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SC Eases Norms for Passive Euthanasia

Why in News?

The Supreme Court in India has made changes to the rules for passive euthanasia with the primary objective to make the process less difficult and less time-consuming.

What are the Major Changes in Guidelines?

• The Supreme Court tweaked the previous judgement to do away with the necessity of a judicial magistrate to attest or countersign a living will.
  • SC held that an attestation by a notary or a gazetted officer would be sufficient for a person to make a valid living will.
• Instead of the living being in the custody of the district court concerned, SC said that the document will be a part of the National Health Digital Record which can be accessed by hospitals and doctors from any part of the country.
• If the hospital’s medical board denies permission to withdraw medical treatment, the family members of the patient can approach the relevant high court, which forms a fresh board of medical experts to enable the court to take a final call.

What is Passive Euthanasia?

• About:
  • Passive euthanasia is the act of withholding or withdrawing medical treatment, such as withholding or withdrawing life support, with the intention of allowing a person to die.
    • This is in contrast to active euthanasia, which involves an active intervention to end a person’s life with substances or external force, such as administering a lethal injection.
• Euthanasia in India:
  • In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of India legalised passive euthanasia in 2018, stating that it was a matter of ‘living will’.
  • According to the judgement, an adult in his conscious mind is permitted to refuse medical treatment or voluntarily decide not to take medical treatment to embrace death in a natural way, under certain conditions.
    • It also laid down guidelines for ‘living will’ made by terminally ill patients who beforehand know about their chances of slipping into a permanent vegetative state.
  • The court specifically stated that “Dignity in the process of dying is as much a part of the right to life under Article 21. To deprive an individual of dignity towards the end of life is to deprive the individual of a meaningful existence.”
• Different Countries with Euthanasia:
  • Netherland, Luxembourg, Belgium allows both euthanasia and assisted suicide for anyone who faces “unbearable suffering” that has no chance of improvement.
  • Switzerland bans euthanasia but allows assisted dying in the presence of a doctor or physician.
  • Canada had announced that euthanasia and assisted dying would be allowed for mentally ill patients by March 2023; however, the decision has been widely criticised, and the move may be delayed.
  • United States has different laws in different states. Euthanasia is allowed in some states like Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

Source: HT

Corals in Thailand Getting Destroyed

Why in News?

Recently, it is reported that a rapidly spreading disease, commonly known as yellow band disease, is killing corals over vast stretches of the sea floor of Thailand.

• Scientists believe overfishing, pollution and rising water temperatures because of climate change may be making the reefs more vulnerable to yellow-band disease.

What is Yellow Band Disease?

• Yellow-band disease - named for the colour it turns corals before destroying them -was first spotted decades ago and has caused widespread damage to reefs in the Caribbean. There is no known cure.
• The Yellow Band disease is caused by a combination of environmental stressors, including increased water temperatures, pollution, and sedimentation, as well as increased competition for space from other organisms.
  • These factors can weaken the coral and make it more susceptible to infection by pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi.
• The disease's impact cannot be reversed, unlike the effects of coral bleaching.

What are Coral Reefs?

• About:
  • Corals are marine invertebrates belonging to the class Anthozoa in the phylum Cnidaria.
    • They typically live in compact colonies of many identical individual polyps.
    • Coral reefs are underwater ecosystems made up of colonies of coral polyps.
  • Coral polyps live in a symbiotic relationship with a variety of photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues.
    • These algae provide the coral with energy through photosynthesis, while the coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds, they need for growth.
• Types of Corals:
  • Hard Corals:
    • They extract calcium carbonate from seawater to build hard, white coral exoskeletons.
    • They are in a way the engineers of reef ecosystems and measuring the extent of hard coral is a widely-accepted metric for measuring the condition of coral reefs.
  • Soft Corals:
    • They attach themselves to such skeletons and older skeletons built by their ancestors.
    • Soft corals are typically found in deeper waters and are less common than hard corals.
• Significance:
  • Ecological Importance: Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems on Earth, providing habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species.
    • They also play a critical role in regulating the planet's climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and protecting coastlines from erosion and storm damage.
  • Economic Importance: Coral reefs support a variety of industries, including fishing, tourism, and recreation. They also provide resources for medicine and biotechnology.
  • Climate Regulation: Coral reefs act as natural buffers against the impact of climate change by absorbing wave energy, protecting coastlines and reducing the impact of storms and sea level rise.
  • Biodiversity: Coral reefs are home to a vast array of marine life, including fish, sharks, crustaceans, mollusks and many more. They are considered as the rainforests of the sea.
• Threats:
  • Climate change: Coral reefs are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which is causing ocean acidification and coral bleaching.
    • Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues, causing the coral to turn completely white.
  • Pollution: Coral reefs are also threatened by pollution, including sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial discharge.
    • These pollutants can cause coral death and disease, as well as reduce the overall health of the reef ecosystem.
  • Overfishing: Overfishing can disrupt the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems, which can lead to the decline of coral populations.
  • Coastal Development: Coastal development, such as the construction of ports, marinas, and other infrastructure, can damage coral reefs and reduce the overall health of the reef ecosystem.
  • Invasive Species: Coral reefs are also threatened by invasive species, such as the lionfish, which can outcompete native species and disrupt the overall balance of the reef ecosystem.
• Initiatives to Protect Corals:
  • Technological Intervention:
    • Cyromesh: Storage of the coral larvae at -196°C and can be later reintroduced to the wild
    • Biorock: Creating artificial reefs on which coral can grow rapidly
  • Indian:
    • National Coastal Mission Programme
  • Global:
    • International Coral Reef Initiative
    • The Global Coral Reef R&D Accelerator Platform

Source: TH

India-Egypt Relations

Why in News?

Recently, on the occasion of the 74^th Republic Day, the President of Egypt was invited as the chief guest at the parade, this is the first time that an Egyptian President has been accorded this honour.

• A military contingent from Egypt also participated in the parade.

What is the Status of the India-Egypt Relationship?

• History:
  • The history of contact between India and Egypt, two of the world’s oldest civilisations, can be traced back to at least the time of Emperor Ashoka.
    • Ashoka’s edicts refer to his relations with Egypt under Ptolemy-II.
  • In modern times, Mahatma Gandhi and the Egyptian revolutionary Saad Zaghloul shared the common goal of independence from British colonial rule.
    • The joint announcement of establishment of diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level was made on 18 August 1947.
  • India and Egypt signed a friendship treaty in 1955. In 1961, India and Egypt along with Yugoslavia, Indonesia and Ghana established the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
  • In 2016, the joint statement between India and Egypt identified political-security cooperation, economic engagement and scientific collaboration, and cultural and people-people ties as the basis of a new partnership for a new era.
• Recent Scenario:
  • During this year’s meeting, both India and Egypt agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to a “strategic partnership”.
    • The strategic partnership will have broadly four elements: political, defence, and security; economic engagement; scientific and academic collaboration; cultural and people-to-people contacts.
  • India and Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for three years to facilitate content exchange, capacity building, and co-productions between Prasar Bharati and the National Media Authority of Egypt.
    • Under the pact, both broadcasters will exchange their programmes of different genres like sports, news, culture, entertainment on bilateral basis.
• A Partner within the OIC:
  • India views Egypt as a moderate Islamic voice among Muslim-majority countries, and as a partner within the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
• Terrorism & Defence:
  • During this Republic Day meeting, India and Egypt expressed concerns about the spread of terrorism around the world as it is the most serious security threat to humanity. Consequently, the two countries agreed that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism.
  • The two countries are looking at deepening defence and security cooperation. Moreover, the two Air Forces collaborated on the development of fighter aircraft in the 1960s, and Indian pilots trained their Egyptian counterparts from the 1960s until the mid-1980s.
    • Both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Egyptian air force fly the French Rafale fighter jets.
  • In 2022, a pact was signed between the two countries that have decided to also participate in exercises and cooperate in training.
  • The first joint special forces exercise between the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army, "Exercise Cyclone-I" has been underway since 14 January 2023 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• Cultural Relations:
  • The Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture (MACIC) was established in Cairo in 1992. The centre has been promoting cultural cooperation between the two countries.
• Difficult Time for Egypt:
  • Egypt’s economy has been in chaos over the past few years due to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war which impacted its supply of food as almost 80% of Egypt’s grain imported from Rusia and Ukraine and impacted Egypt’s foreign exchange reserves.
    • In 2022, despite restrictions on the export of wheat, India allowed shipments of 61,500 metric tonnes to Egypt.
  • From India, Egypt is seeking investments in infrastructure including Metro projects, a Suez Canal economic zone, a second channel of the Suez Canal, and a new administrative capital in Egypt.
    • More than 50 Indian companies have invested more than USD 3.15 billion in Egypt.
• Geo-Strategic Concerns:
  • China’s bilateral trade with Egypt is currently at USD 15 billion, double that of India’s USD 7.26 billion in 2021-22. During the past eight years, the President of Egypt has traveled to China seven times to lure Chinese investments.
  • Egypt, the most populous country in West Asia, occupies a crucial geo-strategic location — 12% of global trade passes through the Suez Canal and is a key player in the region.
    • It is a major market for India and can act as a gateway to both Europe and Africa. However, it also has bilateral trade pacts with important West Asian and African nations which is a cause of concern for India.

Source: IE

Revamping Monument Mitra Scheme

Why in News?

Private firms will soon be able to partner with Archaeological Survey of India for the upkeep of 1,000 monuments under the Monument Mitra Scheme, which involves adopting and maintaining heritage sites.

• Revamped scheme would be based on the Corporate Social Responsibility model and a new website having the names of all the heritage sites, would also be launched.

What is the Monument Mitra Scheme?

• Monument Mitra' is the term coined for an entity partnering with the government under the 'Adopt A Heritage' project.
  • It was launched under the Ministry of Tourism earlier and then transferred to the Ministry of Culture.
• The project aims to develop monuments, heritage and tourist sites across India by inviting corporate entities, public sector companies or individuals to 'adopt' them

What is a Heritage?

• About:
  • Heritage is deemed to mean those buildings, artefacts, structures, areas and precincts that are of historic, aesthetic, architectural, ecological or cultural significance.
    • It must be recognized that the 'cultural landscape' around a heritage site is critical for the interpretation of the site and its built heritage and thus is very much its integral part.
  • The three key concepts that can be considered to determine whether a property can be listed as a Heritage are:
    • Historic significance
    • Historic integrity
    • Historic context.
  • In India, heritage comprises archaeological sites, remains, ruins. The primary custodian of ‘Monuments and Sites’ in the country, i.e. Archeological Survey of India (ASI) and their counterparts protect them.
• Significance:
  • Storytellers of Indian History: Heritage is a legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes through the generations that are inherited, preserved, and passed on.
    • Heritage has been woven into the fabric of Indian society with spiritual, religious, social, and political significance.
  • Embracing Diversity: India heritage is itself a museum of different types, communities, customs, traditions, religions, cultures, beliefs, languages, castes and social systems.
  • Economic Contribution: Heritage sites in India have significant economic significance.
    • These sites attract millions of tourists every year, which generates revenue for the government and local communities through tourism-related activities such as accommodation, transportation, and souvenir sales.
• Issues Related to Heritage Management in India:
  • Lack of Centralised Database for Heritage Sites: India lacks a complete national level database with state wise distribution of heritage structure.
    • However, Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has inventoried about 60,000 buildings in around 150 cities which is still only the tip of the iceberg.
  • Heritage Encroachments: Many ancient monuments have been encroached upon by local residents, shopkeepers, and souvenir sellers.
    • There is no harmony between these structures and the architectural style of monuments or the surroundings.
    • For instance, according to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) Report, 2013, there was encroachment on the Taj Mahal's premises near Khan-i-Alam's Bagh.
  • Lack of Human Resource: Lack of adequate numbers of qualified and competent human resources to look after the monuments and carry out conservation activities is the biggest problem faced by agencies like ASI.
• Other Government Initiatives Related to Heritage Management:
  • National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), 2007
  • Project Mausam

How can Heritage Sites in India be Further Revamped?

• Smart City, Smart Heritage: It is necessary to consider the Heritage Impact Assessment for all large infrastructure projects.
  • The Heritage Identification and Conservation Projects need to be adjoined to the city master plans and integrate with the Smart City Initiative.
• Innovative Strategies for Increasing Engagement: The use of monuments that do not attract a large number of visitors and not have cultural/religious sensitivity can serve as venues for cultural and wedding programmes that can fulfil twin objective:
  • The promotion of the associated intangible heritage.
  • Increasing visitor numbers to such sites.
• Linking Heritage Conservation with Climate Action: Heritage sites can serve as opportunities for climate communication and education, and research on historic sites and practices to understand past responses to changing climate conditions can help adaptation and mitigation planners develop strategies that integrate natural science and cultural heritage.
  • For example, coastal and river communities such as the island of Majuli in India have been living with and adapting to changing water levels for centuries.

Source: TH

Inner Core of the Earth

Why in News?

Recently, new research suggested that Earth's inner core has stopped spinning faster than its surface and might now be rotating slower than it.

What are the Highlights of the Research?

• Methodology:
  • The research analyzed seismic waves from repeating earthquakes over the last six decades.
  • By analysing changes in the time and propagation of these signals, they could estimate the rotation of the inner core, which is believed to move independently from the mantle and rest of the planet.
• Findings:
  • The inner core started rotating slightly faster than the rest of the planet in the early 1970s. But it had been slowing down before coming in sync with Earth's rotation around 2009.
  • There has been a "negative trend", meaning the inner core is now rotating slower than the surface. Next change may occur in the mid-2040s.
  • The results seem to indicate that the Earth’s inner core changes its speed of rotation every 60-70 years on average.
• Significance:
  • The Study can motivate some researchers to build and test models which treat the whole Earth as an integrated dynamic system.
  • The slowdown could change how rapidly the entire planet spins, as well as influence how the core evolves with time.

Source: TH

Open Market Sale Scheme

Why in News?

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will off load 30 LMT wheat from the Central pool stock to the market through various routes under the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic).

• Wheat will also be offered to State Governments/UTs for their schemes without e-auction.

What is an Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS)?

• FCI sells surplus stocks of wheat and rice at predetermined prices through e-auction in the open market from time to time to enhance the supply of food grains.
• The purpose of OMSS is to dispose of surplus stocks of wheat and rice held by FCI, and to regulate the prices of wheat in the open market.
• FCI conducts weekly auctions for the OMSS for wheat on the platform of the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX).
  • NCDEX is a commodity exchange platform in India that provides a platform for trading in various agricultural and other commodities.

What is the Food Corporation of India?

• The FCI is a government-owned corporation that manages the food security system in India.
  • It was established in 1965 under the Food Corporation's Act 1964 with the objective of ensuring adequate availability of food grains throughout the country, and to maintain price stability in the market.
• The FCI also maintains buffer stocks of food grains to ensure food security during times of scarcity or crisis.
• The FCI is also responsible for distributing foodgrains throughout the country for public distribution system.
• FCI also conducts e-auction as one of the methods to dispose of its surplus food grains.

Source: PIB

13th National Voters’ Day

Why in News?

Election Commission of India is celebrating 13^th National Voters’ Day (NVD) on 25^th January 2023.

What are the Key Points of NVD 2023?

• Theme: Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure.
• Awards 2023: National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices were presented to State and District level officers for their outstanding performance in the conduct of elections during 2022.
• About NVD:
  • The main objective behind the celebration is to encourage, facilitate, and maximize enrolment, especially for new voters.
  • The day has been celebrated every year since 2011 across the country to mark the foundation of the Election Commission of India (25^th January 1950).
  • It not only encourages the youth to participate in the electoral process but also focuses that the Right to vote as the basic right.
  • NVD is a significant root of India as the future of the country lies in the leader that we choose.

Source: PIB

Rapid Fire Current Affairs

Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day

Himachal Pradesh :- 

On 25^th January, Himachal Pradesh observed its Statehood Day.

Before independence, the British territories in the hill came under the British Crown after Queen Victoria’s proclamation of 1858 and virtually all rulers of the hill states remained loyal and contributed to the British war effort in WW-1 (1914-18).

Post-independence, the Chief Commissioner’s province of HP came into being on 15th April 1948. It became a part C state (under Part VII) on 26^th January 1950. After recommendation of the State Reorganisation Commission, HP became Union Territory on 1^st November 1956. Kangra and most of the other hill areas of Punjab were merged with HP on 1st November 1966 though its status remained that of a UT.

On 18^th December 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and HP became the 18th state of the Indian Union on 25^th January 1971.

Read More - Statehood Day of Himachal Pradesh

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History of Republic Day and 26 January

The Constitution of India was adopted officially by the Constituent Assembly on Nov 26, 1949, however, Republic Day is celebrated on 26 January. It is so because on 26/Jan/1930, the historic “Poorna Swaraj” declaration was officially promulgated, beginning the final phase of India’s freedom struggle where the goal would be complete independence from British rule.

Opposing the Motilal Nehru report 1927 which demanded for a dominion status, young leaders such as SC Bose and JL Nehru wanted complete independence for India. On 19 Dec 1929, “Poorna Swaraj” resolution was passed at the Lahore session of INC and officially promulgated on 26 Jan 1930. From 1930 till India finally won its independence in 1947, January 26 was celebrated as “Independence Day”.

Thus, when leaders had to decide on a day to promulgate India’s new Constitution, January 26 was thought to be ideal.

Read More - Republic Day 2022

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Kuno Cheetah Detected with Hepatorenal Infection

One of the 8 cheetahs that were introduced in Kuno National Park (MP) has been detected with a hepatorenal infection. Hepatorenal Infection is a condition in which there is progressive kidney failure that occurs in a patient with poor functioning of the liver.

In September 2022, 8 Cheetahs were relocated from South Africa and Namibia into the wild at Kuno Palpur National Park. It was the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.

Read More - Reintroduction of Cheetah

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T+1 Settlement

Indian stock markets have embarked on a shorter settlement cycle or T+1 regime for the final list of large stocks - a move that will help reduce margin requirements for clients and boost retail investment.

T+1 (trade plus one) means that market trade-related settlements will need to be cleared within one day of the actual transactions taking place. Earlier, trades on the Indian stock exchanges were settled in 2 working days after the transaction was done (T+2).

The stock exchanges - National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) - in Nov 2021 jointly announced plans to implement the T+1 settlement cycle in a phased manner with the bottom 100 stocks in terms of market value.

Read More - T+1 Settlement System for Shares: SEBI