UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 18th August 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Subject: Important Personalities

Why in News?

Recently, the Vice President of India paid homage to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his Punya Tithi on 16^th August.

About Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee:-

• He was Prime Minister thrice in 1996, 1998-1999, and 1999-2004.
• Birth: 25, December 1924.
• Born in Gwalior, Uttar Pradesh.
• Death:16, August 2018.
• Sadaiv Atal: the Samadhi of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Political Career:-

• He was the first non-Congress PM to have finished a full term.
• He was elected 10 times to the Lok Sabha from four different States.
• He was twice a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• His birthday, December 25, is observed as Good Governance Day by the government.

Awards:-

• 2015: He was awarded India’s highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna.
• 1992: He was also awarded Padma Vibhushan.

Ideology:-

• He advocated and practiced positive nationalism.
• He proudly took Hindi to the UN first time and spoke it in the General Assembly.

Important Initiatives:-

• He conducted the nuclear test in Pokhran in 1998.
• He himself rode a bus to Lahore in 1999 for Indo-Pak peace.
• He initiated the Delhi Metro rail as a mass transit system.
• He brought in National Highway Development Project leading to East West North South Corridor or the Golden Quadrilateral.
• He envisaged and executed the first round of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana which connected rural India greatly.
• The New Telecom Policy of 1999 brought in by him was also a crucial part of the Indian telecom revolution.

 Flagship Policy Initiatives:-

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Launched in 2000-2001 to provide free and compulsory education to children between 6 to 14 years.
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: it was launched on 25th December 2000 to provide all-weather access to unconnected habitations.
• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: these conventions are being held every year since 2003.

Source: PIB

Madan Lal Dhingra and his Contributions

Subject: Modern India 

Why in News?

On the 114th anniversary of his execution, a memorial is being formally inaugurated in honour of Madan Lal Dhingra.

Who was Madan Lal Dhingra?

• Early Life: Born on September 18, 1883, in an affluent family in Amritsar, Dhingra’s father was a staunch British loyalist, working as a chief medical officer.
• Shift towards Nationalism: Dhingra’s exposure to the nationalist movement in Lahore during his studies ignited his patriotism.
• Socio-Economic Concerns: Driven by a sense of justice and concern for India’s impoverished masses, Dhingra’s patriotism extended to socio-economic issues.
• Expulsion and Resilience: Expelled from college for protesting against the use of British-imported cloth, Dhingra’s defiance marked his commitment to the cause.

Involvement in Revolutionary Circles

• Contact with Leaders: Dhingra connected with prominent figures like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Shyamji Krishna Varma, active in London’s revolutionary circles.
• India House: Dhingra frequented India House, a hub for revolutionary Indian nationalism founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma, further igniting his revolutionary spirit.
• Abhinav Bharat Mandal: Dhingra joined Abhinav Bharat Mandal founded by Vinayak Savarkar, where he refined his plan to assassinate Curzon Wyllie.

Assassination of Curzon Wyllie

• Curzon Wyllie’s Profile: Curzon Wyllie was a British Indian officer and intelligence officer known for collecting information on revolutionaries.
• The Assassination: On July 1, 1909, Dhingra attended an event where Curzon Wyllie was present. Dhingra fired five shots, fatally hitting both Curzon Wyllie and a doctor who tried to intervene.
• Dhingra’s Justification: During his trial, Dhingra argued that if fighting Germans was patriotic for an Englishman, fighting the British was even more justifiable for him.

Legacy and Memorial

• Execution and Burial: Dhingra was found guilty, executed on August 17, 1909, and buried in London. His remains were brought to India in 1976.
• Struggle for a Memorial: A memorial in Dhingra’s name has been a long-standing demand. The efforts culminated in the formal inauguration of the memorial on the 114th anniversary of his execution.
• Memorial Inauguration: The memorial was inaugurated by Governor Banwari Lal Purohit on August 17, 2023, in Amritsar’s Golbagh area.
• Memorial’s Significance: The memorial stands as a tribute to Dhingra’s sacrifice and his role in the fight for India’s freedom.

Source: Indian Express

GS-II

Is there a need to replace the IPC, the CrPC and the Evidence Act?

Subject: Polity and Governance

Why in News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has put forth three significant bills for consideration in the Lok Sabha, aiming to overhaul India’s criminal justice system.

Central idea

• The proposed legislation includes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill. The introduction of these bills has sparked a spirited debate regarding the necessity of these reforms, the perceived misuse of existing laws, and the potential implications of the proposed amendments.

What is the proposed legislation?

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill:
• This bill aims to replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860.
• The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill seeks to update and modernize the criminal laws to better reflect evolving societal values and democratic aspirations.
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill:
• This bill is intended to supersede the current Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973.
• The proposed bill aims to reform these procedures and streamline the criminal justice process.
• Bharatiya Sakshya Bill:
• This bill aims to replace the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.
• The proposed Bharatiya Sakshya Bill seeks to modernize and adapt these rules to the contemporary legal landscape.

How are the new Bills different from the prevalent laws?

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) Replacement (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill):
  • The existing IPC, enacted in 1860, is considered operational but might not adequately reflect changing values and democratic aspirations.
  • The proposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill seeks to update the IPC, with amendments to 175 sections, the addition of eight new sections, and the repeal of 22 sections.
  • The aim is to align the criminal laws with contemporary socio-economic and political realities.
• Code of Criminal Procedure Replacement (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill):
  • The current Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was established in 1973.
  • The new Bill introduces significant changes, including extending the period of detention without charges to 90 days.
  • New discretionary powers are granted to law enforcement, such as the ‘right to handcuff,’ which was previously uncommon in India.
  • The new CrPC introduces provisions that could legitimize encounters and violence during arrests.
  • Amendments in the new CrPC appear to move in the opposite direction of global criminal justice jurisprudence by extending detention periods, contrary to shorter periods adopted in other countries.
• Indian Evidence Act Replacement (Bharatiya Sakshya Bill):
  • The Indian Evidence Act of 1872 is being replaced by the proposed Bharatiya Sakshya Bill.
  • The changes in the evidence law aim to modernize the rules and principles for the admissibility of evidence in court proceedings.

What are the similarities between the existing laws and the new Bills?

• Continuation of Existing Practices:
  • The new Bills maintain many existing practices in the current legal framework, endorsing and legitimizing established procedures and norms.
• Detention and Criminal Offenses:
  • The new CrPC maintains the practice of detention without charges.
  • Both the existing laws and the new Bills address various criminal offenses, albeit with potential changes in definitions and terminology.
• Continued Concerns:
  • Both the existing laws and the new Bills raise concerns about the potential misuse and abuse of certain provisions. For instance, concerns are raised about expanded discretionary powers granted to law enforcement as well as potential ambiguities in the new definitions of offenses.
• Gendered Provisions:
  • The existing laws and the new Bills both highlight gendered provisions. For example, the new rape provisions are said to be gendered and apply specifically to women, possibly excluding other scenarios.

Concerns raised over the new bills

• Detention Period Extension:
  • One of the prominent concerns is the extension of the detention period without charges from the current duration to 90 days in the proposed Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) Bill.
  • This longer detention period raises apprehensions about potential misuse and human rights violations, particularly in cases where individuals may be held without sufficient evidence.
• Discretionary Powers for Law Enforcement:
  • The introduction of discretionary powers, such as the ‘right to handcuff,’ to law enforcement officers under the new CrPC raises ethical and practical concerns.
  • These discretionary powers might lead to potential misuse, undermining individual rights, and potentially legitimizing violence during arrests.
• Gendered Provisions:
  • The gendered nature of certain provisions in the new Bills is a concern. For instance, the new rape provisions apply specifically to women.
  • This approach may exclude scenarios involving sexual offenses between men and women and may not adequately address the full range of potential cases.
• Broad Definitions and Ambiguity:
  • The broad and vague definitions introduced in the new Bills for offenses like sedition, subversive activities, and terrorist acts are sources of concern.
  • These vague definitions can lead to ambiguity in legal interpretations and may potentially infringe on individuals’ rights due to overreach.
• Repeal and Revocation of Sections:
  • The complete repeal and revocation of certain sections without retaining core legal principles raises concerns about the continuity of established legal precedents.
  • This discontinuity could create confusion and disrupt legal processes, particularly in the transition period.
• Impact on Minority Rights:
  • The new Bills, with provisions like the ‘Love Jihad’ offense, raise concerns about their potential impact on minority rights and freedom of choice.
  • Such provisions might disproportionately affect certain communities and could be seen as invasive and discriminatory.
• Lack of Public Participation:
  • Concerns are voiced over the pace at which the new Bills are being introduced, with experts emphasizing the importance of seeking public input and feedback before making sweeping changes to the legal framework.
• Overarching Disruption:
  • The introduction of such comprehensive changes in a relatively short span of time might lead to disruption in the legal system and raise challenges for law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and the public.

What are the welcome changes in the new Bills?

• Definition of Terrorism and Organized Crime:
  • The new Bills introduce a clear definition of terrorism and organized crime, address the evolving nature of criminal activities, and align the legal framework with contemporary challenges.
• Expedited Trial Process:
  • The new Bills propose measures to expedite the trial process by setting a limit of 30 days for concluding judgments and allowing only two adjournments.
  • These measures aim to prevent unnecessary delays in delivering justice.
• Mob Lynching as a Separate Offense:
  • The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill defines mob lynching as an offense, underscoring the importance of addressing violence perpetuated by mobs and providing stricter punishment for such crimes.
• Stricter Punishment for Crimes Against Women:
  • The new Bills propose stricter punishment for crimes against women, reflecting a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of women.
• Petty Offenses and Timely Trials:
  • A provision in the new Bills suggests that trials for petty offenses should be concluded within six months; otherwise, the accused will not be tried.
  • This provision aims to streamline the legal process and reduce the backlog of cases.
• Recognition of Changing Political and Social Debates:
  • The inclusion of offenses like love Jihad and specific provisions related to mob lynching in the new Bills demonstrates an effort to address issues that have emerged in recent political and social debates.
• Organized Crime and Community Service:
  • The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill introduces provisions related to organized crime and community service, indicating a comprehensive approach to addressing diverse criminal activities and emphasizing societal responsibility.
• Adaptation to Contemporary Needs:
  • The proposed changes reflect an effort to modernize the legal framework to align with the evolving socio-economic and political landscape.

Way forward

• Public Participation and Feedback: Open the proposed Bills for public input and discussions to incorporate diverse perspectives, ensuring that the laws are comprehensive and well-rounded.
• Address Concerns and Ambiguities: Carefully address concerns regarding potential misuse, gendered provisions, and ambiguity in definitions to create clear, equitable, and just laws.
• Balancing Rights and Security: Strike a balance between safeguarding individual rights and ensuring law enforcement effectiveness when granting discretionary powers.
• Expert Involvement: Engage legal experts, scholars, and human rights activists to provide insights and ensure a thorough understanding of potential implications.
• Gradual Implementation and Monitoring: Implement proposed changes incrementally to minimize disruptions and establish a robust monitoring system to evaluate their impact and address issues as they arise.

Conclusion

• While updating and adapting laws to changing societal values is required, it is crucial to underline the importance of thoughtful and balanced reforms that safeguard individual rights and prevent misuse. As these Bills continue to garner attention and feedback from the public, legal professionals, and lawmakers, it remains to be seen how these transformative changes will shape the future of India’s legal landscape.

Source: The Hindu

What is Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme?

Subject: Government Schemes

Why in News?

The Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) added 20.27 lakh new members under the Employees State Insurance Scheme in June.

About Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme:

• It is a social security scheme offered by the Government of India as per the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948.
• It is administered by a statutory corporate body called the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
• The scheme provides protection to employees against disablement/death due to employment injury, sickness, and maternity.
• Applicability:
  • The ESI Scheme applies to factories and other establishment's Road Transport, Hotels, Restaurants, Cinemas, Newspaper, Shops, and Educational/Medical Institutions wherein 10 or more persons are employed.
  • However, in some States threshold limit for coverage of establishments is still 20. 
  • It is the employer's legal responsibility to register their factory/ establishment under the ESI Act within 15 days of its applicability to them.
• Wage Limit:
  • The existing wage limit for coverage under the Act is Rs.21,000/- per month (25000/- per month in the case of Persons with Disability).
  • It is the employer's responsibility to enroll eligible employees in the ESI program.
• How are contributions made?
  • This is a self-financing scheme, where the employees and the employers make regular monthly contributions to the scheme at a certain percentage of their wages.
  • As of now, covered employees contribute 0.75% of the wages, whereas the employers contribute 3.25% of the wages, payable to their employees.
  • Employees earning less than Rs. 137/- a day as daily wages are exempted from payment of their share of contribution.
  • The State Governments, as per provisions of the Act, contribute 1/8th of the expenditure of medical benefits within a per capita ceiling of Rs. 1500/- per Insured Person per annum.
• The main benefits provided under ESI Scheme are:
  • Sickness Benefit: During medical leave, the scheme offers cash flow during the said period. The worker can avail 70% of the daily wage for a maximum of 91 days. This can be availed in two consecutive periods.
  • Disablement Benefit: In case of temporary disablement of the worker, they are eligible for a monthly wage of 90% until they recover. In the case of permanent disability, 90% of the monthly wage can be availed for the entire life.
  • Dependants’ Benefit: Paid at the rate of 90% of wage in the form of monthly payment to the dependants of a deceased Insured person in cases where death occurs due to employment injury or occupational hazards.
  • Maternity Benefit: The beneficiary can avail 100% of the daily wages for up to 26 weeks, which can be extended to a further one month based on the medical advice. In the case of miscarriage, the benefit is 6 weeks, while in the case of adoption it is 12 weeks.
  • Medical Benefit: Under the scheme, the insured’s medical expenses are covered through affordable and reasonable healthcare facilities.
  • Besides the above, other benefits being provided to the beneficiaries are Confinement Expenses, Funeral Expenses, Vocational Rehabilitation, Physical Rehabilitation, Unemployment Allowance (RGSKY) and Skill Upgradation Training.
• Employee's insurance number remains the same as long as he or she remains within the ESIC wage limit. Changing jobs will not affect an employee's insurance status, and his or her insurance number will remain the same.

Source: Business Standard

Pradhan Mantri Museum and Library (PMML)

Subject: Government Schemes

Why in News?

The Nehru Memorial Museum & Library (NMML) Society has been renamed to Pradhan Mantri Museum and Library (PMML) Society.

About Pradhan Mantri Museum and Library (PMML) S:-

• Designed by: Robert Tor Russel.
• Ministry: Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Location: New Delhi.
  • It is located in the historic Teen Murti campus located south of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
• It is an autonomous institution.
• Objective: promoting advanced research on Modern and Contemporary India.
• Administration: The General Council and the President and Vice-President of the PMML Society are nominated by the Central Government.

Historical Background:-

• It was built in 1929-30 as part of Edwin Lutyens’ imperial capital.
• Teen Murti House was the official residence of the Commander-in-Chief in India.
• 1948: after the departure of the last British Commander-in-Chief, Teen Murti House became the official residence of independent India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who lived here for sixteen years until his death on May 27, 1964.
• 1964: On Jawaharlal Nehru’s 75th birth anniversary on November 14, 1964, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, President of India, formally dedicated the Teen Murti House to the nation as the Nehru Memorial Museum.
• 1966: On 1 April 1966, the Government set up the Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) Society to manage the institution.

Major Constituents:-

It has four major constituents, namely:-

• Memorial Museum
• Library on modern India
• Centre for Contemporary Studies 
• Nehru Planetarium

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Organoid Intelligence: Biology and the future of computing

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

By utilizing brain organoids derived from stem cells, Organoid Intelligence (OI) seeks to explore new frontiers in information processing, offering potential breakthroughs in understanding brain functionality, learning, and memory.

Central Idea

• In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought forth remarkable technological advancements. Yet, the realm of cognitive computing is being further extended by Organoid Intelligence (OI), a burgeoning interdisciplinary domain that envisions innovative biocomputing models.

What is an Organoid?

• An organoid is a specialized type of tissue culture that is generated from stem cells and intended to mimic the structure and function of specific organs.
• These three-dimensional structures are cultivated in vitro, or outside the body, under controlled conditions that attempt to recreate the microenvironment of the target organ.
• The term organoid encompasses diverse structures that imitate different organs or tissues.

What is Organoid Intelligence (OI)?

• Organoid Intelligence is an emerging multidisciplinary field that merges the realms of biology and computing to explore the potential of using brain organoids to achieve cognitive capabilities and enhance our understanding of brain function.
• This novel concept envisions harnessing the unique properties of brain organoids, which mimic certain aspects of brain structure and function, to develop biocomputing models that could process information and potentially exhibit rudimentary cognitive abilities.

Potential applications of OI

• Cognitive Computing: Integrating brain organoids and computation for information processing and adaptive learning.
• Disease Modeling and Drug Testing: Using organoids to simulate diseases, test treatments, and study cognitive aspects.
• Understanding Brain Development: Analyzing Organoids to grasp early brain stages and cellular memory processes.
• Personalized Brain Organoids: Tailoring organoids to study genetics, medicine, and cognitive conditions.
• Advantages over Traditional Computing: Exploring organoids’ capabilities for intricate data tasks and energy-efficient processing.
• Biocomputers and Energy Efficiency: Developing faster, greener biocomputers with brain organoids.
• Ethical Considerations: Addressing ethical concerns like informed consent, gene editing rules, and inclusive access.
• Sustainable Alternatives: Offering eco-friendly options for intensive cognitive tasks and learning, amidst technology advancement.

Case Study: DishBrain System Experiment

• The DishBrain system stands as a compelling case study illustrating the application of Organoid Intelligence (OI). This innovative experiment, led by a team of researchers from Cortical Labs in Melbourne, demonstrates the integration of brain organoids with computational systems to achieve rudimentary cognitive capabilities.
• Experiment Overview:
• Brain Organoid Culturing: The researchers cultivated brain organoids, which are complex three-dimensional structures derived from stem cells. These organoids simulate certain aspects of brain development and function.
• In Silico Integration: Brain organoids were interfaced with computational simulations and algorithms through in silico computing. This integration aimed to enable enhanced neural processing and cognitive functions.
• Gameplay: Pong’: The brain organoids were trained to engage in the classic video game Pong. They were programmed to respond to key in-game variables, such as the movement of the virtual ball.
• Learning Mechanism: When the brain organoids failed to respond correctly in the game, the system provided feedback in the form of electrical pulses. This approach mimics the concept of reinforcement learning observed in living organisms.
• Application of the Free-Energy Principle: In the absence of real-time incentive systems like dopamine pathways, the researchers employed the free-energy principle. This principle suggests that living systems strive to minimize unpredictability. Brain organoids adapted their behavior to make the game environment more predictable.
• Key Outcomes: Within an astonishingly short span of five minutes, the brain organoids demonstrated signs of learning in response to the game stimuli. The utilization of the free-energy principle showcased the potential to guide the behavior of brain organoids using computational principles, driving them toward predictable responses.

Challenges and ethical considerations associated with Organoid Intelligence

• Challenges:
  • Technological Advancements: Scaling up brain organoids and enhancing their cognitive capacities pose significant technical hurdles. Developing more sophisticated blood flow systems and introducing diverse cell types are among the challenges.
  • Complexity of Learning: Despite promising results, achieving advanced cognitive capabilities in brain organoids remains a complex task. Imitating the intricacies of learning and memory seen in human brains is a challenge that requires further research.
  • Gap in Knowledge: There are aspects of OI technology that are yet to be fully understood and developed. This includes improving memory storage mechanisms within brain organoids to enable more complex cognitive functions.
• Ethical Considerations:
  • Informed Consent: Obtaining voluntary informed consent for cell donation is crucial to upholding donors’ rights and dignity.
  • Selection Bias and Discrimination: Preventing selection biases during organoid development is essential to avoid potential discrimination risks and ensure neurodiversity.
  • Gene Editing Regulations: Balancing commercial interests with ethical gene editing regulations is necessary to ensure the responsible and ethical culturing of brain organoids.
  • Data Sharing and Open Access: Ensuring data sharing and open access to OI technology promotes inclusivity and diverse knowledge generation.
  • Stakeholder-Informed Regulations: Developing regulations for the ethical use of OI technology requires stakeholder input to ensure responsible applications.
  • Consciousness and Suffering Concerns: Ethical concerns range from the potential consciousness of brain organoids to addressing the possibility of suffering in these bioengineered systems.

Technological Advancements and Future Prospects

• Scaling up brain organoids, introducing diverse cell types, and enhancing memory storage are essential steps for augmenting OI’s cognitive potential.
• A 100-fold increase in the number of cells could yield complex cognitive capabilities, necessitating innovations in blood flow systems and cell diversity incorporation.
• The rudimentary success of DishBrain’s Pong experiment signifies the journey towards intelligence through OI.
• Although complete realization is distant, the limitations of current AI and silicon technologies in complex cognition, learning, and energy efficiency emphasize the urgency to explore sustainable alternatives.

Conclusion

• Through brain organoids, researchers are poised to unlock an unprecedented understanding of cognitive processes and revolutionize the ways we approach learning, memory, and neurological disorders. As OI advances, navigating ethical considerations and embracing technological innovations will be pivotal in ensuring a responsible and impactful journey toward an era of more sustainable and intelligent computing solutions.

Source: Indian Express

Antimicrobial Resistance and Air Pollution

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

According to the Lancet Planetary Journal, Air laden with unhealthy amounts of PM2.5 can become a highway for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes.

About Antimicrobials and Anti-microbial resistance:

• Antimicrobials – including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics – are medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
• As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.

Factors that accelerates the emergence and spread of AMR:

• AMR occurs naturally over time, usually through genetic changes. Antimicrobial resistant organisms are found in people, animals, food, plants and the environment (in water, soil and air).
• They can spread from person to person or between people and animals, including from food of animal origin.
• The main drivers of antimicrobial resistance include the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials; lack of access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for both humans and animals; poor infection and disease prevention and control in health-care facilities and farms; poor access to quality, affordable medicines, vaccines and diagnostics; lack of awareness and knowledge; and lack of enforcement of legislation.

AMR in India

• Data show that India leads the world in antibiotic use.
• The indiscriminate use of antibiotics among people and animals, poor hygiene and sanitation, and lack of awareness have fueled this rise.
• The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these issues, together with a surge in the sales of antibiotics to treat bronchitis and pneumonia.
• The higher circulation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) across humans, animals, and environments also creates new transmission pathways.
• A 2019 study found India’s rivers and lakes to be concentrated with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Pharmaceutical wastewater and untreated effluents from hospitals were the root causes.

Particulate Matter (PM):

• Particulate matter (PM) are inhalable and respirable particles composed of sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water.
• PM 2.5 refers to tiny particles or droplets in the air that are 2 ½ microns or less in width.
• Sources: The most common human-made sources include internal combustion engines, power generation, industrial processes, agricultural processes, construction, and residential wood and coal burning.
• The most common natural sources for PM2.5 are dust storms, sandstorms, and wildfires. 

Relation between PM and AMR

• The authors of the journal have found that every 10% rise in air pollution was correlated with an AMR increase of 1.1% across countries and continents.
• 5 emissions from burning firewood in homes for cooking or heating could carry bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes, be transmitted over long distances, and eventually be inhaled by individuals.
• 5 is known to penetrate the body’s defences and enter the bloodstream and lungs – a symptom associated with chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and asthma.
• The analysis found that the contribution of PM2.5 to AMR was found to be greater than that of antibiotic use or due to drinking water.

Issues

• Difficulty in treating infections: Microbial resistance to antibiotics has made it harder to treat infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB), blood-poisoning (septicaemia) and several food-borne diseases.
• Rising health cost: AMR also imposes a huge health cost on the patient in the form of longer hospitalisation, health complications and delayed recovery.
  • AMR adds to the burden of communicable diseases and strains the health systems of a country.
• Other patients also at risk: It puts patients undergoing major surgeries and treatments, such as chemotherapy, at a greater risk.
  • Many times, patients recover from advanced medical procedures but succumb to untreatable infections.
• Antimicrobials in the agri-food system: There is also an urgent need to reduce the usage of antimicrobials in the agri-food system.
  • Scientific evidence suggests that the less antimicrobials are used, it is less likely that there will be an emergence of drug resistance.

Measures Taken to Rising Antimicrobial Resistance in India:

• National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR): It has a focus on the One Health approach and was launched with the aim of involving various stakeholders’ ministries/departments.
• AMR Surveillance Network: ICMR established the AMR surveillance and research network (AMRSN) to generate evidence and capture trends and patterns of drug resistant infections in the country.
• AMR Research and International Collaboration: ICMR has taken initiatives to develop new drugs /medicines through international collaborations in order to strengthen medical research in AMR.
• India’s National Action Plan for containment of AMR: It focuses on an integrated One Health approach and involves coordination at the state, national and international levels.
• Key priority of National Health Policy 2017: In its National Health Policy 2017, India has identified managing AMR as a key priority and since then the health ministry has taken several initiatives to nip the epidemic that is growing fast globally.

WHO Initiatives at the global level:

• Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP)
• World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW)
• The Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS)

Source: DTE

National Supercomputing Mission

Subject: Science and Technology

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet recently approved an outlay of ₹ 14,903 crore for the extension of the Digital India programme, which also proposes nine more supercomputers to be added under the National Super Computer Mission.

About National Supercomputing Mission:

• It was launched in 2015 to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups.
• The Mission is steered jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. 
• The main objectives of the mission are:
  • Make India a world leader in High-Performance Computing (HPC) and enhance the national capability in solving grand challenge problems of national and global relevance.
  • Empower scientists & researchers with state-of-the-art computing facilities for their cutting-edge research in their respective Domains.
  • Reduce redundancies and avoid duplication of efforts and investments.
  • Create an ecosystem for positioning India as a major power for supercomputing and attain global competitiveness and self-reliance in HPC.
• The Mission envisages empowering academic and R&D institutions spread over the country by installing a vast supercomputing grid comprising of more than 70 HPC facilities.
• These supercomputers will also be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN).The NKN is another programme of the government which connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high speed network. 
• Academic and R&D institutions, as well as key user departments/ministries, would participate by using these facilities and developing applications of national relevance.
• The Mission also includes the development of highly professional and skilled human resources for meeting the challenges of development of these applications.

Indian supercomputers in the Top 500 Global Supercomputing List:

• The AI Supercomputer ‘AIRAWAT’, installed at C-DAC, Pune, has been ranked at 75.
• PARAM Siddhi-AI supercomputer installed at C-DAC, Pune, has been ranked at 131.
• Pratyush supercomputer installed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has been ranked at 169.
• Mihir supercomputer installed at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting has been ranked at No. 316.

Source: Times of India