18 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs

18-August-2023

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

Facebook-f


Twitter


Youtube

1. Now, drones to monitor progress, quality of assets produced at MGNREGS worksites

Topic: GS2 – Digital governance

Context:

• The Union Ministry of Rural Development will use drones to increase surveillance of worksites under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

Information about the news:

• Drones will have four main monitoring functions: surveying ongoing works, inspecting completed works, conducting impact assessments, and special inspections for complaints.
• Drones are intended to address issues like corruption, misuse of machines, wage discrepancies, and unauthorized work.
• The drones will be used by district ombudspersons who handle complaints and ensure timely resolution within 30 days.
• The use of drones aims to enable real-time monitoring, gather evidence, and facilitate efficient verification of works for better implementation of the scheme.

Significance of technology induction in governance:

• Efficiency: Technology streamlines administrative processes, reducing time and resources required for tasks.
• Transparency and accountability: Digital systems provide a transparent record of actions and decisions, minimizing corruption and favoritism.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Analyzing data helps policymakers make informed decisions and identify trends for better planning.
• Accessibility: Technology enables remote access to services and information, increasing citizen participation and reach.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Technology allows real-time tracking and monitoring of projects, enhancing project management.
• Cost Savings: Automation reduces administrative costs and enhances resource allocation efficiency.
• Inclusive Governance: Technology bridges gaps, providing services to remote and marginalized populations.
• Ease of Service: Citizens can access government services online, improving convenience and reducing bureaucratic hurdle

Challenges ahead:

• Digital Divide: Unequal access to technology hinders equitable service delivery.
• Cybersecurity: Technological systems are vulnerable to cyber threats and data breaches.
• Privacy Concerns: Collection of personal data raises privacy issues and misuse risks.
• Resistance to Change: Bureaucratic resistance and lack of tech adoption can impede progress.
• Skill Gap: Inadequate digital literacy among officials and citizens affects implementation.
• Infrastructure Limitations: Poor connectivity can hinder digital initiatives in remote areas.
• Financial Constraints: Technology implementation requires substantial funding and resources.
• Interoperability: Integrating diverse systems and databases can be challenging.
• Digital Exclusion: Vulnerable groups might be excluded due to lack of tech access or skills.

Way Forward:

• Digital Literacy: Promote digital education and training for citizens and officials.
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in improving connectivity and digital infrastructure.
• Inclusive Approach: Ensure equitable access to technology, reaching marginalized communities.
• Data Protection: Establish robust data privacy laws and cybersecurity measures.
• Capacity Building: Provide training programs to enhance tech skills of government personnel.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Involve citizens, NGOs, and private sector for diverse input and support.
• Incremental Implementation: Adopt a phased approach to tech integration for smoother transition.
• Collaboration: Partner with tech experts to design and implement effective solutions.
• Regulatory Framework: Establish clear guidelines and regulations for tech-enabled governance.

Model question:  Discuss the significance of integrating technology in governance for efficient public service delivery and transparent administration. Highlight the challenges that arise in the process and suggest a comprehensive strategy to overcome these challenges.

2. Indians stranded in Niger cross border, enter Benin

Topic: GS1 – Indian diaspora

Context:

• A group of Indians, including Keralites, were stranded in Niamey, Niger due to deteriorating security conditions.

About the news:

• Despite repeated pleas for evacuation from the Indian Embassy, there was no major response.
• The group took the risk of crossing Niger’s border by road to Benin after no evacuation plan was confirmed.
• The Indian Embassy provided a letter directing them to cross the capital city border.
• Niger military stopped the group at the Benin border, but they were allowed to cross after repeated requests.
• The Indian Embassy hasn’t arranged evacuation, so the members will need to arrange their own flight to India.

Reasons for recent instability in Niger:

• Attacks by armed groups: In recent months, there have been a number of high-profile attacks by armed groups in Niger, including the attack on the Inates military base in January 2023, which killed more than 100 soldiers. These attacks have created a sense of insecurity and fear among the population, and have made it difficult for the government to maintain control of the country.
• Poverty and food insecurity:Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the vast majority of the population lives on less than $1.90 a day. This poverty and food insecurity creates conditions that are conducive to radicalization and recruitment by armed groups.
• Climate change:Climate change is also a major factor in the instability in Niger. The country is experiencing increasingly frequent and severe droughts, which are leading to crop failures and food shortages. This is creating a sense of desperation among the population, which makes them more vulnerable to radicalization.
• Weak governance:Niger has a weak government that is struggling to maintain control of the country. The security forces are poorly equipped and trained, and they are often corrupt. This makes it difficult for the government to prevent or respond to attacks by armed groups.
• Regional instability: Niger is also affected by instability in neighboring countries, such as Mali and Burkina Faso. These countries are also home to armed groups, and the porous borders between them make it easy for these groups to operate.

3. Bilkis Bano case: SC asks why remission policy is ‘selective’

Topic: GS2 – Indian polity

Context:

• The Supreme Court questioned the Gujarat government’s policy of premature release of prisoners, asking if it’s applied selectively. 

Concerns raised by the Supreme Court:

• The question arose during a hearing of petitions challenging the early release of 11 men convicted for gang-raping Bilkis Bano and killing seven people during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
• Justice B.V. Nagarathna raised the concern of selective application of the remission policy.
• Petitioners, including Bilkis Bano and political leaders, challenged the release of the convicts under the State’s Premature Release Policy of 1992.
• An affidavit revealed opposing views between law enforcement and the Home Ministry on the convicts’ release.

4. President Murmu launches warship Vindhyagiri

Topic: GS2 – Defence sector

Context:

• President Droupadi Murmu launched Vindhyagiri, the last of the three Project 17A frigates built by the Indian Navy at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

More information about the news:

• The launch enhances India’s maritime capabilities and aligns with the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) through indigenous shipbuilding.
• Project 17A signifies India’s commitment to self-reliance and technological advancement.
• The President emphasized the Navy’s proactive role in addressing security threats in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific.
• Vindhyagiri will join its sister ships at the Outfitting Jetty at GRSE for further activities and equipment trials before delivery and commissioning

5. NEP a flexible policy, States free to adapt according to their requirements: FM

Topic: GS2 – Government policies.

Context:

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman praised the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP) as progressive and adaptable to states’ needs.
• Sitharaman emphasized that the NEP underwent rigorous consultation and offers flexibility for states to adapt it according to their requirements.
• She highlighted the policy’s focus on education in mother tongue or local languages.

About New Education Policy 2020:

• A focus on early childhood care and education (ECCE), with the goal of universalizing access to ECCE by 2030.
• A 5+3+3+4 structure for school education, with a focus on flexibility and choice for students.
• A greater emphasis on vocational education and skill development.
• A focus on interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving skills.
• A greater emphasis on research and innovation.
• A focus on making education more inclusive and equitable.

Here are some of the benefits of the new education policy:

• It will make education more accessible and affordable for all children, regardless of their background.
• It will focus on developing the skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in the 21st century economy.
• It will promote a more holistic approach to education that will help students develop their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• It will create a more equitable education system that will provide opportunities for all students to succeed.

6. With huge allocation, tech. will transform judiciary, says CJI

Topic: GS2 – Digital governance

Context:

• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud highlighted the allocation of a “huge budget” for the third phase of the e-courts project.
• The project aims to introduce technology into the functioning of the judiciary, particularly lower courts.

More about the news:

• The Union Budget allocated ₹7,000 crore for Phase 3 of the e-courts project, focused on interlinking courts, digitization, and setting up e-Sewa Kendras.
• The project’s success during the pandemic and the need for efficient justice administration through technology influenced the increased budget.
• The e-courts project envisions a hybrid model, combining physical and virtual courts.
• The initiative aims to transform the judiciary by implementing Information and Communication Technology tools.
• Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized the importance of technology in enhancing justice administration.

How technology can transform the judiciary?

• Efficient Case Management: Technology streamlines case filing, tracking, and management, reducing delays.
• Virtual Courts: Enables remote hearings, increasing accessibility and reducing travel-related issues.
• E-Filing: Digital filing of documents simplifies processes and reduces paperwork.
• Digitization: Converts physical records into electronic format for easy access and searchability.
• Transparency: Online access to case information promotes transparency and public trust.
• Video Conferencing: Facilitates remote testimonies, reducing costs and improving witness participation.
• Paperless Environment: Reduces paper usage, storage costs, and environmental impact.
• Access to Justice: Online resources and information make legal services more accessible to the public.
• Decision Support: AI-powered tools assist judges in legal research and decision-making.

7. Lander departs successfully, 5 days to Moon touchdown.

Topic: GS3-Science and tech

Context:

The CHANDRAYAAN-3 mission moved into the last phase of its journey to the Moon, with the Lander Module successfully separating from the main spacecraft Thursday afternoon.

Updates:

• “Thanks for the ride, mate!” ISRO said in a message on microblogging site X, imagining a conversation between the Lander Module and the Propulsion Module.
• “Lander Module (LM) is set to descend to a slightly lower orbit upon a de boosting planned for tomorrow around 1600Hrs IST,” ISRO said.

Technicalities:

• The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft comprises two parts. The Lander Module, which also houses the rover component, is designed to travel to the Moon and is expected to land on the lunar surface on August 23.
• The leftover part, the Propulsion Module, whose job was to transport the Lander to the Moon orbit, will continue to go around the Moon for a few months, possibly even years, in an outer orbit.
• The remaining journey to the Moon would be made by the Lander Module on its own.
• As of now, it is in an orbit that is roughly about 150 km from the lunar surface.
• The Lander Module is scheduled to make two orbit-reduction manoeuvres over the coming days, first attaining a circular 100 km x 100 km orbit, then coming down further into a 100 kmx30km orbit.
• It is from here that the Lander will begin its final descent to make a touchdown on the Moon next Wednesday.
• Before that, all the instruments on board the Lander will be activated and tested to check whether they are functioning normally.
• The Propulsion Module, in the meanwhile, will continue to go around the Moon for an as yet unspecified period of time.
• Initially, the mission life of the Propulsion Module was supposed to be three to six months, but ISRO said Thursday that it will “continue its journey in the current or bit for months/ years”.
• The Propulsion Module of Chandrayaan-3 has been doing the job of the Orbiter component in Chandrayaan-2. It is equipped with one instrument called SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth) whose job is to make spectroscopic study of the Earth’s atmosphere from that distance, and try to pick up signals that will help scientists understand the markers of life on planets outside our solar system.

Way forward

• ISRO highlighted the fact that India now has three spacecraft going around the Moon.
• It remains to be seen how events unfold in the next few days.

8. Drug menace bigger threat than militancy in J&K.

Topic: GS3-Internal security

Context:

Dilbag Singh who is the current J&K DGP in an interview to The Indian Express spoke on the drug pandemic sweeping the Valley. He stated that a much bigger pain awaits if we do not pay attention and go all out to face the drug challenge today.

How serious is the crisis?

• It should be clear that this is a very big problem. The drug menace, that the society currently faces, is a bigger threat than militancy.
• Terrorism brings death, destruction and agony to civil society in many ways. However drug menace could have a even more catastrophic effect on the lives of the youth of the state.

Origin of the problem:

• Pakistan agencies, which were earlier in the business of terrorism, have taken it up as a matter of policy to use drugs to fund terror as well as to mix terror with social crime to harm society and punish the people of J&K for choosing peace over terror.
• It was done in Punjab in the same way and while the state’s militancy died a long time ago, the problem of drugs is as threatening as ever.
• The major source are some of the drug lords and drug mafia in Afghanistan. From there, it travels to Pakistan and from there to J&K.
• Militant outfits emanating from Pakistan are involved in smuggling of these drugs.
• The illegal cultivation of charas, bhang, ganja and Opium in some of the villages of Kashmir are adding to the problem. These are transported through trucks and a lot of times their drivers are also abusing these substances.

Recent statistics:

• Over the last four years, the number of cases and arrests have both gone up. The number of victims or persons consuming drugs is estimated to be around 5-7lakh (in Jammu& Kashmir), of a population of 1.3 crore. These are all young people, generally between 13 and 30 years.
• In terms of consumption, Kupwara is the highest, after this are Doda and Bhaderwah. The increased prevalence of drug use is an issue in both provinces.

Partners in crime:

• There is the vested interest of local couriers in some areas, particularly in Karnah (North Kashmir) and Rajouri-Poonch areas and, to some extent, Samba.
• Some of the people in border areas have become involved in this because of an economic interest. They have become couriers and facilitators (bringing drugs into Kashmir) in a big way.
• They get drugs, it goes to Punjab and cash comes from Punjab. A part of this cash goes back to Pakistan and some is used at the local level. It is seen that some payments are also done in cryptocurrencies as well.
• The involvement of villages just beyond the fence has been noted because of their proximity to villages across the LoC.

What are the measures in place for controlling the movement of drugs into and within J&K?

1. Over the last two years, a lot of couriers have been killed right on the border during the course of transportation of drugs from across the fence towards our side. They not only bring drugs but also weapon consignments.
2. These drugs go to the drug mafia or cartels for converting them into cash and weapons go to terrorist outfit. Hence the security agencies are monitoring the situation closely.

Way forward:

• Use of volunteer organisations to identify victims so they can get requisite help on time
• Proactive role of the social welfare department, anganwadi workers and village panchayats to address the issue.
• Rather than fighting it centrally, this needs to be taken to the villages where the village Panchayat can play an active role to counsel the youth.
• Opening of Drug de-addiction centres.
• Destruction of opiod crops and indulging in alternative cropping.

9. Lieutenant Governor (L-G) launches initiative to integrate blockchain tech with Delhi forensic lab app.

Topic: GS2-Governance/Schemes

Context:

Making it the first forensic facility in the country to do so, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday launched an initiative to integrate blockchain technology with the e-forensic app of the Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory (DFSL).

Benefits:

• L-G House officials said the move would enable the DFSL and Delhi Police to become the first in the country to collect data and evidence with minimum human interference and also make the former, the first institution of its kind to use blockchain technology for “transparent and tamper-proof” digital recording of evidence.
• This technology, would help automate the entire forensic workflow starting from police to the FSL.
• It would make data entered by the Investigating Officer at the police station level, available to the FSL, without disclosing details such as FIRs or names of parties to ensure confidentiality.

Way Forward:

• The Delhi Police has already trained about 1,500 personnel to operate the new technology and over 3,000 forensic samples are being processed and analyzed using it.
• Delhi Police has already provided QR code scanners and printers to 225 police stations in the capital for the purpose.

10. A pig kidney works in a donated human body for over a month

Topic: GS3-Science&tech

Context:

Surgeons in New York transplanted a pig’s kidney into a brain-dead man and for over a month which worked normally signifying a critical step towards an operation which the New York team hopes to eventually try in living patients someday.

Key details:

• Scientists around the country (US) are racing to learn how to use animal organs to save human lives, and bodies donated for research offer a remarkable rehearsal.
• The latest experiment announced Wednesday by NYU Langone Health marks the longest a pig kidney has functioned in a person, albeit a deceased one and it’s not over as researchers are set to track the kidney’s performance for a second month.
• Surgeons replaced a deceased man’s own kidneys with a single kidney from a genetically modified pig and watched it immediately start producing urine.
• The possibility that pig kidneys might one day help ease a dire shortage of transplantable organs persuaded the family of the deceased patient in New York to donate his body for the experiment who had died suddenly at 57 with a previously undiagnosed brain cancer, ruling out routine organ donation.

Past experiments:

• Attempts at animal-to-human transplants, or xenotransplantation, have failed for decades as people’s immune systems attacked the foreign tissue.
• Now researchers are using pigs genetically modified so their organs better match human bodies.
• Last year with special permission from regulators, University of Maryland surgeons transplanted a gene-edited pig heart into a dying man who was out of other options. He survived only two months before the organ failed for reasons that aren’t fully understood but that offered lessons for future attempts.

Way Forward:

• Food & Drug Administration of USA is considering whether to allow some small but rigorous studies of pig heart or kidney transplants in volunteer patients.
• This NYU experiment is one of a string of developments aimed at start of such trials.
• University of Alabama at Birmingham reported another success where a pair of pig kidneys worked normally inside another body for seven days.
• According to doctors it’s not clear how long these experiments last.
• Also the ethical questions arises as to how long a family is comfortable because maintaining a brain-dead person on a ventilator is difficult, it’s also dependent on how stable the donated body is.
• This experiment certainly created a milestone and it needs to be seen how effective it really would be in the near future.

 

For Enquiry

Phone


Whatsapp


Mail

Search


18 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs



17 August 2023 : Daily Answer Writing



17 August 2023 : Daily Quiz



17 August 2023 : Indian Express



17 August 2023 : PIB



17 August 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF



17 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs



16 August 2023 : Daily Answer Writing



14 August 2023 : Daily Answer Writing



16 August 2023 : Indian Express

August Daily Current Affairs 18 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs Daily Current Affairs
18-August-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu…
mains answer writing 17 August 2023 : Daily Answer Writing Mains Answer Writing
One of the key components of these exams is the written test, which consists of…
Daily Quiz 17 August 2023 : Daily Quiz 17 August 2023 : Daily Quiz…
August 2023 Indian Express 17 August 2023 : Indian Express Indian Express
17-August–2023
The Indian Express, CSE candidates can stay informed about current…
August PIB 2023 17 August 2023 : PIB PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
17-August -2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,The PIB ( Press Information…
August- The Hindu Editorial 17 August 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF The Hindu Editorial
17-August-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,The Hindu Editorial Summary
Facebook-f
Twitter
Youtube
1. New…
August Daily Current Affairs 17 August 2023 : Daily Current Affairs Daily Current Affairs
17-August-2023
Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,Daily Current affairs of The hIndu…
mains answer writing 16 August 2023 : Daily Answer Writing Mains Answer Writing
One of the key components of these exams is the written test, which consists of…
mains answer writing 14 August 2023 : Daily Answer Writing Mains Answer Writing
One of the key components of these exams is the written test, which consists of…
August 2023 Indian Express 16 August 2023 : Indian Express Indian Express
16-August–2023
The Indian Express, CSE candidates can stay informed about current…