[Mission 2022] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 17 MAY 2022

GS Paper 1:

Topics Covered: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Context:

Buddha Purnima was celebrated on May 16th to mark the birth anniversary of Siddhartha Gautama or Gautam Buddha.

• It is also believed to be the day he attained salvation or Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.
• It is also known as Vesak
• In 1999, it became an UN-designated day, to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism to society.

On this occasion, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Lumbini. He laid the foundation of a monastery.

About Gautam Buddha:

• Buddha’s birth and death dates are unknown. Most historians place his birth between 563 and 483 BC.
• He is believed to be the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as per Vedic literature.
• He was born as Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini and belonged to the Sakya clan.

Places associated with him:

• Gautam attained Bodhi (enlightenment) under a pipal tree at Bodhgaya, Bihar.
• Buddha gave his first sermon in the village of Sarnath, near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as Dharma Chakra Pravartana (turning of the wheel of law).
• He died at the age of 80 in 483 BCE at Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. The event is known as Mahaparinibban or Mahaparinirvana.

Schools of Buddhism:

Mahayana (Idol Worship), Hinayana, Theravada, Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism), Zen.

Want to learn more about Buddhist Councils, Tripitakas, Contribution of Buddhism to Indian Culture?

• Reference: read this.

Insta Curious:

Did you know that Buddha Purnima is also considered a ‘triple-blessed day’ – as Tathagata Gautam Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and Maha Parnirvana?

Most Buddha images throughout Asia are in one of three postures: standing, sitting or lying down. But did you know there is a famous Walking Buddha posture known as Sukhothai Walking Buddha? Read Here.

Did you know about various mudras of Buddha(few questions have been asked on this in Prelims). Read Here.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Buddhism- Origin and Spread.
2. Different sects under Buddhism.
3. Various Mudras.
4. Differences between Hinayana and Mahayana Sects.
5. Who are Bodhisattvas?
6. Different places associated with the life of Buddha.
7. Various Buddhist Councils.

Mains Link:

Discuss the relevance of Buddha and his thoughts today.

Q.1) With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term ‘paramitas’? (2020)

(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style.

(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas.

(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path.

(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India. 

Sources: Indian Express.

GS Paper 2:

Topics Covered: Indian Constitution and historical underpinnings.

Context:

The Statehood Day of Sikkim was observed on 16th May, 2022.

• It was on May 16, 1975 that Sikkim became the 22nd state of the Union of India.

How did the Himalayan state come to join the Indian Union?

1. Beginning with Phuntsog Namgyal, the first chogyal (monarch), the Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim until 1975.
2. In 1950, three years after India’s independence, a treaty was signed between Sikkim and the Republic of India. Under the agreement, the former continued its status as a ‘protectorate’ state within the Union of India.
3. In September 1974, the Chogyals called for a referendum. In the subsequent referendum, as many as 97.5 percent participants voted in favour of joining India, while 2.45 percent voted against the proposal.
4. On May 15, 1975, then-President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, signed a constitutional amendment, and, a day later, Sikkim became the 22nd state of India; the position of the Chogyal was abolished as well.

Related facts:

• During the Anglo-Nepalese war/the Gorkha war (1814 to 1816), Sikkim allied with the East India Company. The Company won and restored to Sikkim some of the territories that Nepal had forcibly taken from it in 1780.
• Sikkim became a British Protectorate under the Treaty of Tumlong signed in March, 1861.

Insta Curious:

Do you know about the Sikkim- Tibet Convention of 1890? Reference: read this.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. About Sikkim.
2. Location.
3. Namgyal dynasty.
4. Anglo-Nepalese war.
5. Treaty of Tumlong.

Mains Link:

Discuss how and why Sikkim became a part of India?

Q.2) Consider the following statements:

1. Nepal became a British Protectorate under the Treaty of Tumlong signed in March, 1861.
2. In the Anglo-Nepalese war Sikkim supported Nepal.

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None  

Sources: Indian Express.

GS Paper 2:

Topics Covered: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context:

An appeal against the video survey of Varanasi’s Gyanvapi mosque will be heard by the Supreme Court.

• The survey, according to a Muslim organisation, is in violation of the places of worship act, 1991.

What’s the issue?

During a court-ordered videography survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid complex by a municipal court in Varanasi, a “shivling” was apparently discovered.

• The Gyanvapi Masjid is located near the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

What does the places of worship act, 1991 say?

• The Act states that a place of worship’s religious nature must remain the same as it was on August 15, 1947.
• It says no person shall convert any place of worship of any religious denomination into one of a different denomination or section.
• It declares that all litigation, appeals, or other proceedings ongoing before any court or authority on August 15, 1947, involving converting the status of a place of worship, will cease as soon as the law takes effect. There will be no more legal action taken.

The following are exempt from these provisions:

• Ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains that are covered by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
• A suit that has been finally settled or disposed of; and any dispute that has been settled by the parties or conversion of any place that took place by acquiescence before the Act commenced.
• The Act also does not apply to the place of worship commonly referred to as Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. This law will have an overriding effect over any other law in force.

Criticisms surrounding the law:

The law has been challenged on the ground that it bars judicial review, which is a basic feature of the Constitution, imposes an “arbitrary irrational retrospective cutoff date”, and abridges the right to religion of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Key features of the law.
2. Objectives.
3. Exceptions under the law.

Mains Link:

Write a note on issues surrounding this law.

Q.3) Consider the following statements:

1. The Places of Worship Act, 1991 states that a place of worship’s religious nature must remain the same as it was on January 26, 1949.
2. It says the authority to convert any place of worship of any religious denomination into one of a different denomination or section lies with the Central Government only.

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None of the above 

Sources: Indian Express.

GS Paper 2:

Topics Covered: India and neighbourhood relations.

Context:

The government of Sri Lanka intends to introduce the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill.

• The 21st Constitutional Amendment seeks to repeal the 20th Amendment.

Overview of the 21st Amendment:

• It seeks to reduce the Presidency to a ceremonial position, retaining the powers of the President on all three armed forces.
• However, almost all other key powers pertaining to governance, and cabinet ministers will be handed over to the Prime Minister.
• It seeks to transfer powers of making key appointments from the President to the Constitutional Council.
• The President would be required to act on the Prime Minister’s advice to determine the scope and functions of ministries and appoint ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers.

Previous amendments:

The 19th Amendment (2015):

• It had removed the powers of the President to sack the Prime Minister at his discretion.
• It restricted the President’s powers to dismiss Cabinet ministers as he was required to act on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The cabinet ministers could have been dismissed:

1. Only if the Prime Minister ceased to hold office by death, resignation or otherwise, or,
2. Only if the Parliament rejects a statement of government policy or the budget or,
3. If the parliament passes a vote of no confidence against the Government.

20th Amendment (2020):

• Increased the executive powers of a President.
• It empowered the President to make key appointments to independent institutions.

What’s happening in Sri Lanka?

• The proposed amendment comes at the time Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic and political crisis since it was liberated from British rule in 1948.
• A crippling shortage of foreign reserves has led to long queues for fuel, cooking gas and other essentials while power cuts and soaring food prices heaped misery on the people.
• Protesters have been gathering across the island nation, calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, while his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned as Prime Minister.
• Ranil Wickremesinghe has been appointed as the new Prime Minister.

Need for these amendments:

• The possibility of an amendment is also seen as a means of restoring peace to the country, with officials reaching out across party lines to address the current issue.
• The change aims to address the country’s governance issue.

Know all about the latest Sri Lankan crisis here.

Know more about India – Sri Lanka Relations here.

Insta Curious:

Do you know about the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord? Reference: read this.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. About the Sri Lankan Constitution.
2. Latest Constitutional Amendments.
3. Srilankan political system.

Mains Link:

Compare and contrast the powers of Sri Lankan President with that of Indian President.

Q.4) Which of the following are constitutional monarchies?

1. Morocco
2. Jordan
3. Kuwait

Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None  

Sources: Indian Express.

GS Paper 2:

Topics Covered: Important International Institutions.

Context:

At a conference hosted by New Delhi, India, Pakistan, and other members of the Shanghai Collaboration Organisation (SCO) discussed enhancing cooperation in fighting various regional security problems.

• The conference is being held as part of the SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

Background:

India assumed chairmanship of the Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of SCO (RATS SCO) on October 28 last year for a period of one year.

About RATS:

• The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
• It is a permanent organ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism.
• It specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.

About the SCO:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.

• The creation of SCO was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China).
• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Charter was signed during the St.Petersburg SCO Heads of State meeting in June 2002, and entered into force on 19 September 2003.
• It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism.

Founding members of SCO were-

1. The Republic of Kazakhstan,
2. The People’s Republic of China,
3. The Kyrgyz Republic,
4. The Russian Federation,
5. The Republic of Tajikistan,
6. The Republic of Uzbekistan.

Background:

• Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the Shanghai Five, Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001.
• Shanghai Five (1996) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.
• Uzbekistan joined the organisation in 2001, following this the Shanghai Five was renamed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
• India and Pakistan became members in 2017.

Learn more about SCO, its members, objectives and significance for India:

• Reference: read this.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. What is Shanghai Five?
2. When was SCO charter signed and when it entered into force?
3. SCO founding members.
4. When did India join the group?
5. Observers and dialogue partners of SCO.
6. Permanent bodies under SCO.
7. Official languages of SCO.

Mains Link:

Discuss the objectives and significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Sources: Indian Express.

GS Paper 3:

Topics Covered: Indian Economy and issues related to planning.

Context:

India’s forex reserves have dropped below $600 billion, plunging by about $45 billion since September 3, 2021, when forex reserves stood at an all-time high of $642 billion.

Reasons behind drop in India’s forex reserves:

• The drop is because of a fall in the dollar value of assets held as reserves by the RBI.
• Appreciation of the US dollar: The demand for dollars remained high as the Russia-Ukraine war led to a spike in oil and commodity prices.
• Capital outflows by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs): FPIs pulled out $21.43 billion since September 2021 as the US Federal Reserve started monetary policy tightening and interest rate hikes.
• Effect of gold prices: Decline in gold prices has also played a part in the decline in foreign exchange reserves.

How will this affect the rupee?

Indian rupee fell to an all-time low against the US dollar, breaking through the 77 rupees to a dollar threshold and trading at 77.63 on Thursday (12th May).

• If the rupee continues to fall, the Reserve Bank of India will be forced to interfere in the forex market by selling dollars from its foreign exchange reserves.
• If the RBI prioritises maintaining the amount of foreign exchange reserves, the rupee could depreciate.

Learn about forex reserves and its importance:

• Reference: read this.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Components of forex reserves?
2. Who handles it?
3. Does RBI earn any returns on them?
4. Trends in forex reserves over the last decade.

Mains Link:

Discuss how rising forex reserves are beneficial for India’s economy.

Q.5) Which one of the following groups of items is included in India’s foreign-exchange reserves? (UPSC 2013).

(a) Foreign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and loans from foreign countries.

(b) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and SDRs.

(c) Foreign-currency assets, loans from the World Bank and SDRs.

(d) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and loans from the World Bank. 

Sources: the Hindu.

GS Paper 3:

Topics Covered: Awareness in Space.

Context:

The static test of the human-rated solid rocket booster (HS200) for the Gaganyaan programme was recently completed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

What you need to know about the HS200?

• The booster engine is part of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII (GSLV Mk III) rocket that will carry Indian astronauts to space.
• It is the world’s second largest operational booster using solid propellants.

About Gaganyaan:

• Formal announcement of the Gaganyaan programme was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day address on August 15, 2018.
• The mission is expected to be launched in 2023.

Under the Gaganyaan schedule:

• Three flights will be sent into orbit.
• There will be two unmanned flights and one human spaceflight.
• The Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman. It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days.

With this launch, India will become the fourth nation in the world to launch a Human Spaceflight Mission after the USA, Russia and China.

Objectives:

The objective of the Gaganyaan programme is to demonstrate the capability to send humans to low earth orbit on board an Indian launch vehicle and bring them back to earth safely.

Preparation and launch:

1. Four Indian astronaut-candidates have already undergone generic space flight training in Russia as part of the Gaganyaan programme.
2. ISRO’s heavy-lift launcher GSLV Mk III has been identified for the mission.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. About Gaganyaan.
2. Objectives.
3. About GSLV.

Mains Link:

Why is Gaganyaan mission significant for India? Discuss.

Q.6) What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news? (UPSC 2016).

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA

(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan

(c) Space observatory launched by China

(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO 

Sources: the Hindu.

GS Paper 3:

Topics Covered: Disaster and Disaster Management.

The Supreme Court has slammed the Kerala government for State’s inaction in providing relief to the Endosulfan pesticide exposure victims.

• This also amounts to a breach of the apex court’s 2017 judgment, which had ordered the State to pay ₹5 lakh each to the victims in three months.

What is endosulfan?

It is a widely-banned pesticide with hazardous effects on human genetic and endocrine systems.

• It does not occur naturally in the environment.
• It is listed under the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent.
• Use of endosulfan is banned by Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

The Supreme Court in India has banned the manufacture, sale, use, and export of endosulfan throughout the country, citing its harmful health effects in 2011.

Uses:

Sprayed on crops like cotton, cashew, fruits, tea, paddy, tobacco etc. for control of pests in agriculture such as whiteflies, aphids, beetles, worms etc.

Effects on humans:

• This pesticide is a known carcinogen, neurotoxin and genotoxin (damages DNA).
• Endosulfan blocks the inhibitory receptors of the CNS, disrupts the ionic channels and destroys the integrity of the nerve cells.

Environmental effects:

• Endosulfan in the environment gets accumulated in food chains leading to higher doses causing problems.
• If Endosulfan is released to water, it is expected to absorb to the sediment and may bioconcentrate in aquatic organisms.

What is Kerala’s case?

From the mid-70s, Kerala villages used aerial spraying of endosulfan on 4,600-ha. cashew nut plantation. Locals reportedly experienced illnesses, palsies and deformities.

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Endosulfan.
2. Pesticides.
3. Endosulfan.
4. Supreme Court verdict in Endosulfan case.

Mains Link:

Discuss about the effects of Endosulfan on human health and Environment.

Q.7) Consider the following statements:

1. Endosulfan does not occur naturally in the environment.
2. It is listed under the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None of the above. 

Sources: the Hindu.

GS Paper 3:

Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.

Context:

Forest fires in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have scorched numerous hectares of greenery.

How’s the situation?

In April, Himachal reported about 750 forest fires, while Uttarakhand reported more than 1,500.

Why are Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh vulnerable to forest Fires?

Except for periods of precipitation in monsoon and winter, the forests remain vulnerable to wildfires.

• In the summer season, forest fires occur frequently in the low and middle hills of the state, where forests of Chir Pine are common.
• During the post-monsoon season and in winters, forest fires are also reported in higher areas, including parts of Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts, where they usually occur in grasslands.

How have other places prone to forest fires fared so far?

Apart from Himachal and Uttarakhand, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tripura, Mizoram and Odisha report frequent forest fires annually.

Causes of the fire:

Natural causes such as lightning or rubbing of dry bamboos with each other can sometimes result in fires, but forest officials maintain that almost all forest fires can be attributed to human factors.

• Setting up a temporary hearth to cook food by the herdsman and minor forest produce gatherer may leave behind a smouldering fire, it can develop into a forest fire.
• Also, when people burn their fields to clear them of stubble, dry grass or undergrowth, the fire sometimes spreads to the adjoining forest.
• A spark can also be produced when dry pine needles or leaves fall on an electric pole.

Other causes:

1. Lack of soil moisture.
2. Rainfall deficiency.
3. Natural causes such as lightning, high atmospheric temperatures and low humidity.

What is done to prevent and control forest fires?

To prevent and control forest fires the following can be done:

1. Forecasting fire-prone days using meteorological data.
2. Clearing camping sites of dried biomass.
3. Early burning of dry litter on the forest floor.
4. Growing strips of fire-hardy plant species within the forest.
5. Creating fire lines in the forests are some of the methods to prevent fires (fire lines are strips in the forest kept clear of vegetation to prevent the fire from spreading).b

What efforts are being taken to protect forests from fire?

Since 2004, the FSI developed the Forest Fire Alert System to monitor forest fires in real time.

Real-time fire information from identified fire hotspots is gathered using MODIS sensors (1km by 1km grid) and electronically transmitted to FSI.

National Action Plan on Forest Fires (NAPFF): It was launched in 2018 to minimise forest fires by informing, enabling and empowering forest fringe communities and incentivising them to work with the State Forest Departments.

The Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FPM) is the only centrally funded program specifically dedicated to assisting the states in dealing with forest fires.

Insta Curious:

Did you know that according to the Forest Survey of India, nearly 36 per cent of India’s forests are prone to frequent fires?

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

1. Forest cover in Himachal Pradesh.
2. Causes of forest fire.
3. Measures to prevent and control wildfire.
4. Damages done by forest fires.
5. Tree species found in Himachal.

 Mains Link:

Forest fires are a recurrent annual phenomenon in the state. Discuss.

Sources: Indian Express