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Current Affairs- January 30, 2024

GS Paper III- Science and Technology

1. Growing seafood outside the sea

GS Paper III- Security Challenges & their Management in Border Areas

2. INS Sumitra Tackling Maritime Piracy

GS Paper II- Inter-state relations

3. Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (Modified PKC-ERCP) Link Project

Prelims Booster:-

4. Generative AI (genAI)

5. Earthquake sensors: seismometers

6. Matua community

7. Laughing gull

8. Students Islamic Movement of India

9. Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’

10. Anti-profiteering provisions under GST

Growing seafood outside the sea

GS Paper III- Science and Technology

Context:
Kochi-headquartered ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has entered into a collaborative research agreement with a private-sector start-up offering cultivated meat technology solutions to grow fish meat in the laboratory.

    • The MoU signed by the institute, which works under the Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, with New Delhi-based Neat Meatt Biotech is the first initiative of its kind in the country.

Lab-grown fish/ Cultivated fish meat:
It is merely a type of lab-grown or cultivated/ cultured meat.
Seafood without the sea is ‘grown’ in the same way as other cultivated meats are grown without the need to raise and kill an animal.
Cultivated fish meat is produced by isolating specific cells from fish and growing them in a laboratory setting using media that is free of animal components.
The final product is expected to replicate the flavour, texture, and nutritional qualities of ‘real’ fish meat.

Need to grow fish meat in the lab:

Several countries are experimenting with lab-grown fish meat to meet the increasing demand for seafood while reducing pressure on wild resources.

Overfishing has resulted in a significant reduction of certain species, impacting entire marine ecosystems.

Lab-grown fish meat has the potential to ensure food security and environmental benefits by reducing traditional fishing, being free of antibiotics and environmental contamination, and having no contact with ocean pollutants like microplastics and heavy metals.



Countries with similar initiatives:

Countries, including Israel, Singapore, the United States, and China, are making progress in lab-grown fish meat production.

Israel-based Forsea Foods successfully created lab-grown freshwater eel meat and aims to make it available in markets in the next few years.

In India, a public-private partnership between the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and Neat Meatt aims to accelerate the development of cultured seafood.

This collaboration combines CMFRI's marine research expertise with Neat Meatt's knowledge of the field, potentially paving the way for a sustainable and secure future for seafood production in India.

The project is expected to establish proof of concept within a couple of months.


Other kinds of meats:
Lab-grown meat from cells is being developed by dozens of companies worldwide, including chicken, pork, lamb, fish, and beef.
Investment in the industry has exceeded $2.6 billion, and the Good Food Institute reports more than 150 companies operating across 6 continents.
Two California-based companies have been granted permission to sell lab-grown chicken meat in the US.

INS Sumitra Tackling Maritime Piracy

GS Paper III- Security Challenges & their Management in Border Areas

Context:
A swift response by an Indian Navy ship, INS Sumitra, deployed in the Gulf of Aden ensured that a hijack situation was quickly resolved, ensuring the safe release of an Iranian-flagged fishing vessel and its crew.

Details:
Indian Navy ship, INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian fishing vessel, Iman, and its crew.
INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel, coerced the pirates for the safe release of the crew and boat, and ensured the successful release of all 17 crew members.
The fishing vessel was sanitized and released for onward transit.
Piracy incidents have increased again in the region after a peak in 2010.
The Indian Navy has previously secured and safely evacuated all crew members from a hijacking attempt on a merchant vessel, Lila Norfolk.

INS Sumitra:
INS Sumitra is the fourth and final Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy.
It was built by Goa Shipyard and designed for fleet support, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance, and escort duties.
The vessel was commissioned on September 4, 2014, and will operate under the Eastern Naval Command to conduct maritime surveillance and coastal security missions.

Maritime Piracy:
Article 101 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defines piracy as acts of violence, detention, or depredation committed for private ends on the high seas or outside the jurisdiction of any state.
These acts are carried out with the intent of personal gain and are considered a serious maritime crime subject to international laws and conventions.
The strongest zones of pirate activity include the Gulf of Guinea, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

Gulf of Aden:
The Gulf of Aden is situated between Yemen and Somalia.
It is an important waterway for transporting Persian Gulf oil.
It connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Bab el Mandeb and supports rich marine life and fishing towns.
Major ports in the region include Aden and Djibouti. However, the Gulf has also received attention due to piracy, terrorism, and refugee smuggling in recent years. 

Related Search:
Operation Prosperity Guardian
SAGAR policy
Indian Ocean Rim Association



Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (Modified PKC-ERCP) Link Project

GS Paper II- Inter state relations

Context:
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti to implement the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP (Modified PKC-ERCP) Link Project.

    • The project envisages integration of the long-pending PKC river link project with the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project, under the national perspective plan of interlinking of rivers (ILR) programme of the Government of India.

Need of MoU:
The Rajasthan government submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) in 2017, however, this was planned on a 50% dependable yield, which is against prevailing norms.
The Central Water Commission requested a revised DPR at 75% dependability, but this was not submitted.
In November 2019, the Task Force on Interlinking of Rivers explored the integration of the ERCP with the PKC Link Canal Project.
After deliberations, a proposal of the Modified PKC link was framed, which includes components of ERCP corresponding to divertible water available at 75% dependability.

Modified PKC-ERCP:
The Modified PKC-ERCP is an inter-state river linking project.
According to the ministry, preparations for a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on this are on.
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) will be finalised among Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and the Centre, covering the sharing of water, exchange of water, sharing of costs and benefits, implementation mechanisms, arrangements for management and control of water in the Chambal basin, etc.  

PKC link project:
The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) link project was included in the National Perspectives Plan in 1980.
The preliminary feasibility report of the Kalisindh-Chambal link canal project was prepared in 1991, suggesting the diversion of water from river Newaj and Kalisindh to river Chambal.
In 2019, Rajasthan proposed the ERCP, and it was merged with the PKC link project to optimally utilize water resources, which was approved in December 2022 by the Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers.

Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project:
The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is aimed at intra-basin transfer of water within the Chambal basin.
It is done by utilising surplus monsoon water available in Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej and Chakan subbasins and diverting it into water deficit sub-basins of Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga and Parbati.
This will provide drinking and industrial water to 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, namely Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Sawai-Madhopur, Dausa, Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Bundi, Kota, Baran, and Jhalawar.

Benefits of the modified project:
The link project proposes to provide drinking and industrial water in 13 districts of eastern Rajasthan, and the Malwa and Chambal regions of Madhya Pradesh, apart from providing irrigation in 2.8 lakh ha. area (or more) each in both states.

Generative AI (genAI)

Context:
A new report predicts that Generative AI (genAI) is poised to become a $100 billion industry by 2026.

Generative AI:

  • Generative AI, or generative artificial intelligence, is an advanced form of AI that harnesses algorithms to produce various types of content, including text, images, audio, and video.
  • Unlike conventional AI systems that primarily recognize patterns and make predictions, generative AI takes a step further by creating entirely new content.
  • Underpinning the generative AI systems are foundation models, larger AI models with the ability to multi-task and perform numerous out-of-the-box tasks such as classification, summarization, and Q&A.
  • These models are trained on vast amounts of data, using Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to learn the patterns and relationships in human-created content datasets.
  • Once the model has learned these patterns, it can generate new content using the same.
  • A generative AI system typically begins with a simple text input known as a prompt, describing the output desired by the user.
  • Multiple algorithms then collaborate to generate new content, following the prompt's requirements.

Generative AI Tools:
ChatGPT:
Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that can not only generate written content but also converse with users fluently.
Bard:
Bard is a generative AI chatbot created by Google, based on LaMDA language model technology.
It can answer users' inquiries or create new content from text or image prompts.

Machine Learning:
Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that allows machines to learn and identify patterns from data and past experiences without human intervention.
By utilizing this technology, computers can operate autonomously without explicit programming.
Machine learning algorithms learn directly from data and use computational methods to identify patterns and make predictions.
They can independently learn, grow, develop, and adapt by being fed with new data.
Unlike traditional models, machine learning algorithms do not rely on predetermined equations to operate.

Earthquake sensors: seismometers

Context:
Twenty-eight seismometers will be installed along the proposed bullet train route between Mumbai and Ahmedabad.

    • It is done to ensure the safety of passengers and critical infrastructure during earthquakes. 

Early earthquake detection system:
  • This ‘early earthquake detection system’, is based on the technology of Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains.
  • It will detect earthquake-induced tremors through primary waves and enable an automatic power shutdown on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor (MAHSR).
  • “Emergency brakes will be activated when the power shutdown is detected and the trains running in the affected area shall stop.
  • Japanese experts have surveyed areas near the MAHSR alignment to determine suitable locations for 28 seismometers.

Seismometer:
A seismometer is utilized to measure and track earthquakes, while an accelerograph records the intensity of an earthquake.
In India's earthquake-prone zones, seismic zones III and IV are classified as moderate and strong, respectively.

Seismic Waves:
Earthquake vibrations are categorized as P or S waves, which travel through the Earth in different ways and speeds.
They can be detected and analyzed through seismographs.
P-waves are longitudinal waves and the first waves detected by seismographs, while S-waves are transverse waves and arrive after primary waves.
Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and waves in a stretched spring, while examples of transverse waves include light waves and water waves.

Matua community

Context:
Union Minister Shantanu Thakur reiterated that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) would be implemented across the country in a week.

    • The delay in framing rules for the CAA had irked a section of Matuas.

CAA:
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 was passed by Parliament in December 2019.
It seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014.

Matua community:
Matua is a sect of depressed-class Hindus who belong to the Namasudras, a Scheduled Caste group.
Though originally from East Pakistan, many Matuas migrated to India during Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh.
Unfortunately, a significant number of Matuas are still awaiting Indian citizenship.
Matuas, constituting a large chunk of the State’s Scheduled Caste population, had been migrating to West Bengal since the 1950s.
It is primarily due to religious persecution in erstwhile East Pakistan which later became Bangladesh.
It is believed that the Matua community will benefit the most from the implementation of the CAA.

Laughing gull

Context:
Laughing gull, a migratory bird from North America, has been sighted for the first time in the country at the Chittari estuary in Kasaragod district (Kerala).

Laughing gull:
The Atlantic Laughing Gull is a unique species known for its laughter-like calls, which resemble human laughter.
This medium-sized gull has fairly long wings and legs that impart a graceful look when they are flying or walking.
They also have stout, fairly long bills.
The Atlantic Laughing Gull is an opportunistic carnivore and scavenger.
They eat a variety of foods including fish, shellfish, crabs, molluscs, insects, bird eggs, and young birds.
It takes 2-3 years for the Atlantic Laughing Gull to gain adult plumage.
They are graceful and charming birds that are a delight to watch.

Habitat and Distribution:
These coastal birds are mainly found on the Atlantic coast of North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
They are only occasionally seen very far inland.

Conservation Status:
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Atlantic Laughing Gull is of least concern.

Students Islamic Movement of India

Context:
The Union Home Ministry has extended the ban on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) for five years.

Reasons:
The organisation was declared an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for the first time in 2001.
SIMI has been found involved in fomenting terrorism, disturbing peace and communal harmony to threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of Bharat.”
17 cases had been registered against former SIMI cadres in the past five years and in 11 instances, SIMI members had been convicted by courts of law for various crimes committed between 2006 and 2014.

About Students Islamic Movement of India:
The Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) is a proscribed terrorist organization that originated in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, in April 1977.
SIMI's avowed objective is the ‘liberation of India’ to transform it into an Islamic state.
The organization has declared Jihad against India, seeking to establish Dar-ul-Islam (land of Islam) through either coerced conversion to Islam or through acts of violence.
Officially designated as a terrorist outfit by the Indian government, SIMI was banned in 2001, shortly after the 9/11 attacks.
In February 2019, the Government of India extended the ban on SIMI for an additional five years, commencing from February 1, 2019, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’

Context:
The inaugural edition of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commenced at Mahajan, Rajasthan.

    • The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 29th January to 10th February 2024.

Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’:
  • The training exercise will be conducted in a semi-desert terrain as per the guidelines outlined in Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
  • This exercise is aimed at providing valuable training to troops from both sides for joint operations in the future.
  • The main objective of this exercise is to foster cooperation and understanding between the troops and to share best practices and techniques for conducting operations in sub-conventional domains.
  • The training will involve various activities such as establishing mobile vehicle check posts, cordon and search operations, house intervention drills, reflex shooting, slithering, and sniper firing.
  • Through this exercise, both sides will have the opportunity to strengthen their bond and build camaraderie, which will ultimately contribute to enhancing interoperability between the two contingents.
  • Overall, the exercise is expected to be a great success and will help promote peace and stability in the region.

Anti-profiteering provisions under GST

Context:
The Delhi High Court recently upheld the constitutional validity of anti-profiteering provisions in the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

What are Anti-Profiteering provisions under GST?
Under the anti-profiteering provisions of GST, any reduction in the GST rate or benefit of input tax credit must be passed on to the end consumer.
It is illegal for businesses to retain these benefits and indulge in illegal profiteering.
The Anti-Profiteering Rules, 2017 (defined under Section 171 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act 2017) regulate anti-profiteering.
The National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) is responsible for finding and taking action against taxable registered persons who engage in illegal profiteering.
The NAA has the power to determine the methodology and procedure for identifying such persons.