Current Affairs – November 30, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Architecture} Ramappa Temple & Ghanpur (Kota Gullu) Temple

• Context (TH): The Centre approves development loans for Ramappa Circuit and Somasila Retreat in Telangana under Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.

• The Ramappa Circuit includes various components like Ramappa Temple, Kota Gullu Temple, and the lakefront development of Ghanpur village.
• The Somasila retreat will include facilities for wellness and spiritual practices, an organic café, and an interpretation centre to educate visitors about the local culture and environment

Ramappa Temple (Rudreswara Temple)

• It is located in Palampet, Telangana, and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Historical Significance: It was constructed by Kakatiya General Recharla Rudra Reddy during the reign of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva in the 13th century. It is a Sivalayam dedicated to Lord Ramalingeswara.
• Marco Polo’s Praise: The renowned traveller Marco Polo visited the Kakatiya Empire and described the temple as “the brightest star in the galaxy of temples“.
• Sandbox technique of construction: Its foundation is built with red sandstone. The flooring is made of granite & pillars are of basalt. Meanwhile, the white gopuram (tower) is made of floating light bricks.
• Architectural Beauty: The temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings

Source: swarajyamag

Ghanpur Temples (Kota Gullu)

• Location: Ghanpur, Telangana.
• Period: Constructed during the reign of Ganapati Deva in the late 12th and early 13th centuries.
• Design and Structure: It comprises over 20 temples within a fortified complex. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. These temples are enclosed by two layers of brick walls.
• Sculptural Art: The temples feature mythical sculptures such as Gaja-Kesari (a half-human, half-lion figure riding an elephant) and horse-headed, lion-backed elephants. Intricate carvings and floral patterns adorn the pillars and walls, showcasing the detailed artistry of the Kakatiya dynasty.

Source: lightuptemples

About Kakatiya Dynasty

Source: Wikipedia

Characteristics of Kakatiya Architecture

• Elaborate Pillars and Sculptures: Intricately carved pillars and sculptures often depicting deities, mythical creatures, and scenes from Hindu epics.
• Star-Shaped Platforms: Many temples were built on raised star-shaped platforms.
• Use of Granite and Sandstone: Robust materials like granite and sandstone were extensively used, ensuring the longevity and resilience of their structures.

List of Temples built by Kakatiyas

{GS1 – A&C – Personalities} Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

• Context (IE): A district court has admitted a petition that claims that a Shiva temple lies underneath the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer.

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is also known as Moinuddin Hasan Chishti and is revered by the epithet Ghareeb Nawaz (Benefactor of the Poor).
• He was born in Sijistan (modern-day Sistan, Iran) and settled in the Indian subcontinent in the early 13th century. He is said to have been a descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
• He became a disciple of Khwaja Usman Harooni; after rigorous spiritual training, Moinuddin was initiated into the Chishti silsila (spiritual lineage).
• He preached in Ajmer after Muizuddin Muhammad bin Sam of Ghor defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192). After that, Ajmer became his base of spiritual and social work. He founded his ‘khanqah’ in Ajmer to help the poorest people in the community.
• His shrine in Ajmer has been visited by rulers like Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Sher Shah Suri, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Dara Shukoh and Aurangzeb.
• Contemporaries: Lived during the reigns of Qutub-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish.
• Teachings and Influence: Promoted “Sulh-i-Kul” (Peace with all), drawing followers from all religions and social classes. Also, it advocated service to humanity, inner purity, and devotion to God.

Chishti Order (Chishtiya)

• Foundation: It was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in Chisht (modern-day Afghanistan) and established in India by Khwaja Moin-Uddin Chishti.
• Core Beliefs: Emphasised the doctrine of the unity of being with God (waḥdat al-wujūd). Adherents were pacifists who believed in non-violence and harmony.
• Lifestyle: Reject all material goods as distractions from the contemplation of God. Abstained from any connection with the secular state.
• Practices: Involved reciting the names of God, both aloud (dhikr jahrī) and silently (dhikr khafī).

Prominent Disciples

• Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki: Spread the Chishti teachings in Delhi and became the spiritual guru of Iltutmish, the Delhi Sultanate ruler. The Qutub Minar is named after him.
• Baba Fariduddin: Spread Chishti teachings in Punjab and was given the name “Ganj Shakr” (treasure of sweetness) by Moinuddin.
• Nizamuddin Auliya and Chirag Dehalvi: Established the Chishti order in Delhi.

About Sufism

• The word derives from the Arabic word for wool (suf), which refers to the rough wool clothes worn by ascetics and even prophets.
• It is the mystical form of Islam that focuses on the spiritual search for God and shunning materialism.
• It emphasises asceticism and devotion towards God.
• In Sufism, self-discipline is considered essential to gain knowledge of God through perception.
• Its belief is that serving humanity equates to serving God.

{GS1 – IS – Population} Census 2025: Towards a Comprehensive Citizen Registry

• Context (TH): The 2025 Census aims to update the National Population Register (NPR) as the foundation for establishing the National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).

Need for NRIC

• National Security: Identifies citizens and distinguishes non-citizens, enhancing national security.
• Identity Verification: Reduces identity fraud and duplication.
• Targeted Welfare: Ensures that benefits reach eligible citizens efficiently.
• Data Accuracy: Provides an updated and authenticated demographic database.

Steps in NRIC Implementation

• Data Collection: Initial demographic data via Census houselisting.
• Biometric Integration: Duplication elimination using Aadhaar-linked biometric data.
• Transparency: Inviting public claims and objections to address discrepancies.
• Verification and Appeals: Ensuring accuracy through a systematic adjudication process.
• Final Register and ID Cards: Issuing citizenship cards as mandated by the Citizenship Act.

Advantages

• Streamlined Governance: Verified data aids in policymaking and administrative efficiency.
• Improved Welfare Delivery: Ensures resources reach genuine beneficiaries, reducing leakages.
• Enhanced Security: Assists in identifying unauthorized residents and illegal immigrants.
• Complementary Role with Aadhaar: NRIC focuses on citizenship, while Aadhaar emphasizes identity verification for all residents.

Issues

• Privacy Concerns: Misuse of demographic and biometric data due to weak data protection despite Aadhaar-related Supreme Court guidelines.
• Inclusion Challenges: Documentation demands disproportionately affect marginalized, rural and less-educated groups, as seen in Assam NRC’s exclusion cases.
• Administrative Burden: Large-scale verification demands meticulous planning, resources, capacity-building and risks errors in data entry or claim adjudication.
• Humanitarian Impacts: Exclusion brings statelessness and causes psychological distress for individuals and communities.

Learnings from Assam NRC

• Unique Legal Framework: Assam’s NRC was based on Assam Accord, differed from national NRIC plans.
• Implementation Challenges: Stringent documentation led to exclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Humanitarian Concerns: Highlighted importance of sensitivity & transparency in citizenship verification.

Way Forward

• Awareness Campaigns: Educate citizens about their rights and documentation requirements.
• Streamlined Procedures: Simplify processes to minimize errors and administrative burdens.
• Inclusion Measures: Develop mechanisms to prevent exclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Data Protection: Enact stringent laws to safeguard privacy and prevent misuse of collected data.
• Pilot Projects: Test NRIC frameworks on smaller scales before nationwide implementation.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Are Election-Time DBT Schemes Voter Bribes?

• Context (TH): The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra offers ₹1,500 monthly financial aid to poor women, raising debates about its timing and implications for electoral fairness.

Key Features of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana

• Launched: July 2024, four months before elections.
• Eligibility: Women aged 21–65 with annual incomes below ₹2.5 lakh.
• Mechanism: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for financial assistance.
• Comparison: Similar to election-timed schemes in Madhya Pradesh.

Need for Such Schemes

• Economic Independence: Addresses financial vulnerabilities of underprivileged women and promotes reduced dependency on male family members.
• Acknowledgement of Unpaid Work: Recognizes domestic labor contributions.
• Health and Nutrition: Supplements family income to improve food and healthcare access.
• Democratic Responsiveness: Reflects voter concerns through tangible benefits.

Benefits of Election-Timed Welfare

• Immediate Relief: Provides critical support to marginalized groups.
• Fills Welfare Gaps: Addresses missing benefits, such as maternity aid.
• Political Engagement: Enhances focus on marginalized issues during elections.
• Simplified Delivery: DBTs are easier to implement than material-based welfare.

Need to Address Election-Timed DBT Schemes

• Resource Misallocation: Diverts funds from critical sectors like healthcare and education.
• Targeting Flaws: Weak beneficiary identification mechanisms lead to inefficiencies.
• Corruption Risks: Middlemen undermine the intended directness of DBT.
• Democratic Fairness: May give incumbent parties an undue advantage.
• Short-Term Focus: Prioritizes visible benefits over systemic improvements.
• Gender Norms: Reinforces traditional roles by compensating unpaid domestic work.

Judicial Precedents

• S. Subramaniam Balaji Case (2013): SC urged EC to frame guidelines for free & fair elections
• Ashwani Kumar Case (2019): Questioned legality of pre-election promises using public funds.

Challenges of DBT-Centric Welfare

• Limited Livelihood Impact: Cash transfers don’t generate sustainable employment. E.g: MNREGA offers double the income compared to DBTs.
• Banking Infrastructure: Rural banking gaps hinder fund accessibility.
• Inadequate Compensation: Aid provided often fails to significantly impact lives.
• Fiscal Burden: Large allocations compromise other welfare initiatives.

Way Forward

• Enhance Targeting: Use technology for better beneficiary identification.
• Invest in Sustainable Welfare: Prioritize programs like MNREGA over short-term transfers.
• Expand Welfare Budgets: Balance DBTs with funding for health, education, and employment.
• Voter Awareness: Campaigns to educate voters on ethical choices.
• Financial Oversight: Recommendations for states’ fiscal evaluation by Finance Commission.
• Combat Corruption: Implement audits and monitoring mechanisms.
• Promote Gender Equity: Focus on employment and skill development rather than compensation.

Relevant Examples and Best Practices

• Tamil Nadu’s DBT Scheme: Acknowledges unpaid domestic work while aiding nutrition.
• MNREGA: Provides sustainable livelihood with a robust targeting mechanism.
• National Food Security Act: Lifecycle-based benefits like maternity aid and child nutrition programs.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Climate Change and Conflict

• Context (DTE): Myanmar faces a dual crisis- prolonged conflict since the military coup in February 2021 and significant vulnerability to climate change impacts.

Impact of Climate Change on Conflict

• Regional Security Concerns: Climate-driven disruptions can trigger migration, resulting in humanitarian challenges.
• Resource Degradation: Unregulated extraction, often driven by armed groups, depletes resources, worsening exposure to climate impact for affected communities.
• Deforestation: Increased charcoal demand due to unstable electricity has caused mangrove loss, raising storm and cyclone risks.
• Interaction with Conflict: Growing climate-induced stresses are driving instability in Myanmar and other Southeast Asian regions like Papua New Guinea and Philippines.
• Increased Vulnerability: Climate events such as typhoons, floods, droughts and coastal erosion intensify socio-political tensions, fostering conditions that escalate or spark conflicts.
• Funding Disruptions: The 2021 coup in Myanmar curtailed international funding for climate adaptation efforts and natural resource management.

Way Forward

• Urgency for Comprehensive Solutions: Immediate need to design integrated policies addressing both climate resilience and conflict resolution.
• Cross-Regional Insights: Lessons from underrepresented areas can inform more effective strategies for similar crises in Myanmar and elsewhere.
• Adaptation and Peacebuilding: Policies must focus on sustainable resource management and community-level adaptation while fostering conditions for enduring peace.
• Enhanced Research: Prioritize studies to cover diverse regions impacted by climate change & conflict.
• Integrated Funding: Allocate resources to programs that support climate resilience while addressing conflict dynamics.
• Community Focus: Empower local communities with knowledge and resources to withstand climate stressors and reduce conflict risk.
• Collaborative International Efforts: Engage international bodies, NGOs, and governments in creating multifaceted strategies that unite climate action with peacebuilding initiatives.

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} Greenwashing

• Context (IE): The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Consumer Affairs Ministry has issued guidelines for the ‘Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing and Misleading Environmental Claims‘. This initiative is part of the government’s crackdown on misleading advertisements.

• Greenwashing refers to the practice where companies, organisations, or even countries make questionable or unverifiable claims about their products, services, or activities being environmentally friendly.
• It includes using misleading symbols, imagery, or language that highlights positive environmental aspects while concealing harmful ones.
• Examples of Greenwashing: Dieselgate by Volkswagen.

Types of Greenwashing

• Greenhushing: Companies withhold information about their sustainability goals and progress.
• Green-crowding: Hiding in a group to avoid scrutiny of unsustainable practices.
• Greenshifting: Shifting the responsibility of adopting sustainable measures onto consumers or individuals instead of taking meaningful corporate action.
• Greenlighting: Highlighting specific sustainability initiatives to distract from harmful activities.
• Greenlabelling: Using labels that suggest products are green or sustainable, which, upon closer examination, are misleading.

Key Points from the Greenwashing Guidelines

• These guidelines target manufacturers, service providers, traders, ad agencies, and endorsers, requiring them to substantiate environmental claims.
• Sustainable Growth Claims: Terms like “eco-friendly,” “green,” “sustainable,” “natural,” and others must be backed by credible evidence. E.g., terms like “100% eco-friendly” or “zero emissions” must be qualified with precise information on the product or service.
• Penalties for Misleading Claims: Companies found violating these guidelines may face penalties for misleading advertising and unfair trade practices under consumer protection laws.
• Technical Terms: To improve consumer understanding, it is required to explain technical terms like “greenhouse gas emissions” or “Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)” in user-friendly language.

Concerns about Greenwashing

• Dilution of Climate Goals: Greenwashing presents a risk by diluting the authenticity of climate goals through misleading or exaggerated claims about environmental initiatives.
• Unwarranted Recognition: Entities engaged in greenwashing may receive undue recognition or benefits, thus rewarding irresponsible behaviour.
• Market Distortion: Greenwashing can distort markets by creating an uneven playing field, where entities using deceptive practices gain an unfair advantage over those adhering to genuine standards.
• Lack of Regulation: The absence of comprehensive regulations and standards for environmental claims allows greenwashing to continue without adequate scrutiny.
• Carbon Credit System Integrity: Greenwashing introduces challenges to the integrity of carbon credit systems, especially in informal markets where the expansion of credit sources and certification by unofficial entities raises concerns about transparency and reliability.

Key Factors Driving Greenwashing in India

• Regulatory Pressure: Government regulations, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy, create pressure on companies to appear environmentally responsible.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): The mandatory 2% CSR spending requirement under the Companies Act, 2013, encourages companies to overstate their environmental efforts.

Global Initiatives related to Greenwashing

• COP27: At the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27), the United Nations Secretary-General declared zero tolerance for greenwashing, urging private corporations to rectify their practices.
• European Green Bond Standards: The EU approved the world’s first green bond standards to combat greenwashing. The “European Green Bond” label mandates transparency, directing 85% of funds to EU sustainable activities, supporting the EU’s climate neutrality transition.

Provisions related to Greenwashing in India

• Consumer Protection Act, 2019: Under this Act, greenwashing is designated as an unfair trade practice. It outlines penalties and remedies for consumers adversely affected by these practices.
• SEBI Guidelines: SEBI issued guidelines for issuers of green debt securities to ensure transparency. These aim to protect investors, promote market development, and regulate the securities market.
• ASCI’s Role: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) monitors advertising practices and holds some jurisdiction over allegations of greenwashing.

{GS3 – IS – Issues} Transition of Armed Insurrections to Politics

• Context (TH): The evolving trend of left-wing insurgent groups moving from armed conflicts to parliamentary participation showcases an ideological shift towards democratic frameworks.

Factors Driving the Shift

• Strategic Realism: Armed insurgencies are resource-heavy and unsustainable; transitioning to politics reduces violence and its costs.
• Public Sentiment: Continuous violence erodes support while political engagement can regain trust.
• International Pressure: Global push for peace and support through peace accords, as seen with UN mediation in El Salvador.
• Ideological Evolution: Reframing of doctrines to fit democratic norms eg.- JVP’s pivot to social justice.

Advantages of Political Integration

• Strengthening Democracy: Inclusion enhances political representation, fosters participatory governance and amplifies voices of marginalized groups.
• Reducing Violence: Engaging in democratic processes helps reduce armed conflict & civilian suffering.
• Inclusive Governance: Former insurgents often focus on programs to uplift marginalized communities thus addressing societal inequalities while fostering greater inclusivity and stability.

Examples of Successful Transitions

Challenges

• Public Doubt: Citizens may question insurgents’ commitment to democracy due to their violent past.
• Practical Governance: Balancing revolutionary ideology with effective governance poses challenges.
• Risk of Ideological Dilution: The transition may be viewed as abandoning core beliefs, creating friction within former insurgents and supporters.

Way Forward

• Building Credibility: Insurgent-turned-political entities must demonstrate commitment to democratic values through transparency and accountability.
• International Support: Mediation and support from global actors to promote peaceful transitions and adherence to democratic principles.
• Inclusive Policies: Tackle the roots of insurgency with development for marginalized areas.

{GS3 – S&T – Defence} Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

• Context (PIB): Indian Chemical Council (ICC) wins 2024 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-The Hague Award.

• It honours those who advance the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by promoting chemical safety, disarmament, and global security.
• The OPCW won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

About The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

• Objective: Prohibits development, use & stockpiling of chemical weapons & mandates their destruction.
• Establishment: It came into effect in 1997. Presently, 193 States parties.
• Non-signatories: Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan have neither signed nor ratified the CWC.
• Implementing Body: The OPCW implements CWC, which is headquartered in The Hague, with a mission to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
• It conducts audits of chemical facilities globally. It is more comprehensive than the 1925 Geneva Protocol.
• Open Membership: Any nation can join the CWC if it fulfils the requirements.

Indian Chemical Council (ICC)

• It is the premier national organisation under Ministry of Commerce & Industry, representing all sectors of India’s chemical industry, including organic and inorganic chemicals, plastics, and petrochemicals.
• It represents over 80% of India’s $220 billion chemical industry.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Induction of 25T Bollard Pull Tugs Bhishm & Bahubali

• Context (PIB): The induction ceremony for 25T Bollard Pull Tugs Bhishm and Bahubali was conducted at Naval Ship Repair Yard, Andaman & Nicobar Command.

• Constructed by: Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata.
• Regulatory Compliance: Built as per Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping. They represent the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives by the GOI.
• Functional Capabilities: They will provide afloat fire-fighting support to ships both alongside and at anchorage. It also can conduct limited Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} WOH G64 Star

• Context (IE): Scientists have captured a zoomed-in image of a star WOH G64 outside our galaxy for the first time. It is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.
• The image was captured using the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile. It consists of four 8-metre diameter telescopes.
• The VLTI incorporates an advanced interferometer called GRAVITY, which combines light from the telescopes, achieving the resolution equivalent to a much larger telescope.
• Size: It’s diameter is approximately 2,000 times that of the Sun.
• Features: The star appears surrounded by an egg-shaped cocoon of gas and dust. This cocoon was likely formed when WOH G64 expelled its outer layers in recent years.
• Current Stage: The star is in the final stages of its lifecycle, as indicated by the newly captured image.