UPSC Current Affairs – January 6, 2021

The Supreme Court has refused to subject the Central Vista redevelopment project to greater judicial scrutiny, stating the government can commit errors or achieve successes in policy matters without court interference as long as constitutional principles are followed. The Delhi High Court had cited the scale of proposed changes and heritage concerns to direct environmental clearance revaluation.

Dismissing this, the SC bench felt standard review suffices for public projects, government is entitled to policy space and heightened review may burden governance. While activists allege inadequate public consultation and environmental impact assessment, the decision indicates the Court’s unwillingness to micromanage executive actions without substantiated procedural violations.

GCC Nations Restore Ties in Saudi Deal Amid Concerns Over Iran, Terror

Gulf Cooperation Council members have signed a ‘solidarity and stability’ deal during their 41st summit in Saudi Arabia. This ends the Saudi Arabia-led sanctions on Qatar from 2017 after charges of backing Iran, Islamists and terror outfits. As the agreement opens borders and transport links with Qatar after over 3 years, observers note the shift comes amid worries over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs as well as militant groups’ resurgence.

However, enduring fissures mean the geopolitical realignment remains fragile. For India, having managed ties during the crisis, the reconciliatory GCC step bodes well to deepen cooperation with the region central to its energy security and migrant diaspora.

Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan To Resume Talks Over Disputed Nile Dam Project

Decade-long tensions between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile River have eased temporarily, with agreement to restart negotiations. Ethiopia’s mega hydropower project could reduce the Nile’s downstream flow, threatening agriculture and incomes in Egypt and Sudan. While beneficial for Ethiopia and Sudan’s electricity needs, talks have deadlocked over dam operations.

With fruitless mediations so far, compromise based cooperation is essential, given the complex water-energy-food security nexus. The Nile conflict also risks greater horn of Africa instability. Hope presently rests on South Africa’s African Union guidance to find an equitable, technical resolution.

Andhra Pradesh Witnesses Annual Asian Waterbird Census Under BNHS Monitoring

The Bombay Natural History Society along with Wetlands International has commenced the yearly two-day Asian Waterbird Census (AWC-2020) in Andhra Pradesh. Volunteers across wetlands count and collate data on waterbird populations as part of the pan-Asia AWC program. It facilitates habitat and flyway conservation under global agreements like the Convention on Migratory Species.

Covering the East Asian-Australasian Flyway from Arctic Russia to Australia, the synchronized AWC takes place in Jan in 143 participating nations. The census provides a snapshot of migratory bird trends and indirectly, the underlying wetland ecosystem health. A long running wildlife citizen science monitor, data analysis helps better inform wetland policies and designate protected sites like Ramsar wetlands in India.

Yakshagana Artist Passes Away During Karnataka’s Famed Tuluva Theatre Act

Tragedy struck during a live musical Yakshagana show in Karnataka when a performing artist suddenly collapsed on stage and died. Yakshagana is a classical dance drama tradition drawing on temple rituals, epics and Puranic stories. Rooted in coastal Karnataka and its Tuluva dialect, performances feature elaborate costumes, makeup and musical narration.

Blending folk and classical elements, Yakshagana enjoys patronage while requiring rigorous training. Events being typically all night affairs take their toll however. With the recent incident at a commercial Yakshagana fundraiser underscoring health stresses, the need for better safeguards including medical care access and limits on duration merit review.

Government Launches Toycathon 2021 Seeking Innovation on Indian Value Themes

The government has announced Toycathon 2021, a virtual hackathon inviting students, teachers and startups to conceptualize toys that impart Indian values and ethos. With Rs 50 lakh prizes, it aims to boost domestic manufacturing under Atmanirbhar Bharat, curb toy imports and complement the NEP 2020’s emphasis on play-based pedagogy. Participants can incorporate elements from Indian culture, folklore and traditional games into modern toy prototypes across 9 categories.

As PM Modi highlighted, toys integrate national identity besides economy. Hence the hackathon stresses toys that promote Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. If designs translate into commercial hits, India’s potential as a global toy hub would be unlocked while preserving heritage.

Railways Ministry Unveils Exclusive Freight Business Portal to Enhance Logistics

The Railway Ministry has launched a dedicated Freight Business Development Portal to boost freight revenue and improve customer experience. It aims to replace physical processes from booking to tracking with online modes for transparency and minimize human interactions amid COVID-19. With passenger services hit, freight’s importance has grown exponentially.

Hence the portal invites transporters, warehouse owners etc to offer last mile services at freight terminals tapping railways’ extensive infra. It also complements DFFCIL’s dedicated freight corridors for goods trains. The digital shift for rail freight via integrated portals denotes the growing focus on logistics, efficiency and supply chain solutions – vital for India’s economic revival.

India-Funded Free Ambulance Service Plays Vital Role in Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 Response

An Indian-financed free ambulance service called ‘Suwa Seriya’ (Journey for Good Health) has become integral to Sri Lanka’s pandemic response. Launched in 2016 with Indian grants worth $7.5 million, it was later expanded islandwide. The service, training emergency technicians, has also created jobs.

As India’s second largest project in Sri Lanka after housing, it underscores longstanding cooperation. Ties have deepened despite hiccups – India recently offered a $400 million currency swap for financial stability. With China expanding strategically including ports, New Delhi remains committed to supporting the neighbour’s growth and security. As the ambulance service saves lives, it represents people-centric grassroots diplomacy binding partners.

Lancet Study Estimates Air Pollution Causes Significant Pregnancy Losses in India, Neighbours

A Lancet study has correlated alarming levels of pregnancy loss in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to air pollution, especially PM 2.5. As per models, over 75% cases across the region were Indian. Each 10 μg/m3 rise in particulate matter is linked to a 3% greater risk, with rural, older mothers more vulnerable.

However, data gaps like abortions possibly lowering impact exist. With 26% of 2019 global pollution deaths in India, despite six years of SO2 drops, the maternal health linkage spotlights why clean air is urgent. As governments race on COVID-19 vaccines, addressing this invisible threat affecting lakhs of unborn children and accelerating NCDs merits similar political priority and policy action.

Power Ministry Seeks Delay in Thermal Plant SO2 Emission Norms Citing Tariff Rise Fears

The Power Ministry has proposed relaxing deadlines for coal power plants to adopt new sulfur dioxide emission limits, stating they impose heavy costs and could increase electricity prices suddenly. The Ministry seeks a graded approach prioritizing critically polluted areas first for installing flue gas desulfurization units.

Currently uniform national SO2 caps set for 2022 are sought to be postponed based on location, avoiding price hikes in relatively cleaner regions. However, experts argue this differential treatment departing from “polluter pays principle” is regressive. With India still the largest SO2 emitter as per recent Greenpeace analysis, wider public health impacts call for time-bound execution of the norms regardless of location.

Govt Releases Pan-India Elderly Healthcare Survey to Shape Policy as Population Ages

The Health Ministry has unveiled findings from India’s first comprehensive ageing survey – Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave 1. Conducted on 72,250 people 45+ in 2016 on health, social and economic wellbeing, it reveals multidimensional insights. Three-fourths of elderly Indians have a chronic condition, while 40% grapple with disability – spurring the need for dedicated care.

Prevalence of heart disease also stands very high at 28% among 45+. With the 60+ population set to treble by 2050, baseline national data from the elderly allows customized state interventions on geriatric welfare. As COVID-19 hit the elderly hardest, policies hastening healthcare access, financial security and elderly participation can foster active, dignified ageing.

RBI Sets Up Payments Infra Development Fund To Expand Digital Merchants In Small Towns

The RBI has established a Payments Infrastructure Development Fund to expand merchants accepting digital payments in Tier 3-6 towns and the Northeast. Supported by card networks and the RBI’s ₹250 crore corpus, it will subsidize up to 75% device costs to onboard new digital merchants across services, PDS shops, healthcare etc.

This first-of-its-kind fund redresses lower penetration in remote locations obstructing digitisation. It requires targets to be met for continued subsidies. Alongside the composite Digital Payments Index to gauge nationwide adoption, plugging infra gaps through partnerships can drive financial inclusion and formalisation. It complements enhancing digital literacy and availability too for an inclusive cashless ecosystem.

CM Lays Foundation for Grand Anubhava Mantapa Structure to Showcase 12th Century Parliament

Karnataka Chief Minister Bommai has laid the foundation stone to rebuild ancient philosopher Basaveshwara’s unique 12th century ‘Anubhava Mantapa’. Conceived as the “first parliament of the world”, it will be revived as a grand six-storey structure in Basavakalyan where thinkers and statesmen held inclusive debates nearly 900 years ago.

The flagship project celebrating the social reformist and Lingayat sect founder will reflect the original mantapa’s scale and 770 pillars. It adopts the regional Chalukyan architectural style also seen in UNESCO site Pattadakal. Positioned as an international center, the reconstruction aims to shine light on Karnataka’s progressive spiritual and philosophical heritage led by path-breaking leaders like Basaveshwara.

Govt Announces Exam to Impart Scientific Cow Knowledge for Herders and Others

The Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog has announced a cow science examination to raise awareness on indigenous cattle breeds among livestock owners and common citizens. As part of promoting cow protection policies, test themes will cover welfare, productivity, uniqueness, effects of Vedic rituals involving cows etc. This knowledge drive supplements existing efforts like the e-trading portal e-Gopala app offering digital help for farms.

It also signals invoking cows for nation building philosophically – as espoused by leaders spanning Gandhi and Vinoba Bhave earlier. However, critics argue meaningful welfare entails on-ground breed improvement, fodder and veterinary support rather than contests extolling virtues unverified scientifically.