22 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs

22-August-2023

Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.

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1. Chandrayaan-2 orbiter contacts Moon lander

Topic: GS3-Science and tech

Context:

• Ahead of its scheduled Moon landing on Wednesday, Chandrayaan-3’s lander module established contact with the Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter, opening up another line of communication with Earth.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the orbiter greeted the lander with the message “welcome, buddy”.

Details:

• ISRO also posted images of the far side of the Moon captured by the lander.
• The images of Lunar far side area captured by the Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC) were posted online.
• LHDAC camera assists in locating a safe landing area without boulders or deep trenches during the descent was developed by ISRO at SAC [Space Applications Centre].
• The photos were released a day after Russia’s Luna-25 crashed into the Moon.
• A success for Chandrayaan-3 would make India the first country to land on the unexplored lunar south pole.

About Chandrayaan-2 orbiter:

• Though Chandrayaan-2 failed to land on the Moon’s surface, its orbiter functioned normally and carried out experiments as designed.
• It has been in lunar orbit for the last four years.
• Chandrayaan-2 orbiter would help the Chandrayaan-3 mission in different ways.
• The orbiter had played a role in identifying a safe landing spot for Chandrayaan-3 and is now ready to facilitate communications between the Chandrayaan-3 lander and the ground stations.
• Chandrayaan-3 mission’s communication network with Earth stations has been configured in a manner that the lander will send data to the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter which will, in turn, relay it to ISRO’s ground stations post which the Chandrayaan-3 lander can directly communicate with the Earth.
• In case the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter stops working properly, then the Chandrayaan-3 lander will communicate directly with Earth.

Way Forward:

• A historic day awaits us as the entire world is eagerly waiting for India to strike gold with this mission.

2. India-China ties in focus as PM leaves for BRICS summit today.

Topic: GS2-IR

Context:

• As Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for the BRICS (a grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Johannesburg on Tuesday, all eyes are on a possible meeting between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Details:

• It would be their first scheduled bilateral meeting since the border standoff began in May 2020.
• The BRICS summit is being held in-person this time, after three years of virtual meetings.
• The modalities for inclusion of new members into the BRICS are being discussed among the Sherpas of the grouping.
• Sherpa is generally a personal representative of the head of the state or government. This designation can be extended to different summits which involves the participation of the head of the state.
• Prime minister Modi will be attending the BRICS Business Forum leaders’ dialogue, followed by a BRICS Leaders’ Retreat . A discussion on global developments and concerns arising out of those developments is expected during the leaders ’retreat.
• Focus would be on issues like BRICS issues, reform of the multilateral system and counter-terrorism.
• A special event, “BRICS – Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue”, which will be organised after the summit, will include other countries invited by South Africa. During these sessions, the concerns and priorities of the Global South will be discussed, where the focus will be on partnership with Africa.
• Post this visit, prime minister would also be visiting Greece which will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister in 40 years.
• Special focus during this visit would be on deepening the relationship through cooperation in areas like maritime transport, defence, trade and investments, and people-to-people ties.

Way Forward:

• After three years of the border standoff, the in-person BRICS summit will be an important opportunity for Indian and Chinese leaders to meet and agree on normalising ties. But before that, military commanders have to agree on disengagement of troops in eastern Ladakh.

3. Assam government invites public suggestion on law to ban polygamy

Topic: GS1-Indian Society

Context:

• A four-member committee, which was constituted by the Assam government in May, has submitted in its report that the state legislature has the “legislative competence” to enact a law to end polygamy, following which the government has begun its process of working on a law to this end.
• The Home and Political Department of the Assam government on Monday issued a public notice, inviting members of the public to share their suggestions on the proposed law.

Polygamy:

• Polygamy is the practice of having more than one spouse at the same time.
• Polygamy can be of two types:

1. 1. Polygyny, where a man has multiple wives.
   2. Polyandry, where a woman has multiple husbands.

• In India, polygamy is illegal for most citizens, except for Muslims and some Hindu communities in Goa and the western coast.

Details:

• In May, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced that the state government will move to ban the practice of polygamy through a “legislative action” and constituted the four member committee to examine the legality of such action.
• In its report –submitted earlier this month the committee stated that “laws favouring monogamy do not violate Article 25 of the Constitution”, which grants freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
• It stated that these rights are “not absolute” and are subject to “public order, morality, health, and legislative provisions for social welfare and reform”.
• The courts have clarified that religious practices must be essential and integral to the religion to receive protection. With respect to Islam, the courts have held that having more than one wife is not an essential part of the religion. Legislation limiting the number of wives does not interfere with the right to practice religion and is within the scope of ‘social welfare and reform.

4. 6.5% Covid patients died within a year of hospital discharge: study

Topic:GS-2: Govt policies and intervention

GS-3

Context:

• People experiencing post Covid conditions after being discharged from hospital were nearly three times more likely to die during the following year compared to those who did not report these symptoms, according to a recently published study from a network of hospitals under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Details of the study:

• The findings are based on data of 14,419 patients across 31 hospitals who were followed-up over phone for a year.

1. Of those admitted to hospital with moderate to severe Covid-19 infection, 5% died at the end of the one-year follow up period.
2. The study reported that 17.1% of those hospitalised since September 2020 experience post-Covid conditions.
3. The study did not follow the WHO or US CDC definitions of “long-Covid”, which came after the study had already started enrolling patients, but defined it as persistent or new onset of fatigue, breathlessness, or cognitive abnormalities such as difficulties in remembering or concentrating and brain fog.
4. The participants were said to have post-Covid condition only if they reported these symptoms during the first follow-up after discharge at four weeks.

5. No Governor’s assent; Manipur Assembly session a non-starter

Topic: GS2 – Indian polity

Context:

• Manipur Assembly, consisting of 60 members, did not hold a Special Session on Monday to discuss ethnic violence due to the lack of a notification from Raj Bhavan.

More information about the news:

• The State Cabinet recommended the summoning of the session to Governor Anusuiya Uikey on August 4, following a similar request on July 27.
• The absence of the required notification from the Governor led to the cancellation of the Special Session; such notifications are to be issued 15 days ahead of a session.
• The previous Assembly session adjourned sine die in March, before clashes began on May 3.
• According to Article 174 of the Constitution, the State Legislature must convene at least twice a year, and a six-month gap is not allowed between sessions.
• The upcoming session needs to be held before September 2.

Note: For more details refer The Hindu Editorial – 22 August 2023

6. SC to constitute a new Bench to hear Cauvery water issue

Topic: GS2 – Interstate river disputes.

Context:

• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud assured Tamil Nadu of forming a Bench to address the State’s plea for Cauvery river water release for August.

More information about the news:

• The Bench’s formation was expected to happen, potentially on the following day, as lawyers of the State indicated.
• The plea sought the release of Cauvery water for August based on the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s order.
• Chief Justice Chandrachud responded that a Bench would be constituted on the same day.
• Tamil Nadu filed a Supreme Court plea asking Karnataka to release 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water from Billigundulu reservoirs for August 14 onwards.
• The State emphasized the critical need for water to support standing crops.
• Tamil Nadu requested the court to ensure Karnataka follows the Cauvery Tribunal award’s stipulated releases for September and compensates for the June 1 to July 31 shortfall.
• The State urged the Cauvery Water Management Authority to ensure Karnataka fulfills water release directives and covers the deficit in water supply from Billigundulu as of August 9.

For about Kaveri River water dispute:

• Interstate Conflict: Involves Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with Puducherry and Kerala as minor stakeholders.
• Origins: Roots in colonial-era agreements for water sharing.
• Post-Independence Tensions: Population growth and irrigation demands intensified the dispute.
• Tribunals: Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWD) established in 1990 to mediate.
• Allocation: CWD awarded Karnataka 270 TMC, Tamil Nadu 419 TMC, Kerala 30 TMC, Puducherry 7 TMC.
• Contentions: Both states faced non-compliance issues with water releases.
• Political and Social Impact: Protests, political tensions, and violence due to farmers’ dependence on Cauvery water.
• Challenges to reach the solution: Complex issue with historical, economic, and political dimensions.

Model question:  Examine the complexities of interstate river disputes in India. Evaluate the effectiveness of mechanisms like river water management authorities and the role of the Supreme Court in resolving such disputes. Suggest measures to prevent and address these conflicts for sustainable and equitable water sharing among states.

7. Chandrayaan-3 reveals dark side of the moon

Topic: GS3 – Science and technology

Context:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released images of the lunar far side ahead of Chandrayaan-3’s scheduled moon landing.

More about the news:

• The lunar far side is known as the dark side of the moon, always hidden from Earth’s view.
• Images were captured on August 19 by the Lander Hazard Detection and Avoidance Camera (LHDAC) onboard the lander.
• The camera helps identify safe landing areas free from boulders or trenches during descent, developed by ISRO at SAC (Space Applications Centre).
• Russia’s Luna-25, which crashed into the moon, had also sent images of the far side.

More about the dark Side of the Moon:

• The dark side of the moon, technically known as the “far side,” is the portion of the moon’s surface that is permanently hidden from Earth’s view.
• This occurs due to synchronous rotation, where the moon’s rotation period matches its orbital period around the Earth, causing the same side to always face Earth.
• The far side of the moon is not actually permanently dark; it receives sunlight just like the near side. The term “dark” refers to the fact that it remains unseen from Earth.
• The far side has distinct features compared to the near side, including fewer maria (dark, flat plains), larger impact craters, and a generally more rugged and heavily cratered landscape.

8. As many as 189 tribal colonies in Kerala still lack Internet access

Topic: GS3 – infrastructure and development.

Context:

• Kerala declared the right to Internet a basic right but 189 Adivasi ooru (tribal colonies) in 12 districts lack access to the Internet and mobile connections.
• Over 5,000 tribal students are affected by this lack of access, hindering their prospects.
• Idukki has the highest number of digitally cut-off tribal colonies (75) with over 2,000 tribal students, followed by Kannur with 1,140 students.

Significance of internet access for tribals:

• Education: Enhances learning through online resources.
• Information: Access to health, agriculture, and government info.
• Communication: Connects with family and community.
• Livelihood: Opportunities for jobs and selling products.
• Empowerment: Voices concerns and engages in discussions.
• Skill Development: Acquires new skills through online training.
• Access to Services: Telemedicine and government services.
• Cultural Preservation: Showcases culture and traditions.

Internet it as a basic fundamental human right:

Supreme Court has held that the internet is a fundamental right. In a landmark judgment in 2015, the court ruled that the right to access the internet is a necessary precondition for the exercise of other fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to education, and the right to information.

Internet as a fundamental right:

• The right to access the internet is a necessary precondition for the exercise of other fundamental rights.
• The right to access the internet is not absolute and can be restricted in certain cases, such as national security or public order.
• The government has a positive obligation to ensure that everyone has access to the internet, especially those who are marginalized or disadvantaged.
• The government must take steps to ensure that the internet is used in a responsible and ethical manner.

9. On smartphone manufacturing in India

Topic: GS3 – electronic manufacturing.

Context:

• Former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan and Minister of State for Electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar in disagreement over Central government’s electronics manufacturing scheme.
• Rajan, along with economists, argues scheme isn’t boosting self-sufficiency but creating low-level assembly jobs dependent on imports.
• Chandrasekhar criticizes Rajan’s paper, calls it based on “half-truths” and “shoddy comparisons”.

Electronic manufacturing in India:

• India is the world’s second-largest electronics market after China.
• The Indian electronics manufacturing industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% to reach $400 billion by 2025.
• The major drivers of growth in the Indian electronics manufacturing industry are:
  1. Growing demand for electronics products in India
  2. Government initiatives to boost electronics manufacturing in India
  3. Low labor costs in India
• The major challenges faced by the Indian electronics manufacturing industry are:
  4. High taxes and duties on imported components
  5. Lack of infrastructure, such as Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
  6. Lack of government support for R&D
  7. Lack of skilled workforce in some areas

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