[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 24 November 2023

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush, has launched the “Ayurveda Gyan Naipunya Initiative” (AGNI) to promote research and mainstream pragmatic practices in Ayurveda.

• AGNI aims to provide a platform for Ayurveda practitioners to report innovative practices and experiences in various disease conditions, fostering a culture of evidence-based practice.
• The initiative also seeks to identify interested practitioners for collaboration in creating a database and offers training in research methods.

The initiative aligns with CCRAS’s commitment to research on scientific lines in Ayurveda, and it complements other programs initiated by the organization, such as SPARK, PG-STAR, and SMART, aimed at promoting scientific research in Ayurveda.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology have successfully fabricated a 2D protein monolayer using lysozyme molecules, a model protein for studying diseases like Amyloidosis.

• Amyloidosis is a rare condition where the accumulation of amyloid protein in organs leads to dysfunction in vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, and digestive tract.
• The study investigated the physical properties of lysozyme molecules at the air-water interface under varying surface pressure and subphase pH conditions.
• The compressible behaviour of lysozyme monolayers was correlated with the formation of stripe-like domains with increasing surface pressure.

GS Paper 1

 Syllabus: Indian Society

Source: TH

 Context: The provided text discusses the impact of violence on a child’s mind, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Recent examples of conflict affecting children:

1. Current Gazan Crisis: Children form the majority of people killed during the conflict
2. Syrian Civil War: The conflict in Syria has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of children affected by displacement, violence, and a lack of access to education and healthcare.
3. Yemen Conflict: The conflict in Yemen has impacted children through malnutrition, lack of medical care, and exposure to violence.
4. Rohingya Crisis: The persecution and displacement of the Rohingya population from Myanmar to Bangladesh have left many children in overcrowded refugee camps, facing inadequate living conditions and limited access to education.
5. COVID-19 Pandemic: Lockdowns, school closures, and economic challenges have disproportionately impacted vulnerable children.
6. Natural Disasters (e.g., Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Tsunamis): Events like hurricanes in the Caribbean, earthquakes in Nepal, and tsunamis in Southeast Asia have resulted in displacement, trauma, and disrupted access to basic necessities for children.
7. Armed Conflict in Afghanistan: Decades of conflict in Afghanistan have led to the displacement of families, disrupted education, and exposure of children to violence.
8. Various Civil Wars in Africa:g., The civil war in South Sudan has led to displacement, food insecurity, and disrupted access to education and healthcare for children.

Impact of conflict on children:

India’s Success in Protecting Children’s Rights:

For the first time since 2010, India has been removed from the 2023 United Nations Report on Children and Armed Conflict. This decision reflects the measures taken by the Indian government to safeguard children, particularly addressing previous accusations of recruiting and using boys in armed groups in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Initiatives to Protect Children’s Rights

About UNCRC:

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a globally recognized international agreement adopted in 1989 and enforced in 1990, with 54 articles outlining children’s rights and governmental responsibilities. Ratified by all UN members except the United States, it ensures children’s fundamental rights, including the Right to life, education, protection from abuse, the right to be heard, and a relationship with parents.

The core principles include non-discrimination, the right to life, survival, and development, the best interests of the child, and respect for the child’s views

Way Forward: 

Trauma-Informed Responses: Countries should emphasize understanding the impact of past experiences on children in justice and protection systems. They should also encourage a comprehensive approach to address trauma in children in conflict with the law, using civil society organizations and Child groups.

Kailash Satyarthi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner known for his work in safeguarding children’s rights, condemns the harm inflicted on children in the conflict (the present Israel-Palestine conflict has profoundly affected both Israeli and Palestinian children)

WHO’s INSPIRE strategy against violence on children involves seven key strategies:

Conclusion:

Montessori, in “The Secret of Childhood” (1936), emphasized the importance of peaceful childhood circumstances, asserting that major individual and social issues originate from early years and therefore need concerted efforts to shield children from the effects of conflicts.

Insta Links:

Children impacted by armed conflict

GS Paper 4

 Syllabus: Ethical Philosophy

 Source: TH

 Context: The article explores Indian Materialism, highlighting its historical roots and key philosophical tenets.

What is Philosophy (‘Darshan’ in Sanskrit)?

Philosophy seeks to explain the universe and guide human actions with a comprehensive worldview

What is Materialism (Bhautikvad)?

Materialism is a philosophical concept asserting that the fundamental substance of reality is “matter.” It posits that everything that exists, including thoughts and consciousness, can be explained in terms of physical entities. In essence, it contends that the origin of all that exists is rooted in tangible, physical substances rather than abstract or spiritual elements.

Origin of Materialism?

• In ancient India, the Lokāyata school, also known as Carvaka, was one of the earliest materialist traditions, asserting that reality is composed solely of physical elements and rejecting metaphysical or supernatural entities.
• In ancient Greece, philosophers like Democritus and Epicurus embraced materialistic ideas, proposing that the basic constituents of the universe are material particles.

Various Schools of Indian Materialism:

Various applications of Materialism:

Critics of Materialist theory

It oversimplifies the complexity of human experience by reducing everything to material phenomena. They contend that it neglects the spiritual or transcendent aspects of life, undermines moral and ethical considerations, and may lead to a hedonistic worldview. Additionally, opponents argue that materialism struggles to account for consciousness, subjective experiences, and aspects of reality beyond the physical realm.

Despite criticism, Materialism is important in present times:

The materialist theory remains relevant in present times for its emphasis on empirical evidence, rationality, and a focus on improving the human condition without reliance on supernatural explanations. It provides a framework for understanding the world, promoting ethical conduct, and valuing the present life, aligning with modern principles of science, secularism, and humanism.

Insta Links:

Lokayata / Charvaka

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: Karmayogi Bharat, launched last year, celebrated the first anniversary of Karmayogi Prarambh, an online orientation program on the iGOT Karmayogi Platform for government appointees recruited through Rozgar Melas.

• The program, consisting of eight curated courses, aims to help new government employees acclimatize to policies and transition smoothly into their roles.
• The iGOT Karmayogi platform is a comprehensive online learning portal for capacity-building among government officials, with over 26 lakh learners currently registered and access to 815+ courses.
• The Karmayogi Prarambh courses cover topics such as Code of Conduct for Government Employees, Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women in the Workplace, Understanding Motivation, Self-Leadership, Stress Management, Effective Communication, MS Word for Beginners, and MS Excel for Beginners.

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: TH

 Context: Mitti Cafe, a social initiative by the Mitti Social Initiative Foundation, has opened a 750-square-foot cafe within the premises of the Supreme Court of India. Inaugurated by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, the cafe features decor and furniture made by persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

Mitti Cafe, dedicated to providing employment to persons with disabilities, operates 41 cafes across India and has sold over 11 million meals, employing 4,000 individuals with disabilities. The collaboration with the Supreme Court aims to break stigmas around disability and promote diversity and inclusion. The cafe’s menu is also available in Braille.

Usage: The example of Mitti Cafe reflects ethical values such as inclusivity, diversity, and social responsibility.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Scientists have identified a new species of ‘music frog,’ named Nidirana noadihing, in Arunachal Pradesh.

• This unique discovery is marked by the distinct feature that both male and female frogs are vocal.
• The frogs emit a distinctive call pattern consisting of two to three notes, resembling the sounds of wild duck species.
• The male frogs, characterized by their robust bodies, were observed calling loudly in various locations, including marshy areas, the edges of a newly constructed pond, and along a nearby road.
• The frog is named after the Noa-Dihing River where it was found.

The findings confirm the presence of the Nidirana genus in India for the first time, with previous known occurrences in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Mapping

Source: MEA

 Context: India’s External Affairs Minister commended the CII for hosting the 2nd India Nordic Baltic Business Conclave, highlighting the increasing collaboration between India and the Nordic-Baltic (NB8) countries.

What is NB8?

The Nordic-Baltic (NB8) countries refer to a group of eight nations in Northern Europe, comprising the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) and the Baltic states (states along the Baltic Sea) (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). These countries collaborate on various economic, diplomatic, and strategic initiatives to promote regional cooperation and address shared challenges.

This region is characterized by close geographical proximity and shared historical, cultural, and economic ties. It serves as a platform for collaboration and partnership among the countries in areas such as trade, innovation, and diplomatic relations.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: WHO

 Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a Commission on Social Connection, co-chaired by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and African Union Youth Envoy Chido Mpemba.

What is the Commission on Social Connection (2024–2026)?

It is a 3-year initiative to address loneliness as a global health threat. The Commission consists of 11 policy-makers and advocates. It aims to analyse the role of social connection in health, well-being, economic progress, social development, and innovation.

The Commission seeks to define a global agenda on social connection, raise awareness, and collaborate on evidence-based solutions, with a focus on the impact of loneliness across various age groups and income levels.

The article is to be read in combination with the previous article: Loneliness a Significant Global Health Threat