Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 23 Nov 2023

43% Increase in Measles Deaths From 2021-2022

According to a new assessment by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of measles deaths worldwide increased by 43 % from 2021-2022, due to falling vaccination rates.

  • Low-income countries — where the risk of measles-related deaths is highest — have the lowest vaccination rate of 66%, indicating no recovery at all from the backslide during the pandemic.
  • Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, spreads through respiratory droplets transmitted by the breath, sneeze or cough of an infected person.
  • Measles is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype. It is classified as a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family. Humans are the only natural hosts of measles virus.

Read More: Universal Immunization Programme, Mission Indradhanush

Governor Can’t Withhold Re-passed Bills

Government of Tamil Nadu complained to the Supreme Court (SC)that Governor is holding back Bills indefinitely, defeating the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu to the benefits of crucial laws passed by the House.

  • The SC took note of the Tamil Nadu government’s argument that the Constitution does not provide Governor “discretion” to withhold the Bills “re-passed” by the State Legislative Assembly.
  • SC held that the first provision of Article 200 states: “if the Bill is passed again by the House or Houses with or without amendment and presented to the Governor for assent, the Governor shall not withhold assent therefrom”.
  • The court also acknowledged the State’s submission that the Governor, having withheld assent and sent back the Bills once, cannot refer the reiterated Bills to the President.
  • It was also observed by SC that withholding the Bill also implies sending it back to the Legislature for reconsideration as returning the Bills back to the House was a necessary corollary to the withdrawal of assent.

Read More: Article 356, Rajmannar Committee

Israel Declares Lashkar-e-Taiba as Terror Organisation

Ahead of the 15th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Israel declared the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terror outfit, the move is in sync with Israel’s attempts to support a global war on terror.

  • The announcement has come in the backdrop of Israel’s continued military operation in Gaza Strip that was launched immediately after the attack by Hamas on Israeli targets.
  • Israel’s move comes at a time when it has asked India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist outfit.
  • Israel usually lists terrorist organizations that operate against it within or around its borders, similar to India's practice of listing groups recognized globally by the UNSC or the US State Department.
  • USA, UK, European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan are among the countries and groupings that have designated Hamas as a terror outfit.

Read More: Six-Day War of 1967, UNSC 1267 Committee

Kolkali Art of Kerala

Kolkali, a folk art of Malabar region of Kerala, is being performed in remembrance of St. Thomas’ (one of the disciples of Jesus Christ) arrival in India who landed in Muziris (Cranganore) on the Kerala coast in 52 AD.

  • With a history of about 200 years, Kolkali art is said to have drawn elements from Kalaripayattu, a martial art practised in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • In Kolkali, each of the performers holds a stick and moves in circle, striking the sticks and keeping rhythm to the accompanying music.
  • As the music gradually rises in pitch, the pace increases till the performance reaches its climax. The circle expands and contracts as the dance progresses.
  • Kolkali is widespread among the Dravidians. It has exerted a great influence in the folk dance forms of Bengal, Gujarat, Punjab, and Maharashtra. In Tamil Nadu, this art form is referred to as Kolattam and in Andhra Pradesh, as Kolamu.

Read More: Martial Art Forms in India

Online Coaching Platform: SATHEE

The Ministry of Education (MoE) and IIT-Kanpur have launched SATHEE, an innovative online platform aimed at transforming entrance exam preparation in India.

  • This collaborative initiative breaks the mold of traditional coaching centers by offering free, accessible coaching, leveling the playing field for aspirants from all backgrounds.
  • Aligned with National Education Policy, SATHEE leverages AI to personalize learning experiences and provides a 45-day comprehensive crash course, preparing students for exams like JEE and NEET.


Read more: National Education Policy