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  • Mekedatu Dam Project

    Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are again at the crossroads against the Mekedatu dam project in the Cauvery River Basin.

    What is the Mekedatu Project?

    • Mekedatu, meaning goat’s leap, is a deep gorge situated at the confluence of the rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi, about 100 km from Bengaluru, at the Kanakapura taluk in Karnataka’s Ramanagara district.
    • In 2013, then Karnataka announced the construction of a multi-purpose balancing reservoir project.
    • The project aimed to alleviate the drinking water problems of the Bengaluru and Ramanagara districts.
    • It was also expected to generate hydroelectricity to meet the power needs of the state.

    Issues with the project

    • Soon after the project was announced TN has objected over granting of permission or environmental clearance.
    • Explaining the potential for damage to the lower riparian state of TN, it said that the project was in violation of the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
    • It stated that the project will affect the natural flow of the river Cauvery considerably and will severely affect the irrigation in TN.

    What do the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court say?

    • The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, in its final order on February 2007, made allocations to all the riparian States — Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, apart from the Union Territory of Puducherry.
    • It also stipulated “tentative monthly deliveries during a normal year” to be made available by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu.
    • Aggrieved over the final order for different reasons, the States had appealed to the Supreme Court.
    • In February 2018, the court, in its judgment, revised the water allocation and increased the share of Karnataka by 14.75 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) at the cost of Tamil Nadu.
    • The enhanced quantum comprised 4.75 tmc ft for meeting drinking water and domestic requirements of Bengaluru and surrounding areas.

    What is Karnataka planning?

    • Encouraged by the Supreme Court verdict, Karnataka, which sees the order as an endorsement of its stand, has set out to pursue the Mekedatu project.
    • Originally proposed as a hydropower project, the revised Mekedatu dam project has more than one purpose to serve.
    • A hydropower plant of nearly 400 MW has also been proposed.
    • The Karnataka government has argued that the proposed reservoir will regulate the flow to Tamil Nadu on a monthly basis, as stipulated by the Tribunal and the Supreme Court.
    • This is why Karnataka has contended that the project will not affect the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers.
  • 2020 Millennium Technology Prize  

    The 2020 Millennium Technology Prize has been awarded to Shankar Balasubramanian and David Klenerman, for their development of revolutionary Next-generation DNA sequencing techniques.

    About Millennium Technology Prize

    • The Millennium Technology Prize is one of the world’s largest technology prizes.
    • It is awarded once every two years by Technology Academy Finland, an independent fund established by Finnish industry and the Finnish state in partnership.

    What is next-generation DNA sequencing?

    • Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a massively parallel sequencing technology that offers ultra-high throughput, scalability, and speed.
    • The technology is used to determine the order of nucleotides in entire genomes or targeted regions of DNA or RNA.
    • These technologies allow for sequencing of DNA and RNA much more quickly and cheaply than the previously used sequencing.
    • NGS has revolutionized the biological sciences, allowing labs to perform a wide variety of applications and study biological systems at a level never before possible.
    • More than a million base pairs can be sequenced, which translates to hundreds of genes or even the whole genome of an organism.
    • This is made possible by simultaneously sequencing hundreds of pieces of DNA at the same time.

    What is sequencing, btw?

    • DNA (or RNA, in some viruses), the genetic material of life forms, is made of four bases (A, T, G and C; with U replacing T in the case of RNA).
    • A chromosome is the duplex of a long linear chain of these – and in the DNA sequence is information – the blueprint of life.
    • Life famously can replicate, and DNA replicates when an enzyme, DNA polymerase, synthesises a complementary strand using an existing DNA strand as the template.
    • The breakthrough idea of Balasubramanian and Klenerman was to sequence DNA (or RNA) using this process of strand synthesis.
    • They cleverly modified their ATGC bases so that each shone with a different colour.
    • When copied, the “coloured” copy of DNA could be deciphered from the colours alone, using miniature optical and electronic devices.

    What about the cost of all this sequencing?

    • When the Human Genome Project delivered the first, near-complete sequence of our genome, the cost was estimated to have been 3 billion dollars.
    • As all our chromosomes together have 3 billion base pairs, it becomes an easy calculation – One dollar per sequenced base.
    • By the year 2020, NGS technologies has pushed the price for sequencing to a few thousands of rupees.

    Back2Basics:

    What is the Human Genome Project?

  • Places in news: Kesaria Buddhist Stupa

    The world-famous Kesaria Buddha stupa in east Champaran district of Bihar is waterlogged following floods in some parts of the district after heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of river Gandak in neighbouring Nepal.

    Kesaria Stupa

    • The Kesaria stupa, located about 110 km from the State capital Patna, has a circumference of almost 400 feet and stands at a height of about 104 feet.
    • The first construction of the nationally protected stupa is dated to the 3rd century BCE.
    • It is regarded as the largest Buddhist stupa in the world and has been drawing tourists from across several Buddhist countries.
    • The sputa’s exploration had started in the early 19th century after its discovery led by Colonel Mackenzie in 1814.
    • Later, it was excavated by General Cunningham in 1861-62 and in 1998 an ASI team led by archaeologist K.K. Muhammad had excavated the site properly.
    • The original Kesaria stupa is said to date back to the time of emperor Ashoka (circa 250 BCE) as the remains of an Ashokan pillar was discovered there.

    In the accounts of foreign travellers

    • The stupa mound may even have been inaugurated during the Buddha’s time, as it corresponds in many respects to the description of the stupa erected by the Licchavis of Vaishali to house the alms bowl the Buddha has given them.
    • Interestingly, Chinese travellers Fa-Hien (5th century CE) and Hiuen Tsang (7th century CE), who travelled to India, also mention this stupa and the legend of Buddha and the Licchavis, in their records.
    • While Fa-Hien talks of a pillar erected at the site, Hiuen Tsang mentions the stupa itself.

    Try answering this question from CS Mains 2016:

    Q.Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.

  • Sikkim is home to 27% of India’s flowering plants

    Sikkim, the smallest State with less than 1% of India’s landmass, is home to 27% of all flowering plants found in the country, reveals a recent publication by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).

    Flora of Sikkim

    • Flora of Sikkim – A Pictorial Guide lists 4,912 naturally occurring flowering plants in the tiny Himalayan State.
    • The total number of naturally occurring flowering plants in the country is about 18,004 species, and with 4,912 species, the diversity of flowering plants in Sikkim, spread over an area of 7,096 sq. km. is very unique.

    Why is Sikkim a host to such large biodiversity?

    • Sikkim is a part of the Kanchenjunga biosphere landscape, has different altitudinal ecosystems, which provide opportunities for herbs and trees to grow and thrive.
    • The State also borders China, Bhutan and Nepal, and the Darjeeling Hills of West Bengal.
    • From subalpine vegetation to the temperate to the tropical, the State has different kinds of vegetation, and that is the reason for such a diversity of flora.
    • The elevation also varies between 300 to 8,598 metres above mean sea level, the apex being the top of Mt. Kanchenjunga (8,586 metres).

    Contribution by the Public

    • The people of Sikkim have a unique bond with nature and trees.
    • As per the Sikkim Forest Tree (Amity & Reverence) Rules, 2017 the State government allows any person to associate with trees standing on his or her private land or on any public land by entering into a Mith/Mit or Mitini relationship.
    • The notification encouraged people to adopt a tree “as if it was his or her own child in which case the tree shall be called an adopted tree”.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?

    (a) Manas National Park

    (b) Namdapha National Park

    (c) Neora Valley National Park

    (d) Valley of Flowers National Park

  • Places in news: Lemru Elephant Reserve

    The proposed Lemru Elephant Reserve in Chhattisgarh, in the pipeline for 20 years, has become the subject of yet another controversy over the reduction of its size.

    Lemru Elephant Reserve

    • The proposal for the reserve, in Korba district, was passed unanimously by the Assembly in 2005 and got central approval in 2007.
    • Lemru is one of two elephant reserves planned to prevent human-animal conflict in the region, with elephants moving into Chhattisgarh from Odisha and Jharkhand.
    • Its area was then proposed to be 450 sq km.

    Why does the government want to reduce the size of the reserve?

    • The area proposed under the reserve is part of the Hasdeo Aranya forests, a very diverse biozone that is also rich in coal deposits.
    • Of 22 coal blocks in the area, seven have already been allotted with mines running in three, and in the process of being established in the other four.
    • Under the ‘No-Go Area’ policy from the UPA area, the entire area was considered out of bounds for mines, but in 2020, five coal blocks from the region were put on the auction list.

    Why is the reserve important?

    • North Chhattisgarh alone is home to over 240 elephants.
    • Elephants in Chhattisgarh are relatively new; they started moving into undivided Madhya Pradesh in 1990.
    • Since these animals were relatively new, the human-animal conflict started once elephants started straying into inhabited areas, looking for food.
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    UPSC is the trickiest and uncertain exam in the world. It has a selection ratio of 0.1 per cent and to be selected for IAS, the selection ratio further falls to 0.01%. Now Suppose if we tell you that by Joining Civilsdaily’s Foundation program, this ratio increases to 80 per cent. How will you react?.

    You might think that we are cracking a joke. But fortunately, this is possible, which we achieved with the Smash Mains Program last year. 80 per cent success rate. (Read testimonials below)

    Unfortunately, this program was only open to Veterans. We believe that with the same mentorship style, we can replicate the same success with Aspirants who have just started preparation and are targeting the 2022 UPSC exam. Why waste 5 years when you can crack the exam on the very first attempt.

    I need 50 dedicated students who can give their 100 per cent for next 1 year. Follow whatever I tell you and I assure you that your chances of cracking the exam on the very first attempt would significantly increase.

    To know more about how your journey will be under my guidance for the next 1 year. Please register for the open Webinar on Sunday.

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    1.Fundamental mistakes committed by an aspirant which can cost you an attempt

    2.Sharing my best practices helped me score the highest marks in GS in the 2017 exam.

    3.Blueprint of how your journey will be under my guidance till 2022 Mains.

    4.Best practices that can help you increase your score in Prelims and Mains exam

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    This is a webinar that can truly transform your preparation. All you need to do is register and watch!

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  • [Yojana Archive] The Pandemic through Gandhian Perspective

    June 2021

    Covid-19 has pushed the world into a pervasive crisis encompassing every aspect of human life. With the passage of time, the trade-off between saving lives and saving livelihoods has grown starker.  

    This article attempts to relate the present crisis to the Gandhian way of thinking to arrive at some concrete take-homes.

    Unprecedented uncertainty

    • The most fearsome feature of this pandemic is its uncertainty: from the symptoms and their absence to the possibility of its return with a vengeance, and the serious after-effects on the ‘recovered’ cases.
    • It is time to introspect about the wrongs we have committed as ‘civilized’ inhabitants of the earth which makes our ways of living so precarious, inequitable and unsustainable today.

    Gandhi and the Pandemic

    • Beginning with the containment of wants, Gandhian economics, grounded on the premises of non-violence, truth and non-covetousness (Aparigraha/not possessing), is instantly antithetical to mainstream economics.
    • It is based on the principle of dignity of labour, self-sufficient and strong village economy and public trusteeship.
    • It offers an integrated view of managing economy, polity and society harmoniously. Gandhian thought can provide some critical insights during this exercise in introspection.

    How is Gandhiji relevant in this pandemic?

    (1) Gandhian principles

    • Non-violence: Squeezing wages and exploiting workers is also equivalent to violence. Creating circumstances that force people to migrate because of poverty might amount to violence at a societal level.
    • Non-possession: Unequal landholding is a manifestation of greed, which was sought to be corrected through the Bhoodan movement by Gandhiji’s illustrious disciple, Vinoba Bhave.
    • Self-sufficient villages: Gandhiji wanted to reverse this by making village communities stronger and self-sufficient.
    • Social empowerment: Empowering villages through a benevolent Jajmani system was his idea of nurturing the roots of India that lived mostly in villages.

    Note: Jajmani system or Yajman system was an economic system most notably found in villages of India in which lower castes performed various functions for upper castes and received grain or other goods in return.

    (2) Opposition for automated production

    • Gandhiji’s ideas about the choice of technology have been much debated. He was not against industries.
    • He was proponent of the key idea for optimally using the local resources and skills.

    (3) Trusteeship and community ownership

    • Industries would be necessary for progress, and they would have to make profit in order to survive.
    • But again, the profits belong to the society, that provided every possible resource to an industrialist, who is therefore a mere trustee of this wealth. It becomes his obligation to look after the needs of the society.
    • Using profit towards larger social good, which is the crux of Corporate Social Responsibility, can be traced back to Gandhiji’s idea of Trusteeship.

    The current pandemic has paved the way for the possibility of a social experimentation based on Gandhian ideology, and there are several grounds to justify this position:

    (a) Changing Consumption Pattern

    • The pattern of consumption has changed significantly especially since the lockdown.
    • Studies have noted a substantial reduction in ‘discretionary’ or conspicuous consumption (meaning luxuries goods consumption has declined).
    • Consumers are less blinded by the ‘brand value’ and are increasingly alert about distinguishing between essential and non-essential consumption due to financial viability.
    • Preferences are shifting to natural and herbal remedies.
    • However, there are studies of higher incidence of substance abuse, alcoholism, anxiety and depression, and on the other, innovative and creative ways are being devised to make home-stay more bearable.

    (b) Changing Patterns of Production

    • As the world grapples with the problem of fragmentation of the supply chain, the necessity to restart in whatever manner possible, producers may be forced to relocate their sources of supply.
    • There is a trend towards the relocation of GVC (Global Value Chain) in favour of greater use of local skills and materials.
    • Compelled by the pressures of circumstance we might redevelop production systems of the kind that Gandhiji advocated strongly to promote self-sufficiency.

    (c) Empathy towards the Deprived

    • The migrants reaching their home States in large exodus has been a heart-wrenching story.
    • The State did arrange Shramik trains to ensure safe return, but the role of individuals, NGOs and religious institutions that extended a helping hand so spontaneously cannot be overemphasized.
    • If the reverse migrant movement is akin to partition, so is the extent of support and help from various quarters of the society.
    • Gandhiji would have not only appreciated this spirit of empathy but would have perhaps succeeded in processing into institution building to sustain it longer.

    When the existing patterns of socio-economic systems are shaken, they create a space for a paradigm shift. It is also an opportune time to correct the previous malfunctions of the system. For example:

    i. Reducing Rural-Urban Imbalance:

    • Providing more jobs in the non-agriculture sector and more so in manufacturing is the need of the hour.
    • Promoting agro-based and related commercial activities such as fisheries and food processing can go a long way in providing more opportunities for gainful employment in the rural sector.
    • This would be a step in the Gandhian direction.

    ii. Domestic Violence and the Gender Issue:

    • It is well-recorded that there is an increase in violent, abusive, impulsive, compulsive, and controlling behavior and aggression towards women during the period of economic hardships.
    • Studies suggest an astonishing rise in the harassment of women behind closed doors.
    • This has justified the term ‘parallel pandemic’ to domestic violence, underlining the dark gender impact of the pandemic, but they have also brought out the issue of gender disparity and the disenfranchisement of women in a manner that can no longer be overlooked.

    (d) Treatment to the Reverse Migrants

    • States which have had pressure for accommodating reverse migrants now have an opportunity to deploy their expertise at home.
    • These States can use this experienced labour force to work on improving infrastructure, building industrial estates, setting up new MSMEs, etc. to attract more business.
    • As for migrants with experience of running tiny or home-based businesses, it is possible to bring them together into clusters to form co-operatives.
    • Co-operatives are important because they facilitate decentralization of the process of growth, which is Gandhian in spirit.

    (e) Urban Development

    • Covid-19 has emphasized the need for cleanliness and hygiene like never before.
    • It has compelled the urban local bodies to improve and expand their health services.
    • Ignoring hygiene or treating it as welfare or a charitable act is not going to help because these are necessary for everyone’s survival now.
    • In a way, ensuring decent living conditions, which is implicit in the dignity of labour, is thrust upon us as a need for survival.

    (f) Decent Wages and the Covid Allowance

    • States from where the migrant workers have moved out have had to raise wages due to a severe shortage of labour.
    • They do echo the need to treat workers with dignity through intervention in the Ahmedabad textile strike to negotiate in the issue of plague allowance.

    (g) Environmental Concerns

    • Lockdown reportedly reduced air and water pollution substantially.
    • It would be up to us to maintain it with as much caution as possible.

    Way forward

    • Gandhiji has been the conscience-keeper of our country.
    • This onslaught of circumstances calls for an alternative way of managing human affairs and revisiting Gandhi.
    • It is high time we follow his advice as he would have given us if he were alive.

    Conclusion

    • Any attempt to engage in greater sustainability is Gandhian in spirit because it can be achieved only by rising above the baser instincts of greed, violence and petty self-importance.
    • In a truly Gandhian perspective, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals can be seen as an integrated vision stemming from a peaceful and harmonious coexistence of all.
    • The pandemic has opened up opportunities to tweak our ways of living on this planet in a wiser and more compassionate way.
    • The choices we make now can have long-term effects on our well-being.

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