Month: September 2023

Categories
Trivia

Omkareshwar’s 108-foot Adi Shankaracharya Statue

  • The 108-foot-tall ‘Ekatmata Ki Pratima’ (Statue of Oneness) statue of Hindu saint Adi Shankaracharya was recently unveiled in Omkareshwar, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • This project is part of the government’s efforts to make Omkareshwar a popular religious and tourist destination.

Adi Shankaracharya: A Brief Overview

  • Adi Shankaracharya, also known as Sankara (Jagatguru), was a notable Indian philosopher and theologian. He was a fervent supporter of ancient Hinduism.
  • Kaladi, his birthplace in Ernakulam, Kerala, is set to become a national monument.
  • Govinda Bhagavatpada, his guru, guided him as he meticulously studied works such as ‘Gaudapadiya Karika,’ ‘Brahmasutra,’ Vedas, and Upanishads.
  • Shankara spread the philosophies of ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and ‘Dashanami Sampradaya,’ giving him the title of ‘Shankaracharya’ among his followers.

His religion is Advaita Vedanta.

  • Non-dualism: Shankaracharya’s philosophy, known as ‘Advaita Vedanta,’ is non-dualist.
  • Final Reality: It states that the cosmos exists as a result of Brahman’s creative activity (Maya), the ultimate, transcendent, and immanent God of the later Vedas.
  • Identity of Self: According to Advaita Vedanta, the transcendental self of the cosmos (Atman) and the experiencing self (Jiva) are both Brahman in truth. However, the individual self appears to be distinct from space as a whole, similar to how space inside a container appears to be unique from space as a whole.
  • Overcoming Error: Errors and ignorance cause multiplicity (Avidya), but comprehending Brahman eliminates these errors, resulting in liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and worldly servitude.

Adi Shankaracharya’s disciples

  • Shankaracharya’s four closest pupils were instrumental in spreading his teachings:
  • Padmapada is well-known for his profound dedication and poetry.
  • Totakacharya: A devotee of Shankaracharya’s mission who is renowned for his poetry “Totakashtakam.”
  • Hasta Malaka: A kid genius whose mastery of Advaita philosophy shocked Shankaracharya.
  • Sureshwara: A householder at first, he became a disciple after losing a philosophical dispute against Shankaracharya.

Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya

  • Shankaracharya established the ‘Shanmata’ system, which prioritised devotion of the five major deities and restored the Dashanami structure.
  • He wrote several devotional and meditative hymns as well as essential Advaita Vedanta writings, including commentaries on major scriptures.
  • Adi Shankaracharya revitalised Hinduism during a period when it was under attack from Jainism and Buddhism, fostering unity and re-establishing traditions.
  • He founded four monastic institutions (Mathas) in various parts of India, uniting the country and codifying leadership roles:
    • Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetam is located in Chikmaglur, Karnataka.
    • Jyotir Matha in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region
    • Dwarka, Gujarat’s Kalika Matha
    • Govardhana Matha is located in Puri, Odisha.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/madhya-pradesh-cm-adi-shankaracharya-omkareshwar-significance-8951323/#:~:text=Madhya%20Pradesh%20Chief%20Minister%20Shivraj,said%20to%20have%20visited%20Omkareshwar.
Categories
Science & Tech

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) from Neuralink

Neuralink, Elon Musk’s brain implant business, has stated that it is one step closer to implanting brain implants in people.

The Vision of Neuralink

  • Neuralink controls neural signals for movement using microscopic brain implants.
  • These implants use a Bluetooth software to convert ideas into actions.

The Science of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

  • They implant a small chip in the brain.
  • This chip reads and transmits brain signals to an app, converting ideas into actions.
  • It begins by assisting paralysed patients in controlling a computer cursor with their thoughts.
  • Some BCIs detect brain impulses using sensor-filled devices such as hairnets.
  • They have the ability to activate multiple areas of the brain, which has shown promise in treating disorders such as depression.

India’s Position in Brain Technology

  • In India, C-DAC is developing BCIs to capture brain waves that indicate intents.
  • This project is being tested by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
  • An Indian firm, BrainSight AI, scans brain connections to better comprehend neurological diseases.

The Impact of Indian Innovations

  • Indian BCIs, like as Neuralink’s, attempt to assist paralysed people in moving and communicating.
  • They could potentially be used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
  • These technologies are being tested in Indian hospitals.

Challenges Ahead

  • Invasive BCIs, such as Neuralink’s, confront regulations and require a large amount of data.
  • Non-invasive BCIs are becoming more popular.
  • Indian institutes are actively testing and mapping these technologies.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/neuralink-receives-fda-clearance-to-begin-human-trials-of-its-brain-computer-interface-001504243.html
Categories
History

Why was Gandhi opposed to caste-based separate elections?

  • During India’s independence fight, Mahatma Gandhi utilised fasting as a powerful instrument to urge for change.
  • He used it as a form of personal penance as well as a tactic of putting pressure on the British authorities to meet his requests.

The Gandhi-Ambedkar Controversy

  • The Year 1932 Was a Watershed Moment: Gandhi began a hunger strike against the idea of separate electorates for the harijans (lower castes) in September 1932, within the walls of the Yerawada Central Jail in Pune. This action sparked a heated argument with another important politician, B.R. Ambedkar.
  • The Debate’s Aftermath: The “Gandhi-Ambedkar debate” centred on their opposing ideas on caste and ultimately shaped India’s reservation system.
  • Gandhi’s Changing Beliefs Regarding Caste Gandhi maintained conventional ideas on caste in his early years, advocating prohibitions on inter-dining and inter-marriage. He saw caste as an important aspect of Hinduism.

Beliefs Changed

  • As Gandhi became a key figure in India’s freedom movement, his beliefs changed. He championed unity and opposed untouchability, partly influenced by the growing Dalit movement, referring to untouchables as “harijans” or “children of God.”
  • Important Quote: In 1936, Gandhi stated, “I do know that it [untouchability] is harmful both to spiritual and national good.”

Ambedkar’s Radical Caste Opinions

  • Ambedkar’s Point of View: Ambedkar’s position was more extreme than Gandhi’s. He argued that mere reform would not be sufficient to reverse generations of discrimination. He contended that change would occur only when the oppressed rejected their situation, including the divine authority of the shastras (holy books) that upheld caste.
  • Political Empowerment: Ambedkar emphasised the importance of political power in addressing lower caste problems, and recommended separate electorates as a form of affirmative action.
  • Explained: Separate Electorates Separate electorates for lower castes were proposed by Ambedkar, allowing people to vote for candidates from their own community as well as in the general electorate. He believed that doing so would empower the lower classes.

Gandhi’s Opposition to Electoral Separation

  • Gandhi’s Point of View: Gandhi was opposed to separate electorates, believing that they did not do enough for lower castes. He thought that lower castes should strive for leadership rather than settling for a tiny proportion of seats.
  • Concerns: Gandhi was concerned that separate electorates would further divide Hindu society and play into the hands of British colonial authorities who took advantage of internal divides.
  • Difficult Times: Gandhi’s fears were exacerbated by escalating tensions between Hindus and Muslims at the time. Separate electorates for lower castes alongside those for Muslims would erode Hindu unity.

The Poona Pact and the Yerawada Fast

  • Gandhi’s Hunger Strike: In September 1932, Gandhi went on a hunger strike in Yerawada Jail in protest against caste-based elections. He described it as a “God-given opportunity” to give his life for the oppressed.
  • Ambedkar’s Dilemma: Ambedkar was faced with a difficult decision. Giving in to Gandhi’s requests was tough because it contradicted his own beliefs. However, Gandhi’s enormous popularity and the threat of violence against Dalits put him under strain.
  • Under duress, Ambedkar eventually signed the Poona Pact, gaining reservations for poorer castes while putting the idea of separate electorates to rest.

Legacy of the Fast

  • Some regard Gandhi’s fast as a means of thwarting British “divide and rule” methods. Others saw it as coercion because Ambedkar had no alternative but to concede. Ambedkar wondered why Gandhi did not fast against untouchability.
  • Unresolved Tensions: The legacy of the discussion lives on. While the Poona Pact addressed immediate problems, it did not solve long-standing challenges of political representation and social transformation inside India’s caste structure.
  • “The Joint Electorate is… a ‘Rotten Borough’ in which the Hindus get the right to nominate an untouchable to set nominally as a representative of the untouchables but really as a tool of the Hindus,” Ambedkar later remarked.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-history/why-gandhi-opposed-caste-based-separate-electorates-8952163/
Categories
Polity

Majority Structures in Parliament

  • The women’s reservation measure was enacted by Parliament with a near-unanimous 2/3rd majority vote.
  • The Rajya Sabha approved the bill with an overwhelming majority vote.
  • The measure, which seeks to reserve one-third of seats in central and state legislatures for women, received 454 votes in the Lok Sabha.

Types of Majority Votes

 DescriptionExamples of Use
Absolute MajorityMore than 50% of the total membership of the house.Formation of government at the Center and States.
Effective MajorityMore than 50% of the effective strength of the house (total strength minus vacancies).Removal of Vice-president in RS, Speaker/Deputy Speaker removal.
Simple MajorityMore than 50% of the members present and voting.Passing Ordinary/Money/Financial bills, Confidence Motion, etc.
Special MajorityAll majorities other than absolute, effective, or simple majority.Constitutional amendment bills, National emergency approval, etc.
Types of Special Majority:
Article 2492/3rd members present and voting.Empowering Parliament to make laws in the state list.
Article 3682/3rd members present and voting + more than 50% of the total strength of the house.Constitutional amendment bills not affecting federalism.
Article 368 + State Ratification2/3 of members present and voting + a simple majority of state legislatures.Constitutional amendment bills affecting federalism.
Article 612/3 of the total number of members in the house.Impeachment of the Indian President.
Source: https://knowindia.india.gov.in/profile/the-union/legislature.php
Categories
International Relations

China, the United States, and India are all missing from the Climate Ambition Summit

  • The Climate Ambition Summit (CAS), which took place in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, has come to an end.
  • China, the United States, and India were absent, despite accounting for over 42% of global greenhouse gas emissions and ranking as the top three polluters.

Climate Ambition Summit (CAS)

PurposeStrengthen global climate action and increase climate ambition.
Anniversary of Paris AgreementTypically held on December 12th, coinciding with the Paris Agreement’s anniversary.
Linked to Paris AgreementConnected to the international treaty aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C or 1.5°C.
Hosts and ParticipantsHosted by countries/regions; attended by heads of state, officials, organizations, and stakeholders.
Commitments and PledgesPlatform for announcing climate commitments, NDCs, funding, and policy measures.
Climate FinanceDiscussions on financing mitigation and adaptation in developing countries.
Global CooperationEmphasizes collective efforts and solidarity in addressing climate change.
OutcomeResults in declarations and announcements reflecting increased ambition.
Subsequent COPsContributions influence discussions at future UN Climate Change Conferences.
Climate EmergencyAcknowledges climate emergency and the need for urgent, transformative action.
Non-State ActorsProvides a platform for businesses, cities, and civil society to showcase actions.
Long-Term GoalsMay include goals like achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century.

India’s Participation

  • India’s climate obligations were last updated in 2022, with the goal of reducing emissions intensity (the volume of emissions per unit of GDP) by 45% from 2005 levels by 2030, a 10% increase from its 2015 promise.
  • India also committed to meeting 50% of its electricity demand with renewable, non-fossil fuel energy sources by 2030, as well as creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent.
  • PM Modi stated in 2021 that India will attain net-zero emissions by 2070.
  • However, experts believe that these efforts may not be sufficient to satisfy the Paris Agreement’s targets.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/india-us-china-absent-at-uns-climate-summit/article67329914.ece
Categories
Environment & Biodiversity

Mithun of the Northeast receives the ‘Food Animal’ label

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officially designated the mithun as a ‘food animal,’ paving the way for commercial exploitation.

Mithun’s Biography

  • The Mithun, also known as the Gayal (Bos frontalis in science), is thought to have originated from the Indian Gaur or bison.
  • Aylmer Bourke Lambert described it for the first time in 1804.
  • It is culturally and economically vital to Arunachal Pradesh tribes such as the Nyishi, Apatani, Galo, and Adi.
  • Northeast India, Bangladesh, northern Myanmar, and Yunnan, China are all part of its range.
  • It is also known as the ‘cattle of the mountain.’
  • Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland have gayals as their state animals.

Conservation status

  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I.

Acceptance as a ‘Food Animal’

  • This action has inspired attempts to assist farmers and tribal communities in economically benefiting from the sale and processing of mithun meat.
  • The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has launched the M-ANITRA app, which allows Mithun farmers to register as both “buyers” and “sellers” in order to engage in competitive trade.
  • Mithun farmers from various areas in Northeast India have been trained by organisations such as the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun.
  • Farmers are implementing mithun protection practises including as enclosures, night shelters, and immunisations.
  • Mithuns can earn high rates as meat, with an average selling price of Rs 300 per kilogramme.
  • Farmers are ecstatic at the prospect of commercially selling mithun meat.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/northeasts-mithun-gets-food-animal-tag-and-its-meat-a-leg-up-8948348/
Categories
Environment & Biodiversity

Gurnards: A new species of fish has been identified in Bengal’s Digha harbour

  • Gurnards, a new species of deep water marine fish with a stunning orange hue, have been discovered by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
  • This amazing discovery was uncovered off the shore of Digha Mohana in West Bengal.

Sea-robins or Gurnards

  • The new species belongs to the Triglidae family, which includes gurnards and sea-robins.
  • This species, known as Pterygotrigla intermedica, distinguishes itself from its congeners, such as Pterygotrigla hemisticta.
  • It is the fourth species of the Pterygotrigla genus to be discovered in India.
  • This family contains a global diversity of 178 species, emphasising the importance of this discovery.
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/new-fish-species-discovered-in-bengal-s-digha-harbour-91875#:~:text=Published%3A%20Thursday%2021%20September%202023&text=The%20scientists%20of%20the%20Zoological,belongs%20to%20the%20family%20Triglidae.
Categories
Science & Tech

TrueNat Nipah Detection Test

  • The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has given Kerala permission to utilise the TrueNat test to detect Nipah.
  • The test can be performed in hospitals with BSL 2 level labs.

What exactly is the TrueNat Test?

  • TrueNat is a molecular diagnostic test used to diagnose infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19.
  • A Goa-based startup created this portable, chip-based, battery-powered system.
  • It relies on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to amplify and detect specific genetic material (RNA or DNA) from the target pathogen.
  • TrueNat has been authorised by the WHO for identifying tuberculosis since it is a low-cost variation of the PCR test.
  • TrueNat devices are meant to be portable and simple to use in a variety of contexts, including rural or resource-limited places.
  • This feature has proven especially effective for tuberculosis diagnosis in areas with minimal healthcare facilities.

Concerning RT-PCR

  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique for detecting and quantifying DNA or RNA sequences in biological samples.
  • It uses PCR amplification in conjunction with fluorescent probes to detect DNA amplification in real time.
  • This enables the quantification of specific genetic material, making it useful for gene expression analysis, disease diagnosis, and genetic research.
  • Its great sensitivity, specificity, and speed of results make it a popular tool in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9205002/
Categories
Polity

The Constitutional Court will hear a challenge to Section 6A of the Citizenship Act

A Constitutional Court has agreed to hold hearings on a number of petitions challenging the legitimacy of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act of 1955.

Section 6A’s History

  • Following the signing of the ‘Assam Accord’ Memorandum of Settlement on August 15, 1985, Section 6A was added as a special provision to the 1955 Act.
  • This agreement, supported by the Rajiv Gandhi government, sought to safeguard Assam’s cultural, linguistic, and social identities.
  • It marked the end of a six-year-long struggle against illegal immigrants, especially from Bangladesh, led by the All Assam Students Union.

Legal Challenge

  • Defence of the Centre: The Union government has maintained that Section 6A is legally sound and has asked the court to dismiss the petitions. These petitions were filed over 40 years after Section 6A was enacted.
  • Section 6A Provisions: Under Section 6A, foreigners who entered Assam prior to January 1, 1966 and were “ordinarily resident” in the State were accorded all of the rights and obligations of Indian citizens. Those who arrived in the state between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, received comparable rights and obligations but were barred from voting for ten years.
  • Petitioners, including Assam Public Works, contend that Section 6A’s “discriminatory” nature in granting citizenship to immigrants, particularly illegal immigrants, violates Article 6 of the Constitution, which establishes the cutoff date for granting citizenship to immigrants as July 19, 1948.

Key Points of Disagreement

  • Cultural Rights Preservation: The Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, a civil society organisation located in Guwahati, has urged that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam be updated using the 1951 NRC rather than the March 1971 electoral registers.
  • Involvement of the Supreme Court: In December 2014, the Supreme Court issued 13 questions concerning the constitutionality of Section 6A, including its impact on Assamese citizens’ political rights and whether it violated the Assamese people’s right to preserve their cultural identity. A three-judge Bench referred the case to a Constitution Bench in 2015.

Why are we debating this?

  • The Section 6A lawsuit has been ongoing for several years, overlapping with the Supreme Court’s monitoring of the final Assam NRC list, which removed nearly 19 lakh people, in August 2019.
  • In addition, the disputed Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which gave rapid citizenship to immigrants from minority communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, was passed in recent years.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/assam-nrc-supreme-court-petitions-challenging-section-6a-citizenship-act-from-october-17-2438259-2023-09-20#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20Constitution%20bench,Citizenship%20Act%20has%20been%20challenged.
Categories
Uncategorized

Nuakhai Festival

On the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai, the Prime Minister has greeted the people.

Background

  • In Chhattisgarh, Nuakhai, also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat, is also known as Navakhai Parv.
  • Nuakhai is an agricultural festival observed primarily by tribal tribes and Hindus in Western Odisha.
  • It is also seen in nearby Simdega in Jharkhand, where the cultural influence of Western Odisha is strong.
  • The advent of the new rice harvest is marked by Nuakhai.
  • The term “nua” means “new,” and “khai” means “food,” representing the farmers’ possession of freshly harvested rice.
  • This event takes place on the panchami tithi (fifth day) of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (typically August-September).
  • It takes place the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Historical Foundations

  • Nuakhai has its roots in ancient times, with the Pralambana Yajna, which entails harvesting the first crop and presenting a reverent offering to the mother goddess.
  • The festival’s current shape is related to the reign of the first Chauhan King Ramai Deva of Patnagarh in western Odisha.

Celebration Schedule

  • Nuakhai celebrations consist of nine ceremonies, beginning with Behrana and ending with Juhar Bhet.
  • Beheren: This is the notice of the meeting date.
  • Nuakhai: The highlight of the festival is eating the freshly gathered produce after offering it to the deity, which is accompanied by boisterous dancing and singing.
  • Juhar bhet: It entails requesting blessings from elders and giving presents as a sign of respect and affection.
Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/sep/20/odisha-no-nuakhai-joy-for-displaced-residents-2616578.html
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