Articles Covered

1. Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo system successfully flight-tested by DRDO off the Odisha coast
2. Make EPI an ‘Essential Programme on Immunisation’
3. Eggshell skull rule
4. India set to host the prestigious 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection in 2024
5. La Cumbre volcano
6. N. School Education Department releases guidelines for elimination of corporal punishment
7. Patachitra Painting
8. ‘One nation, one airspace’: India’s project ISHAN to streamline air traffic, benefit airlines and passengers
9. Look Out Circulars (LOCs)
10. Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014
11. Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023 Released
12. Peucetia chhaparajnirvin
13. International Labour Day 2024: Know the date, origin, and significance behind May Day
14. Goldman Environmental Prize

Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo system successfully flight-tested by DRDO off the Odisha coast

Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system was successfully flight-tested at around 0830 hrs on May 01, 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

SMART is a next-generation missile-based light-weight torpedo delivery system, designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance the anti-submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy far beyond the conventional range of lightweight torpedo.

• This canister-based missile system consists of several advanced sub-systems, namely two-stage solid propulsion system, electromechanical actuator system, precision inertial navigation system etc. The system carries advanced light-weight torpedo as payload along with parachute-based release system.
• The missile was launched from the ground mobile launcher. Several state-of-the-art mechanisms such as symmetric separation, ejection and velocity control have been validated in this test.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO and the industry partners on the successful flight-test of SMART. “The development of the system will further enhance the strength of our Navy,” he said.
• Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat lauded the synergistic efforts of the entire SMART team and urged it to continue on the path of excellence.

Make EPI an ‘Essential Programme on Immunisation’

In the 50 years of the Expanded Programme on Immunization, it is time for another expansion

• The year 2024 marks a significant milestone for immunisation programmes, both globally and in India. It commemorates 50 years since the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974.
• The EPI was introduced as the eradication of smallpox virus was on the horizon, and a need to leverage the then immunisation infrastructure and a trained workforce was recognised to expand the benefit of available vaccines.
• Following the announcement, nearly every country across the world initiated its national immunisation programme.
• India launched the EPI in 1978, which was later renamed as the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985.

The year 2024 commemorates 50 years since the launch of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1974.

Immunization:

It is the process whereby a person is made resistant to a disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine.

Initiatives Related to Immunization:

Global: Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030): An ambitious, overarching global vision and strategy for vaccines and immunization for the decade 2021–2030. World Immunization Week: It is celebrated every year in the last week of April.

India: Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): To provide free immunization against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. v Mission Indradhanush (MI): It was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) in 2014 with an aim to vaccinate all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under UIP. Other Supporting Measures: Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) rollout. National Cold Chain Management Information System (NCCMIS).

Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI):

1. Introduction: The EPI was introduced in 1974 as the eradication of smallpox virus was on the horizon, and there was a need to leverage the then immunization infrastructure and a trained workforce to expand the benefit of available vaccines.
2. India launched the EPI in 1978, which was later renamed as the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 1985. 

• Significant Progress: Globally, and in India, there has been significant progress in terms of the impact of immunisation and vaccines.
• Over the years, the vaccination coverage in India has increased, both nationally and State-wise.
• While in 1974, there were vaccines to prevent six diseases, now there are vaccines against 13 diseases which are universally recommended and vaccines against 17 additional diseases are recommended for a context-specific situation.
• 13 Universally Recommended vaccines are Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), Hepatitis B (HepB), polio, measles, rubella, pneumococcal disease (PNC), rotavirus (Rota), human papillomavirus (HPV), and COVID-19 (for adults).

Significance & Achievement of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI):

1. On DPT: The children with three doses of DPT, a tracer indicator of coverage, has been rising over these years.
2. In the early 1970s, around 5% of children in low- and middle-income countries had received three doses of DPT, which increased to 84% in 2022 at the global level.
3. Eradication of Diseases:Smallpox has been eradicated, polio eliminated from all but two countries and many vaccines preventable diseases have nearly disappeared.
4. High Coverage: Since the launch of EPI, studies have shown that vaccines have saved millions of lives and prevented billions of hospital visits and hospitalisations.
5. In nearly all low- and middle-income countries, including India, the immunization programme remains a success among all government initiatives, nearly always with far greater coverage than any other health programme.
6. In India, the coverage has increased every passing year and in 2019-21, 76% of children received the recommended vaccines.
7. Cost-effective:Economic analyses have estimated that vaccines are highly cost-effective interventions, with every single dollar (or rupee) of expenditure on vaccination programmes ensuring a seven to 11-fold return.
8. Greater Utilisation: In mixed health systems with both the public and private sector delivering services, immunization often remains the only health intervention with greater utilization from the government sector. 
9. Example:In India, the share of the private sector in overall health services is nearly two thirds; however, nearly 85% to 90% of all vaccines are delivered from government facilities.
10. An Indicator: Experts often argue that the immunization coverage is a tracer indicator of the possible highest coverage any government intervention can achieve in a given setting.

Evolution & Background of Vaccine Development:

• 1798: The first vaccine against smallpox in 1798.
• In Late Nineties: The first anti rabies vaccine, cholera, and typhoid vaccines developed between 1880s to mid-1890s were primarily for adults.
• 1897: The first vaccine ever developed in any part of the world against plague (in 1897) was from India.
• 1951:The BCG vaccine (against tuberculosis) was first introduced in a nationwide campaign in 1951.
• 2023:In late 2023, India launched a pilot initiative of adult BCG vaccination as part of efforts to ‘end TB’ from India.The COVID-19 vaccination of the adult population has made the public sensitized to the need for and the benefits of adult vaccination.
• Availability for All-age Groups:
• Since 1798, vaccines have been available for individuals of all age groups, including adults.
• Vaccine against plague was meant for individuals across all age groups.
• BCG vaccine was also administered to the adult population.
• Influenza vaccines have always been administered to adults and children alike.

Priority for Children:

1. Considering that children are most vulnerable from vaccine-preventable diseases, they have rightly been prioritised for vaccination. 
2. Also, a few decades ago, the supply of vaccines was limited, and the financial resources and trained workforce that governments had were scarce. Thus, vaccines were aimed to be delivered to the population groups which would benefit from them the most — children.

Rising Challenges:

1. UNICEF Report: In early 2023, UNICEF’s ‘The State of the World’s Children’ report revealed a concerning trend- for the first time in more than a decade, the childhood immunisation coverage had declined in 2021.
2. Zero Dose: In 2022, globally, an estimated 14.3 million children were zero dose (did not receive any recommended vaccine) while another 6.2 million children were partially immunised.
3. Reasons: There are persisting inequities in coverage by geography, socio-economic strata and other parameters, which demand urgent interventions.

Way Forward:

• Policy & Technical Discussions:There are some initial policy and technical discussions regarding expanding immunisation coverage in additional populations.
• Expansion of Coverage: The Indian government needs to consider providing recommended vaccines for a wider section of adults and elderly population.
• The recent announcement on HPV vaccines for teenage girls is a good start.
• The introduction of new vaccines in national programmes contributes to increased coverage of all existing vaccines. Therefore, it is likely that expanding coverage of vaccines for adults and the elderly may result in improved coverage with childhood vaccines and reduced vaccine inequities.
• Focus on Affordability: Considering that vaccines are highly cost effective, once recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), vaccines for all age groups should be made available as free at the government facilities.
• Recommendations on the Vaccine Usage:The NTAGI in India, which provides recommendations on the use of vaccines should start providing recommendations on the use of vaccines in adults and the elderly.
• It is crucial that once a vaccine is recommended by the government body, the coverage is likely to be far greater than if the vaccines are not recommended by the government.
• Addressal to Vaccine Hesitancy:The prevailing myths and misconceptions about vaccines must be proactively addressed to tackle vaccine hesitancy.
• The government must consider the help of professional communication agencies to dispel myths (and in a layperson’s language and with the use of social media).
• This also requires citizens to learn and educate themselves about these vaccines from reliable sources.
• Increase Awareness: Various professional associations of doctors (community medicine experts, family physicians and paediatricians) should work to increase awareness about vaccines among adults and the elderly.
• Physicians treating patients with any disease should use the opportunity to make them aware of vaccines.
• Evidence Generation:Medical colleges and research institutions should generate evidence on the burden of diseases in the adult population in India.
• Focused Policies: It would be imperative that government policies now focus on the vaccination of adults and the elderly, as is happening in many countries.

Eggshell skull rule

Underlining that the state and central consumer courts incorrectly applied the ‘eggshell skull’ legal principle, the Supreme Court restored the compensation of Rs 5 lakhs awarded by the district consumer forum in a medical negligence case.

Eggshell skull rule:

• It is a common law principle applied in civil litigation.
• It states that all victims should be fully compensated for their losses, even in situations where the victim was more-susceptible to injury due to a predisposing condition or preexisting injury.
• This rule ensures that a defendant(the person being sued) cannot escape liability for exacerbating a pre-existing condition due to their negligence.
• The eggshell skull doctrine is named after a hypothetical situation where a person with a fragile skull, akin to an eggshell, suffers a head injury.

If the victim’s skull fractures more easily than the average person, the defendant is still fully liable for all resulting damages, despite the victim’s unusual vulnerability. 

• Despite its name, the eggshell skull rule applies to all types of injuries, including physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
• The rule is applied for claiming an enhanced compensation— for damage that is more than what could have been ordinarily anticipated to be caused by the defendant.
• The eggshell skull rule has consequently also been referred to as the ‘thin skull rule’in many of the cases
• Origin:The origins of the eggshell skull rule are most often traced back to an 1891 Vosburg v. Putney case in Wisconsin, US.

India set to host the prestigious 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection in 2024

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala. This is in line with India’s poise to facilitate constructive global dialogue on environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and cooperation in Antarctica.

1. The ATCM and meetings of the CEP are pivotal in the international community’s ongoing efforts to safeguard Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem and promote scientific research in the region. Convened annually under the Antarctic Treaty System, these meetings serve as forums for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and other stakeholders to address Antarctica’s pressing environmental, scientific, and governance issues.
2. The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961, established Antarctica as a region dedicated to peaceful purposes, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection. Over the years, the Treaty has garnered widespread support, with 56 countries currently party to it.
3. The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991. The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.

India position:

1. India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. It participates in the decision-making process along with other 28 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty to date.
2. India’s first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983. At present, India operates two year-round research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).
3. The permanent research stations facilitate Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica, which have been ongoing annually since 1981.
4. In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.
5. As a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, India remains dedicated to environmental protection, scientific cooperation, and peaceful operations in Antarctica. Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, highlighted the importance of India hosting the ATCM and CEP meetings in 2024.
6. He said, “We look forward as a country to fostering meaningful exchanges of knowledge and expertise to advance the shared goals of environmental conservation and scientific research in the Antarctic region.”
7. The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat (ATS) serves as the administrative hub for the Antarctic Treaty System.
8. Established in 2004, the ATS coordinates the ATCM and CEP meetings, reposits and disseminates information, and facilitates diplomatic communication, exchanges, and negotiations related to Antarctic governance and management.
9. It also monitors compliance with Antarctic Treaty provisions and agreements and provides assistance and guidance to Antarctic Treaty Parties on treaty implementation and enforcement matters.

Key items on the 46^th ATCM agenda include

• strategic planning for sustainable management of Antarctica and its resources;
• policy, legal, and institutional operations;
• biodiversity prospecting; inspections and exchange of information and data;
• research, collaboration, capacity building and cooperation;
• addressing climate change impacts;
• development of tourism framework; and promoting awareness.

Lectures of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research will also be conducted. The 26^th CEP agenda focuses on Antarctic environment evaluation, impact assessment, management, and reporting; climate change response; area protection and management plans including marine spatial protection; and conservation of Antarctic biodiversity.

The hosting of the 46^th ATCM and 26^th CEP meeting reflects India’s growing role as a responsible global stakeholder in efforts to preserve Antarctica for future generations. Through open dialogue, collaboration, and consensus-building, India remains committed to upholding the principles of the Antarctic Treaty and contributing to the sustainable management of one of Earth’s last pristine wilderness areas.

India’s scientific and strategic endeavours in the polar regions (the Arctic and Antarctic), the Himalayas, and the Southern Ocean are under the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa. NCPOR is an esteemed autonomous institution under MoES, Government of India. MoES has set up a Host Country Secretariat with Dr Vijay Kumar, Scientist G & Adviser, as Head at MoES HQ to successfully coordinate and organise the event. India has proposed the name of Ambassador Pankaj Saran, a distinguished former Deputy National Security Advisor, to chair the 46^th ATCM.

Participation in the ATCM and CEP meetings is restricted to delegates designated by Parties, Observers and invited Experts. Over 350 delegates from 60+ countries are expected to attend the 46^th ATCM and 26^th CEP this year hosted by NCPOR, MoES at Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre (LBICC) in Kochi, India. 

La Cumbre volcano

Recent lava spewing from La Cumbre volcano on Galápagos Islands destroying habitat of rare land iguanas.

La Cumbre volcano:

1. It is located on Fernandina Island– the third largest island in the Galápagos Islands.
2. It lies directly atop the mantle plume, or hotspot, that produced all of the Galápagos Island.
3. It is located around 1,125 kilometres off mainland Ecuadorand erupted for the first time since 2020
4. The volcano has a large crater,or caldera, at its summit that harbors a permanent crater lake.
5. This lake attracts a wide variety of animals including tens of thousands of Galápagos land iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) that lay their eggs in nests within the caldera.

Key facts about Galápagos land iguana

• It is one of three species of land iguana endemic to the Galapagos Islands(the others being the Santa Fe land iguana and the Galapagos pink land iguana).
• It is a very large species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It is primarily an herbivore species.
• This large cold-blooded reptile has a mutualistic relationship with finches, which can often be seen sitting on their backs, picking ticks from between their scales.
• It is active during the day, spending their time foraging or basking on rocks; at night they sleep in burrows.
• Conservation status

IUCN: Vulnerable

T.N. School Education Department releases guidelines for elimination of corporal punishment

The guidelines are focused on safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of students, and extend beyond eliminating corporal punishment to address any form of harassment of students

Recently, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has issued Guidelines for the Elimination of Corporal Punishment in Schools (GECP).

• Emphasizing the need to treat children with care and respect, the Madras High Court has recently deprecated the practice of imposing corporal punishment on children.

Guidelines issued by Tamil Nadu:

1. Safeguarding the mental well-being & Conducting Awareness: The GECP, jointly issued by the Director of School Education and the Director of Elementary Education includes safeguarding the mental well-being of students and conducting awareness camps to familiarise stakeholders with guidelines of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for effective implementation.
2. Take Proactive Steps:The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has instructed district-level officers to ensure that all schools in their jurisdiction take proactive steps to create safe and nurturing environments for students.
3. Extending the focus beyond Eliminating Corporal Punishment: To address any form of harassment or situations impacting students’ mental health and establish monitoring committees at each school comprising school heads, parents, teachers and senior students to oversee the implementation of guidelines and address any issues.

• Affirmative Actions: The Department also listed several affirmative actions against corporal punishment, including addressing difficult situations, positive engagement with children, focus on help and not punishment, rights of the teaching community and children, multidisciplinary intervention, life-skills education, creating a positive environment and mechanisms for children’s voices.

Corporal Punishment:

• Refers: According to the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, corporal punishment includes physical punishment, mental harassment and discrimination.
• There is no statutory definition of ‘corporal punishment’ targeting children in India.
• However, the RTE Act, 2009 prohibits ‘physical punishment’ and ‘mental harassment’ under Section 17(1) and makes it a punishable offence under Section 17(2).
• Classification: Corporal Punishment can be broadly classified into two types:
• Physical punishment: According to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), physical punishment is any action that causes pain, hurt/injury and discomfort to a child.
• Examples: Standing on bench, standing against the wall in a chair-like position, standing with school bag on head, holding ears through legs, kneeling, forced ingestion of anything, detention in the classroom, library, toilet, etc.
• Mental Harassment: It is any non-physical treatment that is detrimental to the academic and psychological well-being of a child.
• Examples: It includes sarcasm, calling names and scolding using humiliating adjectives, intimidation, using derogatory remarks for the child, ridiculing or belittling a child, shaming the child, etc.

S. Jai Singh and Ors. vs State and Anr, 2018: This case relates to a student who died after he was made to do a “duck-walk” (a form of Corporal punishment) for arriving late to school. The judiciary said that despite legislation against such forms of punishment, they are still practiced in educational institutions across the nation. The judiciary said even animals are protected against cruelty, and our children surely cannot be worse off than animals. The attitude of the Judiciary is also ambivalent towards the deep-rooted problem of Corporal punishment.

Thinkers on Corporal Punishments: Mahatma Gandhi: He opposed corporal punishment, advocated for nonviolent methods of discipline and education. Rabindranath Tagore: He condemned corporal punishment, believed in nurturing individual creativity and moral development through positive reinforcement. Maria Montessori: She advocated against corporal punishment, and promoted child-centered education focused on nurturing independence and self-discipline. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: He opposed corporal punishment, believed in the natural goodness of children and the importance of freedom in education. John Dewey: He criticized corporal punishment, and emphasized experiential learning and democratic principles in education.

Regulations for Protection against Corporal Punishment:

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 21 A:Provision for compulsory education in the age group of 6-14.
• Article 24: It prohibits child labor in hazardous work until the age of 14.
• Article 39 (e): It is the duty of the state to ensure that children are not abused due to economic disparity.
• Article 45:It is the duty of the state to provide for the care of children in the age group of 0-6.

Article 51A(k): It is the fundamental duty of parents to ensure that their child receives education for the age group of 6 to 14.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Guidelines:

1. The NCPCR provides guidelines for eliminating corporal punishment.
2. It includes promoting positive engagement with children and establishing Corporal Punishment Monitoring Cells in every school to ensure compliance with anti-corporal punishment measures.
3. Drop boxes are to be placed where the aggrieved person may drop his complaint and anonymity is to be maintained to protect privacy.

Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009:

1. Section 17: It imposes an absolute bar on corporal punishment.
2. It prescribes disciplinary action to be taken against the guilty person.
3. Sections 8 and 9: It places a duty on the appropriate Government and the local authority to ensure that the child belonging to weaker sections and the disadvantaged group are not discriminated against and prevented from pursuing and completing elementary education on any grounds.

Organisations to curb Corporal Punishment: 

• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights to ensure that the children are being treated in consonance with the RTE Act, 2009.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000:

• Section 23: Cruelty to children is also prohibited.
• Any person who is in control of a juvenile and who abandons, assaults, exposes or wilfully neglects the juvenile or procures him to be abandoned, assaulted, exposed or neglected which in turn causes mental or physical pain to him/her shall be punished with imprisonment up to six months, or fine, or with both.
• Section 75: It prescribes punishment for cruelty to children.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC), 1989:

• Article 19: It declares that any form of discipline involving violence is unacceptable.
• It lays down that children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally.

Indian Penal Code:

• Section 305: It is pertaining to abetment of suicide committed by a child
• Section 323: It is pertaining to voluntarily causing hurt.
• Section 325: It is about voluntarily causing grievous hurt.

Concerns of Corporal Punishment:

1. Violation to Fundamental Right:Corporal Punishment is anti-Constitutional as it violates the right to live with dignity, an integral part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. It is also against the Right to Education, which is a fundamental right under Article 21A.
3. It is against the Article 37 (a) of the UNCRC to which India is a signatory, says that no child should bear any torture, cruelty, or inhuman punishment.
4. Physical & Psychological Concerns:Corporal Punishment can cause physical injuries, anxiety, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues.
5. Violence:Corporal Punishment may normalize and perpetuate violence in society.
6. Discrimination: Corporal Punishment may be applied disproportionately or discriminatorily based on factors such as gender, race, or socioeconomic status.
7. Impact on Education:Corporal Punishment can lead to higher school dropout rates and poor learning outcomes due to the atmosphere of fear and intimidation it creates in classrooms.
8. Scarred for Life: Corporal Punishment can mean long-term trauma for sensitive children and scar them for life.
9. Various Negative Outcomes:Such as behavioural problems, occurred irrespective of the child’s sex, race, or ethnicity and regardless of the overall teaching styles of the caregivers.
10. The magnitude of negative outcomes for children increased with the frequency of physical punishment. The physical punishment does not improve children’s behaviour and instead makes it worse.

Patachitra Painting

The first-generation women patachitra artists of West Bengal’s village of Naya sell their work online and are recognised the world over, encouraging future generations to stay in the profession.

Patachitra Painting:

1. Patachitra, or Pattachitra, is a general term for traditional, cloth-based scroll paintingbased in the eastern Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal.
2. It is believed to have originated as early as the 12th century.
3. In the Sanskrit language, “Patta” literally means “cloth” and “Chitra” means “picture”.
4. It is known for its intricate details as well as the mythological narratives and folktales inscribed in it.
5. Most of these paintings depict stories of Hindu deities.
6. Pattachitra is one of the ancient artworks of Odisha, originally created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to Puri, as well as other temples in Odisha.
7. Patachitras are a component of ancient Bengali narrative art, originally serving as a visual device during the performance of a song.

Madhubani paintings It is a style of Indian painting, practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It was named after Madhubani District of Bihar, India which is where it originated. The Madhubani paintings is an ancient style of painting that originates 2500 years ago.It depicts various subjects such as Mythological characters, social events like Marriages and Festivals, Sun and Moon etc. Geometrical figures are key elements. Natural dyes are used in its creation. These colours are often bright. It is made on canvas, cloth or cow dung washed hand paper.

Making:

1. Pattachitra paintings are made on a special canvas where cotton sarees are layered with tamarind paste and then coated with clay powder.
2. Traditionally, cotton canvas was used; now, both cotton and silk canvas are used for paintings.
3. Once the canvas becomes sturdy, colours are filled in directly without any initial sketches. It is a tradition to complete the borders of the painting first.
4. All colours are obtained from natural sources like lamp soot and powdered conch shells.
5. Each painting can take up to weeks or months to be prepared.

‘One nation, one airspace’: India’s project ISHAN to streamline air traffic, benefit airlines and passengers

Recently, India has initiated the process of consolidating its four airspace regions (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai) into a single entity spanning the entire nation.

1. The Airports Authority of India (AAI)has called for expressions of interest to prepare a detailed project report for the Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) initiative, centered in
2. The move comes amidst a significant surge in aviation industry growth, with domestic passenger traffic expected to double by 2030.

Indian Single Sky Harmonized Air Traffic Management (ISHAN) Initiative:

1. Aim: To refine and strengthen air traffic management (ATM).
2. Significance: It will help to streamline operations, enhance capacity, and alleviate congestion, efficient routing, and reduced flight times benefiting both airlines and passengers.
3. A single continuum FIR would yield a lot of benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, user satisfaction, reduced carbon footprint and optimum manpower utilisation.
4. Challenges Ahead: This project will require uniform technology implementation, changes in the existing processes, retraining of air traffic control officers and policy formulation — all of which will require time and investment.
5. Need to do:
6. Holistic Restructuring: To have the most efficient utilization of airspace in terms of air traffic capacity, the airspace route structure and sector boundaries are required to be restructured holistically that will benefit all stakeholders.
7. Minimisation of Existing Gaps: Surveillance and communication gap areas have to be minimised to reap the benefits of the Single Sky Harmonized ATM, such as reduced separations (minimum distance that aircraft must fly apart) and fuel-efficient flight paths.
8. A Thorough Study: For the implementation of ISHAN, a thorough study of current and projected air traffic growth, and the challenges related to the management of increased air traffic, would have to be carried out.

Present Arrangements:

1. Flight Information Regions (FIRs):Currently, Indian airspace is divided into four FIRs (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai) and a sub-FIR, each managed separately.
2. Unifying these FIRs under a single authority in Nagpur is projected to improve efficiency, safety, and seamlessness in air traffic operations.

Airports Authority of India (AAI):

• A Statutory Body:It is a statutory body under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Establishment:It was constituted by an Act of Parliament and came into being on 1st April, 1995,by merging the erstwhile National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India.
• Mandate: It has responsibility for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructureboth on the ground and air space in the country.
• Achievements: AAI’s successful implementation of Automatic Dependence Surveillance System (ADSS),using indigenous technology, at Calcutta and Chennai Air Traffic Control Centres, gave India the distinction of being the first country to use this advanced technology in the South East Asian 

Look Out Circulars (LOCs)

The Bombay High Court recently held that public sector banks (PSBs) cannot recommend or request the issuance of Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against loan defaulters.

Look Out Circulars (LOCs):

1. A LOC is an instrument issued by the government as a directive toits immigration authorities to restrict and regulate the physical movement of a person.
2. The immigration departmentis tasked to stop any such individual against whom such a notice exists from leaving or entering the country.
3. Law enforcement agencies often use LOCs as a coercive measure to stop any individual wanted or under suspicion by the police or an investigating agency from leaving or entering the country through designated land, air, and sea ports.
4. LOCs are usually issued by the police, intelligence agencies, or other government agencies authorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA).
5. LOC does not have express statutory backingin legislation, the power to issue LOCs and their regulation stems from the executive in the form of an Office Memorandum issued by the MHA in 2021, which provides consolidated guidelines for opening LOCs against Indian citizens or foreigners.

Guidelines:

• The guidelines categorically provide that LOCs can only be opened in criminal or penal cases, and the reason for the LOC must be indicated with the issue of the circular.
• If there is no criminal or penal case pending, the LOC cannot be issued, and agencies can only request that they be informed of departure or arrival.
• However, the guidelines provide that in exceptional cases, an LOC may be issued against an individual even when the case is not a criminal case. This is in specified circumstances, such as when it is detrimental to the “sovereignty,or security, or integrity of India”, the “bilateral relations with any State”, or to the “strategic and economic interests of India”.
• LOCs are also permitted in cases where the individual is likely to engage in terrorism or offences against the State or when such departure would not be “in the larger public interest”.
• LOCs cannot be issued unless basic details— including name/parentage, passport number, and date of birth — are available, and such requests must be constantly monitored.
• It is the responsibility of the originator to constantly review the LOC requests and proactively provide additional parameters to minimise harassment to genuine passengers.
• It is also required that any LOC issued must be reviewed on a quarterly and annual basis by agencies that request such restrictions, and the result of the review must be informed to the MHA.
• MHAhas categorically transferred the legal consequences of issuing an LOC to the originating agency, even though such OMs are issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
• The power to issue such OMs and LOCs is sourced from The Passports Act, 1967,the key legislation for the grant of passports, travel documents, and “endorsements” to travellers at the time of emigration or immigration.

Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014

A decade has passed since the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act came into effect on May 1, 2014.

Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014:

1. It was enacted in order to legalise the vending rights of street vendors(SVs).
2. It aimed to protect and regulate street vending in cities, with State-level rules and schemes, and execution by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through by-laws, planning, and regulation.
3. The Act clearly delineates the roles and responsibilities of both vendors and various levels of government.
4. It commits to accommodating all ‘existing’ vendors in vending zones and issuing vending certificates (VCs).
5. The Act establishes a participatory governance structure through Town Vending Committees (TVCs).

• It mandates that street vendor representatives must constitute 40% of TVC members,with a sub-representation of 33% of women
• These committees are tasked with ensuring the inclusion of all existing vendors in vending zones.
• Additionally, the Act outlines mechanisms for addressing grievances and disputes, proposing the establishment of a Grievance Redressal Committee chaired by a civil judge or judicial magistrate.
• It provides that the States/ULBs conduct a survey to identify SVs at least once every five years.

Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023 Released

The Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023 compiled by ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) has been released.

Key Highlights of Report:

Global Scenario:

1. Trend of Space Object Population: It indicates a steady growth in the space object population, as reflected by the maximum number of on-orbit payload deployments with the maximum number of launches in 2023.
2. This is indicative of better accessibility to space and the increasingly diverse applications of space technology in day-to-day life.
3. A total of 3143 objects originating from 212 launches and on-orbit break-up events were added to the space object population in 2023 compared to 2533 objects from 179 launches in 2022.
4. Need for Space Traffic Management (STM): Operating in an environment inhabited by a growing population of active satellites requires STM.
5. However, unlike air and marine traffic, no universally accepted framework for STM exists at present, hence the resolution of an on-orbit close approach between two active satellites is carried out on case-by-case by inter-operator coordination.

Indian Scenario:

1. Milestones in India’s Satellite Launches:Since the beginning of the Indian space era, a total of 127 Indian satellites, including those from private operators/academic institutions, have been launched till 31st December 2023.
2. Indian Deep Space Missions: In addition, three Indian deep space missions were also active by the end of 2023, namely, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter, Aditya-L1, and the Propulsion Module of Chandrayaan-3.
3. Re-entry of Indian Satellites:A total of 21 Indian satellites have re-entered the atmosphere till the end of 2023. Ex- Megha-tropiques-1 underwent controlled re-entry through an immensely challenging exercise.
4. Rocket Bodies: A total of 82 rocket bodies from Indian launches were placed in orbit till 2023.
5. Successful launces of ISRO:In the year 2023, all seven launches of ISRO were successful.
6. These included SSLV-D2/EOS7, LVM3-M3/ONEWEB_II, PSLV-C55/ TeLEOS-2, GSLV-F12 NVS-01, LVM3-M4/ Chandrayaan-3, PSLV-C56/ DS-SAR, and PSLV-C57/Aditya L-1.

Space Object Proximity Analysis (SOPA) for Satellites:

Mission in 2023	Indian Payloads		Foreign Payloads
	ISRO/GOI	Private/ Academic
SSLV-D2/EOS-07	EOS-07	AZAADISAT-2		Janus-1
LVM3-M3/OneWeb India 2	–	–		36 OneWeb satellites
PSLV-C55/ TeLEOS-2	–	POEM-2 hosted 7 non-separating payloads		TeLEOS-2 Lumelite-4
GSLV-F12 NVS-01	NVS-01	–		–
LVM3-M4/ Chandrayaan-3	Chandrayaan-3	–		–
PSLV-C56/ DS-SAR	–	–		DS-SAR, NuLIoN, Orb-12 Strider, Galassia-2, SCOOB-II, Arcade, Velox-AM
PSLV-C57/Aditya L-1	Aditya L-1	–		–

1. About:ISRO regularly carries out analyses through IS4OM/ ISTRAC to predict close approaches by other space objects to Indian space assets.
2. Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAM): In case of any critical close approach, CAM are carried out to safeguard the operational spacecraft.
3. The number of close approach alerts received and the number of CAMs executed by ISRO was also the highest to date.

Way Forward:  For sustainable space activities, a holistic approach needs to be taken to catalyse the space sector growth. 

• It must be recognised by all space actors that, unlike terrestrial activities, any activity in space has potentially global and far-reaching implications, and near-Earth space is a finite resource that must be utilized responsibly to harness it for societal benefits.

Peucetia chhaparajnirvin

Daryapur-based arachnologist recently identified a green lynx spider, named Peucetia chhaparajnirvin, which was never discovered earlier.

Peucetia chhaparajnirvin:

1. It is a new species of green lynx spider.
2. The spider was found in TAL CHAPAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY Churu district of Rajasthan.
3. The spider species has been named Peucetia chhaparajnirvin after the area in Rajasthan, Tal Chhapar, where it was discovered.
4. This spider is found on the green leaves ofthe Vachellia nilotica (babul) tree.
5. Their green hue aids in blending with their surroundings and ambushing prey, while their long legs allow them to move quickly.
6. This spider is nocturnaland feeds on small insects.

Lynx Spiders

• Lynx spiders, (family Oxyopidae) are any of several groups of active spiders(order Araneida) that do not build a nest or webbut capture their preyby pouncing upon them.
• They are among the major predators of insects occurring in low shrubs and herbaceous vegetation.
• The eyes are arranged in a hexagon, and the abdomen usually tapers to a point.
• Many Lynx spider species have colorfully striped abdomens and spiky legs. 

International Labour Day 2024: Know the date, origin, and significance behind May Day

International Labour Day, also known as May Day, is commemorated annually on May 1st to advocate for the rights and welfare of the working class; Here’s all you need to know.

• International Labour Day 2024 Date and Theme: International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Workers Day, is annually observed on May 1 in more than 80 countries, including India, Cuba, China, and many others.
• The day is celebrated to recognise and honour the significant contributions of workers and mark the historic labour movement that aimed to promote workers’ rights and opportunities.
• Initially observed as an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival, May 1 became associated with the labour movement in the late 19th century after trade unions and socialist groups designated it as a day in support of workers for better working conditions, fair wages, and shorter working hours.
• International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Workers Day, is celebrated as a public holiday around the world to celebrate the contributions of workers on the International Labour Day. 
• About Labour Force: The labour force, or currently active population, comprisesall persons who fulfil the requirements for inclusion among the employed(civilian employment plus the armed forces) or the  

1. Labour force in India can be divided into organised and unorganised sectors.In the year 2017-18, the total employment in both the sectors in the country was around 47 crores.
2. Out of this, around 9 crores are engaged in the organized sector and 38 crores are in the unorganized sector.

History:

1. First Labour Day:It was celebrated on May 1, 1889 as the International Workers Day.
2. The celebrations were declared by an international federation of trade unions and socialist groups to commemorate the Haymarket Riot in Chicago.
3. Protest for Eight-hour Workday: The riots are also known as the Hay market Affair, which occurred in 1886.
4. The riot started as a peaceful march that demanded an eight-hour workday but later turned into a violent clash between the protesters and the police forces.

Global Labour Laws:

• Treaty of Versailles: It was the first international treaty to mention the eight-hour workday, which in the annexe of its thirteenth part established the International Labour Office, now the International Labour Organization (ILO).
• Hours of Work (Industry) Convention in 1919: It limits the hours of work in industrial undertakings to eight in the day and 48t in the week.
• Declaration of Philadelphia: On May 10 1944, the International Labour Conference adopted it.
• It represents the first International Declaration of rights with international vocation, fundamental charter of reference for the ILO and for all the systems of labour law.

Labour Day In India: First May Day: In India, the first May Day celebrations were organized on May 1st, 1923,  in Chennai by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan, led by M Singaravelu Chettiar. Linkage of Local Struggles to Global Labor Movements: M Singaravelu introduced May Day in India to link the struggles of Indian workers with the broader global resistance of labor against severe exploitation and dehumanization. Celebrating Workers’ Contributions: The day is celebrated to recognise and honour the significant contributions of workers.

Current Trend of Labour in India: Dominance of Informal Sector: As per India Employment Report 2024, approximately 82 percent of the workforce works in the informal sector. Labour Force: Data from the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) show that in India, as of 2021, only 51.3 percent of the working age population (15-64) was part of the labor force. Workforce Statistics:  In 2020, there were around 501 million workers in India, the second largest after China. Out of which, agriculture industry consist of 41.19%, industry sector consist of 26.18% and service sector consist 32.33% of total labour force.

 

Constitutional Provision for Workers in India: Under the Constitution of India, Labour is a subject in the Concurrent List where both the Central & State Governments are competent to enact legislation subject to certain matters being reserved for the Centre. Judicial Intervention:  The Supreme Court in Randhir Singh vs Union of India & OR’s, 1982 held that Equal pay for equal work’ is not a mere demagogic slogan. It is a constitutional goal capable of attainment through constitutional remedies by the enforcement of constitutional rights. Article 39 (d) of the Constitution proclaims, as a Directive Principle, the Constitutional goal of ‘equal pay for equal work for both men and women ‘. Articles 14 and 19 guarantee respectively the fundamental rights to equality before the law and equality of opportunity in the matter of public employment Art. 32 provides the remedy for the enforcement of the fundamental rights.

Government Interventions:

• e-Sharm Portal: It aims to collect data of unorganized workers,including the migrant workers to implement the Social Security Schemes
• PM-Shram Yogi Maan Dhan:It is a government scheme meant for old age protection and social security of Unorganized Workers (UW).
• Atal Pension Yojana (APY): It is an old age income security scheme for a savings account holder in the age group of 18-40 years who is not an income tax-payee, mainly targeted at the poor, the under-privileged and workers in the unorganized sector. 
• Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act:It aimed to ‘protect’ and ‘regulate’ street vending in cities.

Major Issues faced by Labour in India:

1. Low Wage and Wage Disparities:Majority of workers earn a daily minimum wage of ₹176 or more which is insufficient to meet their basic needs.
2. The national wage floor, stagnant since 2017,lacks enforceability across states and leads to wage payment discrepancies across different states.
3. The non-statutory floor level minimum wage remains a meagre ₹178 remaining constant for the last few years.
4. Lack of Job and Social Security:With the majority of the workforce working in the informal sector, it is devoid of job security, and legal protections.
5. There is a high prevalence of contract employment, which leaves workers vulnerable and uncertain.

Child Labour: According to the ILO, Child Labour refers to work that deprives children (any person under 18) of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to their physical and/or mental development. 

Bonded Labour: National Human Rights Commission of India defines bonded labour as a form of slavery known as debt bondage, which has persisted for centuries where labourers are compelled to work for extended periods while receiving minimal compensation. 

• Only 1 million out of 63 million Indian enterprises and approximately 7.5% of 550 million labor force contribute to monthly social security.
• Child Labour: As per the National Crime Bureau Report 2022, in 2021, around 982 cases were registered under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, with the highest number of cases registered in Telangana, followed by Assam.
• The figures saw a significant increase from 476 cases registered under the Act in 2020.
• Bonded Labour: The research study titled ‘Assessing Budgetary Priorities for the Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour,’ underscores that the prevalence of bonded labour is a significant issue within the informal sector of the Indian economy.
• The study highlights that approximately 10 per cent of India’s workforce falls under the classification of bonded labour.
• Individuals trapped in bonded labour encounter challenges like prolonged working hours, coercion, irregular or absent wages, indebtedness due to loans or social obligations, and limitations on mobility between employers.
• Gender Discrimination:In the labor market, women workers experience harassment at work, unequal compensation for equal work, and limited access to formal employment opportunities.
• A recent World Bank Group report found that women receive only 77 cents for every $1 paid to males, underscoring the gender pay disparity.
• Migrant Worker Rights:Migrant laborers experience discrimination, exploitation, and limited access to social services.
• They face problems like debt bondage, lack of legal protection, and inadequate housing.
• Workers’s Safety:Every year, India registers the death of hundreds of workers due to insignificant and unreliable safety measures in factories and construction sites.
• According to government data,three workers die every day in Indian factories due to a lack of basic safety measures. 
• Execution Challenges: The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act does not integrate well with the framework established by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act for urban governance.
• Schemes like the Smart Cities Mission mostly focus on infrastructure development and ignore the provisions of the Act for the inclusion of street vendors in city planning.

Labour Reforms in India: 

About: The Ministry of Labour and Employment introduced four codes to consolidate 29 central laws based on recommendations of Second National Commission on Labour (2002). These Codes regulate:

• Wages
• Industrial Relations
• Social Security
• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Condition

Key Features of Labour Codes:

1. The Code of Wages, 2019:  It aims to bring uniformity in the implementation of legal policies governing the payment of wages.
2. It states that the minimum wage cannot be fixed below the National Wage Floor (NFW). However, this code, which is binding on all states, is yet to be implemented.
3. Code on Social Security in 2020: It sought to provide a statutory framework to enable social security for the urban and rural poor, construction workers, gig and informal sector workers.
4. It proposed the provision of life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, as well as maternity and health-care benefits along with old-age protection and crèche facilities for gig workers.
5. Industrial Relations Code, 2020: It provides a broader framework to protect the rights of workers to make unions, to reduce the friction between the employers, and workers and to provide regulations for settlement of industrial disputes.
6. Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020:  It emphasizes the health, safety, and welfare of workers employed in various sectors.

Issues with the Current Labour Reform:

• Lack of Social Security to Informal Sector: The Code on Social Security in 2020does not cover the contract workers who shift from one occupation to another in search of their livelihood. Ex- Construction workers.
• There is no guaranteed fund allocation from employers in the informal sector. Moreover, it depends on the size of the enterprise in terms of the number of workers.
• Occupational Safety Remains Unaddressed:Industrial safety continues to be a grave concern even after the enactment of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code.
• Industrial reported that between May to June,32 major industrial accidents occurred in India, killing 75 workers.
• No protection to Contractual Workers:Workers in the already comparatively small formal sector, jobs in the formal sector are increasingly being casualised. Ex-Sanitation and waste workers in civic services.
• The manufacturing sector too now largely relies on contracted labor. Provision forpermanent employment and regularization, which existed in the subsumed Contract Labour Act of 1970 now do not exist.
• Violation of Principles of ILO:The new codes violate leading principles and standards laid down by the ILO.
• The codes have been passed without a tripartite consultation between workers, employers and government representatives as recommended, and have attacked the powers of collective bargaining by rendering all strikes illegal.
• Neglect of Sector-Specific Workers:The repeal of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act 1996 points to the insensitivity to sector-specific problems.
• The repeal of sectoral laws has been accompanied by the repeal of 10 cesses that funded welfare schemes for salt, mining, and beedi workers among others.
• Exclusion of Domestic Workers: The Occupational Safety Code excludes private households and thus all provisions on safety, health, or working conditions would not be applicable to domestic workers.
• Domestic workers are also not specifically mentioned in the Code on Social Security.
• India has not ratified the ILO Domestic Workers Convention 189 convention aimed at safeguarding domestic workers.
• Overlaps in Definition:Provisions have been made for separate boards for unorganized workers and gig/platform workers in the Code on Social Security 2020.
• This tends to overlap since gig/platform workers are a subset of the broader category of ‘unorganized workers.
• Stricter Provisions on Strikes:The Code on Industrial Relations (CIR), has made legal strikes nearly impractical. Illegal strikes now entail significant penalties.

Goldman Environmental Prize

Alok Shukla, convenor of the Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan and founding member of the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, has been awarded the 2024 Goldman Prize from Asia.

Goldman Environmental Prize:

1. The Prize recognizes individuals for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk.
2. It is also known as the Green Nobel.
3. It recognizes grassroots environmental heroes from roughly the world’s six inhabited continental regions: Africa, Asia, Europe,Islands & Island Nations, North America and South & Central America
4. The Goldman Prize views “grassroots” leaders as those involved in local efforts, where positive change is created through community or citizen participation.
5. The first Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony took place on April 16, 1990. It was timed to coincide with Earth Day.

Key facts about Hasdeo Aranya region

1. It is a sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh which is known for its biodiversity and also its coal deposits.
2. The forest falls under Korba, Surajpur and Sarguja districts with sizeable tribal population.
3. The Hasdeo River, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it.
4. It is the largest un-fragmented forests in Central India consisting of pristine Sal(Shorea robusta) and teak forests.