UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 15th February 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s tomb

Subject: Art and Culture

Why in News?

Recently, a reality tech firm unveiled the digital twin of Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s tomb in Hyderabad.

About Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah’s tomb:

• It is one the grandest monuments in the Qutb Shah’s tombs complex at the foothill of Golconda, Hyderabad.
• The majestic tomb built in 1602, is one of the largest tombs at the Qutb Shahi heritage park complex reaching to a total height of 60 m.

Who was Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah?

• Foundational Figure: The fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, he established the city of Hyderabad.
• Multilingual Poet: Composing in Persian, Telugu, and Deccani (a form of Urdu), he stands as a pioneering figure in Deccani Urdu poetry, credited with over fifty thousand shers.
• Diverse Themes: His verses delve into various aspects of community life, capturing the emotions of the common people, their festivals, and beliefs, as well as themes of love and the joys of connection, expressed with sincerity.
• Cultural Synthesis: Living in the same era as Tulsidas, he skillfully fused elements from both Persian and Indian traditions, infusing his poetry with a unique blend that resonated with his audience.

Key facts about Qutub Shahi Tombs

• These are erected in the memory of the departed kings of Golconda.
• They are located one kilometer north of Golconda Fort’s called Banjara Darwaza.
• Built by the Qutub Shahis, these tombs are considered to be among the oldest historical monuments of Hyderabad.
• These tombs are present in a large group on a raised platform.
• Architectural style: They resemble Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles that makes use of grey granite, with stucco ornamentation and is a one-of-its-kind place in the world where the whole dynasty is buried at a single spot.

What is a digital twin?

• It is a digital model of an object, system or a process that acts the same as its real world counterpart.
• It helps companies and organisations to understand a physical object or a process well.

Source: The Hindu 

GS-II

British-era Act invoked to Block Internet in Punjab

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Union government invoked its authority under a colonial-era Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017 to suspend mobile Internet in select districts of Punjab during Farm Protests 2.0.

Mechanisms allowing Internet Shut-downs

 Constitutional Provisions for Right to Internet

Landmark Precedence: Anuradha Bhasin Judgment (2020)

• Supreme Court’s Ruling: In January 2020, the Supreme Court of India recognized access to the Internet as a fundamental right under the Indian Constitution.
• Restrictions Guidelines: The Court mandated that any government-imposed Internet restrictions must be temporary, limited, lawful, necessary, and proportionate. It also emphasized judicial review.

Source: The Hindu

UN World Restoration Flagships

Source: International Relations

Why in News?

The United Nations named seven initiatives from across Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia as the intergovernmental organisation’s World Restoration Flagships.

About UN World Restoration Flagships:

• The World Restoration Flagship are part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration – led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
• It aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. 
• The award conferred by the UNEP and FAO of the UN makes the initiatives eligible for technical and financial support from the organisation.  
• The awards track notable initiatives that provide support to global commitments in order to restore one billion hectares.
• The seven initiatives are
  • The Restoring Mediterranean Forests Initiative: It involves the countries of Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and Türkiye.
  • It consists of a novel approach said to have protected and restored natural habitats and vulnerable ecosystems. It is also said to have led to around two million hectares of forests restored across the region since 2017.
  • The Living Indus initiative received approval from the Pakistan parliament in the wake of the devastating 2022 climate change-induced floods.
  • Its official launch took place at the 27th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm el-Sheikh.
  • It designates the Indus River as a living entity with rights — a measure taken to protect rivers elsewhere as well.
  • The Acción Andina social movement led by Peruvian conservation non-profit ECOAN aims to protect and restore a forest area of one million hectares.
  • The Sri Lanka Mangrove Regeneration initiative: It is a science-driven programme co-led by local communities. It focuses on the restoration of natural balance in the ecosystem
  • The Terai Arc Landscape initiative: It is aimed to restore the forests of critical corridors of the Terai Arc Landscape in collaboration with local communities working as citizen scientists, community-based anti-poaching units, forest guards, among others.
  • “It also supported the tiger population in the landscape shared by India and Nepal, which increased today to 1,174.
  • Regreening Africa’s agriculture: It is expected to benefit over 6,00,000 households.
  • Growing forests in Africa's drylands initiative: It aims to expand from 41,000 restored hectares today to 229,000 hectares by 2030.

Source: Down to Earth

Electoral Bonds (EBs)

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

The Supreme Court recently directed the State Bank of India to stop issuing electoral bonds immediately.

About Electoral Bonds (EBs):

• Electoral bonds are interest-free bearer bonds or money instruments that can be purchased by companies and individuals in India from authorised branches of the State Bank of India (SBI).
• The bonds are similar to bank notes that are payable to the bearer on demand and are free of interest.
• These bonds are sold in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, and Rs 1 crore.
• They can be purchased through a KYC-compliant account to make donations to a political party.
• EBs have a life of only 15 days during which it can be used for making donations to political parties.
• The name and other information of the donor are not entered on the instrument and thus electoral bonds are said to be anonymous.
• There is no cap on the number of electoral bonds that a person or company can purchase.
• Under the Income Tax act, one’s electoral bond donations are considered tax-exempt under Section 80 GG and Section 80 GGB.
• Who can receive funding via electoral bonds?
  • Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than 1% of votes polledin the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, are eligible to receive electoral bonds.
  • The political parties have to encash them within a stipulated time.
  • The bond can be encashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank account with the authorized bank.
  • The political parties have to disclose the amount to the Election Commission.

Source: Hindustan Times

GS-III

Kaji Nemu

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

Recently, the Assam government declared the GI-tagged ‘Kaji Nemu’ (Citrus Limon) as the State Fruit.

About Kaji Nemu:

• Distinctive Shape: The Assam lemon, known as Kaji Nemu, stands out with its elongated and oblong appearance compared to other lemon types.
• Popularity and Benefits: Renowned for its unique fragrance and health advantages, this lemon variety holds a special place in Assamese cuisine.
• Global Presence: Exported to various nations, including the Middle East, the fruit has gained recognition beyond regional borders.
• Culinary Enrichment: The Assam lemon, prized for its exceptional aroma and antioxidant content, significantly enhances local dishes.
• Juiciness and Usage: The oval-shaped Kaji Nemu is notably juicier than its counterparts, making it a preferred choice for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
• Widespread Cultivation: Cultivated across all districts of Assam, this lemon variety remains available year-round.
• Nutrient Powerhouse: Packed with essential nutrients, the Assam lemon contributes to overall health and well-being.
• Citrus Diversity: Assam boasts a rich diversity of citrus fruits, with 16 species and 52 hybrid varieties.
• Geographical Indication: The Kaji Nemu was bestowed with a Geographical Indication tag in 2019, underscoring its association with Assamese cuisine.

Source: Indian Express

Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) COP14 begins in Uzbekistan

Subject: Environment and Ecology

Why in News?

The Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (COP14) will be hosted by the Government of Uzbekistan, in Samarkand from 12-17 February 2024

• CMS COP is a Triennial Event.

About Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS)

Source: The Hindu

The wrong cooks spoiling the scientific broth

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

The article argues for a shift in the approach of Indian scientists towards addressing real-life problems by integrating knowledge from various disciplines, including the humanities. It emphasizes the need for scientists to engage with societal issues, collaborate across disciplines, and embrace diverse forms of knowledge to find holistic solutions.

Key Highlights:

• Critique of the current scientific paradigm in India, where pursuit of quick rewards and adherence to disciplinary boundaries hinder problem-solving.
• Advocacy for a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates insights from the humanities and social sciences.
• Emphasis on the importance of understanding human complexities and societal context in scientific endeavors.
• Proposal for scientists to engage with communities, embrace humility, and recognize diverse forms of knowledge.
• Criticism of the hierarchical and reductionist tendencies within the scientific community.
• Assertion that addressing complex problems requires creativity, flexibility, and integration of diverse perspectives.

Key Challenges:

• Resistance from scientists accustomed to disciplinary silos and reductionist methodologies.
• Lack of institutional support and incentives for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Need for a shift in mindset among scientists to prioritize societal impact over academic achievements.
• Overcoming entrenched power dynamics within the scientific community.
• Bridging the gap between academic research and practical problem-solving.
• Incorporating diverse forms of knowledge while ensuring rigor and reliability.

Main Terms:

• Scientific temper
• Reductionism
• Multidisciplinary approach
• Human sciences
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• Social embeddedness
• Empirical testing
• Holistic understanding

Important Phrases:

• “Science-society border”
• “Climb down from the ivory tower”
• “Human complexities”
• “Tacit knowledge”
• “Integration of knowledge”
• “Extended peer community”
• “Proper scientific temper”
• “Cross-cultural conversation”

Quotes:

• “While religion is a sacred cow that doubles up as a cash cow, science is a cash cow that can often double up as a sacred cow in India.”
• “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
• “Science leaves this kind of integration of knowledge from other sources out of the ‘scientific method’ altogether.”
• “A traditional puzzle solver scientist is like the mediocre artist who starts with a clearly visualized picture in mind and ends up painting it without leaving any scope for growth and change during the process.”

Useful Statements for mains value addition:

• “The time has come for a large chunk of scientific forces to be re-deployed on the science-society border to scout for solutions to real-life problems.”
• “The natural sciences then need to work in tandem with human sciences.”
• “A variety of perspectives and methods from different disciplines need to be brought to bear on a complex real-life problem.”
• “Philosophy has interacted fruitfully with business and medicine on issues of ethics and reproductive technologies.”
• “Science must confront the uncomfortable prospect of dealing with human complexities.”

Examples and References for qauality enrichment:

• The frothing Bellandur lake in Bengaluru vs. scholarly papers on the “giant gravity hole in the Indian Ocean.”
• Collaborations between philosophy, business, and medicine on ethical issues.
• Real-life problems such as human cloning, stem cell research, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with religious components.

Facts and Data:

• Reference to Manu Rajan, a retired information scientist from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
• Mention of the threats posed by developments such as artificial intelligence.
• Reference to the prevalence of disciplinary silos and reductionist approaches in Indian scientific institutions.

Critical Analysis:

The article provides a compelling critique of the current scientific paradigm in India, highlighting its limitations in addressing real-life problems. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of knowledge from the humanities and social sciences. However, it could provide more concrete examples of successful interdisciplinary efforts and practical strategies for fostering collaboration. Additionally, the article could address potential challenges in implementing its proposed changes, such as institutional resistance and resource constraints.

Way Forward:

• Promote interdisciplinary research initiatives and provide incentives for collaboration.
• Establish platforms for dialogue and knowledge exchange between scientists and diverse stakeholders.
• Invest in education and training programs that emphasize holistic problem-solving skills.
• Foster a culture of humility, curiosity, and openness to diverse perspectives within the scientific community.
• Encourage partnerships between academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations to address pressing societal challenges.

In conclusion, the article advocates for a paradigm shift in Indian science towards a more inclusive, interdisciplinary approach that prioritizes real-life problem-solving and societal impact. By embracing diverse forms of knowledge and collaborating across disciplines, scientists can better address the complex challenges facing society.

Source: The Hindu