Articles Covered

1. RoseTTAFold
2. TIPRIT, Ghaziabad conducts workshop on “Global Standards & IPR”  on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
3. Endangered Iberian Lynx Population Doubles In Three Years
4. What’s behind orcas, also called ‘killer whales’, sinking boats?
5. Bond Buyback
6. FSSAI Alerts Fruit Traders to Ensure Compliance with Prohibition of Calcium Carbide in Fruit Ripening
7. Gulf of Aden
8. 50 years of Pokhran-I: Why India conducted its first nuclear tests
9. RBI DGs flag supervisory concerns at ARCs, asks them to focus on compliance, governance
10. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Celebrates International Women in Maritime Day

RoseTTAFold

AI-based prediction tool RoseTTAFold has provided a major scientific breakthrough in the last four years in the area of computational drug development.

RoseTTAFold:

1. It is developed by researchers at the University Of Washington, U.S.
2. It uses generative diffusion-based architectures(one kind of AI model) to predict structural complexes.
3. The tools’ neural networks use massive amounts of input data to produce the desired output — the three-dimensional structures of proteins.
4. It uses deep learning to quickly and accurately predict protein structures based on limited information. Without the aid of such software, it can take years of laboratory work to determine the structure of just one protein.
5. It is a “three-track” neural network, meaning it simultaneously considers patterns in protein sequences, how a protein’s amino acids interact with one another, and a protein’s possible three-dimensional structure.

It has the capability to predict not just static structures of proteins and protein-protein interactions but also their ability to predict structures and interactions for any combination of protein,DNA,RNA.

NTIPRIT, Ghaziabad conducts workshop on “Global Standards & IPR” on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

Workshop focused on bridging the standardization gap by building capacity of faculty members of engineering colleges of Delhi & NCR

Workshop a precursor to the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA-24) to be hosted by India from October 15-24, 2024

Workshop provided a platform for national stakeholders to forge global partnerships and align with international best practices in telecommunications standards

1. A one-day workshop on “Global Standards & IPR” highlighted the importance of “Global Standards & IPR” for any country’s development.  A precursor to the significant World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) scheduled to be hosted by India from October 15-24, 2024; the workshop also provided a platform for national stakeholders to forge global partnerships and align with international best practices in telecommunications standards.
2. The workshop was hosted by National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT), Ghaziabad under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in collaboration with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area office and Innovation Centre, New Delhi, at its campus in Ghaziabad on 17^thMay, 2024; to commemorate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.  The event was inaugurated by Telecommunications Secretary, Dr Neeraj Mittal.  Officers from DoT, ITU experts, Faculty members and students from Engineering Colleges of Delhi and NCR attended the workshop. Shri Atul Sinha, DDG (ICT), NTIPRIT welcomed the dignitaries and all the participants to the workshop.
3. In his inaugural address, Dr Neeraj Mittal emphasized the critical importance of global collaboration in standardization to spur innovation and technological advancement. Shri A K Sahu, Member (S), highlighted the importance of National contribution in the global standardization process. Shri R R Mittar, DG (T), elaborated on the nuances of the Telecom Standards. Shri R Shakya, Senior Advisor, ITU Area Office, New Delhi, in his special address urged the participants to proactively involve with ITU activities in standardization domain.  He also detailed about the WTSA-24.
4. Shri Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Director General, NTIPRIT spoke about the spirit of cooperation and partnership and highlighted the objectives and overviews of the workshop. Mr Martin Adolph, Study Group Counsellor, ITU, provided an overview about the ITU, its activities and the importance of global standards in Technical/Engineering Education.
5. Shri Sharad Arora, CEO of Mashmari, explained the standardization processes and their critical impact on technical education. Dr Klutto Milleth from CEWiT, IIT Madras, delved into the complexities of Standard Essential Patents (SEP) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in technical education and projects. Shri U K Srivastava chaired a panel discussion on leveraging Global standards and IPR for innovation and competitiveness.
6. The workshop sets the stage for enhanced participation of Indian experts in the upcoming WTSA-2024 and provided an extensive opportunity to the participants to engage with global standards and intellectual property dynamics.

Endangered Iberian Lynx Population Doubles In Three Years

As per the Spanish government, the number of endangered Iberian lynx in the wild in Spain and Portugal has nearly doubled since 2020.

Iberian Lynx Population in Spain and Portugal Nearly Doubles Since 2020

As per the Spanish government:

1. 2023 Lynx Birth:  In 2023 a total of 722 lynx were born in Spain.
2. Total Lynx Population: The Combined lynx population in Spain and Portugal has reached 2021.
3. Recent Population Growth: The Lynx Population has doubled from 1,111 just three years earlier.

Iberian lynx

1. The Iberian lynx is the world’s most endangered feline species.
2. Characteristic Features: Of all lynx, the Iberian has the most heavily spotted coat.
3. The coat is sparse, short, and coarse. The coat’s base color is bright yellowish red or tawny, overlaid with dark brown or black spots.
4. The cat has white underparts. This species, like other cat species, is sexually dimorphic, with males being heavier and longer than females.
5. Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different sex in the same species.
6. Habitat: The Iberian lynx lives in Mediterranean forests composed of native oaks and abundant undergrowth and thickets.
7. It favours a mixture of dense scrub for shelter and open pasture for hunting.
8. Iberian lynx are found only in two small areas of southwest Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Pyrenees mountains.

Threats: 

1. Habitat destruction and alteration due to agricultural and industrial development
2. Conversion of native Mediterranean forest to plantations with no undergrowth
3. Direct persecution
4. Killed by automobiles
5. Caught illegally or hunted with dogs
6. Killed in traps set for other predators

Conservation Status: 

• The Iberian lynx is considered Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• In 2015 the Iberian lynx was officially downgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered.
• The Iberian lynx is protected under Appendix II of the CITES.

What’s behind orcas, also called ‘killer whales’, sinking boats?

A part of the dolphin family, orcas or killer whales — they can measure up to 8 metres in length and weigh up to 6 tonnes as adults — are highly intelligent and curious mammals, who are not known to be aggressive against humans in the wild.

According to a report by The New York Times, there is a high frequency of the interactions between orcas and boats near the Strait of Gibraltar, hence becoming a multinational issue.

Orca Attacks on Boats Surge Near Strait of Gibraltar, Raising Multinational Concerns

1. Two people were rescued on May 12after a group of orcas sank their 15-meter-long sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar, 5 kilometers off the coast of Morocco.
2. Data by the research group GT Atlantic Orca (GTOA)show that since 2020 (when the rise in targeting of boats was first observed), there have been more than 700 interactions between orcas and boats near the Strait of Gibraltar.

Strait of Gibraltar:

1. It is a narrow waterway separating Europe from Africa and connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
2. It acts as a chokepoint for the ships that move into or out of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a vital shipping route for the countries of northern Africa, southern Europe and western Asia.

Strait can be defined as a naturally formed narrow strip of water between two continents, islands or two larger bodies of water.

Orcas

• Also known as: Orcas are also known as killer whales and are the largest of the dolphins.

Characteristic Features: 

• Color: They are immediately recognizable by their distinctive black-and-white 
• Size: They can measure up to8 meters in length and weigh up to 6 tonnes as adults.
• Nature: They are highly intelligent and curious mammals, who are not known to be aggressive against humans in the wild.
• Powerful Predators:Orcas are one of the world’s most powerful predators.
• Echolocation: Smart and social, orcas make a wide variety of communicative sounds, and each pod has distinctive noises that its members will recognize even at a distance.
• Pods refer to groups of maternally related individuals seen together more than half the time.
• They use echolocation to communicate and hunt,making sounds that travel underwater until they encounter objects, then bounce back, revealing their location, size, and shape.
• Status: Orcas are considered Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.
• Orcas are listed under CITES Appendix II (species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction, but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled).

Reason of Attack on Boats by Orcas

1. Unusual Behavior:Despite the growing research, scientists said that this behavior by orcas is unusual, but are yet to ascertain why exactly the animals have been targeting the boats.
2. Possible Reasons: Scientists have come up with two possibilities- either the orcas are playing around or they are reacting to negative experiences with the boats.
3. The Orcas are Playing Around: Some scientists believe that targeting boats could be just a form of play or a fad — a behavior initiated by one or two individuals and temporarily picked up by others before it is abandoned.
4. The Orcas are Attacking: According to this theory, a traumatic event must have happened with one or two orcas, triggering a change in their behavior, which is being imitated by the rest of the population near the Strait of Gibraltar.
5. Arising Concern: Regardless of the reason behind orcas targeting the boats, researchers fear that if such incidents continue to take place it would not only endanger the lives of mariners but also become a conservation issue for orcas.

Bond Buyback

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has responded to tight liquidity conditions in the banking system by announcing a significant reduction in the government’s treasury bill sales and introducing a new selection of bonds for the Centre’s buyback operations.

Bond Buyback:

1. It is a process whereby the central government and state governments buy back their existing securities, by redeeming them prematurely, from the holders.
2. Bond buybacks are liability management tools widely used in government securities markets to manage refinancing and liquidity risks.
3. It enables issuers to retire an outstanding debt before its maturity date against a cash payment.
4. The objectives of buyback can be

• Reduction of cost (by buying back high coupon securities),
• Reduction in the number of outstanding securities and improving liquidity in the G-Secs market (by buying back illiquid securities) and
• Infusion of liquidity in the system.

Bond

1. It is a debt instrument in which an investor loans money to an entity (typically corporate or government) which borrows the funds for a defined period of time at a variable or fixed interest rate.
2. Bonds are used by companies, municipalities, states and sovereign governments to raise money to finance a variety of projects and activities. Owners of bonds are debt holders, or creditors, of the issuer.

FSSAI Alerts Fruit Traders to Ensure Compliance with Prohibition of Calcium Carbide in Fruit Ripening

1. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has alerted traders’/fruits handlers/Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season.
2. FSSAI is also advising Food Safety Departments of States /UTs to remain vigilant and take serious action and deal stringently against person(s) indulging in such unlawful practices as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulations made thereunder.
3. Calcium carbide, commonly used for ripening fruits like mangoes, releases acetylene gas which contains harmful traces of arsenic and phosphorus.
4. These substances, also known as ‘Masala’, can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers, etc. Additionally, acetylene gas is equally hazardous to those handling it. There are chances that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with fruits during application and leave residues of arsenic and phosphorus on fruits.
5. Due to these dangers, the use of calcium carbide for ripening fruits has been banned under Regulation 2.3.5 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011.
6. This regulation explicitly states, “No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas.”
7. Considering the issue of rampant use of banned calcium carbide, FSSAI has permitted the use of ethylene gas as a safer alternative for fruit ripening in India.
8. Ethylene gas can be used at concentrations up to 100 ppm (100 μl/L), depending upon the crop, variety and maturity.
9. Ethylene, a naturally occurring hormone in fruits, regulates the ripening process by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities.
10. The treatment of unripe fruits with ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening process until the fruit itself starts producing ethylene in substantial quantities.
11. Further, the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) has approved Ethephon 39% SL for the uniform ripening of mangoes and other fruits.
12. FSSAI has published a comprehensive guidance document titled suggesting the Food Business Operators to follow the procedure for artificial ripening of fruits.
13. This document outlines a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) incorporating all aspects of artificial ripening of fruits by ethylene gas viz. Restrictions, Requirements for Ethylene Ripening System/Chamber, handling conditions, Sources of Ethylene Gas, Protocol for application of Ethylene gas from various sources, post treatment operations, safety guidelines etc.
14. In case any use of Calcium Carbide or any wrong practice of using ripening agents for artificial ripening of fruits is noticed by the consumers, the same may be brought to the notice of concerned State Commissioners of Food Safety for taking action against such violators.

Gulf of Aden

European Union naval forces recently arrested six suspected pirates after they allegedly opened fire on an oil tanker traveling through the Gulf of Aden.

Gulf of Aden:

1. It is an extension of the Indian Ocean, located between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.
2. It connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and ultimately the Indian Ocean.
3. The gulf is named after “Aden,” a port city on Yemen’s coast.
4. It is approximately 900 km long and 500 km wide and covers roughly 410,000 square kilometers.
5. It is bounded to the south by Somalia and the Socotra Islands (part of Yemen), north by Yemen, east by the Arabian Sea, and west by Djibouti.
6. The gulf is connected to the Somali Sea to the south by the Guardafui Channel, and to the Red Sea on the west by THE STRAIT OF BAB EL MANDEB.
7. In the west, it narrows into the Gulf of Tadjoura, near Djibouti.
8. It is demarcated from the Arabian Sea by the Horn of Africa and the Socotra Islands.
9. The dominant relief feature of the gulf’s terrain is the Sheba Ridge, an extension of the Indian Ocean ridge system, which extends along the middle of the gulf.
10. Some of the major cities near the gulf include Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso, and Djibouti City.
11. Major Ports: Aden in Yemen, and Berbera and Bosaso in Somalia.
12. It is also a critical part of the Suez Canal shipping route, which connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

50 years of Pokhran-I: Why India conducted its first nuclear tests

The Pokhran tests of 1974 were held amid secrecy. Countries such as the United States were against the idea of more nations acquiring nuclear weapons. Why did India go ahead with the tests, and what happened after them?

Fifty years ago, on May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan, as part of the ‘Smiling Buddha’ operation.

50 Years of Pokhran-I, Background to India Conducting its Nuclear Tests

• Post-World War II Era:Following the end of World War II in 1945, new global alliances and alignments emerged amidst the Cold War between the US and USSR.
• NPT: To maintain a kind of minimal peace, the NPT was signed in 1968.
• It defined nuclear-weapon states parties as those that manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive devices before January 1, 1967, effectively meaning the P-5 countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia).

1. India’s Discontent: India objected to this treaty on the grounds that it was discriminatory to countries except the P-5.
2. Domestic Developments: Indian scientists Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai had laid the groundwork earlier for nuclear energy to be tested in India.
3. In 1954, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was founded, with Bhabha as director.

Pokhran-I

Support by Political Leadership: On September 7, 1972, Indira Gandhi authorized the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) to develop and prepare a nuclear device for testing.

Pokhran

• To maintain the secrecy of the test, the Pokhran is a remote location in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district.
• The test was conducted during the month of May when the wind in the region created serious sandstorms. 
• The sandstorms obstruct a clear view to American spy satellites.
• Also, the infrared sensors do not pick up such activity due to the temperature that increases over 50 degrees during the daytime.

1. Maintenance of Secrecy: With the treaties that the P-5 had in place, India decided to conduct the nuclear test at Pokhran in 1974 without any prior information being released to the world.
2. Location & Code name:Pokhran, an army test range located in the desert of western Rajasthan, was chosen and its code name “Operation Smiling Buddha” came from the test’s date being on the same day as Buddha Jayanti, the birth date of Gautam Buddha.
3. The Ministry of External affairs designated it as Pokhran -1.
4. A nuclear device was detonated, with a yield of 12-13 kiloton of TNT, on May 18, 1974.
5. India became the sixth country in the World to conduct a successful Nuclear Test.

Reactions after Conduction of the Test

1. International Criticism: Almost all countries have condemned India’s nuclear test.
2. Canada imposed heavy sanctions. Even in 1978, the US signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act, following which the US ceased exporting nuclear assistance to India.
3. Establishment of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG): NSG was formed in response to this nuclear test.
4. The US pushed for setting up a club of nuclear equipment and fissile material suppliers.
5. Its purpose is to control exports of nuclear-related materials and machinery.
6. Diplomatic Efforts: India has projected itself as a “responsible” owner of these weapons, allowing acceptance among countries and into groups like the NSG.
7. India has been trying, since 2008, to join the NSG. Many countries that initially opposed its entry, like Australia, have changed stance; Mexico and Switzerland are the latest to voice support. India faces the only resistance from China.
8. Strategic Shift: India asserted itself as a nuclear-capable nation, paving the way for future developments like Pokhran-II in 1998.
9. In 1998, under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted a series of nuclear tests in Pokhran once again, code-named Operation Shakti.

RBI DGs flag supervisory concerns at ARCs, asks them to focus on compliance, governance

Amidst various allegations of their indulgence in unethical practices including providing backdoor entry to defaulting promoters of insolvent companies, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked top bosses of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) to focus on governance and adhere to ethical conduct while doing business.

Deputy Governor Swaminathan J. on Friday, while urging ARCs to foster a culture of integrity and ethical conduct, highlighted several supervisory concerns in the functioning of ARCs.

Recently, the RBI had organised a conference for the directors and MD/ CEOs of ARCs in Mumbai that was attended by more than 80 participants representing all 27 ARCs.

The Deputy Governor of identified several supervisory concerns in the RBI has functioning of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).

Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC)

1. A Type of Financial Institution an ARC is a type of financial institution that specializes in acquiring and managing distressed assets, typically loans or non-performing assets (NPAs) from banks and other financial institutions.
2. When borrowers are unable to repay their loans, these loans become NPAs, and banks might decide to offload these troubled assets to ARCs.
3. Importance: ARCs play a crucial role in the financial system by helping banks clean up their balance sheets and recover some value from the troubled loans. 

Crucial Insights of the Conference

1. To Adopt Regulation Plus Approach:RBI asked asset reconstruction company to adopt a “regulation plus” approach, ensuring compliance with both the letter and the spirit of regulations.
2. Due Importance to Functions:Boards should accord due importance to assurance functions, namely, risk management, compliance and internal audit.
3. These functions play a critical role in identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations as well as safeguarding the organisation’s reputation.
4. Ethical Conduct & Integrity:Setting the right tone from the top is crucial in fostering a culture of integrity and ethical conduct.
5. Emphasising the Importance of Sound Governance: The sound governance provides a strong foundation for ARCs to build a robust business model.
6. Responsibility:The onus to develop sound governance lies largely with the Boards of the ARCs and the top functionaries who will have to develop a strong and institutional culture based on the above-mentioned principles.
7. Essence: Need for responsible conduct in the recovery process and emphasised that ARCs should follow transparent and non-discriminatory practices in line with the comprehensive fair practice code (FPC) put in place by the Reserve Bank.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

• Formation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established through the Reserve Bank of India Act of 1934, based on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission, with a share capital of Rs. 5 crores.
• The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was set up in Kolkata but was permanently shifted to Mumbai in 1937.
• Initially, the RBI was owned privately but was nationalized in 1949.It is completely owned by the Government of India.
• Mandate:RBI is responsible for the control, issuing, and maintaining supply of the currency in the country. It also manages the country’s main payment systems.
• Organisation Structure: The operation of the Reserve Bank of India lies with a 21-member central board of directors consisting of:

1. Governor
2. 4 Deputy Governors
3. 2 Finance Ministry representatives
4. 10 government-nominated directors
5. 4 directors to represent local boards’ headquarters of RBI.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Celebrates International Women in Maritime Day

1. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) celebrated the International Day for Women in Maritime, today in New Delhi, honoring the vital contributions of women seafarers.
2. This year’s theme, ” Safe Horizons: Women in Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety,” underscores the importance of safety and security of women in the maritime sector.
3. During the celebration, 27 women seafarers from various marine institutes pursuing different degrees in maritime field and some professionals from the field were recognized for their dedication and significant contributions to the maritime industry.
4. These women exemplify the strength and resilience required to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field, and their achievements are paving the way for future generations of women in maritime. Secretary Shri T K Ramachandran said “On this International Day for Women in Maritime, we honor the invaluable contributions of women in the maritime sector.
5. Their dedication and expertise are crucial as we navigate towards a more sustainable and equitable future. We must continue to break down barriers and create opportunities for women in this industry.
6. Together, we can achieve a balanced, diverse, and prosperous maritime community.”
7. He said “This year’s theme, Safe Horizons: Women in Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety,” emphasizes the significant impact women have on maritime safety.
8. It highlights the critical importance of security within the industry and acknowledges the essential role women play in ensuring safe operations and protecting lives at sea.”
9. The celebration highlighted the importance of gender equality as a key pillar for a sustainable future, as recognized in Sustainable Development Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. MoPSW is committed to supporting and empowering women in maritime through various initiatives and partnerships, including collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other industry stakeholders.
10. Over the last 9 years, the number of seafarers has increased by 140%. In 2014, the total count of active Indian Seafarers was 117,090 which surged to 280,000 in 2023.
11. The Directorate General of Shipping had approximately registered 1,699 women seafarers in 2014 which has now increased to 10,440 in 2023 reflecting an increase of 514% in the registered women Indian Seafarers.  Presently, total women seafarers/indos registered as on 15.05.2024 is 13371 while active women seafarers till 31.12.2023 is 4770.