15 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. ‘Land-holding farmers doing non-farming activities helps efficiency’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

Study Focus

• It focused on farmers from Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh using data from 2010 to 2014.
• The study used data from the Village Dynamics in South Asia Project by ICRISAT.

Method of Analysis

• A mathematical method called data envelopment analysis was used to measure how efficiently farmers used their labour.
• This method compares efficiency without needing to know the exact process each farmer uses.

Key Findings

• Farmers who took up non-farm work or migrated gained new farming knowledge and applied it on their farms.
• After sowing, many farmers had free time, during which family members or hired workers managed the farms.
• Those with more land and resources could hire labourers in their absence.

Recommendations and Implications

• The study suggests creating structured non-farm job opportunities in villages to improve farm outcomes.
• Farming is becoming riskier due to climate change and price instability, leading to diversification into small businesses or migration.
• Non-farm jobs help farmers learn new skills and invest in better farming practices.
• It also highlights the need for government support due to credit constraints faced by farmers.

2. How governmentality exacerbates the problem of farmers’ stubble burning

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 11)

Introduction to Stubble Burning and Pollution

• Stubble burning in India contributes significantly to air pollution, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
• During October and November, the region experiences heavy pollution due to stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activity.
• Stubble burning, primarily in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, is the cheapest method for preparing the soil for the next crop.

Impact on Air Quality

• Studies have shown that stubble burning leads to a spike in particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, contributing 20%-40% to air pollution during peak months.
• The burning of rice chaff is responsible for worsening the already bad air quality in cities like Delhi.

Governmentality and Market Failure

• The government’s policies, particularly the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, unintentionally promote stubble burning.
• MSP supports wheat and rice production, but this encourages mono-cropping and dependency on short-term methods.
• Farmers face contradictions, as the government penalizes stubble burning without offering viable alternatives.

Farmers’ Struggles and Market Dependence

• Farmers are caught in a cycle of debt and dependency on middlemen (arhtias), who control crop prices and credit.
• The stagnant MSP rates fail to cover the rising costs of cultivation, pushing farmers towards unsustainable practices like stubble burning.
• Farmers view the government as prioritizing urban-industrial interests over rural communities.

Proposed Solutions

• The study suggests creating a market for stubble-based products like fodder, energy pellets, and packaging materials to increase farmers’ income and address climate challenges.
• There is a need to improve market mechanisms for farm-waste and develop policies to support this market.
• Regulatory measures could include banning stubble burning, managing it through permits, or incentivizing stubble use.

Key Interventions

• Fair pricing for farmers’ produce and reducing inefficiencies in the market are crucial.
• Addressing the socio-economic pressures on farmers and reducing their reliance on aspirational consumption could help improve their financial stability.
• State and market actors need to collaborate for effective policy and market interventions to resolve this systemic issue.

3. Karnataka Caste Survey Proposes Major OBC Quota Hike Amid Political Caution and Legal Hurdles

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 14)

Analysis of the news:               

Breakdown of Key Communities

• Vokkaligas and Lingayats, traditionally powerful and placed under OBC categories III A and III B, were found to constitute 12.2% and 13.6%, respectively lower than prior estimates. They currently receive 4% and 5% quotas.
  
  
• Muslims, in category II B, are estimated at 12.58%, but receive only a 4% quota.
  
  
• The broader II A category OBCs stand at 25.36%, while Most Backward Classes (I A) constitute 5.84%.
  
  
• SCs and STs are pegged at 18.27% and 7.15%, respectively. The General category is a mere 4.97%.
  
  

Recommended Reservation Restructuring

The survey proposes:

• Increasing OBC quota by 19 percentage points, from 32% to 51%, after removing the creamy layer (19%).
  
  
• A new I B category for the Most Backward Classes carved out of II A, with 12% reservation.
  
  
• II A quota reduced to 10%, II B (Muslims) increased from 4% to 8%.
  
  
• Quota for Vokkaligas and Lingayats raised by 3 percentage points each.
  
  
• Most Backward Classes (I A) quota increased from 4% to 6%.
  
  

Implementation Hurdles and Legal Boundaries

• Implementing the 51% OBC quota would breach the Supreme Court’s 50% reservation cap under the Indra Sawhney judgment, necessitating constitutional amendment by the Centre.
• However, the existing 10% EWS quota has already taken total reservations beyond the cap in several states, setting a precedent for Karnataka.

Future Outlook and Strategic Moves

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a Kuruba OBC leader, is seen as steering the report strategically.
• Possible next steps include a re-survey or phased implementation.
• The final legislative approval could solidify Siddaramaiah’s image as a champion of OBCs, shaping his political legacy.

4.Celebrations of the 135th Birth Anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2121544 )

 Early Life:

• Born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was from a Dalit (formerly untouchable) family.
• His family faced severe social discrimination, and he had to struggle against caste-based prejudices from a young age.

Education:

• Despite the challenges, Ambedkar excelled in his studies.
• He earned degrees from prestigious institutions like Columbia University in the United States and the London School of Economics.
• He was the first person from his community to receive a formal education.

Fight Against Caste Discrimination:

• Ambedkar dedicated his life to ending caste-based discrimination and untouchability in India.
• He advocated for social reforms to ensure equal rights for Dalits, women, and other marginalized communities.

Role in Drafting the Constitution:

• Dr. Ambedkar is widely recognized as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
• He played a significant role in shaping the Constitution to ensure equality, justice, and the protection of human rights for all citizens.
• His efforts led to the inclusion of provisions for abolishing untouchability and ensuring affirmative action for disadvantaged groups.

Political Career:

• Ambedkar formed political parties like the Independent Labour Party and the Scheduled Castes Federation to promote the rights of Dalits.
• He also advocated for labour rights and supported social justice causes throughout his life.

Later Life and Conversion to Buddhism:

• In 1956, Ambedkar converted to Buddhism along with his followers as a rejection of the Hindu caste system.

Prelims Facts

1. Miniature laser grown onto silicon chip could revolutionise computing

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

Analysis of the news:

• Silicon photonics is a technology that uses light (photons) instead of electricity (electrons) to process and transmit data.
• Photons are faster, can carry more data, and use less energy than electrons.
• A key challenge was how to build a light source (laser) directly into the silicon chip, as silicon doesn’t naturally emit light well.
• Researchers solved this by using gallium arsenide, a material that can emit light, and growing it in tiny trenches on a silicon base.
• This method trapped defects at the bottom, allowing high-quality crystals to form above.
• They embedded 300 working lasers on a single silicon wafer using standard manufacturing methods (CMOS).
• This chip could boost computer performance and lower energy use in data centres.
• However, it still needs to improve performance at higher temperatures.

2. Bihu beats

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 1)

Analysis of the news:

• Rongali Bihu is the Assamese New Year, it marks the beginning of the Assamese calendar and the onset of the spring season.
• The festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm for several days, typically in mid-April.
• Bihu is a harvest festival, symbolizing prosperity and good harvests in agriculture.
• Traditional Bihu dances and songs, along with folk music, are integral to the celebrations.
• Gamosas (traditional cloth) and Bihu pitha (special sweets) are exchanged during the festivities.
• Rongali Bihu is also a time for family gatherings, feasts, and the renewal of social ties.
• It involves rituals for good fortune and prosperity for the upcoming year.

3. Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair: The Fiery Jurist Who Took on the British Over Jallianwala Bagh

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 14)

Analysis of the news:

Early Life and Legal Brilliance

• Born in 1857 in Palakkad, Kerala, Nair emerged from an aristocratic family and was educated at Presidency College, Madras.
• A brilliant lawyer mentored by Sir Horatio Shepherd, Nair was recognized early for his fierce independence and social reformist stance.
• Despite facing hostility from British authorities and conservative Indian elites, he remained committed to progressive causes.

Judicial and Political Reformer

• Nair’s contributions to Indian society were multifaceted. As a judge of the Madras High Court, he supported inter-caste and inter-religious marriages and rejected caste-based discrimination.
• Politically, he became the youngest president of the Indian National Congress in 1897 and contributed to the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.
• His resignation from the Viceroy’s Council in protest after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre showcased his moral courage.

The Jallianwala Bagh Trial: A Historic Confrontation

• Nair directly accused Michael O’Dwyer of responsibility for the 1919 massacre in his book Gandhi and Anarchy.
• O’Dwyer sued him for defamation in a sensational trial in London.
• Despite an 11-1 jury verdict against him, Nair refused to apologize, exposing colonial prejudice.
• The trial galvanized Indian public opinion and further discredited British rule.

Legacy and Impact

• Sankaran Nair’s life exemplifies a rare blend of legal intellect, moral defiance, and nationalist fervor.
• His bold stance against injustice and his enduring fight for civil liberties continue to inspire.
• The upcoming film Kesari Chapter 2, based on his life, is expected to bring this relatively unsung hero back into public memory.

4. Pohela Boishakh: Diverging Traditions of the Bengali New Year in India and Bangladesh

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained, Page – 14)

Analysis of the news:

Akbar’s Reform and the Fasholi Shan

• The current structure of the calendar was largely shaped during Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign.
• To streamline revenue collection post-harvest, Akbar commissioned Amir Fatehullah Shirazi to create a calendar blending the lunar Hijri calendar with the solar Hindu calendar.
• Known as fasholi shan or the “harvest calendar,” it retained Sanskrit month names but aligned with Islamic year counts. Boishakh, the first month, was placed in mid-April.

Modern Reforms in Bangladesh

• To improve accuracy, Bangladesh reformed the calendar in 1987, following recommendations from a committee led by linguist Muhammad Shahidullah.
• The revised version fixed the lengths of the months—five months with 31 days, seven with 30, and Falgun with 31 days in leap years.
• Since then, Bangladesh consistently celebrates Pohela Boishakh on April 14.

The Indian Variation

• In West Bengal and other parts of India, the traditional Bengali calendar remains unmodified.
• This version is closely linked to Hindu religious rituals, relying on the solar movement through the zodiac to determine month lengths.
• As a result, Pohela Boishakh in India can fall on either April 14 or 15, depending on solar positioning.

check more – 14 April 2025 : Daily Current Affairs