.

{GS2 – Governance – Initiatives} Permanent Environmental Regulator

• Context (TH): The Supreme Court decides to examine the need for a ‘permanent environmental regulator’ similar to those found in the telecom (TRAI) and electricity (CERC) sectors.

Advantages of a Permanent Environmental Regulator

• A permanent environmental regulator could provide centralized oversight.
• It would unify and streamline the monitoring of environmental and climate issues.
• It would ensure consistency by applying environmental policies uniformly across sectors.
• It could enhance efficiency by improving coordination between various environmental agencies.
• Increased accountability in environmental management would be achieved.

Drawbacks of a Permanent Environmental Regulator

• It might lead to duplication of efforts by adding another layer of bureaucracy and replicating existing mechanisms. Resistance from existing regulators and stakeholders might hinder implementation.
• A single regulator might overreach into areas requiring specialized expertise, potentially reducing effectiveness.
• Integrating multiple specialized regulators could create complex administrative challenges.
• Establishing and maintaining the regulator could require significant resources, diverting funds from other important environmental initiatives.

{GS2 – Polity – Bodies – Constitutional} Union Public Service Commission **

• Context (TH): The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) opposed an anticipatory bail plea by a former IAS probationer.

• UPSC is an independent constitutional body under Part XIV (Article 315-323) of the Indian Constitution, which conducts merit-based examinations for direct recruitment of officers to the All India Services and the Central Civil Services (Group A and B).
• It was established on 1 October 1926 as the Public Service Commission, which was later reconstituted as the Federal Public Service Commission by the Government of India Act 1935.
• It was renamed the Union Public Service Commission after the independence in 1947.

Functions

• Article 320: The functions of the Commission are:
  1. Conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union.
  2. Direct recruitment by selection through interviews.
  3. Appointment of officers on promotion / deputation / absorption.
  4. Framing and amendment of Recruitment Rules for various services and posts under the Government.
  5. Disciplinary cases relating to different Civil Services.
  6. Advising the Government on any matter referred to the Commission by the President of India.
• Article 323: The commission presents an annual report to the President. The President shall provide to each House of Parliament a memorandum explaining the cases where the advice of the Commission was not accepted.

Appointment and conditions of service

• Article 316: The Commission comprises the chairman and other members appointed by the President.
  • One-half of the members should be persons who have held office for at least ten years, either under the Government of India or the Government of a state.
  • Every member holds office for six years or until he attains the age of sixty-five, whichever is earlier. They are ineligible for reappointment to that office, but a member can be appointed chairman.
  • A member may also resign by submitting their written resignation to the President.
• Article 318: The President decides the number of members and conditions of service.
• Article 319 prevents the chairman from further employment either under the Government of India or the Government of a state.

Removal

• Article 317: The Chairman or any other member of UPSC shall only be removed from his/her office by order of the President of India on the grounds of misbehaviour.
  • The Chairman or any other member of UPSC may be removed if he/she/they:
  1. is adjudged an insolvent.
  2. engages during his/her term of office in any paid employment outside the duties of his/her office.
  3. is, in the opinion of the President, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.
  4. on the ground of proved misbehavior and incapacity after the Supreme Court has held the ground for removal of the chairman or the member. Under the provisions of the Constitution, the advice tendered by the Supreme Court in this regard is binding on the president.

Limitations

• The advice of the body is not binding on the government. However, an individual ministry or department has no power to reject the advice of the UPSC.
• The court held that any irregularity in consultation with the UPSC or acting without consultation on the matters enumerated in the UPSC (Exemption from Consultation) Regulations, 1958 made by the President does not invalidate the decision of the government.
  • However, it is to be laid before each house of the Parliament for at least 14 days. The Parliament can amend or repeal them. An act made by the Parliament is needed to extend the jurisdiction of UPSC.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Judiciary} 24×7 Open and Networked Courts

• Context (TP): A remarkable development towards judicial reform occurred at the Kerala High Court with the inauguration of ‘24×7 ON Courts’.

• The 24×7 ON Courts is an open and networked system designed to offer facilities that helps to file cases online, monitor cases and apply for adjournments.
• They have been set up with support from Public Collective for Avoidance and Resolution of Dispute (PUCAR).

Potential Gains

• Improved IT System: It can bring about predictability around hearing schedules and enable online hearings so that people don’t have to travel long distances.
• Streamlining of processes: It may free up the judges’ time for more substantive questions and achieve separation of functions.
• Significant Milestone: It brings about change at a magistrate’s court, which has the maximum pendency and minimum policy attention.
• Scheduling system: It will be used for listing matters in court to provide stakeholders with information on what is expected of them in terms of the next steps.
• Integration with ePost, an Integrated Core Policing System (iCoPS) for summons and warrants, and dashboards for the judge with information on{ case progression.

{GS2 – Polity – IC} Chief Secretary

• Context (IE):  The incumbent chief secretary of Kerala will retire from service on August 31.

• The Chief Secretary is the senior-most cadre post in the state administration, ranking 23rd on the Indian Order of Precedence (maintained by Ministry of Home Affairs).

Functions

• S/he/they is the chief advisor to the Chief Minister (CM) and Secretary to the State Cabinet.
• S/he/they is the head of the Civil Services in the State and is the main channel of communication between the State Government and the Central and other State governments. In that capacity, s/he decides on the postings and transfers of civil servants.
• As a head of the official machinery and adviser to the Council of Ministers in the State, the Chief Secretary is the coordinator-in-chief of the Secretariat departments.
• S/he/they ensure inter-departmental coordination and cooperation.
• S/he/they is the head of the General Administration department headed by the Chief Minister.

Appointment

• S/he/they is ‘chosen’ by the CM through an executive action and is taken in the name of the Governor.
• The Office has been excluded from the operation of the tenure system.
• In the Union Territories, which are governed by Administrators, Chief Secretaries are absent.
• In these territories (UT), an Adviser to the Administrator is appointed by the Union Government.
• However, the UTs of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry, which have been granted partial statehood, do have Chief Secretaries.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Pharmaceutical Industry **

• Context (TH): Recent government actions favoring imports over local production could weaken the domestic pharmaceutical industry and potentially lead to higher prices.
• Ensuring affordable medicines is crucial in India, where out-of-pocket health expenses accounted for nearly 47.1% of total spending in 2021.

Current Scenario

• India, known as the ‘pharmacy of the world,’ provides over 50% of global vaccines, 40% of US generic drugs, and 25% of UK medicines, with a current market value of US$ 50 Billion.
• It ranks 3^rd in pharmaceutical production by volume and 14th by value, contributing 1.72% to GDP.
• The domestic industry includes 3,000 drug companies and 10,500 manufacturing units and holds 8% of the global API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) market.
• 100% FDI is allowed for greenfield projects, and 74% for brownfield projects.

Government Initiatives

• Budget Allocations:
  • FY25: Rs. 1,000 crore for bulk drug parks, Rs. 1,300 crore for industry development.
  • FY24: Jan Aushadhi scheme funding increased to Rs. 284.5 crore.
• National Medical Devices Policy, 2023: To enhance growth in access, affordability, and innovation.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: Focuses on improving digital health records.

Challenges

• Patent Barriers: Current patent protections prevent Indian companies from producing affordable generics or biosimilars of new medicines, limiting access to essential drugs.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Outdated, resource-intensive guidelines for biosimilar approval in India create barriers for domestic producers, contrasting with more streamlined practices in the U.S. and EU.

• 2024-25 Budget: Proposes removing 10-12% customs duty on AstraZeneca’s cancer medicines, which may not significantly affect high prices or improve affordability.
• Department of Expenditure (DoE) Order: Authorizing global tenders for 120 medicines, including key anti-diabetes and anti-cancer drugs, could strengthen foreign market control.
• Price Regulation vs. Local Production: The Drugs Price Control Order, 2013, regulates prices, but promoting local production is a more effective way to ensure affordable access to critical medicines.

Way Forward

• Utilize Compulsory Licenses: Use compulsory licenses to boost local medicine production and affordability, especially during pandemics and for critical illnesses.
• Streamline Biosimilar Approval: Update guidelines to align with global standards (like in the EU) facilitating easier market entry for domestic producers.
• Align Policies: Adjust policies to support domestic pharma growth, reduce import reliance, and ensure affordable medicines.
• Enforce Section 83 of Patents Act: To ensure patents promote local production and affordable pricing.
• Utilize Government Licenses: Leverage Section 100 of the Patents Act to grant licenses for producing generic versions of patented drugs for public health.

Read more > Price Hike of Essential Medicines

{GS3 – S&T – ISRO} Findings from Chandrayaan-3 Mission

• Context (IE): Almost a year after its historic landing on the Moon, Chandrayaan-3 has yielded significant scientific findings.

Key Findings

• Uniform Terrain: The area surrounding Chandrayaan-3’s landing site is relatively uniform. This is a notable observation, as it contrasts with Earth’s varied surface, which is shaped by tectonic activity.
• Support for Lunar Magma Ocean (LMO) Hypothesis: The findings lend strong support to the hypothesis that the Moon’s crust formed layer by layer from a primordial ocean of magma.
• Mineral Stratification: Heavier minerals, rich in silicon and magnesium, settled at deeper layers, while lighter minerals, composed of calcium and sodium, formed the upper crust.
• Crustal Mixing: The data suggest a “mixing” of the Moon’s crustal layers, likely caused by a massive asteroid impact bringing magnesium-rich materials from the deeper layers to the surface.

Impact on Future Missions

• Future Lunar Missions Planning: Chandrayaan-3’s findings will help design and strategize upcoming missions, particularly targeting the Moon’s south pole.
• Calibration Point: The uniform surface near the south pole can be used as a reference point for accurate remote sensing measurements in future explorations.
• Crustal Mixing Insights: Analysis of crustal mixing offers a new understanding of the Moon’s geological history and its evolutionary processes.

Read more> Chandrayaan-3 Mission

{Prelims – In News} Gomati/Gumti River

• Context (TH): The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied that floods in eastern districts of Bangladesh were attributed to heavy rainfall and not due to the opening of Dumbur dam in the Gumti river.

• Gumti River is the longest and largest river of Tripura, which is formed by the confluence of two major tributaries namely Raima and Sarma and flows through the Chittagong division of Bangladesh.
• It empties into the Meghna River, one of three key rivers of Bangladesh along with Ganga & Brahmaputra.

{Prelims – PIN} Humayun

• Context (TP): The newly inaugurated Humayun Museum in New Delhi offers a detailed and neutral portrayal of Mughal ruler Humayun and his era.

Credits: Wikipedia Commons

• Reign: 1530-1540, 1555-1556. Died from a fall from his library in 1556.

Major Battles

• Battle of Dadrah, 1532: Defeated the Afghans and besieged Chunar fort (Gateway of eastern India).
• Battle of Chausa (Buxar), 1539: Got defeat by Sher Shah Suri.
• Battle of Kannauj, 1540: Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and established Sur Empire. Humayun took refuge in the court of the Safavid Persian ruler, Shah Tahmasp.
• Battle of Sirhind, 1555: Defeated Sikander Suri and occupied Delhi

Contributions in Architecture

• Built Dinpanah City in Delhi.
• His wife, Hamida Benu Begum constructed Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO WHS).

Credits: UNESCO

Contributions in Painting and Literature

• Laid the foundation for Mughal painting. He gave patronage for painting and calligraphy.
• He invited two Persian artists—Mir Sayyid Ali and Abd us Samad to establish a studio in his court.
• He founded the Nigaar Khana – painting workshop.
• He started the project of illustration of Hamza Nama, which was continued by Akbar.
• His sister, Gul Badan Begum authored ‘Humayun-Nama’.