GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

The feminist movements in pre-independent India played a pivotal role in shaping the constitutional rights for women, yet their contributions remain underappreciated.

1.  Enfranchisement Struggle:

   - Initial Advocacy (1917): Women activists presented demands for voting rights in 1917 to Edwin Montagu and Lord Chelmsford.

   - Formation of Women’s Indian Association (WIA): WIA, formed in 1917, became the first national body advocating for female suffrage.

   - Advocacy in Britain (1918) and Continued Struggle (1925): WIA and others intensified their efforts, traveling to Britain to garner support, with Sarojini Naidu pushing the issue in Congress sessions. Despite early victories, suffragists          faced challenges, leading to the passage of the enfranchisement Bill in 1925.

2.  Expansion of Civic Rights:

   - Nehru Report (1929): The report called for equal civic rights; a delegation led by Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Shareefa Hamid Ali traveled internationally for support.

   - Government of India Acts: - Government of India Act 1919 allowed provincial legislatures to grant women the right to vote, with Madras being the first province in 1921. 1935 Act Expanded voting rights and facilitated women's entry into       public offices, paving the way for the idea of universal adult franchise.

   - Election Participation (1936-37): Women leaders contested elections and joined provincial governments, contributing to the acceptance of universal adult franchise.

3. Social and Personal Sphere Activism:

   - Formation of AIWC (1927): All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) focused on women’s education initially and later advocated against child marriage, raising the age of consent, and banning polygamy.

   - Indian Woman’s Charter of Rights and Duties (1945-46): AIWC adopted a charter demanding equality, economic empowerment, reforms to personal codes, and recognition of the value of domestic work.

   - Reservation Debates: Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul argued against special privileges based on religion and reservations, reflecting diverse worldviews within the women’s movement.

Context: 

Countering the misconception that temple worship is a recent phenomenon, there are historical evidence and Brahminical texts to highlight the deep-rooted tradition of temple construction and worship in ancient India.

1.  Historical Evidence:

   - Audumbara in Himachal Pradesh (1st Century BCE): The Audumbaras, practicing Hinduism, ruled in the first century BCE and minted coins with Hindu iconography, including a depiction of a Shiva temple, indicating the existence of            large temples in ancient India.

   - Linh Son Bac in Vietnam (2nd Century CE): Archaeological findings in Vietnam, dating back to at least the second century CE, reveal the presence of a Hindu temple, emphasizing that temple worship was not confined to India.

   - Vishnu Smriti (90:19): The consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya aligns with the recommendations of the Vishnu Smriti, reinforcing the enduring legacy of temple worship in contemporary times.

2.  Deity Iconography and Worship:

   - Puranic Deities on Coins (180 BCE): Six Indian drammas excavated in Ai-Khanoum, Afghanistan, depicted Puranic deities Krishna and Balarama, indicating the importance and worship of deities during that period.

   - Evolution of Deity Iconography: The formalization of deity iconography and worship practices is evident, suggesting the existence of large temples dedicated to various deities.

   - Seamless Integration into Social Life: Brahminical texts suggest that temple rituals were seamlessly woven into the social life of common people, with instructions for regular upkeep and the association of family events like childbirth            with temple rituals.

3.  Brahminical Texts Endorse Temple Worship:

   - Vishnu Smriti (30:15, 90:10-12, 90:19): The Vishnu Smriti not only mentions temples in great detail but also emphasizes the importance of temple building, upkeep, and consecration, dispelling the notion of any discord between                 Brahminical traditions and temple worship.

   - Manusmriti (3:150, 9:279/280): Manusmriti discusses temple rituals and imposes penalties for those disobeying temple worship rules, reinforcing the significance of temples in ancient India.

   - Vashistha Dharmasutra (10:03): Vashistha Dharmasutra acknowledges temples as ideal places for wandering ascetics to seek shelter, highlighting the high regard for temples in the societal and religious fabric.

Context: 

The pressing issue of floods in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region and emphasizes the need for climate-resilient strategies, particularly through spatial planning and nature-based solutions.

1.  Widespread Flooding in HKH:

   - Recent Catastrophes (2023): Cataclysmic floods hit the Indian Himalayas and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, resulting in significant human casualties and extensive damages.

   - Common Catalysts: Unplanned construction along riverbanks, alteration of traditional farming practices, and inadequate drainage systems contribute to the heightened risk of floods.

   - Climate-Resilient Activities: Embracing nature-based solutions ensures climate-resilient practices, preparing communities in the HKH region for potential floods.

2.  Spatial Land-Use Planning for Climate Adaptation:

   - Urbanization Impact: Rapid urbanization has led to unchecked construction in flood-prone areas, diminishing natural floodplains and exacerbating disaster risks.

   - Spatial Planning Importance: Enforcing strict town planning using spatial land-use planning approaches is crucial for mitigating floods, landslides, and climate change impacts.

   - Community Engagement: Participatory technology-based spatial planning engages communities in decision-making, designates risk-prone zones as restricted areas, and guides strategic infrastructure placement.

3.  Role of IT and Nature based solutions:

   - GIS and Earth Observation (EO) and Real time Data: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Earth Observation (EO) data play a pivotal role in spatial planning by evaluating land use changes, mapping flood hazards, exposure,           and vulnerability. GIS provides real-time flood inundation data, aiding disaster response, relief efforts, and timely action to reduce casualties.

   - Community-Based Flood Early Warning Systems: Initiatives like the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development's (ICIMOD) low-cost community-based flood early warning system empower local communities to respond          to floods effectively.

   - Tree Planting, Retention Ponds and Barrier Effect: Planting native trees along riverbanks and creating retention ponds serve as effective nature-based solutions. Trees act as natural barriers, slowing floodwaters, absorbing excess                rainwater, and contributing to the recharge of natural springs.