News: Periyar Vision OTT platform was launched by Dravidar Kazhagam, a social organisation founded by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy.
Early Life:
Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy, commonly known as Periyar or Thanthai Periyar, was born on 17 September 1879 and passed away on 24 December 1973.
Political and Social Activism
Periyar founded the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam, and he is often referred to as the Father of the Dravidian movement.
Opposition to Brahminical Dominance
Periyar rebelled against Brahminical dominance and gender and caste inequality in Tamil Nadu.
He joined the Indian National Congress in 1919 but resigned in 1925, feeling that the party primarily served the interests of Brahmins.
Advocacy for Non-Brahmin Dravidians
Periyar questioned the subjugation of non-Brahmin Dravidians, criticizing how Brahmins accepted gifts and donations from non-Brahmins while opposing and discriminating against them in cultural and religious matters.
Key Movements and Contributions
In 1924, Periyar participated in a non-violent agitation (satyagraha) in Vaikom, Travancore.
He gained widespread recognition as a leader of the lower castes after leading a movement in 1924 that demanded Dalit entry into temples in Kerala.
He is best known for his Self-Respect Movement, which aimed to instill pride in the lower castes.
International Influence
From 1929 to 1932, Periyar toured British Malaya, Europe, and the Soviet Union. These travels influenced his thoughts and activism.
Leadership and Legacy
In 1939, Periyar became the head of the Justice Party, and in 1944, he renamed it Dravidar Kazhagam.
While continuing the Self-Respect Movement, he also advocated for an independent Dravida Nadu, or land of the Dravidians.
Principles and Beliefs
Periyar promoted the principles of rationalism, self-respect, women’s rights, and the eradication of caste.
He opposed the exploitation and marginalization of the non-Brahmin Dravidian people of South India and resisted the imposition of what he considered Indo-Aryan India.
Despite his rationalist views, he believed in the ideas of the Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar and thus held faith in the concept of a single, formless God.
Rogue Waves
News: Using data from 172 ocean buoys, University of Maryland mathematicians trained an AI program to identify wave patterns preceding rogue waves up to five minutes in advance.
About Rogue Waves
Rogue waves, also known as freak waves, are rare, large, spontaneous ocean surface waves.
These waves have heights significantly larger than the maximum wave height expected for a given sea state.
Formation
Rogue waves are formed from the coincidental stacking of multiple wind-driven wave crests passing through a single point. They can also arise from a combination of different waves.
Characteristics
Rogue waves tower to heights greater than twice the size of nearby waves.
They may move in the same, opposite, or oblique directions relative to the prevailing wind and wave motion.
These waves are very unpredictable, often coming unexpectedly from directions other than prevailing wind and waves.
They have been observed in the Mediterranean Sea, the Pacific, the Atlantic, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Rogue waves can also occur near shore, causing damage to coastal structures and posing danger to small fishing boats.
They look like “walls of water” and are often steep-sided with unusually deep troughs.
Impacts
Rogue waves can be hazardous to ships at sea, capable of capsizing vessels or washing crew members overboard.
They are powerful enough to damage oil-drilling platforms and lighthouses.
UPSC GS 2
National Flag Day
News: On July 22nd 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag.
Definition:
The National Flag of India was adopted in its present form during the meeting of Constituent Assembly held on the 22 July 1947, a few days before India’s independence from the British on 15 August, 1947.
It served as the national flag of the Dominion of India between 15 August 1947 and 26 January 1950 and that of the Republic of India thereafter.
Measures:
The ratio of width of the flag to its length is two to three.
Colours of the Flag:
In the national flag of India the top band is of Saffron colour, indicating the strength and courage of the country.
The white middle band indicates peace and truth with Dharma Chakra.
The last band is green in colour shows the fertility, growth and auspiciousness of the land.
The Chakra:
This Dharma Chakra depicted the “wheel of the law” in the Sarnath Lion Capital made by the 3rd-century BC Mauryan Emperor Ashoka.
The chakra intends to show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation.
Its diameter approximates to the width of the white band and it has 24 spokes.
Second Thomas Shoal
News: China and Philippines agree on ‘provisional arrangement’ for South China Sea resupply missions.
Location: Submerged reef (locally known as Ayungin) in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea
Philippine Possession: First occupied by the Philippines in 1999
Philippine Outpost: BRP Sierra Madre stationed on the shoal
The Issue:
Proximity to Philippines: Lies about 108 nautical miles (200 km) from the Philippine island of Palawan
China’s Claims: China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal, based on the historical and controversial Nine-dash line
Impact on EEZs: China’s claims intrude into the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia
Legal Dispute:
Philippines’ Legal Action: In 2013, the Philippines filed a case against China with the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, challenging the legality of China’s claims and activities in the South China Sea, including the Second Thomas Shoal
Court Ruling: In 2016, the court ruled in favor of the Philippines
China’s Response: China rejected the judgment
Union Budget
News: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has begun presenting her seventh consecutive Union Budget 2024-25 during the Budget Session of Parliament.
Definition:
The Budget is an annual financial statement from the centre which outlines its proposed expenditures and revenues for the upcoming fiscal (FY25) — from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025.
Aim:
It outlines the government’s achievements of the past financial year and outlines goals and allocations for the financial year ahead.
It aims to meet requirements for policies, allocations and plans for the financial year ahead.
Constitutional Provisions:
Article 77(3): The Union Finance Minister has been made responsible by the President to prepare the budget also called as the annual financial statement and pilot it through the parliament.
Article 112: The President is responsible for presenting the budget to the Lok Sabha every financial year.
Article 113: No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the President.
Article 114: No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India(CFI) without authorization from the Parliament.
Article 266 : All revenues received by the government shall be credited to the “Consolidated Fund of India”. All other public money, such as provident fund, Postal insurance, etc, shall be credited to the Public Account of India.
Article 267: Parliament may by law establish a Contingency Fund of India to meet unexpected or unforeseen expenditures.
Classification of Budget: Union Budget is classified into Revenue Budget and Capital Budget.
Revenue Budget:
Includes the government’s revenue receipts and expenditure.
There are two kinds of revenue receipts – tax and non-tax revenue.
Revenue expenditure is the expenditure incurred on day to day functioning of the government and on various services offered to citizens.
If revenue expenditure exceeds revenue receipts, the government incurs a revenue deficit.
Capital Budget :
Includes capital receipts and payments of the government.
Loans from public, foreign governments and RBI form a major part of the government’s capital receipts.
Capital expenditure is the expenditure on development of machinery, equipment, building, health facilities, education etc.
Fiscal deficit is incurred when the government’s total expenditure exceeds its total revenue.
Prepared by:
The Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance prepares the Union Budget every year, which is then presented by the Finance Minister.
Iconic Budgets:
The Wealth Tax Budget of 1957, the People-Centric Budget of 1968, and the Black Budget of 1973 are some of the most iconic Budgets in the history of independent India.
The shortest Budget presentation in the Indian history was by Hirubhai Mullji who was finance minister in Morarji Desai’s cabinet in 1977.
Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Morarji Desai are among the prime ministers who have presented the Budget.
Nirmala Sitharaman has made history as the first finance minister to present 7 consecutive Budget speeches.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
News: India recently concluded its 4th periodic review by the Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in Geneva.
Definition:
It is a key international human rights treaty that provides a range of protections for civil and political rights.
The Covenant was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1966 and came into force in 1976.
Significance:
The ICCPR, along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, is considered part of the International Bill of Human Rights.
The Covenant obligates countries that have ratified it to protect and preserve basic human rights, including the right to life and human dignity, equality before the law, freedom of speech, assembly, and association, religious freedom and privacy, freedom from torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary detention, and gender equality.
Obligations:
The Covenant compels governments to take administrative, judicial, and legislative measures to protect the rights enshrined in the treaty and to provide an effective remedy.
As of 2024, 174 countries have become parties to the ICCPR.
India’s Involvement:
India became a party to the ICCPR in 1979 and has undergone three reviews, with the last review taking place in 1997.
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
News: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is building a new ocean research vessel to explore the deep Indian Ocean for rare minerals and metals as part of India’s Deep Ocean Mission.
Establishment: The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research is an autonomous research institute established in 1998.
Role: It is India’s premier R&D institution for research in the Polar and Southern Ocean realms.
Responsibilities: Tasked with planning and executing polar expeditions and scientific research in Antarctica, the Arctic, the Himalayas, and the Southern Ocean.
Functions: Acts as the nodal agency for planning, promoting, coordinating, and executing polar and southern ocean scientific research in India, along with associated logistics activities.
Strategic Projects: Undertakes research on strategic projects such as mapping the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), continental shelf margins, and the Deep Ocean Mission.
Research Advisory Committee: Maintains a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) to guide and focus research activities.
Location: Located in Vasco da Gama, Goa; formerly known as the National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR).
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India.
What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
Initiative: The Deep Ocean Mission is an ambitious Indian initiative to explore and harness the depths of the ocean.
Duration and Budget: It is a five-year mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021, with a budget of nearly ₹4,077 crore.
Objectives: Aims to develop technologies for deep-sea mining, manned submersibles, underwater robotics, ocean climate change advisory services, and deep-ocean survey and exploration.
UPSC GS 3
Garment Sector In India
News: Recently, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) published a report on the status of India’s garment sector, revealing several challenges facing the industry.
Key Findings from the Report
Export Decline: India’s garment exports were $14.5 billion in 2023-24, a decrease from $15 billion in 2013-14. In contrast, Vietnam and Bangladesh have seen significant growth in their garment exports.
Comparative Decline: Vietnam’s garment exports grew by 82% to $33.4 billion, while Bangladesh’s exports increased by 70% to $43.8 billion. India’s exports, however, have decreased over the same period.
Import Restrictions: High duties and complex import procedures for raw materials, particularly synthetic fabrics, are major obstacles for Indian garment exporters.
Domestic Issues: Increased quality control orders for fabric imports have raised costs, leading to a reliance on more expensive domestic supplies.
Procedural Complexity: Outdated customs and trade procedures necessitate meticulous tracking of all imported materials, adding to the exporters’ burden.
Ineffective PLI Scheme: The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for textiles, introduced in 2021, has not attracted significant investment and requires revision.
Rising Imports: India’s garment and textiles imports grew to nearly $9.2 billion in 2023, with further increases anticipated if export challenges are not addressed.
Upper Karnali Hydro-Electric Power Project
News: The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) is set to invest approximately ₹290 crore in the Upper Karnali Hydro-Electric Power Project.
Power Supply: To Nepal, India, and Bangladesh for 25 years
Award and Development: Awarded to GMR Upper Karnali Hydro Power Limited (GUKHL), a subsidiary of GMR Group India, by the Government of Nepal under an MoU signed in January 2008
Development Model: Build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis
Nepal Government Equity: 27% free equity in the project
Electricity Generation: Estimated to generate 3,466 million units of electricity annually
Environmental Impact: Expected to offset approximately two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year
Key Features: Concrete gravity dam, headrace tunnels, fish pass, feeder tunnels, surge and pressure shafts, and silt flushing tunnels.
Key Facts about Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)
Status: Mini Ratna (Category I) Government of India Enterprise
Administrative Control: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Establishment: Public limited government company established in 1987 as a non-banking financial institution
Mission: Promoting, developing, and providing financial assistance for projects related to new and renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency/conservation
Motto: “ENERGY FOR EVER”
Key Facts about Karnali River
Origin: Himalaya Mountains on the Nepal side of the Tibet border near Mt. Kailash
Length: 315 miles, making it the longest and largest river in Nepal
Basin: More than 90% lies in Nepal
Course: Cuts through the Himalayas in Nepal, joins the Sharda River at Brahmaghat in India
Confluence: Forms the Ghaghara River, a major left bank tributary of the Ganges
Brown Dwarfs
News: Researchers have used James Webb Space Telescope observations to conduct detailed examinations of the atmospheric conditions on pairs of brown dwarfs.
About Brown Dwarfs
Nature: Celestial bodies larger than planets but smaller than stars
Size: Between that of a giant planet like Jupiter and a small star
Material Accumulation: Accumulate material like stars, not like planets
Atmospheric Clouds: Can have clouds made of precipitates; unlike Earth’s water clouds, brown dwarf clouds are much hotter and likely composed of hot silicate particles
Element Retention: Hold onto lighter elements (hydrogen and helium) more effectively than planets, with relatively low metal content
Nuclear Fusion: Lack enough mass for their cores to burn nuclear fuel and radiate starlight, earning them the nickname “failed stars”
Key Facts about James Webb Space Telescope
Launch: 2021, as a joint effort of the USA, European, and Canadian space agencies
Specifications: Large infrared telescope with an approximately 6.5-meter primary mirror
Orbit: Orbits the Sun 5 million kilometers away from Earth at the second Lagrange point (L2), unlike the Earth-orbiting Hubble Space Telescope
Purpose: Designed to see farther across the cosmos and further back in time than any previous astronomical tool
Objective: One of its key goals is to find the very first stars to ignite in the nascent Universe.
