DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam –2nd May 2024

Syllabus

• Mains – Climate Change & Disaster Management

Context: Asia has warmed faster than the global average since 1960, the World Meteorological Organisation’s 2023 ‘State of the Climate in Asia’ report has said.

Background:-

• According to the report, released on April 23, the Asian continent is struggling with extreme climate events like floods and heatwaves, with record-breaking temperatures and precipitation reported across its countries.

Key Takeaways from the report

• More than 2,000 people were killed and more than nine million were affected by extreme climate events across Asia in 2023. More than 80% of these events were related to storms and floods.
• The report recorded several parts experiencing severe heat waves, leading to multiple fatalities, but acknowledged that heat-related mortality is widely underreported.
• In India, severe heat waves in April and June killed around 110 people by heat stroke (a condition in which the body temperature increases beyond 40 degrees C).
• In India, floods and landslides in August 2023, primarily in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, killed at least 25 and damaged a lot of infrastructure. Lightning by itself accounted for 1,200 deaths around India through the year.
• Report noted an “alarming gap” between climate projections and the ability of Asian countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change and its impacts.

How well can Asia spot a coming disaster?

• An early-warning system is an integrated process that monitors, predicts, and forecasts hazards. It also includes activities related to risk-assessment, communications, and preparedness that allow individuals, communities, governments, businesses, etc. to take timely action to mitigate risks.
• Thanks to such systems, for example, authorities in Bangladesh had a day’s head-start to prepare for Cyclone Mocha and take anticipatory action in Cox’s Bazar, which allowed local communities to better survive its landfall.
• According to the U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the average composite score for the availability of and access to multi‑hazard early warning systems was 0.46 out of 1 in Asia; 0.58 for preparedness to respond; and 0.50 for observation and forecasting. To compare, the world scored 0.35, 0.78, and 0.33, respectively, on average on these counts. Warning and dissemination was the strongest area under the framework for Asia while risk knowledge was the weakest.

What do these findings mean for India?

• India’s early preparedness when dealing with cyclones is commendable, but managing deaths and destruction caused by lightning needs improvement.
• The response time for lightning is very less. Although India has built mobile applications and other tools, marginalised communities are unable to utilise it.
• It is crucial that India empowers communities and local governments with the necessary resources and policies to effectively combat these evolving climatic adversities.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – History

Context: Politicians, celebrities and members of civil society came together on Wednesday to celebrate Labour Day and recognise the contributions of workers.

Background:

• Also known as May Day, May 1 is celebrated to honour the working class and commemorate their struggles for fair wages and better working conditions.On the occasion, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) emphasised the importance of renewing commitment to social justice.

What is the history and significance of May Day?

• The origins of May Day can be traced back to the late 19th century, specifically to the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago.
• At the time, several countries were reeling under the heat of industrialisation. Crop failure in the 1840s had led to widespread anti-feudal upheavals collectively called ‘The Revolutions of 1848,’ with Karl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto leaving a lasting impact on workers.
• The subsequent events resulted in the birth of an umbrella body for socialists and communist organisations in 1864, known as the First International.
• Thousands of blue-collar workers in the industrial city of Chicago in the United States went on a massive strike to demand better working conditions and a reduction in their work hours from 12-15 hours a day to eight hours daily. The movement spread throughout the country, rallying tens of thousands of workers.
• On May 4, 1886, a bomb went off at a protest rally at the Haymarket Square in Chicago and ended in a riot as workers clashed with police. At least 11 people were killed. The incident, which came to be known as the Haymarket massacre, is referred to as the origin of May 1 being celebrated as Workers’ Day.
• The Second International that emerged in 1889 declared May 1 as International Workers’ Day to commemorate the struggle for labour rights and as a tribute to those killed in Chicago.
• On June 28, 1894, U.S. President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law declaring the first Monday in September as Labour Day and a national holiday.
• As for India, Labour Day was first celebrated on May 1, 1923, in Chennai (then known as Madras). Two meetings were held— one on the Triplicane Beach and another near the Madras High Court. These were organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan. The party was founded by Malayapuram Singaravelu Chettiar, who was one of the founders of the Communist Party of India (CPI).
• It was at these meetings that a resolution was passed urging the British government to declare May 1 as Labour Day and a government holiday.
• Interestingly, the red flag that is synonymous with the Left movement was used for the first time during the Chennai event.

Source: Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – Science

Context: Recently, the Biohacking India 2.0 event took place in New Delhi.

Background:

• This event provided a platform for discussions, knowledge sharing, and innovative ideas related to enhancing human health and performance through cutting-edge technology and lifestyle modifications.

About BIOHACKING

• Biohacking refers to the practice of using science and technology to optimize and enhance the human body’s performance and well-being.
• It is a broad term that encompasses a variety of practices, from simple lifestyle and dietary changes to the use of advanced technology and biometrics.
• It includes practices aimed at improving physical and mental performance, longevity, and overall well-being.
• Currently, there are no laws in India that specifically address biohacking.

Techniques:

• Dietary Modifications: Implementing diets like ketogenic or intermittent fasting to boost energy and health.
• Supplementation: Using vitamins, minerals, or nootropics to enhance cognitive function and physical performance.
• Physical Training: Customized exercise routines to build strength and endurance.
• Sleep Optimization: Techniques to improve sleep quality and duration.
• Mindfulness Practices: Meditation and deep breathing exercises for mental well-being.
• Biometric Monitoring: Using devices to track health metrics for insights into health and performance.
• Biofeedback Devices: Devices to train the body’s physiological responses.

Source: Livemint

Syllabus

• Prelims & Mains – Policies & Acts

Context: A decade has passed since the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act came into effect on May 1, 2014.

Background:

• The Provisions of the act are aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere where street vendors, are able to carry out their business in a fair and transparent manner, without the fear of harassment and eviction.

Features of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 :

• The Act provides for constitution of a Town Vending Authority in each Local Authority, for implementing the provisions of the Bill.
• In order to ensure participatory decision making for aspects relating to street vending activities like determination of natural market, identification of vending zones, preparation of street vending plan, survey of street vendors etc. the TVC is required to have representation of officials and non-officials and street vendors, including women vendors with due representation from SC, ST, OBC, Minorities and persons with disabilities.
• To avoid arbitrariness of authorities, the act provides for a survey of all existing street vendors, and subsequent survey at-least once in every five years, and issue of certificate of vending to all the street vendors identified in the survey, with preference to SC, ST, OBC, women, persons with disabilities, minorities etc.
• All existing street vendors, identified in the survey, will be accommodated in the vending zones subject to a norm conforming to 2.5% of the population of the ward or zone or town or city.
• Where the number of street vendors identified are more than the holding capacity of the vending zone, the Town Vending Committee (TVC) is required to carry out a draw of lots for issuing the certificate of vending for that vending zone and the remaining persons will be accommodated in any adjoining vending zone to avoid relocation.
• Those street vendors who have been issued a certificate of vending/license etc. before the commencement of this Act, they will be deemed to be a street vendor for that category and for the period for which he/she has been issued such certificate of vending/license.
• It has been provided that no street vendor will be evicted until the survey has been completed and certificate of vending issued to the street vendors.
• Relocation of street vendors should be exercised as a last resort.
• The Local authority is required to make out a plan once in every 5 years, on the recommendation of TVC, to promote a supportive environment and adequate space for urban street vendors to carry out their vocation. It specifically provides that declaration of no-vending zone shall be carried subject to the specified principles.
• The thrust of the act is on “natural market”, which has been defined under the act. The entire planning exercise has to ensure that the provision of space or area for street vending is reasonable and consistent with existing natural markets. Thus, natural locations where there is a constant congregation of buyers and sellers will be protected under the act.
• There is a provision for establishment of an independent dispute redressal mechanism under the chairmanship of retired judicial officers to maintain impartiality towards grievance redressal of street vendors.

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus

• Prelims – Current Event

Context: Energy ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) reached a deal to shut down their coal-fired power plants by 2035.

Background:

• The agreement on coal marks a significant step in the direction indicated last year by the COP28 United Nations climate summit to phase out fossil fuels, of which coal is the most polluting.

About G7 :

• The Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political and economic forum that brings together seven of the world’s advanced economies.
• These countries include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Additionally, the European Union (EU) is considered a “non-enumerated member” of the G7.
• The forum is organized around shared values of pluralism, liberal democracy, and representative government.

Key points :

• Origins: The G7 originated from an ad hoc gathering of finance ministers in 1973. Over time, it has evolved into a formal and high-profile venue for discussing and coordinating solutions to major global issues. These issues span areas such as trade, security, economics, and climate change.
• Annual Summit: Each member’s head of government or state, along with the EU’s Commission President and European Council President, meet annually at the G7 Summit. Throughout the year, other high-ranking officials from the G7 and the EU engage in discussions and initiatives.
• Russia’s Membership: Russia was a formal member of the G7 (as part of the G8) from 1997 until its expulsion in 2014 due to the annexation of Crimea. Since then, the G7 has continued without Russia’s participation.
• Rotating Presidency: The G7 operates without a legal or institutional basis. It is organized through a rotating presidency among the member states. The presiding state sets the group’s priorities and hosts the annual summit. For 2024, Italy holds the presidency.

Source: Times of India

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3

Context: A study revealed a novel adaptation mechanism of the Mpox virus enhancing its ability to infect humans amidst recent outbreaks. The name was changed from “monkeypox” to “mpox” to avoid stigma towards monkeys and reflect the virus’s direct human infectivity.

Background:

• Mpox was first discovered in laboratory monkeys in the 1950s. The first human case was reported in 1970 in the DRC. Since then, outbreaks of mpox have been small and traceable to a single person – typically someone who had recently returned from a country where the virus is endemic – such as west and central Africa.

Mpox:

• It is also known as monkeypox and is a DNA virus. It belongs to the family Poxviridae, which consists of large, double-stranded DNA viruses.
• It is primarily transmitted to humans from animals, particularly rodents and primates, through direct contact or contaminated objects.
• Its infection in humans typically presents with fever, headache, muscle aches, and a characteristic rash that progresses from macules to papules to vesicles and pustules.
• While a vaccine for mpox exists, its availability and effectiveness are limited, highlighting the need for improved prevention and control measures.
• Mpox gained global attention during a widespread outbreak that affected over 100,000 people in more than 118 countries in 2022-2023.
• The outbreak was characterised by high human-to-human transmission, particularly through close contact and the sexual route.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, leading to coordinated efforts to control its spread.

Genomic Features:

• Mpox genomes are divided into clades I and II, with evidence suggesting clade I has higher mortality. The 2022 outbreak involved a new lineage, clade IIb, better adapted for human-to-human transmission.
• Researchers found evidence of a distinct lineage of clade I associated with human-to-human transmission, suggesting a recent zoonotic spillover event.
• Mpox viruses can undergo genomic accordion through gene duplication or deletion to adapt to different hosts and environments.
• A study published in Nature Communications sequenced the genome of the mpox virus from the 2022 outbreak, revealing that certain sections strongly influence human-to-human transmission and are the virus’s genomic accordions.

Source: The Conversation

Q1.) Consider the following countries:

1. Canada
2. China
3. France
4. India
5. Japan
6. United States

How many of the above-mentioned countries are the members of the Group of Seven (G7)?

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. Only four
4. Only five

Q2.) With reference to the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, consider the following statements:

1. The Act mandates a survey of street vendors to identify and protect their livelihoods.
2. Street vendors receive a certificate of vending, which establishes their legitimacy.
3. The Act provides a mechanism for resolving grievances and disputes among street vendors.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q3.) Consider the following statements about the Biohacking:

1. Biohacking refers to the practice of using science and technology to optimize and enhance the human body’s performance and well-being.
2. Currently, there are no laws in India that specifically address biohacking

Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  2nd May 2024 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – d