• The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that Nepal has eliminated rubella as a public health problem.This achievement means Nepal has effectively controlled rubella transmission to a very low level, protecting public health.

1. 1. What is Rubella?

• Rubella is a highly contagious viral infection, best known for its distinctive red rash.

• It is also called German measles or three-day measles.

• Though rubella and measles share some symptoms like the rash, they are caused by different viruses.

• Rubella is generally less infectious and less severe than measles.

• The virus causing rubella is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus.

1. 1. How Does Rubella Spread?

• The rubella virus spreads from person to person through:

  • Coughing or sneezing (airborne droplets).

  • Touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face.

• It can also spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus.

• Importantly, people can be contagious even without showing symptoms.

1. 1. Symptoms of Rubella

• Many people experience mild or no symptoms.

• The main symptom is a spotty red rash that:

  • Starts on the face or behind the ears.

  • Spreads to the neck and body.

• The rash usually appears 2 to 3 weeks after infection.

1. 1. Risks During Pregnancy

• If a woman is infected with rubella early in pregnancy, there is a 90% chance the virus will pass to the fetus.

• This can lead to:

  • Fetal death or miscarriage.

  • Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), causing severe birth defects.

• Infants with CRS may:

  • Excrete the virus for over a year.

  • Suffer from hearing impairments, eye defects, heart problems.

  • Experience lifelong disabilities such as autism, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid dysfunction.

1. 1. Prevention of Rubella

• The Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective prevention method.

• The vaccine is safe and highly effective, providing lifelong protection against rubella.

1. 1. Treatment of Rubella

• There is no specific antiviral treatment for rubella.

• Mild symptoms are managed with:

  • Bed rest.

  • Medicines to reduce fever and relieve discomfort

• For the first time ever, scientists have recorded the sliteye shark in the Great Chagos Bank, part of the Indian Ocean.

  This is significant because:

  • The Great Chagos Bank is the world’s largest coral atoll (a ring-shaped reef or island formed of coral).

    It highlights the ecological importance of this region and suggests that the sliteye shark's habitat may be broader than previously known.

About the Sliteye Shark

​​​​​​​Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Loxodon macrorhinus

• Family: Carcharhinidae (Requiem sharks)

• Genus: Loxodon – the only species in this genus.

Distribution

• Found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

  Countries where it's found include:

  • Asia & Oceania: India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Indonesia, Australia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Taiwan.

  • Middle East & Africa: Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar.

Unique Features

• Named for its slit-like eyes, which help it see in:

  • Low-light conditions (deep or murky waters)

  • Clear, shallow coastal zones

• Size: Small, reaching up to 95 cm in length.

• Body Shape: Very slender with a long, narrow snout.

• Eyes: Large, adapted to low light.

• Mouth: Has small teeth with smooth edges and a noticeable tip; short furrows at mouth corners.

• Dorsal Fin: Ridge between dorsal fins is absent or barely visible.

• Coloration:

  • Gray upper body, white underside.

  • Fins have pale edges (almost transparent when alive).

  • The first dorsal and tail fins have dark edges.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT)

  • This means the species is at risk of becoming endangered in the near future.

  • Threats include:

    • Overfishing (accidental catch in nets)

    • Habitat degradation

    • Pollution and climate change affecting coral reef ecosystems

• Since its launch, over 2 lakh users have registered on the e-Jagriti Platform.

• This includes not just Indian residents but also Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), showing its global reach and relevance.

What is the e-Jagriti Platform?

• e-Jagriti is a flagship digital initiative launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

• It is part of India’s efforts to digitize and modernize the consumer dispute redressal mechanism.

• The name "Jagriti" means awareness — indicating its goal of making citizens more aware and empowered in protecting their consumer rights.

1. Objectives of e-Jagriti

1. Strengthen the Consumer Grievance Redressal System across the country.

2. Digitize all levels of Consumer Commissions:

   • National level (NCDRC)

   • State level

   • District level

3. Ensure transparency, efficiency, and speed in resolving consumer disputes.

4. Integrate multiple existing consumer grievance platforms into a single unified system.

Key Features of e-Jagriti

1. 1. 1. 1. Online Case Management

• Consumers can:

  • File complaints online

  • Pay fees digitally

  • Track their case status

  • Access judgments from home

2. Unified Platform

• Integrates the following into a single system:

  • E-Daakhil (for filing consumer complaints)

  • Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS)

  • NCDRC Case Monitoring System

  • CONFONET website

  • Mediation application

3. AI-Powered Features

• Smart Search: Uses AI to search past cases/judgments based on keywords and metadata.

• Voice-to-Text Conversion:

  • Converts court judgments and case notes using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

  • Helps in faster documentation and accessibility.

4. Real-Time Updates & Paperless System

• All stakeholders (judges, lawyers, consumers) get instant updates on case progress.

• Reduces manual paperwork and ensures eco-friendly digital operations.

5. User-Friendly Interface

• Designed to be easy to navigate for citizens, including those with limited technical knowledge.

Benefits & Impact

• Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), India's largest refiner and fuel retailer, plans to commence commercial-scale production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at its Panipat refinery by December 2025.

• This initiative aligns with India's push for cleaner, greener aviation fuel and reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

• SAF is a type of biofuel, also called bio-jet fuel, derived from sustainable feedstocks.

• Chemically, it is very similar to traditional Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) or jet fuel, which comes from crude oil.

• Due to this similarity, existing aircraft engines can run safely on blends of SAF and conventional ATF without modification.

1. Sources of SAF

• SAF is produced from renewable biomass and waste resources, including:

  • Waste oils and fats (e.g., used cooking oil, animal fats)

  • Green waste and municipal solid waste

  • Non-food crops (plants cultivated specifically for fuel, not food)

• SAF can also be synthesized using carbon capture technologies that pull carbon directly from the air and convert it into fuel.

• Significance of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Why SAF is Important for India

• India’s aviation sector is expanding rapidly, increasing carbon emissions.

• IOC’s initiative to produce SAF commercially represents a major step toward India’s climate goals.

• Several Indian airlines have already completed test flights with SAF blends, demonstrating operational feasibility.

• SAF will help India reduce dependency on fossil fuels and lower aviation emissions, supporting sustainable growth.

• Recent research has revealed a possible genetic link associated with the unusually high rate of tuberculosis (TB) among the Sahariya tribe of central India.

• This discovery helps understand the health vulnerabilities of this tribal group and may guide future healthcare interventions.

About the Sahariya Tribe

• The Sahariya tribe is classified as one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) — meaning they are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities.

• According to Census 2011, their population is around six lakh (600,000).

• They are primarily found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and scattered in a few other states.

1. Living Conditions and Social Structure

• The Sahariyas are also known by various names such as Seher, Sair, Savar, Saonar, Sahra.

• They generally live in distinct settlements called ‘Seharana’, which are clusters of houses set apart from non-Sahariya village members.

• Houses are typically constructed with stone boulders and roofing made of stone slabs (Patore); some use mud structures.

• Strong ties to the caste system exist in the villages, with people of the same caste living close to each other.

• They usually live in small joint families.

1. Language and Religion

• The tribe has lost its original language and now speaks the local dialects of the regions they inhabit.

• They practice traditional ethnic religions but also incorporate Hindu values into their identity.

• The Saharia Swang is a famous traditional dance performed during Holi, featuring:

  • Music from instruments like dhol, nagari, and matki.

  • A male performer dressed as a female dancing around male performers.

Livelihood and Economy

• The Sahariyas are mainly forest dwellers living in remote areas.

• Their livelihood includes:

  • Collection of forest produce.

  • Small-scale cultivation of land.

  • Working as landless laborers.

  • Skilled production of catechu from khair trees.

• Seasonal migration is common to supplement their limited income.

1. Health Concerns and TB

• The tribe has a high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB).

• The recent genetic study suggests that genetic factors may contribute to this high TB rate, apart from socioeconomic and environmental factors.

• Understanding these genetic links can help develop targeted healthcare interventions and improve disease management in the community.

• Recently, the proceedings of Chamber 1 in Kerala High Court were disrupted due to a foul stench caused by an Asian Palm Civet.

• This unusual incident brought attention to this nocturnal mammal and its presence even in urban or human-dominated areas.

About Asian Palm Civet

• Also known as Toddy Cat or Common Palm Civet.

• Scientific Name: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus.

• It is a small, nocturnal mammal found widely across South and Southeast Asia, including:

  • India

  • Sri Lanka

  • Indonesia

  • The Philippines

• It belongs to the Viverridae family, which includes civets and mongooses.

1. Physical Features

• Has a long, slender body with short legs and a pointed snout.

• Weight ranges between 2 to 5 kg (4.4 to 11 lbs).

• Length is about 53 to 71 cm (21 to 28 inches), including the tail.

• Fur is brownish-gray with black spots, and it has a white mask-like marking around its eyes.

• It is mainly nocturnal, active during the night.

1. Diet and Behavior

• It is an omnivore, feeding on:

  • Insects

  • Small mammals

  • Fruits

• Known for its unique ability to digest coffee beans, which is significant because it contributes to the production of the rare and expensive civet coffee (kopi luwak).

• Has a strong sense of smell and excellent climbing ability, enabling it to forage in trees easily.

1. Conservation Status

• Classified as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN Red List, meaning it currently faces no major threats of extinction.

• It adapts well to different habitats, including human-influenced environments.