The UAE approves to operate the first nuclear power plant
Context :
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a licence for a reactor at its Barakah nuclear power plant on 17 February. The move is in line with the UAE’s vision to build a peaceful nuclear energy programme to cater to the future needs of energy in the country.
About Barakah plant :
- With this approval, the UAE became the first Arab country in the region to operate a nuclear power plant.
- The approval was delayed since 2017 due to safety and regulatory requirements.
- Abu Dhabi authorities stated that the plant will start operating within a few months.
- The Barakah plant is located on the Gulf coast west of the UAE’s capital.
- The plant is being built by a consortium led by the Korea Electric Power Corporation in a deal worth over $20 billion.
- The operation of the Barakah plant will contribute to the UAE’s efforts for development and sustainability.
- Once made operational, the four reactors in the plant have the capacity to generate 5,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity, around 25% of the nation’s needs. The remaining three reactors are almost ready for operation.
Odisha passed the Odisha State Backward Classes Amendment Bill
Context :
The Odisha assembly passed the Odisha State Backward Classes (Amendment) Bill . The new Bill will amend the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. The amendment will empower the Backward Class Commission to conduct a survey to identify socially and economically backward classes in the state. It will conduct the survey on the basis of their socio-educational status. The Bill was passed unanimously.
Bill provision :
- The Odisha state assembly passed a resolution to take up the survey of the social and educational conditions of people of backward classes (BC).
- The amendment was necessary to conduct a survey of the households of backward classes.
- So far, over 209 communities identified as socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC).
- Also, on 12 February, Odisha state government constituted the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes headed by Retired Justice Raghunath Biswal as its chairperson.
Permanent Commission for Women
Context :
The Supreme Court has brought women officers in 10 streams of the Army on a par with their male counterparts in all respects, setting aside longstanding objections of the government. The court ordered the government to implement its judgment in three months.
Court’s observations :
- The Supreme Court rejected arguments against greater role for women officers, saying these violated equality under law.
- The biological argument was also rejected as disturbing.
- The court has rejected government’s arguments, saying they are based on sex stereotypes premised on assumptions about socially ascribed roles of gender which discriminate against women.
- It has also said that it only shows the need “to emphasise the need for change in mindsets to bring about true equality in the Army”.
Background:
The case was first filed in the Delhi High Court by women officers in 2003, and had received a favourable order in 2010. But the order was never implemented, and was challenged in the Supreme Court by the government.
Women in Army: Background of the case:
The induction of women officers in the Army started in 1992. They were commissioned for a period of five years in certain chosen streams such as Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers. Recruits under the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) had a shorter pre-commission training period than their male counterparts who were commissioned under the Short Service Commission (SSC) scheme.
- In 2006, the WSES scheme was replaced with the SSC scheme, which was extended to women officers. They were commissioned for a period of 10 years, extendable up to 14 years. Serving WSES officers were given the option to move to the new SSC scheme, or to continue under the erstwhile WSES. They were to be however, restricted to roles in streams specified earlier — which excluded combat arms such as infantry and armoured corps.
What was the main issue now?
While male SSC officers could opt for permanent commission at the end of 10 years of service, this option was not available to women officers. They were, thus, kept out of any command appointment, and could not qualify for government pension, which starts only after 20 years of service as an officer.
Why the government was against this?
- Motherhood, childcare, psychological limitations have a bearing on the employment of women officers in the Army.
- Family separation, career prospects of spouses, education of children, prolonged absence due to pregnancy, motherhood were a greater challenge for women to meet the exigencies of service.
- Physical limitations: Soldiers will be asked to work in difficult terrains, isolated posts and adverse climate conditions. Officers have to lead from the front. They should be in prime physical condition to undertake combat tasks. The Govt. said women were not fit to serve in ground combat roles.
- Behavioural and Psychological Challenges: Army units were a “unique all-male environment”. The presence of women officers would require “moderated behaviour”. The male troop predominantly comes from a rural background and may not be in a position to accept commands from a female leader.
But, why they should be granted permanent commission?
- Past records: A quick look at the past records reveals, all the arguments put forth against giving women more responsibility have been answered by the armed forces by giving women greater responsibility in uniform — the IAF has allowed women to become fighter pilots, and the Army has sent them to tough UN peacekeeping missions globally.
- Women officers are already commanding platoons, companies and second in command successfully, with male soldiers accepting orders from them as part of a professional force.
- Now they are being excluded from commanding a unit, only on the basis that they are women. This argument doesn’t hold water.
- A professional force does not discriminate on the basis of gender, it works because of training, norms and culture. Denying women the posts will be an “extremely retrograde step” and “will inflict irreparable injury” to their dignity.
Order and its implications:
- It means that women officers will be eligible to tenant all the command appointments, at par with male officers, which would open avenues for further promotions to higher ranks for them.
- It also means that in junior ranks and career courses, women officers would be attending the same training courses and tenanting critical appointments, which are necessary for higher promotions.
- The implications of the judgment will have to be borne by the human resources management department of the Army, which will need to change policy in order to comply.
Sources: the Hindu.
Battle of Gallipoli
Context :
Speaking to MPs at a joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his country’s deep love and affection for Pakistan, strongly backed its position on Kashmir.
Erdogan went on to say that what happened in Turkey during World War I was now happening in Kashmir, that is the Battle of Gallipoli
Battle of Gallipoli :
The Battle of Çanakkale, also known as the Gallipoli campaign or the Dardanelles campaign, is considered to be one of the bloodiest of World War I, during which the Ottoman army faced off against the Allied forces, leading to the slaughter of tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides.
It was an unsuccessful attempt by the Allied Powers to control the sea route from Europe to Russia during World War I.
- The campaign began with a failed naval attack by British and French ships on the Dardanelles Straits in February-March 1915 and continued with a major land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, involving British and French troops as well as divisions of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).
- Lack of sufficient intelligence and knowledge of the terrain, along with a fierce Turkish resistance, hampered the success of the invasion.
Key outcomes and significance:
The campaign was considered a great Ottoman victory.
- In Turkey, it is regarded as a defining moment in the history of the state, a final surge in the defence of the motherland as the Ottoman Empire retreated.
- The struggle formed the basis for the Turkish War of Independence and the declaration of the Republic of Turkey eight years later.
- The campaign is often considered to be the beginning of Australian and New Zealand national consciousness- April 25, anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, is observed as ANZAC Day, the day of national remembrance for the war dead.
India’s bird population suffers long-term decline
In news :
State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment states :
- Over a fifth of India’s bird diversity, ranging from the Short-toed Snake Eagle to the Sirkeer Malkoha, has suffered strong long-term declines
- 80% loss among several common birds
- every bird species that was found to be increasing in numbers over the long term, 11 have suffered losses
- Rufous-fronted Prinia, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit and Indian vulture were confirmed as suffering current decline
- The common sparrow have become rare in cities and urban areas. reasons for this is a decrease in insect populations as well as nesting places
Threat :
- loss of habitat due to human activity,
- widespread presence of toxins, including pesticides;
- Hunting and trapping for the pet trade.
Hindi is the 3rd most spoken language of the world
Context :
The 22nd edition of the world language database Ethnologue reported that Hindi is the 3rd most spoken language of the world in 2019.
Report Highlights :
- Ethnologue brought out a yearly database of living languages of the world since its establishment in 1951.
- Ethnologue stated that over 615 million people speak Hindi across the world.
- English at the top of the list with 1,132 million speakers.
- Chinese Mandarin is in second position with 1,117 million speakers.
- Bangla has ranked as the 7th most spoken language of the world with 228 million native speakers.
- The current round of the database covers 7,111 living languages in the world. Ethnologue also holds data on languages that have gone out of use in recent history. This edition lists 348 such languages.