Everest grows taller as China, Nepal announce new height
Paper:
Mains: G.S. I Physical Geography of the world
Why in news?
World’s tallest mountain get a new official height in Tuesday that adds a few centimetres to its already lofty peak.
Key details
- China and Nepal, the two countries Everest straddles, announced that the world’s tallest mountain is now officially the equivalent of 29,032 feet.
- The new height of 8,848.86 meters (29,031.69 feet) was determined following what geologists said was the most thorough survey of the summit ever.
- More important, it was the first time a single height was calculated and certified by both Nepal and China. Previously, they had different official heights. China said it was 29,017 feet. Nepal said it was a little taller, at 29,028 feet.
- Nepali scientists wouldn’t speculate on the reason for the higher measurement this time, saying it may have more to do with improvements in technology and calculations.
- Measuring mountains isn’t an exact science as it has to take into account everything from theoretical sea levels to how gravity would affect that sea level near the mountains being measured.
- Everest does grow, very slowly—less than a fifth of an inch a year—some geologists say, from the movement of tectonic plates below it. But that growth can be erased or reversed by earthquakes or other effects.
- From the Yellow Sea to the peak of Chomolungma, China’s Tibetan name for Everest, Chinese teams measured the distance from sea level and gravity, while teams in Nepal, where the mountain is called Sagarmatha, did the same going south to its border with India.
- The teams from China and Nepal used everything from old-fashioned trigonometry and surveying equipment like the theodolite, to satellite positioning and gravity meters. The instruments have been around for decades—some of them for centuries—and their accuracy has improved radically with technology as well as their portability, allowing more measurements in hard-to-reach areas.
SAARC
Paper:
Mains: G.S. II International Organisations and IR
Why in news?
SAARC can only be fully effective in the absence of terror and violence. PM Modi said in a message to SAARC on its 36th Charter Day anniversary.
Key details
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985.
- Afghanistan became the newest member of SAARC at the 13th annual summit in 2005.
- The Headquarters and Secretariat of the Association are at Kathmandu, Nepal.
- SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 3.8% (US$2.9 trillion) of the global economy.
- It is the world’s most densely populated region and one of the most fertile areas.
- SAARC countries have common tradition, dress, food and culture and political aspects thereby synergizing their actions.
- All the SAARC countries have common problems and issues like poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, natural disasters, internal conflicts, industrial and technological backwardness, low GDP and poor socio-economic condition.
- India has to re-think about SAARC, which has been in the doldrums since 2014. This is especially necessary to counter China’s growing aggression and economic dominance in the region.
Supply of life saving drugs affected by Make in India policy
Paper:
Mains: G.S II & III Governance, Social Justice and Economy
Why in news?
The ministry of railways has written to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry seeking exemption for procuring certain medical items manufactured outside India, particularly medicines used in treatment of COVID and cancer.
Key details
- The issue was first raised in August 2020 by Northern Railway, expressing difficulty in procuring drugs and surgical items in the light of the latest Make in India policy.
- It is said that certain drugs used in cancer treatment were manufactured outside India but available in the Indian market through agents or dealers.
- The uninterrupted supply of these medicines and medical items are necessary to save human lives and providing satisfactory healthcare to all.
- In existing Make in India policy there is no window available to procure such items from the suppliers. It is therefore proposed to seek exemption to procure such medicines and medical items from non-local suppliers.
Stakeholders must unite for timely 5G roll-out, says Modi
Paper:
Mains: G.S. III Science and Technology
Why in news?
PM Narendra Modi told telecom sector leaders that all stakeholders need to work together to ensure timely roll-out of 5G technology as well as make India a global hub for telecom equipment, design, development and manufacturing.
Key details
- The future holds great potential with the rapid technology progress,” said Mr. Modi while addressing a virtual gathering at the inauguration of India Mobile Congress 2020.
- We need to work together to ensure the timely roll-out of 5G to leapfrog into the future and empower millions of Indians.
- Modi also pointed out that with technological upgradation, there was a culture of replacing handsets and gadgets frequently, and asked the industry to look at forming a task force to think of better ways of handling electronic waste.
- Minister for Communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad urged innovators and manufacturers to tap the enabling atmosphere in India, stating that while foreign capital and innovation was welcome, safety and security of the nation is equally important.
- The communication and IT sectors had witnessed a 7% growth in FDI even in midst of the pandemic.
- Digital technology had to be secure so that vested interests and extremists were not able to abuse it.
- “We are all open for new technology, new innovation, be it artificial intelligence, IoT, machine learning, all have enough opportunity in India,” the Minister said.
“We want good innovation. Indians have got all the talent.. We are very keen that we must also help in innovation, creation and empowerment of the 5G process with good application of Indian human resources and innovative minds.”
