27-November-2023-Daily-Current-Affairs

SILKYARA: RESCUERS SET A VERTICAL DRILLING TARGET

GS 3 (DISASTER MANAGEMENT): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The rescue mission at Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, where 41 workers are trapped, has entered a critical phase on Day 15. Faced with challenges in horizontal drilling, the rescue teams have shifted their focus to vertical drilling, aiming to bore through 86 meters of mountain in 100 hours. However, concerns arise over potential hurdles and adverse weather conditions, adding complexity to the operation.

                              

Challenges in Horizontal Drilling:

Stuck Auger Machine:

• Horizontal drilling efforts face setbacks as the auger machine used becomes stuck amid pipes.
• Workers struggle to retrieve broken parts, hindering the restart of the horizontal drilling process.

Manual Horizontal Drilling Plan:

• Plans emerge to start manual horizontal drilling after extracting the auger machine completely.
• Manual drilling aims to reach the trapped workers behind 10-12 meters of debris.

Vertical Drilling Strategy:

Target and Progress:

• Rescue teams initiate vertical drilling above the tunnel, completing nearly 19.5 meters on Day 15.
• A target is set to drill through 86 meters vertically in 100 hours, contingent on avoiding unexpected hurdles.

Potential Challenges:

• Initial drilling may be smoother, but challenges arise when the machine reaches the crust of the tunnel.
• Successful completion of the vertical drilling process would allow workers to be extracted through the bored hole.

Weather Concerns and Additional Support:

Weather Forecast:

• The India Meteorological Department predicts snowfall and rainfall in Uttarkashi, complicating the rescue operation.
• The challenging weather conditions add to the difficulties faced by rescuers in the hilly terrain.

Indian Army’s Role:

• The Indian Army, including the Madras Sappers, joins the rescue efforts, contributing to manual drilling inside the tunnel.
• Rat-boring techniques involving hands, hammers, and chisels are employed to clear debris and push a pipe forward.

Conclusion:

As the Silkyara tunnel rescue operation reaches a critical juncture, the shift to vertical drilling reflects adaptability in response to challenges. The time-sensitive nature of the vertical drilling target and the looming weather concerns underscore the urgency of the mission. The collaborative efforts of rescue teams, including the Indian Army, are crucial in navigating the complex conditions and ensuring the safe extraction of the trapped workers.

SC HAS ALWAYS ACTED AS ‘PEOPLE’S COURT’: CJI

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

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, on Constitution Day, emphasized the enduring responsibility of the current generation to uphold the foundational principles of India’s Constitution. Acknowledging the Constitution’s existence and functionality, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the vital role of the Supreme Court in serving as a ‘people’s court’ for the past seven decades.

CJI’s Key Statements:

Honoring the Constitution’s Existence:

• CJI Chandrachud highlighted the significance of honoring the Constitution, emphasizing its existence and effective operation.
• The Constitution, based on principles of individual liberty, equality, and fraternity, remains a guiding force for the nation.

Supreme Court as a ‘People’s Court’:

• Over the last 75 years, the Supreme Court has consistently acted as a ‘people’s court,’ instilling faith in citizens who seek justice.
• Thousands of individuals have approached the court, expecting protection of personal liberty, accountability, and justice in various matters.

Accessibility of the Court:

• CJI Chandrachud emphasized the court’s commitment to making its work accessible to everyone without cost barriers.
• Live-streaming proceedings and providing free access to a vast number of judgments demonstrate the court’s dedication to transparency.

Multilingual Access to Judgments:

• To enhance accessibility, the Supreme Court has translated and made available judgments in various Indian languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, and others.
• As of November 25, 2023, 36,068 judgments are accessible on the e-Supreme Court Reports (e-SCR) platform.

Conclusion:

As India commemorates the 75th year of adopting its Constitution, CJI Chandrachud’s remarks underscore the enduring importance of constitutional principles. The commitment to providing free access to legal proceedings and judgments, coupled with multilingual initiatives, aligns with the court’s mission to serve as an accessible and inclusive institution. The Supreme Court’s role as a guardian of justice and protector of citizens’ rights remains integral as the nation progresses into a new era shaped by constitutional ideals.

CENTRE DIRECTS STATE GOVTS. TO CLOSELY MONITOR CASES OF RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

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

The Union Health Ministry has issued directives to State governments to closely monitor cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) in response to a recent surge in respiratory illness, particularly among children, in northern China. The Ministry has emphasized heightened vigilance and recommended specific measures to assess and manage the situation effectively.

            

Key Directives and Recommendations:

Surveillance and Testing:

• The Integrated Disease Surveillance Project’s district and State surveillance units are tasked with closely monitoring ILI and SARI cases.
• States are directed to send nasal and throat swabs of affected individuals, especially children and adolescents, to virus research and diagnostic laboratories for comprehensive testing.

Review of Public Health and Hospital Preparedness:

• The Health Ministry advises States to conduct an immediate review of public health and hospital preparedness measures.
• This includes ensuring the availability of trained personnel, hospital beds, essential drugs and vaccines, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits, reagents, and verifying the functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators.

Government’s Assurance:

• The Health Ministry emphasizes that the review of preparedness measures is a precautionary step and should not cause alarm.
• The government is actively monitoring the situation, aiming to address the increased cases of respiratory illnesses during the influenza and winter season.

Situation in China:

• Recent clusters of respiratory infections in China, leading to global attention, are attributed to known pathogens such as the influenza virus, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and bacteria like mycoplasma pneumoniae. The country’s Health Ministry clarifies that there is no evidence of a novel virus causing the surge.

Conclusion:

The Health Ministry’s proactive directives to States reflect a cautious approach to the rising cases of respiratory illnesses. The emphasis on surveillance, testing, and reviewing preparedness measures underscores the government’s commitment to managing public health challenges effectively. As India navigates the influenza and winter season, these measures aim to ensure timely detection, containment, and appropriate response to respiratory illnesses, especially among vulnerable populations like children and adolescents.

AYUSHMAN BHARAT CENTRES TO BE NOW CALLED AYUSHMAN AROGYA MANDIR

GS 2 (POLITY AND GOVERNANCE): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Union government has taken a significant step in healthcare by renaming the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) to ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ with the tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam.’ This move reflects an expansion of the vision from illness-centric to wellness-focused healthcare delivery. The rebranding initiative, highlighted in a letter to all States and Union Territories, aims to complete the process by the end of 2023.

Key Points:

Rebranding Directive:

• The Union Health Ministry urges States and Union Territories to rename AB-HWCs to ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir.’
• States are instructed to upload photographs of the rebranded primary health facilities on the AB-HWC portal.

National Health Mission (NHM) Logo:

• The NHM logo is to be retained in the rebranded centres, ensuring continuity in visual identity.

Tagline Significance:

• The tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam’ emphasizes the significance of health as the supreme wealth.

Funding Proposal:

• The funds required for renaming each facility are proposed at ₹3,000.

Conclusion:

The renaming initiative aligns with the broader goal of Ayushman Bharat, emphasizing holistic wellness. By transitioning from illness to wellness, the ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ initiative underscores the importance of preventive healthcare and community well-being. The rebranding reflects a commitment to providing comprehensive primary healthcare services to citizens, reinforcing the government’s vision for a healthier India.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE INTRODUCED GENERIC DRUGS FOR TREATING FOUR RARE DISEASES

GS 3 (SCIENCE AND TECH): SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has taken a historic step by introducing generic drugs for the treatment of four rare diseases. This move is aimed at making these life-saving medications more accessible and affordable, with the prices of generic versions being 100 times lower than the current market value of branded drugs.

Key Points:

Generic Drugs for Rare Diseases:

• The Ministry introduced unbranded generic versions of medicines for four rare diseases.
• This initiative marks the first time generic drugs are made available for treating these conditions.

Cost Reduction:

• The prices of generic drugs for rare diseases are set to be significantly lower, enhancing affordability for patients.
• This approach addresses the prohibitive cost of treatment associated with branded drugs.

Four Targeted Rare Diseases:

• Tyrosinemia-Type 1: Autosomal recessive genetic metabolic disorder affecting the breakdown of the amino acid tyrosine.
• Gaucher’s Disease: Inherited metabolic disorder characterized by the lack of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme.
• Wilson’s Disease: Autosomal recessive disorder involving abnormal copper accumulation in the body, affecting the brain, liver, and cornea.
• Dravet or Lennox Gastaut Syndrome-seizures: Genetic epilepsy.

Rare Disease Scenario in India:

• Prevalence: WHO defines rare diseases with a prevalence of 1 or less per 1000 population.
• Population Impact: Approximately 6-8% of the population in any country is collectively affected by rare diseases.
• Genetic Nature: Nearly 80% of rare diseases are of genetic origin.

Conclusion:

The introduction of generic drugs for rare diseases is a commendable step towards addressing the challenges faced by patients, including late diagnosis, lack of awareness, and the high cost of treatment. This initiative aligns with the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021, offering financial support and exemptions to promote accessibility and affordability of treatments for those affected by rare diseases in India.

WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR FACILITIES

GS 3 (ENVIRONMENT): SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA

The Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant, recently inaugurated in the UAE, has become one of the world’s largest stand-alone operational solar facilities, boasting a total capacity of 1.2 GW.

This significant solar project reflects the global shift toward renewable energy.

• In India, the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan stands out with a capacity of 2.25 GW, making it one of the largest solar power installations.

                                  

• Karnataka’s Pavagada Solar Park follows closely with a capacity of 2 GW.
• The Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project in Telangana, commissioned in 2022, is noteworthy as India’s largest floating solar power initiative.
• Additionally, the Cochin International Airport holds the distinction of being the world’s first solar-powered airport, exemplifying the integration of sustainable energy solutions in critical infrastructure.
• These developments underscore the growing prominence of solar power in diverse regions globally.

AVIAN INFLUENZA A(H9N2) VIRUS

GS 2 (SCIENCE AND TECH): SOURCE – THE HINDU

The Union Health Ministry is actively monitoring the reported outbreak of H9N2 in China, a subtype of the influenza A virus known for causing both human influenza (rare) and bird flu.

• H9N2 viruses are prevalent globally in wild birds and endemic in poultry across various regions.
• The transmission of the virus occurs through exposure to infected poultry or contaminated environments.
• In response to the potential threat, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD) has developed an ‘Inactivated low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) vaccine for chickens.’
• This development underscores the proactive measures taken to address emerging health challenges and highlights the significance of international cooperation in managing and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.