Daily Prelims Notes 30 June 2021

June 30, 2021
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

30 June 2021

Table Of Contents

Subject: Geography

Context : One of the hottest cities on the continent on Monday was Salem, Oregon, about 45 miles southwest of Portland, where the high temperature reached 117 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon, a record for the city.

Concept :

In most parts of the country, temperatures must be above the historical average in an area for two or more days before the label “heat wave” is applied to a hot spell, according to the National Weather Service

Why is it hotter than normal in North America?

We have long known that the world has warmed by more than 1 degree Celsius (about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) since 1900, and that the pace of warming has accelerated in recent decades. The warmer baseline contributes to extreme-weather events and helps make periods of extreme heat more frequent, longer and more intense.

Heat Wave

A heat wave is a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the summer season in the North-Western and South Central parts of India.
Heat waves typically occur between March and June, and in some rare cases even extend till July.
Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent globally due to climate change.

Criteria for Heat Waves in India

The heat wave is considered when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at least 30°C for Hilly regions.
If the normal maximum temperature of a station is less than or equal to 40°C, then an increase of 5°C to 6°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition.
Further, an increase of 7°C or more from the normal temperature is considered as severe heat wave condition.
If the normal maximum temperature of a station is more than 40°C, then an increase of 4°C to 5°C from the normal temperature is considered to be heat wave condition. Further, an increase of 6°C or more is considered as severe heat wave condition.
Additionally, if the actual maximum temperature remains 45°C or more irrespective of normal maximum temperature, a heat wave is declared.

Heat Domes

High-pressure circulation traps hot ocean air like a lid or a cap trapping heat at the surface and favouring the formation of a heat wave.
Higher daily peak temperatures and longer, more intense heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent globally due to climate change

2. Monsoon pours it down over Cherrapunji Mawsynram

Subject : Geography

Context :Two of India’s best-known stations for spectacular monsoon downpour lived up to its their names during the 24 hours ending on Tuesday morning.

Concept :

Mawsynram

Mawsynram is a town in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in northeastern India, 60.9 kilometres from Shillong.
Mawsynram receives the highest rainfall in India.
It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of 11,872mm but that claim is disputed.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Mawsynram received 26,000 millimetres (1,000 in) of rainfall in 1985.

Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji, known to locals as Sohra, is located in the East Khasi Hills in the Indian state of Meghalaya.
Sandwiched between Assam in the north and Bangladesh in the south, Meghalaya is a part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot–one of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots in India after the Himalayas–due to rapid resource exploitation and habitat loss.
The hills of the eastern sub-Himalayas- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia, run through most of Meghalaya, and the rest of the landscape is a high plateau.
Cherrapunji was declared the wettest land-based location on Earth after it receive an average of 11,872 mm in annual rainfall — more than 10 times India’s national average (of 1,083 mm).

Reason for High Rainfall in Cherrapunji and Mawsynram

Cherrapunji (elevation 1313 m) and Mawsynram (elevation 1401.5 m) are located on the southern slopes of the east Khasi Hills in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya is a mountainous state with numerous valleys and highland plateaus.
Elevation in the plateau region ranges between 150 m to 1,961 m , with the central part comprising the Khasi Hills with the highest elevations.
The rainfall in Cherrapunji-Mawsynram is caused by the orography favouring a monsoon wind regime.
The northward moving moist winds from the Bay of Bengal passing over the plains of Bangladesh are forced to converge in the narrow valleys of the Khasi Hills with orography providing forced ascent that causes condensation, formation of clouds resulting in rain on the windward side of the slope.

3. Kochi based firm to promote Pokkali Farming

Subject : Environment

Context: Agronature, a Kochi-based private company working for the farmers’ economic upliftment, has drawn up a plan to promote and sustain this unique traditional farming practice.

Concept :

Pokkali Rice Farming

The pokkali variety of rice is known for its saltwater resistance and flourishes in the rice paddies of coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala.
The single-season paddy is raised in saltwater fields between June and November followed by a season of fish-farming.
The uniqueness of the rice has brought it the Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is the subject of continuing research.
Several foreign research institutes, including the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, have been studying pokkali’s gene pools and have identified a portion of DNA on one of its chromosomes that is crucial for salt tolerance.
Given its ability to thrive under harsh climatic conditions and produce high yield, it can help in promoting climate-resilient agriculture.
Pokkali has medicinal properties and its higher value of antioxidants and low carbohydrate content makes it preferable to those on a low sugar diet.
Vyttila-11 is the latest variety of pokkali developed by the Kerala Agricultural University.
Other GI Tag Registered Varieties from Kerala: Kaipad, WayanadJeerakasala, WayanadGandhakasala, Palakkadan Matta and Navara.
Further, the Kuttanad below-sea level farming system has been recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
It is unique as it practices rice cultivation below sea level.

4. India jumps 3 spots in global start up ecosystem rankings

Subject : Economy /IR

Context : India has jumped three spots up in the global start-up ranking this year, a possible silver lining amid the chaos that the pandemic has wrought upon us. India stands at the 20th spot among the top 100 countries that have been ranked in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2021 by Startup Blink.

Concept :

About the Report

Israel’s tech ecosystem has ranked third globally and Tel Aviv came in eighth among cities in the new Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2021 published this month by StartupBlink, an Israeli-founded startup ecosystem research center.
The index is compiled from a variety of data sources processed by an algorithm and is integrated with the interactive and crowdsourced StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Map.
Data from StartupBlink’s global data partners, such as Crunchbase, Semrush, and Meetup, are also incorporated to supplement the analyses.
The report provides two sets of rankings: the first is for countries, and the second for individual ecosystems within cities.
Each location has a total score, which is a sum of three scores measuring Quantity, Quality, and Business Environment. The scores have comparative importance, providing unique insights into the differences between different ecosystems in absolute terms.
Building upon past years’ algorithms, this year’s report gave more weight to B2B startups, added more parameters related to technological services in the datasets, and increased data gathering of the R&D centers of international corporations.

5. Govt gives nod for Cipla to import Modern’a Vaccine

Subject : Science & tech

Context : Mumbai-based pharma company Cipla has received regulator’s approval to import Moderna’s Covid-19 Vaccine for restricted emergency use in India, sources told news agency PTI.

Concept :

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission to Cipla to import Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for restricted emergency use in the country as per the provisions of the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules , 2019 under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
This permission is for restricted use in emergency situations in public interest.
The firm has to submit 7 days safety assessment of the vaccine in first 100 beneficiaries before rolling out of vaccine for further immunisationprogramme, according to the approval order.
Moderna’s vaccine will be the fourth COVID-19 jab to be available in India after Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik.

mRNA 1273 :

mRNA-1273 is the working name of Moderna’s vaccine. It is currently under the aegis of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The mRNA means the messenger RNA. This carries the carries the genetic formula for the coding of a specific protein.
The mRNA is a molecule that genetically encodes a set of instructions, based on which cells make proteins and send them to various parts of the body.
Vaccines based on mRNA technology take advantage of normal biological processes of the body to create the desired therapeutic effect.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

The CDSCO is the Central Drug Authority for discharging functions assigned to the Central Government under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Major Functions:
Regulatory control over the import of drugs, approval of new drugs and clinical trials.
Approval of certain licences as Central Licence Approving Authority

Drug Controller General of India(DCGI)

DCGI is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines and sera in India.
It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

6. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Artefacts

Subject : Culture

Context : The Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India have said artefacts from the Subhas Chandra Bose Museum at Red Fort were loaned out to the Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata for an exhibition on the freedom fighter.

Concept :

Not less than two dozen artefacts from the museum were reported ‘missing’ by those who visited the Red Fort over the weekend, as the monument reopened for the first time after the January 26 farmer’s violence and pandemic-related lockdowns.

Subhas Chandra Bose

Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, to PrabhavatiDutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.
He was highly influenced by Vivekananda’s teachings and considered him as his spiritual Guru. His political mentor was Chittaranjan Das.
In 1921, Bose took over the editorship of the newspaper ‘Forward’, founded by ChittaranjanDas’sSwaraj Party.
In 1923, Bose was elected the President of the All India Youth Congress and also the Secretary of Bengal State Congress.
He was also sent to prison in Mandalay in 1925 due to his connections with revolutionary movements where he contracted Tuberculosis.
Bose took over as the elected President of Indian National Congress in 1938 (Haripur) and stood for unqualified Swaraj (self-governance) and the use of force against the British which then combated against Mahatma Gandhi and his views.
Bose was re-elected in 1939 (Tripuri) but soon resigned from the presidency and formed the All India Forward Bloc, a faction within the Congress which aimed at consolidating the political left.
He died on 18th August 1945, in a plane crash in Japanese-ruled Formosa (now Taiwan).

Contribution to Freedom Struggle

Association with C.R Das: He was associated with C.R. Das’ political endeavour, and was also jailed along with him. When C.R. Das was elected Mayor of Calcutta Cooperation, he nominated Bose as the chief executive. He was arrested for his political activities in 1924.
Trade union movements: He organised youth and promoted trade union movements. In 1930, he was elected Mayor of Calcutta, the same year he was elected the President of AITUC.
Association with congress: He stood for unqualified swaraj (independence), and opposed Motilal Nehru Report which spoke for dominion status for India.
He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and vehemently opposed the suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement and signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931.
In the 1930s, he was closely associated with left politics in Congress along with Jawaharlal Nehru and M.N. Roy.
Because of the endeavour of the left group, the congress passed very far reaching radical resolutions in Karachi in 1931 which declared the main Congress aim as socialization of means of production besides guaranteeing fundamental rights.
Congress presidentship: Bose won the congress presidential elections at Haripura in 1938.
Next year at Tripuri, he again won the presidential elections against Gandhi’s candidate PattabhiSitarammayya.
Due to ideological differences with Gandhi, Bose left congress and found a new party, ‘the Forward Bloc’.
The purpose was to consolidate the political left and major support base in his home state Bengal.
Civil disobedience movement: When World War II began, he was again imprisoned for participation in civil disobedience and was put under house arrest.
Bose manages to escape to Berlin by way of Peshawar and Afghanistan. He reached Japan and from there to Burma and organised the Indian National Army to fight the british and liberate India with the help of Japan.
He gave famous slogans ‘Jai Hind’ and ‘DilliChalo’. He died in a plane crash before realising his dreams.

Azad Hind

Bose founded the free India centre in Berlin and created the Indian Legion out of the Indian prisoners of war who had previously fought for the British in North Africa prior to their capture by Axis forces.
In Europe, Bose sought help from Hitler and Mussolini for the liberation of India.
In Germany, he was attached to the special bureau for India which was responsible for the broadcasting on the German sponsored Azad Hind Radio.
On this radio, Bose on 6th July 1944, addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the ‘Father of the Nation’.

Indian National Army:

He reached Japanese-controlled Singapore from Germany in July 1943, issued from there his famous call, ‘Delhi Chalo’, and announced the formation of the Azad Hind Government and the Indian National Army on 21st October 1943.
The INA was first formed under Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore.
The INA included both, the Indian prisoners of war from Singapore and Indian civilians in South-East Asia. It’s strength grew to 50,000.
The INA fought allied forces in 1944 inside the borders of India in Imphal and in Burma.
However, with the fall of Rangoon, Azad Hind Government ceased to be an effective political entity.
In November 1945 a British move to put the INA men on trial immediately sparked massive demonstration all over the country.
Impact: The I.N.A. experience created the wave of disaffection in the British Indian army during the 1945-46, which culminated in the great Bombay naval strike of February 1946 and was one of the most decisive reasons behind the British decision to make a quick withdrawal.
Composition of I.N.A: The I.N.A. was essentially non-communal, with Muslims quite prominent among its officers and ranks, and it also introduced the innovation of a women’s detachment named after the Rani of Jhansi.

7. Association of Cloud Bursts with Forest Fires

Subject : Geography

Context : Recently, the scientists from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University and IIT Kanpur jointly measured the association of cloud bursts with forest fires.

Concept :

The study has found a connection between the formation of the tiny particles, the size of a cloud droplet on which water vapor condenses leading to the formation of clouds and forest fires.
The quantity of such particles called the cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) were found to have peaks associated with forest fire events.
The study measured the activation of cloud condensation nuclei and studied its impact on high altitude cloud formation and complexity of local weather phenomenon.
The CCNs were measured by a droplet measurement technology’s (DMT) CCN Counter at Himalayan Clouds Observatory (HCO), Garhwal University.
The observation was carried out under a Climate Change Programme Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST) funded project.

Association of Cloud Bursts with Forest Fires

It showed that the highest concentration of CCN was found to be associated with excessive fire forest activities of the Indian subcontinent.
The CCN concentration (CCN) was observed at four supersaturation levels (SS: 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0%).
The highest CCN concentration is observed at the time of sunrise and after the sunset for the diurnal variation of monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter season.
The possible reasons for maximum concentration in morning and evening time could be upliftment and settlement of CCN because of the convection process, anthropogenic emission, vehicular emission, and biomass burning in the residential area and valley region.
The lowest value of CCN concentration corresponds to the heavy rains and snowfall days, possibly caused by extensive wet scavenging.

Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN)

The CCNs are small particles typically 0.2 µm, or 1/100 the size of a cloud droplet on which water vapor condenses.
It can activate and grow into fog or cloud droplets in the presence of supersaturation (SS).
It is used in cloud seeding, which tries to encourage rainfall by seeding the air with condensation nuclei.

8. Indo – Sri Lanka Currency Swap Agreement

Subject : International Relations

Context : Sri Lanka is “banking on” a $1 billion currency swap from India to meet its debt repayment obligations this year and tide over the current economic crisis, a senior official of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said.

Concept :

Currency Swap Arrangement (CSA)

An arrangement between two friendly countries to involve in trading in their own local currencies.
As per the arrangements, both countries pay for import and export trade at the pre-determined rates of exchange, without bringing in third country currency like the US Dollar.
In such arrangements no third country currency is involved, thereby eliminating the need to worry about exchange variations.

Significance of the agreement:

Improves the confidence in the Indian market.
Enables the agreed amount of capital being available to India.
Bring down the cost of capital for Indian entities while accessing the foreign capital market.
Aids in bringing greater stability to foreign exchange and capital markets in India.

9. Chamoli disaster due to avalanche

Subject : Geography

Context : The flash flood on February 7 in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, that claimed at least 72 lives with at least 200 missing was due to a large mass of snow, ice and rock avalanche along with a hanging mass of rock crashing into the RaunthiGarh valley floor.

Concept :

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)

A GLOF is a type of outburst flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails.
An event similar to a GLOF, where a body of water contained by a glacier melts or overflows the glacier, is called a jökulhlaup.
The dam can consist of glacier ice or a terminal moraine.
Failure can happen due to various factors such as:

Erosion, a buildup of water pressure

Avalanche of rock or heavy snow

Earthquake or volcanic eruptions under the ice or

Displacement of water in a glacial lake when a large portion of an adjacent glacier collapses into it.

Avalanche

Avalanche is a rapid downslope movement of a large detached mass of snow, ice, and associated debris such as rocks and vegetation.
Small avalanches, or Sluffs, occur in large numbers, while large avalanches that may encompass slopes a kilometer or more in length with millions of tons of snow, occur infrequently but cause most of the damage.
Humans have been exposed to the threat of sliding snow for as long as they have inhabited mountainous regions.

Types of Avalanches:

Loose snow avalanches-formed in snow with little internal cohesion among individual snow crystals.
Slab avalanches-Originate in snow with sufficient internal cohesion to enable a snow layer, or layers, to react mechanically as a single entity.
Wet snow avalanches-These move more slowly than dry ones and are seldom accompanied by dust clouds.
Direct action avalanches –These are the immediate result of a single snowstorm. They usually involve only fresh snow.
Climax avalanches-Result of a series of snowstorms or a culmination of weather influences. Their fall is not necessarily associated with a current storm or weather situation.

10. Iran gets its new president

Subject : International Relations

Context : Hardliner Ebrahim Raisi became Iran’s president. He succeeded Hassan Rouhani.

Concept :

Iran’s 13th presidential elections were recently held.
As per rules, the president should be a Shiite Muslim. Over 90 per cent of Iran’s population is comprised of Shiite Muslims.

Who is Raisi?

Raisi first came to prominence when he became the Prosecutor General of Karaj in 1980, when he became the Prosecutor of Tehran and the First Deputy to the Head of Judiciary from 2004 to 2014 after which he became the Prosecutor General of Iran from 2014 to 2016.
In 2019, Raisi was appointed the head of Iran’s judiciary, an appointment that sparked concerns because of his involvement in the mass executions of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 after the Iran-Iraq war.
Amnesty International has identified Raisi as a member of the “death commission” that carried out “enforced disappearance and extrajudicial executions of several thousand political dissidents in Evin and Gohardasht prisons near Tehran between late July and early September 1988. Victims’ bodies were mostly buried in unmarked mass graves.”
Raisi also has ties to the paramilitary group Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).