Content:
- 31 killed in U.S. strikes on Yemen; Houthis hit back
- Tackling the problem of nutrition
- Should cancer be a notifiable disease?
- What is Elon Musk’s Starlink all about?
- New Bill proposes jail term up to 7 years for using forged passport
- Centre has approved Chandrayaan-5 mission: ISRO
- In a 2014 judgment, Supreme Court had favoured ‘linguistic secularism’
- Immunising the elderly is crucial for disease prevention, say experts
31 killed in U.S. strikes on Yemen; Houthis hit back
Background & Context
- The U.S. has carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled regions, marking the first direct military action under Donald Trump’s administration.
- The Houthis, backed by Iran, have been targeting Red Sea shipping routes and Israeli interests in the ongoing Gaza war.
- The strikes are part of U.S. efforts to deter Houthi aggression and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Key Developments
- Casualties & Damage:
- At least 31 people killed, including women and children, as per Houthi sources.
- 101 wounded, mostly civilians.
- Strikes targeted Sanaa, Saada, Al-Bayda, and Radaa.
- Houthi Response:
- Hours after the attack, Houthis claimed they launched 18 missiles and a drone at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman and its escorting warships in the Red Sea.
- They vowed that the U.S. “aggression” will not go unanswered.
- U.S. Reaction:
- Trump warned of “overwhelming lethal force” if Houthi attacks continue.
- He issued a direct threat to Iran, stating that Tehran must immediately end support for the Houthis or face consequences.
- Iran’s Response:
- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes, stating the U.S. had “no authority” to dictate Iran’s foreign policy.
Geopolitical Implications
- Escalation Risk:
- The situation could spiral into a wider regional conflict involving Iran, potentially dragging the U.S. into another Middle Eastern war.
- U.S. strikes could provoke Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to retaliate.
- Impact on Red Sea Trade:
- Houthi attacks have already disrupted global trade, forcing shipping companies to reroute vessels via longer and costlier paths.
- Further escalation may destabilize oil markets and increase shipping insurance premiums.
- U.S.-Iran Relations:
- The incident puts additional strain on already tense U.S.-Iran relations.
- Iran may strengthen its support for the Houthis and other proxies in response to Trump’s threats.
Tackling the problem of nutrition
Context : Budget 2025 and Nutrition Focus
- While health was not prioritized, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 received higher allocations.
- Question: Will these schemes address India’s nutrition crisis effectively?
Relevance : GS 2(Nutrition Security)
Multidimensional Nature of Malnutrition
- Beyond food insecurity, nutrition is influenced by culture, caste, and gender.
- Policy focus is narrow, emphasizing women (reproductive age) and children, ignoring:
- Women beyond reproductive age, men, and senior citizens.
- Rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (NCDs).
Key Nutrition Statistics (NFHS-5)
- 36% of children under five are stunted; only 11% of breastfed children get an adequate diet.
- 57% of women (15-49 years) are anaemic.
- 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight/obese; 14% take diabetes medication.
Evaluating Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi
- Focus on take-home rations, supplements, and iron/folic acid tablets.
- Shortcomings:
- Reinforces regional bias (malnutrition seen as a rural problem).
- Ignores middle-class dietary habits, NCDs, and urban malnutrition.
Need for a Comprehensive Nutrition Agenda
- Should include:
- Addressing all population groups, not just maternal and child health.
- Locally rooted solutions using nutrient-rich indigenous foods.
- Institutional linkage via Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
Strengthening HWCs for Nutrition Services
- Expand coverage to adolescents, elderly, and urban poor.
- Ensure equitable distribution (currently rural-heavy).
- Need for dedicated nutrition personnel, as current staff handle multiple responsibilities.
Key Success Factors
- Community Ownership: Engage local elites for awareness and acceptance.
- Linking Nutrition to Local Cuisines: Promote indigenous, nutrient-dense foods over processed diets.
Should cancer be a notifiable disease?
Context and Policy Evolution
- Current stance: The Union government resists making cancer a notifiable disease, citing its non-communicable nature.
- Shifts in notification policies:
- 2024: Snakebites made notifiable despite being non-infectious.
- 1995 (U.S.): Lead poisoning listed as a notifiable disease, setting a precedent for NCD surveillance.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Governance)
Rationale Behind Disease Notification
- Primary goal: Control contagious diseases through legal mandates on reporting.
- Notifiable diseases: Require rapid intervention due to immediate public health risks (e.g., outbreaks, direct transmission).
- Cancer’s unique nature:
- Not directly transmissible.
- Requires long-term management rather than emergency response.
Challenges in Making Cancer Notifiable
- Diversity of Cancer Types
- Ranges from benign to highly malignant.
- Diagnosis involves complex and multi-stage identification.
- Legal mandates may not improve patient outcomes.
- Privacy Concerns and Stigma
- Disease notification laws prioritize public health over individual privacy.
- Cancer still carries stigma, leading to reluctance in seeking treatment.
- Existing State health laws grant broad powers to local authorities, raising concerns over patient rights.
- Existing Cancer Surveillance Framework
- National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) (established 1982) already collects crucial data:
- Patient demographics, cancer type, stage, treatment, and survival outcomes.
- National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) (established 1982) already collects crucial data:
- Gaps in NCRP coverage:2022 data: 269 hospital-based and 38 population-based registries—insufficient for national surveillance.Hospital-based registries must extend to all district headquarters hospitals.Population-based registries should be established in every district.
A Better Alternative: Strengthening Cancer Registries
- Expanding NCRP ensures comprehensive data collection at tertiary and district-level hospitals.
- Encouraging voluntary reporting rather than legal mandates avoids burdening physicians and preserves privacy.
- Improving screening programs enhances early detection and timely intervention.
- Incorporating private hospitals into NCRP for wider data coverage.
What is Elon Musk’s Starlink all about?
What is Starlink?
- Starlink is a satellite-based internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
- It consists of a low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation of 7,000+ satellites, providing global internet coverage.
- Requires ground terminals (user equipment) to access the internet.
- Offers speeds of ~100 Mbps, but latency is higher than wired broadband.
Relevance : GS 3(Science , Technology)
Starlink’s Utility in India
- Not beneficial in urban areas where 5G and fiber broadband are faster and more reliable.
- Key for rural and remote areas, offering connectivity where terrestrial networks are absent.
- Provides an instant internet solution in areas where infrastructure development is slow.
Regulatory Hurdles in India
- GMPCS Authorisation: Needed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 for satellite communication services.
- Security Clearance: Ministry of Home Affairs approval pending.
- Ground Station Regulations: Indian law requires telecom networks to have tapping provisions for security agencies.
- Spectrum Allocation:
- Indian government does not favor auctions for satellite spectrum.
- Jio and Airtel earlier demanded auctions, citing the Supreme Court’s 2012 ruling on scarce resources (2G spectrum case).
- The government may allocate spectrum directly (common international practice).
Trade & Geopolitical Influence
- U.S. Trade Pressure:
- Elon Musk has increasing influence in the U.S. government.
- Potential U.S. lobbying to fast-track Starlink’s entry.
- India-U.S. Relations:
- Strong trade ties could influence regulatory decisions in favor of Starlink.
- Starlink’s entry might be fast-tracked if U.S. pressure intensifies.
Recent Developments
- Airtel & Jio Agreements:
- Signed distribution pacts despite earlier opposition.
- Indicates a possible softening stance on satellite broadband.
- No Official Announcements:
- Regulatory approvals still pending.
- Government’s final decision on spectrum allocation remains uncertain.
New Bill proposes jail term up to 7 years for using forged passport
Context : Provisions of the Bill
- Stricter penalties for using forged documents
- Imprisonment: 2 to 7 years
- Fine: ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh
- Illegal entry without valid documents
- Jail term: Up to 5 years
- Fine: Up to ₹5 lakh
- Mandatory reporting by institutions
- Hotels, universities, hospitals, and nursing homes must report foreign nationals for tracking overstayers.
- Airlines and ships to submit passenger and crew manifests at Indian ports.
- Comprehensive framework
- The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 aims to regulate all immigration-related matters.
- Repeals four existing laws:
- The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
- The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
- The Foreigners Act, 1946
- The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000
Significance of the Bill
- National security:
- Strengthens immigration control to prevent illegal entry, exit, and overstay.
- Helps in tracking foreigners to mitigate risks of espionage, terrorism, and other threats.
- Ease of business and tourism:
- Simplifies legal framework by replacing multiple outdated laws.
- Ensures better compliance while reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
- Legal modernization:
- Aligns with global best practices in immigration and border security.
- Introduces stricter penal provisions to curb identity fraud and unauthorized stay.
- Impact on foreigners in India:
- Foreigners on long-term visas (more than 180 days) must continue registering with FRRO/FRO within 14 days.
- Stricter penalties may lead to better compliance with visa rules.
Potential Challenges & Criticism
- Enforcement Issues:
- Effective implementation requires robust tracking and verification mechanisms.
- Dependence on multiple agencies (FRRO, police, airlines) could lead to bureaucratic delays.
- Tourism and business impact:
- Stricter penalties may discourage foreign investments and tourism if not balanced well.
- Need for clear guidelines to avoid harassment of genuine travelers.
- Human Rights Concerns:
- Possible misuse of the law for targeting specific groups.
- Need for fair appeal mechanisms to ensure justice..
Centre has approved Chandrayaan-5 mission: ISRO
Overview of Chandrayaan-5 Approval
- The Government of India has officially approved the Chandrayaan-5 mission.
- Announcement made by ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan in Chennai.
- Marks another significant step in India’s lunar exploration program.
Relevance : GS 3(Science and Technology)
Key Features of Chandrayaan-5
- Unlike Chandrayaan-3, which had a 25-kg rover ‘Pragyan’, Chandrayaan-5 will carry a 250-kg rover.
- Expected to have advanced scientific instruments for enhanced lunar surface studies.
- Likely to focus on longer operational capability and mobility on the Moon.
Strategic Importance
- Expands India’s capability in robotic lunar exploration.
- Helps in detailed mineralogical and geological studies of the Moon.
- Strengthens ISRO’s role in global lunar exploration programs.
Link to Chandrayaan-4 & Future Lunar Missions
- Chandrayaan-4, planned for 2027, is designed to bring lunar samples to Earth.
- Chandrayaan-5 likely follows Chandrayaan-4, potentially aiding in on-site lunar analysis before sample return missions.
- Aligns with ISRO’s long-term plans for sustainable lunar exploration.
Global Context & Comparisons
- NASA’s Artemis program also focuses on detailed lunar exploration with future manned missions.
- China’s Chang’e missions have emphasized both rover exploration and sample return, similar to Chandrayaan-4 & 5.
- India’s step-wise approach strengthens indigenous space capabilities and future international collaborations.
Technological and Scientific Advancements
- Possible use of nuclear-powered energy sources for extended lunar operations.
- Integration of AI-based navigation and autonomous decision-making in the rover.
- Potential use of 3D mapping technologies to study lunar surface anomalies.
Economic and Diplomatic Implications
- Boosts India’s space sector, fostering commercial and research collaborations.
- Enhances India’s global reputation in space technology, attracting investments in private space enterprises.
- Strengthens India’s participation in lunar governance and international space policy dialogues.
Challenges and Future Considerations
- Budgetary and funding allocations need to be assessed.
- Technical challenges in heavy payload deployment and mobility in extreme lunar conditions.
- Coordination with global space agencies for possible data-sharing or joint missions.
Conclusion
- Chandrayaan-5 is a crucial step in India’s lunar exploration roadmap, with advanced rover capabilities.
- ISRO’s progressive missions—Chandrayaan-3, 4, and 5—establish a structured approach towards deep-space research.
- This mission will play a vital role in India’s aspirations for a sustainable lunar presence and future planetary exploration.
In a 2014 judgment, Supreme Court had favoured ‘linguistic secularism’
Background & Context
- The debate over the language formula in the National Education Policy (NEP) remains contentious.
- A 2014 Supreme Court judgment (U.P. Hindi Sahitya Sammelan vs State of U.P.) upheld the idea of linguistic secularism, emphasizing an accommodative approach to language laws.
Relevance : GS 2 (Governance ,Constitution)
Key Observations of the 2014 Judgment
- The court ruled that Indian language laws are not rigid but organic and accommodative.
- It highlighted that law and language in India evolve organically, ensuring linguistic secularism.
- The ruling referenced Constitutional expert H.M. Seervai, who explained the Constituent Assembly’s 1949 compromise on language policy.
Hindi as an ‘Official Language’, Not a ‘National Language’
- Article 343 declared Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language, but not the national language.
- Rationale:
- Hindi was not spoken across all parts of India.
- Though spoken by the largest group, it did not constitute the majority of the population.
- Other languages (Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati) were also well-developed and had large-speaking populations.
Article 351 & Hindi Promotion
- Article 351 mandates the Union Government to promote Hindi as a medium of cultural expression.
- However, Allahabad High Court’s 1982 ruling (Sunil K.R. Sahastrabudhey vs Director, IIT Kanpur) clarified that:
- Hindi is not a national language.
- The Constitution imposes a duty to promote Hindi but does not grant citizens the right to demand education in Hindi.
Protection of Linguistic Diversity (Article 29(1))
- Article 29(1) guarantees that every linguistic or cultural group has the fundamental right to conserve its language, script, and culture.
- This protection applies equally to majority and minority communities.
Right to Choose Medium of Instruction
- State of Karnataka vs Associated Management of Primary & Secondary Schools (SC judgment):
- Article 19 (freedom of speech & expression) includes a student’s right to choose their medium of instruction at the primary level.
- The state cannot impose control over language choice in education.
- Referenced the 1924 U.S. Supreme Court case (Pierce v. Society of Sisters of Holy Names):
- “A child is not a mere creature of the State.”
Implications for National Education Policy (NEP)
- The SC ruling supports linguistic flexibility, which contradicts concerns of Hindi imposition under the NEP.
- Language policies should be accommodative rather than coercive, recognizing regional linguistic aspirations.
- The judgment strengthens the constitutional validity of multilingualism in education.
Immunising the elderly is crucial for disease prevention, say experts
Context and Significance
- Elderly vaccination remains underprioritised in India’s public health framework.
- No dedicated national immunisation schedule exists for the elderly, despite their vulnerability to infections.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues , Health)
Importance of Elderly Vaccination
- High disease burden: 50% of severe pneumonia cases occur in older adults.
- Global concern: Pneumonia alone causes 156 million cases worldwide, with 800,000 deaths annually in India.
- Common preventable diseases: Influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis, shingles, and foodborne infections can be mitigated through vaccination.
Vaccine Hesitancy & Awareness Issues
- Misinformation & complacency:
- 60% of adults believe other health measures are better than vaccines.
- 43% feel they are not at risk of falling ill.
- Need for targeted awareness campaigns to correct misconceptions.
Challenges in Elderly Immunisation
- Cost barriers: Vaccination expenses often deter senior citizens from getting immunised.
- Lack of vaccine clinics: Dedicated elderly vaccination centres are limited.
- Health insurance gap: Immunisation is not adequately covered under most insurance plans.
Way Forward
- Developing a national immunisation program tailored for the elderly.
- Expanding insurance coverage to include vaccinations.
- Setting up vaccine clinics at hospitals and community centres.
- Public awareness drives to tackle vaccine hesitancy.