Daily Current Affairs UPSC 03 May 2024

Cocoa

Price Increase of Cocoa Beans

• Cocoa beans, a key ingredient in chocolates, have seen a significant increase in price.

Information about Cocoa

• Cocoa, scientifically known as Theobroma cacao, is a commercial plantation crop that is typically grown as a mixed crop.
• It is a humid tropical crop native to the Amazon region of South America and comes in varieties such as Criollo, Forastero, and Trinitario.
• Cocoa thrives in specific conditions, including being a perennial crop grown on red laterite soils, at altitudes of up to 1200 meters above sea level, with annual rainfall between 1000 mm to 2000 mm, and temperatures ranging from 15°C to 35°C.
• In India, cocoa cultivation is primarily found in Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, with exports to countries like the U.S.A, Indonesia, and Nepal.

Shaksgam Valley

Shaksgam Valley: A Strategic Territory in Jammu and Kashmir

• The Shaksgam Valley is a region that is part of India's territory in Jammu and Kashmir. It is strategically located and holds significant importance.

Unlawful Cession of Shaksgam Valley to China

• In 1963, Pakistan unlawfully ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China through a boundary agreement. This act has been a point of contention between India and China.

Trans-Karakoram Tract: The Area Along the Shaksgam River

• The Shaksgam Valley is also known as the Trans-Karakoram Tract. It is located along both sides of the Shaksgam River and is bounded by the Kun Lun Mountains and Karakoram peaks. It is also adjacent to the Siachen Glacier, adding to its strategic significance.

Right to Contest Election and Right to Vote of prisoners

Contesting Elections and Imprisonment

• A person who has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 2 years is not allowed to contest elections under Section 8(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
• Even if the convicted person is out on bail, they are still not eligible to contest elections.
• According to Section 62(5) of the RPA, 1951, a person who is confined in prison is not allowed to vote.
• This rule applies to individuals who are serving a sentence of imprisonment or transportation, or are in police custody.
• However, a person under preventive detention is still entitled to vote in an election under Section 62(5) of the RPA, 1951 and Rule 18 of the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961.

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

NADA India's PlayTrue Campaign in Commemoration of WADA's Play True Day

• NADA India recently concluded its PlayTrue Campaign, which was held to commemorate WADA's Play True Day. 
• The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of clean sport and anti-doping practices.
• Genesis: NADA was established in 2005 as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
• Statutory Backing: NADA is provided statutory backing by the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022.
• Ministry: NADA operates under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• Mandate: NADA implements the anti-doping programme in India in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code 2021.

Mount Ruang

Mount Ruang eruption in Indonesia

1. Mount Ruang is a stratovolcano in Sulawesi Islands.

• Stratovolcano has a conical shape from layers of volcanic material.

2. Indonesia has around 130 active volcanoes in the Ring of Fire.

• Ring of Fire is a string of volcanoes around the Pacific Ocean.

Other active volcanoes in Indonesia

• Krakatau, Merapi, and Semeru are other active volcanoes in Indonesia.

KAVACH

RailTel Corporation of India partners with tech firm for KAVACH implementation

• RailTel Corporation of India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a technology firm to explore and deliver projects related to the implementation of KAVACH, a train collision avoidance system, in India and other countries.
• KAVACH is an Automatic Train Protection System that has been developed indigenously.
• The system was developed by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.
• KAVACH is an electronic system that meets Safety Integrity Level - 4 standards, with a probability of error of 1 in 10,000 years.
• Key features of KAVACH include centralized live monitoring of train movements, automatic braking to prevent overspeeding, and the ability to relay SoS messages.

The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) Project

Completion Ceremony of TAO Telescope Site in Santiago, Chile

• The TAO Project aims to construct a 6.5 meter optical-infrared telescope at the summit of Cerro Chajnantor in the Atacama Desert of Chile.
• The site is the world's highest astronomical site, located at an altitude of 5,640 meters.
• The region's high altitude, thin atmosphere, and arid climate allow for observing almost the entire range of near-infrared wavelengths.
• The telescope is equipped with two infrared observation instruments: SWIMS, which will aid in understanding the evolution of galaxies, and MIMIZUKU, which will help study planet formation and the origin of materials.

Domestic Violence Act (DVA), 2005

Supreme Court's Consideration of Compensation in Domestic Violence Cases

• The Supreme Court is currently deliberating on whether compensation in cases of domestic violence should be based on the severity of the violence experienced by the victim or the financial capacity of the perpetrator.
• The Domestic Violence Act of 2005 is designed to protect wives or female live-in partners from violence perpetrated by their husbands or male live-in partners and their relatives.
• Domestic violence under the Act encompasses various forms of abuse, including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse.

Lala Hansraj (1864-1938)

Birth Anniversary Celebration of Lala Hansraj

Early Life of Lala Hansraj

• Born in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab.
• Parents: Lala Chunnilal and mother Hardevi.
• Influenced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati's ideologies.
• Popularly known as Mahatma Hansraj.

Contributions of Lala Hansraj

• Chose English-oriented Science-based education with Vedic ideals.
• Co-established the first Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System (DAV) in Lahore in 1886.
• Served as the first Headmaster of DAV.
• Proposed the inclusion of the Ashok Dharma Chakra at the Centre of the National Flag.

Values of Lala Hansraj

• Leadership.
• Patriotism.
• Selflessness.

"Rajasthan High Court Orders State to Stop Child Marriages"

Directives issued ahead of Akshay Tritiya festival to prevent child marriages

• The court holds village heads and panchayat members accountable for child marriages.
• Sarpanch has a duty to restrict child marriages under Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Rules 1996.

Child marriages defined and its impact

• Child marriage is any formal or informal union between a child under 18 and an adult or another child (UNICEF).
• Girls are disproportionately affected by child marriages.
• In India, minimum age for marriage is 18 for women and 21 for men under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006.
• State Government can appoint Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPO) to create awareness about the detrimental effects of child marriages.

Reasons for child marriages

• Gender inequality, social and religious norms, poverty, lack of education, control over women's sexuality, etc.

Current status of child marriages in India

• Percentage of women aged 20-24 married before 18 years reduced from 47.4% in 2005-06 to 23.3% in 2019-21 according to NFHS.

Initiatives to Prevent Child Marriages:

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme:

• This scheme focuses on educating girls and reducing dropouts to delay their marriage.
• By promoting education, girls are empowered to make informed decisions about their future, including when to get married.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Scheme:

• This scheme allows partial withdrawal from the account only when the girl child turns 18.
• By providing financial security and independence to girls, this scheme can deter child marriages as families may be less inclined to marry off their daughters at a young age.

CHILDLINE (1098) Emergency Outreach:

• This 24X7 telephone service provides suitable interventions for calls seeking assistance, including for the prevention of child marriages.
• By offering immediate support and intervention, CHILDLINE can help prevent child marriages and protect vulnerable children.

Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021:

• This bill aims to increase the minimum age of marriage for females to 21 years.
• By raising the legal age of marriage, this bill seeks to protect young girls from being forced into early marriages and promote their education and well-being.

"South Africa Marks 30 Years Since End of Apartheid"

• Apartheid System was a legal system of racial segregation against non-whites in South Africa, enforced through political, social, and economic discrimination.
• Institutionalized by the National Party in 1948, with the Population Registration Act of 1950 forming its basic framework.
• Classified South Africans by race into Blacks, Coloured, Whites, and Indians.
• Other apartheid laws included the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act 1949, Group Areas Act 1950, and Bantu Education Act 1953.

Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM):

• Characterized by three phases: Non-violent Resistance movement with the African National Congress (ANC), Internationalisation with support from the Organization of African Unity and UN, and Massive Resistance with boycotts and demonstrations.
• India was the first country to sever trade relations with apartheid Government in 1946 and imposed a complete embargo on South Africa.
• The ANC led the Defiance Campaign in 1952.

Role of Mahatma Gandhi:

• Mahatma Gandhi sowed the seeds of the AAM in South Africa by establishing the first anti-colonial and anti-racial discrimination movement and founding the Natal Indian Congress in 1894.
• He used the Satyagraha technique against the 1906 legislation requiring registration of Asians.
• In 1913, 5000 indentured workers marched in Natal, marking the beginning of marches to freedom and mass strikes in the AAM.

Nelson Mandela:

• Mandela was a symbol of the AAM and became South Africa's first democratically elected President in 1994.
• He joined the ANC in 1944 and helped form the ANC Youth League.
• Sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 during the Rivonia Trial, he was released in 1990 after 27 years.
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
• The UN celebrates Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July every year.

"Women Entrepreneurs Driving Change in Middle India"

Survey Findings on Women's Entrepreneurship in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities

• The survey focuses on the socio-economic factors impacting women's entrepreneurship in Middle India.
• Women face challenges on the path to entrepreneurial success, with caregiving responsibilities being a major obstacle.
• A large percentage of women are primary decision-makers in their ventures, showcasing their autonomy and leadership.

Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs

• Capital Gap: Only a small percentage of women have access to external funding.
• Network Gap: Marriage often leads to women relocating, making it difficult to rebuild social networks and progress in their careers.
• Care Gap: Caregiving responsibilities, such as maternity leave, can delay entrepreneurial success.
• Data Gap: The lack of gender-disaggregated data makes it challenging to implement effective policies.
• Visibility Gap: Women's contributions are undervalued, leading to limited recognition and visibility.

Policy Recommendations for Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

• Use gender-disaggregated data to inform policy interventions.
• Break capital barriers through grants, female-focused incubators, and strengthening support networks for women.
• Provide fiscal incentives for childcare leave and expenses.
• Create safe public and digital spaces to enhance physical mobility for women entrepreneurs.

Importance of Women Entrepreneurs in Middle India:

• Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in developing local markets by creating products and services that cater to the needs of the community.
• Women entrepreneurs contribute to earning foreign exchange by exporting goods and services to international markets, thereby boosting the economy.
• Women entrepreneurs are instrumental in setting up supply chains that connect producers with consumers, ensuring a smooth flow of goods and services.
• Women entrepreneurs foster supportive local networks that provide resources, mentorship, and opportunities for other aspiring entrepreneurs in the community.

Coal's share in India's electricity capacity drops below 50%: CEEW Study

2024 Achievements in India's Energy Sector:

Installed Capacity: India reached a total installed capacity of 442 GW, as shown in the infographics.

Generation Capacity: A net power generation capacity of 25.9 GW was added, with 71.3% contributed by renewable energy, mainly solar.

Coal Capacity Addition: Despite a decrease in share, net coal capacity addition increased four times compared to FY23.

Reduction in Discoms Dues: Legacy dues of discoms to generating companies decreased to Rs 49,451 crore from Rs 91,061 crore in FY23.

EV Adoption: Electric vehicle sales grew by approximately 45% compared to FY23.

Policy Initiatives for Renewable Energy Adoption:

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): A target of installing rooftop solar systems on one crore households has been set.

Competitive Bidding: Guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding for power procurement of wind-solar, solar, and wind projects were revised.

Incentive Scheme for Green Ammonia Production: MNRE launched an incentive scheme to boost the production of Green Ammonia in India.

Hydrogen Hub: A budgetary outlay of INR 200 crore was allocated for the development of core infrastructure for the hydrogen hub scheme.

"Promoting Healthy Aging in Asia: ADB Report"

Key Dimensions of Older Persons' Well-being:

• Health.
• Productive work.
• Economic security.
• Social engagement.

Key Findings of the Report:

• Developing Asia is aging rapidly.
• Older people will make up 25.2% of the population by 2050.
• India has low health insurance coverage for older people.
• Most financial resources for retirement come from private income and assets.

Challenges to Healthy Aging:

• Lifestyle diseases and social isolation are common.
• Limited access to essential services like healthcare.
• Economic insecurity with many older people lacking pensions.
• Informal sector employment is common among older workers.

Recommendations:

• Universal health coverage and health insurance reforms.
• Labour protection for informal workers and flexible retirement age.
• Broader social pension coverage and financial literacy.
• Market-based long term care systems and digital skills training for older persons.

"Draft Explosives Bill (2024) Released for Public Consultation"

Replacing the Explosives Act, 1884

• The Explosives Act, 1884, a colonial era law, will be replaced by a new Bill.
• The aim of the new Bill is to regulate the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport, import, and export of explosives.

Key highlights of the Bill

• Definition of explosive: The Bill defines explosives as substances like gunpowder, nitroglycerine, nitroglycol, guncotton, or any other substance used for explosion or pyrotechnic effects.
• Licensing authority: The Chief Controller of Explosives or another prescribed authority will be responsible for granting, suspending, or revoking licenses.
• Punishment for contravention: Violating the Act by manufacturing, importing, or exporting explosives can lead to imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of Rs 1,00,000, or both.
• Power of Central Government: The Central Government can make rules to implement the provisions of the Act.

Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)

• Genesis: Established in 1898, PESO was formerly known as the Department of Explosives.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry oversees PESO.
• Mandate: PESO is responsible for regulating the safety of hazardous substances like explosives, compressed gas, and petroleum. It administers responsibilities under the Explosives Act 1884, Petroleum Act 1934, and related rules.