Daily Current Affairs – 12th October

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body that works to safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes in India. 
• Article 338 of the constitution of India deals with this commission.

Composition:

It consists of 5 members 

• Chairperson.
• Vice-chairperson.
• Three other members. 
• Appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• Service and conditions: Determined by President 
• The 89th amendment, passed in 2003, divided this multi-member system into the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (338)and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (338-A).
• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes established in 2004.

Functions: 

• Monitoring and looking into any problems involving the protections the constitution gives to the SCs.
• investigating allegations about the SCs’ being deprived of their protections and rights.
• participating in and giving advice to the federal or state governments for the planning of the SCs’ socioeconomic development.
• Reporting on the application of these protections on a regular basis to the president of the nation.
• making suggestions for actions to be implemented to advance the socioeconomic development and other welfare initiatives of the SCs.
• any additional duties related to the progress, protection, development, and welfare of the SC community.
• Similar duties must be performed by the Commission toward the Anglo-Indian Community as they are toward the SCs.

The NCSC and its power:

It has the power to regulate its procedure.

Has the Powers of civil courts:

• The NCSC summons the attendance of any person and examines on oath.
• It can receive evidence on affidavits. 
• NCSC can issue a Commission to scrutinise witnesses and documents.
• The NCSC can enforce the production of any documents.

Note: 

• National Commission of Scheduled Tribes – Art 338 A.
• Composition, appointment, Duties – similar to National Commission of Scheduled castes but it overlooks Scheduled Tribes. 
• National Commission of backward castes – Art 338 B. 
• Composition, appointment, Duties – similar to National Commission of Scheduled castes but it overlooks other backward castes.
• Prior to 2018, the NCSC was also in charge of carrying out similar duties for the other backward classes (OBCs). The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 was exempt from this obligation.

Chandrayaan 2 mission:

 Why in News? 

Chandrayaan-2 maps sodium content on Moon’s surface

About Chandrayaan 2:

• After Chandrayaan-1, Chandrayaan-2 is the second lunar exploration mission created by the Indian Space Research Organization.
• It consists of a lunar orbiter as well as an Indian-developed lander    and rover on the moon, the Vikram and Pragyan.   
• Rocket: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III

Objective: 

The primary scientific goal is to map and examine the differences in the composition of the lunar surface, as well as the presence and distribution of lunar water.

Findings: 

• For the first time, a significant amount of sodium was found on the moon by the x-ray spectrometer CLASS (Chandrayaan-2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer). 
• Due to its enhanced capabilities and sensitivity, the CLASS spectrometer was able to offer a clear signature of the sodium line.
• The Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (C1XS) previously revealed the possibility of a significant amount of sodium on the Moon by identifying the element’s distinctive X-ray line.
• Atoms rarely interact in the exosphere of the Moon, where sodium is present. 
• The exosphere starts at the surface of the moon and extends over a distance of several thousand kilometres before blending with interplanetary space.
• The latest information from Chandrayaan-2 opens up the possibility of researching the interactions between the lunar surface and exosphere.
• This could aid in the creation of analogous models for Mercury and other solar system astronomical planets without atmospheres.
• About X-ray florescence: 
• Mineral composition may frequently be determined without causing any damage using X-ray florescence. When solar flares hit the lunar surface and emit a significant amount of X-ray energy, it starts.
• The CLASS spectrometer counts the total number of X-ray photons while measuring their energy.
• The energy of the photon identifies the atom of the element, and its intensity is used to calculate the quantity of atoms present.

Navayana Buddhism

Why in News? 

Mission Jai Bhim and The Buddhist Society of India organised a public meeting in Delhi to commemorate Buddhist Conversion Day. 

About Navayana Buddhism:

Background:

• On October 13, 1935, Ambedkar as president of the ‘Yeola  Conversion Conference near Nasik, announced his decision to  renounce  Hinduism, as a path to contest the Hindu caste order.
• He urged the gathered caste members to put an end to conflicts like the temple entry agitations and counselled them to convert to another faith in place of Hinduism.
• In Nagpur, Maharashtra, on October 14, 1956, B. R. Ambedkar accepted Buddhism alongside more than 5 lakh of his followers.
• Ambedkar accepted Buddhism in a grand ceremony at Nagpur’s Deekshabhoomi, where more than five lakh followers had gathered to support his decision.
• Ambedkar and his wife took Buddhist vows in the presence of monk Chandramani.
• The occasion is recognised as the resurgence of Buddhism in India.
• Ambedkar called his version of Buddhism as navayana Buddhism and his followers as neo – Buddhist. 
• He then recited the Trisharan, the five Panchsheel principles and the 22 pledges he had made for the audience, and denounced Hinduism.

Central Board of Film certification

Why in News?

Central Board of Film Certification has advocated that film advertisements must carry film certification.

About:

The Central Board of Film certification is an important body that handles film certification in India which are commonly known as Censor Board. 

1. Statutory body under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
2. Regulates public exhibition of films under provisions of Cinematograph act 1952.
3. The Central Board of Film Censors was renamed as Central Board of Film Certification in 1983.
4. Prime regional office – Mumbai

Vision:

To ensure good and healthy environment in accordance with provisions of the Cinematograph act 1952 and Cinematograph (certification) rules 1983.

Mission:

1. Ensure healthy environment, recreation and education to the public.
2. Making certification process more transparent and responsible.
3. Adopting modern technology for the certification process.

Film Certification:

1. U – Unrestricted
2. UA – Unrestricted but with parental discretion advisory for children under 12 years
3. A – Adult
4. S – Only for special class of persons

Writer Ki Rajanarayanan

Why in News?

Recently by his name the Govt school were he studied has been renovated

About:

1. Popularly known as Ki Ra and known as ‘Pioneer of Karisal literature’.
2. Born in Idaiseval near Kovilpatti.
3. First short story – ‘Mayamaan’ was published in 1959 in the magazine Saraswathi.
4. First novel – ‘Gopallagramam’.
5. Recipient of Sakitya Akademi award in 1991 for the novel ‘Gopallapurathu Makkal’.
6. Other works – Karisal Kaatu Kaduthaasi and Andaman Naicker.
7. Recorded and collected 200 folk stories and they were published as ‘Nattuppura Kadhai Kalanjiyam’.
8. In 2003, his short story ‘Kidai’ was made into a Tamil Film entitled ‘Oruththi’ and was screened at the Internal Film Festival of India.
9. Appointed as Professor of Folklore at Pondicherry University. 
10. The Times of India called Ki Ra as ‘Guardian of Tamil oral tradition’.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Why in News?

Central government expands Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, focus on multiministerial convergence, skilling of girls, increase enrolment of girls at secondary level in schools, raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and others.

About:

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2015 at Haryana which aims to address the issue of decline in child sex ratio along with empowerment related issues for girls and women.

1. The name Beti Bachao Beti Padhao translates to ‘Save the Girl child and Educate the Girl child’.
2. Tirministerial effort – Ministry of Women and Child development, Ministry of Health and Family welfare and Ministry of Human resource development.

Objectives:

1. Ensure survival and protection of girl child
2. Ensure women education
3. Ensure women empowerment
4. Prevent gender biased sex selection abortion

Needs:

1. As per 2011 census, Child sex ratio for India is 919 girls for every 1000 boys.
2. Dip in the ratio is significant indicator of Sex selective abortion, Female infanticide, Gender discrimination and Women disempowerment.

Key elements:

1. Create awareness about education and importance of girl child.
2. Promote institutional deliveries for safe delivery of pregnant mothers.
3. Registration of births to maintain records of girl child.
4. Enforcing Pre conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of sex selection) act 1994.