Current Affairs - November 10, 2024 Current Affairs

The Hindu Succession Act, of 1956, is a landmark legislation governing succession and inheritance of property among Hindus. This Act codified the laws applicable to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and followers of Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj. Initially, the law recognized only male descendants as legal heirs, but a significant amendment in 2005 granted equal rights to women as coparceners. The Supreme Court's recent ruling upheld the Act's inheritance provisions, emphasizing cultural norms and legislative consistency. This decision reinforces the importance of balancing traditional values with contemporary legal principles in India's diverse societal landscape.

The G-20 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Working Group ministerial meeting was held in Belem, Brazil, highlighting India's commitment to global disaster risk reduction efforts. This meeting emphasized the importance of integrating risk reduction measures into policy-making and investment decisions to build resilient economies and societies. The meeting also reaffirmed India's dedication to the 2015 Sendai Framework, a UN-backed initiative aimed at reducing disaster risks through better preparedness, disaster risk financing, and sustainable development. Brazil's hosting of the event underscores the global cooperation necessary for effective disaster risk reduction.

The Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Board Act was enacted in 2004, aiming to regulate and standardize education in madrasas. This legislation ensures that students receive a level of competency to participate actively in society. The Supreme Court's recent ruling upheld the Act's constitutional validity, emphasizing the state's obligation to provide quality education and promote communal harmony. The Act's provisions align with the Indian Constitution's principles of secularism and protect the rights of religious minorities to establish educational institutions under Article 30. This development reinforces the integration of madrasa education into the state's overall education plan.

The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is situated in Assam, India, and serves as a vital habitat for the endangered hoolock gibbons, India's only ape species. The sanctuary's protection is crucial for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. The National Board for Wildlife's decision to delay oil exploration in the area highlights the ongoing debate between development and conservation. Assam's rich wildlife heritage, including the Kaziranga National Park and other protected areas, underscores the state's significance in India's conservation efforts. Effective management of these protected areas is essential for preserving India's natural heritage.

The Defence Minister inaugurated the Major Ralengnao ‘Bob’ Khathing Museum of Valour at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, honouring the legacy of Major Bob Khathing. This museum commemorates his pivotal role in securing Tawang for India in 1951, amidst concerns of Chinese encroachment into Tibet and potential border realignment. By establishing the Indian administration in the region, Major Khathing's bravery and diplomacy played a significant part in shaping India's northeastern borders. His remarkable story serves as a testament to the country's resilience and strategic foresight.

The Aditya-L1 mission is India's pioneering venture to study the Sun from a unique vantage point about 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is the primary payload of this mission, designed to observe the Sun's outer atmosphere or corona. By integrating multiple components, including a coronagraph, spectrograph, and polarimetry module, VELC enables unprecedented clarity and detail in imaging the solar corona. This mission aims to analyze various aspects of the solar corona, study solar phenomena, and understand space weather's impact on Earth, marking a significant milestone in India's space exploration endeavours.

Wave Life Sciences, based in the United States, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company to treat a genetic condition through RNA editing at the clinical level. This technique, involving the editing of Messenger RNA (mRNA) after it is transcribed from DNA but before protein synthesis, allows for precise genetic modifications that can address specific mutations. By targeting conditions like α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) with RNA editing, this approach holds potential for treating a variety of genetic disorders, including Huntington's disease and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, promising advancements in genetic therapies.

The World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) report reveals a concerning 10% surge in greenhouse gas levels over the past two decades. This significant increase is primarily attributed to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and cement production. The report highlights record-high levels of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, underscoring their impact on climate change. Carbon dioxide remains the dominant greenhouse gas, responsible for approximately 64% of the anthropogenic warming effect. The WMO's findings emphasize the urgent need for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change.

The European Space Agency (ESA) spearheads the Proba-3 mission, a pioneering venture in precision formation flying and solar observation. This mission consists of two small satellites, the Coronagraph Spacecraft and Occulter Spacecraft, working together to image the Sun's corona. By creating an artificial eclipse, Proba-3 enables extended observations of the solar corona in various light spectrums. India's role in launching the mission from Sriharikota highlights international cooperation in space exploration, demonstrating collaborative efforts to advance scientific knowledge and understanding of the universe.

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) is a hardy, drought-tolerant crop with high yield potential. It is widely cultivated in India, particularly in Madhya Pradesh. However, it is also associated with mycotoxins, specifically Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), which can cause Kodo poisoning. This condition affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems, with symptoms including vomiting, giddiness, and unconsciousness. The potential link between Kodo millet and elephant deaths in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve highlights the importance of monitoring crop safety and addressing environmental factors contributing to mycotoxin production.