Today's Brief 22/11/2024
- Smriti IASxp
- Nov 22, 2024
- 5 min read
IE Analysis:
1 .International Criminal Court:
(GS Paper II: International Relations)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal located in The Hague, Netherlands. It was established in 2002 by the Rome Statute, an international treaty that defines the Court's jurisdiction and functions.
As of November 2024, 123 states have ratified the Rome Statute and are members of the ICC. However, some major powers, including the United States, Russia, China, and India, have not joined the Court.
2 .IN-SPACe,
(GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security Issues)
or the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, is a single-window, independent, nodal agency that functions as an autonomous agency in the Department of Space (DOS). It was established in 2020 to promote, enable, authorize, and supervise various space activities of non-governmental entities.
Key Functions of IN-SPACe:
Facilitating Private Sector Participation: IN-SPACe acts as a bridge between ISRO and non-governmental entities (NGEs), enabling private companies to participate in various space activities, including:
Building launch vehicles and satellites
Providing space-based services
Sharing space infrastructure and premises under the control of DOS/ISRO
Establishing new space infrastructure and facilities
Promoting Innovation: IN-SPACe encourages innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector by organizing programs like the Pre-Incubation Entrepreneurship (PIE) Development Program. This program supports early-stage startups and individuals with innovative ideas in the space domain.
Streamlining Regulatory Processes: IN-SPACe aims to streamline the regulatory processes for non-governmental entities, making it easier for them to obtain necessary approvals and licenses.
Impact of IN-SPACe:
The establishment of IN-SPACe has opened up new opportunities for the private sector to participate in India's space program. This has led to increased innovation, competition, and investment in the space sector. It is expected that
IN-SPACe will play a crucial role in India's goal of becoming a major space power.
3 .The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme
(GS Paper 2: Governance ,Social Justice )
Scheme has fuelled the civil aviation sector to soar to greater heights time and again.
On November 17, 2024, India’s aviation sector reached a historic milestone as 5,05,412 domestic passengers took to the skies in a single day, marking the first time daily passenger numbers crossed the 5-lakh mark.
In a country where the sky symbolizes hope and aspiration, the dream of affordable flying became a reality with the launch of UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on October 21, 2016.
With over 3,100 flights operating nationwide, this achievement highlights India’s growing prominence in the global aviation landscape. The UDAN scheme has been instrumental in this transformation, operationalizing 609 routes, including helicopter services, and seamlessly connecting states and Union Territories across the country
Key Objectives of UDAN:
Enhance Regional Connectivity: UDAN aims to improve air connectivity between smaller cities and towns, especially those that are currently underserved or unconnected.
Make Air Travel Affordable: The scheme focuses on making air travel more affordable for the common man by capping fares for certain routes.
Stimulate Economic Growth: By improving connectivity, UDAN aims to boost economic growth in regional areas, create jobs, and promote tourism.
How UDAN Works:
Viable Gap Funding (VGF): The government provides financial support to airlines through VGF, which covers the difference between the operational cost and expected revenue on specific routes.
Fare Caps: The scheme imposes fare caps on certain routes to ensure affordability.
Route Bidding: Airlines bid for routes, and the one offering the lowest subsidy is awarded the contract.
The first UDAN flight took off on April 27, 2017, connecting the serene hills of Shimla to the bustling metropolis of Delhi.
4 .Bhu-Neer Portal:
(GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security Issues)
is an advanced portal developed by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), for improved groundwater regulation across the country. This portal will serve as a one-stop platform for managing and regulating groundwater resources, aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage.
Bhu-Neer” is designed to provide comprehensive details regarding the legal framework governing groundwater extraction, regulations at the state and national levels. Its centralized database will allow users to access critical information on groundwater compliance, policies, and sustainable practices.
The portal is developed with several user-friendly features to offer streamlined process flow to the project proponents seeking groundwater withdrawal permits. Having a simplified yet informative interface, and features like PAN based single Id system, NOC with QR code etc., “Bhu-Neer” marks a significant improvement over its previous version NOCAP.
The “Bhu-Neer” portal, is another step towards promoting the Hon’ble Prime Minister's vision of Ease of Doing Business by making ground water regulation a seamless and faceless exercise.
The portal is now live for public use and all project proponents can visit the portal for ground water withdrawal related queries, clarifications, tracking application status, payment of statutory charges.
5.Methanol poisoning
(GS Paper III: Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security Issues)
occurs when methanol, a toxic form of alcohol, is consumed either accidentally or intentionally. Methanol is not the same as ethanol, the type of alcohol found in beverages. Methanol is commonly found in industrial solvents, antifreeze, fuel, and some improperly distilled alcoholic beverages.
Key Features of Methanol Poisoning
Symptoms (Typically appear after a delay of 12-24 hours):
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Drowsiness or confusion
Blurred or dim vision, sometimes described as "being in a snowstorm"
Seizures
Coma
Severe cases may lead to blindness or death.
Mechanism:
Methanol is metabolized in the liver to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which are highly toxic and cause metabolic acidosis and damage to the optic nerve.
Common Sources of Methanol Poisoning
Contaminated or adulterated alcoholic beverages.
Ingestion of industrial products containing methanol.
Homemade or improperly distilled spirits.
Diagnosis
Based on history of exposure, symptoms, and blood tests.
Blood methanol level can confirm the diagnosis.
Severe metabolic acidosis (low blood pH with high anion gap) is a critical indicator.
Treatment
Immediate Actions:
Avoid further methanol exposure.
Seek emergency medical help immediately.
Medical Management:
Fomepizole or ethanol: These are antidotes that inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for metabolizing methanol into its toxic metabolites.
Sodium bicarbonate: To treat acidosis.
Folic acid: To enhance the breakdown of formic acid into less harmful substances.
Hemodialysis: In severe cases, to remove methanol and its metabolites from the blood.
Supportive Care:
Monitoring and maintaining vital functions.
Treating complications such as seizures or organ failure.
Prevention
Avoid consuming illegal or home-brewed alcohol, as these are common sources of contamination.
Proper labeling and storage of industrial methanol to prevent accidental ingestion.
Education about the dangers of methanol and how to identify adulterated beverages.
Key Differences Between Methanol and Ethanol
Methanol: Highly toxic, metabolized into harmful substances.
Ethanol: Found in alcoholic drinks, metabolized into less harmful compounds.
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