UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 11th September 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS2/India-UAE relation

UAE-India ties are rooted in affinity, trust, and respect

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

During Sheikh Khaled's recent visit, new cooperation agreements were signed, highlighting a shared commitment to advancing key sectors such as civil nuclear technology and renewable energy.

Evolving Bilateral Relations

• In 1972: India and the UAE officially started their relationship when they set up diplomatic ties in 1972. This connection has grown over time with important visits and agreements. 
• In 2015: A significant step forward occurred when India's Prime Minister visited the UAE in August 2015. This visit marked the start of a new strategic partnership between the two nations. 
• In 2017: The relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017. This change took place during the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India, where he was the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in January. 
• The UAE is India's third-largest trading partner and a key source of investment. 
• Currently, the UAE is home to over 3.5 million Indian expatriates, which helps to strengthen both cultural ties and economic cooperation between the two countries. 

Present Scenario of Strategic Development

• Trade and Investment Growth: Bilateral trade reached around USD 85 billion in 2022-23, with plans to boost it to USD 100 billion by 2030.
• UAE Investments: The UAE has become a major investor in India, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the UAE rising to USD 3.35 billion in FY23.
• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): India and the UAE signed a CEPA in February 2022, making India the first nation to secure such a deal with the UAE. This agreement resulted in a 15% increase in bilateral trade within its first year.
• Regional Cooperation: India and the UAE are actively involved in various regional groups and initiatives like I2U2 and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), showing their shared interests and strategic partnership.
• Energy Cooperation: The UAE is essential for India’s energy security, with important oil reserves stored in India.
• Fintech Collaboration: Since August 2019, the RuPay card, which is India’s domestic payment card network, has been accepted at 21 businesses and 5,000 ATMs throughout the UAE, making it the first Gulf country to adopt this Indian payment system.
• Cultural Connections: India was the Guest of Honour at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair in 2019. Indian cinema, TV, and radio channels are widely available and have a strong viewership.
• Educational Influence: The opening of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi’s campus in Abu Dhabi marks a key milestone, highlighting India’s growing impact in education within the UAE.

Challenges in India-UAE Relations

• Labor Rights and Kafala System: Concerns regarding the treatment of Indian expatriates under the Kafala labor system necessitate diplomatic engagement to improve labor rights and welfare.
• Geopolitical Balancing: As India strengthens its ties with the UAE, it must navigate its relationships with other Gulf nations and maintain a balanced approach to regional conflicts, such as the Chinese market dominance and the Israel-Palestine issue.
• Economic Diversification: While trade is growing, there is a need to diversify economic cooperation beyond traditional sectors like energy and real estate to include technology and innovation.

Way forward

• Strengthen Labor Rights Cooperation: India and the UAE should engage in continuous diplomatic dialogues to reform labor practices, improving the welfare and rights of Indian expatriates under the Kafala system, and ensuring a more humane and fair working environment.
• Diversify Economic and Strategic Cooperation: Both countries should focus on expanding collaboration into emerging sectors such as technology, innovation, and renewable energy while maintaining geopolitical neutrality and balancing relations with other Gulf nations.

GS1/Government Policies & Interventions

Punjab's Strategic Push Against Stubble Burning

Source: TOI

Why in News?

Punjab is stepping up efforts to tackle stubble burning by providing subsidized crop residue management (CRM) machines and supporting the import of Baler Machines.

About

• Punjab aims to manage 20 million metric tonnes of paddy residue by increasing both in-situ and ex-situCrop Residue Management (CRM) practices. 
• Last year's stubble burning incidents dropped to 35,000, a decrease from levels before Covid. 
• The state plans to distribute 22,000 subsidized CRM machines this season, adding to the 130,000 that have already been provided since 2018. 
• Individual farmers will receive a 50% subsidy on CRM equipment, while cooperative societies, Farmer Producer Organizations, and panchayats can access an 80% subsidy. 
• Following Supreme Court directives in November 2023, the state government implemented strict measures, including disciplinary actions against police officers and fines for violations. 
  • The Supreme Court urged neighboring states of Delhi (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan) to take immediate action against stubble burning. 
  • The Court directed state governments to stop crop burning right away, emphasizing that the fight against stubble burning should not be political and should focus on public health, ecology, and sustainable agriculture. 

GSII/Government Policies & Interventions

Indigenous Mpox Detection RT-PCR kit Developed

Source: IE

Why in News?

India has recently developed a homegrown Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing kit for detecting Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.

About

• These kits are created by Siemens Healthcare, Transasia Diagnostics, and JITM C Genes, and they have been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). 
• The new RT-PCR kits give results in 40 minutes, which is much faster than traditional methods that take one to two hours. 
• These RT-PCR kits can detect both clade I and clade II variants. 
• Mpox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. There are two main types known as clade I and clade II. 
• It was first found in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
• Mpox spreads through close contact, which includes: 
  • Skin-to-skin contact
  • Face-to-face interactions
  • Contact from mouth to mouth or mouth to skin
• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) twice: 
  • First in May 2022
  • Second in August 2024
• The initial cases of Mpox in India were reported in 2022. 

GSIII/Government Policies & Interventions

Differential Benefits of Rural Electrification

Source: TH

Why in News?

A recent study based on the 2011 census analyzed the impact of the 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY)', a program launched to electrify over 400,000 villages across India. Initially introduced in 2005, RGGVY was renamed the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in 2014.

What are the Key Highlights of the Study?

• Larger villages (around 2,000 people) gained much more economic benefits from being fully electrified compared to smaller villages (about 300 people). 
  • Smaller villages saw a "zero return" on their electrification investment even after 20 years. 
  • In contrast, larger villages enjoyed a much higher return of 33%, with a 90% chance that the economic benefits would exceed the costs of electrification. 
• Regarding per-capita monthly expenditure, smaller villages exhibited only slight changes after getting electricity, suggesting limited economic improvement. 
  • Conversely, larger villages experienced a significant rise in their per-capita monthly expenditure, which doubled due to full electrification, increasing by about Rs 1,428 (around USD 17) each month. 

What is Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)?

• This is a rural electrification program initiated by the Ministry of Power (MoP). Its goal is to provide a reliable 24x7 electricity supply to rural regions, supporting the government’s larger mission of ensuring energy access for everyone.

• Components of the DDUGJY

  • Fair Distribution: Ensures that electricity is fairly distributed to both agricultural and non-agricultural users.
  • Metering: Involves installing meters on distribution transformers, feeders, and consumers to lower electricity losses and boost efficiency.
  • Microgrid and Off-grid Establishment: Aims to set up systems that provide electricity to remote and isolated communities.

• Nodal Agency

• The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) acts as the main agency in charge of carrying out the DDUGJY, working under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Power.

What are Other Initiatives for Electrification?

• Saubhagya Scheme
• Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)
• Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY)
• GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) App

GSIII/Science Tech

The grave threat from AMR

Source: The Indian Express

Why in News?

Before the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance, the WHO released its inaugural guidance on antibiotic pollution from manufacturing.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Why is it a Cause for Concern?

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when germs change in a way that allows them to live even when antimicrobial drugs are present. This means that common treatments no longer work. 
• The main cause of AMR is the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. When antibiotics are used too much or not as directed, it can lead to the creation of germs that are resistant, often referred to as "superbugs."
• The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the growth and spread of AMR can seriously reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics worldwide. 
• This situation can have a big impact on healthcare outcomes, particularly for patients who have multiple health issues.

Why is AMR Increasing?
Several factors contribute to the increasing rates of AMR in India:

• Self-medication: Many individuals self-prescribe antibiotics for conditions like fever without proper medical consultation, often for viral infections where antibiotics are ineffective.
• Prescribing habits: A significant percentage of antibiotics are prescribed not for treating infections but for prevention. Doctors often resort to broad-spectrum antibiotics without conducting necessary diagnostic tests, leading to inappropriate usage.
• Lack of regulation: The management of pharmaceutical waste from antibiotic manufacturing is largely unregulated, contributing to environmental pollution and the spread of resistant bacteria.

What needs to be done?

• Prevention of Infections: Implementing better hygiene practices, improving sanitation, and promoting vaccinations can help reduce the incidence of infections, thereby decreasing the reliance on antibiotics.
• Education for Healthcare Providers: Train doctors to prescribe antibiotics judiciously, reserve stronger antibiotics for hospital patients, and emphasise the importance of diagnostic testing, which can help ensure appropriate antibiotic use.
• Regulatory Improvements: Strengthening regulations around antibiotic manufacturing and waste management is crucial for controlling antibiotic pollution and preventing the emergence of resistant strains.

GSII/Governance

On ANI’s defamation suit against Wikipedia

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The news agency ANI has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation due to a description on the site that depicted the agency as a promoter of government propaganda.

Why has the news agency ANI filed a lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation?

• ANI has initiated a defamation lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation regarding how the agency is portrayed on Wikipedia. 
• The Wikipedia page claims that ANI acts as a “propaganda tool” for the Indian government, referencing sources such as The Diplomat, EU DisinfoLab, and The Caravan magazine. 
• ANI argues that these statements are damaging to their reputation and is pursuing ₹2 crore in damages from the Wikimedia Foundation. 
• Wikipedia has guidelines that stress the importance of neutrality and using reliable sources, but it frequently faces accusations of having a liberal bias. 
• OpIndia claims that Wikipedia promotes liberal “propaganda” and has criticized the site for its portrayal of riots, suggesting it minimizes the actions of Muslim rioters. 
• Wikipedia has been criticized by the government for vandalism, like incidents on Arshdeep Singh's page. 
• Unlike social media platforms, Wikipedia does not have a blocking procedure under Indian law. 

What has the Delhi High Court asked the Foundation to reveal?

• The Delhi High Court ordered the Wikimedia Foundation to provide details about the users who edited ANI’s Wikipedia page. Specifically, the court asks for information about three users involved in the contentious edits.
• The suit invokes provisions of the Information Technology Act, particularly Section 79, which outlines the responsibilities of intermediaries like Wikipedia.
• Section 79 provides a framework for the exemption from liability for intermediaries in India regarding third-party content.
• Justice Navin Chawla has issued a notice to Wikipedia and scheduled the next hearing for August 20, 2024. The court has acknowledged the right of Wikipedia to express opinions but will examine whether the claims made about ANI are backed by facts.

Will Wikipedia be blocked in India?

• During the case hearing, the Delhi High Court judge verbally threatened to order the Indian government to block Wikipedia if the Wikimedia Foundation did not comply with its request for user information.
• Although Wikipedia has faced censorship in countries like China and partial censorship in Russia, it has not yet been blocked in India. However, the current legal proceedings could lead to a similar action if compliance is not met.

Conclusion
The Indian government should ensure that any legal actions respect user privacy rights while compelling platforms like Wikimedia to cooperate with legitimate legal requests for information, balancing transparency with data protection laws.

GSIII/Enviro & Biodiversity

What is Wallace Line?

Source: The Financial Express

Why in News?

The Wallace Line, a notable boundary between Asia and Australia, has intrigued researchers for a long time because of its distinctive features.

What is Wallace Line?

• What is it?
  The Wallace Line is a biogeographical boundary that separates the eco-zones of Asia and Australia. Identified by British explorer Alfred Russel Wallace in 1863, it marks a distinct transition zone. 
• This imaginary line runs through the Lombok Strait between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok and continues north through the Makassar Strait between Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sulawesi.

Unique Features

• Divides species with different evolutionary histories.
• Asiatic species, such as tigers and elephants, are found to the west of the line, while Australian fauna like kangaroos and marsupials dominate the east.
• Despite the geographical closeness of these regions, species evolved separately on either side of the line.

Impact on Wildlife

• Birds and mammals are particularly affected, with few species crossing the boundary.
• Flora is less impacted, though species like Eucalyptus are found exclusively on the Australian side.

Impact on Marine Species

• The Wallace Line acts as a barrier for terrestrial species but not for marine life.
• The region between the Wallace Line and the Sahul Shelf (near Australia) is known as the Coral Triangle, the world's most biodiverse marine environment.

Formation

• The Wallace Line formed as a result of Australia’s drift from Antarctica and its collision with Asia about 35 million years ago.
• Climate shifts led to a cooler, drier Australia and a tropical Asia.
• This collision created a deep-water channel that continues to act as a barrier for species migration.

Influence of the Pleistocene Epoch

• During the Pleistocene epoch, lower sea levels exposed land bridges.
• Despite these changes, deep waters between Asia and Australia still prevented species migration, maintaining the Wallace Line as a natural boundary.

GSII/Governance

Shabd Portal provides technical terms in 22 Indian languages

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT), part of the Union Education Ministry, has introduced a new website, shabd.education.gov.in, offering technical terms in all 22 official Indian languages.

About the Shabd Portal

• The portal aims to serve as a central repository for technical terminologies across Indian languages, hosting glossaries from CSTT as well as other institutions and agencies.
• The portal currently hosts 450 dictionaries comprising 3 million words, making it a vast resource for users seeking scientific and technical terms in Indian languages.
• Search Features:
  • Users can search for equivalent terms by language, subject, dictionary type, or language pairs.
  • Specific searches can also be made within a particular glossary or across the entire collection.
  • The platform also allows users to provide feedback on the terms prepared by the CSTT.

Significance of the Portal

• The launch comes amid efforts to promote technical education in Indian languages, including fields like medicine and engineering.
• The portal is an essential step in ensuring accessibility of scientific and technical education in regional languages, supporting the vision of multilingual education.