News In Short 12-11-2024

Acharya Kriplani

Syllabus: GS 1/History 

In News

• The birth anniversary of Acharya Kripalani is observed every year on 11th November. 

About Acharya Kripalani

• Birth and Early Life:  Born in 1888 in Hyderabad, Sind (now in Pakistan).
• Nationalist Involvement: He was a distinguished freedom fighter, Gandhian, parliamentarian, and advocate for social justice. First came into contact with Gandhiji during the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917.
• Association with Gandhian Movement: Engaged in Ashram work in Gujarat from 1927 onwards.
  • Involved in political movements of the Indian National Congress.
  • The Title “Acharya”: Came to be known as “Acharya” while working at Gujarat Vidyapeeth, a title that stayed with him throughout his life.
• Role in Indian National Congress: Served as General Secretary of the Indian National Congress from 1934 to 1946.
  • Arrested several times for his role in the National Movement.
• Constituent Assembly: Elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India from 1946 to 1951.
• Political Career Post-Independence: Resigned from the Praja Socialist Party in 1954.
  • Remained an independent political figure thereafter.
  • Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957, 1963, and 1967.
• Death: Passed away on 19 March 1982.

Source: PIB

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Syllabus: GS1/Personality in News

Context

• November 11 is observed as National Education Day, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

About

• Maulana Azad was a journalist, freedom fighter, and senior Congress leader.
• He founded Al-Hilal, a weekly Urdu journal, in 1912 to increase revolutionary recruits among Muslims.
• In 1920, he was elected as a member of the foundation committee to establish Jamia Millia Islamia University at Aligarh in UP. 
• He was chosen President of the Congress’s Special Session in Delhi (1923).
  • At the age of 35, he became the youngest President of the Indian National Congress.
• Legacy: He was also the first Minister of Education in independent India and is credited with shaping the country’s modern educational system. 
  • During his tenure, the first IIT, IISc, School of Planning and Architecture, and University Grants Commission were established. 
  • The Sangeet Natak Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sahitya Academy, and Indian Council for Cultural Relations were among the most well-known cultural and literary institutes established during his tenure.

Source: IE

Comics Commandos in Assam

Syllabus :GS 1/Social Issues

In News 

• In Assam’s Goalpara district, a group of 30 local youths, called “comics commandos,” are using comics to raise awareness against child labour and child marriage.

Comics Commandos in Assam

• It is an educational programme in Balijan block, Goalpara district, Assam
• It  is using comics to fight child labour and child marriage.
• Under it, 30 local youths trained to create caricatures and doodles to campaign against these social issues.

Need and Importance 

• Assam’s Education Minister reported a rise in the dropout rate from 3.3% in 2020-21 to 6.02% in 2021-22.
• Economic pressures on families, such as poverty, lead to high dropout rates as children are forced to work or are married off to ease financial burdens.
• Therefore,there is focus on the effectiveness of comics in storytelling, with participation from teachers and school committees highlighted
  • Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, began a campaign against child marriage in 2023, aiming to end it by 2026, with reports showing a significant reduction but remaining challenges.

Source : TH 

Inter-State Council Has Been Reconstituted

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity

In News

• The Inter-State Council, which works for Centre-State and interstate coordination and cooperation, has been reconstituted with the Prime Minister as its Chairman.

About Inter-State Council

• Objective: To facilitate discussion on policies, resolve inter-state disputes, and foster a collaborative approach between the Union and states on matters of national importance.
• Establishment: Though Article 263 provided for the possibility of such a council, the ISC was formally established in 1990 by a presidential order based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission on center-state relations.
• Composition: The Prime Minister serves as the Chairperson of the Council.
• Members include Chief Ministers of all states, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with legislatures, and Administrators of Union Territories without legislatures.
• Certain Union Cabinet Ministers, particularly those concerned with interstate affairs, are also part of the ISC.
• Functions: Policy coordination, conflict resolution Review and makes recommendations to improve administration and governance across states.

Source: BS

Gotti Koya Tribals

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity

In News

• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has urged Centre and States to submit a detailed report on the status of the Gotti Koya tribals. 

Background 

• The Gotti Koyas were displaced from their native Chhattisgarh due to Maoist insurgency and conflicts between security forces and left-wing extremists.
• They face challenges in their new states as they are not recognized as Scheduled Tribes outside Chhattisgarh. This limits their access to forest rights, social welfare schemes, and tribal benefits.

About Gotti Koya Tribals

• They are adivasi tribals and native of Chattisgarh. 
• They speak Gondi, a South-Central Dravidian language that is part of their rich cultural heritage. 
• They have a strong spiritual connection to nature.
• Gotti Koya villages have a traditional political structure led by a village head called the Patel.

Source: TH

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• A study has found an association between the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine CoronaVac from Sinovac Biotech and immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

About

• TTP is a rare and serious blood disorder characterized by the formation of small blood clots (thrombi) in the small blood vessels throughout the body.
• The clots can limit or block the flow of blood to organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and heart. 
• It is often caused by autoimmune antibodies against the ADAMTS13 enzyme. 
• Symptoms: Fever, Fatigue and weakness, Pale skin or jaundice, Neurological symptoms, purpura or unexplained bruising, abdominal pain and shortness of breath or signs of heart failure if the heart is affected.
• Treatment: Early recognition and urgent treatment with plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive therapy are essential for improving survival outcomes.

Source: TH

FCRA Licence Cancellation of NGOs

Syllabus:GS 2/Governance 

In  News

• The Union government announced that any NGO involved in anti-developmental activities or forced religious conversions will face cancellation of their registration under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA)

• It  regulates foreign donations to ensure they do not compromise internal security. It was first enacted in 1976 and amended in 2010 with stricter regulations.
• Applicability: FCRA applies to all associations, groups, and NGOs seeking foreign donations. NGOs must register under FCRA, with initial registration valid for five years, renewable if they meet compliance norms.
• FCRA Requirements: All NGOs or individuals receiving foreign donations must register under the FCRA, open a designated bank account at SBI in Delhi, and file annual returns.
  • Funds cannot be transferred to another NGO and must be used strictly as per the Act’s stipulations.
• Permitted Purposes: Registered associations can use foreign contributions for social, educational, religious, economic, and cultural activities. Filing annual returns is mandatory.
• New Rules in 2015: NGOs must declare that foreign funds will not harm India’s sovereignty, integrity, friendly foreign relations, or communal harmony. They must use banks with core banking to provide real-time access for security agencies
• Entities Prohibited from Receiving Donations:.Legislators, political parties, government officials, judges, and media persons cannot receive foreign contributions.
  • Under the new FCRA rules, political parties, legislators, election candidates, judges, government employees, journalists, and media houses (all generally barred from foreign contributions) will not face prosecution if they receive foreign contributions from relatives abroad and fail to notify the government within 90 days.
  • However, they must pay a 5% penalty on the foreign contribution received.
• Monitoring: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) monitors the implementation of the FCRA.
  • The Ministry regulates foreign donations to ensure national security.
  • NGOs must register to receive foreign funds for various programs (social, educational, cultural, etc.).
• Suspension or Cancellation of Registration: The notice from the Director (FCRA) outlined several conditions under which NGOs could face action, including:
  • Use of foreign funds for anti-development activities or inciting protests.
  • Evidence of personal gain by the organization or its office-bearers.
  • Linkages to terrorist or radical organizations.
  • Engaging in forced religious conversion or proselytization.
  • Failure to utilize foreign funds for the intended projects of the NGO.

Source : IE

EV as a Service Programme

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• The Union Minister of Power launched the ‘EV as a Service’ programme of Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
  • CESL is a subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).

EV as a Service’ programme

• It aims to address the rising demand for EVs within the government sector, with an ambitious goal of deploying 5,000 E-Cars over the next two years. 
• Flexible procurement model: The programme allows for the deployment of a variety of E-Car makes/models, enabling Govt. offices to choose E-Cars that best align with their operational requirements.
• Significance: The launch of ‘EV as a Service’ follows the recent introduction of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, a national initiative aimed at fast-tracking India’s shift to electric mobility.

PM E-DRIVE Scheme – It stands for PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE). – The PM E-DRIVE will replace Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II). – The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will implement the new scheme with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years. – The scheme will focus on promoting electric buses, trucks, and ambulances. Electric cars for private or shared mobility will not be covered under this new scheme. – The government has introduced e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail of demand incentives under the scheme.  1. These vouchers will be generated at the time of purchase and authenticated via Aadhaar, ensuring transparency in the subsidy process.

Source: PIB

Hokersar wetland

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The Hokersar wetland in Kashmir Valley has faced water shortages from deficient rainfall, impacting migratory bird arrivals.

About

• Geography: Largest bird reserve in the Kashmir Valley and is situated in the Jhelum River basin.
• Hydrological Sources: The reserve is fed by the two perennial inlet streams; Doodhganaga from the east and Sukhnag Nallah from the west.
• Significance: It is a Ramsar site and also known as the “International Bird Airport” of Kashmir due to its role as a critical habitat for migratory birds.
• Fauna: It serves as a pathway to 68 waterfowl species such as Large Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck and endangered White-eyed Pochard, coming from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Northern Europe.
• Flora: The wetland is the only site with the remaining reedbeds of Kashmir.
  • Aquatic Flora includes species like Typha, Phragmites, Eleocharis, Trapa, and Nymphoides, forming complexes from shallow to open water zones.

Challenges Facing the Wetland

• Deficient Rainfall: The primary concern leading to reduced water levels, impacting bird migration.
• Illegal Sand Mining: Disturbs the natural landscape and water flow.
• Encroachment: Human activities have encroached upon wetland areas, reducing its effective size.

Source: DTE

Dicliptera Polymorpha

Syllabus: GS3/ Species In News

In News

• Scientists discover a new fire-resilient, dual-blooming species of Dicliptera in the Northern Western Ghats of India.

About Dicliptera Polymorpha

• It displays an unusual dual-blooming pattern, flowering twice a year: first post-monsoon (from early November to March or April) and then again after grassland fires in May and June.
• Only known Indian species with spicate inflorescence; its closest relatives are African species.
• Thrives in harsh climates with drought and fire, showing a unique pyrophytic habit.

Source: DST