March 13, 2024 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
National Human Rights Commission | Explained
The National Human Rights Commission is a statutory body under the Indian Government established to secure, advocate for, and achieve human rights within any country. The body was established on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, which was further amended in 2006. It serves as the human rights watchdog in India. It primarily looks into the violation of the human rights of individuals. It also advises on how to prevent such violations from occurring in future times and spreading awareness about human rights issues. It also engages in promoting accountability for those in power who abuse their powers to crush the human rights of normal citizens, thus ensuring that justice prevails, which serves as a way towards bettering the overall human rights situation within a country.
Highlights of the Day
1. Assam's Majuli Masks: A Journey Through Time and Tradition with Geographical Indication
The traditional Majuli masks of Assam, used in devotional theatrical performances called bhaonas, received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Indian government. Majuli, the world's largest river island, has been a hub for mask-making since the 16th century under the neo-vaishnavite tradition. These handmade masks depict various characters such as gods, goddesses, demons, animals, and birds. The masks, made from bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, and wood, vary in size and can take up to one-and-a-half months to create. The art form is concentrated in four of Majuli's 22 sattras (monasteries), with efforts to promote mask-making as a standalone art form. Majuli manuscript painting also received the GI label, originating in the 16th century and done on sanchi pat, manuscripts made from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree[1].
2. Odisha's Rupa Tarakasi and Banglar Muslin Honored with Geographical Indication Tags
Cuttack's Rupa Tarakasi (silver filigree) from Odisha receives the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, showcasing its association with classical jewelry craftsmanship. Historical evidence suggests its origin in Mesopotamia around 3,500 BCE, possibly reaching Cuttack from Persia through Indonesia 500 years ago. Other products earning the GI tag include Banglar Muslin from Bengal, Narasapur crochet lace, Kutch rogan craft, Ratlam Riyawan Lahsun (Garlic), Ambaji White Marble, Tripura Risa Textile, Hyderabad Lac Bangles, Majuli Mask of Assam, and Assam Majuli Manuscript Painting. The diverse range of GI-tagged products reflects India's rich cultural and artisanal heritage[2].
3.California Man Faces Charges for Smuggling Banned Greenhouse Gases, Contributing to Global Warming
A California man, Michael Hart, faces criminal charges for smuggling banned greenhouse gases used in cooling appliances, contributing to global warming. Hart allegedly imported refrigerants from Mexico, selling them online, breaching regulations on hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC 22). These substances, once alternatives to ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, were implicated in the ozone hole. The 1987 Montreal Protocol aimed to phase out ozone-depleting substances, with the 2016 Kigali Amendment targeting an 80% reduction in HFC consumption by 2047. The US has laws regulating HCFCS and HFCs, banning HCFC 22 imports for non-transformative purposes since 2020[3].
4.Steady Retail Inflation at 5.1% in February, Fueled by Surging Food Prices
India's retail inflation holds steady at 5.09% in February, with a surge in food prices, particularly vegetables, driving the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) to 8.66%. Urban CFPI reaches 9.2%, while rural areas see an 8.2% uptick. Despite the unchanged rural inflation at 5.34%, urban inflation slightly eases to 4.8%. High food inflation may delay interest rate cuts, as the Reserve Bank of India projects an average 5% rise in April to June. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, remains below 4%, while some estimate it at a 52-month low of 3.4%[4].
5.India Maintains Top Spot in Global Arms Imports, SIPRI Report Reveals
India has maintained its position as the world's top arms importer, witnessing a 4.7% increase in arms imports from 2019 to 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Although Russia remains India's primary supplier, accounting for 36% of imports, it's the first five-year period since 1960-1964 when Russian deliveries constituted less than half. The SIPRI report notes a significant 94% surge in European arms imports, attributed to the Ukraine conflict. The United States leads global arms exports, with a 17% growth, while France emerges as the second-largest arms supplier, with a 47% increase[5].
Source: The Hindu | Indian Express | PIB |Pressreader
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1:Consider the following:
1. South Sudan
2. Rwanda
3. Tanzania
4. Angola
How many of the above countries share borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Q2: Consider the following with reference to Psittacosis:
1. It is also known as pigeon disease.
2. It is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia Psittaci.
3. It is more common in tropical environments.
How many of the above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Q3: With reference to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, consider the following statements:
1. It is a constitutional body which emphasizes on the principle of universality and inviolability of child rights and recognizes the tone of urgency in all the child related policies of the country.
2. It makes sure that all laws, policies, programmes and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the Child Rights perspective enshrined in the Constitution of India and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q4: Consider the following with reference to Natural Farming:
1. It is chemical free farming which involves no use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
2. It helps in carbon sequestration in soils.
3. It involves on-farm biomass recycling.
How many of the above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Q5: ‘Parthenogenesis’ refers to which one of the following?
(a) A form of reproduction to develop an egg into an embryo without fertilizing it by a sperm
(b) A medical procedure of sterilizing stray dogs and cattle to control their population
(c) A process in which a portion of Earth’s crust is folded and deformed by lateral compression
(d) A dental surgery which involves transplanting a damaged tooth
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Discuss the pivotal role of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India, examining its functions, investigation methods, and advocacy efforts. Evaluate the impact of NHRC in safeguarding human rights and promoting justice. Consider historical development, composition, and current leadership, emphasizing the commission's effectiveness in addressing human rights violations. Provide insights into challenges faced by NHRC and suggest potential improvements to enhance its role as a guardian of human rights in the country.
Need help in writing or evaluation?
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