Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum
The Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj inaugurated the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (AFAF) in New Delhi.
What is Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (AFAF)?
AFAF is a global fisheries and aquaculture conference organised every three years by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS).
AFS, a non-profit scientific body, was established in 1984 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It brings together various scientists, researchers and industry experts to discuss challenges, trends and innovations in the field.
The Forum promotes international collaboration to develop better practices for the future of fisheries and aquaculture.
Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
India as Host: India is hosting AFAF for the second time (first being 8th AFAF held in Kochi in 2007).
Organizers:
AFS is organising it in collaboration with ICAR, Department of Fisheries, Government of India and Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), Mangalore.
Theme of 14th AFAF: “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific”.
What is the status of India’s fisheries sector?
India is the third largest fish producer and second largest aquaculture country in the world after China.
India ranks fourth globally in fish exports, contributing 7.7% of global fish production.
Top fish producing states: Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka.
Inland fisheries account for more than 75% of total production.
Government Initiatives:
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
• Marine Products Export Development Authority
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Dokra Artwork
Recently, the Indian Prime Minister gifted a Dokra artwork decorated with herbs by musicians to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, showcasing the rich tribal artistry of India.
He also gifted an exquisite silver hand-engraved table mirror with floral and peacock motifs to the First Lady of France.
Key Points
About Dokra:
Dokra, an age-old metal-casting craft of Chhattisgarh, uses the lost-wax technique to create intricate brass and copper sculptures.
The gifted work depicts traditional musicians in dynamic postures, highlighting the profound cultural significance of music in tribal lives.
The lapis lazuli and coral embellishments enhance the visual appeal of the artwork and showcase the rich indigenous craftsmanship of India.
Silver Table Mirror:
The silver table mirror has detailed floral and peacock carvings, reflecting India's heritage of fine metalwork.
The intricate design combines artistic beauty with cultural symbolism, making it a treasured souvenir
Dokra
Dokra is a form of ancient bell metal craft practiced by the Ojha metal artisans residing in states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana.
However, the style and craftsmanship of this artisan community varies from state to state.
Dhokra or Dokra is also known as Bell Metal Crafts.
The name 'Dhokra' comes from the Dhokra Damar tribe, who are the traditional metalsmiths of West Bengal.
Their lost wax casting technique is named after their tribe, hence called Dhokra metal casting.
Dokra artefacts are made of brass and are unique in that the pieces have no joints.
The process combines metallurgical skills with wax technology using the lost wax technique, a unique art form where the mould is used only once and then broken, making it the only one of its kind in the world.
The tribe is spread from Jharkhand to Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Kerala.
Each sculpture takes about a month to be made.
The dancer from Mohenjodaro (Harappan Civilization) is one of the oldest Dhokra artefacts known.
The Dokra art is still used to make artefacts, accessories, utensils and jewellery.
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Arctic Warming
Source: Indian Express
The temperature of the North Pole (Arctic region) rose by 20 degrees Celsius above average, raising concerns about the rapid warming of the region and its global impact.
What are the key facts about Arctic warming?
Introduction: It refers to the rapid increase in temperature in the Arctic region (the area north of 66.5°N latitude), also known as Arctic warming.
The Arctic region has warmed four times faster than the global average since 1979.
Cause: A deep low pressure system over Iceland led to the convergence of warm air from lower latitudes, causing an unusually high temperature in the Arctic winter.
The warming was aggravated by unusually high temperatures in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, and wind patterns brought additional heat into the Arctic.
The reduced albedo effect leads to more heat being absorbed and the temperature rising.
Weaker convection currents in the Arctic trap the heat generated by greenhouse gases near the surface, causing a rise in temperatures.
Possible consequences: More ice melting could lead to coastal flooding and land loss.
Changes in Arctic temperatures can disrupt the jet stream (a narrow band of fast-moving winds in the upper atmosphere), affecting global rainfall, storms and extreme weather.
Species such as polar bears and seals depend on ice for survival, putting their habitat at risk of being destroyed.
Note: The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line located at approximately 66.5°N latitude, marking the southern boundary of the Arctic region.
It includes parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and the United States (Alaska).
India in the Arctic Region
India established its engagement with the Arctic region by signing the Svalbard Treaty in 1920 and began its Arctic research programme in 2007.
It established the Himadri Research Base in Svalbard (2008, Norway) and received Arctic Council observer status in 2013.
In the year 2022, India announced its Arctic Policy, with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research as the nodal agency.
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UPSC/MPPSC & Other State PSC EXAMS , Notes for Mains ---- Marital Rape in India
Source: Business Standard
For Prelims:
High Court (HC), Supreme Court (SC), BNS, Section 377, Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination), and 21 (right to life and dignity), POCSO Act, 2012.
For Mains:
Legal and judicial status of marital rape in India. Discussion on making marital rape a crime.
In Gorakhnath Sharma vs State of Chhattisgarh case, 2019, the Chhattisgarh High Court (HC) ruled that if the wife is above 15 years of age, the husband cannot be charged with rape or unnatural sex with her, even without consent.
It relies on exception 2 under section 375 of the IPC, which exempts the husband from rape charges if the wife is not under 15 years of age.
In another development, the Supreme Court (SC) is hearing petitions seeking to declare marital rape a crime, which is being supported by women's rights activists.
What is marital rape?
Introduction: Marital rape is a type of intimate partner violence that involves forced sex or sexual assault between a husband and wife. It is not a crime in India.
However, if a couple is married but living separately, the husband is guilty of rape if his wife does not consent to sex.
Legal perspective:
IPC: Section 375 (2) states that sexual intercourse or sexual activity between a man and his wife who is not under 15 years of age is not rape.
BNS has retained immunity for husbands in cases of marital rape but has raised the age of consent from 15 to 18 years in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment in Independent Thought vs UoI case, 2017.
Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Although marital rape is not a crime, a woman can seek relief under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 for sexual abuse, humiliation or outrage of dignity.
Judgments on Marital Rape:
Independent Thought vs UoI case, 2017: Supreme Court struck down Exception 2 of Section 375 of Indian Penal Code (Section 63 of BNS) for wives aged 15-18 years, which held sexual intercourse with minor wives (below 18 years) as rape.
It held this exception as arbitrary and unconstitutional, violating Articles 14 (equality), 15 (non-discrimination) and 21 (right to life and dignity).
The Court ruled that the POCSO Act, 2012 prevails over the Indian Penal Code, which makes sex with a minor (below 18 years) rape, even if the person is married.
K.S. Puttaswamy case, 2017: It emphasised the importance of sexual autonomy for individuals as an intrinsic part of privacy.
Other important judgments:
In 2023, the Bombay High Court ruled that consensual sex with a minor wife is rape, and rejected the defence of consent in such cases.
In 2024, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that unnatural sex with a wife is not rape and the wife's consent is irrelevant in such cases.
Judicial rulings on unnatural sex:
Navtej Singh Johar case, 2018: The Supreme Court partially struck down Section 377 of the IPC, decriminalising consensual homosexuality.
Government stand: The Home Ministry told the Supreme Court that although a husband cannot violate his wife’s consent, it is too harsh and disproportionate to call it “rape”.
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