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Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme

Recently, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme.

About Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme:

This program aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.
It will equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field.
It will nurture a pool of domestic talent who can deeply engage with emerging internet governance issues and contribute to their resolution.

The internship program offers:

a bi-annual internship with two parallel tracks: a six-month program and a three-month program.
each intern will be mentored by subject matter expert from international organizations like ICANN APNIC or APTLD, members from Special Interest Group, high ranked retired government official and faculty advisors from recognized institutions/universities.
a fixed stipend of 20,000/- per month will be provided to interns along with support to conduct mandatory outreach programs.

Key facts about NIXI:

It is a not-for- profit company which was set up in 2003 under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.
It is tasked with increasing internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating various infrastructure aspects to enable the internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses.
The four services under NIXI include: Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) for building Internet Exchange Points, .IN Registry for building the .in domain digital identity, IRINN for IPv4 and IPv6 addresses adoption.

Lokpal

The Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India was held for the first time on 16th January at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, in the august presence of the Chief Justice of India.

About Lokpal:

It is a statutory body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
Mandate: To inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.

Organisational Structure:

It consists of a chairperson and eight Members, out of whom four are Judicial Members.
The Chairperson should be either the former Chief Justice of India,or a former Judge of the Supreme Court, or an eminent person who fulfills the eligibility criteria as specified.
The judicial member of the Lokpal should be either a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.
A minimum of fifty percent of the Members will be from SC/ST/OBC/Minorities and women.

How are members appointed?

The Chairperson and the Members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a selection committee composed of the Prime Minister as the Chairperson, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of Indiaor a Judge nominated by him/her, and one eminent jurist.
They hold office for a term of five years from the date on which they enter upon the office or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
The salary, allowances, and other conditions of services of the Chairperson are the same as that of the Chief Justice of India.
The salary, allowances, and other conditions of services of the members are the same as that of a Judge of the Supreme Court.

Jurisdiction:

It has jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against anyone who is or has been Prime Minister, a Minister in the Union government, or a Member of Parliament, as well as officials of the Union Government under Groups A, B, C, and D.
It covers chairpersons, members, officers, and directors of any board, corporation, society, trust, or autonomous body either established by an Act of Parliament or wholly or partly funded by the Union or State
It also covers any society, trust, or body that receives a foreign contribution above Rs 10 lakh.
A complaint under the Lokpal Act should be in the prescribed form and must pertain to an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against a public servant.
There is no restriction on who can make such a complaint.
When a complaint is received, the Lokpal may order a preliminary inquiry by its Inquiry Wing or any other agency or refer it for investigation by any agency, including the CBI, if there is a prima facie case.
The Lokpal, with respect to Central government servants, shall refer the complaints to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

Exceptions for Prime Minister:

Lokpal cannot inquire into allegations against the PM relating to international relations, external and internal security, public order, atomic energy, and space.
Also, complaints against the PM are not to be probed unless the full Lokpal bench considers the initiation of the inquiry and at least 2/3rds of the members approve it.

Powers of Lokpal:

It has powers to superintendence over and to give direction to the CBI.
If it has referred a case to the CBI, the investigating officer in such a case cannot be transferred without the approval of Lokpal.
Powers to authorize CBI for search and seizure operations connected to such cases.
The Inquiry Wing of the Lokpal has been vested with the powers of a civil court.
Lokpal has powers of confiscation of assets, proceeds, receipts, and benefits arisen or procured by means of corruption in special circumstances.
Lokpal has the power to recommend the transfer or suspension of public servants connected with the allegation of corruption.
Lokpal has the power to give directions to prevent the destruction of records during the preliminary inquiry.
In terms of Section 48 of the said Act, the Lokpal is required to present annually to the President a report on the work done by it, which is caused to be laid in both the Houses of the Parliament.

Namdhari Sect

Punjab Chief Minister recently paid tribute at a function organised at the Namdhari Shaheed Smarak in Malerkotla to mark the Kuka martyrs’ day.

About Namdhari Sect:

It was founded by Satguru Ram Singh of Baisakhi in 1857. He challenged the status quo, advocated social reform, and resisted the British rule in various ways.

The Namdharis were also known as “Kukas”because of their trademark style of reciting the “Gurbani” (Sayings/Teachings of the Guru).
This style was in a high-pitched voice called “Kook” in Punjabi. Thus, the Namdharis were also called “Kukas”.
Namdhari Sikhs consider the Guru Granth Sahib as the Supreme Gurbani, but they also believe in a living human Guru.
The Namdharis consider the cow to be sacred.
The sect’s headquarters is located in Ludhiana’s Bhaini Sahib near village Raiyaan, where Ram Singh was born.

History of the Kuka martyrs’ day:

On January 13, 1872, a group of some 200 Namdharis led by Kuka Hira Singh and Lehna Singh reached Malerkotla following an incident of cow slaughter in the town. The Namdharis had long been agitating for a ban on cow slaughter.
On January 15, the Kukas clashed with government officials. On the very same day, a 150-strong Kuka contingent also attacked the Malaudh Fort in Ludhiana, which was under the jurisdiction of a local ruler who was loyal to the British.
The British retribution to the Kuka raids was brutal. John Lambert Cowan, the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana district, ordered the execution of 49 Kukas on January 17, and another 17 on January 18.

Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface Scheme

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended capping Internet tariffs for Wi-Fi service providers under the PM-WANI scheme at twice the rate for retail broadband.

About PM-WANI Scheme:

It was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in 2020.
It aims to enhance the proliferation of public WiFi hotspots to create robust digital communications infrastructure in the country, especially in rural areas.
Through better access to public hotspots, the government aims to increase employment for small and micro-entrepreneurs and provide low-cost internet to the underserved urban poor and rural households.
The scheme encourages local shops and establishments to provide Wi-Fi for last-mile internet delivery, which does not require a licence or charge a registration fee.

How can one get access the PM-WANI internet?

To access public hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme, one needs to download a relevant app which shows the available networks.
The user can then choose from a list of available connections and make a payment to use the network.
The user can access the network till his/her balance is exhausted.

PM-WANI Ecosystem Components:

Public Data Office (PDO): Sets up Wi-Fi hotspots and provides internet access. No license is required from DoT.
Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): Offers authorization, accounting services, and user interfaces for purchasing data plans and monitoring usage.
App Provider: Develops applications to help users locate and connect to nearby PM-WANI hotspots, facilitating easy internet access.
Central Registry: Managed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, maintaining records of App Providers, PDOs, and PDOAs.

ISRO’s Third Launch Pad

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About Third Launch Pad:

The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch Vehicles of ISRO.
It also support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions.

Implementation strategy and targets:

It is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3 vehicles with Semicryogenic stage as well as scaled up configurations of NGLV.
It will be realized with maximum industry participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities.
TLP is targeted to be established within a duration of 48 months or 4 years.
Funding: The total fund requirement is 3984.86 Crore and includes the establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities.
Significance: The Project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight & space exploration missions.

Background:

Presently, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP).
FLP was realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV.

Siachen Glacier

Recently, the Siachen Glacier was equipped with 4G and 5G service by a private telecom firm of India.

About Siachen Glacier:

It is a piedmont glacier located in the Karakoram Range.
It lies in the heavily glaciated Himalayan region known as the “Third Pole,” because mountain glaciers in this region contain more fresh water than is found anywhere else on Earth except for the polar ice caps.
It lies between the Saltoro Ridge, a subrange of the Karakorams, to the west and the main Karakoram Range to the east.
It is the second longest nonpolar glacier in the world, after Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan.
It originates at the base of the Indira Col West, a col (low point) on the Indira Ridge.
It is located so strategically that while it dominates Shaksgam Valley(ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963) in the north, controls the routes coming from Gilgit Baltistan to Leh from the west, and at the same time, it dominates the ancient Karakoram Pass in the eastern side too.
It is the major source of the 80km long Nubra River, a major tributary of the Shyok River.
It is considered the world’s highest battleground and in 1984, India took its control under Operation Meghadoot.