Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology; Achievements of Indians in Science and Technology
In News:
Recently, scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have found the first synthetic route for producing flavonoids molecules related to the treatment of tuberculosis and chikungunya.
Keytakeaways
It is for the first time that the flavonoid molecules such as rugosa flavonoids, podocare flavone and isoflavone have been synthesised in a lab.
These three molecules have so far been isolated from plants only.
Important value additions
Flavonoids
These are part of the polyphenol class of phytonutrients (plant chemicals) found in almost all fruits and vegetables.
They are responsible for organic pigments and the vivid colours in fruits and vegetables.
These are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.
A diet rich in flavonoids can protect from diseases related to heart, liver, kidney, brain and other infectious diseases.
According to SEBI data, the value of participatory note (P-note) investments in Indian capital markets increased to Rs. 63,288 crore till July 2020-end.
This is the fourth consecutive monthly rise in investments through P-notes.
Important value additions
Participatory Notes (P-notes)
P-notes are Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODIs)
They are issued by brokers and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) registered with SEBI.
The investment is made on behalf of foreign investors by the already registered brokers in India who wish to be a part of the Indian stock markets without registering themselves directly.
P-notes have Indian shares as their underlying assets.
These instruments are used for making investments in the stock markets.
Do you know?
P-notes are not used within the country.
They are used outside India for making investments in shares listed in the Indian stock market.
That is why they are called offshore derivative instruments.
For example, Indian-based brokerages buy India-based securities and then issue participatory notes to foreign investors.
Any dividends or capital gains collected from the underlying securities go back to the investors.
State Governments/UTs have been asked to include all eligible disabled persons under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
Ministry: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Keytakeaways
The disabled persons should get their entitled quota of food grains under NFSA & Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) as per provisions of the Act.
Fresh ration cards should be issued for those who are not covered as per the eligibility criteria.
The disabled person should also be covered by States/UTs under the priority households.
Section 10 of the NFSA: Identification and coverage of persons under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). Disability is one of the criteria for inclusion of beneficiaries under AAY households.
Section 38 of the NFSA: The Central Government may from time to time give directions to the State Governments for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act.
Hence, the disabled persons without ration cards are also eligible for getting benefits under Atmanirbhar Bharat package.
RBI is using Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model to assess the impact of Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown on the Indian economy.
DSGE modelling is a method in macroeconomics that attempts to explain economic phenomena (economic growth and business cycles) and the effects of economic policy, through econometric models based on applied general equilibrium theory and economic principles.
RBI has considered three main economic agents, viz., households, firms and the government for the assessment.
Recently, the Supreme Court held that States can sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Central List.
Keytakeaways from Justice Arun Mishra’s judgement:
Reservation has created inequalities within the reserved castes itself.
Benefits of reservation are being used by a few.
Caste, occupation, and poverty are interwoven.
The State cannot be deprived of the power to take care of the qualitative and quantitative differences between different classes.
ST and SC in the Central List do not constitute a homogenous group.
Do you know?
The judgment is significant as it will provide the push to extend the creamy layer concept to the SC and ST.
In 2004, the Chinnaiah judgment had held that allowing the States to unilaterally make a class within a class of members of the SC would lead to changes in the Presidential list.
The issue has now been referred to a seven-judge Bench of the court.
Important value additions
The Central List of SC and ST are notified by the President under Articles 341 and 342 of the Constitution.
The consent of the Parliament is required to exclude or include castes in the List.
Thus, States cannot unilaterally add or pull out castes from the List.
The Supreme Court has reasoned that sub-classifications within the Presidential/Central List do not amount to changing it. No caste is excluded from the list.
Even before the end of final stage human trials or regulatory approval, several wealthier countries like Britain, France, Germany and the US have entered into pre-purchase agreements with Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers
When a country manages to secure doses of vaccines for its own citizens or residents and prioritises its own domestic markets before they are made available in other countries it is known as ‘vaccine nationalism’
The reason countries are going for pre-purchase agreements is because of the longer duration for companies to manufacture such vaccines. It is predicted that worldwide supply may not reach 1 billion doses until the first quarter of 2022
Ethical Conundrum: Vaccine nationalism runs against global public health principles, there are no provisions in international laws that prevent pre-purchase agreements.
Impact of such actions
Inequitable Access: Such advance agreements will make the initial few vaccines unaffordable and inaccessible to everyone apart from the rich countries
Deepens the Crisis: Nations hoarding possible Covid-19 vaccines while excluding others would deepen the pandemic.
Slows Global Economic Recovery:If countries with a large number of cases lag in obtaining the vaccine, the disease will continue to disrupt global supply chains and, as a result, economies around the world.
Is Vaccine Nationalism New?
A similar situation happened in 2009 during the H1N1 flu pandemic.
Australia, the first country to come up with a vaccine, blocked exports while some of the wealthiest countries entered into pre-purchase agreements with several pharmaceutical companies.
The US alone obtained the right to buy 600,000 doses.
It was only when the H1N1 pandemic began to recede that developed countries offered to donate vaccine doses to poorer economies.
However, it must be noted that H1N1 was a milder disease and its impact was far lesser than Covid-19
Alternative Path: Global Collaboration – Sharing finite supplies strategically & globally.
WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and Gavi have come up with an initiative known as “Covax Facility”.
The facility aims to procure at least two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of next year for deployment and distribution mainly in the low- and middle-income countries.
So far, more than 170 countries have expressed interest: about 90 low- and middle-income countries and 80 fully self-financing countries.
The countries who join the initiative are assured supply of vaccines whenever they become successful.
Moreover, the countries will get assured supplies to protect at least 20 per cent of their populations.
(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)
Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)
Note:
Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it and update your answers.
Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”.
Q.1 Consider the following statements:
Recently flavonoid molecules related to the treatment of tuberculosis were synthesized in India.
Flavonoids are found in almost all fruits and vegetables.
They provide vivid colours to fruits and vegetables.
Which of the above is or are correct?
1 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
2 only
Q.2 According to SEBI data, the value of participatory note (P-note) investments in Indian capital markets increased till July-2020 end. Consider the following statements regarding P notes:
P-notes are instruments issued by FIIs to Overseas investors.
These instruments are used for making investments in the Indian stock markets.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.3 Consider the following statements regarding Behrupiyas which were recently seen in news:
They are impersonators who perform in villages and markets all over India.
Behrupiya festival is a traditional Indian style of street theatre.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Q.4 Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DGSE) model recently seen in news is related to which of the following:
Assessment of the economic impact of covid-19 by RBI
To study the phenomenon of magnetic field in Earth’s magnetosphere
To study the star formation of dwarf galaxies
To assess the causes Migration within India
ANSWERS FOR 28th August 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)
