GI Tags to Majuli Masks and Majuli Manuscript Paintings
Narasapur Crochet Lace Craft (Andhra Pradesh)
- Location: 19 mandals in West Godavari district of the Godavari region.
- Origin: Developed by women of the farming community around 150 years ago.
- Products: Lacework done with thin threads and needles, vibrant colors.
- Market: Exported to countries like UK, USA, France.
Majuli Masks and Majuli Manuscript Paintings (Assam)
- Location: Majuli, the largest river island in the world.
- Masks:
- Handmade, used in neo-Vaishnavite “bhaona” performances.
- Depict gods, goddesses, demons, animals, birds.
- Made from bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, wood.
- Introduced by 15th-16th century reformer saint Srimanta Sankardeva.
- Primarily made in four Sattras (monasteries).
- Paintings:
- Done on sanchi pat (manuscripts from sanchi/agar tree bark) with homemade ink.
- Feature unique manuscript writing styles.
- Depict Hindu epics like Bhagavata Purana.
- Patronized by Ahom kings, practiced in every Sattra.
Benefits of GI Tags
- Legal protection for products with specific geographic origin.
- Prevents unauthorized use of the GI tag.
- Promotes economic prosperity of producers in the region.
- Boosts exports.
Advisory to Generative AI Companies For Electoral Process
About the Advisory:
- Content Regulation: Mandates intermediaries to prevent hosting or sharing unlawful content as per IT Act.
- Electoral Process Integrity: Ensures AI models do not compromise electoral process integrity.
- Explicit Permission for Under-Testing AI: Deployment of under-tested AI models requires explicit government permission.
- User Awareness: Users must be informed about consequences of engaging with unlawful content.
- Labeling for Deepfakes and Misinformation: AI-generated content must be labeled for identification of origin and misinformation.
What is Generative Artificial Intelligence?
- AI algorithms generating new content resembling human-created content.
- Relies on deep learning to create original text, images, audio, and videos.
Application of Generative AI:
- Art and Design, Content Creation, Media Production, Data Augmentation.
- Used across industries like Logistics, Travel, Supply Chain, and Marketing.
Need for Regulation:
- Lack of transparency and neutrality in AI tools.
- Susceptibility to biases, discriminatory outcomes, and manipulative algorithms.
- Risks of deepfakes damaging reputations and undermining democratic institutions.
- Concerns over data privacy and uncontrollable AI advancement.
Existing Laws in India:
- Provisions under IT Act address deepfake crimes, privacy violations, and malicious intent.
- Sections 66E, 66D, 67, 67A, and 67B cover various aspects of AI-related crimes and offenses.
Way Ahead:
- Equip individuals against deepfake misuse through awareness and resources.
- Develop comprehensive AI governance beyond laws to ensure safety and awareness.
Ladakh and Article 371
Context
- Protests in Ladakh for protection of land, jobs, and cultural identity.
Background
- Ladakh, formerly part of J&K, became a UT in 2019 without a Legislative Assembly.
- Ladakhi groups demand Sixth Schedule inclusion for protections similar to those offered to tribal areas.
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes recommended Ladakh’s inclusion in 2019.
Sixth Schedule
- Provides for Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
- Applies to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- ADCs have powers like collecting taxes, regulating trade, establishing public facilities.
Article 371
- Articles 371 and 371A-J provide special provisions for specific states.
- Allow autonomy for certain groups over their affairs.
- Could offer similar protections for Ladakh’s local population.
Centre’s Opinion
- Ladakh administration already addressing socio-economic development.
- Increased reservation for Scheduled Tribes to 45%.
- Sixth Schedule typically for Northeast states.
Way Ahead
- Including Ladakh in Sixth Schedule might be difficult.
- Fifth Schedule exists for tribal areas in other states.
- Fifth Schedule criteria: tribal population, compactness, underdevelopment, economic disparity.
- 10 states currently have Fifth Schedule Areas.
Jim Corbett National Park: Tiger Safari Ban in Core Areas
Context
- Supreme Court bans tiger safaris in the core areas of Jim Corbett National Park.
Background
- Safaris limited to peripheral and buffer zones for wildlife conservation with minimal disruption to core habitats.
- Jim Corbett National Park: Highest tiger population in India (260 within the reserve, 319 utilizing it).
Core & Buffer Zones of Biosphere Reserves
- Core zone: Strictly protected, no human activity.
- Buffer zone: Limited human activity (research, eco-tourism).
Impact of Tourism on Wildlife
- Unregulated tourism harms wildlife:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation.
- Disruption of natural behaviors (stress, reproduction).
- Pollution (emissions, waste).
Corbett National Park
- Located in Uttarakhand, established in 1936.
- Home to Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, and diverse birdlife.
- Launched Project Tiger in 1973.
Way Ahead
- Court bans safaris in core areas to protect ecosystems.
- Safaris allowed in peripheral and buffer zones with regulations.
- Balances promoting tourism with preserving the park.
Prelims
Project Seabird: Indian Navy’s Growing Base
Inauguration
- Defence Minister inaugurates infrastructure projects at Karwar naval base under Project Seabird.
- Includes piers, residential towers for growing fleet and enhanced capabilities.
Project Details
- Creates a naval base at Karwar, Karnataka (west coast).
- Approved in 1999 to address congestion in Mumbai harbor.
- First phase (2011) accommodated 10 ships.
- Phase-IIA adds berthing for 32 ships, submarines, and 23 yardcraft.
Dry Ice: Safety Precautions
- Solid CO2 at -78.5°C (-109.3°F).
- Made by compressing CO2 gas (sublimation).
- Used as coolant (perishable items).
- Extremely cold: avoid contact to prevent frostbite/burns.
Two-Child Rule Upheld in Rajasthan
Supreme Court Verdict
- SC upholds Rajasthan’s Rule 24(4) barring candidates with more than 2 children from police force.
- Rule deemed non-discriminatory and constitutional.
Background
- Rajasthan law disqualifies those with over two children on or after June 1, 2002 for Subordinate Police Services.
- “Population control and family planning” is a concurrent list subject, allowing both Centre and states to legislate.
- Similar two-child policies exist for local government positions in other states.
Examples of Similar Laws
- Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act (1994): Disqualification for panchayat elections.
- Odisha Zilla Parishad Act (1991): Disqualification for contesting Zilla Parishad elections.
- Gujarat Local Authorities Laws Act (1962): Disqualification for local body elections.
ISRO’s Second Rocket Launch Port
Location and Benefits
- Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for ISRO’s second launchport in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu.
- This location offers a geographical advantage for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) missions.
- Unlike Satish Dhawan Space Centre, launches from Kulasekarapattinam won’t require trajectory adjustments to avoid Sri Lanka, saving fuel.
About SSLVs
- SSLVs are designed to launch small satellites (10-500 kg) into Low Earth Orbit.
- They are:
- Cost-effective.
- Faster for satellite deployment due to shorter flight times.
- Three-stage launch vehicles with a lift-off weight of 120 tonnes and a length of 34 meters.
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