Current Affairs 2 February, 2024

GS Paper II- Issues related to Health

1. Cervical Cancer

GS Paper III- Indian Economy

2. Blue economy 2.0

GS Paper III- Fertilizer and subsidy-related issues.

3. Nano DAP

Prelims Booster:-

4. Five new sites added to Ramsar list

5. Subika paintings

6. National Mission for Mentoring

7. Zodiacal Dust

Cervical Cancer

GS Paper II- Issues related to Health

Context:-
The Finance Minister announced the government’s plans to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer for girls aged 9 to 14 as part of her Interim Budget 2024.

Current Status:-
Cervical cancer, which develops in a woman’s cervix, is the second-most common cancer among women in India.
India accounts for nearly a quarter of all cervical cancer deaths in the world.
Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra have the highest number of cases.

What is Cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from harming.
In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.

Symptoms:
Early-stage cervical cancer generally produces no signs or symptoms.
More-advanced cervical cancer includes Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, between periods or after menopause.
Watery, bloody vaginal discharge that may be heavy and have a foul odor.
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse.

Types of cervical cancer:
The type of cervical cancer that you have helps determine your prognosis and treatment.

The main types of cervical cancer are:

Squamous cell carcinoma:- This type of cervical cancer begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cells) lining the outer part of the cervix, which projects into the vagina. Most cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma:- This type of cervical cancer begins in the column-shaped glandular cells that line the cervical canal.

Sometimes, both types of cells are involved in cervical cancer.
Very rarely, cancer occurs in other cells in the cervix.

HPV Vaccination in India:
India’s first indigenously developed vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, CERVAVAC, will likely cost ₹200-400 a shot and be commercially available later this year.
CERVAVAC is a quadrivalent vaccine, meaning it is effective against at least four variants of cancer-causing Human papillomavirus (HPV).

Blue economy 2.0

GS Paper III- Indian Economy

Context:-
The Interim Budget presented by the Finance Minister stressed environment-friendly development through the promotion of a ‘Blue economy’.

FM announced the launch of a scheme to promote climate-resilient activities for blue economy 2.0, including restoration and adaptation measures, coastal aquaculture, and mariculture with an integrated and multi-sectoral approach.

What is the Blue economy?
Blue economy refers to economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coasts, with an element of sustainability.
It includes various sectors, and its sustainable use can lead to economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while preserving ocean ecosystem health.
India's long coastline, diverse ocean produce, and tourism opportunities make the blue economy significant for the country.

Interim Budget proposal:
The Indian Government will launch a scheme for restoration, adaptation measures, and coastal aquaculture/mariculture.
This integrated and multi-sectoral approach will ensure the health of the oceans whilst carrying out economic activities.
The Finance Minister also announced the setting up of five integrated aquaparks and an enhancement of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to increase aquaculture productivity, double exports, and generate more employment opportunities.

Does India have a blue economy policy?
The Budget document refers to blue economy 2.0.
A draft policy framework on India’s Blue Economy was first released in July 2022.
It includes recommendations on ocean governance, marine fisheries, aquaculture, and more.
The G20 summit hosted by India, chaired by the CAG, discussed the blue economy and responsible AI.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana:

PMMSY was launched in May 2020 with the highest-ever investment of Rs. 20,050 crore to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector.
Over the years, increased fishing activities have reduced per capita yield from coastal fisheries, led to heavy fishing pressure, loss of fishing grounds due to bottom trawling, coastal development etc.
This has also resulted in reduced income and forced the fishers to go to deeper waters.

Nano DAP

GS Paper III- Fertilizer and subsidy-related issues.

Context:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, presenting the interim budget announced the expansion of the application of Nano DAP on various crops in all agro-climatic zones.

After the successful adoption of Nano Urea, the application of Nano DAP, on various crops, will be expanded in all agro-climatic zones.

DAP:-
DAP, or di-ammonium phosphate, is the second most commonly used fertiliser in India after urea.
It is high in phosphorus (P) that stimulates root establishment and development without which plants cannot grow to their normal size, or will take too long to mature.
It is thus applied just before or at the time of sowing.

Nano DAP:
Last April, the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) launched Nano DAP.
It is a liquid fertilizer containing 8% Nitrogen and 16% Phosphorus.
The fertiliser has a particle size of less than 100 nanometres, making it more efficient than conventional DAP.
It can easily enter the seed surface or through plant openings, leading to higher seed vigour, more chlorophyll, photosynthetic efficiency, better quality, and increased crop yields.

Need and significance:-
Nano DAP is a more efficient and cost-effective fertilizer compared to conventional DAP.
It comes in 500 ml bottles, which are easier to transport, store, and use than 50 kg bags.
At Rs 600 per bottle, it is less expensive than the traditional DAP.
The adoption of domestically-produced Nano DAP will help India reduce its import burden, achieve self-sufficiency in fertilisers, and benefit farmers.

What is liquid nano urea?
Liquid nano urea is in the form of a nanoparticle.
It is a liquid nutrient to provide nitrogen to plants as an alternative to conventional urea.
Urea is a chemical nitrogen fertilizer, white in colour, which artificially provides nitrogen, a major nutrient required by plants.

Five new sites added to Ramsar list

Context:
Five more Indian wetlands have been added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the total number of such highly recognised waterlogged ecosystems in the country to 80.

About New Ramsar sites:
Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka):-

This estuary is home to 84 different species of fish, five species of bivalves, 45 species of mangroves, and 117 bird species.
It's a significant breeding ground for threatened bird species, such as the black-necked stork and the Indian skimmer.

Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve (Karnataka): -

This human-made wetland boasts over 166 species of birds, including 130 migratory species.
It's one of the largest wintering grounds for the bar-headed goose in southern India and is an important bird area.

Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve (Karnataka):-

This conservation reserve provides a habitat for over 200 species of resident and migratory birds, including the painted stork, Asian openbill, and spot-billed pelican.

Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu):-

Spanning 453 hectares, this bird sanctuary is home to over 200 species, including the painted stork, spot-billed pelican, and black-headed ibis.
It's an essential breeding ground for threatened bird species like the grey-headed lapwing and the Indian skimmer.

Longwood Shola Reserve Forest (Tamil Nadu):-

Covering 1223 hectares, this reserve forest contains diverse habitats, including shola grasslands, evergreen forests, and wetlands.
It's vital for threatened species like the Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, and Nilgiri wood pigeon.

Ramsar Site:
Ramsar sites are wetlands that are recognized as being of global significance under an environmental treaty.
The treaty was signed in February 1971 at Ramsar, Iran and is endorsed by UNESCO.
Ramsar's mission is to encourage national action and international collaboration to protect wetlands and promote their responsible use.
Currently, India has 75+5 Ramsar sites that are recognized under this treaty.

Subika paintings

Context:
Manipur boasts a rich cultural heritage but some of its invaluable art forms like Subika Paintings are on the brink of extinction due to neglect.

About Subika Paintings:-

Subika painting is a form of art closely tied to the cultural heritage of the Meitei community.

Currently, six manuscripts incorporate this style of painting, including Subika, Subika Achouba, Subika Laishaba, Subika Choudit, Subika Cheithil, and Thengrakhel Subika.

While there is no mention of a specific founder in the royal chronicle, Cheitharol Kumbaba, some experts believe that this art form existed during the introduction of the writing tradition in the state.

Most scholars estimate that Subika painting has been in use since the 18th or 19th century.

Subika Laisaba:-

Subika Laisaba's painting is a combination of cultural motifs that incorporate pre-existing features and other cultural worldviews.
Among the six manuscripts, it is a direct continuation of Meitei cultural traditions, expressed through visual images.
The illustrations of Subika Laisaba utilize visual language from various elements such as lines, shapes, forms, colours, and patterns.
These images have become Meitei's cultural motif, providing a structure to create visual effects and express cultural significance, meaning and values.
The visual images in this manuscript are painted on handmade paper or barks of trees, which are prepared indigenously.

National Mission for Mentoring

Context:
The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) organized a 2-day Year End Seminar for Sharing Best Practices and Periodic Review/continuous evaluation of the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) with all stakeholders.

National Mission for Mentoring (NMM):-
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the National Mentorship Mission (NMM) was launched on July 29, 2022, as a pilot program in 30 Central Schools across the nation.
The primary objective of NMM is to establish a robust mentorship system that empowers teachers to improve their teaching practices.

About Mentoring:-
Mentoring is a valuable tool for both personal and professional development, providing a wealth of benefits to those involved.

Significance:-
Mentors can help mentees develop skills and knowledge, offer career guidance and networking opportunities, increase their confidence, transfer knowledge, contribute to personal growth, and expand their perspectives through different approaches to problem-solving.

Zodiacal Dust

Context:-
The Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad conducted a study that analyzed the origin of interplanetary dust that creates zodiacal light.
The study focused on Deimos and Phobos, the moons of Mars.

What is Zodiacal light?
Zodiacal light is best observed in the spring or fall when the ecliptic plane is at a steep angle to the horizon.
It can be seen from any location on Earth, though it is easier to spot from dark, rural areas with little light pollution.
The phenomenon was first described by the ancient Greeks, who believed it was caused by the tails of comets.
Today, we know that light is caused by the reflection of sunlight off of tiny particles of dust and debris in the inner solar system.
Despite being relatively faint, the zodiacal light is a beautiful and awe-inspiring sight that reminds us of the vastness and complexity of our universe.

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