Context: India's cereal production, mainly rice and wheat, crossed 300 million tonnes for the first time in 2022-23, reaching 304 million tones.There is a large and growing gap between cereal production and the known uses of it. Data gaps make an assessment more difficult.

The gap:

• The latest estimates of per capita cereal consumption (PCCC) pertain to 2011-12, with figures ranging from 10.7 kg to 11.8 kg per month
• There is a significant gap between production and household consumption, with the gap reaching 36 million tonnes in 2020-21 and 33 million tonnes in 2021-22, despite record exports in both years
• The gap between net availability and household consumption has been growing, raising questions about the accuracy of the "net availability" estimates

The declining trend in per capita cereal consumption in India can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Availability of nutrient-poor cereals like rice and wheat, which are preferred over nutrient-rich coarse cereals like jowar, ragi, and bajra
• Shifts in household consumption patterns due to urbanization, rising education levels, and diversification of food intake
• Insufficient policies at the state level to promote the consumption of coarse cereals and mitigate health problems arising from micronutrient intake deficiencies
• Variations in cereal consumption among different monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) classes, with lower MPCE classes consuming less than the national average
• Decline in cereal consumption in rural areas of all states, while in urban areas, five states exhibited an increase in consumption pattern over time
• Lack of data on the actual reasons for the gap between production and household consumption, including the possibility of increased animal feed consumption or industrial uses of cereals

Solutions:

• Promotion of Coarse Cereals: Encouraging the consumption of nutrient-rich coarse cereals like jowar, ragi, and bajra, which are currently under-consumed compared to rice and wheat
• Policy Amendments: Revising state-level policies to promote the consumption of coarse cereals, mitigate health problems arising from micronutrient deficiencies, and ensure climate-resilient food supply
• Data Collection and Analysis: Conducting comprehensive studies to understand the reasons for the declining trend in cereal consumption, including the impact of urbanization, education levels, and shifts in household consumption patterns
• Diversification of Agricultural Production: Planning for a major diversification of agricultural production away from rice and wheat to balance the cereal production with consumption requirements
• Export Opportunities: Exploring the feasibility and desirability of expanding cereal exports to address the surplus production and the increasing gap between production and consumption
• Awareness and Education: Creating greater awareness about the importance of coarse cereals and promoting their consumption through educational campaigns and nutritional programs

These solutions can help bridge the gap between per capita cereal consumption and total production in India, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable food supply

Context: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been issuing regulations, guidelines and directives at break neck speed that some of the important ones miss drawing the attention of the higher education community. One such guideline is Mulya Pravah 2.0, a modified version of Mulya Pravah, which was notified in 2019. 

Issues Associated with Higher Education System:

Unethical Conduct: Unethical behaviors like biased hiring, sexual harassment, gender discrimination, inconsistent disciplinary actions, breaches of confidentiality, compensation disparities, negligence in performance appraisals, and corrupt vendor dealings are prevalent.

Lack of Responsibility: Higher education institutions need to ensure corruption-free operations, particularly in areas like admissions, examinations, and hiring processes.

Biased Decision-Making: Decisions in higher education may exhibit biases and might not always align with the best interests of the institution or the public.

Discriminatory Privileges: Certain officials may enjoy unfair privileges that require elimination.

Culture of Silence: The role of teachers' associations within the education system remains unaddressed.

Transparency Concerns: There is a contradiction between emphasizing confidentiality and the need for information crucial for accountability.

Stakeholder Engagement: Concerns exist regarding the active participation and influence of staff and student unions in protecting their rights and interests versus their relationship with the administration.

How Mulya Pravah 2.0 Will Address Them:

Promotion of Values and Ethics: Mulya Pravah 2.0 aims to instill values in institutions by promoting fundamental duties, constitutional values, and a profound respect for the country, aiming to curb unethical practices.

Enhanced Accountability and Transparency: The guidelines stress the importance of transparency in administration and decision-making processes and advocate for unbiased decision-making.

Advocacy for Fair Practices: Discriminatory privileges are targeted for elimination, and emphasis is placed on punishing corrupt practices to foster fairness.

Encouragement of Free Thought and Integrity: Institutions are encouraged to allow individuals at all levels to think freely, ensuring integrity and trusteeship.

Information Disclosure Mandate: The guideline suggests that institutions should voluntarily disclose critical information and subject themselves to public scrutiny to deter malpractices.

Role Modeling by Teachers: Teachers are urged to act as role models in conduct, dress, speech, and behavior, setting standards for students to emulate.

Dignified Union Participation: Staff and student unions are expected to support administration in a dignified manner, raising issues constructively rather than adopting an adversarial approach.

Success of Mulya Pravah 2.0: The effectiveness of Mulya Pravah 2.0 hinges on its sincere implementation and the commitment of all stakeholders to adhere to its principles in both letter and spirit.

Mulya Pravah 2.0:

• Initiated as part of the Quality Mandate in 2019 by the UGC, Mulya Pravah's guidelines were revised to incorporate key recommendations from the National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP-2020).
• Mulya Pravah 2.0 now proposes the curriculum and pedagogy of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to cultivate deep respect towards Fundamental Duties, Constitutional Values, bonding with one's country, and awareness of roles and responsibilities in a changing world. Universal human values, including truth, righteous conduct, peace, love, non-violence, scientific temper, citizenship values, and life skills, are emphasized.

Context: Seven products from Odisha, including traditional foods and handicrafts, have received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a label affixed to products originating from a specific geographical location, possessing unique qualities or a reputation attributable to that origin.

Nodal Agency and Legal Framework:

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, serves as the nodal agency for GI tags in India.
• India, being a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), implemented the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 1999, effective from September 2003.
• The definition of GIs is stipulated under Article 22 (1) of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
• A GI tag remains valid for a period of 10 years.

Kapdaganda Shawl: Woven by the Dongria Kondh tribe, this shawl represents cultural heritage and commitment, showcasing significant colors symbolizing nature and emotions.

Lanjia Saura Painting (Idital): Artistic expressions of the Lanjia Saura community, these murals on mud walls serve as spiritual gratitude, with 62 types reflecting diverse occasions.

Koraput Kala Jeera Rice: Known as the 'Prince of Rice,' this black-colored variety, celebrated for taste and nutrition, is preserved by tribal farmers, intertwining culinary and cultural significance.

Similipal Kai Chutney: Crafted from red weaver ants in the Similipal forests, this chutney is a traditional tribal delicacy, offering nutritional and medicinal benefits and contributing to local livelihoods.

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal: Recognized for its distinctive flavor and cultivated extensively in Nayagarh district, this brinjal variety symbolizes agricultural pride and tradition.

Odisha Khajuri Guda: An organic delight, this jaggery extracted from date palm trees is characterized by its dark brown color, unique taste, and cultural significance in Odisha.

Dhenkanal Magji: Originating from buffalo milk cheese, this sweet holds unique characteristics and nutritional value, reflecting the region's history of buffalo rearing and contributing to livelihoods.

Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, inaugurated India’s first Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, ‘PRASADAM,’ at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. 

Objectives of the Initiative:

• The primary goal of the Prasadam initiative is to establish a connection among people across the nation by providing access to pure and safe local and traditional food.
• The initiative is in harmony with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat,' which aims to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, encompassing economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance.
• The food street concept is designed to offer diverse facilities, including a kids’ play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences, and seating spaces.
• 'Prasadam' strives to elevate Ujjain’s tourism appeal and preserve its culinary heritage, playing a crucial role in fostering economic development.
• The initiative receives financial support, which is extended to states and Union Territories with a funding distribution ratio of either 60:40 or 90:10, under the National Health Mission.
• The food streets under this initiative will undergo standard branding following the guidelines set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

'Viksit Bharat' Vision:

• 'Viksit Bharat@2047' envisions transforming India into a developed nation by its 100th year of independence in 2047.
• The vision encompasses various facets of development, including economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance, among others.

Context: As per the Union Health Ministry, 75% of new infectious diseases that have emerged over the past three decades have been zoonotic, and the Ministry is increasing its focus on zoonotic diseases.

Zoonotic diseases

• They are the infections transmitted between humans and animals. These infections result from various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
• Examples of such diseases include Rabies, Anthrax, Brucellosis, Plague, Tuberculosis, Leptospirosis, and Salmonellosis.

Context: Karnataka HC bans mining activity near KRS reservoir. High Court says ban will apply even on existing mining licences, adding, it will be in force till the completion of a study by experts and decision taken by the State committee on dam safety.

About Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam:

• Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) Dam is a gravity dam.
• Situated below the confluence of the Kaveri River with its tributaries Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, in Mandya district, Karnataka.
• Usage:
  •  
  • The dam serves irrigation purposes in Mysore and Mandya, and it's a primary drinking water SOURCE for Mysore, Mandya, and Bengaluru.
  •  
  • It also facilitates power supply to the Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power station.
  •  
  • Water released from KRS Dam flows into Tamil Nadu and is stored in the Mettur Dam in Salem district.
• History:
  • Constructed during the rule of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and named in his honor.
  • Construction started in 1911 and completed in 1931.
  • Designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, a renowned Indian engineer.

• Features:

  • Constructed using a mixture of surki mortar and limestone.
  • Dimensions: 2,621 meters (8,600 ft) long and 40 meters (130 ft) high.
  • Features 177 arch-type iron sluices, some equipped with automatic doors.
  • Reservoir spans approximately 130 sq. km, ranking as the largest in Asia during its construction.
  • Brindavan Gardens, an ornamental garden, is associated with the dam.

Key Facts about Kaveri River:

• Kaveri, also spelled Cauvery, is a sacred river in southern India, often referred to as the Ganga of South India.
• Originates on Brahmagiri Hill in the Western Ghats, Karnataka.
• Flows southeast for 765 km through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, descending the Eastern Ghats with significant waterfalls.
• Cauvery basin spans Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
• Drains into the Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu.
• Major left bank tributaries include Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, and Arkavati.
• Major right bank tributaries include Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil, and Amaravati.

Context: With the expansion of Janaushadhi Kendra to more than 10,000 centers the pharma companies are facing losses. 

Generic Medicines and Their Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry:

The increasing prevalence of generic medicines is negatively affecting the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical market valued at Rs 1.9 lakh crore.

Janaushadhi Kendra: Janaushadhi Kendras are outlets that offer generic drugs priced 50 to 60 percent lower than well-known brands. The initiative is spearheaded by the Pharma & Medical Bureau of India (PMBI), under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Social Benefits: A noteworthy aspect is that many Janaushadhi stores are managed by women entrepreneurs, particularly in regions like Kerala.

Distribution Insights: Presently, 33 percent of these stores are situated in South India. Uttar Pradesh leads with the highest number of Janaushadhi stores, totaling 1,481.

Drug Statistics: Five among the top 10 selling drugs at Janaushadhi kendras nationwide are associated with the treatment of diabetes and hypertension.

About Generic Drugs: Generic drugs have a comparable composition to branded drugs but are produced after the patent expiration. India predominantly operates as a market for branded generic drugs, where various pharmaceutical companies market their own brands of generic molecules.

Low-Cost Advantage:

Trade generics are directly supplied to hospitals and dispensaries, leading to significantly lower prices for non-branded generics due to the absence of marketing costs.

Definition and Distinctions between Generic Medicines and Branded Drugs:

A generic drug is a pharmaceutical product that comprises identical active ingredient(s), dosage form, strength, and therapeutic effect as a reference product but is marketed under a different name.

Comparison of Generic Medicines and Branded Drugs:

Advantages of Using Generic Medicines:

Cost-effectiveness: Generic Medicines are generally more economical than brand-name drugs, enhancing healthcare affordability and reducing financial burdens on patients and healthcare systems.

Increased Access: The availability of Generic Medicines expands access to essential medications, particularly benefiting economically disadvantaged populations.

Equivalent Quality and Efficacy: Generic Medicines adhere to stringent regulatory standards, ensuring bioequivalence to brand-name drugs, thus offering comparable quality and efficacy.

Competition and Innovation: Enhanced competition among generic drug manufacturers can stimulate innovation and lead to reduced prices, benefiting consumers.

Regulatory Mechanisms for Generic Medicines in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry:

The regulatory framework for Generic Medicines in India is governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules, 1945.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO): CDSCO serves as the national regulatory authority, responsible for reviewing and approving generic drug applications, conducting facility inspections, and ensuring compliance.

National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA): NPPA oversees the regulation of drug prices in India, contributing to the control and maintenance of fair pricing within the pharmaceutical sector.

Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system — generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.

A lidar instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver. Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring lidar data over broad areas.

A huge city hidden by the luxuriant vegetation of the Amazon rainforest was recently discovered in Ecuador by a LiDAR survey.

How Does it Work?

• • A LiDAR system calculates how long it takes for beams of light to hit an object or surface and reflect back to the laser scanner.
  • The distance is then calculated using the velocity of light. These are known as ‘Time of Flight’ measurements. 

Two types of lidar are topographic and bathymetric.

• • Topographic lidar typically uses a near-infrared laser to map the land, while bathymetric lidar uses water-penetrating green light to also measure seafloor and riverbed elevations.

Lidar systems allow scientists and mapping professionals to examine both natural and man-made environments with accuracy, precision, and flexibility. It is used in a wide range of land management and planning efforts, including hazard assessment (including lava flows, landslides, tsunamis, and floods), forestry, agriculture, geologic mapping, and watershed and river surveys.

What is the difference between Radar and LiDAR?

LiDAR works in a similar way to Radar and Sonar yet uses light waves from a laser, instead of radio or sound waves.

Radar?

The word radar comes from the acronym radio detection and ranging. As the name implies, radars use radio waves to determine the distance and velocity of the targets they hit. A radar system usually consists of a transmitter to send out radio signals and a receiver to catch any reflected energy from targets.

It is part of the necropolis (burial place) of the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis.

• It is located on the western bank of the Nile, 40 kilometers south of Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
• Saqqara’s name derives from the name of the burial god Sokar.
• It was an active burial ground for more than 3500 years and is Egypt’s largest archaeological site. 
• It is where the transition from the use of the mastaba (ancient Egyptian tombs, in the form of a massive brick or stone mound with battered walls on a rectangular base) as a burial site to the pyramid design that is more popularly known today took place.
• Sakkara is best known for the Step Pyramid, the oldest of Egypt's 97 pyramids.
  • It was built in 2700 BC for King Djoser (Zoser) of the 3rd Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty.
  • Today, it is considered one of the oldest stone structures built by man, and it was the first time the Ancient Egyptians would attempt to use limestone. 
  • Zoserís Pyramid is entirely built of limestone, small bricks of limestone, and not of the best quality, and yet it has remained for more than 4700 years.

Imhotep?

Imhotep was an Egyptian polymath (a person expert in many areas of learning) best known as the architect of King Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Although his Step Pyramid is considered his greatest achievement, he was also remembered for his medical treatises which regarded disease and injury as naturally occurring instead of punishments sent by gods or inflicted by spirits or curses.

1. Cabinet approves “PM-eBus Sewa” for augmenting city bus operations; priority to cities having no organized bus service
2. 10,000 e-Buses to be deployed on PPP model in 169 cities; Infrastructure to be upgraded in 181 cities under Green Urban Mobility Initiatives
3. Total estimated cost of the scheme to be Rs.57,613 crore
4. Expected direct employment generation over 45,000

PM-eBus Sewa Scheme

• Under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, 10,000 e-buses will be deployed across cities in the country.
• The scheme was introduced to give a push to the slow adoption of e-buses in public transport.

Support for Operation:

• • Under this scheme, city bus operations will be done on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
  • This scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.
  • States/Cities shall be responsible for running the bus services and making payments to the bus operators.
  • The Central Government will support these bus operations by providing subsidies to the extent specified in the proposed scheme.

Funding:

• • It has been allocated a total funding of Rs 57,613 crore.
  • Out of this financial provision, the central government will contribute Rs 20,000 crore, while the remaining portion will be covered by the state governments.

Coverage: It will cover cities with a population of 300,000 and above and will include all the capital cities of the ‘Union Territories, North Eastern Region, and Hill States’.

There are two segments of the scheme: Augmenting the city bus services and Associated Infrastructure, and Green Urban Mobility initiatives.

• • Augmenting the city bus services and Associated Infrastructure: Under this segment, the scheme will augment city electric bus operations by extending Central Assistance (CA) for 10,000 electric bus operation on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, bus depots and behind-the-meter power infrastructure.
  • Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI): Under this segment, the scheme will support the implementation of GUMI projects for complementing bus services and demonstrating a reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in urban areas.

The segment will include support for implementing the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-based Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), bus priority infrastructure, etc.

National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)?

This one card will give integrated access to the commuters wherever they travel, whichever public transport they take. The idea of NCMC was floated by the Nandan Nilekani committee set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). NCMC is an automatic fare collection system. It will turn smartphones into an inter-operable transport card that commuters can use eventually to pay for Metro, bus and suburban railways services.

Recently, an official delegation from the Department of Science and Technology visited Mauna Kea to discuss “challenges” to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project.

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)

• It has been conceived as a 30-metre diameter primary-mirror optical and infrared telescope that will enable observations into deep space.
• It is proposed as a joint collaboration involving institutions in the U.S., Japan, China, Canada, and India.
• It will be the world’s most advanced and capable ground-based optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared observatory.
• It will integrate the latest innovations in precision control, segmented mirror design, and adaptive optics.
• At the heart of the telescope is the segmented mirror, made up of 492 individual segments. Precisely aligned, these segments will work as a single reflective surface of 30m diameter.
• Location: Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano on the island of Hawai’i in the United States.

Indian contribution

• India expects to be a major contributor to the project and will provide;
  • hardware (segment support assemblies, actuators, edge sensors, segment polishing, and segment coating), instrumentation (first light instruments),
  • software (observatory software and telescope control systems) worth $200 million
• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP) is leading the consortium of Indian institutions that are involved with the TMT project.
• India TMT will be jointly funded by the Departments of Science and Technology and Atomic Energy.

Infrared telescope?

It is an instrument designed to detect and resolve infrared radiation from sources outside Earth’s atmosphere such as nebulae, young stars, and gas and dust in other galaxies.

Researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) found a new butterfly species in Karnataka’s Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodagu.

Conjoined Silverline butterfly

• The butterfly species -- Conjoined Silverline (Cigaritis conjuncta) found from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India. 
• Features
  • The new butterfly is the size of a one rupee coin but is invaluable to conservationists.
  • It is endemic to mid-elevation evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
  • It has fused spots and bands on the underside of wings, and shiny silver lines in the centre of those bands.
  • The two sites where they have been located are at an elevation of 900 meters (Iruppu Falls) and 1,300 meters (Honey Valley).
• India houses more than 1,400 species of butterflies, but very few new ones have been discovered in the last few decades.

Key points about the Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is situated on the southern side in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
• It is named after the highest peak of the sanctuary called Brahmagiri Hill.
• River: River Laxman Tirtha, a very important tributary of river Cauvery originates in it.
• Vegetation: It is covered with semi evergreen to wet evergreen forests with high altitude grassland shoal forests.
• Flora: Rosewood, Nandi, Mathi, Honne, Sura Honne, White Cedar, Red Cedar and Saldhupa etc.
• Fauna: Tiger, Elephants, and Indian Gaur are the big mammals commonly found here.

Western Ghats located?

It is also called Sahyadri, a north–south-running range of mountains in western India. It forms the crest of the western edge of the Deccan plateau parallel to the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghat is a biodiversity hotspot, a biologically rich but threatened region and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• The Bobbili veena is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music, also known as the Saraswati veena and is named after the town of Bobbili, where it was invented.
• In 2011, the Government of India gave the instrument a Geographical Indication tag.
• The Bobbili veena is known for its distinctive notes and fine tune which is made from a single piece of jackfruit tree wood.

The making of the veena began in the 17^th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the king of Bobbili Samsthanam in Andhra Pradesh.

• January 5 is observed as National Birds Day introduced by U.S.A in 2002 and followed in some parts of the world.
• It is aimed at raising awareness for the conservation of avian species that have been adversely affected by habitat destruction, reducing food choices and climate change.
• The theme of the National Birds Day 2024 is ‘Right to Fight’.

Birds in News - Jungle Babbler, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Common Hoopoe, Indian Roller, Indian white-eye, Brown-headed barbet, House Sparrow.