Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has recommended a rights-based approach for children with disabilities, urging the state to view them as citizens with rights rather than just beneficiaries of services.
Key points
- Recommendation for a rights-based approach for children with disabilities.
- Urges the state to recognize disabled children as citizens with rights.
- Calls for a single-window system for transparent and time-bound delivery of schemes and benefits.
- Emphasizes early detection and permanent inclusion of expert services in taluk hospitals.
- Suggests forming mobile screening teams for direct screening of children.
Background & context
Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, aims to secure and promote the rights and entitlements of persons with disabilities. The current system of service delivery for disabled children involves multiple departments leading to coordination issues.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights submitted its report earlier this year.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 1 (Social Issues), GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and Interventions)
Why in news?
Environmentalists are concerned about land use changes in the Periya-Pakranthalam elephant corridor in North Kerala, warning that construction activities could obstruct elephant movement and increase human-elephant conflict.
Key points
- Concerns raised over alleged land use changes in the Periya-Pakranthalam elephant corridor.
- Potential obstruction of elephant movement, habitat fragmentation, and increased human-elephant conflict.
- Representation submitted to forest department officials seeking immediate intervention.
- The corridor is vital for elephant movement within the Wayanad Elephant Reserve.
- Allegations of blockage at the Pakranthalam bottleneck.
Background & context
Elephant corridors are crucial for maintaining connectivity between elephant habitats, facilitating migration, and genetic exchange. Fragmentation of these corridors due to human activities leads to increased human-elephant conflict.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Periya-Pakranthalam corridor is part of the Wayanad Elephant Reserve.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 3 (Environment and Ecology)
Why in news?
A 'Freedom Quiz' for primary school students in North Kerala included a question identifying V.D. Savarkar as the freedom fighter who received the most punishment from the British, sparking political controversy and demands for an inquiry.
Key points
- A question in a 'Freedom Quiz' for primary school students in Kerala identified V.D. Savarkar as the freedom fighter receiving the most punishment from the British.
- Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan accused the UDF government of allowing RSS indoctrination.
- Students' organizations (SFI and MSF) demanded an inquiry into the inclusion of the question.
- The question is seen as whitewashing Savarkar's 'treacherous role' in the Independence Struggle.
- The quiz was conducted in Manjeshwar, Kumbla, and Kasargod educational sub-districts.
Background & context
V.D. Savarkar was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, known for his Hindutva ideology. His role and actions during the freedom struggle have been subjects of historical debate and political discourse.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The quiz was part of preparations for the 79th Independence Day celebrations.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 1 (Modern Indian History), GS Paper 2 (Polity, Governance)