CURRENT AFFAIRS 1 NOVEMBER 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS 

1 NOVEMBER 2019

1.PEGASUS(GS-3)CONTEXT:Govt. questions WhatsApp after spyware is used for snooping

• The Centre has sought an explanation from messaging platform WhatsApp after the Facebook-owned company confirmed that some Indian users of its app came under surveillance using an Israeli spyware. Most targeted in India were journalists, Dalit and human rights activists and lawyers.
• WhatsApp filed a complaint in a U.S. court earlier this week attributing the intrusion to NSO Group, an Israeli technology firm, which claims on its website that its products are used “exclusively” by government intelligence and law enforcement agencies “to fight crime and terror.” A WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed to The Hindu that Indian users were among those impacted by the spyware and contacted by the company this week to assist them.

Explained | Pegasus, the spyware that came in via WhatsApp:(SOURCE:TH)

How does Pegasus come into your phone, and how safe are you?
In May 2019, WhatsApp identified that a bug in the app’s call function was used to install a malicious code into users’ phones. On October 29, it identified the malicious code as Pegasus, a spyware developed by an Israeli company, NSO. WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook have sued NSO in a U.S. court..


How does Pegasus come into your phone?
The code is transmitted by calling the target phone on WhatsApp. The code enters the phone even if the call is not answered. According to some reports, the log of that call gets erased. According to The Citizen’s Lab of the University of Toronto, which worked with WhatsApp on identifying spyware victims, this is only one of the ways of delivering Pegasus. It notes several other cases such as alarming SMSs that prompt targets to click on a link

What does Pegasus do?
Once installed, Pegasus can send the target’s contacts, calendar events, phone calls on and messages on communication apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to the spyware’s controller. It could steal messages from even services that offer encryption because it was taking the messages before the encryption process, according to anti-malware service Kaspersky. The controller can also turn the phone into a spying device by switching on its camera or microphone.

Who was targeted?
According to reports, over 100 human-rights activists, lawyers, and journalists were targeted across the globe. This included several lawyers and journalists in India.

Are you safe?
According to Kaspersky, Apple’s iOS security update 9.3.5 take care of the vulnerability exploited by Pegasus. Google, in a earlier blogpost, says it identifies infected Android phones and disable the malware and informs the targets.

2.Naga peace deal(GS-1,2)

• CONTEXT:NSCN­IM back in talks on Naga peace deal, says Ravi‘Accord has not been fInalised yet, but discussions on track’
• Naga interlocutor R.N. Ravi said on Thursday that discussions to finalise the Naga accord were continuing and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak­Muivah) [NSCN­IM] had come on board.

Naga peace deal:
Why is it being delayed?

It is mainly because of unrealistic demands. NSCN I-M has issued statements in the past claiming that it wanted a separate Constitution, flag and integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under Nagalim (Greater Nagaland).



Government of India’s stand:

A mutually agreed draft comprehensive settlement, including all the substantive issues and competencies, is ready for inking the final agreement. Respecting the Naga people’s wishes, the Government of India is determined to conclude the peace process without delay.



How old is the Naga political issue?

Pre- independence:

• The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in 1881, the Naga Hills too became part of British India. The first sign of Naga resistance was seen in the formation of the Naga Club in 1918, which told the Simon Commission in 1929 “to leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”.
• In 1946 came the Naga National Council (NNC), which declared Nagaland an independent state on August 14, 1947.
• The NNC resolved to establish a “sovereign Naga state” and conducted a “referendum” in 1951, in which “99 per cent” supported an “independent” Nagaland.

Post- independence:

On March 22, 1952, underground Naga Federal Government (NFG) and the Naga Federal Army (NFA) were formed. The Government of India sent in the Army to crush the insurgency and, in 1958, enacted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.



When did the NSCN come into being?

A group of about 140 members led by Thuingaleng Muivah, who were at that time in China, refused to accept the Shillong Accord, and formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980.

As per the accord, NNC and NFG agreed to give up arms.

In 1988, the NSCN split into NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) after a violent clash.



What did the NSCN (IM) want?

A “Greater Nagalim” comprising “all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas”, along with Nagaland. That included several districts of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur, as also a large tract of Myanmar.

The Nagaland Assembly has endorsed the ‘Greater Nagalim’ demand — “Integration of all Naga-inhabited contiguous areas under one administrative umbrella” — as many as five times: in December 1964, August 1970, September 1994, December 2003 and as recently as on July 27, 2015.



The ceasefire:

The Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) on July 25, 1997, which came into effect on August 1, 1997.



What’s in peace accord?

NSCN – IM has been derecognized as a militant organization and talks have been initiated with the government.
GOI is open to discuss the Naga territorial issue within the existing boundaries of the neighboring states of Manipur, Assasm etc which are being claimed as part of Greater Nagalism.
Key issues that have been put under consideration includes AFSPA, demographic changes due to cross border migrations and other tribals like Meitei who are diluting the local populations in the Naga areas.

3.Core sector(GS-3)CONTEXT: Core sector output falls 5.2% in September

• Output of eight core infrastructure industries contracted by 5.2% in September, indicating the severity of the economic slowdown. As many as seven of eight core industries saw a contraction in output in September. Coal production fell steeply by 20.5%, crude oil by 5.4%, and natural gas by 4.9%. Output of refinery products (­6.7%), cement (­2.1%), steel (­0.3%), and electricity (­3.7%) too declined

Index of Eight Core Industries 
It is monthly production index, which is also considered as lead indicator of the monthly industrial performance. It contains production and growth figures of eight core industries viz. steel, electricity, crude oil, refinery products, coal, cement, natural gas and fertilizers. It is compiled by Central Statistic Organisation (CSO) under Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry based on monthly production information received from source agencies. These core industries are considered as main or key industries of the economy and serve as backbone of all other industries Weightage: Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04%), Electricity generation (19.85%), Steel production (17.92%), Coal production (10.33%), Crude Oil production (8.98%), Natural Gas production (6.88%), Cement production (5.37%), Fertilizers production (2.63%)
Relation with index of industrial production (IIP): These eight core sectors constitute 40.27% of IIP.

Key Facts
The eight core sectors — coal, natural gas, crude oil, refinery products, cement, fertilisers, steel and electricity — had clocked a growth of 7.1% in October 2016. However, in October 2016, right core sectors grew at slower pace, chiefly due to subdued performance of cement, steel and refinery segments.
Steel production rose 8.4% and was followed closely by refinery products that reported 7.5% growth. Coal output grew 3.9% in October 2017 against 10.4% in September 2017. Cement production fell 2.7% against 0.1% rise in September 2017. Crude oil production also fell 0.4% in October 2017.

Core Industry sector
Core industry can be defined as the main industry of the economy. In most countries, there is particular industry that seems to be backbone of all other industries and it qualifies to be the core industry. In India, there are eight core sectors comprising of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement and electricity.
The electricity has the maximum weight of 10.32% followed by Steel (6.68%), Petroleum Refinery (5.94%), Crude Oil production (5.22 %), Coal production (4.38 %), Cement (2.41%), Natural Gas production (1.71 %) and Fertilizer production (1.25%). These eight Core Industries comprise nearly 40% of weight of items included in Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which measures factory output.

4.Cyclone Maha(GS-1,3)

• CONTEXT:Cyclone Maha batters Lakshadweep and Kerala 
• coast
• The Lakshadweep Islands and, to a relatively lesser extent, the coastal districts of Kerala on Thursday bore the brunt of Cyclone Maha, which continues to cut a furious swathe across the Arabian Sea. As many as 759 people were evacuated to shelters in Lakshadweep where Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan and Kadmat islands remained the worsthit. Nine fishing boats with around 100 fishermen from Kerala and Tamil Nadu have sought refuge in the islands

Cyclone Maha

A depression that developed in the Comorin Sea (near the southernmost end of India) has intensified into a cyclonic storm, named ‘Maha’.

The name has been given by Oman.
It lies centered over Lakshadweep and the adjoining southeast Arabian Sea and the Maldives area.
Cyclone storm ‘Maha’ is the second in the 2019 northeast monsoon season, following close on the heels of super cyclone Kyarr which took its way towards the Arabian peninsula.

5. Unesco list of new Creative Cities(GS-3)CONTEXT:Hyderabad figures in Unesco list 

Hyderabad, the city of biryanis, kebabs, haleem, kallu, shikampur and chowki dinners, has now been officially designated as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy. Hyderabad is among the 66 cities named by the Unesco in the list of new Creative Cities, which aims at pushing the Sustainable Development Goals through innovative thinking and action. “Glad to announce that Hyderabad is selected as @UNESCO CREATIVE CITY in Gastronomy category, on the occasion of World Cities Day today. It’s among the 2 cities from India in list of 66 cities, other being Mumbai in Film category,” K.T. Rama Rao, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister, tweeted thanking the MAUD Principal Secretary Arvind Kumar while making the announcement

Unesco list of new Creative Cities
This 30 October 2019, 66 cities have been designated as UNESCO Creative Cities by the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay. As laboratories of ideas and innovative practices, the UNESCO Creative Cities bring a tangible contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through innovative thinking and action. Through their commitment, cities are championing sustainable development actions that directly benefit communities at urban level.

“All over the world, these cities, each in its way, make culture the pillar, not an accessory, of their strategy,” says UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “This favours political and social innovation and is particularly important for the young generations.”

The new 66 UNESCO Creative Cities are:

• Afyonkarahisar (Turkey) – Gastronomy
• Ambon (Indonesia) – Music
• Angoulême (France) – Literature
• Areguá (Paraguay) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Arequipa (Peru) – Gastronomy
• Asahikawa (Japan) – Design
• Ayacucho (Peru) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Baku (Azerbaijan) – Design
• Ballarat (Australia) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Bandar Abbas (Iran [Islamic Republic of]) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Bangkok (Thailand) – Design
• Beirut (Lebanon) – Literature
• Belo Horizonte (Brazil) – Gastronomy
• Bendigo (Australia) – Gastronomy
• Bergamo (Italy) – Gastronomy
• Biella (Italy) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Caldas da Rainha (Portugal) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Cebu City (Philippines) – Design
• Essaouira (Morocco) – Music
• Exeter (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) – Literature
• Fortaleza (Brazil) – Design
• Hanoi (Vietnam) – Design  
• Havana (Cuba) – Music
• Hyderabad (India) – Gastronomy
• Jinju (Republic of Korea) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Kargopol (Russian Federation) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Karlsruhe (Germany) – Media Arts
• Kazan (Russian Federation) – Music
• Kırşehir (Turkey) – Music
• Kuhmo (Finland) – Literature
• Lahore (Pakistan) – Literature
• Leeuwarden (Netherlands) – Literature
• Leiria (Portugal) – Music
• Lliria (Spain) – Music
• Mérida (Mexico) – Gastronomy
• Metz (France) – Music
• Muharraq (Bahrain) – Design
• Mumbai (India) – Film
• Nanjing (China) – Literature
• Odessa (Ukraine) – Literature
• Overstrand Hermanus (South Africa) – Gastronomy
• Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) – Music
• Portoviejo (Ecuador) – Gastronomy
• Potsdam (Germany) – Film
• Querétaro (Mexico) – Design
• Ramallah (Palestine) – Music
• San José (Costa Rica) – Design
• Sanandaj (Iran [Islamic Republic of]) – Music
• Santiago de Cali (Colombia) – Media Arts
• Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) – Music
• Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Film
• Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Slemani (Iraq) – Literature
• Sukhothai (Thailand) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Trinidad (Cuba) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Valladolid (Spain) – Film
• Valledupar (Colombia) – Music
• Valparaíso (Chile) – Music
• Veszprém (Hungary) – Music
• Viborg (Denmark) – Media Arts
• Viljandi (Estonia) – Crafts and Folk Art
• Vranje (Serbia) – Music
• Wellington (New Zealand) – Film
• Wonju (Republic of Korea) – Literature
• Wrocław (Poland) – Literature
• Yangzhou (China) – Gastronomy

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network now counts a total of 246 cities.

The member cities that form part of the Network come from all continents and regions with different income levels and populations. They work together towards a common mission: placing creativity and the creative economy at the core of their urban development plans to make cities safe, resilient, inclusive and sustainable, in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

6.Central Bureau of Health Intelligence’s (CBHI) National Health Pro­ file (NHP) 2019(GS-2)CONTEXT:Sex ratio improves in country; birth and death rates dip 

India has registered an improved sex ratio and a decline in birth and death rates with non-communicable diseases dominating over communicable in the total disease burden of the country, according to the Central Bureau of Health Intelligence’s (CBHI) National Health Profile (NHP) 2019.
The NHP covers demographic, socio-economic, health status and health finance indicators, human resources in the health sector and health infrastructure. It is also an important source of information on various communicable and non-communicable diseases that are not covereD



The NHP also complied a detailed data on health manpower availability in public sector. “The total number of registered allopathic doctors (up to 2018) is 11,54,686. Number of dental surgeons registered with Central/State Dental Councils of India was 2,54,283. There is an increasing trend in the number of dental surgeons registered with the Central/State Dental Council of India from 2007 to 2018. The total number of registered AYUSH Doctors in India as on January 1, 2018 was 7,99,879,” the report noted.

Central Bureau of Health Intelligence

Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), established in 1961, is the health intelligence wing of the Directorate General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health & FW, GOI with the vision to have “A strong Health Management Information System in entire country”. This national institution is headed by a SAG level medical officer with specialization in public health administration of Central health services (CHS), supported by officers from Indian Statistical Services as well as CHS and through its six field survey and training units.

The Mission of CBHI is “To strengthen Health Information system in each of the district in the country up to facility level for evidence based decision making in the Health Sector”

The Objectives of CBHI are:

To Collect, Analyze & disseminate Health Sector related data of the country for evidence based policy decisions, planning and research activities
To identify & disseminate innovative practices for Health Sector Reforms
To develop Human resource for scientifically maintaining medical records in both Government & private medical Institutes in India
To Carry Out Need Based Operational Research for Efficient implementation of Health Information System & use of Family of International Classifications in India.
To sensitize & create a pool of Master Trainers in Health sector for implementation of Family of International Classification in India
To collaborate with National & International Institutes for imparting knowledge & skill development
To function as collaborating centre for WHO FIC in India & SEARO countries


Organization

In Dte.GHS / GOI the CBHI, headed by a Director, has three divisions viz. (i) Policy, Training, Research and Co-ordination, (ii) Information & Evaluation, and (iii) Administration.
Six Health Information Field Survey Units (FSUs) of CBHI are located in different Regional Offices of Health and Family Welfare (ROHFW) of GOI at Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Lucknow & Patna; each headed by a Dy. Director with Technical & Support staff from ISS/SS, which functions under the supervision of Sr. / Regional Director (HFW/GOI).
Regional Health Statistics Training Center (RHSTC) of CBHI at Mohali, Punjab, Medical Record Department & Training Centers (MRDTC) of Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi, JIPMER Puducherry and field survey units conduct various CBHI In-service Training Courses.

7.S­400 (GS-2,3)CONTEXT:U.S. slams Russia over S­400 deals

A month after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he was “reasonably convinced” that he could persuade the U.S. of India’s decision to buy the S­400 Russian missile defence system, the top U.S. diplomat for Political Military Affairs, Clarke Cooper, called out Russia and China for exploiting countries’ security requirements. He also made a strong pitch for the U.S. being the defence partner of choice

S­400 :
What is S-400 Triumf?

S-400 Triumf is one of the world’s most advanced air defence systems.
The system is a large complex of radars, control systems and different types of missiles.
It can simultaneously track numerous incoming objects in a radius of a few hundred kilometres.
The objects may include all kinds of aircraft, missiles and UAVs.
It can employ appropriate missile systems to launch the counter attack and to neutralise the objects.
The system is potential of ensuring a high success rate.

How did it evolve?

S-400 traces its origins to the demands of the Cold War period.
It was an effort to find a credible counter to the threat from missiles and incoming enemy aircraft.
The development of S-400 started towards the end of the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
It was disrupted by the collapse of the Communist bloc in 1991.

What is the recent development?

The acquisition of S-400 by countries has taken centre stage in the American diplomacy regarding Russia.
U.S. believes that S-400 could access sensitive U.S. military technologies in service with the potential buyers.
Russia has also deployed at least two S-400 systems in Syria.

This is of much concern to observers who fear the system could contribute to a global conflict breaking out in Syria.
Among the countries under pressure from the U.S. to not buy this weapon are India and Turkey.

8.ASEAN Summit(GS-2,3)CONTEXT:35th ASEAN Summit begins in BangkokALSO PM Modi to visit Thailand for ASEAN summit

The 35th ASEAN Summit began today in Bangkok. The summit will continue till November 4. Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan -o-Cha inaugurated this summit at IMPACT convention complex. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a group of ten member countries that encourages political,economic and social co-operation in the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this summit on November 3rd and 4th. AIR Correspondent reports that Advancing Partnership for sustainability is the theme of the summit.

ASEAN:
What is ASEAN?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific’s post-colonial states.
The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
ASEAN Secretariat – Indonesia, Jakarta.

Member Nations

• 
  
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Brunei
• Vietnam
• Laos
• Myanmar
• Cambodia

Genesis of ASEAN

• 1967 – ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers.
• Founding Fathers of ASEAN are: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• 1990s – Membership doubled after the changing conditions in the region following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 and the Cold War in 1991.
• Addition of Brunei (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997), and Cambodia (1999).
• 1995 – Members signed a deal to create a nuclear-free zone in Southeast Asia.
• 1997 – Adoption of ASEAN Vision 2020.
• 2003 – Bali Concord II for the establishment of an ASEAN Community.
• 2007 – Cebu Declaration, to accelerate the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015.
• 2008 – ASEAN Charter comes into force and becomes a legally binding agreement.
• 2015 – Launch of ASEAN Community.
• ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars:
• ASEAN Political-Security Community
• ASEAN Economic Community
• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community

Objectives

• To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.
• To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
• To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields.
• To collaborate more effectively for the greater utilisation of agriculture and industries, the expansion of their trade, the improvement of transportation and communications facilities and the raising of the living standards of peoples.
• To promote Southeast Asian studies.
• To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.

9.International Court of Justice (ICJ) (GS-2)CONTEXT:Pakistan violated obligations under Vienna Convention in Kulbhushan Jadhav case: ICJ Prez

International Court of Justice (ICJ) President Judge Abduylqawi Yusuf told the United Nations General Assembly that Pakistan violated its obligations under the Vienna Convention in the case of Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav. Presenting the report of the International Court of Justice to the 193-member General Assembly yesterday, he said, appropriate remedies were due in this case

International Court of Justice (ICJ) :

• ICJ was established in 1945 by the United Nations charter and started working in April 1946.
• It is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, situated at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).
• Unlike the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York (USA).
• It settles legal disputes between States and gives advisory opinions in accordance with international law, on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
• It has 193 state parties and current President is Ronny Abraham.

Background

• Article 33 of the United Nations Charter lists the negotiation, enquiry, mediation etc. methods for the pacific settlement of disputes between States. Some of these methods involve the services of third parties.
• Historically, mediation and arbitration preceded judicial settlement. The former was known in ancient India and the Islamic world, whilst numerous examples of the latter can be found in ancient Greece, in China, among the Arabian tribes, in maritime customary law in medieval Europe, and in Papal practice.
• The modern history of international arbitration:
• The first phase is generally recognized as dating back from the so-called Jay Treaty of 1794 between the United States of America and Great Britain.
• The Alabama Claims arbitration in 1872 between the United Kingdom and the United States marked the start of a second, even more decisive, phase.
• The Hague Peace Conference of 1899, convened on the initiative of the Russian Czar Nicholas II, marked the beginning of a third phase in the modern history of international arbitration.
• With respect to arbitration, the 1899 Convention provided for the creation of permanent machinery, known as the Permanent Court of Arbitration, established in 1900 and began operating in 1902.
• The Convention also created a permanent Bureau, located in The Hague, with functions corresponding to those of a court registry or secretariat, and laid down a set of rules of procedure to govern the conduct of arbitrations.
• Various plans and proposals submitted between 1911 and 1919, both by national and international bodies and by governments, for the establishment of an international judicial tribunal, which culminated in the creation of the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) as an integral part of the new international system set up after the end of the First World War.
• In 1943, China, the USSR, the United Kingdom and the United States issued a joint declaration recognizing the necessity “of establishing at the earliest practicable date a general international organization, based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all peace-loving States, and open to membership by all such States, large and small, for the maintenance of international peace and security”.
• Subsequently, G.H. Hackworth (United States) committee was entrusted with preparing a draft Statute for the future international court of justice in 1945.
• The San Francisco Conference while keeping committee recommendations in mind decided against compulsory jurisdiction and in favour of the creation of an entirely new court, which would be a principal organ of the United Nations, on the same footing as the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat.
• The PCIJ met for the last time in October 1945 and resolved to transfer its archives and effects to the new International Court of Justice, which, like its predecessor, was to have its seat at the Peace Palace.
• In April 1946, the PCIJ was formally dissolved, and the International Court of Justice, meeting for the first time, elected as its President Judge José Gustavo Guerrero (El Salvador), the last President of the PCIJ.

10.Excavation by ASI in Gottiprolu, AP indicate it as Trade Centre of Early Historic Period(GS-1)

• A 2000-year-old brick structure and a Vishnu sculpture were also unearthed from the site. ASI retrieved a moulded female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted upwards. Another interesting find is the small rectangular brick tank exposed near the inner lining of the curved brick structure
• Interesting pottery finds are the base of conical jars placed at the eastern side of the structure. Such conical jars are widely distributed in Tamil Nadu and considered to be imitated variety of Roman Amphorae jars.
• Other major retrieved antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spearhead, stone celts, terracotta beads, ear stud in semi-precious stone and hopscotches. 
• Explorations conducted in and around Gottiprolu within a radius of 15 kilometres revealed important vestiges viz., fortified an early historic settlement at Puduru, Sunbrahmanya temple at Mallam, unique rock-cut laterite stepped well at Yakasiri, Vishnu temple at Tirumuru. Further, the entire seacoast on the east is dotted with various forms of antiquarian remains extending from Tamil Nadu and culturally linked with each other.
• The two fortified townships within the gap of 15kms during early historic times indicate the significant strategic location was preferred by the early historic people for trade in the region keeping in view of the proximity of the sea, River and Lake (Pulicat)

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