Target Dreams

This Post is based on the article  " The clear message in the Court’s ‘no’ to electoral bonds "  Which is Published in the The Hindu on 17th February 2024.  Introduction: The Supreme Court of India, in its ruling on February 15, 2024, has made a significant decision by striking down the electoral bonds scheme .  This move highlights the crucial need for transparency in democracy, particularly concerning campaign funding. Transparency Restored The electoral bonds scheme was criticised for its opacity, leaving voters unaware of who funded political parties and the amounts involved.  Transparency in campaign funding, a cornerstone of leading democracies, has been reinstated by the Court's decision. Limits on Corporate Funding The Court's judgment addresses legal issues, including the removal of limits on corporate funding, which can lead to undue influence on the government.  By reinstating these limits, the Court aims to prevent the potential misuse of funds for politi

Introduction: Electoral bonds, introduced in 2018, revolutionised political funding in India by allowing anonymous contributions to political parties.  These financial instruments function akin to promissory notes or bearer bonds and were designed specifically for political donations. Background: The Electoral Bonds Scheme (EBS) was first announced during the 2017 Budget Session and later notified in January 2018 through amendments to key legislations such as the Finance Act of 2017, the Representation of the People Act of 1951, the Income Tax Act of 1961, and the Companies Act of 2013.  These amendments aimed to streamline political funding by removing various restrictions and introducing electoral bonds as a new mode of donation. Donations Through Electoral Bonds: Electoral bonds are issued by the State Bank of India (SBI) and its designated branches in denominations of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, and Rs 1 crore. Donors, whether individuals or companies, can purchase

During the first day of COP28 in Dubai, countries reached a historic agreement to operationalise the long-demanded Loss and Damage Fund.  This fund aims to financially assist developing nations in recovering from climate disasters, addressing the disproportionate impact on these nations. The immediate infusion of over $400 million into the fund is seen as a major step forward. The Purpose and Impact of the Loss and Damage Fund The Loss and Damage Fund provides financial assistance to developing countries affected by climate disasters, covering both economic and non-economic losses. Developed nations are obligated to contribute resources to help these countries cope with climate change impacts.  A study estimates a $1.5 trillion loss globally in 2022, with least developed countries experiencing an 8% GDP loss on average. Historical Responsibility: Industrial Era and Greenhouse Gas Emissions The Industrial Era, starting in 1850, significantly contributed to greenhouse gas emissions, with

Why in the News?           In recent developments, the Parliament has enacted the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, a pivotal move aimed at securing one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Key Provisions of the Act Articles Amended: Article 239AA: Ensures the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Articles Inserted: Article 330A: Mandates the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the House of People (Lok Sabha), including the reservation under Article 330 for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Article 332A: Prescribes the reservation of one-third of seats for women in the Legislative Assembly of every State, along with reservation under Article 332 for SCs/STs. Article 334A: Specifies that the provisions of this act will come into effect after the delimitation fo

     The UK drug regulator recently approved a groundbreaking gene therapy for the cure of sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, marking a significant milestone in medical advancement.       This therapy, named Casgevy, is the world's first licensed treatment based on the revolutionary gene editing technology Crispr-Cas9, which earned its innovators a Nobel Prize in 2020. The Crispr-Cas9 Innovation The Crispr-Cas9 technology, often referred to as "genetic scissors," became available in 2012 and has since revolutionised the field of biotechnology.  Casgevy utilises this technology to edit the faulty gene responsible for blood disorders, offering a potential lifelong cure. Understanding the Therapy Casgevy targets the gene BCL11A, crucial for the transition from foetal to adult haemoglobin.  By editing the patient's own blood stem cells, the therapy stimulates the production of foetal haemoglobin, mitigating the symptoms of sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.  This ap

Why in News : A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has unearthed tantalum, a rare metal with exceptional properties, in the sands of the Sutlej River in Punjab. Tantalum is a rare and valuable metal with various unique properties that make it useful in a variety of applications. Here are some key points about tantalum: Discovery:  Tantalum was discovered by Anders Gustaf Ekenberg, a Swedish chemist, in 1802.  Initially, it was thought to be a different form of niobium, but the distinction between the two elements was later established by Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in 1866. Name Origin:  The metal is named after Tantalus, a figure in Greek mythology who was punished by the gods.  Tantalus was condemned to stand in a pool of water with fruit hanging above him, but whenever he tried to drink or eat, the water and fruit would recede.  The name tantalum was chosen because of the metal's insolubility in acids. Physical Propert

The " State of India’s Birds, 2023 " report indicates a general decline in the numbers of most bird species in the country, with some currently declining and others projected to decline in the long term.  The report is based on data from approximately 30,000 birdwatchers and assesses the distribution range, trends in abundance, and conservation status of India's bird species. The report was conducted by 13 partner organisations, including the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The assessments rely on three indices. Two of them are related to change in abundance — long-term trend (change over 30 years) and current annual trend (change over past seven years) — and  The third is a measure of distribution range size in India. Key findings from the report : Decline in Raptors and Migratory Birds:  Raptors (birds of prey), migratory shorebirds, and ducks have experienced the most significant declines. Long-distance migrants, such as birds fr

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has recently announced the winners of the India Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC) 2022.  This contest aims to recognise and reward outstanding practices and innovations in the Smart Cities Mission.  The initiative received a significant response, with 845 nominations coming from 80 smart cities across India. Key highlights of the announcement include: Top Smart Cities:  The city of Indore in Madhya Pradesh has secured the top spot as the best Smart City in India.  It is followed by Surat in Gujarat and Agra in Uttar Pradesh.  Indore's achievements span various categories such as urban mobility, solid waste management, water supply, sanitation, citizen engagement, social welfare, and urban governance. State Rankings:  Madhya Pradesh has been recognised as the leading state for its remarkable performance in the Smart Cities Mission.  Notably, four cities from Madhya Pradesh—Indore, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur—have won awards across differen

Source : Indian Express      The article provides an overview of the Chandrayaan 3 mission, its scientific objectives, and its connection to previous Chandrayaan missions.  Chandrayaan 3 aims to enhance our understanding of the Moon's surface, composition, and geological features by utilising insights from Chandrayaan 1 and Chandrayaan 2.  The mission involves a 26-kg rover equipped with six wheels, with a capacity to cover 500 meters at a slow pace, will explore the lunar terrain after descending from the lander.  The rover's activities will begin during lunar dawn and continue for a lunar day, approximately 14 Earth days.  The lander and rover together carry six scientific payloads for data collection.  Chandrayaan 3's payloads will delve deeper into lunar understanding by investigating lunar seismic activity, mineral compositions, and the behaviour of electrons and ions near the lunar surface.  The mission also aims to build upon the discovery of water-ice, a significan

Why in News:  Nitin Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP: Set to be implemented from October 1, 2023 Aim of Bharat NCAP: Promoting Safety Standards in Indian Automobiles The primary objective of the Bharat New Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) is to facilitate Indian automobile manufacturers in subjecting their vehicles to stringent safety evaluations, specifically conforming to the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. Understanding NCAP:   Bharat NCAP's core mission is to enhance road safety by assigning star ratings to vehicles based on their performance in rigorous safety examinations.  These tests encompass assessments of both adult occupant (AOP) and child occupant (COP) safety, offering consumers a simplified means of comparing safety levels across different car models prior to purchasing. Manufacturers have the option to voluntarily present their vehicles for testing according to the guidelines laid out in the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. The new programme will be appl

This Post is based on the article " Crafting safe Generative AI systems " Which was Published in the  The Hindu on 21st August 2023.   Introduction The emergence of Generative AI holds the potential to bring about revolutionary changes across various sectors, potentially contributing trillions of dollars annually to the global economy through Large Language Models (LLMs). As an illustration of this transformative potential, consider the case of the Jugalbandi Chatbot deployed in rural India, driven by ChatGPT.   This innovative chatbot has the capacity to democratise information access, thereby enhancing the economic prospects of numerous individuals.  However, this promising trajectory is accompanied by legitimate concerns regarding the risks associated with Generative AI. Malicious actors can exploit AI-powered tools to craft highly convincing human-like entities, paving the way for misinformation, disinformation, fraud, hate speech, and other detrimental outcomes. Risks an