Lok Sabha Speaker refers complaint against TMC MP Mahua Moitra to ethics panel

Ethics Committee in Parliament

• The genesis of formation of the Ethics Committee in Parliament can be traced to a resolution adopted at the Presiding Officers Conference held in New Delhi in October, 1996.
• Each house of the parliament has its own ethics committee.
• Ethics committee in Lok Sabha
  • It was first constituted in 2000.
  • Composition: It consists of not more than fifteen members and nominated by the Speaker.
  • Term: They shall hold office for a term not exceeding one year.
• Ethics committee in Rajya Sabha
  • It was constituted in 1997.
  • Composition: It consists of 10 members nominated by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
  • Term: They shall hold office for a term not exceeding one year.
• Functions
  • To oversee the moral and ethical conduct of the Members;
  • To examine the cases referred to it with reference to ethical and other misconduct of the Members.
• Any person or member may make a complaint relating to unethical conduct of a member to the committee.
• In the case of the Ethics Committee only an MP can be examined for misconduct.

Prime Minister extends best wishes on the auspicious occasion of KatiBihu to the people of Assam

Kati Bihu

• It is celebrated in the state of Assam.
• Kati means to cut and this day marks the time of relocation of rice saplings.
• It is also known as Kongali Bihu. (Kongali means poor)
• There are another two Bihu festivals celebrated in Assam - Bhogali or Magh Bihu is observed in January and Rongali or Bohag Bihu is observed in the month of April.
• Significance
  • During this month, there are not so many things to eat.
  • They celebrate this festival by lighting the earthen lamps or candles and lit their house with lighting.
  • Lighting diya near Tulsi plant is one of the main part of the festival. They worship Tulsi plant on this auspicious day.
  • People also light a special lamp called "Akash Banti" (Sky candle) in their paddy fields.
  • These lamps are fueled by mustard oil and are kept high on the tip of bamboo poles.
  • People believe that these lighted lamps will guide their ancestors towards heaven.

Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO To Condust TV-D1 Flight Test

TV-D1 Mission

• Test Vehicle Abort Mission-1 (TV-D1) will evaluate the crew module''s readiness for the Gaganyaan mission.
• It is a single-stage liquid rocket developed specifically for this abort mission.
• The payloads consist of the Crew Module (CM) and Crew Escape Systems (CES) with their fast-acting solid motors, along with CM fairing (CMF) and Interface Adapters.
• This flight will simulate the abort condition during the ascent trajectory corresponding to a Mach number of 1.2 encountered in the Gaganyaan mission.

What is the test all about

• The abort and crew escape system operates on a similar principle to an ejection seat found in fighter jets, with the primary goal of safeguarding the lives of crew members in the event of in-flight anomalies.
• The Crew Escape System is engineered to automatically function across various altitudes should the onboard computer detect any malfunctions.
• This test flight will simulate an abort condition during the ascent trajectory.
• Objective: To test a crucial system to be deployed on the Gaganyaan mission that will ensure the safety of the Indian astronauts in case of an emergency in the initial phase of the launch.
• CES with CM will be separated from the Test Vehicle at an altitude of about 17 km.
• Subsequently, the abort sequence will be executed autonomously commencing with the separation of CES and deployment of the series of parachutes, finally culminating in the safe touchdown of CM in the sea, about 10 km from the coast of Sriharikota.

List Niemann-Pick as rare disease, parents of young patients urge govt

Niemann-Pick Disease

• It is a rare genetic disorder in which sphingomyelin accumulate in lysosomes inside cells.
• This disease involves dysfunctional metabolism of sphingolipids.
• The three most commonly recognized forms are Niemann-Pick Types A and B and Type C.
• This disease can affect the brain, nerves, liver, spleen, bone marrow and, in severe cases, lungs.
• People with this condition experience symptoms related to progressive loss of function of nerves, the brain and other organs.
• It can occur at any age but mainly affects children.
• Causes:
  • It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene, must be defective to cause the disease.
  • Most often, the parents of a child with an autosomal recessive disorder are carriers: they have one copy of the altered gene, but are not affected because the other copy produces the enzyme.
  • If both parents are carriers, each pregnancy has a 25% chance of producing an affected child.
• Symptoms
  • Enlargement of the liver and spleen (Hepatosplenomegaly)
  • Low levels of platelets in the blood(Thrombocytopenia)
  • Slurring of speech (dysarthria)
  • Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Abnormal posturing of the limbs, trunk, and face (dystonia).
  • Voluntary rapid eye movements (supranuclear gaze palsy).
  • Gradual loss of intellectual abilities, causing dementia and seizures
• Classification
  • Types A and B: Mutations in the SMPD1 Gene cause types A and B.
  • They produce a deficiency in the activity of the lysosomal enzyme acid sphingomyelinase that breaks down the lipid sphingomyelin.
  • Types C: Mutations in NPC1 or NPC2 cause Niemann–Pick disease, type C (NPC), which affects a protein used to transport lipids. It is the most common form of the disease includes types C1 (95% of type C) and C2.
• Treatment : No specific treatment is known for type A and B, but symptoms are treated.

Microalgae are adapting to warming climate, declining nutrient levels in seas with novel strategy

Microalgae

• Microalgae are microscopic algae, typically found in freshwater and marine systems.
• They are unicellular species that exist individually or in chains or groups.
• They are comprised of unicellular algal species, g. green algae, diatoms, and dinoflagellates.
• Depending on the species, their sizes can range from a few micrometers (µm) to a few hundreds of micrometers.
• The color of the algae is influenced by the predominant pigments in an algal cell. Thus, they are grouped according to their color: green, red, or brown.
• Unlike higher plants, microalgae do not have roots, stems, or leaves.
• They are mostly photosynthetic. Their ability to photosynthesize is due to the presence of photosynthetic pigments.
• Those that lack photosynthetic pigments are heterotrophs and therefore feed on other organisms.
• Importance:
  • They form the base of the food chain, providing essential nutrients for zooplankton, small fish, and other aquatic organisms. They are a primary food source for filter-feeding organisms.
  • Photosynthetic microalgae play a vital role in the global carbon and oxygen cycles. They absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which helps mitigate climate change and contributes to oxygen generation. They produce approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen.
  • Microalgae can form symbiotic relationships with other organisms. For example, they live within the tissues of corals (zooxanthellae) and provide them with nutrients through photosynthesis.
  • Some of them are also capable of fixing nitrogen. Eg: Nostoc, Anabaena, and Oscillatoria.
  • They are rich in nutrients and can serve as a food source for humans. Spirulina and Chlorella, two types of microalgae, are often consumed as dietary supplements.

Macroalgae

• Macroalgae, commonly called seaweeds, are marine plants that photosynthesize, but reproduce without flowers.
• They are visible to the naked eye (in contrast to microalgae) and generally grow attached to the seabed or reef substrate.
• They are important components of the reef ecosystem, providing food and habitat to a diverse range of species while also playing a key role in nutrient dynamics.

Algal bloom

• An algal bloom is the overgrowth of microscopic algae or algae-like bacteria in fresh, salt, or brackish waters.
• They are a result of excess nutrients from fertilizer, wastewater, and stormwater runoff, coinciding with lots of sunlight, warm temperatures, and shallow, slow-flowing water.
• Depending on the type of algae or bacteria that cause it, an algal bloom may produce bad-smelling scum, foam, froth, or a paintlike slick.
• Algal blooms can be many colors, including blue-green, yellow, brown, pink, and red.
• A harmful algal bloom, or HAB, is a bloom that produces toxins that are dangerous to humans and potentially other organisms.
• Not all algal blooms are toxic.

India: What is APAAR? Govt plans ''One nation One Student ID'' for school students

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)

• APAAR, dubbed ''One Nation, One Student ID'', is an Education Ecosystem Registry, or an ''EduLocker''.
• The APAAR will give each student enrolled from pre-primary to higher education, a unique identification number.
• This will be in addition to the already existing Aadhaar ID that every individual has.
• Upon enrolling in APAAR, each student''s identity will be authenticated through their Aadhaar ID or other officially recognised documents, and a distinct identification number will be generated for them.
• Benefits:
  • The APAAR, or EduLocker will be a lifelong ID number for students for seamless tracking of their academic journey and achievements.
  • They will be able to digitally store their exam results, learning outcomes, co-curricular achievements such as ranking in Olympiads or receiving specialised skill training, and much more.
  • Transcripts, certificates, and other academic achievements may be easily stored and accessed by students, boosting their capacity to apply for employment, scholarships, or higher education opportunities.
  • In addition to that, students transferring from one school to another will face less hassle in obtaining admission to a new institution in any part of the country.
  • It would make it easier for authorities, educational boards, and institutions to track student progress, monitor performance, and assess the effectiveness of education policies.
  • It will also help government agencies monitor dropouts.
• Enrolment process:
• The enrolment process will be carried out by the school with the consent of their parents, who will also be able to withdraw their consent at any given point of time.
• The government assured that the data will be shared only with concerned government agencies if and when required.
• The data collected on each student by the schools will be stored in a centrally functioning District Information for Education portal.

General Provident Fund (GPF) payment on retirement

General Provident Fund (GPF)

• It is a type of provident fund account that is available only for government employees in India.
• The primary objective of this fund is to provide a dependable source of retirement income for government employees.
• It allows government employees to accumulate savings over their employment tenure.
• Eligibility: The following are eligible to subscribe to a GPF account:
  • All temporary government servants who have given their service continuously for one year
  • All re-employed pensioners (except those eligible for admission to the contributory provident fund)
  • All permanent government servants
  • A private sector worker is not eligible for the General Provident Fund
• Contribution:
  • It is a mandatory scheme for government employees, requiring them to contribute a certain percentage of their salary towards the fund.
  • The contributions are deducted from the employee''s monthly salary, and the amount earns interest at a predetermined rate.
  • Employees can also increase the GPF deductions as per their choice.
• Withdrawal:
  • Employees can withdraw their savings from the fund upon retirement or resignation from service.
  • A GPF is flexible, allowing employees to withdraw money from the fund for various reasons, such as marriage, education, and medical emergencies.
  • Employees can also take out loans against their GPF account, subject to certain conditions.
  • Employees who transfer to another government department or leave their job can withdraw their GPF balance or transfer it to their new employer.
  • The GPF sum will be paid to their nominee if the employee passes away.
• It also offers a competitive interest rate, revised quarterly.
• The GPF scheme is administered by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare, falling under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• This scheme offers several benefits to government employees, including tax savings, low-risk investments, and guaranteed returns.

SEBI Approached OCCRP for Documents on Adani Allegations

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)

• OCCRP is a nonprofit investigative reporting platform for 50+ independent media outlets around the world, publishing more than 100 investigations a year.
• It was founded in 2006 to conduct transnational investigative reporting and promote technology-based approaches to exposing organised crime and corruption worldwide.
• It aims to develop and equip a global network of investigative journalists and publish their stories.
• With this, OCCRP exposes crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account.
• Vision: “A world where lives, livelihoods, and democracy are not threatened by crime and corruption."
• OCCRP provides media outlets and journalists with a range of critical resources and tools, including digital and physical security, and allows those covering the most sensitive topics to work in teams with trusted editors.
• OCCRP Aleph: It is an investigative data platform where journalists can search and cross-reference more than three billion records to trace criminal connections and patterns and efficiently collaborate across borders.
• It also trains reporters and partners in advanced journalism techniques.
• OCCRP also partners with advocacy groups, arming civil society with information to meaningfully press for justice and change and unearths evidence that enables law enforcement to act.

58 Killed Due To Diphtheria Outbreak In Guinea: WHO

Diphtheria

• It is a highly contagious and infectious disease that causes severe inflammation of the nose, throat, and windpipe (trachea).
• Cause: It is caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin. It is the toxin that can cause people to get very sick.
• Transmission:
  • The infection can transmit from a person with the infection to any mucous membrane in another person.
  • Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing.
  • People can also get sick from touching infected open sores or ulcers.
• Symptoms:
  • Diphtheria signs and symptoms usually begin 2-5 days after a person becomes infected. Signs and symptoms may include:
    • A thick, gray membrane covering the throat and tonsils
    • A sore throat and hoarseness
    • Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck
    • Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
    • Nasal discharge
    • Fever and chills
    • Tiredness
  • If the toxin gets into the blood stream, it can cause heart, nerve, and kidney damage.
  • The bacteria can also infect the skin, causing open sores or ulcers. However, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in severe disease.
• Treatment: Treatment aimed at countering the bacterial effects has two components:
  • Antitoxin: This is also known as anti-diphtheritic serum. It neutralizes the bacteria’s toxins. Doctors use the antitoxin to treat diphtheria that has affected the respiratory system. The antitoxin only works on toxins that have not yet bound with cells and tissue in the body.
  • Antibiotics: Erythromycin or penicillin can eradicate the bacteria and stop them from spreading. Antibiotics can treat diphtheria affecting the respiratory system and skin.

Is Halley’s Comet returning?

Orionid meteor shower

• It is an annual phenomenon that lights up the night sky every October.
• It is produced when Earth passes through the debris left behind by Halley''s Comet, officially known as 1P/Halley.
• This comet, which orbits the sun approximately every 76 years, expels dust particles from its nucleus, creating a trail of debris in its path.
• Each year, our planet intercepts this path in late October, resulting in the Orionid meteor shower.
• Halley''s Comet, measuring about five by nine miles in size, loses between three to ten feet of material on each passage through the inner solar system.
• The Orionids are viewable in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres during the hours after midnight.

Meteor

• When meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and burn up, the fireballs or “shooting stars” are called meteors.
• Meteor showers occur annually or at regular intervals as the Earth passes through the trail of dusty debris left by a comet.
• Meteor showers are usually named after a star or constellation that is close to where the meteors appear in the sky.