KANISHKBIOSCIENCE E -LEARNING PLATFORM - Help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.
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Why Punjab’s claim over Chandigarh is stronger than that of Haryana?
Context:
Haryana Government recently suggested that it would be better if both Haryana and Punjab agreed on Chandigarh as a Union Territory and make their independent capitals and Benches of High Courts.
Why was Chandigarh created?
1 Chandigarh was planned to replace Lahore, the capital of erstwhile Punjab, which became part of Pakistan during the Partition.
2 From 1952 to 1966 (till Haryana was carved out of Punjab), Chandigarh remained the capital of Punjab.
3 At the time of reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, the city assumed the unique distinction of being the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, even as it was declared a union territory and was placed under the direct control of the Centre.
What was announced then?
The-then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had announced that Haryana, in due course, would have its own capital and Chandigarh would go to Punjab.
Again, in 1985, under the Rajiv-Longowal accord, Chandigarh was to be handed over to Punjab on January 26, 1986, but the Rajiv Gandhi government withdrew at the last minute.
Recent Developments:
In 2018, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar suggested to set up a special body for development of Chandigarh, but the Punjab CM rejected it, saying the city “indisputably belonged to Punjab”.
Haryana, on its part, has been demanding a separate High Court and even locked horns with Punjab by passing a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha demanding 20 rooms in the Vidhan Sabha complex that have been in the possession of Punjab.
Sources: Indian Express.
Issues related to Health.
Experimental drug given to Trump to treat covid-19 wins FDA clearance:
Context:
Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency authorization to the experimental antibody treatment given to President Trump last month when he developed covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
About the drug:
1 The drug is made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
2 It is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies, called casirivimab and imdevimab.
3 It is designed to prevent infected people from developing severe illness.
4 Instead of waiting for the body to develop its own protective immune response, the drug imitates the body’s natural defenses.
5 It is the second drug of this type — called a monoclonal antibody — to be cleared for treating covid-19.
What are monoclonal antibodies?
1 Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to attack the virus.
2 They are man-made proteins.
Prelims Link:
- What are antibodies?
- What are antigens?
- How immunity system works in our body?
- What are mAbs?
- What are Polyclonal antibodies?
India and its neighbourhood- relations.
At UNSC, India calls for immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan:
Context:
India has called for an “immediate comprehensive ceasefire” in Afghanistan.
At a recent UNSC meeting, convened under the Arria Formula (informally convened at the request of a UNSC member), India reiterated that “For durable peace in Afghanistan, we have to put an end to terrorist safe havens and sanctuaries operating across the Durand Line.”
Why is India concerned?
The Afghan peace process and premature withdrawal of NATO/ U.S. coalition forces could leave opportunities for terrorist networks that could target both Afghanistan and India.
As recently as May of this year, the UN issued a report providing evidence that despite assurances from the Taliban to the United States, Al Qaeda is still present and active in Afghanistan, harboured by the Taliban.
What needs to be done now?
For violence to end in Afghanistan, terrorist supply chains must be broken.
Four requirements for peace and stability in Afghanistan highlighted by India are:
1 The process had to be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
2 There must be zero tolerance for terrorism.
3 Rights of women need to be strongly protected, the rights of the minorities and the vulnerable need to be safeguarded.
4 The transit rights of Afghanistan should not be used by countries “to extract [a] political price from Afghanistan.”
Prelims Link:
1 Where is Durand Line?
2 India and its various international boundaries.
3 Afghanistan and its neighbours.
4 UNSC- Permanent Members.
Mains Link:
Discuss the need for an “immediate comprehensive ceasefire” in Afghanistan.
Sources: the Hindu.
Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
India set to launch deep sea mission:
Context:
India will soon launch an ambitious ‘Deep Ocean Mission’.
Required approvals are being obtained for the mission.
About the Mission:
The mission proposes to explore the deep ocean similar to the space exploration started by ISRO about 35 years ago.
The focus of the mission will be on deep-sea mining, ocean climate change advisory services, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics related technologies.
Two key projects planned in the ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ report include a desalination plant powered by tidal energy and a submersible vehicle that can explore depths of at least 6,000 metres.
Significance:
The mission will give a boost to efforts to explore India’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf.
The plan will enable India to develop capabilities to exploit resources in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
Potential:
India has been allotted 75,000 square kilometres in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by UN International Sea Bed Authority for exploration of poly-metallic nodules.
CIOB reserves contain deposits of metals like iron, manganese, nickel and cobalt.
It is envisaged that 10% of recovery of that large reserve can meet the energy requirement of India for the next 100 years.
What are PMN?
Polymetallic nodules (also known as manganese nodules) are potato-shaped, largely porous nodules found in abundance carpeting the sea floor of world oceans in deep sea.
Composition: Besides manganese and iron, they contain nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, cadmium, vanadium, titanium, of which nickel, cobalt and copper are considered to be of economic and strategic importance.
Prelims Link:
1 What is deep sea mining?
2 What are PMNs?
3 Location of the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
4 Functions of the UN International Sea Bed Authority.
Mains Link:
Discuss the need for and significance of ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ to be launched by India.
Sources: the Hindu.
{ With input from news agency language)
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