The Hindu PDF 06 October 2023 Analysis

The Hindu PDF Newspaper is considered an important source of news and information for UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) aspirants in India. This The Hindu Epaper PDF newspaper covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to the UPSC exam, including politics, economics, international relations, governance, and social issues.

The Hindu PDF Analysis 06 October 2023 for UPSC

Norway’s Jon Fosse wins Nobel for literature: Page 1

• Jon Fosse, a 64-year-old Norwegian playwright, won the Nobel Prize in literature.
• He was honored for his innovative plays and prose that give voice to the unsayable.
• Fosse’s works include plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, children’s books, and translations.
• Major works include “Boathouse” and “Melancholy I and II.”
• Fosse expressed his gratitude for the award, emphasizing the importance of literature.
• The Nobel committee recognized his ability to evoke a sense of loss of orientation leading to a deeper experience.
• Fosse, originally from western Norway, converted to Catholicism in 2013.
• He debuted with the novel “Red, Black” in 1983.
• His latest book, “Septology,” is a semi-autobiographical work with seven parts across three volumes.
• Fosse’s play “Someone is Going to Come” brought him international recognition when staged in Paris in 1999.
• He also gained acclaim for the play “And We’ll Never be Parted” in 1994.
• His work has been translated into approximately 50 languages.

First public sector caravan park in Kerala to bring in more tourists to Bekal Fort: Page 6

• Kerala is setting up a caravan park at Bekal Fort in Kasaragod.
• Bekal Fort is known for its stunning architecture and overlooks the Arabian Sea.
• The project is being undertaken by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).
• Bekal has been selected for development under cinema tourism to attract tourists.
• The KTDC has also proposed caravan parks at Ponmudi and Bolgatty Palace.
• This will be the first public-sector caravan park in Kerala.
• The project has been sanctioned with a budget of ₹1.53 crore.
• Caravan tourism in the state initially gained popularity but lacked private investment.
• Currently, there is only one private caravan park in Wagamon.
• Administrative issues delayed the construction of some parks in the state.
• The introduction of more public-sector caravan parks is expected to boost the sector.

Inspiring colours: Page 10

• The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three individuals for their work on quantum dots.
• Quantum dots are small crystals with a size of a few nanometers and contain only a few thousand atoms.
• When atoms are densely packed in quantum dots, their electrons behave according to the laws of quantum mechanics, allowing quantum dots to mimic the behavior of atoms.
• Quantum dots can absorb and re-emit light at different frequencies depending on their size, with smaller dots emitting higher-frequency light.
• Quantum dots have applications in transistors, lasers, medical imaging, and quantum computing.
• Alexei Ekimov in the Soviet Union first synthesized quantum dots in glass in 1981.
• Louis Brus synthesized quantum dots in a solution in the U.S. in 1983 and studied their quantum-physical properties.
• Moungi Bawendi developed a reliable method to produce high-quality quantum dots in 1993.
• Quantum dots have diverse applications, and their appeal lies in their ability to emit various colors of light, inspiring innovations in technology and medicine.

India looking to engage with the new Maldives govt. on all issues, says MEA: Page 14

• Maldives President-elect Mohamed Muizzu recently stated that Indian military personnel would be asked to leave the islands.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed a desire to engage the new Maldives government on all issues.
• Indian High Commissioner to Male Munnu Mahawar met with President-elect Muizzu and delivered a congratulatory letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi mentioned that discussions on various aspects of the bilateral relationship and development cooperation were held during the meeting.
• There is no confirmation regarding who will represent India at President-elect Muizzu’s swearing-in ceremony.
• In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended President Ibu Solih’s inauguration ceremony in Male as an unprecedented gesture.
• Muizzu’s victory in the run-off election has been seen as an upset for India, given the close ties with the Solih administration.
• Muizzu campaigned on an “India Out” platform, emphasizing the importance of Maldives’ sovereignty.
• Indian military personnel have been stationed on the Addu and Lammu islands since 2013 to operate helicopters and aircraft lent by India for reconnaissance operations.
• In November 2021, the Maldives National Defence Force reported that 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives.
• Tensions have arisen over agreements related to maritime security and the construction of a Coast Guard harbor base in the Maldives.
• The MEA emphasized the need for close cooperation between India and the Maldives in addressing shared challenges and priorities, including transnational crimes and humanitarian assistance disaster relief.

India expanding censorship regime, creating uneven playing field: study: Page 16

• Freedom House, a Washington-based non-profit organization, released a report on global Internet freedom, indicating a decline for the 13th consecutive year.
• The report covers developments between June 2022 and May 2023 and evaluates Internet freedom in 70 countries.
• It highlights that the environment for human rights online deteriorated in 29 countries, with only 20 countries showing net gains.
• The report, titled “Freedom on the Net 2023: The Repressive Power of Artificial Intelligence,” expresses concern about the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by governments for censorship and the spread of disinformation.
• Iran saw the sharpest rise in digital repression, with authorities shutting down Internet service and blocking WhatsApp and Instagram during anti-government protests.
• China remained ranked as the world’s worst environment for Internet freedom for the ninth consecutive year, while Myanmar ranked as the second most repressive.
• The report noted that legal repercussions for online expression occurred in a record 55 countries, and the number of countries with widespread arrests and long prison terms for online activities increased from 18 in 2014 to 31 in 2023.
• Elections often triggered digital repression, with incumbent leaders restricting speech, blocking independent news sites, and controlling information flow.
• In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government incorporated censorship, including AI-based moderation tools, into the legal framework. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules require social media platforms to use AI for content moderation.
• The report highlighted restrictions on access to a BBC documentary and the use of automated scanning tools to monitor related posts.
• It expressed concern that India’s expanding censorship regime was silencing criticism and independent reporting on the ruling party, creating an uneven playing field as the country prepares for general elections in 2024.
• India engaged in various censorship methods, including Internet connectivity restrictions, blocking social media platforms and websites, and forced removal of content.
• India scored 50 out of 100 in the evaluation of Internet freedom, with Iceland having the highest Internet freedom score of 94.

Bangladesh gets its first batch of uranium: Page 17

• Bangladesh received its first uranium delivery for its Russian-backed nuclear plant.
• The nuclear plant is a $12.65-billion project aimed at improving Bangladesh’s energy grid.
• Russia is providing 90% of the funding for the plant through a loan.
• The project is expected to help address chronic blackouts in Bangladesh.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the strong friendship and partnership between Russia and Bangladesh during a videoconference with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
• Putin pledged assistance for uranium supply, maintenance, and management of spent fuel.
• Construction on the nuclear plant in Rooppur began in 2017, with the first 1,200-megawatt unit set to start operations next year, and both reactors expected to be fully operational by 2025.

Services PMI signals September boost: Page 18

• India’s services sector showed increased activity in September, with new orders rising at the second-fastest rate since June 2010, according to the S&P Global India Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI).
• The PMI for September rose to 61 from 60.1 in August, indicating strong growth in the sector.
• While the September reading was slightly lower than July’s 13-year high, it still represented one of the strongest upticks in 13 years.
• Input cost inflation in the services sector slowed to one of the lowest levels since late 2010, leading to a slower increase in prices by services firms.
• Sentiment about year-ahead business prospects reached a nine-year high.
• Firms recruited additional staff to handle current workloads and prepare for further growth in the coming months.
• Growth in new international orders, while slowing slightly, was still one of the quickest since September 2014, with demand coming from clients in Asia, Europe, and North America.
• The positive results in the PMI indicate strong business activity and new work intakes in the services sector.
• Improved optimism and robust demand conditions suggest continued growth in the sector.

Govt. ‘needs to prioritise childhood cancers’: SCIENCE Page II

• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month has highlighted the need for better management of pediatric cancers.
• Key priorities include raising awareness, ensuring treatment by specialists, increasing care centers, making treatments affordable, and prioritizing childhood cancers.
• According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years are diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year.
• In Tamil Nadu, there were 2,513 new cancer cases among children in 2022, accounting for 2.9% of all cancers in all age groups.
• Pediatric cancers occurred more frequently in boys than girls, with a ratio of 123 boys to 100 girls.
• The most common pediatric cancers included leukemia, lymphoma, and brain and central nervous system tumors.
• Pediatric cancers represent two to three percent of all cancers diagnosed in India, with leukemia being the most common type followed by brain tumors.
• A major challenge is the lack of awareness about pediatric cancer, as symptoms can mimic common infections, leading to late diagnosis.
• The cost of care for pediatric cancer is increasing, and there is a need for better insurance coverage, as common blood cancers can cost significantly more than what insurance provides.
• India accounts for 18% to 20% of the world’s burden of pediatric cancer, but historically, it has not been prioritized in national cancer control policies.
• There is a call for a major policy shift to recognize and prioritize pediatric cancers in national policies.
• Tailored therapy has improved the prognosis for pediatric leukemia, with at least a 70% success rate.
• Relapse is a significant concern, and more attention is needed for relapsed leukemia in children.
• Centers closer to home, shared care pediatric oncology centers, and better insurance coverage are among the solutions suggested to improve the management of pediatric cancers in India.

Source: The Hindu Epaper

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