Current Affairs 15 October 2024

CONTENTS

1. Legal Developments in the Roop Kanwar Case and Sati Prevention
2. India’s Prime Minister at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024
3. New Genomic Study to Illuminate South Asia’s Population History
4. Synthetic Medical Image
5. Dragon Drones
6. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Legal Developments in the Roop Kanwar Case and Sati Prevention

Context:

In a recent development, eight persons have been cleared of the charges of illegal building temples in honor of Roop Kanwar that promotes the act of Sati. This is in relation to the occurrence of the Sati practice in question, which took place in Rajasthan state on September 4, 1987, and involved a woman named Roop Kanwar. Sati horror and outcry, and legally pursued consequences of its promotion, such that the Commission of Sati Prevention Act was passed by the Union government in 1987 with the purpose of banning and punishing the portrayal of such notions in society.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are the Key Punishment Provisions Under Sati Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987?
2. Efforts to Abolish Sati and Reforms by William Bentinck
3. Conclusion

What are the Key Punishment Provisions Under Sati Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987?

• Any person in the opinion of the authorities has committed sati or taken any step towards committing sati shall be liable to be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
• Whoever, in any manner, is involved in bringing about the act of sati, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, and with fine – Section 4 of the Act. Eg. Encouraging a widow or a woman that she should aspire to perform sati as it may please God or the soul of her dead husband, or it may be beneficial for the family.
• Whoever, deals in the practice of or spreads the practice of sati shall be liable to be punished by the imprisonment from 1 year to 7 years – Section 5 of the Act.

Elaboration of the Sati System – 

• About Sati: Sati is an act of a widow self-immolating on her husband’s pyre.
• After her cremation, devotees worships her building a “Devi” and often a Mantapa made of sacred stones and wood.
• The earliest historical records of Sati – loci petentes indiciarum came from the Eran Pillar Inscription of Bhanugupta found in Madhya Pradesh based in Eran in the year 510 A.D.

Efforts to Abolish Sati and Reforms by William Bentinck

Measures to Eradicate Sati

• Mughal Empire: Emperor Akbar took a stand against forced sati in 1582, offering support to widows to discourage the practice.
• Sikh Empire: Sikh Guru Amar Das denounced sati during the 15th–16th centuries.
• Maratha Empire: The practice was banned across Maratha-controlled regions.
• Colonial Powers: The Dutch, Portuguese, and French banned sati within their Indian colonies.
• British Rule: Governor-General William Bentinck made sati illegal under the Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829, marking a significant legal reform.

Broader Reforms by William Bentinck (1828-1835)

• Administrative Changes:
  • Bentinck promoted the inclusion of educated Indians in governmental roles, significantly diversifying the administrative services.
  • He updated the Mahalwari system to enhance state revenue through structured negotiations and surveys.
  • Reorganization of the Presidency of Bengal improved administrative efficacy by dividing it into twenty divisions.
• Judicial Reforms:
  • Abolishment of provincial courts and establishment of a Supreme Court in Agra streamlined legal processes and enhanced accessibility.
  • Introduction of separate Sadar Diwani and Sadr Nizamat Adalats in Allahabad improved judicial service.
  • Bentinck’s reforms also included the reduction of severe punishments and the introduction of vernacular languages in the judicial process.
• Financial Reforms:
  • Formation of military and civil committees to scrutinize and reduce governmental expenditures.
  • Investigation of land grants in Bengal revealed numerous fraudulent activities, enhancing revenue.
• Educational and Language Policies:
  • Bentinck advocated for English as the medium of instruction influenced by Macaulay.
  • Implementation of the English Education Act in 1835 made English the official government language, replacing Persian.
• Social Reforms:
  • Decisive actions against the Thuggee system, which involved robbery and murder, were crucial in alleviating public fear.
  • Support from figures like Raja Rammohan Roy, who campaigned for both the abolition of Sati and broader social reforms.

Conclusion

In order to make larger strides towards social reform in India, it is necessary to continue the efforts on women empowerment, implement the laws that prohibit the practice of Sati, and also include the communities more. Working with the local groups for advocacy would empower the oppressed populations and help create a change that is long lasting in the society.

-Source: Indian Express

India’s Prime Minister at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024

Context:

India’s Prime Minister recently unveiled a 10-point plan at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit held in Vientiane, Laos, emphasizing India’s commitment to deepening ties with ASEAN nations. He also took part in the 44th ASEAN summit, which was themed “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” as well as the 19th East Asia Summit. The year 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of India’s Act East Policy, initiated in 2014 to bolster trade, security, and connectivity between India and ASEAN countries, reinforcing India’s strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are the Key Facts About the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024? 
2. India’s 10-Point Plan for ASEAN Cooperation
3. About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

What are the Key Facts About the 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024? 

• ASEAN and India account for 7% of the world’s GDP and 26% of the global population.
• Both agreed to collaborate on emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things, Robotics, Quantum Computing, and 6-G.
• A joint statement was issued to advance digital transformation, focusing on digital infrastructure, fintech, and cybersecurity.
• India will share its digital public infrastructure expertise, such as Aadhaar and UPI, with ASEAN nations.
• India-ASEAN trade has doubled over the last decade, reaching over USD 130 billion.
• India’s trade deficit with ASEAN increased to USD 44 billion in FY23 from USD 8 billion in FY13.
• India ranks as ASEAN’s sixth-largest trading partner and eighth-largest source of FDI among ASEAN Dialogue Partners.
• Some ASEAN countries and India have begun trading in local currencies, with Malaysia leading the way.
• Total investments in India-ASEAN Global Value Chains surpassed USD 125 billion from 2000 to 2023.
• The Reserve Bank of India joined Project Nexus with ASEAN in June 2024, enabling real-time cross-border transactions between India’s UPI and Singapore’s PayNow.
• Both sides agreed to further enhance the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, stability, and prosperity, aligned with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and supported by India’s Act East Policy (AEP).
• Regarding the South China Sea, both supported the full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and called for an effective Code of Conduct, in line with UNCLOS 1982.
• They also agreed to ensure maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cybersecurity through joint military exercises and naval port calls, such as the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise.

India’s 10-Point Plan for ASEAN Cooperation

• ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025: India will contribute USD 5 million for joint tourism activities.
• Celebrating a Decade of the Act East Policy: Events like Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, and Think Tank initiatives will be organised.
• Women Scientists Conclave: ASEAN-India Science collaboration through a conclave for women scientists.
• Education Scholarships: Replication of Nalanda University scholarships doubling up with additional scholarships for students from ASEAN in Indian agricultural universities.
• Review of Trade Agreement: Reviewing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025
• Resilience to Natural Disasters: Provision of USD 5 million by India for enhancing the resilience of ASEAN nations to disasters.
• Health Ministers’ Track: Inculcating collaboration through regular exchange between ASEAN and Indian Health Ministers on health resilience.
• Cyber Policy Dialogue: Building ASEAN-India dialogue on digital and cyber resilience.
• Workshop on Green Hydrogen: Support the green energy transition of ASEAN through a green hydrogen workshop
• Climate Resilience Initiative: Engage with and invite ASEAN leaders to India’s ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign.

About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Ten Countries in Southeast Asia.

Members of ASEAN

• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Brunei
• Vietnam
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Cambodia

ASEAN’s Objectives:

1. To promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and other countries in Asia.
2. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.
3. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
4. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.

A major partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances and dialogue partners and is considered by many as the central union for cooperation in Asia-Pacific.

• The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
• ASEAN is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
• In 1967 ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.
• ASEAN is the 3rd largest market in the world – larger than EU and North American markets.

ASEAN Plus Three

ASEAN Plus Three is a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the ASEAN and the three East Asian nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.

ASEAN Plus Six

• further integration to improve existing ties of Southeast Asia was done by the larger East Asia Summit (EAS), which included ASEAN Plus Three as well as India, Australia, and New Zealand.
• The group became ASEAN Plus Six with Australia, New Zealand, and India, and stands as the linchpin of Asia Pacific’s economic, political, security, socio-cultural architecture, as well as the global economy.
• This group acted as a prerequisite for the planned East Asia Community which was supposedly patterned after the European Community (now transformed into the European Union).

ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)

• The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement was signed and entered into force in 2010.
• Under the Agreement, ASEAN Member States and India have agreed to open their respective markets by progressively reducing and eliminating duties on more than 75% coverage of goods.

ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement (AITISA)

• The ASEAN-India Trade in Services Agreement was signed in 2014.
• It contains provisions on transparency, domestic regulations, recognition, market access, national treatment and dispute settlement.

ASEAN-India Investment Agreement (AIIA)

• The ASEAN-India Investment Agreement was signed in 2014.
• The Investment Agreement stipulates protection of investment to ensure fair and equitable treatment for investors, non-discriminatory treatment in expropriation or nationalisation as well as fair compensation.

ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA)

• The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India.
• The free trade area came into effect in 2010.
• The ASEAN–India Free Area emerged from a mutual interest of both parties to expand their economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India’s Look East policy was reciprocated by similar interests of many ASEAN countries to expand their interactions westward.
• The signing of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement paves the way for the creation of one of the world’s largest FTAs – a market of almost 1.8 billion people with a combined GDP of US $ 2.8 trillion.
• The AIFTA will see tariff liberalisation of over 90% of products traded between the two dynamic regions, including the so-called “special products,” such as palm oil (crude and refined), coffee, black tea and pepper.

-Source: The Hindu

New Genomic Study to Illuminate South Asia’s Population History

Context:

The Government of India has initiated a landmark scientific research program entitled “Reconstruction of the Population History of South Asia using Ancient and Modern Genomics.” This ambitious study integrates ancient and modern genomic techniques in exploring and elucidating the historical population dynamics of South Asia. The research, led by the Anthropological Survey of India, or AnSI, under the Ministry of Culture, resolves many of the long-standing debates and conflicting opinions on the origin and course of migration of ancient Indian populations. Done in active collaboration with the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences at Lucknow under the Department of Science & Technology, the prime investigation was basically into the DNA extracted from the ancient skeletal remains to understand the complex past of the region.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Salient Features of the Study
2. Foreseen Outcomes & Contemporary Relevance
3. The Aryan Migration Debate
4. About Genome

Salient Features of the Study

• The project proposes studying 300 skeletal remains, mostly cranial bones, fragments of teeth, and other bones.
• These remains are collected from archaeological excavation sites in India and Pakistan, including famous sites of the Indus Valley Civilization, such as Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro (now in Pakistan), and other locations like Burzahom (J&K), Nagarjunakonda (Andhra Pradesh), Maski (Karnataka), Ropar (Punjab), and Lothal (Gujarat). The remains, excavated between 1922 and 1958, are currently under the custody of the ASI.
• The study focuses on reconstructing the origins of ancient Indian communities by extracting and analyzing DNA from these remains.
• It will also provide insights into living conditions, diets, the prevalence of diseases, and migration patterns, helping understand how ancient people moved and interacted within specific time frames.
• The research aims to answer fundamental questions regarding the gene pool and environmental adaptation of ancient Indian civilizations.

Foreseen Outcomes & Contemporary Relevance

• According to officials, this research may help provide conclusive evidence of the origins and migrations of ancient populations in South Asia.
• By comparing ancient DNA with modern DNA, the researchers aim to uncover the complex migration history of the region, shedding light on early civilizations that played a role in shaping the present-day populations of South Asia.
  More Coherent Historical Narrative:
  • The research is expected to reveal how ancient populations of India expanded and interacted, offering a more accurate narrative of ancient Indian history.
    Genetic Continuity:
  • Preliminary results indicate genetic continuity of populations over time without significant external changes.
  • This challenges earlier theories about large-scale migrations that were believed to have shaped India’s demographic history.

Impact on Textbook Narratives

• The findings could significantly affect school textbooks, like those produced by NCERT. These books have already been revised to emphasize the continuity of Indian civilization over 5,000 years, casting doubts on the theory of Aryan migration.

The Aryan Migration Debate

• The project aims to address one of the most critical and debated questions in Indian history: Did the Aryan migration occur?
  Aryan Invasion Theory:
  • Proposed by Western scholars in the 19th century, this theory suggests that a group of Aryans, fair-skinned people from Central Asia, migrated to India around 2000-1500 BC, shaping the civilization of the Indian subcontinent.
    Indigenous Theory:
  • Many modern Indian archaeologists argue that the Aryans were native to the region, living along the Saraswati River. When the river dried up, they migrated to other parts of India and settled in the Indus Valley.
• Recent excavations, such as those at the 4,000-year-old archaeological site in Sinauli (Uttar Pradesh), have uncovered evidence of indigenous warrior burials, weapons, and chariots, contradicting the theory of an external Aryan migration.

About Genome:

• It refers to the complete set of genetic instructions or information that an organism possesses.
• It is made up of DNA, which carries the instructions for the development, functioning, growth, and reproduction of all living organisms.
• The study of genomics involves the analysis of genomes and has led to many breakthroughs in various fields, including medicine and biotechnology.

Genome Sequencing

• Genome sequencing is figuring out the order of DNA nucleotides, or bases, in a genome—the order of adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G), that make up an organism’s DNA.

Genome India Project

• India’s population consists of over 4,600 diverse population groups, many of which are endogamous.
• These groups have unique genetic variations and disease-causing mutations that cannot be compared to other populations.
• The Genome India Project aims to create a database of Indian genomes to learn about these unique genetic variants and use the information to create personalized drugs and therapies.
• The project was started in 2020 and is inspired by the successful decoding of the entire human genome in the Human Genome Project (HGP).
• The project seeks to better understand the genetic variations and disease-causing mutations specific to the Indian population, which is one of the most genetically diverse in the world.
• By sequencing and analyzing these genomes, researchers hope to gain insights into the underlying genetic causes of diseases and develop more effective personalized therapies.
• The project involves the collaboration of 20 institutions across India and is being led by the Centre for Brain Research at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
• Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, China, and the United States, also have similar programs to sequence their genomes.

-Source: The Hindu

Synthetic Medical Image

Context:

The rise of AI-generated synthetic medical images can provide an ethical, scalable, and cost-effective solution to the medical field.

Relevance:

GS III: Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Synthetic Medical Image
2. Benefits

Synthetic Medical Image:

• These images are generated using AI or computer algorithms and are not captured by traditional imaging methods such as MRI, CT scans, or X-rays.
• They are entirely constructed using mathematical models or AI techniques like generative adversarial networks (GANs), diffusion models, and autoencoders.
• In the medical field, synthetic medical images are similarly created, where AI produces new medical scans or radiological images that resemble real ones, but they are not based on actual patient data.

How are these images produced?

• A variational autoencoder (VAE) compresses an image into a simpler form called the latent space and then tries to recreate the original image from that compressed version. The process continuously improves by reducing the difference between the real and recreated image.
• GANs involve two parts: a generator that creates synthetic images from random data and a discriminator that checks whether the image is real or artificial. Both improve through competition—the generator makes more realistic images, and the discriminator gets better at detecting fakes.
• Diffusion models begin with random noise and progressively transform it into a realistic image, using a step-by-step process that refines the noise into something resembling the images it was trained on.

Benefits:

• Intramodality translation: Refers to the process of producing synthetic images within the same imaging modality, such as improving or reconstructing MRI scans from other MRI scan data.
• Intermodality translation: Refers to the process of producing synthetic images by converting one imaging modality to another like synthesis of CT scans from MRI scans.
• As these images do not involve any patient data, they mitigate privacy issues, allowing for healthy interaction of researchers and healthcare practitioners in the development of AI without the fear of breaching patient privacy.
• Including synthetic medical images also helps in cutting down both the time and cost required to obtain actual medical data.

-Source: The Hindu

Dragon Drones

Context:

A deadly new weapon has taken to the skies in the Russia-Ukraine war. Both sides have posted visuals of drones appearing to rain down fire — earning this weapon the moniker of “dragon drone”

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

What are Dragon Drones?

Dragon drones utilize thermite, a compound of aluminum and iron oxide developed a century ago primarily for welding railroad tracks. These drones harness the fierce reactivity of thermite to perform destructive tasks.

How Do Dragon Drones Work?

• Ignition: Thermite is ignited, typically through an electrical fuse, initiating a self-sustaining reaction notoriously difficult to extinguish.
• Capabilities: Once activated, thermite can slice through virtually anything—from clothing to significant military equipment—and it can even continue burning underwater.
• Effects on Humans: The reaction can cause devastating injuries to humans, including severe burns and potential bone damage.
• Tactical Use: By pairing thermite with high-precision drones, these devices can effectively bypass conventional defenses, making them both highly effective and incredibly dangerous.

Recent Deployment

It is believed that dragon drones were first used in combat during the Russia-Ukraine conflict around September, marking a significant moment in modern warfare technology.

International Regulations

• Legal Status: The use of thermite in warfare is not explicitly prohibited by international law.
• Restrictions: However, international regulations, including the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, strictly prohibit the use of such incendiary devices against civilian targets. This guidance, established during the Cold War, continues to influence how nations conduct warfare under the auspices of the United Nations.

-Source: The Hindu

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Context:

According to the recently released ‘EnviStats India-2024’ report, the Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) has been ranked first among India’s 55 tiger reserves for its leopard population, with an estimated 360 leopards.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Location:

• It lies within the Nallamala Hills of the Eastern Ghats.
• It includes five districts of Andhra Pradesh, namely Prakasam, Kurnool, Guntur, and Mahbubnagar.
• It spreads over an approximate area of about 3,568 square kilometers.

Geographical Features:

• Varied land; rugged hills, deep valleys, and dense forests.
• It is a part of the Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar-Kurnool forest belt.
• The Krishna River passes through the reserve, and, therefore it will involve all kinds of its own unique ecosystem.

Flora

• Tropical and dry deciduous forests.
• Dominated by teak, terminalia, bamboo, and other native species.
• Rich in medicinal plants and herbs.

Fauna:

Has a large population of Bengal tigers.

Other mammals:

• Indian leopard
• Sloth bear
• Dhole (Indian wild dog)
• Indian pangolin
• Chital (spotted deer)
• Sambar deer
• Nilgai (blue bull)
• Four-horned antelope
• Indian giant squirrel

Birds:

• More than 350 species have been recorded.
• It comprises the grey junglefowl, painted spurfowl and even the critically endangered white-rumped vulture.
• Reptiles: Indian python, Mugger crocodile, Bengal monitor and Star tortoise

Conservation

• It has been declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger way back in 1983. It is also declared a part of the Srisailam-Nagarjunasagar-Kurnool Biosphere Reserve. Conserving efforts are going on continuously in the wild to preserve the Bengal tiger along with its habitats.

-Source: The Hindu