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One Liners 30-04-2025
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Polity & Governance
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Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
CCPA has suo moto taken action against five Delhi restaurants for failing to refund mandatory service charges, defying a Delhi High Court ruling.
- Protecting Consumer Rights - This move underscores the CCPA's commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and preventing the forced payment of additional service charges.
- Legality of Service Charges - According to the law, hotels and restaurants cannot compel consumers to pay service charges, nor can these charges be levied under any other guise.
- About the CCPA - Established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA, operational since July 20, 2020, replaced the 1986 Act. It operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
- Key Functions and Powers - The CCPA protects consumer rights as a class, prevents unfair trade practices and misleading ads, initiates class-action suits (including recalls and refunds), conducts investigations, and imposes penalties.
- CCPA Structure - The CCPA is headed by a Chief Commissioner and includes two other commissioners, one overseeing goods-related issues and the other handling service-related complaints.
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Environment
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Mahuadanr Sanctuary
Mahuadanr wolf sanctuary in Jharkhand recently garnered attention due to a distinctive practice observed by local tribal communities adhering to the 'Sarna faith'.
- Winter Forest Avoidance - These communities traditionally avoid entering the Sal forests during the winter months, a unique cultural observance.
- Crucial Wolf Breeding Season - Interestingly, this period of avoidance by the Sarna community perfectly coincides with the critical breeding and denning season of the Indian grey wolf within the sanctuary.
- India's First Wolf Sanctuary - Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, situated in Jharkhand's Latehar district, holds the distinction of being India's first and only sanctuary dedicated to the Indian grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes).
- Established for Wolf Protection - Declared in 1976, this sanctuary was specifically created to safeguard the vulnerable Indian wolf population.
- Sanctuary Area - The protected area spans approximately 63 square kilometers, providing a crucial habitat for the wolves.
- Part of Palamau Tiger Reserve - Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary forms an integral part of the larger Palamau Tiger Reserve.
- Key Wildlife Species - Besides the Indian wolf, the sanctuary is home to other wildlife including spotted deer, wild boar, hyena, and bear.
- Conservation Significance - This unique sanctuary plays a vital role in the conservation efforts for the Indian grey wolf within its natural habitat
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Science
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Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) Launches Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS)
Recently, IN-SPACe has launched the SBaaS initiative.
- Empowering Private Space Sector - SBaaS encourages private Indian companies to design and develop satellite-bus platforms, fostering indigenous capabilities.
- Reducing Import Dependence - This initiative aims to decrease India's reliance on imported satellite technology, promoting self-sufficiency in the space sector.
- What is a Satellite Bus? - A satellite bus is the central, modular structure of a satellite, housing essential operational systems to which the mission-specific payload is attached.
- SBaaS Initiative Objectives - Includes promoting innovation among Indian Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and facilitating the development of small satellite-bus platforms for various applications.
- Global Service Provider Goal - Ultimately, SBaaS seeks to position India as a global hub for small satellite-bus and hosted-payload services.
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Agentic AI Demand Surge
Recently, India faces a critical shortage of agentic AI professionals as demand skyrockets due to the increasing adoption of sophisticated AI agents.
- Talent Supply Gap - The current pool of under 100,000 experts struggles to meet the projected need of 200,000 by 2026, creating a significant talent gap.
- Intense Hiring Competition - This shortage fuels intense competition among Global Capability Centers (GCCs), IT firms, and startups, leading to rapidly increasing salaries.
- Defining Agentic AI - Agentic AI refers to intelligent systems with the capacity for autonomous decision-making, independent action-taking, and continuous learning in complex environments.
- 'Service as Software' Shift - This technology enables a shift towards a 'service as software' model, allowing tech companies to deliver enhanced value compared to traditional 'software as a service'.
- Agentic AI Problem-Solving - Agentic AI systems solve problems by ingesting diverse data, independently analyzing challenges, developing strategic solutions, and autonomously executing tasks.
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AI Kiran: Empowering Women in AI
Recently, the AI Kiran, a national movement co-led by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Verix, and INK Women, aims to boost women's leadership in India's rapidly growing AI sector.
- Addressing Gender Disparity - Despite rising STEM enrollment, women hold only 33% of junior and 19% of senior GenAI roles, highlighting the urgent need for diverse leadership to combat algorithmic bias.
- Goals -The initiative seeks to empower women innovators, create an inclusive AI ecosystem, develop funding, and provide mentorship, learning, and leadership opportunities.
- Recognizing Women Leaders - AI Kiran spotlights over 250 prominent women in AI across sectors like education and healthcare, amplifying their voices and inspiring future generations.
- Collaborative Multi-Stakeholder Approach - AI Kiran fosters partnerships between government, corporations, and civil society to create pathways and support for women in AI, hosted on the Manthan Platform
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3D Microscope for Glaucoma Surgery
Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi, has pioneered the use of a 3D microscope in India for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
- Understanding Microscopes - A microscope magnifies small objects, revealing details invisible to the naked eye, utilizing light or electron manipulation through refraction, diffraction, or digital imaging.
- Science Behind Magnification- Microscopes employ lenses or sensors to focus light or electron beams, generating enlarged images of minute structures for detailed observation.
- Types of Microscopes - Various types exist, including optical microscopes using light, electron microscopes using electron beams (TEM, SEM), digital microscopes capturing digital images, and 3D microscopes offering spatial visualization.
- About 3D Microscopes - 3D digital microscopes capture multiple focal planes to construct high-resolution, three-dimensional images of specimens. They use 3D polarization glasses and a 4K display.
- Advantages of 3D Microscopy - Benefits include enhanced surgical precision, lower complication rates, improved surgeon comfort, and eco-friendly operation with reduced light exposure and power usage.
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Pregnancy Anaemia and Heart Defects
A recent UK study suggests that anaemia in pregnant women may be linked to a 47 percent increased risk of congenital heart conditions in their newborns.
- Understanding Anaemia - Anaemia is characterized by insufficient healthy red blood cells or haemoglobin, hindering oxygen transport to the body's tissues, leading to fatigue and weakness.
- Haemoglobin's Crucial Role- Haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells, is vital for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all organs throughout the body.
- Global Anaemia Prevalence - The WHO estimates significant anaemia rates globally: 40% in young children, 37% in pregnant women, and 30% in women of reproductive age.
- Types and Severity of Anaemia- Anaemia has various forms, both inherited and acquired, and can range from mild to severe, with severe cases potentially being life-threatening or indicating serious illnesses.
- Management and Prevention - Treatment involves supplements or medical procedures. Iron-deficiency anaemia, a common type, is often due to insufficient iron intake or absorption, or blood loss. A healthy diet can help prevent some forms.
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Disaster Management
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Sachet App: Real-Time Disaster Alerts
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Sachet app enhances disaster preparedness by delivering real-time, geo-tagged alerts for various disasters like floods and cyclones via the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
- Localized and Comprehensive Coverage - Users can subscribe to alerts for specific states or districts, receiving localized awareness and covering a wide range of disasters.
- Key Features - App provides daily weather updates from IMD, critical information from government sources, Dos and Don'ts for disasters, and helpline numbers. Satellite connectivity ensures communication during network failures.
- Multi-Language Accessibility - Supporting 12 Indian languages with translation and read-out options, the app promotes inclusivity and is available on Android and iOS.
- Operation Brahma: India's Humanitarian Aid – PM Modi highlighted India's aid to Myanmar post-earthquake through Operation Brahma, showcasing commitment to international disaster response.
- Empowering Individual Alertness - The Sachet app empowers citizens with timely information, encouraging proactive measures and safeguarding lives during emergencies.
- The Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) is a standardized message format designed for all media, all hazards, and all communication channels.
- That is, a universal format for emergency alerts, ensuring critical information reaches everyone.
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Miscellaneous
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Shahid Rajaee Port Explosion
An explosion recently occurred at Iran's Shahid Rajaee port, the country's largest and most advanced terminal, within the Bandar Abbas Port Complex.
- Rocket Fuel Shipment Involved - The explosion reportedly involved a shipment of "sodium perchlorate rocket fuel," a substance used in missile production.
- Strategic Location of Bandar Abbas - Bandar Abbas Port is strategically situated on the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran, west of the Chabahar port.
- Global Oil Trade Hub - Notably, approximately 20 percent of the world's oil trade transits through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the port's global significance.
- Key Persian Gulf Gateway - The port serves as a crucial maritime link between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
- Implications of the Incident -The explosion at this key Iranian port, involving missile fuel, raises concerns about potential disruptions and security in a vital global trade route.
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Ramanujan's Life in New Book
Recently, National Archives of India and Vani Prakashan will launch "Ramanujan: Journey of a Great Mathematician" tomorrow, April 30, 2025.
- Significance of the Launch- The event celebrates Srinivasa Ramanujan, a globally influential Indian mathematician, highlighting his enduring impact and India's archival wealth.
- Book's Central Theme - Authored by Arun Singhal and Devendra Kumar Sharma, the book explores Ramanujan's extraordinary life, genius, and significant mathematical contributions despite limited formal education.
- Key Research Insights - Based on rare original documents and personal letters, the book offers a deeper understanding of Ramanujan's thinking and achievements.
- Focus on Struggles and Context - It also sheds light on his personal challenges and the historical and cultural backdrop that influenced his groundbreaking work.
- Collaborative Effort - The National Archives of India, preserving national heritage, and Vani Prakashan, a noted publisher, have collaborated to bring Ramanujan's inspiring story to a wider audience.
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