Current Affairs 27 January 2025

Content:

1. Mullaperiyar Dam: Centre Forms Supervisory Panel
2. Thyroid Disorders: Importance of Regular Check-Ups
3. Assam Tea Workers and Post-TB Fungal Disease
4. Indian Space Programme Breaks Into 2025 with PSLV-C60
5. Where Did Dinosaurs First Evolve?
6. The Enduring Commitment to the Indo-Pacific
7. Should Governors Head State Universities?

Mullaperiyar: Centre formed supervisory panel 2 months ago

Recent Development:

• The Supreme Court asked Tamil Nadu and Kerala to choose between the court-constituted supervisory committee and a panel under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, for managing the Mullaperiyar Dam.
• This follows the Union government’s creation of a new supervisory committee on November 21, 2024.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance, Administration)

Structure of the New Supervisory Committee:

• Seven-member panel led by the Chairman of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
• Includes:
  • Two representatives each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • A nodal officer from the International Centre for Excellence on Dams, IISc Bengaluru.
  • A Member (Disaster & Resilience) in the NDSA serving as Member-Secretary.

Key Responsibilities:

• Periodic inspection of the dam.
• Monitoring safety measures.
• Recommending and overseeing implementation of safety-related actions by Tamil Nadu.

Historical Background:

• May 2014 Supreme Court Judgment:
  • Directed the formation of a supervisory committee under the Union government in July 2014.
• The 2014 panel was reconstituted later, adding one technical member each from Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Challenges with Previous Supervisory Committee:

• Tamil Nadu farmers and water experts criticized its effectiveness.
• Allegations that it failed to ensure Kerala’s cooperation for dam-strengthening works.

Recent Cooperation:

• In December 2023, Kerala permitted Tamil Nadu to procure materials for maintenance work at the dam.

Current Questions:

• Whether forming another supervisory committee is necessary.
• Supreme Court to deliberate on the matter during the next hearing on February 19, 2025.

Legal and Administrative Implications:

• Under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the NDSA assumes the role of the State Dam Safety Organization (SDSO) for inter-state dams.
• Clarity on the supervisory framework may emerge after additional affidavits and court deliberations.

Mullaperiyar Dam:

• Location and Purpose: The Mullaperiyar Dam is situated on the Mullaperiyar River in Kerala, India, and diverts water to the Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu for irrigation purposes, benefiting arid regions of Tamil Nadu.

• Construction and Age: Built in 1895 by the British, the dam is one of the oldest in India, with a height of 53.6 meters and a length of 365.7 meters.

• Interstate Dispute: The dam has been the subject of a prolonged dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over its safety, with Kerala raising concerns about its structural integrity and the risks to downstream populations.

‘Keep a watch on thyroid disorders and do regular check-ups’

Overview of Thyroid Disorders:

• The thyroid gland produces thyroxine, essential for the body’s normal functioning.
  • Disorders:
    • Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormone levels.
    • Hyperthyroidism: Excess thyroid hormone levels.
  • Swelling of the thyroid is a common occurrence, but not all swellings are malignant.

Relevance: GS 2(Health)

Statistics:

• 40%-50% of the population may have undiagnosed thyroid issues.
  • Thyroid cancers are curable in 90% of cases with timely treatment.

Symptoms Indicating Thyroid Issues:

• Gradual weight gain or loss.
  • Lethargy, sleepiness, lack of interest in work, and fatigue.
  • Constipation or diarrhoea, menstrual irregularities.
  • Persistent palpitations, sweating, chronic cough.
  • Difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
  • Delayed growth in children.

Testing and Diagnosis:

• Thyroid function tests are essential and can often be included in routine health packages.
  • Imaging and clinical examinations help in early intervention and minimize morbidity.

Thyroid Disorders in Pregnancy:

• Second most common disorder after diabetes in pregnancy.
  • Physiological changes in pregnancy may mimic thyroid disorders, requiring early detection and management.
  • Endocrine evaluations are crucial, especially post-pregnancy, as these changes may persist for a year.

Risk Factors:

• Higher risk groups: Adolescents, pregnant women, men above 40, and women above 50.
  • Stress, anxiety, and depression act as endocrine disruptors, contributing to thyroid disorders.

Advice from Experts:

• Regular check-ups and monitoring are critical for early detection and treatment.
• Even asymptomatic thyroid swellings should not be ignored.

Assam tea workers prone to post-TB fungal disease: study

Context:

• A study has identified chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), a life-threatening fungal infection, among post-TB survivors in Assam’s tea plantations.
• Published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, it is the first of its kind focusing on tea workers.

Relevance : GS 2(Health )

TB Prevalence in Assam Tea Belts:

• Major public health issue in the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys.
• TB prevalence: 217 per 1,00,000 population (2019-2021 National TB Prevalence Survey).
• Risk factors include:
  • Poverty, malnutrition, and kitchen smoke.
  • Close contact with TB patients and congested living conditions.

Key Findings of the Study:

• Researchers examined 128 patients from tea garden hospitals in Dibrugarh district.
• Prevalence of CPA recorded at 17.18%.
  • Seropositivity:
    • 18.5% in active TB cases.
    • 48.9% in post-TB patients, highlighting its status as a post-TB health issue.
• CPA is more prevalent in middle-aged male workers (80 males vs. 48 females).
• Assam’s CPA prevalence (60 per 1,00,000) exceeds the global average of 42, surpassing African countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (20-50).

Implications for Public Health:

• CPA occurs in pre-existing lung cavities, sharing clinical features with TB, complicating diagnosis.
• Suggested measures include:
  • Testing for Aspergillus antibodies in patients with respiratory symptoms post-TB treatment.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Recommended Interventions:

• Training healthcare providers to recognize CPA symptoms.
• Educating tea workers about:
  • Respiratory health, nutrition, and hygiene.
• Targeted campaigns in tea garden hospitals and TB care facilities.

Related Context:

• A 2019 study on epidemic dropsy in Assam highlighted nutritional health risks.
• Dropsy results from consuming oils contaminated with Argemone mexicana (a Mexican poppy).

Indian space programme breaks into 2025 in ‘mission mode’

PSLV-C60 Mission: Foundation for Chandrayaan-4 & Bharatiya Antariksh Station

• Launched on: December 30, 2024, from Sriharikota.
• Payload: SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) satellites, a key step toward lunar and space station docking.
• Milestones Achieved:
  • January 16, 2025: Successful in-orbit docking and stabilisation of SpaDeX satellites.
  • Enabled power transfer and initiated undocking protocols.

Relevance : GS 3(Space)

POEM4: Orbital Testbed

• PSLV’s fourth stage, repurposed as a satellite, hosted 24 payloads from ISRO, academia, and private industry.
• Key Experiments:
  • Robotic arms tested debris capture and relocation.
  • Plant studies: Germination of cowpea seeds (CROPS).
  • Green propulsion tests: Manastu Space (MS289 fuel) and Bellatrix Aerospace (RUDRA engine).
  • Amateur communications: Successful transmissions from SwetchaSAT-V0 and BGS-ARPIT.
  • Scientific payloads: GalaxEye’s SAR imagery and TakeMe2Space’s AI processing in orbit.

Indian Space Startups on SpaceX’s Transporter 12

• Pixxel Space: Launched 3 Firefly hyperspectral satellites, forming India’s first private satellite constellation.
• Digantara: Deployed a space camera for tracking objects in low-Earth orbit.
• XDLINX Labs: Delivered a communications satellite for U.S.-based Almagest Space.

Infrastructure and Technological Advancements

• New Launch Pad: Approved at ₹3,984.86 crore, to be ready by 2029, supporting human spaceflight and the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV).
• Engine Technology:
  • Successfully tested Vikas engine restart capability at Mahendragiri.
  • This innovation supports atmospheric operations and enhances mission flexibility.

Aditya-L1 and Solar Data

• Marked a year of operations by releasing the first tranche of data on January 6, 2025.
• Mission continues to study the sun and its effects on the inner solar system.

Where did dinosaurs first evolve?

• The evolution of dinosaurs, one of Earth’s most fascinating prehistoric lineages, traces back to the late Triassic Period, approximately 245–230 million years ago.

• Researchers propose that dinosaurs likely originated in the low-latitude regions of Gondwana, near the equator.

• This vast area, part of the supercontinent Pangaea, encompasses what are now northern South America and northern Africa, regions separated today by plate tectonics into the Amazon rainforest and the Sahara desert.

Relevance :GS 3(Science )

Key Evidence Supporting Gondwana’s Role:

• Oldest-Known Fossils: Early dinosaur fossils, including Eoraptor and Herrerasaurus from Argentina, Saturnalia from Brazil, and Mbiresaurus raathi from Zimbabwe, share features that suggest millions of years of prior evolution.
• Gaps in the Fossil Record: Researchers point to significant gaps in the fossil record in the modern Sahara and Amazon regions, which could potentially host the remains of even earlier dinosaurs.

The Environment in Early Gondwana:

• Dinosaurs likely emerged in harsh climates, characterized by extreme heat, dry deserts, savannah-like habitats, and some forested areas prone to seasonal wildfires.
• These regions were previously thought unsuitable for early dinosaur survival, but evidence suggests they adapted to these challenging conditions.

Evolutionary Context:

• Dinosaurs evolved from more primitive reptiles following the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period (252 million years ago), caused by extreme volcanism.
• The sparse fossil record from equatorial Gondwana may be attributed to unfavorable conditions for fossil preservation and limited exploration due to logistical challenges in regions like the Amazon and the Sahara.

Implications:

This research not only reshapes our understanding of dinosaur origins but also underscores the potential of unexplored fossil-rich regions to fill critical gaps in Earth’s evolutionary history.

An enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific

• The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States marks a significant moment in global geopolitics, with particular attention to the Indo-Pacific.

•  His renewed presidency is expected to emphasize a more assertive U.S. security posture and stronger alliances, particularly within the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, and the U.S.).

• The Indo-Pacific remains central to U.S. strategic priorities, reflecting a commitment to ensuring regional stability through defense, economic, and technological cooperation with like-minded nations.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Importance of the Indo-Pacific

Strategic Recalibration:

• During Trump’s first term, the U.S. adopted the term “Indo-Pacific,” replacing “Asia-Pacific.”
  • This shift expanded the focus from East Asia and the Pacific Rim to include the Indian Ocean, highlighting maritime security and counterbalancing China’s influence.
  • It integrated defense, security, and political considerations with economic cooperation, underscoring the region’s global trade and stability significance.

Structural Changes in U.S. Defense Policy:

• The renaming of the U.S. Pacific Command to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (2018) showcased operational emphasis on the region.
  • Specialized units were created in the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance collaboration with Indo-Pacific allies and partners.

Revival of the Quad:

• The Trump administration revitalized the Quad, elevating it to a ministerial-level dialogue.
  • Focus areas included maritime security, supply chain resilience, and technological standards, reflecting a convergence of strategic interests among its members.

Continuity under Joe Biden:

• The Biden administration maintained the Indo-Pacific framework and elevated the Quad through summits and expanded its agenda to include vaccines, climate change, and critical technologies.
  • The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (2022) balanced strategic goals with economic engagement, reinforcing the region’s rules-based order.

Prospects in Trump 2.0

Hard Power Dynamics:

• The Trump administration is expected to take a more assertive stance on China, focusing on hard power and security frameworks.
  • Collaboration with Quad partners—India, Japan, and Australia—will be strengthened, sharing the burden of regional security.

Quad’s Role:

• A Quad foreign ministers’ meeting on January 21, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reaffirmed U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
  • The meeting emphasized maritime security, resilient supply chains, and adherence to international law while opposing unilateral actions to alter the status quo.

Regional Focus:

• Early bilateral meetings, including India as the first, highlight the strategic emphasis on Quad partners.
  • The Quad Summit to be hosted by India will serve as a platform for advancing regional peace, stability, and technological security.

Should Governors Head State Universities?

• The role of the Governor as Chancellor of State universities has become a contentious issue, often politicized and undermining the autonomy of universities, especially in Opposition-ruled states.

• This position, inherited from colonial rule, is now seen as outdated, contributing to governance issues and political interference. Reform models have been proposed to shift power away from the Governor and into more academically focused hands, ensuring that universities can function independently of political agendas.

Relevance : GS 2(Polity ,Governance )

Historical Context and Political Influence

Colonial Legacy:

• The post of Chancellor, given to Governors of colonial presidencies, was meant to maintain direct British control over universities. This role was inherited by post-Independence Indian states, even though it was not part of the Constitution of India but a state-specific law.
  • Originally, the Governor held executive powers such as appointing Vice-Chancellors and nominating members to university bodies. This model was designed to control rather than protect university autonomy.

Shift Post-1967:

• After 1967, when political power in several states shifted from Congress to regional or opposition parties, the Governor’s role became more politicized. Governors, often appointed by the Centre, began acting as political agents of the ruling party, particularly influencing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors and other university decisions, leading to conflict with State governments.

Political Appointment of Governors:

• The trend of appointing political loyalists as Governors has exacerbated the issue. Studies show that a significant number of Governors were active politicians before their appointment, further diminishing the office’s credibility.

Constitutional and Legal Issues

Dual Role of Governors:

• Constitutionally, Governors have a dual role: they function as constitutional heads of the state, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers, and as Chancellors, where they can act independently in university matters. This dichotomy often leads to tensions, especially when a Governor exercises discretionary powers that bypass the State government’s advice, causing delays in critical decisions like Vice-Chancellor appointments.

Comparing with the President’s Role:

• While the Governor’s role in State universities is unilateral, the President of India, as the Visitor of Central universities, works in consultation with the Ministry of Education, ensuring more coordination and legislative oversight. This discrepancy highlights the flaws in the current system of governance at State universities.

Challenges with the Current System

Governance and Accountability Issues:

• Governors wield significant power over universities but lack accountability, leading to conflicting demands from different authorities. This creates a dysfunctional governance system where universities serve two masters—State governments and the Governor—often with differing priorities.

• Delays in decision-making, especially regarding Vice-Chancellor appointments, lead to administrative paralysis, affecting academic schedules, staff recruitment, and project implementation.

Political Interference:

• Instead of safeguarding universities from political interference, the Governor’s role has become a tool for advancing political agendas, especially in Opposition-led states. This undermines the principle of academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Insights from Commissions and Proposals for Reform

Rajamannar Committee (1969-71):

• Argued that the Governor should perform his statutory functions (including that of Chancellor) on the advice of the State government, aligning with the principles of federalism.
  • However, this interpretation was not upheld by the Supreme Court.

Sarkaria Commission (1983-88):

• Recognized that the Governor’s role as Chancellor should be redefined and recommended consultations with Chief Ministers while maintaining the Governor’s independent judgment in university matters.

M.M. Punchhi Commission (2007-10):

• Suggested that the Governor should focus on constitutional responsibilities and avoid roles like Chancellor, proposing that States appoint eminent academics as Chancellors to ensure academic freedom.

National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000-02):

• Advocated for reducing the political role of Governors and emphasized a supportive rather than an authoritative role in university governance.

Alternative Models for University Governance

Governor as Ceremonial Chancellor:

• The Governor’s role should be limited to ceremonial functions, acting on the advice of the State Council of Ministers. States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have adopted variations of this approach.

Chief Minister as Chancellor:

• Some states, such as West Bengal and Punjab, have proposed making the Chief Minister the Chancellor. However, concerns about the political implications of such a model persist.

State-Appointed Chancellor:

• A more widely accepted model involves the State government appointing a ceremonial Chancellor, ideally an eminent academic or public figure, not a politician. Telangana has successfully implemented this approach.

University-Elected Chancellor:

• In line with global best practices (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge), universities could elect their own ceremonial Chancellor, fostering greater autonomy and transparency in the selection process.