28.04.25

US Presidential Interference: President Trump challenged the independence of the Federal Reserve (Fed), creating uncertainty in financial markets. His conflict with the Fed chair increased investor fears about inflation.

Bond Basics: Bonds are debt instruments promising fixed returns, viewed as safer than equities. Bond yields are inversely related to bond prices.

Inflation Impact: Inflation erodes bond returns. Rising inflation expectations cause central banks to raise interest rates, lowering bond prices and increasing yields.

Currency Risk: Currency depreciation negatively impacts foreign bondholders’ returns.

US Market Reaction: Investors are selling US bonds due to fears of inflation from tariffs. Rising yields and a falling dollar suggest investors are moving away from US assets.

Capital Flight: The US losing its safe haven status could lead to capital flight from emerging markets seeking stable currencies and markets.

Indian Bond Market: It’s a vital segment where entities raise funds via bonds. It includes primary (new issues) and secondary (trading existing bonds) markets, with instruments like G-Secs, corporate bonds, and green bonds. RBI regulates government bonds, SEBI regulates corporate bonds.

Threats to Hyena Populations: All four extant hyena species (Spotted, Striped, Brown Hyena, and Aardwolf) in Africa face increasing threats leading to population declines.

Threat Sources: Persecution due to fear/misinformation, habitat loss (agriculture/settlement), human-wildlife conflict (livestock), hunting (bushmeat, traditional medicine), and accidental deaths (poisoning, snares, vehicle collisions).

Species Overview:

• Spotted Hyena: Most widespread, skilled predators, live in female-led clans, declining numbers.
• Striped Hyena: Nocturnal, solitary, omnivorous, carcass scavengers, use scent marking (“natural lavatories”). Found in India.
• Brown Hyena: Southern Africa, scavengers, supplement diet with fruits/insects, live in small clans.
• Aardwolf: Termite specialist (eats up to 300,000 termites/night), socially monogamous, threatened by pesticides.

Ecological Importance: Hyenas regulate herbivore populations (hunters), clean up carcasses preventing disease (scavengers), return nutrients to the soil, control insect populations.

Conservation Status (IUCN):

• Spotted Hyena: Least Concern but declining (fewer than 50,000).
• Striped Hyena: Near Threatened (less than 10,000 mature individuals).
• Brown Hyena: Near Threatened (just over 10,000).
• Aardwolf: Least Concern (exact numbers unknown).

The hyena is often mischaracterized as the ‘villain of the African Savanna’

Call to Action: Changing negative public perception is crucial for securing hyena’s future.

I4C-ED Information Sharing: The government has authorized the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) to share and receive information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Purpose: This move aims to detect money trails and combat cyber frauds by facilitating the identification of masterminds behind these crimes.

Section 66 of PMLA: The Revenue Department included I4C under Section 66 of PMLA via a notification dated April 25, enabling the information exchange with the ED and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

Cyber Fraud Trends: Online frauds are perpetrated through fake websites, deceptive social media pages, paid advertisements, and phishing tactics (OTP/weblink sharing).

Reporting Mechanisms: The public is urged to report cybercrime incidents on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call the helpline number 1930.

I4C’s Role: I4C acts as the nodal point at the national level to fight cybercrime, bringing together government, academia, industry, and the public.

Transnational cyberfrauds: Information sharing will help identify the masterminds behind such frauds which are mostly trans-national.

National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign (2025-26) Launched: Aiming to eliminate Measles and Rubella (M-R) in India by 2026. Launched during World Immunization Week (April 24-30) under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).

Goal: Achieve 100% immunization coverage with two doses of the M-R vaccine.

Progress:

• Over 90% M-R vaccination coverage in 2024-25. (HMIS data reports 93.7% for first dose and 92.2% for second dose)
• 73% reduction in measles cases and 17% reduction in rubella cases in 2024 compared to 2023.
• 332 districts reported zero Measles cases and 487 districts reported zero Rubella cases during January-March 2025.

Strategy:

• Achieve >95% vaccination coverage.
• Strengthen surveillance.
• Ensure quick outbreak response.
• Address vaccine hesitancy through awareness campaigns.

“ACT NOW” Policy: Focuses on eliminating M-R similar to Polio and Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus elimination.

International Recognition: India received the M-R Champion Award (2024) for its efforts in disease elimination.

IEC Materials Released: Multi-language posters and radio jingles to create awareness.

Call to Action: States and UTs urged to be proactive, involve local leaders, and reach remote areas to achieve 100% coverage.

Measles & Rubella: Contagious viral diseases affecting children, preventable through vaccination. Measles complications can be severe, and rubella during pregnancy can lead to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS).

Under UIP: Two doses of MR vaccine are provided free of cost at 9-12 months and 16-24 months of age.

Death of Dr. K. Kasturirangan: Former ISRO chairman (1994-2003) passed away in Bengaluru.

Leadership at ISRO:

• Oversaw the development of Chandrayaan-1, India’s first lunar mission.
• Operationalized key satellite series: IRS, INSAT.
• Launched PSLV and GSLV.
• Project Director for BHASKARA-I & II (experimental earth observation satellites).

Remote Sensing and National Development:

• Key role in National Natural Resource Management System (NNRMS) for satellite-based services (agriculture, water, forestry, health).
• Expanded India’s remote sensing program. IRS-1C and IRS-1D provided high-resolution data.

Pioneering Space Applications: Initiated thematic space missions like EDUSAT, INSAT/GSAT, OCEANSAT, and CARTOSAT for social and economic development.

• Supported the development of multi-wavelength astronomy mission, AstroSat.

Policy Contributions:

• Rajya Sabha member, Planning Commission member.
• Chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Chaired the committee for reviewing the Western Ghats Ecology report, recommending 37% be declared ESA.

Recognition and Awards: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and international recognition.

Transformative Impact: Shaped India’s space ambitions, educational framework, and environmental conservation efforts. His work inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science.