Current Affairs 21 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. Maori Lawmakers Perform Haka in Protest Against Treaty Principles Bill in New Zealand
2. India and Italy Forge Ahead with Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29
3. WhatsApp to Challenge CCI’s Fine Over Privacy Policy Concerns
4. Critical Minerals
5. High-altitude sickness
6. Cloud Seeding

Maori Lawmakers Perform Haka in Protest Against Treaty Principles Bill in New Zealand

Context:

In New Zealand, Maori lawmakers recently staged a haka protest at the legislature to express their opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill, which proposes a reinterpretation of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi. This powerful display of traditional Maori dance underscored the intense debate surrounding the bill and its implications for tribal development policies. The protest highlighted the ongoing challenges of balancing cultural heritage with modern governance practices.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Haka Dance
2. Approaches to Tribal Development Policy
3. India’s Tribal Development Policy Overview

Haka Dance

• Definition: Haka is a ceremonial dance of the Maori people, involving rhythmic body movements and chanting. It is performed to display a tribe’s pride, strength, and unity.
• Cultural Significance: Acts as a symbol of the Maori community’s cultural identity and is often used in protests and ceremonies.
• Historical Usage: Traditionally used by Maori warriors before a battle, showcasing their prowess and intimidating opponents.

Background of the Maori Tribe

• Indigenous Roots: The Maori are the native people of New Zealand, known for their rich tribal culture and traditions.
• Haka as Protest: The dance has been adapted into a form of protest against policies perceived as undermining Maori rights, such as the Treaty Principles Bill.

Treaty Principles Bill

• Purpose: Introduced to reinterpret the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, aiming to apply its principles equally to all New Zealanders.
• Criticism: Critics argue that it dilutes the specific rights granted to the Maori, affecting the protections established under the Treaty of Waitangi.

Approaches to Tribal Development Policy

Protectionist Approach

• Objective: To safeguard the cultural and ecological systems of Indigenous communities by limiting their interaction with the external modern influences.
• Example: The Sentinelese tribe is completely isolated under strict protection laws to preserve their way of life.
• Pros:
  • Maintains traditional lifestyles and biodiversity.
  • Shields from exploitative external influences.
• Cons:
  • Can lead to a lack of essential services like healthcare and education.
  • May exclude communities from broader national development efforts.

Assimilation Approach

• Description: Aims to integrate Indigenous communities into the mainstream culture, often at the cost of their unique cultural identity.
• Examples:
  • Native American children in the US were historically placed in boarding schools to enforce cultural assimilation.
  • Aboriginal children in Australia, known as the “Stolen Generations,” were forcibly assimilated into White culture.
• Pros:
  • Improves access to education, health services, and job opportunities.
• Cons:
  • Leads to the erosion of Indigenous languages and traditions.
  • Often results in resistance and distrust towards government efforts.

Integration Approach

• Goal: To include Indigenous peoples in modern governance systems while respecting their unique cultural identities.
• Example: The Gundjeihmi and Bininj tribes in Australia collaborate in managing Kakadu National Park, blending traditional practices with modern conservation.
• Pros:
  • Gives Indigenous peoples a voice in governance.
  • Enhances protection of lands and traditions through formal recognition.
• Cons:
  • Indigenous communities may still face systemic inequalities.
  • Potential resistance from governments and industries to share resources or power.

India’s Tribal Development Policy Overview

Historical Context

• British Colonial Policies: During the British colonial period, tribal areas were often isolated through legal designations as “Excluded” or “Partially Excluded” zones under the Scheduled District Act of 1874, aimed at protecting these communities from exploitation and preserving law and order.

Autonomy-Oriented Policies

• Legal Frameworks: Key legislation supporting tribal autonomy includes:
  • Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): Empowers tribal populations in Scheduled Areas by extending the provisions of Panchayati Raj (local self-government) to these areas.
  • Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes and vests forest rights and occupation in forest land to tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers.
• Constitutional Safeguards: The Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Indian Constitution provide for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in several states of India, ensuring tribal autonomy and security over their lands.

Integration-Oriented Policies

• Nehru’s Tribal Panchsheel: The policy formulated by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, outlines principles for tribal development: emphasises self-development, respect for tribal rights, minimal external imposition, local participation in administration, and human-centred outcomes over financial metrics

Recent Initiatives:

Efforts to integrate tribal communities into the national mainstream while respecting their distinct identity include:

• Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Development Mission: Targets the holistic development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Provides quality education to tribal children in remote areas.
• Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana: Aims to harness the non-timber forest produce sector for the benefit of tribal gatherers and artisans.
• National Mission to Eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia: Focuses on healthcare initiatives for tribal communities affected by sickle cell disease.

-Source: Indian Express

India and Italy Forge Ahead with Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29

Context:

India and Italy have solidified their commitment to enhance bilateral cooperation through the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29, a comprehensive framework unveiled following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G20 summit in Brazil. This ambitious plan spans key sectors such as defense, trade, energy, and space, aiming to deepen the ties between the two nations. The collaboration is poised to bring mutual benefits, leveraging the strengths of both countries to foster growth and innovation across these crucial areas.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. India-Italy bilateral relation
2. Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 Highlights

India-Italy bilateral relation

Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 Highlights

Political Engagement

• High-Level Dialogues: Scheduled regular meetings between Heads of Government and key ministers including Foreign, Trade, and Defense Ministers.
• Bilateral Consultations: Commitment to annual bilateral consultations between the two nations’ Foreign Ministries to discuss and enhance sectoral cooperation.

Economic Collaboration

• Sectoral Investment: Focus on strengthening bilateral trade and investments, particularly in sectors like green technologies, sustainable mobility, and semiconductors.
• Business Integration: Promotion of trade fairs, business forums, and industrial partnerships to facilitate deeper economic ties.

Enhancing Connectivity

• Sustainable Transport Initiatives: Collaboration on projects that support sustainable transport systems and climate action.
• Infrastructure Development: Enhance maritime and land infrastructure cooperation, including significant projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
• Maritime Agreements: Efforts to finalize agreements on maritime and port cooperation.

Science and Technology

• Technology Partnerships: Expansion of partnerships in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, telecommunications, and digital services.
• Innovation Exchange: Introduction of the Indo-Italian Innovation and Incubation Exchange Programme to bolster connections between startups and innovators.
• Research Collaboration: Enhancement of STEM research collaborations through scholarships and joint projects.

Space Collaboration

• Space Research: Expanded collaboration between ASI (Italian Space Agency) and ISRO in areas like Earth observation, heliophysics, and lunar exploration.
• Space Delegation: Organization of an Italian space delegation visit to India by mid-2025 to further space-related cooperation.

Energy Transition

• Tech Summits: Organization of summits to promote industrial partnerships in the energy sector.
• Renewable Energy Projects: Joint initiatives in green hydrogen, biofuels, and other renewable energy technologies.

Defense and Security

• Defense Meetings: Annual Joint Defence Consultative meetings and Joint Staff Talks to enhance military cooperation.
• Interoperability: Focus on increasing interoperability and cooperation in strategic regions like the Indo-Pacific.
• Cybersecurity and Counterterrorism: Enhancement of joint efforts in cybersecurity and counterterrorism, including shared practices and capacity-building.

Migration and Mobility

• Regulated Migration: Development of safe migration channels, particularly for health professionals, and promotion of skilled labor training.
• Academic and Cultural Exchange: Enhancement of mobility for students, researchers, and academics.

Cultural and Academic Cooperation

• Educational Partnerships: Encouragement of exchanges between universities and technical education institutions.
• Cultural Projects: Collaboration on cultural projects including exhibitions, heritage preservation, and film co-productions.
• Tourism and Cultural Promotion: Efforts to enhance tourism and deepen cultural bonds through the implementation of cultural cooperation programs.

-Source: The Hindu

WhatsApp to Challenge CCI’s Fine Over Privacy Policy Concerns

Context:

WhatsApp has announced plans to appeal a $25.4 million fine imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The fine was levied due to anti-competitive practices linked to WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy update, which mandated the sharing of user data with other Meta-owned applications for advertising purposes. This policy raised significant concerns about competition and privacy, with critics arguing that WhatsApp was exploiting its dominant market position to enforce these new terms.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Competition commission of India:
2. WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy
3. WhatsApp-CCI Dispute
4. Implications and Future Actions

About Competition commission of India:

Nodal: Ministry of corporate affairs

Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body of the Government of India responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002.

Competition Commission of India aims to establish a robust competitive environment.

• Through proactive engagement with all stakeholders, including consumers, industry, government and international jurisdictions.
• By being a knowledge intensive organization with high competence level.
• Through professionalism, transparency, resolve and wisdom in enforcement.

Composition of CCI

• The Commission consists of one Chairperson and six Members.
• The commission is a quasi-judicial body .
• Eligibility of members: The Chairperson and every other Member shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing and who, has been, or is qualified to be a judge of a High Court, or, has special knowledge of, and professional experience of not less than fifteen years in international trade, economics, business, commerce, law, finance, accountancy, management, industry, public affairs, administration or in any other matter which, in the opinion of the Central Government, may be useful to the Commission.

WhatsApp’s 2021 Privacy Policy

Key Changes Introduced

• Data Sharing Expansion: The policy change allowed WhatsApp to share user data with other Meta platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. This included phone numbers, contacts, and transaction details.
• Business Communication: It aimed to enhance features for businesses on WhatsApp, allowing them to use Meta platforms for managing customer communications.
• Encryption and Security: Despite the broader data sharing, WhatsApp maintained that all private messages would remain end-to-end encrypted and secure.

Controversies and Global Response

• User Concerns: The policy update raised significant privacy concerns globally, with particular backlash in India due to fears of excessive data control and limited user consent options.
• Legal Scrutiny: The lack of a comprehensive data protection framework in India intensified the scrutiny, leading to legal challenges and a Competition Commission of India (CCI) investigation.
• European Union Fine: In September 2021, WhatsApp was fined GBP 225 million by Ireland’s data regulator for not meeting GDPR transparency requirements. WhatsApp has since appealed this decision.

WhatsApp-CCI Dispute

Background

• Anti-competitive Concerns: The CCI initiated an investigation into whether WhatsApp’s mandatory data-sharing policy with Meta constituted anti-competitive behavior by potentially exploiting user data.

Key Events in the Dispute

• 2021-2024 Timeline:
  • January 2021: WhatsApp announced its updated privacy policy.
  • March 2021: CCI launched an investigation into the policy’s implications on competition.
  • April 2021: WhatsApp and Meta challenged the CCI’s probe in the Delhi High Court.
  • April 2021: Delhi High Court permitted the CCI to continue its investigation.
  • August 2022: Delhi High Court reaffirmed CCI’s authority.
  • October 2022: The Supreme Court of India dismissed WhatsApp and Meta’s appeals.
  • November 18, 2024: CCI fined Meta $25.4 million and imposed a five-year ban on data sharing between WhatsApp and other Meta apps for advertising purposes.
  • November 19, 2024: Meta announced plans to appeal the CCI’s ruling.

Implications and Future Actions

• Impact on Data Privacy: The dispute highlights ongoing global concerns regarding user privacy and the handling of personal data by major tech companies.
• Regulatory Actions: This case underlines the increasing scrutiny of tech companies’ data practices, particularly in regions like India where data protection laws are evolving.
• Future of Data Sharing Policies: The outcomes of these legal battles will likely influence how tech companies design their data sharing and privacy policies moving forward.

-Source: The Hindu

Critical Minerals

Context:

The Ministry of Mines recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to strengthen cooperation in the critical minerals sector.

Relevance:

GS III- Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are Critical Minerals?
2. Why is this resource critical?
3. What is China ‘threat’?
4. What are countries around the world doing about it?

What are Critical Minerals?

• Critical minerals are elements that are the building blocks of essential modern-day technologies, and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
• These minerals are now used everywhere from making mobile phones, computers to batteries, electric vehicles and green technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
• Based on their individual needs and strategic considerations, different countries create their own lists.
• However, such lists mostly include graphite, lithium and cobalt, which are used for making EV batteries; rare earths that are used for making magnets and silicon which is a key mineral for making computer chips and solar panels.
• Aerospace, communications and defence industries also rely on several such minerals as they are used in manufacturing fighter jets, drones, radio sets and other critical equipment.

Why is this resource critical?

• As countries around the world scale up their transition towards clean energy and digital economy, these critical resources are key to the ecosystem that fuels this change.
• Any supply shock can severely imperil the economy and strategic autonomy of a country over-dependent on others to procure critical minerals.
• But these supply risks exist due to rare availability, growing demand and complex processing value chain.
• Many times the complex supply chain can be disrupted by hostile regimes, or due to politically unstable regions.
• They are critical as the world is fast shifting from a fossil fuel-intensive to a mineral-intensive energy system.

What is China ‘threat’?

• China is the world’s largest producer of 16 critical minerals.
• China alone is responsible for some 70% and 60% of global production of cobalt and rare earth elements, respectively, in 2019.
• The level of concentration is even higher for processing operations, where China has a strong presence across the board.
• China’s share of refining is around 35% for nickel, 50-70% for lithium and cobalt, and nearly 90% for rare earth elements.
• It also controls cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, from where 70% of this mineral is sourced.
• In 2010, China suspended rare earth exports to Japan for two months over a territorial dispute.

What are countries around the world doing about it?

• US has shifted its focus on expanding domestic mining, production, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and materials.
• India has set up KABIL or the Khanij Bidesh India Limited, a joint venture of three public sector companies, to “ensure a consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals to the Indian domestic market”.
• Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) and KABIL had recently signed an MoU aimed at ensuring reliable supply of critical minerals to India.
• The UK has unveiled its new Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre to study the future demand for and supply of these minerals.

-Source: Indian Express

High-altitude sickness

Context:

In September, a trekker from Idukki, Kerala, died in Uttarakhand while attempting to scale Garur Peak due to respiratory failure. Every year, numerous tourists like this succumb to the effects of high-altitude sickness in the pristine but challenging inner Himalayas. These regions present hidden dangers due to their extreme altitudes, where thinner air and reduced oxygen can lead to potentially fatal conditions.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is high-altitude sickness?
2. What about early intervention?
3. What are the treatment strategies?

What is high-altitude sickness?

• High-altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), occurs when the body cannot acclimatise to high elevations, typically over 8,000 feet (2,400 metres).
• As altitude increases, the air pressure and oxygen levels decrease, leading to hypoxia — a shortage of oxygen in the body’s tissues.
• Early symptoms of AMS include headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. If left untreated, it can escalate into high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), a life-threatening condition where fluid accumulates in the lungs, or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), where fluid collects in the brain.
• Both conditions require immediate medical intervention, and descent to lower altitudes is often the only way to prevent fatal outcomes.
• At higher altitudes, the body tries to adjust by increasing the breathing rate, which can cause hyperventilation, and produce more red blood cells to carry oxygen, which thickens the blood and strains the heart.
• In cases of HAPE, fluid accumulation in the lungs exacerbates breathing difficulties, while HACE causes symptoms like confusion, hallucinations, and even coma.

What about early intervention?

• The primary cause of high-altitude sickness is rapid ascent without allowing the body time to acclimatise.
• Gradual ascent, which allows the body to adapt to lower oxygen levels, is the best way to prevent high-altitude illnesses.
• According to the Wilderness Medical Society, travellers ascending above 3,000 meters should take a rest day every 3-4 days and avoid increasing their sleeping elevation by more than 500 metres per day.
• For travellers at moderate to high risk of AMS, doctors recommend medications like Acetazolamide, which aids acclimatisation by promoting better oxygenation, or Dexamethasone, a steroid that reduces inflammation in severe cases.
• Those with a history of HAPE may take Nifedipine as a preventive measure, starting a day before ascent. However, no prophylactic medication guarantees complete immunity, and anyone travelling to high altitudes with pre-existing health conditions should first consult with a doctor familiar with altitude-related risks.

What are the treatment strategies?

• When high-altitude sickness does develop, the most effective treatment is immediate descent to lower altitudes.
• Symptoms usually improve significantly with a descent of 300-1,000 metres.
• Supplemental oxygen or a portable hyperbaric chamber, if available, can also help alleviate symptoms of AMS and HACE in emergencies.
• Pharmacological treatments, such as acetazolamide and dexamethasone, may provide short-term relief, but descent remains the cornerstone of treatment.

-Source: The Hindu

Cloud Seeding

Context:

As Delhi grapples with severe air pollution, the concept of cloud seeding has emerged as a potential short-term solution to combat the hazardous air quality.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding, or artificial rain, is a method used in weather modification that aims to enhance precipitation. This technique involves introducing substances into clouds to stimulate the formation of rain or snow.

How Cloud Seeding Works

• Substances Used: Common materials used for cloud seeding include silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice.
• Method of Dispersion: These substances are dispersed into clouds using aircraft, ground generators, or rockets. The chosen method depends on the specific requirements and geographical conditions of the area.
• Process: The dispersed particles act as nuclei around which water droplets can form. These droplets then grow in size until they are heavy enough to fall as precipitation, potentially increasing the amount of rainfall.

Applications in Pollution Control

• Air Quality Improvement: In areas plagued by air pollution, cloud seeding is considered as a method to wash away particulate matter and other pollutants. By increasing rainfall, it is hoped that dust and airborne particles will settle, leading to temporary improvements in air quality.

Challenges and Considerations

• Atmospheric Conditions: Effective cloud seeding requires specific atmospheric conditions, particularly clouds that contain enough moisture to support precipitation.
• Efficacy: The success of cloud seeding can vary greatly depending on environmental conditions and the techniques used, making it an unpredictable intervention.
• Environmental Impact: While cloud seeding can increase precipitation in targeted areas, it also raises concerns about the potential long-term impacts on natural weather patterns and ecosystems.

-Source: India Today