UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 3: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024)

• Hathras Stampede: Causes and Prevention

Hathras Stampede: Causes and Prevention

GS Paper 4:

• Humility in Public Discourse

Humility in Public Discourse

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

• Franz Kafka

Franz Kafka

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Constitutional right to a speedy trial

Constitutional right to a speedy trial

• Sampoornata Abhiyan

Sampoornata Abhiyan

• Aditya-L1 Mission

Aditya-L1 Mission

• NOMADIC ELEPHANT

NOMADIC ELEPHANT

• INDIA- THAILAND JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE MAITREE

INDIA- THAILAND JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE MAITREE

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 05 July 2024

#### GS Paper 3:

Hathras Stampede: Causes and Prevention

Syllabus: Disaster Management

• •Source: IE*

Context: The Hathras stampede, which tragically claimed over 100 lives, highlights the multifaceted causes and necessary prevention measures for such disasters.

What is a Stampede?

A stampede is a sudden, impulsive mass movement resulting in injuries and deaths due to overcrowding, panic, or perceived danger. According to the National Crime Records Bureau figures, from 2000 to 2013, almost 2,000 people died in stampedes in India.

Key Factors Behind Stampedes:

• Causes of Death: Primarily traumatic asphyxia, heart attacks, crushing injuries, and head or neck injuries.

• Psychological Triggers: Panic and the breakdown of cooperative behaviour; crowd members pushing to avoid danger or achieve gratification.

• Physical Factors: Poor design, blocked exits, lack of lighting, and high crowd density increase the risk.

Causes:

Stampedes in India are primarily caused by structural failures, such as collapsing makeshift bridges and narrow streets with few exits, as well as fire and electrical issues, like unauthorized fireworks and faulty equipment. Crowd behaviour also contributes significantly, with panic triggered by rumours or competition, as seen in the Hathras Stampede. Security issues, including under-deployment of staff and lack of surveillance, exacerbate the problem. Additionally, poor coordination among agencies and inadequate infrastructure and resources hinder effective crowd management.

Notable Stampedes:

• Moscow (1896): Over 1,000 deaths due to a rumour-driven surge.

• Allahabad (1954): Around 800 deaths at Kumbh Mela from poor planning and crowd control.

• Lima (1963): 326 deaths during a football match due to panic from tear gas.

• Wai (2005): Over 340 deaths at a temple due to slippery steps.

• Mina (2015): Estimates range from 769 to over 2,000 deaths during Hajj pilgrimage from intersecting crowds.

• Mata Vaishnav Devi Shrine (2022): The Stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine resulted in the death of 22 people and injured 32.

NDMA Guidelines for Crowd Management:

• Understanding venue, visitors, and stakeholders: Event type (religious, educational, sports, music, political) Expected crowd demographics (age, gender, economic status) Crowd motives (social, academic, religious, entertainment) Venue details (location, terrain, open/closed space) Other stakeholders (NGOs, local community, administrators)

• Event type (religious, educational, sports, music, political)

• Expected crowd demographics (age, gender, economic status)

• Crowd motives (social, academic, religious, entertainment)

• Venue details (location, terrain, open/closed space)

• Other stakeholders (NGOs, local community, administrators)

• Crowd Handling: Traffic regulation around venues Clear route and emergency exit maps Barricades for crowd control Queue management with snake line approach VIP visitor management and discouraging general admissions

• Traffic regulation around venues

• Clear route and emergency exit maps

• Barricades for crowd control

• Queue management with snake line approach

• VIP visitor management and discouraging general admissions

• Safety and Security: Authorized use of electricity and fire safety measures CCTV surveillance and use of mini UAVs for large crowds

• Authorized use of electricity and fire safety measures

• CCTV surveillance and use of mini UAVs for large crowds

• Communication: Public address system for crowd communication

• Medical and Emergency Care: First-aid rooms and emergency operations centres

• Role of Event Managers: Developing, implementing, and reviewing disaster management plans

• Role of Civil Society: Involvement of NGOs in traffic control, medical aid, and disaster response

• Role of Police: Venue assessment, crowd guidance, and traffic management

• Role of Media: Educational role in disaster awareness; Critical role in evaluating disaster plans

• Capacity Building: Training and assessment of security personnel and police

Use of ICT in crowd management:

Conclusion:

Moving forward, India must enact comprehensive legislation addressing tortuous liability, following the Supreme Court’s observations after the Uphaar Cinema Tragedy. Emphasis should be placed on specialized training, effective communication, and stringent safety measures to maintain professionalism in managing large events.

Insta Links:

• Crowd management in temples

Mains Links:

Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (UPSC 2020)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024 GS Paper 4:

Humility in Public Discourse

Syllabus: Applications of Ethics

• •Source: TH*

Context: Freedom of speech is not just about speaking freely but also involves exercising positive character traits. Personal attacks and hate speech overshadow meaningful information and reveal a lack of understanding of both one’s own and the opponent’s limitations. This has turned public discourse into a spectacle, prioritizing verbal aggression over constructive debate.

What is Humility?

Humility is the quality of being modest and respectful, acknowledging one’s limitations and valuing others’ perspectives.

Example: A scientist, despite their expertise, listens carefully to a colleague’s new theory, considering it with an open mind instead of dismissing it outright, recognizing that they don’t have all the answers.

Current State of Political Discourse

Political discourse is dominated by personal attacks rather than relevant issue discussions. TRP-driven media fuels verbal harassment, turning debates into gladiatorial contests focused on aggression over constructive dialogue. This trend, prevalent in liberal democracies, teaches citizens to value harsh comments over meaningful discussions on public welfare.

Need for Humility in Public Discourse

• Promotes Respectful Dialogue: Encourages listening and valuing different viewpoints.

• Reduces Polarization: Minimizes personal attacks and hate speech.

• Fosters Understanding: Acknowledges one’s own limitations and others’ perspectives.

• Encourages Constructive Criticism: Focuses on issues rather than personal attacks.

• Enhances Cooperation: Builds bridges between different societal sections.

Importance of Virtues in Politics

Virtues like humility and care are vital for democratic discourse, as highlighted by thinkers like Montesquieu, who advocated for education to prioritize public over private interests. The decline in character training in modern politics has shifted focus to individual achievement over collective well-being. Charles Taylor and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar also emphasized that good governance relies on the virtues of leaders.

Traditional Indian Thought on Knowledge and Character

Traditional Indian thought sees knowledge as a moral, collective endeavour, emphasizing character. The Mahabharata highlights the importance of humility and care in acquiring knowledge. Prof. Vrinda Dalmiya illustrates this with Sage Kausika learning from a butcher and a housewife, showing that humility enhances understanding.

Mains Links:

Humility is the mother of all virtues, purity, charity and obedience. Comment. Do you consider yourself humble? How can you prepare yourself to become humbler? Discuss.(250 words)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Franz Kafka

• •Source: IE*

Context: Franz Kafka remains relevant 100 years after his death, with his works illuminating the absurdities of modern bureaucracy and disillusioned political systems.

Who was Franz Kafka?

He was a German-language novelist and writer from Prague. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures of 20th-century literature.

Franz Kafka worked in an insurance company by day and wrote at night. His stories, reflecting his experiences in a bureaucratic world, introduced the term “Kafkaesque,” describing nightmarish, absurd scenarios of oppressive bureaucracy. Despite burning much of his work, Kafka’s surviving writings like “The Trial” and “The Metamorphosis” gained posthumous fame. His themes of alienation and existential dread continue to resonate, influencing many writers and maintaining relevance in modern discussions of bureaucracy and authority. Kafka died in 1924, but his legacy endures through his powerful and enduring literary contributions.

Values exhibited by him:

• Integrity: Balancing a day job while pursuing his passion for writing.

• Humility: Leading a modest life despite his literary talent.

• Perseverance: Writing persistently, even in the face of personal struggles.

• Empathy: Capturing the human condition and societal issues in his works.

• Commitment to Truth: Exposing the harsh realities of bureaucracy and modern life.

• Intellectual Honesty: Critiquing the failures of Modernism and Rationalism.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Constitutional right to a speedy trial

• •Source: HT*

Context: The Supreme Court of India emphasized the constitutional right to a speedy trial under Article 21, rebuking the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for delays in a counterfeit currency case.

• The bench stressed that the right to a speedy trial applies regardless of the crime’s severity, criticizing the NIA for repeated delays in submitting its counter affidavit.

• The Supreme Court’s decision highlighted the importance of a speedy trial, referencing past rulings such as Kartar Singh Vs State of Punjab (1994), Hussainara Khatoon (I) Vs Home Secretary, State of Bihar, and Abdul Rehman Antulay Vs RS Nayak (1992), which all recognized the right to a speedy trial as a fundamental right under Article 21.

Sampoornata Abhiyan

Source: PIB

Context: The NITI Aayog has launched the ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan,’ a nationwide campaign aimed at achieving 100% saturation in 12 key social sector indicators.

More about Sampoornata Abhiyan

• Overview: A 3-month campaign by NITI Aayog.

• Objective: To achieve saturation of 6 key indicators in Aspirational Districts (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).

• Programs:

• ADP: Targets 112 Aspirational Districts. ABP: Targets 500 Aspirational Blocks.

• ADP: Targets 112 Aspirational Districts.

• ABP: Targets 500 Aspirational Blocks.

• Key Indicators for Districts:

• Soil Health Cards distribution Schools with functional electricity Fully immunized children (9-11 months) Pregnant women registered for ANC in the first trimester Pregnant women taking ICDS Supplementary Nutrition Schools providing textbooks within 1 month of the session start

• Soil Health Cards distribution

• Schools with functional electricity

• Fully immunized children (9-11 months)

• Pregnant women registered for ANC in the first trimester

• Pregnant women taking ICDS Supplementary Nutrition

• Schools providing textbooks within 1 month of the session start

• Key Indicators for Blocks:

• Screening for Diabetes and Hypertension Pregnant women registered for ANC in the first trimester Pregnant women taking ICDS Supplementary Nutrition Soil Health Cards generated SHGs receiving Revolving Fund

• Screening for Diabetes and Hypertension

• Pregnant women registered for ANC in the first trimester

• Pregnant women taking ICDS Supplementary Nutrition

• Soil Health Cards generated

• SHGs receiving Revolving Fund

The campaign emphasizes collaboration among local and state governments, central ministries, and NITI Aayog officials to support and guide local governance.

The Aspirational Districts Programme, launched in 2018 by NITI Aayog, aims to transform 112 districts focusing on Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, and Infrastructure, measured across 81 development indicators.

The Aspirational Blocks Programme, launched in 2023, targets 500 blocks in 329 districts to achieve saturation of essential government services in Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Allied Services, Basic Infrastructure, and Social Development, measured across 40 indicators.

Aditya-L1 Mission

• •Source: ISRO*

Context: The Aditya-L1 spacecraft has successfully completed its first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrangian point L1.

• This journey requires precise modelling of dynamics and an understanding of perturbing forces.

• The successful execution of these manoeuvres has validated the state-of-the-art flight dynamics software developed by URSC-ISRO.

The Aditya-L1 mission is an Indian solar observatory at Lagrangian point L1, launched on September 2, 2023, and was inserted in its targeted halo orbit on January 6, 2024.

Aditya-L1 spacecraft in the Halo orbit takes 178 days to complete a revolution around the L1 point.

NOMADIC ELEPHANT

• •Source: PIB*

Context: The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT began in Meghalaya.

• The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counterinsurgency operations under the United Nations Mandate Chapter VII, focusing on semi-urban and mountainous terrain.

• Key tactical drills include response to terrorist actions, the establishment of joint command posts and intelligence centres, securing helipads, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.

The exercise aims to share best practices in joint operations, develop interoperability, and strengthen the camaraderie and defence cooperation between the two nations.

INDIA- THAILAND JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE MAITREE

Source: PIB

Exercise MAITREE, conducted annually since 2006, alternates between India and Thailand. This exercise is crucial for both nations facing terrorism threats, especially in southern Thailand regions like Satun, Patthalung, and Bangkok, which are prone to attacks.

The exercise includes company-level joint training on insurgency and counter-terrorism in jungle and urban scenarios, enhancing defence cooperation and bilateral relations between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army.

Additionally, the Royal Thailand Navy and Indian Navy have conducted Coordinated Patrols (CORPATs) in the Indian Ocean since 2005.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 July 2024 [PDF]

Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE

Official Facebook Page HERE

Twitter Account HERE

Instagram Account HERE

LinkedIn: HERE