Society

Sarco Pod Under Legal Scrutiny in Switzerland: A Case of Assisted Dying and Euthanasia – Indian Express

Context:
The Sarco pod, a controversial suicide device designed for assisted dying, has come under legal scrutiny in Switzerland following the death of a U.S. woman. This incident has sparked debates about the ethics of assisted suicide and euthanasia, raising questions about whether the device violates Swiss laws on assisted dying.

• Sarco Pod:
  • About: A coffin-sized, 3D-printed device designed to facilitate painless, self-administered euthanasia.
  • Mechanism: Uses liquid nitrogen to rapidly reduce oxygen levels inside, causing the person to lose consciousness and die within a few minutes.
  • Developed by: Exit International.

Polity

Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) Extended in Hill Districts of Manipur for Another Six Months – The Hindu

Context:
The Manipur government has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months, effective October 1, 2024. This decision comes amidst ongoing ethnic violence and unrest in the state, necessitating the use of armed forces to maintain law and order.

Economy

Cruise Bharat Mission Launched by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways – PIB

Context: 

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, launched the Cruise Bharat Mission, aligning with the Blue Economy initiative under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

1. Cruise Bharat Mission:
   • Aim:
     • Double the number of cruise passengers and calls in India within the next five years.
     • Position India as a global hub for cruise tourism.
   • Targets:
     • Doubling cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1 million by 2029.
     • Increasing sea cruise calls from 125 to 500 by 2029.
   • Employment Generation:
     • Creating 4 lakh jobs by the completion of the mission.
   • Phases of the Mission:
     • Phase 1 (2024-2025): Conducting studies, forming cruise alliances, modernizing cruise terminals and marinas.
     • Phase 2 (2025-2027): Developing new terminals, marinas, and destinations to activate high-potential cruise locations.
     • Phase 3 (2027-2029): Integrating cruise circuits across the subcontinent and enhancing the cruise ecosystem.
   • Ministry Involved: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW).

For the First Time in 42 Months, Core Sectors’ Output Tanked in August – The Hindu

Context:
India’s core sector output has experienced its first contraction in 42 months. Six out of the eight core infrastructure segments recorded a decline in production, with only fertilizers and steel showing growth, albeit at a slower pace.

• Core Sectors:

  • Core Sectors:
    Coal, crude oil, natural gas, petroleum refinery products, steel, cement, electricity, and fertilizers.
  • Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI):
    • About: Measures the performance of core sectors, representing about 40% of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
    • Released by: Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
    • Significance: Crucial indicator of India’s industrial activity.

• Current Weightage of Core Industries:
  (From highest to lowest)

  1. Petroleum Refinery Products (28.04%)
  2. Electricity
  3. Steel
  4. Coal
  5. Crude Oil
  6. Natural Gas
  7. Cement
  8. Fertilizers (2.63%)

Environment

Export Ban on Non-Basmati White Rice Lifted: Why and What is the Likely Impact? – Indian Express

Context:
The Indian government has lifted the export ban on Non-Basmati White Rice, a significant development aimed at benefiting both domestic traders and international markets. This move comes after a brief halt due to concerns over rice production and monsoon-related uncertainties.

• Rice Cultivation in India:

  • Major Producing States:
    West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar.
  • Seasons:
    • Main: Kharif season.
    • West Bengal grows three rice crops: ‘aus’, ‘aman’, and ‘boro’.
  • Global Producers:
    China (1st) and India (2nd) are the largest rice producers.

The La Niña and North India’s Pollution – Indian Express

Context:
Recent research by the National Institute of Advanced Science (NIAS) highlighted the link between La Niña, climate change, and air quality in India, particularly during the winter of 2022-23 when Delhi experienced improved air quality. As La Niña’s impact is forecasted, concerns over air quality in northern India persist as the winter season approaches.

La Niña:

• About:
  Characterized by stronger-than-usual trade winds, pushing warm water toward Asia and leading to cold upwelling along the Americas' west coast.
• Weather Patterns:
  Causes drought in southern U.S., heavy rains in the Pacific Northwest, and cooler winters in the northern regions.

Karnataka Asks Centre to Withdraw Draft Notification for Declaring Parts of Western Ghats as Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs) – The Hindu

Context:
The Karnataka government requested the withdrawal of a draft notification declaring parts of the Western Ghats as Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs). This follows the state's rejection of the Kasturirangan committee report due to concerns over hardships for local residents.

• Kasturirangan Committee:

  • Established: 2012.
  • Objective: Assess and recommend the management of the Western Ghats.
  • Key Recommendations:
    • The report proposed that around 37% of the Western Ghats should be designated as ESAs.
    • It provided guidelines for sustainable land use, balancing development with environmental conservation. This included recommendations on regulating activities like mining, construction, and agriculture.
    • The committee emphasized the importance of involving local communities in conservation efforts
    •  It advocated for the establishment of a scientific and technical advisory committee to monitor the implementation of its recommendations.

Science & Technology

Launch of BharatGen: India’s First Government-Funded Multimodal Large Language Model Initiative – PIB

Context:
The Indian government launched BharatGen, the country’s first government-funded multimodal large language model initiative. It aims to support multilingual AI systems and ensure that languages with limited digital resources benefit from AI applications.

Defense

Army Signs 8th Procurement Contract through iDEX – PIB

Context:
The Indian Army signed its 8th procurement contract under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, promoting indigenization and fostering innovative defense solutions.

• iDEX:

  • Launched: April 2018.
  • Objective: Foster innovation in defense and aerospace by engaging MSMEs, startups, and academia.
  • Implementing Agency: Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

• Defense Innovation Organisation:

  • Established: 2016, as a not-for-profit company.
  • Established by: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
  • Purpose: Drive innovation and reduce reliance on foreign defense imports.