Daily Current Affairs 19 February 2020 | UPSC

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) Thirumangai Azhwar

• The Idol Wing CID police have furnished documents through the Indian High Commission, London, to the Ashmolean Museum, in Oxford, U.K., requesting the restitution of a 16th-century bronze idol of Thirumangai Azhwar. The idol reportedly went missing from a temple near Kumbakonam half a century ago. 
• In November 2019, an independent scholar brought new research to attention, relating to the provenance of an Indian 16th century bronze of Saint Tirumangai Azhwar, which was acquired by the Ashmolean Museum from Sotheby’s in 1967. Research in the photo archives of the IFP-­EFEO (Institut Français de Pondicherry and the Ecole Française d’Extrême­Orient) appears to show the same idol in the Soundarrajaperumal temple near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu in 1957

About Azhwar

• The alvars, also spelled as alwars or azhwars (Those immersed in god) were Tamil poet-saints of South India who espoused bhakti (devotion) to the Hindu god Vishnu or his avatar Krishna in their songs of longing, ecstasy, and service. They are venerated especially in Vaishnavism, which regards Vishnu or Krishna as the Supreme Being.
• Many modern academics place the Alvars date between 5th century to 10th century CE, however traditionally the Alvars are considered to have lived between 4200 BCE - 2700 BCE. Orthodoxy posits the number of alvars as ten, though other references include Andal and Madhurakavi Alvar, making the number twelve. Andal is the only female saint-poet in the 12 Alvars. Together with the contemporary sixty-three Shaiva Nayanars, they are among the most important saints from Tamil Nadu.
• The devotional outpourings of Alvars, composed during the early medieval period of Tamil history, helped revive the bhakti movement, through their hymns of worship to Vishnu and his avatars. They praised the Divya Desams, 108 "abodes" (temples) of these Vaishnava deities. The poetry of the Alvars echoes bhakti to God through love, and in the ecstasy of such devotions, they sang hundreds of songs that embodied both depths of feeling and felicity of expressions. The collection of their hymns is known as Divya Prabandha. The Bhakti literature that sprang from Alvars has contributed to the establishment and sustenance of a culture that broke away from the ritual-oriented Vedic religion and rooted itself in devotion as the only path for salvation. Also, they helped to make the Tamil religious life independent of a knowledge of Sanskrit. As part of the legacy of the Alvars, five Vaishnava philosophical traditions (sampradayas) have developed at the later stages.

About Thirumangai Alvar

• Thirumangai Alvar also spelled as Tirumangai Alvar and Thirumangai Mannan is the last of the 12 Alvar saints of south India, who are known for their affiliation to Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. He is considered one of the most learned Alvar and the most superior Alvar in the context of the composition of verses. He holds the title Narkavi Perumal, the mark of an excellent poet, and Parakala (Beyond Time).
• Though he is respected as a Vaishnava saint-poet, he, initially, worked as a military commander, a chieftain and then a robber. After his conversion to Vaishnavism, he confronted practitioners of rival Hindu sects of Shaivism as well as Buddhism and Jainism.

Bhakti movement

• Began with the aim of reforming Hinduism and expressed a set of ideas and beliefs. "BHAKTI" means the passionate devotion to God. The Bhakti movement refers to the theistic devotional trend that emerged in medieval Hinduism and later acted as the defacto catalyst to the formation and subsequent revolutionization in the form of Sikhism. It originated in eighth-century south India (now Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and spread northwards. It swept over east and north India from the 15th century onwards, reaching its zenith between the 15th and 17th century CE.
• The Bhakti movement regionally developed around different gods and goddesses, and some sub-sects were Vaishnavism (Vishnu), Shaivism (Shiva), Shaktism (Shakti goddesses), and Smartism. Bhakti movement preached using the local languages so that the message reached the masses. The movement was inspired by many poet-saints, who championed a wide range of philosophical positions ranging from the theistic dualism of Dvaita to absolute monism of Advaita Vedanta.
• The movement has traditionally been considered as an influential social reformation in Hinduism and provided an individual-focused alternative path to spirituality regardless of one's birth or gender. Postmodern scholars question this traditional view and whether the Bhakti movement ever was a reform or rebellion of any kind. They suggest the Bhakti movement was a revival, reworking, and recontextualization of ancient Vedic traditions.
• Scriptures of the Bhakti movement include the Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavata Purana, and Padma Purana

Source: The Hindu and Wikipedia

2) Karbis protest against ST status for hill Bodos

• The Bodos, an ethnic group in Assam, had been demanding a separate State since 1972, and are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (Plain).
• After the conclusion of the latest Bodo pact, the Karbi Longri and North Cachar Hills Liberation Front (KLNLF), a militant group that signed a ceasefire pact with the Centre in 2009, has said a “political settlement” should be reached soon. “The identity of Karbis will come under threat if Bodos who live in the hill areas [along with Karbis] are also given a Scheduled Hill Tribe status,” KLNLF general secretary Thong Terong Kabi said. 
• The group’s primary demand was a separate State. In Assam, there are 14 recognized Plains Tribe communities, 15 Hill Tribe communities, and 16 Scheduled Caste communities.
• After the peace accord with all Bodo groups, the Centre is at a very advanced stage of sealing a peace deal with other key militant groups, including the pro talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom and the Karbi insurgent group. 
• The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council has 26 seats, and the elections to the councils are due in 2022. “It is one of the oldest councils in existence since 1951... Nagaland and Mizoram that were autonomous councils initially became States years ago; only Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao remain. Karbi want an ST status for the entire region so that non­tribals will not be able to contest in the elections
• The non­tribals comprise 46% of the 9.6 lakh population of the council. The Bodos could not have a separate reservation in hills and plains

About Karbis

• The Karbis is the principal indigenous community in the Karbi Anglong district and West Karbi Anglong district of the Indian state of Assam, the district is administered as per the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, having an autonomous district of their own since 17 November 1951. Besides Karbi Anglong district, the Karbi-inhabited areas include Dima Hasao, Kamrup Metropolitan, Hojai, Morigaon, Nagaon, Golaghat, Karimganj, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur and Biswanath Chariali districts of Assam; Balijan circle of Papumpare district in Arunachal Pradesh; Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills districts in Meghalaya; Dimapur District in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Sylhet district of Bangladesh with disproportionate distribution. However, Karbis in the other Indian States, like Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland, are unable to identify themselves as Schedule Tribe, as the Constitution of India only recognizes 'Mikir'. With a population of around 4 lakhs 21 thousand (421,156) as per the 2011 Census in Karbi Anglong district alone, also found scattered in several other parts of Assam itself & Northeast India, the Karbis constitute a large community.
• The origin of the word Karbi is unknown. Historically and by ancestry, they called themselves Arleng (literally "man" in Karbi language) and are called Karbi by others. The term Mikir is now considered derogatory. There is no definitive meaning of the word Mikir in the Karbi language. The closest meaning of Mikir could be said to be derived from "Mekar" (English: Fire).

Source: The Hindu

3) Battle of Gallipoli

• India has objected to Turkey President’s comparison of the Kashmir situation to the Battle of Çanakkale/Gallipoli of World War I (1914–18). He has compared the struggle of Kashmiris with that of Turkey during World War I.
• Earlier in September 2019, Turkey had raised the Kashmir issue in the United Nations General Assembly.

Key Points

• Gallipoli Campaign (1915-16): The Battle of Gallipoli or the Dardanelles Campaign was an unsuccessful attempt by the Allied Powers to control the sea route from Europe to Russia during World War I.
• The campaign began with a failed naval attack by British and French ships on the Dardanelles Straits (connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea) involving British and French troops as well as divisions of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). ANZAC Corps was created early in World War I (1914–18).
• Failure: Lack of sufficient intelligence and knowledge of the terrain, along with a fierce Turkish resistance (Ottoman army), hampered the success of the invasion.
• Result: It is considered to be one of the bloodiest battles of World War I leading to the death of tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides.
• Legacy of the Battle: The Battle resulted in the downfall of Winston Churchill and the emergence of the Turkish military hero, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
• The event is today one of the central pillars of the modern Turkish identity.
• The campaign is also seen to have seeded Australian and New Zealand national consciousness.
• The date of the Gallipoli landings i.e April 25, 1915, is observed by Australia and New Zealand as ANZAC Day, the day of national remembrance for the war dead.

World War I

• World War I was fought between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers.
• Allied Powers: The main members were France, Russia, and Britain. The United States joined the Allies after 1917.
• Central Powers: The main members were Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

Source: Indian Express

4) Kambala

The Kambala jockey who was compared to world record holder Usain Bolt after a video went viral showing him ‘finishing 100 meters in 9.55 seconds’, has refused to participate in athletics trials.

Key Points

• Kambala is a traditional buffalo race in paddy fields filled with slush and mud which generally takes place in coastal Karnataka (Udupi and Dakshina Kannada) from November to March.
• Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households in the coastal districts. Tuluva people are an ethnic group native to Southern India. They are native speakers of the Tulu language.
• During the race, the racers try to bring the buffaloes under control by holding their reins tight and whipping them.
• Tradition: In its traditional form, Kambala was non-competitive and buffalo pairs raced one after another in paddy fields.
• It was also observed as a thanksgiving to gods for protecting the animals from diseases.
• Concerns: Animal activists criticize the sport and argue that the Kambala involves acts of cruelty on animals that are not physiologically suited for racing and they run in the race due to fear of being beaten.
• According to them, it violates the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. The Act prevents practices that involve unnecessary pain to the animal amounting to cruelty.

Background

• The Supreme Court had banned jallikattu, bullock-cart races, and Kambala events in its judgment on May 7, 2014.
• The judgment upheld the Constitution of India read with legislation under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and provided animals with the fundamental right to be treated with compassion and dignity and to be free from unnecessary pain and suffering
• However, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 approved the organizing of the Kambala event, provided steps are taken to avoid cruelty to the participating bulls.

Jallikattu

• Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming event that is organized in the Tamil Nadu every year as part of the harvest festival Pongal.
• The sport requires fighters to pounce on a running bull, try to hold on to its hump and move along with the animal without falling or getting hurt.

Source: The Hindu

5) Arab World's First Nuclear Power Plant

Recently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued an operating license for the Arab world's first nuclear power plant, paving the way for it to start production in 2020.

Key Points

• The Barakah nuclear power plant in Abu Dhabi is being built by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), was originally due to open in 2017.
• Barakah will have four reactors with a total capacity of 5,600 megawatts. It will be almost a fifth of the country’s current installed generating capacity.
• The plant is located on a sparsely populated strip of desert on the Persian Gulf coast.

Source: Hindustan Times

6) SUTRA-PIC

• Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology has launched the “Scientific Utilization through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows” (SUTRA-PIC India).
• It is one of the research programs into indigenous cattle announced during the 2019-20 Union Budget, which aims to develop products as well as improve the genetic quality of indigenous cattle breeds.

Key Points

• It is a collaborative effort of the Department of Biotechnology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Ministry for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy) and the Indian Council of Medical Research.
• The department of the Science for Equity, Empowerment, and Development (SEED), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, is in charge of the program.
• It can be noted that SEED had also constituted a National Steering Committee to initiate a National Programme on “Scientific Validation and Research on Panchagavya” (SVAROP) in 2017.
• The program consists of five themes:
• The uniqueness of Indigenous Cows,
• Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Medicine and Health,
• Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Agricultural Applications,
• Prime-products from Indigenous Cows for Food and Nutrition,
• Prime-products from indigenous cows-based utility items.
• The above themes aim to perform:
• Scientific research on the complete characterization of milk and milk products derived from Indian indigenous cows.
• Scientific research on nutritional and therapeutic properties of curd and ghee prepared from indigenous breeds of cows by traditional methods.
• Development of standards for traditionally processed dairy products of Indian-origin cows, etc.

Panchagavya

Panchagavya is an Ayurvedic panacea and is a mixture of five (Pancha) products of the cow (gavya)  milk, curd, ghee, dung, and urine. Its proponents believe it can cure, or treat a wide range of ailments.

Source: The Hindu

7) Station WiFi Programme

• Five years after it started the ‘Station’ program to bring free public Wi-Fi to 400 busiest railway stations in India, Google has decided to gradually wind down the service globally.
• However, users in India will be able to continue using the existing facilities at the over 400 stations via RailTel, Google’s partner in India for the program.

Key Points

• Google believes that better data plans and improving mobile connectivity have made it “simpler and cheaper” for users to get online.
• India, specifically now has among the cheapest mobile data per GB in the world, with mobile data prices have reduced by 95% in the last 5 years, as per TRAI in 2019. Today, Indian users consume close to 10 GB of data, each month, on average.
• Besides the Indian government’s continuous impetus for internet penetration through the Digital India program, private sector initiatives such as Vodafone’s SuperWi-fi coupled with the entry of Reliance Jio 4G services have drastically brought down the cost of internet subscription. This has been instrumental in the growth of internet users in India.
• Above all, the challenge of varying technical requirements and infrastructure among partners across countries has also made it difficult for the Station to scale and be sustainable.

Background

• The program was kick-started in India in 2015 as a partnership between Google, Indian Railways and RailTel to bring fast, free public WiFi to over 400 of the busiest railway stations by mid-2020.
• However, the company crossed that number by June 2018, following which more locations were added across the country in partnership with telecommunication companies, ISPs, and local authorities.

Source: The Hindu

8) E-MASIHA

Recently, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has informed that India has made the Haj 2020 process completely digital.

Key Points

• India has become the first country in the world which has made the entire Haj 2020 process 100% digital.
• The online facilities include application procedure, E-Visa, Haj mobile app, “E-MASIHA” health facility and “E-luggage pre-tagging” providing all information in India itself regarding accommodation/transportation in Makkah-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

E-MASIHA

• E-MASIHA (E-Medical Assistance System for Indian Pilgrims Abroad) is an online system to create and maintain the complete health database of Indian pilgrims.
• It also provides doctors’ prescriptions, medical treatment as well as medicine disbursals, and has been developed to deal with any emergency in Makkah-Madinah.

Source: PIB

9) KALA KUMBH 

With an objective to promote Geographical Indication (GI) crafts and heritage of India, the Ministry of Textiles is organizing Kala Kumbh - Handicrafts Thematic Exhibition in various parts of the country through the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). The exhibitions are planned in various major cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.

About GI Tag

The GI tag is used on handicrafts which correspond to a specific geographical location or origin (e.g., a town, region, or country). As of August 2019, 178 GI handicraft products were registered from all over India. The artisans are the backbone of the Indian handicraft sector and possess inherent skill, technical and traditional craftsmanship.

Source: PIB

10) Matribhasha Diwas

• The Matribhasha Diwas which falls on 21st February will be celebrated by HRD Ministry across the country. 
• MHRD along with educational institutions and language institutions is celebrating the Matribhasha Diwas for the past three years.
• International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a worldwide annual observance forming a part of UNESCO’s calendar of events, held on 21st February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17th November 1999. It was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2008. The latter called upon its member states “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by people of the world”
• Our country has unparalleled linguistic and cultural diversity and fittingly, it is proposed to observe in India 21st February 2020 for events that promote our languages and the associated diversity of usage and literature. It has been decided to celebrate Matribhasha Diwas on 21.2.2020 every year, to promote the use of mother tongues and to achieve the following objectives:-
• Highlight the linguistic diversity of our country;
• Encourage usage, not only of the respective mother tongue but other Indian languages as well.
• To understand and draw attention to the diversity of cultures in India and the consequent forums of literature, craft, performing arts, scripts and other forms of creative expression.
• To encourage the learning of languages other than one’s own mother tongue.

Source: PIB