Current Affairs 15-NOV-2023 (The Hindu)

Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar

(D,H => Pg-Science)

Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar

• Purpose: To honor scientific achievements.
• On the lines of Civilian awards:
  • Vigyan Ratna - Lifetime achievement in science.
  • Vigyan Shri - Distinguished contributions to a scientific field.
  • Vigyan Yuva - Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar - Exceptional young scientists.
  • Vigyan Team - Scientific teams of three or more members.

Features

• 13 domains of various fields.
• Will be issued from the next year onwards.
• Ensuring adequate representation of women among the awardees.
• Nominations: January 14 to February 28.
• Announcement of winners: May 11 (National Technology Day).
• Award ceremony: August 23 (National Space Day).
• First 2 years - award will be managed by the CSIR. Afterwards - National Research Foundation.
• Aim of the RVP - To rationalize and add value to scientific recognition in India.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards

• Created in 1958.
• Given by the CSIR.
• Named after Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar - founder of CSIR.
• First receiver: Srinivasa Krishnan Kariamanickam.

Prelims Practice Question

Who among the following bodies will select the recipients of Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar?

(a) National Research Foundation

(b) Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

(c) National Innovation Foundation

(d) Principal Scientific Adviser Committee

Role of Journalism

(D => Pg-6)

Practice Question – Mains GS – II

“A free press is one of the pillars of democracy”. In this light, discuss the role of Journalism in shaping public opinion and list out the challenges faced by Journalism in India.

(250 words, 15 marks)

Introduction

• Journalism: The fourth pillar of Democracy.
• Key role:
  • Ensuring the rights of individuals.
  • Fighting for vulnerable sections.
  • Combating corruption.
  • Fighting against the excesses of governments.
• Active role: Played in our country’s Independence by spreading the message of freedom through journals and newspapers.

Body of the Answer

Role of Journalism

• Dissemination of information to the public:
  • About various policies & schemes.
  • About various events around the world.
• Voice of the voiceless people:
  • Fighting against humanitarian issues such as violence against women and atrocities against SC/STs.
  • Active reporting from the battlefields, contributing to the prevention of wars.
• Public watchdog:
  • Actively watching wrongdoings of the government - corruption, irregularities.
  • Keeping the government accountable to the public & strengthening democracy.
• Reliable source in the era of fake news.
• Influence on public policy.

Challenges Faced by Journalism

• Political & Corporate Influence on Media:
  • Corporate houses buying the media.
  • Politico-corporate nexus resulting in biased reporting and paid news.
• Increasing government surveillance:
  • Seizing the phones of journalists.
  • Using spyware.
  • Tapping phones.
• Erosion of legitimacy of the media:
  • Due to fake news & increasing media trials.
• Physical threats & safety concerns for journalists:
  • Evident in reporting on sensitive issues and uncovering corruption.
• Commercialization of news:
  • Race for revenue & sustainability leading to a compromise in journalistic integrity.
  • Other aspects include sensationalism and prioritization of profit over quality.

Conclusion

• Strengthening of Legal Protection for Journalists.
• Incorporating media Ethics: Unbiased reporting, Fight against corruption, etc.
• Embracing digital subscriptions, crowdfunding: Helps in independent functioning of media.

Munda Rebellion

(D => Pg-11)

Munda Rebellion

Mundas

• Tribal People: Central India, main concentration in Chhotanagpur region (Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal).
• Designation: Immigrant tribe in Tripura, also found in Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Language: Speak Mundari, belonging to the Austro-Asiatic family.

Birsa Munda

• Tribal Freedom Fighter: Born in 1874.
• Rebellion: Fought against the British in the late 19th century.

Munda Rebellion

• Reason: Replacement of the Khunkhatti system with the Zamindari system.
• Khuntkatti System: Joint ownership of land by tribal lineage.
• Impact: Outsiders' entry and exploitation of Mundas, turning them into forced laborers.

Role of Birsa Munda

• Leadership: Led tribal people against non-tribals taking their land.
• Prevention: Prevented Mundas from working as bonded laborers.
• 1894: Declaration against British and outsiders, beginning of Munda Ulgulan.
• 1900: Birsa was caught by the British from Jamkopai forest.
• Death: Birsa died on June 9th, 1900, at Ranchi jail.
• 1908: British enacted the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, restricting the transfer of tribal land to non-tribal people.

Prelims Practice Question

The famous tribal leaders Sidhu and Kanhu are associated with which of the following tribal revolt?

(a) Munda rebellion

(b) Santhal rebellion

(c) Kol uprising

(d) Bhils uprising