19 August 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. Global Initiative on Digital Health C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. A ‘fab’ way to conduct India-Japan tech diplomacy F. Prelims Facts 1. Privilege Motion 2. Privileges Committee 3. LK-99: Is it a superconductor? G. Tidbits 1. Tsushima Strait 2. Haiti H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
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A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
1. Global Initiative on Digital Health
Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Mains: Global Initiative on Digital Health, Sustainable Development Goals, National Digital Health Mission
Prelims: Global Initiative on Digital Health, WHO
- The Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) is a WHO initiative to facilitate the implementation of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.
Why is there a need?
- Digital health is being seen as a proven way to improve health outcomes and achieve Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals.
- For example, India’s National Digital Health Mission aims to establish the following:
- Health ID: A unique health identifier for individuals, similar to an Aadhaar ID.
- Digi Doctor: A repository of doctors with their contact information, qualifications, and specializations.
- Health Facility Register (HFR): A repository of health facilities in India, including their contact information and services offered.
- Personal Health Records (PHR): An electronic record of an individual’s health information, which they can control and update.
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR): A web-based system that contains a patient’s medical history and treatment information.
- The acceleration of digital health transformation is challenged by fragmentation in resource allocation, a lack of uniform definitions of digital solutions, and a lack of quality assurance.
- Countries also need support to move from isolated digital health initiatives to establishing a national digital health infrastructure which brings all digital health initiatives under one wing.
- There is a lack of alignment of investments in digital health, which makes it difficult to reduce duplication and optimize impact.
- Global Initiative on Digital Health acts as a global platform to respond to digital health needs by aligning investments, strengthening the enabling environment, and enhancing quality-assured technical support.
What are the 4 pillars of the Global Initiative on Digital Health?
- Country Needs Tracker: This pillar will help to ensure that digital health investments are aligned with the needs of countries. It will do this by collecting data on country priorities, needs, and gaps in digital health. This information will then be used to inform the development and implementation of digital health interventions.
- Country Resource Portal: This pillar will help to identify and connect countries with traditional and innovative resources for digital health. This includes funding, technical assistance, and other forms of support. The portal will also help to reduce the risk of duplication by providing a central repository of information on available resources.
- Transformation Toolbox: This pillar will provide countries with quality-assured tools and resources to support their digital health transformation journey. This includes tools for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Convening and Knowledge Exchange: This pillar will promote collaboration and knowledge exchange across global, regional, and national networks in digital health.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. A ‘fab’ way to conduct India-Japan tech diplomacy
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Mains: India – Japan Relations, India-Japan Tech diplomacy, QUAD
Prelims: QUAD, Society 5.0, Modified Programme for Semiconductors and Display Fab Ecosystem
Context:
- India and Japan agreed to collaborate on semiconductors in July 2023.
- The partnership will focus on five areas: semiconductor design, manufacturing, equipment research, establishing resilience in the semiconductor supply chain, and talent development.
Why is there an alignment between India and Japan?
- Synergy: There is a rapid expansion in the semiconductor industry and the importance of specialized chips. As Japan aspires to grow its semiconductor industry, India offers a ready market for semiconductor products. This will also help India to become a Chip Maker rather than a Chip Taker.
- Policy: India’s “Make in India” initiative and Japan’s “Society 5.0” vision call for self reliance in the field of technology.
- Strategic interests: Supply chain disruptions have led to a global chip shortage and geopolitical tensions(between USA and China) have highlighted the need for diversifying semiconductor supply chains. Countries like the USA, Japan are willing to give more teeth to the idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific by containing the rise of China.
- The USA’s CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 places restrictions on the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing facilities to countries posing a direct threat to the US, including China.
- The US, Japan, and the Netherlands have restricted exports of semiconductor manufacturing materials required in the making of advanced chips to China.
- Security: Semiconductor technology is critical for national security and next generation warfare. For example, Artificial intelligence (AI) in weapon systems, quantum computing and communication, blockchain and big data are possible with the availability of advanced semiconductor chips.
- Human capital: The partnership will help human resource development through skill exchange programs, workshops, and training.
Initiatives taken by India to emerge as a leader in technology?
- India, Japan and Australia are also part of the supply chain resilience initiative.
- Efforts are being made by India in partnership with the USA to emerge as a key player in the semiconductor design and manufacturing industry.
- Agreement with Georgia Tech University to collaborate on semiconductor research and development.
- Investments by Micron Technology and Applied Materials to set up a semiconductor unit and a research and development center in India.
- The Union Cabinet approved the “Modified Programme for Semiconductors and Display Fab Ecosystem” for incentives for the development of semiconductor and display ecosystem with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore.
- As part of the “Programme for the Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India”, the government aims to establish at least 20 semiconductor design, components manufacturing and display fabrication units over the next six years.
Also read Semiconductor Shortage.
Conclusion
- The India-Japan partnership is on track to play a pivotal role in shaping the global semiconductor landscape.
- This partnership will also have far-reaching implications for the global technology ecosystem and the dimensions of geopolitical partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
Nut Graf: India and Japan agreed to collaborate on semiconductors. The partnership will focus on areas like semiconductor design, manufacturing etc. It is a sign of alignment of strategic and economic interests between the countries in the Indo-Pacific.
F. Prelims Facts
- A question of privilege can be raised by any member of the house if it satisfies two conditions:
- It is restricted to a specific matter of recent occurrence.
- The matter requires the intervention of the House.
- The Speaker/Rajya Sabha chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion.
- They can either decide on the privilege motion themselves or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.
- A privilege motion can be initiated by any member of the House with the consent of the Speaker or the Chairperson.
Read more on Indian Parliamentary Privileges.
- Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have Privileges committees.
- For the Lok Sabha, the Privileges Committee is composed of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. It has 10 members in the case of Rajya Sabha and is constituted by the Chairperson of the house.
- When a question of privilege is raised in the House, it is referred to the Committee of Privileges for investigation. The Committee examines the facts of the case and determines whether there has been a breach of privilege. If the Committee finds that there has been a breach of privilege, it makes recommendations to the House on the appropriate action to be taken.
3. LK-99: Is it a superconductor?
Context:
- LK-99 is a material compound which was claimed to have superconductor properties at room temperature.
- The scientific community has now refuted the claims about LK-99 being a room-temperature superconductor.
Reasons:
- The South Korean group who announced the discovery of LK-99 have not yet published their findings in a peer-reviewed journal.
- The two main reasons why LK-99 is not a superconductor are:
- When a conventional superconductor is cooled to a temperature below its critical temperature, it expels all magnetic fields from its interior. LK-99 could partially repel a magnet. However, researchers found that this material was actually an insulator, and the magnetic repulsion was caused by impurities in the material.
- The electrical resistivity of LK-99 drops sharply at around 104° Celsius (dropping of electrical resistivity is a sign of superconductor), but this is due to the presence of copper sulphide as an impurity which distorts the resistivity of the material.
G. Tidbits
- The Tsushima Strait is a waterway that connects the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea. It is located between the Japanese island of Tsushima and the Korean Peninsula.
- The Tsushima Strait is a major shipping route, and it is also important for fishing and tourism.
2. Haiti
- It is a country located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Mulattoes are an ethnic group which is associated with this country.
- Haiti is also associated with the disputed Navassa Island. The Island is claimed by Haiti but is currently controlled by the USA.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements about the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM):
- It aims to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health and sustainable development.
- It is established by WHO with the support of the Government of India in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
- The Centre’s establishment aligns with the principle of preserving local heritage and rights.
How many of the statements given above are incorrect?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation: All three statements are correct. The GCTM focuses on evidence, innovation, and sustainability while respecting local heritages and rights.
Q2. Consider the following statements about privilege motion and Privileges Committee in the Parliament:
- Privilege motions can be raised by any member of Parliament who believes that a privilege has been breached.
- The Privileges Committee consists of ten members in each house and is nominated by the Speaker or Chairman.
- The mandate of the Privileges Committee is to examine cases and make recommendations, but it doesn’t have the authority to summon people or examine related documents.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: It consists of 15 members in Lok Sabha nominated by the Speaker, and does have the authority to summon people and examine related documents.
Q3. Which two bodies of water does the Tsushima Strait connect?
- East China Sea and the Philippine Sea
- South China Sea and the Sea of Japan
- East China Sea and the Sea of Japan
- South China Sea and the Philippine Sea
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: The Tsushima Strait connects the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
Q4. Which among the options best defines the primary objective of the BRICS Plus Dialogue?
- Enhancing economic collaboration between BRICS nations and other emerging economies and developing countries.
- Deepening political ties between BRICS nations and other emerging economies and developing countries.
- Confronting worldwide issues like climate change and terrorism.
- All of the above.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation: The BRICS Plus Dialogue aims to achieve economic, political, and global challenge-related cooperation among BRICS countries and other emerging economies and developing nations.
Q5. Consider the following statements about the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH):
- It is a network managed by WHO to implement the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 and WHO norms and standards.
- The initiative prioritizes areas such as assessing Member States’ needs, supporting the achievement of strategic objectives, and promoting global collaboration.
- It will work to duplicate existing efforts and create new digital health products.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Statement 3 is incorrect; it aims to address challenges such as duplication of efforts and “products-focused” digital health transformation.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Examine the Katchatheevu island dispute between India and Sri Lanka. (250 words, 15 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)
- Illustrate the role of India and Japan in strengthening the global semiconductor supply chains. (250 words, 15 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)
Read the previous CNA here.
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