DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

Recently, the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying informed the Lok Sabha about the progress and implementation of the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM), a key initiative aimed at digitally transforming India’s livestock sector.

About National Digital Livestock Mission

The National Digital Livestock Mission was launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India to create a comprehensive digital database of livestock and related services across the country. The mission has been implemented across all States of India to ensure nationwide coverage.

Aims of the Mission

The mission aims to enhance livestock productivity and breed improvement, strengthen disease surveillance and control, enable traceability of livestock products, and create a farmer-centric digital ecosystem for efficient delivery of livestock-related services.

Digital Backbone: Bharat Pashudhan Platform

The digital foundation of NDLM is the ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ platform, which includes mobile and web-based applications used by field workers. This platform supports real-time recording and monitoring of livestock-related activities at the grassroots level.

Key Features of Bharat Pashudhan Platform

• Each animal is assigned a unique 12-digit bar-coded ear tag, which acts as its digital identity.

• Field workers collect data related to animal registration, artificial insemination, breeding, ownership changes, vaccinations, disease reporting, milk recording, ration balancing, and e-prescriptions.

• The system enables accurate, real-time data capture for better planning and decision-making.

Objectives of the National Digital Livestock Mission

• Improving breeding outcomes suited to India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions.

• Enabling real-time disease monitoring and control and establishing a robust traceability mechanism for livestock products.

• Empowering farmers by providing easy access to information on government schemes and livestock-related services.

Significance of NDLM

The National Digital Livestock Mission strengthens data-driven governance in the livestock sector, improves service delivery, enhances farmer welfare, and supports sustainable growth of animal husbandry in India.

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways recently flagged off India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel-cell vessel in Varanasi, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition towards clean and sustainable inland water transport.

Technical and Design Features

The vessel has been entirely designed and built in India by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). It uses a Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (LT-PEM) fuel cell system, which generates electricity using stored hydrogen.

The system produces only water vapour as a by-product, resulting in near-zero emissions. The vessel also incorporates an integrated hybrid propulsion system, combining hydrogen fuel cells, battery storage, and solar power, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and operational reliability.

Strategic Frameworks and Policy Alignment

The launch of the hydrogen fuel-cell vessel aligns with India’s long-term maritime strategies, including the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047). These frameworks emphasize sustainable transport, smart maritime infrastructure, and the adoption of alternative and green fuels in inland and coastal waterways.

Significance of the Initiative

This first-of-its-kind vessel places Varanasi at the forefront of India’s green waterways initiative. It represents a significant step toward achieving net-zero emissions in inland water transport, directly supporting India’s decarbonisation goals and clean energy transition.

Additionally, the introduction of this environment-friendly transport system is expected to enhance the travel experience for pilgrims visiting the spiritual capital of India, while also promoting cleaner, quieter, and more efficient mobility on inland waterways.

Recently, India unveiled its first fully indigenously developed microprocessor, DHRUV64, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey towards self-reliance in semiconductor and computing technologies.

About DHRUV64

DHRUV64 is a fully indigenous microprocessor developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP). The processor reflects India’s growing capabilities in high-end chip design and development.

Key Features of DHRUV64

Processor Core and Speed:
DHRUV64 is a 64-bit dual-core processor operating at 1.0 GHz, enabling it to efficiently handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Execution Method:
The processor uses superscalar execution, which allows it to initiate more than one instruction at the same time, thereby improving performance.

Instruction Handling:
It supports out-of-order execution, meaning instructions that are ready can be processed earlier, enhancing overall efficiency and speed.

Packaging and Integration:
DHRUV64 integrates communication and control functionalities within an advanced FCBGA (Flip-Chip Ball Grid Array) package, making the processor compact, efficient, and easy to integrate into diverse systems.

Potential Applications of DHRUV64

DHRUV64 is designed to support both strategic and commercial applications. It is suitable for use in 5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics, industrial automation, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Significance of DHRUV64

The processor provides homegrown microprocessor technology for startups, academia, and industry, enabling them to design, test, and scale indigenous computing products without dependence on foreign processors. It also supports low-cost prototype development for new system architectures, strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem and technological sovereignty.

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) recently organised an academic programme titled “Natyashastra – Synthesis of Theory and Praxis” at the Red Fort, Delhi, during the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The programme highlighted the timeless relevance of the Natyashastra in India’s artistic and cultural traditions.

About Natyashastra

The Natyashastra is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. The word is derived from ‘Natya’ (dance and drama) and ‘Shastra’ (science or systematic knowledge). It was composed by the sage Bharata Muni and is dated between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE. It is regarded as the earliest known comprehensive text on performative arts in South Asia.

Importance of Natyashastra

The primary significance of the Natyashastra lies in its justification of Indian drama as a means of moral, spiritual, and religious enlightenment. It provides a structured framework for understanding performance as a tool for both entertainment and education.

Content and Structure

The Natyashastra consists of approximately 36,000 verses, covering various aspects of the performing arts, including drama (natya), performance techniques (abhinaya), music (sangita), emotions (bhava), and aesthetic experience (rasa). It serves as a foundational text for Indian classical dance, music, and theatre traditions.

Concept of Rasa – A Key Contribution

One of the most important contributions of the Natyashastra is the theory of Rasa, which represents the emotional essence experienced by the audience. Bharata Muni identified eight primary Rasas:

• Shringara (love)

• Hasya (humour)

• Karuna (compassion)

• Raudra (anger)

• Veera (heroism)

• Bhayanaka (fear)

• Bibhatsa (disgust)

• Adbhuta (wonder)

He explained that through the effective expression of bhava (emotional states), a skilled performer can evoke these rasas in the audience, creating a deep aesthetic experience.

Global Recognition

The UNESCO Memory of the World Register has included the Natyashastra, recognising its outstanding universal cultural and intellectual value.

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): Key Facts

The IGNCA is an autonomous institution established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Culture.

Mandate of IGNCA

The centre aims to document, preserve, conserve, and disseminate India’s artistic and cultural heritage, and to train professionals in specialised cultural fields.

Functional Units of IGNCA

• Kalanidhi – A multi-form reference library.

• Kalakosa – Dedicated to the study and publication of core texts, mainly in Sanskrit.

• Janapada Sampada – Focuses on lifestyle and folk culture studies.

• Kaladarsana – Converts research into exhibitions and visual presentations.

• Cultural Informatics Lab – Applies digital technology for cultural preservation.

• Sutradhara – Acts as the administrative backbone, coordinating all IGNCA activities

Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a nationwide egg safety drive after the detection of nitrofurans residues in eggs triggered public concern. The move aims to strengthen food safety and consumer protection.

About Nitrofurans

Nitrofurans are synthetic, broad-spectrum antibiotics. The nitrofuran class consists of four main parent compounds: furazolidone, furaltadone, nitrofurazone, and nitrofurantoin. Structurally, all nitrofurans are characterised by a furan ring combined with a nitro group.

These antibiotics were earlier widely used in poultry, pigs, shrimp, and other livestock because they were inexpensive and highly effective in controlling infections.

Key Features of Nitrofurans

Nitrofurans are synthetic chemotherapeutic agents with a broad antimicrobial spectrum. They are effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella, and also act against Giardia species, trichomonads, amoebae, and certain coccidial species.

Their activity is enhanced in acidic environments, with an optimal pH of around 5.5 for nitrofurantoin. Nitrofurans are primarily bacteriostatic, meaning they inhibit bacterial growth, but at higher doses they can also exhibit bactericidal activity.

Impacts of Nitrofurans on Human Health

One of the major concerns associated with nitrofurans is their carcinogenic potential, as some compounds have shown cancer-causing effects in animal studies. In addition, there are toxicity concerns, including possible adverse effects in humans, particularly with long-term exposure or high doses.

Significance of the Issue

The detection of nitrofurans in food products highlights the need for strict regulation of veterinary drug use and robust food safety surveillance. The FSSAI’s egg safety drive underscores the importance of protecting public health by ensuring that food products are free from harmful antibiotic residues.