Hindu Notes from General Studies-02

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India, Sri Lanka to expedite projects

News

• Expediting decisions on joint projects and “solving the problems that have emerged” was at the top of the agenda as Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister and President during his two-day visit to Delhi.

Beyond News

• Among the projects discussed in particular were the plans for India to develop the Trincomalee harbour, including the Oil Tank farms project, as well as the Indian bid to lease and manage the Mattala airport in Hambantota.
• The emphasis on speeding up joint ventures comes after months where there is no movement on many of the pending decisions on joint ventures.

The Trinco Oil Farm project, that involves the Indian Oil Corporation taking over more than 70 storage tanks would have been sealed in April, when Mr. Wickremesinghe  previously visited, but a flash strike by oil company employees put off any announcement.

Lucknow to get first woman Mayor in 100 years

Why it’s important?

• Uttar Pradesh has already given India its first woman Governor and Chief Minister but Lucknow is set to make history by electing its first woman Mayor in 100 years.

Beyond News

• A woman has never before been elected as head of the municipal body after the Uttar Pradesh Municipalities Act came into existence. This time, however, the Lucknow mayoral seat has been reserved for women, hence all parties have fielded women candidates.

ADD ON :

• FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR: Sarojini Naidu
• First Female CM: Sucheta Kriplani

Hindu Notes from General Studies-03

What is particulate matter and how does it affect you?

• One important factor in air pollution, particulate matter (PM).
• Particulate matter or particle pollution is the general term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.
• There are a wide range of minute particles in the air that can be seen only using an electron microscope.

• It includes sulphates, nitrates, black carbon, particle-bound water, metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc) and hydrocarbons. In addition, biological components such as allergens (pollen, dust mites) and microbial compounds (fungi) are also PM.

The major man-made sources

• Emission from power stations, factories, industries, incinerators, diesel generators and automobiles

• Dust from construction sites and unpaved roads
• Burning of garbage

When inhaled, PM can cause a wide range of respiratory disorders.

• Continuous exposure to PM can cause asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and any type of bronchitis.
• PM can penetrate deep inside the lungs and damage it.
• Any bacteria or virus can now attack the lungs and this could even lead to serious life threatening infections
• PM can also cause chest tightening, watery eyes, sneezing, and running nose. According to WHO almost 3.7 million premature deaths annually are attributed to outdoor air pollution.

Solutions

• According to the WHO Global Urban Ambient Air Pollution Database, more than 80% of people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels that exceed the WHO limits.
• There are no protective masks than can filter these PM. As individuals, we should stop burning our garbage, use public transportation and take medications for allergies as the PM can worsen existing allergies.

We need to raise our voice to sensitise the issue. All of us have seen vehicles which emit massive clouds of smoke. The State Pollution Control board should understand the seriousness and start inspecting vehicles.

Death on the rails: India’s track record

 News

• Data compiled by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) reveals that from 2003 to 2015, 3,486 people were killed in railway accidents, with 2015 alone, accounting for 710 deaths.
• Beyond News

•  

  Despite establishing itself as the country’s prime mode of transport, the Indian Railways has to contend with a dubious safety record

  • The Indian Railways (IR) is the biggest mover of people and goods in the country with a network spanning over one lakh kilometres and ferrying 22 million passengers every day, making it inevitable for the economic and social wellbeing of this country.
  • But it has to contend with a dubious safety record which has not been helped by a recent spate of major accidents.
  • A total of 710 people were killed, and 1,000 injured in rail accidents in 2015, according to MOSPI data.
  • The number of casualties has been on the rise after reaching an inflexion point in 2010, where the numbers were relatively lower.
  •  Deaths due to derailments for 2016-17 is the highest it has been in a decade.

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