TOPIC : GS 2 Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Curbing Delta
What is the news?
- The overall number of coronavirus cases in India is on a downward trajectory though around continue to be added almost daily.
- Nearly three in four of these infections are from Kerala and Maharashtra with the former once heralded as the model State in tackling the pandemic contributing close to 60% of the national total.
Several Reasons
- The conjectures is that newer variants may be playing a significant role.
- Indian SARSCoV2 INSACOG, a repository of labs tasked with monitoring variants of the coronavirus, reported Delta variant remains most responsible for the continuing spread of infections in India.
- The INSACOG collects a percentage of coronaviruspositive samples for analysis from all States and of the nearly 50,000 samples analysed for their genetic composition
- About two thirds were among the internationally classified Variant of Concern or Variant of Interest.
- Among others were the Delta variant (AY.2) and its associated lineages (AY.1 and AY.3).
- They contain mutations that help the virus avoid detection by the immune system, the lineages of the Delta variant are driving spikes in infections worldwide.
- Globally, there are believed to be 13 sublineages of Delta with characteristic genetic mutations. 1, AY.2 and AY.3 are the predominant ones.
Challenges
- The purpose of the existing vaccines is to prevent hospitalisation and mortality, and the limited evidence so far is that vaccine coverage
- It has played a role in keeping hospitalisation in most States to manageable levels as well as allowing normalisation of economic activity.
Way Forward
- India’s Drugs Controller General has now approved a threeshot vaccine, ZyCoVD, for use in those 12 and above.
- The interim efficacy data of this vaccine shows that it has only 66% efficacy which is lower than the other vaccines delivered in their trials.
- Zydus Cadila also has not published phase3 results from the trials and so it is quite uncertain if the vaccine will meaningfully curb transmission but may well be effective in boosting India’s vaccine arsenal, cutting disease and saving lives.
- The INSACOG still monitors too few a proportion of coronavirus samples given that India has the second highest numbers globally.
- Improving coverage and increased vaccination continue to remain the best bets against the pandemic.
Mains Question
What are the challenges lead in dealing with coronavirus ?
PRELIMS PUNCHERS
- Positive Pay
It is an automated cash-management service used by financial institutions employed to deter check fraud. Banks use positive pay to match the checks a company issues with those it presents for payment. Any check considered suspect is sent back to the issuer for examination. The system acts as a form of insurance for a company against fraud, losses, and other liabilities to the bank. There is generally a charge incurred for using it, although some banks now offer the service for a reduced fee or free.
The ‘Positive Pay System’ for cheques which was introduced by the Reserve Bank of India. The new system is going to enhance the safety of cheque-based transactions in the country according to the central bank. Under the system, an issuer a cheque will have to electronically submit certain minimum details of the particular cheque such as date, name of the beneficiary, payee and amount to the drawee bank. This can be done through various channels – SMS, mobile app, internet banking and ATM.
- Periyar
It is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns. The Periyar is of utmost significance to the economy of Kerala. It generates a significant proportion of Kerala’s electrical power via the Idukki Dam and flows along a region of industrial and commercial activity. The river also provides water for irrigation and domestic use throughout its course besides supporting a rich fishery. Due to these reasons, the river has been named the “Lifeline of Kerala”. Kochi city, in the vicinity of the river mouth draws its water supply from Aluva, an upstream site sufficiently free of seawater intrusion. Twenty five percent of Kerala’s industries are along the banks of river Periyar.
The upper part of the Periyar basin extends across the Cardamom Hills. In the north, these hills extend up to the high Munnar saddle running east to Chokkanad Mala and further on to Kolukkumala on the eastern edge of the Ghats. In the south, the hills reach up to the westerly spur at Chokkampatti Mala.This section of the basin is divided into three parts.
- Sulh-i kul
Sulh-i kul is an Arabic term literally meaning “peace with all,” “universal peace,” or “absolute peace,” drawn from a Sufi mystic principle. As applied by the third Mughal Emperor of India, Akbar , it described a peaceful and harmonious relationship among different religions. In keeping with efforts to mesh the diverse populations of his realm, Akbar proposed unity and peace among all human beings sulh-i kul. The concept implies not just tolerance, but also the sorts of balance, civility, respect, and compromise required to maintain harmony among a diverse population.
He made the Ibadat Khana (House of worship) as the place for gathering and discussion for all creeds such as Shi’a, Sunni, Brahmans, Jains, Zoroastrians, Sufis, Philosophers, Hindus and others. Under Akbar’s court, all religions and creeds have the equal right to enjoy exquisite pleasure and practice their beliefs freely.
- The Arctic Council
It is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. The eight countries with sovereignty over the lands within the Arctic Circle constitute the members of the council: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. Outside these, there are some observer states.
The Council is made up of member and observer states, Indigenous “permanent participants”, and observer organizations. Observer status is open to non-Arctic states approved by the Council at the Ministerial Meetings that occur once every two years. Observers have no voting rights in the Council. As of there are , thirteen non-Arctic states have observer status. The category of Permanent Participants has been created to provide for active participation and full consultation with the Arctic indigenous representatives within the Arctic Council. This principle applies to all meetings and activities of the Arctic Council.
PRELIMS QUESTIONS
- Consider the following statement with regard to Periyar
- It is the longest river and largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu
- The upper part of the Periyar basin extends across the Nilgiri Hills
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c).Both (d). None of above
Answer : D
It is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns. The Periyar is of utmost significance to the economy of Kerala. It generates a significant proportion of Kerala’s electrical power via the Idukki Dam and flows along a region of industrial and commercial activity. The river also provides water for irrigation and domestic use throughout its course besides supporting a rich fishery. Due to these reasons, the river has been named the “Lifeline of Kerala”. Kochi city, in the vicinity of the river mouth draws its water supply from Aluva, an upstream site sufficiently free of seawater intrusion. Twenty five percent of Kerala’s industries are along the banks of river Periyar.
The upper part of the Periyar basin extends across the Cardamom Hills. In the north, these hills extend up to the high Munnar saddle running east to Chokkanad Mala and further on to Kolukkumala on the eastern edge of the Ghats. In the south, the hills reach up to the westerly spur at Chokkampatti Mala.This section of the basin is divided into three parts.
- Consider the following statement with regard to Sulh-i kul
a. It was started by Jahangir - It was drawn from Hinduism and Islamic Ideas
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c).Both (d). None of above
Answer : D
Sulh-i kul is an Arabic term literally meaning “peace with all,” “universal peace,” or “absolute peace,” drawn from a Sufi mystic principle. As applied by the third Mughal Emperor of India, Akbar , it described a peaceful and harmonious relationship among different religions. In keeping with efforts to mesh the diverse populations of his realm, Akbar proposed unity and peace among all human beings sulh-i kul. The concept implies not just tolerance, but also the sorts of balance, civility, respect, and compromise required to maintain harmony among a diverse population.
He made the Ibadat Khana (House of worship) as the place for gathering and discussion for all creeds such as Shi’a, Sunni, Brahmans, Jains, Zoroastrians, Sufis, Philosophers, Hindus and others. Under Akbar’s court, all religions and creeds have the equal right to enjoy exquisite pleasure and practice their beliefs freely.