2-November -2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

BAN ON CONSTRUCTION IF ‘SEVERE’ AIR QUALITY LASTS

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The prevailing air quality crisis in Delhi prompts stringent measures by the government to address the severe environmental concerns. With the air quality consistently classified as “very poor” and at “severe” levels in specific areas, the administration under Environment Minister Gopal Rai has imposed restrictions and formulated strategies to combat the escalating pollution levels.

Measures Implemented to Combat Severe Air Quality:

Construction Halts in Pollution Hotspots:

• Environment Minister has announced a one-week cessation of construction activities within a 1-km radius of pollution hotspots if the air quality remains “severe.” This proactive step aims to mitigate pollution levels at critical locations.

Ban on Diesel Buses from NCR States:

• Starting Wednesday, the entry of diesel buses from NCR States into Delhi is banned. Only CNG, electric, and BS-VI-compliant buses are permitted to control vehicular pollution.

Monitoring and Enforcement:

• Forming 18 monitoring teams with six members each, predominantly from the Transport Department and Delhi Traffic Police, to oversee the restriction on diesel buses.

Public Transport and Infrastructural Modifications:

• Instructing the Delhi Metro to increase train frequency, and the Delhi Transport Corporation to recruit 1,000 private CNG-operated ‘Paryavaran Buses’ by November 10 to encourage eco-friendly public transport.
• The Public Works Department is deploying mobile anti-smog guns at construction sites, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is advised to use dust suppressants in water sprinklers across the city, not just in hotspots.

Conclusion:

The severity of air quality concerns in Delhi has compelled the administration to undertake multiple proactive measures, including halting construction activities, restricting diesel buses, and implementing measures in public transportation and construction sites. Such multifaceted approaches are imperative to mitigate air pollution. However, the collaborative and sustained efforts of various departments and citizens are critical to combat this recurring environmental crisis effectively. The gravity of the situation necessitates swift and stringent actions to curb pollution levels and improve air quality in Delhi.

MALWARE MALICE

GS 2 (POLITY AND GVERNANCE): SOURCE – THE HINDU)

The recent alerts issued by Apple to Opposition leaders and journalists, suggesting that their devices were targeted by “state-sponsored attackers,” bear resemblance to previous spyware allegations, particularly the Pegasus episode in India. The recurrent concerns regarding surveillance on specific individuals within the opposition and media highlight the need for a thorough, independent investigation.

Spyware Allegations and the Pegasus Episode:

Pegasus Spyware Use:

• Pegasus, a spyware developed by the NSO Group, was implicated in early 2022, targeting Opposition leaders, journalists, and dissidents, facilitating surveillance to advance specific interests.

Reported Surveillance in India:

• The Pegasus Project disclosed surveillance on at least 40 journalists, cabinet Ministers, and officials in India in 2021. The Supreme Court of India panel, while examining 29 phones, found no conclusive evidence of the spyware but flagged government non-cooperation.

Global Response and Apple’s Alerts:

• Unlike India’s lackadaisical approach, Western governments took stringent actions post the spyware revelations. Apple’s recent alerts, even though not targeting specific state actors, underscore the gravity of the situation.

Apple Alerts and Need for Investigation:

Potential Surveillance:

• The alerts, specifically targeting Opposition leaders and journalists, raise questions regarding potential state-sponsored surveillance, demanding an independent and empowered investigation.

Government’s Role and Accountability:

• An independent investigation, possibly led by the apex court, should mandate government cooperation. The Union government’s dealings with NSO and the utilization of their software need transparency and scrutiny.

Conclusion:

The recurrence of spyware-related concerns necessitates a transparent and comprehensive investigation, particularly given the alerts targeting Opposition figures and journalists. A conclusive and cooperative inquiry, possibly involving the Supreme Court, is vital to address the credibility of state-sponsored surveillance. Additionally, the government must provide clarity on its associations with NSO and emulate global actions to restrict such entities, ensuring accountability and safeguarding privacy rights.

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES SPECIAL CAMPAIGN 3.0 ON SWACHHTA AND MINIMIZES PENDENCY IN GOVERNMENT

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – PIB

The Department of Science and Technology successfully executed the Special Campaign 3.0 focusing on Swachhta, integrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to minimize pendency in government offices. The campaign, carried out across various departments and offices, emphasized cleanliness, efficient space management, and disposing of redundant materials.

Key Achievements:

• Campaign Overview: Conducted from October 2nd to 31st, 2023, the campaign aimed to streamline government office areas, reduce pending files, and promote cleanliness inspired by the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Site Identification and Cleaning: Over 300 sites were identified and thoroughly cleaned, significantly freeing up more than 37,000 sq.ft. of space. The focus was on eliminating scrap and redundant materials within government premises.
• Financial Gains and File Management: The disposal of identified scrap resulted in generating revenue exceeding Rs. 8.33 Lakhs. Moreover, around 8,214 physical files were reviewed, leading to the closure of 3,066 files. Additionally, 140 e-files were reviewed, and 130 were closed, reducing pending e-files.

Campaign Initiatives:

• Innovative Practices: Several initiatives were undertaken, such as using rubbles to create walking pavements at Institute of Nano Science and Technology, organizing awareness programs and drawing competitions on Swachhata by the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials.
• Community Engagement: Distribution of eco-friendly alternatives like jute bags and metal bottles was encouraged to discourage single-use plastics at specific locations, promoting sustainability and eco-consciousness.

Conclusion:

The Special Campaign 3.0 showcased commendable achievements in managing spaces, reducing file pendency, and fostering cleanliness across various government offices. The campaign’s success, marked by revenue generation, file closures, and extensive cleanliness drives, reflects a concerted effort to embody the vision of a clean and efficient working environment in line with the Swachh Bharat Mission. The various initiatives taken to repurpose materials and engage in community-oriented activities underline the commitment to a greener and cleaner workspace.

BANGLADESH NOMINEE DEFEATS NEPAL’S IN RACE FOR WHO REGIONAL POST

GS 2 (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS): SOURCE – THE INDIAN EXPRESS

Saima Wazed, the daughter of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, emerged victorious in the race for the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Regional Director post, defeating Shambu Acharya from Nepal. Her election, during the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee, saw active participation from ten out of eleven member countries. This development holds significance for the healthcare landscape in this region, catering to over two billion people.

Key Points:

• Election Outcome: Saima Wazed secured victory over Shambu Acharya, winning the role of Regional Director for the WHO’s South-East Asia region.
• Participating Nations: Ten of the eleven member countries, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, and others, engaged in the voting process. Myanmar was notably absent from the delegation.
• Nomination Confirmation: The nomination will be put forth to the WHO Executive Board during its upcoming session in Geneva, affirming Saima Wazed’s appointment as the new Regional Director.
• Commencement and Agenda: Scheduled to assume office from February 1, Wazed aims to focus on community-based mental healthcare, prevention, and promoting mental health as an essential component of the public health agenda in the region.

Conclusion:

Saima Wazed’s election into the position of Regional Director is seen as a significant development for the WHO’s South-East Asia region. Her vision for advancing mental healthcare and its integration into public health is anticipated to bring about crucial changes, underlining the collective resolve of member states towards her proposed direction.

RAMBAN VIADUCT IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR.

GS 3 (ECONOMY): SOURCE – PIB

• Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, announced the successful completion of the Ramban Viaduct in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Ramban Viaduct spans a length of 1.08 kilometers with 4 lanes and was constructed at a cost of ₹328 crore on the Udhampur-Ramban section of National Highway-44.
• The viaduct comprises 26 spans and is constructed using a blend of concrete and steel girders in its structural design.

• Its completion is expected to alleviate traffic congestion in Ramban Bazar, ensuring smoother vehicular movement along the highway.
• Shri Gadkari emphasized the importance of providing Jammu and Kashmir with superior highway infrastructure in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
• He highlighted that apart from enhancing regional economic growth, this significant achievement adds to the state’s attractiveness as a leading tourist destination.

CARBON NANOFLORETS

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE- THE INDIAN EXPRESS

The carbon nanoflorets, developed by researchers at IIT Bombay, exhibit exceptional capability in converting incident sunlight into heat with an efficiency of 87%.

Their high efficiency can be attributed to three key properties:

• Broad Light Absorption: These nanoflorets can absorb three distinct frequencies present in sunlight: infrared, visible light, and ultraviolet, enhancing their energy conversion potential.
• Unique Shape: The structure of the carbon cones minimizes light reflection, ensuring that a very small amount of incident light is bounced back. This contributes to their high absorption efficiency.
• Heat Retention: The nanoflorets demonstrate low heat dissipation, allowing them to retain the generated heat rather than dispersing it into the surrounding environment.

The collective features of these nanoflorets position them as an effective material for converting solar energy into heat. They can be utilized to efficiently heat other substances, such as water, using solar power. This innovation holds promise for various applications in harnessing renewable energy for heating purposes.

INTEGRAL FIELD ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPE EXPERIMENT (INFUSE) MISSION

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY): SOURCE- THE INDIAN EXPRESS

The INFUSE (Integral Field Ultraviolet Spectroscope Experiment) mission recently launched by NASA is designed for a specific purpose and several unique objectives:

Mission Objective: The primary goal of the INFUSE mission is to employ spectroscopic imaging to explore a specific area of the Cygnus Loop. It aims to study shock fronts generated as material from a supernova interacts with the interstellar medium.

Cygnus Loop Background: The Cygnus Loop refers to the remnant of a star that was considerably larger, around 20 times the size of our Sun. Approximately 20,000 years ago, this massive star collapsed due to gravitational forces and led to a supernova explosion.

Supernova Study: A supernova signifies the colossal explosion resulting from the death of a star. The INFUSE mission targets the area to observe and analyze the interactions between the material ejected from the supernova and the interstellar environment.

Ultraviolet Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS): INFUSE is notable for being the first far ultraviolet integral field spectrograph in space. It will have access to the Lyman ultraviolet range, enabling detailed spectral observations in this particular wavelength.