Daily Current Affairs UPSC 12 and 13 May 2024

Sahitya Akademi

Ruskin Bond's Sahitya Akademi Fellowship

• Ruskin Bond was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest recognition given by the Akademi to a writer.
• The fellowship is reserved for those considered 'the immortals of literature'.
• Some of Ruskin Bond's notable literary works include Vagrants in the Valley, Once Upon a Monsoon Time, Angry River, Strangers in the Night, and All Roads Lead to Ganga.

About Sahitya Akademi

• The Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated in 1954 and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture and is responsible for literary activities in 24 languages, including 22 scheduled languages, English, and Rajasthani.
• The Akademi's major awards include the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Bhasha Samman.

Kaziranga National Park (KNP)

• KNP achieved its highest revenue ever in its 50-year history.
• Located in Golaghat and Nagaon districts in Assam, KNP is situated in the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots.
• Positioned between the river Brahmaputra in the North and the Karbi Anglong hills in the South.
• Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1985.
• The major vegetation in KNP includes wet alluvial grassland with deciduous to semi-evergreen woodlands.
• The flora in KNP consists of Elephant grass, Kumbhi, Indian gooseberry, and more.
• The fauna in KNP includes one-horned rhinoceroses, wild Asiatic water buffaloes, swamp deer, Ganges Dolphin, and others.

Small Ribonucleic acid (sRNA)

Altered Food Habits in C. elegans Worms

• Researchers discovered changes in the food habits of C. elegans worms after consuming a disease-causing bacteria (P. vranovensis) that produces sRNA.

About sRNA

• sRNA is a type of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that typically consists of 20 to 200 nucleotides.
• ncRNA does not encode proteins.
• RNA is composed of adenine (A), uracil (U), cytosine (C), or guanine (G) nucleotides.
• sRNAs interact with proteins and other RNAs, influencing the expression of genes by either enhancing or reducing it.

Measles

Measles Vaccination Coverage in India

a. Researchers from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Banaras Hindu                    University found that 12% of India's eligible children did not receive any dose of the        measles vaccine.

b. Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness.

• Measles is caused by the measles virus, a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus.
• Symptoms include high fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, and rash.
• Humans are the only natural hosts for the measles virus.

c. Measles Rubella (MR) Vaccine in India.

• The MR vaccine is part of India's Universal Immunization Programme since 2017.
• Rubella virus infection usually causes a mild fever and rash.

Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) Technology

Meeting to Review IIT-Delhi Study on FGD Technology

• The Ministry of Power recently held a meeting to discuss a study conducted by IIT-Delhi on the impact of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology on Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has made it mandatory for all coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPP) to install FGD systems.

Understanding FGD Technology

• FGD technology is utilized to eliminate SO2 from the flue gas emissions of coal-fired TPPs.
• FGD systems have the capability to remove more than 90% of SO2 emissions.

Types of FGD Systems

• There are three main types of FGD systems used globally: Dry Sorbent (Limestone) Injection, Wet Limestone Based, and Sea Water Based systems.

Sea Anemone

Sea Anemone Bleaching off Agatti Island, Lakshadweep

• Scientists have discovered mass sea anemone bleaching off Agatti island in Lakshadweep.

About Sea Anemone

• Sea anemones are ocean-dwelling members of the phylum Cnidaria.
• Most species of sea anemones are predatory animals found in coastal tropical waters.
• Similar to corals, sea anemones form symbiotic relationships with green algae.
• Rising sea surface temperatures disrupt this symbiotic relationship, leading to bleaching.
• Sea anemones also have a symbiotic relationship with clownfish.
• Clownfish are protected by the stinging tentacles of the anemone, while the anemone benefits from the clownfish's meals.
• Sea anemones play important biogeochemical roles in benthic ecosystems.

DigiLocker

Verified Marksheets for CISCE Board Students on DigiLocker Platform

a. DigiLocker Platform Overview.

• Launched in 2015 as part of Digital India program.
• Secure cloud-based platform for issuance and verification of digital documents.
• Legally valid documents under Indian IT Act 2000.
• Treated at par with original physical documents according to IT Rules, 2016.

b. Benefits of DigiLocker Platform.

• Reduced Administrative cost.
• Paperless Governance.
• Real Time Verification.

Exercise 'Shakti'

• Exercise 'Shakti' 7th Edition Commences in Meghalaya.
• The 7th edition of Exercise 'Shakti', a joint military exercise between India and France, has begun in Meghalaya.

Asaf Ali (1888-1953)

Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Asaf Ali.

Asaf Ali's Background

• Asaf Ali was a lawyer, freedom fighter, and the first Ambassador of independent India to the United States.

Asaf Ali's Contributions

• Founding member of the Home Rule League at Delhi.
• Actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Individual Satyagraha, and Quit India Movement.
• Defended Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt in the central assembly bomb case in 1929.
• Elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1935 as a member of the Muslim National Party.

Asaf Ali's Values

• Asaf Ali believed in patriotism, leadership, rationality, and other important values.

ASC Invasion in Eastern Ghats: CCMB Study

Introduction of ASC in India

• ASC (Rakashi or devil fish) was brought to India for its unique appearance and algae-cleaning abilities, but has now multiplied rapidly.
• Native to South America, it belongs to the largest catfish family.
• Scientists used the eDNA approach to track the spread of this invasive species.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) Approach

• eDNA is DNA released into the environment by organisms through shedding of cellular material like skin or excrement.
• This method is reliable, accurate, and cost-effective compared to traditional methods.

Invasive Species (IS) Definition and Threats

• IS are non-native species that threaten wildlife and habitats, as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Their presence can disrupt food chains, ecological balances, and compete with native species for resources.
• IS pose risks to human health, food security, and livelihoods.
• 1 in 10 species on the IUCN Red List are threatened by IS, resulting in a loss of at least USD 1.288 trillion from 1970 to 2017.

Combatting Invasive Species: Control Initiatives:

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has established guidelines for preventing, introducing, and mitigating the impacts of alien species.
• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), created under the CBD, includes 23 targets, one of which aims to reduce invasive species by 50% by 2030.
• The Global Invasive Species Database is overseen by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG).
• The Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species is an initiative led by the ISSG.
• The GloBallast Partnerships Programme, a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility, UNDP, and IMO, works to promote cooperation in ballast water management.
• The Western Indian Ocean Network on Invasive Species (WIONIs) and the Caribbean Invasive Alien Species Network (CIASNET) are hosted by the Indian Ocean Commission, with India not being a member.

"Earth Hit by G-5 Geomagnetic Storm"

Geomagnetic Storms

• Definition: Geomagnetic or Solar storms are disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere (Earth’s magnetic field).
• Classification: Depending on the intensity, they are classified from G1 (Minor) to G5 (extreme).
• Caused by: These disturbances arise from the interaction of charged particles from Sun with Earth’s magnetic fields, which is triggered by following solar explosions:

Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs)

• Primary drivers of the most severe geomagnetic storms.
• Large expulsions of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun’s corona.
• Usually take place around sunspot groups, cooler, highly magnetized areas on the Sun's surface.
• Typically take 1 to 3 days to reach Earth.

Solar Flares

• An intense burst of radiation coming from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots.
• Largest explosive events in our Solar system that can last from minutes to hours.
• Travel at the speed of light, taking approximately 8 minutes to reach Earth.

Possible consequences of Geomagnetic Storms:

• Geomagnetic storms have the potential to cause GPS and navigation system failures.
• Power grids are at risk of being damaged during geomagnetic storms.
• Shortwave radio communication for aircraft flying over polar regions may be interrupted.
• Satellite orbits could be disturbed by geomagnetic storms.
• Intense auroras could be visible over a large portion of the Earth during geomagnetic storms.

"ISRO's Successful 3D Printed Rocket Engine Test"

ISRO's Successful Hot Testing of Liquid Rocket Engine through Additive Manufacturing

• ISRO conducted hot testing of the PS4 engine, the fourth stage of PSLV, which was manufactured using Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
• The use of AM technology resulted in savings in raw material usage and production time.

Understanding Additive Manufacturing (AM) / 3D Printing

• AM is a technology that builds a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D model by adding material layer by layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing which involves cutting away material from a solid block.
• Materials used in AM include thermoplastics, metal alloys, ceramics, and biomaterials like bioinks.

Key Applications and Advantages of AM Technology

• Key applications of AM technology include healthcare (custom implants, surgical instruments), aerospace and defense (airframes, drones), electronics (wearable devices, robots), and more.
• Advantages of AM technology include lower inventory, reduced time, ability to create complex and custom designs, minimal wastage, and the ability to create objects with functionally-graded materials.

Challenges and Government Initiatives

• Challenges of AM technology include high initial investment, technical challenges like slow production speed and quality concerns, and other challenges like workforce shortage and lack of material availability.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the "National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing" in 2022 and established a 3D printing lab in Aurangabad. In 2023, the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing was set up in collaboration with the Government of Telangana.

"UPF Consumption Linked to Early Death Risk"

Study on Ultra-Processed Foods and Early Death Risk

• A 30-year U.S. study found a link between consuming ultra-processed foods (UPF) and a higher risk of early death.
• The risk was particularly associated with products like ready-to-eat meats, sugary drinks, dairy desserts, and processed breakfast foods.
• Researchers suggest limiting certain types of UPF for long-term health benefits, although not all UPF should be universally restricted.

Assessment of Dietary Quality with AHEI Score

• Researchers used the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI) score to evaluate overall dietary quality.
• AHEI, developed by Harvard School of Public Health, assigns ratings to foods and nutrients that are predictive of chronic diseases.

Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods

• UPFs are food products that have undergone extensive processing and contain additives like preservatives, artificial flavors, and emulsifiers.
• They are typically high in fat, sugar, and salt, and low in essential nutrients like vitamins, protein, and fiber.
• Increased consumption of UPFs can lead to various health issues such as hypertension, renal failure, obesity, fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.

Efforts to Curb UPF Consumption in India

• Indian initiatives to reduce UPF consumption include revised dietary guidelines, the Eat Right India Campaign, and limits on trans fatty acids in food products.
• Aerated beverages in India are taxed at 28% GST and additional 12% compensation cess, while HFSS foods are taxed at a 12% GST rate.
• Kerala introduced a 'fat tax' in 2016 to discourage the consumption of unhealthy foods.

"Delhi Blanketed by Sudden Dust Storm"

Factors Leading to Dust Storm in Delhi:

• The recent dust storm in Delhi was caused by a combination of a western disturbance, easterly winds, and high temperatures.
• These factors led to the formation of convective clouds and strong winds, resulting in the dust storm.

Characteristics of Dust Storms:

• Dust storms occur when strong winds lift particles of dust or sand to great heights.
• They are often associated with thunderstorms and are common in arid and semi-arid regions.
• Dust storms are frequent in regions like northern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and North India.

Impact of Dust Storms:

• Dust storms can trigger respiratory ailments and act as carriers for infectious diseases.
• They can also damage crops, reduce visibility, and disrupt ground flights.
• Dust storms play a role in transporting nutrients to the oceans and affecting marine biomass production.

Western Disturbances (WD):

• WD are extratropical storms that form in the Mediterranean region and move eastward towards the Indian subcontinent.
• They bring non-monsoonal rain to the northwestern Indian subcontinent.

Easterlies (Trade Winds):

• Trade winds are constant winds that blow from east to west near the equator.
• They are formed as warm, moist air rises from the equator and cooler air sinks closer to the poles.

"Supreme Court Bolsters Juvenile Justice Act"

Supreme Court's Ruling on Preliminary Assessment of Child in Conflict with Law

• The Supreme Court's decision in the case of "Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) through his mother v. State of Karnataka" focused on the provision in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 regarding the preliminary assessment of CCL in heinous offenses.

Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 Overview

• The JJ Act 2015 consolidates and amends laws related to Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) and Child in need of Care and Protection (CCP).
• CCL refers to a child under 18 years of age who is accused or found guilty of committing an offense.
• The Act mandates the establishment of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) in every district to handle CCL cases.
• For heinous offenses involving a child above 16 years of age, a preliminary assessment by the JJB is required to determine the child's capacity.
• Following the preliminary assessment, the Children's Court may decide whether the child should be tried as an adult.

Key Points from the Supreme Court's Judgement

• Appeals against preliminary assessment orders by the JJB should be filed in the Children's Court, not the Sessions Court, if available.
• The court has set a 30-day time limit for filing such appeals.
• While the Act prescribes a 3-month period for completing preliminary assessments, this timeframe is not mandatory but more of a guideline.