Today's Brief 8/07/2024
- M.R Mishra
- Jul 8, 2024
- 8 min read
1.Rath Yatra: also known as the Chariot Festival, is one of the most significant and grand festivals celebrated in Puri, Odisha, India.
This festival is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra, and his sister Subhadra.
key points :
Date and Timing: Rath Yatra usually takes place in June or July. The specific date is determined according to the Hindu lunar calendar, falling on the second day of the bright fortnight of the month of Ashadha.
Chariots: Three massive wooden chariots are built new each year for the deities. These chariots are:
Nandighosa: The chariot of Lord Jagannath, with 16 wheels.
Taladhwaja: The chariot of Balabhadra, with 14 wheels.
Darpadalana: The chariot of Subhadra, with 12 wheels.
Procession: The deities are taken from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple, which is about 3 kilometers away. Devotees pull the chariots through the streets, and this procession attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists from around the world.
Gundicha Temple: The deities stay at the Gundicha Temple for nine days before returning to the main temple. This return journey is known as Bahuda Yatra.
Rituals: Several rituals are performed during Rath Yatra, including the Chhera Pahara, where the Gajapati King of Puri sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, symbolizing humility and equality before the divine.
Significance: Rath Yatra symbolizes the journey of Lord Jagannath to meet his devotees and also represents the annual visit to his birthplace, the Gundicha Temple.
Global Celebrations: While Puri is the main center for Rath Yatra, this festival is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in various parts of India and around the world, especially in places with significant Indian communities and ISKCON temples.
2. National Security Advisor And CDS(Chief of Defence Staff):
3. World Zoonoses Day: To mark World Zoonoses Day, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (AHD) organized an interactive session chaired by the Secretary of AHD.
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans, such as rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah virus, COVID-19, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. These diseases are caused by various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
However, not all animal diseases are zoonotic. Many diseases affect livestock but do not pose a risk to human health.
These non-zoonotic diseases are species-specific and cannot infect humans. Examples include Foot & Mouth Disease, PPR, Lumpy Skin Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and Ranikhet Disease. Understanding which diseases are zoonotic is crucial for effective public health strategies and preventing unnecessary fear and stigmatization of animals.
India has the largest livestock population, with 536 million livestock and 851 million poultry, accounting for approximately 11% and 18% of the global livestock and poultry populations, respectively. Additionally, India is the largest producer of milk and the second-largest producer of eggs globally.
Key Points on World Zoonoses Day
Event Organization:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (AHD) organized an interactive session chaired by the Secretary of AHD to mark World Zoonoses Day.
Definition of Zoonoses:
Zoonoses are infectious diseases transmitted between animals and humans, including rabies, anthrax, influenza (H1N1 and H5N1), Nipah virus, COVID-19, brucellosis, and tuberculosis.
Non-Zoonotic Diseases:
Not all animal diseases are zoonotic. Non-zoonotic diseases, such as Foot & Mouth Disease, PPR, Lumpy Skin Disease, Classical Swine Fever, and Ranikhet Disease, affect livestock but do not infect humans.
Livestock Population in India:
India has the largest livestock population globally, with 536 million livestock and 851 million poultry, making it the top producer of milk and the second-largest producer of eggs.
African Swine Fever (ASF) Outbreak:
ASF was detected in Madakkatharan Panchayath, Thrissur district, Kerala. The disease is not zoonotic and cannot spread to humans. The Department of Animal Husbandry has implemented control measures, including culling and surveillance.
Prevention and Control Measures:
Effective zoonotic disease prevention includes vaccination, good hygiene, animal husbandry practices, and vector control, supported by the One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Department Initiatives:
The DAHD has launched campaigns for Brucella and rabies vaccination and established a comprehensive surveillance plan for economically important animal diseases
The National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) collaborates with multiple ministries and organizations to address outbreaks like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).Public Awareness and Education:
Raising awareness about zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases helps in early detection, prevention, and reducing unwarranted fear, promoting informed animal health and safety.Significance of World Zoonoses Day:
Celebrated in honor of Louis Pasteur's first successful rabies vaccination on July 6, 1885, the day emphasizes raising awareness about zoonoses and promoting preventive measures.Public Health Strategy:
Understanding the distinction between zoonotic and non-zoonotic diseases is crucial for effective public health strategies and ensuring the safety of both animals and humans.
4.Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled draft rules for the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) on July 4, 2024. The DBN aims to enhance telecom connectivity in rural areas, replacing the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
Establishment: The USOF was established in 2003 to enhance telecom services in less financially viable regions.
Funding: It was funded by a 5% levy on telecom operators' adjusted gross revenue (AGR). However, only about 72% of the Rs 41,740 crore collected between 2017 and 2022 was utilized.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)
Initiative: DBN is an initiative by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Objectives:
Internet Connectivity: Improve internet access in rural, remote, and economically disadvantaged areas.
Technology Innovation: Foster technological advancements, create regulatory sandboxes, and enhance India's global telecom presence.
Innovation and Standardization: Promote innovation, development of indigenous technology, and standardization.
Support Startups and Manufacturing: Aid startups in the telecom sector and support telecom equipment manufacturing.
Replacement of USOF: DBN will replace the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to ensure more efficient resource allocation.
Focus Areas:
Research and Development: Emphasize R&D and overall connectivity improvements.
Underserved Groups: Encourage telecom services for underserved groups, including women and people with disabilities.
Funding:
Telecom companies' contributions will first go to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI) and then be deposited into the DBN.
Utilization of Funds:
Funds will be used to improve access to telecommunication services, support R&D, fund pilot projects, and introduce new telecom technologies in underserved areas.
Management and Implementation:
An administrator will manage the fund, and projects will be executed by selected implementers through bidding or direct applications, ensuring transparency. The administrator will determine payment methods (full, partial, co-funding) based on specific connectivity needs.
4. Arctic Wildfires: According to the Global Wildland Fire Information System2, the number of fires has more than tripled since 2018 in much of the Arctic.
As Arctic temperatures rise, many areas of boreal and Arctic forests are drying out, creating ideal conditions for larger, more intense fires. But in some areas, we may see a shift from coniferous (pine) forests to deciduous (e.g. birch) forests, which can reduce fire intensity
Hot, dry weather has created ideal conditions for fires to ignite in the Arctic.
This June, intense wildfires above the Arctic Circle have released megatonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, according to EU scientists.
Data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) indicates that most of these fires are burning in Russia's Far North, particularly in the Sakha Republic.
As climate change raises Arctic temperatures, these seasonal fires are moving further north. They sweep through tundra and boreal forests, releasing greenhouse gases from the carbon-rich soil.
Increase in Extreme Wildfires
The Sakha Republic has experienced significantly higher temperatures and drier conditions than usual, creating perfect conditions for wildfires to start.
“Fire emissions in the Arctic have been at fairly typical levels for the last three summers, but we have observed recent fires developing following warmer and drier conditions, similar to the widespread wildfires in 2019 and 2020,”
says Mark Parrington, senior scientist at CAMS.
Wildfire Impact and Data
By June 24, more than 160 wildfires had burned nearly 460,000 hectares of land, according to Andrey Konoplevhe, the region’s deputy minister of ecology, nature management, and forestry, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS.
CAMS reports that the estimated total monthly carbon emissions from these wildfires are the third highest in the past two decades at 6.8 megatonnes of carbon. Only the years 2020 and 2019 saw higher emissions, with 16.3 megatonnes and 13.8 megatonnes respectively.
Arctic Climate Significance
The Arctic climate holds significant importance for several reasons:
Climate Regulation:
Albedo Effect: The Arctic ice and snow reflect a significant amount of solar radiation back into space, helping to regulate the Earth’s temperature.
Global Thermohaline Circulation: The Arctic influences ocean currents, which play a critical role in regulating global climate patterns. Climate Change Indicators:
Temperature Rise: The Arctic is warming at about twice the rate of the global average, making it a crucial indicator of climate change.
Melting Ice: The extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice have been decreasing, serving as a clear signal of climate shifts. Sea Level Rise:
Glacial Melt: Melting Arctic glaciers contribute to rising sea levels, which can impact coastal communities worldwide.
Permafrost Thawing: Thawing permafrost releases stored greenhouse gases like methane, potentially accelerating global warming.
Ecosystem and Biodiversity:
Unique Habitats: The Arctic is home to unique ecosystems and species that are specially adapted to cold environments, such as polar bears, seals, and various marine mammals.
Biodiversity Impact: Changes in the Arctic climate affect the biodiversity and health of these ecosystems, influencing the global biodiversity balance.
Human and Indigenous Communities:
Traditional Lifestyles: Many indigenous communities rely on the Arctic environment for their traditional lifestyles, including hunting and fishing.
Cultural Impact: Climate change threatens these communities by altering their environment and disrupting their cultural practices.
Economic and Geopolitical Factors:
Natural Resources: The Arctic holds significant natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, which are becoming more accessible due to melting ice.
Shipping Routes: Melting ice is opening new shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route, which can have significant economic and geopolitical implications.
Understanding the Arctic climate is essential for predicting and mitigating the impacts of climate change, protecting biodiversity, and managing global environmental and economic challenges.
5.Buffer Stock and Food security: The RBI maintains foreign exchange reserves, currently exceeding $650 billion, not to disrupt the normal functioning of the currency market but to ensure that exchange rate movements are orderly and free from excessive volatility.
India's vast population relies heavily on food security, and buffer stocks play a crucial role in achieving this.
Buffer Stock - A Safety Net:
Food Availability: It ensures a steady supply of essential food grains like wheat and rice during emergencies or crop failures due to natural calamities.
Price Stabilization: By releasing stocks when market prices rise, it moderates inflation and keeps food affordable for everyone.
Food Security - A Multi-Faceted Goal:
Physical Availability: Enough food grains must be produced and procured to meet the population's needs. Buffer stocks contribute to this.
Economic Accessibility: Food must be affordable for everyone, especially vulnerable sections. Buffer stocks are released at subsidized prices through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Nutritional Adequacy: A balanced diet is essential. Food security goes beyond just cereals.
Food price volatility is primarily driven by climate change, which results in fewer rainy days, longer dry spells, intense precipitation, shorter winters, and heat waves. These factors have led to poor crops of rabi pulses, tomatoes, potatoes, and wheat in central India. Supply shocks, whether due to climate, war, or pandemic, cause significant price spikes. Farmers respond by increasing production, which then leads to steep price declines.
Synergy for Success:
Buffer stocks are managed by the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and act as a reserve for the government's food security programs.
By maintaining sufficient buffer stocks, the government can effectively intervene during disruptions and ensure food reaches those who need it most.
Challenges and Improvements:
Storage and Maintenance: Wastage due to improper storage can be a concern. Improved storage facilities and scientific methods are crucial.
Procurement and Distribution Efficiency: Streamlining procurement processes and strengthening PDS can ensure timely delivery to beneficiaries.
In conclusion, buffer stocks are a critical tool for India's food security strategy. By ensuring food availability and price stability, they contribute significantly to feeding the nation.
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