UPSC: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Kalaram Temple, and More

Table of Contents

UPSC GS 1

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

News: India celebrates Teachers’ Day annually on September 5, the birth anniversary of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975).
Early Life and Education:
- - Born: September 5, 1888, in a small town in Tamil Nadu, India.
  - Education: Radhakrishnan received his education at Christian College, Madras, and served as a professor at the University of Mysore and the University of Calcutta.
  - Death: He passed away on April 17, 1975.
Philosophical Contributions:
- - He was a proponent of the non-dualist Advaita Vedanta tradition in the 20th century, and re-interpreted Adi Shankara’s philosophy for modern times.
  - He defended Hinduism against what he called “uninformed Western criticism.”
  - He thought highly of the profession of teaching, and said “teachers should be the best minds in the country”.
Political Career:
- - He became the first Vice President (1952-62), and the second President of India (1962-67).
  - Radhakrishnan served as the Indian Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952.
  - Radhakrishnan was knighted in 1931.
Key Academic Positions held by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan:
- - King George V Chair at Calcutta University: 1921–1932.
  - Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University: 1931–1936.
  - Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University: 1939–1948.
  - Spalding Chair of Eastern Religion and Ethics at Oxford University: 1936–1952.

Kalaram Temple

News: It has been in the news.
Location: The Kalaram temple is an old Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Rama in the Panchavati area of Nashik City in Maharashtra.
Establishment: It was built around 1792 with the efforts of Sardar Rangarao Odhekar.
Naming: The temple derives its name from the statue of Lord Rama that is black in colour.
Deities: The sanctum sanctorum has statues of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman, and a black idol of Hanuman at the main entrance.

Importance of Site:
- - The temple is also the site of a landmark agitation led by Babasaheb Ambedkar demanding temple entry rights for Dalits more than 90 years ago.
  - The main temple has 14 steps, which represent the 14 years of Ram’s exile.
  - It has 84 pillars, which represents the cycle of 84 lakh species that one has to complete in order to be born as a human.
  - There is also a very old tree here that has Lord Dattatreya’s footprint impressions marked on a stone.
  - The temple is located close to Panchavati.
  - The name Panchavati comes from the existence of five banyan trees in the area.
  - According to the epic, Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman set up a hut here as the presence of five banyan trees made this region auspicious.
  - It is from the Panchavati region that Ravan, the demon king of Lanka, abducted Sita.

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UPSC GS 2

India and Singapore

News: PM Narendra Modi recently met H.E. Mr. Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Singapore and signed key agreements.
More on News:
- - India and Singapore signed key MoUs in the fields of digital technologies, semiconductors, health cooperation, and skill development.

Singapore is an integral part of the worldwide semiconductor supply chain.
Singapore accounts for 10% of all chips produced globally and about 20% of the global production of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

MoU on Cooperation in Digital Technologies:
- - Signatories: India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information.
  - Key Areas of Cooperation:
  - Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
  - Cyber-security
  - 5G and emerging technologies such as super-computing, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence
  - Upskilling and reskilling of workers in the digital domain

MoU on India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership:
- - Signatories: India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry
  - Key Areas of Cooperation:
  - Development of a semiconductor cluster
  - Cultivation of talent in semiconductor design and manufacturing
  - Facilitation of Singapore’s investments in India
  - Support for Singapore’s significant role in the global semiconductor supply chain
MoU on Cooperation in Health and Medicine:
- - Signatories: India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Singapore’s Ministry of Health
  - Key Areas of Cooperation:
  - Joint efforts in research and innovation in health and medicine
  - Human resource development in healthcare and pharmaceuticals
  - Promotion of Indian healthcare professionals in Singapore
MoU on Educational Cooperation and Skills Development:
- - Signatories: India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Singapore’s Ministry of Education
  - Key Areas of Cooperation:
  - Promotion of collaboration in technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
  - Support for ongoing skill development initiatives
  - Enhancement of active cooperation in skills development programs

e-Shram Portal

News: The Ministry of Labour & Employment stated in a latest update that in the short span of 3 years since its launch, eShram has registered more than 30 crore unorganised workers.
Introduction and Launch:
- - The Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India launched eShram portalin 2021 for creation of a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers verified and seeded with Aadhaar.
Objective: To provide a One-Stop-Solution for unorganised workers across the country.
Registration and Features:
- - Universal Account Number (UAN): eShram portal supports the unorganised workers by providing them a Universal Account Number (UAN).
  - Aadhaar Verified: Registration on the portal is fully Aadhaar verified and Aadhaar seeded.
  - Self-Declaration: Any unorganised worker can register on the portal on a self-declaration basis.
  - Occupation Coverage: The portal allows registration under 400 occupations across 30 broad occupation sectors.
  - Process: eShram portal provides registration through self-registration i.e. Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) mobile app while assisted mode registration includes registration through Common Service Centre (CSC) and State Seva Kendras (SSKs).

Social Security Benefits:
- - Access to Schemes: The Ministry aims to facilitate access to social security schemes implemented by various Ministries/Departments for the benefit of unorganised workers through the e-Shram portal.
  - Integration with Other Platforms; The e-Shram portal is integrated with:
    - National Career Service (NCS) Portal
    - Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH)
    - myScheme Portal
    - Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhaan (PMSYM) Scheme
    - DigiSaksham Programme.

Centre Signs Peace Pact With 2 Insurgent Groups of Tripura

News: A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was signed between the Centre, Tripura Government and insurgent groups, National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) recently.
More on News:
- - This agreement is the 12th peace pact in the Northeast and the third related to Tripura, with over 10,000 insurgents having surrendered.
  - The Centre has resolved to develop the entire Northeast, including Tripura, by combining the concepts of ‘Ashtalakshmi’ and ‘Purvodaya’.
  - Centre has approved a special package of ₹250 crore for the overall development of the tribal population of Tripura.
Ashtalakshmi:
- - In Hinduism, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in several forms. The Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu (the sustainer of the universe).
  - The most popular forms of Goddess Lakshmi are eight which are collectively known as Ashta Lakshmi.
  - Adi Lakshmi – the primal mother goddess
  - Dhana Lakshmi – goddess of material wealth
  - Dhanya Lakshmi – goddess of good harvest and grains
  - Gaja Lakshmi – goddess of power and strength
  - Santana Lakshmi – goddess of off-springs and progeny
  - Veera Lakshmi – goddess of courage and strength
  - Vijaya Lakshmi – goddess of victory
  - Aishwarya Lakshmi – goddess of comfort and luxury
Purvodaya:
- - Purvodaya means the rising or appearing in the east (of Mercury or Venus) after emergence from vicinity to the sun.
  - The Central Govt will also formulate a plan, Purvodaya, for the all-round development of the eastern region of the country covering Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
  - Formation

Review Petition

News: The Supreme Court recently deferred the hearing on the review petition challenging the top court’s judgement upholding various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Legal Doctrine and Review Petition:
- - Doctrine of Functus Officio: Once a judgment is passed, this Latin doctrine applies, meaning the case cannot be reopened after due legal process.
  - Exception: The right to file a review petition is an exception to this doctrine, allowing for a re-examination of the judgment.

Constitutional Provision for Review:
- - Supreme Court:
  - Article 137 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to review its judgments or orders.
  - The court can review its rulings to correct a “patent error,” but not “minor mistakes of inconsequential import.”
  - High Courts:
  - Article 226 gives High Courts the power to review their judgments, but only in cases involving a breach of law or violation of the Constitution.
Grounds for Filing a Review Petition: In a 2013 ruling, SC laid down three grounds for seeking a review:
- - Discovery of new and important matter or evidence that was not within the knowledge of the petitioner or could not be produced earlier.
  - Mistake or error apparent on the face of the record.
  - Any other sufficient reason analogous to the previous two grounds.
Procedure for Filing a Review Petition:
Who can file: Any person aggrieved by a ruling can file a review petition; it is not limited to the parties involved in the original case.
- - Time Frame: A review petition must be filed within 30 days of the judgment or order, as per the 1996 rules framed by the Supreme Court.
  - Content of Petition: The petition should clearly outline the grounds for review and include legal arguments and supporting precedents.
Review Process:
- - Review through Circulation: Generally, review petitions are considered without oral arguments and are reviewed by judges in their chambers.
  - In exceptional cases, an oral hearing may be permitted.
  - Same Bench Review: The petition is usually circulated to the same bench that delivered the original judgment. If the original judges are unavailable, another competent court may handle the review.
Outcome of the Review Petition
- - Assessment: The Supreme Court assesses whether the petition qualifies for review.
  - If the petition lacks substantial merit, it may be rejected.
  - Further Relief: If the review petition is dismissed, the aggrieved person can seek relief through a Curative Petition.

UPSC GS 3

Bandipur Tiger Reserve

News: An elephant patrol team recently rescued a tusker stuck in a rail barricade in the Maddur range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Location:
- - Bandipur Tiger Reserve spans across Mysore and Chamarajanagar districts in Karnataka.
  - It lies at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, making it an important point of ecological convergence.
  - Geographically, it is an “ecological confluence” as the western and Eastern Ghats meet and constitute this area
Historical Background:
- - Historically a hunting ground for the Mysore kings.
  - Founded in 1931 as Venugopala Wildlife Park by the Maharaja of Mysore.
  - Renamed and expanded as Bandipur Tiger Reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger.
  - Forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Surrounding Reserves:
- - Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Karnataka): Located to the northwest, separated by the Kabini Reservoir.
  - Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu): Located to the south.
  - Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala): Positioned to the southwest.
Rivers:
- - The reserve is flanked by the Kabini River in the north and the Moyar River in the south.
Climate:
- - Bandipur experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry periods.
Vegetation:
- - The forest cover includes a mix of dry deciduous and tropical mixed deciduous forests.
Flora:
- - Key tree species include rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, along with varieties of bamboo, such as clumping bamboo and giant clumping bamboo.
Fauna:
- - The reserve is renowned for hosting the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia.
  - It also provides habitat to various other species, including the Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, and four-horned antelope.

Drug Repurposing (Drug Repositioning or Drug Reprofiling)

News: A team of researchers at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology in Guwahati have been working in the field of drug repurposing to develop improved therapeutic strategies for cancer management.
Definition: Drug repurposing is the process of using an existing drug or drug candidate for a new treatment or medical condition for which it was not originally indicated.
Objective: To identify new therapeutic uses for drugs that were initially developed for different conditions.

Process:
- - Serendipitous Discovery: Often described as an unexpected process, drug repurposing can occur serendipitously.
  - Goal: To find compounds with an established safety profile and known therapeutic benefits that may be effective for other indications.
Applications:
- - Fields of Interest: Pharmaceutical companies are exploring drug repurposing for various areas, including:
  - Rare Diseases
  - Oncology
  - Infectious Diseases
  - Autoimmune Diseases
Significance:
- - Benefits: Drug repurposing can significantly reduce development timelines and costs compared to developing new drugs from scratch.
Research Highlights:
- - Study on Selegiline: Selegiline (L-deprenyl), an antidepressant from the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor class.
  - New Application: Potential use as an anticancer therapeutic for breast cancer.
  - Effectiveness: Demonstrated effectiveness in killing both estrogen and progesterone-positive (ER+ & PR+) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

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Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas

News: The “Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas” (Virus War Exercise) was conducted in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, under the National One Health Mission (NOHM) from August 27 to August 31, 2024.
More on News: This drill simulated a mock zoonotic disease outbreak to assess real-world response scenarios.
Aim: To evaluate pandemic preparedness by testing the readiness and response capabilities of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT).

Objectives:
- - Assess the preparedness of NJORT, consisting of experts from the human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife sectors.
  - Identify and control the virus responsible for the simulated outbreak.
  - Implement measures to control the spread of the illness across human and animal populations.
Participants: Key participants in the exercise included:
- - National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
  - Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  - Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
  - Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
  - Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
  - Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
  - AIIMS Jodhpur BSL-3 Lab
Key Components of the Drill:
- - Virus Identification: Focused on identifying the virus responsible for the mock outbreak through thorough investigations, determining its source and public health impact.
  - Response Actions: Designed to control the spread of the disease among both human and animal populations, ensuring containment and preventing further transmission.
  - Team Response: The district and state teams responded promptly and appropriately, monitored by independent observers.
  - Evaluation: Observers identified strengths in the response and areas needing improvement for future preparedness.
Outcome and Impact:
- - The exercise provided valuable insights into India’s pandemic preparedness and response strategies for zoonotic disease outbreaks.
  - It highlighted the significance of coordinated efforts across various sectors to ensure effective responses to future pandemics.

AgriSURE Fund

News: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently launched a Rs 750-crore fund ‘AgriSure’ to provide financial support to agritech startups.
Definition:
- - Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises (AgriSURE) is an innovative fund aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape by promoting technology-driven, high-risk, high-impact ventures.
  - It supports growth and fosters innovation in the agricultural and rural start-up ecosystem.
Focus Area:
- - Focuses on technology-driven and high-risk ventures that have a significant impact.
  - Designed to enhance the farm produce value chain and rural ecosystem linkages.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy and the sector contributes around 18% to the GDP.

Funding Pattern:
- - A blended capital fund of ₹750 crore.
  - ₹250 crore from the Government of India.
  - ₹250 crore from NABARD.
  - ₹250 crore mobilized from banks, insurance companies, and private investors.
Key Objectives:
- - Promote innovative, technology-driven initiatives in agriculture.
  - Create new rural infrastructure and linkages.
  - Support Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) and generate employment.
  - Drive sustainable growth through IT-based solutions and machinery rental services for farmers.
Fund Management: NABVENTURES, a fully owned subsidiary of NABARD, will act as the fund manager.

Indian Ocean Biodiversity Ocean Information System

News: The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) conducted a national-level workshop on the Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) recently.
About IndOBIS:
- - The Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) is the Indian regional node of the global Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).
  - It is hosted by the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi.
  - IndOBIS collects taxonomically resolved marine species occurrence data from the Indian Ocean and contributes to OBIS as one of its 30 regional nodes.

What is OBIS?:
- - OBIS is one of the largest global repositories of marine species information, containing millions of records from thousands of datasets contributed by researchers, governments, and organizations globally.
  - It provides comprehensive data on species distribution across oceans, including habitats and environmental parameters.
  - It offers tools for searching, visualizing, and downloading biodiversity data.
  - Supported by a network of 30 regional nodes, OBIS ensures high-quality and accessible data.
  - It serves as a reference for marine science, conservation, and education, set up by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
  - OBIS is part of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) of IOC, promoting marine science and sustainable development.