Prelims Nuggets

Seven dead, 27 rescued after avalanche hits Sikkim’s Nathu La

Context: Recently seven people were killed while 20 others have been rescued after five or six vehicles along with 20-30 tourists were hit by an avalanche near Nathu La.

About Nathu La:

  • Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Himalayan peaks that co-joins Sikkim and China.
  • It is one of the highest motorable roads in the world situated on the Indo-Tibetan border 14450 ft. above sea level.
  • Nathu means 'listening ears', and La means 'pass'. Nathu La is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China.
  • The temperature here remains low for most parts Located on the Old Silk Route, Nathu La Pass connects Sikkim to China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
  • It was sealed for almost 4 decades after the People’s Republic of China suppressed a Tibetan uprising in 1959.
  • However, when the former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited China in 2003, talks to open the strategic route were resumed in 2006 and since then, it has served as an official Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) Point.
  • Since it is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China, Nathu La Pass has played a key role in the Sino-Indian Trade.
  • It has also shortened the distance between the important Buddhist and Hindu pilgrimage sites, thus strengthening the economy and improving border relations with China.
  • A valid permit to visit Nathu La Pass is given to only Indian Nationals.

PM recalls the noble teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir on Mahavir Jayanti

Context: The Jain community celebrates Mahavir Jayanti, one of their most important festivals, throughout India. The celebration honours the birth of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. 

History Of Mahavir Jayanti

  • Lord Mahavira was born in Kundalgrama, Bihar, in the Chaitra month, according to Jain traditions and religious writings. 
  • The cleansing of the Mahavir effigy with fragrant oil by the people symbolises the purity of the Lord.
  • People go to pilgrimage locations that are associated with the Jain community. 

Gomateshwara is a well-known place to visit during the festival.

Emergence of Heterodox Thinkers

  • In the sixth and fifth centuries BCE, North India had a remarkable awakening as a result of a number of heterodox philosophies challenging the pre-existing philosophy.
  • In order to reflect on the social and cultural climate of their times, philosophers like Gosala, Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Ajita Kesakambalin, and others renounced the world and wandered across the Gangetic plains.

Causes of Intellectual Awakening

  • The rigidity of the Vedic religion and state creation limited people's freedom of thinking and behaviour. 
  • In heterodox sects, a revolt against the practise of accepting dogmas as truthwas articulated.
  • The process of socio-political and economic change was expedited by the creation of territorial identities.
  • Disenchanted with the existing order, the wealthy class (thriving in Magadha or the mid-gangetic plains) started to act in opposition to the Orthodox faiths. 
  • Since the Vedic religion was not yet fully organised, its influence on society was limited, making it easy for individuals to adhere to the newly forming religious sects.
  • New classes of merchants and bankers like sethis sought higher social status in line with their economic standing as a result of urbanisation and the rise of trade.
  • Kshatriyas were upset because the Vedic writings only allowed Brahmins to live a staged life in ashramas. 

Jainism

  • Vardhamana Mahavira's sect, which Buddhist writings refer to as Nigantha Nataputta
  • grew into the religion known as Jainism.
  • Before, it was known as Nirgranthas (free from bonds).
  • Risabha is credited as the sect's founder in Jaina mythology. 
  • He is regarded as the original   Tirthankara.  
  • Three of the Tirthankaras: Risabha, Ajitanatha, and Aristanemi, are mentioned in the Yajur veda. 
  • Mahavira, also known as Jina, the conqueror of the soul, organised his followers into secular and monastic groups. 

Life of Mahavira

  • About 540 BCE, Mahavir was born in Vajji, a democratic kingdom (Ganarajya)
  • where the ruler was chosen through popular vote. 
  • He was son of the King Siddharth of Kundagrama and Queen Trishala belonging to the Ikshvaku dynasty. 
  • Mahavir was given the name Vardhaman, which means "One who grows."
  • His mother was a princess of the Lichchavi and Chetaka's (chief of Lichchavi) sister. 
  • Mahavira was closely related to the rulers of Magadha, Anga, and Videha through his mother. 
  • At the age of 30, he left his home and spent 12 years wandering as a mendicant in search of the truth. 
  • He abandoned his clothes and engaged in strict penance.
  • He met Gosala while wandering, but they later parted ways because of their differences.  
  • Vardhamana gained Nirvana, or enlightenment, in the thirteenth year of his wandering,     when he was 42 years old. He attained Tirthankara status and came to be known as Jina or Mahavira (the Great Conqueror). 
  • He passed away at the age of 72 in Pavapuri, close to Rajgriha, around 468 BCE. He fasted unto death (Sallekhana) according to Jaina ideals.

Sects of Jainism 

  • A split in Jainism happened roughly 500 years after Mahavira's departure, in or around 79 or 82 CE. 
  • Because of the severe famine in Magadha.
  • some of Jaina monks under Bhadrabahu left for south to maintain their rigorous discipline.
  • They remained without garments and were known as ‘Digambaras’ (space-clad or naked).
  • Others who remained behind under Sthulabhadra's leadership, chose a white clothing, and came to be known as ‘Svetambaras’ (white-clad).
  • Jainism was weakened in Magadha as a result of the schism, but it flourished in Gujarat,       Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Karnataka.

Jaina Councils

Jaina Council YearVenueChairmanPatron Result 
First 300 BCPatliputra SthulabhadraChandragupta MauryaCompilation of 12 Angas 
Second 512 ADVallabhiDevardhi-Kshmasramana---Final Compilation of 12 Angas and 12 Upangas 

Tenets of Jainism

  • Jainism places a strong emphasis on nonviolence.  
  • Jainism rejects the idea of a creator. Jainism did not initially worship any deities.
  • Mahavira disapproved of Vedic rule. 
  • It holds that there is no beginning or end to the world. 
  • Jainism promoted dualism:
    • According to which the universe is composed of everlasting souls (jivas) and substance (ajivas).
    • When jiva and ajiva combine, karma (action) is produced, which causes a never-ending cycle of birth and reincarnation. 
    • Severe penance and austerity must be practised in order to release oneself from karma.
    • As a result, only monks in Jainism were able to break free from the cycle of rebirth and birth.
  • It does not support any form of inequality based on birth. 
    • Birth does not determine one's social standing; rather, one's actions do. 
    • Birth-based status is regarded as a sin.
    • The monastic order accepted women.  
    • Nevertheless, a woman to find salvation need to be reborn as a man and then pursue redemption by accruing merit through good deeds.

Three Gems

Jains are required to follow three principles called Triratnas

(1) Right faith (samyag-darshana/samyak-shadha);

(2) Right knowledge (samyag-jnana); 

(3) Right conduct (samyag-mahavrata/ samyak-karma/samyak-acharana)

Five Great Vows/Pancha Mahavratas 

The monks have to undertake the five great vows

(1) Not to kill or injure (ahimsa); 

(2) Not to steal (asteya);  

(3) Not to lie (satya);

(4) Celibacy (brahmacharya); 

(5) Not to possess property (aparigraha)

The first four vows were laid down by Parshwanath and the fifth one was added by Mahavira.

Types of Knowledge

There are five types of Knowledge: 

(1) Mati jnana: Perception through activity of sense organs, including mind

(2) Shruta jnana: Knowledge revealed by scriptures

(3) Avadhi jnana: Clairvoyant perception

(4) Manahparyaya jnana: Telepathic knowledge

(5) Keval jnana: Temporal knowledge

Syadvada theory in Jainism

  • The "theory of perhaps" holds that all of our judgements must necessarily be conditional and relative.
  • Seven different types of prediction are conceivable, according to Syadvada (Saptabhangi      Nayavad). 
  • Both absolute affirmation and negation are incorrect. 
  • Anekantvada, or the philosophy of plurality, is another name for Syadvada.

Jaina Literature

  • The sacred literature of the Svetambaras is written in a type of Prakrit called Ardhamagadhi Prakrit (language of the common people) and can be classified as follows: 12 Angas, 12 upangas, 10 parikarnas, Chhedasutras, Mulasutras and Sutra-Granthas.
  • 14 purvas/parvas- It is the part of 12 Angas and the oldest text of Mahavira’s preachings. 
  • Besides this, the important Jain texts are:
    • Kalpasutra (Sanskrit)- Bhadrabahu
    • Parishishta Parvan (an appendix of Trishashthishalaka Purusha)- Hemachandra.

Dialup Internet is now history in India: TRAI

Context: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is to repeal ‘Regulation on Quality of Service of Dial-up and Leased Line Internet Access Service, 2001’. This is because the last dial-up Internet connection was switched off in India in March 2021 and India has no dial-up users now. 

Dial-up Internet

  • Dial-up Internet access uses the facilities of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to establish a connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) by dialling a telephone number on a conventional telephone line.
    • Dial-up Internet access operates through a standard telephone line. 
    • By running the telephone line to a modem device in the computer and configuring it to dial a specific phone number, the computer can connect to the Internet. 
  • Dial-up Internet speeds are theoretically capable of reaching a maximum speed of 56 kilobits per second.
  • This connection type is usually inexpensive, but slow and has less available bandwidth. They may not be adequate for users who use the web for multimedia and other high-bandwidth applications.

Arctic scientists race to preserve ‘ice memory’

Context: Arctic scientists are set to start drilling to save samples of ancient ice for analysis before the frozen layers melt away due to climate change.

Major Highlights

  • Italian, French and Norwegian researchers have set up camp in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago to preserve crucial ice records for analysing past environmental conditions.
  • They will extract ice in a series of tubes from 125 metres below the surface, containing frozen geochemical traces dating back three centuries.

Key Facts

  • Human-caused carbon emissions have warmed the planet by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the 19th century.
  • The Arctic is warming between two and four times faster than the global average.

A "seed bank" of Aravallis-native plants is located at the Asola Bhatti sanctuary

Context:  After several years of efforts to gather seeds from all over the city and other states, a "seed bank," which gathers and stores seeds of species of plants that are native to the Aravallis, is gradually taking shape at a nursery at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

More about news:

  • It began in 2015 to provide saplings that are native to the city and bring back species that are now difficult to find in the city.
  • The project being implemented jointly by the Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
  • For this project, seeds have been drawn from parts of Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Bihar.
  • Species that are specific to the Aravallis are identified by studying model sites that have intact forests with very little disturbance, like Mangar Bani in Faridabad. Efforts are then made to replicate these old-growth forests.
  • Among the additions to the seed bank are seeds of trees like salai and phalsa- species that are difficult to find in Delhi. These seeds were brought from Rajasthan and Haryana.

About Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

Location

  • It covers area on the Southern Delhi Ridge of Aravalli hill range on Delhi-Haryana border lies in Southern Delhi as well as northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana state.
  • It is the part of the Northern Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor, an important wildlife corridor which starts from the Sariska National Park in Rajasthan, passes through Faridabad and Gurugram districts of Haryana and ends at Delhi Ridge.

Fauna

  • This is an important habitat for the Indian leopard, blackbuck striped hyena, jungle cat, golden jackal, Indian hare, Indian boar, black buck, sambar deer, spotted deer and hog deer among others. Endangered species in the sanctuary include red-headed vulture and egyptian vulture. Near-threatened species include painted stork, white-faced ibis and european roller. 

Indian Seed Vault

  • It is a secure seed bank located in a high-altitude mountain pass on the Chang La in Ladakh, India. 
  • It was built in 2010 jointly by the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research and the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources.
  • It is the second largest seed bank in the world.

ICCR to build ambassador programme among foreign students in India

Context: By drawing on the experiences of foreign students who are currently studying here, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) aims to increase the country's artistic and creative influence throughout the world. 

More about news

  • The council expects that more than 48,000 foreign students who are now enrolled in Indian Universities will work as brand ambassadors for India's culture, history, tourist destinations, textiles, yoga, ayurveda, and handicrafts.
  • The ICCR will launch E3, or exit engagement nights: With foreign students starting three to four months before they complete their coursework. 
  • Visits to national monuments are part of the engagements. As students return to their home countries, this "soft diplomacy" is supposed to help spread the word about India.
  • The Indian Tourist Development Corporation, the Khadi Commission, and the Department of Ayush have been chosen by the ICCR to host these evenings. 
  • Aim: In addition to retaining their ties to India, the aim is that they bring some business back to India.
  • India Alumni Portal, 2022: To communicate with the international students from all around the world who have studied in India. 

INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS

  • Founded in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India. 
  • It is an autonomous organisation that comes under the Ministry of Culture.
  • The council's headquarters are in New Delhi, and it also operates through worldwide missions. 

Organization

  • To facilitate its operations, the Council may establish sections at its headquarters, regional offices in different parts of India, and cultural centres and offices overseas. 
  • The Council shall be a corporate body, shall have a permanent seal, and may be sued in its corporate name. 

Objectives 

  • Fostering and strengthening cultural ties and mutual understanding between India and other countries; 
  • Promoting cultural exchange with other countries and peoples;
  • Developing relationships with national and international organisations in the field of culture;
  • Taking part in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes relating to India's external cultural relations.

Activities

  • The council administers several scholarship initiatives each year and provides scholarships to international students from over 180 different nations under 21 distinct programmes. 
  • Six of these 21 programmes are supported by ICCR through its funding, while the remaining 19 are managed on their behalf by the Ministries of External Affairs and Ministry of Ayush. 
  • As part of its efforts to promote "Digital India," ICCR created the "Admissions to Alumni (A2A) Portal" to simplify the application process. The portal includes names of Indian universities as well as any pertinent information on scholarship programmes. 
  • With a wide range of initiatives, the Council carries out its role of cultural diplomacy. The ICCR promotes individual artists in the performing arts and the visual arts in addition to organising cultural festivals both domestically and abroad. It also provides financial support to a number of cultural organisations in India.

Note: 

Soft Diplomacy/ Soft Power

  • The phrase "soft power" was first used by Joseph Nye. The ability to influence other countries by persuasion and appeal rather than coercion or force is known as soft power. Education diplomacy, science diplomacy, public diplomacy, and digital diplomacy are a few of the diplomatic strategies used to develop soft power.
  • Indian example: India has been utilising yoga diplomacy as a strategy for cross-cultural dialogue and global collaboration.  Its centrepiece event is International Yoga Day (June 21 since 2015). It has been celebrated across the world annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

Difference between hard and soft power:

  • Hard power is the tactic of influencing another state's behaviour by coercion, military force, or economic force.
  • The use of culture, values, and ideas to influence the preferences of others is known as "soft power. 
  • By instilling a desire for the aims of the power holder, soft power tries to exert indirect  influence, whereas hard power uses coercion to accomplish its goals.

Several examples in which soft power tools are utilised in global politics and international 

Relations: 

1.E-diplomacy It involves influencing public opinion and intercultural dialogue through the use of websites, blogs, and social media. Social media's significance during the Arab Spring encouraged the use of Twitter and Facebook diplomacy. 

2.Cultural diplomacy Developing relationships with other groups and promoting understanding of a nation's values and culture. Festival and exhibition planning, artist exchanges, and financial assistance for artistic endeavours are examples of cultural diplomacy. 

3.Public Diplomacy

Public diplomacy is used to build relationships with individuals around the globe and project a positive image.  It is a key component of soft power. Countries strengthen ties, advance their foreign policy goals, and boost their influence in the world through public diplomacy.

4.Sports diplomacy

Soft power is increasingly including sports diplomacy as a key component. 

The FIFA World Cup and other events that Qatar has hosted have enhanced its reputation. 

Countries make a lot of lobbying efforts to host sporting events like the Olympics, World Cup,  because of the importance of these events for soft power. 

5.Economic diplomacy

The "Marshall Plan" was employed to build the European Union's economy after World War II. It also influenced the interests of society and culture in Europe. Another example of something that impacts more than just infrastructure and economic development is China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Govt. vows swifter nod for exporters

Context: Ministry of Commerce has unveiled a New Trade Policy, 2023.

About Foreign Trade Policy (FTP):

  • It is a set of rules and procedures for facilitating imports into, augmenting exports from India and creating favourable balance of payment position. 
  • Department of Commerce looks in formulation and monitoring of FTP.
  • Powers to formulate a FTP policy or EXIM policy lies under the Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act, 1992.
  • Director General of Foreign Trade implements FTP

Foreign Trade Policy - 2015-2020:

Goals: 

  • Increase India’s exports of merchandise and services to USD 900 billion by 2019-20
  • Raise India’s share in world exports from 2% to 3.5%.

Objectives:

  1. Stable and sustainable policy environment 
  2. Export Promotion Mission for India; 
  3. Diversification of India’s export basket 
  4. Achieve global competitiveness 
  5. Better integration with major regions and countries, 
  6. Provide boost to Make in India initiative; 
  7. To rationalize imports 
  8.  Reduce the trade imbalance.

Features:

  • FTP 2015-20 introduces two new schemes, namely ‘Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)’ for export of specified goods to specified markets and ‘Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)’ for increasing exports of notified services.
  • Duty credit scrips issued under MEIS and SEIS and the goods imported against these scrips are fully transferable.
  • For grant of rewards under MEIS, the countries have been categorized into 3 Groups, whereas the rates of rewards under MEIS range from 2 per cent to 5 per cent. Under SEIS the selected Services would be rewarded at the rates of 3 per cent and 5 per cent.
  • Measures have been adopted to nudge procurement of capital goods from indigenous manufacturers under the EPCG scheme by reducing specific export obligation to 75per cent of the normal export obligation.
  • Measures have been taken to give a boost to exports of defense and hi-tech items.
  • E-Commerce exports of handloom products, books/periodicals, leather footwear, toys and customised fashion garments through courier or foreign post office would also be able to get benefit of MEIS (for values up to INR 25,000).
  • Manufacturers, who are also status holders, will now be able to self-certify their manufactured goods in phases, as originating from India with a view to qualifying for preferential treatment under various forms of bilateral and regional trade agreements. This ‘Approved Exporter System’ will help manufacturer exporters considerably in getting fast access to international markets.
  • A number of steps have been taken for encouraging manufacturing and exports under 100 per cent EOU/EHTP/STPI/BTP Schemes. The steps include a fast track clearance facility for these units, permitting them to share infrastructure facilities, permitting inter unit transfer of goods and services, permitting them to set up warehouses near the port of export and to use duty free equipment for training purposes.
  • 108 MSME clusters have been identified for focused interventions to boost exports. Accordingly, ‘Niryat Bandhu Scheme’ has been galvanised and repositioned to achieve the objectives of ‘Skill India’.
  • Trade facilitation and enhancing the ease of doing business are the other major focus areas in this new FTP. One of the major objective of new FTP is to move towards paperless working in 24x7 environment.

Why do we need a new Trade policy?

  • Policy of 2015 is old now and has been on extension for two years.
  • New sectors are making their mark: E-commerce, IT, mobile apps etc.
  • India’s export growth has not been very promising (missed last targets)
  • India’s trade deficit is ever widening.
  • Poor diversification of exports with respect to destinations and composition.
  • Poor performance of Free Trade agreements signed with partner nations.
  • New policies and schemes are not in line with Policy of 2015: Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH) Bill, One District One Product, etc.
  • Previous policy missed on the skill development with respect to external sector. 
  • India needs to take advantage of Transition goods and network goods. 

New Trade Policy 2023:

Target: to take India's exports to 2 trillion dollars by 2030. 

4 pillars of FTP 2023: Incentive to Remission, Export promotion through collaboration, Ease of doing business and Emerging Areas.

Provisions:

1. Process Re-Engineering and Automation: The policy emphasizes export promotion and development, moving away from an incentive regime to a regime which is facilitating, based on technology interface and principles of collaboration.

2. Towns of Export Excellence: Four new towns, namely Faridabad, Mirzapur, Moradabad, and Varanasi, have been designated as Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) in addition to the existing 39 towns. The TEEs will have priority access to export promotion funds under the Market Access Initiative scheme and will be able to avail Common Service Provider (CSP) benefits for export fulfilment under the EPCG Scheme. This addition is expected to boost the exports of handlooms, handicrafts, and carpets.

3. Recognition of Exporters: Exporter firms recognized with 'status' based on export performance will now be partners in capacity-building initiatives on a best-endeavor basis. Similar to the 'each one teach one' initiative, 2-star and above status holders would be encouraged to provide trade-related training based on a model curriculum to interested individuals.

4. Promoting export from the districts: The FTP aims at building partnerships with State governments and taking forward the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to promote exports at the district level and accelerate the development of grassroots trade ecosystem. Efforts to identify export worthy products & services and resolve concerns at the district level will be made through an institutional mechanism – State Export Promotion Committee and District Export Promotion Committee at the State and District level, respectively.

5. Streamlining SCOMET Policy: A robust export control system in India would provide access of dual-use High end goods and technologies to Indian exporters while facilitating exports of controlled items/technologies under SCOMET from India.

6. Facilitating E-Commerce Exports:  FTP 2023 outlines the intent and roadmap for establishing e-commerce hubs and related elements such as payment reconciliation, book-keeping, returns policy, and export entitlements. As a starting point, the consignment wise cap on E-Commerce exports through courier has been raised from ₹5Lakh to ₹10 Lakh in the FTP 2023. Depending on the feedback of exporters, this cap will be further revised or eventually removed. Extensive outreach and training activities will be taken up to build capacity of artisans, weavers, garment manufacturers, gems and jewellery designers to onboard them on E-Commerce platforms and facilitate higher exports.

7. Facilitation under Advance authorization Scheme: Special Advance Authorisation Scheme extended to export of Apparel and Clothing sector under para 4.07 of HBP on self-declaration basis to facilitate prompt execution of export orders – Norms would be fixed within fixed timeframe. Benefits of Self-Ratification Scheme for fixation of Input-Output Norms extended to 2 star and above status holders in addition to Authorised Economic Operators at present.

8. Merchanting trade: FTP 2023 has introduced provisions for merchanting trade. Merchanting trade of restricted and prohibited items under export policy would now be possible. Merchanting trade involves shipment of goods from one foreign country to another foreign country without touching Indian ports, involving an Indian intermediary.

9. Amnesty Scheme: government is strongly committed to reducing litigation and fostering trust-based relationships to help alleviate the issues faced by exporters. In line with "Vivaad se Vishwaas" initiative, which sought to settle tax disputes amicably, the government is introducing a special one-time Amnesty Scheme under the FTP 2023 to address default on Export Obligations. All pending cases of the default in meeting Export Obligation (EO) of authorizations mentioned can be regularized on payment of all customs duties that were exempted in proportion to unfulfilled Export Obligation.

To watch in-depth analysis on New Foreign Trade Policy 2023, watch the Daily New Simplified dated 01, April 2023. Follow the link given below:

ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle landing test successful

Context: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted landing experiment of Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstration (RLV - TD) programme.

More on news

For the first time in the world, a winged body has been carried to an altitude of 4.5 km by a helicopter (Chinook) and released for carrying out an autonomous landing on a runway. The release of the RLV was autonomous, as it performed approach and landing manoeuvres using Integrated Navigation, Guidance and Control System and completed the landing on the airstrip.

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RLV – TD

ISRO's RLV-TD is a technology demonstrator for a fully reusable launch vehicle, featuring hypersonic flight, autonomous landing, and powered cruise flight technologies. It has a winged aircraft-like configuration with a fuselage, double delta wings, twin vertical tails, and active control surfaces. It was boosted to Mach no: 5 by a solid booster and will be scaled up to become India's first stage of a reusable two-stage orbital launch vehicle. 

Objectives of RLV – TD

  1. Hypersonic aero thermodynamic characterisation of wing body
  2. Evaluation of autonomous Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC) schemes 
  3. Integrated flight management 
  4. Thermal Protection System Evaluation

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

  • It is the space agency of India which is involved in science, engineering and technology to harvest the benefits of outer space for India and the mankind. 
  • ISRO was previously the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), set up by the Government of India in 1962, as envisioned by Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai. 
  • ISRO was formed on August 15, 1969 and superseded INCOSPAR with an expanded role to harness space technology. 
  • Department of Space (DOS) was set up and ISRO was brought under DOS in 1972. 
  • ISRO has its headquarters in Bengaluru. 
  • The activities of ISRO are guided by its Chairman, who would also be the secretary of DOS and Chairman of Space commission – the apex body that formulates the policies and overseas the implementation of the Indian Space Programme.
Centres & Units of ISROActivities
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ThiruvananthapuramBuilding of Launch Vehicles
U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), BengaluruDevelopment and designing of Satellites
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), SriharikotaIntegration and launching of satellites and launch vehicles
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), Valiamala & BengaluruDevelopment of liquid stages including cryogenic stage
Space Applications Centre (SAC), AhmedabadSensors for Communication and Remote Sensing satellites and application aspects of the space technology
National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad. Remote Sensing satellite data reception processing and dissemination

Chinook Helicopter

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  • The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor helicopter developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol. 
  • The Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter that is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters.
  • It has a top speed of 310 km per hour and is one of the fastest helicopters in the world.
  • It is also very effective in rescue and relief missions during national disasters, due to capability to carry heavy loads.
  • The Indian Air Force operates a fleet of 15 Boeing made Chinook helicopters, which were acquired from the US in 2015 and were inducted into service in 2019.

India needs a national programme on autism

Context: World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated on 2nd April Which highlights the fact that more than one crore Indians are affected with autism which requires the intervention of the government.

What is autism? 

Autism is a developmental disorder with symptoms that appear within the first three years of life. Its formal diagnostic name is autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The word “spectrum” indicates that autism appears in different forms with varying levels of severity. That means that each individual with autism experiences their own unique strengths, symptoms, and challenges.

How autism spectrum disorders are described?

Psychiatrists and other clinicians rely on the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to define autism and its symptoms. The DSM-5 definition recognizes two main symptom areas: 

  • Deficits in social communication and interaction Restricted, 
  • Repetitive behaviours, interests, or activities.

These symptoms appear early in a child’s development—although diagnosis may occur later. Autism is diagnosed when symptoms cause developmental challenges that are not better explained by other conditions. 

Autism symptoms and behaviours 

Individuals with autism may present a range of symptoms, such as: 

  • Reduced eye contact 
  • Differences in body language 
  • Lack of facial expressions 
  • Not engaging in imaginative play 
  • Repeating gestures or sounds 
  • Closely focused interests 
  • Indifference to temperature extremes 

These are just a few examples of the symptoms an individual with autism may experience. Any individual could have some, all, or none of these symptoms. 

Keep in mind that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has autism. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose autism spectrum disorder. 

Each person with autism has their own strengths, likes, dislikes, interests, challenges, and skills, just like you do. 

How autism is diagnosed? 

There is no known biological marker for autism. That means that no blood or genetic test can diagnose the disorder. Instead, clinicians rely on observation, medical histories, and questionnaires to determine whether an individual has autism. Physicians and specialists may use one or several of the following screening tools: 

  • Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT), a 20-question test designed for toddlers between 16 and 30 months old. 
  • The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), a general developmental screening tool with sections targeting specific ages used to identify any developmental challenges a child may have. 
  • Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT), an interactive screening tool, comprising 12 activities that assess play, communication, and imitation. 
  • Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) is a general developmental parent interview form that identifies areas of concern by asking parents questions. 

In rare cases, individuals with autism reach adulthood before receiving a diagnosis. However, most individuals receive an autism diagnosis before the age of 8. 

Autism Prognosis 

Autism is a lifelong condition, and a wide variety of treatments can help support people with ASD. The symptoms and comorbidities—conditions occurring in the same individual—are treatable. 

  • Early intervention delivers the best results. Parents and caregivers should seek out the advice of a qualified medical professional before starting any autism treatment. 
  • Advances in understanding autism, its symptoms, and comorbidities have improved outcomes for individuals with autism. 

Co-occurring conditions 

When a person has more than two or more disorders, these conditions are known as comorbidities. Several comorbidities are common in people with autism. These include: 

  • Anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • Epilepsy 
  • Gastrointestinal and immune function disorders 
  • Metabolic disorders 
  • Sleep disorders 

Identifying co-occurring conditions can sometimes be a challenge because their symptoms may be mimicked or masked by autism symptoms. However, diagnosing and identifying these conditions can help avoid complications and improve the quality of life for individuals with autism. 

Why India needs a national programme on autism?

  • Cultural differences and diagnosis: The majority of children with an autism spectrum diagnosis within the United States and the United Kingdom are likely to be verbal, with average or higher than average IQ, and attend mainstream schools. In contrast, a significant majority of children in India who get a clinical diagnosis of autism often also have an intellectual disability and limited verbal ability. 

Autism is assessed behaviourally, and behavioural assessment tools (i.e., questionnaires or interviews with professionals) are the starting point for all research and clinical work on autism. Yet, most of the widely used autism assessment tools have limited availability in Indian languages.

  • Poor supply of specialists in India: According to the latest estimates, India has less than 10,000 psychiatrists, a majority of whom are concentrated in big cities. 

While the number of mental health professionals continues to grow, the current gap between demand and supply cannot be met directly by the specialists alone. 

This gap is not relevant for behavioural assessments alone but also for providing psychological interventions. Parallel efforts to widen the reach of diagnostic and intervention services by involving non-specialists (e.g., Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)/Anganwadi workers, parents/caregivers) and the appropriate digital technology (e.g., apps, smartphones) that can capture both self/caregiver report as well as observational data.

What should be the components of the all-India programme on autism?

A national programme on autism should aim at:

  • linking researchers, clinicians, and service providers to the end-users in the autism community in India. 
  • Assessment, 
  • Intervention, and 
  • Awareness. 
  • Promoting R&D in the Autism
  • Expansion of clinical and support service workforce by training non-specialists such that a stepped-care model can be rolled out effectively across the nation. 
  • Consultation with different stakeholders

Rising Antarctic ice melt will dramatically slow global ocean flows study says

Context: New research published in the journal Nature, has found that rapidly melting Antarctic ice is dramatically slowing down the flow of water through the world’s oceans, and could have a disastrous impact on global climate, the marine food chain and even the stability of ice shelves.

What is overturning circulation?

  • The “overturning circulation” of the oceans, driven by the movement of denser water towards the sea floor, helps deliver heat, carbon, oxygen and vital nutrients around the globe.
  • Ocean overturning allows nutrients to rise up from the bottom.

What the study found

  • As temperatures rise, freshwater from Antarctica’s melting ice enters the ocean, reducing the salinity and density of the surface water and diminishing that downward flow to the sea’s bottom.
  • According to a study, deep ocean water flows from the Antarctic could decline by 40% by 2050.
  • Disrupting the base of the food chain: The slow flow of water near Antarctica will slow down the whole circulation and will reduce the number of nutrients that get returned from the deep ocean back up to the surface.
  • Leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere: The ocean would not be able to absorb as much carbon dioxide as its upper layers become more stratified, leaving more CO2 in the atmosphere. 
  • The study showed that warm water intrusions in the western Antarctican ice shelf would increase.

About Antarctica

Definition of Antarctica: All the Land and ice shelves to the south of 60-degree latitude.

Antarctica Treaty

  • It was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58. 
  • It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. 
  • The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 56 (Including India).

Provisions:

  • Antarctica should be used only for peaceful purposes.  No country should build military bases.
  • Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica.
  • No country should claim sovereignty over Antarctica based on setting up of Research stations.
  • No Nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes
  • Countries to take appropriate efforts to abide by the provisions of the treaty.

India and Antarctica:

  • India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983.
  • India ratified the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in 1985.
  • India signed Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1998. (Madrid Protocol)
  • India's research stations in Antarctica: Dakshin Gangotri (De-commissioned now); Maitri and Bharati. Managed by National Centre for Polar and Ocean
  • Research (NCPOR), Goa under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Nov 2021: India launched its 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica.

European Commission grants GI tag for Himachal’s Kangra tea

Context: Recently, Himachal Pradesh’s famous Kangra Tea has been awarded a protected Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the European Union (EU), opening up new opportunities for the tea to enter the European market.

The EC notified granting PGI on March 22 and this will come into effect from April 11, 2023.

The key characteristics of 'Kangra tea’

  • It is produced in the slopes of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges of the Western Himalayas. The tea is cultivated in various areas, including Palampur, Baijnath, Kangra, Dharmshala, Jogindernagar, and Bhatiyat.
  • It is grown at an elevation ranging from 900 to 1,400 metres above sea level with the annual rainfall being 270-350 cm.  
  • This unique tea is derived from the leaves, buds, and tender stems of the Camellia sinensis species cultivated in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India.
  • It is available in green, oolong, white, and orthodox black types. While the black tea has a sweet lingering after-taste, the green tea has a delicate woody aroma. 
  • The tea has a light colour, high body in liquor, and leaves that contain up to 13% catechins, 3% caffeine, and amino acids such as theanine, glutamine, and tryptophan.
  • Kangra tea is a little milder than Darjeeling tea in terms of flavour and has more body and liquor.
  • Kangra Tea previously received an Indian Geographical Indication tag in 2005, and since 1999, the cultivation and development of the tea have steadily improved in the Kangra region.

About geographical indication

  • A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin. In order to function as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a given place.

In India

Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003.The Act would be administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications under Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, which is in turn under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry

  • The term “geographical indications”, in its broad sense, includes a variety of concepts used in international treaties and national/regional jurisdictions, such as: appellation of origin (AO), protected designation of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indication (PGI). 

For instance

  • “Appellation of origin” is defined in the Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration and in the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications.
  • “Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)” and “Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)” are terms used within the European Union.
  • Protected designation of origin (PDO): Product names registered as PDO are those that have the strongest links to the place in which they are made.

Specifications: Every part of the production, processing and preparation process must take place in the specific region.

Products: food, agricultural products and wines.

  • Protected geographical indication (PGI): PGI emphasises the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

Products: food, agricultural products and wines.

Specifications: For most products, at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the region. 

Poll bonds on sale for 10 days starting from April 3

Electoral Bonds

  • Electoral Bonds are bearer instrument, sort of a Promissory Note and are an interest free banking instrument. 
  • Electoral Bond shall be issued for any value, in multiples of Rs 1000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore from the Specified Branches of the State Bank of India (SBI). 
  •  The purchaser would be allowed to buy Electoral Bonds only on due fulfilment of all the extant KYC norms and by making payment from a bank account. It will not carry the name of payee.
  •  The Electoral Bonds would have a life of only 15 days during which it can be used for making donation only to political parties which has secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or to Legislative Assembly.
  • Every political party in its returns will have to disclose the amount of donations it has received through electoral bonds to the Election Commission.

Concerns associated with electoral bonds

  • Identity of Donor remains unknown goes against transparency of electoral funding
  • No Upper Limit for Donation Increases Corruption and red tapism through undisclosed identity.
  • Exemption allowed under RTI Act – Section 8(1)(e) , Results in Frivolous Donations from unaccounted source. Further it strengthens Corporate-Political Nexus and results in quid pro quo scenario post elections.
  • Prohibition of donation to be provided by companies older than 3 years removed. This will lead to formation of Shell Companies to route funds as part of electoral finance.
  • Restrictions on corporates for donating more than 7.5% of their average net profit over the previous 3 years to the Political parties removed. FCRA Amendment enables political parties to accept donations from foreign companies – Indian elections may have foreign influence.