 Good evening aspirants. Welcome to daily news analysis by Shankar A.S academy. Today's date is 24th October 2023. Displayed here are the list of topics you are going to see today. As there is no newspaper for today's date, we are going to discuss the past two days newspaper. That is Monday's newspaper and Sunday's newspaper. Now let us get into the discussion. Look at this news article. It talks about TN ket scheme. It means Tamil Nadu, Kasanoi, Erapila Thittam or TB death-free project. The main objective of the scheme is to reduce mortality rate among the people with tuberculosis. Under the scheme, TB patients with high undernutrition or respiratory insufficiency are provided with high priority. TN government under the scheme has provided food baskets containing high protein food to many TB patients across the state. So this is all about the news article. In this context, let us see some points about TB and various steps taken by our government to curb tuberculosis. See tuberculosis is a contagious infection caused by bacterium called mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but in rare cases it can also affect other parts of the body. It spreads through air when someone with TB coughs, sneezes or talks. So coming in close contact with someone who has active TB can put you at risk of TB. However, it is important to note that not everyone who is exposed to the bacteria becomes sick. People with a strong immune system can fight off the infection. On other hand, people with weakened immune system are more likely to become infected. Now coming to the symptoms of TB. Common symptoms include persistent coughing for more than three weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats. The above mentioned symptoms are common when mycobacterium tuberculosis infects the lungs. As a TB can also infect other parts of our body, there are other symptoms depending on the area affected. Is there a vaccine against TB? Yes. There is a vaccine called Basylchalmetchurin that is BCG vaccine. It is used in many countries with high prevalence of TB to prevent severe forms of the disease, particularly in children. The BCG vaccine does not provide complete production against TB, but it can help to lessen the severity of disease. It is important to note that BCG vaccine might not be effective in preventing TB in adults. Here note that in addition to BCG vaccine, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prevent the TB infection. Now is there a cure for TB? See TB can be cured by taking appropriate antibiotics. The common antibiotics that are used in the treatment of TB are isoniazid, badaquillin, rifampin, viracinamide and ethambutol. So these are the preliminary related facts about TB. Now we shall see some steps taken by Indian government to combat tuberculosis. First we have the National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination was launched in the year 2017. The goal of the plan is to reduce TB related death and also to eliminate TB from India by 2025. Then there is Nikshay Mitra initiative. Actually Nikshay Mitra is a portal for donors to provide various forms of support to those who are undergoing TB treatment. The donors through this portal can provide nutritional, diagnostic and vocational support. Anyone suffering from TB in India can register the details in this portal and ask for help. Then there is Pradhan Mantri TB Mug Bharat Abhyan. This is the initiative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under this initiative additional patient support is given by bringing in all stakeholders. The government also plans to use corporate social responsibility that is CSR activities to extend the support to patients. Then there is TB Harega Desh Jadega campaign. Its main aim is to increase the reach of TB care services in our country. Through this campaign the government also aims to spread awareness about TB and encourage people with TB symptoms to seek medical attention and remain adherent to the treatment. Government is also working on creating new TB vassins. Vassin Project Management 2002 and Mycobacterium Indicus Prani are two viable vassin candidates. Finally there is Nikshay Porsche on Yojana. This scheme also comes under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It is a nutrition support scheme. Under the scheme government provides 500 rupees through direct benefit transfer to TB patients to help with their nutritional needs. So these are some of the steps taken by government to combat tuberculosis in India. So in this discussion we have seen basics about tuberculosis disease and some important steps taken by Indian government to control tuberculosis. So this is all about this discussion. Now let us move to the next topic. Take a look at this article from Sunday's newspaper. According to the article, ISRO has successfully completed its first test flight for Gaganyan Mission. See the purpose of this test flight is to demonstrate ISRO's ability to protect astronauts in case of emergency. The test flight was named as Test Vehicle Abort Mission 1 that is TVD1 flight. So currently ISRO has successfully completed this test. So in this backdrop let us revise about basics of Gaganyan Mission. The primary objective of Gaganyan Mission is to demonstrate India's capability to send humans into space, conduct scientific experiments and bring them back safely. So this mission contains three important components. First is crewed spacecraft. ISRO has developed a crewed spacecraft that is called Gaganyan spacecraft. This spacecraft will carry two to three astronauts into space. The second component is launch vehicle. The Gaganyan spacecraft will be launched into orbit using launch vehicle called GSLV Mark 3. It is one of the most powerful launch vehicles of ISRO. Then training facilities. Indian astronauts are being trained in Russia as well as in India to prepare for the mission. This includes training for microgravity, handling the spacecraft and conducting experiments. Now if we look into the Gaganyan spacecraft we have three important modules. Orbital module, service module, crew module. First orbital module is a part of spacecraft where astronauts stay during most of the mission. It includes a living and working space for astronauts where they can eat, sleep and conduct experiments. Then there is service module. This is attached to the orbital module and has engines for propulsion, power generation and other support functions. The service module has solar panels to generate power and has storage for fuel. Then crew module. It is where astronauts are seated during launch and re-entry. It is designed to protect astronauts during launch and during re-entry of the mission. So these are the three important modules of Gaganyan mission. Now we shall see some of the significance of the mission. Successful completion of Gaganyan mission will make India the fourth country in the world to send humans to space. This is after United States, Russia and China. So this gives an international recognition to India's space program. Then the mission will enable Indian astronauts to conduct scientific experiments in space which can provide valuable insights into various scientific and medical fields. Then the mission showcases India's advancement in space technology and proving its position as a leading player in space industry. So these are some of the significance of the mission. In this discussion, we have seen the important components of Gaganyan mission and the three important modules of Gaganyan spacecraft and some of the significance of the mission. So this is all about this discussion. Now let us move to the next topic. Now look at this news article. Hyderabad Municipal Corporation is experimenting a new technology called GeoCell technology. This is to reduce soil erosion below the roads. So in this news article discussion, let us understand about GeoCell technology. GeoCell technology uses three-dimensional honeycomb-like structures to lay roads. This structure is made up of high-density polyethylene or polyester. The honeycomb-like structures are interconnected to create a grid-like structure. These cells are then filled with soil, aggregate or other granular materials. This will provide stability and load distribution. GeoCells are commonly used for soil stabilization, erosion control, slope protection and pavement reinforcement. Now let us see important benefits of GeoCell technology. Firstly, GeoCells are effective in controlling soil erosion on slopes and embankments. Secondly, they help in strengthening roads and pavements. Thirdly, GeoCell technology can be more cost-effective than traditional construction methods because it minimizes excavation and reduces material usage. Finally, it is a sustainable solution that minimizes environmental disruption, reduces natural resource consumption and it is eco-friendly method. So, these are some of the points related to GeoCell technology. Then there is another similar method for laying eco-friendly roads that is steel slag technology. This technology uses steel slag for laying roads. Here, steel slag is the byproduct of steel production. It is nothing but a waste from steel industries. This steel slag has many advantages for laying roads. Firstly, it is cost-effective. Steel slag is often less expensive than natural aggregates like crushed stone or gravel. So, it is an economical choice for road construction. Secondly, it has environmental benefits. Using steel slag reduces the need for quarrying and thereby it minimizes the environmental impact. Then it also has durability. Steel slag has excellent durability and can withstand heavy traffic loads and harsh weather conditions. Then it is also skid resistance. Steel slag provides good skid resistance enhancing the road safety. Steel slag is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear and it is suitable for laying roads in heavy traffic areas. So, these are some of the benefits of using steel slag in laying roads. By using these new technology to lay roads, India aims to lead the way in sustainable road infrastructure development and thereby achieving the Waste to Wealth mission. See, the Waste to Wealth mission is one of the national missions under prime ministers, science, technology and innovation advisory council. Waste to Wealth mission will assist the Swachh Bharat mission and Smart Cities project to create circular economic models and thereby creating Waste to Wealth models. So, in this discussion, we have seen basics about geocell technology and also some important points about steel slag technology. So, this is all about this discussion. Now, let us move to the next topic. Look at this news article. Recently, a high energy fast radio burst from a complex galaxy has been identified. It has offered new insights into the universe challenging the current models of FRB emission. Researchers have localized the source of this particular FRB. So, this is the crux of the news article. In this discussion, we shall know about what is fast radio burst. Fast radio burst or intense pulse of radio waves that originate from sources outside Milky Way Galaxy. FRBs release energy in just a fraction of second equivalent to what sun emits in thousands of years. So, this makes them one of the most energetic event in the universe. Know that FRB lasts only for milliseconds in the sky. Because of this, it is difficult to detect and determine their position in the sky. Now, what is the origin of fast radio burst? Generally, FRB are spotted in various parts of the universe. So, their origin is unknown and their appearance is highly unpredictable. We generally know about FRB by their defining properties. The defining property of FRB is their dispersion. Generally, these FRB produces a spectrum of radio waves. Know that when these waves travel through matter, they disperse at higher radio frequencies. By doing so, they can be detected earlier at telescopes than those at lower frequencies. Now, what is the use of this dispersion? The dispersion of FRB is used by researchers to learn about two important things. Firstly, by measuring this dispersion, scientists analyze about the matters that radio bursts have passed through. By doing so, we can be aware of missing matters of universe and intergalactic matter. Secondly, by measuring dispersion, astronomers can indirectly determine the distance between astronomical things. To put it simply, larger the dispersion, more the material the FRB have passed through. So, it means FRB have traveled further across the universe. So, the dispersion of FRB helps to know about the matters in the universe and the distance between them. Now, what is the significance of studying FRB? FRB can detect ionized material between galaxies, thereby providing insights into the ionized matter in universe. Even though the cause of FRB remains uncertain, by using their frequencies, we can understand about the structure of universe. So, this is all about FRB. So, FRB is just a radio waves that originate from unknown sources in distant part of the universe. So, this is all about this discussion. Now, let us move to the next topic. Look at this news article recently Supreme Court of India has asked the central government to restore the ecological health of Himalayan ecosystem. In replying to this, Union government has proposed a committee to suggest measures in order to restore the ecology of Himalayan region. So, this is the crux of the article. In our discussion, we are going to see about the challenges faced by Himalayan ecosystem and the steps that are taken to conserve it. As usual, we will approach this topic with the main's answer-writing-come-interactive approach. Now, before getting into the discussion, let us look into the syllabus. In prelims, this topic comes under Indian geography, physical, social, economic geography of India. And in main's, it comes under GS paper one under the topic of important geophysical phenomena, geographical features and their location changes and effects of such changes. So, this is all about the syllabus. Now, look at the question. The Indian Himalayan region is prone to multi-crisis in recent times. In the light of this statement, analyze the challenges to Himalayan ecosystem and discuss the steps that are taken to restore the Himalayan ecosystem. So, in this question, the key words are analyze and discuss. The structure of the answer is very simple. In the first part of answer, we are going to write about challenges to Himalayan ecosystem. And in the second part, we are going to write about the steps that are taken to protect Himalayan ecosystem. And in the end, we can suggest some measures to safeguard Himalayas as conclusion part. Now, coming to the question. The statement in the question says that Indian Himalayan region is prone to multi-crisis in recent times. So, in the introduction part, we can write about importance of Himalayan region. This is how we have to approach this question. Let us start with the introduction. The Indian Himalayan region is a section of Himalayas within India. They spread across 13 states or union territories. And it extends between Indus and Brahmabudra river systems. It is home to many Perennial rivers. Thereby, it contributes to food security and energy security of the country. In this way, you can give a simple introduction about Indian Himalayan region. Now, coming to the body of the answer. See, in the first part, we should write about challenges to Himalayan ecosystem. Now, let us list out the important challenges. First is climate change and glacial melting. The increasing temperatures due to climate change resulted in melting and retreat of glaciers. It results in water scarcity and glacial lake outburst. For example, according to Centre for Science and Environment, more than 8800 glacial lakes in Himalayas are classified as dangerous. Next is tectonic activities in Himalayas. We know that Himalayas are young-fold mountains and they are prone to tectonic activities. So, it is a highly unstable and tectonically active region. This makes the region highly prone to natural disasters such as landslides, avalanches and earthquakes. According to ISRO's Landslide Atlas of India, all the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh are prone to landslips. The next important challenges to Himalayan ecosystem is the ecologically insensitive development model. Building of large-scale infrastructure projects without taking into consideration of impact on environment has affected the ecology of the Himalayan region. For example, the Char Dham project and many hydropower projects in the Himalayan states have affected the forest and top soil of the fragile Himalayas. The impact of these projects are seen in the sinking of the Joshimath region in recent news. Then another important challenge is unsustainable tourism. The Himalayan region is home to various religious and cultural spots. So, these regions naturally attract a large number of tourists. Unfortunately, this tourism is affecting the ecology of the Himalayan region. Then another important challenge is growth of invasive species. The growth of large number of invasive species in Himalayan natural ecosystem has disrupted the balance of ecosystem. For example, purple flowers, white clover, tumbleweed mustard or some of the invasive species in Himalayan ecosystem. So, this is all about the challenges faced by Himalayan ecosystem. Now coming to the second part of the answer. That is, we are going to discuss about the steps taken to restore the Himalayan region. The first important step is national mission on sustaining Himalayan ecosystem. It was launched in 2010 and it is a part of eight missions under national action plan on climate change. It covers 11 states and two union territories. That is Himachal Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Sikkim, all northeastern states, West Bengal, Jammuun Kashmir and Ladakh. This mission is a pan-Himalayan strategy covering the Himalayan ecosystem. Next is Secure Himalaya project. It is funded by Global Enurance Facility. Know that the project aims to promote sustainable management of forests in Himalayan ecosystem. Then there is a Mishra committee report of 1976. The findings of the committee are related to land subsidence in Joshimath region. It analyses the problems and recommended placing restrictions on heavy construction work and hydropower projects. Implementing the committee's report will help to restore the Himalayan ecosystem. Now coming to the conclusion part. Here we can suggest our own measures to safeguard the Himalayan ecosystem. The infrastructure projects must reflect the local ecosystem while incorporating measures for seismic fragility. Sustainable hydropower projects must be designed and the dams must be re-engineered in Himalayan ecosystem. Appropriate mechanisms should be taken to balance the growth of tourism in a sustainable manner. In addition to this, we need an international collaboration to safeguard the Himalayan ecosystem. All the countries of Himalayan region must come together for cooperation to monitor the risks in Himalayan ecosystem. They should work together to prevent any further construction that affects the fragile ecosystem of Himalayan region. So in this way, we can suggest our own measures regarding the protection of Himalayan ecosystem. So this is all about the discussion. Here we have seen what are the important challenges to Indian Himalayan region, what are the steps that are taken to protect the region and finally we have suggested some measures to protect the region. So this is all about this discussion. Now let us move to the next topic. Look at this news article. Yesterday National Investigation Agency has arrested a 30 year old man in connection with Sri Lankan Human Trafficking case. The news may not be important for us but we will revise about the basics of National Investigation Agency in this discussion. See National Investigation Agency is a statutory body created under National Investigation Agency Act 2008. The agency was created in response to 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. It is to strengthen India's ability to combat terrorism and handle national security threats. The agency functions under Ministry of Home Affairs. The primary mandate of NIA is to investigate and combat terrorism and other organized crimes that have national or international importance. It has jurisdiction across entire country and can investigate cases related to terrorism, cybercrime, armed smuggling, human trafficking and etc. Remember NIA is headed by Director General who is a senior IPS officer. The agency has eight regional offices across India and it is headquartered at New Delhi. Now coming to the powers of the agency. NIA has extensive powers including the ability to arrest and detain suspects, conduct searches, seize assets and gather evidence. It can also prosecute cases in special NIA courts. NIA can also collaborate with the law enforcement agencies of other countries to investigate cases of international importance. This includes cases involving cross border terrorism and extradiction of suspects. As provided under section 6 of NIA Act, the state governments can refer the cases to central government for NIA investigation. After assessing the details, the central government can direct NIA to take over the case from state government. Apart from this, NIA also has a cybercrime division responsible for investigating cyber related offenses including online radicalization and hacking. The agency can arrest individuals who threaten national security. This is done under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act that is UAPA Act. So these are some of the powers of NIA. With this, we conclude this discussion. Now we have come to the prelims practice question discussion. Look at the first question. It is about geocell technology. In which of the following areas geocell technology is primarily used? As we know from the discussion, the correct answer is option D, construction of roads and pavements. Now look at the second question. Consider the following statements regarding national investigation agency. It was established primarily to combat domestic cybercrimes and internet fraud. This statement is incorrect because it was created to investigate terrorism, transnational organized crime and other national security threats. Now look at the second statement. It can investigate terror cases across the country without having to get permission from the states. Yes, this statement is correct. Look at the third statement. Under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967, NIA is allowed to detain individuals without filing formal charges. Yes, this statement is also correct. So the correct answer is option B, only two. Now look at the third question. Which of the following statements accurately describes the concept of microgravity as experienced by astronauts in Earth's orbit? Microgravity is absence of gravity resulting in complete weightlessness. This statement is incorrect because microgravity is not absence of gravity. Now look at the second statement. Microgravity is a state in which gravitational forces are significantly reduced but not entirely absent. Yes, this statement is correct. The third and fourth statement are also incorrect because microgravity is not concentrated in small area. It is just a reduced amount of gravity. It is also not experienced by astronauts on moon. So basically microgravity is a reduced amount of gravity, which is experienced by astronauts in Earth's orbit. So the correct answer is option B. So this is the main question for you today. Interested aspirants can write the answer and post it in the comment section. With this we have come to the end of the discussion. If you liked the video, please share it with your friends and subscribe to Shankarai's YouTube channel. Thank you.