9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – February 1st, 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Why UNSC joint statement on nuclear weapons is important
• Pendency of cases in Supreme Court: The supreme failure
• On Ukraine crisis: Brinkmanship over Ukraine doesn’t bode well for India
• The case for vaccinating children against Covid-19

GS Paper 3

• A hazy picture on employment in India
• How surging oil prices threaten world’s climate goals
• How Auroville can teach us all a thing or two about offsetting carbon
• Amplify e-commerce and help all MSMEs reach markets online
• Doing Business in a New World

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• This is a great moment for India to see the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas temples being submitted for inscription in the World Heritage List:Union Minister
• New genus of parasitic flowering plant discovered from Nicobar Islands
• CENTRAL THEME OF ECONOMIC SURVEY 2021-22 IS THE “AGILE APPROACH”
• 3rd World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
• Home Delivery of medicines to begin from tomorrow under Services e-Health Assistance and Teleconsultation (SeHAT)
• What is a Bomb Cyclone?
• At UNSC meet on Ukraine, India walks the tightrope
• Indian scientists develop efficient and durable solar cells by tuning the length and porosity of nanorods
• Launch of the Global Center of Excellence in Affordable and Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE) at IIT Dharwad
• Explained: Kerala’s proposal to limit Lokayukta’s powers, and laws in other states

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Why UNSC joint statement on nuclear weapons is important

News: Five permanent  United Nations Security Council (P5) members have pledged to avoid the ongoing arms race and to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

This pledge was made ahead of a review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),1970.

What is the pledge made by P5 members on nuclear proliferation?

 P5 members emphasized on:

– Creating a secure environment by working together with the ultimate goal of having a world without nuclear weapons.

– Adopting bilateral and multilateral diplomatic approaches to avoid military confrontations and to increase mutual understanding and confidence.

– Engaging in constructive dialogue with mutual respect and acknowledgement of each other’s security interests and concerns

How could world countries avoid nuclear proliferation?

According to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the following approaches need to be adopted:

First, member states should move towards nuclear disarmament.

Second, Countries should adopt new measures of “transparency and dialogue.”

Third, Member states should address the boiling nuclear crises in the Middle East and Asia.

Fourth, Countries should strengthen the existing global bodies that support non-proliferation, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Fifth, Member states should promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology

Last, Member states should remind “the world’s people – and especially the young ones – that eliminating nuclear weapons is the only way to guarantee that it will never be used.

Why maintaining world peace is important?

According to Gandhiji, the Right to peace is an essential framework for all human rights and to maintain it is the work of everyone, regardless of vocation, profession, or discipline.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr, called “education in the obvious” precisely peace education. This is required at multiple levels, ranging across the planetary, global, supranational, regional, national, and local levels of social cognition and action. As these spheres are intensely related, critical and transformative.

UN Resolution 39/11 also proclaims that the peoples of our planet have a “sacred right to peace” and declares that the “preservation of the right of peoples to peace and the promotion of its implementation constitute a fundamental obligation of each State.

UN Resolution 53/243 B, declared a programme of action for a culture of peace (1999). It owes a great deal to Gandhi’s legacy and mission.

Pendency of cases in Supreme Court: The supreme failure

News: Supreme Court of India has delivered judgment on many important matters like Decriminalizing homosexuality, the Right to privacy a fundamental right, etc, and brace the belief in republican values like equality, liberty, etc.

But still, many important cases are pending for the final judgment. This has serious repercussions on the fundamental rights of citizens and core republic values.

What are the significant cases pending in front of the Supreme Court?

According to Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, there are 25 main cases pending before the five-judge constitution bench and five cases each pending before the seven-judge and nine-judge benches. Some of the important cases pending in SC:

– Challenging constitutionality of Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

– Challenging Presidential order that diluted Article 370 and split Jammu Kashmir into two Union Territories

–  Challenging the constitutionality of the 103rd Amendment Act,2019

– Constitutional challenge to the electoral bonds scheme

– Vivek Narayan Sharma v. Union of India case: It’s been in the SC for more than 5 years. This case is related to the legality of demonetisation of all ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes. According to RBI, demonetisation went horribly wrong because more than 99% of the cash came back into the banking system. SC did not hear this case since September 2, 2019.

What is the way forward for Supreme Court?

According to Granville Austin, SC is the custodian of law. It should fulfil its custodial responsibility by making sure that the law applies fairly to all citizens. It should also make sure to deliver the judgments in a time-bound manner.

On Ukraine crisis: Brinkmanship over Ukraine doesn’t bode well for India

News: With Russia building up tanks and troops along Ukraine’s eastern front, the atmosphere of war has been created.

What is the historical background of Ukraine?

The territory of Ukraine was established in the ninth century as Kievan Rus on the banks of the Dnieper River.

In medieval history, western and northern Ukraine had been occupied by Poland and southern Ukraine by Tartars (descendants of Mongol invaders).

In the 17th century, Cossacks recovered much of the territory from Poland and established a Hetmanate that is the forerunner of today’s Ukraine. This Hetmanate entered into various treaties with Imperial Russia that made it a vassal state.

18th century: Russia annexed much of the territory of today’s Ukraine and Crimea during this period. When the Bolshevik revolution established the Soviet Republic in Russia, Ukraine was engaged in a civil war for independence.

In 1921, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (UkSSR) was established, when the Red Army conquered two-thirds of Ukraine. The western third became a part of Poland. In Russia, the Ukrainian territory has been referred to as “Little Russia“. In a surprise move, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev transferred Crimea to Ukraine, despite an ethnic composition in Crimea that was two-thirds Russian.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared independence in 1991. A new democratic constitution was adopted in 1996 and a new currency hryvnia (a Kievan Rus term) was introduced.

What is the Russian stand on the ongoing crisis?

According to Russia, Russians and Ukrainians are one people, and “Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians are all descendants of Ancient Rus, which was the largest state in Europe.

To stop this crisis, Russia also offered to fully withdraw its troops and missiles from its eastern front. But, in return, it wanted that Ukraine should not be allowed to join Nato.

What is the reaction of West Countries?

West countries will put sanctions on Russia if it tries to invade Ukraine. It will include cutting off Russian access to the international payment system called Swift, which will have severe economic consequences on the Russian economy.

Why Ukraine-Russia conflict is bad for India?

The case for vaccinating children against Covid-19

News: Protecting all children, especially those who have risk factors, should be a humanitarian priority for the Government.

How many children’s deaths are because of covid 19?

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s COVID dashboard showed 16,426 total deaths, of which 19 were in children below 10, and 43 in children between 10-18 years (total of 62 or 0.38%).

January’s data from UNICEF show that 0.4% of a total of 3.5 million COVID-19 deaths were in children and adolescents. India’s reported deaths were 4.86 lakh till January 17, 2022. Among these, child deaths at a 0.4% rate would amount to 1,944.

Independent analysis by expert epidemiologists estimated a six to seven-fold higher number of deaths, suggesting a far higher number of child deaths.

What are the diseases developed in children after Covid-19?

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS): According to statistics,  India showed 5% mortality among 800 children hospitalized for MIS. Among these, more than half required intensive care and prolonged hospital stay.

Diabetes: According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on 80,893 children (below 18 years), the incidence of post-COVID-19 diabetes was 31 per 10,000 versus control, 11.8/10,000 after other respiratory infections.

What are the other diseases that are prevalent among children of India?

It is estimated that 2,00,000 children are born with congenital heart defects every year in India. New cases of cancer in children are about 50,000 per year. A huge number of children also suffering from neurological disorders.

According to a United Nations estimate, about 40 million in India are disabled due to various diseases, among whom over 7% are children. India has the second-highest number of obese children in the world (~14.4 million). The burden of childhood nephrotic syndrome annually is about 1,40,000. Sickle cell disease is highly prevalent in the tribal populations in India. The Indian Society for Primary Immune Deficiency estimates that over a million children have primary immune deficiency disease.

Considering the data, there is an urgent need to vaccinate children against COVID-19 and protect them from its severe damages.

Which vaccine should be allowed to vaccinate children against Covid?

There are vaccines which are having serious adverse reactions like mRNA vaccines and Adenovirus vectored vaccines. This needs to be avoided for children.

Children should be vaccinated with vaccines that have little or no risks of serious adverse reactions.

GS Paper 3

A hazy picture on employment in India

News: This article says that the employment data in India is not consistent and does not show a clear pattern.

The two important indicators of structural transformation in any economy are rates of growth and changes in the structural composition of output and the workforce.

India has experienced fairly consistent changes in the first indicator, especially after the 1991 reforms, but the trend in employment has not revealed any consistent or clear pattern.

What are the challenges associated with the pattern of employment as revealed by the PLFS survey?

Between 2019-20 and 2017-18, 56.4 million new jobs were created but 57.4% of this were created in the agriculture and allied sectors, 28.5% in services, and 14.5% in industry.

This shows only a small increase of jobs in the manufacturing sector and labor shift out of agriculture is not happening.

The growth of jobs in the agriculture sector reveals that among the young educated labor force only a few succeeded. This is due to the capital-intensive nature of industries and labor-displacing technologies.

The rising share of industry and services in national income without an increase in employment share raises questions on the relevance of conventional models of economic growth and development.

What are the problems/challenges in creating jobs?

One, there is no clear separation between agricultural, manufacturing, or services and formal or informal business. For example, agriculture is consolidating and gradually becoming partly manufacturing and partly services too.

Similarly, most manufacturing companies have realized the need to redefine themselves as service providers in order to deliver customer value. Hence, it is difficult to devise policies for job creation in specific sectors.

Two, fixed-term labor contracts were introduced in the 2018 budget. But it did not result in growth in employment over the last four years. Hence, there is a question of whether job creation initiatives work.

Similarly, Incentives are given for formalizing jobs through subsidies on social security contributions. But it is not known that the rise in payroll employment is creating additional jobs or a mere transfer from informal to formal jobs.

What is the way forward?

First, labor laws should be amended to encourage industries to adopt labor-intensive production and provide employment-linked production incentives.

Second, the prime minister’s economic advisory council should include corporate and business data analysts with access to real-time data from not only government sources but also private players.

Third, the government should increase investments in information flows about jobs and skilling. For example, releasing monthly payroll information to know formal jobs.

Fourth, the government should first understand how the economy works and how jobs are created, what skills are in demand, then only better policy responses can follow.

How surging oil prices threaten world’s climate goals

News: Oil prices globally have seen a massive surge due to reduced supply and increased demand due to economies rebounding from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The geopolitical tensions in Russia-Ukraine are also helping the price surge. 

What are the implications of the price rise? 

Economic aspect: Companies may be tempted to invest in oil and gas extraction. However, this will not be profitable in the long term as oil demand will slow down as governments around the globe have climate commitments and are planning to increase reliance on electric vehicles.  

This may lead to oversupply and stranded assets, and Shareholders could face catastrophic levels of value destruction as prices fall.  

Environmental aspect: Not only this investment is unsound economically but has obvious negative implications for the environment. Around 53% of the 34.81 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emitted from the burning of fossil fuels in 2020 came from oil and natural gas. 

This is specially important as wealthy countries have not made commitments to limit oil and gas production. Major producers like the United States, Canada and Norway have aggressive production plans in place for the next few years. 

Impact on India: As India imports 86% of its crude oil and 55% of gas. It is thus heavily exposed to global fluctuations in the oil markets.  

What is the way forward? 

Oil and gas industry is well aware of the energy transition underway— from fossil fuels to zero- carbon renewables and electrification. So to effectively manage this transition, they must resist the temptation to invest heavily on short-term price signals

Failure to acknowledge these change involves the risk of wasting huge amounts of capital, delivering sub-par returns to investors and locking-in emissions that will make the world miss Paris goals. 

How Auroville can teach us all a thing or two about offsetting carbon

News: The Auroville Forest Group, a non-profit in Puducherry, has introduced a new method of increasing tree cover that can mitigate climate change effectively in the future. 

Lessons from Auroville can be implemented on a larger scale all over the country.

Auroville, an international town in Puducherry, has planted about three million trees from 1968 onwards. 

How was this achieved? 

Removal of invasive alien species, planting native tree species and improving the area through various soil and moisture conservation measures like building check dams and percolation ponds. 

Protecting trees from wood cutters and grazing.

Around 30 tropical dry evergreen forest trees were identified which were indigenous to the town and has potential to sequester one million tonnes of carbon during their lifetime. The program laid emphasis on their plantation. 

A methodology was devised to convert transport details into total emissions. Here a carbon converter, a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission calculator, a tool using global conversion factor from the GHG Protocol for Corporate Accounting is used. 

Emissions from transportation like flights, cars, buses and trains can be calculated by using the method. Thus, the impact of transport on the environment can be calculated, and the same can be compensated by planting the required number of trees. 

How can this practice be implemented on a large scale? 

Legislation- Government may bring a legislation to emuluate the same methodology as the one followed in Auroville. Due provision for carbon offsetting can be provided under the Act.  

Tax- A green tax may be calculated by considering the carbon emissions from cars, buses, trains and flights and the cost of planting the required number of trees and subsequent maintenance. The same amount can be allotted to the city corporation or the forest department concerned for carrying out planting activities.   

Amplify e-commerce and help all MSMEs reach markets online

News: The author of this article says that to achieve a $5 trillion economy, India should boost digitalization. It will support MSMEs, ensure GST parity and empower small businesses to venture into the online ecosystem and diversify their operations.

What is the significance of digitalization?

One, Covid has caused shift in all spheres of lives, economy, education but digitalization and e-commerce have remained a common thread. For example, e-commerce, fintech, ed-tech, medical teleconsultation, online entertainment, virtual travel and work-from-home.

Two, it has encouraged innovation and led to growth of enterprises and tech startups. India is now the world’s third-biggest startup hub.

Three, digitization can help Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to survive. For example, inventory management and interface with markets via the e-commerce ecosystem. MSMEs account for 30% of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and constitute more than 40% of exports, but less than 10% of Indian MSMEs sell online and 85% are unregistered.

According to a report by Accenture and the Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India, digitizing 10% of India’s 13 million kirana stores has the potential of generating an estimated 3.2 million new jobs in the country.

How GST is acting as hurdle for MSMEs in transitioning from conventional sales to e-commerce platforms?

One, Goods and services tax (GST) rules increases compliance costs and processes. According to GST Rules, any offline seller with annual turnover under ₹40 lakh engaged in intra-state sales must obtain GST registration to sell online.

Two, offline sellers under ₹1.5 crore annual turnover with intra-state sales cannot continue with simplified GST compliance processes under the composite GST scheme if they want to sell online. Hence, even if MSME’s turnover does not cross the threshold, it would be required to register itself under GST and fulfil all compliance requirements.

Three, MSMEs operating through online platforms are burdened with time-consuming periodical compliance needs like registration and the monthly filing of returns. It prevents them from registering under the GST Network.

Four, the difference between registration thresholds for online and offline sellers stop small businesses to venture onto e-commerce platforms. This results in tax revenue loss for the government also.

What is the way forward?

First, there is a need to provide an enabling GST ecosystem in the interest of all suppliers, online as well as offline. Policymakers should focus on reducing their compliance burden.

Second, there should be similar GST rules and registration process for all MSMES whether they sell offline or online.

Three, there is a need to amend the rules to allow small offline sellers to sell online without needing a GST registration. It will increase GST and income tax collections for the government, improve transparency and efficiency of tax collection.

Four, the differentiation of essential from non-essential products and services should be removed and Section 194-O, relating to TDS on payments made to e-commerce participants, should be terminated. It only increases the compliance burden.

Doing Business in a New World

News: Recently, Luttwak an amercian startegist discussed the legacy of the Indian strategist late K Subrahmanyam and addressed the emerging consensus on the importance of economics in global affairs.

What is current scenario of Indian economy?

India’s is recovering after a slowdown and its geopolitical significance will continue to rise. India’s total trade is expected to touch $1.3 trillion this year which is about 40 per cent of India’s GDP. India could cross $8 trillion and become the third-largest by the end of the decade. But the world is geo-economically changing. Hence, transition for India will be a challenging one

How geo-economics plays a significant role in geopolitics?

One, globalisation which was seen as irreversible is changing. Geo-economic has become an important term now which was used by Edward Luttwak during the end of the Cold War and economic globalisation.

Two, the classic example of geo-economics is China’s rapid economic rise and its success in leveraging it for political gain. Luttwak has not said that economics will replace geo-politics, but he has offered a more powerful argument on the relationship between geopolitics and geoeconomics.

How Luttwak’s has explained the relationship between geopolitics and geoeconomics?

First, according to him, economic interdependence will not eliminate the disputes among nation-states. Hence, national interest will remain powerful in the economic domain and the geopolitical domain as well.

Two, Luttwak propounded that zero-sum situation exists in the economic domain like in military conflict, which sometimes triggers conflicts. Zero-sum is a situation in which one person’s gain is equivalent to another’s loss.

He further says the replacement of politics by geoeconomics will continue, but it cannot be completely replaced. For example, Pakistan. It needs a long transition to move from geopolitics to a developmental state.

Three, he had also warned against illusions of economic interdependence and globalization. For example, US-China relations in recent years.

Capitalist America and communist China have formed a strong economic partnership, which is complemented by the linkage between business elite and civil societies. But economic nationalism has re-emerged. The US is also strengthening domestic research and industrial capabilities to compete more effectively with China. China is also reducing exposure to external factors.

How India is adapting to new geo-economic order?

First, India has walked out from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). India did not accept China-centred regional economic order.

Second, India has turned towards free trade agreements with countries like Australia, Britain, UAE, and Israel. India is deepening its engagement with countries whose economies are complementary.

Third, India has argued that no large country can leave domestic manufacturing to other countries in the name of economic efficiency and globalisation. That is why India is taking initiatives to promote domestic manufacturing under the banner of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

What is the way forward?

 First, India’s policy must be related to the structural changes in the international economic order.

Second, India should find better ways to integrate its financial, trade, technological, security and foreign policies to adapt to the current global geo-economic order.

Third, India needs a strategy to build domestic capabilities, develop geo-economic partnerships and construct geopolitical coalitions with like-minded countries.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

This is a great moment for India to see the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas temples being submitted for inscription in the World Heritage List:Union Minister

Source: This post is based on the article “This is a great moment for India to see the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas temples being submitted for inscription in the World Heritage List:Union Minister” published in PIB on 1st Feb 2022.

What is the news?

Hoysala Temples of Belur, Halebid and Somnathapura in Karnataka have been finalised as India’s nomination for consideration as World Heritage for the year 2022-2023. 

What are Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala?

Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala were built in the 12th-13th century.They are represented here by the three components of Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur.

The Hoysala temples have a basic Darvidian morphology though they reflect other influences including that of Central India’s Bhumija mode, northern and western India’s Nagara traditions, and Karnata Dravida modes of the Kalyani Chalukyas. 

The Hoysala architect made selections of features from other temple styles, which they further modified with their own particular innovations. This resulted in a new Hoysala Temple form.

Chennakeshava Temple – Belur

Chennakeshava Temple is also referred to as Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur.It is a 12th-century Hindu temple in Karnataka.

The temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur also called Velapura, an early Hoysala Empire capital. 

The temple is devoted to Vishnu.

The richly sculptured exterior of the temple narrates scenes from the life of Vishnu and his reincarnations and the epics, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. However, some of the representations of Shiva are also included.

Hoysaleshwara Temple- Halebid

Hoysaleswara temple also referred simply as the Halebidu temple is a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

The temple was built in 1121CE during the reign of the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara.

The temple is most well-known for the more than 240 wall sculptures that run all along the outer wall. 

Keshava Temple- Somanathapura

Keshava Temple is a Vaishnava temple on the banks of River Kaveri at Somanathapura, Karnataka.

The temple was consecrated in 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III.

The temple is enclosed in a courtyard with a pillared corridor of small shrines (damaged).The main temple in the centre is on a high star-shaped platform with three symmetrical sanctums (garbha-griha).

The western sanctum was for a statue of Kesava (missing), the northern sanctum of Janardhana and the southern sanctum of Venugopala, all forms of Vishnu.

New genus of parasitic flowering plant discovered from Nicobar Islands

Source: This post is based on the article “New genus of parasitic flowering plant discovered from Nicobar Islands” published in The Hindu on 1st Feb 2022.

What is the news?

A new genus of a parasitic flowering plant named “Septemeranthus” has recently been discovered from the Nicobar group of islands. 

What is Septemeranthus?

Septemeranthus belongs to the family Loranthaceae, a hemi-parasite under the sandalwood order Santalales.

It is endemic only to the Nicobar group of islands.It grows on the plant species Horsfieldia glabra (Blume) Warb.

Furthermore, it partially depends on its host but also has leaves capable of photosynthesis.

The plant has a distinct vegetative morphology, inflorescence architecture and floral characters.

The leaves of the plant are heart-shaped with a very long tip and the ovary,fruit and seeds are ‘urceolate’ (earthen pot-shaped). 

What are Parasitic Plants?

Parasitic plant is a plant that obtains all or part of its nutrition from another plant (the host) without contributing to the benefit of the host and, in some cases, causing extreme damage to the host.

The defining structural feature of a parasitic plant is the haustorium, a specialized organ that penetrates the host and forms a vascular union between the plants.

What are Hemi-parasites?

Hemi-parasites are commonly referred to as mistletoes.

They need a host tree or shrub in order to thrive and exhibit a worldwide distribution in tropical as well as temperate habitats that evolved approximately five times in the order and are important in forest ecology, pathology and medicine.

They play a significant role as they provide food for frugivorous birds.

What is the difference between Parasitic and Hemi-Parasites Plants?

CENTRAL THEME OF ECONOMIC SURVEY 2021-22 IS THE “AGILE APPROACH”

Source: This post is based on the articles:

 “CENTRAL THEME OF ECONOMIC SURVEY 2021-22 IS THE “AGILE APPROACH” published in PIB on 1st Feb 2022.

“Economic Survey 2021-22: India’s agile fiscal policy response’’ published in Business Standard on 1st Feb 2022

What is the news?

Union Minister for Finance has presented the Economic Survey 2021-22 in Parliament

About Economic Survey

The Economic Survey is an annual report card of the economy. The first Economic Survey was presented in the year 1950-51. From 1964, the practice to release the survey a day before the Union Budget began.

It is not mandatory for the government to present the survey and the recommendations presented in the survey are not binding on the government.

Who prepares the survey?

It is prepared by the Economics Division of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Finance Ministry under the overall guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA).

This year, the survey is being prepared by the Principal Economic Advisor and other officials in absence of the CEA. 

What is the theme of this year’s Economic Survey?

The central theme of this year’s Economic Survey is the “Agile approach”.

Another theme highlighted in the Economic Survey relates to art and science of policy-making under conditions of extreme uncertainty.

What is “Agile Approach” mentioned in the survey?

It is a framework for project and policy implementation that is considered highly efficient for getting work done. 

It was developed in 2001 and is based on 12 principles which include customer satisfaction, collaboration, adapting to change, feedback loops, breaking project silos, real-time monitoring of actual outcomes etc.

The survey adds that this agile framework was behind India’s informed response to the Covid-19 shock.

Other key features of this year’s Economic Survey

The Preface of the survey takes a bird’s eye view of the “great deal of evolution” of the Economic Surveys presented since the first Survey in 1950-51. 

The survey makes a shift from the two-volume format of recent years to a single volume plus a separate volume for statistical tables.

Moreover, Survey adds a new chapter that demonstrates the use of satellite and geo-spatial images to gauge various economic phenomena such as urbanization, infrastructure, environmental impact, farming practices and so on.

3rd World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

Source: This post is based on the article “3rd World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day” published in PIB on 1st Feb 2022.

What is the news?

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day was observed to raise awareness for neglected tropical diseases. 

What is World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day?

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed every year on January 30.

Aim: To serve as a catalyst to translate awareness into action, secure increased resources for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and crucially facilitate political leadership and ownership of NTD programmes from affected countries.

Theme: ‘Achieving health equity to end the neglect of poverty-related diseases’.

In India, NTD Day was organized by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) by illuminating the iconic New Delhi Railway Station to generate awareness about NTDs.

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day?

NTDs are caused mostly by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins.

They are “neglected” because they are almost absent from the global health agenda of the developed countries and are associated with stigma and social exclusion.

Click Here to read more about NTDs

What are the steps taken by India to eliminate NTDs?

Firstly, India has already eliminated several other NTDs, including guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws.

Secondly, A WHO-supported regional alliance was established by governments of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal in 2005 to expedite early diagnosis and treatment of the most vulnerable populations and improve disease surveillance and control of sandfly populations (Kala-azar).

Thirdly, Preventive methods like Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds are periodically deployed in endemic areas, during which anti-filarial medicines are provided free-of-cost to at-risk communities.

Fourthly, Vector-control measures like Indoor Residual Spraying rounds are undertaken in endemic areas to prevent sandfly breeding.

Fifthly, State and central governments have also introduced wage compensation schemes for those suffering from Kala-Azar and its sequela (a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury) known as Post-Kala Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.

Home Delivery of medicines to begin from tomorrow under Services e-Health Assistance and Teleconsultation (SeHAT)

Source: This post is based on the article “Home Delivery of medicines to begin from tomorrow under Services e-Health Assistance and Teleconsultation (SeHAT)” published in PIB on 1^st Feb 2022.

What is the news?

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched services for home delivery of medicines for veterans and serving military personnel services under an online medical consultation platform named Services e-Health Assistance and Teleconsultation (SeHAT).

What is SeHAT Initiative?

SeHAT initiative was launched in May 2021.

It is the tri-services teleconsultation service of the Ministry of Defence designed for all entitled personnel and their families. 

SeHAT stay-home OPD is a patient-to-doctor system where the patient can consult a doctor remotely through the internet using his smartphone, laptop, desktop or tablet. This initiative aims to provide quality healthcare services to patients from the comfort of their homes. 

Furthermore, taking the healthcare delivery right to the patient’s doorsteps, the Ministry of Defence launched another novel initiative of providing Home Delivery or Self Pickup of Medicines to patients seeking consultation on SeHAT.

What is a Bomb Cyclone?

Source: This post is based on the article “What is a Bomb Cyclone?” published in Yahoo on 1st Feb 2022.

What is the News?

The US East Coast is bracing itself for a “bomb cyclone” that is on course to barrel in from the mid-Atlantic.

What is Bomb Cyclone?

A bomb cyclone is a winter cyclone. It occurs through the process known as bombogenesis.

Note: The word “bombogenesis” is a combination of cyclogenesis which describes the formation of a cyclone or storm and bomb, which is self-explanatory.

A bomb cyclone occurs when a mid-latitude cyclone rapidly intensifies or quickly drops in atmospheric pressure, marking the strengthening of the storm.

It occurs when a storm’s central barometric pressure drops at least 24 millibars in 24 hours. A millibar is a way of measuring pressure. The lower the pressure, the more powerful the storm.

Some storms have intensified as rapidly as 60 millibars in 24 hours. A few bomb cyclones even develop “eyes,” similar to the centre of a hurricane.

How is Bomb Cyclone different from Hurricanes?

Bomb cyclones have cold air and fronts: Cold air rapidly weakens hurricanes, while it is an essential ingredient for bomb cyclones.

Bomb cyclones form during winter: Hurricanes form from late spring to early fall, while bomb cyclones form from late fall to early spring.

Bomb cyclones form at higher latitudes: Hurricanes form in tropical waters, while bomb cyclones form over the northwestern Atlantic, northwestern Pacific and sometimes the Mediterranean Sea.

At UNSC meet on Ukraine, India walks the tightrope

Source: This post is based on the article “At UNSC meet on Ukraine, India walks the tightrope” published in Indian Express on 1st Feb 2022.

What is the News?

At the UN Security Council, India has played a tightrope walk on the Russia-Ukraine issue, with a slight tilt towards the Russian position.

What is the Russia-Ukraine Conflict?

Click Here to read about it 

What had happened at the UNSC regarding the Russia-Ukraine issue?

The United States had requested an open meeting at the UN Security Council on the Russian military build-up at the Ukrainian border.

However, the Russians sought a vote on the decision to go ahead with the meeting. As per the UNSC working methods, nine votes were required for the meeting to go ahead as scheduled.

Ten countries voted in favour of having an open meeting on Ukraine, while China and Russia opposed. India, Gabon and Kenya abstained. 

What was India’s statement at the UNSC on the Russia-Ukraine issue?

India’s Permanent Representative statement at UNSC mentioned “India’s interest is in finding a solution that can provide for immediate de-escalation of tensions taking into account the legitimate security interests of all countries and aimed towards securing long term peace and stability in the region and beyond”.

​​The mention of “legitimate security interests of all sides” was a recognition that Russia also had security concerns over the presence of NATO in its neighbourhood. Hence, it is widely perceived as somewhat aligned with Russian interests.

Further, there was no mention in the entire Indian statement about the Russian military build-up at the border, which has been cited as the trigger for the current crisis by the west.

Indian scientists develop efficient and durable solar cells by tuning the length and porosity of nanorods

Source: This post is based on the article “Indian scientists develop efficient and durable solar cells by tuning the length and porosity of nanorods” published in PIB on 31st Jan 2022.

What is the News?

Indian Scientists have devised a new process for increasing the efficiency and stability of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods based on Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC).

What are Perovskite Solar Cells(PSC)?

Perovskite Solar Cells(PSC) is a type of solar cell that includes a perovskite-structured compound, most commonly a hybrid organic-inorganic lead or tin halide-based material, as the light-harvesting active layer.

PSCs have become commercially attractive because of the potential of achieving even higher efficiencies and very low production costs. However, the challenge lies in its short- and long-term stability.

What have the scientists done?

Scientists have increased the efficiency and stability of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanorods based on Perovskite Solar Cells(PSC) by varying the length and porosity of the TiO2-Nanorods. This will help to develop solar cells with stable light-harvesting active layers.

Launch of the Global Center of Excellence in Affordable and Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE) at IIT Dharwad

Source: This post is based on the article “Launch of the Global Center of Excellence in Affordable and Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE) at IIT Dharwad” published in PIB on 31st Jan 2022.

What is the News?

A virtual function was held to mark the launch of the Global Centre of Excellence in Affordable and Clean Energy(GCoE-ACE) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad (IITDh), Karnataka.

What is the purpose of the Global Centre of Excellence for Affordable and Clean Energy (GCoE-ACE)?

The Centre has been established with the aim to boost research in affordable and clean energy.

The centre seeks to establish physical infrastructure, incubate technologies and identify avenues for the adoption of clean energy solutions that are developed to improve the lives and livelihoods of rural communities.

The partners for this centre are the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser, Govt. of India, Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation(HHSIF), SELCO Foundation, and IIT Dharwad.

The centre is supported by the Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) donation from HHSIF. 

Explained: Kerala’s proposal to limit Lokayukta’s powers, and laws in other states

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: Kerala’s proposal to limit Lokayukta’s powers, and laws in other states” published in Indian Express on 1st February 2022.

What is the news?

Recently, the Kerala government has proposed to amend the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act with an ordinance. This move has attracted criticism from the opposition.

What is the proposal all about?

The said proposal will give the government powers to “either accept or reject the verdict of the Lokayukta, after giving an opportunity of being heard. Presently, under Section 14 of the Act, a public servant has to vacate office if directed by the Lokayukta.

What is Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act? How does it work?

According to the data provided on the official website, Lokpal received 1,427 complaints in 2019-20, 110 in 2020-21, and 30 in 2021-22 up to July 2021. Due to a delay in framing rules, one of the judicial members has resigned.

How does Lokayuktas work in states?

Lokayuktas are the state equivalents of the central Lokpal. The law gave states the autonomy to frame their own laws. So, the Lokayukta’s powers vary from state to state on various aspects, such as tenure, and the need for sanction to prosecute officials. Among these are:

Nagaland:  It passed the law allowing the Nagaland government the power to keep the post of the state Lokayukta vacant for a year.

GOA: Goa’s Lokayukta does not have powers of prosecution.

Bihar: It passed a law that sought to punish people filing false cases before the Lokayukta. The offence would carry a jail term of up to three years. The move was criticised on the ground that it could be misused against whistle-blowers.

UP: In 2012, Uttar Pradesh passed a law for increasing the tenure of Lokayukta to 8 years. In 2015, the state brought another amendment removing the High Court Chief Justice from the selection committee.