15 May 2023 : Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs

15-May-2023

Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu and Indian Express.

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1. Bail orders should not be too long or come too late as both violate personal liberty: SC.

Topic: GS2 – International relations, international organisations.

Context:

• • • The Supreme Court has emphasized that orders in bail cases should be concise and delivered promptly to uphold the constitutional mandate of personal liberty.

Issue:

• • • Judges should avoid extensive deliberations on the merits of the case or the evidence involved when granting or rejecting bail, as such debates may prejudice the accused.

    • Once a bail case is reserved for orders, the decision should not be unduly delayed, as every day of waiting infringes upon the personal liberty of the undertrial.

    • The court highlighted the importance of brevity in bail orders and the need for expeditious pronouncement of decisions.

    • The judgment was made in response to a plea for bail from an accused in a murder case, who had been in custody for nearly three years on charges of conspiracy.

    • The Supreme Court criticized the practice of providing detailed elaboration of evidence in bail orders and the significant delay between reserving the matter for order and pronouncing the decision.

    • In matters concerning the liberty of citizens, courts are expected to decide expeditiously.

2. The nutritional value of millets

Topic: GS3.

Context:

• • • The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has designated 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ to promote these crops.

    • Millets are gaining attention worldwide due to their ability to thrive in environmental conditions exacerbated by the climate crisis.

    • In India, millets are becoming more popular due to their low input requirements and high nutritional density.

    • Millets are valuable for a country like India, which is expected to face significant food security challenges in the future.

Issue:

What are millets?

• • • Millets are grasses cultivated as cereal crops, primarily in tropical parts of Africa and Asia.

    • Common varieties of millet include pearl millet, barnyard millet, finger millet, and foxtail millet.

    • Millets have a long history of cultivation in the Indian subcontinent, dating back five millennia.

    • India is the world’s largest producer of millet, accounting for a significant percentage of global production.

    • Pearl millet is the most produced millet in India, followed by sorghum and ragi.

    • Other grasses like sorghum, adlay millet, and teff are also grouped together with millets, although they have some differences.

Why are they important?

• • • Millets have high nutritional value, are comparable to major food crops and are better in certain aspects.

    • They are well-suited for harsh, resource-poor conditions and are drought-tolerant.

    • Millets grow best in warm weather, low-moisture conditions, and loamy soil.

    • They can withstand droughts and are more resilient to drought-like conditions compared to crops like rice and maize.

    • Millets can also thrive on marginal land in upland and hilly regions.

    • They respond positively to higher moisture and nutrient content in the soil, although they can tolerate low-resource conditions.

Other factors involved:

• • • Millets have high nutritional value, including carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, amino acids, minerals, micronutrients, and phytochemicals.

    • Different millet varieties have different nutrient profiles.

    • The nutrients in millets are stored in the pericarp, endosperm, and germ of the kernel.

    • The endosperm is the largest part and contains proteins, starch, and B-complex vitamins.

    • Processing and preparing millets can affect nutrient content.

    • Removing the husk can decrease phytic acid and polyphenol contents.

    • Decortication removes outer coverings and some fibre but makes the grains more edible and visually attractive.

    • Milling and sieving can reduce nutrient content by removing bran.

    • Germination and fermentation can improve the overall nutritional characteristics of millets.

    • Polishing, like in rice, can remove protein, fat, fibre, and essential minerals from millet.

    • Polishing rice leads to significant nutrient loss, including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese.

    • Rice polishing is done for taste, texture, shorter cooking time, and longer shelf-life.

3. Explaining mitochondrial donation treatment: how a baby has three parents.

Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology

Context:

• • • A baby was born in the UK using three persons’ DNA, with the mitochondria coming from a donor.

Issue:

• • • Mitochondrial Donation Technique (MDT) is a reproductive process.

    • It involves transferring an egg containing DNA from the parents and mitochondria from a selected female donor.

    • The egg is implanted in the uterus and carried to full term.

    • The aim of MDT is to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases to the baby.

    • The resulting baby will be free of mitochondrial diseases inherited from the mother.

    • MDT combines genetic material from the parents with healthy mitochondria from a donor.

    • It allows couples with mitochondrial diseases to have genetically related and healthy children.

Need, scientific process and potential risks of MDT:

• • • Mitochondrial diseases are caused by defects in the mitochondria, which affect cell function and can lead to various debilitating symptoms.

    • The scientific process, known as Mitochondrial Donation Treatment (MDT), involves fertilizing the biological mother’s eggs with the father’s sperm and a separate egg from a female donor with healthy mitochondria.

    • The genetic material from the donor’s egg is replaced with the genetic material from the biological parents before implanting the modified egg in the uterus.

    • MDT is facilitated by an amendment to the law in the UK in 2015, and approval is given on a case-by-case basis by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

    • There have been reports of a few cases worldwide using similar techniques, including one in Jordan and another in Mexico.

    • There may be minimal risks and uncertainties associated with the procedure, such as the possibility of some maternal mitochondria with errors being passed on.

    • More research and published data are needed to establish a consensus on the procedure and its potential side effects.

4. With 6.9% year-on-year growth, goods exports rose to $451 billion in 2022-23.

Topic: GS3 – Indian economy.

Issue:

• • • India’s goods exports for 2022-23 reached nearly $451 billion, showing a 6.9% year-on-year growth.

    • March exports were revised to $41.9 billion, a nine-month high, instead of the initial estimate of $38.38 billion, indicating a 6% contraction.

    • The Ministry revised March’s import bill to over $60 billion, the highest in 2023, increasing the initial estimate by $1.9 billion.

    • The overall import bill for 2022-23 remained unchanged at $714.04 billion, a 16.5% rise from the previous year.

    • Total exports were initially estimated at $447.46 billion and were later revised to $444.2 billion before reaching $450.95 billion.

    • The revision in import numbers requires further scrutiny, while petroleum shipments were identified as the main driver for the high revisions in export data.

    • Export numbers were revised by over $25 billion throughout 2022-23, with four months experiencing a revision of $3 billion or more.

5. IMD issues fourth heatwave alert for the Konkan region

Topic: GS3 – environment.

Context:

• • • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for several areas in Maharashtra, encompassing Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, Konkan, central Maharashtra, and Vidarbha.

Issue:

Reasons for a heatwave:

• • • High-pressure systems: Heatwaves often occur when a high-pressure system dominates an area for an extended period. High-pressure systems lead to clear skies and calm winds, allowing the sun’s radiation to heat the surface.

    • Subsidence: In some cases, regions experience subsidence, which involves the sinking of warm and dry air from higher altitudes.

    • Lack of cloud cover: Heatwaves are more likely to occur in areas with minimal cloud cover.

    • Geographical factors: Certain geographical features, such as being situated in a valley or surrounded by mountains, can contribute to heatwaves. These features can trap heat and prevent the dispersion of hot air, leading to higher temperatures.

    • Urbanization and heat island effect: Urban areas with extensive concrete, asphalt, and buildings tend to absorb and retain more heat than surrounding rural areas. This phenomenon, known as the urban heat island effect, can intensify heat waves in cities.

    • Drought conditions: Extended periods of dry weather and drought can exacerbate heatwaves. The lack of moisture in the soil and vegetation reduces evaporative cooling, allowing temperatures to rise even further.

    • Climate change: Climate change is believed to contribute to the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. Rising global temperatures and altered weather patterns can increase the likelihood of extreme heat events.

Implications of heat waves:

• • • Health risks: Heatwaves pose significant risks to human health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, can occur, leading to hospitalizations and even fatalities.

    • Increased mortality rates: Heatwaves can result in a rise in mortality rates, especially in areas with inadequate access to cooling facilities or where heat-related precautions are not widely implemented.

    • Impact on infrastructure: Heatwaves can strain infrastructure systems such as power grids, leading to power outages. High energy demands for cooling can overload electrical systems, affecting the functioning of air conditioning units and other essential services.

    • Agricultural and ecological impacts: Crop failures, reduced yields, and livestock losses can occur due to extreme heat and drought conditions. Heat stress can also impact wildlife, leading to habitat degradation and affecting biodiversity.

    • Water scarcity: Heatwaves can exacerbate water scarcity issues by accelerating evaporation and drying out water sources.

    • Economic consequences: Losses in agricultural productivity, increased healthcare costs, decreased labour productivity, and disruptions in supply chains and transportation systems can impact local economies and national GDP.

6. Turkish presidential elections:

Topic: GS2.

Context:

• • • In a significant election, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as the frontrunner, taking an initial lead.

Issue:

Procedure for election of Turkish President:

• • • Eligibility: Candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being a Turkish citizen, at least 40 years old, and having completed higher education or equivalent qualifications.

    • Nomination: Political parties or independent candidates can nominate individuals for the presidential candidacy. Parties need to gather signatures from a certain number of members of parliament or citizens to support their nomination.

    • Campaigning: Candidates engage in campaign activities to promote their platform and gather public support. They participate in debates, hold rallies, and communicate their policies and visions to the electorate.

    • Voting: The election takes place on a designated date, and eligible voters cast their ballots at polling stations throughout the country. Turkish citizens living abroad can also vote at designated embassies or consulates.

    • Runoff Election (if necessary): If no candidate receives an absolute majority of the votes (over 50%), the top two candidates proceed to a second round, known as a runoff election. In the runoff, the candidate who receives the majority of votes is declared the winner.

    • Declaration of Results: Once the voting process is completed, the ballots are counted, and the results are announced. The candidate who receives the highest number of valid votes is declared the winner and becomes the President of Turkey.

7. BJP faced significant challenges in the Karnataka polls due to effectively addressing issues of unemployment and poverty.

Topic: GS2.

Context:

• • • In light of the recent Karnataka assembly elections, it is important to take a look at the significance of regional issues and national issues in elections – and how they affect voters.

Issue:

In elections in India, there is often a dynamic interplay between national issues and regional issues.

1. National Issues in Elections:

National issues pertain to matters that impact the entire country and have broader implications for the nation as a whole. These issues typically include:

• • • Economic Policies: National economic growth, unemployment, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, taxation, and fiscal policies are key national concerns.

    • Security and Defence: National security, defence strategies, counter-terrorism measures, border disputes, and foreign policy decisions fall under the purview of national issues.

    • Social Welfare: National issues also encompass social welfare programs, healthcare, education, gender equality, social justice, and inclusive development.

    • Constitutional Reforms: Changes to the constitution, constitutional rights, and issues related to federalism and central-state relations may also be considered national issues.

    • Corruption and Governance: Issues related to corruption, good governance, administrative reforms, and accountability at the national level are significant concerns.

2. Regional issues in elections:

• • • Regional Development: Infrastructure projects, industrialization, job creation, irrigation facilities, and other initiatives aimed at the development of a specific state or region.

    • Water Resources: Issues related to water scarcity, inter-state water disputes, and management of rivers and reservoirs within a particular region.

    • Language and Culture: Preservation and promotion of regional languages, cultural heritage, and traditions.

    • Caste and Identity Politics: Matters related to caste-based reservations, social inequalities, and regional identity can be prominent regional issues.

    • Local Governance: Issues concerning local governance, municipal administration, and state-level policies that directly impact a specific region.

8. Factors that affect the opinion of voters in elections.

Topic: GS2.

Issue:

Factors that can affect voters’ opinions vary from election to election and across different regions according to demographics. However, it is important to understand these factors in order to have free and fair elections. These factors are:

• • • Political Party Affiliation: Many voters align themselves with a particular political party based on their ideological beliefs, historical association, or family traditions.

    • Candidate’s Image and Leadership: Voters often assess the personal qualities and leadership abilities of candidates, including their charisma, integrity, experience, and ability to connect with the public.

    • Political Promises and Policy Agenda: Voters consider the promises made by political parties and candidates, such as their proposed policies, plans for economic development, social welfare programs, and stance on key issues.

    • Performance of Incumbent Government: Voters evaluate the performance of the existing government, including its ability to deliver on previous promises, manage the economy, maintain law and order, and address societal challenges.

    • Socio-economic Factors: Factors like income levels, employment opportunities, access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social services can significantly influence voting preferences.

    • Regional and Identity Politics: Regional issues, ethnic or religious identities, linguistic preferences, and local concerns often play a crucial role in shaping voting patterns in specific regions.

    • Media and Public Opinion: Media coverage, political campaigns, endorsements, and public opinion polls can impact voters’ perceptions and influence their choices.

    • Electoral Alliances: The formation of pre-election alliances or coalitions between political parties can sway voters who support these alliances based on the perceived strength or potential benefits of such collaborations.

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