UPSC: Mary Poonen Lukose, Lebanon, Hilsa Fish, and More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 1

Mary Poonen Lukose

News: Mary Poonen Lukose was the first woman member of a legislative council from an Indian princely state (Kerala).
Early Life and Education:
- - Mary Poonen was born on August 2, 1886, in Aymanam village, Kottayam district, Kerala.
  - She enrolled in history at Maharaja’s College, becoming the first woman graduate of Madras University in 1909.
  - Became the first woman from Kerala to earn a medical degree, specializing in gynaecology and obstetrics.

Medical Career:
- - She worked briefly as a physician in London during the Great War before returning to Travancore in 1916 after her father’s death.
  - Initiated a midwifery training programme for the children of local midwives, improving home birth safety.
  - In 1924, became the first woman to head the Health Department of Travancore.
  - Became the first woman Surgeon General of Travancore in 1938, considered the first woman Surgeon General in the world.
  - Credited as one of the founders of Kerala’s healthcare system.
Political Career:
- - Nominated to the Council in 1924 by Queen Sethu Lakshmi Bai, becoming the first woman member of a legislative council in an Indian princely state.
  - Re-elected multiple times, serving until 1937.
Recognition and Legacy:
- - The Maharaja of Travancore conferred upon her the title of Vaidyasasthrakusala in the 1940s.
  - Honoured with the Padma Shri in 1975, a year before her death at the age of 90.

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Koodiyattom

News: Cholliyattom’, a collective of young Koodiyattom artists in Kerala has now evolved into a platform where artists following different styles come together to preserve the art form.
Definition:
- - Koodiyattom is one of the oldest traditional theatre forms of Kerala, rooted in Sanskrit theatre traditions.
  - The term comes from Malayalam where “kuti” means “combined” or “together,” and “attam” means “acting,” thus Koodiyattom translates to “combined acting.”
Key Elements and Characters: The primary characters involved in this theatre form include:
- - Chakyaar (actor).
  - Naambiyaar (instrumentalists).
  - Naangyaar (those performing women’s roles).
  - Neta abhinaya (eye expressions) and hasta abhinaya (gestures) are significant in its stylized and codified theatrical language.

Pakarnattam:
- - Pakarnattam is a key aspect of Koodiyattom where actors embody and emote both male and female roles.
  - It involves switching between genders and portraying multiple characters simultaneously, showcasing a challenging skill set.
Temple Theatres (Kuttambalams):
- - Kuttambalams are permanent theatre structures attached to major temples in Kerala, specifically designed for Koodiyattom performances.
Performance Style:
- - Koodiyattom performances treat single Acts from Sanskrit plays as complete plays.
  - Rather than performing the entire Sanskrit text, Koodiyattom focuses on individual acts, presenting them as full-fledged performances.
Global Recognition: In 2001, Koodiyattom was recognized as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Lebanon

News: Israeli strikes on Lebanon have resulted in over 490 fatalities, including more than 90 women and children.
Location and Borders:
- - Lebanon is situated on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea in Western Asia.
  - Lebanon is bounded to the north and east by Syria, to the south by Israel, and to the west by the Mediterranean Sea.

History:
- - Lebanon is part of the Fertile Crescent, known as the “Cradle of Civilization.”
  - Byblos, located 30 km north of modern Beirut, is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
  - Lebanon has been ruled by several ancient empires, including Phoenician, Greek, Armenian, Egyptian, Hittite, Babylonian etc.
  - From 1516 to 1918, Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire.
  - After the fall of the Ottoman Empire in 1920, Lebanon came under French rule, leading to the creation of the State of Greater Lebanon.
  - Lebanon gained full independence in 1943 following the withdrawal of French troops.
Geography:
- - Lebanon consists of a narrow strip of land and is one of the world’s smaller sovereign states.
  - The Lebanon Mountains, rising up to 9,800 feet (3,000 meters), run through the center of the country.
  - The Bekaa Valley, a high and fertile region, lies between the two mountain ranges.
  - The valley is watered by the Litani River, the only river in Lebanon that flows year-round.

UPSC GS 2

Emergency Provisions

News: The renewed violence in Manipur has once again triggered the discussion around Centre-State relations and the use of emergency provisions by the Centre.
What is our Federal Set-Up?
- - India is a federation with governments at the Centre and the States.
  - The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution distributes power between the Union and States.
  - Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of State governments under this distribution.
Emergency Provisions: Part XVIII of the Constitution provides for emergency provisions:
- - Article 355:
  - Imposes a duty on the Centre to protect every State from external aggression and internal disturbances.
  - Requires the Centre to ensure that every State government operates according to the Constitution.
  - Article 356:
  - Allows for the imposition of the President’s rule if a State government fails to function according to constitutional provisions.
  - Unlike India, constitutions of countries like the U.S. and Australia do not allow for the removal of State governments by their federal governments.
B.R. Ambedkar’s view on Article 355 and 356:
- - B.R. Ambedkar emphasized that any Centre interference under Article 356 must be justified by obligations imposed by the Constitution.
  - Article 355 was incorporated to prevent arbitrary or unauthorized use of Article 356.
What have the Courts Ruled?
- - Ambedkar had hoped that Articles 355 and 356 would remain “dead letters” and never come into effect.
Misuse of Article 356:
- - On several occasions, Article 356 was misused to remove elected State governments.
  - Reasons for misuse varied from losing Lok Sabha elections to deteriorating law and order.
S.R. Bommai case (1994):
- - The Supreme Court restricted misuse of Article 356.
  - The Court held that Article 356 should only be imposed in cases of constitutional breakdown, not for political reasons or ordinary law and order issues.
  - The imposition of the President’s rule is subject to judicial review.
Interpretation of Article 355:
- - Initially, the Supreme Court in State of Rajasthan vs Union of India (1977) had a narrow interpretation of Article 355.
  - In subsequent cases like Naga People’s Movement of Human Rights (1998), Sarbananda Sonowal (2005), and H.S. Jain (1997), the Court expanded the scope of Article 355.
  - The Union can take all statutorily and constitutionally available actions to discharge its duty under Article 355.
What are the Suggestions? Various commissions have studied Centre-State relations and provided recommendations:
- - Sarkaria Commission (1987).
  - National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002).
  - Punchhi Commission (2010).
  - These commissions agree that:
  - Article 355 imposes a duty on the Union and grants it power to take necessary actions.
  - Article 356 should only be used as a last resort, in situations of utmost gravity and urgency.

Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative

News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while participating in the Quad Summit in the US, announced the formation of the Quad Cancer Moonshot Initiative in the Indo-Pacific.
Definition:
- - It has been launched by the QUAD countries: India, United States, Australia, and Japan.
Aim:
- - It aims to implement innovative strategies for the prevention, detection, treatment, and alleviation of cancer’s impact on patients and families.
Focus areas include:
- - Cervical cancer screening expansion.
  - Increasing vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection and the primary cause of cervical cancer.
  - Treatment support for cancer patients.

India’s Contribution:
- - India will provide technical assistance to countries in the Indo-Pacific region on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for cancer screening, care, and treatment continuum.
  - India has committed US $10 million to the WHO’s Global Initiative on Digital Health for cancer-related activities.
  - India will supply HPV sampling kits, detection tools, and cervical cancer vaccines worth $7.5 million to the Indo-Pacific region.
  - India is developing an AI-based treatment protocol for improved cancer care.
  - India will also provide support for:
  - Radiotherapy treatment.
  - Capacity building for cancer prevention in the Indo-Pacific region.
Significance: India’s contribution aims to:
- - Strengthen local efforts in preventing and detecting cervical cancer.
  - Empower communities with affordable and accessible tools for early detection and prevention.
  - Support vaccination programs to reduce the disease burden across the Indo-Pacific region.

Clean Economy and Fair Economy under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

News: India has recently signed the clean and fair economy agreements of the 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) for Prosperity to enhance cooperation in these areas.
Clean Economy Agreement under Pillar-III of IPEF:
- - Objective: The agreement focuses on boosting technical cooperation, workforce development, and investment in climate-friendly technologies.
  - Project Financing: It facilitates project financing and supports joint collaborative projects, particularly targeting MSMEs.
  - Global Value Chains: Aims to help Indian companies integrate further into global value chains through various initiatives.
Investment Initiatives:
- - IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund and the IPEF Accelerator are designed to support green energy and climate resilience.
  - Sembcorp (Singapore-based) has committed ₹36,238 crore to establish a green ammonia plant in Thoothukudi.
  - The IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund received an initial USD 33 million (₹273.9 crore) from Australia, Japan, Korea, and the USA.
  - The PGI Investment Accelerator secured USD 300 million (₹2,490 crore) in funding from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), focusing on energy transition and climate investments.

Fair Economy Agreement under Pillar-IV of IPEF:
Objective: Aims to enhance transparency and predictability in trade and investment across the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Focus:
- - Combating corruption.
  - Improving tax transparency.
  - Facilitating asset recovery.
Support for India: The agreement supports India’s efforts in:
- - Curbing money laundering.
  - Preventing terror financing.
  - Strengthening cross-border investigations and tax administration.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):
- - Launch: The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is an economic initiative launched by the U.S.A. President Joe Biden in 2022.
  - Objective: Provides a platform for countries in the Indo-Pacific region to collaborate on advancing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth.
  - Aims to contribute to cooperation, stability, and prosperity in the region.
  - Member Countries: It has 14 partner countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, U.S.A. and Vietnam.
  - Nodal Agency: The Department of Commerce is the nodal agency for IPEF engagements.
  - Four Pillars of Cooperation:
  - Trade
  - Supply Chain
  - Clean Economy
  - Fair Economy

UPSC GS 3

Exercise Eastern Bridge VII

News: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully completed Exercise Eastern Bridge VII with the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) at the RAFO airbase in Masirah.
Exercise Location: It was held at the RAFO airbase in Masirah, Oman.
Participants:
- - Indian Air Force (IAF) deployed MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft.
  - The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) deployed F-16 and Hawk aircraft.
Operations:
- - Focused on complex air operations, air-to-air combat drills, and mission scenarios.
  - Aimed at enhancing the strategic and tactical capabilities of both forces.

Objectives:
- - Foster military cooperation between India and Oman.
  - Improve interoperability between the IAF and RAFO for joint operations.
  - Enhance operational coordination and tactical skills for better performance in real-world scenarios.
Training and Operations:
- - Complex Air Operations: Designed to simulate real-world mission scenarios and challenges.
  - Air-to-Air Combat Drills: Focused on improving tactical combat capabilities in the air.
  - Strategic Mission Scenarios: Included mission planning and execution to improve strategic and operational proficiencies.

Greater One-Horned Rhino

News: World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on September 22.
Greater One-Horned Rhino:
Common Name: Greater One-Horned Rhino, also known as Indian Rhinoceros.
Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis.
Size: It is the largest of the three Asian rhino species and one of the largest overall, alongside the African white rhino.
Geographical Range: Found in India and Nepal, particularly in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Historical Range: Once roamed freely in the floodplains and forests alongside the Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Indus River valleys.
Population: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India, holds the largest population with 2,401 individuals.
Habitat: Semi-aquatic, often residing in swamps, forests, riversides, and areas near nutritious mineral licks.
Features:
- - Size and Weight:
  - Males weigh approximately 2,200 kg (nearly 4,840 pounds).
  - Height ranges from 170 to 186 cm (67 to 73 inches).
  - Length ranges from 368 to 380 cm (145 to 150 inches).
  - Physical Characteristics:
  - Identified by a single black horn measuring 8-25 inches long.
  - Grey-brown hide with distinct skin folds, giving an armor-plated appearance.
  - Behavior:
  - Primarily solitary, except for females with small calves.
  - Males maintain loosely defended territories.
  - Diet: Primarily a grazer, consuming grasses, as well as leaves, branches, fruit, and aquatic plants.
IUCN Red List: Classified as Vulnerable.
World Rhino Day:
- - It is celebrated annually on September 22 to raise awareness about the five endangered rhino species: Javan, Sumatran, Black, Greater One-Horned, and White rhinos.
  - Three species of rhino—black, Javan, and Sumatran—are critically endangered.

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Hilsa Fish

News: Bangladesh’s interim government recently clarified that the hilsa fish being sent to India is not a gift but an export aimed at generating foreign currency for Dhaka.
Hilsa Fish:
- - Hilsa fish, also known as Ilish, is a species of fish related to herring and belongs to the family Clupeidae.
  - It holds an exceptional place in the culinary traditions and social customs of Bengal, being a celebrated fish in many significant events.

Distribution:
- - Hilsa fish is found in rivers and estuaries across Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the Persian Gulf.
  - It has a historical migratory route to the Ganga river system in Allahabad from Bangladesh.
  - Although Hilsa is primarily a saltwater fish, it migrates to the freshwater of the Ganges from the Bay of Bengal for breeding.
Breeding Migration:
- - Hilsa engages in breeding migration in three major river systems of the Indo-Gangetic and Brahmaputra river networks, namely the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.
Significance in Bangladesh:
- - Bangladesh produces around 70% of the world’s Hilsa, making it a matter of national pride.
  - Hilsa is recognized as the national fish of Bangladesh, highlighting its cultural and economic importance.
  - The Hilsa fish from rivers such as the Ganga, Hooghly, and Mahanadi are highly regarded and often featured in important events and celebrations.
  - Conservation Status: According to the IUCN Red List, Hilsa fish is classified as a species of Least Concern.