2024

Current Affairs

PM-WANI (Prime Minister WIFI Network Interface) scheme

Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Friday has proposed that for the purpose of providing PM-WANI (Prime Minister WIFI Network Interface) scheme, public data offices (PDOs) should be charged a tariff rate at par with the tariffs for retail broadband (FTTH) connections.

On the proposal of Department of Telecom (DoT) to proliferate broadband through public wi-fi networks cabinet approved the PM-WANI framework.

This framework takes forward the goal of National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 (NDCP) of creating a robust digital communications infrastructure.

The PM-WANI framework envisages provision of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Hotspot providers. It will consist of elements such as Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider and Central Registry.

Objective of PM-WANI

This framework aims to proliferate broadband access through public Wi-Fi networks, with a focus on creating a robust digital communications infrastructure in India.
One of the primary objectives of PM-WANI is to simplify the process of providing public Wi-Fi services.
The spread of public Wi-Fi broadband promises better internet service, especially in rural areas where BharatNet is setting up hotspots.

Features

Public Data Offices (PDOs)
- Last-mile public Wi-Fi providers, known as PDOs, do not require licenses or registration, and they are not obligated to pay fees to the DoT.
- This removes bureaucratic hurdles and encourages local shops and small establishments to become Wi-Fi providers.
Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs)
- The entities that aggregate last-mile providers, known as PDOAs, only need to register, and no fees are charged for this registration.
- The process is streamlined, with registration typically completed within seven working days of receiving applications.
App Providers
- The PM-WANI framework encourages the participation of App Providers who offer services for registering and authenticating users.
- These apps facilitate user access to public Wi-Fi hotspots and enhance the overall user experience.
Central Registry
- Central Registry will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs.
- It is currently maintained by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).

Benefits

Connectivity:
- PM-WANI aims to provide ubiquitous digital connectivity across the country.
- By creating a network of interoperable public Wi-Fi hotspots (PDOs), it offers a last-mile distribution of broadband at affordable prices, making internet access accessible to even the remotest areas.
Affordability:
- The packages of Rs 5-10 for Wi-Fi access make Wi-Fi affordable, especially for low-income households and rural communities.
- This makes high-speed internet affordable, bridging the digital divide that has long persisted.
Simplified Operations:
- PM-WANI eliminates the need for licenses or permits to operate public Wi-Fi hotspots.
- This simplifies the process for entrepreneurs and startups, promoting innovation and competition in the digital connectivity space.
Open and Scalable Framework:
- Like the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in the financial sector, PM-WANI provides an open and scalable framework for internet distribution.
- This encourages the participation of various entities, including PDOs, PDOAs, and app providers, creating a dynamic ecosystem.
Business Opportunities:
- The framework allows for the unbundling of internet distribution at the last mile, reducing the need for additional licensing fees.
- This opens business opportunities for aggregators, enabling them to play a crucial role in delivering affordable internet access.
Local Entrepreneurship:
- PM-WANI nurtures the growth of local entrepreneurs, who can set up PDOs in small shops, local establishments, and even households.
- This empowers these entrepreneurs to augment their monthly earnings while promoting internet usage in their communities.
Utilization of Existing Infrastructure:
- PM-WANI can make better use of existing infrastructure laid out by major companies like RailTel and GAIL, which is currently underutilized.
- It encourages Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telcos to expand their reach to underserved areas by turning their end customers into retailers of internet services.
Interoperability and Scalability:
- PM-WANI's unique Indian approach to interoperability, openness, and scalability makes it well-suited to address the diverse connectivity needs of the country.
- It can grow organically and adapt to changing technology landscapes.
Digital Empowerment:
- PM-WANI contributes to the digital empowerment of citizens by providing them with affordable and accessible internet access.
- This empowers individuals with the knowledge and opportunities that the digital world offers.

Draft guidelines for Tariff based competitive bidding for procurement of storage capacity/stored energy from pumped storage plant

Contexts: Ministry of Power has released draft guidelines for Tariff based competitive bidding for procurement of storage capacity/stored energy from pumped storage plants. The draft proposes a single stage two-part bidding process, consisting of technical and financial bidding stages for procuring storage capacity from pumped storage projects.

Two modes of Procuring Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs)

According to the draft, government proposes two modes of procuring storage capacity from pumped storage projects. They are:

PSPs located on pre-specified sites by government: In this mode, procurer can choose to locate the PSP project at a site pre-specified in the bidding document. In case the site belongs to government or a government entity, the development shall be on a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) basis for 25-40 years.
PSPs located on a self-identified site by the bidder: Supply will be from PSP developed on a site self-identified by the bidder or from an existing commissioned PSP. In this case, the development may be on a Finance Own Operate (FOO) basis for a period of 15-25 years.

Pumped Storage Project

Pumped storage plants use the principle of gravity to generate electricity using water that has been previously pumped from a lower source to an upper reservoir.
Operation of pumped storage power plants requires two reservoirs viz. upper and lower reservoir. Water in upper reservoir is used for generating power during peak demand hours. The water in the lower reservoir is pumped back to the upper reservoir during the off-peak hours and the cycle continues.
Pumped storage plants are of two types: ‘open loop’, which has an associated natural-water source (like a river) for one or both the reservoirs; and ‘closed loop’ (or off-river PSH), which does not have a connected natural-water source and the same water is cycled between the two reservoirs for pumping and generation.
Energy storage capacity of a pumped hydro facility depends on size of its two reservoirs and the head between reservoirs, while the amount of power generated is linked to the size of turbine.

Need for Pumped Storage Hydropower Project

Renewable energy sources like solar & wind energy are intermittent and variable in nature due to factors like time, climate, season and location. They are not available 24X7.
This leads to challenges of grid-stability and temporal considerations in power availability. This requires immediate ramp-up & back down of generation for grid balancing & stability of grid frequency.
Energy storage systems address this issue by storing excess energy and supplying it later when there is demand leading to improved grid stability, peak shifting and enhancing renewable energy integration.
Pump Storage Technology is the only long term technically proven, cost-effective, highly efficient & operationally flexible way of energy storage on a large scale & available at short notice.
Currently, it is the largest energy storage system making it most effective for Renewable Energy Integration.
Benefits of Pumped Storage Projects are:
- Peak shaving: PSPs absorb off peak energy in the system.
- Load balancing (Peak/off-peak balancing support): Provides peaking power.
- Helps in system stability.
- Increases capacity utilisation of thermal plants.
- Spinning reserve at almost no cost to the system
- Black start capability
- Fast ramp up & ramp down of generation
- Large energy storage capacity
- Long life of operation.
- Energy conversion rates for pump-storage projects often exceeds 80%
- Only PSP can meet most of the grid scale energy storage needs and no other storage system can and therefore almost 95% of the storage projects are Pump hydro

Hampi- A World Heritage Site

Context: The recent collapse of the Saalu Mantapa at the Virupaksha temple in Hampi has ignited discussions about the potential neglect of one of India’s largest World Heritage Sites.

Introduction - Hampi

Hampi is a treasure trove of monuments. Some structures stand proudly against a backdrop of colossal granite boulders, while others lie in disrepair, marred by the ravages of time and conflict.
Scattered throughout the site are damaged sculptures, elephants missing trunks and musicians with missing limbs, testimonies to the destruction inflicted by a 16th-century war.

Conservation efforts:

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Hampi's heritage is regulated, though it encompasses 30 villages across two districts, each managed by separate local authorities.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Karnataka government's Department of Archaeology are responsible for the task of preserving these historical treasures.
Hampi remained largely forgotten until the late 18th century when British explorers began documenting the site.
Colin Mackenzie, the first surveyor-general of India, created the first map of Hampi in 1799, and early restoration efforts began.
Systematic excavation began in the 1970s, leading to the Hampi National Project of 1976. This initiative uncovered significant remnants of the 14th-century metropolis, such as the submerged granite pavilions of the Vitthala temple.
Recent excavations have continued to reveal parts of Hampi's vibrant past, including the paan-supari bazaar, a kilometre-long market.

Impact of UNESCO’s World Heritage status:

The World Heritage designation has spurred increased conservation efforts but has also introduced challenges.
In 1999, Hampi was briefly placed on the ‘World Heritage in Danger List’ due to a proposed bridge construction.
This led to the establishment of the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority (HWHAMA) in 2007, which implemented a masterplan dividing the site into core, buffer, and peripheral zones.
While the designation has protected Hampi’s monuments, it has also led to the displacement of local residents and their commercial activities.
The HWHAMA regulations have been criticized for excluding local communities from the conservation process.
For example, the bustling market in front of the Virupaksha temple was cleared to comply with these regulations, affecting local livelihoods.

Need for balancing conservation with community needs:

The conservation of Hampi involves more than preserving its physical structures; it requires balancing heritage protection with the needs of local communities.
Hampi needs better sanitation, green mobility plans, and architectural guidelines.

History of Hampi

Founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire flourished across southern India.
The site of Hampi was the last capital of the Kingdom of Vijayanagar.
- Anegundi was the first capital of the Vijayanagara empire.
- The other capitals of Vijayanagara were Penukonda and Chandragiri.
The Dravidian temples and palaces won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries, like Portuguese Domingo Paes, who described it as ‘as large and beautiful as Rome.’
Hampi is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
Zones of the Hampi:
- Sacred Centre: This zone, identified by scholars like Burton Stein, is considered the spiritual and religious heart of the site.
- Urban Core/Royal Centre: This area represents the administrative and royal hub of Hampi, central to the city's governance and elite activities.
- Metropolitan Vijayanagara: The remaining expanse of the site beyond the sacred and royal zones, encompassing the broader urban and suburban areas of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Monuments and temples

1. Virupaksha temple:

Known as the ‘Pampavathi Temple,’ the Virupaksha Temple is one of Hampi's oldest structures.
Dedicated to Sri Virupaksha (Lord Shiva) the temple was originally constructed by Lakkan Dandesha, a chieftain under Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Pampadevi, associated with the Tungabhadra River is also worshipped.
The temple's history dates back to the 7th century CE, with inscriptions referring to Shiva found from the 9th and 10th centuries.
It features three gopuras (entrance towers).

2. Vittala temple complex:

The Vittala Temple Complex, famous for its iconic stone chariot and the symbol of Karnataka Tourism, is a notable feature of Hampi.
It is dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Vishnu.
The Temple dates back to the 15th century. It was built during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422-1446 A.D.), one of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 -1529 A.D.).
The complex boasts intricately carved pillared halls and remnants of the Vittalapuram Township that once surrounded it.
The Ranga Mantapa is one of the main attractions of the Vittala Temple. It is renowned for its 56 musical pillars. These musical pillars are also known as SAREGAMA pillars, indicating the musical notes emitted by them. The musical notes emanate when the pillars are tapped gently.

3. Mahanavami Dibba:

Also known as the ‘Great Platform’ or ‘House of Victory,’ it is a grand ceremonial monument in the royal centre of Vijayanagara.
The platform's three-tiered design includes detailed granite reliefs depicting royal activities, battles, and festivities.
The top tier, originally supporting a wooden pavilion, was destroyed, but the intricate carvings on the lower tiers remain.
Adjacent features include an audience hall with stone stubs, an aqueduct leading to a large stepped tank, and additional water pools and gardens.

The case for a new industrial policy

Context: India needs a policy that will facilitate sustained economic growth and transform the country into a global manufacturing hub.

What is Industrial Policy?

Industrial policies are government interventions specifically designed to alter the composition of economic activities in pursuit of predetermined public objectives.
- These objectives typically encompass enhancing innovation, increasing productivity, and fostering economic growth.
- However, they may also extend to objectives such as facilitating the climate transition, improving labour market outcomes, reducing regional disparities and expanding export capacity.
A defining feature of industrial policy is its inherent selectivity, wherein policymakers strategically prioritise certain sectors or industries over others to induce structural transformation, albeit with the implicit trade-off that some sectors may be de-prioritised.

Need for Industrial Policy

Excessive government intervention can lead to market distortions, dampen competitive dynamics, and foster inefficiencies, turning the economy into a bureaucratic drag.
On the other hand, a laissez-faire approach can leave market failures like negative externalities and public goods under-provided, destabilising the economy.
The key is to apply just the right amount of regulatory nudge - enough to correct market failures and guide resource allocation efficiently, but not so much to make it excessive.

Evolution

India’s industrial policy post-Independence created a system where progress was trapped in a maze of bureaucracy.
- The Industries (Development and Regulation) Act of 1951 birthed the “licence-permit raj,” where every industrial decision required government approval, turning ambition into a bureaucratic hurdle.
- The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act of 1969 and the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) of 1973 further restricted growth and isolated Indian industries from global competition.
- Intended to protect and foster growth, these policies instead stifled innovation and redirected business efforts towards navigating regulatory obstacles rather than competing in the market.
- This legacy of excessive control and inefficiency is precisely why industrial policy is often vilified as a harbinger of inefficiency and protectionism.
However, the recent resurgence of industrial policy, after a period of decline, is driven by a global rethinking of market-driven approaches and the challenges posed by technological disruption, economic stagnation, and geopolitical competition, particularly with China.
- Developing countries, disillusioned with the Washington Consensus, seek proactive government interventions to diversify and upgrade their economies, while advanced economies grapple with declining manufacturing employment and the lingering effects of the financial crisis.
- China’s rapid industrialisation, coupled with rising concerns about technological transfer and competition, has prompted both protectionist measures and calls for stronger industrial strategies in the US and Europe.
- Technological changes, including automation and digitalisation, further emphasise the need for government involvement in shaping economic activities.

Reasons why India needs an industrial policy

Economic development involves transitioning from agriculture to manufacturing and services. A well-designed industrial policy can guide this structural transformation, facilitating the shift towards more productive sectors essential for sustained economic growth.

Economic Growth: Government intervention can foster innovation and knowledge spillovers, leading to sustained economic growth.
Productivity Growth: Learning and innovation are endogenous processes that require government support. For e.g. Japan and Germany witnessed productivity growth in sectors where state intervention facilitated technology transfer and skills development, particularly in industries such as electronics and automotive manufacturing.
Removing Market Imperfection:
- In India, market imperfections are particularly evident in sectors such as research and development (R&D) and infrastructure, where private firms underinvest because they cannot fully capture the returns on their investments.
- Hence, a market-oriented industrial policy can strategically target these inefficiencies by providing selective incentives and fostering a more favourable business environment.
Empirical Evidence:
- Studies in this domain show that countries with active industrial policies tend to experience higher rates of total factor productivity growth, as seen in the case of China’s strategic investments in high-tech industries.
- There is also historical evidence of the effectiveness of industrial policies in driving rapid industrialisation in East Asia, with data showing significant increases in GDP per capita and manufacturing value-added in these economies during the periods of active state intervention.

Geoeconomics: Economic strength is a critical component of national security in a multipolar world. India’s industrial capabilities, particularly in strategic sectors like defence manufacturing, telecommunications, and critical technologies, are essential for maintaining strategic autonomy and reducing dependency on foreign powers. An industrial policy that prioritises these sectors can align economic growth with national security objectives.

AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

Context: The Union Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) that will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phone.

About AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS)

A digital initiative leveraging AI and machine learning to provide timely pest management advisories.
The system comprises a user-friendly mobile app and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for all farmers.
NPSS is to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticide retailers and inculcate a scientific approach among them towards pest management.
It will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmers and experts in pest control and management.
Farmers will greatly benefit from NPSS as it provides quick solutions to pest attacks and crop diseases, reducing crop losses and thus improving productivity.
The system's comprehensive pest incidence data and automated advisories will empower farmers with actionable insights, helping them make informed decisions and take proactive measures to protect their crops.
It marks a significant step forward in modernizing agriculture in India, enhancing food security, and supporting sustainable farming practices.
This initiative underscores the Government's commitment to leveraging technology for the welfare of farmers and the advancement of the agricultural sector.

What is vaccine-derived polio?

Context: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported detection of poliovirus through routine surveillance of wastewater systems in five countries in the WHO European Region (Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom) since September 2024. The presence of the virus underscores the importance of vaccination and surveillance.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Polio disease; Polio vaccines.

Major Highlights:

A recent paper, ‘The Respiratory Route of Transmission of Virulent Polioviruses’ presents a thorough analysis of the primary transmission routes of poliovirus, particularly wild polioviruses (WPVs) and circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs).
- Historically, the faecal-oral route of polio transmission was widely accepted, particularly after the introduction of the oral polio vaccine.
- The new research leans strongly towards respiratory transmission of virulent polioviruses (WPV and cVDPV) as the primary route, like other contagious infectious diseases.
As per the research, continuing to distribute oral polio vaccine (OPV) is the wrong path to polio eradication. Vaccination with Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV) will expedite the eradication of WPV and cVDPVs.

About poliomyelitis

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a single-stranded RNA virus.
Transmission: The poliovirus is primarily transmitted through the faecal-oral route, often via contaminated water sources or poor sanitation. It can also spread through direct contact with infected individuals.
Types of poliovirus: Three types — wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2), and wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3). Symptomatically, all these strains are identical.
Symptoms:
- Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness of the neck and pain in the limbs.
- The virus multiplies in the intestine and invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis.
  - One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs).
  - Among those paralysed, 5–10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilised.
Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age. However, anyone of any age who is unvaccinated can contract the disease.
Treatment: There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented through Polio vaccines. There are two vaccines available: oral polio vaccine and inactivated polio vaccine.

Types of Polio vaccines

1. Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV):

The first successful polio vaccine for poliovirus was made by Jonas Salk in the early 1950s.
Salk inactivated the virus using formaldehyde and injected it into the muscles of test subjects. This inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) induced systemic immunity (relating to the blood, brain, and all other organ systems) in the subjects.
Benefits:
- IPV contains inactivated virus particles, hence, it has no risk of causing vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) — a rare, adverse reaction to OPV.
Limitations:
- IPV is less potent vaccine than OPV and comparatively tougher to manufacture as it contains a chemically inactivated virus.

2. Oral polio vaccine (OPV):

Albert Sabin developed the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) by using live polio virus strains that were weakened through serial cultivation in macaque cells. This process rendered the virus unfit for causing infection in humans, yet still capable of inducing an immune response.
Because OPV contains a live virus, it is administered orally, mimicking the virus's natural route of infection.
Benefits of OPV:
- OPV is usually preferred over IPV due to its simplicity in administration. It can be given orally without the need for syringes or specialised medical training, making it more accessible, especially in resource-limited settings.
- Additionally, it is cost-effective, making widespread immunisation campaigns feasible.
Limitations of OPV:
- In rare cases, the weakened virus in the vaccine can mutate back to a virulent form, potentially causing the very disease it is meant to prevent.

Vaccine-derived polio:

Vaccine-derived polio is a rare condition that occurs when the weakened (also called attenuated) strain of poliovirus used in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) mutates and regains the ability to cause paralysis.
- OPV contains a live, attenuated virus that is used for immunisation against the disease.
- The attenuated virus replicates in the intestines for a limited period and is excreted in the stool.
- This weakened virus triggers an immune response when administered, thus protecting people from the disease.
- In rare cases, the virus can mutate enough to cause the disease again and circulate in areas where either:
  - immunisation is low
  - immunocompromised people reside
  - sanitation and hygiene are poor.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus is classified as “circulating” (cVDPV2) if it is detected in at least two different sources, at least two months apart, that are genetically linked, showing evidence of transmission in the community.

Key Facts:

On World Polio Day, October 24, 2019, the WHO declared that wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) has been eradicated worldwide. The last case was detected in Nigeria in 2012. Wild poliovirus type 2 (WPV2) was officially declared eradicated in 2015. Thus, Only WPV1 remains in circulation.
More than 90% of vaccine-derived poliovirus outbreaks are due to the type 2 virus present in oral polio vaccines. Vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP) constitutes 40% of cases caused by the type 2 oral polio vaccine. Many cases of VAPP from the type 3 virus also occur in countries using OPV.
India was officially declared polio-free by the WHO in 2014. This declaration came after India successfully completed three consecutive years without reporting any new cases of wild poliovirus.
The Indian government does not count VAPP as polio since these cases are sporadic and pose little or no threat to others, even though the number of VAPP-compatible cases showed a rising trend.
After the global switch from trivalent (containing all three variants) to bivalent (type 1 and type 3) oral polio vaccine in 2016 to prevent any more type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus, the number of vaccine-derived type 2 poliovirus outbreaks has only increased sharply.

Kalamezhuthu or Kalam Pattu Art

Context: A Kalamezhutu workshop was recently organised by Malayalam Department in Kochi, Kerala.

About Kalamezhuthu

Also known as ‘Dhulee Chithram’ or Powder drawing. also known as Kalam Pattu in northern parts of Kerala.
Floor Art: Kalamezhuthu is a floor painting art form prevalent in Kerala. The artists use floors of temple or noble households as their canvas.
Ritual significance: Performed as part of rituals to worship gods like Kaali, Ayyappan or Vettakkorumakan (serpent). The drawings are erased at the end of the ritual to the accompaniment of musical instruments. These drawings are part of Kalamezhuthu festival which is a 40-day ritualistic festival celebrated in most Bhagavathy temples of Kerala.
Natural Colours: Maestros of this art form use natural colours. Pigments are extracted from plants - rice flour (white), charcoal powder (black), turmeric powder (yellow), powdered green leaves (green), and a mixture of turmeric powder and lime (red).
Time taking process: Kalamezhuthu drawings take a long time to prepare, sometimes extending to two days with perfection.
Themes: Figures drawn usually have an expression of anger and other emotions.
Community involved: Kalamezhuthu artists are generally members of communities like the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars, Theeyadi Nambiars and Theeyadi Unnis. The kalams drawn by these people differ in certain characteristics.

Tripura dam didn’t cause Bangladesh floods: India

Context: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday denied that floods in eastern districts of Bangladesh were caused due to the opening of the Dumbur dam in Tripura.

Key facts related to the Dumbur dam:

The Dumbnur dam is built upon the Gumti river which flows through India and Bangladesh.
There is a Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati originates and this is called Tirthamukh.
Every year on 14th January famous ‘Pous Sankranti Mela’ takes place.
The lake is the confluence of rivers Raima and Sarma.
In one of a kind the island “Narkel Kunja” has been developed.
The dam is 30 metres in height and generates power that feeds into a grid. India’s neighbour also draws 40 megawatt (MW) power from the grid

Article 163 of the Constitution of India

Context: Article 163 of Constitution of India is in news in context of MUDA scam in which Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has allowed investigation against Chief Minister of Karnataka in Mysore Urban development Authority scam.

About Article 163: Article 163 deals with Council of Ministers to aid and advice the Governor in the States.

Article 163(1): There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is required to exercise his functions at his discretion.
Article 163(2): If any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the Governor is by or under this Constitution required to act in his discretion, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final, and the validity of anything done by the Governor shall not be called in question on the ground that he ought or ought not to have acted in his discretion.
Article 163(3): The advice tendered by Ministers to the Governor shall not be inquired into in any court.

Background information in this case

The Supreme Court has held on numerous occasions that the Governor is “bound” by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
However, C.M. Siddaramaiah has argued that the Governor is bound by the resolution of the Council of Ministers as per Article 163, asking Governor to withdraw the show-cause notice. Instead, the Governor has given sanction for investigation under Prevention of Corruption Act without justifying why the allegations require an investigation or a trial.

Question of Law: Whether Governor is bound by aid and advice of Council of Minister in such cases.

Relevant cases

Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974): The Supreme Court clarified that the Governor must act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, except in situations where the Constitution explicitly allows the Governor to act in his discretion. He/ she is not required to act person· ally without the aid and advice of the council of ministers or against the aid and advice of the council of ministers.
State of Rajasthan v. Union of India (1977): This case dealt with the role of the Governor under Article 356, which is related to President’s Rule. While discussing Article 163, the Supreme Court emphasized that the Governor's discretion is limited and he must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in specific situations provided by the Constitution.
S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Primarily a case on Article 356, it also discussed the role of the Governor under Article 163. The Supreme Court held that the Governor's report to the President under Article 356 must be based on objective material, and the Governor’s actions are subject to judicial review.
M. P. Special Police Establishment v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2004): This case dealt with the Governor’s discretion in granting sanction for prosecution. The Supreme Court ruled that in certain circumstances, the Governor may act independently of the Council of Ministers, especially where the ministers themselves are under investigation.

Present Status: Case is ongoing and Karnataka High Court is yet to determine if the governor was bound by the advice of Council of Minister or if facts, circumstances, and precedent of M. P. Special Police Establishment v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2004) are enough to go ahead with prosecution.

Why has Malaysia tweaked its ‘Orangutan diplomacy’?

Context: Malaysia is the world’s second-largest palm oil producer. The palm oil industry is linked to deforestation, which is causing habitat loss for orangutans.

Orangutan Diplomacy Proposal

Initial Proposal: Malaysia’s Plantation and Commodities Minister proposed sending critically endangered orangutans as gifts to countries that import Malaysian palm oil. This idea was inspired by China’s “panda diplomacy.”
Objective: The proposal aimed to counteract negative perceptions of palm oil by showcasing Malaysia’s commitment to wildlife conservation.

Revised Proposal:

Change in Plan: Instead of sending orangutans abroad, Malaysia will offer importing countries the opportunity to “sponsor” orangutans. Funds from these sponsorships will be used for orangutan conservation within Malaysia.

Immediate factors for criticism

EU Ban: The criticism came shortly after the European Union imposed a ban on imports of goods linked to deforestation, putting additional pressure on Malaysia’s palm oil industry to improve sustainability.

Criticism of Initial Proposal:

Opposition: The initial proposal faced significant backlash from wildlife conservationists. Critics argued that it was hypocritical to destroy orangutan habitats through deforestation for palm oil production while using orangutans as diplomatic tools.
Animal Welfare Groups: Organizations like Justice for Wildlife Malaysia criticized the proposal, emphasizing that protecting the natural habitat of orangutans is crucial.
Comparison with Panda Diplomacy: Stuart Pimm from Duke University highlighted that Malaysia’s plan was not comparable to China’s panda diplomacy. China has established protected areas and state-of-the-art facilities for pandas, unlike Malaysia’s proposed scheme.

Key facts about Orangutans

Orangutans are fascinating creatures, renowned for their intelligence and complex behaviors.

Habits

Diet: Orangutans are primarily frugivorous, meaning their diet mainly consists of fruit. They eat a variety of fruits such as durians, mangosteens, and rambutans. Additionally, they consume leaves, bark, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates. Their diet varies depending on seasonal availability.
Activity Patterns: They are predominantly arboreal (tree-dwelling) and spend most of their lives in the treetops of rainforests. Orangutans are mainly solitary animals, with adult males and females leading separate lives except during mating or when a female is caring for her young.
Tool Use: Orangutans are known for their remarkable intelligence and use of tools. They have been observed using sticks to extract insects from crevices or to gauge the depth of water before crossing.
Nesting: At night, orangutans build nests from branches and leaves in the trees where they sleep. They construct these nests carefully, weaving the branches together to create a sturdy platform that keeps them safe from predators.

Habitats

Rainforests: Orangutans inhabit tropical rainforests, which provide them with the necessary food resources and shelter. Their habitat is characterized by dense vegetation and a high canopy.
Forest Types: They are found in lowland and hill forests, typically at elevations up to 1,500 meters. They prefer areas with abundant fruit trees and a complex structure of overlapping canopies.

Geographical Distribution

Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus): This species is found on the island of Borneo, which is divided among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. They inhabit the forests of the central and northern parts of the island.
Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii): The Sumatran orangutan lives on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Their range is restricted to the northern and northeastern parts of the island.
Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis): Discovered more recently, this species is also native to Sumatra but is found only in a limited region in the south of the island. It is the rarest of the three orangutan species.

Culture

Communication: Orangutans have a diverse range of vocalizations and sounds used for communication. These include long calls that can travel over long distances, especially among males. They also use various facial expressions and body postures to convey messages.
Social Learning: While generally solitary, orangutans exhibit cultural behaviours through social learning. Young orangutans learn how to use tools and forage by observing their mothers and other individuals.
Reproductive Culture: Mating behaviour and infant care are important aspects of orangutan culture. Females typically care for their young for several years, teaching them essential survival skills. This extended period of care helps the young learn complex behaviours and survival strategies.
Conservation Status:
- All three orangutan species (Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli) are critically endangered due to human activities.
- Threats include poaching, habitat destruction (for palm oil cultivation and logging), and the illegal pet trade.

Mitigation vs Adaptation

Context – Economic survey has pointed out the flaws in global climate action regime.

The Economic Survey noted that the “excessive preoccupation” with meeting the 1.5- or 2-degree Celsius temperature target was putting impossible pressure on developing countries, forcing them to make choices they were not ready for, and diverting their focus and resources away from the more near-term imperatives of improving the lives of their people.

What is the present global approach?

WEO proposes following key pillars:
- Tripling global Renewable Energy Capacity.
- Doubling the rate of Energy Efficiency improvements.
- Slashing methane emissions from fossil fuel operations by 75 per cent.
- Innovative, large-scale financing mechanisms to triple clean energy investments in emerging and developing economies.
- Measures to ensure an orderly decline in the use of fossil fuels, including an end to new approvals of unabated coal-fired power plants.

What are the flaws in the current approach?

Excessive focus on artificial means.
Still scientists have not completely discovered the interconnected nature of climate change. (There is hardly any inequivalence foundationally between extracting earth for one resource over another. Solar panels may generate renewable energy, but solar batteries are formed of materials extracted from the earth’s crust , particularly Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and some rare earth minerals)
Lot of hidden costs are not taken into account - switching to EVs requires uprooting the existing network of petrol pumps and creating a new network of charging stations involving all of the above. Unfortunately, all of these “hidden costs” – both from a monetary, and an environmental perspective are not accounted for in the lifecycle costs when advocating for the displacement of fossil fuels with renewable options.
Need vs greed -> The current Climate Change strategy seems to say that given that our energy needs will continue to rise, we must try replacing conventional fuel with renewables and clean energy – thus making it a substitution issue rather than a global lifestyle issue. What this strategy doesn’t do is attack the root of the problem – overconsumption, which is starker among developed countries. Moreover, do each of us really need multiple screens, even if they are charged by renewable energy sources.
Global pursuit of energy-guzzling technologies -> developed world is in a mad ‘Scramble for Africa’ kind of rush to usher in the latest and the most expansive AI (Artificial Intelligence) ecosystem. The fact is that AI is an energy guzzler. Even as the data centres are ramping up energy demand, cloud storage facilities, crypto mining, and AI are all expected to increase this exponentially.
Inadequate climate financing and lack of guilt. -> Research shows that developing countries require ~USD 6 trillion by 2030 to achieve just about half of their existing NDC targets. Against this, only USD 100 billion was pledged by developed countries till 2020, of which only USD 83.3 billion was provided

Iniquities & Hypocrisy

It has become the vehicle to perpetuate the dominance of the rich and industrialised world by mandating transitions that are more suited to them. Developed countries failures have been sought to be passed on to the rest of the world in the form of calls for enhanced climate action. Scientific organisations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have strengthened the narrative of the developed countries. Even as it became increasingly clear that the 1.5-degree target would be breached, almost every scientific assessment continued to present scenarios that showed that it was still possible to achieve the target, if only more effort was made.

What is the ‘Indian Way’ – A sustainable lifestyle?

MISSION LIFE – Lifestyle for environment -> Individual action is the core of Climate Responsibility.

Lunar Earth Flyby for JUICE Mission

Context: JUICE Mission is a European Science Agency's space mission which aims to make detailed observations of Jupiter and its three ocean bearing moons - Ganymede, Callisto and Europa. Space scientists at ESA are aiming to conduct the world's first Lunar-Earth Flyby. This manoeuvre aims to use the gravity of the Moon and Earth to send it Jupiter via a flyby Venus.

Route of JUICE Mission

Jupiter the destination of JUICE Mission is about 800 million km away from Earth. Sending JUICE straight to Jupiter would require 60,000 kg of onboard propellant. JUICE would also require additional fuel to slow down enough to go into orbit around Jupiter.
Hence, JUICE aims to use the gravity of other planets to carefully adjust its trajectory and arrive at Jupiter with right speed and direction.

Purpose of the Flyby

JUICE Mission was launched in April 2023
Reroute Juice's path through space, using the gravity of first the Moon and then Earth to change the spacecraft's speed and direction.
Flyby by first the Moon and then the Earth will result in guiding Juice to a new trajectory towards Venus.
The Flyby operation will result in saving of 100-150 kg of fuel, which will help in the Juice Mission to conduct extra or bonus science observations on Ganymede.
The Flyby operation also allowed for testing of scientific instruments onboard the Juice Mission. Juice carries 10 scientific instruments which will be tested on its flyby past the moon and earth.
- JANUS (High resolution camera): High-resolution images of the Moon and Earth.
- RIME (Radar for Icy Moon Exploration): RIME data is being disturbed by some electronic noise within the spacecraft. During the closest approach, RIME will have 8 minutes to observe alone (Other instruments switched off). This would allow the RIME team to correct the noise problem.

juice's journey to jupiter: the lunar earth flyby

Science Instruments on JUICE

Juice Mission

Juice is on an eight-year-long voyage to make detailed observations on Jupiter and three of its ocean-bearing moons — Ganymede, Callisto and Europa.
The objective is to explore the moons in search of signs of life and to explore if it is possible to live around giants or for habitability.
During its voyage, the spacecraft will complete fly-bys of Venus, Earth, and the Earth-Moon system to arrive at its destination in 2031.
The mission has instruments including a remote sensing package with spectral imaging capabilities, a laser altimeter (GALA), a radar sounder (RIME) for exploring the moon’s surface and subsurface, instruments to study the particle environment (PEP), a magnetometer (J-MAG), and a radio and plasma wave instrument (RPWI).
JUICE Mission will orbit Ganymede and end its life there.
Operations of JUICE Mission will overlap with NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission.

About Jupiter

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the Solar System.
It is a gas giant primarily composed of hydrogen, followed by helium.
It is the third brightest natural object in the Earth's night sky after the Moon and Venus.
Jupiter is surrounded by a faint planetary ring system and has a powerful magnetosphere. The Great Red Spot is a gigantic storm (anticyclone) that is about twice as wide as Earth, circling the planet in its southern hemisphere.
Jupiter has the highest number of moons in our Solar System (95 known moons till date) including Ganymede which is the largest (larger than the planet Mercury).

About Ganymede

Largest moon in our solar system. It is even bigger than planet Mercury.
There is strong evidence that Ganymede has underground saltwater ocean that may hold more water than all the water on Earth’s surface.
It is the only moon known have its own magnetic field – typically only found on planets like Earth.
Ganymede has a faint oxygen atmosphere; however, it is far too thin to breathe.

About Callisto

Jupiter’s second largest moon and third largest moon in our solar system.
Surface of Callisto is heavily cratered created of ice and rock.
Scientists believe that Callisto may have an underground salty ocean making it a potential habitat for life.

About Europa

Europa is slightly smaller than Earth’s moon and barely one-quarter the diameter of Earth itself.
Surface of Europa is composed of solid water ice, and it has extremely thin oxygen atmosphere.
Europa is believed to be most promising place in our solar system to have environment suitable for life.
Beneath the icy surface of Europa is a salty-water ocean thought to contain twice as much water as Earth’s oceans combined.