February 4, 2025 3:20 am
Table of Contents
- 1. Indian Elephants Lost Genetic Vigour as They Moved North to South, Five Distinct Populations Exist: Study
- 2. Beyond the Iron Dome: The Many Layers of Israel’s Air Defence System
- 3. The Significance of India’s Mission to Develop Supercomputers
- 4. Odisha’s Rising Construction Worker Registrations Amid Employment Challenges
- 5. Coastal Erosion in Brazil: A Growing Crisis Due to Rising Atlantic Waters
- 6. Levitating Nanodiamonds: Pushing the Boundaries of Quantum Mechanics and Industrial Applications
- 7. Controversy Surrounds Dropped Couplet from Jyotiba Phule Memorial
- 8. Modi Says Toilet Coverage Reached 100% After Launch of Swachh Bharat Mission
1. Indian Elephants Lost Genetic Vigour as They Moved North to South, Five Distinct Populations Exist: Study
Subject: Environment
Section: Species in News
A team of researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, found that Indian elephants migrated from the north to the south over millennia, resulting in a gradual loss of genetic diversity.
Key Findings:
- Distinct Populations Identified:
- Himalayan Foothills Population: Found from northwest to northeast.
- Central India Population
- Southern India Populations: Three separate populations in southern India.
- Population Estimates (2017 Census):
- Total elephants in India: 29,000+
- Southern Populations: 14,500
- Central Population: 3,000+
- Northern Population: 12,000 (2,000 in northwest, 10,000 in northeast)
Genetic Divergence and Migration History:
- Northern populations diverged over 70,000 years ago.
- Central populations diverged around 50,000 years ago.
- Southern populations diverged more recently, about 20,000 years ago.
Conservation Implications:
- Genetic Diversity Concerns: Southern populations exhibit reduced genetic diversity, increasing risks of inbreeding.
- Barriers to Movement: Palghat Gap and Shencottah Gap in the Western Ghats limit genetic flow, creating distinct southern populations.
- Conservation Strategies Needed: Emphasizing habitat connectivity and region-specific approaches to safeguard genetic diversity.
Future Plans:
- Development of genetic toolkits for monitoring populations through non-invasive DNA sampling from elephant feces.
2. Beyond the Iron Dome: The Many Layers of Israel’s Air Defence System
Subject: Science
Section: Defence
Following a missile attack from Iran on October 1, Israel’s advanced, multi-layered air defence system, which intercepts various threats from short-range rockets to long-range ballistic missiles, demonstrated its capabilities.
Israel’s Air Defence Systems:
| System | Features |
|---|---|
| Iron Dome | Short-Range Defence: Protects against rockets, artillery, and drones. Developed post-2006, it uses radar and interceptors to neutralize threats. |
| David’s Sling | Mid-Range Defence: Targets missiles 100-200 km away, using hit-to-kill technology for a 92% success rate. Developed with RTX Corp. |
| Arrow System | Long-Range Defence: Destroys missiles beyond the atmosphere. Arrow 3 specifically tackles long-range threats and weapons of mass destruction. |
| Iron Beam | Laser-Based Defence: Engages threats up to 10 km with a speed-of-light response, unlimited ammunition, and minimal collateral damage. |
Strategic Importance:
Israel’s layered defence system ensures protection against a range of aerial threats, securing key urban and military areas. As regional tensions rise, such systems play a crucial role in maintaining security and deterring aggression.
3. The Significance of India’s Mission to Develop Supercomputers
Subject: Science
Section: AI & Computers
India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), launched in 2015, aims to build a network of 70 powerful supercomputers, supporting scientific research and technology advancements across various sectors.
What is a Supercomputer?
- Definition: Large computing systems for tackling complex scientific tasks, often occupying large rooms with multiple computer nodes.
- Applications: Weather forecasting, climate research, aerospace engineering, atomic energy simulations, big data processing, etc.
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):
- Launch: 2015
- Budget: ₹4,500 crores
- Duration: Seven years
- Objectives: To establish a supercomputing grid and develop indigenous computing capabilities.
| Supercomputer | Institute | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| PARAM Shivay | IIT BHU | 837 teraFLOPS |
| PARAM Pravega | Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore | 3.3 petaFLOPS |
| PARAM Siddhi | AI CDAC, Pune | 5.2 petaFLOPS (AI) |
Impact of NSM:
- Provides vital computing resources for research in multiple fields.
- Trained over 1.75 lakh individuals in high-performance computing, bolstering India’s technical workforce.
Historical Context: The NSM is a response to historical technology restrictions, including the denial of space technology in the 1970s and supercomputing capabilities in the 1990s. It aims to reduce dependency on foreign technology and enhance India’s strategic autonomy.
4. Odisha’s Rising Construction Worker Registrations Amid Employment Challenges
Subject: Schemes
Section: Economy
The Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (OBCWWB) has seen a surge in registrations as construction workers, driven by the need for social security benefits in a challenging job market.
Key Figures:
- Registrations: Over 42.66 lakh people are now registered as construction workers.
- Welfare Fund: ₹4,571.84 crore collected through a 1% construction cess, with ₹3,588 crore spent on welfare measures.
Economic and Employment Data in Odisha:
- Labour Force Participation: Of Odisha’s 351 lakh people aged 15+, about 214 lakh are part of the labor force.
- Unemployment Rate: Odisha’s unemployment rate stands at 8.2%, higher than the national average of 5.8%.
Challenges:
- Job Mismatch: The construction sector cannot support the vast number of registered workers, leading to “ghost beneficiaries.”
- Skills Gap: Technical jobs often go to out-of-state workers, as local workers lack the required skills.
Government Initiatives:
- Promises to create 1.5 lakh jobs in the government sector and over 3.5 lakh jobs in key industries like IT, semiconductors, and automobiles.
Relevant Legislation: Building and Other Construction Workers Act, 1996, mandates worker registration, provides safety and welfare measures, and supports housing and accident benefits for construction workers.
5. Coastal Erosion in Brazil: A Growing Crisis Due to Rising Atlantic Waters
Subject: Geography
Section: Climatology
Coastal erosion along Brazil’s Atlantic coast is accelerating, with the Atlantic Ocean advancing up to 150 km inland due to rising sea levels and weakened river systems.
Impact of Climate Change on Brazil’s Coastline:
- Case of Atafona: Severe erosion has led to the destruction of over 500 homes, including a four-story building.
- Ponta Negra Beach: Has lost 15 meters of sand over two decades due to accelerated sea level rise.
- UN Report: “Surging Seas in a Warming World” predicts sea levels around Atafona could rise by 16 cm by 2050, exacerbating erosion.
Geographical Context of Brazil:
- Amazon Rainforest: Brazil is home to the majority of the Amazon, with rich biodiversity and resources.
- Paraíba River: A crucial river for agriculture and ecological balance, its reduced sediment flow contributes to coastal erosion.
Concerns for the Future:
- Displacement: Rising seas threaten coastal communities, prompting migration and loss of livelihoods.
- Biodiversity Loss: Coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs, face severe risks due to increased saltwater intrusion.
6. Levitating Nanodiamonds: Pushing the Boundaries of Quantum Mechanics and Industrial Applications
Subject: Science
Section: IT Awareness
Physicists at Purdue University, USA, have achieved the levitation of fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) in high vacuum, a breakthrough that could revolutionize quantum research and industrial applications.
What are Fluorescent Nanodiamonds (FNDs)?
- Structure: Carbon nanoparticles with unique fluorescence properties, stable under light, and non-toxic.
- Applications: Widely used in biomedical fields, quantum computing, and sensor technologies due to their stable fluorescence and long lifespan.
Recent Breakthrough:
- Levitating and Spinning FNDs: By levitating FNDs in high vacuum and spinning them at ultra-high speeds, researchers have opened doors for advancements in quantum sensing and rotation-based technologies.
Industrial Potential:
- Quantum Sensors: Due to their sensitivity to magnetic and electric fields, FNDs are ideal for high-precision sensors in industries like aerospace and defense.
- Quantum Computing: FNDs containing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are crucial for qubit development, enabling advancements in quantum processing and storage.
Technical Concepts:
- Berry Phase: A phenomenon essential to quantum mechanics, crucial for understanding particle behavior in complex systems.
- Quantum Spin: Fundamental to data storage and processing, spin states in FNDs have significant implications for developing future quantum technologies.
7. Controversy Surrounds Dropped Couplet from Jyotiba Phule Memorial
Subject: Schemes
Section: Health
A political controversy erupted in Nasik when a line from Jyotiba Phule’s work “Shetkaryacha Asud” was omitted from the newly inaugurated Phule memorial, which led to debates over caste representation and historical accuracy.
About Jyotiba Phule:
- Reform Efforts: Phule, along with his wife Savitribai, worked for women’s education and the upliftment of lower castes in 19th-century India.
- Literary Works: Authored seminal texts advocating for social reform, including “Gulamgiri” and “Shetkarayacha Aasud.”
- Satyashodhak Samaj: Founded in 1873 to fight for equal rights and social justice for marginalized communities.
Importance of the Memorial:
- Symbol of Caste Resistance: The inclusion (and exclusion) of specific phrases from Phule’s work has sparked discussions on his legacy and the portrayal of caste issues in public commemorations.
Legacy of Savitribai Phule:
- Known as India’s first female teacher, Savitribai was instrumental in establishing educational institutions for girls and marginalized communities.
- A champion for women’s rights, she laid the groundwork for India’s feminist movement through her pioneering work in education.
8. Modi Says Toilet Coverage Reached 100% After Launch of Swachh Bharat Mission
Subject: Schemes
Section: Health
The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014, has made significant strides in improving sanitation across India, with Prime Minister Modi announcing a 100% toilet coverage.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM):
- Objective: To eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management, particularly in rural areas.
- Achievements: Constructed over 12 crore toilets, with toilet coverage rising from less than 40% to 100% since launch.
Components of the Mission:
- SBM-Gramin: Focuses on rural sanitation, aiming to maintain an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
- SBM-Urban: Aims to enhance sanitation in urban areas, including the management of grey and black water.
Funding and Support Mechanisms:
- Swachh Bharat Kosh: A fund to channel philanthropic contributions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds towards SBM projects.
- Safaimitras: Sanitation workers recognized for their role in maintaining hygiene, crucial to SBM’s success.
Impact on Society:
- Improved public health, especially for women and marginalized communities.
- Contributed to a significant behavioral change in sanitation practices and increased respect for sanitation workers.
