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

GS-I

Andriamamelo Cave

Subject: History

Why in News?

 Unique, prehistoric rock art drawings have been discovered in the Andriamamelo Cave in western Madagascar recently.

Key Features:-

• Madagascar cave art hints at ancient connections between Africa and Asia.
• Pictorial art, depicting images of nature with human-like and animal-like figures have been discovered.
• Previously, Madagascar’s rock art mainly featured basic symbols. The new findings depict more complex scenes and figures.
• Some scenes bear a resemblance to motifs from Egypt’s Ptolemaic period (300-30 BCE).
• Major images hint at Egyptian deities like Horus, Thoth, Ma`at, and Anubis.
• Symbols and writings suggest cultural links to the Ethiopian and Afro-Arab worlds.
• The art shares similarities with a two-millennia-old cave art style from Borneo.
• The art may depict at least three extinct animals of Madagascar, including a giant sloth lemur, elephant birds, and a giant tortoise.
• The ubiquitous M-shaped symbol matches the Amharic alphabet’s “hawt” and is linked to the concept of the “breath of life” in some Austronesian languages.
• The art lacks Christian, Muslim, Hindu symbols, and modern motifs, indicating its ancient origins.

Significance:-

• The discovery’s implications hold significance in the reconstruction of Malagasy early history.

About Andriamamelo Cave:-

• It is situated in the western part of Madagascar.
• The cave is nestled within the karstified limestone terrain of the Paysage Harmonieux Protege de Beanka, contributing to its unique geological structure.
• This cave is a notable part of a broader karst region that includes the Parc National de Bemaraha, acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• It is characterized by intricate underground formations resulting from the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone.

Source: The Hindu

Yogmaya Temple

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

Recently, the now-abandoned part of Yogmaya Temple was explored as a a testament to Delhi’s syncretic roots.

Background:-

• From a Mughal-sponsored structure to a concrete building, the Yogmaya Temple in Mehrauli is a historically important monument believed to be standing at the site of an ancient temple that is said to have come up during the period of the Mahabharata but of which no trace exists anymore.

About Yogmaya Temple:-

• Location: Mehrauli, Delhi.
• Built: between 1806 and 1837. 
• Constructed by: Lala Sidhu Mal.
  • He was noble in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar II .
• The area was known as Yoginipura in ancient Jain texts .
• Prithviraj Chauhan himself was said to have patronised a Yogini temple here shortly before his city’s destruction.
• It Houses a replica of the Goddess Yogmaya, also known as the “Pure Goddess.”
• The main idol, made of black stone and adorned with sequins and cloth, represents Yogmaya.
• The goddess Yogmaya, believed to be the sister of Lord Krishna and an incarnation of Durga.
• The temple’s origins are traced back to the Mahabharata era, believed to have been built by the Pandavas after the end of the epic war.
• The temple was among the 27 temples reportedly destroyed by Mamluk rulers.
• Hindu king Samrat Vikramaditya Hemu is credited with restoring the temple after its destruction by Islamic rulers.
• Unique Festival ‘Phoolwalon ki Sair.’ is celebrated.

Significance:-

• It symbolizes unity amid diverse communities.
• It is Integral to Delhi’s historical and cultural heritage.

Source: The Hindu

GS-II

How India chooses its Republic Day chief guest?

Subject: International Relations

Why in News?

France’s President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest for India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations.

• The invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi signifies a high diplomatic honor and reflects the strong ties between India and France.

Honor of Republic Day Chief Guest

• Ceremonial Significance: Being the chief guest at India’s Republic Day is a top diplomatic honor, involving participation in various ceremonial activities.
• Activities and Protocol: The chief guest receives a guard of honor, attends a presidential reception, lays a wreath at Rajghat, and is honored with a banquet and lunch.
• Symbolism and Friendship: As per Ambassador Manbir Singh, the visit symbolizes participation in India’s pride and reflects the friendship between the two nations.

Selection Process for the Chief Guest

• Advance Planning: The process begins about six months prior, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) playing a central role.
• Key Considerations: The decision is driven by political, commercial, military, and economic interests, aiming to strengthen ties with the invitee’s country.
• Historical Factors: The Non-Aligned Movement’s legacy has also influenced past selections, with an emphasis on mutual support and nation-building.

Procedure Post-Selection

• Approval and Discretion: After MEA’s selection, approvals are sought from the Prime Minister and President, followed by discreet confirmation of the invitee’s availability.
• Official Communications and Planning: Post-confirmation, official communications and detailed planning for the visit and ceremonies are undertaken.

Challenges and Contingencies

• Potential for Unplanned Events: Organizers prepare for various contingencies, including health issues or weather disruptions.
• Protocol Challenges: Incidents like the one recounted by Ambassador Singh, involving the ADC of a chief guest, highlight the importance of strict adherence to protocol.

Broader Implications of the Visit

• Ceremonial and Strategic Importance: The role of the Republic Day chief guest blends ceremonial honor with strategic diplomacy, playing a key role in India’s international relations and foreign policy.
• Media Coverage and Perception: The visit is closely monitored by international media, influencing perceptions of the guest’s nation.
• Cultural and Diplomatic Impact: The hospitality and ceremonies reflect India’s traditions and culture, enhancing diplomatic relations.
• Beyond Ceremonial Significance: The visit of the chief guest holds potential for opening new avenues in international relations and advancing India’s global interests.

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT)

Subject: Economy

Why in News?

The Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) recently, quashed regulator Sebi’s order banning Future Retail chairperson Kishore Biyani and some other promoters from the securities market for one year in an insider trading case.

Background:-

• Dismissing the Sebi’s order, the appellate tribunal said that the entities did not trade in the shares of Future Retail Ltd (FRL) on the basis of unpublished price sensitive information (UPSI) relating to demerger as such information was already in the public domain through multiple media reports.

About Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT):-

• Established: 27th May, 2014.
• HQ: Mumbai.
• It is under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Finance.
• It is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
• Objective: to hear and dispose of appeals against orders passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India or by an adjudicating officer under the Act.
• A Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has been constituted to protect the interest of entities that feel aggrieved by SEBI’s decision.
• The Securities Appellate Tribunal is established under the provisions of Section 15K of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
• It is to hear and dispose of appeals against orders passed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India or by an adjudicating officer under the Act and to exercise jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on the Tribunal by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.
• SAT hears and disposes of appeals against orders passed by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under the PFRDA Act, 2013.
• Further, SAT hears and disposes of appeals against orders passed by the:-
  • Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India (IRDAI) under the Insurance Act, 1938,
  • General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Act, 1972 and
  • Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder.
• Composition: It consists of a Presiding Officer and two other Members.
• Powers: It has the same powers as those vested in a civil court.
• Appeal: If any person feels aggrieved by SAT’s decision or order can appeal to the Supreme Court.

Source: Economic Times

White-Bellied Sea Eagle

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

In an unusual sighting, the white-bellied sea eagle, an enormous raptor common to coastal habitats, was spotted in Mukkombu, Tiruchirapalli.

About White-Bellied Sea Eagle:

• It is a diurnal monogamous bird of prey.
• Young Sea-Eagles are brown as juveniles then slowly become to resemble adults in a patchwork manner, acquiring the complete adult plumage by their fourth year.
• Distribution: They are found throughout southeast Asia. They range north to south from southern China to Australia and Tasmania, and west to east from India to New Guinea.
• Habitat:
  • They live primarily in terrestrial habitats near the ocean, especially coasts, islands, and estuaries, but also live in forested areas with access to smaller bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds, and rivers.
  • Most white-bellied sea eagles live at elevations around 900 m, with the highest elevation recorded at 1,700 m.
• Diet: White-bellied Sea Eagles are primarily piscivorous, meaning they primarily feed on fish. They may also prey on water birds, small mammals, and carrion (dead animals).
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN: Least Concern

Source: The Hindu

Pappathi Chola

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

There is an urgent need to conserve Pappathi Chola which is a Biodiversity hotspot and has a high population of butterflies; balsams and orchids are abundant in the area.

About the Pappathi Chola:

• Pappathi Chola, known for its high butterfly population, derived its name from the Tamil word Pappathi meaning butterflies and Chola means shola land.
• It is also regarded as a hub of balsams (Impatiens balsamina) and rare varieties of orchids.
• It is located right in the middle of the Chathurangappara hills and Mathikettan shola.
• Last year, the region witnessed the blooming of Neelakurinji.
• This area is covered with eucalyptus trees.
• Many butterflies reach the area during their migratory course from the rain shadow forests of Tamil Nadu back to the higher elevations of Munnar.

Key facts about Impatiens balsamina:

• It is an annual herb thought to be native to India and Myanmar.
• It is an annual, perennial or suffruticose herb, terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic.
• It has been long prescribed for the treatment of rheumatism, isthmus, generalised pain, fractures, inflammation of the nails, scurvy, carbuncles, dysentery, bruises, foot diseases, etc. 
• Juice extracted from plant leaves was used to cure warts and snakebite.

Source: The Hindu

National Mathematics Day: Remembering the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

December 22, Ramanujan’s birthday, was declared National Mathematics Day in India by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012, in recognition of his contributions to the field.

• Early life: Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, exhibited extraordinary mathematical abilities from a very young age.
• Mathematical Mastery by 14: By age 14, Ramanujan had mastered advanced mathematics, excelling in exams and exploring complex topics.
• Difficulties in Other Subjects: His singular focus on mathematics led to poor grades in other subjects, hindering his academic progress.
• Scholarship Loss and Hardships: After losing a scholarship at Government College in Kumbakonam due to his academic struggles, Ramanujan faced financial difficulties and limited job opportunities.

• Recognition in Madras: By 1910, Ramanujan had gained recognition in Madras’s mathematical circles for his independent work.
• Clerical Job and Research: In 1912, he secured a clerical position at the Madras Port Trust, which afforded him time for mathematical research.
• Collaboration with GH Hardy: In 1913, Ramanujan began a correspondence with British mathematician GH Hardy, leading to an invitation to Cambridge University.

• Journey to Britain: Ramanujan arrived in Britain in 1914 and joined Trinity College, Cambridge.
• Work with Hardy and Littlewood: Collaborating with Hardy and JE Littlewood, Ramanujan made significant contributions despite his lack of formal higher education.
• Prestigious Honors: He was elected to the London Mathematical Society in 1917 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918, one of the youngest Fellows in its history.

• Declining Health: Ramanujan’s health worsened in the cold British climate, leading to a diagnosis of tuberculosis.
• Final Years: He returned to India in 1919 and passed away on April 26, 1920, at the age of 32.

• High Praise from Hardy: GH Hardy ranked Ramanujan’s natural mathematical talent alongside greats like Euler and Jacobi.
• Bruce C Berndt’s Analysis: American mathematician Bruce C Berndt extensively studied Ramanujan’s notebooks, emphasizing the depth of his contributions.
• Impact on Number Theory: Ramanujan’s work, particularly on the partition function, has had a lasting impact on number theory.
• Broad Contributions: His expertise included areas like continued fractions, Riemann series, elliptic integrals, hypergeometric series, and the zeta function.
• Legacy of Unpublished Works: Ramanujan left behind notebooks filled with unpublished results that continued to inspire mathematicians for decades.

Source: The Hindu