Current Affairs 17 March 2025

Content:

1. 31 killed in U.S. strikes on Yemen; Houthis hit back
2. Tackling the problem of nutrition
3. Should cancer be a notifiable disease?
4. What is Elon Musk’s Starlink all about?
5. New Bill proposes jail term up to 7 years for using forged passport
6. Centre has approved Chandrayaan-5 mission: ISRO
7. In a 2014 judgment, Supreme Court had favoured ‘linguistic secularism’
8. 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

1. Community Ownership: Engage local elites for awareness and acceptance.
2. 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

1. Diversity of Cancer Types
   1. Ranges from benign to highly malignant.
   1. Diagnosis involves complex and multi-stage identification.
   1. 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.

• 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.