CURRENT AFFAIRS - 28/03/2024

Contents

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28/03/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 28/03/2024

Timely restatement

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

The recent Supreme Court order highlights the importance of adhering to fundamental legal principles, particularly in cases where judicial orders may appear to disregard them.

It specifically addresses the issue of pre-trial injunctions against the media in civil defamation suits.
Such orders, the Court emphasizes, can significantly impact freedom of speech and the public’s right to information.

Key Highlights

Court’s Caution Against Pre-trial Injunctions
- The Court’s cautionary stance against pre-trial injunctions in defamation cases underscores the potential chilling effect on public discourse.
- It notes that hastily granting interim injunctions stifles open debate and infringes upon constitutional protections for journalistic expression.
Setting Aside Specific Lower Court Order
- In a specific case involving a Delhi lower court’s order, upheld by the Delhi High Court, directing Bloomberg to remove a supposedly defamatory article regarding Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., the Supreme Court intervened.
- It overturned the lower court’s decision, emphasizing the need for judicial officers to consider constitutional imperatives safeguarding journalistic freedom.
- Restatement of Legal Principles
  - The Court reiterates the three-fold test for granting interim injunctions:
    - establishing a prima facie case, assessing the balance of convenience, and evaluating potential irreparable harm to the plaintiff.
  - It warns against mechanical application of these criteria and stresses the necessity for courts to provide reasoned justifications based on factual analysis.
- Questionable Judicial Orders Impacting Journalism
  - The narrative highlights three types of problematic judicial orders restricting journalistic publications:
    - outright gag orders prohibiting coverage of ongoing court cases,
    - blanket prior restraint orders affecting all media outlets, and
    - pre-trial injunctions targeting specific news organizations.
  - Such orders run counter to established legal principles, notably the Bonnard vs Perryman precedent, which mandates injunctions in defamation cases only when content is clearly defamatory and cannot be justified during trial.
- Warning Against Abuse of Legal Process
  - The Court’s admonition extends to the abuse of legal mechanisms by influential entities employing Strategic Litigation/Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPP) tactics.
  - Such tactics are commonly utilized to silence public criticism of projects or corporations.
  - The Court rightly identifies the granting of early injunctions in protracted trials as tantamount to rendering a ‘death sentence’ to the material intended for publication.

What is Pre-trial Injunctions?

A pre-trial injunction is a legal order issued by a court before a trial begins, typically at the request of one party, to prevent another party from engaging in certain actions or behaviors that may cause harm or prejudice to the requesting party’s interests.
Pre-trial injunctions are issued to preserve the status quo or prevent irreparable harm during the period leading up to a trial.
They are often sought when there is a concern that the actions of one party may cause immediate or irreparable damage to the rights or interests of another party.

On sustainable building materials

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

India is experiencing a remarkable surge in construction activity, erecting over 3, 00,000 housing units annually.

While this growth offers economic benefits and improved living standards, it also presents significant environmental challenges, particularly in terms of energy consumption and its impact on climate change.

Key Highlights

Energy Consumption in the Building Sector
- The building sector stands out as a major consumer of energy, accounting for more than 33% of India’s electricity usage.
- This high consumption not only contributes to environmental degradation but also exacerbates climate change concerns.
- The India Cooling Action Plan highlights an alarming eight-fold increase in cooling demand projected between 2017 and 2037.
- This surge in demand underscores the urgent need for strategies to ensure thermal comfort while simultaneously reducing the reliance on active cooling methods that further strain energy resources and contribute to environmental harm.
Promoting Energy Efficiency in Construction
- Efforts to enhance energy efficiency in the construction sector are paramount.
- Given the escalating energy and cooling demands driven by factors like economic growth, urbanization, heat islands, and climate change, addressing energy inefficiency in residential buildings becomes particularly crucial.
- Initiatives for Energy Efficiency
  - Initiatives such as the Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) and the Residential Energy Conservation Building Code represent positive steps towards energy efficiency.
  - The ENS, for instance, introduces the concept of Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV), a metric designed to measure heat transfer through a building’s envelope.
  - Lower RETV values translate to cooler indoor environments and reduced energy consumption.
  - To achieve optimal energy efficiency and enhance occupant comfort while reducing utility expenses, it is recommended to maintain RETV values at 15W/m2 or below.
  - However, prevailing construction practices often prioritize fast-paced, energy-intensive techniques coupled with active cooling strategies, leading to compromises in thermal comfort and exacerbating energy consumption.
- Need for Climate-Appropriate Design and Awareness
  - Addressing this challenge requires a shift towards climate-appropriate design and architecture.
  - There is a pressing need to raise awareness about the importance of climate-responsive buildings and dispel misconceptions regarding perceived high initial costs associated with such designs.
  - Embracing climate-appropriate construction practices is essential for mitigating energy inefficiency and fostering sustainable development in the construction sector.
- Optimal Building Materials Analysis
  - The analysis conducted across four warmer climate cities in India identified several popular building materials, including Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks, red bricks, fly ash, and monolithic concrete (Mivan).
  - Despite concerns about sustainability, monolithic concrete construction was favored by developers for its speed, strength, quality, and scalability, particularly in high-rise buildings and skyscrapers.
  - Thermal Efficiency and Embodied Energy Comparison
    - Evaluation of Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV) revealed that AAC blocks consistently exhibited the lowest RETV across various climatic conditions, indicating their potential as highly thermally efficient materials.
    - However, a comparison of embodied energy (the energy associated with manufacturing a product) highlighted significant differences, with monolithic concrete having an embodied energy 75 times greater than AAC.
  - Construction Time and Material Efficiency
    - When considering construction time for a 100 sq. ft room, red bricks were found to require the longest time, while Mivan construction required the least.
    - Mivan technology, known for its rapid construction capabilities, offers significant time savings compared to traditional masonry work, particularly for taller structures.
  - Sustainability Concerns Across Materials
    - Sustainability concerns are prevalent across all materials analyzed.
    - Red bricks, while exhibiting moderate embodied energy, contribute to resource depletion, emissions, and waste.
    - AAC blocks, although boasting lower embodied energy, still contribute to environmental impact.
    - Monolithic concrete, despite its construction speed, presents the highest embodied energy and sustainability challenges.
  - Recommendations for Sustainable Construction
    - India holds substantial potential for innovative building materials.
    - Interdisciplinary collaborations with sustainability experts are recommended to delve deeper into integrated design strategies.
    - Focus areas include optimizing building orientation, Window Wall Ratio (WWR), U-value of walls, roofs, and window assemblies, as well as enhancing glazing performance and active cooling systems.
    - Sustainable construction necessitates innovation from manufacturers to develop cost-effective, scalable, durable, fire-resistant solutions with superior thermal performance and climate resilience.

Note: The U-value of walls refers to the measure of the overall rate of heat transfer through a specific section of a wall construction.

What is Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS)?

Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) is a significant initiative in India aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in residential buildings.
It consists of guidelines and standards developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) which operates under the Ministry of Power to promote sustainable construction practices and reduce energy consumption in the residential sector.
ENS focuses on setting minimum building envelope performance standards to control heat gains, ensure proper natural ventilation, and optimize daylight potential within buildings.
ENS, particularly Part I:
- Building Envelope, is designed to establish standards that limit heat gains in cooling-dominated climates and heat loss in heating-dominated climates.
- The guidelines are structured in a user-friendly format, requiring basic calculations based on architectural design inputs, making it accessible to architects and engineers without the need for complex simulation software.
Target Beneficiaries and Implementation:
- ENS is intended for various stakeholders involved in the construction and regulation of residential buildings, including government bodies, planning agencies, architects, engineers, builders, and developers.
- Implementation partners include Central Public Works Department (CPWD), State Designated Agencies (SDAs), State Public Works Departments (PWDs), Urban Development Departments (UDD), and other relevant entities.

Now, boys can learn Mohiniyattam at Kalamandalam

(General Studies- Paper I)

Source : The Hindu

In a landmark decision, the Kerala Kalamandalam, renowned as a deemed university for arts and culture, has abolished gender restrictions for learning Mohiniyattam, a traditional dance form.

The decision was reached unanimously during the governing council meeting of the Kalamandalam.
Starting from the next academic year, admission to the Mohiniyattam course will be open to individuals of all genders, marking a significant departure from the previous practice of restricting enrollment based on gender.

About Mohiniyattam

Mohiniyattam is a classical dance form that originated in the state of Kerala, India.
It is one of the eight major Indian classical dance forms and is known for its graceful movements, subtle expressions, and lyrical storytelling.
Origin and History:
- Mohiniyattam traces its roots back to the devadasi tradition of Kerala, where it was performed in temples and royal courts as a form of religious offering and entertainment.
- The dance form is described in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text on performance arts, the Natya Shastra, attributed to the scholar Bharata Muni.
- It evolved over centuries, blending elements of temple rituals, folk dances, and courtly arts and is also mentioned in texts like Vyavaharamala and Gosha Yatra in the 16th and 17th centuries, respectively.
- It gained prominence during the reign of the Swati Tirunal Maharaja of Travancore in the 19th century, who patronized and revived many classical art forms of Kerala, including Mohiniyattam.
Etymology:
- The term “Mohiniyattam” is derived from the words “Mohini” (meaning enchantress) and “attam” (meaning dance).
- The dance form is often described as the dance of the enchantress, symbolizing the graceful and seductive movements of a mythical female celestial being, Mohini, who captivates the gods and demons with her beauty and charm in Hindu mythology.
Costume and Attire:
- Mohiniyattam dancers wear traditional attire, including a white and gold-bordered Kasavu saree and gold bangle bracelets or earrings, reflecting the cultural heritage of Kerala.
- Makeup and hair arrangements are standardized to enhance facial expressions and emphasize the dramatic storytelling aspect of the dance.
Music and Instruments:
- Mohiniyattam is accompanied by classical Carnatic music, characterized by its melodic richness and rhythmic intricacy.
- The musical ensemble usually includes instruments such as the mridangam (double-headed drum), veena (stringed instrument), violin, flute, and vocalists singing compositions in the Malayalam language.
Technique and Movement:
- Mohiniyattam is characterized by its fluid and graceful movements, which emphasize the swaying of the body, subtle gestures of the hands (mudras), and expressive facial expressions (abhinaya).
- The dance incorporates elements of lasya (graceful, feminine movements) and bhava (emotional expression), creating a harmonious blend of rhythm, melody, and storytelling.
- The dancer performs intricate footwork, rhythmic patterns, and geometric choreography, often depicting themes from Hindu mythology, poetry, or folklore.
Themes and Repertoire:
- Mohiniyattam repertoire includes a diverse range of themes, including episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and works of classical Malayalam literature.
- The dance form explores themes of love, devotion, mythology, nature, and spiritual awakening, portraying various characters and emotions through expressive movements and gestures.

India achieves 16%decline in new TB cases since 2015

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

India has made significant strides in combating tuberculosis (TB), with concerted efforts resulting in a notable decline in both TB incidence and mortality rates since 2015.

According to the India TB Report 2024 released by the Union Health Ministry, there has been a 16% reduction in TB incidence and an 18% decrease in mortality due to TB over this period.

Key Highlights

Declining Incidence and Mortality Rates
- The TB incidence rate in India has dropped from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 199 per lakh population in 2022.
- Similarly, the mortality rate has declined from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 23 per lakh population in 2022.
- These improvements signify substantial progress towards achieving the goal of TB elimination by 2025, as set by the country.
- Private Sector Engagement
  - A noteworthy development highlighted in the report is the increased involvement of the private healthcare sector in TB case notifications.
  - Nearly 32% of TB cases notified in 2023 originated from the private healthcare sector, marking a significant 17% increase from the previous year.
- Regional Variations in Notifications
  - While overall TB case notifications have shown a commendable increase of over 50% in the last nine years, certain regions have demonstrated particularly notable improvements.
  - Uttar Pradesh witnessed the highest jump in notifications, with a 21% increase compared to the previous year, followed by Bihar with a 15% increase.
- Accelerated Elimination Efforts
  - Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has intensified efforts towards accelerating TB elimination, guided by the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017–25.
  - The NTEP has continued to provide free diagnostic services, conducting approximately 1.89 crore sputum smear tests and 68.3 lakh nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) in 2023.
- Supportive Initiatives for TB Patients
  - The report highlights the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the NikshayPoshanYojana, offering financial support to TB patients.
  - Approximately ₹2,781 crore was disbursed to approximately one crore beneficiaries through this scheme.
  - Additionally, over 1.5 lakh NikshayMitras have pledged to support individuals affected by TB, indicating a robust network of community support for TB patients.

About the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)

The Government of India initiated the National TB Programme (NTP) in 1962, focusing on BCG vaccination and TB treatment to combat tuberculosis.
In 1997, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched, adopting the internationally recommended Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy.
By 2006, RNTCP had expanded nationwide.
In 2007, the Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB (PMDT) was introduced to address drug resistance, achieving full geographical coverage by 2013.
Aligned with global efforts like the World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals, RNTCP has evolved to enhance patient-centric care and support.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare developed the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination (2017–25), aiming to eliminate TB in India by 2025, five years ahead of global targets, building on past successes and lessons learned.

About the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination (2017–25)

The National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination (2017–25) is a comprehensive framework designed to guide the activities of various stakeholders, including national and state governments, development partners, civil society organizations, international agencies, research institutions, the private sector, and others involved in tuberculosis (TB) elimination efforts in India.
This strategic plan, which builds on the success and learnings of previous plans, outlines bold and innovative steps required to move towards TB elimination.
It is structured as a three-year costed plan and an eight-year strategy document, providing goals and strategies for the country’s response to TB from 2017 to 2025.
Vision and Goal:
- The vision of the NSP is to achieve a TB-free India with zero deaths, disease, and poverty due to TB.
- The goal is to achieve a rapid decline in the burden of TB, morbidity, and mortality while working towards the elimination of TB in India by 2025.
Strategic Pillars:
- The NSP adopts strategies under four main groups: DETECT, TREAT, PREVENT, and BUILD.
- These pillars encompass activities related to early detection, prompt treatment, prevention measures, and capacity building to accelerate progress towards TB elimination.
Targets:
- The NSP outlines specific impact indicators to be achieved by 2025 such as:
  - Reduce TB incidence rate by 80%
  - Decrease TB mortality rate by 90%
  - Ensure zero catastrophic costs for affected families due to TB.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infectious disease caused by bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys, and spine.
TB spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, releasing droplets containing the bacteria into the air, which can then be inhaled by others.
Symptoms:
- TB can cause a range of symptoms, which may include persistent cough (often with blood-tinged sputum), chest pain, fatigue, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
- In some cases, TB may be asymptomatic, especially in latent TB infection where the bacteria remain inactive in the body.
Types:
- There are two main types of tuberculosis: latent TB infection and active TB disease.
  - In latent TB infection, the bacteria remain in the body in an inactive state and do not cause symptoms.
  - However, latent TB can progress to active TB disease if the immune system becomes weakened, allowing the bacteria to multiply and cause symptoms.
  - Active TB disease is characterized by the presence of symptoms and the ability to transmit the infection to others.
- Diagnosis:
  - TB is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, tuberculin skin test (TST), interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), chest X-ray, and microbiological tests such as sputum smear microscopy, culture, and molecular tests (e.g., GeneXpert).
  - Diagnosis of latent TB infection may require additional tests, such as TST or IGRA.
- Treatment:
  - TB is treatable and curable with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
  - The standard treatment regimen for drug-susceptible TB involves a combination of antibiotics taken for at least six months.
  - Drug-resistant TB, which does not respond to standard antibiotics, requires specialized treatment regimens using second-line drugs and may take longer to cure.
- Prevention:
  - Prevention of TB involves several strategies, including vaccination, infection control measures, early diagnosis and treatment of active cases, treatment of latent TB infection in high-risk individuals, and addressing social determinants of TB such as poverty, malnutrition, and overcrowding.
- BCG Vaccine:
  - The BacilleCalmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the only vaccine available for the prevention of TB.
  - It is most commonly administered to infants in countries with high TB burden to protect against severe forms of TB, such as TB meningitis and disseminated TB in children.
- Global Burden:
  - TB remains a significant global health problem, with an estimated 10 million new cases and 1.4 million deaths worldwide each year.
  - It disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, as well as vulnerable populations such as people living with HIV/AIDS, prisoners, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Why are Rohingya refugees risking their lives at sea?

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

Recently, there was a dramatic rescue operation of dozens of Rohingya refugees from the Indian Ocean off the Indonesian coast, highlighting the perilous plight of these individuals who undertake dangerous sea journeys in search of a better life.

Key Highlights

Who are the Rohingya Refugees?
- The Rohingya are a Muslim minority ethnic group with historical roots in the Arakan kingdom in Myanmar, also known as Burma.
- Culturally and religiously distinct from Myanmar’s majority Buddhist population, the Rohingya have faced persecution and denial of citizenship since 1982, rendering them the world’s largest stateless population.
- Persecution in Myanmar
  - Myanmar’s successive governments have disputed the Rohingya’s ties to the Rakhine State, labeling them as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
  - This denial of recognition has led to severe deprivation of fundamental rights and security for the Rohingya population.
- Massive Exodus and Ethnic Cleansing
  - The largest exodus of Rohingya began in August 2017, triggered by widespread violence in Rakhine State.
  - More than 7.5 lakh Rohingya sought sanctuary in Bangladesh to escape the brutality of Myanmar’s security forces.
  - The violence resulted in the destruction of entire villages, separation of families, and widespread human rights abuses, leading the United Nations to describe it as “ethnic cleansing.”
  - A 2018 UN fact-finding commission further accused the Myanmar government of having “genocidal” intent against the Rohingya population, highlighting the severity of the persecution and violence faced by this marginalized community.
- Increasingly Dangerous Sea Journeys
  - According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), last year saw over 4,500 Rohingya refugees embarking on perilous journeys across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.
  - Unfortunately, 569 individuals lost their lives or went missing during these treacherous voyages, marking the highest death toll since 2014.
- Reasons for Undertaking Dangerous Sea Journeys
  - Despite the presence of over six lakh Rohingya within Myanmar and nearly 9, 60,000 residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh, conditions within these camps are dire.
  - Overcrowding, inadequate access to basic necessities such as food, water, sanitation, and healthcare, coupled with security concerns due to gang violence and arson attacks, have rendered life in the camps intolerable.
  - Desperation for Better Opportunities:
    - Facing limited prospects for a dignified life and with the option of returning to Myanmar impractical, many Rohingya feel compelled to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
    - The deteriorating conditions in relief camps in Bangladesh, characterized by insecurity and deprivation, have prompted an increasing number of Rohingya to embark on perilous sea journeys in search of safety and stability.
  - Perils of Sea Journeys
    - Exploitation by Human Traffickers:
      - Human traffickers take advantage of Rohingya desperation, charging exorbitant fees to transport them on unsafe boats from Bangladesh to countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.
      - These journeys are fraught with danger, with refugees packed into overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels, often lacking basic supplies.
    - Horrific Conditions and Abuse:
      - The treacherous sea voyages, lasting weeks or even months, subject Rohingya refugees to horrifying conditions, including physical abuse and violence, particularly against women.
      - Many do not survive the journey, succumbing to illness, starvation, or drowning.
    - Rising Death Toll and UNHCR Reports
      - The UN estimates that one in eight Rohingya refugees attempting the sea route perish or disappear during the journey.
      - The Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal have become some of the deadliest waters globally for refugees, with the rising death toll highlighting the urgency of the situation.
      - Increase in Sea Journeys and Deaths:
        
        Last year witnessed a 21% increase in the number of people undertaking sea journeys, accompanied by a staggering 63% rise in deaths or disappearances compared to the previous year.
        
        The UNHCR also noted a significant surge in the number of Rohingya arriving in Indonesia via sea, with arrivals increasing by 1,261% between 2021 and 2023.
      - While most refugee boats docked in Indonesia in the past year, compared to a smaller proportion in 2022, only one boat carrying 83 individuals reached Malaysia, according to UNHCR data, indicating shifts in destination preferences among Rohingya refugees.