UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 15th July 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Why in News?

An exhibition, heritage walk, and talk will be held in Kolkata to commemorate the bicentenary year of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last king of Awadh.

Nawab Wajid Ali Shah

• Mirza Wajid Ali Shah (30 July 1822 – 1 September 1887) was the eleventh and final King of Awadh, reigning from 13 February 1847 to 11 February 1856.
• He is remembered as a poet, playwright, dancer, and patron of the arts who made significant contributions during his rule.

Reign and fall

• Ascension to the Throne: Wajid Ali Shah became the King of Awadh in February 1847, assuming the position during a period of decline for the kingdom.
• British Annexation: The British East India Company annexed Awadh on 11 February 1856, just two days before the ninth anniversary of Wajid Ali Shah’s coronation. He was subsequently exiled to Garden Reach in Metiabruz, near Kolkata, living on a pension.

Patron of the Arts

• Contributions to Music: Wajid Ali Shah was a generous patron of music and a talented composer. He nurtured the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak dance and enriched the light classical form of thumri. He composed ghazals and introduced new ragas, leaving a lasting impact on Hindustani music.
• Kathak Dance: Wajid Ali Shah’s patronage elevated Kathak dance in Lucknow. He emphasized artistic expression, incorporating drama, emotion, and literature. The king popularized Kathak as a court dance and made it accessible to the common people.
• Hindustani Theatre: The king established the Jogia Jashan, a grand pageant, and staged Rahas (dance-dramas) filled with poetry, lyrical compositions, and Kathak performances. His contributions laid the foundation for the development of Hindustani theatre.

Literary Pursuits

• Prose and Poetry: Wajid Ali Shah was a prolific writer in both Persian and Urdu. His works covered various subjects, including history, literature, and personal reflections. Notable works include “Huzn-i-Akhtar,” an autobiographical piece, and “Bani,” a treatise on music and dance.
• Patronage of Writers: The king patronized numerous poets and writers in his court, including Mirza Ghalib. He granted pensions to renowned literary figures and encouraged the production of works that reflected the culture and life of the era.

Exile Years and Legacy (1856-1887)

• Exile in Metiabruz: After losing his kingdom, Wajid Ali Shah settled in Metiabruz near Kolkata. He created a miniature version of Lucknow and maintained his lavish lifestyle. Matiya Burj, a magnificent complex, served as a reminder of his beloved city.
• Enduring Impact: Wajid Ali Shah’s compositions, including his famous thumri “Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaay,” remain influential and have been performed by various artists. His contributions to music, dance, literature, and theatre continue to shape the cultural landscape, preserving his legacy.

Conclusion

• Mirza Wajid Ali Shah, the last King of Awadh, reigned from 1847 to 1856 before being exiled.
• His patronage of the arts, including music, dance, theatre, and literature, left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage of Awadh.
• Despite the challenges he faced and the loss of his kingdom, Wajid Ali Shah’s artistic endeavors and enduring legacy continue to inspire and enrich the region’s cultural identity.

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, archaeologists working in Peru have uncovered a 3,000-year-old sealed corridor dubbed "the condor's passageway" that likely leads to other chambers inside what was once a massive temple complex pertaining to the ancient Chavin culture.

About Chavin de Huantar: 

• It is Located around 190 miles (306 km) northeast of Lima, Peru.
• The Chavin de Huantar archeological site is among the culture's most important centers, thriving from around 1,500-550 B.C.
• It is one of the earliest and best-known pre-Columbian sites.
• They date back to the first sedentary farming communities in the northern highlands of the Peruvian Andes, more than 2,000 years before the Inca Empire rose to power.
• It served as the center of social, political, and religious activity in the Andean Highlands.
• The Chavín people developed a culturally rich society with a complex religious hierarchy and an extensive trade network
• The Chavin are well-known for their advanced art, often featuring depictions of birds and felines.
• It is evident in the still breathtaking stone buildings, terraces and plazas embellished with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic bas-relief carvings.
• It was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

Why in News?

Departure from Previous Bill: This marks a departure from the previous data protection Bill, where the age threshold was hard-coded at 18 years.

• Aligning with global laws: The change aligns with data protection regulations in the Western world, such as the EU and US.

Journey of a Clause: Changing Definition of a Child

• Justice BN Srikrishna Committee Report: The committee’s 2018 report recommended seeking parental consent for individuals under 18 years but suggested that the age of consent could be reduced if amendments were made.
• Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019: The PDP Bill, 2019 retained the recommendation and defined a child as an individual under the age of 18.
• Joint Committee of Parliament Recommendations: The Joint Committee proposed reducing the age of consent to 13/14/16 years in its final recommendations in late 2021.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022: The draft Bill defined children as those under 18 years of age, leading to dissatisfaction among social media companies.
• Final Change: The data protection Bill headed to Parliament’s Monsoon session reportedly changed the definition of a child to an individual who has not completed the age of eighteen years or a lower age notified by the Central Government.

Global Definitions of Children for Data Regulations

• EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): The age of consent is set at 16 but allows member states to lower it to as low as 13. Specific protections for children’s personal data exist.
• USA’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): Children are defined as under 13 years, and parental consent is required for processing their personal data.
• Australia’s Privacy Act, 1988: The Act protects personal information regardless of age but requires organizations to assess an individual’s capacity to consent on a case-by-case basis.
• China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL): Entities handling personal data of individuals under 14 years must obtain parental consent, and children’s data is categorized as sensitive.

Conclusion

• Lowering the age of consent in India’s data protection Bill reflects global trends seen in data protection regulations.
• Countries have different age thresholds for defining children and varying requirements for obtaining parental consent.
• The final change in the Bill represents a series of discussions and deliberations on determining the age of children in India’s data protection law, addressing concerns of industry stakeholders and aligning with international standards.

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare launched a new campaign for banks under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund titled BHARAT (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural & Agriculture Transformation).

About BHARAT campaign:

• It is a one month-long Campaign with a target of Rs 7200 crore.
• It aims to get active involvement and support of members of commercial Banks in the public and private sector, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, NBFCs and select cooperative Banks in promoting the Scheme of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

What is Agriculture Infrastructure Fund?

• It is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 2020
• The scheme shall provide a medium - long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management Infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and financial support.
• Duration: The duration of the Scheme shall be from FY2020 to FY2032 (10 years).
• Benefits
  • All loans under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3% per annum up to a limit of Rs. 2 crores. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of seven years.
  • Further, credit guarantee coverage will be available for eligible borrowers from this financing facility under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme for a loan up to Rs. 2 crores. The fee for this coverage will be paid by the Government.
  • In case of FPOs the credit guarantee may be availed from the facility created under FPO promotion scheme of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DACFW).
  • Moratorium for repayment under this financing facility may vary subject to minimum of 6 months and maximum of 2 years.

Source: The Hindu

GS-III

Why in News?

DAC Approval for Rafale: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared proposals to procure 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets and three Scorpene submarines for the Indian Navy.

Rafale Marine Fighter Jets

• Naval Variant: Rafale Marine fighters are the naval version of the Rafale jets, with the Indian Air Force operating 36 of them.
• Advanced Multirole Fighters: Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafales are advanced twin-engine, multirole fighter jets equipped with modern sensors, radar, and the latest weapon systems.
• India-Specific Enhancements: The jets feature India-specific enhancements and have the capability to carry out various missions.
• Differences in Marine Version: The naval variant has foldable wings, a longer airframe for carrier landings, a tail hook for arrested landing, and reinforced landing gear suitable for aircraft carriers’ conditions.
• Expanded Weapon Capabilities: Rafale Marine jets can carry a wider range of weapons, including anti-ship and air-to-surface missiles, and have specialized radar for maritime operations.

Current Fleet and Need for Additional Fighters

• MiG-29Ks: The Indian Navy currently operates MiG-29Ks from INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, which are carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft.
• Procurement Requirement: With some MiG-29Ks expected to retire in a decade and the Navy having two operational carriers, additional deck-based fighters were needed to meet operational requirements until the indigenous Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) is developed.
• Criteria and Selection: Only Boeing’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M met the Navy’s criteria, with Rafale-M having an advantage due to common spares and support with the Indian Air Force’s Rafale jets.

Export and Usage of Rafale Jets

• Importance for France: The Rafale is a key component of France’s nuclear deterrence capabilities.
• Orders and Deliveries: France has ordered a total of 192 Rafales, with 153 already delivered by the end of 2022.
• Future Orders: Plans for a further order of 30 fighters and additional Rafales to offset those sold to Greece and Croatia are in the pipeline.
• Flight and Operational Hours: The aircraft has accumulated a total of 405,000 flight hours, including 63,500 operational hours flown by French pilots since 2007.

Conclusion

• The Rafale Marine jets, with their advanced features and expanded weapon capabilities, will strengthen the Navy’s deck-based fighter fleet.
• This procurement decision marks another step towards bolstering India’s defense preparedness and self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

Source: Indian Express

Why in News?

National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Perseverance rover has found organic matter on Mars recently.

Background:-

• NASA’s Perseverance rover has discovered evidence of organic compounds in a Martian crater, offering clues on the potential habitability of the planet.
  • Organic compounds: carbon-based molecules.
• The results reveal that Mars has a more complex organic geochemical cycle than previously thought, implying the existence of multiple reservoirs of potential organic molecules on the

About Perseverance rover:-

• Mission Name: Mars 2020 
• Rover Name: Perseverance
• Launch: July 30, 2020.
• Landing: Feb. 18, 2021 .
• Landing site: Jezero Crater, Mars.
• Power Source: A Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG).
  • MMRTG: it converts heat from the natural radioactive decay of plutonium (Plutonium Dioxide) into electricity.
• Objectives:-
  • Perseverance’s primary objective is looking for signs of ancient microbial life.
  • The rover is studying and analyzing the Red Planet’s regolith, rock and dust, and is the first rover to collect and cache samples.
  • Regolith: broken rock and soil.
• Perseverance is the most advanced, most expensive and most sophisticated mobile laboratory sent to Mars.
• It is capable of drilling and collecting core samples of the most promising rocks and soils and setting them aside in a “cache” on the surface of Mars.
• It carries a unique instrument, MOXIE or Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment.
  • MOXIE: it will manufacture molecular oxygen on Mars using carbon dioxide from the carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere.
• It carries Ingenuity, the first-ever helicopter to fly on Mars.
  • This is the first time NASA will fly a helicopter on another planet or satellite.

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Google's parent company Alphabet is rolling out its artificial intelligence chatbot Bard in Europe and Brazil.

About Bard Chatbot:

• It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by Alphabet, parent company of Google.
• It is an example of generative AI that can respond to questions in a human-like way.
• Features:
  • Users can interact with the Bard chatbot in 40 languages, including nine Indian languages.
  • Users can change the tone and style of Bard's responses to either simple, long, short, professional or casual.
  • They can pin or rename conversations, export code to more places and use images in prompts.

What is Generative AI?

• Generative AI (GenAI) is a type of AI that can create a wide variety of data, such as images, videos, audio, text, and 3D models. 
• It does this by learning patterns from existing data, then using this knowledge to generate new and unique outputs. 
• GenAI is capable of producing highly realistic and complex content that mimics human creativity, making it a valuable tool for many industries such as gaming, entertainment, and product design.

Source: BBC