RAILWAY DERAILMENTS ON INDIAN LINES
In News, why?
The sad train accident that took place at the Bahanaga Bazar railway station in the Balasore district of Odisha on June 2, 2023 has brought to light the critical need for comprehensive safety measures to stop similar catastrophic accidents. The Kavach programme, which seeks to improve railway safety in India, has gained prominence as a result of the current tragedy. The Odisha route, however, does not use the Kavach method. The 2022 report on “Derailments in Indian Railways” by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) exposed numerous flaws in the nation’s methods for preventing train accidents.
What are the Report’s Key Highlights?
About:
According to the CAG research, derailments were to blame for roughly 75% of catastrophic train accidents that occurred between 2017–18 and 2020–21.
Derailments: The Most Common Cause of Train Accidents Out of 217 consequential train accidents, derailments were to blame for 163 (about 75%) of them. Other reasons for railway accidents include fire in the trains (20 accidents), miscellaneous incidents (2 accidents), accidents at manned level crossings (8 accidents), accidents at unmanned level crossings (13 accidents), collisions (11 accidents), and accidents at manned level crossings.
Category of Train Accidents:
Consequential railway Accidents and Other Train Accidents are the two categories into which railway accidents are divided by the Railway Board. Consequential train accidents are those that have serious consequences, like fatalities, injuries, property damage, and a halt in rail activity. All incidents that do not come under the consequential category are categorised as other train accidents.
Derailments Are Caused By Various Elements:
23 causes of derailments in 16 Zonal Railways and 32 divisions were identified through analysis of investigation reports. Derailments were primarily caused by track maintenance (167 instances), followed by track parameter deviation over allowable limits (149 cases), and poor driving/overspeeding (144 cases). RRSK, or Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh:
The CAG also examined the performance of RRSK, which was founded in 2017–18 with a capital of Rs. 1 lakh crore to enhance safety measures on the rail network and avoid accidents.
The audit revealed that even though Rs 15,000 crore in gross budgetary support had been provided, the internal resources of the Railways fell short of the goal for paying the remaining Rs 5,000 crore each year to RRSK. The fundamental reason for establishing RRSK was to increase safety in railways, but this lack of funding from internal resources hampered that goal.
Rejecting Fund Allocation for Track Renewal:
According to the report, monies allocated for track renewal projects were reduced from Rs 9,607 crore in 2018–19 to Rs 7,417 crore in 2019–20. Additionally, only a portion of the cash allotted for track renewal projects were actually used. 289 (or 26%) of the 1,127 derailments that occurred between 2017 and 21 were related to track renewals.
Suggestions & Ongoing Projects:
The CAG report advised rigorous adherence to predetermined deadlines for initiating and concluding accident investigations. By implementing completely automated track maintenance techniques and advanced technology, Indian Railway (IR) may build a robust monitoring framework to guarantee prompt implementation of maintenance tasks. To determine if the benefits obtained from the RRSK funds are in compliance with the goals that led to the foundation of the Fund, IR may construct the “Detailed Outcome Framework” for each item of safety activity based on the indicative outcomes.
Note: A derailment occurs when a train or other rail vehicle veers off the rails, losing stability and being unable to proceed along its intended course. It is a serious safety occurrence that has the potential to cause a great deal of harm, accidents, and even deaths.
Describe Kavach.
About:
The Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system known as Kavach was created in-country with the intention of improving safety during train operations over the extensive network of Indian Railways. Our National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System was created by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with three Indian manufacturers. The ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Kavach is located at the Indian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering & Telecommunications (IRISET) in Secunderabad, Telangana. IRISET is in charge of providing Kavach training to in-service railway personnel through its specialised Kavach lab.
Functionality:
The system complies with SIL-4 requirements, demonstrating its great reliability. enforces speed limits and stops trains from crossing red lights. if the driver is unable to maintain control of the train, automatically engages the braking system. a Kavach system on two locomotives prevents collisions between them. relays SoS messages in urgent circumstances. offers network monitor system-based central live monitoring of train movements. uses the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) to provide two-way communication between the loco-pilot and station master.
Kavach deployment and implementation:
Only 1,455 kilometres of the 1,03 lakh-kilometer route total have been brought under Kavach thus far. The South Central Railway (SCR) Zone has led the way in implementing Kavach.
Way ahead
Using AI and Big Data Analytics: To evaluate the massive volumes of data gathered from trains, tracks, and infrastructure, use AI and big data analytics. This makes it possible to take preventative measures by identifying patterns, spotting abnormalities, and forecasting potential safety issues.
Implementing the Kavach Project: The Kavach project, which runs across at least four railway zones on the Howrah-Chennai line, needs to be implemented as soon as possible. To provide improved safety measures along the entire line, other railway zones should prioritise installing the Kavach system.
Origin: IE
BUILDING UP INDIA-NEPAL COOPERATION
In News, why?
During the four-day visit of Nepal’s prime minister to India, India and Nepal recently launched a number of initiatives and agreements designed to advance their bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy and transport development, intending to deepen ties and promote regional connectivity.
What are the Recent Agreement’s Key Highlights?
Cooperation in the Power Sector
Power Trade Agreement for the Long Term: India and Nepal inked a Power Trade Agreement for the Long Term with the goal of importing 10,000 MW of electricity from Nepal during the following years.
Hydropower Projects: Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for the development of the Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project and the Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Project were signed by Vidyut Utpadan Company Ltd. of Nepal and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) of India. The Pancheshwar multipurpose project, which intends to improve collaboration in using the shared water resources of the Mahakali River, was also discussed by the two prime ministers. They both underlined their intention to making real, time-bound progress on the project.
With an average annual yield of around 2448 GWh, the Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Project seeks to produce 480 MW of power using the flow from the Karnali River. It comprises an underground power plant as well as a tall RCC (Reinforced Concrete Cement) dam.
Transportation Improvements:
Transmission line and rail link: The Gorakhpur-Bhutwal Transmission Line’s groundbreaking ceremony and the launch of an Indian Railway cargo train from Bathnaha to the Nepal Customs Yard underlined the importance of improving connectivity between the two nations.
Integrated Checkposts (ICPs): To encourage easier cross-border trade and ease the movement of goods and persons, ICPs were opened in Nepalgunj (Nepal) and Rupaidiha (India).
Other Projects:
a plan to add 69 km to the first oil pipeline that crosses borders in South Asia, running from Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal, all the way up to Chitwan. A second cross-border oil pipeline from Siliguri, India, to Jhapa, eastern Nepal, is being planned. Nepal will have access to India’s internal waterways thanks to a revised Treaty of Transit signed on June 1st, 2023. As a result, Nepal will be able to do trade with other countries using Indian ports including Haldia, Kolkata, Paradip, and Visakhapatnam. Additionally, it will save Nepalese exporters and importers money and time on transit. India and Nepal are working together to establish a fertiliser plant, highlighting the value of cooperation in the agriculture industry.
What are the other spheres of India and Nepal’s cooperation?
About:
India and Nepal are close neighbours and enjoy special bonds of friendship and collaboration that are distinguished by an open border and enduring connections of kinship and culture. The foundation of the unique ties that exist between India and Nepal is the India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950. Over 1850 kilometres of border separates Nepal from Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in India. People have been able to cross the border freely for a very long time.
Defence collaboration
India has been giving training and equipment to aid the Nepal Army (NA) in modernising. ‘Indo-Nepal Battalion-level Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran’ is alternately held in India and Nepal. Additionally, the Indian Army currently employs roughly 32,000 Gorkha soldiers from Nepal.
Financial Coordination:
India is Nepal’s main trading partner. Additionally, Nepal ranks as India’s 11th-largest export market. India sold items to Nepal worth USD 8 billion in 2022–2023 while importing USD 840 million. With more than 30% of all approved foreign direct investments in Nepal coming from Indian companies, they are among the biggest investors there.
Cultural coexistence
Given that Buddha was born in Lumbini, which is today’s Nepal, Hinduism and Buddhism have parallel ties to India and Nepal. To present the best of Indian culture, the Swami Vivekananda Centre for Indian Culture was established in Kathmandu in August 2007. In 1951, the Nepal-Bharat Library was established in Kathmandu. It is recognised as Nepal’s original international library.
Providing humanitarian aid
As part of its commitment to aiding in the recovery from the 2015 earthquake, India has given Nepal 1.54 billion Nepalese Rupees (about 96 crore INR).
What significant problems have recently affected India-Nepal relations?
Boundary Dispute: One of the controversial issues that has soured India-Nepal relations recently is the boundary dispute. The Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh trijunction area in western Nepal and the Susta area in southern Nepal are the two primary areas of contention.
Based on several historical maps and treaties, both nations assert that these lands belong to their respective countries. When India opened a road connecting Dharchula in Uttarakhand with Lipulekh pass close to the China border, which Nepal opposed to as an invasion of its sovereignty, the controversy erupted. A new political map of Nepal was then published, showing Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh as a component of its borders. As a “artificial enlargement” of Nepalese claims, India rejected this map.
Rising Footprints of China:
India is concerned about the region’s strategic interests in light of China’s growing influence in Nepal. Through projects under its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), such as railways, motorways, hydropower plants, etc., China has extended its economic relationship with Nepal. Nepal’s status as a buffer state between China and India may be weakened by growing collaboration between the two countries.
Way ahead
Increasing Digital Connectivity: Promoting projects to increase digital connectivity might be a creative approach to interact with Nepal. India can help Nepal’s digital infrastructure grow, advance e-governance projects, and encourage international digital cooperation. This might improve connection, open up new economic opportunities, and improve bilateral ties.
Strategic Partnerships: On national and international levels, India should actively seek out strategic alliances with Nepal. Both nations may show their dedication to shared values and interests by coordinating their efforts and addressing issues like climate change, disaster preparedness, and regional security. In addition to balancing China’s influence, this will increase regional stability. In order to promote India’s rich legacy, collaborative cultural events, film festivals, and wellness retreats might have an impact on public opinion.
Questions from the previous year’s UPSC Civil Services Exam (PYQ)
- Think about the following pairs:
Sometimes, community affairs are mentioned in the news
- Bangladeshi Kurd
- Nepali Madhesi
- Myanmar — Rohingya
Which of the pairs listed above matches the other correctly?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
Ans: (c)
Origin: TH
OIL RESERVES BASED IN SALT CAVERNS: SPR
In News, why?
Engineers India Ltd. (EIL), a government-owned engineering consultancy, is researching the advantages and viability of developing Rajasthan’s salt cavern-based strategic oil reserves. The government’s goal of enhancing the nation’s strategic oil storage capacity is aligned with the study.
What are Reserves based in Salt Caverns?
About:
Solution mining is the procedure used to dissolve salt in water to create salt caverns, which are underground chambers. With this technique, water is pumped into locations with significant salt deposits in order to dissolve the salt and form caverns. These caves can be utilised to store crude oil after the brine (water containing dissolved salt) has been taken out.
Cavern With A Rock Base:
Underground areas made of manually excavated and removed rock materials are known as “excavated rock-based caverns” for oil deposits. Drilling, blasting, and rock layer removal are used to provide the needed storage capacity in excavated rock caves. These caverns’ natural barriers for containing the oil are their rock ceilings and walls.
Difference Between a Salt-Based Cavern and a Rock-Based Cavern:
The construction of salt caverns is easier, quicker, and less expensive. Oil storage facilities built in salt caverns are efficiently engineered for oil injection and extraction and are naturally well-sealed. According to a paper by MIT’s Environmental Solutions Initiative, salt caverns are a better option for oil storage than other types of geological structures. The caverns’ salt lining has extremely little capacity to absorb oil, acting as a naturally impenetrable barrier to both liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons. Because of this quality, salt caverns are useful for storing oil. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), the largest emergency oil storage facility in the world, is entirely based in salt caverns.
Potential of a Cavern With a Salt Base
Compared to rock caverns, salt cavern-based storage is thought to be less expensive, labour- and money-intensive, and might open up a new, crucial chapter in India’s SPR history. Rajasthan is thought to be the best place in India to build strategic storage facilities based on salt caverns because of its abundance of salt deposits. The infrastructure is favourable for constructing strategic oil reserves due to the presence of a refinery in Barmer and crude oil pipelines in Rajasthan.
What Obstacles Face the Construction of a Salt-Based Cavern for Oil Reserves?
Indian businesses lacked the technological know-how necessary to build key storage facilities based in salt caverns. To close this knowledge gap, EIL has collaborated with a business in Germany that specialises in cavern storage and solution mining technologies. It is essential to find acceptable locations for salt cavern-based storage facilities. Rajasthan has a lot of salt deposits and good infrastructure, like crude pipelines and a new refinery in Barmer, but it is still necessary to evaluate the geological and technological viability of particular sites within the region. Until the technology and knowledge needed to construct salt cavern-based storage facilities are acquired, estimating the project’s cost is difficult. Along with other related costs, it is necessary to consider aspects like site preparation, building, and operational issues.
What does the Strategic Petroleum Reserves Programme for India entail?
About:
Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) is in charge of overseeing the building of the strategic crude oil storage facilities in India. ISPRL is an entirely owned subsidiary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas’s Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB). As of Phase I, strategic crude oil storages are located in Padur (Karnataka), Mangalore (Karnataka), and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Million Metric Tonnes, or 33 MMT.
Reserves added under PPP:
As part of phase II, the Indian government intends to construct two more similar caves through public-private partnerships, one each at Chandikhol (Odisha) and Udupi (Karnataka). The oil reserves will increase by 6.5 million tonnes as a result. A total of 22 days (10+12) of oil usage will be made available once the new facilities are operational.
Industrial Stock/Capacity:
Indian refiners also keep 65-day worth of industrial stock of crude oil at their strategic facilities. As a result, after Phase II of the SPR programme is finished, India will have access to enough oil to last for about 87 days (22 days from strategic reserves plus 65 days from Indian refiners). This will be extremely close to the IEA’s 90-day requirement. India joined the IEA as an associate member in 2017 and was most recently extended an invitation to join the organisation permanently.
Need to Increase SPR’s Capacity:
India, the third-largest consumer of petroleum in the world, imports more than 85% of what it needs, thus SPR can assist assure energy security and availability in times of emergency and supply shocks around the world. At two locations, Chandikhol in Odisha (4 million tonnes) and Padur (2.5 million tonnes), India is now enlarging its SPR capacity by a total of 6.5 million tonnes. The current SPR capacity of India is 5.33 million tonnes, or roughly 39 million barrels of crude, which can supply the country’s needs for 9.5 days.
Way ahead
It is essential to carry out thorough geological and technological evaluations of potential sites in Rajasthan. A thorough feasibility analysis will be helpful in determining the project’s economic and technological viability. To determine the viability of salt cavern-based storage facilities, this assessment should examine potential risks, project deadlines, operational requirements, and long-term sustainability. Investigating public-private partnerships can aid in lowering government expenditures and luring private capital towards the creation of strategic reserves. Partnerships that take advantage of the reserves’ commercial potential can increase the project’s viability and spur economic growth.
Origin: IE
MEKEDATU INITIATIVE
In News, why?
Mekedatu Project: What is it?
About:
A balancing reservoir is being built as part of the multifaceted Mekedatu project in the Karnataka district of Ramanagara, close to Kanakapura. The steep valley known as Mekedatu, which translates to “goat’s leap,” is found where the Cauvery and its tributary, the Arkavathi, meet. Its main goals are to produce 400 MW of electricity and supply drinking water to Bengaluru and the surrounding areas, which together make about 4.75 TMC.
Gains from the Project:
meeting the increasing demand for drinking water in Bengaluru and the surrounding areas, which are dependent on groundwater and face water constraint. generating 400 MW of hydroelectric power from renewable energy. lowering carbon emissions and aiding in the creation of renewable energy. regulating water flow to avoid droughts and floods, which benefits local populations and farmers.
Current Status:
Tamil Nadu’s required consent is still pending on Karnataka. The Central Water Commission, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the National Board for Wildlife have not given their permits or approvals for the project, which is still in its basic stages.
Against Tamil Nadu’s Position:
Tamil Nadu contends that the Mekadatu dam would have a severe impact on the state’s agricultural operations and water supplies by dramatically reducing the amount of water flowing downstream. Tamil Nadu relies on the Cauvery River as a major water source to support its rural settlements and supply residents’ drinking water needs. According to the state, the project contravenes the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s (CWDT) final ruling, which assigned a specified water allocation to each riparian state, including Tamil Nadu.
The Cauvery River Dispute: What is it?
Cauvery (Kaveri) River
The fourth-largest river in southern India is referred to as “Ponni” in Tamil. Southern India’s sacred river is this one. It originates on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in the southwest of the state of Karnataka, flows southeast through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and then descends the Eastern Ghats in a succession of massive waterfalls before entering the Bay of Bengal at Pondicherry.
Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi are Left Bank Tributaries.
Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and Amaravathi are right bank tributaries.
The Argument:
Historical Context
The conflict therefore affects 3 states and 1 Union Territory because the river rises in Karnataka, passes through Tamil Nadu with important tributaries flowing from Kerala, and drains into the Bay of Bengal through Pondicherry. The two arbitration agreements entered into by the then-Madras government in 1892 and 1924 are the origin of the conflict, which began 150 years ago, governing body and Mysore. It implied the rule that the higher riparian state must get the lower riparian state’s permission before beginning any construction work, i.e. Cauvery River reservoir. Karnataka started diverting water without Tamil Nadu’s permission in 1974, which is when the Cauvery water conflict between the two states began. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was established in 1990 to settle the dispute after a number of years. After 17 years, the CWDT finally issued a final ruling in 2007 outlining how the Cauvery water will be divided among the four riparian states. In hard times, water would be distributed proportionately. The water-sharing agreements decided upon by the CWDT were mostly upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, which deemed the Cauvery a national asset. Additionally, it instructed the Centre to alert the Cauvery Management Scheme. The “Cauvery Water Management Scheme,” which established the “Cauvery Water Management Authority” and the “Cauvery Water Regulation Committee,” was announced by the central government in June 2018.
Way ahead
Cooperative River Renewal:
Start a cooperative project to clean up the entire Cauvery River while tackling pollution and habitat loss.
Sustainable Design:
Redesign the Mekedattu project with eco-friendly elements with less negative impact on the environment. Investigate cutting-edge engineering options to minimise interference with the river’s natural flow and the surrounding ecosystem.
Exchange of Cultures
Plan cultural celebrations that honour the shared customs and cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This encourages a sense of solidarity and respect for one another, strengthening the ties between the nations and fostering a favourable environment for conflict resolution.
Monitoring in real-time and data sharing:
Establish a reliable system for tracking river flows, rainfall patterns, and water levels in real time. Transparent sharing of this information across the states is necessary to promote trust and enable well-informed decision-making.
Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for the UPSC Civil Services Exam
Prelims
Which protected area in the following list is situated in the Cauvery basin? (2020)
- National Park of Nagarhole
- National Park of Papikonda
- Tiger Reserve in Sathyamangalam
- Wildlife Sanctuary in Wayanad
Using the code below, choose the right response:
(a) Only 1 and 2
3 and 4 alone (b)
(c) Only 1, 3, and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: (c)
Mains
- The interstate water issues have not been addressed or resolved by the constitutional mechanisms. Is the failure the result of inadequate processes or structures, or both? Discuss. (2013)
Origin: TH
BHUTANESE BROWN BEAR
In News, why?
Numerous issues are threatening the existence of Himalayan brown bears (Ursus arctos isabellinus) in Kashmir as well as human security. Local residents are alarmed after recent reports of bears destroying graveyards and breaking into residential areas. These occurrences underline how vital it is to deal with the root causes of this behaviour and protect the habitat of this critically endangered species.
Himalayan Brown Bears: What are they?
About:
Brown bears that live in the high-altitude areas of the Himalayas, from Pakistan to Bhutan, are known as Himalayan brown bears. Their thick, typically sandy or reddish-brown coloured fur is fluffy. They can go as big as 2.2 metres long and 250 kilogrammes in weight.
Status:
The critically endangered brown bear (Ursus arctos) is categorised as least concern on the IUCN Red List.
Appendix I of CITES.
The only populations listed in Appendix II are those of Bhutan, China, Mexico, and Mongolia.
Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
Food:
Omnivorous.
Behavior:
They are nocturnal, have a highly developed sense of smell, and are thought to primarily rely on this sense to locate food.
Threat:
Conflicts between humans and animals, a swift loss of habitat, poaching for fur, claws, and organs, and, in a few rare instances, bear baiting.
Range:
India, Pakistan, Nepal, China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region, Bhutan, and the western and central Himalayas.
Challenges:
Lack of Food Sources and Changed Behaviour
The lack of food in the bears’ natural habitats can be ascribed to their odd behaviour, which includes digging up graves and venturing into residential areas. A study by Wildlife SOS, a group dedicated to protecting and preserving India’s natural heritage, forests, and biodiversity, found that scavenged garbage, such as plastic bags, chocolate wrappers, and other edible waste, makes up a sizable portion of the diet of bears in Kashmir. This changes their behaviour and interferes with their normal foraging patterns, resulting in confrontations with people. Inadequate kitchen trash disposal by locals and hotel owners close to bear habitats has made food easily accessible, resulting in frequent encounters between bears and people. Conflicts have worsened because to dependence on human-generated trash brought on by this changing behaviour and laziness in food gathering.
Declining population and restricted distribution:
It has been difficult for researchers to compile thorough data on the species due to the Himalayan brown bear’s limited range in the alpine meadows of the Himalayas.
The population of bears has been on the decline as a result of habitat loss brought on by elements such as habitat encroachment, tourism, and grazing pressure. Urgent conservation measures are needed to safeguard the survival of India’s remaining 500–750 bears.
Future threats and suggested conservation measures:
According to a research, the western Himalayan region will lose nearly 73% of its habitat for Himalayan brown bears by the year 2050. To secure the long-term survival of the species, preemptive spatial planning of protected areas is required due to the enormous risk posed by climate change. To reduce confrontations between humans and bears, conservation efforts should concentrate on preserving habitat, developing biological corridors, and encouraging ethical waste management. By putting the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 2022 and CITES regulations into effect, we should strengthen the legal protection and enforcement.
Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for the UPSC Civil Services Exam
- Think about the following wildlife: (2023)
- Macaque lion-tailed
- Indian Civet
- Swamp Deer
How many of the aforementioned species are primarily active at night or at dusk?
One only (a)
(b) Two only
- c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
The lion-tailed macaque does not live in the night. It is a diurnal and arboreal creature that spends the night in trees (usually, very high in a rainforest’s canopy). These macaques are aggressive and very social creatures. 1 is therefore incorrect.
The Malabar civet is mainly active at night. It is a little carnivorous mammal that is indigenous to India’s Western Ghats. Its lonesome and covert nature makes it difficult to observe in the wild. It boosts its chances of obtaining prey in the dark and helps it avoid predators by becoming nocturnal. So, option 2 is right.
Sambar deer only move at night. They stamp their feet and leave smell marks to communicate more frequently. They love grassy areas with thick deciduous shrub cover. So, option 3 is right. As a result, choice (b) is accurate.
Author: DTE
PERMANENT FISTULA TREATMENT
In News, why?
The Distal Laser Proximal Ligation (DSPL) method was created by a surgeon in Pune to treat difficult fistulas.
Why do fistulas occur?
About:
An improper connection between two body parts, like an organ or blood vessel and another structure, is known as a fistula. Injury or surgery are the usual causes of fistulas. Fistula can also develop as a result of infection or inflammation. Fistulas can develop in a variety of bodily locations. They may develop between an artery and a vein, the cervix and the vagina, the colon and the surface of the body, causing faeces to pass via an orifice other than the anus, the bile ducts and the skin’s surface (after gallbladder surgery), etc.
Prevalence:
Obstetric fistulas affect two million women in low-resource environments, and 100,000 more develop them each year. Obstetric fistula is a severe birth injury that is also ignored in terms of public health and human rights. Only one in fifty women who have obstetric fistulas ever receive any sort of care. One of the most typical surgical issues is fistula-in-ano, which affects 2/10,000 people on average.
Treatment:
Although some fistulas can be treated with antibiotics and other drugs, fistula removal surgery might be required if the infection doesn’t go away or if the fistula is so bad that it needs to be repaired immediately.
What is proximal distal laser ligation?
The DSPL procedure is a sphincter-saving, minimally invasive procedure for complicated fistulas. A ring-shaped muscle called a sphincter relaxes or contracts to open or close a passage in the body. Examples The procedure is based on two principles: debridement and effective drainage from the fistula in the first two to three weeks. Examples Pyloric Sphincter (at the lower aperture of the stomach). A 3D EndoAnal Imagine device, which can detect microabscesses and hidden fistula tracts in real time during surgery, is used to guide DLPL. A patient with DLPL can return to work in about five days and the condition has a very low recurrence rate. According to the Indian Journal of Colo-Rectal Surgery, complicated fistula-in-ano can be successfully treated using minimally invasive, sphincter-saving DLPL surgery.
Global Initiatives to Treat Fistulas: What are They?
Every year on May 23, people mark the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula. All women should have access to experienced medical professionals, particularly midwives, and emergency obstetric care on this day in order to help prevent and treat obstetric fistula. The Campaign to End Fistula, which works in more than 55 countries on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation activities, is led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the year 2023’s theme being “End Fistula Now.” The resolution to eradicate fistula by 2030 is up for consultation among UN Member States.
Origin: IE
LIGHTNING-FAST CURRENT AFFAIRS
CHANGING THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND HONOURING EXCELLENCE
The Union Home Minister opened two cutting-edge research centres at the Amritapuri and Kochi campuses of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham at the Silver Jubilee celebration of Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, with the intention of promoting medical science and technology. The occasion highlighted the noteworthy infrastructure improvements in medical education as well as the important effects of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, which offers free healthcare to more than 60 crore low-income people. Notably, there are now 648 medical colleges instead of 387, and the opening of 22 new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) facilities has increased access to high-quality healthcare throughout the nation. The Minister praised Amrita Hospital for its outstanding accomplishments in medical excellence and research, including ground-breaking breakthroughs like the nation’s first 3D printing lab, the biggest number of high-precision robotic liver transplants, and India’s first micro-blood stem cell transplant.
PUNJAB AND HIMACHAL PRADESH FIGHT OVER HYDROPOWER PROJECT IN SHANAN
A potential conflict between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh could result from the lease on the 110 MW Shanan hydropower project on the Uhl River (Tributary of Beas), a British-era infrastructure located in Jogindernagar, Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, expiring in March 2024. The Himachal Pradesh Government has made it clear that it would not renew or extend the lease and has demanded that, upon expiration, ownership of the project be transferred to the state. Punjab, however, wants to maintain control over the project and is ready to take legal action. The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh has asked the federal government for help, highlighting the lease’s expiration date and the state’s plan to take over the project. Punjab claims to have always had ownership and possession of the land, but is prepared to take legal action if necessary. The upcoming conflict highlights the persistent hostilities between the two states and casts doubt on the Shanan power project’s viability.
LEGACY OF CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ
The Indian Prime Minister celebrated the 350th anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Coronation Day by highlighting the significance of this historic occasion in the perspective of India’s contemporary period. He stressed that Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation symbolises an important chapter that has been marked by self-government, sound governance, and prosperity and continues to serve as an inspiration to the country. The coronation of Shivaji Maharaj also exemplified nationalism and the spirit of Swarajya (self-rule), with a heavy emphasis on maintaining India’s unity and integrity. The Indian Navy honoured this history by substituting the Shivaji Maharaj emblem for the British imperial banner, signifying India’s pride in its naval prowess. On February 19, 1630, he was born in Shivneri Fort in District Pune in what is now the state of Maharashtra. The Ryotwari System took the role of the Jagirdari System after Shivaji abolished the former. The names Chhatrapati, Shakakarta, Kshatriya Kulavantas, and Haindava Dharmodhhaarak were bestowed upon him. He was a unique historical commander who displayed both extraordinary leadership qualities and military strength. Early military leadership demonstrated by his conquest of forts and victories over adversaries was combined with public administration improvements to achieve excellent governance.
INDIA’S GOVERNMENT IMPOSES STOCK RESTRICTIONS ON TUR AND URAD DAL
The Government of India has put into effect an order establishing stock limits on tur dal and urad dal in an effort to reduce hoarding, prohibit dishonest speculation, and improve affordability for customers. Wholesalers, retailers, big chain stores, millers, and importers are all subject to the Removal of Licencing Requirements, Stock Limits, and Movement Restrictions on Specified Foodstuffs (Amendment) Order, 2023, which became effective on June 2, 2023. This decree sets stock restrictions for all States and Union Territories through October 31, 2023. The prescribed stock limits under this order are as follows: wholesalers are permitted to hold up to 200 metric tonnes (MT) of each pulse individually; retailers are restricted to 5 MT; big chain retailers are permitted to have 5 MT at each retail location and 200 MT at the depot; millers are permitted to hold the last three months of production or 25% of their annual installed capacity (whichever is higher); importers are not permitted to hold imported stock for more than 30 days following the date of Customs clearance. Legal entities must report their stock holdings on the Department of Consumer Affairs portal within 30 days after receiving notice in order to assure compliance.