Prelims Focus 18th March 2025

Melioidosis

In News: Recent environmental mapping in Odisha by researchers from IIT Bhubaneswar and AIIMS Bhubaneswar has revealed a significant presence of melioidosis, a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, particularly during the monsoon season.

• The study found that melioidosis cases peak during heavy rainfall and high humidity, typically from June to November, as cloudy weather, low sunlight, and temperatures between 23 to 29 degrees Celsius create favorable conditions for the bacterium’s proliferation. 
• The mapping identified 21 out of 30 districts in Odisha as hotspots, with coastal areas like Puri, Cuttack, Nayagarh, and Khordha reporting the highest incidences. 
• Despite being endemic in India, melioidosis remains underreported due to its non-notifiable status and diagnostic challenges, as its symptoms often mimic other diseases. 
• Rural populations with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease are particularly vulnerable. 
• The findings highlight the urgent need for increased surveillance, awareness campaigns, and improved diagnostic infrastructure to manage this emerging infectious disease effectively.

Pratibimb Module 

In News: Recently, it has been instrumental in the arrest of 6,046 accused, while also identifying 17,185 linkages and processing 36,296 cyber investigation assistance requests.

• The Pratibimb Module is a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based software launched by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Union Home Ministry. 
• This innovative tool has significantly enhanced the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in India by mapping and tracking the locations of cybercriminals and their networks. 
• The module provides real-time analytics that aids in understanding interstate linkages of cybercrimes, facilitating a more coordinated response to cyber threats across various states and union territories. 
• By offering a visual representation of crime infrastructure, Pratibimb empowers jurisdictional officers to effectively combat cybercrime and enhance public safety.

Bodo Peace Accord

In News: Recently, the Union Home Minister addressed the 57th annual convention of the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) in Kokrajhar, Assam, where he highlighted the fulfillment of the Bodo Peace Accord.

• • It was aimed toward bringing peace and balance to the Bodo-ruled regions of Assam, particularly the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
  • The agreement was signed between the Government of India, the Assam Government, and Bodo corporations, consisting of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB).

• Key Features:

• • BTC was renamed as the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) with more autonomy.
  • Non-Bodo villages inside the current BTC had been excluded.
  • BTC’s powers have been improved under the Sixth Schedule.

Fourth Conference on Global Intelligence

In News: The fourth convention of world intelligence and security leaders, hosted by India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), brought together high-ranking officials from over 28 nations.

• The convention was held for the first time in 2022.
• The convention passed off an afternoon before the once a year Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship convention on “geopolitics and geo-method”, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
• The discussions had been targeted round the following urgent global concerns:
  • Counterterrorism and Intelligence Sharing: Terrorism remains a chief global threat, making intelligence-sharing a key focus. 
  • Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Strategic collaboration inside the Indo-Pacific was highlighted as critical for local trade, security, and political stability.
  • Transnational Crimes and Terror Funding: Countries discussed tackling organized crime, narcotics trade, and terror financing through joint efforts.
  • Immigration and Extradition: Strengthening legal frameworks for managing illegal immigration, extradition, and human trafficking was a major subject matter of debate.
  • Five Eyes Representation: The presence of the Five Eyes intelligence leaders underscores India’s increasing role in international intelligence-sharing.

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