07 January 2025 : Daily Current Affairs
1. Decoding the National Anthem controversy
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)
| Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity |
| Context |
|
Raj Bhavan’s Allegations
- The Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan claimed that “the Constitution of Bharat and the National Anthem were once again insulted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.”
- It emphasized that respecting the National Anthem is a fundamental duty enshrined in the Constitution.
Tamil Nadu’s Practice Regarding Anthems
- In Tamil Nadu, the State anthem, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu,’ is played at the beginning of the Governor’s address, and the National Anthem is played at the end.
- This practice was introduced in July 1991 during the AIADMK government led by Jayalalithaa and Governor Bhishma Narain Singh.
- Prior to this, the Governor would enter the House, deliver the address, and leave without playing either anthem.
Practice in Other States
- Different states follow varying conventions. In Nagaland, the National Anthem was played for the first time in February 2021 during Ravi’s tenure as Governor.
- Similarly, Tripura first played the National Anthem in March 2018.
| Constitutional Provisions and Legal Practices: |
|
| Practice Question: Examine the constitutional provisions and practices related to the playing of the National Anthem in official functions and their legal implications in India. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. What is the human meta- pneumovirus?
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)
| Context |
|
What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)?
- Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus that causes mild cold-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, sore throat, and runny nose.
- It was identified in 2001 and belongs to the Pneumoviridae family, which includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- The virus can lead to upper and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in children, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems.
- While most cases resolve with rest, complications like bronchitis or pneumonia may require medical care.
Spread and Treatment of HMPV
- HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.
- There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment; supportive care is used for symptom relief.
- Preventive measures include handwashing, avoiding close contact, and wearing masks.
India’s Response
- The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is monitoring respiratory infections, including HMPV cases in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Chennai.
- Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda reassured that HMPV is not a new virus and there is no cause for concern.
3. U.S. to remove Indian entities from restricted lists, says Jake Sullivan
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)
| Context |
|
What is a restricted list?
- The restricted list refers to a list of entities and individuals in certain countries, including India, that face trade or cooperation restrictions, particularly in sensitive areas like nuclear technology and scientific advancements.
- These restrictions prevent U.S. companies and government entities from engaging in civil nuclear cooperation or providing certain technologies to the listed entities.
- The list was a result of concerns over the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the potential for sensitive technologies being misused.
- For India, many of its leading nuclear and scientific entities have been on this list, hindering full cooperation with the U.S. in civil nuclear and space sectors.
- Recent policy shifts aim to remove these entities from the list to foster greater collaboration in these areas.
| Benefits for India: |
Enhanced access to advanced U.S. nuclear technology, fostering growth in India’s civil nuclear sector.
|
| Practice Question: Examine the potential implications of the U.S. decision to remove Indian entities from its restricted lists on bilateral relations and technological cooperation. (250 Words /15 marks) |
4. Tamil Nadu CM announced a $1 million prize for deciphering Indus Valley Script.
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 11)
| Topic: GS1 – History |
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
Stalin’s Offer and the Indus Script Mystery
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus Valley script aims to address a historical enigma while reinforcing his position as a defender of Tamil and Dravidian heritage.
- The move aligns with recent findings linking the Indus script and Tamil Nadu’s ancient graffiti, strengthening claims of cultural continuity.
The Study Behind the Announcement
The study titled “Indus Signs And Graffiti Marks of Tamil Nadu – A Morphological Study” by K. Rajan and R. Sivananthan documents over 15,000 graffiti marks from Tamil Nadu and compares them with 4,000 Indus Valley artefacts. Key findings include:
- Identification of 42 base signs, 544 variants, and 1,521 composite forms.
- Nearly 60% of Tamil Nadu signs show parallels with the Indus script.
- The study posits cultural exchanges between the Copper Age Indus and Iron Age South India, suggesting a shared or evolved symbolism rather than a lost script.
About the Indus Script:
- The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), one of the most advanced ancient urban cultures, left behind an enduring mystery in its undeciphered script.
- Since its discovery in the 1920s, scholars have made numerous attempts to decode this enigmatic script, often sparking debates over its linguistic and cultural implications.
- Recent research by Bahata Ansumali Mukhopadhyay offers fresh perspectives, suggesting that the script primarily served commercial purposes.
Significance of the Findings
- Excavations at Keeladi, Sivagalai, and Thulukarpatti yielded graffiti marks that resonate with Indus symbols.
- This underscores the possibility of cultural contact or continuity, challenging established Aryan-centric historical narratives.
- The Tamil Nadu study’s morphological, non-linguistic approach highlights the evolution of these symbols rather than their disappearance.
Conclusion
- Stalin’s prize announcement and the Tamil Nadu study advance both historical and political agendas.
- They seek to resolve the enduring mystery of the Indus script while asserting the importance of Tamil culture and identity, challenging mainstream historical narratives with scientific and cultural evidence.
- Deciphering the Indus script necessitates more comprehensive archaeological exploration and analysis.
- Expanding the dataset, uncovering multilingual artefacts, and identifying the language linked to the script are critical steps.
- Only with these breakthroughs can scholars hope to unravel one of the greatest enigmas of ancient history.
| Challenges in Deciphering the Indus Script |
|
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of Tamil Nadu’s recent archaeological findings in connecting the Indus Valley Civilization with the Dravidian cultural heritage. How does this contribute to the broader narrative of Indian history and its political implications? (150 Words /10 marks) |
5. UJALA: 10 Years of Energy-Efficient Lighting
(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2090639®=3&lang=1 )
| Context |
|
Introduction and Purpose of UJALA
- Initially known as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), it later became UJALA, focusing on energy conservation, reducing electrification costs, and cutting carbon emissions.
- Over the last decade, more than 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed, making India the world’s largest zero-subsidy lighting program.
Need for UJALA and Energy Efficiency
- Traditional lighting systems in India consumed excessive electricity, leading to high costs for consumers. LEDs, offering significant energy savings compared to CFLs and ICLs, were identified as a key solution.
- Prior to UJALA, LED bulbs were expensive, with retail prices ranging from Rs 450-500, making them inaccessible to many.
- Under UJALA, LED bulbs were made available at a subsidized rate of Rs 70 per bulb, drastically reducing the cost and increasing adoption across households.
- LED bulbs use significantly less electricity, consuming just 1 unit for 140 hours, compared to 2 units for CFLs and 9 units for ICLs, resulting in lower energy bills.
UJALA’s Achievements and Impact
- As of 6th January 2025, UJALA has distributed over 36.87 crore LED bulbs, contributing to major reductions in energy consumption and electricity bills for millions of households.
- The program has increased transparency and efficiency through e-procurement and competitive bidding, reducing costs and enhancing market competition.
- Beyond economic savings, the scheme has helped India reduce its carbon footprint, contributing to the nation’s goals of energy conservation and climate change mitigation.
Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)
- Launched on the same day as UJALA, the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) aimed to replace conventional streetlights with LED lights, reducing energy consumption and operational costs for municipalities.
- EESL, the implementing agency, collaborated with urban and rural local bodies to execute the program, relieving municipalities from upfront investment costs through a unique business model.
- By January 2025, SLNP had installed over 1.34 crore LED streetlights, saving 9,001 million units of electricity annually, reducing peak demand by 1,500 MW, and cutting CO₂ emissions by 6.2 million tonnes per year.
Conclusion
- UJALA and SLNP together exemplify the impact of government initiatives in promoting energy efficiency, reducing energy costs, and mitigating environmental damage.
- These programs have transformed India’s lighting sector, helping households and municipalities save costs while fostering a sustainable, energy-efficient future.
| Practice Question: Other than economic savings, discuss the environmental and social impacts of the UJALA scheme and the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) in India. (150 Words /10 marks) |
Prelims Facts
1. Twigstats: new tool reveals hi-res genetic view of people’s ancestors
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)
| Context |
|
Diagram showing how Twigstats works.
What is Twigstats?
- Twigstats is a new method developed by researchers to study the genetic history of populations.
- It helps scientists trace the ancestry of ancient people and understand how they moved and mixed with other groups.
- This method looks at both shared DNA segments and rare DNA variations to get a clearer picture of population history.
- Twigstats improves the accuracy of genetic studies by reducing errors and increasing the statistical power of existing methods.
- The method can analyze large sets of ancient DNA samples and create detailed maps of population movement and ancestry.
- It has been tested on ancient DNA samples from Europe, especially from the Viking Age, to study migration patterns.
- By using Twigstats, researchers can better understand how cultural and genetic changes happened over time.
- It offers a more precise way to reconstruct the past and track the movement of ancient populations.
2. Artesian Well
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 11)
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
Artesian Well
The Event
- In Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, a rare phenomenon occurred in Taranagar village on December 27, 2023, when water began gushing out uncontrollably from underground after a farmer drilled a tube well.
- The high-pressure water flow created a large pit, inundating nearby land. Accompanying the water was a small amount of non-inflammable gas.
- The flow ceased on its own on December 29, drawing significant attention and speculation.
Claims and Scientific Explanation
- Some linked the event to the ancient Saraswati river mentioned in the Rig Veda, but scientists dismissed this and attributed it to artesian conditions.
- Artesian aquifers store water under pressure between impermeable geological layers, like sandstone in this case.
- When these layers are punctured, the pressure forces water to flow upward naturally, unlike traditional wells where external force is required.
What Are Artesian Conditions?
- Artesian water is confined below impermeable rock layers under pressure. When ruptured, the water rises to the surface without mechanical intervention.
- The phenomenon, named after Artois, France, where such wells were first identified, occurs in specific geological conditions.
Why in Jaisalmer?
- In desert regions like Jaisalmer, artesian aquifers lie beneath layers of sandstone.
- The drilling ruptured this layer, releasing water under immense pressure. Similar events have been recorded in Mohangarh and Nachana areas, as well as in deserts of Australia and Africa, but the intensity in Taranagar was unprecedented.
Broader Significance
- This incident highlights the unique geology of Rajasthan’s desert regions and underscores the importance of careful groundwater management.
- It also dispels myths linking such occurrences to ancient rivers, emphasizing the role of scientific inquiry in understanding natural phenomena.
3. Indian coffee exports surpass $1bn for the first time
| Context |
|
Analysis of the news:
India’s Rise in Coffee Exports
- India, traditionally known for tea exports, is emerging as a significant player in the global coffee export market.
- In FY24, exports reached a record $1.146 billion between April and November, a 29% increase compared to $803.8 million in the same period last year.
- This marks a nearly twofold increase since FY21. The growth is fueled by rising global Robusta coffee prices, supply constraints in leading producers like Brazil and Vietnam, and pre-emptive stocking by European buyers ahead of new EU regulations.
Drivers of Growth in Coffee Exports
- Surge in Robusta Prices:
Robusta prices hit multi-decade highs due to supply disruptions in Brazil and Vietnam. Prices peaked at $4,667/metric ton in June, marking a 63% increase in 2023. - European Stockpiling:
Anticipation of the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) led to pre-implementation stockpiling, boosting Indian exports. - Premium Positioning:
Unlike tea exports, Indian coffee has captured the premium export market segment, enhancing profitability.
Global Coffee Market Dynamics
- Brazil and Vietnam’s Production Challenges:
Brazil’s production, affected by droughts and high temperatures, dropped by 2.6 million bags to 40.5 million. Vietnam’s output, though recovering, remains below its 2021/22 record. - Impact on Global Supply:
These constraints, combined with robust demand, have elevated global coffee prices.
Regional Contributions in India
- Top Coffee Producers:
Karnataka dominates with 248,020 MTs (Arabica and Robusta), followed by Kerala (72,425 MTs) and Tamil Nadu (18,700 MTs).
Export Destinations and Regulatory Challenges
- Key Markets:
The EU remains the largest destination, with Italy, Belgium, and Germany accounting for nearly half of exports. Other major importers include the US, Russia, and UAE. - EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR):
The regulation aims to curb imports of products linked to deforestation, affecting $1.3 billion worth of Indian agricultural exports, including coffee. Compliance is expected to increase costs due to complex verification mechanisms.
For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out- 06 January 2025: Daily Current Affairs
