1. What is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)?
At the request of petitioners, the Supreme Court recently allowed pleas challenging provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) to be withdrawn.
About Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA):
- The UAPA was introduced in 1967 as a legislation to set out reasonable restrictions on the fundamental freedoms under Article 19(1) of the Constitution, such as freedom of speech, the right to assemble peacefully, and the right to form associations.
- Over the years, terror-specific legislations like the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) and Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) were repealed after running into legal trouble, and the UAPA became the primary anti-terror legislation in India.
- In line with its stated objectives, the UAPA punishes the commission, funding, and support of “unlawful activities” and “terrorist acts”.
- It lays down the definitions and rules for designating an organisation as an "unlawful association" if it is engaged in certain types of activities.
- ‘Unlawful activity’ is defined as any action taken by an individual or association – through an act, words, spoken or written, or by signs or visible representation – which is intended to, or supports a claim to, bring about the cession of a part of the territory of India, or the secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union, or which incites any individual or group of individuals to bring about such cession or secession.
- It covers activities which disclaim, question, disrupt, or are intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, and which cause or intend to cause disaffection against India.
- In 2004, the UAPA was amended, and 'terrorist activities' were brought within its fold, under which 34 outfits, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, were banned.
- Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it:
- commits or participates in acts of terrorism;
- prepares for terrorism;
- promotes terrorism;
- is otherwise involved in terrorism;
- The 2019 Amendment gave the Home Ministry the power to designate individuals as terrorists.
- The Act extends to the whole of India.
- The UAPA applies to anyone who commits a UAPA crime in India or outside India. It applies to Indian citizens irrespective of where the crime is committed and also includes people in Government service and people on ships and aircraft registered in India.
2. Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to conduct its special 'Young Scientist Programme' or 'YUVIKA' for school children.
About the Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA):
- "Young Scientist Programme", or "YUva VIgyani KAryakram" YUVIKA, is a learning and awareness-creating programme of the ISRO to impart basic knowledge on Space Technology, Space Science, and Space Applications to younger students with a preference for rural areas.
- The programme is aimed at creating awareness about the emerging trends in science and technology amongst the youngsters, who are the future building blocks of our nation. ISRO has chalked out this programme to "Catch Them Young".
- The programme is also expected to encourage more students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based research /careers.
- Eligibility:
- Those who have finished class 8 and are currently studying in class 9 can apply for the programme.
- Three students from each state/Union Territory will participate in this programme every year, covering CBSE, ICSE, and state-board syllabus.
- The selection is based on 8th Standard academic performance and extracurricular activities.
- Students belonging to the rural area have been given special weightage in the selection criteria.
- In case there is a tie between the selected candidates, the younger candidates will be given priority.
- What is being offered?
- It is a two-week residential programme offered by ISRO.
- It will include invited talks, experience sharing by eminent scientists, facility and lab visits, exclusive sessions for discussions with experts and practical and feedback sessions.
- A minimum participation will be ensured from each State / UT.
3. Lord Mahavira
Archaeology students and professors in Tamil Nadu recently unearthed a rare 1000-year-old stone statue of Mahavira, the 24th tirthankara of Jainism.
About Lord Mahavira:
- He was the twenty-fourth and the last Tirthankara of the Jain religion.
- Mahavir was born in 599 B.C. as a prince in Bihar. At the age of 30, he left his family and royal household, gave up his worldly possessions, including clothing, and became a monk.
- He followed an extreme ascetic life, attaining kaivalya, the stage of omniscience or highest perception.
- Mahavira advocated nonviolence (ahimsa) in all circumstances and the acceptance of the mahavratas, the five “great vows” of renunciation.
- At the heart of right conduct for Jains lie the five great vows:
- Nonviolence (Ahimsa): not to cause harm to any living beings
- Truthfulness (Satya): to speak the harmless truth only
- Non-stealing (Asteya): not to take anything not properly given
- Chastity (Brahmacharya): not to indulge in sensual pleasure
- Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha): complete detachment from people, places, and material things.
- Mahavir’s Teachings:
- He organised his followers into a fourfold order, namely monk (Sadhu), nun (Sadhvi), layman (Shravak), and laywoman (Shravika). Later on, they are known as Jains.
- The ultimate objective of his teaching is how one can attain total freedom from the cycle of birth, life, pain, misery, and death, and achieve the permanent blissful state of one's self. This is also known as liberation, nirvana, absolute freedom, or Moksha.
- He preached that right faith (Samyak-darshan), right knowledge (Samyak-jnana), and right conduct (Samyak-charitra) together will help attain the liberation of one's self.
- Mahavir's message of nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Achaurya), celibacy (Brahma charya), and non-possession (Aparigraha) is full of universal compassion.
- Mahavir rejected the concept of God as a creator, a protector, and a destroyer of the universe. He also denounced the worshipping of gods and goddesses as a means of material gains and personal benefits.
4. What is the Gulf Stream?
A recent scientific study estimates a timescale for the collapse of the Gulf Stream between 2025 and 2095, with a central estimate of 2050, if global carbon emissions are not reduced.
About Gulf Stream:
- It is a swift and warm ocean current that flows along the eastern coast of North America and crosses the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe.
- This extension towards Europe is known as the North Atlantic drift.
- The Gulf Stream transports more water than all the world's rivers combined.
- Key characteristics:
- Location: It originates in the Gulf of Mexico. It then travels northward along the eastern coast of the United States. It follows a north-eastward path across the western North Atlantic Ocean.
- Sources: The two equatorial sources of the Gulf Stream are the North Equatorial Current (NEC), which flows generally westward along the Tropic of Cancer, and the South Equatorial Current (SEC), which flows westward from southwestern Africa to South America and then northward to the Caribbean Sea. Together, these two warm currents, along with waters from the Gulf of Mexico, form the Gulf Stream.
- Warmth: The current carries warm water from the tropics (around 25 to 28°C or 77 to 82°F) to higher latitudes.
- Width and Speed: The Gulf Stream is several hundred kilometres wide and can flow at an average speed of about four miles per hour (6.4 kilometres per hour). However, its speed can vary depending on the location and other factors.
- Depth: The current is also very deep, extending to depths of up to 1,000 metres.
- Importance and Impact:
- Climate Regulation: It moderates the temperatures along the eastern coast of North America, keeping the coastal areas warmer in winter and cooler in summer compared to inland regions at the same latitudes. Since the Gulf Stream also extends toward Europe, it warms Western European countries as well.
- Weather Patterns: The warm and moist air above the Gulf Stream can lead to the formation of low-pressure systems, which may develop into storms or hurricanes. It can also contribute to the formation of fog in certain areas.
- Maritime Navigation: The Gulf Stream has been a crucial factor in maritime navigation for centuries. It provides a fast and efficient route for ships travelling between North America and Europe, as it aids in faster travel times due to its speed.
- Ocean Circulation: The Gulf Stream is an essential part of the larger oceanic circulation system known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The AMOC plays a vital role in redistributing heat around the Earth and regulating global climate patterns.
5. Kanha Tiger Reserve
A male tiger from the Kanha Tiger Reserve has been relocated to Mukundpur Safari in Satna.
About Kanha Tiger Reserve:
- Kanha Tiger Reserve, also called Kanha National Park, is the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh.
- Location:
- It is located in the Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh.
- It is nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras, the heart of India, that forms the central Indian highlands.
- Kanha National Park was created on June 1, 1955, and in 1973 was made the Tiger Reserve.
- It sprawls over an area of 940 square kilometres.
- Habitat: It is characterised mainly by forested shallow undulations, hills with varying degrees of slopes, plateaus, and valleys.
- The forest depictedin the famous novel by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book, is thought by some to be based on jungles, including this reserve.
- It is also the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, "Bhoorsingh the Barasingha".
- Flora: It is primarily a moist Sal and moist mixed deciduous forest where Bamboo, Tendu, Sal, Jamun, Arjun, and Lendia flourish.
- Fauna:
- The park has a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, sloth bear, and Indian wild dog.
- The Park is respected globally for saving the Barasingha (the state animal of Madhya Pradesh) from near extinction and has the unique distinction of harbouring the last world population of this deer species.
6. Coal Gasification
The Ministry of Coal, Government of India, is set to host an Industry Interaction in Hyderabad aimed at fostering the development and proliferation of coal/lignite gasification projects across the nation.
About Coal Gasification:
- It is the process of producing syngas, a mixture consisting primarily of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and water vapour (H2O) - from coal and water, air and/or oxygen.
- Gasification occurs in a gasifier, generally a high temperature/pressure vessel where oxygen and steam are directly contacted with the coal or other feed material causing a series of chemical reactions to occur that convert the feed to syngas and ash/slag.
- Syngas can be used for electricity production, used in energy-efficient fuel cell technology, or as chemical “building blocks” for industrial purposes. The hydrogen can also be extracted for use in fuelling a hydrogen economy.
- Benefits of coal Gasification
- Coal gasification can help address local pollution problems.
- It is considered a cleaner option compared to the burning of coal.
- It will help in reducing reliance on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia and other essential products.
- This holds the potential to alleviate the environmental burden by reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainable practices, contributing to India’s global commitments towards a greener future.
7. Golden-backed Frog
Scientists made a surprising discovery in the foothills of the Western Ghats in India — a Bonnet mushroom growing out of the side of the Golden-backed Frog.
About Golden-backed Frog:
- It is endemic to the Western Ghats of Karnataka and Kerala, specifically above the Palghat Gap, where it is known to thrive in relative abundance.
- It is about the size of a human thumb.
- These frogs prefer to reside near streams, ponds, and other water bodies, where they can lay their eggs and find their food.
- They are primarily insectivorous and feed on a range of small insects and arthropods such as ants, beetles, and crickets.
- Threats: The major threats to the survival of these frogs are habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution of water bodies, and the introduction of non-native species.
What is Bonnet mushroom?
- It is commonly found as a saprotroph (an organism that feeds on non-living organic matter) on rotting wood.
- It belongs to the Mycena genus.
- Mycenas are hard to identify to species and some are distinguishable only by microscopic features such as the shape of the cystidia.
- Some species are edible, while others contain toxins.
8. Diphtheria
World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday published the guidelines on the clinical management of diphtheria.
About Diphtheria:
- It is a serious contagious bacterial infection of the nose and throat.
- Cause: It is caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin.
- Transmission:
- It can spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
- People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.
- The bacteria can also infect the skin, causing open sores or ulcers. However, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in severe disease.
- Although diphtheria can be treated with medications, in advanced stages, the bacterial infection can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system.
- Symptoms: A thick, grey membrane covering the throat and tonsils, sore throat and hoarseness, swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck difficulty breathing etc.
- The current treatments include:
- neutralisation of unbound toxin with Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT)
- antibiotics to prevent further bacterial growth;
- monitoring and supportive care to prevent and treat complications, e.g. airway obstruction, and myocarditis.
What are the new recommendations of WHO?
- In patients with suspected or confirmed diphtheria, WHO recommends using macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin, erythromycin) in preference to penicillin antibiotics.
- In patients with suspected or confirmed diphtheria, WHO recommends not to perform routine sensitivity testing prior to administration of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT).
- In patients with suspected or confirmed symptomatic diphtheria, WHO suggests an escalating dosing regimen for diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) which is based on disease severity and time since symptom onset, in comparison with a fixed dose for all patients.
9. European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
India has rejected the demand of the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) for ‘data exclusivity’ provisions in the free trade agreement that both sides are negotiating.
About the European Free Trade Association:
- It is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1960 by the Stockholm Convention.
- Objective: Promotes free trade and economic integration between its members within Europe and globally.
- Member Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
- The members of this organisation are all open, competitive economies committed to the progressive liberalisation of trade in the multinational arena as well as in free trade agreements.
- In contrast to the European Union (EU), it is not a customs union.
- Governance:
- Its highest governing body is the EFTA Council. It generally meets 8 times a year at the ambassadorial level and twice a year at the ministerial level.
- EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA): It monitors compliance with European Economic Area (EEA) rules in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
- EFTA Court: It is based in Luxembourg and has the competence and authority to settle internal and external disputes regarding the implementation, application or interpretation of the EEA agreement.
- The headquarters of the EFTA Secretariat is located in Geneva. It assists the EFTA Council in the management of relations between the 4 EFTA States and deals with the negotiation and operation of EFTA’s FTAs.
What is India’s concern?
- Data exclusivity provisions will bar generic drug producers from using data of preclinical tests and clinical trials of former patent holders.
- If generic medicine makers wish to introduce their version of an off-patent drug then they will have to either generate their own clinical data or wait for the exclusivity period to end.
10. Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative
Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has unveiled the 'Sangam: Digital Twin' initiative.
About Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative:
- It is a Proof of Concept (PoC) distributed in two stages to be conducted in one of the major cities of India.
- The first stage is exploratory for clarity of horizon and creative exploration to unleash potential.
- The second stage is for practical demonstration of specific use cases generating a future blueprint that may serve as a roadmap to scale and replicate successful strategies in future infrastructure projects through collaboration.
- Aim: The initiative aims to demonstrate practical implementation of innovative infrastructure planning solutions, to develop a model framework for facilitating faster and more effective collaboration and to provide a future blueprint that may serve as a roadmap to scale and replicate successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.
- Digital Twin technology offers a solution by creating virtual replicas of physical assets, allowing for real-time monitoring, simulation and analysis for experimental iterations and feedback loops to adapt to the changes to achieve the best outcomes.
- The initiative comes against the backdrop of the past decade's breakthroughs in communication, computation and sensing in the era of techade striving for the vision 2047.
- Sangam: Digital Twin symbolises a collaborative leap towards reshaping infrastructure planning and design, combining the prowess of 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI native 6G, Digital Twin and next-gen computational technologies with the collective intelligence of public entities, infrastructure planners, tech giants, startups, and academia to break the silos and engage in a whole-of-nation approach.
- Sangam brings all stakeholders on one platform aiming to transform innovative ideas into tangible solutions, bridging the gap between conceptualization and realisation, ultimately paving the way for groundbreaking infrastructure advancements.