Current Affairs – July 12, 2024

{GS2 – IR – India-Europe} India – Austria Bilateral relations

• Context (PIB): The Joint Statement on the Enhanced India-Austria Partnership was released on the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Austria.

Key features

• Strategic Partnership: A newly shaped strategic partnership includes a “blueprint for cooperation” focusing on infrastructure, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology.
• Economic and Technological Collaboration: To have sustainable growth through advancements in Green Technologies, Digital Infrastructure, Smart Cities, Life Sciences, and Healthcare.
• India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC): Austria, with its central European location, expressed interest in being a key player in this project.
• Multilateral Cooperation: Both agreed to cooperate on UN reforms, including the Security Council.

{GS2 – IR – India-Sri Lanka} India – Sri Lanka relations

• Context (TH): India-Sri Lanka will sign a public administration and governance MoU.

India – Sri Lanka Relations

• Economic ties:
  • Trading partners: India is one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners within SAARC, with bilateral trade reaching USD 5.45 billion in 2021.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): India is a significant investor in Sri Lanka, contributing over USD 2.2 billion in various sectors like petroleum, tourism, and telecommunications.
  • Development Cooperation: India’s developmental assistance exceeds USD 3.5 billion, focusing on infrastructure, housing, healthcare, and education. For example, investment in Trincomalee port.
• Political relations: India supported Sri Lanka’s efforts against LTTE while emphasising human rights.
• Cultural Relations: Shared heritage in Buddhism strengthened by bilateral cultural exchange programs.
• People-to-People Ties: Initiatives like Yoga classes, educational exchanges, and tourism initiatives like e-tourist visas and free visas on arrival for Indians encourage people-to-people connections.

Challenges

• Ethnic Issues: Ethnic tensions between Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority impact its relationship with India, given the significant Tamil population in Tamil Nadu. For Example, Operation Pawan.
• Fishermen’s Rights Dispute: Conflicts regarding fishing rights in the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar have led to frequent arrests of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen.
• Katchatheevu island dispute: An uninhabited island is claimed by Tamil Nadu as part of Indian territory, although the central government recognises Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over it.
• Growing Chinese Influence: Sri Lanka’s increasing engagement with China, including infrastructure projects, has raised concerns for India about China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region.
  • For example, the Hambantota Port project in Sri Lanka is a Chinese-funded initiative.

Way forward

• Revive regional organisations: Active engagement in SAARC and BIMSTEC, joint counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, and peacebuilding efforts.
• Soft power diplomacy: Leverage India’s soft power diplomacy through Buddhism and Tamil links.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Protests in Barcelona

• Context (IE): Locals in Barcelona, Spain, took to the streets to highlight over-tourism in the country.

Credits: Britannica

Role of Tourism in Barcelona

• Tourism is pivotal in Barcelona‘s economy, benefiting businesses like hotels and restaurants.
• Tourism contributes up to 14% of the city‘s GDP and employs approx. 1,50,000 people.
• However, prices have escalated due to increasing demand and displaced residents.

Response of the administration

• The administration phased out all short-term rental leases by 2028 to curb the soaring housing costs.
• Cruise ships were banned from docking at one of its terminals to reduce pollution and congestion. Further, smoking bans were introduced on certain beaches.

{GS2 – MoD – Initiatives} GAINS 2024

• Context (PIB): The defence minister launched the GRSE Accelerated Innovation Nurturing Scheme (GAINS 2024) of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE).

• GAINS 2024 is an innovative scheme that seeks solutions to the problems related to the shipyards and promotes technology development using the startups created and nurtured in the country
• It encourages and enables MSMEs and startups to develop innovative solutions.
• GAINS aims to strengthen maritime security and air defence through technological advancements.
• It leverages MSMEs and Startups to achieve self-reliance in ship design and construction.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Women} Maintenance for Muslim Women

• Context (TH | IE): The Supreme Court ruled that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to a maintenance claim under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.

Credits: HT

Recent SC ruling

• Section 125 CrPC is “embedded in the text, structure and philosophy of the Constitution” as a social justice measure.
• It is “aligned“ with the power to create special provisions for women under Article 15(3) of the Constitution and the obligation of the State under Article 39(e) to ensure “that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength“.
• Maintenance under Section 125 CrPC exists “in addition“ to the provisions for maintenance under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 (MWPRD Act), not “against“ it.

Evolution of the law of maintenance

• The law governing maintenance for destitute wives, children, and parents has been codified under Section 125 of the CrPC.
• Section 125 CrPC places an obligation on “any person having sufficient means“ to maintain “his wife“ or “his legitimate or illegitimate minor child“ if they are unable to maintain themselves — typically through monetary support at regular intervals.
• The word “wife“ in the section also includes a divorced woman who has not re-married. It does not specify anything about the woman’s religion.
• States have made region-specific amendments to allow a ceiling on maintenance amount by the court.
• A recent SC ruling reiterates that maintenance under Section 125 CrPC exists “in addition“ to the provisions for maintenance under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 (MWPRD Act), not “against“ it.

Maintenance under the MWPRD Act

• The 1986 Act is a religion-specific law that provides for a procedure for a Muslim woman to claim maintenance during divorce.
• It was enacted to essentially nullify the SC’s decision in Mohd. Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (Shah Bano case) upheld a Muslim woman’s right to seek maintenance from her divorced husband under Section 125 of the CrPC.
• Section 3 of the 1986 Act guarantees the payment of maintenance to a divorced Muslim woman by her former husband only during the period of iddat — a period, usually of three months, which a woman must observe after the death of her husband or divorce before she can re-marry.
• The amount shall equal the mahr or dowry given to her at the time of her marriage or any time after that.
• After the completion of the iddat period, a woman can approach a first-class magistrate for maintenance if she has not re-married and is not in a position to take care of herself financially.

SC on Maintenance

• Danial Latifi case (2001): The SC upheld the constitutional validity of the 1986 Act by extending the maintenance right of a Muslim woman until she re-marries. It reduced the period of maintenance to the completion of iddat.
• Shabana Bano v. Imran Khan case (2009): SC reiterated a divorced Muslim woman’s right to claim maintenance under Section 125 of the CrPC if she does not re-marry. It further highlighted that such relief would be extended even after the expiry of the iddat period.
• Patna HC in 2009: It held that Muslim women could avail maintenance under the CrPC and the 1986 Act. If she chose the CrPC, she could not be said to be debarred from seeking maintenance on account of being a divorced Muslim lady.

{GS3 – Envi – Initiatives} Loss and Damage Fund

• Context (TH): Philippines will host climate ‘loss and damage’ fund board.

Loss and Damage Fund

• This fund was established by COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022.
• It is a global financial package designed to support the rescue and rehabilitation of countries experiencing the severe impacts of climate change.
• Developed countries and other private and public sources will fund it.
• The World Bank oversees fund coordination and resource allocation and supports national recovery efforts.

More Info> UNFCCC.

{GS3 – Infra – Initiatives} Protest against hydropower project on Siang river

• Context (IE): Hydropower project on the Upper Siang River is being opposed.

Siang River Origin: Near Mount Kailash in Tibet, flows as Tsangpo. It traverses over 1,000 km eastward before forming a horseshoe bend around the towering Namcha Barwa peak and enters Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang. Further downstream, in Assam, the river becomes the mighty Brahmaputra. Credits: IE

The Upper Siang project

• It is a proposed 11,000-megawatt hydropower project on the Siang River in the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.
• In 2017, the government proposed to replace the planned 5,500 MW Siang Upper Stage-I and 3,750 MW Siang Upper Stage-II hydel projects with a single, multi-purpose project of higher capacity — the Upper Siang project.
• The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) will build the project.
• It would need the construction of a 300m high dam, the largest in the subcontinent when completed.

Significance of the project

• The combined installed capacity of 29 hydroelectric projects in the Siang River basin is 18,326 MW (as of Nov 2022). The proposed Upper Siang project’s installed capacity is roughly 60% of this figure.
• The dam is projected as a strategic imperative to counter China‘s hydel projects on the Tsangpo.
• It will act as a reservoir to counter the effects of reduced flow due to the 60,000 MW ‘super dam‘ in Tibet‘s Medog that would divert water to China‘s water-scarce northern regions.

Concerns associated

• The proposed Siang mega dam threatens the ancestral abode that hosts delicate ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity.
• Displacement of the communities as the project is expected to submerge more than 300 villages belonging to the Adi tribe, including the Upper Siang district headquarters of Yingkiong.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} Role of AI in healthcare

• Context (IE): AI is revolutionising healthcare through enhanced diagnostics, personalised treatment, and predictive analytics, contributing to more efficient and effective healthcare systems globally.

Role of AI in Healthcare

• Disease Diagnosis and Detection: AI analyses medical images (Bioimaging) accurately to detect diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, lung nodules, breast cancer, and diabetic retinopathy early on.
• Predictive Analytics and Risk Assessment: AI predicts disease outbreaks, patient deterioration, and hospital readmissions, assessing individual risks for early interventions and personalised care plans.
• Precision Medicine: AI tailors treatments based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, analysing genomic data and health records to optimise drug selection and dosage.
• Robotics and Automation: AI equips robots with learning abilities to make decisions based on sensor data, enhancing precision in industries like manufacturing and healthcare (e.g., brain transplant).
• Traditional Medicine: The Ayush Grid initiative uses AI to improve efficiency and quality in traditional medicine through digital systems, ensuring comprehensive and accessible healthcare services.

Challenges of Integrating AI in Healthcare

• Data Privacy and Security: Ensuring patient data privacy and securing sensitive health information against breaches is complex.
• Data Quality and Standardisation: Inconsistent data formats and poor-quality data hinder AI’s effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment.
• Regulatory and Compliance Issues: Navigating diverse regulations and obtaining approvals for AI technologies is time-consuming and costly.
• Bias and Fairness: AI algorithms can inherit biases from training data, leading to unequal care and decisions affecting certain groups disproportionately.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Aligning AI solutions with current healthcare infrastructure and workflows poses technical and logistical challenges.

Way forward

• Research & Development support: Government funding for public and private entities like Tata Institute of Healthcare to advance AI healthcare solutions.
  • Example: NITI Aayog’s collaboration with industry to pilot AI projects in healthcare settings.
• Data security assurance: Ensuring robust measures to protect patient data from breaches or loss is crucial for successful digital transformation.
  • Example: Implementation of stringent data protection laws like GDPR in Europe.

To know more about AI in various fields, refer < Artificial Intelligence

{Prelims – In News} Ariane 6 rocket

• Context (TH): Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully placed satellites into orbit after a 4-year delay.

About Ariane 6 rocket

• The Ariane 6 rocket is a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace.
• It provides a cost-effective, flexible launch system for commercial and government missions.
• A combination of liquid and solid propellant engines powers the rocket.
• The Ariane 6 rocket has two variants:

Ariane 62	Ariane 64
Two P120 solid boosters.	Four P120 solid boosters.
Mainly for government and scientific missions.	They are intended for commercial dual-satellite launches.
It can launch up to 4,500 kg.	It can launch up to 11,500 kg.

European Space Agency (ESA)

• It is an intergovernmental organisation that manages space activities for its member states.
• It was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Paris, France.
• It also cooperates with other space agencies and partners on joint missions and projects, like the International Space Station and the Rosetta mission to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.

Arianespace

• It is a commercial and government launch service provider based in France.
• It operates from two launch sites, the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana & Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and three primary launch vehicles, Ariane, Vega, and Soyuz.

{Prelims – In News} Durand Cup

• Context (PIB): The President of India unveiled the trophies of the Durand Cup tournament.

Durand Cup

• The Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest football tournament & world’s third-oldest football tournament.
• It was founded in 1888 by Mortimer Durand, the Foreign Secretary of British India.
• Over the years, the Durand Cup has included teams across India and South Asia.
• The Indian Armed Forces have maintained their involvement in the tournament as guest invitees.
• The tournament is held annually in various cities across India.
• This year, the tournament will be held in four cities: Kolkata, Jamshedpur, Shillong, and Kokrajhar.

Trophies of Durand Cup

• The winning team is presented with three trophies:
  • Durand Cup (the original challenge prize – a rolling trophy),
  • President’s Cup (first presented by Dr Rajendra Prasad),
  • Shimla Trophy (first presented by citizens of Shimla in 1903 and since 1965, a rolling trophy).

{Prelims – In News} eSwasthya Dham portal

• Context (PIB): The eSwasthya Dham portal is integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

• It is a portal that helps monitor the Char Dham Yatra pilgrim’s health parameters.
• It ensures the smooth journey of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath (Char Dham Yatra).
• Through the portal, the pilgrims can create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account 14-digit number.

Char Dham

• Char Dham Yatra, or pilgrimage, is a tour of four holy sites – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath –in the Himalayas.
• The Yamunotri temple, lodged in a narrow gorge close to the source of River Yamuna (the second-most sacred Indian river after River Ganga) in Uttarkashi district, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna.
• The district of Uttarkashi is also home to Gangotri and is dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
• Kedarnath is located in the Rudraprayag district, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Badrinath, home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Learn more about Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojana.

{Prelims – In News} Max Take Off Weight (MTOW) Drone

• Context (IE): NewSpace Research and Technologies successfully tested a 100-kg MTOW drone setting a high-altitude record at Umling La Pass, Ladakh.

Umling La Pass Location: 19,300 feet in Ladakh, the highest motorable road globally, surpassing Khardung La Pass. It was constructed under Project Himank, initiated by the Border Road Organisation in 1985. It connects Chisumle and Demchok villages, located near the Indo-China border in the eastern sector.

To know more about other Passes, refer < Major Passes in India

{Prelims – In News} Water Nanoparticle Formation

• Context (TH): Water microdroplets can break down minerals into nanoparticles, potentially revolutionising agriculture by infusing the soil with silica nanoparticles.

Unique Properties of Water Microdroplets

• Enhanced Chemical Reactivity: Water molecules at the surface of microdroplets (Less than 5mm) participate more readily in chemical reactions due to their packed nature and limited space.
• Electric Charge Carriers: Microdroplets are effective electric charge carriers, potentially accumulating ions from their surroundings, like saltwater at the beach.
• Formation of Hydroxyl Ions: Shrinking microdroplets can produce hydroxyl ions (OH-) and free protons (H+), which enhance surface acidity and support diverse chemical reactions.
• Role in Biochemical Processes: Microdroplets enable amino acids to utilise free protons to form peptide linkages, highlighting their role in biochemical pathways.

Experiment to convert Water Microparticle to Nanoparticle

• Battery terminals deliver thousands of volts to mineral particles suspended in water. This process generated a mist of microdroplets that fragmented mineral particles into nanoparticles within 10 ms.
• Potential causes include the infiltration of free protons into crystal layers and electric fields from charged surfaces providing energy.
• Surface tension dynamics & repulsive forces on charged surfaces contributed to microdroplet disruption.

{Prelims – PIN World – Africa} Ghana’s first nuclear energy plant

• Context (DTE): Ghana plans to establish its first nuclear energy plant.

Ghana

• Location: West Coast of Africa. Capital: Accra.
• Bordering countries: Burkina Faso, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire.
• Water bodies: Atlantic Ocean to the south, Gulf of Guinea.

More Info> Nuclear energy.

{Prelims-In News} Virat Ramayan Mandir

• Context (TH): World’s largest Ramayan temple is being constructed in East Champaran, Bihar.

Ramayan Temple

• It will be three times larger than the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and taller than Cambodia’s 12th-century Angkor Wat temple complex.

Key Features

Credits: The Hindu

• The main shivling in the arghya (sanctum sanctorum) is 33 feet tall, making it the world’s largest shivling. It is made of black granite and crafted in Mahabalipuram.
• The complex includes 22 smaller temples dedicated to important deities from the Ramayana.
• The temple has 12 shikhars, with the main shikhar being 270 feet tall.
• The architecture of the temple is inspired by:
  • Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia.
  • Ramanathaswami temple in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu.
  • Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Arghya (sanctum sanctorum), also known as Garbhagriha, is a small room, generally a cubicle, that houses the temple’s principal deity.

Also, refer to> Nagara Style of Temple Architecture.