Context: The Central government is considering a proposal to provide interest-free loans to tobacco farmers of Andhra Pradesh impacted by Cyclone Michaung.

News:

Interest-Free Loans for Andhra Tobacco Farmers:

• Loan Details: Andhra Tobacco farmers are set to receive interest-free loans ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000, with a repayment period of six months. These loans aim to assist in the replanting of tobacco crops.
• Beneficiaries: Approximately 15,000 tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh, who have been affected by the impact of Cyclone Michaung (which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on December 5th), will be eligible for these loans.
• The proposal for these interest-free loans is being put forth by the Tobacco Board.

About Tobacco Cultivation in India:

• Production: India holds the position of the world's second-largest tobacco producer, producing approximately 800 million kg annually, following China. Gujarat leads in production, contributing 45% to the total, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
• Major Export Destinations: India's significant tobacco export destinations include Belgium, the UAE, Indonesia, Russia, Korea, the US, Yemen, Egypt, Singapore, Netherlands, Philippines, Turkey, and Nepal.
• Cultivation Area: India dedicates around 0.45 million hectares to tobacco cultivation, constituting only 0.31% of the nation's net cultivated area and 10% globally.
• Growing Conditions:
  • Temperature: Tobacco requires a temperature range of 20 to 30°C, along with a frost-free period lasting 90 to 120 days.
  • Rainfall: A dry period is essential for leaf ripening, and excessive rainfall results in thin and lightweight leaves.
  • Planting and Harvesting: Planting season spans from November-end to mid-January, with harvesting occurring from March to June.
  • Soil: The crop is sensitive to waterlogging and thrives in well-aerated, well-drained soils. The optimal pH range is 5 to 6.5. Flue-cured, light tobacco prefers light sandy soil, while air-cured, dark tobacco is cultivated in silty loam to clay loam.
  • Transplantation: Tobacco is initially sown on seed beds and transplanted 40 to 60 days after sowing when plants reach approximately 15 cm in height.

About the Tobacco Board:

Establishment: The Tobacco Board was formed by the Government of India through the enactment of the Tobacco Board Act in 1975.

Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is the overseeing ministry for the Tobacco Board.

Headquarters: The Tobacco Board is headquartered in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Functions:

1. Facilitation: The board serves as a facilitator for tobacco growers, traders, and exporters within the industry.
2. Promotion: It actively promotes all types of tobacco and related products, overseeing their production and distribution for both domestic consumption and exports.
3. Regulation: The board is responsible for regulating Flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco, ensuring adherence to specified standards and guidelines.

Government Initiatives in the Tobacco Sector:

• Tobacco Growers Welfare Scheme:The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has sanctioned the establishment of a Tobacco Board's Growers' Welfare Fund, with a total corpus of Rs. 25 crore, aimed at enhancing the welfare of tobacco growers.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation): This initiative, which is part of a Crop Diversification Programme, encourages tobacco farmers across different states to shift towards cultivating alternative crops, promoting diversification in agriculture.

Context: Five of the six people arrested by the Delhi Police in connection with the Parliament security breach on December 13 last year gave their consent before a court here on Friday to undergo a polygraph test.

About:

• A polygraph test is carried out on the assumption that physiological responses triggered when one is lying are different from what they otherwise would be.
• Rather than injecting drugs into the body, polygraph tests attach instruments like cardio-cuffs or sensitive electrodes to the suspect and measure variables such as blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration, change in sweat gland activity, blood flow, etc., while the suspect is being questioned.

Polygraph Test Mechanics:

• Physiological Monitoring: The polygraph test entails the use of instruments such as cardio-cuffs or sensitive electrodes to track physiological variables, including blood pressure and pulse.
• Response Analysis: As questions are posed, responses are analyzed numerically to ascertain whether the individual is being truthful, deceptive, or uncertain.
• Historical Origin: The origins of the polygraph test can be traced back to the 19th century when Cesare Lombroso, an Italian criminologist, conducted the first tests to measure changes in blood pressure in suspects during interrogations.

Constitutional and Legal Framework:

• Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution: This provision safeguards against self-incrimination, asserting that no accused person can be compelled to act as a witness against themselves.
• Infringement Concerns: Making an accused undergo polygraph or narcoanalysis tests without consent is viewed as a violation of Article 20(3), underscoring the importance of obtaining consent.
• Article 21 and Human Rights: Criticism of polygraph tests includes concerns about mental torture, potentially infringing on the right to life and privacy as outlined in Article 21.

Limitations and Challenges:

• Scientific Reliability: Both polygraph and narco tests lack complete scientific validation, raising doubts about their accuracy and reliability.
• Impact on Vulnerable Individuals: These tests may adversely affect individuals who are unaware of their rights or lack access to legal advice, leading to potential abuse and media exploitation.

Legal and Constitutional Rulings:

• Selvi vs State of Karnataka & Anr (2010): The Supreme Court emphasized that lie detector tests should be voluntary, with the legal implications explained to the accused.
• D.K. Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997): The Court deemed involuntary administration of these tests as potentially violating the Right to Life and Liberty and the Right to Privacy.
• Indian Evidence Act, 1871: Results from these tests are not admissible as evidence in court.
• National Human Rights Commission Guidelines (1999): Guidelines were established to ensure consent and proper procedures for administering polygraph tests.

Way Forward:

• Role as Investigative Tools: While not infallible for conclusive evidence, polygraph tests can assist in complex investigations.
• Balancing Scientific Techniques and Rights: The government should advocate for scientific methods in investigations while upholding ethical and legal standards.
• Consent and Decency: The administration of these tests must be consensual, respecting the dignity and rights of the individuals involved.

Context: In a positive end to a hijacking attempt in the North Arabian Sea, marine commandos (MARCOS) of the Indian Navy on Friday evening secured and safely evacuated all 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, from merchant vessel Lila Norfolk.

News:

The vessel, Lila Norfolk, transmitted a message through the UK Maritime Trade Operations portal while being approximately 460 nautical miles off the Eyl coast in Somalia.

• The message conveyed a potential boarding incident involving five to six unidentified armed individuals.
• In response, the Indian Navy redirected the INS Chennai, a destroyer engaged in anti-piracy patrols in the vicinity.
• Furthermore, a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) conducted a flyover of the ship in the morning, establishing contact and ensuring the well-being and safety of the crew.

Arabian Sea

• Geography: It covers a total area of about 1,491,000 square miles (3,862,000 square kilometers) and is surrounded by the Indian Peninsula, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Horn of Africa
• Formation: The Arabian Sea is estimated to have formed around 45 to 60 million years ago during the Paleogene period as a result of tectonic plate movements
• Marine Life: It supports a diverse range of marine life, including pelagic fish, tuna, sardines, billfish, and sharks. However, periodic occurrences of fish mortality due to a lack of oxygen in the water have been reported
• Historical Significance: The Arabian Sea has been an important trade and cultural route for centuries, connecting India and Europe. It has been referred to by several names in historical texts, such as the Erythraean Sea, Sea of India, and others
• The Arabian Sea holds strategic significance as it intersects numerous key shipping routes and hosts major ports, serving as a crucial pathway for global trade and commerce. Abundant in oil and natural gas Resources, the sea plays a vital role in meeting the energy needs of the region.
• With its pivotal location, the Arabian Sea serves as a significant theater for naval operations, accommodating naval bases for countries like India, Iran, and the United States. It shares borders with crucial nations such as Iran, Pakistan, and India, making it strategically important for regional security and stability.

The hijacking attempt in the Arabian Sea is on the rise due to several factors:

• Houthi attacks: Since November, Houthi rebels have targeted commercial ships with drone and missile attacks in the Red Sea, which has encouraged hijackers.The Iranian-backed Houthis claim to target Israeli-linked vessels in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
• Piracy: The hijacking of commercial ships by Somali pirates, which posed a significant challenge, has declined in recent years after the United States and other countries increased their efforts to combat piracy.However, the threat of piracy still exists, and pirates may be taking advantage of the situation due to the Houthi attacks
• Lack of naval presence: The growing attacks have prompted many shipping companies to reroute their vessels, which may leave some areas vulnerable to hijacking attempts

Threats Posed by Maritime Piracy:
1. Physical Harm, Kidnapping, and Humanitarian Concerns:

• Pirates can cause physical harm to crew members and passengers, often resorting to kidnapping for ransom.
• Incidents of piracy can lead to trauma and psychological distress among those affected.

2. Disruption of Trade:

• Maritime piracy can disrupt trade routes, causing delays in the transportation of goods and impacting global trade.

3. Economic Losses:

• Businesses may suffer financial losses due to stolen cargo, ransom payments, increased insurance premiums, and the expenses associated with implementing anti-piracy measures.

4. Impact on Fishing Industry:

• Fishing vessels are sometimes targeted by pirates, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen and affecting the availability of seafood.

5. Environmental Risks:

•    Pirates engaging in illegal activities like oil theft or pollutant dumping pose environmental threats to marine ecosystems.

6. Security Concerns:

•    The presence of piracy raises security concerns for coastal regions and international waters, necessitating heightened naval and maritime security efforts.

7. Global Security:

•  Piracy can be linked to broader security issues, such as terrorism and organized crime, creating challenges for international security.

Steps Taken by India:
1. Operational Steps:

• Deployment of naval ships with armed helicopters for patrolling piracy-prone areas.
•    Commencement of anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since October 2008.
•    Deployment of task groups comprising destroyers and frigates for maritime security operations.
•    Enhanced aerial surveillance using long-range maritime patrol aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for comprehensive maritime domain awareness.

2. Multilateral Cooperation:

•    Participation in multilateral fora, including the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and the Regional Maritime Security Initiative (RMSI).

3. Institutions Created

•     Establishment of Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) and Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to maintain maritime security.
•    Coordination with the Coast Guard to enhance surveillance within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

4. Legislative Steps:

•    Enactment of the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act, 2022, aimed at arresting and prosecuting pirates to strengthen the fight against piracy.
•    Implementation of the SAGAR (Security and Growth For All in the Region) Doctrine, providing a framework for maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

Context: Recently, air travellers took to social media to express their shock and anger because their privacy was being violated at airports.This was mainly happening due to the forceful promotion of the Digi Yatra initiative by the Union government.

About:

• It was  introduced in December 2022 as a completely voluntary program, commenced its rollout at three airports, including Delhi, and has since been extended to 11 additional airports.
• The initiative, aligned with the Digital India vision to digitally empower the nation, is an industry-led effort coordinated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. DigiYatra offers a Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel experience (BEST) by utilizing Facial Recognition Technology.
• This technology facilitates the automatic processing of passengers at various checkpoints, encompassing airport entry, security checks, aircraft boarding, and more.

How to avail this facility:

• To utilize this service, individuals must initially download the DigiYatra app. Registration on the app involves using Aadhaar credentials.
• Subsequently, users are required to scan their boarding pass, containing a QR code or Bar code, and share the obtained credentials with the respective airport.
• At airport entry points, passengers must scan their boarding passes at the e-gate and undergo facial recognition through the installed camera. This process is similarly applicable at other checkpoints within the airport.

DigiYatra Foundation

• The DigiYatra project is executed through the DigiYatra Foundation, which is a joint-venture entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
• This foundation assumes the role of the custodian for the passenger ID validation process and is responsible for establishing the criteria for compliance and providing guidelines for local airport systems.

Benefits:

Eliminates the need for passengers to present boarding passes or IDs at multiple checkpoints.

- Reduces human intervention, leading to shorter queue times.

- Enhances airport security by validating passenger data with the Airlines Departure Control System, permitting only designated passengers to enter the terminal.

- Provides real-time information to airport operators for improved passenger load management and Resource planning.

- Enables airlines to track the position of passengers within the airport, offering operational benefits.

- Enhances airport throughput.

Concerns Raised:

- Privacy Concerns: DigiYatra, considered the 'future of air travel,' raises privacy concerns as it allows the government access to extensive information about individuals' travel patterns.

- Data Security: The collection of facial biometric data by DigiYatra raises security concerns.

- Lack of Clarity: Questions remain unanswered, such as the role of DigiYatra Foundation, a private entity, and the government's promotion of its use.

- Cost Savings and Security Deployment: It is unclear whether DigiYatra results in cost savings on security deployment, as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) continues to manage these gates.

- Pending Legislation: India has yet to notify its Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, passed in Parliament in August of the previous year.

A dying traditional game, given a fresh lease of life at the ongoing Karbi Youth Festival (KYF) in central Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, has fuelled a drive for conserving a creeper known as the African dream herb.

About African dream herb

• A perennial climbing vine that is used by African traditional healers to induce vivid dreams that enables them to communicate efficiently with their ancestors.
• Common names: Giant sea bean, African dream herb, snuff box and Entada rheedii
• Distribution and habitat: It is indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia and Madagascar. It grows in tropical lowlands, along the coastline and river banks, in woodland, thickets and riverine rain forests.
• Uses
  • A paste made from the leaves, bark and roots is used to clean wounds, treat burns and heal jaundice in children.
  • Tea made from the whole plant is used to improve blood circulation to the brain and heal the after-effects of a stroke.
  • The bark is used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and parasitic infections.
• This creeper yields a dark brown and spherical seed, almost the size of a human patella or kneecap, used to play ‘Hambi Kepathu’. Associated with the origin of the Karbi community.

Hambi Kepathu?

• It is also known as Simrit in some parts of Karbi Anglong, is played on three rectangular courts by two teams comprising three members each.
• Each member of a team has to place a ‘hambi’, or the glazed creeper seed, vertically on the midpoint of the boundary line of his court for a player of the rival team to hit with his ‘hambi’.
• Hambi Kepathu, whose name is derived from the first syllables of the names of a Karbi sister-brother duo, is a male-only game like other traditional Karbi games such as ‘Pholong’ (spinning top), ‘Thengtom Langvek’ (torch swimming), and ‘Kengdongdang’ (bamboo stilt race).

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently issued instructions for Residential Private Schools interested in joining SHRESHTA Scheme.

About Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)

• The scheme aims to provide access to the best private residential schools for meritorious students from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. 
• It will provide scholarships to meritorious students from SC communities to study in private and NGO-run residential schools for Classes 9-12.
• The scheme is expected to provide admissions to around 3,000 students in Classes 9 and 11 each year.
• The core objectives of the scheme are to enhance the reach of the development initiatives of the government and fill in the gap in service-deprived SC dominant areas in the education sector. 
• The scheme will collaborate with voluntary organisations to provide an environment that can help create conditions for socio-economic upliftment and the overall development of the SC communities.
• Implementation agency: The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• The scheme is being implemented in two modes. 
  • First, there are SHRESHTA schools, which consist of the best CBSE/ state board-affiliated private residential schools. 
  • Under SHRESHTA, outstanding students from SC communities, across states and UTs, will be selected annually through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS) and will be admitted to these schools for education in Classes 9 through 12. 
  • The schools that will be part of this scheme will be selected based on a performance score of above 75 percent pass rate in Class 10 and 12 board examinations over the past three years.
  • The second mode is based on NGO and voluntary organisation-run schools and hostels. The institutions run by such organisations that run up to Class 12 will also be made part of the scheme.
• Eligibility:
  • Students whose annual parental income is less than Rs 2,50,000 and who belong to SC communities are eligible to participate in this scheme. 
  • Only those candidates who have passed or are appearing in Class VIII/X in the given academic session can apply for taking admission to Class IX/XI.
• The scheme will cover the tuition fee, the hostel fee, and the mess fees for qualifying students.
• Students will also be allowed to choose from a range of schools based on their merit. 

• It is a species of the legume family.
• It is native to South and Central America and is grown as an ornamental plant as it has bright yellow flowers. 
• It was introduced as shade trees for coffee and firewood in the country; it soon became a threat to native tree species as its dense foliage prevented the growth of other indigenous trees and grass species.
• It is considered as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.

The Forest Department of Tamil Nadu has cleared 356.50 hectares of invasive growth of Senna spectabilis that posed a threat to biodiversity conservation in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR).

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

• It is located at the junction of the Eastern and the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu.
• It is contiguous with the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) and BR Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary(Karnataka). 
• Together, these reserves — forming the Nilgiris biosphere landscape — have the biggest tiger population in the world, at over 280 tigers.
• Vegetation: It consists of southern tropical dry thorn forests, mixed deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, and Riparian forests.
• Rivers: Some of the prominent rivers in the region include the Bhavani, Moyar, and Noyyal rivers.
• Tribal Communities: It is home to several indigenous tribal communities, including the Irula and Kurumba tribes.
• Flora: Common Species of trees and shrubs found are Albizzia amara Chloroxylon swictenia, Gyrocarpus jacquini, Neem, Tamarind, Sandalwood, Randi dumetorum, Zizyphus and associates.
• Fauna: The major species are Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sloth bear, Gaur, Black Buck, Spotted deer and Bonnet macaque.

Irulas?

Irulas are one of India’s oldest indigenous communities and they are a particularly vulnerable tribal group.They live primarily in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as in parts of Kerala and Karnataka. They speak Irula, which is related to Dravidian languages like Tamil and Kannada. Irulas have traditionally caught snakes and rats, but they also work as labourers.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) recently announced that the Chang’e 6 sample return mission is on track to land on the surface of the Moon in the first half of 2024.

The Chang'e 6 mission is a planned lander designed to return samples from the lunar south pole.The mission aims to land on the Moon, collect samples from the lunar surface, and return them to Earth. This process will contribute crucial data to unravel the Moon's geological mysteries.

• Representing the first attempt to retrieve samples from the far side of the Moon, Chang'e 6 is set to bring back up to two kilograms of lunar samples, adopting a configuration similar to the successful Chang'e 5 mission.
• The mission involves international collaboration, with payloads from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French space agency CNES.
  • ESA contributes a lunar surface ion tester, while CNES provides equipment for measuring radon gas and its decay products.
  • Additionally, an Italian laser corner reflector for radar instrument calibration and Pakistan's ICUBE-Q CubeSat will be part of the mission.
• Chang'e 6 will consist of both a lander and a rover.
  • The lander will touch down on the lunar surface, while the rover will explore specific regions, conduct experiments, and aid in the sample collection process.
• The returned samples will be made available to the global scientific community for study.

The Indian Vice President recently inaugurated the 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace in New Delhi.

Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP)

• It was founded in 1970 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as a voluntary movement of followers of Buddhism with both monastic (monks) and lay members. 
• Its aim is to bring together the efforts of Buddhists in support of consolidating universal peace, harmony, and cooperation among people in Asia.
• It is currently headquartered at the Gandanthegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the Supreme Head of Mongolian Buddhists is the ABCP President.
• The aims of ABCP: Striving to disseminate and implement the teachings of the Lord Buddha, ABCP aims to:
  • Bring together the efforts of Buddhists in support of consolidating universal peace, harmony, and cooperation among the peoples of Asia.
  • Furthering their economic and social advancement and promoting respect for justice and human dignity.
  • Disseminating the Buddhist culture, tradition, and heritage.
• History:
  • The roots of founding of ABCP lay in the Cold War politics of peace movements, and consolidation of allies, and building popular outreach among the masses through various organizations. 
  • Most Venerable Gabji Samaagiin Gombojav, Khambo Lama of Mongolia, Venerable J. Gomboyev from Buriat, Khambo Lama of the former Soviet Union, Venerable Kushok Bakula Rinpoche from India, and Buddhist leaders from Sri Lanka and Nepal came together and officially founded the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) in 1970 with a permanent headquarters in Ulaanbaatar.
• It drew active participation from Mongolia, Japan, India, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bhutan, Russian Far East, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and other regional countries.
• ABCP was registered as an observer to the UN’s Economic and Social Council in 1988 in recognition of its contribution to the well-being of humanity.

UN’s Economic and Social Council?

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), responsible for the direction and coordination of the economic, social, humanitarian, and cultural activities carried out by the UN. It is the UN’s largest and most complex subsidiary body.

• The Chandubi Festival takes place near the Chandubi Lake in Kamrup district, Assam.
• The festival celebrates Assamese culture and traditions, and aims to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the area's tribal communities.
• The Chandubi Festival is organized by the people of Rajapara village in the Kamrup district, under the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC).

The festival has been providing an opportunity to generate livelihood to different tribes like Rabhas, Garos, Gorkhas and tea tribes.

• PM congratulates Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh for victory for 4^th consecutive term recently.

Sheikh Hasina's Awami League won almost 75% (222 out of 300) Parliamentary seats  of the seats in general election that was boycotted by the main opposition BNP and drew a low turnout.

• Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2023 restructed scheme & web portal launched recently.
• The award is to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/ Organizations of the Central and State Governments.
• The Award Scheme restructured to recognize the performance of the District Collectors through targeted individual beneficiaries and implementation with a saturation approach.         

The PM’s Awards, 2023 will consist of Trophy, Scroll and an incentive of Rs. 20 lakh to the awarded District/organization.