1. SARNA RELIGION (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Vulnerable Sections)

Context: The opposition leader recently pledged to introduce a distinct Sarna religious code for tribals and revise the GST if the INDIA bloc secures power through the vote.

Sarna Religion

• Nature: Followers of the Sarna faith are nature worshippers.
• Faith: The holy grail of the Sarna faith is “Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land).”
• Prayer Practices: Its followers pray to the trees and hills while believing in protecting the forest areas.
• Festival: Sarhul, a festival in which devotees worship their ancestors.
• Idol Worship and Belief System: Believers of the Sarna faith do not practice idol worship, nor do they adhere to the concept of the Varna system, heaven-hell, etc.
• Geographical Concentration: They are concentrated mainly in the tribal belt states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

The Need for a Distinct Sarna Religion Code:

• Identity Assertion: The demand for a separate Sarna Religion Code arises primarily from the assertion that they do not identify as Hindus.
• Census Data: Various tribal organizations contend that during the 2011 census survey, over 49.57 lakh individuals in 29 States and Union Territories across India self-identified as Sarna under the “Others” category, surpassing the count of Jains (44.51 lakh) who have a separate religious code.
• Distinct Cultural Values: Advocates of the Sarna faith argue that the religious and cultural values of tribals are distinct and cannot be equated with followers of other faiths.
• Call for Inclusion: They call for the inclusion of a separate column for the Sarna Religion Code in the delayed Census 2021.

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2. BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management)

Context: Recently, a massive fire erupted at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, sparking panic among locals. This site infamously witnessed the 1984 methyl isocyanate gas leak, claiming thousands of lives and disabling millions.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

• About: On December 3, 1984, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) leaked from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, causing one of the worst chemical disasters globally.
• Characteristics of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC): It  is a highly flammable liquid with a sharp, strong odor, evaporating quickly when exposed to air.

o Exposure to concentrations as low as 21ppm can lead to death within minutes due to its extreme toxicity.

• Cause of Bhopal Gas Leak: The disaster occurred on December 3, 1984, when 40 tons of toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leaked out of a pesticide factory in Bhopal.
• Occurrence of Events: The Union Carbide factory contained three underground tanks used to store liquid Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), pressurized with inert nitrogen gas, allowing the liquid MIC to be pumped out as needed.
• Symptoms of Exposure: Coughing, severe eye irritation, suffocation sensation, burning in the respiratory tract, breathlessness, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
• Causes of Death: Choking, reflexogenic circulatory collapse, and pulmonary edema were the primary causes of death among affected individuals.
• Legislative Actions in Response:

o The Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act: It  was passed in 1985, empowering the Indian government to settle claims and represent affected individuals.

o The Public Liability Insurance Act of 1991: It made compulsory for industries to obtain insurance, with premiums contributing to an Environment Relief Fund for compensating victims of similar disasters.

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3. EARTH OBSERVATION DATA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Earth observation data can generate over USD 3 trillion in economic benefits globally and help eliminate two gigatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030, according to a new report by the World Economic Forum.

Earth Observation Data

• About: It is a unique source of commensurable information. It can be combined with administrative, social and economic data at multiple scales for in-depth policy analysis.
• High-Resolution Dataset 

o High Resolution: The dataset offers a high-resolution of 38 meters.

o Temporal Coverage: It provides multi-temporal data spanning from 1975 to present, updated yearly since 2017.

o Built-Up Area Extent: Measures the extent of built-up areas and the timing of their development.

• Applications of Built-Up Area Data

o Regional Summaries: The data provides summaries of built-up areas by administrative regions.

o Impact Assessment: Useful for assessing the impacts of land use policies.

o Urbanization Patterns: Helps understand local, regional, and global patterns of urbanization.

Key Point of Report

• Environmental monitoring – satellites and aircraft-borne sensors can monitor CO2 and methane emissions, pinpoint emissions sources like oil and gas pipeline leaks;
• Early warning – EO can be used to better characterise wildfire risk and to spot wildfires faster among others; 
• Shipping route optimisation; 
• Precision agriculture, including monitoring plant health and nutrient uptake from soil; 
• Supply chain monitoring to detect illegal deforestation, etc.

Earth Observation

• About: It involves the use of remote sensing technologies to monitor land, marine, and atmosphere.
• Satellite-based Imaging: EO utilizes satellite-mounted payloads to collect imaging data about the Earth's characteristics.
• Data Processing: The collected images are processed and analyzed to extract various types of information for diverse applications.

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4. FWD-200B (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The FWD-200B, India's inaugural indigenous bomber UAV aircraft, crafted by Flying Wedge Defence, an Indian defense and aerospace firm, was recently revealed.

 FWD-200B

• About: It is an indigenous military grade bomber unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), marking India's pioneering step into unmanned bomber aircraft technology.
• Origin: Designed and manufactured by Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace Technologies, an Indian defense and aerospace company, showcasing India's capability in homegrown defense technology.

• Payload Capacity: Classified as a MALE (medium-altitude, long-endurance) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, boasting a payload capacity of 100 kg, suitable for various military operations.
• Integrated Features: The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) of FWD-200B includes optical surveillance payloads and is equipped with missile-like weapons, enabling precise air strikes with strategic advantage.
• Specifications: With a maximum speed of 370 kmph (200 knots) and an endurance capacity ranging from 12 to 20 hours, FWD-200B offers significant operational flexibility.

o Its ground control station range extends up to 200 km, ensuring effective remote operation and control.

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5. BLACK SEA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: After Russia withdrew its larger warships due to a series of devastating attacks, Ukraine's advancing drone boats seem to be targeting smaller, high-speed vessels in the Black Sea.

Black Sea

• About: A marginal mediterranean sea lying between Europe and Asia, east of the Balkans, south of the East European Plain, west of the Caucasus, and north of Anatolia. 
• Bordering countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
• Main river: The Black Sea is supplied by major rivers, principally the Danube, Dnieper and Dniester.
• Mountains: It is surrounded by the Pontic Mountain in the South, Caucasus Mountain in the East, and Crimean Mountain in the North.
• Island: It contains several islands, with the largest ones being Snake Island (Ukraine), Giresun Island (Turkey), and St. Ivan Island (Bulgaria).
• Connecting water bodies: 

o Drains into the Mediterranean Sea via the Turkish Straits and the Aegean Sea.  

o The Bosporus Strait connects it to the small Sea of Marmara which in turn is connected to the Aegean Sea via the Strait of the Dardanelles.

o To the north, the Black Sea is connected to the Sea of Azov by the Kerch Strait.

• Meromictic Basin: The Black Sea is the world’s largest body of water with a meromictic basin. 

o A meromictic lake has layers of water that do not intermix. 

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6. RWANDA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: British authorities recently deported an asylum seeker to Rwanda under a voluntary returns scheme and began detaining other migrants in readiness for deportations to the East African nation by July.

Rwanda

• About: Rwanda, officially known as the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked nation situated in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the regions of the African Great Lakes and Southeast Africa intersect. 

o Positioned just a few degrees south of the Equator. 

• Capital: Kigali.
• Bordering countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
• Nile River:

o Location: Flows through several countries, including Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.

o Characteristics: The longest river globally, playing a crucial role in the history and development of ancient civilizations.

• Great Rift Valley: : Extends from Lebanon in Asia to Mozambique in southeastern Africa.
• Sahara Desert:  Covers northern Africa, including parts of Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, and Tunisia.

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7. PULITZER PRIZE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Awards)

Context: Recently, both The New York Times and The Washington Post each received three Pulitzer Prizes for their 2023 coverage, spanning topics from the Gaza conflict to gun violence.

Pulitzer Prize

• About: It is an annual award bestowed by Columbia University, New York City, recognizing exceptional public service and achievement in American journalism, letters, and music.
• Establishment: 1917 
• Fellowship: $500,000
• Prestige and Tradition: Highly esteemed awards, conferred each May, symbolizing excellence in various fields since their inception.

Indians Who Have Won the Pulitzer Prize

• Gobind Behari Lal (1937): First Indian to win the Pulitzer Prize for journalism, affiliated with the Ghadar Party in America.
• Geeta Anand: In 2002 received Pulitzer Prize as part of The Wall Street Journal staff for Explanatory Reporting on corporate corruption. Her series of reports on healthcare as a lead reporter was a finalist in the 2003 Pulitzer Awards too.
• Sanghamitra Kalita: Recognized for her role as managing editor of the Los Angeles Times.
• Siddhartha Mukherjee (2011): Awarded for his work "The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer," offering insights into the complexities of cancer.
• Channi Anand, Mukhtar Khan, and Dar Yasin (2020): Associated Press photographers, honored in the Feature Photography category for their exceptional work.
• Danish Siddiqui, Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad   Mattoo, and Amit Dave (2022): Won a Pulitzer in the Feature Photography Category for covering the Covid-19 pandemic in India.

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8. EFFICON (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Chemical solutions company BASF has launched Efficon, a new insecticide, in India to help farmers tackle sucking pests.

Efficon

• About: Efficon insecticide marks the debut of compounds in the market belonging to the new IRAC group 36, representing a groundbreaking class of insecticides (Group 36 — pyridazine).
• Feature: Efficon presents a unique mode of action, specifically targeting piercing and sucking pests like Aphids, Jassids, and Whiteflies, effectively controlling multiple life stages of these pests.
• Impact: Upon application, Efficon swiftly halts insects from feeding, mitigating plant injury and offering enduring residual control, thanks to its systemic properties.
• Agricultural Threat Mitigation: Piercing and sucking pests, prevalent in India, inflict substantial harm to crops, leading to productivity and yield losses ranging from 35 to 40 percent.
• Early Market: India, following Australia, emerges as one of the initial nations where Efficon was launched, with its introduction in 2023.

Advantages:

• Supports integrated pest management (IPM) by being compatible with beneficial releases.
• Demonstrates favorable safety and environmental characteristics.
• Effectively manages pests with diminished susceptibility to alternative insecticides.
• Promotes rapid cessation of feeding, thereby reducing virus transmission.
• Offers enhanced crop protection post-closure through systemic, oral, and contact actions.

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9. WEST NILE FEVER (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Kerala government issued an alert in the State against West Nile fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, after one death and around eight cases were reported from Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts in recent days.

West Nile Fever

• About: It is an infection by the West Nile virus
• Symptoms: High fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. 

o Most of the symptoms are similar to that of Japanese Encephalitis. However, 80% of the patients need not show any symptoms.

• Spread by: Culex species of mosquitoes. As per the World Health Organisation, human infection is most often the result of bites from the infected mosquitoes.
• Transmission: Via mosquito bites. Birds are considered the natural hosts of the virus on whom mosquitoes prey and become infected.

o There has been no human-to-human transmission so far. 

• Treatment: The WHO says that the treatment is supportive for patients with neuro-invasive West Nile virus, often involving hospitalisation, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and prevention of secondary infections. No vaccine is available for humans.

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10. THALASSEMIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, siblings from Pune successfully underwent haploidentical bone marrow transplants at Dharamshila Narayana Hospital, triumphing over thalassemia major.

Thalassemia

• About: It is an inherited blood disorder resulting from inadequate production of hemoglobin, caused by genetic mutations passed from parents to children.

o Hemoglobin is crucial for red blood cell function, and insufficient levels lead to various health issues.

• Symptoms: Fatigue, weakness, pale or yellowish skin, facial bone deformities, slow growth, abdominal swelling, and dark urine are common symptoms of thalassemia.

o These symptoms vary in severity and can significantly impact quality of life.

• Caused by: Mutations in the DNA of cells responsible for hemoglobin production are the underlying cause of thalassemia.
• Classification:

o Thalassemia is classified based on either the affected part of hemoglobin (alpha or beta) or the severity of the disorder.

o Variants include alpha thalassemia, beta thalassemia, and different degrees of severity such as trait, carrier, intermedia, or major thalassemia.

• Treatment: A blood or bone marrow transplant, also called a hematopoietic stem cells transplant, replaces blood-forming stem cells that aren't working properly with healthy donor cells.
• World Thalassemia Day: 8 May each year

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