Context: The Punjab government has taken a resolute stance in its State Action Plan to curtail paddy stubble burning by a minimum of 50% compared to the previous year. This annual practice of burning crop residue, predominantly stemming from paddy harvesting, has become an entrenched issue in Northern India, with detrimental consequences for both the environment and public health.
Impact of Stubble Burning
Environmental Effects:
Elevation in air pollution due to smoke and soot particles.
Intensive heat generation.
Soil erosion and compaction.
Agricultural Implications:
Diminished organic content in the soil.
Loss of vital nutrients and minerals.
Detrimental effects on beneficial microorganisms.
Health Consequences:
Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
Elevated risk of severe neurological diseases.
Increased incidence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including asthma, bronchitis, and reduced lung capacity.
Initiatives to Curtail Stubble Burning
Administrative Measures:
Adoption of the National Policy for Management of Crop Residues (2014) by states.
Establishment of biomass power projects and mandating coal plants in the National Capital Region (NCR) to use 50% paddy straw as supplementary fuel.
Formation of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for enhanced pollution management in Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas.
Promotion of crop diversification and short-duration, high-yielding rice varieties.
Capacity building and awareness campaigns on the adverse effects of stubble burning.
Legal Actions:
Banning of crop residue burning in states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2015.
Classification of crop residue burning as a crime under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Air and Pollution Control Act of 1981.
Imposition of fines and penalties by state governments for stubble burning.
Technological Interventions:
Deployment of machinery such as the Happy Seeder, Rotavators, Balers, Paddy Straw Chopper, and Reaper Binder for planting new crops and clearing stubble.
Utilisation of Bio-Decomposer technology, developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), to convert straw into organic manure.
Promotion of alternative uses for stubble, including cattle feed, compost, roofing materials, mushroom cultivation, fuel, paper, bio-ethanol, and industrial production.
Financial Incentives:
Government subsidies for the use of machinery for in-situ crop residue management.
Bonuses and incentives for farmers who shift to alternative crops instead of rice.
Challenges in Implementation
Several challenges have hindered the effective execution of these initiatives, including
The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009, which inadvertently shifted the timing of stubble burning to October-November, which coincides with Diwali and fall in temperatures across northern India.
Mixed success of technological interventions due to cost and time constraints.
Limitations of Bio-Decomposer technology during rainy periods.
Administrative hurdles, given the sensitivity of agriculture and the presence of many small and marginal farmers.
Political disputes that impede the imposition of fines despite court orders.
Behavioural challenges, as some farmers lack awareness of the harmful effects of stubble burning.
Insufficient Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for alternative crops, which hinder farmer’s diversification efforts.
Potential Solutions
To address these constraints and resolve the issue of stubble burning, India should consider:
Establishment of Rice Bioparks, as suggested by M.S. Swaminathan, to help farmers convert rice stubble into income and employment.
Improvement of infrastructure, including machinery availability and custom hiring centres.
Creation of an efficient logistics system for collecting and transporting paddy straw to alternative use industries.
Effective monitoring through the enforcement of the Polluter Pays principle, utilising drone technology and ISRO capabilities.
Support for small and marginal farmers by providing essential amenities and raising awareness about the adverse effects of stubble burning and alternative straw utilisation.
Context: The Pink Bollworm pest has infected the Cotton Crop in the states of Haryana and Rajasthan.
Pink Bollworm
Pink Bollworm is considered possibly the most destructive peston cotton worldwide.
It is native to India but is now found in nearly all the cotton-growing countries of the globe.
Description: The larvae have distinctive pink bands, and the larval stage, is the most destructive and identifiable stage. The adults are small moths about 3/8 inch long.
Threat:
Adults lay eggs on cotton bolls; once hatched, the larvaeburrow into the developing fruits (bolls) of cotton plants, eat the seeds and damage the fibres of the cotton.
The damage affects both the weight and quality of the harvested bolls containing the lint fibre and seeds inside, thus, reducing both the yield and quality.
When the larvae mature, they cut out the boll and drop to the ground and cocoon near the soil surface.
The larvae can also survive in the seed after the ginning process and if the seed is not fumigated, they will emerge from the stored seed the next spring.
Apart from cotton, they can also attack hibiscus and okra.
What’s the issue?
The Pink Bollworm (PBW) infestation has been common in the cotton belt of northern Rajasthan, Haryana and Southwestern Punjab since 2021. However, the damage reported is much more widespread and serious in 2023.
The Bt cotton – which incorporates genes from a soil bacterium that codes for proteins toxic to the American bollworm – haslost its efficacy against the Pink Bollworm.
The pink bollworm infestation is higher this year because of early rains making it conducive for the worms to grow and fester.
Bt Cotton:
Bt cotton is a genetically modified pest-resistant plant cotton variety modified by the insertion of one or more genes (Cry1 Ac) from the soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis.
Strains of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produce toxins that are harmful to a variety of insects and it has been found to combat American bollworm – moth larvae that commonly attack cotton crops.
Bt cotton is India's first transgenic crop formally approved for commercial cultivation in 2002.
Aim of introducing Bt cotton to India was to reduce the amount of insecticide needed in farming cotton.
Benefits: Reduction in production cost, increase in profit, reduced farming risk and improved economic outlook for cotton, does not harm non-target beneficial insects, helpful in improving wildlife population, reduced run-off of insecticides and air pollution.
Context:As per the United Nations Population Fund's India Ageing Report 2023, it is projected that the proportion of people aged 60 and above will undergo a significant increase, doubling from 10.5% (equivalent to 14.9 crore individuals as of July 1, 2022) to 20.8% (approximately 34.7 crore) by the year 2050. This demographic shift, with one in every five people being a senior citizen, will have far-reaching implications for various aspects of society, including healthcare, the economy, and overall social dynamics.
Factors driving ageing: reduced fertility, migration and longevity due to better healthcare.
Facts related to elderly in India
Most states in South reported a higher share of elderly population than the national average in 2021. #due to population control measures & reduced fertility.
A special case of Kerala and West Bengal – there is a growing population of the elderly who live alone as children migrate for better opportunities.
Women elderly citizens outnumber their male counterparts. (If women in India do not have economic and social security, they will become more vulnerable in old age).
Issues associated with elderly population
Healthcare: Many elderly individuals in India have limited access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural areas. The healthcare infrastructure may not be adequately equipped to address the specific health needs of the elderly. Moreover, the elderly population in India is increasingly susceptible to chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and arthritis. The management of these conditions can be costly and challenging, particularly for those without health insurance. #Non-communicable diseases.
Mental Health Issues: Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, are often overlooked among the elderly in India. The stigma surrounding mental health issues prevent them from seeking help or receiving adequate support which ultimately leads to depression and anxiety. # one in five elderly citizens are facing mental health issues.
Insufficient financial support: A significant portion of the elderly population in India does not have a stable source of income or retirement savings. This financial insecurity can lead to a diminished quality of life, especially if they are dependent on family members for financial support.
Vulnerable to abuse & crime: Elder abuse is a growing concern in India. This includes physical, emotional, financial, and neglectful abuse of elderly individuals, often by their own family members. The lack of awareness and support systems for victims exacerbates the problem.
Isolation & Loneliness: Many elderly individuals in India experience social isolation, as they may live alone or far from their families. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and depression, affecting their overall well-being. # due to Ageism, Migration of children and Gap between generations.
Inadequate Geriatric Care: There is a shortage of geriatric care specialists and facilities in India. This hinders the delivery of specialized care and services tailored to the unique needs of older adults.
Rural-Urban Disparities: There are significant disparities in the living conditions and access to services between elderly populations in rural and urban areas. Rural seniors often face greater challenges in accessing healthcare and social support. # 73.3% elderly lives in rural areas.
Challenges posed by technology: Elderly citizens may be more susceptible to online scams, phishing, and other forms of cyberattacks due to their limited experience with online security. They may also have concerns about their personal information being stolen or misused.
Lack of access to government schemes due to limited awareness about various programmes and initiatives run by government.
Considered as liability: In modern societies, there has been a shift from extended families to nuclear families, which may have limited capacity to care for elderly parents due to factors like work commitments and limited living space and they are sent to old age homes or care facilities by their children or family members.
Elderly population
One of the most valuable asset for the nation
Cultural Preservation: Elders are keepers of cultural traditions, languages, and historical knowledge. They can play a vital role in preserving and passing on cultural heritage to future generations.
Wisdom and Experience: Elderly individuals have a wealth of life experience and wisdom. They have witnessed history, faced challenges, and gained insights that can be invaluable to younger generations. Their stories and experiences can help guide society in making better decisions.
Role in environmental conservation:Vandana Shiva is a Delhi based eco feminist and environmentalist. She is a Gandhi follower and is well known for her efforts to protect forests, conserve local biodiversity, and organize women’s networks. Medha Patkar is a famous environmentalist and is well known for her role in the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).
Need of the hour
Strengthening of Intergenerational Bonds: Encourage activities and programs that bring different generations together, such as intergenerational learning, mentorship, and community events. #Maitri, set up in India in 2019, connects older individuals suffering from loneliness and depression with orphaned children lacking role models or parental support.
Accessible Healthcare: Ensure affordable and accessible healthcare services, including geriatric care, and establish mobile clinics for rural areas.
Financial Literacy: Promote financial literacy programs to help seniors manage their finances and investments effectively. # RBI has developed tailored financial literacy content for five target groups' viz. Farmers, Small entrepreneurs, School children, Self Help Groups and Senior Citizens that can be used by the trainers in financial literacy programmes.
Employment opportunities: Promote part-time and flexible job opportunities for the elderly who wish to remain engaged in the workforce. It will empower them financially.
Digital Inclusion: Promote digital literacy among the elderly to help them stay connected, access online services, and benefit from telehealth options. #HelpAge India, with support from Google, has launched a significant initiative to empower 50,000 elders across the country with digital safety knowledge.
#Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in April 2002 mark a turning point in how the world addresses the key challenge of “building a society for all ages”. The Madrid Plan of Action offers a bold new agenda for handling the issue of ageing in the 21st-century. It focuses on three priority areas: older persons and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments.
Improving the situation for the elderly population in India will require collaboration between government, civil society, communities, and families.
There is a need to foster a culture that values and respects the elderly is fundamental to achieving a more inclusive and supportive society for all generations, to fulfill the transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ‘Leave no one behind (LNOB)’.
Context:On the occasion of Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary on September 28th, it is pertinent to delve into his perspective on the theme of India's G20 presidency, "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam." This theme reflects the idea that the world is one family, and it carries significant relevance in the context of India's global leadership role within the G20.
More about the news:
The success of India in garnering consensus in the joint declaration of the G20 was seen as a pivotal moment in the country's ascendancy on the global stage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this achievement, emphasizing that India's vision was not merely a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy deeply rooted in its cultural heritage.
He highlighted that the world was taking note of India's human-centric model of development, one that prioritizes inclusivity both domestically and internationally.
The G20 declaration explicitly expressed concern about religious hatred and called for an end to the trust deficit, advocating for an era of cooperation.
Bhagat Singh's views on the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’:
In his early years, Bhagat Singh was captivated by the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, envisioning a world united as one family bound by love and mutual respect.
His essay 'Vishwa Prem,' published in the Hindi weekly ‘Matwala’ in 1924, reflects his contemplation on the social and political hurdles obstructing the realization of this dream.
Bhagat Singh posed a thought-provoking question and grappled with various complex issues, including communalism, hatred, violence, oppression, poverty, untouchability, and casteism.
He highlighted the disturbing reality that mere religious affiliation had become a sufficient reason for enmity between religious groups.
Bhagat Singh firmly advocated for the elimination of divisive elements, such as the distinction between the touchable and untouchable communities.
In his influential essay 'Why I am an Atheist,' Bhagat Singh showcased his rational and critical thinking.
He suspected that some self-proclaimed social reformers held superficial political stances.
He didn't hesitate to criticise prominent figures like Madan Mohan Malviya, questioning their sincerity in eradicating untouchability.
He asked whether those who loudly proclaimed universal brotherhood genuinely aimed to bring about such a transformation.
About Bhagat Singh:
Bhagat Singh, a prominent figure in India's struggle for independence, played a crucial role in the fight against British colonial rule. His early life, evolution as a revolutionary, and lasting legacy are all integral parts of his story.
Bhagat Singh's Birth and Education:
Born on September 28, 1907, in Lyallpur, which is now in Pakistan, Bhagat Singh's upbringing was steeped in the atmosphere of patriotic fervour.
He received his education at the Dayanand Anglo Vedic High School and National College in Lahore.
These institutions were closely associated with Arya Samaj and the freedom movement, exposing Bhagat Singh to the ideals of Indian independence from a young age.
Family Influence on His Ideals:
Bhagat Singh's family played a pivotal role in shaping his political consciousness.
His father and uncle, Ajit Singh, were actively involved in progressive politics, participating in significant events like the Canal Colonization Bill agitation in 1907 and the Ghadar Movement of 1914–1915.
Entry into National College and Ideological Shift:
Gandhi had urged Indian students to boycott educational institutions subsidized by the British government.
Bhagat Singh's journey into the freedom movement began to take a more radical turn during this time.
Bhagat Singh's contributions to the Freedom Movement:
Initial Support for Non-Cooperation:
Initially, Bhagat Singh aligned himself with Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement.
However, his perspective shifted when Gandhi withdrew the movement following the Chauri Chaura incident.
This incident led Bhagat Singh to embrace revolutionary nationalism as a means to achieve India's independence.
Influence of Tragic Events:
Tragic events such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 and the violence against unarmed Akali protestors at Nankana Sahib in 1921 deeply affected Bhagat Singh's worldview, fuelling his determination to free India from British rule.
Association with Revolutionary Groups:
In 1924, Bhagat Singh became a member of the Hindustan Republican Association, founded by Sachindranath Sanyal.
He formed a close bond with Chandra Shekhar Azad, the main organizer of the association.
Bhagat Singh's commitment to the cause led him to establish the Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926, aiming to mobilize peasants and workers against British rule.
Role in "Kirti" and HSRA:
Bhagat Singh also contributed to the monthly magazine "Kirti" published by the 'Workers and Peasants Party.' For a year, he served on the editorial board of "Kirti."
In 1928, he, along with Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad, and others, founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
Bhagat Singh's Revolutionary Activities:
Bhagat Singh 4th from from the right
Shift Towards Armed Revolution:
Bhagat Singh's association with HSRA introduced him to the philosophy of armed revolution.
His commitment to the cause led to his arrest in 1927, initially for his association with the Kakori Case and an article published under the pseudonym Vidrohi.
Involvement in the Saunders Case:
The tragic death of Lala Lajpat Rai during a protest against the Simon Commission in 1928 marked a turning point.
In an unfortunate case of mistaken identity, Bhagat Singh and his associates assassinated J.P. Saunders, leading to the Lahore Conspiracy Case.
Central Assembly Bombing:
In 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the Central Assembly at Delhi, accompanied by pro-revolutionary slogans.
Their intention was not to cause harm but to make the ‘deaf hear’. Both were arrested without resistance, using the trial as a platform for their revolutionary message.
The Trial and Death of Bhagat Singh:
Hunger Strike for Political Prisoners:
During their trial in 1929, Bhagat Singh and his comrades initiated a hunger strike in Lahore prison to demand better conditions for political prisoners.
Their strike garnered widespread support from leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru.
Sentencing and Execution:
Despite widespread appeals, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were sentenced to death.
The execution was carried out on March 23, 1931, a day ahead of the scheduled date, at Lahore Jail.
March 23 is observed as Martyrs' Day, paying tribute to him and fellow freedom fighters.
Individual Heroism vs. Mass Movement
Bhagat Singh initially believed in individual heroism but later realized the need for a broad-based mass movement to effectively challenge the British Empire.
Renowned quotes by Bhagat Singh:
Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting stone of ideas.
But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain and makes a man reactionary.
Revolution is an inalienable right of mankind. Freedom is an imperishable birthright of all. Labour is the real sustainer of society.
Works of Bhagat Singh: ‘Why I Am an Atheist’; ‘Ideas on freedom, liberty and revolution: Jail notes of a revolutionary’; ‘Ideas of a Nation’; ‘To Young Political Workers.
Context: MS Swaminathan, the renowned Indian agricultural scientist, passed away on marking the end of an era in the Indian agriculture sector.
Monkomb Sambasivan Swaminathan
Swaminathan was a geneticist as well as an administrator.
He headed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
He became the Director General of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.
He was awarded the first World Food Prize in 1987.
Swaminathan was conferred the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan for his outstanding contributions.
He received several other awards like the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award and the Indira Gandhi Prize.
He chaired the National Commission on Farmers (NCF) and submitted 5 reports.
Contribution of MS Swaminathan
Lanscape of India Before Green Revolution
There were two consecutive drought years in 1965-66 and 1966-67.
Foodgrain production in India fell to 72-74 million tonnes (mt) during these two years, from an average of 83 mt in the previous five years.
India had to rely on imports, mainly of wheat from the US under the latter’s PL-480 programme. These imports peaked at 10.36 mt in 1966.
Introduction of Green Revolution by MS Swaminathan and Food Secure India
The “ship to mouth” situation then forced a political decision by the government to import 18,000 tonnes of seeds of the Lerma Rojo 64A and Sonora 64.
Swaminathan worked hard to convince our political leadership to import of seeds of high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties from Mexico.
The seeds had to be indigenised to local conditions.
With Kalyan Sona and Sonalika, the new indigenised wheat varieties, India changed its agriculture paradigm under Swaminathan’s leadership and India experienced a wheat and rice revolution.
In the last three years, 2020-21 to 2022-23, India exported 85 million tonnes of cereals contributing to global food security.
Forty per cent of global exports of rice come from India.
Swaminathan Formula to Address Farmer Distress
National Commission on Farmers that he headed in 2004-06 recommended that the minimum support prices for crops count not only out-of-pocket expenses of farmers (Cost A2) but also imputed wages of family labour (FL), imputed rent on owned land and imputed interest on owned capital. The government did not accept that.
Later, the government went halfway and accepted at least a 50 per cent return over Cost A2+FL.
Overall Contribution
Green revolution brought by the contribution of Swaminathan and the introduction of High Yield Varieties (HYVs) seeds made India food secure.
The research done by him in agriculture made him a role model for youth and led to the promotion of research in the younger generations.
The spillover of income generated by farmers in the agriculture sector led to formation of industry as agriculture income move to other sectors of economy.
Food secure India gave government a needed breathing space to invest in the security of India which led to the successful countering of wars.
The MSP formula and increased income to farmers led to decrease in farm distress and farmer suicides.
Context: As per the statistics with the Union Rural Development Ministry in the ongoing financial year, less than 14% of the amount flagged by the social audit units has been recovered so far.
Rule 4 of Audit of Schemes Rules, 2011 stipulates that each State Government shall identify or establish an independent organization, “Social Audit Unit” (SAU) to facilitate conduct of the Social Audit of MGNREGS works.
This Social Audit Unit may be either a Society or a Directorate, independent of the implementing departments/agencies.
The work may also be outsourced to an outside agency, preferably an NGO which is not involved in the planning and implementation of the Scheme but possesses adequate experience of having worked in rights and entitlement-based programmes.
Effectiveness of Social Audit Units under MGNREGA
Poor Recovery: As per the statistics available with the Union Rural Development Ministry in the ongoing financial year, less than 14% of the amount flagged by the auditors has been recovered so far.
In 2022-23, the recoverable amount was ₹86.2 crore, but only ₹18 crore (20.8%) was recovered.
In 2021-22, ₹171 crore was flagged, but only ₹26 crore (15%) was recovered.
Financially Satrved Units: Social audit units which does not have adequate funds and are working without training or adequate personnel.
Ineffective role of SAU: The social audit unit’s sole responsibility is to flag cases of malpractice. Recovering the money, and reprimanding the officials responsible, is up to the State governments.
Weaponisation by Union: The Union government has weaponised the lack of social audits and low recovery rate to withhold funds for MGNREGS for the States. For example, units in Karnataka and Bihar have not got funds for nearly two years now.
Credibility Concerns: The consistent low recovery rates and challenges in the audit process raise credibility concerns about the entire MGNREGS program.
Imbalance in Monitoring: Certain states consistently report "zero number of cases" and "zero recoveries” e.g., Gujarat, Goa etc. While there are other States such as Telangana, where an active social audit unit has flagged several cases, but the recovery rate remains low.
Social Audit
‘Social Audits’ are a means of continuous public vigilance and to ensure public accountability in the implementation of projects, laws and policies.
Social Audit examines the impact of specific governmental activities on certain sections of society.
The objective of Social Audit is to ensure public accountability in the implementation of projects, laws and policies.
It is a continuous process of public vigilance and serves as a forum for ensuring transparency in the process of administration and decision making, accountability of PRI representatives and officials and serves the purpose of grievance redressal.
Social Audit has the following dimensions:
As a continuous and ongoing process, involving public vigilance and verification of quantity and quality of works at different stages of implementation; and
A process is to be conducted in every Gram Panchayat (GP) at least once in six months, involving a mandatory review of all aspects.
MGNREGA and Social Audit
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act provides for a central role to ‘Social Audits’ as a means of continuous public vigilance.
An innovative feature of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is that it has institutionalized ‘Social Audit’ as a means of continuous public vigilance (Mahatma Gandhi NREGA, Section 17).
Social Audits are periodic assemblies convened through Gram Sabhas where
All the details of a project are scrutinized.
Are a continuous process of public vigilance.
Serve as a forum for ensuring transparency in the process of administration and decision making.
Ensure accountability of PRI representatives and officials.
And Serve the purpose of grievance redressal.
Provisions
The Government of India (GOI) notified new provisions of social audit in Schedule - I of the Act.
The GOI through its order instructed the States for enforcement of provisions of social audit under the act.
The order required the States to direct the District Programme Coordinators to complete the social audits of all the works undertaken in the Gram Panchayats of the districts as per the new provisions of social audit as notified in Schedule - I of the act and enter the information related to the social audits in the prescribed formats in NREGA MIS.
The GOI also instructed the States to ensure that the districts prepare for conducting social audits in advance and put up their social audit calendar on the NREGA website.
Strengthening the independence and capacity of social audit units, addressing political pressures, and ensuring adequate funding are crucial steps to enhance the program's effectiveness through social audit units and credibility. Additionally, greater transparency and accountability measures should be put in place to mitigate corruption within the scheme.
Context: Recently, India reached out to Australia to procure monoclonal antibodydoses to combat the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. The dosage has to be administered at an early stage of infection.
What is an antibody?
They are proteins produced by the immune system that neutralize any foreign substance (bacteria, virus) entering the human body.
An antibody attaches itself to an antigen – a foreign substance, usually a disease-causing molecule – and helps the immune system eliminate it from the body.
What is a monoclonal antibody?
Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the behaviour of antibodies produced by the immune system to protect against diseases and foreign substances.
Monoclonal antibodies are specifically designed to target certain antigens.
How do monoclonal antibodies work?
Monoclonal antibodies are specifically engineered and generated to target a disease. They are meant to attach themselves to the specific disease-causing antigen. An antigen is most likely to be a protein.
For example, most successful monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic were engineered to bind to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The binding prevented the protein from exercising its regular functions, including its ability to infect other cells.
What is m102.4?
m102.4 is a monoclonal antibody that binds itself to the immunodominant receptor-binding glycoprotein of the Nipah virus, potentially neutralising it. m102.4 neutralises Hendra and Nipah viruses both outside and inside of living organisms.
Both Hendra and Nipah viruses are a family of viruses that contain a single-strand RNA of the negative-sense genome, similar to the ones that cause diseases like measles, influenza etc., and replicate within infected cells.
Manufactured by: Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), University of Queensland.
The antibody has passed phase-one clinical trials — which means that researchers tested it with a relatively small number of people to estimate the right dose of treatment that also does not cause side effects.
As of now, the drug is used on a ‘compassionate use’ basis — a treatment option that allows the use of an unauthorised medicine under strict conditions among people where no other alternative and/or satisfactory authorised treatment is known to be possible and where patients cannot enter clinical trials for various reasons.
About Nipha Virus (NiV):
Transmission: Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, especially bats and pigs. Nipah virus infection can be transmitted through contaminated food or directly from person to person.
Natural Reservoir: Fruit Bats (also known as flying foxes) are believed to be the natural reservoir/primary carriers of the Nipah virus.
Symptoms:
Fever, muscle pain, and respiratory problems (similar to that of influenza).
Inflammation of the brain as well as late onset of Encephalitis can also occur.
The case fatality rate is between 65 percent and 100 percent.
Treatment: NiV is on the top-10 priority list of pathogens identified by the World Health Organization. Currently, there are no approved vaccines available against NiV.
Context:Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent allegations, connecting the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil to the Indian government, have brought attention to the intelligence-sharing alliance known as the 'Five Eyes.' It is suggested that this alliance may have played a role in providing information that assisted Canada in this matter.
Who are the ‘Five Eyes’?
The ‘Five Eyes’ is a multilateral intelligence sharing network of five countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S.
It is both surveillance based and tracks signals intelligence (SIGINT).
The alliance between the U.S. and the U.K. evolved around the Second World War to counter the Cold War Soviet threat. The two countries, which had successfully deciphered German and Japanese codes during the war, forged a collaboration to share intelligence related to signals such as radio, satellite and internet communications.
In 1946, the alliance was formalised through an agreement for cooperation in signals intelligence.
The arrangement was later extended to ‘second party’ countries – Canada joined in 1948, while Australia and New Zealand became part of the alliance in 1956.
The Five Eyes have become involved in ocean and maritime surveillance, scientific and defence intelligence analysis, medical intelligence, geospatial intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and the continuous sharing of intelligence products via a secret collective database known as ‘Stone Ghost’.
The intelligence alliance has faced numerous issues related to its transparency, data security, and operational procedures, which had been concealed from public scrutiny for an extended period.
Its most significant controversy emerged in 2013 when Edward Snowden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA), revealed classified documents. Snowden characterized this network as a "supranational (having power or influence that transcends national boundaries or governments) intelligence organization that operates independently of its member countries' legal frameworks."
Context: The United Nations Population Fund, India, has released the “2023 India Ageing Report,” which projects a significant increase in the elderly population in India.
The report used data from the 2011 Census, the 2017-18 Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI) conducted by the Health Ministry, population projections of the Government of India and the World Population Projection 2022 report.
Key findings and implications of the report
Estimated a decadal growth rate of 41% for the elderly population in India and by 2050, the elderly population will make up over 20% of India's total population.
By 2046, it is expected that the elderly population will surpass the population of children aged up to 15.
More than 40% of India's elderly population is in the poorest wealth quintile, and around 18.7% of them live without any income such levels of poverty may affect their quality of life and healthcare utilisation.
Women, on average, had higher life expectancy at the age of 60 and at 80, when compared to men with variations across States and Union Territories.
In Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, women aged 60 can expect to live more than 20 additional years.
Since 1991, the elderly sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) has been rising consistently, except in Union Territories and western India.
Poverty is gendered in old age, with older women more likely to be widowed, living alone, and dependent on family support.
There was a significant inter-state variation in absolute levels and growth of the elderly population as well, reflecting the different stages and pace of demographic transition across States.
Most States in the southern region and select northern States such as Himachal Pradesh and Punjab reported a higher share of the elderly population than the national average in 2021, a gap that is expected to widen by 2036.
The report also notes that increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates are contributing to a global trend of ageing populations.
This trend is not unique to India but is observed worldwide, which will have implications for countries across the globe.
Challenges faced by the elderly population
Ruralisation of Elderly Population: According to the Census of India 2011, on average, 71 per cent of older persons live in rural areas, with significant interregional variation, ranging from 62–63 per cent in the west and south to 78–80 per cent in the east, north and north-east.
Feminisation of Elderly Population: Women living longer than men resulting in higher levels of widowhood and associated socio-cultural and economic deprivations and dependencies.
Economic challenges: More than 40% of India's elderly population is in the poorest wealth quintile, and around 18.7% live without income, making it hard for them to have a good life and get the healthcare they need.
Income insecurity is one of the major causes of vulnerability especially in old age. 47% share of elderly women who never worked in the past. Around 33 per cent of the older females have never worked and do not have any income
Disease prevalence: Over 30 per cent of the elderly women and 28 per cent of the men suffered from one chronic morbid condition and nearly one-fourth (across both sexes) suffered from more than two morbid conditions. With the increasing age, the share in such conditions gradually increased in the cohort.
Depression: Mental illness arising from senility, showing poor mental ability because of old age and neurosis.
Depression was observed to increase with age in approximately 8% of older individuals, and it was more prevalent among elderly women than men.
Less awareness and hindrance in receiving social security schemes: Only 29 % of the elderly benefit from various social security schemes.
Only 24% of widowed women in BPL households receive benefits from the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS).
Around 7 % of elderly women do not have proper documents to avail the benefits of IGNWPS.
Around 47% of elderly widows believe that they are not eligible to get benefits under IGNWPS.
Recommendations
Recommendation given by Mohini Giri committee: Women and men age differently. Both have their concerns. Elderly women and their problems need special attention like
Advancements in medical technology medicine and in technology for assistive living (and technology),
Mainstream senior citizens, especially older women, bring their concerns into the national development debate with a priority to implement mechanisms already set by governments and supported by civil society and senior citizens associations.
Promote the concept of "Ageing in Place" or ageing in own home, housing, income security and homecare services, old age pension and access to healthcare insurance schemes and other programmes and services to facilitate and sustain dignity in old age.
Government must work on increasing awareness about schemes for older persons, bring all Old Age Homes under regulatory purview and focus on facilitating in-situ ageing to the extent possible.
Government to encourage the creation and running of elderly self-help groups, and stressed the importance of having elderly people live in multigenerational households.
Government should encourage in situ (at home) ageing as much as possible by creating short-term care facilities like creches or day-care facilities, citing better care when elderly people live with their respective families.
The enhancement of geriatric care to cater to the unique healthcare needs of seniors.
A multitude of government schemes and policies addressing the health, financial empowerment, and capacity building needs of the elderly population.
Community-based organizations actively engaged in digital empowerment through computer and internet usage sessions.
Ministerial committees dedicated to shaping policies for elderly welfare.
Corporate efforts for joyful aging, social assistance, old age homes, and elder abuse awareness campaigns.
Addressing these challenges often requires a combination of family support, community resources, healthcare services, and public policy initiatives to ensure that the elderly population can age with dignity and quality of life.
Context: In a paper in Nature Physics, a researcher at Google Quantum AI reportedly demonstrated a problem that is difficult for classical computers. If a quantum computer solves this problem, it can achieve quantum supremacy.
Quantum Supremacy (QS)
When a quantum computer outperforms a classical supercomputer on a well-defined computer science problem, this achievement is known as quantum supremacy.
Superposition states allow qubits to carry more information.
Because of quantum superposition, a quantum computer can mimic several classical computers working in parallel.
This capacity of doing several computations in parallel gives quantum computers an advantage over classical computers, allowing them to perform a disproportionately greater number of operations.
Google’s quantum computer, named Sycamore, claimed ‘supremacy’ because it reportedly did the task in 200 seconds that would have apparently taken a supercomputer 10,000 years to complete.
Supercomputer
Supercomputer is a class of extremely powerful computers. The term is commonly applied to the fastest high-performance systems available at any given time.
The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second (MIPS).
Since 2017, there have existed supercomputers which can perform over 1017 FLOPS (a hundred quadrillion FLOPS, 100 petaFLOPS or 100 PFLOPS.
These are very large classical computers, often with thousands of classical CPU and GPU cores capable of running very large calculations and advanced artificial intelligence.
Need of Quantum Computers
Even supercomputers are binary code-based machines reliant on 20th-century transistor technology. They struggle to solve certain kinds of problems.
When classical computers fail, it's often due to complex problems which are problems with lots of variables interacting in complicated ways.
There are some complex problems that we do not know how to solve with classical computers on any scale.
The real world runs on quantum physics. Computers that make calculations using the quantum states of quantum bits should in many situations be our best tools for understanding it.
Quantum Computing
A quantum computer is a computer that takes advantage of quantum mechanical phenomena.
Quantum computers are machines that use the properties of quantum physics to store data and perform computations.
This can be extremely advantageous for certain tasks where they could vastly outperform even our best supercomputers.
Classical computers, which include smartphones and laptops, encode information in binary “bits” that can either be 0s or 1s.
In a quantum computer, the basic unit of memory is a quantum bit or qubit.
Quantum computing is driving new discoveries in healthcare, energy, environmental systems, smart materials, and beyond.
Qubit
Just like a binary bit is the basic unit of information in classical computing, a qubit is the basic unit of information in quantum computing.
Qubits vs Bits
Qubits are represented by a superposition of multiple possible states.
A qubit uses the quantum mechanical phenomena of superposition to achieve a linear combination of two states.
A classical binary bit can only represent a single binary value, such as 0 or 1, meaning that it can only be in one of two possible states.
A qubit, however, can represent a 0, a 1, or any proportion of 0 and 1 in superposition of both states, with a certain probability of being a 0 and a certain probability of being a 1.
There are many physical implementations of qubits
Where classical computers use familiar silicon-based chips, qubits (sometimes called "quantum computer qubits") can be made from trapped ions, photons, artificial or real atoms, or quasiparticles.
Depending on the architecture and qubit systems, some implementations need their qubits to be kept at temperatures close to absolute zero.
Qubits are fragile
One of the most significant hurdles in quantum computing is the fragile nature of qubits.
Entanglement of the qubit system with its environment, including the measurement setup, could easily perturb the system and cause decoherence.
Entanglement
Multiple qubits can exhibit quantum entanglement.
Entangled qubits always correlate with each other to form a single system.
Even when they're infinitely far apart, measuring the state of one of the qubits allows us to know the state of the other, without needing to measure it directly.
Entanglement is required for any quantum computation, and it cannot be efficiently performed on a classical computer.
Applications include factoring large numbers (Shor's algorithm) and solving search problems (Grover's algorithm).
Superposition
Superposition is a phenomenon in quantum computing that allows quantum objects to simultaneously exist in more than one state or location.
This means that an object can be in two states at one time while remaining a single object.
Quantum computers use the entanglement of qubits and superposition probabilities to perform operations.
Superposition enables the qubits of the quantum computer to perform multiple operations simultaneously, making them faster than conventional computers.
Superposition gives quantum computers superior computing power
Superposition allows quantum algorithms to process information in a fraction of the time it would take even the fastest classical systems to solve certain problems.
The amount of information a qubit system can represent grows exponentially for example Information that 500 qubits can easily represent would not be possible with even more than 2^500 classical bits.
It would take a classical computer millions of years to find the prime factors of a 2,048-bit number, Qubits could perform the calculation in just minutes.
Initiative taken by Indian Government towards Quantum Computing
Quantum Computer Simulator (QSim)
The launch of Quantum Computer Simulator (QSim) Toolkit by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with an objective to
Carry out research in Quantum Computing in a cost-effective manner.
Address the common challenge of advancing the Quantum Computing research frontiers in India.
Allowing researchers and students to write and debug Quantum Code that is essential for developing Quantum Algorithms.
Allowing researchers to explore Quantum Algorithms under idealised conditions and help prepare experiments to run on actual Quantum Hardware.
Feature Highlights of QSim include
Intuitive UI: QSim offers a robust QC Simulator integrated with a graphical user interface (GUI) based Workbench allowing students/researchers to create Quantum programs, visualise the instant circuit generation and simulated outputs.
Simulate noisy Quantum logic circuits: Helps simulate Quantum circuits with and without noise and test how well various algorithms work with imperfect quantum components. This is essential to simulate real-life conditions.
Pre-loaded Quantum algorithms and examples: QSim comes loaded with Quantum programs and algorithms providing a head start to the users. E.g., QFT, Deutsch Jozsa, Grovers, and so on.
Integrated with HPC: The quantum simulations are performed on powerful HPC resources allowing multiple users to submit jobs simultaneously with different qubit configurations.
To solve challenges of national importance, the mission plans to focus on fundamental science, translation, technology development, human and infrastructural resource generation, innovation, and start-ups.
QCL by C-DOT indigenously developed Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solution which can support a distance of more than 100 kilometers on standard optical fiber.
Indian Army's establishment of quantum laboratory
Army, with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has established the Quantum Lab to spearhead research and training in this key developing field.
Research undertaken by the Indian Army in the field of quantum technology will help leapfrog into next-generation communication and transform the current system of cryptography in the Indian Armed Forces to Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
Key thrust areas are quantum key distribution, quantum communication, post-quantum cryptography and quantum computing.
Quantum Information Science and Technology (QuST)
Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has initiated a new directed research programme on “Quantum Information Science and Technology (QuST)”.
QuST promises to revolutionize the future computation and communication systems which will ultimately have a huge impact on the Nation and our society.
Broad Objectives of QuST:
Development and demonstration of quantum computers.
Development and demonstration of quantum communication & cryptography.
Development of quantum-enhanced and inspired technology.
Development of advanced mathematical quantum techniques, algorithms and theory of quantum information systems.
Challenges with Initiatives taken by government
Policy gaps: India has loosely built quantum ecosystem where metrics to assess outcomes of its quantum efforts are not clearly defined. E.g., lack of target-oriented policies.
Raising funds: Indian quantum computing startups struggle with funds for product development and scaling due to low venture capital investment. E.g., the budgeted R&D outlay is less than 1%.
Insufficient talent pool: India has small pool of researchers, industry professionals, academicians, and entrepreneurs as compared to China or the US. E.g., problem of brain-drain, inadequate infrastructure and research facilities.
Poor-infrastructure: India lacks in hardware manufacturing and still imports critical quantum components. India also lacks sufficient superconducting materials, semiconductor chips, processors, and fabrication labs.
R&D in silos: India lacks common platform for all quantum research and development. At present, research is carried out in silos and knowledge exchange is not structured. E.g., no common platform to transmit real-time data of research in quantum computing.
Lack of industry connection: Most quantum-related R&D is carried out in universities. While academia can provide well-researched prototypes; industry connection is essential for developing scalable applications.
Way Forward:
Rework Indian technology policy objectives, frameworks, and deliverables to move from importer of quantum technology to exporter.
Developing knowledge ecosystem by inculcating entrepreneurship, innovation, university courses, training programmes in quantum technology.
Develop metrics to assess success of strategy and short & long-term action plan.
Periodic feedback system to map progress of Quantum-Enabled Science and Technology initiatives.
Boost to investor ecosystem to amplify production of hardware components of quantum computer plus simultaneous push to semiconductor industry.
Context: Bihar is all set to get its second tiger reserve in Kaimur district by the end of the year or early 2024. The NTCA had, in principle, approved our proposal in July for the tiger reserve. The department has now started preparing for the final submission to be sent to the NTCA for its formal approval.
About Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary of Rohtas Forest Division is situated in the great Kaimur Range hills in the Rohtas District of Bihar.
KWLS came into existence in 1979 (the later area was increased in 2010) with an area of over 1784.73 sq km.
It is the largest and first wildlife sanctuary to be declared in the State of Bihar.
The KWLS is spread in Bhabhua and Rohtas District of the State of Bihar.
Habitats offered by deep valleys (locally known as khoras) and high hills (locally known as Ballas), daunted with rivers and nallahs having water all year round in the ‘doh’.
Rohtasgarh Fort and Shergarh Fort are also located in these forests.
It also has numerous Megaliths, Rock paintings of prehistoric age and stone inscriptions from a bygone era.
The Government of Bihar has planned to develop it into a Tiger Reserve.
This Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Rohtas Plateau and Kaimur plateau of Kaimur Range in the south-western part of Bihar.
This forms the watershed or divide for two of the major rivers of peninsular India, the Son on the south and Tamsa or Tons on the north.
The sanctuary forms an essential corridor between forest areas of Bihar, Jharkhand Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh ensuring the contiguity of forests in Vindhya.
In the valley portions, there are several waterfalls of which the finest are Karkat Waterfall, Manjhar Kund, Dhua Kund, Tutla Bhawani Waterfall, Geeta Ghat Waterfall, Kashish Waterfall, and Telhar.
There are several Dams and lakes, including Anupam Lake, Karamchat Dam and Kohira Dam.
Anupam Lake and Kalidah near Rameshwar Kund are located in the lake.
The major forest types are Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous, Dry Sal Forests, Boswellia Forests and Dry Bamboo Brakes.
Important Fauna of Sanctuary
It harbours several other faunal species some of which figure in the IUCN Red Data List. These are Leopard, Indian Pangolin, Porcupine, Wild dogs, Jackal, Sloth bear.
The Crested eagle and Hawk eagle’s presence in Rohtas forests indicates the ecological sustenance of the area.
It is home to many migratory birds, such as the lesser white-fronted goose, ferruginous duck, Baer's pochard duck and lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, and Asian openbill stork migrate from Central Asia to the park during winter.
Among snakes, cobras and kraits are of common occurrence while pythons are occasionally seen.
Context: The microbiome research has gone from a ‘niche subject area’ to ‘one of the hottest topics in all of science’. Researchers have thrown light into the human microbiome — the community of microbes living in the human body.
Human Microbiome:
Human Microbiome is the aggregate of all microbiota that reside on or within human tissues and biofluids along with the corresponding anatomical sites in which they reside, including the skin, mammary glands, seminal fluid, uterus, ovarian follicles, lung, saliva, oral mucosa, conjunctiva, biliary tract, and gastrointestinal tract.
Types of human microbiota include bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, and viruses.
In the context of genomics, the term human microbiome is sometimes used to refer to the collective genomes of resident microorganisms; however, the term human metagenome has the same meaning too.
Benefits of Microbiome:
Facts about Human Microbiome:
Every adult ends up with a unique microbiota configuration, even identical twins that are raised in the same household.
Mothers do not pass their microbiomes to their children at birth. Some microorganisms are directly transferred during birth but they constitute a small fraction of the human microbiota; and only an even smaller fraction of these microbes survive and persist throughout the child’s life.
Diseases are caused by undesirable interactions between microbial communities and our cells. Whether a microbe and its metabolite are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ depends on the context. For example, most humans carry a species of bacteria called Clostridium difficile without any disease for life. It causes problems only in the elderly or in people with compromised immune systems.
The absolute microbial cells in one gram of human faeces are around 10^10 to 10^12. The human microbiota weighs about half a kg or less.
Probiotics:
Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms (live beneficial bacteria and/or yeasts) intended to maintain or improve the "good" bacteria (normal microflora) in the body.
