- A GREY BIRTHDAY FOR THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Electoral Roll Integrity:
- Challenges: Ghost/duplicate voters, exclusion of eligible voters(e.g., linguistic minorities), and executive interference.
- Maharashtra case study highlights manual verification flaws.
- Solutions:
- Aadhaar linkage: De-duplication of voter IDs.
- Blockchain/AI for transparent audits.
- Historical Context: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar warned against executive interference in electoral rolls(1949 Constituent Assembly debates).
2. DIGITAL TREE AADHAAR IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
SUBJECT: STATES
- Initiative: QR-coded plates installed on Chinar trees(cultural symbol of J&K) under the Digital Tree Aadhaar conservation program.
- Purpose: Track tree’s geographical location, health, and growth patterns.
- Combat threats from urbanization and climate change.
- Significance: First-of-its-kind tech-driven conservation effort in India.
- Part of broader Smart City Mission and Digital India.
3. INDIAN NAVY FINISHES SURVEY OF MAURITIUS
SUBJECT: DEFENSE
- INS Sarvekshak: Surveyed 25,000 sq. nautical miles, aiding Mauritius in maritime infrastructure and coastal planning.
- Outcome: New nautical charts handed to Mauritius President Dharambeer Gokhool.
- Significance: Strengthens India’s SAGAR Vision and maritime diplomacy
4. NEW MGNREGS WAGE PAYMENT SYSTEM NOT SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
MGNREGA Wage Payment Study
- ABPS vs. Bank Accounts: No significant difference in timely payments (36% vs. 39% within 7 days).
- ABPS Issues: Centralized rejections harder to resolve; job card-Aadhaar mismatches.
- Government Stance: ABPS ensures transparency, but workers face payment delays and deletions.
5. THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF RHODAMINE B – A GLOBAL AND LOCAL PRESPECTIVE
SUBJECT: SCIENCE
- A synthetic dye with a bright pink hue.
- Industrial Uses: Textiles, paper, leather, and scientific research (fluorescent properties).
- Illegal Use in Food: Added to enhance visual appeal of sweets, cotton candy, Gobi Manchurian, etc.
- Health Risks
- Carcinogenic: Linked to DNA damage, mutations, and tumor growth in animal studies (liver, bladder).
- Human Risks: Long-term exposure may cause cancer, though conclusive evidence is pending.
- Other Risks: Skin irritation, redness, pigmentation changes.
- EU & U.S. Bans: Prohibited in food, cosmetics due to safety concerns.
- Indian State Bans: Tamil Nadu (cotton candy), Karnataka (Gobi Manchurian), Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh.
- FSSAI’s Role:
- Food Safety Act (2006): Prohibits non-approved additives like Rhodamine B.
- Weak Enforcement: Reactive bans post-crisis; lacks proactive research/testing
