Current Affairs 11 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. COP27: New Loss and Damage Fund Established, Wealthy Nations Lag in Commitments
2. Determining Minority Educational Institution (MEI) Status
3. NSCN (I-M) Seeks Third-Party Mediation in Naga Political Issue
4. PyPIM Platform
5. Digital Population Clock
6. Exercise AUSTRAHIND

COP27: New Loss and Damage Fund Established, Wealthy Nations Lag in Commitments

Context:

At the UNFCCC COP27 in 2022, held in Sharm El Sheikh, a significant development was the creation of a loss and damage fund aimed at assisting climate-vulnerable nations, especially Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Despite this progress, wealthier nations, which are the largest carbon emitters, have not fulfilled their financial commitments to the fund. This lack of support leaves many vulnerable countries without the necessary resources to tackle the impacts of climate change, highlighting a gap between agreed actions and actual financial contributions.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
2. Direct and Indirect impacts
3. Developed Countries Need to Pay Up

Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is a unique group of countries that shares similar challenges as far as the dimension of sustainable development is concerned. Despite the scenic beauties and wonderful cultures of these beautiful countries, SIDS suffers from vulnerability in social, economic, and environmental dimensions.

Characteristics of SIDS

• Geographical Distribution SIDS are spread in three major regions of the world: the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS) regions. This wide spread to the waters underlines the global nature of the group and the diversified challenges they face.
• At Global Forums: The peculiar condition of SIDS was globally acknowledged through the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992. Their specific environmental and developmental needs have called the world’s attention due to their distinction among the rest of the developing states.

Some of the Countries that fall in this Category of SIDS

They include the following nations who are categorized under the rubric of SIDS.

• Caribbean: Countries including Jamaica and Barbados; whose cultures are very strong and tourism-based.
• Pacific: Countries including Fiji and Samoa; known for best marine biodiversity and culture.
• AIS: Countries include Maldives and Seychelles, like beauty but the highest to be threatened by sea level rise.

Developmental Challenges

• Environmental Vulnerabilities: Hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis might affect many SIDS. Once more, the threat of climatic changes like sea-level rise poses an impassable threat to the SIDS as they are lowland countries.
• Economic Vulnerabilities: The lack of wider natural and economic resources, coupled with a reliance on single sectors of economies such as tourism and fisheries, places SIDS at higher risks from international economic fluctuations.
• Social Challenges: High population density, limited land, and remote locations form complex social issues, among which is mostly limited access to good healthcare and education.

Direct and Indirect impacts

• The changes are not felt immediately, but rather as the economy stalls, tourism dries up, and expensive recovery plans inhibit spending in other areas.
• In all, from 2000 to 2020, these direct and indirect impacts may have cost small island states a total of US$141 billion.
• That works out to around US$2,000 per person on average, although this figure underplays just how bad things can get in some places.
• Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused damage to the Caribbean island of Dominica worth more than double its entire GDP. That amounted to around US$20,000 per person, overnight. Almost a decade later, the country is still struggling with one of the largest debt burdens on earth at over 150% of GDP.
• Of these huge aggregate losses across all the small island development states, around 38% are attributable to climate change.
• Small island economies are among the worst affected by severe weather. These island states have three to five times more climate-related loss and damage than other states, as a percentage of government revenues.
• That’s true even for wealthier small island states, like the Bahamas and Barbados, where loss and damage is four times greater than other high-income countries.
• For all small island nations, the economic impacts will increase, with “attributable” losses from extreme weather reaching US$75 billion by 2050 if global temperatures hit 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

Developed Countries Need to Pay Up

• One of the key discussions at the forthcoming COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be the “new collective quantified goal”. This is the technical name to describe how much money wealthy countries will need to contribute to help vulnerable nations to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• That overall goal must also include a target to finance small islands and other vulnerable countries, with billions more needed per year in the new loss and damage fund.
• Given the extent of actual and likely losses, nothing less than ambition on the scale of a “modern Marshall Plan” for these states will do.
• In addition to this extra financing, the fund will need to work effectively to support the most climate vulnerable nations and populations when severe weather occurs.
• The fund could create a budget support mechanism that can help small island states and other vulnerable countries deal with loss of income and the negative effects on growth.
• It could make sure loss and damage funds can be released quickly, and ensure support is channelled to those who need it the most. It could also make more concessional finance available for recovery, especially for the most adversely affected sectors like agriculture and tourism.

-Source: Down To Earth

Determining Minority Educational Institution (MEI) Status

Context:

In a significant ruling, a 7-judge bench of the Supreme Court, without deciding whether Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) qualifies as a minority institution, overruled a 1967 judgment by a 5-judge bench in the Azeez Basha case. The majority opinion established elaborate parameters for assessing the minority character of an institution. The court has tasked a regular bench with adjudicating the 57-year-old controversy surrounding AMU’s status, using these newly defined parameters to guide their decision. This development opens a new chapter in the legal examination of minority rights in educational institutions in India.

Relevance:

GS II: Education

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Historical and Legal Context of AMU’s Minority Status Case
2. Constitutional Protections and Benefits for Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs)
3. Supreme Court Criteria for Determining Minority Educational Institution (MEI) Status
4. Implications of the Supreme Court’s Test for MEI Status

Historical and Legal Context of AMU’s Minority Status Case

Transformation from MAO College to AMU

• Origin as MAO College: The Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, established in 1877, was transformed into Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1920 through an act passed by the central legislature.
• Change in Status: The government contended that this transformation altered the original minority status of the institution, sparking significant legal debates on its status as a minority educational institution.

Key Legal Milestones

• Azeez Basha Case (1967): In this pivotal case, the Supreme Court of India ruled that AMU was not established by the Muslim community but was instead created by an act of the central legislature in 1920. This judgment stated that AMU did not qualify as a minority institution under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution.
• Legislative Amendments and Challenges (1981-2006):
  • 1981 Amendment: An amendment to the AMU Act asserted that the university was established by the Muslim community, aiming to reclaim its status as a minority institution.
  • 2005 Reservation Policy: AMU implemented a 50% reservation for Muslim students in postgraduate medical courses, furthering its assertion as a minority institution.
  • 2006 Allahabad High Court Ruling: The court struck down the 1981 amendment and the reservation policy, ruling that AMU did not have minority status.

Supreme Court Referral (2019)

• In 2019, the controversy surrounding the minority status of AMU was escalated to the Supreme Court of India, which then referred the issue to a seven-judge bench for a more comprehensive evaluation.

Constitutional Protections and Benefits for Minority Educational Institutions (MEIs)

Article 30 of the Indian Constitution

• Rights of Minorities: Article 30(1) grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, ensuring their ability to preserve and develop their culture and language.

Article 15(5)

• Special Privileges for MEIs: This provision exempts minority educational institutions from implementing reservations in admissions for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), allowing them to maintain control over admissions and staff recruitment.

Advantages of Minority Status

• Reservation of Seats: Minority institutions can reserve up to 50% of their seats for students from their community, promoting educational advancement within the group.
• Autonomy in Administration: These institutions enjoy considerable autonomy, allowing them to tailor their administrative and educational strategies to better serve their community’s unique cultural and educational needs.

Supreme Court Criteria for Determining Minority Educational Institution (MEI) Status

The Supreme Court of India has set forth specific criteria and tests to ascertain whether an educational institution qualifies as a Minority Educational Institution (MEI). These guidelines aim to ensure that institutions claiming minority status genuinely serve the interests of a minority community, in accordance with constitutional protections.

Key Criteria for MEI Status

• Purpose of the Institution: The institution must primarily serve to preserve the language, culture, or religion of a minority community.
• Admission Practices: Admitting non-minority students does not strip an institution of its minority status, as long as the institution’s primary purpose is maintained.
• Nature of Education: Providing secular education does not negate an institution’s minority character.
• Religious Instruction in Government-Aided Institutions: Institutions receiving state funds are prohibited from mandating religious instruction, aligning with secular principles.

Two-Fold Test to Establish Minority Status

Establishment

• Historical Context: The origin and initial purpose of the institution are scrutinized to confirm a clear intent to benefit a minority community.
• Documentary Evidence: Foundational documents such as charters, funding records, and founding members’ communications are examined to establish the minority-focused intent.

Administration

• Diversity in Leadership: While not restricted to minority members, the administrative structure must reflect and prioritize minority interests.
• Historical Affirmation for Older Institutions: For institutions established before India’s constitution came into effect in 1950, there must be evidence that the administration was committed to minority interests as of the commencement of the Constitution.

Implications of the Supreme Court’s Test for MEI Status

Administrative Autonomy

• Case Example: The ruling provides crucial support for institutions like St Stephen’s College in its autonomy dispute with Delhi University regarding the appointment processes for principal positions.

Wider Impact on Minority Status Debates

• Parallel Legal Cases: The criteria and tests are particularly relevant to ongoing cases such as that of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), where the institution’s claim to minority status hinges on similar factors to those in the AMU case.
• Legal Precedents: Decisions made based on these criteria not only affect the institutions directly involved but also set precedents that influence other minority institutions across India, potentially leading to a reevaluation of their status and governance structures.

-Source: Indian Express

NSCN (I-M) Seeks Third-Party Mediation in Naga Political Issue

Context:

The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN I-M) has called for third-party intervention to resolve its protracted political conflict with the Indian government. Citing betrayal over the 2015 Framework Agreement, the group has threatened to resume armed resistance if their demand for mediation is rejected. NSCN (I-M) accuses the Centre of failing to fulfill commitments, notably the recognition of a separate Naga flag and constitution, which they argue are crucial for acknowledging the Naga people’s distinct history and “shared sovereignty.”

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Who are the Nagas and what is the Naga Issue?
2. Peace Initiatives with the Naga
3. Issues
4. NSCN-IM
5. NSCN-IM stand and the deadlock

Who are the Nagas and what is the Naga Issue?

• The Nagas are not a single tribe, but an ethnic community, belonging to Indo-Mongoloid Family, that comprises several tribes who live in the state of Nagaland and its neighbourhood.
• There are nineteen major Naga tribes, namely, Aos, Angamis, Changs, Chakesang, Kabuis, Kacharis, Khain-Mangas, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas (Lothas), Maos, Mikirs, Phoms, Rengmas, Sangtams, Semas, Tankhuls, Yamchumgar and Zeeliang.
• The key demand of Naga groups has been a Greater Nagalim (sovereign statehood) i.e., redrawing of boundaries to bring all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast under one administrative umbrella.
• The Naga inhabited areas include various parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam and Myanmar.
• The demand also includes the separate Naga Yezabo (Constitution) and Naga national flag.

Peace Initiatives with the Naga

• Shillong Accord (1975): A peace accord was signed in Shillong in which the NNC leadership agreed to give up arms. However, several leaders refused to accept the agreement, which led to the split of NNC.
• Ceasefire Agreement (1997): The NSCN-IM signed a ceasefire agreement with the government to stop attacks on Indian armed forces. In return, the government would stop all counter-insurgency offensive operations.
• Framework Agreement (2015): In this agreement, the Government of India recognised the unique history, culture and position of the Nagas and their sentiments and aspirations. The NSCN also appreciated the Indian political system and governance. However, the details of the agreement are yet to be released by the government.
• Recently, the State government decided to prepare the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland but later due to pressure from various fractions, the decision was put on hold.

Issues:

• The 2015 agreement apparently made the peace process inclusive but it created suspicion about the central government exploiting divisions within the Nagas on tribal and geopolitical lines.
• The issue of integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in view of the demand for territorial unification of ‘Greater Nagalim’ will trigger violent clashes in the different affected states.
• Another major hindrance to the peace process in Nagaland is the existence of more than one organisation, each claiming to be representative of the Nagas.

NSCN-IM

• The Isaak Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IM), one of the largest Naga groups fighting for an independent Naga homeland.
• They have been engaged in guerrilla warfare against successive Indian administrations since the 1950s.
• One of the main demands of NSCN-IM has been the creation of a sovereign Naga territory that includes Naga-inhabited parts of neighbouring states like Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as well as a portion of Burma across the international border, and leaders from those states have long been wary of any accord that would allow the annexation of parts of their land.
• Lack of infrastructure development in the region is one of the perceived reasons for the decades’ long insurgency.
• In 2015, NSCN-IM had entered into an historic Peace Accord (Framework Agreement) with Union government to bring lasting peace in Nagaland.

NSCN-IM stand and the deadlock

• The Naga talks have hit the deadlock since early 2020 as the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-(Isak Muivah) (NSCN-IM) leader has refused to hold any dialogue with interlocutor and Nagaland Governor R.N Ravi.
• The Governor’s letter to the Nagaland Chief Minister saying “over half a dozen organized armed gangs were brazenly running their respective ‘so called governments’ challenging the legitimacy of the State government” had caused the situation to worsen.
• There was also an order asking government officials to declare if their family members or relatives are members of any “underground organisation.”
• NSCN-IM signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 2001, hence they took offense with the “organized armed gangs” view.
• And also given that in a tribal set-up most people are related to each other, asking government officials to declare regarding their family members was seen as insensitive.
• Following the failure of the breakdown of communication between the NSCN-IM and the Nagaland Governor, the Union Home Minister deputed a team of Intelligence Bureau officials to continue the discussions with the NSCN-IM.

-Source: Indian Express

PyPIM Platform

Context:

Israeli researchers have developed PyPIM that enables computers to process data directly in memory, bypassing the need for the central processing unit (CPU).

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

PyPIM Platform

• The PyPIM platform merges the Python programming language with innovative digital processing-in-memory (PIM) technology.
• New instructions introduced on the platform enable direct processing within memory, bypassing traditional data transfer methods.
• PyPIM allows software developers to use well-known programming languages like Python to create applications for PIM-enabled computers.

Addressing the Memory Wall Challenge

•  Researchers focus on overcoming the “memory wall” issue, characterized by the faster growth of processor speeds and memory capacity compared to data transfer rates.
• The platform targets the inefficiencies of energy and time consumption in data transfers between memory and the CPU, a common bottleneck in contemporary computing systems.
• By facilitating computations directly within memory, PyPIM lessens the reliance on the CPU, which can result in substantial reductions in both processing time and energy consumption.

Technical Advancements and Computing Efficiency

• PyPIM supports in-memory computing, which allows data processing to occur right where data is stored, enhancing the speed and efficiency of computing tasks.
• Unlike conventional computing models that require separate components for memory and processing, PyPIM integrates these functions, reducing the need for data to travel between memory and the CPU for processing.

-Source: The Hindu

Digital Population Clock

Context:

Recently, Bengaluru’s first digital population clock was inaugurated at the Institute for Social Economic Change (ISEC).

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Digital Population Clock

The Digital Population Clock is an innovative project designed to provide real-time population estimates for Karnataka and India. This initiative was developed through a collaboration between the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Key Features of the Digital Population Clock

• Real-Time Updates: The clock updates the population figures for Karnataka every 1.10 minutes and for India every two seconds, ensuring up-to-date data availability.
• Technology Integration: Equipped with a satellite connection for precise timekeeping, the clock operates autonomously with an integrated system that includes all necessary components.
• Advanced Software: The system uses state-of-the-art software and tools, enhancing its capability for detailed demographic studies.

Objectives and Significance

• Awareness and Research: The primary aim is to raise awareness about population dynamics and provide reliable data that can be used for academic research and policy analysis.
• National Rollout: The MoHFW plans to install similar clocks in 18 Population Research Centres across India, standardizing the method of population estimation nationwide.
• Support for Demographic Studies: The clocks are part of a broader effort to advance the understanding of population trends and support demographic research.

Impact on Population Studies

• Alongside the clocks, the introduction of a new census data research workstation will bolster academic research, offering robust tools for policy analysis and capacity building in population studies.
• Accurate and timely population data are crucial for effective policy-making and planning, particularly in sectors like health, education, and urban development.

-Source: The Hindu

Exercise AUSTRAHIND

Context:

The 3rd edition of joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND commenced at Foreign Training Node, Pune in Maharashtra. The exercise will be conducted from 8th to 21st November 2024.

Relevance:

GS III: Security Challenges

About Exercise AUSTRAHIND:

• Exercise AUSTRAHIND is a collaborative military exercise between India and Australia.
• This annual exercise alternates between India and Australia, with the last session held in Australia in December 2023.
• The Indian team, primarily consisting of 140 personnel from the DOGRA Regiment along with 14 Indian Air Force members, will participate.
• The objective of Exercise AUSTRAHIND is to foster military collaboration between the two nations by improving interoperability during joint sub-conventional operations in a semi-urban, semi-desert environment under Chapter VII of the UN mandate.
• The exercise comprises two main phases: the combat conditioning and tactical training phase, and the validation phase.
• During the exercise, participants will practice various drills, including responding to terrorist territorial claims, establishing a Joint Operations Centre, conducting joint counter-terrorism operations such as Raids, Search and Destroy Missions, securing helipads, utilizing drones along with counter-drone strategies, and executing Special Heli Borne Operations.
• Importance: The exercise is crucial for both sides to exchange best practices regarding tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting tactical operations.

-Source: The Hindu