CARBON DATING
1.Introduction
Carbon dating is a widely-used method to establish the age of organic materials, things that were once living. Living things have carbon in them in various forms. The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-14 (C-14), an isotope of carbon with an atomic mass of 14, is radioactive, and decays at a well known rate
2. How it works?
- The most abundant isotope of carbon in the atmosphere is C-12. A very small amount of C-14 is also present. The ratio of C-12 to C-14 in the atmosphere is almost static, and is known.
- Plants get their carbon through photosynthesis; animals get it mainly through food. Because plants and animals get their carbon from the atmosphere, they too acquire C-12 and C-14 in roughly the same proportion as is available in the atmosphere.
- When they die, their interactions with the atmosphere stops. While C-12 is stable, the radioactive C-14 reduces to one half of itself in about 5,730 years known as its ‘half-life’. The changing ratio of C-12 to C-14 in the remains of a plant or animal after it dies can be measured, and can be used to deduce the approximate time when the organism died.
3. About non living things
- Though extremely effective, carbon dating cannot be applied in all circumstances. It cannot be used to determine the age of non-living things like rocks, for example
- Also, the age of things that are more than 40,000-50,000 years old cannot be arrived at through carbon dating. This is because after 8-10 cycles of half-lives, the amount of C-14 becomes almost very small and is almost undetectable
- But there are other methods to calculate the age of inanimate things, many of which are based on the same principle as carbon dating
- So, instead of carbon, decays of other radioactive elements that might be present in the material become the basis for the dating method.
- These are known as radiometric dating methods. Many of these involve elements with half-lives of billions of years, which enable scientists to reliably estimate the age of very old objects
- Two commonly employed methods for dating rocks are potassium-argon dating and uranium-thorium-lead dating
- The radioactive isotope of potassium decays into argon, and their ratios can give a clue about the age of rocks
- Uranium and thorium have several radioactive isotopes, and all of them decay into the stable lead atom. The ratios of these elements present in the material can be measured and used to make estimates about age.
- In some situations, carbon dating can be used indirectly as well. For example, a way in which the age of ice cores in glaciers and polar regions is determined by studying carbon dioxide molecules trapped inside large ice sheets
- The trapped molecules have no interaction with the outside atmosphere, and are found in the same state as when they were trapped
- Determining their age gives a rough estimate of the time when the ice sheets were formed.
Source: indianexpress
COMMISSION FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY
1.Introduction
Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology was established on October 01, 1961 in pursuance of a Presidential Order dated April 27, 1960 with the objective to evolve technical terminology in all Indian Languages
The Commission was established under clause 44 of Article 344 of the Constitution of India as a follow up of recommendations of a Committee in this regard
Presently, CSTT is functioning under Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India with its headquarters at New Delhi
Twenty two State Granth Academies / State Text-Book Boards / Universities Cells, etc. are also associated with this Commission to produce University Level Text-Books / reference materials in Hindi and other Indian Languages with the use of standard terminology as evolved by the CSTT
2. Key take aways
- The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT), which works under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Education, is rushing to create technical and scientific terminology in 10 Indian languages underrepresented in the learning landscape
- The CSTT will bring out what it calls fundamental (basic) dictionaries with 5,000 words per language
- Bodo, Santhali, Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani, Nepali, Manipuri, Sindhi, Maithili, and Sanskrit are a part of the list of 22 official languages of India’s Eighth Schedule
- The dictionaries will be distributed to State education boards, universities, engineering institutes, and the National Testing Agency that conducts entrance examinations such as the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, and University Grants Commission (UGC)-National Eligibility Test (NET) to aid in preparation of content
- The move assumes importance as the National Education Policy 2020 has espoused the use of regional languages as a medium of education in both school and college
3. Other Functions:
- Preparation and Publication of Bilingual and Trilingual Glossaries involving English/Hindi and other Indian Languages.
- Preparation and Publication of National terminology.
- Identification and Publication of School Level Terminology and Departmental Glossaries.
- Identification of Pan Indian Terms.
- Preparation of Definitional Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias.
- Preparation of University level textbooks,monographs and journals.
- Grant-in-Aid to Granth Academies, Textbook Boards and University Cells for University level books in regional languages.
- Propagation, expansion and critical review of terms coined and defined through training/orientation programmes, workshops, seminars etc.
- Free distribution of Publications.
- Providing necessary terminology to the National Translation Mission.
- In the process of evolution of scientific and technical terminology and reference material in Hindi and Indian Languages, the Commission shall have collaboration of State Governments, Universities, Regional Text-Book Boards and State Granth Academies.
4.National Languages List in India
- The national language list, when created in 1950 had 14 languages
- Sindhi was added in 1967; Konkani, Manipuri, and Nepali in 1992; and Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santhali in 2004.
- The Constitutional provisions relating to the Eighth Schedule occur in article 344(1) and 351 of the Constitution
- Article 344(1) provides for the constitution of a Commission by the President on expiration of five years from the commencement of the Constitution
- Article 351 of the Constitution provides that it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language
The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution consists of the following 22 languages:-
| (1) Assamese, (2) Bengali, (3) Gujarati, (4) Hindi, (5) Kannada, (6) Kashmiri, (7) Konkani, (8) Malayalam, (9) Manipuri, (10) Marathi, (11) Nepali, (12) Oriya, (13) Punjabi, (14) Sanskrit, (15) Sindhi, (16) Tamil, (17) Telugu, (18) Urdu (19) Bodo, (20) Santhali, (21) Maithili and (22) Dogri. |
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For Prelims: Eighth schedule, Official languages of India, Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT)
For Mains: 1. Discuss why the government should consider amending the Official Languages Act of 1963 to include more vernacular languages in governance, and not just confine it to Hindi and English (250 words)
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Previous year Questions:
1. As per the Eighth schedule of the Indian constitution, how many languages are referred as scheduled languages (SSC CHSL 2020)
A.18 B.20 C. 22 D.14
Answer (C)
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Source: The Hindu
WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX
1. Context
In the 2023 edition of the World Press Freedom Index, released annually by the non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders, India has slipped 11 places to the 161st rank out of 180 countries – ranking below countries such as Somalia (141), Pakistan (150), and Afghanistan (152).
2. What is the World Press Freedom Index?
- The World Press Freedom Index is an annual report published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that evaluates the level of press freedom in countries around the world.
- The report measures the level of freedom that journalists, media outlets, and netizens have in each country to gather and disseminate news and information, without fear of censorship, retaliation, or violence.
- The World Press Freedom Index ranks 180 countries based on a variety of factors, including media independence, pluralism, legal framework, transparency, and the safety of journalists.
- The report aims to raise awareness about the importance of press freedom and hold governments accountable for violations of this fundamental right.
- The World Press Freedom Index has been published annually since 2002 and has become an important tool for researchers, journalists, and policymakers to monitor the state of press freedom around the world.
3. What is the ranking of India in the World Press Freedom Index?
- According to the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) report, India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has dropped to 161 out of 180 countries, down from its previous rank of 150 in 2022.
- This suggests that Press freedom in India has faced significant challenges and restrictions, as journalists and media outlets are increasingly facing censorship, legal harassment, and violence.
- In contrast, Pakistan has improved its ranking, moving up to 150 from last year's 157th rank, indicating a relatively better situation for media freedom in the country.
- Similarly, Sri Lanka has made significant progress, moving up to 135th position this year from 146th in 2022.
- It is worth noting that Norway, Ireland, and Denmark hold the top three positions in the press freedom ranking, indicating a favorable environment for press freedom in these countries.
- In contrast, Vietnam, China, and North Korea occupy the bottom three positions, reflecting severe restrictions on media freedom and human rights abuses in these countries.
4. India's Performance
- India's position has been consistently falling in the index since 2016 when it was ranked 133.
- The reasons behind the fall in the ranking are the increased violence against journalists and a politically partisan media.
- The other Phenomenon that dangerously restricts the free flow of information is the acquisition of media outlets by oligarchs who maintain close ties with political leaders.
- The organization asserts that many journalists in India are forced to censor themselves due to extreme pressure.
5. What is Reporters without Borders?
- Reporters Without Borders or Reporters Sans Frontiers (in French) is a global media watchdog headquartered in Paris, France, and it publishes a yearly report on press freedom in countries across the world.
- Founded in 1985 and RSF is at the forefront of the defence and promotion of freedom of information.
- Recognized as a public interest organization in France since 1995, RSF has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF).
6. How does it measure Press Freedom?
- Press freedom is defined as the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety.
- The index then compares levels of press freedom globally based on this definition.
It develops a score between 0 (for the worst possible performance in terms of securing press freedom) and 100 (the best possible score). - This year, Norway scored 95.18 at the first position, North Korea at 21.72 and India scored 36.62. A score below 70 falls under the ‘problematic’ category.
- A tally of abuses against media and journalists in connection with their work, arrived at by monitoring and analyzing news stories on journalists being imprisoned or killed.
- A qualitative analysis of the situation in each country or territory based on the responses of “press freedom specialists”, including journalists, researchers, academics, and human rights defenders, to an RSF questionnaire available in 24 languages. These include Arabic, Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish, etc.
7. What does the 2023 report say about press freedom globally?
- The index states in 2023 that "the environment for journalism is bad in seven out of ten countries, and satisfactory in only three out of ten.
- It also highlighted concerns of propaganda fake news, further heightened given the rise of artificial intelligence technology.
- Programs like Midourney, which can create life-like images based on a simple text prompt, were mentioned in this context.
- North Korea (180th), China (179th), Vietnam (178th), Myanmar (173rd)- Asia's one-party regimes and dictatorships are the ones that constrict journalism the most, with leaders tightening their totalitarian stranglehold on the public discourse, it states, terming China as the world's biggest jailer of journalists and press freedom advocates.
8. Constitutional Provisions
- The Supreme Court in Romesh Thappar vs. the state of Madras, 1950 observed that freedom of the press lay at the foundation of all democratic organizations.
- It is guaranteed under the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19, which deals with the 'Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.
- Freedom of the press is not expressly protected by the Indian legal system but it is impliedly protected under Article 19(1) (a) of the constitution.
- The freedom of the press is also not absolute.
| For Prelims: World Press Freedom Index, Reporters without Borders, United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF), Article 19 (1) (a), and freedom of speech and expression. |
Source: The Indian Express
INDIA-MALDIVES
1. Context
Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya Didi earlier this week laid the foundation stone for the Coast Guard "Ekatha Harbour" at Sifavaru in Uthuru Thila Flahu (UTF) atoll.
2. Key points
- The development marked a significant milestone in the growing defence ties between the two countries.
- The project is among the biggest Indian grant-in-aid projects in the Maldives.
- The UTF project was announced during External Affairs Minister S Jai Shankar's visit in February 2021.
- Aside from launching this project, India also gifted the MNDF an additional landing craft during Singh's three-day visit to the island nation.
- Both ministers also attended the ceremony for the commissioning of the replacement ship for the ageing Huravee.
3. Importance of the Project
- The project marked a major step in the growing defence cooperation between India and Maldives.
- In 2021, when Jaishankar and Didi signed the agreement to "develop, support and Maintain" the Coast Guard harbour in UTF atoll, the foreign minister said that the facility will strengthen the capability of the Maldivian Coast Guard and facilitate regional humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
- The Coast Guard of Maldives is the armed maritime force of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
- The development of this naval facility will help Maldives stop sending vessels abroad for maintenance while boosting its maritime security capabilities.
- The project for which work was underway, is aimed at developing a maintenance and repair hub for naval vessels and Maldivian personnel might also be trained as part of the project.
- As per officials, platforms gifted to Maldives earlier often were brought to India for repairs but the project will make the country self-sufficient.
4. "India Out" campaign in the Maldives
- Since the announcement of the project in 2021, there have been allegations that it was a cover for the Indian military presence in Maldives.
- This led to an "India Out" campaign in the island nation backed by its opposition leader Abdulla Yameen.
- Maldives President Ibrahim Solih last year banned anti-India protests as a threat to national security.
- Anti-India campaigners in Maldives had also alleged that Indian troops were stationed in a fast patrol vessel India recently gifted to Maldives Coast Guard, which was commissioned as CGS Huravee earlier this week a claim refuted by Didi who said that the Indian Crew was on the ship in Male only for training purposes and that it would have only Maldivain personnel henceforth.
5. Importance of Maldives to India
- India has had long-standing ties with the Maldives. In 1988, India helped the Maldives thwart a coup attempt backed by a Sri Lankan Militant Organisation.
- The strategic location of Maldives in the Indian Ocean makes it important for India and that is the reason India has been working to boost ties with the country, especially in matters of defence and security.
- The island nation lies close to India's Exclusive Economic Zone and is in a place from where it can oversee maritime trade emanating from major choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea to the Suez Canal and Mozambique.
- Officials said having a friendly and independent Maldives is thus beneficial to India and other nations in the region with common maritime interests, particularly in the backdrop of growing Chinese attempts to expand its influence in the region.
6. Defence cooperation and other projects
- In 2020, India gifted a Dornier aircraft to the Maldives and in 2019 handed over a patrol vessel. Last year, New Delhi also gave a coastal radar system to Male.
- India will provide 24 vehicles and a naval boat and will build police facilities on 61 islands of the country.
- A recent joint statement released by India and Maldives released after the Defence Minister's visit to the country highlighted ongoing defence cooperation between the two neighbours, including joint exercises and exchanges of visits by military officials.
- It also highlighted the importance of sharing best practices and expertise in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster management, cybersecurity and maritime security.
- The countries have also agreed to explore additional avenues for cooperation, including in areas of defence trade, capacity building and joint exercises.
- The handing over of these vessels is in line with India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), which seeks to work together with and jointly develop the capabilities of friends and partners for a safe, secure, prosperous and stable Indian Ocean Region.
- Both countries are working closely to address challenges, including those on maritime security, terrorism, radicalisation, piracy, trafficking, organised crime and natural disasters.
- In August last year, India kickstarted the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) a $ 500 million project financed by India that would comprise a 6.74 km bridge and the causeway link connecting the capital Male with the neighbouring islands.
- At the same time, both sides had signed a cyber security pact aimed at strengthening ties to tackle crimes and terrorism in the Indian Ocean Region.
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For Prelims: Greater Male Connectivity Project, Indian Ocean Region, the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, the Suez Canal and Mozambique, CGS Hurave, coastal radar system, counterterrorism, disaster management, cybersecurity, maritime security, Security and Growth for All in the Region,
For Mains: 1. What is Greater Male Project? Discuss the importance of Maldives to India and Explain the impact of India out a campaign on India. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
For Prelims
1. India grants the funds for Greater Male Connectivity Project(GMCP) to which country? (UP Police SI 2021)
A. Sri Lanka
B. Madagascar
C. Maldives
D. Nepal
Answer: C
2. Republic of Maldives which is also called Maldive Islands is an independent island country in the north-central: (RRB NTPC 2022)
A. Indian Ocean
B. Arabian Sea
C. South China Sea
D. Bay of Bengal
Answer: A
3. With reference to Strait of Hormuz, consider the following statements:
1. It links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
2. It lies between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.
3. It is the world's most important oil choke point because of the large volumes of oil that flow through the strait.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
4. Consider the following pairs: (UPSC 2019)
Sea Bordering country
1. Adriatic Sea Albania
2. Black Sea Croatia
3. Caspian Kazakhstan
4. Mediterranean
Sea Morocco
5. Red Sea Syria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only B. 1, 3 and 4 only C. 2 and 5 only D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: 2
5. Which one of the following statements about the Suez Canal is not correct? (NDA 2019)
A. The Suez Canal was constructed in 1869
B. It links the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea
C. It has a six-lock system and ships cross the different levels through these locks
D. It has given Europe a new gateway to the Indian Ocean
Answer: C
For Mains
1. What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this. (250 Marks) (2013)
2. Discuss the political developments in the Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause for concern to India? (250 Marks) (2013)
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Source: The Indian Express
ALL-INDIA RADIO
1. Context
Recently, the Centre ordered that public broadcaster, previously known as All India Radio (AIR), be exclusively referred to as Akashvani in all broadcasts and programmes. Previously, the two names were used interchangeably.
2. Key points
- The aforesaid statutory provision, which has replaced the name of AIR with Akashvani may be brought to the attention of all so that names and titles get in tune with the provisions of the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, passed by Parliament.
- This was long pending and in line with the law which came into being in 1997.
- Our listeners have more of a connection with Akashvani and so we are ridding ourselves of colonial baggage that may have persisted.
- However, the public broadcaster's social media handles continue to mention AIR or All India Radio.
3. Journey of AIR
- AIR has a rich history. In its heydays, it was a staple in millions of Indian households, bringing news, sports and entertainment to homes across the country, even to its underserviced hinterlands.
- After Guglielmo Marconi sent out the first radio transmission in 1895, it took over two decades for radio broadcasting to become commercially available.
- In India, the Radio Club of Bombay sent out the first commercial transmission in 1923.
- In the same year, the Calcutta Radio Club was started and a year later, radio broadcasts reached Madras with the Madras Presidency Radio Club.
- Early years of radio broadcasting were marked with fascination about the new technology and a constant state of financial precarity.
- The ambitious Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) came into existence in 1927, only to face bankruptcy in 1930.
- It was not until the government stepped in that there was a degree of stability in radio programming.
- In 1930, the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS), under the Department of Industries and Labour Commenced its operations on an experimental basis.
- Lionel Fielden was appointed as India's first Controller of Broadcasting in 1935 and brought major advancements to programming.
- Finally, on June 8, 1936, ISBS became All India Radio. A year later, AIR was brought under the Department of Communications and four years later, under the Department of Information and Broadcasting, now called the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (under whose jurisdiction it remains to date).
4. Exponential Growth of AIR
- At the time of Independence, India was left with six radio stations: Delhi, Lucknow, Bombay, Madras and Trichy (three others-Peshawar, Lahore and Dacca had gone to Pakistan).
- In terms of coverage, AIR covered just two per cent of India's land area and reached just 11 per cent of its population.
- Today, with a network of over 262 radio stations, AIR is available to 92 per cent of India's area and nearly all of its population.
- It broadcasts in 23 languages and 146 dialects, catering to India's diverse demographics and tastes.
- It also has an External Division which broadcasts in 11 Indian and 16 foreign languages, reaching out to more than 100 countries.
- Its News Services Division broadcasts 647 bulletins daily for a total duration of nearly 56 hours.
- FM broadcasting began in 1977 in Chennai and expanded during the 1990s. Today, AIR 18 FM stereo channels, largely target the urban audience.
5. Akashvani
- The name Akashvani was adopted by AIR in 1956. It was used interchangeably with AIR often to specifically refer to its Hindi Broadcasting.
- For many Indians today, the Akashvani jingle evokes the memories of a bygone time when Indians would wake up to the sounds of the jingle at the break of dawn and start their day with AIR programming.
- The Jingle was composed by Walter Kaufmann. Born in Karlsbad (Present Czech Republic), Kaufmann trained in music in Prague and Berlin before fleeing Nazi Persecution and landing in India in the mid-1930s.
He joined AIR in 1937 and worked as a director of music in Bombay. - During his time in India, he extensively researched native musical traditions and even worked in Bollywood.
6. Broadcasting modern Indian history
- More than anything else, AIR's place in history is cemented due to its role in communicating momentous events in India's recent history.
- Before the advent of television or digital media, it was radio that was the medium through which Indians consumed news, cricket and entertainment.
- Whether it be Jawaharlal Nehru's iconic "Tryst with Destiny" speech in 1947 or Kapil Dev's mythical 175-run knock in 1983, it was AIR which brought these events to homes across the country.
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For Prelims: Tryst with Destiny speech, All India Radio, Akashvani, Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, Indian State Broadcasting Service, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Radio Club of Bombay, the Calcutta Radio Club, Madras Presidency Radio Club, Indian Broadcasting Company, FM broadcasting,
For Mains:
1. Discuss the role of All India Radio after the Post-Independence period in the country. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. A tryst with destiny', is a famous speech illustrative of India's independence made by which of the following members of the Constituent Assembly of India ? (Haryana CET 2022)
1. V.J. Patel
2. J.L. Nehru
3. B.R. Ambedkar
4. S.P. Mukherjee
5. Not attempted
Answer: 2
2. Comprehension
Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting the most appropriate option.
Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the odd to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity. At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength. We end today a period of ill fortune and India discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity to greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future? Freedom and power brings responsibility. That responsibility rests upon this Assembly, a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India.
The expression 'Tryst with destiny' means: (UTET 2019)
A. to make a secret deal with something that is destined for us.
B. to compromise with something
C. to wait for something
D. usual practices and religious rites.
Answer: A
3. The first Radio programme in India was started in the year (AP Police Constable 2016)
A.1920
B. 1922
C. 1923
D. 1933
Answer: C
4. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for (UPSC 2011)
A. Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement.
B. Participating in the Second Round Table Conference.
C. Leading a contingent of Indian National Army.
D. Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Answer: A
5. In which year was All India Radio renamed as Akashvani? (ACC, CGAT 2021)
A. 1947
B. 1957
C. 1967
D. 1937
Answer: B
6. Prasar Bharati is also known as (WB SET 2017)
A. Broadcasting Centre of India
B. Indian Broadcasting Authority
C. Broadcasting Association of India
D. Broadcasting Corporation of India
Answer: D
7. What is 'Prasar Bharati'? (MH SET 2017)
A. a private company owning TV channels
B. a telecom company owning a large mobile network
C. an advertising and public relation wing of the central govt.
D. an autonomous body for public radio and TV broadcasting
Answer: D
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Source: The Indian Express
LUDHIANA GAS TRAGEDY
1. Context
On Sunday morning (April 30), 2023, 11 people died due to a gas leak in the Giaspura area of Ludhiana, Punjab, while four people fell ill and were hospitalised.
2. What happened in Ludhiana?
- The gas leak has claimed the lives of 11 people in the Giaspur area of Ludhiana.
- The Police have suspected that a poisonous gas may have emanated from a partially open manhole in the locality and spread to the shops and houses nearby. The inquiry for the cause of the leak is on.
- Forensic experts have suspected Hydrogen Sulphide – a neurotoxic gas – to be responsible for the tragedy.
- The autopsy reports suggested that the deaths were due to “inhalation poisoning”.
- According to an expert - Probably some acidic waste was thrown into the sewer which reacted with methane, carbon monoxide, and other sewerage gases to produce hydrogen sulphide.
3. What are Neurotoxins?
- Neurotoxins are poisonous substances that can directly affect the nervous system. Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to natural or man-made toxic substances alters the normal activity of the nervous system.
- These substances can eventually, disrupt or even kill neurons or nerve cells, which are important for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.
- They directly attack the respiratory tract of the body, thereby overpowering the oxygen concent
