Daily Prelims Notes 12 October 2024

October 12, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

12 October 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Agrarian crisis: Landholding recedes by 1/3rd, loans swell for farm households, finds NABARD survey

Sub : Eco

Sec: Agri

Context:

The latest All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2021-22 by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) highlights key trends among rural farming families in India.
This is NABARD’s second survey conducted since 2016-17.

Key findings:

Rising Income but Increasing Expenses:
- The monthly household income of farmers increased from Rs 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs 12,698 in 2021-22, a 57.6% rise.
- However, monthly expenditures also surged from Rs 6,646 to Rs 11,262, a 69.4% increase, showing that while income is rising, so are living costs.
Shrinking Landholdings:
- Average landholding size among farmers decreased from 1.08 hectares in 2016-17 to 0.74 hectares in 2021-22, a 31% reduction.
Shift in Spending Patterns:
- The share of food in total spending decreased from 51% to 47%, indicating that more is being spent on non-food items, raising concerns about food security.
Growing Debt Burden:
- The percentage of families with outstanding debts rose from 47.4% in 2016-17 to 52% in 2021-22.
- Despite the increase in debt, access to formal financial institutions improved, with institutional lending rising from 60.5% to 75.5%.
Access to Government Schemes:
- The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme expanded from 10.5% to 44.1% coverage.
- Pension coverage improved, with 23.5% of families having at least one member receiving a pension, up from 18.9%.
- Insurance coverage saw a significant rise from 25.5% to 80.3%.
Improved Financial Literacy:
- Financial literacy grew from 33.9% to 51.3%, and better money management behaviours were observed in 72.8% of families, up from 56.4%.
- More rural families reported saving money, with 66% having savings in 2021-22 compared to 50.6% in 2016-17, and the average savings amount increased from Rs 9,104 to Rs 13,209.

2. Who are THE UN peacekeepers at Lebanon’s border with Israel?

Sub: IR

Sec: Int Org

Context:

India expressed its concern regarding the deteriorating security situation in parts of West Asia, particularly following an incident in which two members of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, were injured.
An Israeli tank fire hit an observation tower at the force’s headquarters in Naqoura, Lebanon.
Earlier, Israel had warned UNIFIL to relocate from Lebanese positions near where it said Hezbollah fighters had launched rockets into northern Israel. UN forces rejected the request.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established in 1978 and is currently composed of over 10,000 civilian and military personnel from 50 countries.
Its primary purpose is to prevent violations along the 121-km border between Lebanon and Israel, known as the Blue Line.
The mission is largely observational, though its mandate was expanded in 2006 to include reporting of any violations to the UN Security Council.
A UN resolution passed in 2006 expanded UNIFIL’s mandate to include ensuring that its area of operations is not used for any hostile activities.
The group is charged by the UN with keeping out of the area any weapons or fighters.
United States and Israel have argued that the peacekeepers have been largely ineffective at preventing Hezbollah from stockpiling and firing rockets from the territory they patrol.

UN Peacekeeping Mission:

UN peacekeeping refers to the deployment of international personnel by the United Nations to help maintain or restore peace in conflict areas.
It is a joint effort between the Department of Peace Operations and the Department of Operational Support. Every peacekeeping mission is authorized by the Security Council.
The financial resources of UN Peacekeeping operations are the collective responsibility of UN Member States. According to UN Charter every Member State is legally obligated to pay their respective share for peacekeeping.

Composition:

UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets)can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.
Peacekeeping forces are contributed by member states on a voluntary basis.
Civilian staff of peace operations are international civil servants, recruited and deployed by the UN Secretariat.

Features:

United Nations Peacekeeping helps countries torn by conflict create conditions for lasting peace.
UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
- Consent of the parties.
- Impartiality
- Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
UN peacekeeping is a unique global partnership. It brings together the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Secretariat, troop and police contributors and the host governments in a combined effort to maintain international peace and security.

India and UN Peacekeeping:

India is among the highest contributors of troops to the UNPKF, and has lost 179 soldiers in the past six decades, the highest fatality suffered by any country among “blue helmets”, and has been demanding a greater say in the decision making on U.N. peacekeeping missions.

3. Why Delhi HC allowed a 60-year-old couple to access dead son’s sperm

Sub: Sci

Sec: Biotech

Context:

The Delhi High Court recently granted a couple in their sixties access to their deceased son’s sperm sample, enabling the possibility of posthumous assisted reproduction.

About the case:

A couple in their sixties sought access to their deceased son’s sperm sample, cryopreserved by a hospital after his death from cancer in 2020.
The petitioners wish to carry on the legacy of their deceased son and raise a grandchild.
The hospital refused to release the sperm, citing a lack of guidelines for gamete release when there is no spouse.

Sperm banking:

Sperm banking is the process of collecting and freezing sperm for future use. This can help individuals or couples preserve sperm before medical treatments that might affect fertility or for use in assisted reproductive methods like IVF.
The stored sperm can be used later to help conceive a child.
Common among cancer patients as treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can impact sperm count and quality.

Legal Context:

Assisted Reproductive Technology Act, 2021: The Act regulates and supervises all fertility and artificial insemination procedures in India, but primarily considers cases involving married couples.
Assisted Reproductive Technology Rules, 2022: These rules outline the procedure for posthumous retrieval of sperm. Current provisions only apply when the deceased is married, and the retrieval request comes from the surviving partner.
Surrogacy Regulation Act, 2021: Only applies to intending couples or women needing surrogacy; does not cover grandparents.

International Practices:

Various countries permit posthumous reproduction with explicit consent:

Uruguay: Requires written consent valid for one-year post-death.
Belgium: Allows it after a six-month waiting period, request should be made within two years.
Victoria state (Australia): Permits reproduction with written/oral consent in the presence of witnesses and a patient review panel’s approval.
Canada and UK: Require written consent.
Israel: Excludes the parents and only allows the deceased’s female partner to use the sperm sample. However, some exceptions have been made.

Court’s Ruling:

The court ruled that the ART Act did not apply to the case since it was not in force at the time of the son’s death.
It determined there was no prohibition on posthumous reproduction without a spouse, allowing for the retrieval of the sperm.
The court treated sperm samples as property, referencing the Hindu Succession Act, which designates parents as legal heirs in the absence of a spouse or children.

Ethical Considerations:

The ruling sets a precedent allowing non-spousal parties to claim rights to retrieve gametes.
Ethical concerns include the assumption of consent by the deceased and implications for the child, who would grow up without one genetic parent.
The court emphasized that consent and the welfare of any future child must be considered in such cases.

4. Nobel Peace Prize 2024: Honouring N-bomb Survivors and the Disarmament Movement

Sub: Sci

Sec: Nuclear sector

Why in News

The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This recognition brings attention to the global movement for nuclear disarmament and the significant role played by the survivors, known as “Hibakusha,” in raising awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.

About Nihon Hidankyo:

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, the only nationwide organization representing survivors of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
Nihon Hidankyo was recognized for its continuous efforts to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world. The organization has contributed immensely to raising awareness about the humanitarian costs of nuclear weapons.
Since 1901, at least 10 Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded for contributions to the cause of nuclear disarmament. Previous recipients include Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1974, credited for maintaining Japan’s non-nuclear stance, and the International Campaign to Abolish nuclear weapons (ICAN) in 2017, recognized for its work towards a treaty-based prohibition of nuclear weapons.

About Hibakusha:

Hibakusha is a Japanese term meaning “bomb-affected people.” It refers to the survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II (1945).
Hibakusha experienced severe health effects, including radiation sickness, cancer, and genetic damage. Many suffered long-term psychological trauma.
Hibakusha have been at the forefront of the global movement to abolish nuclear weapons.
Their efforts contributed to the establishment of a nuclear taboo, preventing the use of nuclear weapons since 1945.
The term “nuclear taboo” refers to the global reluctance to use nuclear weapons since 1945, largely due to the devastating consequences witnessed in Japan.

Background on Atomic Bombings (1945)

Hiroshima Bombing (August 6, 1945): The United States dropped the first atomic bomb, “Little Boy,” on Hiroshima, killing over 70,000 people instantly. The total death toll crossed 100,000 in the following weeks.
Nagasaki Bombing (August 9, 1945): A second bomb, “Fat Man,” was dropped on Nagasaki, killing around 40,000 people instantly, with thousands more dying due to after-effects in the weeks that followed.

About Atomic Bomb

The atomic bomb is also known as A-bomb, atom bomb, nuclear bomb, or nuclear warhead.
The atomic bomb gets its destructive property from nuclear fission reactions or from the combination of nuclear fission or fusion reactions.
Nuclear fission: It is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or smaller nuclear fission products and usually some by-product particles. Hence, fission is a form of elemental transmutation.
Atomic bombs too release an enormous amount of energy when exploded and cause mass destruction.
This explosion is caused due to the nuclear fission reaction where the splitting of nuclei of a heavy element like uranium, and plutonium takes place

The Explosion of Atomic Bomb:

When the neutron strikes the nucleus of a uranium-235 or plutonium-239 isotope, it causes the nucleus of the atom to split into two fragments, each of which is a nucleus with about half the protons and neutrons of the original nucleus.
When the splitting takes place, a high amount of heat, gamma rays, as well as two or more neutrons are released.
Under certain conditions, the neutrons are made to fission more with uranium nuclei, which then emit more neutrons that split more nuclei. This series multiplies, resulting in an explosion.

5. The Rapid Intensification of Hurricane Milton

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology

Why in News

Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key in Florida, caused widespread devastation including intense rainfall, flooding, and tornadoes. Despite its unusual characteristics, the rapid intensification of the storm is seen as part of a broader pattern linked to climate change. The event highlights growing concerns over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to global warming.

What is Hurricane:

A hurricane is a powerful and destructive tropical storm characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and low atmospheric pressure.
Hurricanes are also known as cyclones or typhoons in different parts of the world.
In the Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific, they are called hurricanes, while in the north western Pacific, they are referred to as typhoons, and in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, they are known as cyclones.

Key characteristics of hurricanes:

Low Pressure Centre: Hurricanes have a well-defined centre of low atmospheric pressure, known as the
The eye is typically calm and clear, with light winds, surrounded by a ring of intense thunderstorms called the eyewall.
Strong Winds: Hurricanes are known for their powerful winds that can reach sustained speeds of at least 74 miles per hour or higher.
Heavy Rainfall: Hurricanes produce heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooding, landslides, and storm surges.

Formation:

Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters when the sea surface temperature is typically above 26 degrees Celsius.
Warm, moist air rises from the ocean’s surface, creating an area of low pressure.
As the air cools and condenses, it releases heat, which fuels the storm’s development.

Categories:

Hurricanes are categorized on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale based on their maximum sustained wind speeds.
The scale ranges from Category 1 (weakest: 74-95 mph) to Category 5 (strongest: 157 mph and higher), with each category representing a higher wind speed and potential for damage.

Factors Behind Milton’s Intensification

Ocean Heat: Sea surface temperatures in the western Gulf of Mexico reached nearly 31°C, well above the 26°C threshold necessary for hurricane development. Warmer water evaporates more quickly, fuelling the storm’s rapid intensification.
Climate Change Link: The rising sea temperatures in the Gulf are primarily attributed to climate change. Since 1850, global sea surface temperatures have increased by nearly 0.9°C, with around 0.6°C of this rise occurring over the last 40 years.
Moisture Content: For every 1°C rise in temperature, the atmosphere can hold 7% more moisture, contributing to more intense storms. This increased moisture leads to heavier rainfall and stronger storms.
Wind Shear Impact: Wind shear can disrupt hurricanes by altering wind speed and direction. In Milton’s case, the lack of wind shear allowed the storm to intensify rapidly without interference.