Project UDBHAV

Why in news?

• Recently, the Indian Army said that it is exploringIndia’s military heritage under ‘Project UDBHAV’.

About

• Project UDBHAV (translates as ‘origin’ or ‘genesis’)is a collaboration between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI), which aims to revisit the roots of India’s ancient military thoughts.

Objectives

• To synthesise ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices;
• Forging a unique and holistic approach to address modern security challenges;
• To integrate age-old wisdom with contemporary military pedagogy through interdisciplinary research, workshops and leadership seminars;
• To facilitate in-depth understanding of our knowledge systems and philosophies;

Embracing Ancient Texts and Narratives

• Project Udbhav has embraced ancient texts from the 4th century BCE to the 8th century CE,with a focus on Kautilya, Kamandaka, and the Kural.
• Arthashastra of Chanakya:It underscores the importance of strategic partnerships, alliances and diplomacy, aligning with modern military practices such as international cooperation and soft power projection.
• Thirukkural of Thiruvalluvar:It advocates ethical conduct in all endeavours, including warfare, that aligns with modern military codes of ethics of just war and principles of Geneva Convention.
• The Naval Battle of Saraighat in 1671, led by Lachit Borphukan, stands as a stellar example of the use of clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, employ psychological warfare, focus on military intelligence and exploiting the strategic weakness of the Mughals.

Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)

Why in news?

• Recently, the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) cancelled the bail of accused minors and issued a notice to appear before it.

About Juvenile Justice Board (JJB)

• Juvenile Justice Board (earlier Juvenile Court)was established after the enactment of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
• Section 4 (1) of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015deals with the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).
• It consists of a metropolitan magistrate or a judicial magistrateof the first class (with at least three years’ experience), along with two social workers, one of whom is mandated to be a woman.
• The State Government needs to constitute for every district, one or more JJBsfor exercising the powers and discharging its functions relating to children in conflict with law under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.
  • The primary responsibilityof setting up the JJBs vests with the State Governments/UT Administrations concerned.

Functions

• To deal with cases of juveniles in conflict with the law, ensuring their rights, protection, and rehabilitation.
• To ensure that the child’s rights are protected throughout the process of apprehending the child, inquiry, aftercare and rehabilitation.
• To ensure the availability of legal aid for the child through the legal services institutions.
• Board conducts at least one inspection visit every monthof residential facilities for children in conflict with law and recommends action for improvement in quality of services to the District Child Protection Unit and the state government.
  • Children in conflict with the law are facilitated in Observation Homes and Special Homes.

Baltic Sea

Why in news?

• Leaders around the Baltic Seareacted to reports that Russia could revise the borders of its territorial waters in the region.

About

• The Baltic Sea is the youngest sea on the planet, emerging some 10,000-15,000 years ago as the glaciers retreated at the end of the last Ice Age.
• It is located in Northern Europe,enclosed by Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Sweden.
• It is one of the planet’s largest bodies of brackish water,where salt water from the North-East Atlantic blends with fresh water from the surrounding rivers and streams.