UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 17th December 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Kashi Tamil Sangamam

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam on 17^th December 2023.

Background:-

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today called Kashi Tamil Sangamam forum a testament to the unity and diversity of India, strengthening the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

About Kashi Tamil Sangamam:-

• Date: 17th to the 30th of December 2023
• VENUE: Varanasi.
• Inauguration: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2023 at Namo Ghat on 17 December 2023.
• The second phase of Kashi Tamil Sangamam will commence from 17th to 30th December, 2023 at the holy city of Kashi (Varanasi).
• It will celebrate the many aspects of the historical and civilizational connection between India’s North and South.
• Nearly 1400 (7 Groups of 200 persons each) people are expected to be travelling from different parts of Tamil Nadu, representing varied walks of life.
• The 7 groups of Students (Ganga), Teachers (Yamuna), Professionals (Godavari), Spiritual (Saraswati), Farmers and Artisans (Narmada), Writers (Sindhu) and Traders and Businessmen (Kaveri) have been named after seven sacred rivers of India will travel from Chennai, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari to Kashi.
• The Ministry of Education, Government of India, will be the nodal agency for this event with participation from the Ministries of Culture, Tourism, Railways, Textiles, Food Processing (ODOP), MSME, Information & Broadcasting, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, IRCTC and related departments of Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• IIT Madras will be acting as the implementing agency in Tamil Nadu and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Uttar Pradesh.

History of ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu:-

• Many households in Tamilnadu adopted the names of Kailasanatha and Kashinatha for naming their children, like those who are living in Kashi and Uttar Pradesh.
• King Adhiveera Rama Pandiyan of the Pandya Dynasty dedicated a Shiva Temple at Tenkasi of Tamilnadu after his pilgrimage to Kashi , whose ancestors established Sivakasi.
• Saint Kumaragurupara from Sri Vaikundam, Tuthukudi District of Tamil Nadu has excelled in bargaining with the Sultanate of Kashi with audacity and drove a lion to his courtyard to get back the Kedarghat and a place for the consecration of Vishweshwara Lingam.
• He has written “Kashi Kalambakam” a grammatical composition of poems on Kashi.

Source: PIB

GS-II

Election Commission of India

Subject: Polity

Why in News?

Recently, Justice Nariman said that the new CEC law be struck down as ‘arbitrary it severely imperils the independence of the Election Commission of India.

Background:-

• Justice (Retired) Rohinton F Nariman, former Supreme Court judge and former Solicitor General of India, on Friday said the recent Bill to regulate the appointment process of the Election Commission of India, once it becomes an Act, be struck down as “arbitrary” and “severely imperilling the independence of ECI”. “If it is not (struck down), it is fraught with the greatest danger to democracy,” he said.
• The Bill seeks to regulate the appointment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) by constituting a three-member selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition or leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha and a Cabinet Minister named by the PM.

About the Election Commission of India:-

• The Election Commission is a permanent and independent body established by the Constitution of India.
• Objective: to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
• Article 324 of the Constitution: provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.

Composition Election Commission of India:-

• Members: The election commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and a such number of other election commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix.
• Appointment: The appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners shall be made by the
• Head: When any other election commissioner is so appointed the chief election commissioner shall act as the chairman of the election commission.
• Regional commissioners: The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission.

Procedure of Removal:-

• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge by Parliament.
  • Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court, CEC, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) may be removed from office through a motion adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘Proven misbehaviour or incapacity’.
  • Removal requires a special majority of 2/3rd members present and voting supported by more than 50% of the total strength of the house.
• Conditions of service: it shall be such as the President may by rule.
• Tenure of office: President may by rule determine it.

Key Functions of ECI:-

• ECI superintendents, direct and control the entire process of conducting elections.
  • These include elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.
• It decides the election schedules for the conduct of periodic and timely elections, whether general or bye-elections.
• It prepares electoral rolls and issues Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
• It decides on the location of polling stations, assignment of voters to the polling stations, location of counting centres, and other related arrangements to be made.
• It grants recognition to political parties.
• It allots election symbols to them along with settling disputes related to it.
• Advisory jurisdiction: it can advise in the matter of post-election disqualification of sitting members of Parliament and State Legislatures.
• It issues the Model Code of Conduct in elections for political parties and candidates.
• Model Code of Conduct: a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections.
• It sets limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties and also monitors the same.

Source: Indian Express

Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana

Subject: Government Schemes

Why in News?

Railway Minister recently clarified that the over 26,000 candidates skilled under the “Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana” until November 2023 will not receive preferential treatment for jobs within the Indian Railways.

About Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana:

• It was launched by Indian Railways in September 2021 with the noble objective of providing technical skill training to youth across various industry-relevant trades.
• Launched to address the needs of candidates within the age bracket of 18 to 35, the program was designed to equip them with the necessary skills for jobs across various sectors.
• Key Features:
• Targeted Skill Development:
• The program is designed to address the specific skill gaps prevalent in the job market.
• By focusing on industry-relevant technical trades, it seeks to equip participants with practical knowledge and hands-on experience crucial for technical jobs across industries.
• Accessible Training Locations: Recognizing the diversity and vast geographical spread of potential participants, the scheme ensures accessibility by establishing training centers at various locations across the country.
• Age-Appropriate Training: With a specific emphasis on the age group of 18 to 35, the program targets individuals at a crucial stage in their professional development.
• Collaboration with Industry Experts:
• To ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the training modules, the scheme involves collaboration with industry experts and professionals.
• This collaboration enhances the quality of the training and aligns the program with the evolving requirements and advancements in the industries.
• Certification and Recognition:
• Successful completion of the program results in certifications that are recognized by the Railways.
• These certifications serve as tangible proof of the participants' acquired skills and can enhance their employability in the job market.

Source: Financial Express

GS-III

Vijay Diwas

Subject: Defence

Why in News?

 Vijay Diwas was commemorated recently.

Background:-

• PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to all the brave hearts who dutifully served India in 1971 on Vijay Diwas.

About Vijay Diwas:-

• Vijay Diwas or Victory Day is commemorated on December 16.
• It marks the end of the 1971 Indo-Pak War and the liberation of Bangladesh.
• India declared victory on this day 51 years ago after Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender.
• Ceremonies, parades, wreath-laying, and various events are organized across India, particularly in Delhi and Kolkata, to commemorate this significant day.

Historical Background of the war:-

• After the partition of India following the end of British rule in 1947, two independent countries were formed – India and Pakistan.
• The latter consisted of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan).
• The two Pakistans had their share of problems since the beginning because of a number of reasons – the most glaring one being the geographical disconnect between them.
• East Pakistan was often overlooked in terms of administration as the top posts were held by those in the West.
• In the mid-1960s, leaders such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who is also known as the founder of Bangladesh actively began protesting against these policies and helped form the Awami League.
• Soon, their demand became one for freedom and greater autonomy.
• The League ended up winning a stunning 160 of the 162 seats in East Pakistan in the 1970 elections and won no seats in the West.
• However, instead of recognizing the mandate, on March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military began a brutal crackdown that saw the mass slaughter of Bengalis.
• India had declared support for the League previously but without direct intervention.
• But when the Pakistan Air Force launched pre-emptive strikes towards Western India (including Amritsar, Pathankot, Srinagar, Avantipura, Ambala, Sirsa and Agra) on December 3, 1971, India formally declared war on December 4.
• On December 6, India formally recognised Bangladesh as an independent nation.
• Two days later, the Indian Navy launched an attack on Karachi.
• From December 12 to 16, Indian forces pushed through to Dhaka and entered the city, ending the war with a total victory.

Significance:-

• This war not only reshaped regional geopolitics but also underscored the importance of upholding human rights during conflicts.
• Vijay Diwas is a day to honor the courage, sacrifice, and bravery of the soldiers who fought and to pay tribute to the martyrs. 

Source: Indian Express

Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP)

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) , got two new species from Warangal Zoo as part of an animal exchange programme.

 Background:-

• As part of the exchange, the IGZP has received Mouse Deer (1 male, 2 female) and Chowsinga (four Horned antelope) (1 male, 2 female). In return, the zoo is sparing hog deer (1 male, 2 female), barking deer (1 male, 2 female) and Lutino Parakeets (1 male, 2 female)

About Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP):-

• Location: Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.
• Area : 625 acres
• Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located amidst Seethakonda Reserve Forest .
• The construction for this ex-situ facility started in the very year 1972 when Wildlife Protection Act of this country came into existence.
• It was opened to public on 19th May, 1977.
• It is surrounded by beautiful and scenic hills of Eastern Ghats on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth side.
• Being a Large category Zoo recognized by the Central Zoo Authority it houses 843 number of animals like mammals, carnivores, lesser carnivores, canids, ungulates, reptiles, birds and butterflies belonging to 123 species in a natural ambience. 
• This place is also home to many free-ranging animals and birds owing to its existence in a forest area close to Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Source: Times of India

Surat Diamond Bourse

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

Prime minister is set to inaugurate the world's largest corporate office hub, Surat Diamond Bourse.

About Surat Diamond Bourse:

• It is located in Khajod village, near Surat.
• It is the world's largest corporate office hub, taking over the erstwhile top position of
• It will also be a global centre for trading both rough and polished diamonds as well as jewellery.
• Diamond buyers from all corners of the world will get a global platform to trade at the Surat Diamond Bourse. 
• Features:
• It is built on 35.54 acres of land at a cost of Rs 3,400 crore.
• It is the world's largest interconnected building, as it houses over 4,500 interconnected offices. 
• The megastructure features 15 floors in addition to nine ground towers with office space ranging from 300 sq ft to 1 lakh sq ft.
• There is a central spine connecting the nine rectangular towers.
• The bourse will comprise a state-of-the-art 'Customs Clearance House' for Import-Export, a jewellery mall for retail jewellery business, and a facility for International Banking and Safe Vaults.
• It is the country's largest customs clearance house.
• The building has the capacity to house 4,200 traders from 175 countries who will come to Surat to buy polished diamonds.
• Despite its mega size, the bourse minimizes its environmental impact by adhering to the principles of Panchtattva, aligning with the five elements of nature.
• The building showcases a cutting-edge rooftop solar energy project, ensuring sustainability in common areas and employing a radiant cooling system.
• The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has awarded the building a platinum rating.

Source: Times of India 

Swarm Drones

Subject: Defence

Why in News?

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has chalked out the requirement for different mobile systems to counter threats in different operational scenarios, particularly those from multiple swarm drones.

About Swarm Drones:

• SWARM stands for “Smart War-Fighting Array of Reconfigured Modules.”
• A Swarm Drone typically consists of multiple drones working in coordination, communicating with one another, and sharing information to achieve a common objective.
• These drones can be of the same or different types, ranging from small quadcopters to larger fixed-wing drones.
• The swarm’s strength lies in its ability to function as a collective unit, leveraging swarm intelligence algorithms and advanced software to operate seamlessly and efficiently.
• These drones are equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and can communicate with each other as well as with the control station. 
• All the individual drones work in unison to complete tasks using distributed coordination, with each communication sent out by one drone providing the others with up-to-date information about their environment and roles in the mission.
• As their commands are based on real-time data, these swarms react quickly and precisely to changes in their surroundings.
• The swarm as a whole and individual drones can exercise great autonomy in seeking and engaging targets.

Source: Tribune India