Today in History (August 23^rd, 1947)

On this day in 1947, Vallabhbhai Patel was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country. The first Deputy Prime Minister of India and the first Home Minister of India, Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, also known as Sardar, was an Indian lawyer, significant political leader, barrister, and statesman who served from 1947 until 1950. He is sometimes referred to as “Unifier of India.”

TEST YOURSELF

A) What is the frequency of the Census in India?

1. Every 5 years
2. Every 7 years
3. Every 10 years
4. Every 15 years

Answer: 3)
Explanation: The Census in India is conducted every 10 years, as per the historical and legislative framework.

B) Who is responsible for conducting the decadal Census in India?

1. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
2. Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India
3. Ministry of Home Affairs
4. Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: 2)
Explanation: The responsibility for conducting the decadal Census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, which is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

C) Under which legal framework is the Census in India conducted?

1. Census Act, 1950
2. Census Act, 1948
3. Indian Constitution
4. Population Act, 1948

Answer: 2)
Explanation: The Census in India is conducted under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948, which provides the legal framework for the enumeration process.

D) What are the two phases of Census Operations in India?

1. Housing Census and Population Census
2. Houselisting and Population Enumeration
3. Houselisting and Economic Census
4. Population Enumeration and Housing Census

Answer: 2)
Explanation: The Census Operations in India are carried out in two phases: Houselisting and Housing Census, followed by Population Enumeration.

E) What notable change is expected in the upcoming Census of India?

1. Census data will be collected manually
2. The Census will be conducted every 5 years
3. Self-enumeration will be introduced
4. The Census will be limited to urban areas only

Answer: 3)
Explanation: The upcoming Census of India will introduce self-enumeration for the first time, allowing individuals to fill out their own census forms digitally.

F) How many censuses have been conducted in India up to the upcoming one?

1. 15
2. 16
3. 17
4. 18

Answer: 2)
Explanation: The upcoming decadal Census of India will be the 16th in the series and the 8th since India gained independence.

G) What is the legal basis for the Census being listed in the Indian Constitution?

1. Union List (entry 69)
2. State List
3. Concurrent List
4. Fundamental Rights

Answer: 1)
Explanation: The Population Census is listed in the Union List (entry 69) of the Seventh Schedule in the Indian Constitution, which designates it as a matter under central jurisdiction.

H) Some people are confused about the difference between Holland and the Netherlands. Find Correct Statement.

1. Holland is the capital of Netherlands
2. Netherlands is the capital of Holland
3. Holland and Netherlands are synonymous to each other
4. Holland is in Europe while Netherlands is in New Zealand

Answer. 3)

Summary of Today’s News

Floods in Bangladesh were not due to Dumbur dam: India

• MEA Denies Responsibility: The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has refuted claims that the floods in eastern Bangladesh were caused by the release of water from the Dumbur dam in Tripura.
• Flooding Cause: The MEA clarified that the flooding in Bangladesh is due to heavy rainfall affecting both Tripura and Bangladesh, not due to the dam’s water release.
• Security Concerns: The Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh expressed concerns about increased security threats to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, following accusations from Bangladeshi protesters.
• Dam Function: The Dumbur dam, a hydropower project on the Gumti river, was reportedly “auto releasing” water due to recent heavy rainfall in the region.
• Heavy Rainfall: The India Meteorological Department reported severe rainfall in Tripura from August 19 to 22, which contributed to the flooding situation.

Doctors back to work, Supreme Court assured safety

• Strike Called Off: Doctors across several states ended their strike after an appeal from the Supreme Court regarding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
• Supreme Court Appeal: Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud highlighted the impact of the strike on patients, emphasizing the necessity for doctors to return to work to maintain public health services.
• CJI’s Argument: The Chief Justice shared personal experiences to stress the importance of doctors’ presence in hospitals and stated that both justice and medical care cannot be halted by strikes.
• Court’s Assurance: The Supreme Court assured doctors that once they resume their duties, the court would ensure no punitive actions would be taken against them by hospital authorities.
• Concerns Addressed: Medical professionals expressed concerns about potential legal repercussions for returning to work, which the Chief Justice promised to address.

Assam govt. tables Bill to repeal 89-year-old Muslim marriage law

• Repeal of 1935 Law: The Assam government introduced a Bill to repeal the 89-year-old Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act of 1935, citing concerns about misuse and child marriage.
• Scope of Misuse: The government argues that the old law allows for the registration of underage marriages and has been poorly monitored, leading to potential misuse by both registrars and citizens.
• New Registration Process: Under the new Bill, marriage and divorce registrations will be handled by government officials rather than Qazis, and the registration of marriages involving minors will be prohibited.