31-July-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

A LICENCE RAJ FOR DIGITAL CONTENT CREATORS

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

The Union Government of India is attempting to control digital content creators through the Broadcasting Regulation Bill, 2024. This move is perceived as an effort to curb the influence of digital media on public opinion, especially following the 2024 general election where the government’s power was significantly reduced.

The Influence of Digital Media

• Survey Insights: Two CSDS-Lokniti surveys reveal that digital media has a significant reach among Indian voters:
• 642 million voters and 924 million broadband connections.
• 29% of respondents consume political content on digital platforms daily, with an additional 18% doing so occasionally.
• Digital media surpasses newspapers (16.7%) and radio (6.9%) but is still behind television (42%).
• Popular platforms include WhatsApp (35.1%), YouTube (32.3%), Facebook (24.7%), Instagram (18.4%), and Twitter (6.5%).
• “Content Election”: The surveys suggest that the 2024 election was influenced by digital media, with content critical of the Prime Minister challenging traditional television news.

Government’s Control Measures

• Continuity and Convergence: The current government, termed “Modi 3.0,” focuses on centralizing power. Key ministries, MeitY and MIB, are converging their efforts to control digital content.
• IT Rules, 2021: Expanded MeitY’s powers, including a traceability mandate compromising encryption on messaging services like Signal, and granted MIB the authority to register and block digital news media and streaming apps.
• Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs): Created in January 2023, GACs have heard numerous appeals and issued orders to online platforms regarding content removal or reinstatement.

Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023 and 2024

• Autocratic Censorship: The proposed Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, seeks to impose stringent regulations on digital content creators, requiring them to register and work under MIB’s discretion.
• Bill’s Revisions: Paused during elections, the bill was reintroduced in July 2024, aiming to expand the government’s control over digital media.
• Stakeholder Secrecy: The new draft of the bill, distributed to select stakeholders under strict confidentiality, suggests further regulatory measures.

Key Highlights of the Bill

Expanded Scope:

• Individual commentators classified as “Digital News Broadcasters”.
• Content creators deemed “OTT Broadcasters” with mandatory registration upon meeting certain thresholds.

Additional Compliance:

• New regulations for online platforms independent of the IT Act, 2000.
• Special compliances for platforms like YouTube, affecting even non-political content creators.

Censorship and Enforcement:

• Proactive compliance requirements, self-censorship, and fines for non-compliance.
• Vague provisions allowing arbitrary enforcement by MIB.

Conclusion

The Broadcasting Regulation Bill, 2024, embodies a shift towards digital authoritarianism, creating a bureaucratic and politicized framework aimed at controlling online narratives. This “digital licence raj” reflects the government’s attempt to streamline censorship and maintain influence over digital content in India.

LANDSLIDE TRAGEDY IN WAYANAD

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

A devastating series of landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, led to significant loss of life and widespread destruction. This natural disaster, occurring early on Tuesday, has resulted in numerous casualties and extensive damage to several villages.

Key Details of the Incident

• 122 people killed.
• 197 injured.
• 25 body parts recovered from the Chaliyar river in Malappuram, four from Chooralmala in Wayanad.

Affected Areas:

• Villages: Mundakkai, Chooralmala, and Attamala in Vythiri taluk.
• River: Iruvanipuzha, which changed course due to the landslide.

Rescue Efforts:

• State and Central forces involved.
• Challenges: Knee-deep mud, continuous rain, and debris.
• Displacement: Hundreds of survivors in hill resorts and schools.

Government Response

State of Mourning: Declared for Tuesday and Wednesday by the Kerala government.

Compensation:

• ₹2 lakh for next of kin of the deceased.
• ₹50,000 for the injured.
• Forensic Efforts: Expedited identification and autopsy to return bodies to relatives quickly.

Observations

• Timing: First landslide at 2 a.m., second at 4.10 a.m.
• Unexpected Path: The landslide did not follow the predicted disaster-prone zones.
• Community Impact: Many victims were plantation workers from West Bengal and northeastern states.

Conclusion

The Kerala government has mobilized its resources to manage the aftermath of the landslide, including rescue operations and disaster management, while bracing for further heavy rains. The tragedy underscores the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and the importance of preparedness and swift response.

Multiple Choice Question:

1. Which of the following regions in India is most susceptible to landslides?
2. Thar Desert
3. Western Ghats
4. Deccan Plateau
5. Indo-Gangetic Plain

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION

The Western Ghats, a mountain range running parallel to the western coast of India, is highly susceptible to landslides due to its steep slopes, heavy monsoon rainfall, and deforestation. The Thar Desert, Deccan Plateau, and Indo-Gangetic Plain have different geographic and climatic conditions that make them less prone to landslides.

THE DIFFERENT ARMED GROUPS OF MYANMAR

TOPIC: (GS3) SECURITY – SOURCE: THE HINDU

The political landscape of Myanmar has been significantly altered since the military coup in 2021. Various Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and resistance groups have risen against the military, leading to widespread violence and territorial disputes.

Military Coup and Resistance:

• The 2021 coup removed Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders, leading to sustained resistance.
• Military’s use of force has reduced its legitimacy.

Territorial Gains by EAOs:

Brotherhood Alliance:

• Includes the Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and Ta’ang National Liberation Army.
• Made significant territorial gains, particularly in Shan State.

Kachin Independence Army:

• Seized 70 military posts and controls key trade routes with China.

People’s Defence Forces (PDFs):

• Gaining ground in central Myanmar.

Arakan Army:

• Controls large parts of Rakhine province and strategic towns on the Bangladesh border.
• Influences infrastructure projects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative and India’s Kaladan project.

Impacts and Concerns

Strategic and Economic Impacts:

• Loss of access to critical resources and revenues for the military.
• Potential Balkanisation of Myanmar and regional instability.
• Complex ethnic geographies hindering the creation of new nation-states.

China’s Influence:

• Supports both the military and EAOs.
• Facilitates ceasefires but maintains leverage over Myanmar’s fragmented sovereignty.
• Addresses emerging security threats near the China-Myanmar border.

Conclusion

The cycle of confrontation and ceasefire between the Myanmar military and EAOs highlights the need for a new constitutional framework promoting federalism and democracy. India’s experience with federalism can serve as a model to foster regional peace and stability in Myanmar.

Multiple Choice Question:

1. With reference to India-Myanmar relations, consider the following statements:
2. The Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project aims to connect India’s northeastern region with Myanmar’s Sittwe port.
3. India has been assisting Myanmar in developing its railway infrastructure, including the Paletwa-Kalewa railway line.
4. India and Myanmar have signed a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All of the above

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION:

The Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project is a significant connectivity initiative aimed at connecting India’s northeastern region with Myanmar’s Sittwe port through a combination of waterways and roadways. This project is crucial for boosting trade and development in the region.

India has been actively involved in developing Myanmar’s railway infrastructure, with the Paleta-Kalewa railway line being a key project. This railway line is essential for improving connectivity within Myanmar and facilitating trade with India.

India and Myanmar have signed a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement to enhance bilateral trade, investment, and development. This agreement provides a framework for expanding economic ties between the two countries.

SETBACKS IN J&K LITHIUM BLOCK AUCTION

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

India’s efforts to harness its lithium reserves have faced obstacles, particularly with the repeated annulment of auctions for the lithium block in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Ministry of Mines is considering further exploration before reattempting the auction.

Auction Annulments:

• The J&K lithium block auction was annulled twice due to insufficient investor interest.
• First annulment on March 13 due to fewer than three bidders.
• Second annulment on July 25 with no qualified bidders.

Critical Mineral Auctions:

• Auctions of critical minerals, including lithium, are new in India.
• The first attempt for the J&K block began in November last year.
• Rules allow a second attempt with fewer than three bidders, but no bidders qualified.

Government Actions and Statements:

• Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy emphasized ongoing exploration work in collaboration with the J&K government.
• The Ministry of Mines is examining the need for further exploration.

Bidder Concerns:

• Queries from prospective bidders highlighted limited information and small block size.
• No beneficiation study conducted to assess lithium extraction feasibility.
• Successful Auctions and Future Plans

Chhattisgarh Success:

• In contrast, the lithium block in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district was successfully auctioned.
• Awarded to Maiki South Mining Pvt Ltd with a 76.05% auction premium.

Conclusion

India’s lithium ambitions face challenges, as seen in the J&K block’s failed auctions. Addressing concerns and further exploration are crucial for successful future auctions. The successful auction in Chhattisgarh provides a model for overcoming these hurdles

Multiple Choice Question:

1. With reference to the Lithium Triangle, consider the following statements:

• It is a region rich in lithium reserves, comprising Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
• The Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, is located within this region.
• Bolivia holds the largest share of the world’s lithium reserves within this triangle.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All of the above

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION

The Lithium Triangle

The Lithium Triangle is a region in South America encompassing parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. It’s renowned for its vast reserves of lithium, a critical mineral for the growing electric vehicle and renewable energy industries.

Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile: These three countries share the region and possess significant lithium deposits.

Salar de Uyuni: This is the world’s largest salt flat, located in Bolivia within the Lithium Triangle. It’s a primary source of lithium extraction in the region.

Bolivia’s Reserves: While all three countries have substantial reserves, Bolivia is often highlighted as possessing the largest share of the world’s lithium reserves within the triangle.

Therefore, all three statements in the question are correct. The Lithium Triangle is a crucial geographic and economic area due to its abundant lithium resources.

ETHICS OF HUNGER STRIKES AS A MODE OF PROTEST

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY AND GOVERNANCE– SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS

Hunger strikes are a profound form of protest, often evoking strong ethical debates. They raise questions about the morality of force-feeding, providing medical care against the protester’s will, and the implications of such actions.

Historical Context

Early Instances:

• Russian political prisoners in the late 19th century used hunger strikes to protest prison conditions.
• Suffragettes in early 20th century England, led by Marion Wallace Dunlop, protested using hunger strikes, leading to the controversial practice of force-feeding.

Irish Republicans:

• Irish republicans popularized hunger strikes as a form of protest.
• Terence MacSwiney’s death in 1920 after resisting force-feeding inspired many others.

Indian Freedom Movement:

• Revolutionaries like Jatin Das and Bhagat Singh used hunger strikes against colonial oppression.
• Gandhi used fasting as a moral weapon, differentiating it from hunger strikes aimed at extortion.

Ethical Dilemmas

Health Impacts:

• Initial energy from stored glucose and fat transitions to muscle and organ consumption.
• Prolonged fasting leads to severe mental and physical deterioration, and eventually death.

Moral Questions:

• Is it ethical to force-feed or provide medical aid against the protester’s will?
• How should doctors reconcile force-feeding with their Hippocratic oath?

State Responses:

• Often, states resort to violence or force-feeding to suppress hunger strikes.
• Historical cases show state complicity in the suffering and death of hunger strikers.

Contemporary Cases

Irom Sharmila:

• Protested against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur by fasting for 16 years, under police custody.

Potti Sriramulu:

• His death after a 58-day hunger strike led to the formation of Andhra Pradesh.

Conclusion

Hunger strikes are a powerful, last-resort method of protest, highlighting deep societal and political issues. The ethical implications are complex, involving the rights of the individual and the responsibilities of the state and medical professionals. As societies confront these protests, a balance between respecting the protester’s autonomy and addressing the underlying grievances is crucial.

SAFFRON CROP

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT– SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

Erratic weather patterns have led many farmers in Kashmir to convert their saffron fields into apple orchards or to grow mustard crops. Saffron, one of the costliest spices globally, is known as Red Gold or the Golden Condiment.

Saffron Crop

• Commercial Part: The valuable part of saffron is the stigma, also known as saffron filament, thread, or stigmata.
• Seeds: Saffron seeds are called corms or bulbs, and the plant regenerates through vegetative multiplication of these corms.
• Constituents: Contains crocin, picrocrocin, and saffranal, which are important for medicinal and aesthetic purposes.
• Distribution: Originally from Greece and Asia Minor, it is now cultivated in parts of Europe (Italy, France, Spain), China, and India. In India, 90% of saffron production is from Kashmir.
• Climatic Conditions: Grows at 1,500-2,000 meters above sea level. Requires temperatures from 35-40°C in summer to -15-20°C in winter and can be grown in dry, moderate, and continental climates.
• Soil: Thrives on loamy, sandy, and calcareous soils with a pH of 5.5 to 8.5.

OROPOUCHE FEVER

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

On July 25, 2024, Brazil reported its first deaths from Oropouche fever in the state of Bahia. This emerging zoonotic arboviral disease is caused by the Oropouche Virus (OROV).

About Oropouche Fever

• Discovery: Oropouche fever was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955.
• Transmission: The disease spreads to humans through bites from infected midges (Culicoides paraensis) or mosquitoes. Urbanization, deforestation, and climate change increase the risk of transmission by proliferating the vector.
• Human Transmission: There is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
• Symptoms: Symptoms are similar to dengue and usually appear between four and eight days after a bite. Common symptoms include sudden onset of fever, headaches, pain, chills, joint stiffness, nausea, and vomiting.
• Treatment: There are no vaccines or specific treatments for Oropouche fever. Medical care focuses on controlling symptoms and aiding recovery.

CHARLES DARWIN’S FROG

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT– SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA

Researchers have observed that Charles Darwin’s frog is adapting to breed in unnatural sites due to habitat loss and competition for resources.

About Charles Darwin’s Frog

• Endemic Location: This frog species is native to the Andaman Islands.
• Family: It belongs to the family Dicroglossidae, which includes over 220 species of Asian frogs.
• Breeding Behavior: Both male and female frogs adopt an inverted position on tree cavity walls during mating and egg-laying, keeping their bodies above water.
• Male Calls: Males produce three types of complex calls to attract females. If aggressive calls fail to deter rivals, they engage in fights involving kicking, boxing, and biting.
• Conservation Status: Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
• Conservation Concern: Increasingly using artificial objects like plastic bags and human trash for breeding due to forest habitat loss and fragmentation.
• Adaptation: This shift to artificial breeding sites highlights the frog’s response to rapid environmental changes on the Andaman Islands.