Weekly Current Affairs Prelims (14th to 20th January, 2020)

(Info-graphic Summary at the end)

Topic: Bojjannakonda and Lingala Metta-Buddhist sites

Topic in Syllabus: Art & Culture

Bojjannakonda and Lingala Metta-Buddhist sites

Context-

Recently the administration has succeeded in stopping an old practice of throwing stones at a Buddhist site called Bojjannakonda, located in Shankaram, Andhra Pradesh.

The villagers here used to throw stones at a stomach-shaped figure in Bojjankonda as a demon, as part of an ancient practice
However, after the intervention of ‘*Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage-INTACH’*, this practice, which was held on Kanuma day on January 16 after Makar Sankranti, is almost over.

Bojjanakonda and Lingalametta:

Bojjanakonda and Lingalametta are twin Buddhist monasteries founded in the 3rd century BC.

These Buddhist sites belong to the three branches of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana) –

Theravada – Recognition of Buddha as a teacher.
Mahayana- Buddhism was more devotional.
Vajrayana – where more belief in tantra and esoteric form in Buddhist tradition.

The word Sankaram is derived from the word ‘Sangharama’.

The site is famous for its stupas, stone-cut caves, brick-built structural figures, early historical pottery and coins from the Satavahana period of the 1st century BCE.
The main stupa located here is carved out of stone rock and then covered with bricks. Images of Buddha are carved on the stones in the hills located here.
Stupas made of monolithic stone can be seen at Lingalametta located here.

Point of attraction for tourism:

A large number of tourists visit these Buddhist sites to see the Relic Casket, three chaityagrhas, stupas and Vajrayana sculpture located here. Visakhapatnam is also famous for Buddhist sites such as Thotlakonda, Appikonda and Bavikonda.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage

INTACH was established in New Delhi in the year 1984 with the objective of disseminating and preserving information about cultural heritage in India.
INTACH is currently recognized as one of the world’s largest heritage organizations.
It is headquartered in New Delhi.
INTACH has more than 190 branches in India.
INTACH has done unprecedented work in preserving not only intangible heritage but also natural heritage.

Sample Question

Buddhism was divided into Mahayana and Hinayana in the

a. First Buddhis Council

b. Second Buddhist Council

c. Third Buddhist Council

d. Fourth Buddhist Council

Answer: d

Topic: Opening up Mining Sector

Topic in Syllabus: Indian Economy: Infrastructure

Introduction:

The Union Cabinet has approved promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 to amend the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 as well as the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

Why was it needed?

Despite having the world’s fourth largest coal reserves, India imported 235 million tonnes (MT) of coal last year, of which 135 MT coal valued at ₹171,000 crores could have been met from domestic reserves, if India could raise its production.
The end-use restrictions limited the potential bidders to a selected circle of players and thus limited the value that the government could extract from the bidding.
Further, the restrictions inhibited the development of a domestic market for coal.
The amendments are intended to open up new areas of growth in the coal & mining sector.

Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020:

The ordinance was issued in an attempt to attract investments in coal mining.
The ordinance pulls off “end-use restrictions” and allows coal mining by any company present in any sector, of which earlier power, iron and steel and coal washery business could only bid for mines.
The ordinance essentially democratizes the coal industry and makes it attractive for merchant mining companies, including multinationals such as BHP and Rio Tinto, to look at India.

The amendments in the Acts would enable:

The ‘historic’ decision would boost the ease of doing business and increase the growth avenues in the mining sector.
Offering of unexplored and partially explored coal blocks for mining through prospecting license-cum-mining Lease (PL- cum-ML). The ordinance would strengthen the auction process of those mines whose leases were expiring on March 31, 2020 and will facilitate seamless transfer of clearances.
Democratization of coal mining sector by opening it up to anyone willing to invest.
Promoting Foreign Direct Investment in the coal mining sector by removing the restrictions and eligibility criteria for participation.
This will help India in gaining access to sophisticated technology for underground mining used by global miners.
The move is expected to strengthen Coal India and to achieve the set aim of production of one billion tonnes coal by 2023-2024.
Allowing of successful bidder/allottee to utilize mined coal in any of the plant of its subsidiary or holding company. The move will also help the steel industry to get cheaper inputs (coal) leading to an increase in ‘competitiveness’ in the market.
Large investment in mining will create jobs and set off demand in critical sectors such as mining equipment and heavy commercial vehicles.

The fate of Coal India Limited:

While the move will help create an efficient energy market, usher in competition and reduce coal imports, it may also bring an end to state-run Coal India Ltd.’s (CIL) monopoly.
The Coal Ministry emphasized that CIL has been and will be allotted adequate blocks and the interests of laborers will be taken care of.

Way forward

The decision of easing mining rules and opening up the sector is expected to fetch results in the coal production and allied sectors in the nation.
However, it should be the government’s responsibility to ensure that the rights of CIL are not compromised the way BSNL has been by the opening up to private players. The company employs about three lakh people, and is listed as a national asset, hence the responsibility increases.

Conclusion

The move will be instrumental in a country like India which today and in the near future too will be depending on the coal sector for its major energy needs.

Sample Question

The mineral oil was first discovered in India in:

A. Naharkatiya

B. Mumbai

C. Ankleshwar

D. Digboi

Answer: d

Topic: SDG India Index

Topic in Syllabus: Indian Economy

SDG India Index

Context:

The SDG India Index 2019-20, developed by NITI Aayog, was launched on December 30th, 2019.

Who developed it?

The SDG India Index and Dashboard 2019–20 have been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the United Nations in India, and the Global Green Growth Institute.

About the Index

The Index has been constructed spanning across 16 out of 17 SDGs with a qualitative assessment on SDG 17. This marks an improvement over the 2018 Index, which covered only 13 goals.
It tracks the progress of all the States and Union Territories (UTs) on a set of 100 National Indicators derived from the National Indicator Framework, measuring their progress on the outcomes of interventions and schemes of the Government of India.
The SDG India Index 2019-20 is intended to provide a holistic view on the social, economic and environmental status of the country and its States and UTs.
It has been designed to provide an aggregate assessment of the performance of all Indian States and UTs and to help leaders and change-makers evaluate their performance on social, economic and environmental parameters.
NITI Aayog has the mandate of overseeing the adoption and monitoring of SDGs in the country, at the national and sub-national level. The SDG India Index, whose first edition was launched in December 2018, was the first tool developed by any large country to monitor the progress towards achieving SDGs at the sub-national level.

The Index will be useful to States/UTs in assessing their progress on the SDGs in the following ways:

Support States/UTs to assess their progress against national targets and performance of their peers to understand reasons for differential performance and devise better strategies to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Support States/UTs to identify priority areas in which they need to invest and improve by enabling them to measure incremental progress.
Highlight data gaps related across SDGs for India to develop its statistical systems at the national and state levels.

Sample Question

Consider the following statements regarding National Strategy for Financial Inclusion.

Ministry of Finance under the aegis of Financial Inclusion Advisory Committee (FIAC) initiated the process of formulation of National Strategy for Financial Inclusion.
National Strategy for Financial Inclusion is for the period 2019-2024.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)view financial inclusion as a key enabler for achieving sustainable development worldwide.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 2, 3

d) 1, 2, 3

Answer: C

Topic: Virtual human NEON

Topic in Syllabus: Science & Technology

Virtual human NEON

Context:

NEONs are being called the world’s first artificial humans. They look and behave like real humans, and could develop memories and emotions — though from behind a 4K display.

NEON:

Star Labs is headed by India-born scientist Pranav Mistry who underlines that what was showcased at CES was the product of just four months’ work.
The company says NEONs are computationally created virtual humans — the word derives from NEO (new) + humaN.
For now, the virtual humans can show emotions when manually controlled by their creators.
But the idea is for NEONs to become intelligent enough to be fully autonomous, showing emotions, learning skills, creating memories, and being intelligent on their own.
Star Labs thinks they can be “friends, collaborators, and companions”, but all that is a few years away.

How does it work?

There are two core technologies behind his virtual humans.

First, there is the proprietary CORE R3 technology that drives the “reality, real time and responsiveness” behind NEONs.
It is the front-end reality engine that is able to give you that real expression.
The company claims CORE R3 “leapfrogs in the domains of Behavioral Neural Networks, Evolutionary Generative Intelligence and Computational Reality”, and is “extensively trained” on how humans look, behave and interact.
But in the end, it is like a rendition engine, converting the mathematical models to look like actual humans.
The next stage will be SPECTRA, which will complement CORE R3 with the “spectrum of intelligence, learning, emotions and memory”.
But SPECTRA is still in development, and is not expected before NEONWORLD 2020 later this year.

How could NEONs be used?

NEONs are the interface for technologies and services.
They could answer queries at a bank, welcome you at a restaurant, or read out the breaking news on television at an unearthly hour.
This form of virtual assistance would be more effective, for example, while teaching languages, as NEONs will be capable of understanding and sympathizing.

How are they different from Virtual Assistants?

Virtual Assistants now learn from all the data they are plugged into. NEONs will be limited to what they know and learn.
Their leaning could potentially be limited to the person they are catering to, and maybe her friends — but not the entire Internet.
They will not be an interface for you to request a song, rather they will be a friend to speak to and share experiences with.
Currently, its developer doesn’t want NEONs to have collective memory, or to share data among themselves.

Sample Question

Recently NEONs has been in news for sometimes, it is primarily related to

(a) First artificial humans.
(b) Rare Chemical element.
(c) New Moon of Saturn.
(d) High efficient LED bulbs developed by Samsung.

Answer: A

Topic: Bru-Reang Refugee Crisis

Topic in Syllabus: Indian Governance

Bru-Reang Refugee Crisis

Context:

The Ministry of Home Affairs has presided over the signing of an agreement between Union Government, Governments of Tripura and Mizoram and Bru-Reang representatives to end the 23-year old Bru-Reang refugee crisis.

Who are the Brus?

Reangs or Brus are the second largest ethnic group in Mizoram.
Their exodus in 1997 was spurred by violent clashes in Mamith subdivision, a Reang-dominated area, when they demanded creation of an autonomous council that was vehemently opposed by Mizo groups.
Around 34,000 people were forced to live in sub-human conditions in tents in Tripura. No solution could be reached all these years.
These people were housed in temporary camps at Kanchanpur, in North Tripura.

Highlights of the Quadripartite Agreement

Under the new agreement around 34,000 Bru refugees will be settled in Tripura and would be given aid from the Centre to help with their rehabilitation and all round development.
These people would get all the rights that normal residents of the States get and they would now be able to enjoy the benefits of social welfare schemes of Centre and State governments.
Under the new arrangement, each of the displaced families would be given 40×30 sq.ft. residential plots.
This would be in addition to the aid under earlier agreement of a fixed deposit of Rs. 4 lakhs, Rs. 5,000 cash aid per month for 2 years, free ration for 2 years and Rs. 1.5 lakhs aid to build their house.

Sample Question

Consider the following statements

1. The Brus are endogamous tribe spread across the north eastern states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram.
2. Both In Tripura and Mizoram, they are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Topic: Taal Volcano

Topic in Syllabus: Indian Geography

Taal Volcano

Context:

In the Philippines, a volcano called Taal on the island of Luzon; 50 km from Manila has recently erupted.

Taal Volcano

Taal is classified as a “complex” volcano. Taal has 47 craters and four maars (a broad shallow crater).
It is situated at the boundaries of two tectonic plates — the Philippines Sea Plate and the Eurasian plate — it is particularly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanism.
A complex volcano, also called a compound volcano, is defined as one that consists of a complex of two or more vents, or a volcano that has an associated volcanic dome, either in its crater or on its flanks.
Examples include Vesuvius, besides Taal.
The Taal volcano does not rise from the ground as a distinct, singular dome but consists of multiple stratovolcanoes (volcanoes susceptible to explosive eruptions), conical hills and craters of all shapes and sizes.

Threats posed

Taal’s closeness to Manila puts lives at stake. Manila is a few tens of kilometres away with a population of over 10 million.
The volcano is currently at alert level 4, which means that a “hazardous eruption” could be imminent within a few hours to a few days.
Hazardous eruptions are characterised by intense unrest, continuing seismic swarms and low-frequency earthquakes.

Earlier records of eruption

Taal has erupted more than 30 times in the last few centuries. Its last eruption was on October 3, 1977.
An eruption in 1965 was considered particularly catastrophic, marked by the falling of rock fragments and ashfall.
Before that, there was a “very violent” eruption in 1911 from the main crater. The 1911 eruption lasted for three days, while one in 1754 lasted for seven months.
Because it is a complex volcano with various features, the kinds of eruption too have been varied. An eruption can send lava flowing through the ground, or cause a threat through ash in the air.

Sample Question

Consider the following statements:

1. Taal volcanois the second most active volcano in the Philippines.
2. Taal volcanois classified as complex volcano.
3. All volcanoes of the Philippines are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 only

(d) All of the above

Answer: D

Topic: CRZ rules for ‘Blue Flag’ beaches

Topic in Syllabus: Ecology & Environment

Context:

The MoEFCC has relaxed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules that restrict construction near beaches to help States construct infrastructure and enable them to receive ‘Blue Flag’ certification.

Why such move?

The Blue Flag certification, however, requires beaches to create certain infrastructure — portable toilet blocks, grey water treatment plants, a solar power plant, seating facilities, CCTV surveillance and the like.
However, India’s CRZ laws don’t allow the construction of such infrastructure on beaches and islands.
The new order allows for some constructions subject to maintaining a minimum distance of 10 meters from HTL (High Tide Line).

Blue Flag certification

The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an ‘eco-tourism model’ and marks out beaches as providing tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area.
The certification is accorded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environment Education.
It started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa joined.
It has 33 stringent criteria under four major heads for the beaches, that is, (i) Environmental Education and Information (ii) Bathing Water Quality (iii) Environment Management and Conservation and (iv) Safety and Services.

Blue Flag beaches

Japan and South Korea are the only countries in south and southeastern Asia to have Blue Flag beaches.
Spain tops the list with 566 such beaches; Greece and France follow with 515 and 395 Blue Flag beaches, respectively.

In India

Last year, the Ministry selected 13 beaches in India to vie for the certificate.
The earmarked beaches are — Ghoghala beach (Diu), Shivrajpur beach (Gujarat), Bhogave beach (Maharashtra), Padubidri and Kasarkod beaches (Karnataka), Kappad beach (Kerala), Kovalam beach (Tamil Nadu), Eden beach (Puducherry), Rushikonda beach (Andhra Pradesh), Miramar beach (Goa), Golden beach (Odisha), Radhanagar beach (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and Bangaram beach (Lakshadweep).

Sample Question

‘Blue Flag’ Certification is given based on

Environmental Education and Information
Bathing Water Quality
Environment Management and Conservation
Safety and Services

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 2 only

(d) All of the above

Answer: d

Topic: US-Guatemala Asylum Deal

Topic in Syllabus: International Affairs

US-Guatemala Asylum Deal

Context:

In July 2019, the then President of Guatemala signed an asylum deal with the US.
Alejandro Giammattei, Guatemala’s new President, has not cleared his position on the pact, causing uncertainty over its future.

What is a safe third country agreement?

Under the “safe third country” agreement, migrants have to apply for asylum in the first country they land in.
If they fail to do so and proceed to the second country, they can be sent back to the first country.
The US first signed such an agreement with Canada in 2002.
What is the US-Guatemala agreement?
In 2019, the US administration signed “safe third country” agreements with the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
This made it more difficult for refugees to seek asylum in the US.
This agreement allowed the US to send asylum seekers from third countries to Guatemala.
So far, Guatemala is the only country which has implemented the agreement.
Unless migrants apply for protection in Guatemala before proceeding to the US, they are sent back to Guatemala

As of now (January 2020), the US had sent 158 El Salvadoran and Honduran asylum seekers to Guatemala since the agreement was signed.
The US also plans to send migrants from other nationalities to Guatemala in the future.
In the 2019 fiscal year, Guatemala was the largest source of migrants (more than 2.64 lakh persons) detained at the US border.

What are the criticisms?

A “safe third country” is supposed to mean a nation which is capable of offering protection to refugees.
The Northern Triangle countries are known for high levels of crime, violence, and economic deprivation.
The deal with Guatemala has been criticised, given the risk that migrants might face when they are sent back here.

What are the legal challenges?

The US-Guatemala agreement was challenged at a US federal district court, with petitioners arguing that the pact violates US law.
It has been contended that,
Guatemala does not meet the definition of a “safe third country” under US asylum law and,
The agreement does adequately protect asylum seekers from harm.
Since President Trump came to power in 2016, the US has increasingly adopted policies aimed at deterring refugee migration.
Under the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, which came into force in January 2019, 55,000 asylum seekers to the US have been sent back to Mexico to wait out their asylum cases in that country.

Sample Question

A refugee is someone who has left their country of nationality because…

They are at risk of persecution for membership of a particular social group or political opinion
They are not happy with their wages, they can’t buy a new mobile phone or have holidays
They have a well-founded fear for not returning to their country
They are at risk of persecution for reasons of their race, religion and/or nationality

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3 ,4

c) 2, 3

d) 1, 2, 3

Answer: b

Current Affairs Prelims 14th to 20th January, 2020-1

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Weekly Current Affairs Prelims (14th to 20th January, 2020)