ONE STOP SOLUTION FOR UPSC AND PSC

CURRENT AFFAIRS
08 SEPTEMBER 2023
INCLUDES
MAINS ANALYSIS
DAILY MAINS QUESTION
PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS

COVERING

THE HINDU
INDIAN EXPRESS
ECONOMIC TIMES
TIMES OF INDIA
PIB
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS BY AMAN SHARMA

YOJANA
& MUCH MORE.
 TOPIC: Endangered Languages in India
RELEVANCE : #GS1 #Society

MAINS ANALYSIS
CONTEXT
There are an estimated 7,000 languages spoken in the
world today. However, many of these languages are
endangered, meaning that they are at risk of
disappearing.
According to the census 1961, India has around
1652 languages. But by 1971, only 808
languages were left.
An endangered language is a language that is
spoken by a small number of people and is in
danger of becoming extinct.
There are many factors that can contribute to
language endangerment, including
globalization, migration, and urbanization.
ENDANGERED LANGUAGE
A language is considered endangered if it meets one
or more of the following criteria:
The number of speakers is declining.
The language is no longer used in the home.
There are no native speakers of the language
under the age of 18.
The language is not used in education or
government.
There are no written materials in the language.
The loss of a language is not just the loss of a way to
communicate. It is also the loss of a culture, a
history, and a way of life.

CAUSES IN FAVOUR OF INDIA

There are many factors that can contribute to
language endangerment. Some of the most common
factors include:
Globalization: The spread of a dominant
language, such as English, can lead to the decline
of other languages.
Migration: When people move to a new country,
they often adopt the dominant language of that
country.
Urbanization: People who move to cities are
more likely to speak the dominant language of
the city.
Intergenerational language transmission: If
parents do not teach their children their native
language, the language is at risk of disappearing.
Scheme for Protection and Preservation of
Endangered Languages (SPPEL) was
instituted by the Ministry of Human Resource
Development (Government of India) in 2013 to
document and archive the country’s languages
that have become endangered or are likely to be
endangered in the near future.
Article 350B requires the president to appoint
a special officer for linguistic minorities to
investigate all matters relating to the
constitutional safeguards for linguistic
minorities and to report to him.
UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages
in Danger is a tool to monitor the status of
endangered languages and the trends in
linguistic diversity at the global level.

WAY FORWARD
Raising awareness of the issue: People need to understand the importance of preserving endangered
languages.
Supporting language speakers and communities: This could include funding for language education and
cultural programs, as well as legal protections for endangered languages.
Developing new technologies: New technologies, such as digital archives and translation software, can
help preserve endangered language

MAINS QUESTION
The decline of languages is a serious problem, but it is not too late to take action.
Elaborate.

10 Marks 150 Words

 ASEAN Five Point Consensus towards Myamnar Crisis
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recently displayed
a newfound courage by calling out the junta in Myanmar for its ongoing
violence and failure to implement the Five-Point Consensus.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit highlighted the
commitment to building a "resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-
centred" regional bloc and economic centre in line with the ASEAN
Community Vision 2045.
Myanmar's assumption of the ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2026 has
been revoked, with the Philippines taking over instead.
Background:
Following the military coup in Myanmar, ASEAN devised a plan in April
2021 that aimed to restore peace and stability in Myanmar.
The junta pledged to cease violence and initiate inclusive political
dialogue. Despite the agreement, the junta continued to violate the
consensus, prompting ASEAN to take a stronger stance.
What is ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus?
1. Immediate End to Violence: ASEAN emphasizes the urgent need to
halt the violence in Myanmar, reflecting its commitment to promoting
peace and protecting the well-being of the people.
2. Dialogue Among All Parties: ASEAN highlights the importance of
inclusive political dialogue, encouraging all relevant parties to engage in
constructive discussions for a peaceful resolution.
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3. Appointment of a Special Envoy: ASEAN appoints a neutral special

envoy to facilitate effective communication and mediation with all
stakeholders involved in the crisis.
4. Humanitarian Assistance by ASEAN: ASEAN acknowledges the dire
humanitarian situation in Myanmar and commits to providing essential aid
to alleviate the suffering of the affected population.
5. Special Envoy's Visit to Myanmar: The special envoy's visit serves as
an opportunity to directly engage with all parties, gathering insights and
promoting a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Analysis:
ASEAN's recent actions demonstrate a growing determination to address the
post-coup crisis in Myanmar. While the impact of their stance remains
uncertain, it is crucial for ASEAN to leverage its influence over Myanmar and
continue pushing for an end to violence and the initiation of meaningful
dialogue. Ultimately, the restoration of a legitimate, responsible, and
responsive regime is the key to resolving the multiple crises faced by
Myanmar.
 What is the Heat Index?
Recently, Iran has been in the midst of a record-breaking heat wave, with
temperatures soaring to 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) in
some parts of the country.
The heat wave has caused widespread power outages and water
shortages, and has led to the deaths of dozens of people.
What is heat index?
Heat index, also known as apparent temperature, is a measure of how
hot it feels to the human body. It is calculated by taking into account the
actual temperature and the relative humidity.
The higher the heat index, the more dangerous it is for people to be
outside.
A heat index of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can be dangerous, and
a heat index of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher can be fatal.
How does high humidity impact the human body?
High humidity makes it difficult for the human body to cool down. When
the humidity is high, sweat does not evaporate as easily, which means
that the body cannot release heat as effectively.
This can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other heat-related
illnesses.
The future of heat waves
Climate change is making heat waves more frequent and more intense.
This means that we are likely to see more extreme heat waves in the
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future.
We need to prepare for these heat waves by investing in early warning
systems, making changes to work timings, and finding sustainable
cooling solutions. We also need to raise awareness of the dangers of
heat waves and how to stay safe.

India's first ever UPI-ATM

India's first UPI-ATM was launched on 5th September 2023, by Hitachi
Payment Services.
The ATM is a White Label ATM (WLA) developed in collaboration
with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The ATM was designed to enable "seamless cash withdrawals" and
eliminate the need to carry physical ATM cards.
It also aims to drive financial inclusion by making banking services more
accessible in areas with limited traditional banking infrastructure.
Do You Know?
A White Label ATM (WLA) is an ATM that is owned and operated by a
non-banking entity. These ATMs are not branded by any specific bank,
and they can be used by customers of any bank that has an agreement
with the WLA operator.
 RBI's New Guidelines Give Borrowers More Flexibility in
Loan Repayments
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued new guidelines that
give borrowers more flexibility in managing their loan repayments. The
guidelines allow borrowers to switch from a floating interest rate-based loan
to one with a fixed interest rate, and they also allow borrowers to prepay their
loans, either in part or full.
The RBI's move is aimed at providing borrowers with more control over
their finances and helping them to manage their debt more effectively. It
also comes at a time when interest rates are rising, which could make
floating rate loans more expensive for borrowers.
Under the new guidelines, borrowers can switch from a floating interest
rate-based loan to a fixed interest rate-based loan at any time during the
tenure of the loan. However, the lender may charge a fee for this service.
The lender must also clearly communicate to the borrower all relevant
charges associated with the switch.
Borrowers can also prepay their loans, either in part or full, at any time
during the tenure of the loan. However, the lender may charge a
prepayment penalty for this service.

Feature Fixed Interest Rate Floating Interest Rate

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Remains the same Varies over time, based

Interest rate
throughout the loan term on market conditions

Lower risk for the Higher risk for the

Risk
borrower borrower

Predictability More predictable Less predictable

Easier to plan for monthly More difficult to plan for

Planning
payments monthly payments

Flexibility Less flexible More flexible