Geography 

How does La Niña affect India’s climate? - The Hindu

While the La Niña was expected to emerge by July this year, it is yet to. The India Meteorological Department now expects a La Niña to set in by late 2024 or early 2025, plus a milder winter due to this delay.

La Niña

• Meaning: Spanish for The Little Girl; also called El Viejo, anti-El Niño, or a cold event.
• Characteristics: Periods of below-average sea surface temperatures in the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
• Indicator: Sea surface temperature drops >0.9°F for at least five successive three-month seasons.
• Causes: Build-up of cooler-than-normal waters in the tropical Pacific (between Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn).

Pressure Zones:

• Low pressure over the western Pacific → Increased rainfall.
• High pressure over the central and eastern Pacific → Reduced cloud formation and rainfall.

Weather Patterns:

• Rainier conditions: Southeastern Africa, northern Brazil.
• Drier conditions: Western South America, U.S. Gulf Coast, southern pampas in South America.
• Floods: Northern Australia during strong La Niña events.

Global Impacts of La Niña

• Europe:
  • Milder winters in Northern Europe (e.g., UK).
  • Colder, snowier winters in southern/western Europe, including the Mediterranean region.
• North America:
  • Stronger equatorial winds in the Pacific.
  • Favorable conditions for hurricanes in the Caribbean and central Atlantic.
  • More tornadoes across U.S. states.
• South America:
  • Drought in Peru and Ecuador.
  • Positive impact on fishing industry in western South America.
• Western Pacific:
  • Higher chances of flooding in Australia.
  • Increased temperatures in the Indian Ocean, Western Pacific, and Somalian coast.
• Asia: 
  • Potential for increased landfall of cyclones in continental Asia and China.

Key Takeaways: La Niña significantly alters global rainfall patterns and temperatures, impacting agriculture, fisheries, and natural disasters worldwide.

Polity 

What is the procedure for removing judges? - The Hindu 

Fifty-five MPs of the Rajya Sabha have submitted a motion, for removing Allahabad High Court Judge, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, to Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Procedure for Removal of Judges

Constitutional Provisions

• Articles 124 and 217: 
  • Judges of Supreme Court/High Court can be removed on grounds of:
    • Proved misbehaviour
    • Incapacity
  • Removal requires a motion passed in both Houses of Parliament with:
    • Special majority: Majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting.
  • Terms ‘proved misbehaviour’ and ‘incapacity’ are undefined.
    • Supreme Court interprets misbehaviour as wilful misconduct, corruption, or moral turpitude.
    • Incapacity includes physical or mental conditions.

Procedure as per Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968

• Notice of Motion:
  • Signed by 50 members (Rajya Sabha) or 100 members (Lok Sabha).
  • Chairman/Speaker may admit or reject the motion.
• Committee Investigation:
  • If admitted, a three-member committee is formed:
  • Supreme Court/High Court judges and a distinguished jurist.
  • Committee investigates charges of misbehaviour/incapacity.
• Committee Findings:
  • If absolved: Motion does not proceed.
  • If guilty: Report is presented in both Houses of Parliament.
• Parliamentary Approval: Motion must be passed with special majority in both Houses.
• Final Step: President orders removal of the judge.

In Constituent Assembly, Ambedkar & Munshi's views on UCC - Indian Express

Prime Minister recently renewed his pitch for a nationwide Uniform Civil Code (UCC) recalling the views of veteran leaders Dr BR Ambedkar and KM Munshi on the matter.

World Affairs 

Bangladesh freedom fighters recall the 1971 Liberation War - The Hindu

The 53rd Vijay Diwas celebrations were observed at Fort William in Kolkata, the headquarters of Eastern Command, recently.

1971 Liberation War

• Background: Pakistan divided into West Pakistan and East Pakistan after partition but socio-cultural and racial differences hindered integration which was worsened by geographical separation.
• Building of Tensions:
  • Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (East Pakistan leader) demanded self-governance through six points.
  • 1970 Elections: Awami League (Mujib’s party) won 167 of 169 seats, gaining a majority.
  • Yahya Khan (West Pakistan leader) refused to cede power, escalating tensions.
  • Sheikh Mujib called for strikes; military crackdown was announced.
• West Pakistan’s Response:
  • Dhaka captured; Awami League outlawed. Sheikh Mujib arrested and sent to West Pakistan.
  • Operations Searchlight & Barisal: Targeted intellectuals and independence supporters.
  • Mukti Bahini: Guerrilla force formed by Bangladeshi rebels and defected army personnel.
  • East Pakistan's independence was announced, and a government-in-exile was formed.
• Refugee Crisis:
  • Genocide by West Pakistani army forced millions of Bengalis, especially Hindus, to seek refuge in India.
  • India sought international support but received none.
  • India declared support for East Pakistan’s independence movement.
• India’s Role
  • Provided tactical support and training camps for Mukti Bahini volunteers.
  • Pakistan launched the “Crush India” campaign, preparing for war.
  • Indian forces, along with Mukti Bahini, were already inside East Pakistani territory.
• Official Beginning of War
  • Operation Chengiz Khan: Pakistan’s preemptive airstrike on 11 Indian air stations.
  • India retaliated with large-scale air strikes; war was officially declared.
  • Key Events During the War
  • Indian Navy: Launched Operation Trident, destroying Karachi port assets and paralyzing the Pakistani Navy.
  • Indian Air Force: Provided tactical air support to Indian ground forces converging on Dhaka.
  • Dhaka Airport: Closed, blocking Pakistani reinforcements.
• Surrender of Pakistan:
  • Indian forces captured Dhaka. Pakistani forces faced two options: fight or surrender.
  • Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Arora negotiated surrender with Lt. Gen AAK Niazi.
• 16 December 1971:
  • Surrender occurred at Ramna Race Course, Dhaka.
  • 93,000 Pakistani troops laid down arms to Indian-led Allied Forces.
• Vijay Diwas: 16 December celebrated as Vijay Diwas to honor India’s decisive victory and the creation of Bangladesh.

Economy 

NCL Launches ‘CHARAK’- “Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal” in Singrauli - PIB 

Under the guidance of the Ministry of Coal, Singrauli based Coal India arm Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has rolled out ‘CHARAK’- “Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal”, an innovative health-centric CSR Initiative today. This project is aimed at providing free treatment for the patients suffering from identified Life-Threatening diseases belonging to Economically Weaker Sections of Singrauli region.

CHARAK Initiative

• Full Form: Community Health: A Responsive Action for Koylanchal (CHARAK).
• Type: Health-focused Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project.
• Objective: Free treatment for life-threatening diseases for economically weaker sections in the Singrauli region.
• Implementation by: Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL).
• Hospitals: Treatment provided at NCL’s hospital or empanelled specialized hospitals across India.
• Eligibility:
  • Region: Residents of Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh) and Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh).
  • Income Limit: Annual family income below ₹8 Lakhs from all sources.
• Diseases Covered
  • Malignancy (Cancer), Tuberculosis (TB), HIV-related complications.
  • Cardiovascular diseases, organ transplants, liver disorders.
  • Acute Surgical Emergencies, ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome).
  • Neurological and neurovascular disorders, accidental trauma.
  • Sudden hearing/vision loss, serious handicap, connective tissue disorders.
  • Burns with permanent disabilities, multisystem disorders.

Science and Technology 

IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY FIBROSIS (IPF) - Indian Express 

As Zakir Hussain, tabla maestro and five-time Grammy Award winner, passed away on Sunday in San Francisco due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), there are concerns as to how this happens and the age group vulnerable to it.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

• Definition: A chronic, progressive lung disease causing scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue which leads to irreversible loss of lung function.
• Cause: Unknown cause, hence termed idiopathic.

• Mechanism:
  • Scarring thickens and stiffens lungs, reducing their ability to expand and intake oxygen.
  • Affects the interstitium (tissue surrounding alveoli), making oxygen transfer to the bloodstream difficult.
• Cause of Scarring:
  • Unknown Origin: Called idiopathic as the exact cause is unclear.
  • Healing Process: Dysregulated repair process leads to excess collagen and fibrous material production.
  • Trigger Factors: Environmental factors (dust, smoke, infections), autoimmune responses, genetics, and chronic inflammation.
• Symptoms:
  • Primary Signs: Shortness of breath (dyspnea), dry cough, fatigue, and weight loss.
  • Complications: Low blood oxygen causes pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, or respiratory failure.
• Risk Factors:
  • Age: Common in people over 50 years.
  • Gender: Slightly higher prevalence in men.
  • Lifestyle: Current/former smokers are at higher risk.
  • Exposures: Prolonged exposure to dust, wood, or metal particles.
  • GERD: Chronic GERD with repeated micro-aspirations can damage lung tissue.
• Diagnosis:
  • Methods: High-resolution CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and lung biopsy.
  • Requirement: Rule out other lung diseases.
• Management:
  • Medications: Antifibrotic drugs (pirfenidone, nintedanib) slow progression.
  • Supportive Therapies: Oxygen therapy, lung exercises.
  • Advanced Cases: Lung transplant may be considered.
  • Critical Needs: Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care.

India sets up its first diabetes biobank - The Hindu 

Aimed at facilitating advanced research on diabetes, the variations of the Indian type and other related disorders, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has set up the country’s first diabetes biobank.

Biobank

• Purpose: Repository for biological samples to support scientific research.
• Functions:
  • Collect, process, store, and distribute biospecimens.
  • Support ongoing and future studies.
• Houses blood samples for various forms of diabetes:
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Gestational Diabetes