[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 12 October 2023

GS2/GS3 Paper

 Syllabus: Government Policies and its Intervention

Source: TH

 Context: The Digital India Act 2023 (DIA) is a significant move by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) to establish a future-ready framework for India’s digital ecosystem

What is the Digital India Act (DIA) 2023?

Need for the Digital India Act (DIA):

Challenges associated with the Digital India Act (DIA):

Data protection laws in other countries:

Way forward:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Involve all relevant parties in the law’s creation for a balanced framework.
• Balancing Regulation and Innovation: Maintain a balance to avoid stifling innovation.
• Capacity Building: Invest in law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
• Global Collaboration: Work with international bodies for global alignment.
• Public Awareness: Digitally educate citizens about digital rights and responsibilities.

Conclusion:

The DIA represents a forward-looking approach to regulation, shaping India’s digital future with the potential for both positive and unintended consequences. Monitoring and adaptability will be crucial in its implementation.

Insta Links:

• The Digital India Bill
• New draft digital data protection bill: How it compares with the older version and laws elsewhere

Mains Links:

 Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on the Right to Privacy. (UPSC 2017)

Prelims Links:

GS Paper 4 

 Syllabus: Applications of Ethics

Source: IE

 Karthyayani Amma, an inspirational figure in Kerala’s adult literacy program, has passed away at the age of 101. In 2018, she gained widespread attention by becoming the top scorer in the state literacy mission’s Akshara Laksham project, which is the flagship adult literacy program.

At the age of 96, she scored an impressive 98 out of 100 marks in an exam that assessed her writing and mathematical skills. Her dedication to learning was further recognized when she was honoured with the Nari Shakti Puraskar

Ethical Values shown by her:

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: WHO

 Context: On World Mental Health Day 2023 (October 10), WHO underscores the theme that “Mental health is a universal human right.”

It advocates for mental health as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the need to protect individuals from mental health risks, provide accessible and quality care, and ensure liberty, independence, and inclusion in the community.

Initiatives taken for Mental Health are:

• Adoption of the Paro Declaration, which aims to provide universal access to People-centred Mental Health Care and Services.
• Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele MANAS)
• National Mental Health Programme (launched 1982)
• WHO calls for establishing Mental Health as a Universal Human Right (UHR)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The cashew industry in Goa recently received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which has significant implications for the region.

• The GI tag signifies that Goan cashews have unique characteristics and qualities due to their geographical origin.

Significance:

• Differentiation from Non-Goan Cashews
• Export Potential
• Economic Contribution: Cashew was introduced to Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and it has since become a significant contributor to the state’s economy.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Business Line

 Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced that the guidelines for the women-centric insurance distribution channel called “Bima Vahak” will become effective upon the launch of “Bima Vistaar,” an all-in-one standard insurance product currently under development.

• The primary objective of Bima Vahak is to establish a dedicated distribution channel focused on enhancing insurance inclusion and awareness in every village/gram panchayat, thereby increasing the accessibility and availability of insurance throughout the country.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, introduced the ‘A-HELP’ (Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production) program in the state of Jharkhand.

• This program aims to empower women by engaging them as Accredited Agents who play a vital role in disease control, animal tagging, and livestock insurance.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: HT

Context: Hemochromatosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by iron overload, which can lead to severe dysfunction in various organs.

• There are two main types of hemochromatosis: hereditary hemochromatosis and secondary hemochromatosis.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

 Context: The National Security Guard (NSG) is waging a battle against the invasive plant species, vilayati kikar, at its Manesar campus, located near the Delhi-Ajmer highway.

• These invasive trees have led to a depletion of the water table in the region.
• The NSG is also employing the Miyawaki plantation method in the foothills of the Aravallis, which involves overcrowding the plantation with diverse saplings to encourage faster growth.
• The invasive vilayati kikar has been detrimental to the area’s biodiversity, blocking sunlight and preventing the growth of other plants.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Business Line

 Context: The annual rubber conference of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) took place in Guwahati.

Issues faced in Rubber Industry:

• Mechanization in rubber plantations, sustainable agricultural practices, supply chain strengthening, and value addition for rubber wood to ensure the sustainability of rubber farming.

The conference also discussed the ‘INROAD’ project, which aims to expand rubber cultivation in north-eastern states with the support of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) and explored the potential for carbon crediting

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

Context: India has initiated “Operation Ajay” to evacuate its citizens from conflict-stricken Israel.

• This marks the second evacuation operation of the year, following Operation Kaveri, which brought back Indian citizens from Sudan earlier.
• The decision to initiate Operation Ajay comes in response to recent conflicts in the region, including a Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent military strike on the Gaza Strip.

Various other past operations are: –

Mapping

Source: TH

Context: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a multinational security mission led by Kenya to intervene in Haiti due to a surge in deadly gang violence and instability in the country.

Aim: This intervention aims to restore security, protect critical infrastructure, and control escalating violence in Haiti.

Haiti is a Caribbean country that shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic to its east. It’s still recovering from a 2010 earthquake and has been grappling with armed groups taking control of large parts of the country.