2023 06 28

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

Sedition Law in India
Reforming Multilateral Development Banks

GS Paper 3:

Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment 2023-24 Scheme

GS Paper 4:

Recent Examples of Ethics

Content for Mains Enrichment

Organic intellectuals
Helen Keller

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Geographical Indication tags
Kharchi Puja
Aadhaar authentication for registration for births and deaths
New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’
Road Networks in India
Combating Greenwashing
UTPRERAK
NANDI
Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Mapping

Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sedition Law in India

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Issues Arising Out of Design & Implementation of Policies, Government Policies & Interventions

Source: TH

Context: The Law Commission Chairman, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, argues that retaining the sedition law is necessary to safeguard the unity and integrity of India, citing the current situation in various regions.

Recently, the 279th report of the Law Commission of India has recommended the retention of the 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in India.

What is Sedition?

According to the Section 124A of IPC, Sedition is an act that brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise.

History:

Drafted by TB Macaulay and included in the IPC in 1870, Colonial administrators used sedition to lock up people who criticised the British policies.
Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhagat Singh, etc., were convicted for their “seditious” speeches, writings and activities under British rule.

Views by Supreme Court:

In 1962, the Supreme Court decided on the constitutionality of Section 124A in Kedar Nath Singh v State of Bihar.
- It upheld the constitutionality of sedition, but limited its application to “acts involving intention or tendency to create disorder, or disturbance of law and order, or incitement to violence”.
- It distinguished these from “very strong speech” or the use of “vigorous words” strongly critical of the government.
In 1995, the Supreme Court, in Balwant Singh v State of Punjab, held that mere sloganeering which evoked no public response did not amount to sedition.
SC (in July 2021): The court ruled that “a statute criminalizing expression based on unconstitutionally vague definitions of ‘disaffection towards Government’ is an unreasonable restriction on the fundamental right to free expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1)(a) and causes constitutionally impermissible ‘Chilling Effect’ on speech”.
In 2022, the SC effectively put on hold the colonial-era penal provision and asked the Centre/states to desist from arresting/prosecuting people under the contentious provision.

Sedition law is relevant for India:

Threats to the unity and integrity of the nation due to the presence of anti-national elements and divisive Forces such as naxals, terrorists and separatists who are receiving support from inside and outside the country.
Mere misuse cannot be a ground for repeal, rather provisions should be made where such misuse is eliminated.
No other law covers sedition: Special laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the National Security Act operate in different fields and do not cover the offence of sedition and therefore, the specific law on sedition is therefore needed.
Not really a draconian law: Now after the Supreme Court’s directions, its jurisdiction has been narrowed down. It can be applied only on grounds laid down by the court.
Application is a part of reasonable restrictions: It is provided under Article 19 (2).
Does not really curb free speech: One can use any kind of strong language in criticism of the government without inviting sedition. However, such dissent should not be turned into some kind of persuasion to break the country.
Jurisdictions like the US, Canada, Australia, UK, etc., have actually merged their sedition law with counter-terror legislation.

Issues with the Sedition Law in India:

Against democratic norms: It stifles the democratic and fundamental right (Article 19(1)(a)) of people to criticize the government. It leads to a sort of unauthorised self-censorship, for it produces a chilling effect on free speech.
- It suppresses what every citizen ought to do in a democracy — raise questions, debate, disagree and challenge the government’s decisions.
- Sedition systematically destroys the soul of Gandhi’s philosophy that is, the right to dissent.
Inadequate capacity of State Machinery: The police might not have the “requisite” training to understand the consequences of imposing such a “stringent” provision.
Possibility of Misuse: It has been used arbitrarily to curb dissent. In many cases, the main targets have been writers, journalists, activists who question government policy and projects, and political dissenters. E.g. Vinod Dua v Union of India
Low conviction: Charge sheets were filed only in a tiny percentage of cases and not more than a handful ended in convictions upheld by the higher courts.
Strong deterrent effect on dissent: The draconian nature of this law as the crime is non-bailable, non-cognisable and punishment can extend for life—it has a strong deterrent effect on dissent even if it is not used.
Used to gag press: The press should be protected so that it could bare the secrets of the government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government.

Safeguards recommended by the Law Commission:

The preliminary inquiry will be held by a police officer of the rank of inspector or above.
The inquiry will be done within seven days from the occurrence of the incident
The preliminary inquiry report will be submitted to the competent government authority for permission for lodging of FIR
On the basis of the preliminary report, if the competent government authority finds any cogent evidence with regard to the commissioning of the offence of sedition, it may grant permission to lodge an FIR under Section 124 A of the IPC

Recent examples of misuse of Sedition law

In February 2021, the Supreme Court protected a political leader and six senior journalists from arrest in sedition cases related to their tweets and sharing unverified news. In June 2021, the court also emphasized the need to define the limits of sedition while protecting two Telugu news channels from coercive action by the Andhra Pradesh government. Recently, human rights activists in the northeast have raised concern over the misuse of Sedition law to curb protests in Mizoram.

Conclusion

The guidelines of the SC must be incorporated in Section 124A as well by amendment to IPC so that any ambiguity must be removed. Only those actions/words that directly result in the use of violence or incitement to violence should be termed seditious.

Insta Links:

Sedition law

Mains Links:

The imposition of the Sedition law in India has been a subject of significant controversy and debate. (250 Words)

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Law Commission on Sedition Law, sedition law in India, Today's Article

Reforming Multilateral Development Banks

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate

Source: IE

Context: In his address to the US Congress, the Indian PM talked about the relevance of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and the need to reform them.

The emergence of MDBs:

At the end of WWII, delegates from 44 countries met in Bretton Woods (US) to agree upon a series of new rules for international cooperation and reconstruction.
This led to the creation of the IMF and World Bank Group (WBG) in 1944.
The latter was responsible for providing financial assistance for the post-war reconstruction and economic development of the less developed countries.
While the WBG is the oldest and the largest MDB, there are ~15-16 prominent MDBs and Regional development banks (RDBs) today.

Relevance of MDBs:

Credible institutions to support the development of both MICs and LICs amid far-reaching geopolitical changes, economic crises and uncertainties.
The two traditional goals shared by all multilateral institutions have been the elimination of poverty and fostering of shared prosperity.

Challenges faced by MDBs:

No longer suited in terms of the resources, cultural ethos and methods to address the emerging challenges – global public goods, climate change and pandemics.
MDBs are in a state of stagnation, trapped in their procedures, approach and methods of work and resistant to structural changes.

Reforming MDBs:

In recent years, the restructuring of MDBs (to reflect contemporary realities) has received increasing attention.
The current debate on the reforms of MDBs is a subset of the wider debate on the value, content and scope of multilateralism.
- Multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal.
- It is the most transparent and preferred mode of international cooperation and is based on founding principles such as consultation, inclusion and solidarity.

Need to reform MDBs:

To broaden the mandate and vision: To address the challenges of transboundary issues and the opportunities connected with climate change.
To expand the need for finance and the sources of finance: The WBG estimates that the average annual spending needed to address global challenges of climate change, conflict, and pandemics is $2.4 trillion per year between 2023 and 2030.
To mobilise private capital: The current system has failed to raise sufficient private finance.
- On the demand side, there are concerns about moral hazards associated with private capital.
- On the supply side, private capital is not immune to risks – such as those associated with foreign exchange.
For India, reforming MDBs would mean advocating the voice of the Global South.

Way ahead:

Expert Group on Strengthening MDBs: Under India’s G20 presidency, the Expert Group proposes to submit two reports.
- The first focuses on issues of vision, financial capacity and modalities of funding the MDBs.
- The second deals with issues related to harnessing private capital, risk mitigation, hybrid innovative financing, etc.
Enhancing the lending capacities of multilateral institutions by optimising their current balance sheets to attract private capital.
Creating an incentive structure and bringing changes to the current operating model of the MDBs.

Conclusion:

Making MDBs more relevant for addressing 21st-century challenges would contribute towards enhancing human welfare.
Deeper integration with multiple stakeholders is crucial. If MDBs do not respond to these new challenges, they will become increasingly irrelevant and be substituted by other forms of cooperation.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Multi-lateral Development Banks, Today's Article

Recent Examples of Ethics

GS Paper 4

Syllabus: Application of Ethics

Source: IE, TH

Example 1: RWA in Bengaluru bars maids and servants from using of common area

The notice issued by the housing society in Bengaluru, barring maids from using common areas, raises several significant issues:

The housing society said that “It is difficult to see them hang out everywhere in the park, amphitheatre, gazebos. Residents can feel uncomfortable when being surrounded by maids everywhere we walk.”

Ethical Issues with such notice:

Elitist Attitude: The notice reflects an elitist upper-class attitude towards workers, particularly domestic helpers.
Casteism and Class Prejudice: The notice suggests the presence of casteism and class prejudice within society.
Imposition of Will: The notice illustrates how the Residents Welfare Association (RWA) can exert their power and impose its decisions on marginalized individuals who lack the means to voice their objections.
Corruption of Petty Power: The notice exemplifies how those with limited authority can abuse their position and use it to enforce discriminatory practices.

Example 2: Rehana Fathima Case

Fathima, a female rights activist, faced multiple charges under various laws for posting a video showing her 14-year-old son painting on her. The video sparked outrage and accusations of obscenity on social media.

In a recent Kerala High Court Judgment, the court observed that “The right of a woman to make autonomous decisions about her body is at the very core of her fundamental right to equality and privacy. It also falls within the realm of personal liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution.”

The example emphasizes that notions of social morality are subjective and vary among individuals and communities. Actions that may be considered morally wrong by some may not necessarily be legally wrong, highlighting the distinction between morality and criminality.

Example 3: Role of Parent in inculcating values:

In 2023, American President Joe Biden’s son was convicted of tax fraud, and Jackie Chan’s son for drug offences.

On a positive note, R.Madhwan’s son won 5 gold in Asian Swimming competitions, and Ravi Kishan’s daughter joins the defence service.

These events highlight the significance of parental influence in shaping a child’s upbringing, instilling values, and safeguarding them from negative influences.

Example 4: John B. Goodenough, co-creator of Lithium Ion Batteries passed away recently. He demonstrated several ethical values through his work and actions:

Sharing knowledge: Goodenough shared his patents and collaborated with other researchers, highlighting his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting collective progress over personal gain.
Philanthropy: He donated the stipends he received from his awards and scholarships, demonstrating a spirit of generosity.
Environmental consciousness: Goodenough’s work on lithium-ion batteries contributed to the development of clean energy solutions.
Integrity and humility: Despite his significant achievements and recognition, Goodenough remained humble and did not seek personal royalties or fame.
Contribution to society

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, John B. Goodenough, Rehana Fathima Case, Role of Parent in inculcating values, Today's Article

Organic intellectuals

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: TH

Organic intellectuals are individuals who come from a particular social class and have a deep understanding of the economic structure and issues faced by that class. They remain connected to their class and work to raise awareness about the social and political roles of their class members.

The concept was introduced by Antonio Gramsci (Italian Marxist philosopher, journalist, linguist, writer, and politician)

For example, let’s consider a group of factory workers who are fighting for better working conditions and fair wages. Organic intellectuals in this context could include workers who actively engage with their fellow workers, educate them about their rights, and organize protests or strikes to demand better treatment from their employers.

Significance: These organic intellectuals play a crucial role in challenging the existing power structures and working towards positive changes for their class.

Usage: The terms can be used in Indian Society, Essay and Sociology optional papers.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, organic intellectuals, Today's Article

Helen Keller

Source: PIB

Helen Keller Day is celebrated on June 27 each year to honour the birth of Helen Keller (American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer).

Despite being deaf and blind, Helen Keller overcame her challenges and achieved great things in her life. She became a successful writer, founded an organization for the blind, and advocated for people with disabilities.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in India organized various events across the country, including awareness programs, seminars, workshops, sports activities, and quiz competitions, to observe Helen Keller Day and inspire people, especially those with disabilities.

Usage: You can use her example to show the values of Perseverance, Determination, Compassion, Resilience, and Courage

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Helen Keller, Today's Article

Geographical Indication tags

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Seven products from Uttar Pradesh get a Geographical Indication tag.


Product	Description
Amroha Dholak	A musical instrument made of natural wood, particularly mango and Sheesham trees. The instrument consists of hollow blocks carved from wood and fitted with animal skin, usually goatskin.
Baghpat Home Furnishings	Handloom home furnishing products and fabrics woven in Baghpat and Meerut using only cotton yarn. Weaving is done on frame looms instead of pit looms.
Barabanki Handloom Product	Handloom products from Barabanki and adjoining areas are known for their extensive weaving tradition.
Kalpi Handmade Paper	Handmade paper manufacturing from Kalpi, a historical centre for this craft. The craft has been practised since the 1940s, but its origins may date back further.
Mahoba Gaura Patthar	Stonecraft is made from the radiant white-coloured “Pyro Flight Stone” found predominantly in the Mahoba region. The stone is cut into pieces and used to create various craft items.
Mainpuri Tarkashi	Brass wire inlay work on wood, primarily used for making khadaous (wooden sandals) in Mainpuri. Leather was avoided due to cultural considerations.
Sambhal Horn Craft	Crafts are made from raw materials sourced from deceased animals. The craft is entirely handmade.

About GI tag:

A GI is primarily an agricultural, natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially attributable to the place of its origin.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Arts and Culture, GI Tags, GS1, Today's Article, uttar pradesh

Kharchi Puja

Source: IE

Context: Kharchi Puja is a fascinating festival celebrated in the Northeastern state of Tripura in India. Also known as the ‘Festival of 14 Gods,‘ it takes place on the eighth day of the new moon in July or August each year.

The festival revolves around the worship of Chaturdasa Devata, the ancestral deity of the Tripuri people, and showcases their rich history and traditions.
The word ‘Kharchi’ is derived from Tripuri words meaning ‘sin’ and ‘cleaning,’ signifying the cleansing of sins.

The significance of Kharchi Puja is linked to the belief that the presiding deity of the land, Tripura Sundari or Mother Goddess, menstruates during the Ambubachi period in June. It is believed that the Earth becomes impure during this time, so puja is performed to ritually clean the Earth and wash away the sins of the people.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Arts and Culture, Festivals, GS1, Kharchi Puja, Today's Article

Aadhaar authentication for registration for births and deaths

Source: TH

Context: The Office of Registrar General of India (RGI) has been granted permission by the Centre to perform Aadhaar authentication during the registration of births and deaths in the country.

Aadhaar is not mandatory for such registration.
The Registrar General of India’s office can voluntarily authenticate the Aadhaar numbers collected during the registration process to verify the identity of individuals. State governments and Union Territories must adhere to MEiTY’s guidelines regarding the use of Aadhaar authentication.


What is Aadhaar Authentication (AA)?	Aadhaar authentication is a process that verifies the identity of an individual using their Aadhaar number. It is mainly used for availing government services and schemes.
Entities currently allowed to perform AA	Government ministries and departments; Some private entities like banks and telecom companies (for KYC authentication and only if UIDAI was satisfied with regard to standards of privacy and security).
Purpose of AA	For the interest of good governance, preventing leakage of public funds, enablement of innovation, the spread of knowledge, and promoting ease of living and enabling better access to services for residents.
Legal provision	Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020
Concerns	Supreme Court (2018) struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, which allowed the use of Aadhaar data by private companies, deeming it “unconstitutional” for establishing the identity of an individual.
What is the Aadhaar number?	A 12-digit unique identity number issued by UIDAI, a statutory authority under MeitY, on behalf of the Government of India. It is based on an individual’s biometric and demographic data.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Aadhaar authentication for registration for births and deaths, Aadhar, GS2. Governance, Today's Article

New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’

Source: PIB

Context: The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush has launched the new guidelines for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) called ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayyog’.

About the guidelines:

The guidelines empower ports to directly undertake CSR
Ports with a turnover less than ₹100 crores should spend 3-5%, those with a turnover less than ₹500 crores should spend 2-3%, and ports with a turnover more than ₹500 crores should spend 0.5-2% on CSR initiatives.
Priority Areas: Allocating a portion of CSR funds for Sainik Kalyan Board, National Maritime Heritage Complex, National Youth Development Fund, and various social and environmental welfare programs.

The implementation and monitoring of CSR projects will be overseen by a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee constituted in each major port.

India has 13 major ports and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports. A list of Major ports in India are:


Name of Port	State
Kochi Port	Kerala
Ennore Port	Tamil Nadu
Haldia Port	West Bengal
Kolkata Port	West Bengal
Kandla Port	Gujarat
Mangalore Port	Karnataka
Marmagoa	Goa
Mumbai Port	Maharashtra
Jawaharlal Nehru Port	Maharashtra
Paradip Port	Odisha
Tuticorin Port	Tamil Nadu
Vishakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh
Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, New CSR guidelines ‘Sagar Samajik Sahayog’, Today's Article

Road Networks in India

Source: PIB

Context: India now has the second-largest road network in the world, after the US.

More about Road Network in India:

Increase in Road Network: In 2013-14, the total length of National Highways was 91,287 km, which has increased to 1,45,240 km in 2022-23.
India has a total length of 4,219 km of expressways.
The total length of National Highways in India has increased by about 59% in the last nine years.
FASTag has led to a significant jump in toll collection revenue: Toll revenue rose from Rs 4,770 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 41,342 crore in 2022-23 (the aim is to increase toll revenue to Rs 1,30,000 crore by 2030)
Reduced waiting time: The waiting time at toll plazas has reduced from 734 seconds in 2014 to 47 seconds in 2023, with a goal of further reducing it to 30 seconds.

At (1.94 km) of roads per square kilometre of land, the quantitative density of India’s road network is equal to that of Hong Kong and substantially higher than the United States

Difference between Expressways, National and State Highways:


Criteria	Expressways	National Highways	State Highways
Ownership	Usually owned by the central government	Owned and maintained by NHAI	Owned and maintained by states
Design	Designed for high-speed traffic	Designed for national connectivity	Designed for intra-state connectivity
Numbering	Designated with an ‘E’ prefix	Designated with an ‘NH’ prefix	Designated with an ‘SH’ prefix
Access	Limited access points	Fewer access points than local roads	Multiple access points
Width of Roadway	Generally wider	Wide carriageways	Varies depending on state policy
Development	Developed as controlled-access highways with grade-separated intersections	Developed to meet national transportation needs	Developed to meet state transportation needs
Planning Authority	Generally Central Government	National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)	State Public Works Departments

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Road Networks in India, Today's Article

Combating Greenwashing

Source: The Print

Context: Global norms aimed at combating greenwashing are being introduced, pressuring companies to disclose their business’s impact on climate change.

What is Greenwashing?

Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice of portraying a company, product, or initiative as environmentally friendly or sustainable when it actually lacks substantial environmental benefits or may even be environmentally harmful.

For example, a clothing brand may advertise its products as “eco-friendly” or “green” while still using unsustainable manufacturing processes, contributing to pollution, or exploiting labour.

About the global norms for combating Greenwashing:

International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), will set uniform sustainability and climate standards for companies to follow worldwide from 2024.

New standards are:

IFRS S1: sets out disclosure requirements designed to enable companies to communicate to investors about the sustainability-related risks and opportunities they face.
IFRS S2: sets out specific climate-related disclosures and is designed to be used with IFRS S1.

These norms, published by the ISSB with the support of the G20, are intended to assist regulators in cracking down on misleading environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims.

These are non-binding and it is up to individual countries to determine whether listed companies must adhere to these standards.
It builds upon voluntary guidelines from the G20’s Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), which have already been made mandatory for listed companies in Britain.

Financial Stability Board (FSB) created TCFD to improve reporting of climate-related financial information. FSB is an international body (India is a member) that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system.

About ISSB

The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) is a standard-setting body established in 2021–2022 under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation (a non-profit organisation governing international accounting rules)

The mandate of ISSB: Its mandate is the creation and development of sustainability-related financial reporting standards to meet investors’ needs for sustainability reporting.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Today's Article

UTPRERAK

Source: PIB

Context: The Ministry of Power in India has established a Centre of Excellence called UTPRERAK (Unnat Takniki Pradarshan Kendra) to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in the Indian industry.

Objective:

UTPRERAK will serve as a reference institution and showcase energy-efficient technologies in various industry sectors.
It will also provide training and education in energy efficiency to over 10,000 energy professionals in the next five years.
The centre will play a key role in helping industries meet emission reduction targets and promote the adoption of new technologies.
It will also provide inputs for national energy policy formulation and facilitate research in energy-efficient solutions.

It has been set up by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Today's Article, UTPRERAK

NANDI

Source: PIB

Context: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has launched the NANDI (NOC Approval for New Drug and Inoculation System) Portal.

Developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) through C-DAC in coordination with Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
Aim: To streamline the regulatory approval process for veterinary products by integrating with the SUGAM portal of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.

Significance:

It will facilitate transparency and efficiency in assessing and examining veterinary product
The portal will also support researchers and industries and increase the consumption of drugs by raising awareness among livestock rearers and improving logistical facilities. The NANDI portal will expedite and strengthen the regulatory process by enabling coordination between government departments, institutes, and industry stakeholders.
The launch of NANDI aligns with the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) and the Digital India vision.
The portal is to be streamlined with CDSCOs SUGAM portal ( it builds a comprehensive database of the various permissions and licenses issued by State FDAs)

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, NANDI, Today's Article

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Source: TH

Context: The article talks about how more complex organisms called eukaryotes evolved from simpler organisms called prokaryotes.

The Evolution:

Long ago, there were simple organisms called prokaryotes. They were single-celled and didn’t have a nucleus. But over time, some of these organisms evolved to have mitochondria and DNA packaged into a nucleus.

The mitochondria, which produce energy in eukaryotic cells, and chloroplasts in plant cells, originally came from free-living bacteria. This happened when an ancient Archaea organism engulfed a bacterium, and over time, they formed a mutually beneficial relationship. This event eventually led to the development of animals, fungi, and plants.

This evolution from prokaryotes to eukaryotes happened gradually and involved various changes in their structure and functions.

Main differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes:


	Prokaryotes	Eukaryotes
Nucleus	Absent	Present
DNA	Circular	Linear
Membrane-bound organelles	Absent	Present (e.g., mitochondria, chloroplasts)
Size	Smaller	Larger
Reproduction	Asexual (mostly)	Sexual and asexual
Examples	Bacteria and Archaea	Plants, animals, fungi, protists

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Eukaryotes, Prokaryotes, Today's Article

Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route

Mapping

Source: HBL

India and Russia are working towards establishing the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route, which is expected to reduce transport time from 32 days to 12 days and costs by around 30%.

The route passes through the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea, and Malacca Strait.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route, Today's Article

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Source: DTE

A new report reveals that the Congo, the world’s second-largest rainforest, lost half a million hectares of forest in 2022. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) accounts for 60% of the rainforest and experiences persistent high rates of primary forest loss.

Reason: The DRC has one of the highest population growth rates in the world — 3.19 per cent. The subsequent increase in the demand for food has led to shorter fallow periods and the expansion of agriculture into primary forests.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa and formerly known as Zaire) is a country in Central Africa. By land area, the DRC is the second-largest country in Africa, after Algeria.

It shares borders with several countries, including the Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania (across Lake Tanganyika), Zambia, and Angola, and has a coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean.

June 28, 2023 /28 June 2023, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Today's Article