Status of Classical Language

Context:

• The Union Cabinet has approved to confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages.

Classical languages:

• Classical languages are regarded as the custodians of India’s ancient and profound cultural legacy, preserving the rich history, literature, and traditions of their respective communities.
• By conferring this status, the government seeks to honor and protect the linguistic milestones of Bharat’s diverse cultural landscape, ensuring that future generations can access and appreciate the deep historical roots of these languages.
• This move not only reinforces the importance of linguistic diversity but also acknowledges the vital role these languages play in shaping the nation’s cultural identity.

Declaring a language as classical:

• The designation of a language as classical is intended to recognize its historical significance and its role as a guardian of Bharat’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.
• These languages have been essential in preserving and transmitting India’s ancient knowledge systems, philosophies, and values across generations for thousands of years.
• By recognizing these languages as classical, the government acknowledges their deep-rooted antiquity, vast literary traditions, and their invaluable contribution to the cultural fabric of the nation.
• This recognition highlights the significant cultural and linguistic contributions these languages have made to India’s heritage.
• It will not only elevate their stature but will also facilitate efforts toward the promotion, preservation, and further research of these languages, ensuring their continued relevance in the modern world.

Criteria for declaring a language as classical:

• In 2004, the Government of India, for the first time, created a new category of languages known as Classical Languages.
• The criterion was revised in 2005 and 2024 based on the recommendations of Linguistic Experts Committees (LEC) under Sahitya Akademi to examine the proposed languages for the status of Classical Language.
• The criteria revised in 2024 as follows:
• High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500- 2000 years.
• A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers.
• Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
• The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots.
• The 2024 Linguistic Expert Committee also recommended the following languages to be fulfilling revised criteria to be considered as a Classical Language: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.

Languages declared as classical so far:

• Six Indian languages namely Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia were earlier accorded the status of Classical Language.
• The Union Cabinet has approved to confer the status of Classical Language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali languages on October 03, 2024, thus bringing the total number of classical languages to 11.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs initially granted the status to Tamil and Sanskrit, and the Ministry of Culture took over the responsibility for further implementations and future recognitions.
• The Ministry of Culture established the Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC) on November 1, 2004, to assess future proposals for the recognition of classical languages.

Steps taken to promote classical languages:

• The Ministry of Education has taken various steps for advancing Classical Languages.
• In 2020, three Central Universities were established through an Act of Parliament to promote Sanskrit.
• The Central Institute of Classical Tamil was created to facilitate translating ancient Tamil texts, promoting research, and offering courses for university students and language scholars.
• To further enhance the study and preservation of Classical Languages, the Centres for Excellence for studies in Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia were established under the auspices of the Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysuru.
• Additionally, several national and international awards have been introduced to recognize and encourage achievements in the field of Classical Languages.
• Other benefits provided by the Ministry of Education include National Awards for Classical Languages, university chairs, and centers dedicated to promoting Classical Languages.

Impact of a language being declared classical:

• The inclusion of languages as Classical Languages will create significant employment opportunities, especially in the academic and research sectors.
• Additionally, the preservation, documentation, and digitization of ancient texts in these languages will generate jobs in areas such as archiving, translation, publishing, and digital media.
• Recognizing the languages as classical encourage scholarly research, preservation, and the revitalization of ancient texts and knowledge systems, which are essential to India’s intellectual and cultural identity.
• Furthermore, it instills a sense of pride and ownership among the speakers of these languages, promoting national integration and aligning with the broader vision of a self-reliant and culturally rooted India.

Conclusion:

• Union Cabinet’s decision to confer Classical Language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali reflects a deep recognition of the invaluable role these languages have played in shaping India’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
• This step not only acknowledges their historical and literary significance but also underscores the government’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s linguistic diversity.
• The initiative is expected to foster academic and research opportunities, enhance global collaborations, and contribute to the nation’s cultural and economic growth.
• By safeguarding these languages for future generations, the government is reinforcing a broader vision of cultural self-reliance and national integration, in line with the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and a culturally rooted India.

World Health Organization approves first mpox diagnostic test

Context:

• The United Nations health agency approves first diagnostic test for mpox, crucial for countries facing outbreaks

News:

• The United Nations health agency said that it had approved the use of the first diagnostic test for mpox, a key tool in countries battling outbreaks.

More info:

• “The approval for emergency use” of the test “will be pivotal in expanding diagnostic capacity in countries facing mpox outbreaks, where the need for quick and accurate testing has risen sharply”, the World Health Organization said.
• The test, called the Alinity m MPXV assay enables the detection of the mpox virus from swabs taken from human lesions.
• By detecting DNA from pustular or vesicular rash samples, laboratory and health workers can confirm suspected mpox cases efficiently and effectively.
• Limited testing capacity and delays in confirming mpox cases persist in Africa, contributing to the continued spread of the virus.
• The approval of the test represents a significant milestone in expanding testing availability in affected countries.
• Increasing access to quality-assured medical products is central to our efforts in assisting countries to contain the spread of the virus and protect their people, especially in underserved regions.

About mpox:

• Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by infected animals but can also be passed from human to human through close physical contact.
• It causes fever, muscular aches and large boil-like skin lesions, and can be deadly.

Road Safety Sensor:

Context:

• Novel polymer nanocomposite creates base for road safety sensor for accident prone turnings

News:

• A prototype of a road safety sensor that can be implanted at high-risk turning points where accidents are frequent, has been developed from a new polymer nanocomposite with pressure sensing and energy harvesting properties.

More info:

• Scientists are constantly trying to develop new materials for self-powered energy generating and pressure sensing devices and using them for several applications.
• Flexible, portable, long-lasting, and wearable sensors and energy harvesting devices can play an essential part in today’s artificial intelligence era.
• Polymers and nanoparticles serve critical roles in today’s flexible electronic systems.
• Researchers from Centre for Nano and Soft matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengluru have developed a polymer nanocomposite for pressure sensing and energy harvesting applications and used it to invent a prototype of a road safety sensor.
• The prototype may be implanted in the movable ramp and secured to the road just 100 meters before acute and fatal turning points.
• Thus, any vehicle approaching from the opposite side will see the signal on a screen and be alerted.
• This prototype works on the principle of piezoelectric effect so it can generate energy that can be stored and used further to power electronic gadgets as well.
• The novel polymer nanocomposite, from which the prototype has been crafted, has been made of transition metal dichalcogenide.
• The scientists synthesized vanadium disulfide (VS2) with a very high surface charge which has the capacity of improving the piezoelectric characteristics of polymers.
• Polymer nanocomposite films were prepared by integrating these nanoparticles at various concentrations into a well-known piezoelectric polymer, poly (vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF).
• Further they investigated how the surface charge of nanoparticles will affect the piezoelectric properties of polymer nanocomposite.
• In addition, a laboratory-scale demonstration of a road safety sensor and smart door was established, with the prototype as a pressure sensor.
• This study demonstrates that PVDF-VS2 nanocomposites will provide significant value to flexible, long-term energy generating and pressure sensing applications.
• This study is part of an ongoing project “Materials for self-powered energy generating and pressure sensing devices” funded by Department of Science and Technology under INSPIRE –faculty fellowship programme.

India’s vision for Indo-Pacific

Context:

• India’s vision for Indo-Pacific is based on fostering partnerships through sustainable development, economic growth & mutual security: Raksha Mantri at Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2024

News:

• “India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific is based on the idea of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) as we believe in fostering partnerships that prioritise sustainable development, economic growth and mutual security,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024 in New Delhi.

India’s vision for Indo-Pacific:

• India’s engagement with its partners is guided by the understanding that true progress can only be achieved through collective action & synergy, and due to these efforts, it is now considered as a credible & preferred security partner and first responder in the region.
• India’s unwavering resolve to a rule-based international order, respect for international law, and adherence to the principles enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, describing them as the cornerstones of foreign policy.
• India has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to disputes and has sought to promote cooperation among nations in the Indo-Pacific, with a strong emphasis on the centrality of ASEAN in fostering regional dialogue, stability & collective growth.
• India’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the vital international maritime routes.
• The engagement with regional partners, including joint exercises and information-sharing initiatives, is aimed at strengthening the collective maritime security framework.
• Indian Armed Forces, especially Navy, has been at the forefront of cooperative endeavours with countries of the region, and are continuously working towards building their capacity and capabilities.
• While India’s endeavour for maritime cooperation continues, its interests are not in conflict with any other country.
• At the same time, interests of any other nation should not come in conflict with other nations. This is the spirit in which we must work together.

Evolving Indo-Pacific region:

• Rapidly evolving global maritime landscape is shaped by shifting power dynamics, resource competition & emerging security threats.
• Emergence of the Indo-Pacific theatre reflects a visible balancing of global power.
• The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the world’s most dynamic geopolitical zone and is the centre of gravity of the economic & strategic interests.
• It also carries a degree of pre-existing international tension, rivalry and conflict.
• While some challenges are of local nature, many challenges have global ramifications.
• With respect to marine resources, we are witnessing a significant increase in geopolitical competition.
• As populations continue to grow, the demand for marine resources has surged, leading to heightened tensions and competition among nations.

• Global Commons: Natural resources such as the ocean, outer space, climate, clean air, etc., which is shared by all of humanity, these are essential to maintain a sustainable planet.
• There is a need to create a balance of competing interests, which can offer numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits transcending national boundaries.
• Tragedy of the commons: A scenario where individuals, acting in their own self-interest, deplete shared resources, leading to collective ruin.
• It as a looming threat, which can only be dealt with if the international community comes together and acts swiftly for sustainable management of shared global commons.

IPRD:

• The IPRD is an annual apex-level regional strategic dialogue of the Indian Navy which aims to sequentially flesh-out the seven spokes of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• Through its central theme of ‘Resource-Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific’, this year’s conference focuses on ‘Marine Resources’ and ‘Maritime Security’ pillars of IPOI.
• The IPRD-2024 is being organised by the Indian Navy in association with National Maritime Foundation (NMF) as its knowledge partner.
• Established in 2005, the NMF is one of India’s foremost maritime think-tanks that concentrates its research upon issues relevant to India’s maritime interests, and has gained significant international traction for conduct of independent, original, and policy-relevant research on all ‘matters maritime’.