15 January 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. India-Bangladesh Border Fencing Dispute: Balancing Security, Agreements, and Diplomacy

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

Analysis of the news:

The Recent Dispute in Malda and Cooch Behar

• Recent incidents in West Bengal’s Malda and Cooch Behar highlighted tensions between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). 
• In Malda, BGB intervened in BSF’s fencing efforts, claiming a violation of the 1975 agreement prohibiting construction within 150 yards of the international boundary. 
• Similarly, in Cooch Behar, BGB objected to fencing efforts by villagers with BSF support to prevent cross-border cattle movement.

The 1975 Border Guidelines

• The 1975 Joint India-Bangladesh Guidelines prohibit defense structures within 150 yards of the zero line. 
• India, however, considers barbed-wire fences as non-defensive, unlike Bangladesh, which views them as potential security concerns. 
• Complex border terrain, including villages and rivers along the 4,096.7 km border, often necessitates exceptions to these guidelines, requiring bilateral negotiations.

Bangladesh’s Objections

Bangladesh objects to fencing for two primary reasons:

1. Violation of the 1975 Agreement: Fences closer than 150 yards to the border are perceived as breaches.
2. Inconvenience to Residents: Fencing disrupts the daily lives of border residents, especially where villages lie close to or across the boundary.

Additionally, smart fencing with surveillance capabilities has been criticized for allowing India visibility into Bangladeshi territory.

India’s Perspective on Fencing

• India asserts that single-row fences (SRF) are essential to curb cross-border crimes like smuggling and illegal migration. 
• Unlike defensive structures, SRF is seen as a non-military tool to manage border security. 
• With over 81.5% of the West Bengal-Bangladesh border already fenced, the process continues to face challenges due to land acquisition issues and local resistance.

Challenges and Implications

1. Geopolitical Sensitivities: Fencing disagreements strain diplomatic relations, especially amid political transitions in Bangladesh.
2. Cross-Border Crime: Unfenced areas see high crime rates, necessitating stricter measures.
3. Local Disruptions: Border residents face restrictions on movement and livelihood activities, complicating bilateral agreements.

Conclusion: 

• Balancing security needs with diplomatic agreements and local interests remains crucial. 
• India and Bangladesh must engage in consistent dialogue to address disputes and ensure smoother border management while respecting bilateral commitments.

2. 2024: The Warmest Year on Record – India’s Climate Challenges and the Need for Stronger Meteorological Infrastructure

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

Analysis of the news:

Disparity in Warming Patterns

• Land surfaces, including India, have warmed less than polar regions due to geographic and climatic factors. 
• Polar regions, especially the Arctic, experience accelerated warming due to phenomena like the albedo effect and atmospheric heat transfer. 
• India’s tropical location and higher aerosol concentration also reduce temperature rise through solar radiation scattering.

India’s Unique Challenges

• Despite relatively lower warming, India’s vulnerability to climate change remains high due to its diverse geography and dense population. 
• Variations in warming patterns across regions, such as the Himalayas and coastal areas, exacerbate localized climate impacts.

Strengthening India’s Climate Capabilities

• India’s climate observation and impact assessment infrastructure requires significant expansion. 
• Enhancing the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) capabilities and networks, particularly through initiatives like Mission Mausam, is critical. 
• Improved observation systems and weather monitoring at the village level are essential for addressing climate challenges effectively.

Role of IMD and Related Agencies

• The IMD now plays a pivotal role in disaster management, agriculture, energy, and transportation. 
• Strengthening its capacity, along with agencies like the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Systems (INCOIS), is vital for building resilience and achieving long-term climate goals under Vision 2047. 

3. Defence Secretary visits Indian Navy’s premier Naval Air Station ‘INS Rajali’

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2092805&reg=3&lang=1 )

About INS Rajali:

• Location and Significance: INS Rajali is a premier Naval Air Station of the Indian Navy, located near Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.
• Primary Role: It plays a critical role in maritime surveillance and ensuring combat readiness for operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Strategic Importance: The station supports India’s maritime security by monitoring and safeguarding the country’s extensive maritime boundaries.
• Operational Facilities: INS Rajali is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to support extensive naval air operations and evolving security requirements.
• Aircraft Operations: It serves as a hub for various advanced naval aircraft, enhancing India’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

4. India Meteorological Department

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2092861&reg=3&lang=1 )

Overview and Origin

• IMD was founded in 1875 after events like the Calcutta cyclone (1864) and monsoon failures (1866, 1871) highlighted the need for centralized meteorological services.
• It serves as the National Meteorological Service of India, focusing on weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster management.

Key Roles and Services

• Weather Forecasting: IMD provides daily, medium-term, and long-term forecasts critical for agriculture, aviation, water management, and public safety.
• Climate Monitoring: It monitors global and regional climate patterns, offering insights for climate resilience.
• Disaster Management: IMD’s timely warnings significantly mitigate the impact of cyclones, floods, and extreme weather events.

Technological Advancements

• Expansion of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network from 15 in 2014 to 39 in 2023.
• Development of the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) and Electric Weather Research and Forecasting (EWRF) models for improved forecasting.
• Introduction of Mausamgram, an interactive meteogram providing location-specific forecasts.

Recent Achievements

• Forecast accuracy improved by 40% between 2014 and 2023.
• Cyclone prediction saved thousands of lives, reducing deaths from 10,000 in 1999 to nearly zero by 2024.
• Increased district-wise rainfall monitoring stations from 3,955 in 2014 to 5,896 in 2023.

Legacy and Vision

• IMD is committed to making India a “Weather-ready and Climate-smart” nation through initiatives like Mission Mausam.
• Its Vision-2047 document aims for enhanced weather resilience and adaptation to climate change by India’s 100th independence anniversary.

Prelims Facts

1. Mahakumbh 2025 Begins with First Amrit Snan on Makar Sankranti

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

Analysis of the news:

Overview of Mahakumbh 2025 and First Shahi Snan

• This is a significant event in the Kumbh Mela, where sadhus (holy men) of different akhadaas take the first dip in the Sangam (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati) before devotees join in. 
• Shri Panchayati Akhara Mahanirvani and Shri Shambhu Panchayati Atal Akhara were the first to take the sacred dip.

Amrit Snan: Ritual and Significance

• The Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years across four sacred locations, is a revered event in Hinduism. 
• The first bath, known as amrit snan (previously shahi snan or royal bath), is taken by sadhus as a mark of respect and status. 
• The name change to amrit snan emphasizes the belief that the event coincides with the spilling of amrit (nectar of immortality) during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). 
• Bathing in these sacred rivers is believed to wash away sins, with some dates, based on planetary alignments, being particularly auspicious.

Makar Sankranti: The Auspicious Day

• January 14 also marked Makar Sankranti, a festival that heralds the Uttarayan phase of the Sun’s movement, signifying the end of winter and the beginning of longer, sunnier days. 
• This transition from the southern to northern direction is viewed as auspicious in Hindu mythology. 
• The Sun’s entry into Makar Raashi (Capricorn) also marks the end of kharmas, a period when auspicious activities are avoided. 
• This makes Makar Sankranti particularly special, and when it coincides with the Kumbh, it is considered to bring immense spiritual benefits.

Other Important Bathing Dates at the Mahakumbh

• In addition to Makar Sankranti, other significant dates for bathing during the Mahakumbh include Mauni Amavasya (January 29), Vasant Panchami (February 3), and Shiv Ratri (February 26), which is the last day of the Kumbh Mela. 
• These dates are believed to hold heightened spiritual significance, and devotees flock to the banks of the rivers to take ritual dips.