18 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Constitutional morality: the origins and nuances of the concept

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

Embracing Constitutional Morality in Courts

• Constitutional courts have recently adopted the concept of “constitutional morality” to interpret and assess the validity of laws.
• Some see it as a check on the changing nature of public morality, while others view it as a “dangerous weapon.”
• The Supreme Court has emphasized constitutional morality as a guiding principle in cases related to sexual minorities’ rights, women’s entry into temples, free speech, and the balance between national security and civil liberties.

Historical Origin of Constitutional Morality

• The term was originally conceptualized by a British scholar George Grote who focused on the importance of adhering to both the forms and procedures of a constitution.
• He argued that the constitution’s survival depends not just on written rules but also on citizens’ respect for these rules, regardless of political differences.
• A civic culture that honors constitutional forms is necessary for a constitution’s long-term effectiveness in resolving conflicts and disputes.

Dr. Ambedkar’s Perspective on Constitutional Morality

• In his speech on the Draft Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar emphasized that India’s democracy would need to cultivate constitutional morality, as it wasn’t naturally ingrained in the polity.
• He believed that for a democracy to thrive, constitutional morality must be established and spread.
• He also warned that it was possible to undermine the Constitution by altering administrative practices, which could contradict its spirit.

Balance Between Commitment and Critique

• Constitutional morality emphasizes the importance of following constitutional processes while still allowing for critique and reform.
• It is not about blind loyalty to the Constitution but managing differences through established procedures.
• This approach promotes a mature form of constitutionalism that balances reverence for the Constitution with the ability to adapt and reform it, ensuring a stable yet flexible system of governance. 

2. Germany’s economy is in the dumps. Here are the reasons

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)

Energy Dependence and Crisis

• Germany’s economic model relied on inexpensive natural gas, crucial for its industrial production and exports.
• A major shift occurred when the country phased out nuclear power in 2011 and depended on Russian gas as a bridge.
• When Moscow cut off supplies following the invasion of Ukraine, gas and electricity prices skyrocketed, severely impacting energy-intensive industries like steel, chemicals, and glass manufacturing.

Transition to Renewable Energy

• The move away from nuclear and coal toward renewable energy was not fast enough.
• Resistance to wind turbines from homeowners and local communities delayed the growth of renewable energy sources.
• Infrastructure for alternative fuels, such as hydrogen for industrial use, remains mostly undeveloped, leaving a significant energy gap.

Competition from China

• For years, German industries thrived on exports to a booming Chinese market.
• However, state-subsidized Chinese companies have now entered the same industrial sectors, producing machinery, solar panels, and vehicles.
• This competition has reduced Germany’s export dominance and dramatically cut its net vehicle exports.

Delayed Investments and Labor Shortages

• During prosperous times, Germany postponed investments in long-term projects like rail lines and high-speed internet.
• Companies face significant labor shortages, with many reporting difficulties in filling skilled positions.
• Excessive bureaucracy and lengthy approval procedures further hinder economic growth. 

3.Delhi’s Seismic Wake-Up Call: Mild Tremor Highlights Earthquake Vulnerability

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 16)

Analysis of the news:

Seismic Activity in Delhi

• Delhi experiences frequent tremors, mainly from distant earthquakes.
• However, the recent magnitude 4 earthquake originated within Delhi, near Dhaula Kuan, marking the strongest local tremor in five years.
• While not destructive, it highlights the city’s seismic vulnerability.

Delhi’s Earthquake Susceptibility

• Classified under Zone 4 in India’s earthquake hazard map, Delhi is prone to MSK-8 intensity quakes, which can cause significant infrastructure damage.
• The intensity of shaking varies based on local geology, making Delhi more susceptible despite moderate earthquake magnitudes.

Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt and Seismicity

• Delhi lies within the Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt, a geological zone stretching from Rajasthan to Haryana.
• This region, shaped by ancient geological processes, has residual fault lines that occasionally trigger mild earthquakes.
• Unlike the Himalayas, where active tectonic plate movements generate frequent quakes, Delhi’s seismic activity is sporadic and less intense.

Unusual Sound Phenomenon

• Some Delhi residents reported hearing an unusual sound during the quake.
• While earthquakes can produce sound waves, they are typically beyond human hearing.
• More likely, the noise resulted from buildings and structures vibrating, rather than the earthquake itself.

Low Probability of Major Earthquake

• Historical records mention strong earthquakes in Delhi in 1720 and 1803, but modern studies suggest they likely originated elsewhere.
• Delhi’s geological setup lacks the energy and stress conditions needed for large quakes.
• Although a severe earthquake from another region could impact Delhi, the likelihood of a major quake originating within the city remains low.

Conclusion

• Delhi’s recent earthquake, though mild, underscores its seismic vulnerability.
• Positioned in Zone 4, the city is prone to moderate tremors due to residual fault lines in the Aravalli-Delhi Fold Belt.
• While the likelihood of a major earthquake originating in Delhi is low, preparedness remains crucial due to the city’s dense population and infrastructure.

Prelims Facts

1. China’s EAST reactor keeps the fire of magnetic fusion burning

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST):

• Location and Operation: EAST is located in Hefei, China, and is operated by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
• Purpose: It serves as an experimental nuclear fusion reactor to test and refine technologies for the ITER megaproject.
• Design Features: EAST is the world’s only tokamak reactor with both toroidal and poloidal superconducting magnetic fields, ensuring better plasma confinement.
• Temperature Milestones: On January 20, 2025, it sustained a plasma at 100 million°C for 1,066 seconds, setting a new world record.
• Fusion Process: It uses magnetic confinement to hold deuterium-tritium plasma and facilitate fusion reactions.
• Challenges: EAST has not yet achieved ignition, meaning it does not generate more energy than it consumes.
• Significance: Its advancements contribute to the global effort in achieving commercial nuclear fusion, a potential clean energy source.

Comparison of Nuclear Fission and Fusion

2. What is the Aravali safari park project?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Aravali Safari Park Project:

• The Aravali Safari Park project is a large wildlife park planned by the Haryana government in the Aravali hills, covering 3,858 hectares across Gurugram and Nuh.
• It aims to be the world’s largest safari park and will include animal enclosures, hotels, restaurants, an auditorium, a children’s park, botanical gardens, an aquarium, cable cars, a tunnel walk, an open-air theatre, and other attractions.
• The project was initially managed by the Tourism Department but has now been transferred to the Forest Department, with an expert committee overseeing it.
• However, the project faces strong opposition from environmentalists and retired forest officers.
• They argue that it will harm the fragile Aravali ecosystem, disturb groundwater reserves, and increase pollution due to heavy tourist footfall.
• The Aravali hills are protected by various environmental laws and serve as a crucial barrier against desertification.
• Critics suggest preserving the area as a national park instead of building a safari park.

3. Ramakrishna Paramahamsa: The Hindu mystic’s birth anniversary

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

About Ramakrishna Paramahamsa:

• Birth Name and Year: Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay in 1836.
• Role of Bhairavi Brahmani: Bhairavi Brahmani was a spiritual teacher who guided Ramakrishna in his spiritual practices and played a significant role in his spiritual awakening.
• Wife and Spiritual Consort: His wife and spiritual consort was Sarada Devi, who was 17 years younger than him.
• Famous Disciple: Narendranath Dutta, better known as Swami Vivekananda, was one of Ramakrishna’s most famous disciples.
• Temple of Service: Ramakrishna began his career as a priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata.
• Ramakrishna Math’s Emblem: The emblem symbolizes unity of all religions, highlighting the oneness of God in various faiths.
• Affliction Leading to Demise: Ramakrishna passed away due to throat cancer in 1886.

4. India’s Tariff Cut on Bourbon

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 16)

Analysis of the news:

What Defines Bourbon?

• As per US law, bourbon must be made in the US with at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak barrels for at least two years, and bottled at 40-62.5% alcohol by volume.
• While it can be produced anywhere in the US, it is closely associated with Kentucky.

How Bourbon is Made

• Bourbon typically consists of 70% corn, with the remainder being rye, malted barley, or wheat.
• The grains are fermented, distilled twice, and aged in charred oak barrels, which impart its distinct caramelized, oaky flavor.
• Before bottling, it is diluted to meet legal alcohol content requirements.

Historical Evolution of Bourbon

• Bourbon’s origins trace back to Scottish and Irish settlers in 17th-century America, who incorporated locally grown corn into whiskey production.
• While no single inventor is credited, it evolved into its modern form in the 19th century.
• Initially a working-class drink, bourbon gained widespread popularity post-Prohibition and is now a global spirit with a market valued at $7.8 billion in 2021.

5. Bacterial Cellulose Bandages Boost Plant Healing and Growth

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 16)

Analysis of the news:

Faster Healing and Enhanced Growth

• Experiments on lab plants showed that wounds treated with bacterial cellulose healed over 80% within a week, compared to less than 20% in untreated wounds.
• The patches also enhanced vegetative propagation, aiding the growth of genetically identical plants from cuttings.

What is Bacterial Cellulose?

• Bacterial cellulose is a natural polymer produced by certain bacteria.
• It has been widely used in human medicine for wound healing due to its biocompatibility and moisture-retaining properties.

Potential Agricultural Applications

• The findings suggest promising uses in agriculture, including improved plant grafting, preservation of cut plant material, and serving as a growth medium in laboratories.
• This innovation could revolutionize plant care and propagation techniques.
•  

6. Matsya-6000: India’s Fourth-Generation Deep-Ocean Submersible successfully Completes Wet Testing

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2104039 )

About Matsya-6000:

• Project Overview: Matsya-6000 is a deep-ocean human submersible developed under India’s Deep Ocean Mission by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Purpose: It is part of the Samudrayan Project aimed at enhancing ocean exploration capabilities.
• Design: The submersible features a 2.1-meter diameter spherical hull designed to carry three people.
• Key Features:
  • Main ballast system for diving.
  • Thrusters for movement in all directions.
  • Battery bank for power.
  • Syntactic foam for buoyancy.
  • Power distribution, control hardware, and underwater navigation systems.
• Communication: Equipped with an acoustic modem, underwater telephone, VHF, and GPS for surface tracking.
• Human Support: Includes life-support systems, environmental displays, navigation joysticks, and underwater lighting.
• Future Plans: Further testing for deeper depths and more advanced functionalities, with demonstrations at 500 meters expected by the end of 2025.

Read more- 17 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs