The Hindu

WHO Regional office

Context: The contest between Bangladesh and Nepal for the regional head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has become increasingly heated and contentious.

WHO’s South East Asian Regional Office

One of the six WHO Regions, WHO South-East Asia is home to over a quarter of the world’s population.
It was established in 1948 with headquarters at New Delhi.
The Region is now composed of 11 Member Countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste.

Priorities:

Measles and rubella elimination;
preventing non-communicable diseases;
reducing maternal, under-five and neonatal mortality;
universal health coverage with a focus on human resources for health and essential medicines;
combating antimicrobial resistance;
scaling up capacities for emergency risk management;
eliminating neglected tropical diseases;
accelerating efforts to end TB.

Regional Committee for South-East Asia

It is WHO’s governing body in the Region.
It is comprised of representatives from the Region’s 11 Member States, as well as Associate Members.
The Regional Committee meets every year to formulate policies and provide oversight for regional programmes.

The process of election for the regional director

The Regional Director is appointed by WHO’s Executive Board in agreement with the WHO Regional Committee for Europe.
The appointment of a Regional Director is for 5 years, and he or she is eligible for reappointment once only.
Any Member State of the Region may propose one or more people for the post of Regional Director.
The Regional Director is elected by secret ballot at a private meeting of the Regional Committee.

Context: The red-brown soil of the bauxite belt in southern Odisha’s Eastern Ghats is seeing an escalation of interest in mining, with the government auctioning sites to private companies processing it into Aluminum.

About Bauxite

Bauxite is a sedimentary rock with a relatively high aluminum content.
Bauxite is basically an aluminous rock that contains hydrated aluminium oxide as main constituent and iron oxide, silica & titania as minor constituents present in varying proportions
It is the world's main source of aluminum and is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions
India accounts for 6% of global production, with the largest producers being Australia, the Republic of Guinea, China and Brazil.
Bauxite is the main source of the rare metal gallium.
During the processing of bauxite to alumina in the Bayer process, gallium accumulates in the sodium hydroxide liquor.

Bauxite in India

The country has 3,896 million tonnes of resources of bauxite which is sufficient to meet both domestic and export demands.
By States, Odisha alone accounts for 51% of country's resources of bauxite followed by Andhra Pradesh (16%), Gujarat (9%), Jharkhand (6%), Maharashtra (5%) and Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh (4% each)
Odisha emerged as the leading producing State accounting for about 49% of the total production followed by Gujarat (24%), Jharkhand (9%), Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra (8% each). The remaining was produced by Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
During 2016-17, exports of bauxite were 2,502 thousand tons. Exports of bauxite increased drastically to 8,914 thousand tonnes in 2015-16 from 6,808 thousand tonnes in 2014-15. Exports were mainly to China (96%), UAE (2%) and Kuwait (1%).

Bauxite Distribution in India

Quantum algorithms solve problems that Classical computers cannot

Context: We often hear that quantum computers efficiently solve problems that are very difficult to solve with a classical computer. But even if the hardware is available to build a quantum computer, exploiting its quantum features requires us to write smart algorithms.

What is Quantum computing?

Quantum computing is a field of study focused on the development of computer-based technologies centred around the principles of quantum theory.
Quantum theory, a subfield of physics, describes the nature of energy and matter on the quantum (atomic and subatomic) scale.

Principles of Quantum Computing:

Superposition: A qubit can represent both 0 and 1 state simultaneously.
Entanglement: States of qubits become interlinked allowing coordinated processing.
Interference: Quantum states combine to amplify correct solutions and cancel out wrong ones.
Tunnelling: Particles can pass through barriers aiding in optimisation tasks.
Measurement: Extracts a result from a qubit collapsing its state to either 0 or 1.
Quantum Gates: Operations that manipulate qubits, analogous to classical logic gates.
No-Cloning: Qubits cannot be precisely copied.
Decoherence: External influences can cause errors requiring error correction.

Application of Quantum computing

What is Classical Computing?

Classical computing refers to the traditional model of computing based on classical physics principles and the binary system.

Bits: The fundamental unit of classical computing. A bit can be in one of two states: 0 or 1.
Logic Gates: Operations that manipulate bits. Common gates include AND, OR, NOT, XOR, and others. These gates form the building blocks of digital circuits and processors.
Binary System: Classical computers operate using the binary numeral system, where data and instructions are represented using combinations of 0s and 1s.
Deterministic: Classical computers operate in a deterministic manner, meaning given the same input, they will always produce the same output.
Stored-Program Concept: Modern classical computers follow this concept, where instructions (software) and data are stored in memory and processed by a central processing unit (CPU).
Architecture: Classical computers typically have a CPU, memory (RAM), storage (hard drive or SSD), input/output devices, and other components interconnected by a system bus.
Applications: Classical computing encompasses a wide range of devices, from simple calculators to supercomputers, and is used in virtually every industry and aspect of modern life.
Limitations: There are problems that classical computers find challenging or time-consuming, such as factoring very large numbers or simulating quantum systems. This is where quantum computing may offer advantages.

Quantum computing vs Classical computing

Feature/Aspect	Quantum Computing	Classical Computing
Basic Unit	Quantum bits (qubits)	Binary bits (0 or 1)
State Representation	0, 1, or a superposition of both	Either 0 or 1
Parallelism	Can process multiple possibilities simultaneously	Processes tasks sequentially or with limited parallelism
Entanglement	Qubits can be entangled	No equivalent phenomenon
Operations	Uses quantum gates	Uses logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, etc.)
Determinism	Probabilistic outcomes	Deterministic outcomes
Data Storage	Quantum states (fragile)	Electronic storage (RAM, SSDs, hard drives)
Error Correction	Requires quantum error correction	Uses classical error correction methods
Maturity & Applications	Early stages with specific potential applications	Mature, used in countless applications
Hardware	Specialised conditions (E.g., very low temperatures)	Operates at room temperature with semiconductor technology

Benefits of Quantum Computing:

Speed: Solve specific problems exponentially faster.
Parallelism: Process vast information simultaneously.
Optimisation: Efficiently tackle complex optimization tasks.
Simulation: Directly simulate quantum systems for research.
Cryptography: Enable ultra-secure quantum encryption.
Machine Learning: Accelerate training and improve accuracy.
Material Discovery: Efficiently find new materials with desired properties.
Climate Modelling: Achieve more accurate environmental simulations.
Enhanced Search: Quickly search through unsorted databases.
Error Correction: Advanced techniques applicable beyond just quantum computing.

Limitations of Quantum Computing:

Decoherence: Qubits are unstable and lose information over time.
Error Rates: High error rates compromise computation reliability.
Scalability: Difficult to build large-scale quantum systems.
Quantum-to-Classical Transition: Information loss when translating quantum results into classical data.
Selective Speedup: Not universally faster; speed benefits apply to specific problems.
Algorithm Complexity: Quantum algorithms are intricate and hard to design.
Hardware Demands: Requires extreme conditions (E.g., very low temperatures) to function.
Error Correction: Needs many extra qubits, complicating the design.
Immature Software: Lacks a robust software ecosystem.
Cryptography Risks: Threatens current encryption methods.
Practicality: Many quantum solutions have limited immediate real-world use.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Context: The Chief of Defence Staff recently ordered two studies to be conducted on major military platforms (unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and armoured helicopters) used by the three Services. The study on UAVs has been completed with a recommendation to acquire 31 MQ-9B high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAVs and 155 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.

What is Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?

A UAV, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, is an aircraft that operates without a human pilot onboard. Instead, it is either piloted remotely by a human operator or autonomously through pre-programmed systems or artificial intelligence. UAVs are commonly known as "drones."

Type of UAVs:

Fixed-Wing: Resemble airplanes; long flight times; used for surveillance and mapping.
Multi-Rotor: Have multiple rotors (E.g., quadcopters); great for photography and short-range tasks.
Single-Rotor: Like helicopters; carry heavier payloads; used for specialized tasks.
VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing): Combine fixed-wing and rotor features; long endurance with vertical takeoffs/landings.
Tethered: Connected to a ground station; offer continuous power for persistent tasks.
Nano/Micro: Small drones for indoor use or tight spaces.
High Altitude: Operate at great heights; used for weather and surveillance.
Swarm: Groups of drones working together; used for coordinated displays and research.

UAVs in India:

During the 1990s, the Indian Army procured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Israel, subsequently prompting the Indian Air Force and Navy to adopt similar measures.
During the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan, India employed military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct visual reconnaissance activities along the Line of Control (LOC).
The regulation of all aerial vehicles, whether human or automated, in India is overseen by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), initially designed for military and aerospace applications, have gained widespread adoption in several sectors due to their notable advancements in safety and efficiency.

Application of UAVs:

Policy Framework:

The 'Drone Rules 2021' and Drone Amendment Rules 2022 have been introduced to support the UAV industry with restrictions on foreign drone imports.

New Drone Rules 2021:

In 2021, India introduced a new set of guidelines called "The Drone Rules, 2021" to regulate the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones in the country.
These rules replaced the previous guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in 2018 and aimed to simplify and liberalize the regulatory framework for drones.

Key highlights and provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021:

Reduced Compliance Burden:

The number of forms required for operating drones has been reduced from 25 to 5.
Permissions such as the Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP), Remote Pilot License, and many others have been abolished.
The "No Permission, No Takeoff" (NPNT) mandate has been liberalised.

Safety and No-Fly Zones:

Drones cannot be flown in specified no-fly zones such as over the perimeter of strategic locations, military installations, and from the international border unless permitted.
Yellow zones (controlled airspace) have been reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.

Easier Import Process:

The process for importing drones has been simplified, with the requirement for security clearance before any approval or license has been done away.

Digital Sky Platform:

An interactive airspace map with green, yellow, and red zones will be displayed on the Digital Sky Platform.
Real-time tracking of drones is mandated for all Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) except for those in the Nano category.

Promotion of Indigenous Manufacturing:

The rules encourage the use of drones "Made in India" and promote indigenous research and development.

Penalties:

Penalties for minor violations have been reduced, focusing on a constructive approach rather than a punitive one.

Insurance:

Drones must have insurance for potential damages to third parties.

Challenges:

When tigers and jackals get the same protection

Context: Many ecologists are incensed that an inordinate number of species have been included in the new schedules of the Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022, without an objective or replicable process. In brief, Schedule 1, which confers the highest protection, contains about 600 species of vertebrates and hundreds of invertebrates, while Schedule 2 contains about 2,000 species (with 1,134 species of birds alone).

Wildlife protection amendment Act 2022 – The amendment is primarily aimed at revising four aspects of the law: allowing delegation of functions of the State Boards for Wildlife (SBWLs) to a select set of people (“standing committee”) as is currently the case with the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL); a rework of the schedules that list species according to the levels of protection they need in view of the threats they face; providing for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); and an exception to the requirement to obtain permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden for the transfer and transport of captive elephants for religious or other purposes.

Positive Key features:

Holistic approach and widened scope - In the long title of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, for the words "protection of wild animals, birds and plants", the words "conservation, protection and management of wild life" is substituted which points towards the change of focus towards the holistic approach.
Addition of new schedule: a new schedule has been added for specimens listed in the Appendices under CITES (scheduled specimens).
Invasive alien species - It empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or proliferation of invasive alien species. The central government may authorise an officer to seize and dispose the invasive species.
Management Authority : it will be appointed by the central government for the issuance of permits and certificates for trade in scheduled specimens in accordance with the CITES. Until now, CITES provisions were enforced through the Customs Act and not the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which was a major lacunae.
Decentralized management: For sanctuaries falling under special areas, the management plan must be prepared after due consultation with the concerned Gram Sabha.
Declaring conservation reserves by Centre: It empowers both Central and State governments to declare areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as conservation reserve, Earlier only the state government had this power.
Surrender of captive animals: Any person having a certificate of ownership can voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wildlife Warden.

Issues remaining

Reduction of schedules has led to huge number of species falling in the same list which creates confusion as it is unclear where resources should be allocated on the basis of this list. The same level of protection is offered to tigers and jackals, to the great Indian bustard and common barn owls, to the king cobra and rat snakes.
Unscientific classification for e.g. the presence of the spotted deer (chital) in Schedule 1. Common throughout India, these are invasive in the Andaman Islands and have caused untold harm to the vegetation and herpetofauna. But they cannot be legally culled or removed because of the WLPA.
Commercial trade: It leaves the door open for commercial trade in elephants. There is concern that the amendments have not defined what purposes elephants can be used for and have perhaps made it easier for the animals to be transported across the country.
Dilution of federal framework: It has also been criticized for diluting the federal framework by seeking to displace the State Boards of Wildlife, which are chaired by the Chief Minister, with a Standing Committee headed by the union Forest minister.
Using animals for religious purpose: In Section 43, elephants, Schedule I animal, are permitted to be used for ‘religious or any other purpose’. Experts have also criticized the term ‘other purpose’
Lack of ownership: There are 2,675 captive elephants in India and only 1,251 have ownership certificates. Experts believe that this unclear ownership was an issue and the provisions that are “weak and indeterminate which can cause problems.
Hampering research: Experts believe that listing so many species in schedule 1 will impact research as paperwork involved in getting permits for research is tedious and time consuming.

UN approved Kenya-led security mission to Haiti

Context: The UN Security Council has approved International Intervention in the form of a foreign security mission led by Kenya to restore security, protect critical infrastructure and control the spiralling Gang war in the country.

About the UN Security Council

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.

It is charged with:

Ensuring international peace and security,
Recommending the admission of new UN members to the General Assembly,
Approving any changes to the UN Charter.

Its powers as outlined in the United Nations Charter include:

establishing peacekeeping operations,
enacting international sanctions,
authorizing military action.

The UNSC is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions on member states.

UNSC Member: - 5 Permanent members (P5)-USA, CHINA, RUSSIA, UK, France.

10 non-permanent members elected by the UN General Assembly for a 2-year term.

ABOUT HAITI

Haiti is a country in the Caribbean Sea that includes the western third of the island of Hispaniola and such smaller islands. The capital is Port-au-Prince.
Recently, a Group of Gangs called “G9 and family” seized control of the entry of the main fuel port Varreux in the capital protesting the PM’s decision to cut fuel subsidies.

Global Terrorism Index

Context: The recent Global Terrorism Index states that ideologically motivated terrorism continues to be the most common type of terrorism in the West.

About Global Terrorism Index

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) is a comprehensive study analysing the impact of terrorism for 163 countries.
It is released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).
GTI is a composite measure made up of four indicators: incidents, fatalities, injuries and hostages; weighted over a five-year period.
It does not include acts of state repression and violence by state actors.
The Sahel is home to the world’s fastest growing and most-deadly terrorist groups.
Afghanistan remained the country most impacted by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year.
India’s rank: 13

E-commerce site by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

Context: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is planning to set up a new e-commerce site to showcase ‘energy efficient’ appliances.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

Founded in 2009, EESL is promoted by the Ministry of Power, Government of India as a Joint Venture of four reputed public-sector undertakings NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, REC Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is a Super Energy Service Company (ESCO), which enables consumers, industries and governments to effectively manage their energy needs through energy-efficient technologies.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

The Government of India set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

BEE co-ordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations; recognizes, identifies and utilizes the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act.

Standards & Labelling

Standards and Labelling (S&L) scheme is a flagship initiative of Ministry of Power that was launched with the key objective of providing consumers an informed choice regarding the energy savings and thereby the cost-saving potential of various energy consuming appliances.
This scheme prescribes minimum energy performance levels for appliances/ equipment, rated on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most energy efficient.
Presently, S&L scheme covers the star labelling program for 35 appliances, out of which 15 appliances are under mandatory regime and remaining 20 appliances are under voluntary regime.

Estivation or Aestivation

Context: Animals often tend to show some physiological adaptation to survive in challenging environments. This adaptation varies depending on factors like when and why they are occurring and what kind of animals are adopting it.

Physiological adaptations are mainly of three types:

Hibernation
Brumation
Estivation or Aestivation

Further Migration can also be considered as an adaptation technique where species relocate themselves to avoid harsh weather.

Hibernation

Hibernation is a physiological adaptation practised by some animals. It is a state of inactivity and dormancy that enables some animals to survive in cold environments with reduced food availability during the winter months.

Hibernation is mostly done by the endotherms or warm-blooded animals
A variety of animals can hibernate, including bats, bears, rodents, and some species of birds and reptiles.

Brumation

Brumation is known as the hibernation for cold-blooded animals. In a nutshell, brumation is to reptiles what hibernation is to mammals.

Hibernating animals need to eat in order to have enough food storage to last them through their hibernation period as their metabolism while decreased is still active.

Brumating animals stop eating before entering inactivity as their metabolic rate drops so low that they are unable to fully digest their meal until outside temperatures increase.

Estivation or Aestivation

It is a physiological adaptation whereby the animal enters a long period of dormancy or inactivity in response to high temperatures or maybe even drought-like conditions.

Similarities Between Hibernation, Brumation and Aestivation:

Metabolic Slowdown: In all strategies, animals experience a significant reduction in their metabolic rate while in a dormant state.
Reduced Activity: Processes involve a decrease in activity levels, which serves to conserve energy.
Water Conservation Adaptations: Animals have developed specific adaptations to minimize water loss, such as creating protective mucus layers or sealing themselves within cocoons.
Prolonged Dormancy: Processes can endure for extended periods, enabling animals to survive challenging environmental conditions until more favourable circumstances return.

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Context: Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur on 350th birth anniversary

About Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Early Life

Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, originally known as Lachman Dev, emerged as a prominent Sikh warrior and the commander of the Khalsa army.
His journey into Sikhism was a transformative one, as he became a devout disciple of Guru Gobind Singh, who bestowed upon him the name Gurbaksh Singh.
Banda Singh Bahadur's life took a significant turn when he arrived in Khanda, Sonipat, where he assembled a military force and started a struggle against the Mughal Empire.

Establishment of Khalsa Rule

Upon consolidating his authority in Punjab, Banda Singh Bahadur initiated a series of reforms.
He abolished the oppressive Zamindari system, an exploitative land revenue system, and ensured that property rights were granted to the tillers of the land.
In addition to his land reforms, Banda Singh Bahadur introduced the Nanak Shahi coins, showing his commitment to Sikh values and principles.

Early Conquests

His early conquests demonstrated his commitment to the Sikh cause.
His first major confrontation took place at the Battle of Sonipat, where he led the Sikh army and clashed against the Mughals.
In 1709, he achieved victory in the Battle of Samana, leading to the capture of the Mughal city of Samana.
These victories set the stage for the Sikhs to expand their influence into the Cis-Sutlej areas of Punjab.
Banda Singh Bahadur even established his capital in Mukhlisgarh, renaming it as Lohgarh, which translates to ‘fortress of steel,’ and issued his own currency.

Mughal response and the Persecution

The rise of Banda Singh Bahadur and the Sikhs in Punjab caused great concern for the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah, as it disrupted communication between Delhi and Lahore, the capital of Punjab.
In response, the Mughal Empire organized a formidable force to subdue and eliminate Banda Singh Bahadur.
The Sikhs, under Banda Bahadur’s leadership, made a strategic move to Lohgarh to prepare for the battle and despite successfully defeating the initial Mughal forces, the Sikhs found themselves besieged by an overwhelming Mughal army of 60,000 troops.
Banda Singh Bahadur tried to recoup and reorganise and therefore, issued Hukamnamas (decrees) to the Sikhs, urging them to join him. In 1712, the Sikhs gathered near Kiratpur Sahib.
As the Mughal Empire was facing succession wars for the throne, Banda Singh Bahadur managed to recapture Sadhaura and Lohgarh in 1712.
In 1715, the Mughal governor of Lahore, Abd al-Samad Khan, led an army to besiege Banda Singh Bahadur and his Sikh forces in a village.
The Sikhs defended their position, however, but the Mughal assault eventually led to the capture of Banda Singh.
Subsequently, in 1716, during the reign of Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar, Banda Singh Bahadur, along with 700 of his followers, were executed in Delhi.
This event was witnessed by a European visitor, an East India Company diplomat, who sent a letter to the governor of Fort William in Calcutta.

CDSCO approves CAR-T cell therapy to treat blood cancer

Context: The Indian firm ImmunoACT has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization for its CAR-T cell therapy NexCAR19. The therapy is the first of its kind to be developed in India and will be used to treat certain types of cancers like B-cell lymphomas and leukaemia (blood cancer).

CAR-T cell therapy:

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a type of cell-based gene therapy which involves altering the genes inside T cells (a type of white blood cell) to help them attack cancer cells.
- In the therapy, T-cells are harvested from the patient’s blood.
- Researchers modify these cells in the laboratory so that they express specific proteins on their surface known as chimeric antigen receptors (CAR).
- These cells are then grown and multiplied in the laboratory and then inserted back into the patient.
- This genetic modification allows CAR T-cells to effectively bind to the cancer cells and destroy them.

CAR T therapy vs other cancer treatments:

Three major forms of treatment for any cancer are:

Surgery (removing cancer)
Radiotherapy (delivering ionising radiation to the tumour)
Systemic therapy (administering medicines that act on the tumour, E.g., Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy)

Conventional chemotherapy or immunotherapy comprises molecules that bind to the tumour or block chemical pathways that allow the tumour to grow or multiply – but do not directly affect the immune system. However, when there are abnormalities in the immune system or when the tumour finds a way to evade it, cancer resists these drugs.
But, In CAR T-cell therapy, the immune system is activated when the modified T-cells are reintroduced into the body, which allows a gradual and sustained tumour kill as these cells multiply. As these cells are even more specific than targeted agents and directly activate the patient’s immune system against cancer, it makes the treatment more clinically effective.

Uses:

CAR T-cell therapy has been approved for leukaemia (cancers arising from the cells that produce white blood cells) and lymphomas (arising from the lymphatic system).
- In certain kinds of leukaemia and lymphomas, the eﬃcacy is as high as 90%, whereas, in other types of cancers, it is signiﬁcantly lower.
It is also used among patients with cancers that have returned after initially successful treatment or who have not responded to previous combinations of chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Concerns:

Potential side effects are also significant, associated with:
- Cytokine release syndrome (a widespread activation of the immune system and collateral damage to the body’s normal cells), and
- Neurological symptoms (severe confusion, seizures, and speech impairment).
The complexity of preparing CAR T-cells has been a major barrier to their use. Also, the therapy involves considerable cost and skilled technical and human resources for its administration.

Operation Polo in Hyderabad: Explained

Context: In the book "Remaking History — 1948 Police Action and the Muslims of Hyderabad", Afsar Mohammed delves into the events surrounding the 'Police Action' and sheds light on how people coped with the trauma and changes in their social fabric during Operation Polo.

Introduction

In the wake of World War II, the British government came up with a series of diplomatic measures to break the deadlock with the Indian Congress, which had embraced a policy of non-cooperation:
- Cripps Mission (1942), asserted that the British government had no intention of transferring the paramountcy of the Crown to any other entity within India.
- Wavell Plan (1945)
- Cabinet Mission (1946)
- Prime Minister Attlee's Statement (February 1947)
Princely States' demand for Sovereignty: They considered forming their own union, conceiving themselves as either sovereign entities or as an influential third force in India's political arena.
June 3rd Plan, played an integral role in clarifying the princely states' status. It was determined that the states had the freedom to choose between joining either of the two dominions, India or Pakistan. Importantly, Lord Mountbatten did not grant sovereign status to the princely states during this time.
Sardar Patel was responsible for overseeing the states' ministry within the interim cabinet, worked to secure the allegiance of the princely states to the Indian dominion. Assisted by V.P. Menon, the ministry's secretary, Patel appealed to the princely rulers, particularly in matters of defence, communication, and external affairs.
By August 15, 1947, a total of 136 princely states had joined the Indian Union.

Brief history of Hyderabad

Quli Qutb Shah had taken control from the Bahamani kingdom in 1512 and laid the foundation of the fortified city of Golconda.
In the year 1591, under the leadership of Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, Hyderabad was founded.
Aurangazeb successfully captured Golconda in 1687.
Asaf Jah I, the viceroy of Mughal empire declared himself the Nizam and established an independent rule over the Deccan. Hyderabad assumed the role of a prominent capital city, now under the successive rule of Nizams belonging to the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
In 1798, a subsidiary alliance, was forged between the Nizam and the British East India Company.

Accession of Hyderabad to Indian Union

1. Geographical and Demographic Position:

Hyderabad, a landlocked state in southeastern India, had a distinctive geographical.
Despite a predominantly Hindu population, comprising 87%, Hyderabad was under the rule of Nizam Osman Ali Khan, a Muslim ruler.
Hyderabad's political landscape was marked by the dominance of a Muslim elite, with the Muslim nobility and the influential pro-Nizam Muslim party, Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, at the forefront.

2. Demand for Independence:

In June 1947, Nizam Osman Ali Khan issued a declaration (firman) expressing Hyderabad's desire to regain its independence upon the transfer of power.
The Government of India, however, rejected this declaration, viewing it as a "legalistic claim of doubtful validity."

3. Concerns:

India argued that Hyderabad's strategic location, situated at the crossroads of the main communication routes connecting northern and southern India, had the potential to pose a threat to national security by serving foreign interests.
Therefore, as a provisional measure, a temporary Standstill Agreement was established, although Hyderabad had not yet agreed to accede to India and the agreement only assured that Hyderabad would not join Pakistan.

4. Negotiations:

Negotiations were initiated through intermediaries, with K.M. Munshi representing India and the Nizam's envoys, Laik Ali and Sir Walter Monckton, guided by Lord Mountbatten.
By December 1947, India accused Hyderabad of repeatedly violating the Standstill Agreement, while the Nizam claimed that India was blockading the state, which India denied

5. 'Heads of Agreement' Deal:

In June 1948, Lord Mountbatten proposed the 'Heads of Agreement' deal, offering Hyderabad the status of an autonomous dominion within India.
The plan outlined restrictions on Hyderabadi armed forces and the disbanding of voluntary forces.
Although the plan was approved and signed by the India, it was rejected by the Nizam, who insisted on complete independence or dominion status within the British Commonwealth.

6. International Mediations:

The Nizam attempted to seek arbitration from U.S. President Harry S. Truman and intervention from the United Nations.

7. Communist Uprising:

A communist-led uprising in Telangana, stemming from a peasant revolt in 1946 against feudal elements, escalated in 1948, creating a situation the Nizam struggled to suppress.
The Razakars, a militia affiliated with Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, supported the Muslim ruling class and carried out acts of intimidation against Hindu communities.
The state police and Razakar militia suppressed communist and peasant revolts, involving atrocities against the Hindu population, forced conversions, and the resettlement of Muslims from outside the state.

Operation Polo

The Indian Army was deployed to Hyderabad in response to the deteriorating law and order situation and the operation was referred to as a "Police Action" because it was viewed as an internal matter within India.
The Indian government was deeply concerned about the idea of Hyderabad arming itself with support from Pakistan. Sardar Patel likened the concept of an independent Hyderabad to "an ulcer in the heart of India" that required surgical removal.
This period marked the initiation of negotiations between India and Hyderabad, culminating in the annexation of Hyderabad, known as "Operation Polo" or sometimes referred to as "Operation Caterpillar."
Fearing potential reactions from other regions of India, a state of emergency was declared as 36,000 Indian troops entered Hyderabad to ensure order and stability.
Following the surrender of Hyderabad, the Nizam of Hyderabad delivered a radio address on the 23rd of September 1948.
After the annexation, the Nizam retained his position as the head of state, in line with other princely rulers who had acceded to India.
The Nizam disavowed the complaints made to the United Nations, despite protests from Pakistan and criticism from other nations. The UN Security Council did not pursue the matter further, ultimately leading to Hyderabad's integration into India.

WHO’s South East Asian Regional Office

Priorities:

Regional Committee for South-East Asia

The process of election for the regional director

About Bauxite

Bauxite in India

Bauxite Distribution in India

What is Quantum computing?

Principles of Quantum Computing:

Application of Quantum computing

What is Classical Computing?

Quantum computing vs Classical computing

Benefits of Quantum Computing:

Limitations of Quantum Computing:

What is Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?

Type of UAVs:

UAVs in India:

Application of UAVs:

Policy Framework:

New Drone Rules 2021:

Key highlights and provisions of the Drone Rules, 2021:

Reduced Compliance Burden:

Categories:

Safety and No-Fly Zones:

Easier Import Process:

Digital Sky Platform:

Promotion of Indigenous Manufacturing:

Challenges:

Positive Key features:

Issues remaining

About the UN Security Council

ABOUT HAITI

About Global Terrorism Index

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

Standards & Labelling

Hibernation

Brumation

Estivation or Aestivation

About Baba Banda Singh Bahadur

Early Life

Establishment of Khalsa Rule

Early Conquests

Mughal response and the Persecution

CAR-T cell therapy:

CAR T therapy vs other cancer treatments:

Uses:

Concerns:

Introduction

Brief history of Hyderabad

Accession of Hyderabad to Indian Union

Operation Polo

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