Devanura Mahadeva:

Topic : Person in News ( Prelims)

Context: Renowned Kannada writer and social activist Devanura Mahadeva was honoured with the prestigious 2024 Vaikom Award for social justice by the Tamil Nadu government.

Highlights :

• The award was presented by TN Chief Minister MK Stalin during the inauguration of the Vaikom Periyar Memorial Building in Kerala.
• The award recognises Mahadeva’s exceptional contributions to literature, his relentless advocacy for marginalised communities, and his lifelong fight against caste discrimination and oppression.
• About Vaikom Award:
• The Vaikom Award was instituted in 2023 by the TN government to honour individuals or organisations across India embodying the values of equality and justice.
• Named after the historic Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–1925), the award commemorates the movement’s legacy of challenging caste-based discrimination and enabling temple entry for all castes.
• The movement, spearheaded by Mahatma Gandhi and Periyar, marked a pivotal moment in India’s struggle against untouchability.
• The award  includes Rs 5 lakh in cash, a medal, and a certificate of appreciation.

About Devanura Mahadeva:

Born in 1948 in Devanuru, Karnataka, Mahadeva has been a steadfast advocate of social justice and empowerment. His literary works earning him accolades like the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.

Odalaala (1978) and Kusumabale (1988), for example, delve into the lived experiences of Dalit communities.

• In 2015, he returned the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi Award in protest against rising intolerance in India, after a Muslim labourer was lynched for allegedly consuming beef.
• As a founding member of the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (DSS), he has championed land rights, education, and participatory democracy for marginalised groups.
• His vision draws from the philosophies of Dr BR Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi.
• Ram Manohar Lohia’s advocacy for social justice, caste equality, and economic democracy also deeply influenced his activism and shaped his role in the DSS.
• The writer is also known for his critical analysis of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

• His 64-page booklet, RSS: Aala Mattu Agala (RSS: The Long and the Short of It in English), dissects the organisation’s ideological pillars, including its adherence to Varnashrama Dharma, Aryan supremacy, and its opposition to constitutional federalism.
• The book, freely available for reprinting, has been published in multiple languages, with over 3 lakh copies sold across India
• SHORTS:
• Renowned Kannada writer and social activist Devanura Mahadeva was honoured with the prestigious 2024 Vaikom Award for social justice by the Tamil Nadu government.
• The award was presented by TN Chief Minister MK Stalin during the inauguration of the Vaikom Periyar Memorial Building in Kerala.
• The Vaikom Award was instituted in 2023 by the TN government to honour individuals or organisations across India embodying the values of equality and justice.
• Born in 1948 in Devanuru, Karnataka, Mahadeva has been a steadfast advocate of social justice and empowerment.
• His literary works, though not copious in volume, have had a monumental impact, earning him accolades like the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.
• Odalaala (1978) and Kusumabale (1988), for example, delve into the lived experiences of Dalit communities.

December 13, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Ecofix mix technology:

Topic : Science and Technology ( GS-3)

Context: In an effort to address pothole issues during the monsoon season, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has initiated trial run of the Ecofix mix technology.

Highlights :

• Potholes in Bengaluru have been a major cause of traffic congestion and accidents.
• To tackle this persistent challenge, the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), in collaboration with Ramco Global Services and BBMP, launched a pilot project.

About Ecofix mix technology : Ecofix is developed using industrial waste, specifically iron and steel slag, produced by steel industries.

 The mix does not require any dehydration process, making it suitable for repairing water-filled potholes.

Conventional road repair technologies require dewatering of pothole and application of tack coat while ECOFIX can be applied even under water logged condition without any tack coat requirement.

In terms of durability and longevity the repaired surface will perform better than the regular road as the ECOFIX is prepared using processed iron and steel slag aggregates and specially.

Utilisation of ECOFIX will pave the way for sustainable waste utilisation in the country by carrying out eco-friendly road maintenance and will also reduce the unsustainable mining of natural aggregates causing serious impacts on our ecosystem.

As application of ECOFIX is without any heating need of aggregate and bitumen hence it’s also significantly lowers the GHG emission in the atmosphere caused by regular road maintenance technique.

India, the world’s second-largest steel producer, generates around 19 million tonnes of steel slag annually, a figure projected to reach 60 million tonnes per year by 2030.

The utilisation of Ecofix technology not only provides a sustainable solution for road maintenance, but also promotes eco-friendly waste management practices

• SHORTS:
• In an effort to address pothole issues during the monsoon season, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has initiated trial run of the Ecofix mix technology.
• To tackle this persistent challenge, the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), in collaboration with Ramco Global Services and BBMP, launched a pilot project.
• Ecofix is developed using industrial waste, specifically iron and steel slag, produced by steel industries.
• The mix does not require any dehydration process, making it suitable for repairing water-filled potholes.

December 13, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Cases of digital fraud in Karnataka :

Topic: Science and Technology, ( GS-3)

Context: Karnataka has reported 641 cases of digital fraud in the current year, leading to financial losses over Rs 109 crore.

Highlights :

• Of these, 480 cases were from Bengaluru city, while Mysuru reported 24 cases and Mangaluru 21 cases.
• Across the country, over 42,000 digital fraud cases were reported last year, with Karnataka alone accounting for 11,000 of them.
• Police have tracked and deactivated over 700 social media accounts and groups that targeted victims.
• To combat the problem, government have deactivated 268 Facebook groups, 465 Telegram groups, 15 Instagram accounts, and 61 WhatsApp groups involved in fraudulent activities.
• Digital frauds
• Digital frauds include various online scams targeting personal information or money.
• Phishing involves fraudsters posing as legitimate entities via email or SMS to obtain sensitive information.
• Identity theft occurs when scammers steal personal data like name, address, or social security number
• Online shopping fraud involves fake online retailers offering discounted items but failing to fulfill orders
• Wire transfer fraud involves scammers impersonating trusted entities to request fraudulent transfers or intercept wire instructions.
• Email frauds involve emails with links for loans, vacations, or benefits, risking device security.
• Smishing is a phishing attack conducted via mobile text messaging.
• UPI frauds involve fake payment or UPI transfer requests.
• Initiatives
• Karnataka Government launched a comprehensive cyber security policy 2024 to combat rising levels of cybercrimes and promote awareness, skill building, public-private partnerships and technology integration to protect the State’s digital infrastructure
• Digital Nagarik program: The government has launched the Digital Nagarik program for the cyber safety of kids and students
• The Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with the All India Game Developers Forum (AIGDF), is set to launch a Digital Detox initiative, concentrating on gaming and social media.
  • Digital Detox Centers will be established across Karnataka, offering personalized guidance, counselling, and practical tools to manage screen time effectively

December 13, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Sarjapura Industrial Area:

Topic : Economy ( GS-1)

Context: The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)  issued tenders inviting reputed consultants and firms to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Sarjapura Industrial Area in the Bengaluru Urban district.

Highlights : The project, covering 647.69 acres, entails the creation of a new industrial zone.

• The consultancy work includes economic analysis, surveying, layout planning, design, cost estimation, and preparation of a comprehensive cost structure.
• The state government is working to develop Sarjapura into a significant IT hub, inspired by Electronics City and the International Tech Park in Whitefield.
• The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has been assigned the task of acquiring 1,050 acres of land for this project, despite concerns that this development may contradict efforts to reduce congestion in Bengaluru.
• The officials also noted that other industrial parks in Bommasandra, Jigani, Attibele, Veerasandra, and Electronics City are now fully occupied.

Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board

• Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) is a wholly owned infrastructure agency of Government of Karnataka, set up under Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act of 1966.
• This Board functions as per statutory provisions, rules and regulations enacted there under.
• The Board comprises of senior government officers in their ex-officio capacities.
• The Board of members meets regularly to take decisions and monitor the functions.
• KIADB holds pride in being the first government organization in Karnataka to obtain ISO 9001 certification in the year 1997.
• Now the KIADB is following ISO 9001:2000 module covering its functions of Land Acquisition, Development and Allotment functions in Bangalore Urban and Rural districts.
• Aims and Objectives:
• Promote rapid and orderly development of industries in the state.

• Assist in implementation of policies of Government within the purview of KIAD Act.
• Facilitate in establishing infrastructure projects.
• Function on “No Profit – No Loss” basis.
• Functions:
• Acquire land and form industrial areas in the state.
• Provide basic infrastructure in the industrial areas.
• Acquire land for Single Unit Complexes.
• Acquire land for Government agencies for their schemes and infrastructure projects
• SHORTS :
• The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB)  issued tenders inviting reputed consultants and firms to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Sarjapura Industrial Area in the Bengaluru Urban district.
• The state government is working to develop Sarjapura into a significant IT hub, inspired by Electronics City and the International Tech Park in Whitefield.
• Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) is a wholly owned infrastructure agency of Government of Karnataka, set up under Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Act of 1966.
• This Board functions as per statutory provisions, rules and regulations enacted there under.

December 13, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

National Law School of India University (NLSIU):

Topic : Society ( GS-1)

Context: Government  of Karnataka to hold talks with NLSIU council over 25 per cent direct reservation to Karnataka student

Highlights :

• The institute is claiming that it is giving 25 per cent horizontal reservation on compartment basis in the general merit list released as per Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).
• But, as per the norms it has to provide 25 per cent direct reservation for Karnataka students.

About National Law School of India University (NLSIU):

NLSIU was the first National Law University established in India in 1986.

• The premier law school was set up with a mission to pioneer legal education reforms, and to anchor the transformation of the Indian legal system through research and policy interventions.
• Consequently, the NLSIU was one of the first institutions in the country to introduce the five-year integrated law degree at the undergraduate level with the commencement of the first batch in 1988.
• NLSIU was established under the National Law School of India Act (Karnataka Act 22 of 1986), which was notified in the official Gazette August 29, 1987.
• This Act conferred complete administrative and academic autonomy to the University which is housed in the Bengaluru University campus.
• The University’s Chancellor is the Chief Justice of India, and the Chairman of the Bar Council of India is the Chairman of the General Council.
• The University’s Governing bodies include representatives from the Bar Council of India, the Judiciary, the Government of Karnataka, and the Law School faculty.
• Vision:

• Creating curricular experiences on par with highest contemporary standards
• Providing socially relevant learning experiences to its students
• Enabling scholars to generate impactful reforms that are not only systematic but also sustainable
• Enabling digitization of academic and research resources
• With an array of research centres, projects underway and a team of expert faculty and administrators, NLSIU seeks to create opportunities that will open doors to a more inclusive, progressive, and innovative approach to legal education.
• SHORTS:
• Government  of Karnataka to hold talks with NLSIU council over 25 per cent direct reservation to Karnataka student
• NLSIU was the first National Law University established in India in 1986.
• The premier law school was set up with a mission to pioneer legal education reforms, and to anchor the transformation of the Indian legal system through research and policy interventions.

December 13, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise