Current Affairs – October 20-21, 2024

{GS1 – MIH – Movements} Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)

Context (IE): Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) was in the news due to election issues.

About Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)

The SGPC is the apex governing body of all Sikh gurdwaras in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
Established in 1920 in Amritsar, the SGPC initially aimed to administer the Darbar Sahib and other historically significant gurdwaras.
In the 19th century, Punjab, under British control, experienced a rise in Christian missionary activities and the influence of the Arya Samaj movement. In response, the Singh Sabha movement emerged within the Sikh community to combat the perceived “degradation of Sikh thought and principles”.
Despite these movements, control of the Darbar Sahib and other gurdwaras remained with powerful mahants (priests), who had tacit support from the British. These mahants treated the gurdwaras as personal fiefdoms, encouraging practices that violated Sikh tenets, such as idol worship and discrimination.
The SGPC was established to replace the unpopular mahants and ensure Sikh gurdwaras were governed according to Sikh religious principles. After its creation, the SGPC faced resistance, often leading to violent confrontations, but it eventually gained control of many gurdwaras.
The British passed the Gurdwaras Act of 1925, legally recognising the SGPC and turning it into a democratic body for the governance of Sikh gurdwaras.

The Gurdwara Election Commission (GEC) is a statutory body under the 1925 Act. The Union Home Ministry appoints the Chairman and coordinates elections with the Punjab government.

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Bipolar World and India

Context (TH|MEA): India’s diplomatic engagement with China is tense following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, while relations with the U.S. are strengthening amid escalating Sino-American rivalry.

Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting in St. Petersburg, indicating a potential thaw in diplomatic relations.

Reason for a Bipolar World

China’s rapid economic rise as the world’s second-largest economy, with a GDP of approximately $18 trillion in 2023, competing with the U.S.’s GDP of about $26 trillion.
China has modernised its military about 350 battle-force ships, surpassing the U.S.’s 293 as of 2024. Rising tensions in the South China Sea and issues regarding Taiwan further exacerbate this.
U.S’s democracy and China’s authoritarianism: As of 2023, only 20% of the global population lives in free countries, while authoritarian regimes govern around 30%.
Shift in global power dynamics: U.S. unilateralism has declined, reducing its share of global GDP from 40% in 1990 to 24% in 2024. This shift allows China to challenge U.S. dominance.
Technological Competition: China aims to lead in AI by 2030, with the sector projected at $1 trillion. It also controls about 70% of the global 5G market as of 2024.
Cold War-like containment strategies of USA through alliances such as the Quad, enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific. The 2024 military budget includes $9 billion for initiatives countering China.

India’s Stand in a Bipolar World

Non-Alignment and Strategic Autonomy allowing engagement with both the U.S. and China.
Balancing Relationships with major powers by engaging with the U.S. through partnerships like the Quad while managing over $117 billion in trade with China despite ongoing border tensions.
As a leader in the Indo-Pacific India promotes stability through initiatives like the Act East Policy and strengthened ties with Southeast Asia by hosting the India-ASEAN summit in 2023.
Economic Engagement: India aims to diversify its economic relationships. The “Make in India“ initiative seeks to enhance local manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
Enhancing military through collaborations with the U.S., such as the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). In 2024, India’s defense budget is approximately $73 billion, focusing on modernisation.
Technological Development: India is investing in information technology, AI, and space technology, with the Indian space sector projected to grow to $13 billion by 2025.
India advocates for a multipolar world and seeks reforms in global governance institutions, including the UNSC. Its G20 presidency in 2023 underscores its influence on global decision-making.
Diplomatic Engagement: India manages tensions through dialogue with China, including 2023 talks to de-escalate border issues and participation in multilateral forums like BRICS and SCO.

Challenges of India in a Bipolar World

Sovereignty and Security: India must protect its sovereignty amid U.S.-China tensions and threats from China’s assertive foreign policy, as seen in the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Strategic Autonomy: India should avoid becoming a pawn in geopolitical contests, exemplified by its participation in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to maintain independent strategies.
Economic Dependence: Engaging with the U.S. and China risks economic dependence. In 2022, India’s trade with China reached $117 billion, highlighting the need for a balanced economic approach.
Regional Stability: U.S.-China tensions may destabilise the Indo-Pacific, impacting India’s national security, as demonstrated by 2022 naval encounters in the South China Sea.
Military Modernization: India must modernise its military in response to China’s expansion, which includes about 350 battle-force ships compared to India’s 130, requiring significant defence investment.
Technological Competition: India needs to enhance its technological capabilities. In 2024, China controlled 70% of the global 5G market, risking India’s marginalisation in tech innovation.
Global Governance: India must assert influence in global governance shaped by U.S.-China rivalry, as seen during its G20 presidency in 2023, advocating for a multipolar world.
Geopolitical Alliances: India should carefully choose alliances to avoid alienating the U.S. or China, balancing its partnership with the Quad and maintaining dialogue with China for autonomy.

Way Forward for India in a Bipolar World

Enhancing Regional Alliances: Expand ties with Southeast Asia through the Act East Policy. The 2023 India-ASEAN summit aimed to counter China’s 25% share of ASEAN trade in 2021.
Diversifying Economic Engagement: Reduce dependence on China, with 2022 trade at $117 billion, by promoting “Make in India” and targeting a $500 billion manufacturing output by 2025.
Investing in Defense Modernisation: Increase the defence budget of around $73 billion to modernise military capabilities, including acquisitions like Rafale jets, against China’s 350 battle-force ships.
Promoting Technological Advancement: Invest in AI and space sectors, projected to reach $13 billion by 2025, to enhance global competitiveness through initiatives like the National AI Mission.
Advocating for Reforms in Global Governance: Push for a permanent UN Security Council seat, leveraging its 2023 G20 presidency to influence global discussions on sustainability.
Enhancing Diplomatic Engagement: Engage in constructive dialogue with China to address border tensions, exemplified by the 2023 Eastern Ladakh talks, while participating in multilateral forums like BRICS.
Fostering Public Diplomacy: Educate the public on foreign policy through initiatives like the International Day of Yoga, celebrated in over 180 countries, to enhance India’s soft power globally.

Context (TH): Petition seeking sustainable treatment support for Gaucher disease was submitted

It is an inherited lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) that leads to the accumulation of fatty substances, known as sphingolipids, in organs like the bone marrow, liver, and spleen.
It can cause the weakening of bones and enlargement of the affected organs. Common symptoms include an enlarged spleen and liver, eye movement disorders, and yellow eye spots.

Context (TH): India is about to eliminate Kala-azar as a public health problem, with cases under one in 10,000 for two consecutive years (WHO parameters for elimination certification).

About Kala Aazar Disease

Also known as visceral leishmaniasis. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
It is the second deadliest parasitic disease after malaria in India.
Transmission: Through the bite of an infected female sandfly, primarily Phlebotomus argentipes.
Affected Population: Often linked to malnutrition, poor hygiene and weak immune systems.
Symptoms: Irregular bouts of fever, significant weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and severe anaemia. If untreated, it can be fatal within two years.
Treatment: WHO advises combining two or more drugs to reduce the risk of treatment failure.

Historically, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and parts of Uttar Pradesh have seen the highest number of Kala-azar cases, with Bihar alone accounting for over 70% of India’s cases.

Global Initiatives

The WHO’s New Roadmap for 2021–2030 aims to prevent, control, eliminate, and eradicate 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including Kala-azar, by 2030.
WHO Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF), which targets the elimination of lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and Kala-azar through the Mass Drug Administration (MDA).

India’s Initiatives

The Indian government aimed to eliminate Kala-azar by 2023 by building pucca houses through the PM-AWAS Yojana, rural electrification, testing, treatment, and regular high-level reviews.
The National Kala-azar Elimination Programme was initially set under the National Health Policy-2002, targeting elimination by 2010, which is now revised to 2023.
India signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh and Nepal to eliminate kala-azar from the Southeast Asia Region (SEAR).
Programmatic activities for kala-azar elimination are currently carried out under the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), which is part of the National Health Mission (NHM).

Context (BS): 2024 Global MPI was on the theme “Poverty Amid Conflict.” It is published annually by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

Uses ten indicators across three dimensions: health, education, and living standards.
Households are “multidimensionally poor” if they are deprived in at least one-third of these indicators.

Key Findings

Across 112 countries,18.3 percent live in acute multidimensional poverty. Nearly 40% of the 1.1 billion people living in poverty, approximately 455 million, are situated in countries experiencing conflict.
The five countries with the largest number of people living in poverty are India (234 million), Pakistan (93 million), Ethiopia (86 million), Nigeria (74 million), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (66 million). These five countries account for nearly half (48.1%) of the 1.1 billion poor people.
Around 584 million people under the age of 18 are living in extreme poverty, making up 27.9% of all children globally, compared to 13.5 % of adults. Most poor people (83.7 %) reside in rural areas.
It noted that 2023 witnessed more conflicts than ever since WWII, displacing over 117 million people.

Factors Contributing to India’s Poverty

Geographical Inequalities: Rural poverty rates remain high due to inadequate infrastructure, poor service delivery, and limited economic opportunities outside agriculture.
Educational Standards: The quality of education in many government-run schools is poor, leading to insufficient learning outcomes.
Hygiene and Sanitation: Poor access to safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation, particularly in rural areas, continues to push many households into multidimensional poverty.
Malnutrition Issues: India struggles with severe malnutrition, particularly among children.
Economic Challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted India’s economy, leading to job losses, reduced incomes, and increased vulnerabilities for millions of households.

India’s Government Steps for Poverty Alleviation

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Basaltic Dust to enhance carbon capture

Context (TH): Basalt dust as organic fertiliser can enrich soil & accelerate carbon sequestration.

Benefits of Basaltic Dust

Mitigate climate change by promoting a natural process called enhanced weathering, which captures CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it in the form of stable carbonates.
Adding rock dust to soil also improves its fertility and crop yields.
Basalt powder undergoes decomposition in the soil solution, resulting in the formation of some weak acids and an increase in soil pH.

Basaltic rock, a kind of volcanic rock, is rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It is found in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat (where the volcanic Deccan Traps are located) and Jharkhand and West Bengal (where the Rajmahal Traps are situated).

Also, read about Geoengineering.

{GS3 – Envi – RE} India’s $1 Trillion “Just Energy” Coal Transition

Context (IE): India, the second-largest coal producer globally, faces a significant challenge in transitioning away from coal, which will remain central to its energy mix for at least another decade.

A study by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology (iForest) estimates that a just transition away from coal will require over $1 trillion over the next 30 years.

What is a ‘Just’ Energy Transition?

A just energy transition refers to an equitable and inclusive shift towards a low-carbon economy that considers the interests of fossil-fuel-dependent workers and communities.

Costs Associated with a Just Transition

Mine Closures and Repurposing: Costs associated with closing coal mines and repurposing the sites.
Retirement of Coal Plants: Costs of retiring coal plants and converting the sites for clean energy.
Labour Skilling: Training coal workers for green jobs.
Economic Diversification: Developing new businesses to replace coal-based industries.
Community Support: Providing support to communities affected by the transition.
Green Energy Investments: Building new energy infrastructure to replace coal mines & coal-fired plants.
Revenue Substitution: Compensating states for the loss of revenue from coal.
Planning Costs: Costs associated with planning and managing the transition.

Funding the Transition

Public Funding: Grants and subsidies for non-energy costs like community support & worker retraining.
Private Investments: Investments in green energy plants and infrastructure.
District Mineral Foundations Funds: Nearly $4 billion is available from funds collected from miners, which can be used to support new businesses and communities in coal districts.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Additional support for new businesses & community resilience.

International Approaches to a Just Transition

South Africa: Just Energy Transition Investment Plans will require $98 billion over the next two decades, with $8.5 billion to be provided from various countries in 2023-2027.
Germany: Enacted laws to phase out coal power by 2038, with an outlay of over $55 billion to close coal mines and coal-powered plants and support coal-dependent regions.

{GS3 – Infra – Railways} Indian Railway and its Challenges

Context (TH|IE|ET): Mysuru-Darbanga Express collision and the challenges that Indian Railways faces in safety and operational efficiency.

Challenges of Indian Railways

Frequent Train Accidents like Balasore (2023) and Kavaraipettai (2024) reveal safety gaps, primarily due to staff errors (55.8%) and signaling failures.
Limited Implementation of ‘Kavach: Kavach, a collision prevention system, covers only 2% of the network due to high costs (₹50 lakh per km), and slowing rollout.
High Operating Ratio: An OR of 98.2 (2024-25) signals high costs, limiting capital investment and increasing reliance on government support, with dues rising from 10% to 17% of revenue since 2015-16.
Freight Congestion: Freight, which contributes 65% of revenue, faces network congestion, reducing the average speed to 26 km/h. Delays in Dedicated Freight Corridors exacerbate the issue.
Over-Reliance on Coal: Heavy reliance on coal freight risks long-term revenue sustainability while the government pushes for renewable energy.
Track and Maintenance Deficiencies: Capital allocation for track renewal fell to 7.2% in 2023-24, reducing maintenance and equipment upgrades.
Passenger Service Losses: Passenger services operate at a loss, with ₹68,269 crore in losses (2021-22), despite increased revenue in 2024-25.
Capacity Constraints: 30% of the network operates beyond 100% capacity, causing delays and inefficiencies and impacting technologies like Kavach.
Wage and Operational Costs: Rising wage, pension, and fuel costs, along with stressful working conditions for pilots, add to financial and operational pressures.

Government Initiatives to Strengthen Indian Railways

Kavach Safety System provides real-time alerts and automatic braking to prevent accidents.
Track Development: In 2022-23, 5,243 km of new tracks were laid, averaging 14.4 km per day. This reduces congestion and enhances network efficiency.
Gauge Conversions: Between 2014-2022, 1,544 km of gauge conversions and new lines were completed, improving regional connectivity.
High-Speed Rail Project: The $14.27 billion Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project is being constructed to offer faster train services.
Gati Shakti National Master Plan to enhance multimodal connectivity, improves freight and passenger logistics by streamlining operations and reducing bottlenecks across various transportation modes.
Dedicated Freight Corridors: The Eastern DFC from Ludhiana to Dankuni for freight movement in key industrial area and The Western DFC from Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port for improving overall efficiency.
Integration with Union Budget: Since 2016-17, merging the railway budget with the general budget has increased flexibility in accessing gross budgetary support and reduced reliance on internal revenues.
Railway Electrification: Aiming for 100% electrification by 2024, 61,813 km of broad-gauge track was electrified by 2023, saving $1.55 billion annually.
Automatic Block Signaling (ABS) implemented over 3,946 route km to improve operational safety.
Technological and Green Initiatives: By 2024, Wi-Fi will be installed at 6,089 railway stations to enhance passenger connectivity, and over 1,000 stations solarised to promote sustainable energy use.
Freight Optimization: Record freight loading of 1,512 MT in 2022-23, with a 2024 target of 2,024 MT. Freight revenue constitutes 65% of internal earnings, largely from coal.
FDI in Railways: 100% FDI is allowed in railway infrastructure to modernise stations, introduce high-speed corridors, and upgrade technology.
400 Vande Bharat Trains planned for faster, more efficient travel across key routes.

Way Forward for Indian Railways

Deploy the Kavach system across the network, as the Kakodkar Committee (2012) recommended.
Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) could increase freight capacity by 70%, with the Eastern DFC cutting transit time from Ludhiana to Kolkata from 60 to 24 hours.
Diversifying Revenue Streams: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) could attract ₹20,000 crores by 2024 and reduce dependence on ticket sales.
100% Electrification by 2024: At 85%, this goal will be supported by renewable energy initiatives like solar installations, which are projected to generate 20 GW.
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): Implement real-time traffic management and automated train control systems. Over 100 trains use GPS tracking and digitise 70% of ticket sales by 2025.
Fast-track high-speed rail projects starting with Mumbai-Ahmedabad route, which will cut travel time.
Infrastructure upgrades and optimised train schedules are essential to address the 8% annual passenger growth rate contributing to congestion.
Staff Training: Enhance railway personnel skills, as the Rakesh Mohan Committee emphasises. Improving working conditions for locomotive pilots could increase their efficiency by up to 30%.
Enhancing Passenger Amenities: Upgrade station facilities and onboard services. A survey revealed that 78% of passengers want better sanitation.
Establishing Robust Frameworks as the Bibek Debroy Committee recommended setting key performance indicators, aiming for a 20% improvement in service delivery.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Spotted Locust

Context (TH): In Idukki (Kerala) farmers face agricultural crisis due to an infestation of spotted locusts.

Defence mechanism: Bright warning colours to ward off predators. They eject toxic foam as a defence mechanism. Additionally, they can produce a sharp rasping sound as part of their defence.
Movement: They have slow movement, thus easy to catch. It typically jumps low and does not fly.

Causes of Locust Swarming

Gregarisation: Triggered by excessive rainfall, flooding, and sometimes cereal crop irrigation.
High Rainfall: Leads to lush foliage, increasing nymph numbers and causing them to congregate.
Flooding: Expands breeding grounds.
Temperature: Lower temperatures increase nutrient assimilation efficiency and slower growth.
Soil Moisture: Allows continuous egg-laying post-floods during dry seasons.
Serotonin Surge: Sight, smell & touch of other locusts lead to switching genes to the gregarious phase.
Hopper Contact: Leads to gregarisation and group movement in search of food.

{Prelims – PIN World – Europe} Azores Island

Context (TP): Azores island created the largest marine protected area in the North Atlantic.

About Azores Island

The Autonomous Region of the Azores is a Portuguese archipelago of volcanic origin made up of nine islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Credits: Pinterest

It is located at the seismically active Azores Triple Junction plate boundary where the North American Plate, Eurasian Plate and African Plate meet.
The archipelago, alongside Madeira, Cape Verde, and the Canary Islands, is part of Macaronesia.
The islands lie in a northwest-southeast direction and are divided into three groups: northwest, central and eastern. Mount Pico, located on Pico Island, is the highest point on the archipelago

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Naseem Al Bahr

Context (PIB): Indo-Oman bilateral naval exercise held on the coast of Goa, demonstrating India’s commitment to collaboration with Oman and regional security in the Indian Ocean Region

Other Bilateral Exercises with Oman

Al Najah is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman focused on counter-terrorism in desert environments.
Eastern Bridge is a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force of Oman.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Gliese 229B

Context (TH): Geliese consists of two brown dwarfs, now designated Gliese 229Ba and Gliese 229Bb.

These two objects orbit each other closely, separated by 16 times the distance between the Earth and the moon, completing an orbit every 12 days.
They circle a small dwarf star located 19 light-years from our solar system in the constellation Lepus.

About Brown Dwarfs

Brown dwarfs are sub-stellar objects that have masses between those of stars and planets, generally between 10 and 90 times the mass of Jupiter.
They form the same way as stars, from collapsing clouds of gas and dust, but they don’t have enough mass to start nuclear fusion, which powers real stars. Hence, can be considered wannabe/failed stars.
They are formally defined as objects that can burn a heavy form of hydrogen, called deuterium, but not the most common basic form of hydrogen.
Because of their low temperatures and small sizes, brown dwarfs have extremely low luminosities.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio – Diseases} Vitiligo

Context (DTE): A recent Kannada film draws attention to vitiligo.

Credits: Cleveland Clinic

Vitiligo is a long-term skin disorder that results in the loss of pigment in patches, causing white areas to appear on the skin. It is not contagious. Affects between 0.5 – 2% of the global population.
Cause: It arises due to the malfunction or destruction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour.
It could result from autoimmune responses, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors (UV radiation, chemical exposure, etc). It results in depigmented patches that may occur anywhere on the body, including the skin, hair, and even the lining of the mouth.
Does not have a permanent cure. Treatments aim to manage symptoms and restore skin pigmentation.