21st August Current affairs

Topics

Global Initiative on Digital Health
Green Hydrogen Standard
LUNA 25
Data Protection Board
Rediscovery of Anjala Massacre
3^rd Largest Monsoonal break

Global Initiative on Digital Health

Context

In a remarkable stride towards advancing global healthcare innovation, the collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and India’s G20 presidency has led to the introduction of the ‘Global Initiative on Digital Health’ (GIDH).

This pivotal announcement took place during the Health Minister’s Meeting within the context of the G20 Summit, which was hosted by the Indian Government.

Understanding GIDH: WHO and G20 Partnership

Under the combined efforts of the WHO and India’s G20 presidency, the ‘Global Initiative on Digital Health’ (GIDH) has been established.
This initiative functions as a platform managed by the WHO and is designed to support the effective implementation of the ‘Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025.’

Implementation Strategy: Driving the GIDH

Functioning as the Secretariat for the strategy, the WHO takes on the crucial role of facilitating the global convergence of standards, best practices, and resources that are geared towards expediting the transformation of digital health systems on a global scale.

Objectives of the GIDH Initiative

1. Achieving Measurable Outcomes

The primary goal of the GIDH initiative is to bring nations and partners together in a unified effort to achieve concrete and measurable results in the realm of digital health through coordinated actions.

Prioritizing Investment Plans

One of the focal points of the initiative is the establishment of targeted investment plans that prioritize the transformation of digital health. These plans are guided by clear and well-defined priorities.

Enhancing Resource Transparency

GIDH is committed to promoting transparency in the reporting of digital health resources. By doing so, the initiative aims to ensure the efficient allocation of resources for the advancement of digital health initiatives.

Fostering Global Collaboration

The initiative serves as a platform for facilitating the exchange of knowledge and collaboration between different regions and countries. This collaborative approach is instrumental in accelerating progress in the field of digital health.

Holistic Governance Approach

GIDH lends its support to comprehensive government-led approaches to digital health governance within individual countries. This holistic perspective is vital for the successful implementation of digital health strategies.

Strengthening Support

With a dual focus on technical and financial support, the GIDH initiative aims to enhance the overall support provided for the effective implementation of the ‘Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025’ and its subsequent phases.

India’s Vision and Role

Driving Digital Health Innovation

India’s role in the realm of digital health innovation was underscored by the G-20 Health Minister during the G-20 Health Ministers’ Meeting. The nation’s contribution to pushing the boundaries of digital health was highlighted on this platform.

National Digital Health Architecture

The GIDH initiative shone a spotlight on India’s efforts to establish a comprehensive digital health ecosystem. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was presented as an exemplary endeavor that embodies this vision for a robust digital health infrastructure.

GREEN HYDROGEN STANDARD

Introduction

In a significant stride towards advancing the objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has taken a crucial step by introducing the Green Hydrogen Standard for India.

Defining Green Hydrogen

The newly issued standard delineates the specific emission thresholds that must be satisfied to classify hydrogen production as ‘Green,’ signifying its origin from renewable sources.

Inclusive Production Methods

This standard encompasses both electrolysis-based and biomass-based methodologies for hydrogen production, broadening its scope and applicability.

Emission Limit for Green Hydrogen

According to the guidelines set by the Ministry, Green Hydrogen is characterized by a well-to-gate emission standard, which includes various stages like water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, and hydrogen compression.
The emission must not exceed 2 kg CO2 equivalent per kg H2.

Methodology and Oversight

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is mandated to establish a comprehensive methodology for quantifying, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its related derivatives.

Accreditation Authority

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), operating under the Ministry of Power, assumes the role of the Nodal Authority.

Its responsibilities include accrediting agencies responsible for monitoring, verification, and certification of projects related to Green Hydrogen production.

LUNA 25

LUNA 25 was a Russian lunar mission that aimed to land near the south pole of the moon and conduct scientific experiments.

However, the mission failed when the spacecraft crashed into the lunar surface on August 19, 2023.

Launch and orbit

LUNA 25 was launched on August 10, 2023, from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia, onboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket.
The spacecraft reached the lunar orbit in six days and was supposed to land on August 19, 2023, near the crater Boguslawsky.
The landing site was close to the one chosen by India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, which was launched on July 14, 2023.

Crash and Cause

On August 19, 2023, LUNA 25 performed a maneuver to enter a pre-landing elliptical orbit.
However, due to a deviation of the actual parameters of the impulse from the calculated ones, the spacecraft spun out of control and lost contact with the ground control.
The spacecraft then collided with the lunar surface and ceased to exist.
A specially formed commission was set up by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, to investigate the reasons for the loss of the mission.

Objectives and payloads

LUNA 25 was the first lunar mission by Russia in 47 years, since LUNA 24 in 1976.
The mission had a planned duration of one year and a lift-off mass of 1,750 kg.
The spacecraft did not carry a rover, but had eight payloads mainly to study the soil composition, dust particles in the polar exosphere, and most importantly detect surface water on the moon.

The mission was also seen as a demonstration of Russia’s resilience and access to the moon’s surface amid international sanctions and competition from other countries.

Data Protection Board

The Data Protection Board of India is a proposed authority that will be responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (DPDPB 2023).

Composition and Independence

The Data Protection Board of India will consist of a chairperson and six members, who will be appointed by the central government on the recommendation of a selection committee.
The chairperson and the members will have expertise in the fields of data protection, information technology, law, public administration, or social sciences.
The Board will operate as an independent body and function in a manner that is “digital by design”.

Functions and powers

Monitoring compliance and imposing penalties for violations of the DPDPB 2023.
Directing data fiduciaries (that is, persons, companies and government entities who process data) to take necessary measures in the event of a data breach.
Hearing grievances made by affected persons (that is, the person to whom the data relates) and issuing orders for redressal.
Specifying categories of personal data that are sensitive or critical and require additional safeguards.
Notifying significant data fiduciaries who have to comply with certain additional obligations.
Approving codes of practice and standards for data protection;
Conducting inquiries and audits into the activities of data fiduciaries;
Advising the central government on matters relating to data protection;
Cooperating with other data protection authorities at the national and international levels.

Challenges and opportunities

Balancing the interests of various stakeholders, such as data principals, data fiduciaries, government agencies, civil society groups, and international partners.
Ensuring adequate resources, capacity, and infrastructure to perform its functions effectively and efficiently.
Developing a robust legal framework and jurisprudence for data protection in India;
Fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability among data fiduciaries and data principals.

Promoting innovation and competitiveness in the digital economy while ensuring data protection.

Rediscovery of Anjala Massacre

Introduction

In a remarkable collaborative effort by geneticists, the historical truth of the Ajnala massacre, a tragic event forgotten for 165 years, has been confirmed through scientific investigation.

This project, characterized by its emotional depth and rigorous analysis, utilized molecular and isotope data to bring to light the long-lost victims of this somber incident.

Ajnala Massacre: Unearthing a Buried Tragedy

Tragic Fate of the 26th Native Bengal Infantry Regiment: The Ajnala massacre recounts the harrowing fate of 282 soldiers from the 26th Native Bengal Infantry Regiment who met a brutal end during the 1857 uprising. They were ruthlessly drowned in a well by the British East India Company.

Discovery of the Massacre’s Location: Clues found in Cooper’s book were pivotal in uncovering the location of the 1857 Kallianwala Martyrs’ Well, situated beneath the Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Ajnala.

Chance Encounter Sparks Rediscovery: The resurgence of this forgotten event began in 2003 when historian Surinder Kochhar stumbled upon a reference to ‘Ajnala’ in a discarded book titled “Crisis in Punjab” written by Frederick Henry Cooper.

The Unveiling and Revelation of the Tragedy

Excavation Reveals Grim Secrets: In 2014, an excavation effort brought the well to light, exposing the skeletal remains of the ill-fated soldiers who suffered during the Ajnala massacre.

Escape, Capture, and Brutal Fate: During the 1857 Sepoy mutiny, numerous Indian soldiers rebelled against British rule. Around 500 soldiers revolted at Mian Mir Cantonment in Lahore and swam across the Ravi River to reach Ajnala.

Of them, 218 were killed at Dadian Sofian village near Ajnala, while the remaining 282 met their end in the confines of a small room. Many died of asphyxiation, and the rest were shot before being discarded into the well, now known as “Kalianwala Khu” and “Shaheedan da Khu.”

Validation and Significance

Scientific Validation of Remains: Through DNA-based evidence, it was scientifically established that the skeletal remains indeed belonged to the soldiers of the 26th Native Bengal Infantry regiment.

Adding to Historical Narrative: The Ajnala Massacre contributes to the broader narrative of the 1857 Indian uprising, shedding light on the resistance against the oppression perpetrated by the British East India Company.

A Thought-Provoking Conclusion

The Ajnala Massacre serves as a poignant reminder of the often-overlooked atrocities of the 1857 Indian uprising.

The lack of recognition and memorials can be attributed to the government’s reluctance to confront the uncomfortable aspects of history.

3rd Largest Monsoonal break

Introduction

The recent conclusion of the monsoon break, which commenced on August 7, 2023, was officially declared by the regional center of India Meteorological Department on August 18, 2023.

This marked the end of a meteorological phenomenon that significantly impacts the weather patterns in various regions of India.

Duration and Historical Significance

This year’s monsoon break stands as the third-longest of the 21st century, with only the breaks in 2002 and 2009 surpassing it in duration.
Examining the data spanning the past 73 years, it is apparent that there have been a total of 10 instances where the monsoon break extended beyond a span of 10 days.
Noteworthy among these was the remarkable break in 1972, which persisted for a continuous 17 days in the core monsoon zone.
Additionally, both 1966 and 2002 witnessed multiple occurrences of monsoon breaks lasting over 10 days.

Understanding the Monsoon Break Phenomenon

A “break in monsoon” occurs when a meteorological trough shifts its position.
During this transition, precipitation dramatically ceases over the plains of northern and southern India.
Simultaneously, rainfall intensifies rapidly in the foothills of northeastern India.
The phenomenon is characterized by a distinctive shift in rainfall patterns across the subcontinent.

Influence of Trough Movement

When the trough shifts northward from its initial location, it results in an interruption of rainfall over the plains.
Conversely, a southward movement of the trough creates conditions conducive to the formation of low-pressure areas and depressions over the Bay of Bengal.
This, in turn, leads to heightened rainfall in central India and the southern peninsula.

Monsoon Trough Dynamics

The monsoon trough, a central player in these weather patterns, is characterized by an elongated low-pressure region originating from the heat low of northwest India.
It extends its axis in a west-to-east direction, running parallel to the Himalayan mountains.
The shifting of the monsoon trough is instrumental in triggering episodes of “break in monsoon,” which can significantly alter precipitation patterns across the country.

Conclusion

The conclusion of the recent monsoon break holds both meteorological and ecological significance. Understanding the dynamics of these breaks and their association with the shifting monsoon trough is essential for predicting and managing the effects of changing weather patterns in different regions of India.