Current Affairs – November 24-25, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Personalities} Guru Tegh Bahadur

• Context (IE | X): On Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom day, President Murmu paid tributes.

• Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru. He was born in Amritsar in 1621 and became leader of Sikhs from 1665 until his death in 1675.
• Guru Tegh Bahadur is revered as the ‘Protector of Humanity’ (Srisht-di-Chadar).
• He wrote extensively, and many of his hymns are part of Guru Granth Sahib.
• He built the city of Anandpur Sahib (in Rupnagar/Ropar district, on the edge of Shivalik Hills, near the Sutlej River, in Punjab).
• Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution and cremation.
• He stood up for the Kashmiri Pandits, who sought his help against Aurangzeb’s religious oppression.
• He was publicly beheaded on the orders of Aurangzeb as he resisted the forced conversion to Islam.
• As per the Nanakshahi calendar released by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, his martyrdom is remembered as the Shaheedi Divas of Guru Tegh Bahadur every year on 24 November.
• Inspired by Guru Tegh Bahadur, his son, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, went on to formalise the Sikh community into the distinguished and symbolic society known as the Khalsa.

{GS2 – Polity – IC} Constitution Museum

• Context (TOI): India’s first Constitution Museum was inaugurated at the O P Jindal Global University, Sonipat (Haryana) on 23rd November by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

• It would help citizens understand, appreciate, and engage with the core principles of Indian democracy.

Read more about the Constitution Museum.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health – Issues} Methanol Poisoning

• Context (IE): Six tourists lost their lives in Laos due to suspected methanol poisoning.

• Methanol poisoning is a severe and potentially fatal condition that occurs when methanol, a type of alcohol used in industrial applications, is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.

Causes of Methanol Poisoning

• Methanol in Alcoholic Beverages: Methanol poisoning typically occurs when counterfeit or illicit alcohol containing methanol is consumed instead of ethanol (the alcohol found in beverages).
• Metabolism in the Body: Methanol is metabolised by the liver enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase into formaldehyde and formic acid, both toxic compounds.
• Competition with Ethanol: Ethanol competes for the same enzyme, acting as a temporary antidote by slowing down methanol metabolism.

Symptoms of Methanol Poisoning

• Metabolic Acidosis: Severe drop in blood pH levels.
• Optic Nerve Damage: Potentially resulting in partial or complete blindness.
• Central Nervous System Depression: Causing confusion, coma, or death.

Difference Between Liquor and Spurious Liquor

• Liquor is an alcoholic beverage produced through distillation rather than fermentation. The alcohol content varies significantly: Beer is around 5%, Wine is approx 12% & Distilled spirits roughly 40%.
• The primary alcohol present is ethanol (C₂H₅OH), a psychoactive substance that, in low doses, reduces neurotransmission in the body, leading to intoxicating effects.
• Spurious liquor, conversely, refers to adulterated or counterfeit alcoholic beverages. These may contain harmful substances and impurities, posing serious health risks to consumers.

Regulation of Methanol in India

• The Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations 2018 stipulate the maximum permissible quantity of methanol in different liquors.
• The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has notified the mandatory certification for methanol.
• The Indian Standard (IS 517) applies to how the quality of methanol is to be ascertained, and together with the Tamil Nadu Denatured Spirit, Methyl Alcohol, and Varnish (French Polish) Rules 1959, what signage and methanol packaging should carry.

Prevention of Methanol Poisoning

• Regulated Alcohol Sales: Governments should ensure alcohol production and sale adhere to safety standards to eliminate harmful methanol levels.
• Methanol Screening: Regular testing of alcoholic products in unregulated markets can help identify and prevent contaminated beverages.
• Prompt Medical Care: Seek immediate medical attention if methanol poisoning is suspected.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Health} Global Access to Nutrition Report 2024

• Context (TH): The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi), a non-profit global foundation, published the fifth edition of the Global Access to Nutrition report.

• It reveals disparities in the healthiness of products sold by leading food and beverage (F&B) companies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries (HICs).

Report Findings

• Health Star Rating System: The report analysed various products from major brands a health star rating system. Products are ranked out of 5 on their healthiness, with 5 being the best. A score above 3.5 is considered a healthier choice.
• Health Disparities: The report found that ‘portfolio healthiness’ is lowest in LMICs, highlighting disparities in products offered across different markets.
  • Healthiness score in LMICs: 1.8
  • Healthiness score in HICs: 2.3
• Affordability of Healthier Products: Only 30% of companies plan to price some of their healthier products for lower-income consumers affordably.

Significance of Findings in India

• NCD Burden: An estimated 10.13 crore Indians have diabetes. As per the National Family Health Survey 5 data, obesity stands at 24% among women and 23% among men.
• Diseases: Economic Survey 2023-24 reported that unhealthy diets cause 56.4% of India’s disease burden.
• Changing Diets: The ICMR highlighted the increased consumption of highly processed foods laden with sugars and fat, reduced physical activity, and limited access to diverse foods as exacerbating micronutrient deficiencies and overweight/obesity problems.
• Affordability Issue: Over 50% of Indians cannot afford a healthy diet, as per UN data.

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} Export of Fossil-Fuel Emissions

• Context (TH): At COP29, activists and experts called for holding fossil fuel-exporting nations accountable for the emissions generated abroad, particularly in developing countries.

Advantages of Fossil-Fuel Exports

• Economic Growth: Fossil fuel exports contribute significantly to the GDP of exporting countries, creating jobs and boosting local industries.
• Affordable Energy: Exported fossil fuels provide developing nations with cheaper energy, aiding their industrial growth.
• High Efficiency: U.S. thermal coal is valued for its high heat content, making manufacturing processes more efficient.

Need to Check Fossil-Fuel Exports

• Greenwashing: Exporting countries portray favorable domestic climate progress while shifting responsibility for emissions to other nations.
• Rising Emissions: In 2022, U.S. fossil fuel exports caused over 2 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions abroad, a third of U.S. domestic emissions.
• Global Climate Goals: The Paris Agreement (2015) sets targets for reducing domestic emissions but excludes those from exported fossil fuels.
• Impact on Developing Nations: Fossil fuels exported to developing countries often power industries, contributing to local pollution, health crises, and environmental degradation.
• Social Inequality: Poor communities are most affected by pollution but often lack the means to seek justice or relocate.
• Environmental Damage: Coal reliance leads to higher emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. It also causes ecosystem degradation through mining and transportation.
• International Tensions: Disputes over emissions accountability hinder global cooperation as nations focus on domestic progress while neglecting emissions from exported fossil fuels.

Challenges in Tackling Exported Emissions

• Economic Dependencies: Fossil fuel industries are vital for the economies of exporting countries, making it difficult to reduce exports.
• High Costs of Alternatives: Developing renewable energy or decarbonized technologies in both exporting and importing countries requires substantial investment.
• Political Resistance: Exporting nations often argue that the responsibility for emissions lies with the importing countries.

Way Forward

• Strengthened Legal Frameworks: Enforce stricter pollution norms and ensure impartial environmental audits to restore public trust.
• International Committments: Future COP summits should include exported emissions in global climate accountability, urging countries to assess the environmental impacts of their fossil fuel exports.
• Domestic Actions in Exporting Countries: Countries must gradually reduce fossil fuel production, invest in clean energy, and offset export dependence with sustainable practices.
• Support for Developing Nations: Provide financial and technical aid to help transitioning industries adopt renewable energy and alternatives like refuse-derived fuels (RDF).

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} India’s Farm Fire Counting Method

• Context (TH | IE): India plans to shift from using satellite-based live fire detection to monitoring burnt areas for counting farm fires, a major contributor to northern India’s severe air pollution.

Background

• Farmers burn crop stubble post-paddy harvest to clear fields quickly for wheat sowing. This practice is illegal under existing laws due to its environmental impact.
• Low Adoption of Alternatives like subsidized harvesting machines despite government subsidies due to high costs and limited rental availability.

Implications of Farm Fires

• Environmental Impact: Farm fires are a major contributor to air pollution and smog in northern India, leading to respiratory health issues.
• Economic Costs: Increased healthcare costs and productivity losses due to pollution.
• International Attention: Highlights India’s struggle with sustainable agricultural practices amidst climate goals.

How Does India Currently Monitor Farm Fires?

• Satellite Monitoring: Data is collected from two NASA satellites passing over states in India twice daily, capturing farm fires within a 90-second window.
• Satellite data is used to estimate fire incidents and plan timely interventions.

Issues with the Current Method

• Evasion by Farmers: Farmers shift burning activities to avoid detection during satellite monitoring windows.
• Limited Detection Window: Satellites only capture fires visible during brief regional passes or shortly before, missing fires outside this timeframe.
• Accuracy Concerns: Questions arise over the accuracy and comprehensiveness of current monitoring methods.

Proposed Alternative

• Burnt Area Monitoring: Focus on analyzing residual burnt areas to estimate farm fires, overcoming the limitations of live satellite monitoring.
• Stationary Satellites: Explore stationary satellites for real-time data.

Challenges in Transition

• Technological Readiness: Development and deployment of burnt-area monitoring systems require significant technological investment and time.
• Policy Coordination: Implementation requires collaboration between central & state governments.
• Farmer Resistance: Addressing farmer concerns about alternatives is crucial for behavioral change.

Way Forward

• Policy Interventions: Expand subsidies for affordable stubble management tools and ensure timely availability of rental machines in high-demand areas.
• Technological Upgrades: Invest in stationary satellite-based and AI-driven burnt-area analysis systems.
• Behavioral Change Programs: Educate farmers on environmental impacts and viable alternatives to stubble burning.
• Incentives for Alternatives: Introduce financial rewards for adopting eco-friendly waste management practices.
• Collaborative Efforts: Engage local governments, NGOs, and farmer organizations in awareness campaigns.

{GS3 – Envi – UNFCCC} COP29 Crisis: Navigating Disagreements

• Context (IE): COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, is facing a crisis as nations and blocs reject the latest draft negotiating text, primarily due to disagreements on finance and other climate-related issues.

Points of Disagreement and Issues Raised

• Finance Issues: Finance was the main focus of COP29, but developing countries raised concerns regarding the draft text on financial commitments.
• Mitigation & Adaptation: Disagreements arose on the approach to mitigation & adaptation measures.
• Global Stock Take (GST) Disputes: The disagreement over how last year’s GST outcomes should influence this year’s negotiations created significant tension.
  • The dispute centered on the section of the GST that called for actions like transitioning away from fossil fuels, reducing methane emissions and phasing down coal.

• India’s Opposition to Methane Cuts: India rejected calls to reduce methane emissions due to its potential adverse impact on agriculture.
• Shifting Focus to Mitigation: India voiced frustration with attempts to shift the focus back to mitigation, stressing the importance of financial support for mitigation actions instead of just setting ambitious goals without clear enablers.
• Fossil Fuel Transition Concerns: Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries strongly opposed the suggestion to phase out fossil fuels, viewing it as detrimental to their economic interests.
• Developing Countries’ Financial Concerns: Developing nations are concerned that the draft text does not provide adequate financial provisions to support climate actions, especially in mitigation.
• Balancing Mitigation and Finance: Many countries believe financial enablement is crucial to achieve mitigation goals.
• Equity & Differentiated Responsibilities: Countries call for financial support based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, where developed nations take the lead in financing climate actions.

Disadvantages of Over-emphasis on Mitigation

• Economic Impact on Developing Nations: Focusing heavily on mitigation, particularly phasing out fossil fuels, may hinder the development of countries that rely on these resources.
• Agricultural Concerns: In countries like India, transitioning away from fossil fuels and reducing methane emissions could negatively impact agriculture, which is vital for their economy and food security.

Way Forward

• Focus on Finance Enablement: Emphasize financial enablement like mechanisms for raising financial support for mitigation and adaptation actions, to help countries meet their climate goals.
• Inclusive Approach: Future agreements should include clear provisions for financial support, particularly for developing nations, ensuring that mitigation actions are feasible and supported.
• Balanced and Flexible Negotiations: Take into account the economic conditions of fossil fuel-dependent countries, maybe through gradual transitions and diverse pathways for achieving climate goals.
• Enhanced Global Collaboration: Strengthening partnerships and frameworks for financial assistance and capacity building will ensure more inclusive and equitable climate action across nations.

Advantages of a Balanced Approach

• Comprehensive Action: Addressing both mitigation and financial enablement will allow for more effective and holistic climate action.
• Global Cooperation: A balanced approach that respects different countries’ economic realities will help maintain global cooperation on climate action.

{GS3 – IE – Urbanisation} Financial Needs of India’s Urban Infrastructure

• Context (TH | TH): India’s urban population is expected to double by 2050, necessitating massive investments and reforms in urban infrastructure to meet the needs of rapidly growing cities.

Current Scenario

• Urban Growth Projections: Urban population set to rise from 400 million to 800 million by 2050.
• Investment Requirement: ₹70 lakh crore needed by 2036 (₹4.6 lakh crore annually), against the current investment of ₹1.3 lakh crore per year.
• Allocation Split: 50% for basic services and 50% for urban transport like metro and rail.

Issues in Urban Infrastructure in India

• Stagnant Municipal Finance: Municipal finance contribution remains at 1% of GDP since 2002.
• Declining Self-Generated Revenue: Decline in self-generated revenue from 51% to 43% due to limited tax collection eg.- property tax collection stands at ₹25,000 crore annually (0.15% of GDP).
• Low Fund Utilization: 23% of municipal revenue remains unspent with low fund utilization under AMRUT (80%) & Smart Cities Mission (70%). Hyderabad and Chennai use only 50% of allocated budgets.
• Challenges in PPP Investments: PPP investments fell from ₹8,353 crore in 2012 to ₹467 crore in 2018, driven by reduced project-specific revenues affecting viability and bankability.
• Funding Challenges: Smaller cities struggle to access private debt or loans due to weak financial transparency and practices.
• Dependence on Subsidies: Urban services recover only 20%-50% of costs due to heavy reliance on subsidies.
• Institutional Weaknesses: Weak State Finance Commissions, lack of municipal autonomy, and unsustainable project planning hinder effective urban development.

Benefits of Strengthened Urban Infrastructure

• Economic Growth: Boosts job creation and economic activity.
• Sustainability: Enables climate-resilient and inclusive urban development.
• Global Leadership: Positions India as a leader through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) adoption.

Best Practices

• Pune Municipal Corporation Bonds: Raised ₹2 billion through municipal bonds for a 24×7 water supply project with a AA+ credit rating.
• Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation: Transparent financial practices; earns ₹1,800 crore annually as interest and attracts consistent PPP investments.
• New Delhi Municipal Council Sanitation PPP: Innovative model integrating public toilets with facilities like water ATMs, vending machines and ATMs.

Measures to Strengthen Urban Infrastructure

• Attract Private Investments: Design bankable projects, foster innovation and use structured Municipal Bonds to ensure long-term resilience and efficiency.
• Empower State Finance Commissions: Improve resource allocation for urban projects.
• Promote Smaller-Scale PPPs: Build financial credibility & absorptive capacity through localized projects.
• Innovative Financial Models: Implement revenue-sharing models to manage demand shocks; use land value capture for metro and rail integration.
• Leverage Digital Infrastructure: Modernize public transport and urban services through DPI.
• Strengthen Government Coordination: Improve collaboration across central, state, and local levels for efficient urban development.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Dunlin Bird (Calidris alpina)

• Context (TH): The Dunlin bird was spotted during the Kerala Bird Race.

Source: ebird

• Physical appearance: Distinctive droopy bill & rufous back during breeding season.
• Breeding: They breed on the Arctic tundra and spend the winter on coastlines in the Northern Hemisphere, usually not found far from the coast.
• Migration: It migrates late in the fall & stays longer at higher latitudes than most other small shorebirds.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened

Kerala Bird Race

• It is an annual event held in November to commemorate the birthday of Salim Ali, the first Indian to systematically survey birds in India.
• Coordinated by: World Wildlife Forum of India, Cochin Natural History Society, etc.

{Prelims – In News} PM-JAY-ABHA CARD

• Context (TH): Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card, a digital health ID for seamless access to medical records, and its role in the AB-PMJAY scheme.

What is an ABHA Card?

• It is not a health insurance card. Instead, it is a tool introduced by the Centre to provide patients with an easy way to access their medical records and consolidate important health information in one place.
• Health ID Number: Every Indian citizen, regardless of income level, is allotted a 14-digit health ID.
• ABHA Address: Citizens will also receive a dedicated email address, or ‘ABHA address’.

{Prelims – S&T – Space} Transit of Venus

• Context (TH): The Transit of Venus has been in the news recently.

Source:TH

• The Transit of Venus is a rare event where Venus moves directly between the Earth and the Sun. When this happens, Venus looks like a small black dot moving across the Sun’s bright face.
• It is much bigger than the moon, appears as a dot, and doesn’t cause an eclipse like the moon, as it is much farther away from Earth.
• Observations of the Transit of Venus have been historically important for measuring the astronomical unit (AU), which is the distance between the Earth and the Sun. In the 18th century, expeditions were organised worldwide to observe the transit and improve our understanding of the solar system’s scale.
• It happens in pairs, eight years apart, and then doesn’t happen again for over 100 years. The last ones were in 2004 and 2012. The next will be in 2117 and 2125.
• It helps scientists better understand our neighbouring planet’s atmosphere and learn more about the elements that layer above its surface.