09 January 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Why is deciphering the Indus script important?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Overview of the Indus Valley Civilisation

• The IVC, also called the Harappan Civilisation, existed during the Bronze Age (3000-1500 BCE).
• Spanning over 1.5 million square kilometers, it covered parts of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• It was geographically larger than the Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations combined.
• Renowned archaeologist Ahmad Hasan Dani noted that the IVC lay across ancient migration routes linking Central and Western Asia to India.

Indus Valley Script

The Indus Valley script is an undeciphered writing system from the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), dating back to 3000–1500 BCE. It consists of symbols found on seals, pottery, and other artifacts across sites in modern-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The script is often called a “mystery script” because it remains undeciphered despite extensive research. It likely encoded the language of the region, with some scholars suggesting a possible Dravidian connection. The script features no prefixes or infixes, consistent with the structure of Dravidian languages. Studies indicate the script might have evolved into later forms, as seen in some south Indian graffiti marks. Its decipherment is crucial for understanding the culture and communication of the Harappan people.

The Dravidian Hypothesis

• Scholars like Iravatham Mahadevan and Asko Parpola have linked the Indus script to proto-Dravidian language.
• Mahadevan highlighted linguistic evidence supporting this theory, such as the presence of Dravidian loanwords in the Rigveda and the survival of the Dravidian language Brahui in the Indus region.
• However, Mahadevan cautioned that more research is required to confirm the Dravidian theory.

Exploring Cultural Connections

• The monograph suggests possible cultural exchanges between the IVC and South India during the Copper and Iron Ages.
• Evidence includes the discovery of carnelian beads, agate beads, and high-tin bronze objects in South Indian Iron Age graves, which indicate northern connections.
• Further research, including excavations and linguistic analysis, is needed to substantiate these cultural links. 

2. Union govt. yet to wake up from its slumber on Dam Safety Act, says SC

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

Analysis of the news:

• The Supreme Court criticized the Union government for not fully implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021, nearly five years after its passage.
• The court emphasized that despite the Act being enacted, the National Committee on Dam Safety had not been formed.
• Kerala raised concerns about the safety of the 129-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, requesting a reduction in its permissible water level to prevent potential disasters.
• Section 5 of the Act mandates the formation of the National Committee within 60 days of the Act’s commencement, which has not been done.
• Tamil Nadu informed the court about the establishment of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), but the court questioned the legality of its formation before the National Committee.

3. India Deepens Engagement with Taliban: High-Level Meeting Highlights Security, Aid, and Strategic Interests

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Cover Page – Page No. – 01)

Analysis of the news:

Key Issues Discussed

1. Security Concerns:
   India reiterated its primary concern that Afghan soil should not harbor anti-India terror groups. The Taliban acknowledged India’s sensitivities and assured cooperation.
2. Humanitarian and Development Aid:
   India has extended substantial humanitarian support, including food, medical supplies, and earthquake relief. The meeting also explored India’s potential involvement in development projects in Afghanistan, addressing urgent needs like healthcare and refugee rehabilitation.
3. Trade and Connectivity:
   Both sides discussed leveraging Iran’s Chabahar Port to facilitate trade and humanitarian assistance. This is part of India’s broader strategy to maintain its presence in Afghanistan despite regional challenges.
4. Sports Diplomacy:
   Strengthening cricket ties emerged as a soft power tool to enhance relations, with India providing facilities for Afghan players to train.

Geopolitical Context

India’s engagement occurs against a backdrop of regional flux:

• China’s Growing Influence: Beijing’s active engagement with the Taliban, including urban development projects and diplomatic exchanges, has prompted India to assert its presence.
• Tensions Between Taliban and Pakistan: Strained relations between Pakistan and the Taliban have reduced Islamabad’s leverage, opening opportunities for India.
• Weakened Regional Players: With Iran preoccupied and Russia focused on Ukraine, India seeks to fill the vacuum and protect its investments in Afghanistan.

Strategic Implications

• India’s calibrated approach balances engagement with the Taliban while withholding official recognition. 
• This strategy aims to protect India’s $3 billion investments in Afghanistan, counter Chinese influence, and ensure regional stability. 
• By addressing humanitarian needs and emphasizing development, India positions itself as a key partner for Afghanistan’s future.

India’s primary objective remains clear: preventing the resurgence of terrorism while fostering stability and development in Afghanistan.

4. IndiaAI and Microsoft join hands to harness Artificial Intelligence’s potential for inclusive development

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2091170&reg=3&lang=1 )

Key Objectives and Initiatives

• Training 500,000 People: Microsoft and IndiaAI aim to train 500,000 individuals by 2026, including students, teachers, developers, government officials, and women entrepreneurs.
• AI Catalysts Center of Excellence: This center will promote AI development in rural areas, helping 100,000 AI innovators and developers in smaller cities through events like hackathons, building communities, and creating an AI marketplace.
• AI Productivity Labs: 20 labs will be set up in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) across 10 states. These labs will train 20,000 educators and empower 100,000 students in 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
• AI for Critical Sectors: Microsoft will use its research skills to create AI solutions for important sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education.

Supporting Startups and Ethical AI

• Supporting Startups: Up to 1,000 AI startups will receive help from Microsoft’s Founders Hub program, which includes business resources and mentorship.
• Responsible AI: The partnership will focus on creating rules for using AI responsibly and setting up an AI Safety Institute in India.

Prelims Facts

1. A.P. set to hold 3-day Flamingo Festival

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 3)

About Flamingo:

• Known for their distinctive pink or reddish coloration, flamingos acquire this from the carotenoid pigments in their diet, mainly from algae and small invertebrates.
• Habitat: Found in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas, often in shallow saline or alkaline lakes and mudflats.
• Behavior: Flamingos are social birds, known for living in large colonies, sometimes numbering in the thousands.
• Flamingos migrate to India during the winter season, primarily to coastal wetlands and estuaries for feeding and breeding.
• Feeding: They have specialized beaks designed for filter-feeding, allowing them to consume small organisms from water.
• Ecological Significance: Flamingos help in maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling algae and small invertebrate populations.
• IUCN Red List Status:

• Greater Flamingo: Least Concern
• Lesser Flamingo: Near Threatened

2. Severe Winter Storm in the US: Polar Vortex Disruption Leads to Fatalities and Widespread Chaos

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 15)

Analysis of the news:

Impact of the Winter Storm in the United States

• A severe winter storm has caused widespread disruptions across the United States, leading to the loss of at least five lives, mass school closures, hazardous road conditions, and power outages. 
• Approximately 60 million people across 30 states are under weather alerts, with seven states declaring emergencies: Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas. 

What is the Polar Vortex ?

The polar vortex is a large, low-pressure system of cold air swirling around the Earth’s polar regions. It exists in two forms:

1. Tropospheric Polar Vortex: Found in the lowest layer of the atmosphere (up to 15 km), where most weather phenomena occur.
2. Stratospheric Polar Vortex: Located 15–50 km above the surface, strongest in autumn and disappears in summer.

Extreme cold occurs when the polar vortex weakens, allowing arctic air to travel southward, disrupting weather patterns and leading to cold spells even in regions as far south as Florida.

Role of the Jet Stream in Weather Disruptions

• The jet stream, a strong wind band in the upper atmosphere, typically keeps cold air confined to the poles. 
• When the polar vortex weakens, the jet stream becomes wavy and unstable, enabling cold air to spill southward. 
• This interaction is a key factor in creating extreme weather conditions during polar vortex disruptions.

Climate Change and the Polar Vortex

• Research is ongoing to determine the exact link between climate change and the polar vortex. 
• However, some scientists argue that the accelerated warming of the poles weakens the polar vortex and jet stream, making them more prone to disruptions. 
• As global temperatures rise unevenly, the imbalance further destabilizes the system, leading to more frequent and intense cold spells in mid-latitude regions.

For more such UPSC-related Current Affairs, Check Out- 08 January 2025: Daily Current Affairs