07 Jun 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

F. Prelims Facts

1. NHRC seeks report on ‘sale of girls’ as part of Nata Pratha

Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat concerning the practice of Nata Pratha. This practice involves the sale of girls, often under the guise of illegal or child marriages, with serious immoral consequences for the women and minor girls involved.

Background

• Nata Pratha: A traditional practice in certain communities of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat where girls are sold either on stamp paper or through informal agreements for marriage or other purposes.
• NHRC’s Notice: The NHRC has demanded reports from the concerned states on measures taken or proposed to eradicate this practice within eight weeks.

Case Highlight

• Incident in Rajasthan: A complaint dated July 15, 2020, by the father of a minor girl from Salamgarh, Rajasthan, led to an NHRC investigation. The girl was found dead after being sold multiple times as part of Nata Pratha.
• Details of the Case: The father sold his daughter for ₹2.5 lakh as part of a marriage deal. When the groom failed to pay the remaining amount, the father attempted to sell her again. The girl resisted and complained to the authorities, but no action was taken, leading to her death.

Issues

Human Rights Violations

• Exploitation: Nata Pratha results in severe exploitation and abuse of girls and women, treating them as commodities.
• Lack of Legal Action: The case highlights the failure of law enforcement to protect victims and take necessary actions against the perpetrators.

Legal and Social Implications

• Child Marriage and Trafficking: This practice often involves child marriage and human trafficking, violating numerous national and international laws.
• Social Stigma and Oppression: Women and girls subjected to Nata Pratha face social stigma and lifelong oppression.

Solutions

Legal Measures

• Prosecution Under Existing Laws: Individuals involved in Nata Pratha should be prosecuted under human trafficking laws and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
• Strengthening Enforcement: Enhancing law enforcement capabilities to effectively tackle and prevent such practices.

Social and Educational Initiatives

• Awareness Campaigns: Launching extensive awareness campaigns to educate communities about the illegality and immorality of Nata Pratha.
• Empowerment Programs: Implementing programs to empower women and girls through education, economic opportunities, and social support.

Government Action

• Comprehensive Reports: States should provide detailed reports on actions taken and future plans to eradicate Nata Pratha.
• Policy Reforms: Developing and implementing policy reforms based on the findings to prevent such practices in the future.

2. Denmark, Pak., Somalia, Greece, and Panama get seats on the UNSC

Context: Denmark, Pakistan, Somalia, Greece, and Panama were elected as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a secret ballot by the General Assembly. These countries will serve two-year terms starting January 1, contributing to the council’s primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

Election Process

• Secret Ballot: The election was conducted through a secret ballot by the 193-member General Assembly.
• Non-Permanent Members: These five countries will join the UNSC as non-permanent members for two years, starting January 1.

Role and Responsibilities

• UNSC Functions: The UNSC is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, determining the existence of a threat to peace, and taking appropriate measures.
• Non-Permanent Members: Non-permanent members contribute to the decision-making process, participate in discussions, and can propose resolutions.

Issues

Geopolitical Challenges

• Regional Conflicts: The new members will need to address ongoing regional conflicts and security issues in their respective regions.
• Global Security: They will also face global security challenges, including terrorism, climate change, and humanitarian crises.

Representation and Influence

• Voice of Developing Nations: Countries like Somalia and Pakistan represent developing nations and can voice their unique challenges and perspectives.
• Diplomatic Balance: Ensuring a diplomatic balance among the diverse geopolitical interests of the member states.

Significance

Enhanced Representation

• Diverse Perspectives: The election of these countries brings diverse perspectives and experiences to the UNSC, enhancing its ability to address global issues comprehensively.
• Regional Influence: Each country can influence decisions affecting its region, promoting stability and peace.

Global Diplomacy

• Strengthening Alliances: These new members have the opportunity to strengthen alliances and partnerships through their participation in the UNSC.
• Policy Advocacy: They can advocate for policies and actions that align with their national interests and contribute to global peace.

Solutions

Collaborative Approach

• Multilateral Cooperation: Promoting multilateral cooperation among UNSC members to address global challenges effectively.
• Regional Dialogues: Facilitating regional dialogues to address specific security issues and conflicts, leveraging the influence of new members.

Capacity Building

• Strengthening Institutions: Building the capacity of national institutions in new member countries to better contribute to UNSC’s objectives.
• Technical Assistance: Providing technical assistance and support to new members to enhance their effectiveness in the council.

3. Climate conference in November to emphasise ‘peace’ and ‘truce’

Context: The 29th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP-29) is scheduled to be held in November, with Azerbaijan hosting the event. A significant focus of this year’s conference will be on “peace” and “truce,” aiming to create an environment conducive to addressing the climate crisis amid ongoing global conflicts.

Background

• COP-29: The annual climate conference where global leaders discuss and agree on measures to combat climate change.
• Previous Agenda Points: Building on the 28th COP in Dubai, the conference aims to advance commitments to transition away from fossil fuels and achieve net zero by 2050.

Emphasis on Peace and Truce

• Azerbaijan’s Proposal: The host country, Azerbaijan, proposes a “COP-truce,” urging a cessation of hostilities during the conference to allow nations to focus on climate solutions.
• Geopolitical Context: With ongoing conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, achieving a peaceful environment for deliberations is crucial.

Key Issues to Address

• Fossil Fuel Transition: Ensuring a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
• Urgency of Climate Action: The need to accelerate efforts to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century.
• Financial Commitments: Addressing the unmet $100 billion annual climate finance pledge by developed countries and setting new financial targets beyond 2025.

Issues

Geopolitical Tensions

• Impact on Negotiations: Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical divisions may hinder effective climate negotiations.
• Need for Consensus: Achieving a unified approach to climate action requires overcoming geopolitical differences.

Financial Disparities

• Developed vs. Developing Nations: Persistent divisions over climate finance commitments, with developing countries demanding more substantial support.
• Grants vs. Loans: Debates over whether climate finance should be provided as grants or loans, impacting the financial burden on developing nations.

Significance

Global Climate Action

• Unified Effort: Emphasizing peace and truce can foster a collaborative environment essential for effective global climate action.
• Addressing Urgency: Highlighting the critical decade for climate action to prevent catastrophic impacts.

Financial Support

• Enhanced Commitments: Setting new, more ambitious financial targets for climate action can significantly aid developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• Equitable Solutions: Ensuring that financial support is fair and does not further burden vulnerable nations.

Solutions

Peace and Truce Initiatives

• COP-Truce Implementation: Promoting a temporary cessation of hostilities during the COP to facilitate uninterrupted climate negotiations.
• UN Involvement: Engaging the UN to mediate and support the truce initiative, leveraging its authority to foster global cooperation.

Financial Mechanisms

• Increasing Climate Finance: Mobilizing more than the initial $100 billion annual commitment, with a clear plan for grants and loans.
• Transparent Reporting: Ensuring transparent mechanisms for tracking and reporting climate finance contributions and expenditures.

Collaborative Frameworks

• Inclusive Processes: Encouraging inclusive negotiation processes that consider the needs and perspectives of all countries, particularly the most vulnerable.
• Strengthening Alliances: Building alliances and partnerships to support shared climate goals and enhance resilience against geopolitical tensions.

4. ‘India-Norway cooperation to witness manifold increase’

Context: India and Norway are set to significantly enhance their bilateral cooperation, with Norwegian businesses showing substantial interest in India. This increased cooperation is expected to flourish over the next decade, driven by mutual interests and strategic partnerships in various sectors.

Current Status of Cooperation

• Trade Relations: Strengthened by the recently signed trade pact between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Norway.
• Investment Interests: Norwegian businesses are particularly keen on investing in India, given its status as the fifth-largest and fastest-growing economy globally.

Key Sectors of Focus

• Renewable Energy: Norway aims to contribute to India’s renewable energy sector, promoting sustainable energy solutions.
• Maritime Sector: Collaboration in maritime infrastructure and technology to bolster economic and environmental benefits.
• Circular Economy: Focus on sustainable practices and resource management, emphasizing environmental preservation and economic efficiency.

Issues

Challenges in Bilateral Trade

• Regulatory Barriers: Differences in regulatory standards and trade policies that may affect smooth business operations.
• Market Penetration: Norwegian businesses may face challenges in penetrating the diverse and competitive Indian market.

Environmental Concerns

• Sustainability: Ensuring that economic cooperation does not compromise environmental sustainability.
• Ecosystem Preservation: Addressing the impact of industrial activities on shores, rivers, and other ecosystems.

Significance

Economic Growth

• Job Creation: The EFTA pact aims to create a million jobs, with Norway contributing significantly.
• Investment Opportunities: Enhanced investments from Norway can drive economic growth and development in India.

Strategic Partnership

• Government Relations: Strengthening ties between the governments of India and Norway, including at the state level.
• People-to-People Contact: Promoting cultural and social exchanges to foster mutual understanding and cooperation.

Solutions

Enhancing Trade Relations

• Streamlining Regulations: Harmonizing regulatory standards to facilitate smoother business operations.
• Market Support: Providing support and resources for Norwegian businesses to effectively penetrate the Indian market.

Environmental Initiatives

• Sustainable Practices: Implementing sustainable business practices to ensure environmental preservation.
• Collaborative Projects: Engaging in collaborative projects focused on preserving marine and other ecosystems.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

• Regular Summits: Hosting regular summits like the India-Nordic Summit to discuss and advance mutual interests.
• Government and Business Dialogues: Encouraging continuous dialogue between governments and businesses to address challenges and explore opportunities.

5. Major cause of inflammatory bowel disease discovered

Context: Researchers have identified a critical biochemical pathway responsible for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a significant breakthrough in understanding and potentially treating this autoimmune disorder. The findings open new avenues for treatment using existing medications.

Discovery of the Biochemical Pathway

• Gene Desert Exploration: Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, in collaboration with UCL and Imperial College London, studied a non-coding region of DNA associated with IBD.
• Enhancer and ETS2 Gene: They discovered an enhancer in this region that boosts the ETS2 gene, which is active in macrophages and linked to inflammatory functions.

Role of ETS2 in Inflammation

• Macrophage Activation: The enhancer increases ETS2 levels in macrophages, turning them into inflammatory cells similar to those found in IBD patients.
• Pathway Significance: Many genes linked to IBD are part of the ETS2 pathway, indicating its major role in the disease.

Current Treatments and Challenges

• Treatment Limitations: Existing IBD treatments are ineffective for some patients, and new drug development is hindered by an incomplete understanding of IBD causes.
• Need for Better Solutions: The increasing prevalence of IBD underscores the urgency for more effective treatments.

Issues

Genetic and Environmental Factors

• Complex Etiology: IBD is influenced by both genetic predispositions and environmental factors, complicating treatment approaches.
• Current Research Gaps: Despite advancements, understanding the full spectrum of IBD’s causes remains incomplete.

Treatment Side Effects

• MEK Inhibitors: Identified as potential treatments for reducing ETS2 activity, but they have side effects on other organs.
• Targeted Delivery: The challenge of delivering these drugs specifically to macrophages to minimize side effects.

Significance

Impact on IBD Patients

• Improved Quality of Life: Effective treatments could alleviate severe symptoms, improving patients’ daily lives and long-term health.
• Economic and Social Benefits: Reducing the burden of IBD can have positive effects on healthcare systems and patient productivity.

Advancement in Autoimmune Disease Research

• Broader Implications: The discovery of the ETS2 pathway can enhance understanding of other autoimmune diseases and lead to new therapeutic strategies.

Solutions

Drug Development and Delivery

• MEK Inhibitors: Research into safer delivery methods, such as targeting macrophages specifically, is ongoing.
• LifeArc Collaboration: Efforts to refine drug delivery mechanisms to minimize side effects and maximize efficacy.

Further Research and Clinical Trials

• Expanding Studies: Continued research to validate findings and explore other potential therapeutic targets within the ETS2 pathway.
• Patient Trials: Conducting clinical trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of new treatment approaches in IBD patients.