Current Affairs – January 05-06, 2025

{GS1 – IS – Diversity} India’s Cultural Diversity **

Context (IE): India’s diversity is highlighted through simple, everyday symbols like currency notes, fabrics, and culinary traditions, showcasing the nation’s uniqueness.

Illustrations of Diversity

Currency Notes: Display multiple scripts, unlike other nations’ currencies, reflecting linguistic plurality.
Religious Structures: Includes mosques, churches, synagogues, stupas, and derasars, showcasing coexistence despite conflicts.
Fabric Usage: Unstitched clothes like saris and dhotis are draped in numerous styles, symbolising cultural evolution over millennia.

Multilingual Reality

Linguistic Versatility: Indians speak multiple languages — mother tongue, state language, Hindi/English for governance, and English for global communication.
Cognitive Flexibility: Exposure to varied languages fosters adaptability and respect for diversity.
Resistance to Homogenisation: Attempts to impose a single language have met with strong opposition, preserving regional identities.

Culinary Diversity

Thali System: Encourages personalisation and mixing of items like dal, sabzi, and papad.
Contrast with Western Dining: Simultaneous serving of all courses reflects flexibility, unlike the sequential courses of Western fine dining.

Thali Philosophy: Represents personalisation in food culture, contrasting Western fine dining.

Challenges of Diversity

Complex Hierarchies: Diversity leads to multiple hierarchies, requiring nuanced understanding.
Preserving Identity: Balancing regional and national identities while engaging with global systems.

Advantages of Diversity

Survival Strategy: Natural inclusion ensures societal adaptability and resilience.
Cultural Richness: Diverse practices, languages, and cuisines enrich national identity and global appeal.

Philosophical Insights: Diversity vs. Equality

Diverse societies embrace heterogeneity and fluid hierarchies, fostering inclusivity.
Equality demands uniformity and control, which may clash with natural diversity.
Cultural Hierarchies in Indian society evolve over time, highlighting impermanence.

Measures to Sustain Diversity

Policy Interventions: Promote multilingual education and regional art forms.
Public Awareness: Celebrate cultural festivals and traditional practices.
Institutional Reforms: Strengthen legal frameworks to protect linguistic and cultural heritage.
Embrace Diversity as Strength: Shift global narratives to see diversity as an asset, not a challenge.
Promote Cross-Cultural Understanding: Encourage dialogues between diverse communities.
Preserve Traditional Knowledge: Document and share practices across generations.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Russian Gas Supply via Ukraine Halted

Context (IE): On January 1, 2025, Russian natural gas exports to Europe via Ukraine’s Soviet-era pipelines ceased due to the expiration of a transit deal between Moscow and Kyiv.

Reasons for Supply Halt

Expired Transit Deal: The 2020 five-year transit agreement between Gazprom (Russia) and Naftogaz (Ukraine) was not renewed.
Ukrainian Stance: Amid the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine’s refusal to renegotiate the deal is tied to national security concerns.
Russian Response: President Putin deemed it too late for negotiations, and Gazprom officially halted supplies on January 1, 2025.

Implications of the Gas Halt on Countries

Austria: It has diversified sources and is prepared for reduced dependency.
Slovakia: Previously received two-thirds of its gas needs from Gazprom. Secured alternative contracts with BP, Shell, and others.
Moldova: Severely affected, relying on Russia for 2 bcm of gas annually. Plans to cut gas consumption by one-third starting January 2025.

Market and Economic Effects

Russia’s Financial Losses: Annual loss of $5 billion in gas sales through Ukraine; Declining European market share, dropping from 35% pre-war to 8% in 2024.
Ukraine’s Revenue Impact: Loss of $800 million to $1 billion annually in transit fees.
EU Market Prices: Gas prices peaked in 2022 but are unlikely to surge again due to reduced dependency on Russian gas.

Energy Alternatives

Diversification Efforts

LNG Imports: Sourcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S., Qatar, and others.
Non-Russian Pipelines: Increased imports from Norway and North Africa. Countries like the U.S. and Norway gaining market share at Russia’s expense.

Alternative Routes

TurkStream Pipeline: Operational, supplying Turkey, Hungary, and Serbia.
Closed Pipelines: Yamal-Europe (via Belarus) and Nord Stream (via the Baltic Sea) are no longer in use.

Infrastructure Adjustments

Slovakia: Receives gas from Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
Czech Republic: Provides Slovakia with transit and storage capacity.
EU Support: Ensures Ukraine’s gas supply security, as it no longer relies on Russian transit gas.

Broader Implications

Declining Russian Influence: Russian gas deliveries to Europe fell from 201 bcm in 2018 to 15 bcm in 2023, signaling a collapse in market dominance.
Financial & Geopolitical Setbacks: Gazprom & Russia face long-term economic & strategic challenges.
EU Energy Independence: Since 2022, the EU has accelerated its energy transition and reduced its reliance on Russian energy.

{GS2 – Polity – Laws} Revival of Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act

Context (IE): Arunachal Pradesh is reviving the 1978 Act to curb forceful religious conversions by framing rules for its implementation after decades of dormancy.
The Act remained unenforced since 1978 due to unframed rules. Christian groups, including the Arunachal Christian Forum, oppose it, citing potential misuse and increasing resistance.

Major Ethnic Groups in Arunachal Pradesh: Adi, Nyishi (largest), Galo, Apatani, Tagin, Aka, Monpa, Sherdukpen, Khampti, Singpho, and Mishmi.
Ethnic and Religious Diversity: Regions are divided by ethnic dominance, with diverse indigenous beliefs like Donyi Polo, Theravada Buddhism, and polytheistic worship.

Reasons for Reviving the Act

Rise of Conversions to Christianity: Efforts in the 1950s led to Christianity’s growth from 0.79% (1971) to 4.32% (1981) and to 30.26% of the population by 2011.
Legal Push: A 2022 PIL in the Gauhati High Court highlighted the failure to enforce the Act, prompting judicial intervention. The govt is finalizing rules to operationalize the Act after the court’s directive.
Cultural Preservation: Seen as crucial by Indigenous Faiths & Cultural Society of Arunachal P. (IFCSAP) to protect indigenous culture from erosion due to rising conversions & to document traditional practices.

Also refer to Need for Anti-Conversion Laws.

Key Features of Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1978

Prohibition of Forceful Conversion: Bans religious conversions through force, inducement, or fraud.
Punishments: Violators face imprisonment (up to two years) and fines (up to ₹10,000).
Mandatory Reporting: All conversions must be reported to the District Deputy Commissioner.
Focus on Indigenous Faiths: Protects local practices like Donyi Polo and Mahayana Buddhism while countering external influences.

Issues

Allegations of Misuse: Concerns over misuse of the Act by local authorities against minority groups.
Census Discrepancies: Categorization issues in past censuses blurred distinctions between Hinduism and indigenous faiths, complicating demographic analyses.

Way Forward

Inclusive Implementation: Implement rules safeguarding against misuse, protecting cultural heritage, and distinguishing indigenous faiths from Hinduism to preserve identities.
Awareness Promotion: Understanding of indigenous practices through education & documentation.
Dialogue with Stakeholders: Engage religious leaders, activists, and the public to address concerns and build consensus.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – STs} Jarawa Tribe *

Context (IE): 19 members of the Jarawa tribe of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been officially enrolled in the electoral roll for the first time in November 2024.

Tribal Classification: The Jarawa tribe is recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Demographic Trends: The population declined during British colonial rule but stabilised post-independence, with an estimated current population of approximately 400 individuals.
Lifestyle: Jarawas are a nomadic, hunter-gatherer tribe relying on wild fruits, roots, honey and fish.
Housing: They live in temporary huts on the western coast of South and Middle Andaman Islands.
Language: The Jarawa language (of the Ongan family of languages) is unique, not mutually intelligible, and critically endangered as per UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger.

Historical Contact and Protection

Historical Contact: The Jarawa tribe remained isolated until the late 20th century.
Contact Policy: Govt follows a policy of minimal interference and protection of Jarawa culture under the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 (ANPATR).

Source: Borgenproject

Conservation and Legal Safeguards

Protected Areas: Jarawa Reserve notified under ANPATR, entry into which is prohibited for outsiders without special permission.
Welfare Programs: Managed by Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) under the Tribal Welfare Department.

AAJVS is an autonomous body established in 1976 by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. It focuses on the welfare, development, and protection of the PVTGs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

{GS3 – Envi – UNFCCC} India’s Emissions Inventory & Mitigation Efforts

Context (IE): India has submitted its Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the UNFCCC, detailing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and climate action efforts.

The Biennial Update Report (BUR) is a submission by developing countries under the UNFCCC, detailing their climate action progress, GHG emissions inventory, mitigation strategies, and support received in terms of finance, technology, and capacity-building.

Key Highlights of BUR-4

Emissions Intensity: Reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2020; on track for a 45% reduction by 2030.
Total GHG Emissions: 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2020; net emissions of 2,437 million tonnes after considering forestry absorption.
Emissions Breakdown: CO2 accounted for 80.53%, methane 13.32%, nitrous oxide 5.13%.

Sectoral Emissions

Energy sector: 75.66% (Electricity production alone: 39%).
Agriculture: 13.72%.
Industrial processes: 8.06%.
Waste: 2.56%.

Progress on Climate Commitments

GDP Emission Intensity Reduction: 36% from 2005 to 2020, aiming for 45% by 2030.
Non-Fossil Fuel Power: 46.52% of installed capacity in 2024; goal of 50% by 2030.
Carbon Sink: Additional 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ absorbed through afforestation (2005–2021).
Net-Zero Target: Pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.

Climate Action Schemes and Achievements

Energy Efficiency Initiatives: The PAT Scheme drives energy savings in key industries, while the UJALA Program promotes widespread LED bulb adoption.
Renewable Energy Expansion: India targets 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030, focusing on solar, wind, and clean energy with initiatives like the National Solar Mission.
Forest and Tree Cover: Increased to 25.17% of the total area; ongoing growth through afforestation.
Supporting Global Initiatives: International Solar Alliance (ISA); Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Other National Programs: PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, National Bio-Energy Programme, National E-Bus Programme, National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM Scheme , Production-Linked Incentives (PLIs) etc.
LiFE Movement: Promoting sustainable lifestyles to reduce environmental impact.

Challenges Identified in the Report

Financial Support: Increased funding is required for scaling mitigation and adaptation measures.
Tech Gaps: Need for advanced tools in renewable energy (RE), carbon capture & efficiency improvement.
Lack of Institutional Capacity: Need for enhanced institutional frameworks and skilled workforce for successful implementation.

Proactive Steps for Climate Change Mitigation

RE Growth: Achieve 500 GW of installed capacity by 2030, focusing on solar, wind, and other RE.
Energy Efficiency Measures: Expand the PAT Scheme and UJALA Program for wider industrial and residential energy savings.
Increase Carbon Sink Capacity: Further enhance forest and tree cover to absorb more CO2.
International Cooperation: Strengthen global climate partnerships for technology transfer, financial aid, and addressing intellectual property barriers.

Technology and Capacity Needs for Climate Action

Advanced Tech for Low-Carbon Growth: Required in energy (eg- ultra-efficient photovoltaic cells, floating wind turbines), industrial sectors (eg- carbon capture) & water (eg- solar-powered desalination).
Technology Transfer Barriers: Slow transfer and intellectual property issues hindering tech adoption.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} In-flight Internet

Context (IE): Tata Group’s Air India has announced free in-flight Internet services on domestic and international flights.

Source: IE

Both In-flight connectivity technologies — ground-based cellular towers (air-to-ground (ATG) technology) and satellite-based connectivity require special antennae to be installed on the aircraft.
In ATG technology, an antenna — usually placed around the plane’s belly, picks up signals from the nearest tower on the ground or ground receiver to provide connectivity on board the aircraft.
However, the availability of nearby towers on the ground is a fundamental limitation of this technology.
In Satellite-based connectivity, antennae are mounted on top of the aircraft’s body. It offers wider coverage and is particularly useful when flying over regions without ground towers.
Multiple Wi-Fi antennae are placed inside the aircraft cabin. They receive signals from passengers’ devices and connect them to the server through the ATG or satellite-based transmission.
However, In-flight Wi-Fi is typically much slower than on the ground.

{Prelims – In News} Glass sea bridge in Kanyakumari

Context (IE | NEWS18): India’s first-ever glass bridge was inaugurated in Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu), connecting the Vivekananda Memorial and the Thiruvalluvar statue near Cape Comorin.

The 77-meter-long and 10-meter-wide glass bridge has a translucent glass surface, a bowstring-arch design, and marine-grade durability.
It is situated at the confluence of the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal.

Source: NDTV

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda. He visited Kanyakumari in 1892 and meditated on this rock for two days before his trip to Chicago for the World Religious Conference.
The rock is situated 500 meters away from the mainland and can be reached via a ferry.

Thiruvalluvar statue

This 133-foot-long hollow body Thiruvalluvar statue was built by sculptor Dr V. Ganapati Sthapati.
It represents the 133 athikarams (chapters) of the masterpiece Thirukkural and has a 38-foot pedestal, symbolising the 38 chapters of virtues in Thirukkural.
It was inaugurated in 2000 and named “Statue of Wisdom”.

Another “Statue of Wisdom” is being planned at Ganga Coast in Patna and is dedicated to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. Dr. Prasad became Chairman of Patna Municipality in 1923.

Other famous places in Kanyakumari

Places	Aspects
Devi Kanyakumari Temple (Bhagavathi Amman)	Dedicated to Goddess Kanya Kumari. One of the 108 Shakti Peethas. Believed to be over 3000 years old.
Padmanabhapuram Palace	By Ravi Pillai Ravivarma Kulasekhara Perumal. Built-in the 16th century during the reign of the Travancore Kingdom. Located at Veli Hills in Thuckalay, near Kanyakumari.
Thiruparappu Falls	Situated in Thiruparappu in Kanyakumari district. Falls into the Kodayar River.
Thanumalayan Temple	Located in Suchindram near Kanyakumari. Blend of three deities — Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma — representing the supreme trinity of Hinduism.

{Prelims – In News} Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) Scheme

Context (IE): Canada has introduced the RCIC Scheme, offering opportunities for international students.

Launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in December 2024.
It aims to address labour shortages and promote development in smaller rural communities by attracting individuals willing to settle long-term in these areas.
Will benefit students with near-expiration post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) with lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for permanent residency (PR) or secure a high-paying job.
Now, they can apply for PR if they commit to living and working in designated rural communities.
These are smaller towns in rural areas near larger regions like Ontario, Vancouver, and others.
It benefits Indian students, who constitute the largest share of international students in Canada (nearly 40%) and face challenges transitioning to PR due to increased competition and stricter requirements.

{Prelims – In News} World Braille Day

Context (IE): World Braille Day, observed on January 4, commemorates Louis Braille’s invention and promotes global awareness of braille, as instituted by the UN in 2019.

Source: Wikipedia

Braille

Braille is a tactile code composed of raised dots used by visually impaired persons to read and write in various languages.
Braille Cell: Comprises six raised dots arranged in two columns of three, allowing 64 possible combinations of dots and empty spaces.
Eight-Dot Braille: Used in some systems, expanding the possible symbols to 255 combinations.

How Braille Works

Symbols in braille represent letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and sometimes entire words.
Different languages have distinct braille codes; Bharati Braille was developed in India in the 1950s to unify scripts for 11 regional languages.

How is Braille Written?

Slate and Stylus: A slate is a guide with depressions for braille dots, and a stylus creates indentations. Bulges on the reverse side form the tactile dots.
Braille Writer: A mechanical device with six keys corresponding to the six dots in a braille cell, a space bar, and other basic functions.

Modern Devices: Portable devices, braille embossers, and specific keyboards help produce hard copies or translate text into braille.

Invention of Braille

The concept began in early 19th century France with Charles Barbier, who developed a 12-dot “night writing” system for soldiers to read in the dark.

Louis Braille’s Contribution

Born in 1809 near Paris, he lost his sight at the age of three due to an accident. By 15 years old, he adapted Barbier’s system into a more practical six-dot code and initially used it for musical notation.
In 1837, Louis Braille published a three-volume history textbook in braille, marking the first significant application of his system.

Initially, braille was a direct transliteration of the French alphabet, evolving with contractions and refinements over time. As of 2013, braille codes exist for 133 languages globally.

Benefits with Braille Development

Educational Inclusion: Enables the visually impaired to access literacy & education on par with others.
Independence: Facilitates self-reliance by allowing users to read, write, and communicate effectively.
Cultural Access: Provides an avenue for visually impaired individuals to engage with literature, music, and science.

Challenges in Braille Usage

Limited Access: Lack of widespread availability of braille books and resources.
Technological Gaps: Insufficient affordable braille devices and printers are available in many regions.
Training Deficiency: Need for trained professionals to teach braille effectively.

Way Forward

Policy Support: Governments should promote braille education and subsidise braille resources.
Technology Integration: Encourage the development of low-cost braille devices, including embossers and electronic readers.