Today's Brief 12-16/01/2024

1. NSPAAD: stands for National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases. It's a program launched by the Department of Fisheries, Government of India, in 2013.

The NSPAAD aims to:

• Monitor and track aquatic animal diseases in India.

• Early detection and diagnosis of outbreaks.

• Provide scientific advice and support to farmers and fishermen in case of disease outbreaks.

• Strengthen the capacity of state fisheries departments for disease surveillance.

The program focuses on various aspects of aquatic animal health management, including:

• Active and passive surveillance: This involves actively searching for diseased animals and passively collecting information on disease outbreaks from farmers and fishermen.

• Laboratory diagnosis: Samples from suspected diseased animals are tested in laboratories to confirm the diagnosis.

• Disease outbreak investigation: Teams of experts investigate outbreaks to identify the source of the infection and recommend control measures.

• Awareness and training: The program conducts awareness programs for farmers and fishermen on aquatic animal diseases and their prevention.

NSPAAD plays a crucial role in ensuring the health of aquatic animals in India, which ultimately helps in safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on the aquaculture sector.

2.The World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) is a flagship report published annually by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that analyzes global trends and prospects in the world of work. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Employment levels and unemployment rates: The report looks at how many people are employed, unemployed, and underemployed, both globally and in different regions and countries.

• Job quality: The report assesses the quality of available jobs, considering factors such as wages, benefits, security, and working conditions.

• Informal employment: The report examines the extent of informal employment, which is work that is not regulated or protected by labor laws.

• Social inequality: The report analyzes how labor market trends are linked to social inequality, including poverty and gender gaps.

• Policy recommendations: The report concludes with recommendations for governments and other stakeholders to promote decent work for all.

The latest edition of the WESO, Trends 2024, was published in January 2024. Here are some key findings from the report:

• Labour markets have shown surprising resilience despite deteriorating economic conditions. However, the recovery from the pandemic remains uneven, with new vulnerabilities and multiple crises eroding prospects for greater social justice.

• A slight increase in global unemployment is expected in 2024. This is due to various factors, including ongoing economic slowdown, geopolitical tensions, and the impact of climate change.

• Disparities between high and low-income countries are widening. Unemployment and poverty rates remain significantly higher in low-income nations.

• A significant portion of the global workforce remains in informal employment. This raises concerns about job security, low wages, and lack of social protection.

• Worsening income inequality and the impact of inflation on real incomes are major challenges. This is particularly true in G20 countries.

3.Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023: The ‘Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023’ were recently presented by the President of India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. In the latest rankings, Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Surat in Gujarat jointly secured the top position as the cleanest cities in the country, with Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra securing the third spot. Indore has achieved the remarkable feat of being ranked as the cleanest city for the seventh consecutive time.

In the category of clean cities with a population of less than 1 lakh, Sasvad, Patan, and Lonavala claimed the top three positions, while Madhyamgram, Kalyani, and Haora in West Bengal found themselves at the lower end of the rankings.

Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was recognized as the Cleanest Cantonment, and Chandigarh received the SafaiMitra Surakshit Sheher award.

Varanasi and Prayagraj secured the first and second ranks, respectively. Maharashtra was acknowledged as the Best Performing State, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the second and third positions. Odisha secured the fourth rank, with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Karnataka, Goa, Haryana, and Bihar following in the subsequent positions. Rajasthan, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh were placed at the bottom of the rankings.

4. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners in India are appointed and governed by provisions in the Constitution of India. The relevant provisions can be found in Part XV of the Constitution, which deals with the "Election Commission."

Article 324 of the Indian Constitution is the primary provision that establishes the Election Commission and outlines its composition and powers. Here are the key points regarding the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission:

1. Article 324(1): It vests the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State in the Election Commission.

2. Article 324(2): The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix.

3. Article 324(3): The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners. They hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.

4. Article 324(5): The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Election Commissioners and the Regional Commissioners shall be determined by the President.

5. Article 324(6): The President, or the Governor of a State, shall appoint the Regional Commissioner or Regional Commissioners.

These constitutional provisions ensure the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission, which plays a crucial role in the conduct of free and fair elections in India. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed to their positions by the President and have a fixed term or age limit. The provisions are designed to insulate the Election Commission from undue influence and ensure its effective functioning.

5. The Henley Passport Index : : 

Top Rankers

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore. These passport holders enjoy visa-free access to a record-breaking 194 destinations out of 227 travel destinations worldwide.

Henley Passport Index 2024 Top 6 Countries

This marks a significant shift from previous years, where the top spot was typically held by a single country or a small group of two or three. The increased number of countries at the top reflects a trend towards greater global mobility and the loosening of visa restrictions by many countries.

Here's a closer look at the top 6 passport holders in the 2024 Henley Passport Index:

• France, Germany, Italy, and Spain: These four European powerhouses have long been known for their strong passports, and their joint top spot in 2024 is a testament to their continued diplomatic clout and economic influence.

• Japan and Singapore: These Asian economic giants have also been regulars at the top of the Henley Passport Index in recent years. Their strong passports reflect their stable governments, advanced economies, and close relationships with other countries.

• The Indian Passport is the 80th most powerful passport in the world right now along the passport of Uzbekistan as it provides Indians with visa-free access to 62 countries. Indians can travel visa-free to countries including Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Thailand, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Indonesia.

Following closely behind the top 6 are South Korea, Finland, and Sweden, which share third place with visa-free access to 193 destinations. Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands come in fourth place with 192 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index is a valuable resource for travelers who want to know how easily they can access different countries around the world. It's important to note that the index is based on the number of destinations that a passport holder can access visa-free, and it does not take into account other factors such as travel costs, safety, or ease of obtaining visas for countries that do require them.

6.Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project : The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) is a planned ground-based observatory with a 30-meter (98-foot) diameter segmented mirror, making it one of the largest telescopes ever built. It's designed for near-ultraviolet to mid-infrared observations and aims to:

• Study first light from the universe: Observe galaxies formed shortly after the Big Bang and understand the early formation of stars and planets.

• Search for exoplanets: Discover planets outside our solar system that could potentially harbor life.

• Investigate dark matter and dark energy: Unravel the mysteries of these invisible forces that make up most of the universe.

However, the TMT project has been embroiled in controversy since its inception, primarily due to its proposed location on Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain for Native Hawaiians. Opponents raise concerns about:

• Environmental impact: Potential damage to sacred sites and sensitive ecosystems.

• Cultural appropriation: Disrespect for Indigenous traditions and spiritual beliefs.

• Historical grievances: Unresolved issues like land dispossession and colonization.

Despite these concerns, the TMT project has international support from several countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, India, and China. Proponents argue that the scientific benefits of the TMT outweigh the potential drawbacks and emphasize efforts to mitigate environmental impact and address cultural concerns through community engagement and educational programs.

• Construction on Mauna Kea began in 2014 but has been repeatedly halted due to protests.

• The latest legal hurdle was cleared in November 2023, but construction has not yet resumed.

• Negotiations between project leaders and Native Hawaiian groups are ongoing.

The future of the TMT project remains uncertain. Regardless of whether it's built on Mauna Kea or elsewhere, it's clear that the project raises important questions about scientific progress, cultural rights, and the balance between research and environmental protection.

Thanks for visiting!!