News In Short 09-12-2024

Angami Naga Tribe

Syllabus: GS1/ Tribals

In Context

• The Stone-Pulling Ceremony is a traditional practice of the Angami Naga tribe, symbolizing unity and cooperation.

About Angami Naga Tribe

• Location and Ethnic Background:
  • Region: Prominent Naga tribes primarily reside in the Kohima district of Nagaland, with some recognized in Manipur.
  • Migration: Ancestors migrated from Myanmar to Nagaland.
  • Ethnicity: Belong to the Mongoloid race.
• Language:
  • Tenyidie: Most commonly spoken language among the Angami Nagas in Nagaland.
  • Nagamese: A pidgin language derived from Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and Nepali, used as a lingua franca.
• Culture and Economy:
  • Agriculture: Known for terrace wet cultivation.
  • Practice shifting (Jhum) cultivation.
  • Animal Husbandry: A significant livelihood activity.
• Craftsmanship:Renowned for cane and bamboo basketry.
  • Signature product: Khophi, a utility basket.
• Religion: Majority have embraced Christianity.
• Society: Patriarchal and patrilineal.
• Festival: Sekrenyi is the most important festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Source: TH

World Meditation Day

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• December 21 is now designated as World Meditation Day after a UN General Assembly draft resolution co-sponsored by India and adopted unanimously.
  • It is aimed at human well-being, including mental, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions.

India’s Role

• India, along with other nations in the core group, guided the resolution, emphasizing its philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (“The world is one family”).
• India’s global advocacy for practices like yoga and meditation aligns with its civilizational values.

Significance of December 21

• Winter Solstice: Marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Indian Context: Connected to festivals like Makar Sankranti, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and hope. Ancient Indian texts like Surya Siddhanta reference solstices in calendrical and temple alignments.
• Falls exactly six months after International Yoga Day (June 21).

Source: TH

Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

Syllabus: GS2/International Bodies

Context

• India has been chosen to Chair the 68th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
  • This is the first time that India has been named to Chair it.

About

• It was established in 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters. 
• It is mandated to monitor global drug trends, support Member States in formulating balanced policies, and oversee the implementation of the major international drug conventions.
• The CND has 53 member states that are elected by ECOSOC. 
• It is chaired by a Bureau including one member per Regional Group. 

Source: BS

Oilfields Amendment Bill, 2024

Syllabus: GS2/Governance/GS3/Energy Sector

Context

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.
  • The Bill amends the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act of 1948. 

Major Highlights

• Definition of mineral oils expanded: The Bill expands the definition to include: any naturally occurring hydrocarbon,coal  bed methane, and shale gas/oil.
  • It clarifies that mineral oils will not include coal, lignite or helium. 
• Introduction of petroleum lease: The Bill replaces the mining lease with a petroleum lease, which also covers a similar set of activities.  
• Private Investment: The Bill includes several provisions for encouraging investment from private players to spur domestic production of petroleum and other mineral oils. 
• Decriminalisation of offences:  The Bill provides that the violation of Rules will be punishable with a penalty of Rs 25 lakh.  
• Adjudication of penalties:  The central government will appoint an officer of the rank of Joint Secretary or above for adjudication of penalties.

Criticisms and Concerns

• Concerns were raised about how the Bill would affect the rights of states, given that Indian states have the power to tax mining activities.
• Entry 50 of the State List in the Constitution gives states the power to impose taxes on “mineral rights”. By reframing the Oilfields Act, it gives Parliament the power to create laws regarding the “Regulation and development of oilfields and mineral oil resources”.

Source: IE

RBI’s MuleHunter.AI Tool

Syllabus: GS3/Internal Security

Context

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has developed an AI/ML-based model called MuleHunter.ai.

About

• Aim: To tackle the issue of mule accounts, which are used for financial fraud.
  • It uses machine learning to quickly and accurately identify suspicious accounts by tracking illicit fund flows. 
  • It will help banks detect fraud more effectively and efficiently, enhancing the security of India’s financial ecosystem. 
• A mule account is a bank account used by criminals to launder illicit funds, often set up by unsuspecting individuals lured by promises of easy money or coerced into participation.
  • The transfer of funds through these highly interconnected accounts makes it difficult to trace and recover the funds.
• Financial Frauds: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), online financial frauds account for 67.8% of cybercrime complaints.
  • Mule account cases have been on the rise, and 53% of the total fraud threats to financial institutions were caused by money mules in 2023. 

Source: BS