22 April 2024

DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

1 – India’s Growing Concern Over Childhood Cancer: GS II – Health-related issues:

Context:

• With a sizeable portion of cancer patients under the age of 15, childhood malignancies are becoming a major public health concern in India.
• The incidence, kinds, and difficulties related to paediatric malignancies in the nation are clarified by a study that was just published in the India Paediatric Journal.

Which aspects of the study stand out the most?

Study Specifics and Dataset:

• The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) has the largest dataset on childhood malignancies in India, which serves as the basis for this study.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research founded the NCRP in 1981.

India’s cancer cases from 2012 to 2019:

• Between 2012 and 2019, 1,332,207 instances of cancer were reported in India.
• The age categories of 0–14 years and 0–19 years accounted for about 3.2% and 4.6% of these instances, respectively.
• In India, 4.6% of cancer patients are under 20, while over 3% of cancer patients are under 15.
• Leukaemias represent a significant burden of cancer, accounting for 42.1% and 42.5%, respectively, of all malignancies in the 0–4 and 5–9 age groups.

The Proportion of Cancers Across Age Groups:

• The third edition of the International Classification of Childhood Cancer divides childhood malignancies into two age groups: 0–14 and 0–19 years.
• The most common cancers in the age group of 0 to 19 are lymphoma (12%), bone (11%), leukaemia (36%), and central nervous system tumours (10%).
• Leukaemia (40%) was the most common cancer among those aged 0 to 14; lymphoma (12%), central nervous system (CNS) tumours (11%) and bone cancer (8%).

Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Variations in Gender:

• Age-related increases in non-Hodgkin lymphomas, especially in men, are linked to changes in hormones and biology.
• According to the study, malignant bone tumours are more common in girls because they reach skeletal maturity earlier.

Social Determinants and Gender Disparities:

• Gender discrimination and male birth preferences are to blame for the increased percentage of male youngsters receiving cancer diagnoses.
• The gender gap in the cancer registry was ascribed to poor female literacy rates and is consistent with findings from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).
• Less than 0.1% of funding for research on child cancer goes to LMICs, despite accounting for 90% of the world’s cancer cases.

Obstacles in India’s CNS Tumour Registration Process:

• Instead of specialised cancer centres, neurosurgical centres in multispecialty (general) hospitals may treat CNS tumours in India.
• Currently, only CNS tumours classified as “malignant” by the World Health Organisation (Grades 3 and 4) are registered with the NCRP.

Worldwide Variations in Cancer Types:

• The prevalence of bone malignancies and leukaemias seems to be higher worldwide than in India, according to a 2017 study published in The Lancet Oncology.
• In addition, the global distribution of CNS tumours (17–26%) is higher than that of India.

Source The Hindu

2 – Details of India’s Map of Geographic Indications: GS I – Geography related issues:

Context:

• India has been using Geographical Indication (GI) tags for more than 20 years, but the procedure has been difficult and the results have been inconsistent, highlighting the need for registration process changes.

The Geographical Indication (GI): What is it?

• A geographical indicator (GI) is a label placed on goods that come from a certain region and denotes that the characteristics or standing of the goods are intrinsically connected to that specific location.
• “Indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a member, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographic origin” is how Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) defines Geographical Indications (GIs) in Article 22 (1).
• GI is divided into two main categories in various EU countries: Protected GI (PGI) and Protected Destination of Origin (PDO). Only the PGI category exists in India.
• This certification is also applicable to non-agricultural goods like handicrafts made with materials, labour, and other resources that are specific to the product’s location of manufacture.
• GI is an effective tool for preserving culture and traditional knowledge and can support socioeconomic growth.

Governance and the Legal Framework:

• GI is regulated by the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) TRIPS Agreement.
• In order to improve the protection and registration of geographical indications related to commodities in India, the Geographical Indications of commodities (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 was passed.
• Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention place special emphasis on the protection of geographical indicators and industrial property.

Registration Status for GI Tags:

• India lags behind other countries in terms of GI registration. According to the GI Registry, Intellectual Property India received 1,167 applications till December 2023, out of which only 547 products were registered.
• China (7,247) and Germany (15,566) are the two countries that have the most GI registrations, according to 2020 statistics from the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
• Agricultural items and foodstuffs account for 29.9% of recorded GIs worldwide, with wines and spirits making up 51.8%.
• In India, the two main industries producing GI items are agricultural (about 30%) and handicrafts (about 45%).

Issues with the Registration Process and the GI Act:

• The GI Act of 1999 was drafted more than 20 years ago, and in order to handle modern issues, it needs to be amended on time.
• For simpler compliance, registration forms and application processing times should be simplified.
• In India, the application approval rate at the moment is at roughly 46%.
• Implementing GI protection procedures effectively is hampered by inadequate institutional development.
• Due to a lack of assistance and support, producers frequently have difficulties after GI registration.

Producers’ Definition of Ambiguity:

• Intermediaries are involved since the GI Act of 1999 does not define “producers” clearly.
• The benefits of GIs are diluted for actual producers as intermediaries profit from them.

Conflicts on an International Scale:

• Conflicts, particularly with relation to goods like Basmati rice and Darjeeling tea, suggest that GIs are given less consideration than patents, trademarks, and copyrights.

Academic Focus:

• With just seven papers from India, it is clear that there is little academic concentration on GIs.
• A recent upsurge in publications—35 articles released in 2021—indicates a growing interest among academics.
• European countries that lead in GI-related academic publications are Spain, France, Italy, and others.

How Can the Potential of GI-Based Products Be Realised?

• To increase the number of GIs, government programmes should provide grassroots producers with incentives.
• Legislation should guarantee that only legitimate producers receive benefits, keeping “non-producers” out of the picture.
• Modernization requires technology, talent development, and digital literacy among GI stakeholders.
• Governmental organisations and trade associations ought to work together to plan shows and advertise GI-based goods in a variety of media.
• To stimulate growth in the international market, Indian embassies ought to actively promote goods based in Gujarat.
• Global presence can be increased by advantageous international tariff regimes and special
• consideration for GI products at the WTO.
• The One District One Product programme can benefit from GI integration to increase market reach and promotion.
• GI product exposure can be increased by creating market outlet plans, particularly for rural markets (gramin haats).
• Establishing testing facilities at marketplaces is crucial to restoring consumer confidence in GI product quality.
• Social development can be aided by matching the performance of startups with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning them with GIs.

Source The Hindu

3 – The need for sophisticated driver assistance systems: GS III – Science and Technology:

Context:

• With a rise in demand for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), India appears as a surprise yet major market as autonomous driving gains traction globally.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): What is it?

• Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are digital technologies installed in vehicles that assist drivers with regular parking and navigation without completely automating the process. Instead, they use computer networks to offer safer and more data-driven driving experiences.
• ADAS systems keep an eye on the surroundings of a car using radar, cameras, and sensors.
• They can offer parking help, driving interventions, and active safety information.
• In order to prevent deaths and injuries, the aim of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is to lessen the frequency and severity of vehicle accidents that are unavoidable.
• Important information regarding traffic, road closures and blockages, congestion levels, suggested routes to avoid traffic, etc., can be obtained from these devices.

Frequently Used ADAS Features:

• Automatic emergency braking, frontal collision warning, blind spot collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and other functions are all part of the ADAS suite.

Causes of India’s Demand Increase:

Democratisation in progress:

• The democratisation of autonomous driving tools is happening in India. Modern cars are becoming more and more equipped with ADAS as standard equipment, which is driving up demand for sophisticated driver aid technologies.

Issues with Road Safety:

• Road safety is becoming more and more important, even in India, despite the country’s notorious traffic and road conditions. In order to improve safety and give customers cutting-edge driver assistance tools, automakers are incorporating ADAS technologies into their vehicles.

Problems with ADAS Systems in India:

Road Infrastructure Difficulties:

• India is regarded as having one of the world’s most difficult driving conditions.
• According to the World Bank, the nation has the deadliest roads in the world, with over 800,000 people killed and maimed in crashes every year.
• India’s varied road conditions, which range from well-kept motorways to shoddy country roads, make it difficult for ADAS systems to provide uniform infrastructure and road markings.

Various Users of the Road:

• The combination of motor cars, bicycles, pedestrians, and non-motorized vehicles on Indian roadways makes ADAS adaption more difficult.
• Nearly 50% of metropolitan trips in India are performed by bicycle, foot, or cycle-rickshaw, according to a study by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India. This finding highlights the significance of taking non-motorized road users into account when designing ADAS.

Data and Connectivity:

• Reliable connectivity and real-time data updates are prerequisites for ADAS systems, and these may not be available in India’s more distant or underdeveloped areas.

At Risk of Hacking:

• Experts and consumers alike are very concerned about ADAS Systems’ susceptibility to cyberattacks.
• Vehicle hacking carries a high risk of accident potential.

Driver Conduct:

• The effectiveness of ADAS systems depends on safe driving practices. Just 44% of drivers in India knew about ADAS technology, according to a poll conducted by the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE). This underscores the need for extensive education about the advantages and applications of ADAS technology.

Source The Hindu

4 – About the Sri Sri Auniati Satra – Vaishnavite monastery: GS I – Indian Culture:

Context:

• The Majuli district of Assam is home to the more than 350-year-old Vaishnavite monastery known as Sri Sri Auniati Satra.

What are the salient features of the Vaishnavite monastery Sri Sri Auniati Satra?

Establishment:

• In Majuli, Assam, the Sri Sri Auniati Satra was founded in 1653. It is one of the oldest Satras in the area, having been around for more than 350 years.
• An Assamese Vaishnava Satra is an institutional hub for the bhakti movement that originated in the fifteenth century.
• Majuli, the world’s largest populated river island, is home to the Satra. Majuli is located in the northeastern Indian state of Assam beside the Brahmaputra River.
• Religious Significance:
• Assamese Vaishnavism, a bhakti movement centred on the adoration of Lord Krishna, has its centre at the Satra.
• It is said that the original Govinda idol of Lord Krishna was transported from the Puri Lord Jagannath Temple.

Cultural Legacy:

• In addition to being houses of worship, Vaishnavite monasteries like Auniati Satra serve as archives for old literary works, artistic creations, and cultural customs. These Satras are essential to maintaining and advancing the region’s cultural legacy.
• Vaishnavite Satras have historically functioned as hubs for education and spiritual pursuits. Monks and followers practise communal service, meditation, and religious studies.

Bhaona and Customary Art Styles:

• At the Satra, people practise the traditional art form of bhaona. It combines musical instruments, acting, and music.
• Bhaona is a prominent performing art form that uses entertainment to deliver religious messages to rural communities.
• The Gayan-Bayan, a musical performance, typically comes before the main drama.
• Which are the most important facts about Majuli Island?
• Majuli is a river island in northeastern India’s state of Assam, which is situated in the Brahmaputra River. It is acknowledged as the world’s largest river island.
• The dynamics of the Brahmaputra River system, which are typified by the river’s fluctuating courses and channels, gave rise to the island.
• The Brahmaputra River and its tributaries encircle the island, forming a distinctive fluvial landform. The Beels and Chaporis (islets) wetlands add to the region’s natural richness.

Vaishnavism: What is it?

• Within Hinduism, Vaishnavism is a well-known bhakti (devotional) movement that promotes a strong bond of love and devotion with the god Vishnu and his many incarnations.
• Important characteristics:
• Devotion to Vishnu: Vaishnavism is centred on devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu, who is revered as the cosmos’ sustainer and as the ultimate Being. Vaishnavas exhibit their love, respect, and devotion for Vishnu by believing in a personal relationship with the god.
• It is thought that in order to establish cosmic justice and order again, Vishnu took on many incarnations on Earth, referred to as avatars. The term “Dashavatara” refers to the group of ten principal avatars, two of whom are well-known: Rama and Krishna.
• Dashavatara: The ten avatars of Vishnu are: Rama (the prince of Ayodhya), Krishna (the divine cowherd), Buddha (the enlightened one), Matsya (the fish), Kurma (the turtle), Varaha (the boar), Narasimha (the half-man, half-lion), Vamana (the dwarf), and Kalki (the future warrior on a white horse).
• Bhakti and Liberation: The path of bhakti, which entails a deep love and devotion to Vishnu, is highly valued in Vaishnavism. For many Vaishnavas, union with Vishnu and escape (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) are the ultimate goals.
• Diverse Sects: Vaishnavism includes a wide range of sects and organisations that have distinct perspectives on the relationship between God and the individual soul (jiva). While some groups adhere to absolute nondualism (shuddhadvaita) or dualism (dvaita), others highlight qualified nondualism (vishishtadvaita).
• The Srivaishnava Sect, which draws its teachings from Ramanuja, emphasises qualified nondualism.
• Madhva Sect: Adherents of Madhva’s philosophy, they affirm dualism and the distinct existence of God and the soul.
• Pushtimarg Sect: Upholds genuine nondualism in accordance with the teachings of Vallabhacharya.
• Chaitanya founded the Gaudiya Sect, which preaches unfathomable duality and nonduality.

Source The Hindu