Current Affairs 12 July 2021 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 12 July 2021 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Kesaria Buddha Stupa For UPSC

Source : The Hindu
Art and Culture

What is discussed under Kesaria Buddha Stupa For UPSC ?

1. What is the issue ?
2. About the Stupa

Why in News ?

The world famous Kesaria Buddha stupa in east Champaran district of Bihar is water logged following flood in some parts of the district after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of river Gandak in neighbouring Nepal.

Key Facts

• What is the issue ?
  • Since it is waterlogged from all sides it is feared that it may suffer damage.
  • Even last year too the stupa was waterlogged.
• About the Stupa

  

  • ASI has declared it a protected monument.
  • The stupa is located about 110 km from the State capital Patna
  • It has a circumference of almost 400 feet and stands at a height of about 104 feet.
  • The first construction of the nationally protected stupa is dated to the 3rd century BCE.
  • It is regarded as the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and has been drawing tourists from across several Buddhist countries.
  • The stupa’s exploration had started in the early 19th century after its discovery led by Colonel Mackenzie in
    1814.
  • Later it was excavated by General Cunningham in 1861-62.
  • In 1998 an ASI team led by archaeologist K.K. Muhammad had excavated the site properly.
  • Original Kesaria stupa is said to date back to the time of emperor Ashoka in 250 BCE  as the remains of an Ashokan pillar was discovered there.
  • The local people call the stupa devalaya meaning house of gods.

HAL To Deliver First Batch Of LCH

Source : The Hindu
Internal Security

What is discussed under HAL To Deliver First Batch Of LCH ?

1. About Light Combat Helicopters
2. Current status

Why in News ?

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is to deliver the first batch of three Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) to the Indian Air Force (IAF) once acceptance tests are completed. 

Key Facts

• These are part of the 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) helicopters approved for the Army and the IAF.

  

• The deal for the 15 LCH was expected to have been signed in the first quarter of 2021 but has been delayed due to the second wave of the pandemic.
• About Light Combat Helicopters
  • The LCH is the lightest  attack helicopter in the world
  • It weighing 5.5 tonnes
  • It has been designed and developed by the HAL
  • LCH meet the specific and unique requirements of the Indian armed forces.
  • Besides it can operate at heights of 12,000 feet.
• Current status
  • Army has 90 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH).
  • 75 Rudra, weaponised ALH, helicopters in service which are indigenously designed and developed by the HAL.
  • In addition to around 160 older Cheetah and Chetak utility helicopters which are in need of urgent replacement.

UP Population Policy 2021-2030 UPSC Perspective

Source : The Hindu
Indian Society

What is discussed under UP Population Policy 2021-2030 UPSC Perspective ?

1. About the policy
2. Why UP Proposed Population Policy draft ?
3. Population In India

Why in News ?

Uttar Pradesh government released new population policy for 2021-2030. 

• The policy launched on the occasion of World Population Day.
• The new population policy a target has been set to bring the birth rate to 2.1 per thousand population by 2026 and to 1.9 by 2030.

Key Facts

• The new policy aims at decreasing the total fertility rate from 2.7 to 2.1 by 2026 and 1.7 by 2030.
• Increase modern contraceptive prevalence rate from 31.7% to 45% by 2026 and 52% by 2030.
• Also aims to increase male methods of contraception use from 10.8% to 15.1% by 2026 and 16.4% by 2030.

  

• To curb Mortality rate
  • Decrease maternal mortality rate from 197 to 150 to 98.
  • Infant mortality rate from 43 to 32 to 22.
  • Under 5 infant mortality rate from 47 to 35 to 25.
• Awareness and extensive programmes would be held among those communities, cadres and geographical areas that have a higher fertility rate.
• The proposed draft Bill under which a two child norm would be implemented and promoted.
  • A person who will have more than two children after the law comes into force would be debarred from several benefits.
  • These include government sponsored welfare schemes and from contesting elections to local authority or any body of the local self government.
  • Ration card units would be limited to four members of a family.
• Comprehensive arrangements will be made for the care of the elderly, apart from better management of education, health and nutrition of adolescents between 11 to 19 years.
• Besides, Health Clubs in schools will be formed.
• Also make arrangements for digital tracking of newborns, adolescents, and elderly people.
• Why UP Proposed Population Policy draft ?
  • Across the world concerns have been expressed that increasing population can be a hurdle in development and for the past four decades discussions on it are going on.
  • Population growth is also related to poverty.

Population In India

• According to the Census of India 2011 the population of India stood at 1,210.9 million (121.09 crore) of which
  • 623.2 million males
  • 587.6 million females
  • 833.7 million or nearly 68.9 per cent lived in rural area
  • 377.1 million or 31.1 per cent lived in urban areas.
• With a population of 1028.7 million in 2001 the decadal growth rate of population in India between 2001 and 2011 was 17.7 per cent. 
• The population projected to reach 1,522.3 million by 2036.
• Population density
  • Population density of India in 2011 was 382 per sq. km with a decadal growth rate of 17.7 per cent.
  • Bihar was the most thickly populated state with a population density of 1,106 persons per sq. km.
• The sex ratio has improved from 933 in 2001 to 943 in 2011.

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