Current Affairs 06 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. ADB’s Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024 Unveils Massive Economic Consequences
2. US Presidential Election Underway: Harris vs. Trump in Tight Race
3. India’s Reservation Debate: Supreme Court Proposes “Quota-within-Quota”
4. Orphan Drugs
5. Tumaini Festival
6. Yanadi Tribe

ADB’s Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024 Unveils Massive Economic Consequences

Context:

Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently published its Asia-Pacific (APAC) Climate Report 2024, which puts forth the immense economic effects of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024
2. About Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Key Highlights of the Asia-Pacific Climate Report 2024

Economic Impacts on the Asia-Pacific Region

• Projected GDP Reductions: By 2070, high greenhouse gas emissions could lead to a 17% decrease in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s GDP, with the potential to escalate to 41% by 2100.
• Country-Specific Impacts: Notable declines are expected by 2070 with India seeing a 24.7% decrease, Bangladesh 30.5%, Vietnam 30.2%, and Indonesia 26.8%.

Human and Environmental Consequences

• Coastal Flooding Risks: Up to 300 million people could face coastal flooding by 2070, with projected annual damages possibly reaching USD 3 trillion.
• Decrease in Labor Productivity: The region could suffer a 4.9% loss in GDP from reduced labor productivity, with India facing a steeper loss of 11.6% due to increased cooling requirements.
• Temperature-Related Economic Decline: Regional GDP could drop by 3.3%, with India experiencing a sharper decrease of 5.1%.

Flooding and Environmental Degradation

• River Flooding Damages: By 2070, annual river flooding could cause damages worth USD 1.3 trillion across APAC, affecting over 110 million people.
• India’s Specific Losses: Residential damages could exceed USD 400 billion, with commercial damages surpassing USD 700 billion.
• Increased Weather Intensity: More frequent tropical storms and heavier rainfall could lead to exacerbated floods and landslides, especially in areas like the India-China border.
• Forest Productivity Loss: The APAC region might see a decrease in forest productivity by 10-30% by 2070, with India and Vietnam facing losses over 25%.

Policy and Climate Goals

• Net-Zero Emission Targets: 36 out of 44 Asian economies have set targets for reaching net-zero emissions, but only four have legal backing.
• Comparative Lag in Targets: India and China have set their net-zero goals for 2070 and 2060 respectively, trailing behind OECD economies, many of which aim for 2050.

Financial Strategies for Climate Adaptation

• Need for Increased Funding: The region requires an annual investment of USD 102–431 billion for climate adaptation, a steep increase from the USD 34 billion recorded between 2021 and 2022.
• Private Investment and Policy Enhancement: There’s a critical need for greater private investment and stronger policies to attract private climate finance.
• Emphasis on Renewable Energy and Carbon Markets: The report highlights significant opportunities to use renewable energy and carbon markets as cost-effective strategies for climate action.

About Asian Development Bank (ADB):

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966 to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• It is headquartered in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.
• The ADB was modelled closely on the World Bank and an official United Nations Observer.
• Japan holds the largest proportion of shares in ADB followed by the USA, and it has a weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members’ capital subscriptions (just like the World Bank).
• The bank admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP, formerly the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East or ECAFE) and non-regional developed countries.
• ADB defines itself as a social development organization that is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
• ADB aids in reducing poverty through investments in the form of loans, grants and information sharing (in infrastructure, health care services, financial and public administration systems), helping nations prepare for the impact of climate change or better manage their natural resources, as well as other areas.

-Source: The Hindu

US Presidential Election Underway: Harris vs. Trump in Tight Race

Context:

The US Presidential Election kicked off on November 5, featuring a highly anticipated contest between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. With the outcome heavily reliant on the Electoral College, the focus is on seven key “swing states” where the race is especially close. This tight competition across these pivotal states renders the final result of the election uncertain, capturing nationwide and global attention.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

U.S. Presidential Election Process

• The U.S. presidential election occurs every four years, determining the leadership for the President and Vice President of the United States.
• The election utilizes an indirect voting system where citizens vote for electors in the Electoral College, who in turn, elect the President and Vice President.

Constitutional Requirements for Presidential Candidates

• Citizenship: Candidates must be natural-born citizens of the United States.
• Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 35 years old.
• Residency: Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years.

Primary Elections and Caucuses

• Primaries and caucuses are held in each state to help political parties choose their presidential nominees.
• These events occur from early in the election year through the summer.
• Party members vote for their preferred presidential candidates, and delegates are chosen based on these preferences to represent the party at national conventions.

National Conventions

• After the primaries and caucuses, each party hosts a national convention where delegates formally nominate their presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
• Following the nominations, the candidates accept their party’s nomination and begin their general election campaigns.

The General Election

• The general election takes place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
• Voters in each state select electors who will represent their preferences in the Electoral College.

Electoral College Voting and Inauguration

• Electoral Vote: In December, the chosen electors meet in their state capitals to cast their ballots for President and Vice President.
• Congressional Count: These votes are tallied by Congress in early January, and the President-elect is officially announced.
• Inauguration Day: The President-elect is inaugurated on January 20, commencing their term in office.

Election mechanics

• Americans do not directly vote for their President. Instead, they vote to determine the composition of the Electoral College, which elects the President.
• There are 538 electors in the Electoral College, and 270 is the majority mark. Each state is allocated a specific number of electors, which is somewhat based on population.
• A vote cast in favour of a certain candidate is, in effect, meant to elect the candidate’s slate of electors in a state, who are chosen by the parties prior to the election.
• To win the presidency, a candidate needs to cobble together victories in enough states to reach the 270 mark in the Electoral College.
• Most states (with the exception of Maine and Nebraska) have a winner-takes-all system, which means whoever wins the popular mandate in the state secures its entire allocation in the Electoral College.
• This makes the result in most states — which are either firmly Democratic or Republican — a foregone conclusion before the first ballot is cast. It also means that certain states where the race is particularly close have outsize importance in the election.

Role of Swing Sta

• “Some states are known as ‘swing states’ or ‘battleground states’ for historically close races. This year, they are ‘must win’ for either Democratic or Republican candidates.”
• These states play a pivotal role, as the winner-takes-all system makes their outcome critical to securing the required 270 electoral votes.
• Swing states in this election year
• Currently, seven swing states in this US presidential election are Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada.
• This cluster has a total of 93 Electoral College votes and thus plays a huge role in targeting both campaigns by Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s campaigns.

-Source: Indian Express

India’s Reservation Debate: Supreme Court Proposes “Quota-within-Quota”

Context:

India’s reservation system has played a critical role in offering access to opportunities for historically marginalized groups, particularly Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). However, ongoing debates have raised questions about the equitable distribution of these benefits among various SC subgroups. In response, the Supreme Court has suggested a “quota-within-quota” approach to tackle these disparities. This proposal has sparked a nationwide discussion, focusing on whether data justifies such redistributive measures to ensure fairness within the reservation system.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About caste quota
2. Data from Different States:
3. Are reservations accessible?
4. Assessing the ‘Quota-Within-Quota’ Approach to Affirmative Action
5. The ‘quota-within-quota’ concept involves subdividing existing reservat
6. Conclusion

About caste quota

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, believed that formal legal equality (one person, one vote) would not be enough to dismantle the deeply entrenched inequalities of caste.
• Thus, reservations were mandated to become a mechanism to move from legal equality to substantive equality by creating opportunities for SCs and STs in higher education, public sector jobs, and government institutions.
• The argument underlying the Supreme Court verdict is that despite its progressive aims, India’s reservation system is plagued by uneven outcomes.
• Some SC groups seem to have progressed more than others over the decades. This has led to calls for a more nuanced approach to affirmative action — one that recognises the heterogeneity within the SC category itself.

Data from Different States:

Andhra Pradesh

• Our estimates reveal that while there are slight differences between the two major SC groups — Malas and Madigas — the disparities are not significant enough to warrant subdivision of the quota. By 2019, both groups had seen improvements in education and employment, and both were equally likely to benefit from white-collar jobs.

Tamil Nadu

• The two largest SC groups — Adi Dravida and Pallan —were almost indistinguishable in terms of socio-economic outcomes by 2019. But other States paint a more complicated picture.

Punjab

• SC quota has been subdivided since 1975, the data suggests that this policy has led to better outcomes for more disadvantaged SC groups, such as the Mazhabi Sikhs and Balmikis. These groups, once marginalised even within the SC category, have begun to catch up to more advanced groups such as the Ad Dharmis and Ravidasis.

Bihar

• Subdividing the SC quota into a “Mahadalit” category in 2007 is a cautionary tale. Initially designed to target the most marginalised SC groups, the policy eventually faltered as political pressure led to the inclusion of all SC groups in the Mahadalit category, effectively nullifying the purpose of the subdivision.

The broader takeaway from these findings is that while there is some heterogeneity within the SC category, the disparities between SC groups and upper-caste groups (general category) remain far more pronounced. In other words, the gap between SCs and the privileged castes is still much larger than the gap between different SC subgroups.

Are reservations accessible?

• We need good jati-wise data on actual use of reserved category positions. The closest we can get is based on a question from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) that asks potential beneficiaries if they have a caste certificate — a prerequisite for accessing reserved positions in education and employment.
• These numbers can be seen as proxy for actual access in the absence of authoritative official data.
• In States like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, less than 50% of SC households report having these certificates, meaning that a large portion of SCs are excluded from the benefits that are supposed to uplift them.
• Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh fare better, with over 60-70% of SC households holding caste certificates, but these States are the exception rather than the rule.
• This highlights a fundamental problem with the current system — access. Without ensuring that all eligible SCs can actually benefit from reservations, subdividing the quota becomes a secondary concern.
• The focus should first be on improving access to reservations across the board, ensuring that those who are entitled to these benefits can avail them.

Assessing the ‘Quota-Within-Quota’ Approach to Affirmative Action

The ‘quota-within-quota’ concept involves subdividing existing reservations among subgroups within Scheduled Castes (SCs) and other marginalized communities. This idea has yielded mixed results across various states in India, showing potential in some areas while raising concerns in others.

Regional Variations and Efficacy

• Localized Success: In states like Punjab, where disparities among SC subgroups are pronounced, subdividing quotas has proven beneficial, bringing more marginalized groups into mainstream opportunities.
• Unnecessary Complications: Conversely, in states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the data indicate that the benefits of reservations are already equitably distributed among SC groups, making further subdivisions redundant.

Political Dynamics and Policy Impact

• Political Exploitation: The experience in Bihar suggests that political motives can compromise the integrity of affirmative action. Policy decisions based on political gain rather than factual analysis can weaken the impact of reservations, reducing them to mere tools of political leverage rather than means of genuine social advancement.

Judicial Perspectives and Creamy Layer Concept

• Supreme Court’s Stance: The proposal to introduce a ‘creamy layer’ criterion for SCs, akin to that applied to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), lacks sufficient empirical support at present. This approach necessitates a careful review of how socio-economic advancements influence discrimination against historically marginalized groups.

Economic Factors and Reservation Benefits

• Financial Assistance: While quotas address representational disparities, monetary benefits like scholarships and lower fees should focus on need-based criteria to ensure that support reaches the most economically disadvantaged individuals.

Persistence of Stigma Despite Economic Gains

• Societal Bias: Advancements in economic status do not necessarily eradicate the deep-seated stigmatization faced by SCs. Instances of untouchability, though legally abolished, continue covertly and overtly, underscoring the enduring impact of social identity on discrimination.

The Need for Updated Data

• Data Deficiency: The lack of current and comprehensive data on caste-based disparities — exacerbated by delays in conducting the national Census — hampers effective policy formulation and reform. Accurate data is crucial for tailoring affirmative action policies that genuinely reflect and address the needs of marginalized populations.

Conclusion

While the idea of a ‘quota-within-quota’ has potential in specific regional contexts, its overall effectiveness is contingent on nuanced implementation that is sensitive to the varying needs and conditions of SC subgroups across different states. For affirmative action to fulfill its role as a catalyst for social justice, it must be underpinned by reliable data and implemented free from political manipulation. The journey towards eliminating caste-based disparities is ongoing, and policies must evolve based on robust evidence and an unwavering commitment to equity.

-Source: The Hindu

Orphan Drugs

Context:

India faces significant challenges in ensuring the development, affordability, and accessibility of orphan drugs, especially compared to other countries like the United States and the European Union.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Orphan Drugs
2. Classification of Orphan Drugs
3. India’s NPRD Classification for Rare Diseases
4. Criteria for Orphan Drug Designation
5. Incentives for Development

Orphan Drugs

• Orphan drugs are pharmaceutical agents developed specifically to treat rare (orphan) diseases.
• These diseases, though affecting only a small portion of the population, often lead to life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions.
• Definitions of orphan drugs vary depending on the regulatory framework. In the U.S., a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 2,00,000 people, while in the European Union, a disease must affect fewer than 1 in 10,000 people to be considered rare.
• Although there is no formal prevalence-based definition in India, the NPRD of 2021 outlines a framework for diagnosing and treating rare diseases, with a low prevalence threshold expected.
• The lack of a clear definition complicates the identification of orphan drugs and the addressing of needs of patients affected by these conditions.

Classification of Orphan Drugs

Orphan drugs are categorized based on the diseases they target, their stage in the drug development process, and their regulatory status. This classification is crucial for understanding the availability and potential efficacy of treatments for rare diseases.

Disease Categories

• Genetic Disorders: These include conditions such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which are inherited and typically require ongoing treatment throughout an individual’s life.
• Rare Cancers: Diseases like neuroblastoma and gliomas are categorized here. They are less common types of cancers, which often lack targeted treatments and carry a poorer prognosis.
• Metabolic Disorders: This category includes diseases like Gaucher’s disease and Fabry disease, which result from enzyme deficiencies affecting metabolism.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions such as systemic sclerosis fall under this category, involving the immune system mistakenly attacking the body’s own tissues.

Regulatory Status

• Approved Orphan Drugs: These have received approval from regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA), indicating they have passed rigorous testing for safety and efficacy.
• Orphan Drug Candidates: These are still undergoing clinical trials to gather necessary data on their effectiveness and safety before they can gain regulatory approval.

India’s NPRD Classification for Rare Diseases

India’s National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 outlines a strategic classification to guide treatment approaches across different conditions:

• Group 1: Includes curable disorders through one-time interventions, such as Lysosomal Storage Disorders treatable with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.
• Group 2: Encompasses diseases requiring long-term or lifelong management but are less costly to treat, such as Phenylketonuria and Maple Syrup Urine Disease.
• Group 3: Covers conditions where treatment is available but is often expensive and requires lifelong care, including diseases like Gaucher Disease and Pompe Disease.

Criteria for Orphan Drug Designation

To be designated as an orphan drug, a medication must meet specific criteria:

• Low Prevalence: The disease must affect a small percentage of the population.
• Unmet Medical Need: There must be a lack of approved treatments, or the orphan drug must offer significant therapeutic benefits over existing options.
• Evidence of Potential Benefit: Developers must provide scientific evidence demonstrating the drug’s potential to treat or alleviate the disease. This evidence can be from any stage of development, from preclinical studies to late-stage clinical trials.

Incentives for Development

Orphan drugs receive several incentives to stimulate their development, crucial for encouraging pharmaceutical companies to invest in treatments for rare diseases:

• Market Exclusivity: This prevents competitors from entering the market with similar products for a specific period.
• Tax Credits: Offered for research and development costs to reduce financial risk.
• Fee Waivers: For regulatory applications to lower the barrier to entry in the drug approval process.

-Source: The Hindu

Tumaini Festival

Context:

Tumaini Festival in Malawi unites refugees and locals through music, art, and crafts, fostering connection and hope.

Relevance:

GS I: History

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Tumaini Festival
2. Malawi
3. Dzaleka Refugee Camp

Tumaini Festival

Founded in 2014, the Tumaini Festival is a unique cultural event held annually within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, making it the only festival of its kind globally. Organized and managed by refugees, the festival serves as a vital platform for displaced people to promote community, solidarity, and cultural exchange. Each year, it draws thousands of attendees and features a vibrant mix of global performances.

Highlights of the Festival

• Cultural Diversity: The festival showcases an eclectic range of artistic expressions, including music, dance, theater, and visual arts from around the world.
• Engagement: Managed by the refugees themselves, it encourages a deep sense of involvement and empowerment within the refugee community.
• Recognition: In 2024, the festival was honored with the Cultures of Resistance Award (CoR Award), recognizing its impact and contribution to cultural preservation and solidarity through the arts.

Malawi:

Malawi is a landlocked nation in Southeastern Africa known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Despite its scenic beauty and cultural richness, Malawi is among the world’s poorest countries, with an economy heavily reliant on agriculture.

Key Facts about Malawi

• Geography: Malawi covers an area of 118,484 sq. km and shares borders with Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia.
• Capital and Languages: The capital city is Lilongwe, and the major languages spoken are English and Chichewa, both of which are official.
• Natural Features: The country is renowned for Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi), one of the deepest lakes globally, which occupies more than one-fifth of the country’s total area.
• Economic Overview: Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi’s economy, employing over 80% of the population.

Dzaleka Refugee Camp:

The Dzaleka Refugee Camp was established in 1994 as Malawi’s only permanent refugee camp, originally set up in response to the influx of people fleeing the devastating impacts of genocide, violence, and wars in regions like Burundi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over the years, it has expanded to accommodate refugees and asylum seekers from a broader array of countries, including Somalia and Ethiopia, serving as a crucial haven for those in dire need.

Significance of the Camp

• Refugee Influx: For nearly three decades, Dzaleka has been a critical refuge for thousands seeking safety and a new start away from conflict and turmoil.
• Community and Culture: The camp has become a melting pot of cultures and stories, with the Tumaini Festival emerging as a central, unifying event that highlights the resilience and creativity of its residents.

-Source: The Hindu

Yanadi Tribe

Context:

Three runaway Yanadi tribe children traced, restored to family.

Relevance:

GS II: Tribes

Yanadi Tribe

The Yanadi tribe is one of the significant scheduled tribes in the southeastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, particularly prevalent in the district of Nellore. Known for their deep connection to the natural environment, the Yanadis are considered one of India’s most vulnerable tribal groups due to their socio-economic conditions.

Socio-Economic Conditions

• The Yanadi tribe faces extreme poverty and social exclusion, limiting their access to resources and opportunities for advancement.
• As per the 2001 census, there are approximately 462,167 Yanadi individuals in Andhra Pradesh, making them a significant cultural and demographic presence in the region.
• Their mother tongue is Telugu, which they share with the majority of Andhra Pradesh’s population.

Cultural and Occupational Practices

• Historically, the Yanadis have engaged in hunting, gathering, and agriculture. Their survival has closely depended on their extensive knowledge of the local land and its resources.
• They possess a rich repository of traditional health knowledge, utilizing various plants to treat ailments ranging from gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders to skin conditions and reproductive health issues.

Cultural Identity

• The Yanadi tribe has a profound spiritual connection with the forest, which is reflected in their religious practices and the celebration of numerous festivals linked to the forest flora.
• This traditional dance is an integral part of Yanadi cultural expression, performed during festivals and special occasions to celebrate their heritage and communal bonds.

-Source: The Hindu