Art and Culture 

Compiled over decades, Subramania Bharati’s collected works to be released by PM Modi - The Hindu 

A complete and annotated version of the works of C. Subramania Bharati will be released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi recently, the government announced.

C. Subramania Bharati

• About: Poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer from Tamil Nadu.

• Title: Known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar, one of India’s greatest poets.
• Birth and Death: Born in Ettayapuram (1882), died in Madras (1921).
• Nationalism: His patriotic songs inspired the Indian Independence Movement in Tamil Nadu.
• Journalism:
  • Assistant Editor of Swadesamitran (Tamil daily) in 1904.
  • Edited Tamil weekly India and English newspaper Bala Bharatham in 1907.
  • Assisted Aurobindo in Arya and later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry.
• Exile: Exiled in 1908 to Pondicherry (a French colony) for his beliefs, lived there for 10 years.
• Literary Works: 
  • Kannan Pattu (2017)
  • Panchali Sapatham (1912)
  • Kuyil Pattu (1912)
• Translations: Rendered Vedic hymns, Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, and Bhagavad Gita into Tamil.
• Legacy: Faced persecution from the British and orthodox society but remains a symbol of resistance and reform.

Social 

ILO report asks nations to uphold freedom of association at work - The Hindu

The Social Dialogue Report of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was released in Geneva recently. 

Major recommendations

• Directive to the governments: To uphold fundamental principles and rights at work, especially freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
• Focus on ‘peak-level social dialogue’ (PLSD): Asked member countries to equip labour administrations and social partners with the necessary resources and technical capacities for effective participation in PLSD.
• Decline in compliance: Countries’ compliance with freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining had deteriorated by 7% between 2015 and 2022. 
• Reasons for decline: Increase in violations of the fundamental civil liberties and bargaining rights of employers, workers, and their representative organisations.
• Benefit of social dialogue: It can enable countries to pursue economic development alongside social progress, while ensuring fair and inclusive low-carbon and digital transitions.

Peak-level social dialogue (PLSD)

• About: Involves representatives from governments, workers’ organisations, and employers’ and business membership organisations.
• Aim of these processes: To facilitate negotiation, consultation and information exchange on issues relating to labour, economic and social policy. 
• Includes:
  • Bipartite processes: Where only the social partners engage, notably for reaching collective agreements
  • Tripartite processes: Also involve government representatives.

International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Has the government clarified its stance on ONOS? - The Hindu

Recently, the Indian government announced the launch of its ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ (ONOS) plan to improve access to research journals for the country’s public education and research institutes. 

ONOS

• Definition: A single-window platform replacing multiple consortia for journal access in India.
• Function: Provides access to over 13,000 journals from 30 major international publishers for all government-funded institutes.
• Significance: Simplifies access to subscription-based and Open-Access journals for researchers in India.

Criticism of ONOS

• Lack of Clarity: Details about included journals, implementation, and spending of ₹6,000 crore allocation were unspecified.
• Unclear strategy: No clear strategy on supporting Open-Access (OA) research efforts.
• Fund allocation: Questions raised on whether funds could have been allocated to support domestic publishing.
• Issue of APCs: Uncertainty over assistance for scientists to pay article processing charges (APCs) in gold OA journals or provision of discounts.

Polity 

Impeachment of judges - Indian Express

The Opposition INDIA bloc parties in Rajya Sabha are preparing to give notice to move a motion to impeach Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav for his remarks at an event organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad last week.

Impeachment Process of Judges

• Constitutional Basis: Article 124(4) which governs Supreme Court judge impeachment; applies to High Court judges under Article 218.
• Grounds for removal: “Proved misbehaviour” or “incapacity.”
• Parliamentary Procedure: Removal requires:
  • Majority of the total membership of each House.
  • Two-thirds of members present and voting in both Houses.
  • Address by both Houses presented to the President in the same session.
  • President passes an order for removal after parliamentary approval.
• Judges Inquiry Act, 1968: Requires a motion of impeachment to be signed by:
  • 100 members in Lok Sabha.
  • 50 members in Rajya Sabha.
• Inquiry Committee composed of:
  • Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court judge.
  • Chief Justice of a High Court.
  • A “distinguished jurist” nominated by Speaker/Chairman.
  • Functions:
    • Frames charges, conducts inquiries, calls evidence, and cross-examines witnesses.
    • May recommend medical tests if mental incapacity is alleged.
• Findings:
  • Not guilty: The process ends.
  • Guilty: Report adopted by the initiating House, sent to the other House for approval, and addressed to the President for removal.
• Safeguards:
  • High threshold ensures judicial independence.
  • Requires political consensus and Speaker/Chairperson’s approval.

Major Instances of impeachment 

• Justice V Ramaswami (1993):
  • Charged with financial impropriety.
  • Motion failed; retired a year later.
• Justice Soumitra Sen (2011):
  • Charged with corruption.
  • Impeached by Rajya Sabha but resigned before Lok Sabha discussion; proceedings lapsed.
• Justice S K Gangele (2015):
  • Charged with sexual harassment.
  • Cleared by the inquiry committee in 2017.
• Justice J B Pardiwala (2015):
  • Impeachment motion triggered over remarks on reservation in a judgment.
  • Remarks expunged; motion dropped by Rajya Sabha Chairman.
• Justice C V Nagarjuna (2017):
  • Accused of victimising a Dalit judge and financial misconduct.
  • Motion failed as MPs withdrew support, leaving insufficient numbers.
• Chief Justice Dipak Misra (2018):
  • Politically contentious case.
  • Motion rejected at the preliminary stage by Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Economy 

Ashtalakshmi 2024 and the recent GI tagged products - PIB 

Ashtalakshmi 2024 brings together the eight diverse states of the region, each showcasing its unique treasures—handwoven textiles, organic produce, and aromatic spices. The Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which protects and celebrates these treasures, is empowering local communities and ensuring that North East India's cultural heritage thrives on a global stage.

Recent Geographical Indication tagged products

Science and Technology 

Indian scientists develop novel gene therapy for haemophilia - The Hindu

Scientists in India have reported success with using gene therapy to treat severe haemophilia A, a rare hereditary condition resulting from a faulty gene which triggers severe, spontaneous, and potentially fatal bleeding episodes.

Gene Therapy for Haemophilia

• Traditional Treatment: Requires frequent injections of clotting factor to prevent bleeding.
• Gene Therapy:
  • A one-time solution introducing a gene to produce sufficient clotting factor.
  • Uses adenovirus as a carrier to deliver the therapeutic gene, with the liver producing Factor VIII.
• Haemophilia in India:
  • Classified as minor or severe based on clotting factor levels.
  • Haemophilia A: Caused by the absence of Factor VIII, affecting 40,000–1,00,000 patients.
  • Severe cases (<1% Factor VIII) require repeated replacements or monoclonal antibodies.
  • Treatment cost: Estimated ₹2.54 crore per patient over 10 years.
• Roctavian Gene Therapy:
  • Approved by the U.S. FDA in 2023.
  • Reduces bleeding incidents from 5.4 to 2.6 per year.
  • Requires corticosteroids to suppress immune response.
• Advantages:
  • Safer than traditional adenovirus-based therapies.
  • Potential to treat children.
• Significance: Demonstrates feasibility of gene therapy research in resource-constrained settings like India.

India accounts for half of malaria cases in Southeast Asia in 2023 - The Hindu

The World Health Organisation (WHO) South East Asia Region contributes about 1.5% of the burden of malaria cases globally and India accounted for about half of all estimated cases in 2023, followed by Indonesia, which carried just under one-third.

Malaria 

• Global Contribution: WHO South-East Asia Region contributes 1.5% of global malaria cases.
• Indian Contribution: India accounts for half of the region’s cases, followed by Indonesia (one-third).
• Reduction in Cases and Deaths:
  • Cases reduced by 82.4%: From 22.8 million (2000) to 4 million (2023).
  • Deaths reduced by 82.9%: From 35,000 (2000) to 6,000 (2023).
  • Major regional deaths: India and Indonesia account for 88% of regional deaths.
• Case reductions:
  • India (-9.6%)
  • Bangladesh (-9.2%)
  • Indonesia (-5.7%)
  • Nepal (-58.3%)
  • Case increases:
  • North Korea (+47.9%)
  • Thailand (+46.4%)
  • Myanmar (+45.1%)
• Key Achievements
  • Timor-Leste and Bhutan: Zero indigenous cases in 2023.
  • India’s contribution: 17.7 million fewer cases and 93% decrease in case incidence since 2000.

Climate impact of exploring space passing below the radar - The Hindu

As the world becomes more reliant on space technology for vital functions like climate monitoring, the environmental consequences of space activities also become increasingly urgent and in need of more attention. The rapid growth of the number of satellites in orbit has led to concerns about interference with climate monitoring systems and the accumulation of orbital debris. With no specific international regulations addressing these challenges, it is crucial the world’s governments act quickly to ensure space exploration doesn’t drift into unsustainability.

Environmental Impact of Rockets and Space Activities

• Rocket Launches: Emit carbon dioxide, black carbon, and water vapour into the atmosphere.
• Impact of Black carbon: It absorbs sunlight 500 times more effectively than carbon dioxide, intensifying global warming. 
• Ozone Depletion: Chlorine-based rocket propellants damage the ozone layer, increasing UV radiation and disrupting atmospheric circulation.
• Satellite Ash: Burning satellites release metallic ash into the atmosphere, potentially harming it and altering the climate.
• Satellite Manufacturing and Operations: Energy-intensive processes for extracting and preparing metals and composite materials have high carbon footprints. Satellite propulsion systems add to emissions.
• Space Mining: Future activities like asteroid mining will increase industrial impacts both in space and on Earth.
• Dual Impacts:
  • Space technology aids climate monitoring and disaster management.
  • Environmental costs to Earth's atmosphere and space are escalating, requiring immediate solutions.

Dangers of Orbital Debris

• Orbital Debris: It includes defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from breakups or collisions in low Earth orbit (LEO).
• Pollution in Earth's Orbit: Non-functional objects in orbit constitute a form of space pollution, reducing the usability of this critical resource.
• Collision Risks: 
  • The total mass of orbital objects exceeds 13,000 tonnes, increasing collision risks.
  • Space debris can travel at speeds up to 29 km/hr, causing severe damage to satellites and critical systems.
• Impact on Space Operations: Interferes with Earth monitoring (e.g., disaster tracking, weather observation) by disrupting radio waves.
• Requires costly measures:
  • Satellite shielding.
  • Manoeuvres to avoid collisions.

Barriers to Space Sustainability

• Regulatory Challenges: 
  • Lack of clear guidelines threatens accessibility and environmental sustainability of space.
  • Space activities are excluded from international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
• Environmental Concerns: Need for standards to regulate rocket and satellite emissions to address their contribution to global warming.
• Overcrowding of Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Rising numbers of satellites and debris increase costs and restrict space's role as a shared global resource.
• International Cooperation: COPUOS and similar bodies must establish enforceable standards for space sustainability.
• Alignment with Outer Space Treaty: Frameworks should reflect treaty principles of responsible space use while addressing its lack of binding provisions.

Achieving Sustainability in Space Exploration

• Reusable Rockets:
  • Benefits: Reduce manufacturing waste and costs; components reused in multiple missions.
  • Challenges: Increased fuel consumption, limited applicability for high-orbit missions, and costly refurbishments.
• Cleaner Fuels:
  • Benefits: Transition to liquid hydrogen or biofuels reduces emissions.
  • Challenges: Hydrogen production depends on non-renewable energy; cryogenic fuels are costly and complex; electric propulsion offers low thrust suitable for specific missions.
• Biodegradable Satellites:
  • Benefits: Prevent debris accumulation by using biodegradable materials.
  • Challenges: Lack durability for space conditions, high costs, and limited adoption.
• Autonomous Debris Removal (ADR):
  • Benefits: Technologies like robotic arms and laser systems can clean orbital debris.
  • Challenges: High costs and need for legal clarity.
• Global Traffic System:
  • Benefits: Real-time monitoring of satellites and debris optimizes orbit use.
  • Challenges: Resistance to data sharing and lack of a unified international authority.
• Other Solutions:
  • Binding agreements through COPUOS for emissions, debris mitigation, and data sharing.
  • Increased funding for green technologies, ADR systems, and biodegradable satellites.
  • Financial incentives or penalties to encourage sustainable practices.

Ghost Guns  - Indian Express

Luigi Mangione, the person suspected of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was carrying a “ghost gun” when he was apprehended on Monday (December 9). The police suspect Mangione’s gun may have been made using a 3D printer. 

Ghost Guns 

• Definition: Homemade weapons assembled from 3D-printed metal and plastic parts.
• Features:
  • Lack serial numbers, making them virtually untraceable.
  • Do not require background checks, unlike commercial firearms.
• Popularity: Increasingly used by criminals due to ease of assembly and anonymity.
• Concerns: Raise issues about the ethical and legal use of 3D printing for manufacturing precision equipment like firearms.