In News:

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the NITI Aayog and the Office of Science & Innovation, at the Embassy of Sweden, in partnership with Nordic collaborators - Innovation Norway, Innovation Centre Denmark, and Business Finland, announced the successful conclusion of SheSTEM 2024.

Key Highlights:

• Objective: To inspire youth, especially women, to explore careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and promote innovative solutions for sustainability.
• Theme: Focus on Battery Technology and Energy Storage Systems (BEST), part of the India-Nordic BEST project, aimed at fostering sustainability through advanced energy solutions.

Key Features of the Challenge:

• Target Audience: Students from grades 6–12 across India.
• Participation: Over 1,000 submissions showcasing innovative energy storage solutions.
• Format: Students presented prototypes or concepts via a 2-minute video format.
• Focus Areas: Sustainability, energy storage, and innovative solutions to global challenges.

Significance of SheSTEM 2024:

• Youth Empowerment: Provides a platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas and contribute to global sustainability.
• Global Impact: Encourages collaboration between India and Nordic countries in academia, business, and government to explore energy storage and sustainable technologies.
• Women in STEM: Highlights the importance of gender inclusivity in STEM fields, particularly in sustainability and technology.

Key Facts about AIM (Atal Innovation Mission):

• Established: 2016 by NITI Aayog to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across India.
• Core Functions:
  • Promote Entrepreneurship: Financial support, mentorship, and nurturing innovative startups.
  • Promote Innovation: Creating platforms for idea generation and collaboration.
• Key Programs: Atal Tinkering Labs, Atal Incubation Centres, Atal New India Challenges, and Mentor India.
• Monitoring: Systematic monitoring of initiatives using real-time MIS systems and dashboards.

In News:

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has begun hearings on a landmark climate change case, seeking an advisory opinion on the obligations of countries under international law regarding climate change.
• The case stems from a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution initiated by Vanuatu in March 2023, co-sponsored by 132 countries.

Background:

• Vanuatu, a small island nation, faces existential threats from rising sea levels.
• The resolution was passed to clarify climate obligations in light of international laws, including the UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, and other legal instruments like the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas, and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Global Impact of the Case:

• The outcome of the case could influence global climate governance, particularly in the context of climate negotiations.
• It may broaden the legal basis for climate obligations and underscore the legal consequences for non-compliance.

India’s Position:

• India has voiced concerns about the judicial process being the best approach to tackle climate issues, advocating for diplomatic efforts.
• India is scheduled to make its submission on December 5, highlighting its preference for a collaborative, non-top-down approach in climate discussions.

Implications for Developed and Developing Countries:

• The case highlights the historical responsibility of developed countries for climate change due to their higher emissions.
• The ICJ's advisory opinion could reinforce the argument that developed countries' obligations extend beyond the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement, incorporating broader international legal frameworks.

Climate Litigation and Precedent:

• The ICJ ruling could set a precedent for climate litigation, potentially influencing over 2,600 ongoing climate lawsuits globally.
• Notable rulings include the European Court of Human Rights, which held Switzerland accountable for failing to meet emissions targets, and India's Supreme Court recognizing the right to be free from adverse climate impacts in 2023.

Record Participation and Importance of the Case:

• The ICJ has received over 90 written submissions, with 97 countries and 12 international organizations participating in the hearings.
• The case is significant for the growing number of climate-related lawsuits and the evolving nature of international climate law.

Future Prospects:

• The ICJ’s advisory opinion, though non-binding, could significantly impact future climate negotiations, particularly in terms of responsibility sharing and climate finance.
• The outcome could also influence calls for compensation for climate damages, especially from vulnerable states like small island nations.

In News:

The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, is once again in focus, albeit in a context in which its objectives are being ignored. Civil suits questioning the religious character of mosques at Varanasi and Mathura are progressing apace. These developments show that legislation freezing the status of places of worship is inadequate to stop Hindu claimants from making determined legal efforts to achieve their goal of replacing them with temples.

Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991:

• Objective: To preserve the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, and prevent changes in religious identity.
• Key Provisions:
  • Section 3: Prohibits conversion of a place of worship from one religion to another.
  • Section 4(1): Ensures the religious character remains unchanged from August 15, 1947.
  • Section 4(2): Terminates ongoing or future legal proceedings seeking to alter the religious character of a place of worship.
  • Exemptions:
    • Ayodhya dispute: Exempted, allowing ongoing litigation.
    • Ancient monuments & archaeological sites: Not covered by the Act.
    • Already settled disputes or those agreed upon before the Act came into force.
  • Penalties: Violators can face up to 3 years of imprisonment or fines.
• Criticism: The Act has been challenged for limiting judicial review, imposing a retrospective cutoff date, and restricting religious rights.

Recent Legal Disputes:

• Gyanvapi Mosque (Varanasi):
  • Claim: Hindu worshippers assert the right to worship deities (e.g., Ma Sringar Gauri, Lord Vishweshwar) within the mosque premises.
  • Legal Basis: Claim that the mosque was built over an ancient Hindu temple.
  • Court's Ruling: The court allows the case to proceed, stating that the aim is to assert worship rights, not change the mosque’s status.
  • Archaeological Survey: ASI report confirms the existence of a temple before the mosque’s construction.
  • Key Legal Outcome: The Places of Worship Act does not bar these suits as they aim to ascertain the religious character of the site, not alter it.
• Shahi Idgah Mosque (Mathura):
  • Claim: Hindu groups assert the mosque was built over Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
  • Historical Context: The dispute was settled by a compromise in 1968, which was implemented in 1974, where part of the land was given to the mosque.
  • Current Legal Dispute: New suits challenge the 1968 agreement as ‘fraudulent’ and seek the entire land to be transferred to the deity.
  • Court's Ruling: The Act is not applicable as the 1968 agreement predates the 1991 Act, and the dispute pertains to the compromise, not the religious character.
• Shahi Jama Masjid (Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh):
  • Claim: Allegation that the mosque was built over a Hindu temple (Hari Har Mandir).
  • Survey Request: Petitioners seek a survey to verify the site’s historical and religious character.
  • Legal Context: The mosque is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.

Key Legal Interpretations:

• Court’s Role: Courts have ruled that the Places of Worship Act does not prohibit suits related to the religious character of a site if they are aimed at determining, not altering, that character.
• Interpretation of ‘Religious Character’: The Allahabad High Court stated that a structure can’t have dual religious character (both Hindu and Muslim), and the religious character of a place must be determined through evidence.

Political and Social Implications:

• Ongoing Controversy: The Gyanvapi and Mathura mosque disputes continue to fuel political and religious debates, as Hindu organizations seek to assert their claims, while mosque committees and Muslim groups resist changes.
• Public and Legal Attention: The legal and political landscape surrounding the Places of Worship Act remains contentious, with several legal suits challenging its applicability.

In News:

Forty years after the Bhopal disaster on December 2-3, 1984, several hundred tonnes of toxic waste still remain around the ill-fated Union Carbide plant.

Overview of the incident:

The 1984 Bhopal disaster, one of the world’s worst industrial accidents, was caused by the release of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, which was a key component in the production of pesticides at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant. However, the toxic legacy of the disaster extends far beyond MIC, with a range of other harmful substances lingering in the environment. These include:

• Methyl Isocyanate (MIC):Primary toxic agent: MIC is a highly toxic, volatile compound. Exposure can cause severe respiratory distress, eye irritation, pulmonary edema, and even death.
• Heavy Metals:The site of the plant is contaminated with various heavy metals, including:
  • Mercury: Known to accumulate in the body and affect the nervous system, kidneys, and liver. Even small doses over time can lead to chronic health problems.
  • Chromium: Exposure to high levels of chromium, particularly hexavalent chromium, is associated with lung cancer and damage to the respiratory system.
  • Lead: A potent neurotoxin, lead can cause developmental delays, memory problems, and damage to the kidneys.
  • Nickel: Can cause respiratory and lung cancers when inhaled in significant quantities.
  • Copper: High levels of copper exposure can damage the liver and kidneys.
• Organic Compounds:Several organic chemicals were found at the site, including:
  • Hexachlorobutadiene: A suspected carcinogen that can cause liver damage, kidney damage, and neurological issues upon exposure.
  • Chloroform (Trichloromethane): Known for its effects on the central nervous system, exposure can lead to dizziness, loss of consciousness, and even death at high concentrations. It is also a possible carcinogen.
  • Carbon Tetrachloride: A potent liver toxin, exposure can result in liver damage, cancer, and nervous system toxicity.
  • Trichlorobenzene: These compounds are volatile and can spread through air and water, accumulating in fatty tissues and causing damage to organs like the liver and kidneys.
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):Some of the contaminants, particularly the organic compounds, are classified as persistent organic pollutants, which do not degrade easily in the environment. These can lead to:
  • Cancer: Several of these compounds are carcinogenic.
  • Neurological damage: Prolonged exposure can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
  • Reproductive and developmental disorders: Exposure has been linked to adverse effects on fertility and developmental health in humans.
• Environmental and Long-term Health Effects:
  • Even decades later, contamination continues to affect the health of people living around the site, with high rates of cancers, birth defects, respiratory diseases, and other health issues. Water sources in the region remain unsafe due to heavy contamination with toxic chemicals. Persistent organic pollutants have been identified in local communities, indicating that the contamination continues to spread.

In News:

At an event celebrating the National Sports Day, The Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour& Employment launched “Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training” (RESET) Programme.

Key Highlights:

• Objective:
  • Empower retired athletes through career development.
  • Provide tailored education, internships, and skill enhancement.
  • Address the human resource gap in the sports sector.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Retired athletes aged 20-50 years.
  • Winners of international medals or participants in international events.
  • National/state-level medalists or participants in recognized competitions (e.g., National Sports Federations, Indian Olympic Association).
• Courses Offered (16 Courses):

• • Strength & Conditioning Trainer
  • Sports Nutritionist
  • Sports Event Management
  • Corporate Wellness Trainer
  • Sports Masseur
• Sports Entrepreneurship
• Store Manager
• Fitness Centre Manager
• Physical Education Trainer
• Fitness Trainer
• Yoga Trainer
• Venue Supervisor
• Self-Defence Trainer
• Community Sports Trainer
• Camping & Trekking Guide
• Facility Caretaker

• Program Structure:
  • Two levels based on educational qualifications:
    • Class 12 and above
    • Class 11 and below
  • Hybrid learning mode:
    • Self-paced learning via a dedicated portal.
    • On-ground training and internships.
• Internship and Placement:
  • Internships offered in sports organizations, competitions, training camps, and leagues.
  • Post-course placement assistance and entrepreneurial guidance.
• Implementing Agency:Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) for the pilot phase.
• Importance:
  • Provides sustainable career pathways for retired athletes.
  • Utilizes the experience and skills of retired athletes to benefit future generations of athletes.
  • Contributes to the growth of sports and nation-building.
• National Sports Day (29th August):
  • Celebrated in honor of Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary.
  • Promotes sports and physical fitness in India.
  • Awards like Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna presented to honor excellence in sports.