CERT-In hosts Cyber Security Exercise “Synergy” (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under Ministry of Electronics & IT in collaboration with Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), successfully designed & conducted the Cyber Security Exercise “Synergy”.
It was conducted for 13 Countries as part of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative- Resilience Working Group which is being led by India under the leadership of National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
Theme:
- The theme of the exercise was “Building Network Resiliency to counter Ransomware Attacks”.
Key Highlights:
- The exercise scenario was derived from real life cyber incidents, in which a domestic level (limited impact) ransomware incident escalates to a global cyber security crisis.
- Exercise “Synergy” was hosted by CERT-In on its exercise simulation platform.
- Each State participated as a National Crisis Management Team having composition from different government agencies including National CERTs/CSIRTs, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA), Communication & IT/ICT Ministry and Security agencies.
- The specific objective of the exercise was to Assess, Share and Improve strategies and practices among Member-States to build network resiliency against ransomware & cyber extortion attacks.
Outcome:
- Exercise “Synergy” was successful in meeting its objectives and provided insights for better coordination & cooperation among CRI Member States to build network resiliency and counter ransomware attacks.
Nord Stream 1 pipeline
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- Recently, Russia halted gas supplies for three days to Europe via Nord Stream 1, citing maintenance issues.
- In July, it was shut down for ten days for annual maintenance. The maintenance was usually done quietly in the past.
But with the pipeline becoming a bargaining chip between Russia and the West, the company's announcements are now made public.
What is Nord Stream 1?
- Nord Stream 1 is the biggest pipeline transporting natural gas between Russia and Europe via Germany. It runs from Vyborg in Russia to Greifswald in Germany. In 2021, Russia supplied nearly 40 per cent of the EU's natural gas needs through this pipeline.
- It is majorly owned by Gazprom. The twin pipeline system of Nord Stream can transport 55 billion cubic metres of gas from Russia to Europe through the Baltic Sea.
- In June, Russia slashed the supply via Nord Stream to 40 per cent. In July, it was further reduced to 20 per cent.
- Along with the pipeline, Russia has completely cut off supplies to Denmark, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, and Poland.
- The flows through Nord Stream play a vital role in filling up the national storage tanks of Germany and the EU. It is crucial to provide the required heating in the upcoming winter.
What is the politics around Nord Stream 1?
- Russia has said that it does not intend to cut off the gas supplies via Nord Stream 1 completely. But "if Europe continues its course of absolutely recklessly imposing sanctions and restrictions that are hitting it, the situation may change."
- Russia is using the supplies via the crucial pipeline as a bargain to navigate its economy through sanctions from the western countries, imposed in response to its invasion of Ukraine in February.
- Ukrainian president had, in July, said that Russia is trying to wage an "overt war" against Europe using the pipeline.
Why the pipeline is significant for Germany?
- Energy prices in Germany, Europe's largest economy, are among the lowest in the continent. This is made possible due to cheap gas supplies via Nord Stream 1.
- This also makes German manufactured goods more competitive in the international market. Russian threats to choke this gas supply to Europe present an economic threat to Germany.
- To expand its options and double the supply from Russia, Germany had decided to build Nord Stream 2. But it was halted in February post-Russia's attack on Ukraine.
BCCI can be called a 'shop', provisions of ESI Act applicable, orders SC
(GS Paper 2, Judiciary)
Why in news?
Recently, the Supreme Court held that the activities of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are commercial in nature and can be termed as a "shop" for the purposes of attracting the provisions of the Employees State Insurance Act.
What was the case before the SC?
- The top court was dealing with the question of whether the BCCI can be said to be a shop as per the notification dated September 18, 1978, and if the provisions of the ESI Act shall be applicable to the BCCI or not.
- The Bombay High Court had said that BCCI is covered within the meaning of shop as per notification dated September 18, 1978, issued by the Government of Maharashtra under the provisions of Section 1(5) of the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948.
Key Highlights:
- The ESI Act is welfare legislation enacted by the Centre and a narrow meaning should not be attached to the words used in the Act as it seeks to insure the employees of covered establishments against various risks to their life, health, and well-being and places the charge upon the employer.
- A bench of Justices said no error has been committed by the ESI Court and/or the High Court in treating and considering the BCCI as a shop for applicability of the ESI Act.
- Considering the systematic activities being carried out by the BCCI namely, selling of tickets of cricket matches; providing entertainment; rendering the services for a price; receiving the income from international tours and the income from the Indian Premier League, the ESI Court, as well as the High Court, have rightly concluded that the BCCI is carrying out systematic economic commercial activities and, therefore, the BCCI can be said to be 'shop' for the purposes of attracting the provisions of ESI Act.
Expansive meaning of term shop:
- The SC said the term shop should not be understood and interpreted in its traditional sense as the same would not serve the purpose of the ESI Act.
- It said an expansive meaning may be assigned to the word shop for the purposes of the ESI Act.
- The SC said submission on behalf of the BCCI that its predominant activity is to encourage cricket/sports and, therefore, the same shall not be brought within the definition of shop for the purposes of applying the ESI Act, has no substance.
Indian Navy to get a new ensign
(GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
The Prime Minister of India will unveil a new ensign (flag) of the Indian Navy during the commissioning of the India’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi.
What is the significance of the new naval ensign?
- PM Modi will unveil the new naval ensign that will replace the current flag that has Saint George's Cross with the tricolourin the top left corner.
- The current ensign is a successor to the pre-Independence era ensign of the Indian Navy that had a red George's Cross on a white background and carried the Union Jack of the UK in the canton.
- While the new ensign will completely remove the nation's colonial past, the design of the same has not been revealed yet.
When were the first changes to the ensign made?
- The Indian Navy draws its origin to the colonial period. On October 2, 1934, the naval service was renamed Royal Indian Navy (RIN).
- With India becoming a Republic on January 26, 1950, the prefix 'Royal' was dropped, and it was rechristened as the Indian Navy.
- While the Indian defence forces continued with the UK's colonial flags post Independence, after January 26, 1950, the flags were changed to carry Indianised patterns. In the Indian Navy's ensign, the Union Jack was replaced with the tricolour in the canton, but the St George's Cross was retained.
Changes introduced after 2001:
- In 2001, India replaced the George's Cross with the naval crest in the middle of the Navy's ensign, retaining the tricolour on the top left corner.
- However, the changes made to the ensign were reverted in 2004 after complaints said that the new flag was indistinguishable as the blue of the Navy crest merged with the skies and the sea.
- While the George's Cross was brought back, India introduced the national emblem in the middle of the flag.
- In 2014, the Navy's ensign saw a new addition, as the words 'Satyamev Jayate' in Devanagari script were included below the Ashoka emblem.
What is St George's Cross?
- The Saint George's Red Cross in the Indian Navy's ensign is named after the Christian warrior Saint George, who is believed to have been a crusader during the third crusade.
- The Cross of Saint George is a red cross on a white background.
The first ensign of the Indian Navy carried the UK flag on a blue background and carried the symbol of the UK's Imperial Legislative Council.
