- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
TRIO WINS CHEMISTRY NOBEL FOR WORK ON PROTEIN DESIGN AND PREDICTION OF STRUCTURES
- The 2024 Nobel Prize for Chemistrywas shared by David Baker “for computational protein design” along with Demis Hassabis and John Jumper “for protein structure prediction”
- The award honoured research that connected the sequence of amino acids that make up a protein and the protein’s structure
- David Bakerled a team that in 2003 designed a new protein using bespoke software methods. They and others have since refined these methods to be able to point the way to ‘designer’ proteinsintended for specific applications.
- Mr. Hassabis and Mr. Jumperreceived the other half of the prize for their hand in developing an artificial intelligence model called AlphaFold 2that could predict the structures of millions of proteins.
2. ECONOMY
RBI HOLDS RATE AT 6.5% SHIFTS STANCE TO NEUTRAL
- Repo Rate Unchanged:The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept its key lending rate, the repo rate, steady at 6.5%. This is the rate at which commercial banks borrow money from the RBI.
- Holding the rate steady means borrowing costs for banks remain unchanged.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its benchmark interest rate steady at 6.5%, but changed its stance to “neutral” from “withdrawal of accommodation.” This signals a potential rate cut in the near future if inflation continues to moderate.
- The RBI believes inflation and growth are currently balanced, but remains cautious about potential inflationary pressures.
- They maintained their GDP growth projection at 7.2% and average inflation estimate at 4.5% for 2024-25.
3. SOCIAL ISSUES
MENTAL HEALTH IN INDIA’S MATERIAL WORLD
- India faces a surge in mental health disorders (depression, anxiety, substance abuse), affecting over 197 million people.
- The pursuit of material wealthand societal pressureovershadows self reflection and deeper life questions, leading to a sense of purposelessness even among the materially successful.
- Consumerismexacerbates this by fostering social comparison and inadequacy.
- The Solution: Shift focus from individual success to collective well-being.
- Promote strong social connections, supportive communities, and meaningful work.
- Learn from community-based initiatives like those in Brazil.
- Challenge the individualistic, consumer-driven lifestyle and embrace shared responsibility and mutual support.
- Redefine freedom beyond consumer choice and prioritize equality and fraternity.
- Implement programs promoting mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and mental health awareness.
- Enact social policies that reduce inequality and provide mental health support
4. AGRICULTURE
UNION CABINET GIVES NOD FOR CONTINUATION OF FREE FORTIFIED RICE SUPPLY TILL DEC 2028
- The Indian government has approved a scheme to continue providing free fortified rice across various welfare programs from July 2024 to December 2028. This initiative aims to combat widespread nutritional deficiencies, particularly anaemia, which affects a significant portion of the Indian population.
- Key Features of the Scheme: Free Distribution:The fortified rice is provided free of charge to beneficiaries.
- Wide Reach:Distribution is carried out through existing welfare programs like the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and PM POSHAN(formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
- Centralized Funding:The initiative is fully funded by the central government.
- Phased Implementation:The program, initially approved in April 2022, was implemented in phases, achieving universal coverage by March 2024. The current approval extends the program for another four and a half years.
- What is Fortified Rice? Fortified rice is created by adding micronutrients like iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 to regular rice.
- These nutrients are essential for maintaining good health and preventing deficiencies.
- The process involves blending fortified rice kernels (FRKs)with regular rice in prescribed ratios according to standards set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These FRKsare made from a mixture of rice flour, micronutrients, and a binding agent, shaped into kernels, and then dried.
- Why Rice Fortification? Dietary Staple:Rice is a staple food for a majority (approximately 65%) of the Indian population, making it an effective vehicle for delivering essential micronutrients to a large number of people.
- Combating Deficiencies:The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data highlights the prevalence of anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies across different demographics in India. Fortification addresses these deficiencies directly at the source.
- Public Health Impact:Addressing these deficiencies can lead to improved overall health, increased productivity, and better cognitive development, especially in children.
5. STATES
8 ACQUITTED IN 1988 CASE OF GLORIFICATION OF SATI IN RAJASTHAN
- The Roop Kanwar Case and the Issue of Sati Glorification The primary issue is the illegal practice ofsati,where a widow self immolates on her husband’s funeral pyre.
- While often portrayed as a voluntary act,it is widely understood to be a result of societal pressure and coercion.
- The practice is banned in India under theCommission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987. This law not only criminalizes the act ofsatiitself but also itsglorification.
- Glorification can include: Organizing processions or ceremonies:Taking out processions with images of the deceased woman is considered glorification.
- Building temples or memorials:Constructing structures to commemorate the act is also prohibited.
- Publishing materials:Creating and distributing literature or media that praises or encouragessatiis illegal.
- The 1988 Case: Case refers to the 1987 incident of Roop Kanwar’s self-immolation on her husband’s funeral pyre in Deorala village, Rajasthan. While the act of satiitself is banned, the case in question deals specifically with theglorificationof the act, which is a separate offense under Indian law. Following Roop Kanwar’s death, a case was filed against individuals accused of glorifying the act.
- The recent acquittals are related to this case. The court’s decision to acquit the accused is based on the “benefit of doubt,” suggesting a lack of conclusive evidence to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Why is Glorification a Problem? Glorifyingsatiperpetuates the practice and the harmful social norms that underpin it. It can: Romanticize the act:Presentingsatias a noble or heroic act can encourage vulnerable women to consider it.
- Reinforce patriarchal norms:Glorification reinforces the idea of women’s subservience to men and their lack of agency.
- Obstruct social progress:By celebrating a regressive practice, it hinders efforts to empower women and promote gender equality.
ONE LINER
- India’s National Space Commission has approved a new lunar mission called the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex) – Partnership between ISRO and JAXA – Aim – exploring the Moon’s resources, especially water at the lunar south pole
- Bihar gets approval for Second Tiger Reserve in Kaimur
