UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 23rd September 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Hirakud Dam

Subject: Geography

Why in News?

16 More Gates Of Odisha’s Hirakud Dam Opened; Excess Water Being Released Through 22.

About Hirakud Dam

• Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about 15 kilometres from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha.
• It is the longest earthen dam in the world, about 16 miles and around 26 km in length.
• The dam forms a vast reservoir known as the Hirakud Reservoir or Hirakud Lake. It is the biggest artificial lake in Asia.
• History:
  • It is one of the first multipurpose projects by India after independence.
  • The construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1953.
  • It was built to control the flow of the Mahanadi River and manage the perennial problem of floods in the region.
  • The inauguration of the dam was done by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in the year 1957.
• Purpose:
  • Irrigation facility to 1,08,385 hectares of Rabi crops and 1, 55,635 hectares of Kharif crops of Bolangir, Subarnapur, Bargarh and Sambalpur.
  • The capacity of power generation installed at Hirakud dam is 359.8 MW.
  • More than 436,000 hectors of land in the Mahanadi delta also get irrigated by the water which is released from the powerhouse. 
  • The delta area in Cuttack and Puri district of an area of 9500 sq Km also gets flood protection because of the Hirakud Project. 
• Structure:
  • Granite, hard concrete and earth are the most used substances in building the dam.
  • Stretched from the Chandidungri hills on the right to the Lamdungri hills on the left the main structure of Hirakud Dam is about 4.8 km long. 
  • About 83400 Sq. Km is the catchments area, and the dam is a composite structure of Concrete, Masonry and Earth.
• Cattle Island:
  • It is a small island in the Hirakud Reservoir.
  • It is inhabited by a large herd of wild cattle, which are believed to be the descendants of cattle that were left behind by villagers when the dam was constructed in the 1950s.

Key Facts about Mahanadi River:

• It is one of the major east-flowing peninsular rivers in India.
• Origin: The river originates from the Sihawa range of hills in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh state.
• It flows in a southeastern direction through Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• The catchment area of the basin extends over major parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
• Length: It flows a total of 860 km by distance before it ends up in the Bay of Bengal.
• Tributaries: The main tributaries of Mahanadi are Seonath River, Jonk River, Hasdeo River, Mand River, Ib River, Ong River and Telen River.

Source: PIB

Why Gandhi opposed Caste-based Separate Electorates?

Subject: Modern History

Why in News?

Mahatma Gandhi used fasting as a potent tool to press for change during India’s struggle for independence.

• He employed it both as a form of personal penance and as a means to pressure the British authorities to meet his demands.

The Gandhi-Ambedkar Debate

• The 1932 Turning Point: In September 1932, within the walls of the Yerawada Central Jail in Pune, Gandhi initiated a hunger strike against the idea of separate electorates for the harijans (lower castes). This action brought him into a fierce debate with another prominent leader, B.R. Ambedkar.
• The Debate’s Legacy: The “Gandhi-Ambedkar debate” revolved around their differing views on caste and ultimately influenced the reservation system that India has today.

Gandhi’s Changing Views on Caste

• Early Beliefs: In his early years, Gandhi held orthodox views on caste, supporting prohibitions on inter-dining and inter-marriage. He considered caste a crucial part of Hinduism.
• Evolution of Beliefs: As Gandhi became a central figure in India’s freedom movement, his views evolved. Partially influenced by the emerging Dalit movement, he advocated unity and opposed untouchability, referring to untouchables as “harijans” or children of God.
• Important Quote: Gandhi wrote in 1936, “I do know that it [untouchability] is harmful both to spiritual and national good.”

Ambedkar’s Radical Views on Caste

• Ambedkar’s Perspective: B.R. Ambedkar’s stance was more radical than Gandhi’s. He believed that mere reform wouldn’t undo centuries of discrimination. He argued that change would only come when the oppressed themselves rejected their condition, including the divine authority of the shastras (holy scriptures) that upheld caste.
• Political Empowerment: Ambedkar emphasized that political power was essential for lower castes to address their grievances and proposed separate electorates as a form of affirmative action.
• Separate Electorates Explained: Ambedkar’s proposal involved separate electorates for lower castes, allowing them to vote for candidates from their own community as well as in the general electorate. He believed this would empower lower castes.

Gandhi’s Opposition to Separate Electorates

• Gandhi’s Perspective: Gandhi opposed separate electorates, arguing that they did too little for lower castes. He believed that lower castes should aspire to lead, not settle for a small share of seats.
• Concerns: Gandhi feared that separate electorates would divide Hindu society further and play into the hands of British colonial rulers who exploited internal divisions.
• Challenging Times: The rising tensions between Hindus and Muslims at the time also fueled Gandhi’s concerns. Separate electorates for lower castes alongside those for Muslims would weaken the unity of the Hindu community.

The Yerawada Fast and the Poona Pact

• Gandhi’s Hunger Strike: In September 1932, Gandhi embarked on a hunger strike in Yerawada Jail against separate electorates for castes. He called it a “God-given opportunity” to sacrifice his life for the downtrodden.
• Ambedkar’s Dilemma: Ambedkar faced a challenging decision. Giving in to Gandhi’s demands was difficult, as it conflicted with his own ideas. However, Gandhi’s immense popularity and the potential for violence against Dalits pressured him.
• The Poona Pact: Eventually, under duress, Ambedkar signed the Poona Pact, securing reservations for lower castes while putting the idea of separate electorates to rest.

Legacy of the Fast

• Mixed Perspectives: Gandhi’s fast is seen by some as preventing British “divide and rule” tactics. Others view it as coercion, as Ambedkar had little choice but to concede. Ambedkar questioned why Gandhi didn’t fast against untouchability itself.
• Unresolved Tensions: The debate’s legacy endures. While the Poona Pact addressed immediate concerns, it left lingering issues of political representation and social transformation within India’s caste system.
• Ambedkar’s View: Ambedkar later wrote, “The Joint Electorate is… a ‘Rotten Borough’ in which the Hindus get the right to nominate an untouchable to set nominally as a representative of the untouchables but really as a tool of the Hindus.”

Source: Indian Express

108-Foot Adi Shankaracharya Statue in Omkareshwar, MP

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

A monumental 108-foot-tall statue of Hindu saint Adi Shankaracharya, known as ‘Ekatmata Ki Pratima’ (Statue of Oneness), was recently unveiled in Omkareshwar, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.

• This project is part of the government’s efforts to develop Omkareshwar as a prominent religious and tourism destination.

Adi Shankaracharya: A Brief Overview

• Adi Shankaracharya was a prominent Indian philosopher and theologian, often referred to as Sankara (Jagatguru). He was a staunch advocate of ancient Hinduism.
• His birthplace Kaladi in Ernakulam, Kerala, is poised to be declared a national monument.
• He received guidance from his guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada, under whom he diligently studied texts like ‘Gaudapadiya Karika,’ ‘Brahmasutra,’ Vedas, and Upanishads.
• Shankara propagated the philosophies of ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and ‘Dashanami Sampradaya,’ earning him the title ‘Shankaracharya’ among his disciples.

His Philosophy: Advaita Vedanta

• Non-Dualism: Shankaracharya’s philosophy, known as ‘Advaita Vedanta,’ espouses non-dualism.
• Ultimate Reality: It asserts that the world exists due to the creative energy (Maya) of Brahman, the ultimate, transcendent, and immanent God of the later Vedas.
• Identity of Self: In Advaita Vedanta, the transcendental self of the universe (Atman) and the experiencing self (Jiva) are both identical in truth – both are Brahman. However, the individual self appears different, akin to space inside a container seeming distinct from space as a whole.
• Overcoming Error: Mistakes and ignorance lead to a plurality (Avidya), but understanding Brahman eliminates these errors, resulting in liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and worldly servitude.

Disciples of Adi Shankaracharya

Shankaracharya’s four closest disciples played pivotal roles in propagating his teachings:

1. Padmapada: Known for his deep devotion and poetry.
2. Totakacharya: Devoted to Shankaracharya’s mission and revered for his poetry “Totakashtakam.”
3. Hasta Malaka: A child prodigy who astounded Shankaracharya with his understanding of Advaita philosophy.
4. Sureshwara: Initially a householder, he became a disciple after losing a philosophical debate to Shankaracharya.

Contributions of Adi Shankaracharya

• Shankaracharya introduced the ‘Shanmata’ system, which emphasized worship of the five principal deities and restored the Dashanami structure.
• He composed numerous devotional and meditative hymns and authored key texts on Advaita Vedanta, including commentaries on major scriptures.
• Adi Shankaracharya revitalized Hinduism at a time when it faced challenges from Jainism and Buddhism, promoting unity and re-establishing traditions.
• He established four monastic institutions (Mathas) in different corners of India, unifying the nation and codifying leadership roles:

1. Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetam in Chikmaglur in Karnataka
2. Jyotir Matha in the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand
3. Kalika Matha in Dwarka in Gujarat
4. Govardhana Matha in Puri in Odisha

Source: Hindustan Times

GS-II

India-Canada Relations

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

The recent killing of pro-Khalistan leader and a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar has caused diplomatic challenges in India-Canada Relations.

Background of the Issue:-

• Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, one of the most wanted terrorists in India, was shot dead by two unidentified men within the premises of a gurdwara in Canada Sunday night.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently made explosive allegations of a “potential link” between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a pro-Khalistan leader and Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
  • Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s name had been included in the wanted list handed over by the then-Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh, to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the latter’s visit to India in 2018.
• The Khalistan issue has always plagued bilateral ties, from the 1980s to the last eight years of Trudeau’s term.
• But this time, Ottawa has ratcheted up the ante and New Delhi is watching the situation keeping in mind the complexity of the bilateral ties and the reputational cost on the global stage.

About India-Canada Relations:-

• India and Canada have a longstanding bilateral relationship based on shared democratic values, the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious nature.
• 1947: India established diplomatic relations with Canada in 1947.
• 1951: Canada’s aid program to India began in 1951 and grew substantially under the Colombo Plan.
  • Canada provided food aid, project financing, and technical assistance to India.
• 1974: deterioration of India-Canada relations due to India’s Smiling Buddha nuclear test.
• 1976: The Canadian government severed bilateral nuclear cooperation with both India and Pakistan in 1976 after claims that the fissionable material used to construct India’s first nuclear device had been obtained from the Canadian-supplied CIRUS nuclear research reactor.
• 1985: The bombing by Sikh separatists of Air India Flight 182 resulted in Canada and India maintaining a bilateral dialogue on anti-terrorism.
• 2015: The Prime Minister of India’s visit to Canada in April 2015 elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
• In recent years, both countries have been working to enhance bilateral cooperation in several areas of mutual importance.

Significance:-

• Canada hosts one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, numbering 16 lakh people of Indian origin.
• It accounts for more than 3 percent of the total Canadian population and 700,000 NRIs.
• At the Ministerial level, Canada and India enjoy a strategic partnership underpinned by Ministerial Dialogues on foreign policy, trade and investment, finance, and energy.
• At the official level, there are regular working groups that focus on counter-terrorism, security, agriculture, education, science, technology, etc.
• Trade relations
• In 2021, India was Canada’s 14th largest export market and 13th largest trading partner overall.
• India became the top source of foreign students studying in Canada — 2.3 lakh, according to 2022 data.
• India is a key partner as Canada strengthens its economic links to the Indo-Pacific under a new, comprehensive strategy for the region.

Challenges in India-Canada Relations:-

• Sikh extremism and the Presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada.
• Concerns about the revival of the Khalistan movement.
• Sikh Diaspora’s Influence on Canadian Politics
• Impediments for Trade: India’s Complex labour laws; Market protectionism; Bureaucratic regulations.

Areas of Cooperation:-

• Politically, India and Canada share commonalities in Parliamentary structure and procedures.
• Commercial: Bilateral trade between India and Canada stands at over USD 6.4 billion in 2020. Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• Nuclear Cooperation: Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) signed in 2010 by, the Joint Committee on Civil Nuclear Cooperation, restoration of nuclear cooperation.
• Security and Defense Collaboration: in international fora, mutual ship visits, Framework for Cooperation between India and Canada on Countering Terrorism in 2018
• People-to-People Ties
• Cultural Exchanges
• Cooperation during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Source: Indian Express

I2U2 Group

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

I2U2 Group of India, Israel, UAE & US announces joint space venture.

About I2U2 Group:

• It is a grouping of India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
• Formation:
  • The group was formed initially in October 2021 to deal with issues concerning infrastructure, transport and maritime security in the region.
  • Originally named the "International Forum for Economic Cooperation," it was also known as the "West Asian Quad" at the time.
  • First virtual summit:  The group held their first virtual summit in July 2022.
• This unique grouping of countries identifies bankable projects and initiatives to tackle some of the greatest challenges, with a particular focus on joint investments and new initiatives in water, energy, transportation, space, health, food security, and technology. 
• It aims to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to achieve a variety of goals, including modernizing infrastructure, advancing low-carbon development pathways, and improving public health. 

Source: Economic Times

GS-III

Pterygotrigla intermedica

Subject: Environment 

Why in News?

New fish species discovered in Bengal’s Digha harbor.

About Pterygotrigla intermedica:

• It is commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins, and belongs to the family Triglidae.
• It is the fourth species of Pterygotrigla genus reported in India so far and there are a total 178 species of the Triglidae family worldwide.
• The specimens of this fish were found to be very distinct from other gurnad species in various aspects such as snout length, shape of the internuchal space and size of the cleithral spine.
• Features
  • The scientists found a distinct pectoral-fin with black membranes on the inner surface, white posterior margin and three small white spots basally in fin, each ray creamy white on the new species
  • It had a combination of characters like a long opercular spine and a very short cleithral spine;
  • The lateral-line,gill rakers on upper limb and 12–13 on lower limb of first gill arch and  a large black blotch between the 4th and 6th spines of the first dorsal fin.

 Key facts about Zoological Survey of India

• It was established in 1916 as the premier Indian organisation in zoological research and studies.
• Nodal Ministry: the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Objectives
  • Exploration, survey, and monitoring of faunal (animal) diversity in various states, ecosystems and protected areas of India.
  • Periodic review of the status of threatened and endemic species.
  • Preparation of databases for the recorded species of the country.

Source: Down To Earth

Neuralink’s Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink has announced it is one step closer to putting brain implants in people.

Neuralink’s Vision

• Neuralink uses tiny brain implants to control neural signals for movement.
• These implants translate thoughts into actions via a wireless app.

Science behind Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

• They use a tiny chip implanted in the brain.
• This chip reads and sends brain signals to an app, turning thoughts into actions.
• It starts with helping paralyzed individuals control a computer cursor using their thoughts.
• Some BCIs use sensor-filled structures like hairnets to detect brain signals.
• They can stimulate different parts of the brain, which showed promise in treating conditions like depression.

India’s Role in Brain Tech

• C-DAC in India is developing BCIs to capture brain signals that show intentions.
• The All India Institute of Medical Sciences is testing this project.
• BrainSight AI, an Indian startup, maps brain connections to understand neurological conditions.

Indian Innovations and Their Impact

• Indian BCIs, like Neuralink’s, aim to help paralyzed patients move and communicate.
• They could also treat mental disorders like schizophrenia.
• Indian hospitals are testing these technologies.

Challenges Ahead

• Invasive BCIs, like Neuralink’s, face rules and need lots of data.
• Non-invasive BCIs are moving faster.
• Indian institutions are actively testing these technologies and mapping the brain.

Source: Indian Express