Jan 13th 2025 Current Affairs

Index:

1. Kumbh Mela: Origin, History, and Appeal

What is Kumbh Mela?

Definition: A large Hindu religious gathering where devotees take a dip in sacred rivers.
Significance: It is the largest religious congregation on Earth, held periodically in four cities: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain.
Types:
- Purna Kumbh Mela: Every 12 years.
- Ardh Kumbh Mela: Every 6 years.
- Maha Kumbh Mela: Every 12 cycles (144 years).

Mythological Origins

Sanskrit word ‘Kumbh’ means pot.
Associated with the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) by gods and demons to retrieve the pot of amrit (nectar of immortality).
Drops of amrit spilled at:
- Haridwar
- Prayagraj
- Nashik
- Ujjain
These locations became the venues of Kumbh Mela.

Astrological Significance

Based on planetary positions:
- Jupiter in Taurus and Sun in Capricorn → Haridwar.
- Jupiter in Aquarius and Sun in Aries → Prayagraj.
- Jupiter and Sun in Leo → Nashik.
- Jupiter in Scorpio and Sun in Capricorn → Ujjain.

Historical Evolution

Origin traced to ancient texts like:
- Puranas: Mentions the significance of river baths.
- Rigveda: Refers to sacred rivers.
Institutionalized by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century CE.
First historical mention: Mughal period.
Took the form of a regular festival in the 12th century.

Key Rituals

Snan (Bathing): Ritual bath to cleanse sins and attain moksha.
Satsang: Spiritual discourses by saints and scholars.
Pujas and Offerings: To the Ganga and other deities.

Why is it Important?

Religious Significance: Cleansing of sins, spiritual growth, and attaining liberation.
Social Impact: Promotes unity and offers an opportunity for saints to spread teachings.
Economic Boost: Generates revenue for local communities and tourism.

Debate Over Antiquity

No direct textual evidence of Kumbh in ancient scriptures.
Likely evolved from Hindu practices of river worship and congregations.

Modern-day Relevance

Attracts millions of devotees globally.
Declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Serves as a platform for cultural, religious, and social dialogue.

2. Law by Reflex: Good Implementation, Not Stringency, Will Deter Sexual Crimes

Key Issues Highlighted

Legislative Response: Governments often enact stricter laws as a reaction to political or public outcry over specific crimes.
Recent Example: Tamil Nadu Assembly amended laws on sexual crimes after a rape case at Anna University.
Concerns:
- Changes lack empirical evidence supporting stricter laws as a deterrent.
- Reflects political messaging rather than substantive reforms.

Amendments Introduced

Enhanced Punishments:
- Stricter penalties under procedural and penal laws.
- Extension of bail-denying provisions.
- Death penalty for acid attacks causing vegetative states.
Protection Orders: Binding orders to prevent perpetrators from contacting survivors.
New Definition of Harassment: Includes digital, electronic, and non-verbal means, which could be prone to misuse.

Key Arguments

Increased Stringency vs. Implementation:
- Stricter laws may not necessarily reduce sexual crimes.
- Focus should be on:
  - Impartial investigation.
  - Strengthening conviction processes.
  - Addressing systemic failures.
- Potential Misuse: Overbroad definitions could lead to misuse and unintended consequences.
- Public Safety and Workplaces: Making spaces safer for women is more effective than punitive measures alone.

Suggestions for Improvement

Effective Implementation:
- Enforce existing laws efficiently.
- Address delays in investigation and trial processes.
Systemic Reforms:
- Improve workplace safety.
- Promote gender sensitization.
Empirical Evidence: Base policy changes on data and research, not political compulsions.

3. India-U.S. Joint Sonobuoy Production Line

Key Highlights

Sonobuoys: Devices used to detect submarines
Production Plan: Final assembly to take place in India; operational production line expected by 2027.
Partnership: Joint collaboration between:
- S. company Ultra Maritime.
- India’s Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL), a defense public sector undertaking.
Framework: In line with “Make in India”

Significance of the Initiative

Strengthening Defense Capabilities:
- Enhances underwater warfare technologies for the Indian Navy.
- Sonobuoys compatible with:
  - P-8 aircraft.
  - MH-60R helicopters.
  - MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones.

Strategic Collaboration:
- Part of the India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) launched in
- Promotes joint production and technology sharing.
Regional Importance:
- Complements India’s military platforms already procured from the U.S.
- Aligns with the operational frameworks of other Quad members (Australia, Japan).

Technological Features

Acoustic Performance: Optimized for Indian Ocean conditions.
Interoperability: Sonobuoys interchangeable with systems used by the U.S. Navy and allied nations.

Advanced Capabilities: Wide-area search, multi-static active sonar.

4. Declining Fertility Levels and Kerala's Rising Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

Key Highlights

Kerala’s MMR:
- Lowest in India at 19 per 1 lakh live births (2018-20, Sample Registration System).
- Actual estimates from Kerala’s Health Department: 29 per 1 lakh live births.
Recent Trend:
- Despite near 100% institutional deliveries, Kerala’s MMR is rising.
- The rise is attributed to declining birth rates, not an increase in maternal deaths.

Factors Driving the Trend

Declining Fertility Rates:
- Births dropped from an average of 5-5.5 lakh annually (1980s) to 93 lakh in 2023.
- Replacement level fertility of 1 was achieved in 1987-88, marking Kerala’s early demographic transition.
Changing Demographics:
- Societal attitudes towards marriage and childbirth.
- Increased immigration and urbanization.

Implications

Numerical Impact on MMR:
- Fewer births reduce the denominator, artificially inflating MMR figures.
- Kerala’s projected MMR for 2024-25: 32 per 1 lakh live births.
Irreversible Trends:
- Fertility decline is challenging to reverse once demographic transition occurs.
- Potential long-term effects on Kerala’s social and economic fabric.

Policy Challenges

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
- Kerala aimed to achieve an MMR of 20 by 2030, but the target seems unlikely.
Health System Adjustments:
- Address non-medical and demographic challenges.

Promote policies encouraging childbirth and family planning.

5. ISRO's SPaDeX Docking Trial Success

Key Highlights

SPaDeX Mission:
- Objective: Develop and demonstrate spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking
- Satellites involved: SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target).
- Launch vehicle: PSLV C60, launched on December 30, 2023 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Milestone Achieved:
- Successfully brought the satellites within 3 meters during the trial.
- Satellites were later moved back to a safe distance for further analysis.

Challenges Overcome

Unexpected Drift:
- January 7: Docking experiment postponed due to higher-than-expected drift between satellites.
- Drift was corrected, enabling a successful trial on January 13.
Step-by-Step Progress:
- Satellites were first brought within 15 meters before closing the gap to 3 meters.

Significance of the SPaDeX Mission

Technological Advancement: Demonstrates India’s capability in satellite rendezvous and docking, critical for advanced space missions.
Future Mission Applications:
- Human Spaceflight: Enabling docking for crewed lunar missions.
- Sample Return Missions: Retrieving materials from the moon or other celestial bodies.
- Indian Space Station: Docking and undocking for construction and operations.

Global Context

India’s Position: If docking is successfully executed, India will join S., Russia, and China as the fourth country to master this technology.

Strategic Importance: Enhances India’s standing in global space exploration and contributes to future international collaborations.

6. Naxalism to Be Wiped Out by 2026: Key Statements by Amit Shah

Key Announcement

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that Naxalism will be completely eradicated in India by March 31, 2026.
Context: The statement was made at the Maharashtra BJP state executive meeting in Shirdi.

Achievements Under BJP (2014–2024)

Abrogation of Article 370: Revoking Jammu & Kashmir’s special status.
Reining in terrorism: Strengthening internal security.
Ram Temple Construction: Ayodhya project nearing completion.
Naxal Surrenders:
- As per Nitin Gadkari, nearly 5,000 Naxals surrendered in Gadchiroli.
- Gadchiroli district, once a Naxal stronghold, is now progressing with steel projects and rapid development.

Political Goals for Maharashtra

Strengthening BJP:
- Aimed to make Maharashtra BJP “unconquerable.”
- Focused on local body elections to defeat Opposition parties.
Criticism of Opposition:
- Accused Uddhav Thackeray of betraying Hindutva principles by aligning with Congress and NCP.
- Targeted Sharad Pawar’s political influence since 1978.

Significance of Maharashtra’s Political Landscape

BJP’s Historic Victory:
- A major blow to the Opposition’s INDIA bloc.
- Asserted that Devendra Fadnavis will lead reforms to make Maharashtra:
  - Drought-free.
  - A hub of mega projects like Samruddhi Mahamarg, Metro, and FDI
- Economic Transformation: Gadchiroli, a former Naxal area, is emerging as a revenue-generating district.

Naxalism Eradication Plan

Surrender and Rehabilitation:
- Encouraging Naxals to surrender and reintegrate into society.
Development in Affected Areas:
- Infrastructure projects (e.g., steel plants in Gadchiroli).
- Focus on economic and social transformation.
Enhanced Security Measures:

Proactive steps to eliminate Naxal activities in remaining strongholds.