Today's Brief 16/12/2024

IE Analysis:https://youtu.be/ok_ZpDCVxSk?feature=shared

JN Analysis:

1 .Durgadi Fort: 

General Studies-I: Indian Culture: Art forms, literature, and philosophy from ancient to modern times. History of India and Indian National Movement.

located in Kalyan, Maharashtra, is a historical landmark with a rich and complex history. It has seen various rulers and empires, including the Adil Shahi Sultanate, the Maratha Empire, and the British Raj

The fort was built in the 17th century under the rule of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed during the reign of Aurangzeb. It served as a strategic military stronghold and a naval base for the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

2 .India's Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

General Studies - III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management

is a strategic initiative launched by the Indian government to establish a strong semiconductor ecosystem within the country. This mission aims to reduce India's reliance on semiconductor imports and position the country as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design.   

Key Objectives of the ISM:

• Promote Semiconductor Manufacturing: Encourage domestic manufacturing of semiconductors, including chips and display panels.   

• Foster Design Capabilities: Develop a robust semiconductor design ecosystem to create innovative chip designs.   

• Attract Investment: Incentivize global semiconductor companies to set up manufacturing facilities and design centers in India.   

• Skill Development: Invest in education and training programs to create a skilled workforce in the semiconductor industry.

• Secure Supply Chain: Establish a reliable and secure supply chain for semiconductors and related materials.   

Semicon India Program:

To support the ISM, the Indian government launched the Semicon India program with a significant financial outlay of ₹76,000 crore. This program provides financial incentives and support to companies investing in semiconductor and display manufacturing and design in India.   

Significance of the ISM:

• Technological Self-Reliance: The ISM aims to reduce India's dependence on foreign semiconductor suppliers, enhancing its technological sovereignty.   

• Economic Growth: The semiconductor industry is a key driver of economic growth, creating jobs and stimulating innovation.   

• Digital India: A strong semiconductor industry is essential for India's digital transformation and the development of advanced technologies.   

• Global Supply Chain: India's strategic location and skilled workforce make it an attractive destination for global semiconductor companies, positioning it as a crucial player in the global semiconductor supply chain.

The India Semiconductor Mission is a bold step towards making India a global leader in the semiconductor industry. By fostering innovation, attracting investment, and developing a skilled workforce, the ISM has the potential to transform India's technological landscape and drive economic growth. 

3.Notifiable disease The Union Health Ministry has urged states to make snakebites a notifiable disease. This means that both public and private hospitals would be legally required to report snakebite cases to the government.   

Why Make Snakebites Notifiable?

• Improved Surveillance: This would allow for better tracking of snakebite cases and deaths across the country.   

• Accurate Data: It would help in getting precise data on the number of cases, fatalities, and high-risk areas.   

• Effective Resource Allocation: This information can be used to allocate antivenoms and train healthcare workers in affected regions.   

• Better Clinical Management: It would improve the overall management of snakebite cases by healthcare providers.   

Impact on Public Health:

Snakebites are a significant public health issue in India, with millions of cases reported annually and thousands of deaths. By making snakebites a notifiable disease, the government aims to reduce the burden of this neglected tropical disease

4.Nazca Lines: Scientists have long been intrigued by the Nazca Lines—ancient geoglyphs etched into the southern Peruvian desert. Recently, a collaborative effort between IBM’s Thomas J.

 Watson Research Center and Yamagata University in Japan used artificial intelligence (AI) to uncover 303 previously unknown geoglyphs. This discovery highlights the ingenuity of the Nazca civilization and deepens the mystery surrounding these ancient artworks.

Among the newly identified figures are shapes resembling animals such as cats, camels, and even a knife-wielding killer whale, as well as abstract designs. Some of these geoglyphs are faint and difficult to detect, but the AI-assisted analysis, followed by expert site visits, confirmed their authenticity.

The team trained their model on existing geoglyph images, enabling it to recognize previously hidden patterns beneath the desert sands.

The Nazca Lines, dating back as far as 400 BCE, were created by removing surface pebbles to reveal lighter soil beneath. Spanning a region of about 440 square kilometers, these geoglyphs were largely rediscovered in the 1920s and have since been extensively studied with advancements in satellite imaging.

This recent discovery is expected to spur further research into the Nazca civilization and inspire a renewed appreciation for their artistic and cultural achievements.

5 .Santa Ana winds are strong, dry winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. They are known for their ability to fuel wildfires and cause hazardous conditions.

Key characteristics of Santa Ana winds:

Origin: They originate from cool, dry high-pressure air masses in the Great Basin.

Direction: They blow from the inland deserts towards the coast.

Temperature: They can significantly increase temperatures in coastal areas.

Humidity: They drastically reduce humidity levels, making conditions very dry.

Wind Speed: They can reach high speeds, making them dangerous.

Impact of Santa Ana winds:

Wildfires: The dry conditions created by Santa Ana winds make it easier for wildfires to start and spread rapidly.

6 . Posh Act: officially known as the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, is a significant piece of legislation in India aimed at protecting women from sexual harassment at their workplaces. It provides a framework for prevention, prohibition, and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment

7 .The Jalvahak scheme is a major initiative launched by the Indian government to promote cargo movement through inland waterways. 

It aims to decongest rail and road networks while offering an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative for long-haul freight transportation.

Key features of the Jalvahak scheme:

• Incentivizes long-haul cargo transportation: Cargo owners transporting goods over distances exceeding 300 km via waterways will receive up to 35% reimbursement on operating costs.   

• Focus on National Waterways: The scheme specifically targets National Waterways 1 (Ganga), 2 (Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak river).

• Fixed schedule service: The scheme promotes fixed schedule sailing services for vessels, ensuring timely and reliable cargo delivery.   

• Joint implementation: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Inland & Coastal Shipping Ltd (ICSL) are jointly implementing the scheme.   

• Projected impact: The scheme is expected to facilitate a modal shift of 800 million tonne-kilometres with an estimated investment of Rs 95.4 crore by 2027.   

Benefits of the Jalvahak scheme:

• Reduced logistics costs: Waterways transportation is generally more cost-effective than road or rail transportation.   

• Decongested roads and railways: Shifting cargo to waterways can help alleviate congestion on roads and railways.   

• Environmental benefits: Waterways transportation is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly mode of transport.   

• Economic growth: The scheme can boost economic activity in regions along the waterways. 

Thanks For Visiting!!