22 May 2024, The Hindu
Climate change, a passing cloud in Indian politics
Page 6
Prelims syllabus: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change
- The fifth phase of India’s general election is over and the electoral rhetoric of both the major parties, i.e., the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian National Congress, have conspicuously side-lined one of the most critical issues of our times — climate change.
- This omission is particularly stark against the backdrop of global environmental crises and the pressing demands for sustainable development.
Spotlighting pre-eclampsia, ensuring safe motherhood
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GS 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
- The journey towards safe motherhood and safe birth must confront the stark reality that congenital anomalies and neurological challenges in newborns are more prevalent than we care to acknowledge.
- While not much can be done for congenital anomalies, the neurological deficit could stem from inadequate antenatal and perinatal care — a sobering truth that demands our attention.
The risks of Russia’s nuclear posturing
Page 7
GS 2: International Relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting the Indian interests
- The war between Russia and Ukraine has entered its second year and there is no end in sight.
- Earlier this month, in a concerning escalation, Russia announced that it plans to hold drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons along the border with Ukraine.
- Earlier in March, Russia had said that it would station nuclear weapons in Belarus. Such nuclear posturing in the middle of a war is worrying.
Analysing local environmental footprints
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GS 3: Environment- Conservation
- A recent study titled ‘Water, air pollution and carbon footprints of conspicuous/luxury consumption in India’, of which the author is one of the contributors, highlights the environmental impact of affluent individuals, particularly those who engage in consumption beyond basic needs.
- This study specifically examines the CO2, water, and particulate matter (PM2.5) footprints associated with luxury consumption choices among households in India across different economic classes.
- The analysis contrasts these luxury consumption footprints with those associated with non-luxury consumption.
- The luxury consumption basket includes various categories such as dining out, vacations, furniture, social events etc.
Joint culture in the armed forces is way forward: CDS
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GS 3: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandates
- Stating that jointness and integration are pre-requisites to the creation of functional Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Anil Chauhan said on May 21 that Theatre Commands would lay the foundation for catapulting the armed forces into the next orbit of military preparedness and war fighting.
SEBI issues fresh norms to verify market rumours
Page 13
Prelims syllabus: Current events of national and international importance.
- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Tuesday issued fresh guidelines to manage the impact on the stock market arising out of rumours.
- The regulation will be applicable to the top 100 listed companies from June 1, 2024 and the next 150 companies from December 1, 2024, SEBI said.
- According to the regulator’s guidelines, such listed entities are required to verify market rumours, upon material price movement.
- The stock exchanges had been asked to issue a framework for material price movement on their websites.
X chromosome revival in older women increases risk of autoimmune disease
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GS 3: General awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, bio-technology
- In mammals, the females have two copies of the X chromosome while the males carry a single copy.
- The X chromosome is more significant than for its role in determining sex. Recent genomic studies have shed light on the fundamental biological processes the X chromosome modulates and the genes it encodes.
- The gathering evidence suggests in fact that it plays a part in a variety of biological functions as well as controls the sex-specific susceptibility to certain diseases.
