Current Affairs – August 24, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Architecture} Hampi’s Heritage and Its Modern Challenges *

• Context (IE): Preserving Hampi requires balancing the conservation of its ancient ruins with the needs of its local communities.

Hampi

• It is situated in the Bellary District, Central Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

Credits: Hampi.in

• It was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most significant Hindu empires in South India, which flourished from the 14th to the 16th century. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1986.
• Vijayanagara architecture combined elements of Chola, Hoysala, Pandya, Chalukya styles, and Indo-Islamic influences.
• Notable features include the mythical Yali (horse) carvings and the Kalyan Mandap (a central pavilion for marriage ceremonies).
• Key architectural remains include the Mahanavami Dibba (a ceremonial platform), various ponds and tanks, and rows of pillared Mandapas.
• The temples are famous for their large dimensions, elaborate ornamentation, bold carvings, and stately pillars, often depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Notable temples include:
  • Virupaksha Temple: An important Shiva temple.
  • Vittala Temple Complex: Known for its Stone Chariot and musical pillars.
  • Hazara Rama Temple: Noted for its bas-reliefs of the Ramayana.
  • Lakshmi Narasimha Temple: Features a giant monolithic statue of Narasimha.
  • Achyutaraya Temple: A grand temple with intricate sculptures.
• Hampi was known for its wide chariot streets lined with pillared Mandapas and a network of bazaars.
• Due to the arid region, sophisticated water management systems were developed, including the Kamalapuram tank and the Hiriya canal, to support agriculture and urban water needs.
• Its ruins were first documented in the 1800s by an engineer and antiquarian Colonel Colin Mackenzie.

Read more > Group of Monuments at Hampi.

Conservation Efforts

• UNESCO Recognition: Hampi’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986 has boosted preservation efforts.
• Restoration Projects: Ongoing programs focus on restoring and preserving Hampi’s ruins and temples.
• Funding and Partnerships: Conservation is supported by government, international organisations, and conservationists.
• Awareness Campaigns: Public education promotes responsible tourism and highlights the importance of preserving Hampi.
• Infrastructure Improvements: Enhanced infrastructure helps manage tourist impact and supports conservation.

Local Impact and Community Challenges

• Economic Dependence: The local economy heavily relies on tourism, which can lead to economic instability if tourist numbers fluctuate.
• Cultural Impact: Increased tourism can strain local traditions and disrupt the community’s cultural fabric.
• Infrastructure Strain: Rising visitor numbers pressure local infrastructure, including transportation and sanitation facilities.
• Environmental Degradation: High foot traffic and development projects can damage historical sites and the natural environment.
• Livelihood Changes: Traditional livelihoods, such as agriculture, may be overshadowed by tourism-driven economic activities.
• Community Displacement: Development and conservation efforts sometimes lead to the displacement of local residents or changes in their way of life.

Way Forward

• Sustainable Tourism Management: Implement policies to regulate tourism, such as visitor limits and eco-friendly practices, to reduce strain on local resources and preserve heritage sites.
• Community Involvement: In conservation efforts and decision-making processes to ensure that their needs and perspectives are addressed while promoting sustainable development.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Invest in infrastructure, such as waste management, transportation, and public amenities, to support both residents and tourists without compromising the site’s integrity.
• Economic Diversification: Develop alternative income sources for locals, such as crafts, local agriculture, and cultural experiences, to reduce over-reliance on tourism and promote sustainable livelihoods.
• Education and Awareness Programmes: To foster respect for the historical significance of Hampi and the importance of conservation among visitors and local residents.

{GS2 – Polity – Bodies – Constitutional} CAG Report Scrutiny

• Context (IE): SC says that CAG reports are subject to parliamentary scrutiny and that the CBI‘s investigation based on an unapproved CAG report was unjustified.

Implications of the SC Ruling

• Enhanced Legislative Oversight: Parliament must review and validate CAG reports before being used for criminal investigations, reinforcing legislative scrutiny.
• Limitations on CBI Actions: The CBI cannot base criminal investigations solely on unapproved CAG reports, requiring evidence to be formally reviewed by Parliament.
• Civil vs. Criminal Clarification: Disputes from contracts or business practices are to be handled as civil matters unless clear criminal intent is established, preventing the criminalisation of civil disputes.
• Business Protection: Companies are shielded from premature criminal actions based on preliminary audit findings, ensuring fair treatment and validated evidence.
• Future Case Precedent: This ruling sets a precedent for handling audit reports and investigations, mandating careful and procedural handling of such cases.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} Euthanasia in India **

• Context (IE): Supreme Court denies permission to remove a Ryles tube from a patient in a vegetative state, even though the 2018 judgment allows for the withdrawal of life support in terminal cases.

• Euthanasia, often referred to as mercy killing, involves the deliberate ending of life to alleviate suffering, particularly in cases of incurable and terminal conditions.

Legal Framework of Euthanasia in India

• Supreme Court’s 2018 Judgment: The Supreme Court of India legalised passive euthanasia in 2018, allowing the withdrawal of life support in terminal cases contingent upon the presence of a ‘living will.’
• Aruna Shanbaug Case, 2011: The Landmark Case allowed passive euthanasia for Aruna Shanbaug, a nurse who remained in a vegetative state for decades after a brutal assault. The SC made a distinction between active and passive euthanasia, permitting the latter under specific conditions.

• Law Commission Reports:
  • 196th Report (2006): The Law Commission emphasized that withholding or withdrawing medical treatment as per a patient’s instructions is not a breach of professional duty or an offence.
  • 241st Report (2008): The Commission proposed legislation on passive euthanasia and prepared a draft bill, reinforcing the need for a clear legal framework.
• Harish Rana Case (2024): The SC denied the withdrawal of a Ryles tube from a patient in a vegetative state, stating it is not a life support system.

Recent Simplifications of law

• Hospital-Formed Medical Boards: The two medical boards formed to streamline the entire procedure for ensuring thoroughness, accuracy, and impartiality in sensitive medical evaluations are now formed by the hospital. This reduces delays that were common when multiple authorities were involved.
• Reduced Experience Requirement: The experience requirement for doctors on the board has been reduced from 20 years to five years.
• Magistrate Approval has been replaced with mere intimation.
• Witnesses and a notary or gazetted officer’s signature can replace the Magistrate’s countersign.

Arguments in Favor of Euthanasia

• Dignity in Death: By relieving patients from unbearable suffering. In the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal, patients with terminal illnesses may choose euthanasia to avoid prolonged suffering.
• Avoidance of Futile Medical Treatment that offer no hope of recovery.
• Organ Donation: It can potentially save other lives. In Belgium, where euthanasia is regulated, patients who choose euthanasia can consent to organ donation.
• Financial Relief: To families by avoiding prolonged and costly treatments.
• Judicial Recognition for the Right to Die with dignity (Article 21) (The Aruna Shanbaug case).

Arguments Against Euthanasia

• Moral and Religious Opposition: In Christianity and Islam, euthanasia is often opposed because life is a gift from God, and only God has the authority to take it away.
• Potential for Abuse like non-voluntary euthanasia, where consent is not clear.
• Slippery Slope leading to a gradual increase in the acceptance of ending lives for less severe conditions.
• Undermines Medical Ethics: The World Medical Association (WMA) opposes euthanasia stating that they are inconsistent with the core principles of medical practice.

Way Forward

• Strict Legal Guidelines: Implement stringent legal frameworks to regulate passive euthanasia and prevent misuse. The Netherlands enforces strict protocols with mandatory multi-doctor consultations.
• Public Awareness campaigns to discuss the ethical and legal aspects of euthanasia. E.g. education on end-of-life care options, such as Advance Care Planning and Advance Medical Directives.
• Robust judicial oversight for euthanasia cases, considering ethical, legal, and medical factors. India requires a multi-tier review for passive euthanasia, involving a medical board and High Court judges.
• Focus on Palliative Care: To offer compassionate alternatives to euthanasia. E.g. Kerala’s palliative care program improves terminally ill patients’ quality of life, reducing euthanasia demand.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus

• Context (TH): Recently, a two-year-old child from Meghalaya was diagnosed with Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus(VDPV), raising concerns about the risks associated with the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).

• Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus is a rare poliovirus that emerges from the weakened strain used in OPV, primarily in communities with low sanitation and immunity.
• The virus replicates in the intestines without causing disease, but if excreted in stool and circulated long enough in poor sanitation areas, it may mutate into a paralytic form.

Background

• Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) uses live, attenuated polioviruses to induce immunity. It is easier to administer and more cost-effective than injectable vaccines.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) contains inactivated virus and is administered via injection. It does not carry the risk of causing vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP), a rare complication of OPV.

Types of VDPV

• Circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (cVDPV): Can spread in communities, especially where vaccination rates are low, leading to outbreaks.
• Immunodeficiency-Related Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus (iVDPV): Occurs in individuals with primary immunodeficiencies who cannot clear the vaccine virus, allowing it to mutate.

Concerns Associated with VDPV

• Genetic Reversion: The excreted attenuated virus can undergo genetic changes, potentially reverting to a form capable of causing paralysis similar to the wild poliovirus.
• Outbreak Risk: VDPV outbreaks are a significant concern in communities with low vaccination coverage, as the virus can spread and cause paralysis.

Prevention and Control

• Need for IPV: Given the risks associated with OPV, especially in areas with low vaccination coverage and in individuals with weakened immune systems, there is a growing call for transitioning to IPV. Countries like the U.S. and Japan have already switched entirely to IPV.
• Surveillance and Monitoring: Conduct rigorous surveillance to detect and control VDP cases early.
• High Immunization Coverage: Maintaining high vaccination coverage is crucial to preventing VDPV, as it ensures the virus cannot circulate and mutate. E.g. Mission Indhradhanush.
• Public Health Awareness: Educating the public on the importance of immunization and proper hygiene.

Read More> Replacement of Polio vaccine, Polio (Poliomyelitis)

{GS3 – Agri – Crops} Eri Silk gets Oeko-Tex Certification

• Context (PIB): North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) achieves Oeko-Tex Certification for Eri Silk, marking a milestone for Northeast’s unique vegan silk.

Eri Silk

• Often referred to as “peace silk,” a unique and sustainable textile from the Eri silkworm (Samia ricini).
• Unlike traditional silk, where the silkworm is killed to extract the thread, Eri Silk is harvested after the moth has naturally emerged, making it a vegan and humane option.
• This method aligns with ethical and eco-friendly practices.
• Eri Silk has a slightly coarse texture compared to traditional silk but is valued for its warmth and durability.
• It has a natural, matte finish and is often used in garments, home textiles, and crafts.
• The natural colour of the Silk ranges from cream to light brown, but it can be dyed in various shades.
• It is a GI product of Assam, recognised for its origin and unique traditional production methods.

Credits: The textile atlas

Silk Production in India

• India is the second-largest silk producer globally.
• India uniquely produces all five commercial types: mulberry, tropical tasar, oak tasar, eri, and muga.

• Major silk-producing states: Karnataka>Andhra Pradesh>Assam>Tamil Nadu.
• The northeastern region is notable for producing four varieties of silk (Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Muga, and Eri) and contributing 18% of India’s total silk production.

Geographical Indications of Indian Silk

Government Initiatives and Policies

• National Silk Policy 2020: To bolster the industry by increasing productivity, supporting sericulturists with assistance, improving infrastructure and quality standards throughout the supply chain.
• Inclusion under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana: Allows sericulturists to benefit from the scheme.
• Central Silk Board Act: Implemented to ensure quality standards in silkworm seed production.
• Forest Conservation Amendment Act: Recognizes non-mulberry sericulture as a forest-based activity, facilitating Vanya silkworm rearing.
  • Anti-Dumping Duty: Fixed duty imposed on Chinese raw silk to protect the domestic industry.
  • CDP-MGMREGA Convergence Guidelines: Facilitate access to MGNREGA scheme benefits for sericulture farmers.

Read more > Textile Industry.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

• Context (PIB): NITI Aayog holds a workshop on the “Legal & Regulatory Frameworks & Technical Considerations for CCUS in collaboration with US Government.

• Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage involves the capture of CO2 generally from large point sources like power generation or industrial facilities that use either fossil fuels or biomass as fuel.
• It involves the transport of the captured CO2 to sites, either for utilization in different applications or injection into geological formations or depleted oil & gas fields for permanent storage and trapping of the CO2.

Credit: IOGP

Benefits

• It offers a unique set of tools for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries (steel, cement, chemicals).
• It enables a cleaner coal gasification economy by utilizing India’s vast coal reserves.
• It supports the hydrogen economy by enabling blue hydrogen production.
• It can remove CO2 from the air to balance emissions that are unavoidable or technically difficult to abate.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} RBI’s Currency Regulations’ Consequences

• Context (IE): RBI‘s attempts to control the rupee through regulatory changes can increase business costs and create adverse market effects.

Impacts of Regulatory Measures

• Reduced Market Liquidity: Regulatory restrictions, such as limiting speculative trades, can decrease market liquidity, making it harder for participants to trade and hedge effectively.
• Increased Cost of Hedging: With tighter regulations, the cost of managing currency risk through derivatives and other instruments may rise, impacting businesses and investors.
• Shift to Offshore Markets: Stricter onshore regulations can drive traders to offshore markets, potentially reducing the volume and effectiveness of domestic currency trading.
• Regulatory Uncertainty: Frequent changes in regulations introduce uncertainty, which can affect business planning and investment decisions due to unpredictable shifts in rules.
• Market Distortions: Expanded regulatory controls can disrupt market dynamics, leading to inefficiencies and misalignments in currency valuation.
• Increased Compliance Costs: New regulatory requirements increase compliance burdens for businesses and financial institutions, raising operational costs and impacting profitability.

Way Forward

• Enhanced Flexibility: Increase the exchange rate band to reduce frequent interventions and let the market determine the exchange rate more.
• Improved Communication: Enhance transparency and communication about currency policy to help market participants understand the RBI’s objectives and actions.
• Policy Integration: Align currency policy with other economic policies, like fiscal policy, to create a coherent macroeconomic framework and support broader economic goals.

{GS3 – IE – Taxation} Global Tax Reforms **

• Context (IE): The UN‘s assumed prominence in international tax negotiations contrasts with the OECD’s frameworks.

OECD Tax Mandates Vs UN Tax Mandates

Critical Issues with OECD’s Tax Leadership

• Lack of Representation and Mandate:
  • Limited Membership: It has only 38 high-income countries; the UN has 196 members.
  • Decision-Making Bias: Often favour its wealthy members, marginalising lower-income countries.
  • Transparency Issues: Decision-making lacks openness.
• Voluntary Adoption of Unenforceable Recommendations
  • Non-Binding Guidelines: Its recommendations are not legally binding, reducing their impact.
• Focus on Economic Competitiveness:
  • Competitiveness Priority: Its policies often benefit multinationals over local businesses.
  • One-Size-Fits-All: Policies fail to account for diverse national contexts, leading to regressive practices.
• Structurally Biased Implementation:
  • Weak Implementation: OECD measures, like the common reporting standard and unitary taxation, face significant challenges and delays.
  • Selective Reporting: Country-by-country reporting and other transparency measures are often limited and exclude lower-income countries.
• OECD Members’ Role in Tax Abuses:
  • Major Tax Abusers: OECD countries significantly contribute to global tax abuse and offshore wealth, highlighting a conflict of interest in its tax leadership.

Need for UN Leadership in Global Tax Policy

• Representation:
  • Global Inclusivity: The UN includes nearly all countries, offering a comprehensive global perspective.
  • Fair Approach: Considers impacts on all nations, including marginalised and lower-income countries.

• Specialist Agencies:
  • Expertise: UN Manages agencies like:
    • United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD): Focuses on trade and development.
    • Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA): Supports Sustainable Development Goals.
    • UN Committee on Tax Matters: Guides international tax standards.
    • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Trade Centre (ITC): These organisations assist with trade and economic development.
    • Legal Frameworks:

• Binding Conventions: Enforces global standards through legally binding agreements (E.g., Paris Agreement).
• Successful Negotiations: Trade agreements like GATT demonstrate practical multilateral cooperation.

• Accountability
  • Enforceable Standards: UN agreements require compliance and national alignment.
  • Transparency: Reporting mechanisms ensure public accountability and oversight.

{Prelims – Awards} Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar-2024

• Context (PIB): The President of India presents the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar–2024 to distinguished scientists in four categories – Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team.

• Vigyan Ratna Award: To scientists who have made lifetime contributions in any field of science and technology (S&T). It is awarded to Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan (molecular biology, biotechnology).
• Vigyan Shri Awards: To scientists who have made distinguished contributions to science and technology.
• Vigyan Yuva-SSB Awards: To recognize scientists who have exceptionally contributed to S&T.
• Vigyan Team Awards: To a team of scientists for making ground-breaking research contributions in any field of S&T. It was given to the team of Chandrayaan-3.

{Prelims – In News} BHISHM Cubes

• Context (PIB): Prime Minister of India presented four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes to the Government of Ukraine.
• BHISHM Cube consists of medicines and equipments for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations along with surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room.
• It can also generate its own power and oxygen in limited amounts. It is a component of Project BHISHM.

Project BHISHM

• Project BHISHM, which stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, is a revolutionary initiative that aims to strengthen medical readiness and response capabilities.
• It involves the deployment of mobile hospitals called the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube equipped with state-of-the art technology and is designed to treat up to 200 casualties.
• The Aid Cube can be deployed within 12 minutes, effectively bridging the crucial time gap from primary care to definitive care and can be conveniently carried by hand, cycle, or even drone.

Objectives of Project BHISHM

• Sahyog (Cooperation): Enhance collaboration among government bodies, healthcare providers, and communities to improve disaster response efforts.
• Hita (Welfare): Ensure the well-being of the population by delivering prompt and effective healthcare services during emergencies.
• Maitri (Friendship): Foster and sustain positive relationships through humanitarian aid, both within the country and internationally.

Components of Project BHISHM

• Disaster Management Cubes (BHISHM Cubes): Innovative mobile hospitals designed for rapid deployment, providing essential medical services during mass casualty events & other emergencies.
• Cutting-edge Technology: Utilization of advanced medical equipment, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to enhance the efficiency and coordination of healthcare services.
• Rapid Response: Capable of being deployed within 12 minutes, highlighting the importance of swift intervention during the critical golden hour following an emergency.

  Transportable Components: Comprising 72 components that can be easily transported by hand, bicycle, or drone, offering exceptional flexibility in deployment.