Oct 15 2024

In India, this year’s record-breaking summer, with Delhi temperatures exceeding 50°C and over 200 official heatwave deaths, highlights the urgent need for action as our cities are becoming increasingly unliveable due to rising extreme weather events.

About Liveable Cities

  • Liveable cities are well-designed, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments that provide a high quality of life. 
  • They ensure access to essential services and amenities while offering opportunities for personal and professional development.

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Factors Contributing to Cities Becoming Unlivable

  • Climate Factors: 
    • Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI): Urban areas often experience higher temperatures than their rural surroundings due to carbon emitting human activities, compact infrastructure and layouts, predominance of heat-retaining materials like concrete, glass and asphalt, loss of vegetation etc. 
      • Example: In Gurugram, modern glass buildings trap heat and increase energy consumption, while the reflection from the buildings and the lack of green cover worsen outdoor conditions.

World Cities Day 2024 

  • Observed On: World Cities Day is observed on October 31 every year.
  • Theme of 2024: “Youth leading climate and local action for cities”
  • Established: by United Nations General Assembly in 2013
  • Shanghai Declaration: The idea for World Cities Day was proposed by the Shanghai Declaration, which emerged during the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China

    • Severe Weather Events: Climate change has led to more frequent and severe weather events, including heatwaves, floods, and storms, which disrupt daily life and strain city resources.
      • Example: Day Zero in Cape Town, South Africa.
      • Day Zero is a situation when there will be no water in the taps and the use of water will become restricted for vital services only.
  • Planning Factors:
    • Poor Urban Planning: Inefficient land use and inadequate infrastructure contribute to overcrowding, traffic congestion, and inadequate public services, diminishing the quality of life for residents especially the marginalised
    • Inadequate Public Services: Poor access to healthcare, education, and public transport exacerbates living conditions, particularly for lower-income residents.
      • Example: Limited Mass Transit options such as Metro, buses etc lead to increased vehicle use, causing traffic jams and air pollution, which harm residents’ health and quality of life.
  • Technological Factors
    • Comfort Trap due to dependency on Technology: Technology has created a “comfort trap” for the urban elite, by insulating them from harsh urban realities
      • Example: The Home grocery delivery and Instant Cab Services, enable has invisibilized labour by disconnecting the urban elite from the workers who provide essential services. 
      • This exacerbates urban inequalities and undermines the communal responsibility needed for livable cities.
    • Cycle of Urban Retreat and Technological Reliance: Extreme weather events push people indoors, and technology makes it easier to stay inside via air conditioners, etc. 
      • This reduces demand for public space improvements, leading to further decline in urban conditions.
  • Social Factors: 
    • Lack of Attention for Marginalised Communities: Marginalised communities often struggle with poor public services and inadequate infrastructure, but their issues frequently go unnoticed. In contrast, when the privileged encounter similar problems, they gain media attention, prompting swift governmental action.
      • Example: A recent flash storm in Delhi flooded basements in affluent areas, including MPs’ homes in Lutyens’ Delhi, prompted immediate governmental action 
  • Economic Factors:
    • Economic Disparities: Economic inequality leads to neglect of certain neighbourhoods, resulting in declining living conditions and reduced investment in public amenities. Example:  Kusumpur Pahari in New Delhi, Dharavi in Mumbai
    • Overpopulation and Migration: Rapid urbanisation and rural-to-urban migration leads to overcrowding, increased demand for housing, and strain on essential services deteriorating the overall livability of cities.
      • As per Census 2011, the level of urbanisation in India was 31.16%.
  • Environmental Factors:
    • Lack of Green Spaces: Insufficient parks and green areas limit recreational opportunities, worsen air quality, and reduce urban biodiversity, making cities less pleasant and healthy.

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Challenges to Urban Liveability in India

  • Insufficient Focus on Liveability: Urban missions provide guidelines, but there is a lack of emphasis on the concept of liveability in current policies.
    • Example: The Ease of Living Index identifies important indicators for urban development but fails to provide practical guidance for improvement.
  • Lack of Locally Relevant Approaches: The ‘one size fits all’ approach to urban planning neglects the unique socio-economic and cultural contexts of different regions.
    • Example:  The North Eastern states face significant challenges in adopting centrally provided guidelines and model building codes, as these are often unsuitable for their unique geographical, economic, social, and cultural contexts.
  • Deficient People-Centric Planning: Reliance on sectoral and project-based planning neglects the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses diverse community needs and evolving lifestyles
    • Example: Infrastructure projects often prioritise road expansions to reduce traffic congestion, neglecting the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Governance Issues: Overlapping mandates and weak inter-departmental coordination create inefficiencies in local governance. 
  • Weak Institutional Capacities: Urban local bodies (ULBs) often lack the necessary technical expertise, institutional and financial capacity to implement urban projects effectively.
  • Limited Citizen Engagement: Lack of established structures for continuous citizen involvement in decision-making processes reduces community engagement and accountability.
    • Example: Excessive reliance on project management consultants (PMCs) for project implementation without building local capacities presents a significant challenge.

Government Initiatives to Make Cities Liveable

  • Smart Cities Mission: Launched in 2015, this initiative focuses on developing 100 smart cities across India. The aim is to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development through the use of smart technologies, improved infrastructure, and enhanced public services.

International Efforts for Liveable Cities:

  • Goal 11 of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 
  • C40 Cities: C40 Cities is a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities that are united in action to confront the climate crisis.
  • ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability: It is a global network working with more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development.
  • UN-Habitat: It is the United Nations agency for human settlements, with a mission to improve living conditions in cities, foster social inclusion, and ensure environmental sustainability.
  • UN-Habitat’s New Urban Agenda: Adopted at Habitat III in 2016, outlines principles for the planning, development, management, and enhancement of urban areas.
  • World Health Organization (WHO) Healthy Cities Initiative: Supports cities in creating environments that enhance health and well-being.
  • Urban20 (U20): Provides a platform for cities from G20 countries to facilitate discussions on various important issues of urban development

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  • Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Introduced in 2015, AMRUT aims to ensure basic services such as water supply, sewerage, and green spaces to improve the quality of life in urban areas, especially for the urban poor.
  • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): aims to tackle the urban housing shortage faced by the urban poor, including slum dwellers, by providing eligible individuals with access to durable pucca houses.
  • Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban: seeks to eliminate open defecation in urban India and ensure 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste (MSW) across the statutory towns nationwide.
  • Urban Transport Schemes: Various schemes like the Metro Rail Project and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) focus on enhancing urban transport networks to reduce congestion and pollution.
  • HRIDAY: The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) focuses on integrating urban planning, economic growth, and heritage conservation to preserve the unique heritage character of cities.
Urban Transformation Strategies in the Union Budget 2024-25

  • Cities as Growth Hubs: The government plans to develop cities as growth hubs through economic planning, peri-urban development, and brownfield redevelopment, with Transit Oriented Development for 14 major cities with populations above 30 Lakh.
  • Weekly ‘Haats’: A new scheme will support the development of 100 weekly ‘haats’ or street food hubs each year for the next five years in select cities, building on the success of the PM SVANidhi Scheme in transforming the lives of street vendors.
  • Rental Housing: The budget highlights the facilitation of rental housing with dormitory-type accommodation for industrial workers through public-private partnerships (PPP) mode, supported by Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and commitment from anchor industries.

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Way Forward for Enhancing Urban Liveability

  • Social Strategies: 
    • Participatory Urban Planning: Involve residents in decision-making for urban projects to address community needs.
    • Improve Access to Basic Services: Ex: Improving the completion rate under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) scheme.
  • Institutional Strategies
    • Strengthening Local Urban Governance: It is crucial to define clear roles for institutions to improve service delivery, 
      • Provide ongoing training in local languages
      • Develop funding patterns for smaller and financially weaker ULBs to enhance their capabilities.
      • Strengthen ULBs’ capacities to formulate and implement Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
  • Technological Strategies
    • Embrace ICT for Smart Governance: Example: Bengaluru’s Smart City project utilises data analytics to monitor traffic flows and improve public transport efficiency.
    • Digital Platforms for Civic Engagement: Example: MyGov is an initiative by the Government of India that serves as a platform for citizens to participate in governance.

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  • Climate Strategies
    • Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Example: Many cities, such as Chicago and Singapore, have implemented green roofs on commercial and residential buildings
      • Mumbai Coastal Road Project (MCRP) has features to endure rising sea levels and frequent flooding, enhancing resilience against climate change.
    • Retrofitting Buildings: Example: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has retrofitted its buildings with advanced insulation materials for better energy efficiency.
      • The Godrej Bhavan in Mumbai underwent an energy-efficiency retrofit.
  • Enhancing Urban Green Spaces:
    • Create and Maintain Parks: To improve air quality and provide recreational spaces. 
      • Example: In 2023, Delhi committed to the UN-backed ‘Race to Resilience’ campaign, aiming for 25% green cover in five years.
    • Urban Forestry Initiatives: There is a need for better implementation of Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) which promotes urban forestry by involving local communities, NGOs, educational institutions, local bodies, etc.

Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2024 is awarded to U.S based economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for their studies on how institutions shape national prosperity.

Key Work and Findings

  • Focus: Importance of societal institutions for a country’s economic success.
  • Definition of Institutions: The broad set of rules governing individual behaviour within a society or country.
  • Two Types of Institutions:
    • Inclusive Institutions: Characterized by democracy, rule of law, and protection of property rights.
      • Encourage participation, safeguard property rights, and promote equitable growth.
      • Foster broad participation and long-term investment and provide incentives for individuals to contribute to prosperity.
    • Extractive Institutions: Marked by weak rule of law, concentration of power (autocracy or dictatorship), and risks of expropriation.
      • Concentrate wealth and power, discourage innovation, and undermine long-term growth.
      • Stifle innovation and economic progress by creating risks for individuals and businesses.

Also Read: Nobel Prize 2024 Winners List

Their Contribution in Establishing Colonial Link

  • Key Study: “The Colonial Origins of Comparative Development” (2001) by the laureates.
  • European colonisation influenced institutional development.
    • Extractive Institutions: Created in colonies with high mortality risks, aimed at exploiting local populations.
    • Inclusive Institutions: Established in colonies with lower mortality risks, fostering long-term development for settlers.
  • They took the Example of  British India
    • Pre-colonial India: In the mid-18th century, India’s industrial production exceeded that of the U.S.
    • Post-colonial Shift: British policies introduced extractive institutions, reversing India’s prosperity.
    • Technological Innovations: Thrived in regions with inclusive institutions, but stagnated in areas with extractive systems.

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Current Global Implications of institutions

  • Institutional Weakness: Acemoglu noted a global decline in the strength of institutions, including in the U.S.
  • Declining Support for Democracy: Democracies face challenges and must improve governance to maintain public trust.
  • India and China Debate: Despite inclusive institutions in India , it has struggled with rapid economic growth. On the other hand China achieved substantial economic growth without inclusive institutions.
    • China’s long-term success without inclusive institutions remains unclear; India’s potential may be realized in future decades.
About the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences

  • Established: 1968 by the Sveriges Riksbank in memory of Alfred Nobel.
  • Not part of the original Nobel Prizes.
  • Original Nobel Prizes: Awarded in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
  • Purpose: Recognizes significant research, discoveries, or contributions that advance understanding and application of economics to real-world challenges.
  • Amartya Sen was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1998 in the field of Economic Sciences for his contributions to welfare economics.
  • Abhijit Banerjee is an Indo-American who was conferred with the Nobel Prize in 2019 in the field of Economic Sciences for helping to develop an innovative experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.

 

Afanasy Nikitin

Russian artists perform at a concert organized by the Kozhikode Corporation and the Russian House in Kozhikode to celebrate 555 years of the visit of Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin to India.

About Afanasy Nikitin

  • Nikitin was a Russian explorer who reached India long before Vasco da Gama. His arrival at Cambay (Khambhat) in Gujarat opened the door to understanding India’s diverse culture.
  • Historical Context: Nikitin’s journey in 1469 marked a significant moment in the historical connections between Russia and India.

Voyage Beyond Three Seas (1466)

  • Describes Nikitin’s journey to India between 1466 and 1472.
    • He crossed the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, and the Arabian Sea during his journey to reach India.
  • The book is one of the earliest travelogues by a European on India.
  • Written as a first-person account, documenting observations of Indian society, trade, religion, and geography.

Description of India:

  • Depicts vibrant trade centres, especially in Gujarat and the Deccan.
  • The book has mention of 20 locations of India and offers a vivid portrayal of the society, economy, and politics of the time.

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  • He also visited the court of Bahamani sultan, Muhammad Shah III.
  • Literary work : In his book, Voyage Beyond Three Seas Nikitin provides valuable insights into 15th-century India.
  • Cultural Observations: His accounts of the conflicts between the Bahmani Sultanate and the Vijayanagara Empire highlight the political landscape of the Deccan.
    • He describes the royal procession during Ulu Bayram (Eid) and provides a glimpse into the social divisions, noting that upper castes wore silk while others wore simpler clothing.
    • In his observations from Bidar, he documented the marketplace dynamics, including the trade of horses and textiles.
  • Return Journey: After three years in India, Nikitin sailed from Dabhol to Ethiopia and then to Muscat before returning to Russia, further enriching his perspective on global connections.
  • Significance of His Work: Nikitin’s writings serve as a crucial historical document, revealing aspects of India’s social systems, economy, and cultural practices during the 15th century. 
    • His observations continue to be a valuable resource for historians and scholars studying the era.

Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

  • Named after the explorer, this seamount is located about 3,000 km from India’s coast in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
  • It is a significant underwater geological feature, rich in minerals like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper, making it important for ongoing maritime exploration.

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Sea Mounts

  • A seamount is an underwater mountain that rises from the ocean floor but does not reach the water’s surface, thus not forming an island. 
  • These geological features are typically volcanic in origin, formed by eruptions that create a peak. Seamounts can vary significantly in size and shape, often characterized by steep slopes and flat tops. They serve as important habitats for marine life, providing unique ecosystems that support diverse species.
  • Seamounts can also influence ocean currents and nutrient distribution, making them vital for marine biodiversity and fishing industries.

Sea Mounts

The Fifth Global Standards Symposium (GSS-24) concluded recently in New Delhi, marking a significant event in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Overview of the Symposium

  • It is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Department of Telecommunications, this symposium attracted over 1,500 policymakers, innovators, and experts worldwide. 
  • The focus was on the role of international standards in advancing emerging digital technologies and fostering sustainable development.
  • The outcome document of the symposium lays the foundation for discussion at the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24), which is set to take place from October 15-24, 2024, also in New Delhi.

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Key Themes and Discussions

  • International Standard: The symposium emphasised that international standards are not merely technical guidelines but moral compasses that guide societal progress. 

International Telecommunication Union 

  • ITU is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for issues related to information and communication technologies (ICT). 
  • Established in 1865, ITU is one of the oldest international organisations. 
  • Its primary functions include:
    • Setting global standards for telecommunications and ICT to ensure seamless communication across countries.
    • Allocating radio frequencies and managing the global satellite orbits.
    • Fostering international cooperation in the development and expansion of telecommunications infrastructure.
    • Promoting access to ICTs in developing countries to bridge the digital divide.
  • Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland.
  • ITU’s Members: Governments, private sector entities, and academic institutions from across the world. There are currently 194 member states of the ITU.

    • The need for standards to be inclusive and reflective of diverse regional needs, especially encouraging participation from developing countries was also highlighted.
  • Digital Transformation: Critical role of international standards as a foundation for global digital transformation. The necessity for a cohesive approach to govern emerging technologies was a focal point, stressing collaboration among nations.
  • AI and Emerging Technologies: AI Standards summit  illustrated how consensus-based standards could catalyse innovation across various sectors.
    • There was a significant emphasis on establishing robust international standards for AI governance and addressing the implications of AI and the Metaverse in public services.
  • Bridging the Standards Gap: Participants discussed strategies to bridge the gap in standards between developed and developing nations, ensuring equitable access to technology. 
    • This aspect is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) globally.
  • High-Level Dialogues: Facilitated discussions on the future of innovation and digital infrastructure.
  • Empowering Open Source: Recognized the importance of open-source software in fostering innovation.

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World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly

The WTSA is a key event organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), held every four years.

WTSA primary function is to:

  • Review ITU’s telecommunication standardisation work and set the strategic direction for future activities.
  • Develop global standards (known as ITU-T Recommendations) to ensure the interoperability and efficiency of global telecommunication networks.
  • Address emerging technological trends, such as 5G, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
  • Elect leadership for the ITU-T study groups and define the working methods of the Standardization Sector.

ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024

  • The ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 will be hosted in New Delhi, coinciding with GSS-24. 
  • This pivotal event will bring together over 3,000 industry leaders and policymakers to shape the future of global telecommunications standards.
  • It will focus on next-generation technologies such as 6G, AI, and cybersecurity.

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India Mobile Congress 2024

  • The 8th edition of India Mobile Congress 2024  will showcase India’s innovation ecosystem.
  • Theme:  “The Future is now”.
  • This event will feature over 400 exhibitors and 900 startups, highlighting advancements in various technologies, including quantum technology, IoT, and green tech.
  • India Mobile Congress is Asia’s largest digital technology forum.
    • It has become a well-known platform across the globe for showcasing innovative solutions, services and state-of-the-art use cases for industry, government, academics, startups and other key stakeholders in the technology and telecom ecosystem.

Retail inflation (CPI ) hit a nine-month high of 5.49% in September, up from 3.65% in August, driven by rising food prices.

Key Highlights of the Inflation

  • Food Inflation: The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) surged to 9.24%, with rural food inflation at 9.08% and urban at 9.56%.
  • Housing and Electricity Inflation: Housing inflation rose to 2.78% in September, while the All  India Electricity index showed a 5.45% inflation rate.
  • Factors Behind Inflation Rise: High base effect and adverse weather conditions contributed to the inflation increase in September.
  • Decline in Specific Categories: Inflation fell for pulses, spices, meat and fish, and sugar and confectionery in September.

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About Inflation

  • Inflation refers to the rise in the prices of most goods and services of daily or common use, such as food, clothing, housing, recreation, transport, consumer staples, etc. 
  • It measures the average price change in a basket of commodities and services over time. 
  • Inflation is indicative of the decrease in the purchasing power of a unit of a country’s currency. This is measured in percentage.
  • Importance: A certain level of inflation is required in the economy to ensure that expenditure is promoted and hoarding money through savings is demotivated.

Types of Inflation

  • Stagflation: Stagflation is a unique combination of high inflation and stagnant economic growth, accompanied by high unemployment.
  • Headline Inflation: Headline Inflation is a measure of the total inflation within an economy, including commodities such as food and energy prices (e.g., oil and gas), which tend to be much more volatile and prone to inflationary spikes.
    • Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in India is known as headline inflation.
  • Core Inflation: Core inflation is the change in the costs of goods and services, but it does not include those from the food and energy sectors.
    • This measure of inflation excludes these items because their prices are much more volatile.
  • Disinflation: Disinflation refers to a decrease in the rate of inflation, meaning prices are still rising but at a slower pace. 

How is Inflation measured?

In India, inflation is primarily measured by two main indices WPI (Wholesale Price Index) and CPI (Consumer Price Index), which measure wholesale and retail-level price changes, respectively.

About Consumer Price Index (CPI) – Retail Inflation

  • CPI Measures the change in the retail prices of goods and services with reference to a base year.
  • InflationCompiled by: National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • Types of CPI:
    • CPI for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW)
      • Compiled by the Labor Bureau.
      • Base year: 2016.
    • CPI for Rural Laborers and Agricultural Laborers (CPI-AL & CPI-RL)
      • Compiled by the Labor Bureau.
      • Base year: 1986-87.
    • New CPI (Rural, Urban, and Combined):
      • Base year: 2012.
      • Compiled and published by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) for all-India levels.

Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)

  • CFPI: It is a sub-component of CPI, measuring changes in retail prices of food items consumed by the population.
  • Focus: Tracks price changes of food staples such as cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, etc.
  • Compiled by: Central Statistics Office (CSO), MoSPI (from May 2014), now under NSO (formed in 2019).
  • Base year: 2012.
  • Methodology: Calculated monthly, using the same methodology as CPI.

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Wholesale Price Index (WPI)

  •  WPI : It measures the average change in wholesale prices before the retail level.
  • Coverage: It covers only goods, excluding services.
  • Compiled by: Office of Economic Advisor, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (on a monthly basis).
  • Base year: 2011-12.
  • Weightage: Weights assigned to commodities are based on production value adjusted for net imports.

Recently, A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

About Europa Clipper Mission

Europa Clipper Mission

  • The Europa Clipper is NASA’s largest spacecraft for planetary exploration, with an estimated mission cost of $5.2 billion
  • Aims: To place a spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter to perform a detailed investigation of Europa.
  • Mission Objective: 
    • To find out if the ice-encased moon Europa could be habitable.
    • Europa shows strong evidence for an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust. 

Important science instruments with spacecraft

  • Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS): Measures magnetic fields to detect the ocean’s properties.
  • Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE): Identifies surface composition.
  • Europa Imaging System (EIS):  Captures high-resolution images.
  • Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding Ocean to Near-surface (REASON):Probes beneath the ice to study the subsurface structure.
  • Europa Clipper Magnetometer :Analyses Europa’s magnetic environment
  • Power Source: Spacecraft has large solar arrays to collect enough light for its power needs as it operates in the Jupiter system.

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About Europa

  • Europa is a moon of Jupiter that’s considered one of the most promising places in our solar system to search for life beyond Earth.
  • Size: Slightly smaller than Earth’s moon and its diameter is about one-quarter that of the Earth.
  • Potential for Primitive Life: Scientists believe Europa could potentially harbour microbial life near thermal vents at the ocean floor, similar to life forms found in Earth’s deep oceans.

About Jupiter

  • Position and Size: Fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the solar system. If hollow, it could fit 1,000 Earths inside.
  • Oldest Planet: Jupiter formed 4.6 billion years ago from the dust and gases left over from the Sun’s formation.
  • Shortest Day: Has the fastest rotation, completing a spin on its axis in just 10.5 hours.
  • Orbital Period: Takes approximately 12 Earth years to orbit the Sun.
  • Moons: Jupiter has 95 officially recognized moons.
    • The four largest moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto) were first observed by Galileo in 1610.
    • Ganymede, the largest moon, is bigger than Mercury.
  • Great Red Spot: A giant storm, larger than Earth, that has been active for hundreds of years.
  • Rings: Discovered by the Voyager mission in 1979, Jupiter has a faint ring system.

Hundred million tonnes of nitrogen are now removed from the atmosphere and converted into fertilizer via the Haber-Bosch process, adding 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the Soil.

Haber-Bosch process

The Haber-Bosch process involves the transformation of  Atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) via a reaction with hydrogen (H2).

  • This process employs a metal catalyst (iron) and operates under high temperatures and pressures.

Haber-Bosch Process

Key Impact of the Haber-Bosch Process

  • Increased Food Production: By enabling the mass production of ammonia, a key ingredient in synthetic fertilisers, the Haber-Bosch process allowed for a dramatic increase in crop yields, making it possible to feed the rapidly growing global population.
  • Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilisers: The process removed 100 million tonnes of nitrogen from the atmosphere annually, converting it into 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen fertilisers. This surpasses the nitrogen added naturally through biological processes.
  • Population Growth: It is estimated that one-third of the global population today depends on food grown using nitrogen fertilisers made possible by this process. Without it, widespread famine and malnutrition would be far more common.
  • Impact on Ecosystems: Excess nitrogen from fertilisers has caused environmental damage, including acid rain, soil degradation, waterway pollution, and the depletion of oxygen in aquatic systems due to eutrophication.

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About Nitrogen

  • Nitrogen in the air is mostly in the form of N2 ,where two nitrogen atoms join together.
    • They share three pairs of electrons to form a triple bond making the molecule nearly unbreakable.
    • Energy required to break the nitrogen triple bond is so high (946 kJ/mol) that molecular nitrogen is nearly inert.
  • Nitrates: Molecules of oxygen and nitrogen which is abundant in the earth’s atmosphere.
    • On reaction, atomic nitrogen can form ionic nitrides  which are also known as reactive nitrogen such as ammonia (NH3), Ammonium (NH4+) or nitrates (NO3-).
  • Role of Reactive Nitrogen:  Plants need these types of nitrogen to synthesise enzymes, proteins, and amino acids.
    • Legumes can produce nitrogen independently
    • But important food crops such as rice, wheat, corn, and potatoes and common fruits and vegetables draw nitrogen from the soil. 
    • As the human population multiplies, Nitrogen in agricultural soil depletes faster, needing fertilisers to compensate.
  • Humans and Animals: Need nine pre-made nitrogen rich amino acids from plants. 
    • Nitrogen makes up approximately 2.6% of the human body.

How is nitrogen available in Nature?

  • Lightning
    • Only lightning has enough energy to destroy the N triple bond. In a lightning bolt, nitrogen in the air combines with oxygen to generate nitrogen oxides such as NO and NO2.
    • They can then combine with water vapor to create nitric and nitrous acids (HNO3 and HNO2, respectively). 
    • Reactive nitrogen-rich droplets: Fertilize farmlands, woods, and grasslands when it rains. 
      • This pathway is estimated to replenish soil by around 10 kg of nitrogen per acre per year.
  • Metabolic Process 
    • Carried out by Azotobacter bacteria which create Reactive nitrogen.
    • Some microorganisms such as Rhizobia have developed symbiotic relationships with legume plants (clover, peas, beans, alfalfa, and acacia) to provide reactive nitrogen in exchange for nutrition. 
    • Azolla, a species of aquatic fern with a symbiotic association with the cyanobacterium Anabaena azollae which can absorb and convert nitrogen from the air to reactive nitrogen, so dried and decaying Azolla is an effective fertilizer for farmland

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Nitrogen cycle

Haber-Bosch Process

  • Nitrogen Fixation: Atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is converted into ammonia (NH₃) or ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) by nitrogen-fixing bacteria, which can be found in soil or in symbiotic relationships with plants (like legumes).This step makes nitrogen accessible to living organisms.
  • Nitrification: 
    • Fist stage: Ammonia is oxidized to nitrite (NO₂⁻) by bacteria such as Nitrosomonas.
    • Second Stage: Nitrite is further oxidized to nitrate (NO₃⁻) by bacteria like Nitrobacter. Nitrate is a form that plants can readily uptake.
  • Ammonification (or Mineralization):Decomposition of organic matter (dead plants and animals, as well as animal waste) releases ammonia back into the soil. This step recycles nitrogen back into the ecosystem.
  • Denitrification: Nitrates are converted back into nitrogen gas (N₂) by denitrifying bacteria (such as Pseudomonas) and released into the atmosphere.
    • This step completes the nitrogen cycle by returning nitrogen to the atmosphere, helping to regulate its levels.

The recent meeting of the India-Russia working group on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) marks a significant step in enhancing cooperation in Arctic shipping.

North Sea

Northern Sea Route (NSR)

The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is the shortest shipping route connecting Europe and the Asia-Pacific, spanning approximately 5,600 km through four Arctic seas.

  • Route Details: It begins at the Kara Strait, between the Barents and Kara Seas, and ends at the Bering Strait.
  • Benefits: The NSR can reduce transit distances by up to 50% compared to traditional routes like the Suez Canal, promoting faster cargo transit.

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About North Sea

North Sea Route

  • Geography: The North Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, is bordered by the UK and Norway to the west, Denmark to the south, and Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France to the east.
    • It connects to the Atlantic via the English Channel and the Baltic Sea through the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits.
  • Infrastructure: The Kiel Canal links the North Sea to the Baltic, and major rivers such as the Rhine and Thames drain into it, contributing to its significance.
  • Economic Hub: Rotterdam is the busiest port in Europe, highlighting the region’s critical role in international trade.

This article sheds light on the biobank and its evolution for Precision medicine.

  • Precision medicine is revolutionising personalised healthcare, relying on advanced technologies like genomics, gene-editing, and mRNA therapeutics.

Evolution and Status of Precision Medicine in India

Biobank

  • Introduction: Precision medicine focuses on personalised healthcare, and it has rapidly grown since the Human Genome Project.
  • Growth of Precision Medicine in India
    • The precision medicine market in India is expected to grow at a rate of 16% CAGR and surpass $5 billion by 2030.
    • It contributes to 36% of India’s bioeconomy, with advancements in cancer treatment, gene editing, and biologics.
  • Key Developments in Precision Medicine
    • NexCAR19: India’s first domestically developed CAR-T cell therapy was approved in 2023, marking a significant milestone.
      • CAR-T cell therapy is used to treat cancer. 
    • AI Collaborations: Partnerships, such as those between Siemens Healthineers and the Indian Institute of Science, focus on using artificial intelligence for cancer treatments and advancing precision medicine.

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Biobank

About Biobanks

A biobank is a repository that stores biological samples, such as blood, DNA, cells, tissues, and organs, for research purposes. 

  • They play a vital role in precision medicine by providing valuable information for studying diseases and developing targeted treatments.

Importance of Biobanks

  • Large-Scale Research: Biobanks provide researchers with access to a vast collection of samples, enabling them to conduct large-scale studies that would be difficult or impossible with smaller sample sizes.
  • Genomics and Personalized Medicine: Biobanks are essential for genomics research, which aims to understand the genetic basis of diseases. 
    • This knowledge can lead to the development of personalised treatments tailored to individual patients’ genetic makeup.
  • Disease Biomarkers: By analysing samples from large groups of people, researchers can identify genetic variations associated with specific diseases. 
    • These variations can serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis and targeted treatment.

  • Genome India:
    • It is a national project, funded by  the Department of Biotechnology.
      • It was launched in 2020. 
    • Objective: It aims to sequence 10,000 genomes from healthy individuals across India. 
  • Phenome India: 
    • It is the initiative of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
    • Launch date: 2023 (Dec)
    • Objective: This project aims to develop India-specific risk prediction models for diseases like  liver diseases, and cardiac conditions. 
  • The Paediatric Rare Genetic Disorders (PRaGeD) mission.
    • It is a pan India initiative.
    • Funded by: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and technology. 
    • Objective: Developing art facility to study Paediatric Rare Genetic Diseases.

Biobank Regulations in India

India currently has 19 biobanks, and initiatives like Genome India and Phenome India aim to improve disease prediction and treatment.

  • Regulatory challenges
    • However, India lacks comprehensive biobank regulations, creating issues related to:
      • Informed consent: Participants are unsure how their data will be used.
      • Privacy risks: Genetic data could lead to discrimination.
      • Regulatory gaps: There is no single authority to regulate biobanks, and misconduct may occur.
    • Ethical concerns: There is a need to resolve issues such as exploitation, stigma, and discrimination based on genetic information. 
    • Sample quality and integrity: Maintenance of quality and integrity of biological samples is necessary over time. 
      • It requires necessary protocols and optimal storage conditions for preventing it from degradation and contamination. 
  • Legal Framework Governing Biobanks in India
    • Lack of Comprehensive Legislation
      • India does not have specific laws for biobanks.
      • Existing guidelines are not enforceable, leading to regulatory gaps.
    • National Ethical Guidelines by ICMR
      • The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has issued ethical guidelines for biomedical research involving humans.
        • These guidelines are not legally binding and do not fully address long-term storage or data sharing for biobanks.
    • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Standards
      • The DBT has set practices for data storage and analysis.
        • However, these are not enforceable and do not adequately cover issues like informed consent and privacy.
    • Absence of a Single Regulatory Authority
      • India lacks a dedicated regulatory authority for biobanks.
        • This results in inconsistencies and limited oversight in biobanking activities.

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Global Standards and India’s Path Forward

  • Countries like the U.S., U.K., and Japan have stringent biobank laws covering data protection, consent, and privacy.
  • India needs similar laws to protect participant rights and ensure ethical research practices.

India’s first demonstration facility for biopolymers in Pune

Context: Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology inaugurated India’s first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers in Pune, built by Praj Industries.

More on the news

  • This facility focuses on producing Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic, an eco-friendly alternative to fossil-based plastics.
    • Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable, bio-based plastic.
    • It is made from resources such as corn, sugarcane, seaweed, or shrimp shells. 

What are Biopolymers?

  • Biopolymers are natural polymers produced by living organisms.
    • They consist of monomers linked in chains to form large molecules.
      • Monomers are small, single molecules that join together to form larger molecules, known as polymers. 
  • Main Types of Biopolymers
    • Polynucleotides: Include RNA and DNA, which are long chains of nucleotides.
    • Polypeptides: Include proteins and short chains of amino acids like collagen, actin, and fibrin.
    • Polysaccharides: Chains of sugar molecules like starch, cellulose, and alginate.
  • Other Examples of Biopolymers : Natural rubbers (isoprene polymers), suberin, lignin, cutin, cutan, melanin, and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are other forms of biopolymers.
  • Applications of Biopolymers
    • Biopolymers are used in industries such as food, manufacturing, packaging, and biomedical engineering due to their natural properties.

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Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

Context: Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading a parliamentary delegation to the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.

About Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

  • The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments.
  • Established: 1889, in Paris, as the first multilateral political organisation to promote representative democracy and world peace.
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Membership: 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members.
  • Mission and Vision:
    • Slogan: “For democracy. For everyone.”
    • Vision: A world where democracy and parliaments serve people, promoting peace and development.
    • Mission: Promote democratic governance, institutions, and values by working with parliaments and parliamentarians for peace, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action, and sustainable development.
  • Key Functions:
    • Parliamentary Diplomacy: Facilitates dialogue and cooperation among parliaments to address global issues.
    • Democracy Promotion: Strengthens parliamentary systems, making them more inclusive (gender-balanced, younger, and more diverse).
    • Human Rights: Defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee of MPs from across the world.
  • Funding: Primarily through contributions by member parliaments from public funds.

Structure

  • IPU Assembly:
    • Principal statutory body expressing the views of the IPU.
    • Brings together parliamentarians to discuss international issues and recommend actions.
  • Governing Council:
    • The plenary policymaking body, consisting of three representatives from each member parliament.
    • Responsible for establishing the IPU’s annual program and budget.
    • Chaired by the President of the IPU (ex-officio President of the Governing Council).
  • Executive Committee:
    • 17-member body overseeing administration, providing advice to the Governing Council.
    • Includes 15 elected members serving for four-year terms, plus the President of the IPU.
  • Standing Committees:
    • Three committees assist the Assembly in studying and addressing specific issues.

 

President of India Visit to Algeria

Context: Recently, the President of India reached Algiers, Algeria, on the first leg of her State Visits to Algeria, Mauritania, and Malawi. 

  • This marks the first time an Indian President has visited the country.

key highlights of the meet

  • Strengthening Bilateral Relations: President Murmu held talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, focusing on enhancing India-Algeria trade and investment ties.
  • Trade and Economic Cooperation: Addressed the Algerian-Indian Economic Forum, stressing opportunities in sectors like energy, construction, automobiles, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals.
    • Jointly organised by the Algerian Economic Renewal Council and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
  • Indian Investments: Urged Indian companies to engage more in Algeria’s rapidly growing economy.
  • Cultural Tribute: Paid homage to Algeria’s War of Independence heroes at the Maqam Echahid Memorial.

India-Algeria Relations

  • Economic relations:
    • The overall trade between our two countries stands at 1.7 billion US dollars.
    • Exports from India to Algeria during 2022-23 were US$ 613 million which further increased to US$ 848.16 million in 2023-24. 
    • India’s imports during 2022-23 were US$ 1.5 billion and during 2023-24 stood at US$ 885.54 million.
    • India’s exports to Algeria: Consist of rice, pharmaceutical products, polyethylene terephthalate, granite and boneless meat etc. 
    • India’s imports from Algeria: Consist largely of petroleum oils, LNG, natural calcium phosphates, saturated methanol and urea.
  • Bilateral Agreements:
    • Space Cooperation Agreement signed between (ISRO) India and (Algerian Space Agency) Algeria in September 2018 at Bangalore.
    • Visa Waiver Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders 
  • Indian Community:
    • There are currently 3800 Indians working in various projects and establishments in the country.

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Facts about Algeria

  • Algeria is Africa’s largest country and tenth largest country in the world
  • The country is divided into two regions: 
    • Tell in the north, which is influenced by the Mediterranean, and 
    • Sahara in the south, which is mostly desert.
  • Approximately 90 percent of Algeria is desert.
  • Culture: Part of the Arab world, with an Islamic heritage, language, customs, and links to Europe and southern Africa. 
  • Climate: Algeria has a Mediterranean climate in the north and is warmer and drier in the south. 
  • National languages: The national languages are Arabic and Tamazight. French and English are also widely spoken.
  • Currency: Algerian Dinar

President of India Visit to Algeria

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