Promotion and Protection of Maithili

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has decided to apply some of the recommendations of a committee constituted in 2018 for the promotion and protection of Maithili language and its scripts.

• The accepted recommendations include:
  • Establishment of a script and manuscript centre in Darbhanga either at Kameshwar Singh Sanskrit University or Lalit Narayan Mithila University,
  • Early completion of work pertaining to Unicode scripts of Mithilakshar by the Technology Development of Indian Languages and
  • Preparation of audio-visual materials for teaching the Mithilakshar scripts.

Mithilakshar Script of Maithili Language

• Mithilakshar or Tirhuta is the script of broader cultural Mithila.
• Mithilakshar, Bangla, Assamese, Nebari, Odia and Tibetan are a part of the same family of scripts.
• It is an ancient script and is one of the scripts of the broader North Eastern India.
• Mithilakshar script emerged during 10th Century AD as its oldest form was found in Sahodara stone inscriptions of 950 AD.
• The script has been used throughout Mithila from Champaran to Deoghar.
• The use of this script has been declining since the last 100 years, which is the primary reason for the cultural decline.

Maithili Language

• Maithili is a language spoken in Bihar belonging to the eastern sub-group of the Indo-Aryan branch. Bhojpuri and Magadhi are closely related to the language.
• The language is claimed to have developed from the Magadhan Prakrit.
• It was the literary language of all of eastern India during the medieval period.
• This language was popularised in fourteenth century by poet Vidyapati and solidified the importance of the language in literature.
• Maithili language has been accorded Constitutional status in 2003 and it became one of the 22 languages mentioned in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

India and Norway to Combat Marine Pollution

Recently Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change signed a letter of Intent establishing the India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative together with the Norwegian ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Both the governments launched the first Joint initiative under this new partnership. The India-Norway Marine Pollution Initiative will combat marine pollution, which is one of the fastest growing environmental concerns.
• In January, 2019, the Indian and Norwegian governments agreed to work more closely on oceans by signing a MoU and establishing the India-Norway Ocean Dialogue during the Norwegian Prime Minister’s visit to India.
• A joint Task Force on Blue Economy with government officials, researchers and experts as well as private sector was established to develop sustainable solutions within strategic areas of the blue economy, such as maritime and marine sector in addition to energy sector.

Significance

• Through a range of implementing partners, this initiative will seek to
  • support local governments in implementing sustainable waste management practices,
  • develop systems for collecting and analyzing information about sources and scope of marine pollution and
  • Improve private sector investment.
• Support will also be directed towards beach clean-up efforts, awareness raising campaigns and pilot project, for example, using plastic waste as fuel substitution for coal in cement production and developing frameworks for deposit schemes.
• In partnership, Norway and India will share experiences and competence, and collaborate on efforts to develop clean and healthy oceans, sustainable use of ocean resources and growth in the blue economy.

Marine Pollution

• Land-based sources (such as agricultural run-off, discharge of nutrients and pesticides and untreated sewage including plastics) account for approximately 80% of marine pollution, globally.
• Excessive nutrients from sewage outfalls and agricultural runoff have contributed to the increasing incidence of low oxygen (hypoxic) areas known as dead zones, where most marine life cannot survive, resulting in the collapse of some ecosystems.
  • There are now close to 500 dead zones with a total global surface area of over 245,000 km², roughly equivalent to that of the United Kingdom.
• The excess nitrogen may lead to the proliferation of seaweeds and microorganisms and cause algal blooms. Such blooms can be harmful, causing massive fish kills, contaminating seafood with toxins and altering ecosystems.
• Litter can accumulate in huge floating garbage patches or wash up on the coasts. Plastics float in the Ocean, releasing contaminants as they break down into toxic micro-particles that animals mistake for food.
  • Fish and birds can choke on these particles, get sick as they accumulate in their stomachs, or become entangled in larger debris.
• In 2010, the Gulf of Mexico deep-water oil spill had a devastating effect on the entire marine ecosystem, as well as the populations that depend on the marine areas for their livelihoods.
  • Smaller oil spills happen every day, due to drilling incidents or leaking motors, and cause the death of birds, marine mammals, algae, fish and shellfish.

Significance of Clean Ocean

• The ocean is a vital source of nourishment, especially to people in the world’s poorest nations.
• Many depend on fish for their primary source of protein; fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of about 540 million people (8% of the world’s population) directly or indirectly.
• Overfishing, loss of biodiversity and the possible extinction of species put a stress on these limited resources. This could lead to famine, increased poverty and conflicts, including war.
• Learning to manage ocean sustainably is the only path to global prosperity and peace.

IMO Guidelines on Shipping Fuel

Workshop on Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP)

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in collaboration with Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata held a one-day workshop on the emerging area of Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP).

Gross Domestic Knowledge Product

• The idea of GDKP was propounded by Prof. Umberto Sulpasso of the University of Southern California.
• The Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP) measures a nation’s growth and future through four basic pillars:
  • Knowledge items (Ki) - identification of both modern and local distinct culture knowledge items in distinct categories.
  • Country’s Knowledge Producing Matrix (CKPM) - comparison of knowledge produced by government, private institutions, and households as a differentiated way to impact on the GDP.
  • Country’s Knowledge User Matrix (CKUM) – the value of knowledge bought by individuals and private companies as a way to measure their modernization efforts.
  • Cost of Learning – similar to the cost of living to be used as a political reference for government budgeting decisions through education family bonds, education credit card etc. to support young citizens.

GDKP for India

• GDKP will allow calculation of the value of specific knowledge items related to national culture produced and how these items change over time.
  • In India, for examples, these specific knowledge items include the proliferation of cultural and religious teaching (yoga, Veda, and dance schools), religious festivals, and harvest festivals.
• GDKP can also facilitate the creation of a National Knowledge Education Platform. It will also enhance GDP and the proper role of private investment with direct benefits to the Indian economy like software, publishing etc.

Registration of Marriage of NRI Bill, 2019

The Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Bill, 2019.

• The Bill proposes to offer greater protection to Indian women married to NRIs and serve as a deterrent to NRIs against harassment of their spouses. This would provide much-needed relief to all Indian women married to NRIs worldwide.
• The introduction of the Bill was necessitated by the Ministry of External Affairs due to numerous complaints received from Indian nationals mostly women deserted or harassed by their Non-Resident Indian Spouses.

Provisions in the Bill

• The bill envisages:
  • Registration of Marriages by Non-Resident Indians
    • The bill provides for compulsory registration of marriage within thirty days of marriage if marriage has taken place or solemnized in India or at Indian mission or consulates if marriage has taken place or solemnized abroad.
  • Amendment of the Passports Act 1967
    • This amendment would empower the Passport Authority to impound or revoke the passport of NRI if it is brought to his notice that the NRI has not registered his marriage within 30 days from the date of marriage.
  • Amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973.
    • This amendment empowers the Courts for the issuance of summons, warrants.
    • It also provides provisions for attachment of properties belonging to the NRI, if he does not appear before the Court and is declared as Proclaimed Offender by the Court.

Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the continuation of the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) for the year 2017-18 to 2019-20.

About CLCS-TUS

• This scheme aims at improving the competitiveness of MSMEs by integrating various ongoing schematic interventions aimed at up-grading technology through the Credit Linked Capital Subsidy (CLCS),
• Special provisions have been made in this scheme to promote entrepreneurship for SC/STs, women, North Eastern Region, Hill States, Island Territories (Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep) and the Aspirational Districts/ Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Districts.
• The subsidy will be given for investment in acquisition/replacement of plant & machinery/equipment & technology up-gradation of any kind.
• In addition, the scheme through Zero Defect & Zero Effect, component will promote the reduction in emission level of greenhouse gases and improve the competitiveness through the reduction in defect/wastage during the manufacturing process of the products.
• It will also promote the innovation, digital empowerment of MSMEs, design interventions and support the protection of intellectual property of MSMEs.
• The scheme will facilitate technology up-gradation to MSEs, improvement in Quality of products by MSMEs, enhancement in productivity, reduction in waste and shall promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• The Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme (CLCSS) for Technology Upgradation of SSI was launched by the Government of India during 2000-01.
• Along with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), there are 12 Nodal Banks/Agencies under CLCSS for the implementation of this scheme.

Important Facts for Prelims (14th February 2019)

Awareness Campaign on Trans Fatty Acids

• The Kerala Health Department has drawn up an action plan to generate public awareness on the harmful effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) in commercially available food items and to encourage the local food industry to meet the current statutory limits set for TFA.
• This initiative is being supported by the World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the State Food Safety wing.

National Board for Wildlife

• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) which is charged with allowing forest land in Protected Areas to be diverted for industry cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny.
• Moreover, only five projects were rejected since August 2014.
• Few experts have criticised it as a mere “clearance house.” While, Officials state following reason for increased clearances:
  • Streamlined processes,
  • Regular meetings since 2014,
  • Online filling of applications, and
  • Projects coming to  NBWL are one which has already passed scrutiny of respective state governments.

National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)

• National Board for Wildlife is a statutory Board constituted officially in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.
• The board is ‘advisory’ in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.
• It is an important body because it serves as an apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries

e-AUSHADHI Portal

• Recently the Government has launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters.
• The portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability.
• This new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.
• The timelines is fixed for processing of applications with text message and e-mail status updates at each step of the process.
• It will provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for specific grievances, and thereby aid the licensing authority , manufactures and consumers.
• It can be noted that recently the Cabinet also approved the draft National Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine (NCIM) Bill, 2018 which seeks to enhance transparency.

Hindi Becomes Third Official Language in UAE

• United Arab Emirates (UAE) has included Hindi as the third official language in their judicial system alongside Arabic and English to make justice delivery system simpler and more accessible to Indians.
• Indians form the largest immigrant community in the UAE, with more than three million living in Dubai.
• The landmark decision undertaken by the judicial department will benefit a major chunk of workers, who mostly come from Hindi speaking regions of central and north India.
• The Indian workforce in UAE can now file their complaints to the labour counts in the country in their own mother-tongue.

Note: Hindi is popular in many other countries, including Nepal, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Fiji and Mauritius. Hindi and Nepalese share the same script- Devnagari.