18-March-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

KERALA TO CHALLENGE WITHHOLDING OF PRESIDENTIAL ASSENT FOR ITS BILLS

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

Kerala intends to challenge President Droupadi Murmu’s withholding of assent to Bills passed by the state legislature before the Supreme Court. This move raises questions about the scope of judicial review regarding the President’s decisions under Article 200 of the Constitution.

Scope of Judicial Review:

• Constitutional Provisions: The President holds the power to withhold assent to state bills under Article 200.
• Limited Scope: Judicial review of the President’s decisions is generally restrained, with courts intervening only in cases of clear constitutional violations or procedural irregularities.
• Grounds for Review: Courts may intervene if there are violations of fundamental rights, procedural irregularities, or if the President’s decision is arbitrary or mala fide.
• Boundaries of Review: Courts assess whether the President acted within constitutional bounds and whether there was proper application of mind in decision-making.
• Exercise of Restraint: Despite having the authority, courts often exercise restraint in reviewing the President’s discretionary powers, respecting the principle of separation of powers.
• Preserving Constitutional Principles: While judicial review is limited, courts play a crucial role in upholding constitutional principles and ensuring fair exercise of presidential powers.

Conclusion:

Kerala’s challenge to the President’s withholding of assent brings to light the intricate balance between executive discretion and judicial oversight. While the scope of judicial review is limited, it serves as a safeguard to uphold constitutional principles and ensure the fair exercise of presidential powers.

ICECUBE: THE BIG, CHILL NEUTRINOSPOTTER

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY– SOURCE: THE HINDU

Scientists have detected tau neutrinos with high confidence using data from 2011 to 2020 at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory in Antarctica.

• IceCube Neutrino Observatory, located at the South Pole, uses thousands of sensors buried over 1.4 km beneath the ice and detectors above the surface to detect neutrinos.
• Neutrinos are subatomic particles with minimal interaction with matter, often referred to as “ghost particles.”
• IceCube is the world’s largest neutrino telescope, covering a cubic kilometer of ice to increase the chances of detecting neutrinos.
• The detection process involves neutrinos interacting with ice, producing charged particles and radiation, which IceCube sensors detect to infer neutrino presence.
• IceCube can identify some neutrino types in real-time, while others require long-term data collection for analysis.
• Scientists reported instances of tau neutrinos in IceCube’s data from 2011 to 2020 with over 99.999999% confidence, providing insights into neutrino behavior and cosmic phenomena.
• IceCube Collaboration, led by the University of Wisconsin, Madison, involves numerous universities globally in operating and maintaining the observatory.

SON’S TRIBUTE TO FATHER, ‘PIECE OF GUJARAT IN DELHI’: STORY OF CHAUSATH KHAMBA

TOPIC: (GS1) HISTORY– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Chausath Khamba Restoration:

• Chausath Khamba, near Nizamuddin Dargah, is a 17th-century marble structure housing the tomb of Mirza Aziz Koka, featuring 25 marble domes and intricate arches.

                               

• Built in 1623-24 AD, its design possibly inspired by Persian pavilions, showcasing regional architectural influences.
• Restoration efforts by Aga Khan Trust and ASI (2011-2014), co-funded by Germany, aimed at preserving its historical and architectural significance.
• Historian Sam Dalrymple notes its resemblance to Gujarat’s architecture, highlighting regional influence in ancient India.
• Early repair attempts caused damage, necessitating extensive restoration, mentioned in Sir Gordon Risley Hearn’s book.

Persian Influence on Indian Architecture:

• Persian architectural styles profoundly influenced Indian architecture during medieval times, notably under the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire.
• Indian buildings integrated Persian elements like domes, arches, minarets, intricate carvings, and geometric patterns.
• Indo-Islamic architecture emerged as a unique blend of Persian and indigenous Indian architectural traditions.
• Persian architects and craftsmen contributed to iconic Indian structures like the Taj Mahal, shaping the architectural landscape of the subcontinent.

ARUNACHAL INHERENT PART OF CHINA, CLAIMS CHINESE MILITARY

TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS– SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

The Chinese military’s reaffirmation of its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, opposing Prime Minister Modi’s visit and the inauguration of the Sela Tunnel, has escalated tensions between India and China along the disputed border.

Chinese Assertion and India’s Response:

• China reiterates its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, branding it as an “inherent part of China’s territory,” despite India’s objections.
• This assertion follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh and the inauguration of the Sela Tunnel, aimed at enhancing all-weather connectivity.
• India firmly rejects China’s claims, asserting Arunachal Pradesh’s integral part of India and dismissing China’s use of “invented” names for the region.
• The Sela Tunnel is strategically significant for facilitating troop movement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, which further irks Chinese authorities.

India-China Border Dispute in Arunachal Pradesh:

• Arunachal Pradesh shares a disputed border with China, stemming from historical territorial claims, leading to escalating tensions and increased military presence.
• Both nations consider the region strategically important due to its proximity to Tibet and implications for regional dominance.
• While China refers to Arunachal Pradesh as “South Tibet,” India asserts its sovereignty over the state.
• Military buildups, infrastructure developments, and occasional skirmishes characterize the disputed border, posing challenges to regional stability.
• Despite diplomatic efforts, including sporadic talks, resolving the dispute remains complex and requires mutual trust-building and possibly third-party mediation.

T M KRISHNA TO GET SANGITA KALANIDHI AWARD

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

T.M. Krishna, a prominent Carnatic vocalist, was honored with the Sangita Kalanidhi award by the Madras Music Academy for his remarkable contributions to music and social reform.

Contributions and Recognition:

• Thodur Madabusi Krishna, known as T.M. Krishna, received the Sangita Kalanidhi award for his outstanding contributions to Carnatic music and his advocacy for social reform.
• Krishna is acclaimed for his powerful vocals, dedication to tradition, innovative explorations in the art form, and his use of music as a tool for social change.
• He challenged the commercialization and lack of inclusivity in the December Music Season, opting out of performing there in 2015.

Initiatives for Inclusivity:

• Krishna initiated music festivals in unconventional venues to promote inclusivity and challenge caste elitism within Carnatic music.
• Despite his initial decision, he returned to the Madras Music Academy for a concert and organized events featuring non-Brahmin musicians and traditional instruments.
• His approach to music reflects a blend of tradition, innovation, and social consciousness, establishing him as a significant figure in the Carnatic music landscape.

Sangita Kalanidhi Award:

• The Sangita Kalanidhi award, established in 1929, is one of the highest honors in the field of Carnatic music, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the genre.
• Recipients of the award are esteemed musicians, composers, scholars, or musicologists who have demonstrated mastery in their craft and enriched the Carnatic music tradition.
• The award is presented during the Margazhi season, a prominent period for classical music concerts in Chennai, symbolizing the recipient’s profound knowledge and contribution to the musical heritage.

PANDAVULA GUTTA

TOPIC: (GS1) HISTORY– SOURCE: THE HINDU

Recently, Pandavula Gutta in Telangana has been officially recognized as the sole Geo-heritage site in the state.

About Pandavula Gutta:

• It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayan hills, situated in the Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.
• Discovered in 1990, it hosts numerous prehistoric habitation sites.
• The site features a wealth of paintings, rock shelters, and evidence of habitation spanning from the mesolithic to medieval times.
• Cave paintings display various geometric designs and impressions in colors like green, red, yellow, and white, offering insights into prehistoric rock art.

Significance of Geo-heritage Sites:

• Geoheritage sites possess significant scientific, educational, cultural, or aesthetic value.
• Scientifically and educationally, they provide opportunities for studying unique geological features, landscapes, fossils, and minerals.
• Culturally, these sites may have played roles in historical events, while aesthetically, they offer visually appealing landscapes due to their geological features.
• Many geoheritage sites attract tourists, contributing to local and regional economies.

RICE BRAN

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY– SOURCE: THE HINDU

The Central Government has extended the ban on exports of de-oiled rice bran for another four months, as per a recent notification by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

About Rice Bran:

• Rice bran is a key byproduct of the rice milling process, comprising the outer brown layer of brown rice separated during milling.
• Approximately 5-10 kg of bran is generated from every 100 kg of paddy rice.
• It contains about 14-18% oil and is known for its health benefits, particularly in the form of rice bran oil, popular in Japan, Asia, and India.
• Rice bran oil is pale yellow, odorless, and has a nutty flavor, rich in unsaturated fats, vitamin E, and other nutrients.

Current Usage:

Primarily used as animal feed due to its oily nature, serving as an excellent binder in feed production.

Health Effects:

• Consumption of rice bran has various health benefits, including anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering, hypotensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
• It improves bowel function and may decrease cholesterol absorption in the body, potentially preventing certain types of kidney stones.