Daily Current Affairs 15 January 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 15 January 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

India Maldives Relation

Source: Indian Express
GS II: India and its neighbourhood- relations

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. India Maldives Relation
3. Maldives
4. Maldives in  Regional Map

Why in the News?

India to withdraw its troops from the island nation by March 15, a top official posing the latest in a series of diplomatic challenges from Male to New Delhi.

• India Maldives Relation straining the already tense relation.

News in Brief

• Indian military personnel will no longer be permitted to reside in the Maldives.
• India Maldives Relation impacted recently due to the Ongoing Lakshadweep Issue.
• India instead it noted that both sides discussed finding mutually workable solutions to enable continued operation of Indian aviation platforms that provide humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of Maldives.
• In contrast, the press statement issued by the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Both sides expressed willingness to intensify cooperation and agreed to fast-track the withdrawal of Indian military personnel.
• According to the Maldives government, India has around 88 soldiers stationed in the Maldives.
• New Delhi has maintained that most of them are technical staff, engaged predominantly in maintaining aircraft gifted by India.

India Maldives Relation

• India was among the first to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
• India First has been a stated policy of the Government of Maldives (GoM).

Border Issues

• The one-time claim of Maldives to Minicoy Island was resolved.
• Maritime Boundary Treaty of 1976 between the two countries, whereby Maldives has recognized Minicoy as an integral part of India.

Security & Defence Cooperation

• A comprehensive Action Plan for Defence was also signed in April 2016 to consolidate the defence partnership.
• India provides the largest number of training opportunities for the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF).
• India’s prompt assistance during the 1988 coup attempt, led to the development of trust and long-term.
• India was the first to assist Maldives during the 2004 Tsunami as well as the water crisis in Malé in Dec 2014.

COVID Pandemic Support

• India’s swift dispatch of 30,000 doses of measles vaccine in Jan 2020 to prevent an outbreak in the Maldives.
• India’s rapid and comprehensive assistance to the Maldives since the COVID-19 pandemic began has further reinforced India’s credentials of being the first responder.

Financial Assistance

• India in Dec 2018, during which India announced a financial assistance package of US$ 1.4 billion which included US$ 50 million as budgetary support to GoM.
• 8 infrastructure Projects under the US$ 800 million Line of Credit (LoC).
• In response to a request from the Government of Maldives, amid the economic challenges faced by the Maldives, handed over financial assistance of US$ 100 million.

Infrastructure & Connectivity Projects

• Water and Sanitation in 34 Islands: The project seeks to improve water supply and sewerage facilities in 34 identified islands.
• Addu Development Project: The scope includes roads, street lighting, stormwater drainage, shore protection and land reclamation for the development of tourism infrastructure.
• Gulhifalhu Port project: The project is to relocate the congested Malé Commercial Harbour and warehousing from Malé to Gulhifalhu Island.
• Airport Redevelopment Projects in Hanimaadhoo and Gan: The EXIM Bank of India
  is supporting the redevelopment of airports in Hanimaadhoo and Gan.
• Greater Male Connectivity Project: to connect Male to Villingili, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi islands through a series of bridges, causeways and roads through a separate $ 400 million LoC and $ 100 million grant from India.
• USD 40 million Sports Line of Credit was extended to the Maldives in Sept 2021 to develop the sports infrastructure across the islands.

Trade Relations

• India emerged as Maldives 3rd largest trade partner in 2021.
• Indian exports to the Maldives include a variety of engineering and industrial products like drugs and pharmaceuticals, radar apparatus, rock boulders, aggregates, cement and agricultural produce like rice, spices, fruits, vegetables, poultry produce etc.
• As of 2023 May, total exports to Maldives stood at US$178.7 million and imports from Maldives stood at US$1.98 million.

Tourism

• The Maldivian economy is heavily dependent on its tourism sector.
• Tourism directly accounts for about quarter of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Maldives.
• Tourist from India
  • India was the 5th largest source of tourist arrivals in Maldives in 2018.
  • In 2019, India reached the 2 nd spot with almost double the number of arrivals.
  • In 2023, India with 100,915 tourists arrivals (until 13 June 2023) is the 1st leading source market for Maldives with a 11.8% market share.

Maldives

• The Maldives is a tropical paradise located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India.
• It is an archipelago consisting of 26 atolls, made up of over 1,000 coral islands.
• The Maldives is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs.

Maldives in  Regional Map

Key points about the Maldives

• Capital and Largest City: Malé is the capital and the largest city of the Maldives.
• Geography
  • The Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world, with an average ground level of 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) above sea level.
  • This makes it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
• Language: Dhivehi is the official language of the Maldives.
• Economy:
  • Tourism is a significant contributor to the Maldivian economy.
  • The country attracts visitors with its luxurious resorts, water bungalows, and vibrant marine life.
• Culture
  • The Maldivian culture is a blend of South Indian, Arab, and African influences.
  • Islam is the official religion, and the Maldives has a rich tradition of music, dance, and art.
• Environmental Concerns
  • The Maldives faces challenges due to climate change, including rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and threats to marine biodiversity.
  • The government has been actively involved in international discussions on climate change and is working towards sustainable practices.
• Tourism
  • The Maldives is renowned for its overwater bungalows, underwater restaurants, and world-class diving and snorkelling opportunities.
  • Many visitors come to experience the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
• Political Structure
  • The Maldives is a presidential republic.
  • It gained independence from British protection in 1965.
• Climate
  • The Maldives has a tropical climate with two main seasons: a dry northeast monsoon season (from December to March) and a wet southwest monsoon season (from May to October).

Overall, the Maldives is a popular destination for those seeking a luxurious and picturesque escape in a tropical paradise. However, the country also faces challenges related to climate change that are of global concern.

24×7 pan-India power by 2025

Source: PIB
GS III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Status of Power Supply

Why in the News?

According to sources, the Union government is looking to set March 2025 as the deadline for 24×7 electricity supply across the country.

News in Brief

• After connecting all households with electricity supply through two flagship schemes in the past decade, the central government now plans to ensure uninterrupted reliable power supply by the end of 2024-25 (FY25).
• This initiative will be part of the planned reforms if this government is voted back to power, said sources in the government.
• After achieving universal connectivity, senior officials in the power ministry said, the next step was to ensure round-the-clock power supply.

Status of Power Supply

• Average hours of electricity supply have increased in both rural and urban areas.
  • Average power supply in urban areas stands at 23.5 hours per day
  • 20.5 hours per day in rural areas.
• States and power distribution companies (discoms) are being pursued to improve it further to 24 hours. 
• The ministry expects the demand to touch 250 Gw in the upcoming financial year during summer.
• 426GW India’s installed power generation.
• 20.8% AT&C loss of discom according to UDAY Portal.
• 15.4% AT&C loss in FY23 according to year and review by power ministry. 
• 78,000 cr current total dues of discoms to gencos according to PRAAPTI Portal.

Pongal Festival

Source: PIB
GS II:  Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times

Overview

1. Pongal Festival

Why in the News?

This year, the Pongal celebrations will begin on January 15 and conclude on January 18.

Pongal Festival

• Pongal is widely celebrated in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Sri Lanka.
• The festival derives its name from the Tamil word meaning spilling over.
• Harvest festivals in January mark the beginning of festivities every year.
• The onset of harvest season is observed across the country under various names based on the region where it is celebrated.
• The festival is widely celebrated in the Indian Subcontinent and by Hindus all over the world.
• Rituals that mark this occasion include bathing, processions, prayers at home and temples, elaborate feasts, house decorations and worship of the Sun God.

Pongal is also the name of the dish made and eaten during this festival. It is a mixture of boiled sweet rice.

About the four days of Pongal

• Bhogi Pongal
  • The first day of Pongal is called Bhogi.
  • It is a day where cleaning and discarding of old belongings are carried out to signify a fresh start.
  • New clothes are worn, and houses are decorated in the spirit of the festivity.
• Surya Pongal
  • The second day is the main day of Pongal and is celebrated as Surya Pongal.
  • Sun God is honoured.
  • Colourful decorative floor patterns called kolam are drawn at the entrance of one’s home
  • Each household cooks a pot of fresh rice with milk at auspicious times.
  • As the milk boils freely over the pot, family members shout out happily “Pongalo Pongal”!
  • After the Pongal is offered to the Sun God, they would feast on several Pongal dishes that are prepared especially for the day.
• Maatu Pongal
  • The third day of Pongal is called Maatu Pongal.
  • This day is devoted to honouring and worship the cattle (Maatu) to remember the work they do – ploughing the land.
  • Cows are bathed and adorned with multi-coloured beads, flowers garlands, and bells.
• Kaanum Pongal
  • The fourth day of Pongal is called Kaanum Pongal.
  • Importance is given to the community and to strengthen ties.
  • Families gather together to have a sumptuous meal.
  • Younger members seek the blessings of the older members of their families.
  • It is also a day for traditional Indian folk dances such as mayilattam and kolattam.

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