26-February-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

AHEAD OF UCC, ASSAM DECIDES TO REPEAL MUSLIM MARRIAGES ACT

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Assam government’s recent decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935 marks a significant move aimed at addressing concerns related to child marriages and aligning with the broader goal of implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The decision, encapsulated in the ‘Assam Repealing Ordinance 2024,’ follows a Cabinet meeting and reflects the government’s commitment to tackling societal challenges.

Background and Purpose of the Act:

• Enacted in 1935, the Act governed the registration of Muslim marriages and divorces in Assam.
• A 2010 amendment made registration mandatory, replacing the original voluntary provision.
• The Act allowed the state to issue licenses for marriage and divorce registration, aligning with Muslim personal law.

Reasons for Repeal:

• Concerns about child marriages facilitated by the Act’s provisions triggered the decision.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the Act’s allowance for marriage registration below the legal age as a key factor.
• The Cabinet criticized the Act’s informal registration machinery, alleging non-compliance with existing norms.

Link to Uniform Civil Code (UCC):

• The repeal aligns with the Assam government’s broader objective of introducing a Uniform Civil Code, akin to developments in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand.
• Muslims are expected to register marriages under the Special Marriage Act post-repeal.

Connection to Crackdown on Child Marriages:

• The decision is tied to the state’s crackdown on child marriages, resulting in over 4,000 arrests last year.
• The provision allowing marriage applications by minors’ guardians was seen as facilitating child marriages.

Concerns and Implications:

• Critics express apprehensions about the repeal’s impact, advocating for targeted amendments instead.
• Replacement with the Special Marriage Act may lead to reduced registration due to increased complexity and centralized processes.
• Absence of authorized kazis may create opportunities for unregistered marriages, intensifying existing challenges.

Conclusion:

The decision to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act of 1935 underscores the government’s commitment to combat child marriages and implement a Uniform Civil Code.

However, concerns persist about potential consequences, emphasizing the need for nuanced approaches to address societal challenges while preserving simplicity and accessibility in marriage registration processes.

POVERTY IN INDIA HAS REDUCED TO 5%, CLAIMS NITI AAYOG CEO

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY – SOURCE: NDTV

NITI Aayog CEO, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, highlights the positive findings from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) for 2022-23, indicating significant progress in poverty eradication and inclusive growth in India. This data challenges the perception of economic progress being limited to a few, emphasizing broad-based growth, reduced urban-rural inequality, and evolving consumption patterns.

Key Points from NITI Aayog CEO’s Remarks:

Poverty Eradication:

• Less than 5% of Indians are projected to be below the poverty line, indicating substantial poverty reduction.
• Extreme destitution is nearly eradicated based on the HCES for 2022-23.

Broad-Based Growth:

• Contrary to the belief that economic progress is concentrated among a few, Subrahmanyam asserts that growth in India is broad-based.

Urban-Rural Dynamics:

• Rural incomes and expenditures are increasing faster than their urban counterparts, challenging the urban-centric growth narrative.
• The urban-rural consumption divide has decreased from 91% in 2004-05 to 71% in 2022-23, reflecting narrowing inequality.

Changing Consumption Patterns:

• Rural households spend less than 50% of their total expenditure on food for the first time, indicating improved incomes.
• Shifts in food spending patterns, such as lower expenditures on pulses and cereals, suggest positive economic changes.

Inclusive Growth:

• Subrahmanyam emphasizes that the data, the first official release since 2011-12, addresses inconsistencies in the 2017-18 Survey data.
• Benefits of schemes like Ayushman Bharat and free education are not factored in, suggesting a decrease in destitution and deprivation.

Inclusive Growth in India – Data and Challenges:

Data on Growth:

• Estimated GDP growth rate of 7.3% in 2024-24 (World Bank).
• Gini coefficient of 31.5 (World Bank 2023), indicating high inequality.
• 250 million people escaped multi-dimensional poverty in the last decade (NITI Aayog).
• 127th out of 146 on the Global Gender Gap Index (WEF 2023).

Challenges for Inclusive Growth:

• Unequal distribution of benefits, limited access to education and healthcare, dominance of the informal sector, skill mismatch, gender and social discrimination.

Challenges and the Way Forward:

• Implementing effective policies, overcoming corruption and bureaucratic hurdles, addressing land acquisition and displacement issues, balancing growth with sustainability, and securing political will and public support.

TELANGANA: 1,300-YEAR-OLD TEMPLES FROM BADAMI CHALUKYAN PERIOD DISCOVERED

TOPIC: (GS1) HISTORY – SOURCE: NDTV

The recent archaeological discovery of Mudimanikyam in Telangana, previously believed to be distant from the Badami Chalukya kingdom, has expanded historical understanding.

Thought to be 500 km away from Badami in Karnataka, Mudimanikyam is now recognized as part of the Badami Chalukya kingdom.

This discovery unveils temples and inscriptions dating back to 543-750 AD, shedding light on the rich history and cultural diversity of the region.

Key Findings of the Recent Discovery:

Mudimanikyam’s Integration into Badami Chalukya Kingdom:

• Initially considered separate, Mudimanikyam in Telangana is revealed to be part of the Badami Chalukya kingdom.
• The discovery challenges previous geographical and historical assumptions, highlighting the interconnectedness of ancient kingdoms.

Temple Complexes and Inscriptions:

• Unearthed temples and inscriptions, dating between 543 AD and 750 AD, provide valuable insights into the religious and cultural practices of the Badami Chalukya period.
• The presence of temples along the riverbank and within the Mudimanikyam village underscores the region’s significance in the kingdom’s religious landscape.

Religious Diversity and Cosmopolitanism:

• The temples reflect religious diversity, accommodating deities from Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
• This showcases the cosmopolitan nature of the Deccan region during the Badami Chalukya period, where different religious traditions coexisted and influenced each other.

Role of Archaeologists:

• Archaeologists M. A. Srinivasan and S. Ashok Kumar made these significant discoveries while conducting research on the Krishna River basin.
• Their meticulous excavation work has unveiled previously unknown facets of the region’s history and heritage.

Overview of Badami Chalukya Kingdom:

Foundation and Capital:

• Established around the 6th century by Pulakeshin I, with Badami as its capital in present-day Karnataka.

Architecture:

• Renowned for rock-cut cave temples, exemplified by the Badami Cave Temples, reflecting Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist influences.

Dynastic Rulers:

• Notable rulers include Pulakeshin II, Vikramaditya I, and Vinayaditya, who contributed to the kingdom’s expansion and prosperity.

Administration and Governance:

• Monarchical governance with administrative divisions called Rashtras, assisted by officials like maharajas and Rajadhirajas.

Military Achievements:

• Known for military prowess, successfully resisting invasions and defending against external threats.

Trade and Economy:

• Strategic location facilitated trade, contributing to agricultural and economic prosperity.

Decline and Legacy:

• Declined in the late 8th century due to internal conflicts and external pressures, eventually succumbing to the Rashtrakutas.
• Despite decline, left a lasting legacy in art, architecture, and administration in the Deccan region.

BLACK HOLES

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Scientists in Japan are exploring the possibility of planet formation near supermassive black holes, inspired by conditions depicted in a 2014 sci-fi film.

                           

• The researchers theorize that massive dust and gas clouds surrounding black holes could lead to the formation of planets, including blanets.
• These celestial bodies are anticipated to be 3,000 times the size of Earth and orbit supermassive black holes at a safe distance of approximately 100 trillion km.
• This unique planetary formation process sheds light on the potential cosmic diversity existing in the universe, challenging traditional notions of where and how planets can emerge.

THAWING ARCTIC PERMAFROST COULD RELEASE RADIOACTIVE, CANCER-CAUSING RADON

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: LIVESCIENCE

Scientists are raising concerns about the thawing permafrost in the Arctic, warning that it could release radon, a radioactive gas with potential cancer-causing effects. Understanding permafrost and the risks associated with radon is crucial in addressing the environmental and health implications of this phenomenon.

Permafrost: Frozen Ground Across the Arctic

Definition:

• Ground frozen continuously for at least two years, ranging from soil to sediment to rock.
• Extends from a few feet to over a mile beneath the earth’s surface, covering regions like the Arctic tundra.

Global Distribution:

• Found on land and below the ocean floor.
• Common in high mountain regions and Earth’s higher latitudes near the North and South Poles.
• Predominantly in far northern areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including Siberia, Alaska, Canadian Arctic, Greenland, and the Tibetan Plateau.

Composition:

• Combination of soil, rocks, and sand held together by ice.
• Permafrost contains organic carbon from dead plants, which persists due to the cold.
• Active layer thaws during summer and freezes in the fall.

Radon: Radioactive Gas and Health Risks

Nature and Formation:

• Radioactive gas formed naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium break down in rocks, soil, and groundwater.
• Inert, colourless, and odourless gas.

Distribution:

• Usually exists at low levels outdoors but can accumulate in poorly ventilated areas like underground mines.
• Enters homes through cracks, holes, and soil rich in uranium, thorium, and radium.

Health Risks:

• Inhaled particles can damage DNA, potentially causing lung cancer.
• Second-most important cause of lung cancer after smoking, leading among non-smokers.

Prevalence in Homes:

• Radon levels may be higher in well-insulated, tightly sealed homes.
• Accumulates in areas lacking ventilation, posing health risks to occupants.

FLOODPLAIN

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY – SOURCE: INDIANEXPRESS

The high-level committee for Yamuna’s rejuvenation has prioritized the demarcation of the floodplain as a crucial step towards river restoration.

Floodplain: Definition and Composition

Definition:

• Generally flat land adjacent to a river or stream, subject to periodic inundation.
• Composed of unconsolidated sedimentary deposits (alluvium) deposited by the river over time.

Components:

• Floodplain comprises the floodway, the main river channel, and the flood fringe, the land beyond the channel to the valley wall.
• Floodways can be seasonal, while flood fringes are areas prone to occasional flooding.

Formation of Floodplains: Erosion and Deposition

Erosion:

• Meandering rivers erode their banks, creating a wider flat area along the river’s sides.
• River floods, caused by heavy rainfall or ice melting, further shape floodplains by inundating the surrounding land.

Deposition (Aggradation):

• Floodwaters lose velocity as they move from the floodway to the fringe, depositing sediment acquired from erosion upstream.
• Consistently flooded areas build up sediment over time, forming fluvial terraces along the riverbanks.

Importance of Floodplains: Ecological and Agricultural Significance

Ecological Importance:

• Floodplain sediment deposition enriches soil fertility, making it conducive for agriculture.
• Rich in nutrients like potash, phosphoric acid, and lime, floodplain soil supports diverse vegetation and wildlife.

Agricultural Significance:

• Alluvial soil deposited in floodplains is highly fertile, supporting robust crop yields.
• Floodplains serve as vital agricultural areas, contributing to food security and rural livelihoods.

SHAHPUR KANDI BARRAGE: HALTING RAVI RIVER FLOW TO PAKISTAN

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY – SOURCE: INDIANEXPRESS

The completion of the Shahpur Kandi barrage, located at the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border, marks a significant development, impacting the flow of water from the River Ravi to Pakistan.

Shahpur Kandi Dam Project:

Location:

• Situated on the Ravi River in Pathankot district, Punjab.
• Downstream from the existing Ranjit Sagar Dam.

Purpose:

• Primarily constructed for power generation and irrigation in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.

Components:

• Includes a 55.5 m high concrete gravity dam, a 7.70 km long hydel channel, two head regulators, and two powerhouses.
• Total output capacity: 206 MW.

   

Ravi River:

• Trans-boundary River: Flows through India and Pakistan, one of the five tributaries of the Indus River.
• Origin: Originates in the western Himalayas in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
• Flow and Length: Flows through Punjab in India and enters Pakistan, covering approximately 720 kilometers. Lahore is situated on its eastern bank.
• Tributaries: Fed by tributaries like Bhadal, Ujh, Tarnah, and Basantar in India, and Aik, Bara, and Beas in Pakistan.
• Indus Water Treaty: Governed by the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan. Allocates water of Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej to India.