Context:

The sculptures and fountains  have been installed at 11 locations by the New Delhi Municipal Council ahead of the G20 Summit.

Various G20 Sculptures:

Nataraja	The statue was made using the ancient lost-wax technique of metal casting that was used for making the famed Chola bronzes. The ‘Nataraja’ statue symbolizes Lord Shiva as the ‘lord of dance’ and his cosmic power of creation and destruction.
Buddha’s Lions	The Buddha’s Lions each weigh a staggering 5 tonnes, while the lioness and her cubs tip the scales at approximately 5.5 to 6 tonnes.
Horse Family	The horse family boasts a weight of six tonnes.  All of these extraordinary creations are crafted from either black or white marble.”
Shankhnaad	It draws inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita.	–

News Source: Economic Times

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Context: 

Recently, the Minister of State for Defence released the Maritime Infrastructure Perspective Plan (MIPP) 2023-37 at the second edition of the biennial Naval Commanders Conference.

About Maritime Infrastructure Perspective Plan (MIPP) 2023-37:

• Objective: To synchronize the infrastructure requirements of the Navy, over the next 15 years, through a comprehensive perspective plan model.
• It encompasses salients for compliance with broader policy directives on PM Gati Shakti project, disaster resilience, transition to net zero, among others.

About Naval Commanders’ Conference 

• It serves as a platform for the officers to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level and interact with senior government functionaries.
• It is the apex-level biannual event facilitating interaction between the Naval Commanders for deliberation and formulation of important policy decisions. 
• Commanders review the ongoing Naval projects with a focus on enhancing indigenisation through Make in India in consonance with the vision of achieving self-reliance by 2047.

News Source: PIB

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Context:

The Government is looking at promoting cactus plantations in low-irrigation areas to rejuvenate degraded land.

About Cactus:

• Geographical Distribution: Cacti are unevenly distributed. Its largest concentration is found around latitude of 30-degree north and 30 degree south of the equator. 
  • It is found in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Species: Saguaro cactus, Cereus cactus.
• Cactus cultivation will help in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the country as well. 
  • For Example: Cacti are drought-tolerant plants that can store water in their tissues. This water can be used to photosynthesise, which produces oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Thus they help in Carbon sequestration.
• Economic Importance:
  • Food production: Many cacti are edible, and their fruits, pads, and flowers can be used to make a variety of dishes.
    • For example, the prickly pear cactus is a common food crop in many parts of the world, and its pads can be cooked or pickled.
  • Fodder: The pads of some cacti are high in fiber and nutrients, and they can provide a valuable source of food for animals during times of drought.
  • Biofuel production: The starch and sugars in cactus can be fermented to produce ethanol, which can be used as a fuel for cars and other vehicles.
  • Water conservation: Cacti are drought-tolerant plants that can store water in their tissues. This makes them a sustainable way to use land in arid regions, where water is scarce.

News Source: The Print

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 Researchers in the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, in Japan, have demonstrated a set-up that can use electron scattering to ‘see’ inside unstable nuclei, using SCRIT technique.

• An electron scattering experiment is a type of experiment that uses electrons to probe the structure of matter. For Example: 
  • Rutherford model Experiment: Based on how the rays were deflected by atoms in the gold foil, it was figured out that every atom has a dense centre where its mass and positive charge are concentrated.
  • Scientists involved in it were Ernest Rutherford, Ernest Marsden, Hans Geiger.

About Self-Confining Radioactive-isotope Ion Target (SCRIT):

• Objective: To probe the internal structures of short-lived exotic nuclei by electron scattering. 
  • It employs a novel ion-trapping technique to prepare a target of exotic nuclei for electron scattering on an energetic electron beam 
• It uses an electron storage ring to trap radioactive isotopes. 
  • This allows for electron scattering experiments to be performed on unstable nuclei, which are not possible with traditional fixed targets.
• Advantages: The SCRIT technique has several advantages over traditional fixed targets such as: 
  • It allows for experiments to be performed on unstable nuclei, which have a very short half-life and would decay before they could be used in a fixed target experiment. 
  • It can provide a much higher luminosity than a fixed target experiment, which means that more data can be collected in a shorter amount of time. 
  • It is relatively inexpensive to operate, making it a more cost-effective option for electron scattering experiments.
• Applications: It is expected to be used in a variety of experiments in the future, including:
  • Studies of the structure of nuclei, the dynamics of nuclear reactions, and the astrophysical origins of elements.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

Recently, the French government announced that the practice of wearing abaya (burqa) would be banned in state-run schools as it violated the principle of Laïcité.

More on News:

• According to the French Government, secularism means the freedom to emancipate oneself through school and one shouldn’t be able to identify the person’s religion just by looking at them.
• Abaya is seen as a religious gesture, aimed at testing the resistance of the republic towards the secular sanctuary that are schools.

About Laïcité:

• Coined in the 19th century, Laïcité is understood as a formal separation of the State and Church.
• The first article of the French constitution explicitly states that the republic shall be “indivisible, laïcité, democratic and social.” 
• It involves the complete removal of religious values from the public sphere and their replacement with secular values such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• The underlying goal of Laïcité is to implant tolerance and assimilate people. As per the principle, religion is to be confined to the private sphere.
• The state plays an important role in ensuring that affairs are run according to the principle of Laïcité.
• In the history of laïcité, three dates stand apart from all others:
  • 1789: Laïcité, a product of the struggle of anti-clerical Republicans against the power of the Catholic Church, was an abstract idea following the French Revolution in 1789.
  • 1905: It took a concrete shape in the form of The Law of 1905 in the Third Republic when state-run secular schools were established.
  • 1989: Three Muslim girls at a middle school in north of Paris, refused to take off their headscarves and the principal suspended the girls. For the first time, Islam entered the national conversation in a significant way.

Similarities and Differences Between Indian and French Secularism

Similarities:

• Freedom of Religion: Both Indian and French secularism uphold the principle of freedom of religion. 
  • For example, Article 25 of the Indian Constitution and France (under certain restrictions) guarantee citizens the right to practice their religion without discrimination or persecution.
• Equality before the Law: Discrimination on the basis of religion is neither allowed in India (under Article 14) nor in France.
• State Neutrality: State should not favor any particular religion. For instance, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act added the word “Secular” in Preamble to the Constitution of India.
• Protection of Religious Minorities: India (under Article 29) and France have a commitment to protecting the rights of religious minorities. 
  • For example, there are safeguards to prevent the majority religion from oppressing minority religions.
• Secular Education: In both India and France, there is a focus on secular education. Religious education is generally kept separate from public education.
• Freedom of Expression: Freedom of expression, including the right to criticize or question religious beliefs, is protected in both Indian (Article 19(1)(a)) and French secularism.
• Legal Framework: Both countries have laws and legal mechanisms to enforce secularism. 
  • In France, for example, there are laws like the 1905 Law on the Separation of Churches and State, while in India, the principle of secularism is enshrined in the Constitution.

Despite these similarities, it’s important to note that there are also significant differences between Indian and French secularism. For instance:

Challenges Associated with Laïcité:

• Right to Freedom of Religion: Muslim women choose to wear the headscarf and abaya as a matter of personal religious faith and identity. They argue that the ban on headscarves and abayas is an infringement on their right to practice their faith and cultural identity.
• The Weaponization of Laïcité: Opponents argue that laïcité is utilised to exploit the fear of the people and vilify the French Muslim minority. Policies are created to further stereotype all Muslims as terrorists which further isolates an already marginalized minority and push them towards extremism.
• Change in Demographics: In the 1950s and 1960s, there was large-scale decolonisation in North Africa, which led to an influx of immigrants from predominantly Muslim. The change in demographics caused tensions with the principle of Laïcité.
• Stasi Commission Recommendation: Prohibiting the wearing of “ostentatious” symbols that have a clear religious meaning, such as a Catholic dress, a Jewish kippah, or a Muslim headscarf, in public spaces in line with Laïcité. 
• Increase in Radicalisation and Religious Fundamentalism: Laïcité is seen by various religious groups as against their religion, and this internal feeling is further exploited by religious and political leaders, who use this apparent threat towards their religion to incite masses against such principles.

Learnings for France from Indian Secularism

Indian secularism tends to emphasize pluralism and accommodation, while French laïcité leans towards strict secularism and state neutrality in religious matters. France and other countries can learn valuable lessons from India’s approach towards Secularism like: 

• Tolerance and Inclusivity: France could learn from India’s emphasis on tolerance and inclusivity towards diverse religious communities. Promoting an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding among various religious groups can help maintain social harmony and cohesion.
• Recognition of Religious Diversity: France can benefit from recognizing and appreciating the contributions of different religions to its cultural fabric.
• Dialogue and Engagement: France could consider adopting a more inclusive approach that involves religious leaders in discussions on religious freedom and secularism.
• Protection of Minority Rights: France could review and strengthen its legal framework to ensure that minority rights are adequately safeguarded.
• State Support for Cultural Festivals: In India, the government often provides support for cultural and religious festivals celebrated by various communities. France could explore ways to support cultural and religious events that promote unity in diversity.
• Balancing Secularism with Religious Freedom: France could examine ways to strike a balance between its strict form of secularism and the freedom of religious expression and practice. 
  • Finding common ground that respects individual religious rights while maintaining state neutrality can be a complex but worthwhile endeavor.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that each country’s secularism is shaped by its unique historical, cultural, and social context, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. France can adapt and incorporate elements from India’s secularism that align with its own values and objectives while respecting its historical and legal framework.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• Recently, a report on the status of invasive alien species (IAS) was released at 10th plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

Highlights of the Report:

• Anthropogenic introduction of IAS: 37,000 alien species have been introduced by human activities to regions and biomes around the world.
  • Many IAS have been intentionally introduced for their perceived benefits, without consideration or knowledge of their negative impacts.
• Threat to biodiversity: IAS are one of the five major direct drivers of biodiversity loss globally, alongside land and sea use change, direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, and pollution.
  • IAS have been a major factor in 60% and the only driver in 16% of global animal and plant extinctions that have been recorded, and at least 218 invasive alien species have been responsible for more than 1,200 local extinctions.
• Economic cost: It has at least quadrupled every decade since 1970, as global trade and human travel increased. 
  • In 2019, the global economic cost of invasive alien species exceeded $423 billion annually.
• Impact on food supply: The reduction of food supply is the most common impact of alien invasive species. 
  • Caribbean false mussels have damaged locally important fishery resources in Kerala, by wiping out native clams and oysters. 
• Spread of diseases: IAS like Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegyptii spread diseases such as malaria, Zika and West Nile Fever.
• Amplifying the impact of climate change: Invasive alien plants, especially trees and grasses, can sometimes be highly flammable and promote more intense fires.
  • IAS can reduce the resilience of natural habit, agricultural systems and urban areas to climate change.
• Geographical Impact: 34% of the impacts of biological invasions were reported from the Americas, 31% from Europe and Central Asia, 25% from Asia and the Pacific and about 7% from Africa. 
• Threat concentration: Most negative impacts are reported on land (about 75%) with considerably fewer reported in freshwater (14%) and marine (10%) habitats . 
  • Invasive alien species are most damaging on islands, with numbers of alien plants now exceeding the number of native plants on more than 25% of all islands.
• Threat management: Only 17 percent have enacted specific national laws or regulations for IAS management.
  • 45 percent of all countries do not invest in the management of IAS. It escalates the threat of IAS spilling over into neighboring states.

Significance:

• Impact assessment: It will help improve the understanding of IAS, their impacts, and opportunities for their management across all sectors of society. 
• Action plan under KMGBF: The assessment can be used for updating the national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) mandated under Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

• Coordinated Actions: It will support countries and the private sector in developing and implementing actions towards meeting the targets under KMGBF.

Impact of IAS on India:

• India stands in second place after the US on the list of invasion-cost bearing countries.
  • Invasive alien species cost the Indian economy $127.3 billion (Rs. 8.3 trillion) in the last 6 decades.
  • IAS cost the Indian economy $127.3 billion in the last 60 years.
• Lantana camara: Its invasion has resulted in the scarcity of native forage plants for wild herbivores; it has invaded more than 40% of India’s tiger range.
• Prosopis Chilensis: A drought-resistant plant native to the arid regions of South American countries is threatening native vegetation of islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.
• Prosopis juliflora: It is a water-guzzling invasive species which extracts maximum water from the ground impacting the groundwater levels adversely affecting local biodiversity and ecology.

Important Recommendation from the Report

• Incorporating IAS in Climate change policies: Climate change should be explicitly incorporated into risk assessments of IAS, to help identify those alien species that could become a threat in the future.
  • Example: Native tree species should be used for carbon sequestration or erosion control rather than alien species such as Acacia or Eucalyptus.
• Mapping vulnerability: Ecosystems need to be prioritised according to their vulnerability to climate change and IAS and measures need to be established for preventing IAS introduction. 
• Prevention measures:  Border biosecurity and strictly enforced import controls has worked in controlling the spread.
  • Example: Success has been achieved in Australasia in reducing the spread of the brown marmorated stink bug.
• Protecting marine and connected water systems: Preparedness, early detection and rapid response are shown to be effective at reducing rates of alien species establishment. 
• Surveillance of new alien species: The PlantwisePlus programme in Australia assisted smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America in detecting new alien species.
• Eradication: It has been successful and cost-effective for small and slow-spreading IAS, in isolated ecosystems such as islands. 
  • Examples: French Polynesia where the black rat and rabbit(have been successfully eradicated. 
• Containment: IAS must be contained and controlled in land-based and closed water systems as well as in aquaculture.
  • Containment of the IAS Asian tunicate in aqua-cultured blue mussels in Canada. 
  • Introducing a rust fungus to control bitter vine in the Asia-Pacific region has been effective with success in more than 60% of known cases.
• Involvement of local communities: Successful eradication programmes depend on the support and engagement of stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

News Source: Indian Express 

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