- ENVIRONMENT
FSSAI BEGINS PROJECT ON MICROPLASTIC CONTAMINATION
- FSSAI Project on Microplastic Contamination
- Objective: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a project to assess the contamination of food products by microplastics and to develop reliable methods for detecting such contamination.
- Project Details:
- Launch: The project was started in March.
- Focus: The project aims to develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nano-plastics in various food products.
- Standardization: It includes creating standard protocols for the analysis of micro/nano-plastics.
- Research Activities: The project will conduct intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the developed methods.
- Key Goals: Exposure Assessment: Assessing the prevalence of microplastics in food products and the exposure levels among consumers in India.
- Data Generation: Generating critical data on microplastic contamination, which can inform regulatory actions and public health strategies.
- Significance: The project is crucial as it addresses the growing concern over the presence of microplastics in the food chain, which poses potential health risks to consumers.
- The findings and protocols developed through this project could lead to stricter safety standards and better regulatory oversight on food products in India.
2. BILATERAL
MALAYSIAN PM VISIT INDIA – TRADE, PEOPLE TO PEOPLE LINKS ON AGENDA
- India-Malaysia Relations:
- Historical Ties: Centuries-old cultural and trade exchanges, strengthened by the Indian diaspora in Malaysia.
- Trade and Economic Cooperation: Trade: Robust trade relationship. Malaysia is one of India’s largest trading partners in the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade involving a wide range of goods such as palm oil, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, and electronics.
- Investment: Significant investments in each other’s economies.
- Malaysian investment in various sectors include construction, telecom, and energy.
- Indian companies have invested in areas such as IT, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing in Malaysia.
- Strategic and Security Cooperation: Strong defense ties, including maritime security, counter-terrorism and joint military exercises.
- The strategic location of Malaysia in Southeast Asia makes it a key partner for India’s Act East Policy, which aims to strengthen India’s ties with the ASEAN region
- People-to-People Links: Deep cultural connections, supported by the Indian diaspora, educational exchanges, and tourism.
- Initiatives like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program have provided training and education opportunities for Malaysian citizens in India.
- Current Issues: Ongoing discussions on India’s request for the extradition of Zakir Naik, a key diplomatic issue.
- He is a controversial Islamic preacher wanted in India on charges of hate speech and money laundering.
- Malaysia has thus far not agreed to India’s requests for his extradition, which has been a point of diplomatic discussion.
- Cultural and Educational Cooperation: Cultural festivals, exchange programs, and educational partnerships have been crucial in maintaining the soft power dynamics between the two nations.
- The Indian government has also promoted scholarships and educational exchange programs to Malaysian students.
- Multilateral Engagement: Collaboration in international forums like the UN, ASEAN and Commonwealth.
- Their cooperation is often aligned on issues like climate change, global trade, and regional security.
3. ENVIRONMENT
RESIDENTS OF JHARIA PLEAD FOR REHABILITATION BEFORE THEIR HOMES GO UP IN SMOKE
- Jharia coalfields, located in Jharkhand, India, are plagued by underground coal fires, which have been burning for over a century.
- These fires have caused severe environmental, health, and socio-economic problems for the local population.
- Concepts: Underground Coal Fires:
- Coal seams in Jharia have been burning due to spontaneous combustion. This has led to continuous emission of toxic gases, heat, and subsurface fires, making the area hazardous for living.
- Land Subsidence: The underground fires have caused land subsidence, leading to cracks in the surface, collapse of structures, and creation of sinkholes. This makes the area highly unsafe for habitation.
- Blackened Landscape: The continuous burning has resulted in a barren, blackened landscape, dotted with ruins of houses and infrastructure that have collapsed due to the heat and subsidence.
- Soil and Air Pollution: Emission of toxic gases and particulate matter from the fires contributes to severe air pollution, impacting the health of the local population. The soil in the region is also contaminated, making agriculture unsustainable.
4. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
RAILWAYS TO ADJUST ITS CLOCKS TO MAINTAIN THE RIGHT TIME
- Indian Railways is set to develop a master clock system to ensure the synchronization of time across all systems and applications used in train operations, management, and accident investigations.
- Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), the research arm of Indian Railways, has been tasked with demonstrating a prototype of the master clock system by October 2.
- The master clock system is expected to source time from reliable sources such as:
- Indian Constellation (NAVIC) – India’s satellite navigation system.
- National Physical Laboratories – known for maintaining accurate time standards in India.
5. BILATERAL
JAISHANKAR CALLS ON KUWAITI PM, CROWN PRINCE TO DISCUSS TIES
- The visit is significant as it comes two months after a tragic incident in Kuwait where 45 Indians died, highlighting the importance of addressing the welfare of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait.
- Bilateral Relations: The meeting focused on deepening the ties between India and Kuwait, with discussions on enhancing economic cooperation and other bilateral issues of mutual interest.
- Economic Cooperation: Specific emphasis was placed on strengthening economic ties, which are crucial given the significant trade and expatriate communities between the two nations.
- The dialogue hinted at future strategic initiatives to enhance cooperation in various sectors, potentially including energy, trade, and security.
- Kuwait is a key supplier of oil to India.
- Regional Stability: The discussions likely touched upon regional stability in the Gulf, where both countries have vested interests, especially concerning the safety of expatriates and energy security.
- This visit underscores India’s active role in the Gulf region, enhancing its diplomatic and economic influence in a strategically vital area.
ONE LINER
- Govindarajan Padmanabhan, the former director of the Indian Institute of Science Education received India’s highest science award Vignan Ratna for the first time
- Vinvelikudil Project – This project will be launched in 2028 – 2035 to explore the space continuously for 15 – 20 years
