[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 19 September 2023

GS Paper 1

 Syllabus: Post-Independent India

Source: IE, IE

 Context: This year marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Polo and ‘Police Action’ in Hyderabad

A Brief History of Hyderabad 

Founded in 1591, it became the capital of the Qutb Shahi Kingdom (Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah founded the city). In 1724, Nizam-ul-Mulk established the Asaf-Jah dynasty. Hyderabad thrived culturally, with landmarks like Charminar and Golconda Fort.

Accession of Hyderabad to India

Hyderabad, a significant princely state, was ruled by the Nizams under British paramountcy. Unlike other princely states, the Nizam did not accede to India at independence in 1947, aiming for independence and receiving support from Pakistan. 

• Nizam’s Reluctance: In August 1947, Hyderabad’s Nizam, Mir Usman Ali, had hopes of Hyderabad remaining independent due to its wealth, historical significance, and personal ties.
• Sardar Patel’s Approach: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s Deputy Prime Minister, handled Hyderabad cautiously. He recognized the strategic importance of Hyderabad and believed that pushing too hard might drive the Nizam towards joining Pakistan.
• Role of Razakars: The Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, led by Qasim Razvi, became violent and extremist, forming a paramilitary group called ‘razakars’ with state support. They brutally suppressed opposition to the Nizam.
• Peasant Movements: Hyderabad witnessed a satyagraha for democracy and a Communist-led peasant movement against landholdings, forced labour, and excessive taxes. These movements gained strength against the Nizam’s rule.
• Operation Polo: In September 1948, the Indian Army launched Operation Polo to annex Hyderabad. The Nizam’s forces surrendered, and the razakars were banned. This marked the end of the Nizam’s rule.

Aftermaths:

• After the operation, widespread communal violence occurred, with death estimates ranging from 27,000 to 200,000.
• The Nizam retained a symbolic role, disowned UN complaints, and Hyderabad was absorbed into India despite protests from Pakistan and criticism from other countries.

Significance:

Hyderabad’s accession to India was a significant achievement for Indian secularism, demonstrating unity and the acceptance of diversity within the newly independent nation. It was also seen as a problem resolved through peaceful means.

Prelims links:

GS2/GS3/GS1 Paper 

 Syllabus: Government policies and Intervention/ Environment Conservation/ Impact on women

Source: DTE

 Context: Climate change in Jharkhand has gender-specific impacts, as women and girls in both rural villages and urban slums face unique challenges:

To address these challenges, solutions include rainwater harvesting systems, reviving traditional eating habits, and promoting the cultivation of millets and local nutritious foods. Awareness and preparedness for climate change impacts are also emphasized.

Best Practices for Women’s Involvement in Climate Change Plans:

Insta Links:

Still a nightmare for domestic violence survivors

Mains Links:

Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality. poverty and malnutrition to be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (UPSC 2021)

GS Paper 3

 Syllabus: Indian Economy/ Agriculture

Source: ICRIER

 Context: An ICRIER paper, “Tackling Food Inflation: Is restricting exports and imposing stocking limits the optimal policy?” discusses the causes of high food inflation in India, and government actions, and suggests alternative solutions.

Current status of India’s Food Inflation:

India’s retail inflation in August 2023 is at 6.83%, exceeding the desired ceiling of 6%. Food and beverages contribute significantly, making up 57% of retail inflation. Food inflation has risen sharply to 9.94%, impacting overall retail inflation.

Government initiatives to contain inflation:

Export ban impacts:

• Wheat Inflation Surge: After the May 2022 wheat export ban, inflation rose from about 9% to about 25% by February 2023.
• Market Uncertainty: Sudden bans caused market unpredictability, affecting traders and consumers.
• Rice Inflation Stagnation: Non-basmati rice export ban in July 2023 had a limited impact on 13% inflation, reducing it slightly to 12.5%.
• Consumer Panic: Non-basmati rice ban alarmed local and diaspora consumers.
• Implications for Farmers: Farmers faced the consequences of rapid government measures.
• Indicates a bias in favour of urban consumers and hurts farmer’s earnings
• Impacts global food security, as it has hit the African countries most.

Recommendations by the ICRIER paper for containing food Inflation:

About ICRIER:

Established in August 1981, ICRIER (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) is an autonomous, policy-oriented, not-for-profit, economic policy think tank.

Insta Links 

• Basics:Managing Inflation
• Inflation’s Long Shadow

Mains links:

Inflation further exacerbates inequalities and affects the poor the most. Discuss the policy measures that are needed to ensure that inequalities do not deepen amidst rising inflation. (10M)

Distinguish between demand-pull and cost-push inflation. Examine the factors that are causing inflation in India. What measures are needed to keep inflation under check? (10M)

Practice Questions:

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: DTE

 Context: California is suing five major oil and gas companies, including Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP, for allegedly deceiving and concealing information about the dangers of fossil fuels and their contribution to climate change.

The lawsuit claims that these actions have caused harm to California, including extreme weather events, health problems, wildfires, and more.

This lawsuit marks a significant legal action against the fossil fuel industry for its role in climate change, with California being the first major oil-producing state to take such action.

Previously, California passed SB-253 Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act on September 12, 2023, requiring companies with annual revenues over $1 billion to disclose their carbon footprint. This includes disclosing direct greenhouse gas emissions and emissions from activities like employee business travel.

Usage: The example can be used in Environment Conservation/ Environmental Ethics (to show Environmental Stewardship) Questions.

About California: 

California, a western U.S. state, stretches from the Mexican border along the Pacific for nearly 900 miles. Its terrain includes cliff-lined beaches, redwood forest, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Central Valley farmland and the Mojave Desert.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Significance:

The temples’ inclusion as World Heritage Sites signifies global recognition for their cultural and architectural significance and is likely to promote tourism in the region.

Hoysala architecture, developed between the 11th and 14th centuries in southern Karnataka under the Hoysala Empire, is characterized by:

• A unique style blending elements of Dravida and Nagara architectures.
• Influences from Bhumija, Nagara, and Karntata Dravida architectural traditions.
• Distinctive ‘Hoysala Temple’ form with multiple shrines around a central pillared hall in a star-shaped layout.
• The use of soapstone, allowed intricate carving of sculptures, especially in the jewelry adorning temple walls.

What is a World Heritage site?

A World Heritage Site is an area or object listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognized for its “outstanding universal value” under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972.

These sites, categorized into three types – Cultural, Natural, and Mixed, are internationally acknowledged for their cultural, natural, or combined significance.

As of 2023, there are 42 World Heritage Sites located in India. Out of these, 34 are cultural, 7 are natural, and one, the Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type. India has the sixth-largest number of sites in the world.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE, TH

 Context: Parliament proceedings will soon shift to the new Parliament Building

The Sansad Bhavan is India’s parliamentary seat, home to the Lok Sabha (lower house) and Rajya Sabha (upper house).

Historical aspects:

• Foundation: The foundation stone was laid on February 12, 1921, by the Duke of Connaught
• Architect: The architects, Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, incorporated Indian motifs and styles into the building’s design.
• Inauguration: The building was inaugurated on January 18, 1927, by Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India at the time. It initially housed the Imperial Legislative Council.
• The Constituent Assembly of India took control after independence, and it became the Parliament of India in 1950.
• Former Home of the Supreme Court: The Chamber of Princes in the Parliament Building was also used by the Federal Court of India before independence. Afterwards, it served as the Supreme Court’s location for over ten years before the court moved to its own building.

Architectural Aspects:

• Blend: The building is renowned for its architectural blend of Western and Indian styles. While it incorporates classical Western elements, it also features Indian architectural motifs, such as the use of columns and domes.
• It was inspired by the Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple (Chausath Yogini Temple) in Madhya Pradesh
• The perimeter of the building is circular, with 144 columns on the outside.
• The building is surrounded by large gardens and the perimeter is fenced off by sandstone railings (jali).

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change celebrated the 29th World Ozone Day, commemorating the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, which aimed to phase out Ozone Depleting Substances.

• The theme for World Ozone Day 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change.”

About Ozone Layer:

The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the lower part of the stratosphere (15-35 Km above the surface of the earth)

Montreal Protocol and its amendments are successful in eliminating up to 99% of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) (long-lived man-made chemicals which destroy the protective ozone layer). The ozone layer is predicted to return to 1980 levels over Antarctica by 2066, 2045 for the Arctic, and 2040 for the remainder of the planet.

India has been proactive in implementing the Montreal Protocol, phasing out harmful substances and achieving reductions. Initiatives include:

• India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) to address refrigerant transition, energy efficiency, and technology advancement in cooling systems
• The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol focuses on reducing the production and consumption of high global warming potential HFCs, with India committed to phasing them out gradually.
• The Ozone Cell collaborates with the Indian Institutes of Technology to promote research and development of low global warming potential chemicals.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

 Source: TOI

 Context: The Indian defence ministry has approved the acquisition of a regiment of ‘Pralay’ ballistic missiles for deployment along the Line of Actual Control and the Line of Control.

• ‘Pralay’ will become the longest-range surface-to-surface missile in the Army’s inventory and will form a key part of India’s Rocket Force, alongside the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

 About Pralay:

• ‘Pralay’ has a strike range of 150 to 500 kilometres and can carry a conventional warhead of 350 kg to 700 kg.
• It is highly versatile, capable of carrying different types of warheads, and features advanced technology to counter interceptor missiles.
• It can alter its trajectory mid-flight and is powered by a solid propellant rocket motor.
• Developed by the Défense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

  Context: The Indian Army is on track to complete the induction of 114 Dhanush artillery guns by 2026, with one regiment already operational.

About Dhanush:

• These 155 mm, 45-caliber towed artillery guns have a range of 36 km and have demonstrated a range of 38 km with specialized ammunition.
• It is the first indigenously built long-range artillery gun.

Features:

Equipped with an inertial navigation-based sighting system, and auto-laying facility. An advanced day-night direct firing system. Self-propulsion unit allows the gun to deploy itself in the field.

Mapping

The Brandt Line (an imaginary line) is a concept that categorizes the world into richer countries mainly in the Northern Hemisphere and poorer countries mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, highlighting global economic disparities.

“Global North” (wealthier communities) and a “Global South“ (poorer communities) exist both within and among nations.

The line is based on the “North-South: A Programme for Survival”, a report addressing the problems of international inequality