14 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs
14-August-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.
1. 14 States yet to join education scheme.
Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives
Context:
- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are among 14 States and Union Territories yet to sign an MoU with the Union Education Ministry.
- The MoU mandates the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 to receive nearly ₹13,000 crore funds over three years under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA):
The Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) is a flagship program of the Government of India that aims to transform the higher education sector in India. The program was launched in 2018 with a budget of ₹50,000 crore (US$6.7 billion).
The program focuses on the following areas:
- Quality: The PM-USHA will support universities and colleges to improve the quality of their teaching, learning, and research. The program will also support the development of new courses and programs, and the creation of new research centers.
- Access:The PM-USHA will make higher education more accessible to students from all backgrounds. The program will provide scholarships to students from low-income families, and it will also support the development of new online and distance learning programs.
- Affordability: The PM-USHA will make higher education more affordable for students. The program will provide financial assistance to students to pay for tuition, fees, and living expenses
The PM-USHA is a major step forward in the government’s efforts to transform the higher education sector in India. The program has the potential to make higher education more accessible, affordable, and high-quality for all Indians.
2. Bulldozing the law and the Constitution
Topic: GS2 – Indian polity.
Context:
- Demolition of dwellings and businesses of those accused in criminal cases, especially those with communal sensitivity, is a new trend in Indian politics.
- Punjab and Haryana High Court intervened, took suo motu notice, and stayed the demolition drive.
What is in the news?
- Ethnic cleansing not defined in Indian Penal Code or international law, but related actions conflict with Indian constitutional guarantees.
- Ethnic cleansing refers to purposeful policy by one group to forcibly remove another group through violent means.
- High Court’s intervention based on violation of procedure established by law and Article 21 of the Constitution.
- Article 21 ensures no deprivation of life and personal liberty except according to fair, just, and reasonable procedure.
- Rule of law vs. rule by law distinction:
- Rule of law: Government run by law, not men; based on legality, justice, and fairness.
- Rule by law: Law used for suppression, oppression, and social control to serve political agendas.
- Administrative actions like demolition without due process warrant judicial intervention.
- Justice should not take the form of revenge; constitutional courts must prevent persecution based on religion.
- Courts’ role is crucial in preventing breakdown of the Constitution and upholding the republic’s hope.
3. Why is India’s Defence Ministry ditching Microsoft Windows for Maya OS?
Topic: GS3 – Defence sector
Context:
- India’s Defence Ministry is replacing Microsoft Operating System (OS) with Maya, an Ubuntu-based OS, in its computers connected to the internet.
- Maya aims to prevent malware attacks on critical infrastructure and government agencies.
- Navy has approved Maya, but Army and Air Force are evaluating it.
Comparison between Maya and Microsoft’s Windows:
- Maya is Ubuntu-based, developed locally, focuses on security.
- Windows is commercial software with a license fee, widely used, easy to install.
- Windows runs on Windows NT kernel; Maya based on Ubuntu, which runs on a monolithic architecture.
- Windows uses hybrid kernel architecture, combining microkernel and additional code.
Increasing threats about cyber security:
- Governments worldwide reconsidering cyber strategy after cyberattacks on government agencies and private organizations.
- Examples include SolarWinds attack on government networks, Russian intelligence service involvement, and Microsoft’s breach.
- Rise in cyber threats prompting governments to consider free and open-source software (FOSS) for developing OS.
- FOSS initiatives have been adopted by governments globally for IT modernization and cybersecurity.
- India’s move to Maya underscores emphasis on open source software and India stack model.
Transition to open source software will take time, initially adopted by sensitive ministries.
4. India, China to hold military talks today
Topic: GS2 – International relations
Context:
- India and China are scheduled to hold the 19th round of Corps Commander talks at Chushul to address the ongoing stand-off in eastern Ladakh.
More information about the news:
- The Indian stance remains consistent: restoration of status quo ante as of April 2020 and focus on disengagement from Depsang and Demchok.
- Previous talks have led to disengagement at various friction points, including Galwan, Pangong Tso, Gogra-Hot Springs, and PP15.
- Fundamental disagreements persist on Depsang Plains and Demchok, with India viewing them as friction points while China considers them legacy issues predating the 2020 stand-off.
- The situation along the Line of Actual Control is described as “stable but unpredictable” by the Indian Army chief.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to attend the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi and the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
- Ties between India and China remain strained until the stand-off is resolved, with Indian officials describing relations as “abnormal.”
- Chinese officials assert that relations are returning to normalcy and urge India to keep the border in an “appropriate” position.
5. Yelagiri hut shelters 200 years of hill tribe history
Topic: GS1 – tribal society
Context:
- Over 200 years ago, the Malaiyali tribe settled on the Yelagiri hill in northern Tamil Nadu, constructing traditional clay huts for shelter, storage, farming, and cattle rearing.
What is in the news?
- Today, only one old-fashioned hut of the tribe remains, owned and maintained by Govinthasamy, a tribesman and former member of the Yelagiri panchayat.
- The Malaiyali tribe was initially foragers who settled in the upper Nillavur region of Yelagiri, using red loam clay to construct simple one-room structures.
- The hut served as a living space, storage for seeds, and a place for grains after harvesting. It held great importance in the tribe’s agricultural lifestyle.
- Today, the remaining hut is a tourist attraction, showcasing the tribe’s traditional lifestyle, though modernization has led to the adoption of concrete houses and modern living.
- The hut stands as a testament to the tribe’s evolution from foraging to a more modern way of life and their ability to adapt to changing times.
Importance: the example can be used as a case study in mains question related to – disappearance of tribal culture.
6. Metagenome sequencing technology is transforming pathogen surveillance
Topic: GS3 – Science and technology
Context:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the widespread adoption of unbiased genome sequencing technologies for pathogen identification.
- The application of metagenomics, a rapid genome sequencing approach, allowed for the quick identification of SARS-CoV-2 as the causative agent of COVID-19.
- This approach enabled the development of various genome surveillance technologies and assays, changing the way pathogen identification is conducted.
What is etagenome sequencing technology?
- Metagenome sequencing technology is a method used to sequence the genetic material (DNA or RNA) present in a complex mixture of microorganisms, often obtained from environmental samples or clinical samples.
- It allows scientists to analyze the genetic diversity of entire microbial communities without the need for isolating and culturing individual organisms.
- Metagenome sequencing provides insights into the composition, functions, and interactions of microbial communities in various ecosystems, including human bodies, oceans, soil, and more.
- Here are the key points:
- Metagenome sequencing is used to study the genetic material of entire microbial communities from various environments.
- It doesn’t require isolating or culturing individual microorganisms.
- Samples can be obtained from diverse sources like soil, water, human gut, and more.
- Metagenomics provides insights into the genetic diversity, functions, and interactions of the microbial community.
- The technique involves extracting genetic material, sequencing it, and using bioinformatics to analyze the data.
- It has applications in environmental studies, microbiome research, disease surveillance, and more.
- Metagenomics is valuable for identifying pathogens, understanding microbial roles in ecosystems, and predicting disease outbreaks.
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