Today in History (August 10^th, 2003)

On August 10, 2003, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko made history as the first person to marry while in space. The ceremony took place aboard the International Space Station, with his bride, Ekaterina Dmitrieva, in Texas. The wedding was conducted via a NASA satellite link, highlighting a remarkable moment of human connection across the cosmos.

Let’s revise

A) When did Bangladesh gain independence from Pakistan?

1. 1947
2. 1952
3. 1971
4. 1980

Answer: 3) 1971
Explanation: Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan on December 16, 1971, following a nine-month-long war of independence known as the Bangladesh Liberation War. This event marked the end of East Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

B) Who was the founding leader and the first President of Bangladesh?

1. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
2. Ziaur Rahman
3. Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy
4. Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad

Answer: 1) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Explanation: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is regarded as the Father of the Nation in Bangladesh. He was the leader of the Awami League and played a pivotal role in the country’s independence. He became the first President of Bangladesh after the liberation.

C) What is the official language of Bangladesh?

1. English
2. Bengali
3. Hindi
4. Urdu

Answer: 2) Bengali
Explanation: Bengali (or Bangla) is the official language of Bangladesh. It is spoken by the vast majority of the population and is a key part of the nation’s cultural and historical identity.

D) Which UNESCO World Heritage site is located in Bangladesh?

1. Sundarbans
2. Mohenjo-Daro
3. Taj Mahal
4. Great Wall of China

Answer: 1) Sundarbans
Explanation: The Sundarbans is a large mangrove forest in the delta of the Padma, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. It is renowned for its biodiversity, including the Bengal tiger, and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its unique ecosystem and environmental significance.

E) What is the primary currency of Bangladesh?

1. Rupee
2. Taka
3. Dollar
4. Yen

Answer: 2) Taka
Explanation: The official currency of Bangladesh is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT). It is used in all monetary transactions within the country.

F) Which major annual festival is widely celebrated in Bangladesh and marks the Bengali New Year?

1. Eid ul-Fitr
2. Durga Puja
3. Pohela Boishakh
4. Christmas

Answer: 3) Pohela Boishakh
Explanation: Pohela Boishakh is the Bengali New Year, celebrated on April 14th. It is a major cultural festival in Bangladesh, marked by traditional music, dance, and various festivities. It signifies the start of the new year in the Bengali calendar.

G) Which is the largest city by area in Bangladesh?

1. Dhaka
2. Chittagong
3. Rajshahi
4. Khulna

Answer: 2) Chittagong
Explanation: Chittagong (now officially known as Chattogram) is the largest city in Bangladesh by area. It is an important seaport and commercial hub in the country.

H) Bangladesh is known for having one of the world’s largest river deltas. What is the name of this delta?

1. Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta
2. Mekong Delta
3. Mississippi Delta
4. Amazon Delta

Answer: 1) Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta
Explanation: The Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta is one of the largest river deltas in the world. It is formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, and is crucial for the region’s agriculture and ecosystem.

Summary of Today’s News

CDSCO waives local clinical trials for new drugs approved in developed countries

• Waiver has been granted under Rule 101 of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, which allows Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI aka Central Licencing Authority) to specify certain countries for considering waiver of local clinical trials for approval of new drugs.
• Now countries like USA, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, and EU can supply drugs to India without requiring local trials.
• Waiver covers five categories:

• Orphan drugs for rare diseases; Note-: Orphan drug means a drug intended to treat a condition which affects not more than 5 lakh persons in India.
• Gene and cellular therapy products;
• New drugs used in pandemic situations;
• New drugs for special defense purposes; and
• New drugs having significant therapeutic advances over current standard of care.

• DCGI (head of CDSCO) is final regulatory authority for approval of clinical trials in country
Significance of Current Waiver
• Ensure availability of latest medicines to treat diseases like cancer, rare and autoimmune disease, etc.
• Reduce costs of public procurement by governments under various schemes like Ayushman Bharat etc.
• Reduce cost incurred by pharmaceutical companies in conducting local trials.
Key points about Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
• CDSCO is a National Regulatory Authority of India under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• Under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, CDSCO is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, etc.
Four phases of Clinical Trials
• Phase I: Small group of volunteers to evaluate drug’s safe dosage range and identify side effects.
• Phase II: Drug given to larger group (100 to 300), including patients with particular disease to see its effectiveness.
• Phase III: Drug given to large groups (1,000 to 3,000), including patients to compare it to other commonly used treatments, etc.
• Phase IV: Drug/Treatment has been approved by DCGI and marketed for public use.

Centre introduces Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in Parliament

• It will amend the Waqf Act, 1995 and the word Waqf has been substituted with “Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development”.
• Earlier, amendments were made in 2013 based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retired) Rajinder Sachar and the Report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
About Waqf Properties
• They refer to moveable or immovable properties dedicated in the name of god for charitable purposes by a deed or an instrument.
• They are managed by a legal entity with nominated members known as Waqf board.
• Central Waqf Council (CWC), a statutory body established in 1964, oversees and advises state-level Waqf Boards across India.
Key features of the bill
• Database of waqf and the property dedicated to the waqf to be registered on the portal within a period of six months from commencement of the act.
• Define “waqf” as waqf by any person practicing Islam for at least five years and having ownership of such property.
• Ensure women’s and non-muslim representation on the Central Waqf Council and state boards.
• The Central Government may direct the audit of any waqf at any time by an auditor appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or by any officer designated by the Central Government for that purpose.
• The District Collector will decide whether a disputed property is Waqf or government land.
Objectives of the bill
• To effectively address issues related to the powers of the State Waqf Boards, registration and survey of waqf properties, etc.
• To enhance the efficiency of the administration and management of the waqf properties.

Highest Ocean Heat in Four Centuries places Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in danger: Study

• Study published in Nature journal highlighted that repeated mass coral bleaching on GBR driven by high sea surface temperatures are threatening the survival of coral colonies which are backbone of reef.
• From 2016- 2024, there were five mass coral bleaching events on GBR.

What is Coral Bleaching:
• When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel symbiotic algae, causing them to turn completely white.

Factors Responsible for Coral Bleaching:
• Heat stress from raised water temperatures;
• Increased UV radiation,
• Runoff and Pollution,
• Extreme low tides,
• Ocean acidification etc.
Key points about Great Barrier Reef


• Largest coral reef system in world.
• The reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, in Coral Sea.
• Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981. About Coral Reefs
• Invertebrate animals belonging to a large group of animals called Cnidaria.
• Coral reefs are created by millions of tiny polyps forming large carbonate structures.
• Most of world’s coral reefs found in tropical waters.
• More than one-third of world’s coral reefs are located in territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.
• In India, they are found in Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep and Malvan.

Importance of Corals Reefs
• Highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on planet—even more than tropical rainforest.
• Protect coastlines from storms and erosion.
• Act as carbon sink.
Steps taken for conserving coral reefs
• Global: Global Fund for Coral Reefs, Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, Coral Triangle Initiative, etc.
• Coral Triangle is a marine area located in western Pacific Ocean. It includes waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands.
• India: Marine Protected Areas, Coral restoration through Biorock technology, etc.