India’s First Solar Border Village

Context: Masali village in Banaskantha district of Gujarat, has become the country’s first solar border village, emerging as a 100 percent solar powered village in the country.

About Masali Village

• Masali village is located 40 kilometers from the Pakistan border
• The Border Solar Project: The Banaskantha district administration  under the Border Development Project, has taken initiative to make 11 border villages in Vav taluka and six in Suigam taluka, as entirely solar powered villages.
• Implementation: The Project is being implemented under the PM Suryaghar Yojana

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About the PM Suryaghar Yojana

• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a government scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India by providing a subsidy to install solar panels on their rooftops.
• Launched: The scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on February 15, 2024.
• Under the scheme, households will get a subsidy to cover up to 40% of the cost of the solar panels. 

About Border Area Development Programme (BADP)

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) that aims to develop border areas in India by providing essential infrastructure and sustainable livelihood opportunities to the people living in the border areas.
• Range: The Programme covers 117 border districts in 16 states and 2 union territories
• Funding: The Centre’s share of funding varies by state, with a 90:10 ratio for the 8 North Eastern states, a 60:40 ratio for the other 6 states, and 100% for the Union Territory of Ladakh
• Projects: BADP undertakes projects like, 
  • Construction of schools, hostels, and community centers; Setting up public libraries and reading rooms; Providing vocational and technical education; Skill development training for youth; Construction of boundary walls and barbed wire fencing; Rural sanitation and toilet blocks etc.

Never Events: Failures in Patient Safety

Context: This article sheds light on the Never events occurring in the healthcare setting. 

About Never Events

• ‘Never events’ are serious, preventable incidents in healthcare caused by lapses in safety protocols.
  • Term was introduced by the National Quality Forum (NQF) in 2002 in the United States.
• Prevalence: Studies reveal that never events persist at a rate of 1 to 2 per 100 incidents, with overall patient safety incidents occurring in 2 to 3 out of every 100 consultations.
• Widely used in countries like the USA, UK, and Canada to improve patient safety.
  • This term has not been explicitly acknowledged or used in the Indian context.
    • In India, similar incidents are categorised and addressed under the broader legal framework of medical negligence
      • Frameworks:
        • Medical Negligence: Failure to meet expected standards of care (Bolam test).
        • Iatrogenic Events: Harm directly caused by medical intervention (e.g., surgical errors).
        • Medical Maloccurrence: These are Unavoidable outcomes that cannot be prevented despite proper care (e.g., rib fractures during CPR).
• Characteristics of Never Events
  • Types of Harm:
    • Operating on the wrong body part.
    • Insulin overdoses.
    • Mismatched blood transfusions.
  • Consequences: Disability, death, or significant patient discomfort.
  • Overlap: Similar to terms like ‘sentinel events’ or ‘serious reportable events.’

Protected Area Regime

Context: The Central Government has reimposed the Protected Area Regime (PAR) in the northeastern states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland. 

• This decision arises from increasing security concerns due to an influx of individuals from neighboring countries. 

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About Protected Area Regime (PAR)

• It is a security measure under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, which mandates that foreign nationals require special permits to visit certain areas in India, especially in sensitive border regions.
• States and Union Territories under PAR: Parts of the northeastern states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim.
• Inner Line Permit (ILP) regions: Some areas overlap with the ILP System.
  • The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a document required by Indian citizens to enter and travel within certain restricted areas of Northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur (partially).
  • ILP was introduced in India to protect the indigenous tribes from exploitation in the name of tourism and to preserve the rich heritage of their traditions and cultures.
  • The ILP system is not explicitly mentioned in the Indian Constitution. However, it is based on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) of 1873, which was enacted by the British government. 

Provisions for Protected Area Permit (PAP)

• Duration: The PAP is generally valid for 10 days, with an extension option.
• Issuing Authorities: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and State Governments where the protected area is located.
• Requirements for Obtaining PAP: Foreign nationals must provide necessary documentation, including passports and itineraries.
  • Certain nationalities may face additional restrictions due to security concerns.
• Exemptions: Citizens of Bhutan are exempted from the PAP requirement.

Dinga Dinga

Context: Dinga Dinga disease, is a mysterious ailment causing severe bodily tremors, fever, and weakness in Uganda.

About Dinga Dinga

• The name “Dinga Dinga” translates to “shaking like dancing,” describing the uncontrollable body movements observed in patients.
• It primarily affects women and girls, with no fatalities recorded so far.
  • The illness highlights the need for vigilance in identifying and managing emerging diseases.
• Spread: The cause of Dinga Dinga remains a mystery.
• The speculation around the disease ranges from viral infections to other environmental elements, but no definite solutions have been discovered yet.
• Symptoms
  • Uncontrollable shaking: Resembles violent, involuntary dance-like movements.
  • Fever and extreme fatigue: High fever accompanied by overwhelming weakness.
  • Paralysis-like immobility: Some patients struggle with basic movements, including walking.
• Treatment: Antibiotics have been effective, with most patients recovering within a week.

Squirrels are ‘Opportunistic Omnivores’

Context: A study has revealed that squirrels, traditionally considered herbivorous, are opportunistic omnivores. 

• Squirrel studied: California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi):
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
  • WPA 1972 Listing: Not explicitly listed in any schedule of the WPA, 1972, as it is common and not considered threatened.

Key Findings of the Study

• Dietary Habits of Squirrels
  • Traditional Perception: Squirrels are widely believed to be herbivores, primarily consuming nuts, seeds, and fruits.
  • Research Discovery: Squirrels exhibit omnivorous tendencies and opportunistically hunt small animals like birds, reptiles, and insects.
    • Example: Instances of squirrels preying on chicks and stealing eggs were observed.
• Adaptive Evolution
  • Opportunistic Feeding: Squirrels adapt to their surroundings, consuming protein-rich food when plant-based resources are scarce.
  • Survival Mechanism: This omnivorous behavior supports their survival in diverse ecosystems, particularly during harsh winters or resource shortages.
• Behavior and Stealth
  • Hunting Traits: The research highlights that squirrels are capable of hunting prey with stealth and precision.
  • Strategic Feeding: Their ability to modify dietary habits reflects advanced problem-solving and adaptive strategies.

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Relevant Terms in the article

1. Opportunistic Omnivore

• An organism that primarily consumes plant-based food but adapts to eating animal matter based on availability and necessity.
  • Example: Squirrels eating eggs or insects during food shortages.

2. Behavioral Plasticity

• The ability of an organism to alter its behavior in response to environmental changes.
  • Example: Squirrels hunting prey in ecosystems with limited vegetation.

3. Keystone Species

• A species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and health of an ecosystem.
  • Squirrels as Keystone Species: Their role in seed dispersal supports forest regeneration.

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