Marginalization of Disabled Population, Needle-Free Vaccine with Codon de-optimisation, Northern bald ibis

(General Studies II – Governance Section – Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the population by the Centre and States and the Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.)

• The marginalization of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India reflects deep-rooted societal biases and structural inadequacies.
• Despite legislative mandates, PwDs continue to struggle for dignity, proper representation, and equal opportunities in education and employment.
• The 2023 Nifty 50 report highlights that only a handful of companies employ more than 1% of PwDs, underlining the lack of diversity in workplaces.

Issues which Hinder –

1. Lack of Accessible Infrastructure: Less than 40% of school buildings have ramps, and only 17% have accessible restrooms, making it difficult for PwDs to access education. This infrastructural inadequacy limits their ability to participate fully in society.
2. Underrepresentation in Employment: The 2023 Nifty 50 report reveals that only five companies have more than 1% of PwDs on their rolls, with four of these being public sector companies. This stark underrepresentation indicates a lack of commitment to diversity and inclusion in the private sector.
3. Inadequate Implementation of Laws: Despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which provides for reservation in government jobs and incentives in non-government jobs, there is a clear lack of implementation, resulting in limited employment opportunities for PwDs.
4. Social Stigma and Discrimination: PwDs face societal attitudes that portray them as burdens or objects of pity, which erodes their identity and dignity. This stigma further marginalizes them and hinders their social and economic integration.
5. Inadequate Policy Framework: The lack of robust diversity policies in workplaces and educational institutions perpetuates the exclusion of PwDs. Without a comprehensive policy framework, efforts to include PwDs remain fragmented and ineffective.
6. Global Comparisons: Countries like Brazil and Japan have implemented quota systems and incentive mechanisms to ensure the inclusion of PwDs in the workforce. India’s failure to adopt similar models has left PwDs without adequate representation in employment.

What Needs to be Done?

1. Infrastructure Development: Educational institutions must prioritize creating accessible infrastructure, such as ramps, accessible restrooms, and assistive technologies, to enable PwDs to fully participate in education.
2. Workplace Inclusion: Both public and private sectors should implement diversity policies that ensure the representation of PwDs in the workforce. Quota systems, similar to those in Brazil, can be introduced to mandate the employment of PwDs.
3. Policy Implementation: The effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is crucial. States should develop compliance mechanisms to ensure that employers adhere to reservation policies and provide equal opportunities for PwDs.
4. Social Awareness Campaigns: To combat social stigma, awareness campaigns should be launched to educate the public about the capabilities and rights of PwDs. These campaigns should aim to shift societal attitudes from pity to empowerment.
5. Incentive Mechanisms: The government can introduce incentive mechanisms for employers who actively include PwDs in their workforce. This can include tax breaks, subsidies, and recognition awards to encourage more companies to hire PwDs.
6. Collaboration with Global Models: India can learn from global models, such as Japan’s subsidiary system and Brazil’s quota system, to create a more inclusive environment for PwDs. Collaboration with international organizations can also help in adopting best practices.

The exclusion of PwDs from mainstream society is not just a failure of policy but a reflection of societal indifference. Investing in PwDs is not merely a matter of compliance but a moral imperative. By creating accessible infrastructure, enforcing inclusive policies, and challenging societal norms, India can unlock the potential of millions of PwDs.

• The Supreme Court stayed the notification issued by the AYUSH Ministry, which omitted Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
• This Rule pertains to the regulation of objectionable or misleading advertisements about Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani drugs.
• Earlier, Ministry notified that Rule 170 was no longer operational based on a recommendation by the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB).
• The Court expressed concern that this omission allowed manufacturers to advertise their drugs without restriction.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani Drugs Technical Advisory Board (ASUDTAB).

• Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), based in Hyderabad, in partnership with Griffith University, Australia, has developed a needle-free intranasal booster vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.
• The live-attenuated booster was created using “codon de-optimisation” technology, a method that modifies the frequency of under-represented codon pairs without altering amino acid sequences.
• This approach allows for efficient virus attenuation, offering a faster and safer alternative to conventional methods, which typically take several years.
• Codon de-optimisation technology has the potential of targeted attenuation of microorganisms for use as vaccine candidates.

Dig Deeper: Compare different vaccine technologies like viral vector, mRNA, Protein subunit, live attenuated and DNA Vaccines.

• The UN Human Rights Office stated that problematic policies persist in China, two years after a ‘OHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China’ cited possible “crimes against humanity” in Xinjiang.
• China has been accused of incarcerating over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region, allegations that Beijing strongly denies.
• Xinjiang is home to the Turkic-speaking Muslim Uyghur minority.
• Rich in natural resources, its economic development has been accompanied by large-scale immigration of Han Chinese.
• Besides Uyghurs, Xinjiang is also home to mostly Muslim communities of Kazakhs, Mongols and Hui. There are also smaller communities of other minorities such as Tajiks and Kyrgyz.
• China acknowledged that “religious extremist” Uyghurs are undergoing re-education and resettlement.
• Since February 2023, the UN Office has held a series of discussions in Geneva with Chinese officials, leading to the UN human rights chief sending a team to Beijing.
• The team engaged with Chinese authorities, focusing on “counter-terrorism policies and the criminal justice system.”

Dig Deeper: Read about various UN mechanisms to enforce Human Rights all over the world.

• The northern bald ibis, nearly extinct by the 17th century, has been revived through breeding and rewilding efforts over the past two decades by Fritz and the Waldrappteam, a conservation and research group.
• Despite their natural urge to migrate, these birds, known for their black-and-iridescent green plumage, bald red head, and long curved beak, lack the instinct to navigate migration routes without guidance from wild-born elders.
• Since 2002, efforts have increased the Central European population from zero to nearly 300, moving the species from “critically endangered” to “endangered.”
• First attempt to reintroduce a continentally extinct migratory bird species.
• Initially, reintroduction attempts failed as the birds, lacking guidance, flew in various directions and perished.
• To overcome this, chicks are removed from their breeding colonies shortly after hatching and placed in an aviary where they imprint on human foster parents by Fritz and the Waldrappteam, a conservation and research group.
• The foster parents then guide the birds during migration by flying a microlight aircraft, which the birds follow over alpine meadows and foothills.
• The team aims to have over 350 birds in the Central European population by 2028, making it self-sustaining.

Dig Deeper: Read about such innovative conservation techniques used in the conservation of Vulture Species in India.

• The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has approved Siemens Healthineers to manufacture RT-PCR testing kits for detecting Mpox.
• The RT-PCR kits provide test results in 40 minutes, significantly faster than traditional methods, reducing turnaround time for quicker responses.
• The IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay targets two distinct regions in the viral genome, covering both clade I and clade II variants.
• It is platform-agnostic, integrating seamlessly into existing lab workflows without requiring new instruments, thus leveraging existing COVID testing infrastructure.
• The assay, clinically validated by the Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Virology, Pune, has 100% sensitivity and specificity.

Dig Deeper: Read about the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

• The ninth India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was conducted in Delhi.
• India congratulated Brazil on its successful conduct of the G-20 meetings and the release of the first Ministerial consensus document.
• India expressed full support for Brazil’s G-20 presidency, appreciating Brazil’s initiatives focused on building a just world and a sustainable planet.
• Brazil, currently chairing the G-20, took over the presidency from India last year.
• The strategic partnership, established in 2006, has grown stronger and more diverse.
• There is substantial bilateral trade between the two countries, noting recent challenges.

Dig Deeper: Read about the BRICS and other joint multilateral forums of India and Brazil.