07 January 2025 : The Hindu Analysis (Daily Current Affairs)

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1. Decoding the National Anthem controversy

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Topic: Indian Polity

Context

• On January 6, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi departed from the Legislative Assembly without delivering his customary address, as the National Anthem was not played prior to his scheduled remarks. This incident mirrored a similar occurrence from the previous year when the Governor refused to present his address under comparable circumstances.

Raj Bhavan’s Allegations

• The Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan asserted that "the Constitution of Bharat and the National Anthem were once again insulted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.” It underscored that honoring the National Anthem constitutes a fundamental duty as outlined in the Constitution.

Tamil Nadu’s Practice Regarding Anthems

• In Tamil Nadu, the practice is to play the State anthem, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu,’ at the beginning of the Governor’s address and the National Anthem at the conclusion. This protocol was established in July 1991 during the AIADMK governance led by Jayalalithaa and Governor Bhishma Narain Singh. Previously, the Governor would enter the Assembly, deliver the address, and leave without playing either anthem.

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Practice in Other States

Different states adhere to distinct conventions regarding the National Anthem. For instance, Nagaland played the National Anthem for the first time in February 2021 during Governor Ravi’s tenure, while Tripura initiated this practice in March 2018.

Constitutional Provisions and Legal Practices:

Under Section 51(A)(a) of the Constitution of India, citizens are mandated to respect the Constitution, National Flag, and National Anthem. According to a Ministry of Home Affairs directive, the National Anthem should be played at official events such as civil/military investitures, presidential arrivals, and state functions. The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition seeking penalties for failing to play the National Anthem at an event in Madurai, supporting the view that there is no legal obligation to do so, as it is a customary practice rather than a compulsory requirement. The court further highlighted that negligence in playing the National Anthem does not result in legal repercussions.

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2. What is the human meta- pneumovirus?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Topic:  Social Justice – Health, Science and Technology

Context: China is implementing a pneumonia monitoring system in response to increasing infection rates, with cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) reported among children under 14. While social media has highlighted crowded hospital conditions, no formal health emergency has been announced in the country.

What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)?

• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a type of respiratory virus recognized for causing mild symptoms akin to those of the common cold, including cough, fever, sore throat, and nasal congestion.
• Identified in 2001, HMPV is part of the Pneumoviridae family, which also includes the well-known respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• The virus can result in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly affecting young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Although most HMPV infections tend to resolve with proper rest, complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia may necessitate medical intervention.

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Spread and Treatment of HMPV

• HMPV is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets and contact with contaminated surfaces.
• There is currently no vaccine or targeted antiviral treatment available; management focuses on supportive care to alleviate symptoms.
• Preventive strategies consist of regular hand hygiene, minimizing close contact with infected individuals, and utilizing masks.

India’s Response

• The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is actively monitoring respiratory infections, including reported cases of HMPV in states such as Karnataka, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.
• Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has assured the public that HMPV is not a novel virus and that there is no immediate cause for alarm.

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3. U.S. to remove Indian entities from restricted lists, says Jake Sullivan

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: International Relations

Context

• Jake Sullivan announced the U.S. will remove Indian scientific and nuclear entities from restricted lists, fostering enhanced bilateral cooperation.

What is a restricted list?

• The restricted list refers to a list of entities and individuals in certain countries, including India, that face trade or cooperation restrictions, particularly in sensitive areas like nuclear technology and scientific advancements.
• These restrictions prevent U.S. companies and government entities from engaging in civil nuclear cooperation or providing certain technologies to the listed entities.
• The list was a result of concerns over the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the potential for sensitive technologies being misused.
• For India, many of its leading nuclear and scientific entities have been on this list, hindering full cooperation with the U.S. in civil nuclear and space sectors.
• Recent policy shifts aim to remove these entities from the list to foster greater collaboration in these areas.

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Benefits for India:Enhanced access to advanced U.S. nuclear technology, fostering growth in India’s civil nuclear sector.

• Improved collaboration with U.S. scientific and technological institutions, boosting India’s research capabilities.
• Increased opportunities for joint ventures and partnerships between Indian and U.S. companies, particularly in space, defense, and nuclear sectors.
• Greater access to U.S. expertise and resources in the development of clean energy solutions, contributing to India’s energy goals.
• Expansion of commercial space cooperation, benefiting India’s space programs through enhanced technology sharing and collaboration.
• Facilitation of India’s participation in global nuclear governance frameworks, improving its standing on the global stage.
• Accelerated innovation and technological development in critical sectors like biotechnology and AI.

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4. Tamil Nadu CM announced a $1 million prize for deciphering Indus Valley Script.

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 11)

Topic: History

Context

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has announced $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus Valley script.

Analysis of the news:

Stalin’s Offer and the Indus Script Mystery

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus Valley script aims to address a historical enigma while reinforcing his position as a defender of Tamil and Dravidian heritage. 
• The move aligns with recent findings linking the Indus script and Tamil Nadu’s ancient graffiti, strengthening claims of cultural continuity.

The Study Behind the Announcement

The study titled “Indus Signs And Graffiti Marks of Tamil Nadu – A Morphological Study” by K. Rajan and R. Sivananthan documents over 15,000 graffiti marks from Tamil Nadu and compares them with 4,000 Indus Valley artefacts. Key findings include:

• Identification of 42 base signs, 544 variants, and 1,521 composite forms.
• Nearly 60% of Tamil Nadu signs show parallels with the Indus script.
• The study posits cultural exchanges between the Copper Age Indus and Iron Age South India, suggesting a shared or evolved symbolism rather than a lost script.

About the Indus Script:

• The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), one of the most advanced ancient urban cultures, left behind an enduring mystery in its undeciphered script. 
• Since its discovery in the 1920s, scholars have made numerous attempts to decode this enigmatic script, often sparking debates over its linguistic and cultural implications. 
• Recent research by Bahata Ansumali Mukhopadhyay offers fresh perspectives, suggesting that the script primarily served commercial purposes.

Significance of the Findings

• Excavations at Keeladi, Sivagalai, and Thulukarpatti yielded graffiti marks that resonate with Indus symbols. 
• This underscores the possibility of cultural contact or continuity, challenging established Aryan-centric historical narratives. 
• The Tamil Nadu study’s morphological, non-linguistic approach highlights the evolution of these symbols rather than their disappearance.

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Conclusion

• Stalin’s prize announcement and the Tamil Nadu study advance both historical and political agendas. 
• They seek to resolve the enduring mystery of the Indus script while asserting the importance of Tamil culture and identity, challenging mainstream historical narratives with scientific and cultural evidence.
• Deciphering the Indus script necessitates more comprehensive archaeological exploration and analysis. 
• Expanding the dataset, uncovering multilingual artefacts, and identifying the language linked to the script are critical steps. 
• Only with these breakthroughs can scholars hope to unravel one of the greatest enigmas of ancient history.

Challenges in Deciphering the Indus Script

• Absence of Multilingual Inscriptions: Deciphering unknown scripts often relies on comparing them with known ones through multilingual inscriptions, such as the Rosetta Stone. However, no such inscriptions have been found for the Indus script, despite evidence of trade links with Mesopotamia. This limits opportunities to decode its meaning.
• Unknown Language: The Indus script belongs to the most difficult category: an unknown script representing an unknown language. Without clear evidence of the language it encodes, scholars struggle to assign phonetic values or linguistic structure to the symbols.
• Limited Material Evidence: Approximately 3,500 inscribed seals have been discovered, each containing an average of only five characters. This small dataset, coupled with the limited understanding of the Indus Valley Civilization, hampers deeper analysis.

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Facts

1. Twig stats: new tool reveals hi-res genetic view of people’s ancestors

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

Context

• Twig stats is a new method that helps scientists understand the movement and ancestry of ancient populations.
• It provides clearer insights into cultural and genetic changes over time.

What is Twig stats?

• Twig stats is a new method developed by researchers to study the genetic history of populations.
• It helps scientists trace the ancestry of ancient people and understand how they moved and mixed with other groups.
• This method looks at both shared DNA segments and rare DNA variations to get a clearer picture of population history.
• Twig stats improves the accuracy of genetic studies by reducing errors and increasing the statistical power of existing methods.
• The method can analyze large sets of ancient DNA samples and create detailed maps of population movement and ancestry.
• It has been tested on ancient DNA samples from Europe, especially from the Viking Age, to study migration patterns.
• By using Twig stats, researchers can better understand how cultural and genetic changes happened over time.
• It offers a more precise way to reconstruct the past and track the movement of ancient populations.

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2. Artesian Well

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 11)

Context

• The article explains a rare geological event in Jaisalmer, where water gushed out due to artesian conditions, debunking myths linking it to the Saraswati river.

Analysis of the news:

The Event

• In Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, a rare phenomenon occurred in Taranagar village on December 27, 2023, when water began gushing out uncontrollably from underground after a farmer drilled a tube well. 
• The high-pressure water flow created a large pit, inundating nearby land. Accompanying the water was a small amount of non-inflammable gas. 
• The flow ceased on its own on December 29, drawing significant attention and speculation.

Claims and Scientific Explanation

• Some linked the event to the ancient Saraswati river mentioned in the Rig Veda, but scientists dismissed this and attributed it to artesian conditions. 
• Artesian aquifers store water under pressure between impermeable geological layers, like sandstone in this case. 
• When these layers are punctured, the pressure forces water to flow upward naturally, unlike traditional wells where external force is required.

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What Are Artesian Conditions?

• Artesian water is confined below impermeable rock layers under pressure. When ruptured, the water rises to the surface without mechanical intervention. 
• The phenomenon, named after Artois, France, where such wells were first identified, occurs in specific geological conditions.

Why in Jaisalmer?

• In desert regions like Jaisalmer, artesian aquifers lie beneath layers of sandstone. 
• The drilling ruptured this layer, releasing water under immense pressure. Similar events have been recorded in Mohangarh and Nachana areas, as well as in deserts of Australia and Africa, but the intensity in Taranagar was unprecedented.

Broader Significance

• This incident highlights the unique geology of Rajasthan’s desert regions and underscores the importance of careful groundwater management. 
• It also dispels myths linking such occurrences to ancient rivers, emphasizing the role of scientific inquiry in understanding natural phenomena.

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3. Indian coffee exports surpass $1bn for the first time

Context

• Indian coffee exports in 2024 experienced a 45% increase in dollar value, reaching over $1.68 billion.

Analysis of the news:

India’s Rise in Coffee Exports

• India, traditionally known for tea exports, is emerging as a significant player in the global coffee export market. 
• In FY24, exports reached a record $1.146 billion between April and November, a 29% increase compared to $803.8 million in the same period last year. 
• This marks a nearly twofold increase since FY21. The growth is fueled by rising global Robusta coffee prices, supply constraints in leading producers like Brazil and Vietnam, and pre-emptive stocking by European buyers ahead of new EU regulations.

Drivers of Growth in Coffee Exports

1. Surge in Robusta Prices: Robusta prices hit multi-decade highs due to supply disruptions in Brazil and Vietnam. Prices peaked at $4,667/metric ton in June, marking a 63% increase in 2023.
2. European Stockpiling: Anticipation of the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) led to pre-implementation stockpiling, boosting Indian exports.
3. Premium Positioning: Unlike tea exports, Indian coffee has captured the premium export market segment, enhancing profitability.

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Global Coffee Market Dynamics

• Brazil and Vietnam’s Production Challenges: Brazil’s production, affected by droughts and high temperatures, dropped by 2.6 million bags to 40.5 million. Vietnam’s output, though recovering, remains below its 2021/22 record.
• Impact on Global Supply: These constraints, combined with robust demand, have elevated global coffee prices.

Regional Contributions in India

• Top Coffee Producers: Karnataka dominates with 248,020 MTs (Arabica and Robusta), followed by Kerala (72,425 MTs) and Tamil Nadu (18,700 MTs).

Export Destinations and Regulatory Challenges

• Key Markets: The EU remains the largest destination, with Italy, Belgium, and Germany accounting for nearly half of exports. Other major importers include the US, Russia, and UAE.
• EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): The regulation aims to curb imports of products linked to deforestation, affecting $1.3 billion worth of Indian agricultural exports, including coffee. Compliance is expected to increase costs due to complex verification mechanisms.

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