Poor Performance of India in Science Nobel Prizes

Source: IE 

Why in News?  

It has been 94 years since an Indian won a Nobel Prize in the sciences — Physics, Chemistry or Medicine — while working in India. 

• India's limited success at the Nobel Prizes is often viewed as an indicator of the state of its science, though other factors also contribute. 
• The last Indian to receive a Nobel Prize in science was CV Raman for scattering of light in Physics in 1930.  

What are the Reasons for Poor Performance of India in Science Nobel Prizes?  

• Low Public Funding for Research: The Indian government provides insufficient funding for scientific research, which hinders the development of groundbreaking work. 
  • In India, direct funding for basic research has remained at a low of 0.6-0.8% of GDP over the last decade, much lower than that of other BRICS nations.  
  • India’s total expenditure on R&D has, in fact, fallen from 0.82% to 0.64% of the GDP between 2005 and 2023. 
• Excessive Bureaucracy: Bureaucratic red tape within India's research institutions stifles innovation and slows down scientific progress. Eg.  
  • To order equipment in IIT Delhi, it takes 11 months. 
  • Rs 150 crore GST notice served to IIT Delhi is an example of how tax policies create financial strain on academic institutions. 
  • Government e-Marketplace (GeM) places a burden for mandatory procurement platforms for government institutions. 
• Small Researcher Pool: India has a disproportionately low number of researchers relative to its population. 
  • The number of researchers in India is five times lower than the global average, shrinking the pool of potential Nobel contenders. 
• Dependence on Individual Brilliance: In the absence of a strong research ecosystem, India's chances of winning future Nobel Prizes are largely dependent on the individual brilliance of its scientists, rather than systematic support or infrastructure. 
• Discretion in Research Institutions: Instead of focusing on breakthrough research, many heads of research institutions allegedly use these powers for personal career growth, such as securing prestigious awards like the Padma Shri or Bharat Ratna, or extending their post-retirement tenures. 
• Lack of Clear Research Direction: Many scientists pursue outdated or irrelevant topics, often based on failed experiments in the USA or EU, which have no practical applications in India.  
  • E.g., Ignoring water technologies and agricultural innovation for high-energy particle accelerators or complex nuclear fusion projects. 
• Focus on Quantity Over Quality: Most of the research carried out in government-funded research institutions is geared towards generating “number sake" publications rather than producing meaningful innovations. 
• Dependence on Foreign Technologies: Instead of developing original solutions, Indian scientists are often involved in merely duplicating or adapting technologies developed abroad, which does not require deep scientific innovation or merit. 
• Over Reliance on Private Sector Success: Recent successes in vaccine development during the Covid-19 pandemic were primarily achieved by private sector labs, illustrating a disconnect between government-funded research institutions and successful scientific breakthroughs.  
  • This reliance further undermines the credibility and necessity of government labs in significant scientific advancements. 
• Legacy of Mediocrity: Even when foreign-trained scientists return to India, they often fail to live up to their potential due to the unhealthy institutional environment. 
  • They become trapped in a cycle of publishing irrelevant research and seeking promotions, rather than pursuing excellence or tackling significant scientific challenges. 
• Historical Missed Opportunities: Several notable Indian scientists produced groundbreaking work but were either overlooked or not nominated for a Nobel. For example. 
  • Jagadish Chandra Bose: Demonstrated wireless communication in 1895 but was not nominated, while the Nobel was awarded to Guglielmo Marconi and Ferdinand Braun for the exact work in 1909. 
  • K S Krishnan: Co-discovered the Raman scattering effect with C.V. Raman, but was never nominated for the Nobel. 
  • ECG Sudarshan: The Nobel Prizes in Physics, in 1979 and in 2005, were given for work in which the most fundamental contributions had come from Sudarshan but he was overlooked for the prize.  
    • ECG Sudarshan worked on electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles. 
• Nominations but No Wins: Several Indian scientists, such as Meghnad Saha, Homi Bhabha, Satyendra Nath Bose, G N Ramachandran, and T Seshadri, were nominated multiple times for Nobel Prizes but did not win. 
• Western Dominance in Nobel Prizes: Nobel Prizes have been dominated by scientists from the US and Europe, which have stronger scientific infrastructure and research ecosystems. 
  • Of the 653 people who have won the Nobel Prize for Physics, Chemistry or Medicine, more than 150 belong to the Jewish community, an astoundingly high proportion. But Israel has won only four Nobel Prizes in science. 

What can be Done to Improve the Performance of India in Science Nobel Prizes? 

• Increase Public Funding for R&D: The Indian government should commit to increasing the percentage of GDP allocated to research and development, aiming to reach at least 1.5% in the near term. 
• Encouraging High-Impact Research: Promote and fund high-risk, high-reward research initiatives that could lead to groundbreaking technologies. 
• Revamping Evaluation Processes: Create diverse panels of reviewers with relevant expertise to evaluate research proposals.  
  • This will help ensure that valuable ideas are not overlooked due to biases or misunderstandings. 
• Expand the Researcher Pool: Promoting STEM education and investing in higher education can help cultivate a larger and more skilled pool of researchers.  
• Reform Research Institutions: Ensure that funding and opportunities are allocated based on merit and potential societal impact rather than personal ambition. 
• Leverage Public-Private Partnerships: Facilitate collaborations between government research institutions and private sector firms to enhance research capabilities and drive innovation. 
• Recognise Scientific Talent: Establish national awards and recognition programs for outstanding scientific contributions to encourage more significant efforts toward groundbreaking work. 
• Strengthen Global Collaborations: Encourage Indian scientists to collaborate with international research communities, sharing knowledge and resources to raise the profile of Indian research on the global stage.

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss the reasons for the limited success of Indian scientists in winning Nobel Prizes in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine.

MSP and its Legalisation

Source: TH 

Why in News?

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) increased the Minimum Support Price for six rabi crops (wheat, barley, gram, lentil, rapeseed, mustard, and safflowerfor). 

• The increase of MSP ignited debate around the farmers' demand for the legalisation of MSP and its effect on the agricultural ecosystem.

What is the Minimum Support Price? 

• About: 
  • The MSP regime was established in 1965 by setting up the Agricultural Prices Commission (APC) (later renamed as CACP) as a form of market intervention to enhance national food security and protect farmers from significant decline in market prices. 
• MSP Calculation: 
  • The CACP calculates three categories of production costs for each crop, both at the state level and as all-India averages. 
    • A2: Covers all paid-out costs directly incurred by the farmer in cash and kind on seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, hired labour, leased-in land, fuel, irrigation, etc. 
    • A2+FL: Includes an estimated value of unpaid family labour with A2. 
    • C2: It is a more comprehensive cost that factors in rentals and interest for owned land and fixed capital assets, on top of A2+FL. 
  • The government maintains that the MSP was fixed at a level of at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average Cost of Production (CoP), but it calculates this cost as 1.5 times the A2+FL cost. 

What are the Concerns Related to MSP in India? 

• Limited Coverage: According to the Shanta Kumar Committee's 2015 report, only 6% of farmers benefit from the MSP. Mainly those in regions with access to procurement infrastructure, such as Punjab and Haryana, while a large number of farmers in other states are left out. 
• Skewed Crop Focus: The MSP system is focused primarily on a few crops, especially rice and wheat, leading to a lack of incentive for farmers to grow other crops, which affects crop diversification and can contribute to overproduction of these staple crops. 
• Overburdening Procurement System: The MSP often leads to large-scale government procurement, especially of rice and wheat, causing storage challenges and wastage, and straining the Food Corporation of India's (FCI) resources. 
• Environmental Impact: The focus on certain water-intensive crops like rice (supported by MSP) leads to environmental concerns such as groundwater depletion, particularly in regions like Punjab. 
• Dependence on Middlemen: In some cases, even when MSP is declared, farmers face difficulties in accessing procurement agencies directly, leading to dependence on middlemen who may exploit them by offering lower prices. 

What are the Needs and Challenges for Legalising MSP in India? 

• Need: 
  • Income Security for Farmers: Legalising MSP would ensure guaranteed income for farmers, protecting them from fluctuations in market prices.  
    • Ensured income is crucial as many farmers face distress due to price crashes, especially during bumper harvests . 
  • Boost to Agricultural Investment: A legally guaranteed MSP can encourage farmers to invest more in agricultural inputs, modern technology, and sustainable farming practices.  
    • With assured returns, farmers are more likely to adopt measures that improve productivity and sustainability. 
  • Reduction of Rural Poverty: By offering a stable price, legal MSP can reduce rural poverty and improve the standard of living for small and marginal farmers. 
  • Stabilizing Agricultural Markets: MSP serves as a price stabilization tool, preventing the volatility of crop prices in open markets and reducing inflation burden on the consumer. 
    • The legal backing of MSP could smoothen supply chain and ensure consistent crop procurement. 
  • Mitigation of Distress Sales: Farmers often resort to distress sales due to a lack of remunerative prices. The legally enforcing MSP could prevent distress sale. 
• Challenges: 
  • Fiscal Burden on the Government: Legalising MSP across all crops would require the government to procure large quantities at assured prices, significantly increasing the fiscal burden.  
    • As per government, extending MSP to all farmers and crops could cost over Rs 10 lakh crore annually, which is financially unviable for the government. 
  • Market Distortion: Legal MSP could distort free market mechanisms by discouraging private traders and businesses from participating in the agricultural market.  
    • Excessive reliance on MSP could disrupt competitiveness in the domestic and export market and leads to legal  battle for India at WTO. 
  • Storage and Infrastructure Constraints: Legalising MSP would require large-scale procurement, which in turn necessitates substantial improvements in storage and logistics infrastructure.  
    • The government faces storage limitations, with existing infrastructure being insufficient to handle an expanded procurement system for all crops . 
  • Implementation Challenges: Implementing MSP uniformly across India is challenging due to diverse agricultural practices and climates, making it hard to set MSP levels that benefit all farmers, 
    • Differences in production costs across states further complicate uniform MSP enforcement . 
  • Overproduction and Environmental Impact: Legalising MSP might incentivize overproduction of certain crops like wheat and rice, which are already extensively procured under the MSP system.  
    • This could lead to environmental degradation, including groundwater depletion and soil pollution. 

Way Forward 

• Correcting MSP Implementation: Reform MSP to ensure it targets crops based on regional needs and market demand.  
  • Strengthen procurement infrastructure and encourage crop diversification to reduce over-reliance on specific crops like wheat and rice. 
• Encourage Crop Diversification: The government should incentivise crop diversification to address the environmental and economic issues.  
  • MSP should be introduced or expanded for other crops, including pulses, oilseeds, and millets, to promote sustainable farming and reduce pressure on water resources. 
• Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): To reduce inefficiencies and curb the dependence on middlemen, the government can explore direct benefit transfers for farmers.  
  • This could allow farmers to receive the difference between the MSP and market price directly into their bank accounts if they cannot sell at MSP. 
• Allied Activities for Farmers: Promote allied agricultural activities like horticulture, dairy farming, and fisheries to provide farmers with additional income sources, making agriculture more sustainable and less dependent on MSP. 
• Skill Development for Manufacturing Jobs: Expand skill development programs to equip rural populations, particularly youth and women, with manufacturing and technical skills.  
  • This would create employment opportunities outside agriculture, supporting the transition to non-farm incomes.

Drishti Mains Question: Critically analyse the concerns associated with the legalisation of Minimum Support Price system and suggest a way forward.

Ensuring Railway Safety

Source: TH 

Why in News?

Recently, there has been a spate of accidents across railway zones after which the government has called for urgent steps to prevent them. 

What is the Status of Railway Accidents? 

• Decrease Over the Decades: In the 1960s, the number of railway accidents was significantly higher, with an annual average of 1,390. 
  • Over the last decade, this number dropped to around 80 accidents per year, indicating a notable improvement in safety measures and operational efficiency. 
• Recent Trends in Consequential Accidents: Despite the reduction in overall accidents, there were still 34 consequential accidents in 2021-2022, 48 in 2022-2023, and 40 in 2023-2024. 
  • A consequential accident injures and/or kills people, damages railway infrastructure, and disrupts rail traffic. 
• Primary Causes of Accidents: According to public records, 55.8% of all accidents involving trains have been due to the failure of Railway staff and another 28.4% due to failures on the part of non-staff people. Equipment failure accounted for 6.2%.  
• Signalling Failures in Major Accidents: Both the Balasore (2023) and Kavaraipettai (2024) railway accidents were attributed to signalling system errors. 

What are the Causes of Railway Accidents? 

• Inadequate Safety Technologies:  Kavach has the potential to prevent collisions by automating braking and issuing alerts, its limited deployment makes it ineffective on a larger scale. 
  • By February 2024, the Railways had installed ‘Kavach’ on 1,465 route km, or 2% of its total route length.  
• Signalling System Failures: Faulty signalling systems have directly caused some major accidents, including the Balasore and Kavaraipettai incidents. 
  • Since 1990-1991, the Railways has classified nearly 70% of all major accidents as derailments due to signalling errors. 
• Network Congestion: High levels of congestion on the railway network are highlighted as a significant safety issue.  
  • According to the draft National Rail Plan, nearly 30% of the railway network is utilised to more than 100% capacity exacerbating the safety risks.  
• Insufficient Track Maintenance: The Railways needs to keep up existing equipment, including replacing tracks and wagons and maintaining trackside infrastructure.  
  • But in the 2023-2024 budget, capital outlay for track renewal dropped to 7.2%.  
  • Appropriations to the Depreciation Reserve Fund also fell 96% between 2014-19. 
• High Operating Ratio: The operating ratio (OR) in 2024-2025 is estimated to be Rs 98.2, a small improvement from 2023-2024 (Rs 98.7) but a decline from Rs 97.8 in 2016.  
  • A higher OR leaves less for capex and makes the Railways more dependent on budgetary support and Extra-Budgetary Resources (EBRs).  
  • This financial tension results in underfunding for critical safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements. 
  • OR is the amount the Railways spends to earn Rs 100.  
• Slow Infrastructure Development: Of the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) the government mooted in 2005, only the eastern DFC is fully operational.  
  • The western DFC is partly ready; the east coast, east-west sub-corridor, and north-south sub-corridor DFCs, amounting to 3,958 km, are still in planning.   
  • Such a demand and supply gap of infrastructure compounds the safety problem. 
• Off-Setting of Loss: As per NITI Aayog, freight rates increased more than thrice as fast as passenger rates in 2009-2019 but Railways’ freight profit is offset significantly by passenger losses. 
  • In 2019-2020, the revenue from passenger services was a little over Rs 50,000 crore and losses were Rs 63,364 crore. 
• Prolonged Working Hours: One key cause of railway accidents, especially Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) cases, is loco pilots' extended working hours.  
  • Manpower shortages force them to exceed the 12-hour duty limit, causing fatigue and increasing the risk of human error. 

What Recommendations have various Committees made to Enhance Railway Safety? 

• Rakesh Mohan Committee (2010): 
  • Revamp the accounting system to align with Indian GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) 
  • Focus on long-distance and inter-city transport, speed upgrades, and High-Speed Rail corridors for passenger services 
  • Develop logistics parks at key network hubs 
• Kakodkar Committee (2012): 
  • Establishing a statutory Railway Safety Authority 
  • Forming a non-lapsable Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) of Rs. 1 lakh crores over 5 years for safety projects. 
  • Adopting advanced technologies for track maintenance and inspection. 
• Bibek Debroy Committee (2014):  
  • Establishing a Railway Infrastructure Authority of India. 
  • Outsourcing non-core activities. 
• Vinod Rai Committee (2015): 
  • Setting up an independent Railway Safety Authority with statutory powers 
  • Forming a Railway Accident Investigation Board for impartial inquiries 
  • Establishing a separate Railway Infrastructure Company for owning and maintaining railway assets 

What can be Done to Prevent Railway Accidents? 

• Addressing Loco Pilot Vacancies: Indian Railways faces about 18,799 loco pilot vacancies. Immediate action is needed to fill these positions to prevent overworking pilots and reduce errors from stress and exhaustion. 
• Implement 'Kavach' Anti-Collision System: The Railways must expedite the installation of Kavach on more routes, especially high-traffic and high-risk sections, to prevent future collisions. 
• Address Network Congestion: Prioritising Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) and completing pending projects can help distribute traffic more evenly and reduce congestion. 
• Independent Railway Safety Authority: Creating an independent Railway Safety Authority as recommended by the Kakodkar Committee would ensure a more specialised and independent approach to railway safety oversight. 
• Work Hour Regulations: Stricter enforcement of work hour limits and ensuring that crew members have adequate rest are essential to reduce human errors. 
• Improve Signal Infrastructure: Investments in advanced signal and communication technologies can drastically reduce the chances of accidents caused by signal failures. 
• Installation of Fencing Along Tracks: Installing fences along railway tracks in high-risk areas could prevent cattle runovers that have been a cause of derailments. 
• Increasing Passenger Revenue: Increasing passenger fares judiciously or improving the efficiency of passenger services could help mitigate losses.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Assess the significance of infrastructure development, including the completion of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), in improving railway safety and operational efficiency.

International Abhidhamma Divas

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

Recently, India’s Prime Minister addressed a ceremony in celebration of International Abhidhamma Divas (IAD) and recognition of Pali as a classical language. 

• It was organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Ministry of Culture. 

What are Key Facts About International Abhidhamma Divas? 

• About IAD: Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm of the thirty-three divine beings (Tāvatiṃsa-devaloka) to Sankassiya (Sankisa Basantapur, Farrukhabad) in Uttar Pradesh.  
  • The importance of this location is highlighted by the presence of the Asokan Elephant Pillar. 
• Story behind Abhidhamma: According to the Pali texts, Buddha preached the Abhidhamma first to the Gods of the Tavatimsa heaven, who were headed by his mother.  
  • After having returned to the earth again, he conveyed the message to his disciple Sariputta.  
• Mark of Event: Abhidhamma Divas coincides with the end of the rainy retreat (Vassa) and the Pavāraņā festival. 
  • Rainy retreat (Vassa) is an annual three-month monastic retreat practised especially in the Theravada Buddhist tradition during the monsoon season. 
  • The Pavāraṇā festival marks the conclusion of Vassa, where monks come together to confess any faults or mistakes made during the retreat and invite their fellow monks to point out any shortcomings they may have noticed.  
  • Pavāraṇā festival is celebrated on full moon day of the 11th lunar month which usually in October. 

What are Key Facts About Pali Language? 

• Origin of Pali: Pali belongs to the Indo-European language family. 
  • Initially, Pali was thought to be identical with Magadhi, the language of Magadha (modern-day Bihar). 
  • Recent studies show Pali has a stronger resemblance to the Prakrits of Western India. 
• Classical Language: The Union Cabinet has approved the recognition of Pali alongwith Prakrit, Marathi, Assamese, and Bengali as  classical languages. 
• Connection with Ashoka: Emperor Ashoka’s inscriptions were written Pali especially in modern-day Uttar Pradesh. 
• Connection with Buddhism: Pali is the language of the three Theravada Buddhist canon i.e., Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka.  
• Scripts of Pali: Originally it was written in Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts. As Buddhism spread, Pali was written in local scripts like Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, Burmese in Myanmar, Thai in Thailand and Khmer in Cambodia.

Plankton Inflation and Vertical Migration

Source: TH

Why in News? 

Recently, researchers studied vertical migration of Pyrocystis noctiluca, a specific bioluminescent phytoplankton species which is capable of inflating its size during its migration. 

• This species can expand to six times its original size of a few hundred microns, aiding its buoyancy. 

What are Key Facts Related to Vertical Migration of Phytoplankton? 

• Vertical Migration: Many plankton travel from the cold, dark depths of the ocean to the surface, then drift back down into the darkness in a continuous cycle called vertical migration. 
  • The movement mechanism of single-celled phytoplankton, especially those without swimming appendages, remains largely unexplained. 
• Density Dynamics of Phytoplankton: Phytoplankton are generally 5%-10% denser than seawater, which poses a challenge for their ability to remain near the surface for photosynthesis. 
  • Pyrocystis noctiluca cells behave like little submarines which can control their density so they can choose where they want to reach the ocean’s surface. 
• Ballooning Mechanism: The research team utilised a “gravity machine” which can alter water pressure and density, mimicking the ocean’s depths.  
  • The team found that inflated cells were less dense than the surrounding seawater, allowing them to float toward the surface despite gravity. 
• Inflation During Cell Division: The inflation process occurs naturally during the phytoplankton’s cell cycle.  
  • When a single cell divides, an internal structure called a vacuole acts as a flexible water tank, taking in freshwater and causing the new cells to swell.  
  • This inflation allows the lighter daughter cells to float upward, reaching the nutrient-rich surface waters. 
    • The entire cell cycle of Pyrocystis noctiluca lasts approximately seven days, which aligns with the vertical pursuit of light and essential nutrients. 

What are Planktons? 

• About Planktons: Plankton are microscopic organisms that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, serving as the foundation of the entire marine food web. 
  • An organism is classified as plankton if it is carried by tides and currents and lacks the ability to swim against these forces. 
• Types of Plankton: 
  • Phytoplankton: Plant-like organisms that perform photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy, and are vital for producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. E.g., Cyanobacteria, Blue-green algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates. 
    • Phytoplankton depend on nutrients like phosphate, nitrate, and calcium from their environment to thrive. 
  • Zooplankton: Animal-like organisms that include microscopic animals (such as krill and sea snails) and weak swimmers like jellyfish. E.g., Radiolarians, Foraminiferans, cnidarians, crustaceans, chordates, and molluscs. 
• Size of Planktons: Plankton can vary in size, from microscopic organisms to larger species like crustaceans and jellyfish. 
• Role in the Marine Food Web: Phytoplankton form the base of the marine food web, supporting various marine life. 
  • Zooplankton primarily feed on phytoplankton and, in turn, serve as food for larger marine animals, creating a critical food chain link. 
  • E.g., Krill are a major component of the diet of humpback, right, and blue whales.  
• Migration Patterns: During the day, zooplankton drift to deeper waters to evade predators, but at night, they rise to the surface to feed on phytoplankton.  
  • This process is considered the largest migration on Earth; so many animals make this journey that it can be observed from space. 
• Habitat: Plankton inhabit both saltwater and freshwater ecosystems.   
  • Clearer waters typically indicate fewer plankton, while more turbid waters (cloudy or muddy) are often richer in plankton. 

 

 

Funga Taxonomic Kingdom

Source: DTE 

Why in News? 

Recently, Chile and the United Kingdom have prepared a proposal named ‘pledge for fungal conservation’ to give fungi its own taxonomic kingdom named ‘funga’. 

• The proposal would be submitted during the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia in October 2024. 

What are the Key Highlights of the Pledge for Fungal Conservation?  

• About the Proposal: It aims to recognise fungi as an independent kingdom, termed Funga, alongside plants (flora) and animals (fauna).  
  • It advocates for the recognition of fungi in legislation, policies, and global agreements to maintain fungi’s ecological benefits. 
• Current Status: In August 2021, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) and IUCN Re:wild became the first organisations to recognise fungi as one of three kingdoms of life. 
  • The Chilean-British-led "3F" (Flora, Fauna, and Funga) initiative emphasises the need for international recognition and protection of fungi. 
• Wide Diversity: As per Mycologists, only 8% of the total 2.2 and 3.8 million species of fungi are scientifically known and about 2,000 new species are discovered annually across the world. 
  • Mycologist studies fungi such as moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms. 
• Ecological Importance of Fungi: Fungi help in decomposition, forest regeneration, carbon sequestration, and maintaining the global nutrient cycle. 
  • They play a vital role in mammalian digestion and are crucial in the production of antibiotic medication. 
  • Several common food products, including bread, cheese, wine, beer, and chocolate, depend on fungi for their production 
  • Fungi also help in cleaning polluted soils and offer sustainable food alternatives to animal products e.g., amino acids, fibre, and antioxidants.  
  • Boreal forest fungi absorb significant amounts of carbon through root symbiosis with plants, thus contributing to mitigating climate change. 
• Threats to Fungi: Overharvesting, nitrogen enrichment in soils, deforestation, climate change, pollution, and the wide scale use of fungicides endanger fungal species.  
  • These threats jeopardise the symbiotic relationships fungi have with plants and animals, disrupting ecosystem stability. 

What are Key Facts About Fungi? 

• About Fungi: Fungi is a group of eukaryotic, non-phototrophic organisms with rigid cell walls. It includes mushrooms, moulds and yeasts.  
• Cell Structure: Fungi have a unique cell wall composed of chitin which is a defining feature of the fungal kingdom. 
  • Plants have cell walls made of cellulose, and bacteria have peptidoglycan in their walls.  
• Nutritional Mode: Fungi are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by absorbing organic matter from their environment.  
  • They do this through external digestion, where they secrete enzymes to break down complex substances before absorbing the simpler molecules.  
• Reproductive Strategies: Fungi reproduce through both asexual and sexual means, often utilising spores. 
• Growth Form: Fungi typically grow as mycelium, a network of filamentous structures called hyphae. 
• Symbiotic Relationships: Fungi are known for forming symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such as mycorrhizal associations with plants. 
  • Some fungi also form lichens in association with algae. 

Presidential Visit to Malawi and Mauritania

Source: PIB

Recently, India’s President visited Malawi and Mauritania.

• This is the first-ever visit by an Indian President to Malawi and Mauritania. 
• India is the 4th largest trading partner of Malawi with bilateral trade of USD 256.41 million in 2021-22.
  • India’s investment in Malawi stands over USD 500 million.
  • Malawi (formerly known as Nyasaland) is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa.

• In 2019-20, total bilateral trade between India and Mauritania was USD 94.53 Million.
  • Indigenous Berber people and the Moors inhabit Mauritania. 
  • Mauritania lies in western Africa and is located in the Atlantic Ocean.
  • India opened its mission in Nouakchott (Mauritania capital) in June 2021.

Read More: New Pathways in India-Africa Collaborations

`WHO Approves First Mpox Diagnostic Test

Source: TH 

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the first Mpox in vitro diagnostic under its Emergency Use Listing procedure. 

• About: Mpox, also known as monkeypox, is a DNA virus. It was first identified in monkeys in 1958 but has since been found to infect humans as well. 
• Transmission: Primarily transmitted to humans from animals, particularly rodents and primates, through direct contact or through contaminated objects. 
• Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that progresses from macules to papules to vesicles and pustules. 
• Global Outbreak: In August 2024, WHO declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, leading to coordinated efforts to control its spread. 
• Emergency Test: 
  • The emergency use approval of the Alinity m MPXV assay, developed by Abbott Molecular Inc, will play a crucial role in enhancing diagnostic capacity in countries experiencing Mpox outbreaks. 
  • Currently, 35 laboratories across India are equipped to test suspected cases of Mpox. 

Read more: WHO Declares Mpox a PHEIC 

Fortified Rice

Source: PIB

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of fortified rice distribution under government schemes, including PMGKAY, from July 2024 to December 2028, aimed at combating micronutrient deficiencies in India. 

• About Fortification: Fortification is the process of adding nutrients to food products that are not naturally present or are present in insufficient amounts. 
  • Rice fortification can be achieved by either coating grains with a micronutrient premix or by blending extruded rice kernels enriched with micronutrients with regular rice. 
  • Fortification aligns with WHO guidelines and is crucial as 65% of India's population consumes rice daily. 
  • India’s rice fortification program started in 2019 as a pilot program and scaled up in a 3 phased manner. 
  • Fortified rice has been distributed in states like Jharkhand and Maharashtra, with no reported adverse effects. 
• PM-GKAY: PMGKAY aimed at providing each person who is covered under the National Food Security Act 2013 with an additional 5 kg grains (wheat or rice) for free, in addition to the 5 kg of subsidised foodgrain already provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS). 
• Safety Assurance: Scientific evidence confirms that fortified rice is safe for individuals with Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia. 
• Labeling Update: The requirement for health advisories on fortified rice packaging has been removed after a review found no safety risks, aligning with global practices where organizations like WHO and the FDA do not mandate such advisories. 
  • Currently, 18 countries actively allow rice fortification. 

Read more: Fortification of Rice 

Supreme Court Unveils New Justice Statue

Source: HT 

Recently, the Lady Justice statue was unveiled at the Supreme Court, on the directions of the Chief Justice of India. 

• The statue was without the blindfold, and with the Constitution held in place of the sword, signifying that the law in India is both informed and not driven by retribution. 
• About Lady Justice: 
  • Lady Justice is an allegorical figure representing the moral authority within judicial systems. 
    • It is often depicted alongside Prudentia, another allegorical figure representing wisdom and prudence. 
  • Traditional Depiction: 
    • Traditionally, the blindfold symbolised equality before the law, implying that justice should be delivered impartially, without being swayed by the wealth, power, or status of the parties involved. 
    • The sword historically represented the authority of the law and its power to punish wrongdoing. 
  • New Depiction: 
    • The new statue, dressed in a saree instead of Lady Justice's robe, reflects a departure from colonial influences like replacing colonial-era laws like the IPC and CrPC. 
  • Despite the changes, the scales of justice in Lady Justice’s right hand have been retained, representing societal balance and the importance of carefully weighing facts and arguments from both sides before reaching a verdict. 

 

Read More: New Criminal Laws Come into Force