Map of the Day: -
The Black Sea borders six countries:
Ukraine to the north
Russia to the northeast
Georgia to the east
Turkey to the south
Bulgaria to the west
Romania to the west
1. City of Ani
Focus on the city and its history:
Ani: A City Divided by History
The Once Glorious Ani: A Symbol of Armenia's Past Deserted now amid snow-capped peaks, Ani was once the capital of a mediaeval Armenian kingdom before it fell to the Seljuks in 1064, the first city the Turks took as they swept into Anatolia.
Anatolia, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula forming the westernmost extremity of Asia. It makes up most of the Asian territory of modern Turkey [TURKEY].
Focus on the current situation:
Tensions Linger on the Turkish-Armenian Border: Ani as a Focal Point
Can Restoring Ani Help Heal Historical Wounds?
Focus on the future:
A Shared Heritage: Can Ani Bridge the Divide Between Turkey and Armenia?
Looking to the Future: Restoration Efforts at Ani
2. Farmers Demand Legal Guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP)
This article discusses the ongoing issue of fair pricing for crops in India, with a focus on the farmers' demand for a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Key Points:
Problem: Farmers, especially those beyond Punjab and wheat/paddy cultivation, don't benefit from MSP, leading to low income and debt.
Demand: Farmers want a legal guarantee on MSP to ensure a minimum price for their produce. This would address "market failure" where farmers have little control over pricing.
Government's Response: The government offers to buy some crops at MSP if farmers diversify, but farmers see this as inadequate.
Benefits of Legal MSP:
Ensures fair income for farmers.
Incentivizes food production and maintains self-sufficiency.
Reduces risk of produce going to waste.
Support for Legal MSP:
Surveys show majority support from farmers, farmworkers, and the public.
Several states have attempted to implement similar policies.
Solution: A minor change to existing laws could establish legal MSP. This should be accompanied by better crop planning, storage facilities, and distribution systems to manage surpluses effectively.
Challenges: Some economists fear legal MSP might distort the market.
Guaranteed higher profits (50% margin) might be achievable.
Current Scheme (PM-AASHA) is Insufficient: It relies on private traders and doesn't guarantee MSP effectively.
Conclusion:
Guaranteeing MSP through legal means is a complex issue, but achievable with proper planning and infrastructure. It's seen as a solution to the ongoing crisis of low farmer income and a way to ensure food security for India.
The article outlines several reasons why most farmers in India don't benefit from MSP:
Limited Reach: MSP is currently announced for 23 crops, but effective procurement (government buying) only happens for a few (like wheat and paddy in Punjab). Most farmers cultivating other crops don't have access to this guaranteed price.
Procurement Issues: Even for covered crops, government procurement reaches only around 6% of farmers. This means most farmers have to sell their produce in the open market, where prices can be much lower than MSP.
Lack of Infrastructure: Proper storage and transportation facilities are lacking, especially for perishable crops. This forces farmers to sell their harvest quickly after production, often at lower prices to avoid spoilage.
Middlemen: A large share of the price paid by consumers goes to intermediaries who connect farmers to the market. With no guaranteed MSP, farmers have little bargaining power and often receive a much smaller portion of the final price.
Government Policies: Schemes like PM-AASHA rely on private traders who might not always offer MSP. Additionally, some argue the government's focus on free market ideology hinders establishing a strong legal framework for MSP.
India-Bhutan Relations: A Model of Cooperation
This article discusses the strong relationship between India and Bhutan, despite the vast difference in size and population.
Key Points:
Foundation of the Relationship: Mutual respect, sovereign equality, and Bhutan's unique identity are key factors. India has supported Bhutan's economic development without compromising its culture.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City: This planned city in southern Bhutan aims to attract foreign investment for sustainable economic growth while focusing on well-being and environmental protection. India is expected to play a significant role in this project.
Constant Engagement: Recent high-level visits between the two countries demonstrate their commitment to nurturing the relationship.
Hydropower Cooperation: A cornerstone of the relationship, joint hydropower projects benefit both nations. India receives clean electricity, and Bhutan receives revenue and development assistance. While a new joint venture model is proposed, the article suggests revisiting its practicality.
Development Partnership: India has contributed significantly to Bhutan's development plans, focusing on projects directly benefiting the Bhutanese people.
The Future of the Partnership:
India can support the Gelephu project through direct flights, infrastructure expertise, and controlled tourism/business opportunities.
The success of the city can have positive economic impacts on bordering Indian regions.
Overall, the India-Bhutan relationship serves as a model of win-win cooperation for the region.
Additional Notes:
The article emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration for a successful partnership.
Rethinking Cancer Classification: A Shift Towards Molecular Makeup
This article explores a proposed change in how we classify cancers. Here's a breakdown of the key points:
Traditional Classification:
Based on the organ where the tumor originates (breast, lung, etc.)
Limited effectiveness for treating metastatic cancers (cancer that has spread)
Why Change is Needed:
Treatments are increasingly targeting the genetic mutations of the cancer, not the organ.
Cancers with the same origin can have different mutations, and vice versa.
Proposed New System:
Classify cancers based on their molecular and genetic characteristics.
This allows drugs to be tested based on the mutations, not the organ of origin.
Problem: Drugs are often tested for each type of cancer (e.g., breast, lung) even if they target a specific protein present across various cancers.
Example: Nivolumab, a drug targeting a particular protein, wasn't readily available to patients with different cancers expressing that protein because trials were done for each cancer type separately.
Impact: This delays access to potentially beneficial drugs for patients.
The proposed new classification system based on molecular makeup aims to address this issue:
By classifying cancers based on the proteins or mutations they share, trials can be conducted for the drug based on that target, irrespective of the organ.
This reduces the number of trials needed and potentially speeds up access to effective treatments.
Benefits:
Faster access to potentially life-saving drugs for patients.
Reduced time needed for clinical trials.
Improved understanding of treatment rationale for patients.
Personalized treatment approaches.
Challenges:
Regulatory agencies, insurance companies, and scientific groups need to adapt.
Requires wider availability and affordability of genetic testing for patients (especially in developing countries).
Trials based on molecular signatures might not fully account for variations due to origin.
Organ location can still influence outcomes.
Future Outlook:
This shift in classification will likely take time to implement fully.
Requires further research on adapting trial methodologies.
Overall, the new system has the potential to improve access to effective cancer treatments.
Questions based on today's News
How many countries does the Black Sea border?
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Which country lies to the north of the Black Sea?
Ukraine
Turkey
Georgia
Russia
What is the modern name for the historical city of Ani?
Ankara
Istanbul
Yerevan
None of the above
Why do farmers want a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
To control inflation
To ensure maximum profits
To address market failure
To reduce government intervention
20 March 2024 Daily Current Affairs
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