Recently, China deployed ships and barriers near the entrance of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to tighten its control over the disputed region. This move has further increased tensions between China and the Philippines over ownership and access to the strategically important maritime feature.

About Scarborough Shoal

The Scarborough Shoal is a disputed atoll located in the South China Sea. It is claimed by both China and the Philippines as part of their national territory.

China refers to the shoal as Huangyan Island, while the Philippines calls it Panatag Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

The shoal was named after the HMS Scarborough, an English ship associated with the East India Company, which struck the atoll during the 18th century.

Location and Geographical Features

The Scarborough Shoal is located about 220 kilometres west of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines, and more than 800 kilometres southeast of Hong Kong.

It is regarded as the largest atoll in the South China Sea.

The atoll covers an area of nearly 150 square kilometres and contains a shallow navigable lagoon in the center.

Most parts of the shoal remain submerged during high tide. However, some rocky formations remain above water, the most prominent being South Rock.

What is an Atoll?

An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef or island surrounding a lagoon. Atolls are usually formed over submerged volcanic islands and are commonly found in tropical ocean regions.

China’s Claim over Scarborough Shoal

China claims historical ownership over the Scarborough Shoal. According to China, its connection with the area dates back to the Yuan Dynasty during the 13th century.

China argues that Chinese fishermen and navigators had been using the area for centuries, which gives it historical rights over the shoal.

Philippines’ Claim over Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines claims the shoal mainly on the basis of geographical proximity.

The shoal lies much closer to the Philippine island of Luzon than to mainland China.

The Philippines also argues that the shoal falls within its 200-nautical-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) adopted in 1982.

Under UNCLOS, coastal states enjoy sovereign rights over marine resources within their Exclusive Economic Zone.

Present Situation

Although there are no permanent structures built on the Scarborough Shoal, China currently exercises effective control over the region.

Since 2012, China has maintained a regular coast guard presence around the shoal and has restricted access for Philippine fishing vessels.

This has become a major source of diplomatic and maritime conflict between the two countries.

Commercial and Strategic Importance

The Scarborough Shoal has significant economic and strategic importance.

The surrounding waters are rich in:

• Fishing resources

• Marine biodiversity

• Potential reserves of petroleum and natural gas

Importance of the South China Sea

The South China Sea is one of the most strategically important water bodies in the world.

It is important because:

• A large share of global trade passes through it

• It contains rich energy and mineral resources

• It supports major fishing industries

• It is central to regional and international geopolitics

Recently, India announced the supply of 13 tonnes of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines to Afghanistan. The move reflects India’s continued support in strengthening public health systems and combating infectious diseases such as tuberculosis in neighboring countries.

About Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine prepared from Mycobacterium bovis, a bacterium closely related to the organism that causes tuberculosis.

An attenuated vaccine contains weakened forms of microorganisms that stimulate the body’s immune response without causing serious disease.

The BCG vaccine is mainly used to prevent tuberculosis (TB) and certain other mycobacterial infections.

Development of the BCG Vaccine

The vaccine was developed by the French scientists Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin.

It was first administered to humans in 1921.

The vaccine is named after its developers and remains the only available vaccine against tuberculosis.

Importance and Uses of BCG Vaccine

The BCG vaccine is one of the most widely administered vaccines in the world and is commonly included in the routine newborn immunization programme in many countries, including India.

Its primary purpose is to provide protection against severe forms of tuberculosis, especially in infants and young children.

Apart from tuberculosis, the vaccine also provides some protection against:

• Leprosy

• Buruli ulcer

• Other non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections

The vaccine is also used in the treatment of superficial carcinoma of the bladder, a type of bladder cancer.

Administration and Storage

The BCG vaccine is administered intradermally, meaning it is injected into the upper layer of the skin.

For maintaining its effectiveness, the vaccine must be stored and transported at a temperature between +2°C and +8°C.

The vaccine package generally contains two components:

• A freeze-dried vaccine

• A diluent used for reconstitution before administration

These are usually stored in amber-colored and colorless glass ampoules respectively.

About Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The disease most commonly affects the lungs, although it can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, bones, kidneys, and lymph nodes.

TB is both curable and preventable with proper medical treatment and vaccination.

Transmission of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis spreads from one person to another through the air.

When a person suffering from lung TB coughs, sneezes, speaks, or spits, tiny droplets containing TB bacteria are released into the air.

A healthy person may become infected by inhaling even a small number of these germs.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

The common symptoms of TB include:

• Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks

• Coughing with blood

• Weight loss

• Night sweats

Recently, scientists successfully used CAR-T Cell Therapy for the first time to treat a patient suffering from three different life-threatening autoimmune diseases that had remained resistant to treatment for several years.

About CAR-T Cell Therapy

CAR-T Cell Therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy, is an advanced form of immunotherapy used mainly for treating certain types of cancers, especially blood cancers.

In this therapy, a patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified in a laboratory so that they can better recognize and destroy harmful cells such as cancer cells.

The treatment is generally used for patients whose cancer has:

• Relapsed after treatment, or

• Failed to respond to standard or first-line therapies.

What are T Cells?

T cells, also known as T lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in the body’s immune system.

These cells help the body identify and attack harmful organisms and abnormal cells, including:

• Germs

• Viruses

• Cancer cells

Because of their disease-fighting ability, T cells are used in CAR-T therapy to target and eliminate cancerous cells.

How CAR-T Cell Therapy Works

In CAR-T therapy, the patient’s T cells are first collected from the blood through a filtration process.

Inside the laboratory, these T cells are genetically modified to produce special synthetic proteins called Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs).

The modified immune cells are known as CAR-T cells.

These CAR-T cells are then multiplied in large numbers in the laboratory and infused back into the patient’s bloodstream.

The synthetic CAR proteins enable the T cells to recognize specific proteins, known as antigens, present on cancer cells.

Once attached to the cancer cells, the CAR-T cells become activated and destroy the cancer cells.

The destruction of cancer cells further stimulates the immune system and strengthens the body’s anti-cancer response.

An important feature of CAR-T therapy is that these modified cells can continue multiplying inside the body, producing long-lasting therapeutic effects.

Diseases Treated Using CAR-T Cell Therapy

CAR-T cell therapy is mainly used to treat cancers affecting blood cells and the immune system.

These include:

• B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

• Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

• Follicular Lymphoma

• High-grade B-cell Lymphoma

Importance of CAR-T Cell Therapy

CAR-T therapy represents a major advancement in personalized medicine and cancer treatment because it uses the patient’s own immune system to fight disease.

Its major advantages include:

• Targeted destruction of cancer cells

• Long-lasting immune response

• Better outcomes in treatment-resistant cancers

• Reduced dependence on conventional chemotherapy in some cases

Recent research also suggests that CAR-T therapy may become useful in treating severe autoimmune diseases in the future.

Recently, the rapid reappearance of water hyacinth in the Mula-Mutha River, only weeks after large-scale clean-up operations, has renewed concerns regarding the absence of a long-term and sustainable solution to control the invasive aquatic weed.

About Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth is a free-floating aquatic plant belonging to the pickerelweed family. Its scientific name is Eichhornia crassipes.The plant is native to tropical regions of South America but has now spread across almost all continents except Antarctica.

Water hyacinth is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous aquatic weeds because of its extremely fast growth and aggressive spreading nature.

Growth Conditions and Reproduction

Water hyacinth grows best in:

• Tropical and subtropical climates

• Slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies

• Water rich in nutrients and organic matter

The weed reproduces rapidly through:

• Fragmentation, where broken pieces develop into new plants

• Production of thousands of seeds every year

Physical Features of Water Hyacinth

The plant may vary in size from a few inches to more than three feet in height.

Its important features include:

• Rounded and leathery leaves

• Spongy and inflated stalks that help it float

• Attractive lavender or purple flowers

Because of its beautiful flowers, water hyacinth was initially introduced into many countries as an ornamental aquatic plant.

Introduction of Water Hyacinth in India

Water hyacinth was introduced into India during the British colonial period as an ornamental plant from South America.

Harmful Effects of Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth causes serious ecological and environmental damage.

The plant forms dense floating mats on water surfaces, which:

• Reduce sunlight penetration into water

• Lower oxygen levels

• Deteriorate water quality

• Alter natural water flow

• Increase sediment accumulation

Uses of Water Hyacinth

Despite being an invasive weed, water hyacinth has some useful applications.

The plant is used as:

• A biofertilizer in organic farming

• A raw material for making handbags, baskets, mats, and decorative products

• A phytoremediation plant capable of absorbing toxic substances and heavy metals from polluted water

Its fibrous stems are especially useful in the production of eco-friendly handicraft products.

About Mula-Mutha River

The Mula-Mutha River is an important river system flowing through the city of Pune in Maharashtra.

The river is formed by the confluence of:

• Mula River

• Mutha River

Both rivers originate in the Sahyadri Range.

The Mula River originates from the Mulshi Dam, while the Mutha River originates from the Panshet Dam through the Khadakwasla Dam system.After flowing through Pune city, the two rivers merge and eventually join the Bhima River.