Context: A group of scientists affiliated with research institutes in China and Japan have reported finding a sign of superconductivity in a material that was at the centre of a controversy last year over similar claims. The sign in question is called the Meissner effect. 

About:

Superconductivity is an inherent property found in various materials, including chemical elements (e.g., mercury or lead), alloys (such as niobium-titanium, germanium-niobium, and niobium nitride), ceramics (YBCO and magnesium diboride), and organic superconductors (fullerenes and carbon nanotubes).

Properties of Superconductors:

• Phase Transition (at critical temperature): Superconductivity manifests when the temperature (T) is reduced below a critical temperature (Tc).
• Zero Resistance to Current: Below the critical temperature, superconductors exhibit zero resistance to electric current.
• Meissner Effect: This refers to the expulsion of a magnetic field from a superconductor when cooled below its critical temperature. This property is utilized in the creation of high-speed magnetically-levitated trains (MAGLEV).
• London Moment: A phenomenon where a spinning superconductor generates a magnetic field whose axis aligns precisely with the spin axis.

High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS):

These are materials that display superconducting behavior at unusually high temperatures.

Context: The Kerala High Court has expanded the definition of 'procure' in Section 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, to encompass individuals seeking the services of prostitutes.

Understanding the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956:

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITP), 1956, is aimed at curbing the commercialization of vices and the trafficking of females. While it does not criminalize sex work, it prohibits the operation of brothels.

Legal Framework: Section 2 defines a brothel as any place used for sexual exploitation or abuse for gain. Prostitution, under the act, refers to the sexual exploitation or abuse of individuals for commercial purposes.

Offenses and Penalties (Section 5): Section 5 imposes penalties on those who procure, induce, or take individuals for prostitution, with a punishment of 3–7 years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000. For offenses against a person's will or involving a child, the maximum sentence can extend to fourteen years or life.

Kerala High Court's Ruling:

Background:

A petitioner faced charges under various sections of the ITP Act for being a customer in a brothel. Seeking discharge, the accused argued against being implicated under the ITP Act.

Court's Interpretation: The Kerala High Court interpreted Section 5, ruling that the term "procure" includes customers. While not declaring the petitioner guilty, the ruling allows charges to be filed, broadening the scope of accountability.

Implications:  The ruling expands the meaning of "procure" in Section 5, asserting that customers can be held liable for procuring individuals for prostitution. Differing opinions among High Courts reflect ongoing legal debates on this matter.

Legal Recognition of Sex Work:

Supreme Court's Perspective: The Supreme Court recognizes sex work as a "profession," entitling practitioners to equal protection under the law. The court emphasizes the rights secured by Article 21, stating that voluntary sex is not a crime.

Fundamental and Human Rights:  Judicial decisions affirm the fundamental and human rights of sex workers, acknowledging their right to dignity and protection under the law. Efforts like the Ujjawala scheme and initiatives by commissions demonstrate a commitment to addressing sex workers' concerns.

Cultural Stigma and Gender Dynamics: Prostitution faces cultural stigma, breaching traditional values. Sex workers, particularly women, endure discrimination and derogatory terms. The profession is seen as degrading and exploitative, especially towards women. Advocates for autonomy argue for women's agency over their bodies and career choices.

Way Forward:

Ongoing Debate: The ethical implications of prostitution remain a subject of debate. Upholding trafficking laws is crucial, regardless of one's stance, to prevent exploitation.

Sensitization Programs: Encouraging open dialogue and educational programs to sensitize communities to diverse perspectives on sex work, considering cultural sensitivities.

Legal Recognition: Emphasizing the legal recognition of equality for all citizens, irrespective of their chosen profession.

Context: Despite the affirmation of the right to privacy in the 2017 Puttaswamy judgment, concerns persist regarding Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, potentially infringing on citizens' fundamental rights.

Understanding Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961:

Introduction and Historical Context: Introduced to replace the invalidated Taxation on Income (Investigation Commission) Act, 1947, Section 132 had its roots in the Supreme Court's Suraj Mall Mohta vs A.V. Visvanatha Sastri (1954) ruling, declaring the old act discriminatory and in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

Empowering Tax Authorities: Section 132 grants tax authorities the power to conduct searches and seizures without a prior judicial warrant if there is a "reason to believe" that income has been concealed or evaded. This authority extends to searching buildings, places, vehicles, or aircraft based on suspicions of hiding financial assets, allowing for the seizure of relevant items during the search.

Challenges Associated with Section 132:

Breach of the Proportionality Principle: While not formally challenged, concerns arise about a potential breach of the proportionality principle. The use of search and seizure powers must align with legitimate aims, be rationally connected to objectives, lack alternative less intrusive means, and balance the means chosen with the violated right.

Violation of the Right to Privacy: Section 132 faces criticism for potentially infringing on the right to privacy, a fundamental right under Article 21, as income tax searches encroach on individuals' privacy without consent. Critics emphasize the need for stricter adherence to statutory law post-Puttaswamy and safeguards against potential misuse.

Duration and Conditions of Searches: Questions raised by the Gujarat High Court regarding the duration and conditions of searches highlight concerns. Instances of virtual detention without proper safeguards prompt a re-evaluation of the conditions and duration of searches under Section 132.

Proposed Solutions and the Way Forward:

Enhanced Judicial Review: Advocacy for an enhanced role of the judiciary in reviewing Section 132 applications, moving away from the Wednesbury principle, and adopting a more rigorous scrutiny standard to assess the proportionality of executive actions.

Independent Oversight Mechanism:Suggestion for establishing an independent oversight mechanism or ombudsman with the authority to investigate  complaints, ensure accountability, and recommend corrective measures in cases of potential misuse of powers.

Limiting Searches Duration and Conditions: Emphasis on the need to limit the duration and extent of income tax searches, addressing concerns about individuals being kept in virtual detention without proper safeguards.

Context: Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’, aiming to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.

About Prerana Program:

• The 'Prerana: An Experiential Learning Program' is an endeavor launched by the Ministry of Education's Department of School Education and Literacy.
• It aspires to provide students, specifically those in classes IX to XII, with a distinctive and inspirational learning encounter, fostering leadership qualities.
• Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the program mirrors the values of the Indian education system and emphasizes value-based education.

Objective:

• The primary objective is to deliver a week-long experiential and inspiring learning venture for selected students.
• The program accentuates leadership development, adhering to the principles of the Indian education system and value-based education outlined in the NEP 2020.

Duration and Venue:

• Prerana spans a week and transpires at a Vernacular School in Vadnagar, Gujarat, established in 1888.

Selection and Participants:

• Each week, a cohort of 20 chosen students (10 boys and 10 girls) from across the country participates in the program.
• Student registration and selection involve assessments based on Prerana's ethos, conducted at the school/block level on designated 'Prerana Utsav' days.

Curriculum:

• The curriculum revolves around nine value-based themes, such as Self-respect and Humility, Courage and Adventure, Hard Work and Dedication, Compassion and Service, Diversity and Unity, Truthfulness and Purity, Innovation and Curiosity, Faith and Confidence, and Freedom and Responsibility.

• Prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar, the program intends to inspire youth, instilling respect for the unity in diversity within Bharat, aligning with the vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam."
• Throughout the program, participants receive guidance from mentors affiliated with prestigious institutions.

Activities:

• The daily schedule includes yoga, mindfulness, meditation sessions, experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands-on activities.
• Evening activities encompass visits to ancient heritage sites, inspirational film screenings, talent shows, and more.

Holistic Learning Approach:

• Participants engage in diverse activities that embrace indigenous knowledge systems, state-of-the-art technologies, and insights from inspirational figures.

Community Impact:

• Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to carry the values imbibed from Prerana into their communities, becoming catalysts for positive change.

Conclusion:

Prerana stands as a comprehensive initiative blending traditional values with modern learning methodologies, aiming to shape well-rounded individuals equipped with leadership skills and a strong sense of responsibility towards society.

Background: 2023 could have been the hottest year in the 174-year observational record and probably the hottest in 125,000 years. It was dotted with lethal heat waves, devastating floods, droughts, and record-low ice levels in the Arctic and Antarctic. These are only a handful of the effects of climate change.

Evidences of increasing temperature on earth surface:

There are several lines of evidence that indicate the Earth is warming:

1. Temperature measurements: Satellite data and surface temperature measurements show that the planet has become  warmer, with the average global temperature increasing by at least 1.1°C since 1880.
2. Indirect methods: Analyzing tree rings, ice cores, and other natural indicators, a 1998 study found that temperatures remained fairly flat for centuries before turning sharply upward.
3. Effects of rising temperatures: Oceans are getting warmer, snow and ice cover are depleting in the Northern Hemisphere, the Greenland ice sheet is shrinking, and sea levels are rising.
4. Human activities: The primary cause of global warming is the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, into the atmosphere due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture.
5. Accelerated warming: The current rate of warming is much faster than the average rate of warming after an ice age.
6. Climate models: Scientific models predict that human emissions of heat-trapping gases will continue to cause global temperature increases, leading to more climate extremes and widespread damaging effects.

Reasons behind increasing temperature:

• The Earth's temperature is increasing due to the greenhouse effect, which is caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
• Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, have released high levels of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to an increase in the Earth's temperature.
• The burning of fossil fuels is the largest contributor to global warming, followed by deforestation and farming livestock.
• The effects of global warming are being felt everywhere, including rising sea levels, melting ice caps, and extreme weather events. Scientists have determined that human activities, primarily through greenhouse gas emissions, have unequivocally caused global warming.

Are humans causing global warming?

• Scientists have determined that human activities, primarily through greenhouse gas emissions, have unequivocally caused global warming.
• Natural factors like solar energy and ocean circulation have caused cool and warm periods in the Earth's history, but their influence is too little or too slow to explain the rapid warming, especially in recent decades.

• The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere has spiked dramatically over the last 150 years, from a pre-industrial era concentration of approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) to more than 410 ppm currently.
• Measurements from ancient ice cores show that CO2 is now at its highest levels in over 800,000 years. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has concluded that humans are the main cause of current global warming.

Consequences:

• Rising sea levels: Global warming can cause a rise in sea level, leading to flooding and displacement of coastal communities
• Health impacts: Global warming can cause dire health consequences, including infectious diseases, heatstroke, and an increase in insect-borne diseases
• Soil degradation and loss of biodiversity: Rising temperatures can lead to soil degradation, loss of productivity of agricultural land, desertification, and loss of biodiversity
• Extreme weather events: Global warming can worsen extreme weather events, such as storms, heat waves, floods, and droughts
• Loss of freshwater Resources: Global warming can lead to reduced freshwater Resources, which can worsen living conditions, particularly in low-income countries
• Loss of agricultural productivity: Global warming can result in droughts that can worsen living conditions, particularly in Africa
• Disruption of ecosystems: Global warming can cause the degradation of ecosystems, leading to a loss of plant and animal species

Solutions:

1. Renewable energies: Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy Sources like solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Energy and water efficiency: Improving energy and water efficiency through the use of efficient devices and reducing consumption can help reduce the environmental impact.
3. Sustainable transportation: Promoting public transportation, carpooling, electric and hydrogen mobility can help reduce CO2 emissions.
4. Sustainable infrastructure: Building low-energy buildings and implementing energy-efficient measures can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
5. Better forestry management and sustainable agriculture: Preserving and managing forests, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture practices, can help sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Conservation-based solutions: Implementing conservation measures can help protect ecosystems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
7. Adaptation strategies: Developing and implementing adaptation strategies can help communities cope with the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and health risks.

These solutions can be implemented at various levels, from individual actions to global policies, to help mitigate the effects of global warming on human health and the environment.