- CENTRE SEEKS REPORT FROM PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ON IVF AVAILED BY MOOSEWALA’S MOTHER
- The Case – Charan Kaur, mother of the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, gave birth to a baby boy at the age of 58 through In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment This has sparked debate in India about age limitations for IVF procedures
- The Ministry of Health has requested a report from the Punjab government regarding Kaur’s case In India, the rules governing IVF are laid out in the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021
- Age Limit for Women: The Act generally sets the age limit for women seeking IVF services at 21 to 50 years old
- This case of Charan Kaur exceeding the limit has triggered the current controversy
- Exceptions: The law allows for some exceptions, but details aren’t specified ○ There might be provisions for exceeding the age limit based on thorough medical and mental health evaluations
- Focus on Child’s Well-being: The act emphasises factors that ensure a good quality of life for the child
- This includes considerations like the parents’ health and ability to provide long-term care
- Medical Considerations: Ageing can bring health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and blood pressure
- These factors are likely taken into account during evaluations, especially for women above 50
- Government Oversight: The Act empowers the government to monitor and regulate ART clinics to ensure adherence to the guidelines
- The current investigation into Kaur’s case reflects this oversight
- The Debate in this case raises questions about the balance between individual choice, medical advancements, and the well-being of both mother and child in IVF procedures
- Some argue for flexibility in age limits due to increased life expectancy and better healthcare
- Others emphasise potential health risks and the child’s future well-being with older parents
2. THE SLOW AND STEADY RISE OF MIXED REALITY TECHNOLOGY
a.Augmented Reality (AR)
Concept: AR overlays digital information onto the physical world a user sees. Example: Imagine seeing directions displayed on your glasses as you walk down the street, or a furniture app that lets you virtually place a sofa in your living room to see how it looks
Uses: AR has various applications, including education (interactive learning experiences), gaming (enhanced gameplay), manufacturing (assembly instructions overlaid on real-world objects), and retail (trying on clothes virtually)
b. Virtual Reality (VR)
Concept: VR creates a completely immersive and simulated environment that users can explore and interact with.
Example: VR headsets can transport you to a virtual world, like a rainforest or a foreign city, or place you in the middle of a video game.
Uses: VR is primarily used for entertainment (gaming, watching movies), but it also has applications in training simulations, education (virtual field trips), and therapy (exposure therapy for phobias)
c.Mixed Reality (MR)
Concept: MR combines elements of both AR and VR. It overlays digital information onto the physical world but allows for more interaction with those digital elements.
Example: Imagine a surgeon using an MR headset during an operation to see vital patient data overlaid on their real-world view of the body.
Uses: MR is a relatively new technology with potential applications in various fields, including design (creating 3D prototypes), engineering (remote collaboration on projects), and healthcare (surgical procedures, medical training)
d.Spatial Computing
Concept: Spatial computing is a broad term encompassing technologies that allow interaction with digital information in a three-dimensional space. It can include AR, VR, MR, and other immersive experiences.
Example: Apple’s Vision Pro headset is an example of a spatial computing device
It uses eye-tracking and hand-tracking technology to allow users to interact with digital objects in a 3D space
Other examples:
Uses: Spatial computing is still evolving, but it has the potential to revolutionise how we interact with computers and the world around us. Potential applications include new forms of entertainment, education, and work experiences
3. IMF TO RELEASE 1.1BN DOLLAR FROM BAILOUT FUND TO PAKISTAN
How does IMF bailouts work?
a.Country in Crisis: A country, like Pakistan in this case, faces a severe economic situation
This could involve things like high debt, risk of defaulting on loans, and a struggling currency
b.Seeking Help: The country approaches the IMF for financial assistance
This bailout can come in the form of loans or lines of credit
c.Negotiations and Conditions: The IMF and the country negotiate the terms of the bailout
The IMF typically sets conditions that the country needs to meet in order to receive the funds
These conditions often involve economic reforms aimed at improving the country’s financial health
d.Loan Disbursement: Once an agreement is reached, the IMF releases the bailout funds in tranches, which are instalments of the total amount
Pakistan is receiving the final tranche of a $3 billion bailout agreed upon earlier e.Monitoring and Repayment: The IMF monitors how the country uses the funds and implements the agreed-upon reforms
The country is then obligated to repay the loan with interest over time Potential for Further Support: If the initial bailout proves insufficient, the country may seek additional support from the IMF, as Pakistan has expressed interest in a new $8 billion program.
4. PM SPEAKS TO PUTIN ZELENSKYY, CALLS FOR DIALOGUE DIPLOMACY TO END WAR
- Issues – The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine
- India’s position on the conflict to remain neutral and calls for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy
- India’s relationship with Russia has been criticized by Ukraine for continuing trade, especially energy imports
- India’s relationship with Ukraine, includes providing humanitarian assistance and considering attending a peace summit in Switzerland
- There is a possibility of a visit by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to India to discuss the conflict
- India’s has a potential role in mediating the conflict
- Given that Russia is chairing BRICS this year and will be hosting Indian officials for various events
5. BEML CONDUCTS TEST FIRING OF INDIGENOUS 1500 HP ENGINE FOR MAIN BATTLE TANKS
- Indigenous Engine Development: India successfully test-fired its first indigenously-made 1,500 horsepower (HP) engine for Main Battle Tanks at BEML’s engine division in Mysuru
- Advanced Features: The engine boasts cutting-edge features like a high power-to-weight ratio
- The ability to function in extreme environments, including high altitudes, sub-zero temperatures, and deserts
- This puts it on par with the most advanced engines globally
- Military Significance: This achievement is seen as a transformative moment for the Indian Armed Forces, enhancing their capabilities
ONE LINER
International Day of Forests – 21 March
- Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests.
- Theme for 2024: ‘Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World’
- Organized by the UN Forum on Forests, FAO, governments, Collaborative Partnership on Forests
