UPSC: Emmy Awards, Subhadra Scheme, Gorillas, and More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 1

Emmy Awards

News: The Primetime Emmy Awards, which honor the best in American television, were handed out recently in Los Angeles.
Introduction:
- - The Emmy Awards are prestigious accolades presented to honor excellence in television and emerging media performances.
  - Unlike the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards, the Emmys are not awarded for films.
History: The Emmys were conceived in 1948, with the first ceremony taking place on January 25, 1949.
Award Categories: Apart from the International and Primetime Emmy Awards, the Emmys are also awarded in various other categories, such as:
Daytime Emmy Awards: Recognizes American shows aired during late morning and afternoon.
Sports Emmy Awards: Honours achievements in sports programming.
News and Documentary Emmy Awards: Awards excellence in news and documentary content.
Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards: Acknowledges advancements in television technology and engineering.
Regional Emmy Awards: Given for excellence in regional television markets, including state-to-state programming, local news, and locally produced shows.
Primetime vs. International Emmy Awards:
- - Primetime Emmy Awards: These are dedicated to television shows produced in America and aired during primetime.
  - International Emmy Awards: Recognizes outstanding international television shows.
Sister Organizations: The Emmys are administered by three distinct sister organizations:
- - The Television Academy: Responsible for the Primetime Emmy Awards.
  - The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS): Oversees daytime, sports, news, and documentary categories.
  - The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: Handles the International Emmy Awards.
Voting Process: Each organization maintains its own membership of television professionals who vote and determine the award recipients.

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UPSC GS 2

Subhadra Scheme

News: On September 17, his 74th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the Subhadra Yojana.
Definition:
- - A significant initiative designed for women of Odisha, the Subhadra Yojana will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, coinciding with his birthday.
  - This scheme aims to empower women in the state, recognizing their crucial role in nation-building.
Scheme Details:
- - Name and Symbolism: Named after Devi Subhadra, the beloved sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, the scheme reflects Odisha’s cultural heritage and reverence for feminine strength.
  - Financial Assistance: Eligible women will receive Rs 10,000 annually, distributed in two installments: one on Raksha Bandhan and the other on International Women’s Day.
  - Budget: The scheme is allocated a budget of Rs 55,825 crore for the period from 2024 to 2029.
Eligibility Criteria:
- - Exclusions: Women from economically well-off families, government employees, income-tax payees, and those receiving Rs 1,500 or more per month (or Rs 18,000 annually) from other government schemes are not eligible.
  - Benefit: Eligible women will receive Rs 50,000 over five years under the Subhadra scheme. Over one crore women are expected to benefit, with more than 50 lakh already registered.
Implementation:
- - Bank Accounts: Financial assistance will be deposited directly into the beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-enabled single-holder bank accounts. e-KYC is mandatory for participation, and beneficiaries will receive a Subhadra Debit Card.
  - Incentives: An additional incentive of Rs 500 will be awarded to the top 100 beneficiaries with the highest number of digital transactions in each gram panchayat and urban local body area.
  - Registration: Women can enroll or update their Aadhaar details at banks, post offices, and common service centers. There is no specific deadline for registration.

Delhi Elections

News: CM Arvind Kejriwal has asked for Assembly elections to be held in Delhi where a new House must be elected before November 26. However, the term of the Delhi Assembly ends only on February 23, 2025.
Decision-Making Process for Delhi Assembly Elections:
- - Article 324: Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission of India (ECI) holds the authority over the supervision, direction, and control of elections.
  - Tenure: The ECI ensures that Assembly elections are completed before the five-year term of the existing House ends.
  - Representation of the People Act: It follows guidelines under Section 15(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which mandates that elections must be notified at least six months before the term expires unless the Assembly is dissolved early.
Chief Minister’s Influence:
- - Final Decision: While a Chief Minister can recommend the dissolution of the Assembly before its term ends, the final decision rests with the Governor (in the case of full states) or the Lieutenant Governor (LG) in the case of Delhi.
  - Article 174(2)(b): It allows the Governor to dissolve the Assembly based on the Council of Ministers’ recommendation.
  - However, Delhi, being a Union Territory, operates under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, where the LG holds the final say, often influenced by the central government.
Election Commission’s Considerations: Before deciding an election schedule, the ECI considers multiple factors:
- - End date of the current Assembly’s term.
  - Weather conditions and availability of security forces.
  - Timing of festivals and holidays.
  - Procurement and testing of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
  - Training of election officers.
  - The ECI also visits the state for inputs from local police and administrative bodies to ensure efficient and safe election proceedings.

BHASKAR Platform

News: The government has recently announced the launch of a ground-breaking digital platform named ‘Bhaskar’ which aims at strengthening the startup ecosystem in India.
Introduction:
- - The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is set to launch the ‘Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry’ (BHASKAR) initiative, under the Startup India programme.
  - BHASKAR provides a centralized platform that enhances collaboration among key stakeholders, including startups, investors, mentors, service providers, and government bodies.
Primary Goal: BHASKAR seeks to build the world’s largest digital registry for stakeholders within the startup ecosystem, providing a single point of access to resources, connections, and opportunities.
Key Features of BHASKAR:
- - Networking and Collaboration: The platform bridges gaps between startups, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders, facilitating seamless interaction and collaboration across different sectors.
  - Centralized Access to Resources: BHASKAR consolidates critical tools, knowledge, and resources, providing startups with immediate access to information that aids faster decision-making and business scaling.
  - Personalized Identification: Every stakeholder on the platform is assigned a unique BHASKAR ID, ensuring personalized experiences and tailored interactions within the ecosystem.
  - Enhanced Discoverability: With advanced search features, users can easily find relevant resources, collaborators, and opportunities, speeding up the decision-making process and fostering faster action.
  - Supporting India’s Global Brand: BHASKAR positions India as a hub for innovation and startups, promoting cross-border collaborations and making it easier for international investors and stakeholders to engage with Indian startups.

International Day of Democracy

News: Every year on September 15, people around the world come together to celebrate the International Day of Democracy.
Introduction: The International Day of Democracy is celebrated annually on September 15. Established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2007, this day highlights the global importance of democracy and the need for its continuous pursuit.
Significance: The day serves as a reminder that democracy is not a static condition but an evolving system that requires the active involvement of international organizations, nation-states, civil society, and individuals to uphold and nurture democratic values.
History:
- - The UNGA established the International Day of Democracy on November 8, 2007, through a resolution titled “Support by the United Nations system of efforts of governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies.”
  - The choice of September 15 marks the anniversary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Universal Declaration on Democracy, adopted in Geneva on the same date is in 1997.
Universal Declaration on Democracy:
- - This declaration lays out the core principles of democracy, stating that it is “a system of government based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social, and cultural systems.”
  - It further emphasizes the role of free and fair periodic elections in ensuring representative government.
Qatar’s Role: Qatar played a key role in advocating for the establishment of the International Day of Democracy at the United Nations following the adoption of the Universal Declaration on Democracy.
First Celebration: The first International Day of Democracy was celebrated in 2008.

UPSC GS 3

Gopalpur Port

News: The Odisha government has recently approved a proposal to transfer 95% of the equity shares of Gopalpur Port to Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ).
Gopalpur Port:
- - Gopalpur Port is a deep-draft, multi-cargo port located on the east coast of India in the mineral-rich state of Odisha.
  - It has a cargo handling capacity of 20 million metric tonnes per annum.
  - Strategically positioned between Paradip Port in the north and Visakhapatnam Port in the south, Gopalpur is equidistant from both.

Hinterland:
- - The port serves as a gateway to the hinterlands of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.
  - These regions are rich in minerals and host several industries, including steel, aluminium, cement, and power plants.
  - The coalfields of IB and Talcher, which account for approximately 25% of India’s coal reserves, also fall within the hinterland.
Connectivity: Gopalpur Port enjoys excellent connectivity:
- - It is located just 6 km from the Howrah-Visakhapatnam-Chennai broad-gauge east coast trunk route.
  - The nearby NH5 (Kolkata-Chennai) ensures smooth road connectivity for goods transportation.

Gorillas

News: As per a new study, gorillas could help humans fight superbugs, develop groundbreaking medicines for infections.
Introduction:
- - Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, a group that includes five species: gorilla, orangutan, chimpanzee, bonobo, and human.
  - Sharing 98.3% of their genetic code with humans, gorillas are closely related to us, second only to chimpanzees and bonobos.
  - Humans and gorillas share a common ancestor from approximately 10 million years ago.

Species: There are two species of gorillas:
- - Eastern Gorilla: This species includes the mountain gorilla, a well-known subspecies.
  - Western Gorilla
Distribution: Gorillas are exclusively found in the tropical forests of equatorial Africa:
- - Eastern Gorillas inhabit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Rwanda.
  - Western Gorillas are found in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Angola, and the DRC.
Physical Features: Gorillas are known for their large, muscular build:
- - Males are nearly twice as heavy as females, reaching heights of about 1.7 meters and weighing between 135–220 kg in the wild.
  - They have human-like hands, long muscular arms, and walk primarily on all fours in a mode known as knuckle walking, a feature they share with chimpanzees.
  - Their skin is dark, and their hair ranges from black to brown-grey. Upon sexual maturity, males develop silver-grey saddles on their backs and upper thighs, earning the title of silverback.
Social Structure and Behavior: Gorillas live in polygamous family groups typically consisting of five to ten members, led by a dominant silverback. They are diurnal and primarily terrestrial, spending their days foraging and interacting with group members.
Diet: Gorillas follow a vegetarian diet, primarily consuming leaves, stems, and fruits.
Conservation Status: Both the eastern and western gorillas are classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

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Palamu Tiger Reserve

News: The recent wolf attacks on humans in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, have caught attention of the deputy director of south division of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). The sanctuary has not reported any incidents of conflict between wolves and humans since its inception in 1976.
Location:
- - Palamau Tiger Reserve is situated on the western side of Latehar district, on the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in Jharkhand.
  - It forms part of the Betla National Park and was one of the first nine tiger reserves established under India’s ‘Project Tiger’ initiative.
Historical Significance:
- - Palamau Tiger Reserve holds the distinction of being the first reserve in the world where a tiger census was conducted using the pugmark count method in 1932, under the supervision of J.W. Nicholson.
Area and Terrain:
- - The reserve covers a total area of 1,014 sq. km., with a core area of 414 sq. km. and a buffer area of 600 sq. km.
  - The terrain is diverse, featuring undulating valleys, hills, and plains. It is traversed by three rivers: the North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha.
  - The region’s geological formation consists of gneiss, with deposits of granite and limestone, and is rich in minerals such as bauxite and coal.
Vegetation:
- - The reserve is primarily covered by Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forests, with sal (Shorea robusta) as the dominant species.
  - Smaller patches of Northern Tropical Moist Deciduous forests also exist.
Flora:
- - Notable plant species include Shorea robusta, Acacia catechu, Madhuca indica, Terminalia tomentosa, Butea monosperma, Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeisus latifolia, and Indigofera pulchela.
Fauna:
- - The reserve is home to a variety of species, with the key wildlife being tigers, elephants, leopards, grey wolves, gaur, sloth bears, four-horned antelope, Indian ratel, Indian otter, and Indian pangolin.