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[Newsbits] 15.07.2023

Santhosh Kumar 16/07/2023

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How does Moon impact Earth?

Impact of Moon on Earth upsc notes
Context
Successful launch of India's Chandrayaan 3 mission to the moon
Formation of Earth and Moon
Occurred around 4.5 billion years ago
Summary of the process
Accretion
Small particles in the early solar system
Collided and stuck together, forming larger objects
Called planetesimals
Eventually protoplanets
Giant Impact
Mars-sized protoplanet Theia collided with the young Earth
Caused a massive impact that ejected debris into space
Formation of the Moon
Debris from the impact began to orbit the Earth
Eventually came together to create the Moon
Differentiation
Both Earth and Moon underwent differentiation
Materials separated based on density
Heavier elements sank towards the core
Lighter elements rose to the surface, forming distinct layers
Lunar Evolution
The Moon cooled and solidified over time
Experienced volcanic activity and large impact events
Led to the formation of craters, basins, and other geological features
Like lunar maria
The moon's impact on the evolution of life on Earth
Water on Earth
Delivered large quantities of water to Earth
The deliverer: the planet Theia that collided with Earth
Impact on Tectonic Plates
The moon’s pull of gravity might have set our tectonic plates
Impact of moon’s gravitational pull
Helps transport heat away from the equator and towards the poles
Fundamentally shapes the earth’s climate
Impact on Earth’s rotation
Stabilizes the Earth’s rotation on its axis by slowing Earth’s rotation on its axis
Helps stabilize Earth’s axial tilt and its climate
This stability has allowed for the development of seasons
Which have had a significant impact on the distribution of water and the evolution of life
Impact on Earth
Stabilizes Earth’s climate
Transports heat
Helps regulate the Earth’s rotation on its axis
Impact of Tides
Regular movement of water that exposes the land at the edge of the ocean
Could have encouraged life to adapt and move from the oceans to land
Impact on biological cycle
Lunar cycles affect the reproductive cycles of marine life and other animal behaviours
The laying and hatching of turtles’ eggs depend on the timings of tides
Moonlight affects the behaviour of nocturnal animals and triggers species-wide reproduction
Example: Corals
Conclusion
Moon holds much significance for humankind
From geological as well as space exploration points of view
India’s Chandrayaan 3 mission
A step to better understand the moon’s geology and its potential for humankind

National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL)

National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL) upsc notes
Source: ET
Context
Federal guarantee to NARCL renewed by the government
Makes it easier for NARCL to acquire bad loans from lenders
About NARCL
Set up by banks
A strategic initiative
To clean up the legacy stressed assets
Assets with an exposure of Rs 500 crore and above
In the Indian Banking system
Ownership
Public Sector Banks maintain 51% ownership
Purpose
Acquire bad loans from banks
Sell them to buyers
Buyers who are looking for Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
The organisation decides the price of these NPAs
Structure
Incorporated under the Companies Act
Registered with RBI as an Asset Reconstruction Company
Under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002

Bedaquiline

Bedaquiline upsc notes
Source: The Wire
Context
A significant breakthrough
An agreement
reached between
Nonprofit Global Drug Facility
Johnson & Johnson
Distribution of generic versions of bedaquiline
In most low and middle-income countries
About TB
Caused by bacteria
Primarily affects the lungs
Can also impact other parts of the body
Spreads through the air
When an infected person coughs or sneezes
A treatable but deadly infectious disease
Causes 1.5 million deaths annually
Treatment
Bedaquiline has shown high success
In treating drug-resistant TB
Patent held by Johnson & Johnson
Significance of the agreement
Affordable access to the drug
Enabled by the agreement
Generic manufacturers in India expected to offer at an 80% lower price
Goal
To end TB
Tender for bedaquiline to be launched soon
Improved accessibility and affordability of the drug
Brings hope for global efforts to eliminate TB by 2030
About Global Drug Facility (GDF)
A non-profit organization
Implements the UN-backed ‘The Stop TB Partnership’
To facilitate global access to quality-assured, affordable TB diagnostics and treatments
About Stop TB Partnership
Founded in 2001
A UN-hosted organization
Brings together expertise
From a broad spectrum of partners
Country partners
Regional partners
Global partners
Shared mission to end TB by 2030
Hosted and administered by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
In Geneva, Switzerland

Namda Art of Kashmir

Namda Art of Kashmir upsc notes
Source: PIB
The Namda Art of Kashmir
A dying craft
Revived through the Skill India project
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Training received by candidates
Approximately 2,200 candidates
From six districts of Jammu and Kashmir
Project implementation
In collaboration with local industry partners
Illustrates the power of public-private partnerships
In driving skill development
In driving economic growth
Usage
Example for Skill development questions
About Namda art
A traditional Kashmiri craft
Involves creating felted carpets
Using sheep wool
Using hand embroidery
Origin
16th century
Introduced by a Sufi saint named Shah-e-Hamdan
Uses of Namda rugs
Provide warmth
Used as floor coverings and home decor

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