5-January-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

8 INDIANS HELD IN QATAR GET 60 DAYS TO CONTEST THEIR JAIL TERMS

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Qatar has commuted the death sentence of eight Indian Navy veterans, arrested in August 2022, to varying prison terms. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed this development, highlighting the diplomatic sensitivity of the high-profile case. The legal team representing the veterans has been granted a 60-day window to appeal against the newly imposed jail terms.

         

Verdict and Legal Proceedings:

• On December 28, the Court of Appeal in Qatar replaced the death sentence with different durations of imprisonment for the Indian Navy veterans.
• The MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized that the court’s order, although confidential, officially removed the death penalty.
• The legal team now has 60 days to initiate an appeal against the revised jail terms, marking a crucial phase in the legal process.

Consular Access and Secrecy:

• The case garnered attention due to the strict secrecy maintained by both Qatar and India throughout the proceedings, causing deep shock in India when the death sentence was initially handed down on October 26.
• Consular access to the incarcerated veterans was confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Qatar, providing a diplomatic channel for communication.

Future Steps and Diplomatic Relations:

• Jaiswal outlined the upcoming steps, indicating that the Court of Cassation, Qatar’s highest court, would be the venue for a potential appeal within the 60-day timeframe.
• The bilateral relationship between Qatar and India, critical due to Qatar’s role as a key energy supplier and the presence of a substantial Indian workforce, has faced challenges during the course of this case.

Conclusion:

The commutation of the death sentence to varying jail terms brings a complex chapter in Qatar-India relations to a significant juncture. The legal proceedings, marked by secrecy, now enter a critical phase with the 60-day window for potential appeals. The diplomatic intricacies surrounding the case underscore the importance of maintaining a delicate balance in bilateral ties between the two nations.

IS CLAIMS BOMB ATTACKS AS IRAN VOWS REVENGE

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

Iran faces heightened tensions and vows retaliation following bomb attacks during a ceremony commemorating Qassem Soleimani, a top commander killed by a U.S. drone in 2020. The explosions, claimed by the Islamic State, resulted in at least 84 casualties, prompting strong reactions from Iranian authorities.

Iran’s Vow of Retaliation:

• Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards and Vice-President Mokhber promise robust retaliation against the perpetrators, emphasizing vengeance for Soleimani’s death.
• The attack is deemed the bloodiest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, intensifying Iran’s resolve to punish those responsible justly.

International Perspectives:

• The U.S. administration acknowledges the nature of the attack as a potential terrorist act, drawing parallels with previous actions by the Islamic State.
• Despite condemnation from President Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, some Iranian officials, like Mohammad Jamshidi, blame the U.S. and Israel for the attacks.

Conclusion:

Iran’s commitment to revenge underscores the gravity of the situation, with internal accusations against foreign involvement adding complexity to an already volatile geopolitical scenario. The repercussions of this incident may have far-reaching implications for regional stability.

HIMACHAL PRADESH HC STAYS INCLUSION OF HATTEES ON ST LIST

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has halted the inclusion of the Hattee community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, along with the state government’s directive for implementation until March.

• The court cited “manifest arbitrariness” and “glaring unconstitutionality” in incorporating SCs, OBCs, and dominant castes under Hattee in the ST list, contrary to recommendations from the Registrar General of India.
• This move was perceived as capricious by the court, prompting petitions from Gujjars and Scheduled Castes associations challenging the inclusion.

Key Points:

• The High Court perceives arbitrariness and unconstitutionality in adding SCs, OBCs, and dominant castes to the Hattee community in the ST list.
• Concerns are raised about the potential issuance of tens of thousands of ST certificates, making reversal challenging if interim orders are not granted.
• The court responds to petitions from Gujjars and Scheduled Castes associations challenging Hattees’ inclusion in the ST list.
• The BJP-led Union government’s pre-election move to include Hattees faced rejection from the Registrar General of India on three occasions before the 2022 decision.
• The next hearing is scheduled for March 18, 2024, after responses from the State, Union governments, and other respondents are filed.

Conclusion:

The Himachal Pradesh High Court’s interim stay on Hattees’ inclusion in the ST list underscores concerns of arbitrariness, urging a thorough examination of the matter. The complex interplay of caste dynamics, electoral decisions, and constitutional validity in this case demands careful consideration for a fair and just resolution.

10TH CENTURY KADAMBA INSCRIPTION WRITTEN IN KANNADA AND SANSKRIT FOUND IN GOA

GS 1 (HISTORY): SOURCE – THE HINDU

A significant archaeological discovery has unveiled a 10th-century Kadamba inscription in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa. This inscription, composed in Kannada and Sanskrit, sheds light on historical events during the Kadamba period. T. Murugeshi, a retired associate professor, studied the inscription, revealing details of battles and the heroic sacrifice of Gundayya, son of Talara Nevayya.

        

Key Points:

• The inscription, dating back to the 10th century A.D., is associated with the Kadamba period and discovered in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda, Goa.
• Murugeshi deciphers the inscription, highlighting its composition in Kannada and Nagari characters.
• The inscription narrates the story of Talara Nevayya’s son, Gundayya, fulfilling his father’s wish by capturing the port of Goa and sacrificing his life in battle.
• Kadambas of Goa, subordinate to the Chalukyas of Kalyana, played a crucial role in historical events, including the overthrow of the Rashtrakutas.
• The memorial stone in Mahadeva temple commemorates Gundayya’s heroic fight and victory in the battle for the port of Gopakapattana.

Conclusion:

The discovery of the 10th-century Kadamba inscription in Goa adds valuable insights into the historical narratives of the region. The inscription’s focus on battles, victories, and sacrifices enriches our understanding of the Kadamba period’s socio-political dynamics, providing a glimpse into the heroic tales preserved in temple inscriptions.

ISRO TO PERFORM CRUCIAL MANOEUVRE TOMORROW TO BIND ADITYA-L1 INTO L1 ORBIT

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE – THE INDIAN EXPRESS

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to execute a crucial manoeuvre on Saturday to bind the Aditya-L1 spacecraft to an orbit around the Lagrangian Point (L1).

                             

• Launched on September 2, 2023, Aditya-L1, India’s first sun-studying space observatory, will reach L1, situated approximately 1.5 million km from Earth.
• ISRO’s Mission Operations Complex will perform the manoeuvre using the spacecraft’s propulsion system, including the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor.
• Placing Aditya-L1 in a halo orbit around L1 allows continuous observation of the sun, benefiting solar activity studies. The spacecraft, equipped with seven payloads, aims for a mission life of five years.

FOG PASS DEVICE (FPDS)

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

Indian Railways has introduced Fog Pass Devices (FPDs) to enhance operations during foggy weather conditions.

• FPDs, GPS-based navigation devices, offer real-time information on signals, level crossing gates, Permanent Speed Restrictions, Neutral Sections, and more.
• The devices, equipped with display and voice guidance, are suitable for speeds up to 160 km/hr and remain effective in various weather conditions, including fog, rain, or sunshine.
• They are adaptable to single/double line and electrified/non-electrified sections, providing portability with a compact and lightweight design for efficient deployment across the railway network.

‘SMART 2.0’ LAUNCHED FOR AYURVEDA TEACHING PROFESSIONALS

GS 2 (POLITY): SOURCE – THE INDIAN EXPRESS

The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), two key institutions under the Ministry of Ayush, have initiated ‘SMART 2.0’ program.

• SMART 2.0 (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research in Teaching Professionals) aims to foster robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda through collaboration with academic institutions and hospitals nationwide.
• This program follows the earlier SMART 1.0 initiative, which focused on enhancing scientific research in priority healthcare areas using Ayurveda colleges and hospitals.
• The goal is to advance research in Ayurveda and strengthen collaboration between academic and healthcare institutions.