Context (TH): UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage accredits KeremaneIdagunji Mahaganapati YakshaganaMandali. It was founded in 1934 by Late Keremane Shivarama Hegde.
Objective: To educate future generations, safeguard Yakshaganafrom decline, and promote the traditional Yakshagana Bayalata to ensure its continued relevance and vitality,
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a traditional theatre that emerged between the 11th and 16th centuries in coastal Karnataka and some parts of Kerala.
It is a unique combination of dance, music, dialogues, colorful costumes, and heavy facial make-up.
It was inspired by the Vaishnava Bhakti movement that started in the 11th century. It took the format of dance drama under the Vijayanagara Empire.
Theme: Stories of Lord Krishna and Vishnu, Hindu tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Accompanied by percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam, jagatta or chengila (cymbals) and chakratala or elathalam (small cymbals).
Men have traditionally played all parts, including female characters, while women are now included in Yakshagana troupes.
{GS1 – Geo – IG} Increase in height of Mount Everest
Context (TH):Mount Everest has gained roughly 49-164 feet (15-50 meters) in height due to a change in the regional river system.
Credits: Washington Post
Reason for increase in height:Isostatic rebound, where the land rises when the weight of the surface diminishes due to the removal of heavy material like rock or ice.
Here, the merger of the rivers, with the Kosisubjugating the Arun as the rivers changed course over time – resulted in accelerated erosion that has carried off huge amounts of rock and soil, reducing the weight of the region near Everest. As a result, the land rose.
Isostatic rebound is propellingthe mountainupwards by about 0.16mm to 0.53mm a year (10% of Everest’s annual uplift rate), with its neighbouring peaks, Lhotse and Makalu, the world’s fourth and fifth highest peaks, respectively.
Mount Everest
Also known as Chomolungma (Tibet) and Sagarmatha (Nepal), it is the world’s highest mountain with an elevation of 8,848 meters (29,029 feet).
Although Mount Everest is the highest mountain on earth above sea level, the world’s tallest mountain is Mauna Kea, an extinct volcano in Hawaii. The majority part of it resides below sea level.
It is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, on border between Nepal and Tibet.
It was first recognised in 1841 by Sir George Everest and was called Peak 15. The name Mount Everest was then introduced in 1865 in honour of Sir George Everest, director of the Survey of India.
The first successful summit of Mount Everest was recorded in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary (New Zealand). He was accompanied by Tenzing Norgay – a Sherpa from Nepal.
{GS2 – IR – India-China} Anti-India Business Sentiment in China
Context (IE): India has a growing trade deficit with China. Chinese imports surpassed $100 billion in FY24, while India’s exports barely crossed $16 billion in the last financial year.
However, public sentiments seem to be increasing in China against doing business with India.
Key Drivers of Anti-India Sentiment
Border Disputes and Geopolitical Tensions: Ongoing border issues, particularly in Ladakh, have caused Chinese citizens to view India as aligned with the West to “contain China.”
Negative Media Perception: Chinese media frequently portrays India negatively, focusing on issues like poverty, the caste system, and high crime rates, shaping public opinion.
Targeting of Chinese Companies in India: Actions by the Indian government, such as banning Chinese apps like TikTok and targeting Chinese companies like Xiaomi and Vivo, are seen as hostile.
Debate on Economic Decoupling: Chinese media platforms, such as guancha.cn, have spurred debate on whether China should decouple from India’s economy, avoiding investments and technology exports.
Concerns Over Strengthening India’s Supply Chain: Many Chinese are worried that investing in India’s infrastructure or industrial capacity could help India and the US weaken China’s global industrial position.
Way Forward
Bilateral Economic Dialogue: Both nations should establish a platform for regular dialogue to address trade imbalances and improve market access for Indian goods in China.
Confidence-Building Measures on Border Issues: Renewed efforts to diplomatically resolve border disputes would help ease geopolitical tensions.
Promoting People-to-People Exchanges: Cultural exchanges, academic collaborations, and tourism initiatives could reduce mutual suspicion and improve public perception in both countries. Promoting positive aspects of India-China relations can challenge negative media narratives.
Diversification of Indian Exports: India should diversify its exports to China, focusing on sectors like pharmaceuticals, IT, and agriculture to increase competitiveness in the Chinese market.
Strengthening Strategic Partnerships: India should continue building strategic partnerships with other nations while maintaining a balance, ensuring that these alliances do not exacerbate tensions with China.
{GS2 – Polity – IC – Citizenship} Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
Context (IE): MEA dispels rumours over additionalrestrictions on OCI cardholders.
Who is an OCI?
The OCI Cardholder is a foreign national holding passport of a foreign country and is not a citizen of India. Thus, an OCI shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India.
The OCI Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955, in 2005. The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) category was merged with the OCI category in 2015.
There are 45 lakhs registered OCI card holders in 2023, with the maximum from the USA, followed by the UK, Australia and Canada.
Eligibility
A foreign national:
who was a citizen ofIndia on January 26, 1950, or was eligible to become a citizen on the said date.
who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947.
who is a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen.
who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above.
Spouse of foreign origin of an Indian citizen or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI Cardholder and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the application’s presentation.
Who cannot become an OCI?
An applicant, if his parents or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
Foreign military personnel, either in service or retired.
Benefits of OCI Cardholders
OCI cardholders are granted multiple entry, multipurpose, lifelong visas for visiting India.
Exemption from registration with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.
Entitled to general parity with NRIs for inter-country adoption of Indian children, for airfares in the domestic sector and for practising professions such as doctors, CAs, advocates and architects.
Can appear for all India entrance tests such as NEET.
Parity with domestic Indian visitors regarding entry fees for visiting national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.
To be a member of the Legislative Assembly/Legislative Council or Parliament.
Cannot hold Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of SC or High Court.
Not entitled for appointment to public services & posts in connection with the affair of the Union/State.
Cannot acquire agricultural land or farmhouse or plantation properties in India.
Latest rules regarding OCIs
The 2021 notification placed the following restrictions on OCIs:
Requirement for OCIs to secure a special permit to undertake “any research”, to undertake any “missionary” or “Tablighi” or “journalistic activities” or to visit any area in India notified as “protected”, “restricted” or “prohibited”.
Puts OCIs at par with “foreign nationals” in respect of “all other economic, financial and educational fields” for purposes of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2003. (Earlier, they were equated to NRIs).
{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Casuarina Tree
Context (TH): Six years after Cyclone Gaja‘s destruction, casuarina plantations in Tamil Nadu are experiencing a revival as farmers prepare for their first harvest in five years.
About Casuarina Tree
It is native to Australia and was introduced into mainland India in 1868. Casuarinas are widely planted in the tropics, subtropics, and Mediterranean countries.
Although it is cultivated throughout South India, plantations are concentrated in the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.
It is an Evergreen tree with a straight stem and a conical crown of permanent, horizontal branches containing deciduous needle-like branchlets.
They fix atmospheric nitrogen through a symbiotic association with the bacteria Frankia.
In India, trees are dioecious (a plant with only male or female reproductive structures in its flowers ).
Uses
Casuarina wood, with a high calorific value, is a renowned fuel wood in the tropics.
To develop shelterbelts and windbreaks in coastal areas.
Reclaiming mined areas and afforesting nutrient-poor sites. Raw material for paper production.
{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} La Niña and North India’s Pollution
Context (IE): The link between climate phenomena like La Niña and extreme air pollutionin North India, particularly Delhi, is gaining attention.
Role of La Niña in Air Pollution
Delayed Onset of La Niña: The delayed arrival of La Niña weakens atmospheric circulation, causing stagnant winds that trap pollutants, leading to poor air quality in early winter. E.g. In 2024, La Niña’s delay is predicted to increase pollution levels in Delhi.
Extended Monsoon: The late retreat of the monsoon results in higher humidity and calm winds, which reduce the dispersion of pollutants, accumulating harmful particles like PM2.5.
Stubble Burning:Withoutstrong La Niña winds, smoke from stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana moves into Delhi, worsening air quality. For example, during peak season, stubble burning can contribute up to 40% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution.
Challenges in Managing Air Pollution
Meteorological Complexities: Pollution is influenced by large-scale atmospheric factors like ENSO, complicating local air quality management. E.g., wind shifts can carry pollutants from Punjab to Delhi.
Overemphasis on PM10: Excessive focus on dust-related PM10 diverts resources from tackling more harmful PM2.5 pollutants. PM2.5 exposure is linked to serious health risks like asthma and heart disease.
Lack of Comprehensive Strategy: Pollution control strategies are city-centric, ignoring regional pollutant sources. For example, emissions from neighbouring states aggravate Delhi’s air quality issues.
Way Forward
Airshed-Based Management: Adopt regional airshed-based approaches for more effective air pollution control. E.g. U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement as a model for cross-border pollution management.
Focus on PM2.5: Shift priority from PM10 to PM2.5 for a more health-focused approach. For example, reducing PM2.5 can cut respiratory illnesses by 30%.
International Collaboration: Enhance partnerships with countries for technology and research on air quality. E.g. India-Sweden collaboration on air quality monitoring.
Integrating Climate and Air Quality: Link climate change policies with air quality management for broader impact. For example, Germany’s Climate Action Plan combines air pollution and climate goals.
Scientific Research Investments: Boost funding for studies on the climate-pollution nexus for targeted interventions. For example, the SAFAR model provides crucial data for policy planning.
Greenhushing is when a company intentionally or unintentionally withholds or underreports its sustainability efforts despite actively working towards environmental goals. It contrasts with “greenwashing,” where companies exaggerate or falsely claim environmental practices.
Reasons for greenhushing
Greenwashing accusations: Firms fear that promoting their climate efforts may invite greenwashing accusations, damaging their reputation.
Competitive advantage: Some businesses withhold sustainability information to prevent competitors from gaining insights and to protect their competitive edge.
Lack of consumer demand: Low consumer awareness and demand for carbon-neutral products make companies hesitant to advertise their efforts. Additionally, consumers often perceive “green” products with lower quality.
Risk aversion: To avoid scrutiny and costly litigation.
Difference between Greenwashing and Greenhushing
Aspect
Greenwashing
Greenhushing
Definition
Overstating or falsely claiming environmental practices.
Downplaying or hiding legitimate sustainability efforts.
Motivation
To improve brand image and attract eco-conscious consumers.
To avoid scrutiny, criticism, or accusations of greenwashing.
Impact on Reputation
Can harm a company’s reputation if exposed as deceptive.
Limits positive recognition but avoids potential backlash.
Communication Style
Promotes exaggerated or false claims about sustainability.
Minimizes or avoids discussing sustainability initiatives.
Consumer Perception
Misleads consumers into thinking a company is more sustainable than it is.
Keeps consumers unaware of genuine sustainability efforts.
Other similar terms
Terms
Definition
Greenwashing
Misleading consumers by overstating or falsely claiming eco-friendly practices.
Greenwishing
Setting ambitious sustainability or environmentalgoalswithout a realistic plan or sufficient resources to achieve them.
Greencrowding
Businesses hide their unsustainable practices by merging into larger groups to avoid scrutiny and criticism by relying on the “safety in numbers” principle.
Greenlighting
Focusing on one eco-friendly aspect to distract from other harmful practices.
Greenrinsing
Regularly changing or revising sustainability targetswithout achieving them.
Greenshifting
Shift the responsibility for environmental sustainability from themselves (companies) to consumers or other stakeholders.
Greenlabelling
Companies market products to look eco-friendly even if they are not.
Brownwashing
Downplaying a company’s negative environmental impact while highlighting minor sustainability efforts.
{GS3 – Envi – RE} India’s Clean Energy Transition
Context (DTE): India has committed to net zero by 2070, with a target to reduce the emission intensity of its GDP and meet 50% of its power generation capacity based on non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
India’s status of clean energy transition
Renewable energy (RE) sources, including large hydropower, have a combined installed capacity of 199.52 GW (Aug 2024). Installed capacity for Renewables are:
Wind power: 47.19 GW
Solar Power: 89.43 GW
Biomass/Co-generation: 10.35 GW
Small Hydro Power: 5.07 GW
Waste To Energy: 0.60GW
Large Hydro: 46.92 GW
India stands 4th globally in RE Installed Capacity, 4th in wind power and 5th in solar power capacity.
RE targets of India (as mentioned in India’s updated NDCs):
Meet 50% of its power generation capacity based on non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
Total energy demand is expected to double in 25 years, translating to an increase in per capita energy consumption from 0.43 tonne of oil equivalent (toe) in 2022 to 0.8 toe by 2047, while per capita electricity consumption increases from 1,331 kilowatt-hour (kWh) in 2023 to 3,675 kWh in 2047.
Electricity’s share in overall energy demand is expected to increase from 18.3% (2022) to 40.3% (2047), facilitating an efficient and cleaner energy system.
Benefits of green energy transition
Energy security: India imported 88.9 per cent of crude oil, 43.3 per cent of natural gas and 25.04 per cent of coal in 2023.
Environmental sustainability due to reduced emissions.
Lead to energy access and reduce energy poverty: Solar microgrids and small-hydro projects can provide reliable electricity to remote communities, improving quality of life and enabling economic activities.
Employment generation: Around 50 million jobs can be created with a projected contribution of $15 trillion through India’s transition to a net zero economy.
Social benefits: Reduced air pollution due to reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
Challenges with clean energy transition
Investment gap: India’s energy transition would require USD 14 – 17 trillion to achieve net zero between 2022 and 2070.
High initial costs involved in land acquisition, setting up wind farms, etc compounded by the limitations of energy storage solutions.
Intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and tide.
Reliance on traditional fuels: Coal accounts for 70% of India’s power generation. 56% of rural households rely on traditional biomass, such as wood, dung cakes, charcoal and crop waste, for cooking.
Impact on fossil-dependent jobs, shrinking state’s capacity to spend on welfare programmes, and thus exacerbate existing economic inequities between coal and other regions.
Shortage of raw materials like solar modules and materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, hindering India’s clean transition.
Environmental challenges:For e.g., bird collisions with wind turbines, the impact of transmission lines on Great Indian Bustard, and the large amount of water required for hydrogen production.
Way forward
Enhancing domestic manufacturing ecosystem across the renewable value chain is critical. For example, polysilicon, wafer, solar cell and module, inverter, and wind turbine.
Relaxation of trade barriers, such as duties and other trade barriers, on imports of solar cells and modules until the domestic ecosystem is developed.
Support transmission infrastructure to enable power evacuation and prevent congestion in the network as large amounts of variable energy are integrated into the grid.
Faster land allocation/ acquisition and statutory clearances for project development and R&R activities.
Ensure a clear claim of RE procurement, avoid double certificate issuance in the carbon market, and provide clarity for businesses seeking to engage in long-term contracts for renewable energy supply.
Commercial scale deployment of new energy storage system technologies, such as flow battery, sodium-ion battery, and Hydrogen storage.
Reducing subsidy burden with faster penetration of solar rooftops, smart meters, feeder segregation and modifying consumer demand with solarisation of agricultural electricity demand, electrification of diesel-powered MSMEs and decentralised RE for residential cooking and heating.
{GS3 – S&T – Nuclear Power} Private Participation in India’s Nuclear Energy
Context (TH): India’s 2024 Budget emphasised private sectorparticipation in nuclear energy sector.
This move aims to help achieve India’s decarbonisation goals and non-fossil fuel-based energy targets for 2030. However, existing concerns must be addressed for effective private participation.
Current Legal Framework Governing Nuclear Energy
Atomic Energy Act (AEA), 1962 gives the central government exclusive control over nuclear energy production, development, and disposal. Only the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) have authority over nuclear energy operations.
Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA), 2010 provides for liability and compensation in case of a nuclear accident.
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board(AERB) oversees nuclear safety.
Proposed Models for Private Participation
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): A potential model involves the government retaining a 51% stake in nuclear projects, with private companies providing investment and technology. This would ensure government control, public accountability, and transparency under the Right to Information Act (RTI).
Bharat Small Modular Reactors (BSRs): The NITI Aayog and DAE have recommended enabling private sector involvement in SMR development could accelerate nuclear expansion.
Regulatory Restrictions: The AEA, 1962 prohibits private sector involvement in nuclear R&D, which limits the scope of private participation. E.g. Section 3(a) of the AEA prevents private firms from engaging in nuclear energy research, confining their role to infrastructure development.
Liability and Risk Concerns: Nuclear projects involve significant liability risks due to potential disasters like Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011).
India’s CLNDA has faced challenges in the Supreme Court for allegedly violating the “polluter pays” principle, contributing to uncertainty for private firms.
Autonomy of Regulatory Bodies The AERB’s perceived lack of independence hampers private sector confidence in the regulatory process. E.g. The Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill (2011), aimed at making the AERB independent, remains pending.
Way Forward
Amending the AEA to allow private entities to engage in nuclear R&D while ensuring safety through strict government oversight. E.g. Countries like the United States and Canada.
Clear and Transparent Nuclear Liability Framework: Addressing the uncertainties related to the CLNDA by resolving the pending constitutional challenge would make the nuclear sector more attractive.
Strengthening the AERB’s Autonomy by Passing the Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill. E.g. The European Union has independent nuclear regulators like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
International Collaboration with countries that have advanced nuclear technologies and private participation models. E.g. India-Russia collaboration on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and the India-U.S. Civil Nuclear Agreement.
Incentivizing Private Investment such as tax breaks and subsidies can attract private players to invest in nuclear infrastructure and technology.
{Prelims – S&T – Defence} KAZIND-2024
Context (PIB): 8th KAZIND, the India-Kazakhstan Military Exercise, occurred in Auli, Uttarakhand.
Objective: To enhance joint counter-terrorism capabilities in semi-urban and mountainous regions with Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
UN Charter Chapter VII empowers the Security Council to take measures, including military action, against threats to peace.
KAZIND has been held annually since 2016, with the last exercise occurring in Otar,Kazakhstan.
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