- SOCIAL ISSUES
WATCHING CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL IS AN OFFENCE : SC
- Criminal Liability for Possession and Viewing: The Supreme Court held that viewing, downloading, storing, possessing, distributing, or displaying pornographic acts involving children attract criminal liability under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act.
- This overturns the Madras High Court’s decision, which had previously ruled that mere possession or storage of such material was not an offense.
- Psychological Impact on Victims: The court emphasized that the trauma of child sexual abuse is exacerbated by the knowledge that the abuse is being viewed by countless strangers online.
- This perpetuating violation deprives victims of the chance to heal and recover from the abuse.
- Terminology Change: The Supreme Court urged Parliament to amend the POCSO Act to replace the term “child pornography” with “Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material” (CSEAM).
- The term CSEAM more accurately reflects the reality that these images and videos are records of incidents where children were sexually exploited and abused.
- Constructive Possession: The court introduced the principle of ‘constructive possession,’ holding individuals accountable if they had the power and knowledge to control, manipulate, alter, modify, or destroy the material at any point in time.
- This principle aims to prevent individuals from evading liability by distancing themselves from contraband.
- Section 15 of the POCSO Act: The court highlighted Section 15 of the POCSO Act, which criminalizes the storage and possession of child pornographic material.
- Keeping such material without deleting it amounts to possession or intent to transmit it to others.
- Section 67B of the IT Act: Section 67B penalizes not only the use, transmission, and publication of obscene materials, including child pornography, but also browsing, creation, collection, and online facilitation or enticement of children into any sexual act or conduct.
2. ENVIRONMENT
MAN DIES OF AMOEBA INFECTION IN KERALA
- Amoebic Meningoencephalitis: § It is a rare but severe infection caused by free-living amoebae, such as Naegleria fowleri.
- The infection typically occurs when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, often during swimming or bathing in warm freshwater.
- Symptoms: Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
- As the disease progresses, symptoms can include stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.
- Diagnosis: Diagnosis is often confirmed through CSF analysis and specific tests like amoebic PCR.
- Treatment: Treatment options are limited and often include a combination of drugs like miltefosine, amphotericin B, and other antimicrobials.
- Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for improving survival rates.
3. ENVIRONMENT
KERALA REPORTS CASE OF CLADE 1B MPOX STRAIN
- The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a global public health emergency again in August due to the spread of the new and deadlier Clade 1b strain.
- A 38-year-old man from Kerala, who recently returned from the United Arab Emirates, has been confirmed as India’s first case of the Clade 1b strain of Mpox.
- Previous cases in India, such as the one in Delhi involving a 26-year-old from Haryana, were of the West African Clade 2 strain.
- Mpox: Mpox, also known as Monkeypox, is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus.
- It is similar to smallpox but generally less severe.
- Transmission of virus: From animals to humans through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, or cutaneous or mucosal lesions of infected animals.
- Human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.
- Clade 1b vs. Clade 2: Clade 1b is considered more virulent and has been associated with higher mortality rates compared to Clade 2.
- The emergence of Clade 1b has prompted prompted renewed global health alerts and emergency measures.
4. ART AND CULTURE
A COLLECTIVE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS TO LEARN NUANCES OF DIFFERENT KOODIYATTOM STYLES
- Koodiyattom: An ancient Sanskrit theatre tradition from Kerala, recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
- Historical Context: Originated over 2000 years ago, traditionally performed in temple precincts.
- Styles/Traditions: Kalamandalam or Painkulam Style: Known for its rigorous training and structured performances.
- Ammannur Style: Emphasizes subtle expressions and detailed hand gestures.
- Mani Gurukulam Style: Focuses on elaborate costumes and dramatic expressions.
- Performance Aspects: Cholliyattom: A preparatory performance focusing on the actor’s mastery of gestures and expressions.
- Costumes and Makeup: Elaborate and symbolic, with slight variations across different styles.
- Mudras: Integral to conveying the narrative, with minor deviations in different traditions.
- Preservation and Promotion
- Cholliyattom Collective:
- Formation: Launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring together young Koodiyattom artists.
- Objective: Preserve the art form and impart knowledge about different styles.
- Activities: Conducts festivals like Natya Yauvanam to showcase and teach various Koodiyattom traditions.
- Recent Developments – Natya Yauvanam-2024 Event: A Koodiyattom festival was held at Ammannur Gurukulam in Irinjalakuda.
- Focus: Hands-on experience for young artists in different Koodiyattom styles
5. BILATERAL
PM EXPRESSES INDIA’S UNWAVERING SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE OF PALESTINE
- India-Palestine Relations
- Support to Palestine: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged India’s “unwavering support” to Palestine during talks with President Mahmoud Abbas in New York.
- UN Resolution: The meeting followed India’s abstention on a UN resolution urging Israel to vacate Occupied Palestinian Territories within 12 months.
- Humanitarian Aid: Modi expressed concern over the Gaza crisis and reaffirmed India’s commitment to humanitarian assistance.
- Two-State Solution: Emphasized as the path to peace, calling for a ceasefire, release of hostages, and return to diplomacy.
- Other Diplomatic Engagements
- Nepal: Discussed hydropower cooperation, people-to-people ties, and connectivity with PM K.P. Sharma Oli.
- Kuwait: Met Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak AlSabah, focusing on energy and food security cooperation
ONE LINER
- 33 out of 38 districts in the Tamil Nadu recording Zero Indigenous Malaria cases in 2024
- For the second year in a row, Kerala has secured the top spot in the 2024 State Food Safety Index (SFSI)
