15 November 2024

• Heritage: 15 November is Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda. He is called "Dharti Aba" (Father of Earth).
• Polity: AFSPA was reimposed in six police station limits in Manipur following renewed violence.
• Environment: GRAP Stage III was invoked in Delhi as AQI breached 400 (severe category).
• Health: India has 212 million diabetes patients, 25 per cent of the global total. World Diabetes Day was on 14 November.

GS area: Modern Indian History, Social Justice

The 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda was observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

• Born: 15 November 1875 in Ulihatu village, Jharkhand.
• Led the Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan): Challenged British land policies and the exploitative "diku" (outsider) landlord system that dispossessed tribal communities in Chotanagpur.
• Birsait faith: Founded a monotheistic faith that rejected caste discrimination and rituals while drawing on both tribal beliefs and elements of Christianity.
• Dharti Aba: Meaning "Father of Earth." The title reflects his status as a messiah figure among the Munda community.
• Chotanagpur Tenancy Act 1908: While Birsa died in 1900, his rebellion directly contributed to the passage of this Act, which protected tribal land rights and restricted land alienation.
• Died: In Ranchi jail in 1900 at the age of 25, under suspicious circumstances.

Static linkage: Tribal history, freedom struggle, social reform movements.

GS area: Internal Security, Polity

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act was reimposed in six police station limits in Manipur.

• AFSPA: Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. Enacted first for the Naga Hills area. Later extended to other troubled areas.
• Powers granted: Prohibit assemblies; use force (including lethal) to maintain order; arrest without warrant; search premises without warrant.
• Immunity clause: Armed forces personnel cannot be prosecuted without prior sanction from the Union Government. This is the most contested provision.
• Current applicability: Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland, parts of Arunachal Pradesh, and now specific areas of Manipur.
• Background: Manipur has been under ethnic violence since May 2023, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
• Legal challenge: The Supreme Court has on multiple occasions held that AFSPA's immunity clause does not protect acts that are clearly not in the discharge of official duty.

Static linkage: Internal security, fundamental rights, Northeast India.

GS area: Environment, Governance

The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked GRAP Stage III in Delhi NCR as AQI crossed 400.

• GRAP: Graded Response Action Plan. A tiered set of emergency measures tied to AQI thresholds.
• Stage I: AQI 201 to 300 (Poor).
• Stage II: AQI 301 to 400 (Very Poor).
• Stage III: AQI 401 to 450 (Severe).
• Stage IV: AQI above 450 (Severe+).
• Stage III measures: Ban on construction activities. Shutdown of brick kilns and hot mix plants. Closure of stone crushers.
• CAQM: Supreme Court approved GRAP in 2016. CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) took over GRAP management in 2021 under the CAQM Act.
• PM2.5: Primary pollutant in Delhi winters. Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter below 2.5 micrometres. Penetrates the lungs and bloodstream.

Static linkage: Air quality regulation, Delhi's environment, governance.

GS area: Health, Society

World Diabetes Day (14 November) highlighted India's position as the world's largest diabetes nation.

• Global burden: 828 million adults with diabetes globally (2022).
• India's burden: 212 million cases, 25 per cent of the global total.
• Untreated: 133 million cases in India are untreated (64 million men, 69 million women).
• Types: Type 1 (autoimmune, insulin-dependent), Type 2 (lifestyle-linked, most common), gestational diabetes, diabetes insipidus.
• Government response:
  • NPCDCS: National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke.
  • Ayushman Bharat: Health and Wellness Centres provide primary screening.
  • Eat Right Movement: FSSAI initiative to improve food choices.

Static linkage: Public health, non-communicable diseases, government schemes.

GS area: Art and Culture, Modern History

Gurpurab (Guru Nanak Jayanti) was observed on 15 November 2024, marking the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

• Born: 1469 at Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan).
• Died: 1539 at Kartarpur, Punjab.
• Founded Sikhism: Emphasised monotheism, equality of all humans regardless of caste, and the rejection of ritualism.
• Key teachings:
  • Ek Onkar: "There is only one God."
  • Langar: Community kitchen open to all, regardless of religion or caste. Practice of equality.
  • Pangat: Sitting together in rows (emphasising equality at langar).
  • Sangat: Holy congregation.
• Gender equality: Famous for the statement "Why call her inferior who gives birth to kings?"

Static linkage: Sikhism, Bhakti and Sufi movements, social reform.

• Student Direct Stream visa program: Canada's fast-track visa programme for students was discontinued by the Canadian government in November 2024. The programme had lower fees and simplified documentation. Indian students are the largest single group of international students in Canada.
• IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency. Established 1957 as an autonomous UN body. Headquarters in Vienna. Director General: Rafael Grossi. Mandates: promoting peaceful nuclear use and preventing weaponisation. Received Nobel Peace Prize 2005.
• Dual Approval Exemption for white-category industries: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change exempted 39 white-category industries (low pollution: solar manufacturing, wind power, fly-ash bricks) from Consent to Establish requirements, reducing procedural delays.