[Newsbits] 1-7.11.2024: Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR, Census 2025 & more

Summary: Zolgensma, a costly gene therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), offers hope to affected families in India by replacing the defective SMN1 gene to improve motor function. SMA is a rare disorder causing severe muscle weakness and loss, often apparent in infancy. Awareness and early diagnosis are essential for better outcomes, though treatment costs and limited access present significant challenges. Many families rely on crowdfunding and community support for this life-saving drug, while ongoing research seeks to lower costs and improve access.

Summary: Zimbabwe launched its second satellite, ZIMSAT-2, from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome, marking a significant step in the nation’s space ambitions. Equipped with a multispectral camera, this low-Earth orbit satellite aids agriculture, resource management, and environmental monitoring. Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education confirmed the satellite’s successful orbit and optimal functionality. Local engineers and students actively contributed to the project, enhancing national technical expertise. ZIMSAT-2 is expected to boost Zimbabwe’s economic development in sectors like agriculture and mining, supporting data-driven decision-making and bolstering the nation’s role in space technology.

Summary: The Karnataka Waqf Board recently declared ownership of 17 monuments within Bidar Fort, including significant sites like the 16-Khamba mosque and Bahmani tombs, sparking tensions with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which manages the fort. Local farmers voiced concerns after receiving notices and seeing changes in land records, leading Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to assure they would not face eviction. The Joint Parliamentary Committee is now involved to address farmers’ grievances, with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya advocating for transparent land dispute processes. This situation underscores the challenge of balancing heritage conservation with local land rights.

Summary: India is showcasing its tourism potential at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 5-7, 2024. With a significant Indian diaspora in the UK, India’s Ministry of Tourism is encouraging diaspora engagement through the “Chalo India” initiative, which promotes inbound tourism with incentives like gratis e-visas. The India Pavilion, inaugurated by officials including High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami, emphasizes MICE, Mahakumbh, and wedding tourism. India’s sustainable tourism goals, supported by digital tools like the Incredible India Content Hub and new infrastructure, align with the G20 roadmap for eco-friendly destinations, positioning India as a key player in global tourism.

Summary: India signed a $200 million loan with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve urban services in Uttarakhand through the Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project. Targeting key cities, the project will enhance water supply, sanitation, and urban mobility with climate-resilient infrastructure and support disaster preparedness. With a focus on empowering women through job training in transport and water management, the project also involves co-financing from the European Investment Bank ($191 million). This initiative aims to make Uttarakhand’s cities more sustainable and livable while boosting economic resilience and gender inclusivity.

Summary: Wave Life Sciences has pioneered RNA editing in clinical trials, marking a significant step in genetic disorder treatments. RNA editing corrects mRNA errors, restoring functional protein production through enzymes like ADAR and guided RNA. This approach treats conditions such as α-1 antitrypsin deficiency and could extend to diseases like Huntington’s. Unlike DNA editing, RNA editing is reversible, minimizing risks. Challenges include specificity and delivery methods, but ongoing advancements and interest from major pharmaceuticals indicate RNA editing’s potential as a revolutionary gene therapy standard.

Summary: India’s first autonomous vessel completed a 1,500-kilometer voyage from Mumbai to Thoothukudi, marking a significant advancement in maritime technology. The journey, part of the Sagarmala Parikrama project led by Sagar Defence Engineering with support from the Indian Navy, showcases India’s progress in autonomous systems. The vessel, designed for coastal surveillance, interdiction, and patrol, was virtually launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This milestone aligns India with global trends in unmanned maritime operations, strengthening national security, expanding operational reach, and fostering self-reliance in defence technology.

Summary: Trump’s first-term policies significantly impacted the H-1B visa program, crucial for employing skilled foreign workers in the US. His administration saw denial rates rise sharply, while COVID-19 restrictions further reduced approvals, which only rebounded post-2021. Indian nationals, major users of the program, faced higher hurdles during his term. Trump’s potential return could reshape H-1B policies, with proposals such as automatic green cards for US-educated foreign graduates. Such changes might benefit Indian students but may bring broader economic effects, like inflation, due to increased tariffs. Future policies will impact skilled labor in US markets significantly.

Summary: Jal Utsav, launched by NITI Aayog from November 6-24, 2024, is a national campaign aimed at promoting water conservation. Involving 20 aspirational districts, the initiative focuses on fostering awareness, community involvement, and student empowerment in sustainable water practices. Activities like the symbolic Jal Bandhan ceremony and the release of a district-specific Jal Sampada Fact Sheet aim to instill responsible water usage. Partnerships with the National Jal Jeevan Mission and local stakeholders reinforce a multi-stakeholder approach, aligning with PM Modi’s vision for sustainable development.

Summary: Sikkim introduced an Odd-Even traffic rule in Gangtok to manage congestion. Applicable within the Gangtok Municipal area, the rule allows vehicles with odd/even ending registration numbers to drive on corresponding dates during set hours. Exemptions apply to emergency services, high-level government vehicles, taxis, and tourists with valid IDs. Special allowances exist for weddings and funerals, requiring permits. This regulation, under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, aims to streamline traffic and enhance urban mobility in Gangtok.

Summary: Singapore has topped the Henley Passport Index with access to 195 countries, reflecting strong diplomatic relationships. The index ranks passports quarterly based on visa-free access, indicating global mobility. Singapore leads, followed by countries like France, Germany, and Japan. The U.S. ranks 8th, and India is in 83rd place. Factors affecting rankings include diplomatic ties, economic stability, and security. Visa-free access enhances tourism, business, and cultural exchange, emphasizing the role of diplomacy in strengthening passport power.

Summary: The Indian Navy hosted the third edition of MAHASAGAR, a high-level virtual interaction to enhance maritime security cooperation among Indian Ocean Region (IOR) nations. This edition, led by Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, focused on “Training Cooperation to Mitigate Common Maritime Security Challenges in IOR,” aiming to improve operational readiness and tackle issues like piracy, smuggling, and illegal fishing. The initiative underscores India’s commitment to collective regional security through quality training, capacity building, and collaboration, fostering trust and enhancing joint maritime capabilities across IOR nations.

Summary: The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants for 2024-25 support Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Haryana, Tripura, and Mizoram. Aimed at enhancing rural governance, Haryana received Rs.194.867 crores in untied funds, Tripura received Rs.31.4 crores in untied and Rs.47.1 crores in tied grants, while Mizoram was allocated Rs.14.2 crores and Rs.21.3 crores in untied and tied grants respectively. These funds, categorized into untied (for general needs) and tied (for specific services like sanitation and water management), reflect the national vision of inclusive growth and are managed by the Ministries of Panchayati Raj, Jal Shakti, and Finance.

Summary: An Oregon pig has tested positive for Avian Influenza A (H5N1), signaling the virus’s spread to a new mammalian host in a farm environment with shared resources. The H5N1 strain involved, clade 2.3.4.4b, is spreading globally, raising concerns over a potential pandemic. The virus poses a reassortment risk, as pigs can host both human and avian flu viruses. Currently, 44 human cases and 404 mammalian infections across 23 species have been recorded. The CDC deems public risk low but calls for vigilant monitoring of H5N1’s adaptability across species.

Summary: The Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation (for Special Projects) Act, enacted in October 2024, aims to streamline land acquisition for major projects but faces controversy for allowing water bodies to be acquired in exchange for alternative land. Critics argue this could lead to unchecked privatization and environmental harm, especially to essential water sources. While the law includes compensations and an expert committee review, concerns about environmental safeguards, minimal public involvement, and loss of local access to water remain significant issues.

Summary: Japan has launched the world’s first wooden satellite, LignoSat, in collaboration with Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry. Made from honoki wood, this satellite will orbit the Earth for six months, gathering data on the durability of wood in space. The project aims to explore sustainable satellite materials, with wood’s rot- and flame-resistant properties being key advantages. If successful, LignoSat could pave the way for eco-friendly satellites and wood-based structures on the Moon and Mars, enhancing sustainability in space exploration.

The Nagaland government recently elevated Meluri to district status, making it the state’s 17th district. This transformation aligns with the state’s trend toward creating districts, aiming to improve local governance. Meluri, which borders Myanmar, is primarily inhabited by the Pochury Naga tribe and benefits from a new, centralized administration structure. Expected benefits include enhanced public services, infrastructure investment, and local economic growth, with residents welcoming this step. The geopolitical location also facilitates better border management. The move underscores Nagaland’s broader decentralization strategy to bring governance closer to the people.

The Madras High Court has intensified efforts to remove invasive species like Senna spectabilis and Lantana camara from Tamil Nadu’s forests by October 2025. This initiative aims to restore local ecosystems and includes measures like state-led briquetting to repurpose removed biomass. The court mandates regular oversight, focusing on environmental conservation and sustainable tourism in ecologically sensitive areas such as the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued guidelines to curb greenwashing in advertisements, mandating scientific evidence or third-party certification for environmental claims. Aimed at transparency, these guidelines target misleading eco-friendly terms like “natural” and “sustainable.” Startups, particularly in consumer sectors, are seeking legal guidance to ensure compliance with these new requirements, focusing on reliable claims and revising marketing strategies. The guidelines help build consumer trust, attract sustainability-focused investors, and position companies positively. By emphasizing authentic eco-friendly practices, the guidelines are expected to enhance accountability and support accurate environmental claims.

The upcoming GEO-7 report, developed by UNEP with contributions from 300 scientists, is set to present a comprehensive assessment of global environmental challenges at the UNEA-7 in December 2025. GEO-7 is structured around integrated solutions and emphasizes long-term planning with future outlooks for 2050 and 2100. Policymakers and stakeholders are closely involved, supported by targeted summaries and outreach to engage a broad audience. The report, UNEP’s flagship environmental publication, aims to influence sustainable policymaking and encourage proactive responses to global ecological issues, ensuring an informed approach to protecting environmental health and resources.

Kerala’s recently approved Coastal Zone Management Plans (CZMPs) align with the 2019 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines, easing restrictions on coastal development in ten districts. This change benefits residents by reducing No Development Zones (NDZ) from 100m to 50m, allowing greater residential and commercial development. However, the shift has raised environmental concerns, particularly around mangrove ecosystems, as protective buffers have been decreased. While CZMPs aim to balance development with conservation, they underscore the need for careful management to avoid compromising Kerala’s coastal ecosystem and biodiversity.

Heart disease is increasingly affecting younger women in India, with atypical symptoms often delaying diagnosis. Common risk factors include obesity, poor diet, inactivity, diabetes, and hypertension. Lifestyle habits like smoking, alcohol, and stress also play significant roles, while hormonal factors such as estrogen and birth control influence heart health. Women typically exhibit symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath, which can lead to delayed care. Preventive measures, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and health screenings from age 20, are essential in managing heart disease risks among women.

India introduced its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at the UN biodiversity conference in Cali, Colombia, in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Focused on halting biodiversity loss by 2030, NBSAP sets 23 targets covering threat mitigation, sustainable resource use, and ecosystem restoration. India aims to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems and manage invasive species through targeted strategies. With significant projected expenditure of Rs 81,664.88 crore annually (2024-2030), the plan emphasizes robust financial support. This framework aims to address India’s biodiversity challenges while contributing to global conservation goals.

October 2024 marked India’s hottest October since records began, with Delhi experiencing its warmest month since 1951 and no rainfall. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a 76% drop in rainfall due to the absence of western disturbances, which typically provide winter precipitation. Global warming, high humidity, and lingering monsoon moisture contributed to these temperature spikes. This trend is part of broader climate changes affecting various countries, including Japan and Pakistan, and raises concerns about increasingly frequent humid heatwaves. The extreme temperatures in October highlight the need for urgent climate action to mitigate global warming and its interconnected impacts.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched the “First in the World Challenge” to foster breakthrough health solutions and drive innovation in biomedical research. The initiative, emphasizing high-risk, high-reward projects, invites Indian scientists to propose unprecedented ideas in vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Proposals must be bold and transformative, not incremental advances. Open to individual or collaborative teams, submissions undergo a rigorous review by experts. This initiative positions ICMR to champion revolutionary health advancements, with the potential for significant global health impacts and enhanced creativity in India’s biomedical research landscape.

The recently discovered orchid species, Gastrodia lohitensis, found in Lohit district, Arunachal Pradesh, is unique due to its leafless structure and reliance on fungal nutrients in shaded bamboo thickets. Standing 50-110 cm tall, this rare orchid, led by researcher Krishna Chowlu of the Botanical Survey of India, adds to India’s endemic flora. However, it faces threats from habitat disturbance, prompting a preliminary “Endangered” IUCN status. Protecting this orchid’s ecosystem is vital for conserving Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity and highlights the global importance of preserving fragile environments.

India has joined the Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP) Steering Committee through its Enforcement Directorate. This collaboration enhances India’s cross-border asset recovery efforts, aligning with G-20 priorities, and India will assume the ARIN-AP presidency in 2026, showcasing its leadership in tackling economic crimes.

Scientists have discovered the first black hole triple system, located 8,000 light years away in the Cygnus constellation. The system consists of a central black hole, V404 Cygni, orbited by two stars—one in a close 6.5-day orbit and another in a distant 70,000-year orbit. This unusual configuration, discovered by researchers from Caltech and MIT, suggests a new formation mechanism called “direct collapse,” where a massive star forms a black hole without a supernova explosion. The discovery challenges existing black hole theories, encouraging further research into similar cosmic systems and the complex dynamics of black hole formation.

Exercise Garud Shakti 24, the 9th India-Indonesia joint military exercise, is underway in Jakarta, focusing on enhancing interoperability and defense ties. From November 1-12, 2024, India’s Parachute Regiment and Indonesia’s Kopassus Special Forces engage in jungle terrain operations, special operations planning, and counter-terrorism exercises. This collaboration aims to improve bilateral military strategies and mutual understanding, reinforced by recent diplomatic discussions. Beyond tactical training, Garud Shakti 24 strengthens India-Indonesia defense cooperation, contributing to Indo-Pacific security and laying a foundation for more advanced future collaborations.

The Namo Drone Didi Scheme, launched in November 2024, aims to empower 14,500 Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) across India by providing drones and training for agricultural services, enhancing crop yield and reducing costs. Funded with ₹1261 crore, this initiative under the DAY-NRLM will run through 2026. SHGs receive an 80% subsidy on drone costs, with additional loan facilities and interest subvention. Drone packages include essential equipment and a 15-day training program. Overseen by an Empowered Committee and monitored through an IT-based system, this scheme promotes rural women’s livelihoods and strengthens agriculture through technology.

Scientists have used LiDAR technology to discover a lost Mayan city hidden beneath dense jungle in Mexico. LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, employs light pulses to create detailed 3-D surface models. This method, which includes a laser, scanner, and GPS receiver, overcomes dense vegetation barriers that obscure archaeological sites. Commonly used in forestry, urban planning, and environmental monitoring, LiDAR is praised for its accuracy and ability to cover large, inaccessible areas. Although costly and weather-dependent, continued advances promise wider applications, making LiDAR a valuable tool for future archaeological discoveries and environmental studies.

The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) in Ladakh is India’s ground-based project aiming to enhance solar research and improve solar storm predictions, crucial for protecting satellite and communication technology on Earth. Located at Merak near Pangong Tso Lake at 4,200 meters, this advanced telescope will provide high-resolution data on solar magnetic fields, complementing data from the Aditya L1 satellite. Despite facing delays and significant costs, it is expected to receive final approval by November 2024. Led by Professor Annapurni Subramaniam and prioritized by the Principal Scientific Advisor, NLST is positioned to significantly advance India’s solar astronomy capabilities.