Daily Current Affairs 25 November 2023 – IAS Current Affairs
Current Affairs 25 November 2023 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :
Bannerghatta Sloth Bear Rescue Center
Source: The Hindu
GS III: Environment and Conservation
Overview
- News in Brief
- About Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre
- About Sloth Bear
- Kalandar communities
Why in the News?
The sloth bear rescue centre at Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), what’s touted as the second largest sloth bear rescue centre in the world, has completed 18 years.
News in Brief
- The a need for awareness about sloth bear conservation, special focus has been placed on outreach programmes that include engagement with people.
- Participants and visitors who choose to volunteer directly contribute their time toward the rescue bears’ care and well-being.
- Its organic evolution into a sustainable haven for both bears and humans.
- Solar panels, an organic green kitchen with minimal carbon emissions, and a commitment to energy efficiency benefit our environment and significantly reduce our operational costs.
About Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre
Need for protection
- To combat the widespread and cruel practice of making bears dance, Wildlife SOS recognized the urgent need to establish a rescue centre for sloth bears in captivity as part of its mission to conserve and rehabilitate them.
- The organization also aimed to ensure the rehabilitation of the Kalandars, a community in India that traditionally engaged in bear-dancing.
- With this specific objective in mind, the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre (BBRC) was established.
- Established through an agreement with the Karnataka Forest Department and the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, officially signed on November 28, 2005.
The approach of the rescue centre
- BBRC has played a crucial role in rescuing and providing long-term care for over a hundred sloth bears.
- These bears were saved from the bear-dancing trade, poaching, poorly maintained zoos, and human-bear conflict situations.
- To provide better facilities for the rescued bears, BBRC has constructed additional retiring dens and carried out essential renovations to existing ones.
- Currently, more than 60 rescued bears are accommodated in the scenic environment of the dry-deciduous Bannerghatta Biological Park.
- This makes BBRC the world’s second-largest rescue centre for sloth bears.
- BBRC serves as a sanctuary where bears can spend the remainder of their lives free from the trauma and abuse of dancing on the streets.
- BBRC is equipped with a well-appointed veterinary clinic staffed by experienced veterinary doctors.
The Wildlife SOS Bear Rescue Project and Kalandar Rehabilitation Programme receive support from international partners such as International Animal Rescue-UK, One Voice Association-France, and Humane Society International-Australia.
About Sloth Bear
- The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a species of bear native to the Indian subcontinent.
- Sloth bears play a significant role in the ecosystems they inhabit, particularly in controlling termite and ant populations.
- Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these unique bears and their habitats.
Key characteristics and information about sloth bears
Appearance
- Sloth bears have a shaggy coat that is typically black, though some individuals may have a brownish or greyish tinge.
- They have a distinctive white V-shaped mark on their chest, and some individuals may have a whitish facial pattern.
- Sloth bears have a long, shaggy mane of hair around their face and neck.
Size
- Adult sloth bears are medium to large in size. They can weigh between 120 to 310 pounds (55 to 140 kilograms).
- They have a stocky build and relatively short legs.
Behaviour
- Sloth bears are primarily nocturnal, being more active during the night.
- They are known for their unique way of feeding. They use their long, curved claws to break open termite mounds and ant nests, and they use their lips to create a vacuum, sucking up insects.
- Unlike other bear species, sloth bears are good climbers and are also capable swimmers.
Habitat
- Sloth bears are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, dry and mixed forests, and scrublands.
- They are primarily found in the Indian subcontinent, including countries like India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
Conservation Status
- Sloth bears are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
- Threats to sloth bears include habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.
Conservation Efforts
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- Conservation efforts focus on protecting their natural habitats, addressing human-wildlife conflict, and combating poaching.
- Creating awareness about the importance of sloth bears in maintaining the ecological balance is also a part of conservation initiatives.
Kalandar communities
- Kalandar communities originally gypsy communities with a highly nomadic lifestyle were famous for their mastery over animals.
- 3,500 families spread out through six states and over 15 villages.
- Location of the tribes spread over Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana.
- The government’s rehabilitation of the Kalandar communities through education and an alternative livelihood program as an extension of the dancing bear rescue project.
- By empowering them to earn incomes through dignified and legal means and improving their living standards, providing them a life of quality.
Dancing Bear
- A nomadic tribe known as the Kalandars would ‘dance’ the bears for the emperors during the Mughal era.
- Then, over the centuries, as the kingdoms in India disappeared, the dancing bears became cheap roadside entertainment for villagers and tourists
- They will pay to watch them perform.
- In reality, the bears were reacting to excruciating pain.
- The practice of dancing bears was made illegal in India in 1972.
XPoSAT X-ray Polarimeter Satellite
Source: PIB
GS III: Science and Technology
Overview
- News in Brief
- XPoSAT (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)
- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
Why in the News?
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first sounding rocket launch from Thumba, preparing for another big 60.
- This mission will have as its payload XPoSAT
News in Brief
- The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), of ten, dubbed the reliable workhorse of the space agency given its sparkling success rate, is set to have its 60th flight soon.
- The ISRO is hoping to have the 60th PSLV launch by the end of December this year.
XPoSAT (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)
- Payload XPoSAT, short for Xray Polarimeter Satellite.
- It is the country’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
- Polarimetry is nothing but a method to study how light waves move.
XPoSat payloads
POLIX
- POLIX is an X-ray Polarimeter for astronomical observations in the energy band of 8-30 keV.
- The instrument is made of a collimator, a scatterer and four X-ray proportional counter detectors that surround the scatterer.
XSPECT
- XSPECT is an X-ray SPECtroscopy and Timing payload onboard XPoSat.
- It can provide fast timing and good spectroscopic resolution in soft X-rays.
- XSPECT can provide long-term monitoring of spectral state changes in continuum emission
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
- The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is a family of expendable launch vehicles developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- The PSLV is one of the most successful and reliable launch vehicles in the world.
- It is known for its versatility and capability to launch satellites into a variety of orbits.
- The ISRO will employ a PSLV variant which uses two strapon motors for the 60th flight.
- 30 years ago fourstage expendable launch vehicle, the PSLV stood 44.4 metres tall.
- It was powered by two solid propellant and two liquid propellant stages.
- The PSLV had its first developmental flight PSLVD1 30 years ago was unsuccessful.
- The commercial launches began after two more developmental flights, both of which were successful.
- The PSLV has been a key player in advancing India’s space capabilities and contributing to the global space launch industry.
- It continues to be an active workhorse for ISRO, serving various mission objectives and furthering advancements in space technology.
Key features of the PSLV
Launch Capability
- The PSLV is designed to launch satellites into a variety of orbits, including polar orbits, sun-synchronous orbits, and geostationary transfer orbits.
- It is capable of carrying payloads ranging from small satellites to larger ones.
Configuration
- The PSLV comes in various configurations, including the PSLV-G (core-alone version), PSLV-CA (with strap-on boosters), PSLV-XL (with extended strap-on boosters), and PSLV-DL (dual launch).
- Each configuration is optimized for specific mission requirements.
Reliability
- The PSLV has gained a reputation for its reliability and success rate.
- It has been used for a variety of missions, including launching communication satellites, Earth observation satellites, navigation satellites, and international customer satellites.
Notable Missions
- One of the notable achievements of the PSLV was the launch of a record 104 satellites in a single mission (PSLV-C37) in February 2017.
- This mission set a new world record for the highest number of satellites launched in a single flight.
Versatility
- The PSLV has been used for both domestic and international satellite launches.
- It has played a crucial role in India’s space program.
- Also become a popular choice for launching satellites for other countries, contributing to India’s commercial launch services.
Cost-Effective
- The PSLV is known for its cost-effectiveness, making it an attractive option for satellite launches, especially for smaller countries and commercial entities.
CERT-In Exempts From RTI Act
Source: PIB
GS II: Governance
Overview
- News in Brief
- About CERT-In
- About Right to Information Act 2005
Why in the News?
The Union government has added the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to a list of organisations that are exempted from the ambit of the Right to Information Act (RTI).
News in Brief
- There are 26 other intelligence and security organisations established by the Union government like the IB, RAW and Directorate of Enforcement that are exempt under RTI.
- The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, said the legislation shall not apply to intelligence and security organisations specified in the Second Schedule
- Provided that the information pertaining to the allegations of corruption and human rights violations shall not be excluded.
- Department of Personnel and Training issued a notification in the exercise of the powers conferred by section 24 (2) of the RTI Act, 2005 (22 of 2005).
Section 24 (2) of the RTI Act
- Act not to apply to certain organizations.
- Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Schedule by including therein any other intelligence or security organisation established by that Government.
- Central Government may be omitting therefrom any organisation already specified therein.
- On the publication of such notification, such organisation shall be deemed to be included in or, as the case may be, omitted from the Schedule.
Section 24 (3): Every notification issued under sub‑section (2) shall be laid before each House of Parliament.
- Centre makes following further amendments to the said Act, namely:
- In the Second Schedule to the RTI Act, 2005, after serial number 26 and the entry relating thereto, the following serial number and entry shall be inserted, namely: 27. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team.
Why CERT-In Exempts from RTI Act?
- The CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur.
- The CERT-In has been probing major cyber attacks in the recent past and was the first responder to the ransomware attack.
- Act not to apply to certain organizations viz intelligence and security organisations.
- Section 24 says so.
About CERT-In
- Computer Emergency Response Team is CERT-In
- One of its primary objectives is enhancing “security awareness among common citizens.
- It functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- It is operational since 2004.
The following are the functions
- Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents.
- Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
- Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents
- Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
- Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to inform
- Prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
- Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed
About Right to Information Act 2005
- The Right to Information Act of 2005 is a crucial law that empowers Indian citizens to access government information in a transparent and timely manner.
- To make it easier for citizens to exercise this right, the Department of Personnel and Training, which operates under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, has developed an RTI Portal Gateway.
- This portal provides a one-stop-shop for citizens who are looking for information about first Appellate Authorities, Public Information Officers (PIOs), and other relevant details.
- Additionally, users can find RTI-related information and disclosures published on the web by various Public Authorities under the government of India and the State Governments.
- This initiative is a significant step towards promoting openness, accountability, and good governance in India.
What are Generic Drugs?
Source: PIB
GS II: Health
Overview
- News in Brief
- What are Generic Drugs?
Why in the News?
Providing relief to patients with rare diseases across India, the Union Health Ministry has made available generic drugs to support the care and treatment.
News in Brief
- Four ailments: TyrosinemiaType 1, Gaucher Disease, Wilson’s Disease, and DravetLennox Gastaut Syndrome.
- This means that the cost of these drugs will be slashed by between 60 and 100 times of their current market value.
- The ministry is also in the process of making available drugs for rare diseases.
- To bring in these drugs a special initiative was taken, and discussions were held with academia, pharma industries, organisations, the Drug Controller, and the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
- Thirteen rare diseases were prioritised.
What are Generic Drugs?
- Generic drugs are medications that are equivalent to brand-name drugs in terms of dosage, strength, route of administration, quality, and intended use, but they are usually sold under their chemical or scientific name rather than a brand name.
- In other words, generic drugs are copies of brand-name drugs and have the same active ingredients, safety, efficacy, and intended use.
- When a pharmaceutical company develops a new drug, it is granted a patent, which gives the company the exclusive right to sell the drug for a certain number of years.
- Once the patent expires, other manufacturers can produce and sell generic versions of the drug.
- These generic versions must demonstrate bioequivalence to the original brand-name drug, meaning they have the same rate and extent of absorption of the active ingredient into the bloodstream.
- It’s important for patients to discuss with their healthcare providers and pharmacists if they have any concerns about switching from a brand-name drug to a generic version.
- Overall, generic drugs play a crucial role in providing affordable and accessible healthcare by offering equivalent alternatives to brand-name medications.
Key points about generic drugs
- Active Ingredients: Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts. The active ingredient is the chemical substance responsible for the drug’s therapeutic effect.
- Safety and Efficacy: Generic drugs are required to meet the same rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality as brand-name drugs. Regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, review and approve generic drugs to ensure their equivalence to the brand-name versions.
- Cost Savings: Generic drugs are typically less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. This can lead to significant cost savings for consumers and healthcare systems, making essential medications more affordable and accessible.
- Appearance and Packaging: While generic drugs have the same active ingredients, they may look different from the brand-name version. This includes differences in colour, shape, size, and packaging. However, these differences do not affect the drug’s safety or efficacy.
- Regulatory Approval: Generic drugs must go through a regulatory approval process to demonstrate their bioequivalence to the brand-name drug. This involves showing that the generic version is absorbed into the bloodstream at the same rate and extent as the original drug.
- Availability: Once a drug’s patent expires, multiple generic versions may enter the market, increasing competition and further lowering prices.
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