Published on: November 23, 2024

Snippets : 23 NOVEMBER 2024

Snippets : 23 NOVEMBER 2024

  • A study by the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), using NFHS-5 data, highlights significant variations in access to antenatal services across Karnataka. Bengaluru leads in service access, with 85% of women receiving four or more antenatal services, compared to Mysuru (77%), Belagavi (66%), and Kalaburagi (59%). Services include ultrasound scans, vaccinations, and essential supplements. The state’s Maternal Mortality Rate stands at 69 per one lakh live births (2022). Wealthier mothers generally have better access, though disparities exist based on caste and religion. Interestingly, in Bengaluru, educated women often avoid standard antenatal services, opting for online resources or personalized care. Northern Karnataka faces unique challenges such as inadequate facilities and travel delays. Socio-economic constraints, cultural beliefs, and insufficient awareness further hinder access. Policy recommendations include strengthening ASHA workers, improving transport, delaying first pregnancies, and addressing cultural barriers.
  • The UAE has launched the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance at COP29 with the goal of doubling global energy efficiency rates by 2030. This initiative, building on the ‘UAE Consensus’ from COP28, aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable resource management. The UAE will lead the alliance, utilizing its expertise in energy efficiency while fostering collaboration with the private sector. Key objectives include carbon emission reduction, sustainable resource management, capacity building, and the creation of global energy efficiency standards. The alliance will focus on public-private partnerships, investments, and sharing best practices globally. Special attention will be given to supporting African nations by providing technological and financing solutions to improve their energy sustainability.
  • The AroTrack is a water-pollutant detecting device developed by scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). It is designed to detect harmful aromatic pollutants, such as phenol, benzene, and xylenols, in water. AroTrack works by utilizing proteins derived from bacteria found in highly polluted environments. These proteins undergo an ATP hydrolysis chemical reaction in the presence of aromatic compounds, resulting in a color change that the device detects. The device uses an LED-phototransistor assembly to shine light through the sample and measure the absorption to determine the concentration of pollutants. It also includes a biosensing module, MopR, which is particularly sensitive to phenol. With its ability to operate in water temperatures up to 50°C and deliver results in under 30 minutes, AroTrack is a low-cost, battery-operated solution ideal for deployment in remote or rural areas. This device addresses the challenges of expensive laboratory testing, making it particularly valuable for under-resourced settings. AroTrack has the potential to revolutionize water safety by detecting pollutants quickly and affordably, thereby enhancing public health by identifying water contamination before consumption.
  • The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched during the 2024 G20 summit under Brazil’s presidency, aiming to address global hunger and poverty challenges. Originating from the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the initiative seeks to connect countries in need of public policy assistance with partners offering expertise and financial support. The COVID-19 pandemic, rising global conflicts, and climate change have significantly worsened the fight against poverty and hunger, making the Alliance’s goals even more urgent. Projections indicate that by 2030, 622 million people could be living in extreme poverty, and 582 million in hunger. The Alliance brings together 81 countries, 26 international organizations, 9 financial institutions, and 31 NGOs, focusing on key areas such as school meals, cash transfers, smallholder farming, maternal and childhood interventions, socio-economic inclusion, and water access solutions. Rather than providing direct funding, it acts as a matchmaking platform, with an annual budget of $2-3 million from its members, including the FAO and UNICEF. The headquarters will likely be in Brasilia or Rome. The initiative strengthens global cooperation for sustainable development by offering evidence-based policies and best practices to member nations.
  • A 13-day dance festival, beginning November 26, will showcase the classical dance forms of India. Titled Kalanadam, it is currently in its 25th edition. It is the annual festival of Narthan Academy of Dance and Music (NADAM), which is located in Malleswaram. The first edition of the festival was held in the year 2000.
  • Karnataka is rolling out an Artificial Intelligence-based system that citizens can use to generate various property-related documents such as agreements and deeds by themselves without having to depend on middlemen
  • Karnataka has taken a significant step towards combating climate change by launching a dashboard to monitor mitigation and adaptation measures through an integrated approach involving line departments at the state and district levels. The Karnataka State Action Plan on Climate Change, drafted in 2021 and approved in May 2024, estimates a funding requirement of ₹52,827 crore for implementation between 2025 and 2030. The plan provides recommendations to 11 sectors, including agriculture, energy, and infrastructure, to reduce emissions and promote sustainability. Developed by the Environment Management Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) in collaboration with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung (HSS), the dashboard will track adaptation measures and expenditure while facilitating funding mechanisms such as exploring carbon credit markets.
  • IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge announced that the Karnataka government is collaborating with corporates to develop a 50-50 syllabus for engineering colleges, likely as an additional skilling programme under the state’s “Nipuna Karnataka” initiative. The plan includes adopting 100 colleges by 100 corporates and global capability centres (GCCs) to enhance employability, partially funded by the state and corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions. A skill council will oversee the initiative to align training with industry needs. Kharge highlighted partnerships with Germany, France, Finland, and Switzerland for advancements in sustainable development, AI, biotechnology, and manufacturing. Additionally, the government targets 10,000 startups beyond Bengaluru in two years, supported by grants and ease-of-business policies. A centre of excellence in AI, approved by the cabinet, will be set up in collaboration with IIT Alumni Centre Bengaluru.
  • Karnataka’s software and services exports surged to ₹4.11 lakh crore in the fiscal year 2023-24, up 27% from ₹3.2 lakh crore the previous year, according to IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge, citing Software Technology Parks of India data. This growth increased Karnataka’s share of the nation’s software exports to 42%. Notably, tier 2 and tier 3 cities contributed ₹10,000 crore to the IT exports. Nationally, IT exports from STPI-registered units crossed ₹9 lakh crore. At the conclusion of the 27th Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), the Minister highlighted Karnataka’s pioneering GCC policy, expected to attract 500 additional GCCs, create 3.5 lakh jobs, and add $50 billion to the economy by 2029. BTS-2024 also launched the Nipuna initiative in collaboration with IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and others to train 1 lakh youth annually, aiming to position Karnataka as a global talent hub. The summit featured 300+ start-ups pitching to 100+ investors and announced Start-up Awards from 2025 to honor innovation and impact. With participation from 51 countries and 521 global speakers, BTS-2024 reinforced Karnataka’s position as a tech leader.
  • The Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage (DAMH) in Karnataka has proposed adding 210 monuments to the list of State-protected sites under the Karnataka Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (KAMASR) Act, 1961, increasing the total to 1,058 from the current 848. These additions will augment conservation efforts alongside 609 monuments of national importance protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Once notified as protected, these monuments will receive higher priority for conservation and maintenance. Of the identified sites, 49 have already been submitted for notification, while details of the remaining sites, including boundaries, land extent, and usage, are awaited from the Revenue Department. This inventory update, the first in decades, followed a comprehensive district-wise survey using 3D scanning under the Karnataka Digital Heritage Project. The monuments span Mysuru, Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hampi, and Kalaburagi divisions, and include notable sites such as the Arakeshwara and Holenarasimhaswamy temples in Sosale, the Sri Janardhana temple in Talakadu, the Rosary Church at Shettihalli, and 13 Chalukya-era temples in Lakkundi. Additionally, hero stones, neolithic burial sites, and kalyanis or stepwells are among the newly identified heritage structures.
  • Double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee of England announced his retirement from triathlon at the age of 36. Brownlee won gold medals in London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016, with his younger brother, Jonny, making the podium on both occasions. He was also world champion in 2009 and 2011, and a four-time European champion.
  • Italy won the Billie Jean King Cup for the fifth time as Jasmine Paolini beat Rebecca Sramkova to secure a dominant 2-0 win over Slovakia
  • After successfully conducting the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Rajgir, Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in April, 2025. The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG), which was organised for the first time in New Delhi last year, will also be held in the same State. There will be a gap of 10 to 15 days between KIYG and KIPG.
  • Researchers have identified a new microbe called Candidatus Phytoplasma responsible for a peculiar disease that has been affecting the sesame fields of Midnapore in West Bengal.
  • Recently, the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti digitally launched the “Bhu-Neer” portal during the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the portal aims to enhance groundwater regulation across India. Serving as a one-stop platform, “Bhu-Neer” ensures transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage by providing detailed information on the legal framework for groundwater extraction and regulations at both state and national levels. The portal features a centralized database with access to critical data on compliance, policies, and sustainable practices. It also offers a user-friendly interface with features like a PAN-based single ID system, NOC with QR codes, and a streamlined process flow for project proponents seeking groundwater withdrawal permits. Marking a significant improvement over its predecessor, NOCAP, “Bhu-Neer” promotes ease of doing business by simplifying the groundwater regulation process. The portal is now live for public use, allowing users to track applications, make payments, and seek clarifications related to groundwater withdrawal.
  • The Supreme Court recently gave a major fillip to telecom companies by allowing them to claim Central Value Added Tax (CENVAT) credit for the installation of mobile towers and peripherals like Prefabricated Buildings (PFBs), for which they pay excise duties.
  • The G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was headlined by the official launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (henceforth “the Alliance”). One of the main initiatives championed by Brazil during its G20 presidency in 2024, the initiative will serve as a platform for connecting countries in need of assistance with public policies targeted towards eradicating hunger and poverty, with partners willing to offer expertise or financial support.
  • The Indian Army is gearing up to recruit domain experts as officers and junior commissioned officers (JCOs) to advance its adoption of cutting-edge technologies in areas like space, cyber warfare, AI, robotics, and quantum technologies, aiming for a strategic edge in modern conflict. This initiative follows the establishment of 16 technology clusters focusing on innovations like 5G/6G communication, counter-drone technology, and blockchain. Candidates with master’s degrees will join as officers, while graduates will be recruited as JCOs or other ranks. These experts will specialize in their assigned domains throughout their careers, with opportunities for promotion in their disciplines. Inspired by lessons from recent global conflicts and a growing emphasis on non-kinetic warfare, the army aims to transition from emergency purchases to in-house technological development, partnering with IITs to strengthen its supply chain and innovation capabilities.
  • Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) will provide Kannada textbooks for first-year engineering students from this academic year, aiming to help rural students and those from Kannada medium understand concepts easily. Despite the Kannada medium being launched in 2020-21, only one student opted for it this year. VTU has translated textbooks for the first and second semesters and will release them on their website, with plans to translate third and fourth semester books as well.
  • Researchers have discovered that there are four species of king cobras with different traits, two of which are found in India. Wildlife biologist P Gowri Shankar, who led the 12-year research, has described the new species, including the ‘Ophiophagus kaalinga’ found in the Western Ghats. The discovery highlights the need to protect habitats and develop anti-venom specific to each species, which can help reduce conflict situations and save lives, with 58,000 people dying of snake bites in India every year.
  • A recent World Bank report highlights the significant gap between education and skilling in six Indian states, emphasizing the need for school-based skilling programs. The report identifies 14 sectors, including services, agriculture, and IT, that can cater to high-demand jobs. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged the World Bank to conduct a pan-India study to inform policy decisions. The report recommends targeting 20-30% of secondary schools in every district and offering at least two trades, with a focus on the agriculture sector, which presents opportunities for jobs, income enhancement, and entrepreneurship.
  • The Centre has notified telecom cyber security rules to safeguard India’s communication networks and services. The rules require telecom entities to report security incidents within six hours, appoint a Chief Telecommunication Security Officer, and furnish detailed information on affected users and remedial measures within 24 hours. Manufacturers of equipment with IMEI numbers must register them with the government before sale.
  • The International Criminal Court recently issued arrest warrants for the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, his former Defence Minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  • An international team of astronomers has utilized the MeerKAT radio telescope, a highly advanced radio interferometer located in South Africa’s Northern Cape province, to study giant radio galaxies in the COSMOS field. Originally conceived as the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT) with 20 receptors, MeerKAT now boasts 64 receptors, each 13.5 meters in diameter, with separations of up to 8 km, making it the most powerful radio interferometer at centimeter wavelengths. Part of South Africa’s contribution to the global Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, MeerKAT serves as a precursor to SKA’s mid-frequency component, employing radio signals from space to explore the evolution of the universe and its contents.
  • A new frog species named Raorchestes asakgrensis was recently discovered from Meghalaya.
  • The Ministry of Science and Technology recently launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) data bank to propel innovation and strengthen national security. Announced at the 7th ASSOCHAM AI Leadership Meet 2024, this initiative aims to provide high-quality, diverse datasets to researchers, startups, and developers for creating scalable AI solutions. It supports real-time analytics of satellite, drone, and IoT data, enhancing disaster management, cyber security, and predictive analytics. Artificial Intelligence, a multidisciplinary field spanning computer science, data analytics, and neuroscience, focuses on creating machines capable of reasoning, learning, and acting with human-like intelligence.
  • Union Minister of Culture and Tourism will present the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2022 and 2023 to 82 young artists at a ceremony at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Instituted in 2006 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the award honors young performing artists (up to 40 years old) in music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts, and puppetry. It includes a cash prize of ₹25,000, a plaque, and an angavastram. Named after Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, a legendary shehnai maestro who played at India’s first Republic Day celebration and performed globally, the award aims to inspire and support young talent in preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage.