GS PAPER: II

Selection of Olympic Cities

Why in the news?

Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly declared India’s intention to host the Olympic Games, preferably in 2036, during the opening ceremony of the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Mumbai.

How are Olympic cities selected?

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for selecting the host cities for the Olympic Games. The IOC has a two-stage process for selecting host cities:
• Continuous dialogue: The IOC engages in a continuous dialogue with interested cities to discuss their vision for the Games, its purpose, and long-term legacy. This is a non-committal stage and cities can join or leave the dialogue at any time.
• Targeted dialogue: If a city is serious about hosting the Games, it can enter into a targeted dialogue with the IOC. This is a more formal process where the city must develop a detailed proposal for hosting the Games. The IOC will then provide feedback and support to the city to help them develop their proposal.
• Once the IOC has received all of the proposals from the interested cities, it will select a shortlist of candidates.
• The shortlisted candidates will then be invited to give a presentation to the IOC Session, which is the IOC’s decision-making body.
• The IOC Session will then vote to select the host city.

The selection of a host city for the Olympic Games is a significant event for both the city and the IOC.

GS PAPER: III

FSSAI Recommends QR Codes on Food Products

Why in the news?

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the use of quick response (QR) codes on food products for accessibility by persons with visual disabilities.

• This is a welcome move that will help to ensure that everyone has access to safe and healthy food.

What are Quick Response (QR) codes?

• QR codes are a type of barcode that can be scanned by smartphones to access information. They are quick and easy to use, and they can be used to store a lot of information.
• The FSSAI has also clarified that the inclusion of QR codes does not replace the requirement to provide mandatory information on the product label.

This is important because it ensures that all consumers have access to this information, regardless of whether or not they have a visual impairment.

GS PAPER: III

e-SIM: The Changing Future of SIM Cards

Why in the news?

Over the years, the SIM card has shrunk from the SIM to the mini-SIM to the micro SIM to the nano SIM.

• The latest on this path is the eSIM, with specifications defined by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Association.

What is a SIM card?

• A SIM card, or Subscriber Identity Module, is a tiny integrated circuit card that stores information about a mobile phone user.
• It is used to identify the user to the cellular network and to provide access to network services.

What is an e-SIM?

• An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built into a mobile device.
• It cannot be removed or replaced like a physical SIM card.

How does e-SIM work?

• eSIMs work using a technology called remote SIM provisioning (RSP). RSP allows network operators to provision eSIMs remotely, without the need for the user to physically insert a SIM card.
• Once the eSIM profile is installed, the user will be able to access the network operator’s services, just like they would with a physical SIM card.

Advantages of an eSIM:

• More environmentally friendly than a physical SIM card.
• More secure than a physical SIM card.
• Can be programmed remotely by the network operator.

Disadvantages of an eSIM:

• Can be difficult to program for people with low digital literacy.
• Could allow network operators to track subscribers’ data.

Overall, eSIMs offer a number of advantages over physical SIM cards. However, users should be aware of the disadvantages before switching to an eSIM.

GS PAPER: II

Gender Equality Strike in ICELAND

Why in the news?

Recently, women across the country went on a 24-hour strike to demand equal pay and an end to gender-based violence.

• Iceland has topped the World Economic Forum’s global gender gap rankings for 14 years in a row, but its women are still protesting inequality.

About the Strike?

• The strike, called “Kallardu petta jafnrétti?” (“You call this equality?”), was inspired by a similar action in 1975.
• That strike, which saw the participation of almost 90% of the island’s working women, led to the passage of a law granting equal rights irrespective of gender.
• However, 48 years later, women in Iceland still face significant challenges.
• According to a report in The Guardian, in some professions, women still earn 21% less than men, and more than 40% of women have experienced gender-based or sexual violence.

The strike was a powerful reminder that even in countries that have made significant progress on gender equality, there is still more work to be done.