DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Nov. 20, 2021

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2021:

Tags:

Why in the news?

It was celebrated on 19 November 2021. This year, the 552nd birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated.

• On this day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, the followers of Guru Nanak celebrate his legacy, achievements and honour his preaching.

Guru Nanak Jayanti:

• It is one of the sacred festivals of Sikhs and is celebrated with utmost love and enthusiasm.
• According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on a full moon day in the month of Kartik Puranmashi.
•  Guru Nanak Jayanti is a three-day festival that is celebrated full of excitement. 
• Two days prior to the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Akhand Path is held in the Gurudwaras. In this path, 48 hours of non-stop reading is done of the Guru Granth Sahib, the religious book of the Sikh religion.
• 

Guru Nanak ji:

• Birth: He was born In 1469 at Talwandi Rai Bhoe village near Lahore, which was later renamed as Nankana Sahib.
• He was the first of the 10 gurus of Sikhism.
• Death: In 1539 Kartarpur (Now in Pakistan)

His contribution:

• To spread his teachings, he travelled across South Asia and the Middle East. His teachings were immortalised in the form of 974 hymns which are mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of the Sikh religion.
• Guru Nanak Dev is known for his connection to God through prayer and his teachings didn’t encourage sacrifices. 
• His teachings were compiled into the sacred book known as Guru Granth Sahib.
• The entire Sikhism revolved around this religious text which was believed as the final, sovereign, and eternal Guru for Sikhs. The idea behind the book is the belief that the creator of the universe is one.
• Advocated the 'Nirguna' (devotion to and worship of formless divine) form of bhakti.

Preaching:

• Sikhism preaches selfless service to humanity, prosperity, and social justice for all, irrespective of the differences they have.
• Guru Nanak Devji’s teachings of three principles — Kirat Karo (earn an honest living), Naam Japo (meditate) and Vand Chako (share with the needy).
•  When he formed Sikhism, he emphasized One God (Ek Onkar). The importance of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is to believe in your good karma and ONE higher power.
• Guruji believed in equality and brotherhood. He considered everyone is equal, regardless of their rank, color, race, caste, religion, gender or status. 
• According to him, "Women as well as men share the grace of God and are equally responsible for their actions to him.
• Guru ji mentioned five evils residing in the human mind/body. 
• Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat Da Bhala“, which means Nanak asks for a name, which blesses all with prosperity, health, happiness and all well things.

Allahabad High Court Decision on Uniform Civil Code:

Tags:

Why in the news?

Recently, the Allahabad High Court has called upon the Central government to initiate the process for implementation of Uniform Civil Code.

Key highlights:

• The court has announced that the Uniform Civil Code “is a necessity and mandatorily required today.
• It would promote gender parity in Indian society.
• UCC would accommodate the aspirations of the young population who imbibe liberal ideology.
• The UCC aims to provide protection to vulnerable sections as envisaged by Ambedkar including women and religious minorities.
• Secularism is the objective enshrined in the Preamble, a secular republic needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices.
• Its implementation would thus support national integration.

What is UCC?

• A Uniform Civil Code is one that would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc.
• Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a UCC for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
• Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. These, as defined in Article 37, are not justiciable (not enforceable by any court) but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance.
• In 1941, BN Rau Committee recommended a codified Hindu law, which would give equal rights to women in keeping with the modern trends of society.
• Tracts of the Constituent Assembly debates reveal that there was no consensus in the Constituent Assembly about what a potential uniform civil code would entail.

Why does India need Uniform Civil Code?

• For Gender Parity: The rights of women are generally restricted under religious law, be it Hindu or Muslim. Triple talaq, priority given to men in terms of succession and inheritance are some examples.
• Many practices governed by religious tradition are contrary to the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Indian constitution.
• National Integration:  UCC would make the dream of “One Nation, One Law” come true. India believes in one nation and hence no community shall claim separate religious laws. In this way, it’ll promote national integration.
• Violation of religious freedom:  UCC is considered by religious minorities as an encroachment on their rights to religious freedom. They fear that their traditional religious practices will be replaced by the rules and diktats of majority religious communities.
• Nature of India: A secular republic like India needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices
• Freedom of Choice: A religion neutral personal law would encourage protection of couples in case of inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. 
•  Even Acts like the Special Marriage Act, 1954 permits any citizen to have a civil marriage outside the realm of any specific religious personal law.

What are the hurdles with UCC?

• The UCC is often perceived by the minorities as an encroachment on religious freedom.
• Article 25 of Indian constitution, that seeks to preserve the freedom to practise and propagate any religion ge
• There are practical difficulties due to religious and cultural diversity in India.
• Affects Majority as well: For example,  even Hindus themselves have separate Hindu laws for themselves. Thus, it is not merely a question for minorities but it also affects the majority.

Does India not already have a uniform code in civil matters?

• Indian laws do follow a uniform code in most civil matters — Indian Contract Act, Civil Procedure Code, Sale of Goods Act, Transfer of Property Act, Partnership Act, Evidence Act, etc. States, however, have made hundreds of amendments and, therefore, in certain matters, there is diversity even under these secular civil laws. Recently, several states refused to be governed by the uniform Motor Vehicles Act, 2019.

World Children’s Day:

Tags:

Why in the news?

World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20 November annually. It is also known as Universal Children's Day.

Objectives:

• The purpose of this day is to improve child welfare worldwide, promote and celebrate children’s rights and promote togetherness and awareness amongst all children. 
• This day is promoted and coordinated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) which works towards the improvement of children’s welfare.
• The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959.
• The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.

Key highlights:

• World Children’s Day 2021 Theme: A Better Future for Every Child.
• The theme focuses on raising the voice on the issues that matter to the generation of children and young people and calling for adults to create a better future. 

History:

• It was first established as Universal Children’s Day in 1954.
• Later it was officially adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1954 by adopting resolution 836 (IX). 
• This day is also devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the UN Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.
• On this date, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the child in 1959.
•  It is also the date when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
• Therefore, since 1990, World Children's Day marks the anniversary of the date when the UN General Assembly adopted both the Declaration and the Convention on children's rights. 

About Convention on the Rights of the Child? 

• In 1989 World leaders came together and made a historic commitment to the world's children. 
• It is the world's most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. On 20 November several countries came together and promised to protect children's rights. 
• The Convention focused on who the children are, what are their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. It also states that all rights are connected and cannot be taken away from children.
• The Convention inspired governments to change laws and policies and make investments to take care of the health of the children and nutrition that is required by the children to survive and develop.

What are the importances of World Children's Day?

• It guarantees rights to the children.
• The day raises awareness and spreads the knowledge of what actual children face globally. There are millions of children who don't have access to education, healthcare, or opportunities.
• This day emphasizes the education of children.
• UNICEF's flagship report examines the issue of children, food, and nutrition and provides a fresh perspective on a rapidly evolving challenge.
• It supports immunization programs for childhood diseases and programs to prevent spread of HIV/AIDS.
• It also provides funding for health services, educational facilities and other welfare services.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):

• Formerly known as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund is a special program of the UN devoted to aiding national efforts to improve the health, nutrition, education, and general welfare of children.
• It was created in 1946 to provide relief to children in countries devastated by World War II.

It is headquartered in New York City.

Project Samhati:

Tags:

Why in the news?

The new National Education Policy 2020 lays emphasis on imparting teaching in the mother tongue in primary classes.

Thus, Odisha has launched the Samhati project for imparting its various tribal languages. 

Key highlights:

• The project will help save endangered tribal languages.
• It intends to address the language issues faced by tribal students in early grades or elementary classes.
• Under this, the department plans to cover approximately 2.5 lakh students in 1,450 primary schools in the State.
• As many as 3,328 teachers and 222 language teachers are in place to impart teaching in tribal languages.

Under Samhati, all teachers of primary level would be provided functional knowledge of tribal languages. 

• Implemented by: The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute (SCSTRTI) and the Academy of Tribal Language and Culture (ATLC), Bhubaneswar 
• Of the 21 languages, Santhali — the only language which has been included in the eighth schedule of Constitution — is taught in its own ol chiki script while the rest of tribal languages have Odia scripts.

Others:

• Odisha is home to 62 different tribal communities including 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), making it the State with the most diverse indigenous communities in the country.
• The new National Education Policy lays emphasis on imparting teaching in the mother tongue in primary classes. But when the language-base of Odisha’s adivasi communities is as diverse as 21 spoken languages further divided into 74 dialects, the task appears to be quite onerous.