The Study IAS

Author: blogweb

  • P-Notes

    Context:

    Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI), situated in the GIFT International Financial Services Centre, have been allowed to issue Participatory Notes (P-Notes) to Investors.

     

    Digging deeper:  

    • Only SEBI-registered FPIs will use this option.
    • At present, only banking units are allowed by the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) to issue P-notes.

     

    What are P-Notes?

    • These are offshore financial instruments issued by FPIs or FIIs.
    • They are intended for overseas investors to invest in India’s security markets without the need to register themselves with SEBI. 
    • The underlying assets in P-Notes are Indian stocks.
    • They are categorised under offshore derivative investments (ODIs).
    • According to the National Securities Depository Limited data, P-Notes account for around 2% of the total AUC (Asset Under Custody) of FPIs.
    • They are a valuable tool for the Indian economy, allowing listed companies to quickly access funds and be drivers of economic growth.

     

    Issues: 

    • Anonymity: Investors can enter Indian markets anonymously, and the credentials of the owner remain opaque.
    • Tax Benefits: They are used by entities and individuals so that they can benefit from the tax laws in particular countries.
    • Stringent Regulations: SEBI holds no database on P-Notes trading coming from FPIs.

  • Chang’e-6

    Context:

    China National Space Administration (CNSA) launched the Chang’e-6 lunar probe to collect samples from the far side of the moon. 

     

    More on News:

    • It was launched from China’s Wenchang Space Launch Site through Long March 5 rocket.
    • If the mission successfully collects and returns samples it could change our understanding of the early history of the Earth, the Moon, and the Solar System.

     

    Key Highlights:

    • The mission consists of a 53-day journey with a lunar orbiter, lander, ascent spacecraft, and reentry module.
    • The goal is to collect up to 2,000 grams of lunar samples by descending to a depth of two meters.

     

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    SPA Basin

    • South Pole-Aitken Basin is the largest, oldest, and deepest impact crater on the Moon. 
    • It is 2,500 km in diameter and 6.2–8.2 km deep.
    • The mission will collect samples from the SPA basin and provide valuable information about the Moon’s early geological history and composition.

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    Collaboration and Future Endeavours:

    • Scientific equipment from France, Italy, the European Space Agency/Sweden, and payloads from Pakistan are part of this mission.
    • Chang’e-6 is part of China’s broader lunar exploration goal. 
    • Future Missions: Chang’e-7 in 2026 and Chang’e-8 around 2028.
    • China has announced plans for a manned lunar landing by 2030 to establish a permanent lunar base, known as the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) programme.

     

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    India showed its technological power and leadership in space exploration with the first successful landing near the Moon’s South Pole with Chandrayaan-3.

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  • Face of Neanderthal woman revealed

    Context:

    Recently, scientists have created a 3D model based on the fragmented, crushed remains found during the excavation of a Neanderthal woman’s skull.

     

    More on News:

    • The skull used for creating this model was discovered in Shanidar Cave, located in Iraqi Kurdistan.
    • It is famous because of evidence of burial practices.
    • This cave holds significant historical importance, as it yielded the remains of at least 10 Neanderthal individuals, both male and female, along with children during the 1950s.
    • In 2015, a British team unearthed the Shanidar Z skeleton, comprising the spine, shoulders, arms, and the majority of the upper body.
    • The Neanderthals vanished 40,000 years ago.

     

    Shanidar Z Skull:

    • The skull was found to be extremely flat and fragmented, described as “as flat as a pizza”.
    • While the pelvic bones were not recovered, analysis of the tooth enamel proteins indicated the skeleton belonged to a female who died in her mid-40s.
    • The careful placement of the Neanderthal bodies in the cave suggests they maintained traditions around how their dead were treated.

     

    Who were the Neanderthals? 

    • Neanderthals were a distinct species known as Homo neanderthalensis, separate from modern humans.
    • They Neanderthals have a long evolutionary history, with the earliest known fossils dating back around 430,000 years.
    • They coexisted with early modern humans, and evidence indicates intimate encounters, as some modern humans have inherited approximately 2% Neanderthal DNA.
    • The peak of Neanderthal existence was between approximately 130,000 and 40,000 years ago.
    • They displayed adaptability, residing in various environments ranging from  cold steppe regions in England and Siberia to warm temperate woodlands in Spain and Italy

  • Places in News: Tanzania

    Context :

    Cyclone ‘Hidaya’, a severe storm, is heading towards the Tanzanian coast from the Indian Ocean.

     

    tanzania map

    About Tanzania: 

    • Lies in East Africa.
    • Home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.
    • Three of Africa’s great lakes are partly within Tanzania. 
        • Lake Victoria– Africa’s largest lake. 
        • Lake Tanganyika– Africa’s deepest lake. 
        • Lake Malawi
    • Bordering countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia.
    • Natural Resources: Iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones (including tanzanite, found only in Tanzania), gold, natural gas, nickel.

  •  National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation

    Context:

    The central government is considering the establishment of a National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART). 

     

    More on News:

    • The proposed body will serve as a comprehensive federal entity responsible for formulating policies and programmes for the agricultural sector.
    • It is apart of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare‘s 100-day action plan. 
    • It aims to drive coordinated actions in the agriculture sector.
    • It will encompass ministries like Rural Development, Cooperation, and Panchayati Raj.

     

    Proposed Structure:

    • The NCART is expected to be set up on the lines of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council.
    • Like the GST Council, it will likely have representation from both the central government and state governments.
    • Unlike GST Council being a constitutional body, the status of the proposed body is yet to be finalised.
    • Purpose and Role: Its primary goal is to transform rural areas by promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving livelihoods, and enhancing overall rural development.

     

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    Agricultural Federalism in India

    • Agricultural federalism in India refers to the distribution of powers and responsibilities related to agriculture between the centre and states.
    • It allows states to have authority over certain facets of agriculture, while the central government oversees broader policies and schemes that impact the agricultural sector nationwide.
    • Seventh Schedule of the Constitution has distributed powers between the Centr and the States under three lists:
        • Union List: Taxes and duties on income and assets, explicitly excepting those pertaining to agriculture.
        • State List: Agricultural education, research, pests, and plant diseases, rents, and transfer of agricultural land, Agricultural loans, markets, fairs, Taxes on agricultural income.
        • Concurrent List: Transfer of property excluding agricultural land, Various contracts not related to agricultural land.

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  • Sexual Harassment

    Context:

    An employee of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata filed complaint of sexual harassment against  the West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose.

     

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    Sexual harassment 

    Includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

    Constitutional Rights in India:

    • Right to equality (Article 14): Sexual harassment discriminates against women and violates their right to equality before the law.
    • Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade, or business (Article 19(1)(g)): This may interfere with the victim’s ability to freely pursue his or her profession or vocation.
    • Right to life and personal liberty (Article 21): This can be considered a violation of Article 21 as it violates a person’s right to live with dignity and physical integrity.

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    Laws Tackling Sexual Harassment

     

    • Vishakha Guidelines (1997): The guidelines, established by the Supreme Court in 1997, defined sexual harassment and expected employers to prevent it. 
    • Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act (2013): Defines sexual harassment and mandates the formation of Internal Complaint Committees (ICC) at workplaces with more than 10 employees. 
    • Indian Penal Code (IPC): Section 354 specifically addresses and outlines the punishment for such acts.
    • Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023: About to replace the Indian Penal Code, Section 75 provides for stringent punishment for sexual harassment with imprisonment of up to 3 years.
    • SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment e-Box): It is an online complaint management system launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2017 to provide a platform for women to lodge sexual harassment complaints regardless of their work status.
    • Constitutional Immunity: Article 361 of the Indian Constitution provides legal protection to certain officials, exempting them from court accountability for their official duties.

     

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    Politicians faced sexual harassment charges:

    Donald Trump: The former President of the United States has been accused of sexual misconduct, including rape, sexual assault, and sexual battery, by at least 25 women since the 1970s.

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  • Sleep Apnea

    Why in the News?

     

    Philips has fixed its faulty sleep therapy devices in India to assess sleep apnea. 

    Digging Deeper: Philips assured that their current testing indicates no significant health risks from continued use.

     

    Sleep Apnea

     

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    Symptoms

    • Choking at night
    • Excessive daytime sleepiness
    • Morning headaches
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • High blood pressure 
    • A dry mouth upon waking.

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    • Sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing stops and restarts many times while sleeping.
    • This can prevent one’s body from getting enough oxygen. 
    • Causes: Obesity, older age, a narrow airway, a misaligned jaw, and lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption and smoking.

     

    Treatment: 

     

    • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices: It blows air into the airway to keep it open during sleep.
    • Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) devices: It offers two pressure settings which can automatically switch between an inhalation pressure and a lower exhalation pressure.
    • Oral appliances: Designed to keep the throat open.

  • Unified Payments Interface(UPI)

    Context:

    The National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) Overseas arm has signed a pact with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to build a Unified Payments Interface(UPI)-like instant payment system for Namibia.

     

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    About UPI:

    UPI is a digital and real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

    It consolidates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile app, offering seamless fund transfers, merchant payments, and various banking features.

    Features: 

      • Immediate money transfer through mobile device round the clock 24*7 and 365 days.
      • Single mobile application for accessing different bank accounts.
      • Single Click 2 Factor Authentication.
      • It is used for both pull & push payments.
      • It eliminates the need for customers to enter sensitive details like card numbers, account numbers, or IFSC codes.
      • QR Code for instant and smooth payments.
      • Best answer to Cash on Delivery hassle, running to an ATM or rendering exact amount.
      • Merchant Payment with Single Application or In-App Payments.
      • Utility Bill Payments, Over the Counter Payments, QR Code (Scan and Pay) based payments.
      • Raising Complaints from Mobile App directly.
      • It uses technologies like the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) and the Aadhaar-Enabled Payment System (AEPS). 

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    The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is a joint initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).

    Established under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007  it operates and manages retail payment systems and settlement infrastructure in India, aiming to create a strong and reliable payment network within the country.

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  • Self-Medications in Non-Humans: Animal Doctors

    Context:

    A male Sumatran orang-utan has been observed using a medicinal plant to treat a facial wound in a first-ever documented case of a wild animal self-medicating with a known medicinal substance.

    More on News:

    • The plant used was Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria), a liana found in tropical forests of Southeast Asia.
    • The plant contains furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids.
    • They have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, and other biological activities relevant to wound healing.

     

    Orangutans:

    • Orangutans are one of the extant species of great apes, along with chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos.
    • They live solitary lives in lowland forests.
    • They primarily feed on wild fruits like lychees, mangosteens, and figs, and drink water from tree holes.
    • Flanged males have prominent cheek pads and a throat sac for loud vocalisations.
    • Unflanged males resemble adult females, but can change to flanged males for reasons unknown.
    • There are three types of orangutans: Sumatran, Bornean, and Tapanuli.

     

    Differences between Bornean and Sumatran:

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    Tapanuli:

    The Tapanuli orangutan is a newly recognized species in 2017.

    • It is the most endangered great ape, with fewer than 800 individuals.

    • Its population is critically low due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

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    • Bornean and Sumatran orangutans differ in appearance and behaviour.
    • Both Bornean and Sumatran orangutans have shaggy reddish fur.
    • Sumatran orangutans have longer facial hair compared to Bornean orangutans.
    • Sumatran orangutans have closer social bonds compared to Bornean orangutans.

     

    IUCN Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (Bornean and Sumatran Orangutan)

  • Places in News – Shaksgam Valley

    Context :

    China illegally carrying out construction activities in the Shaksgam valley.

     

    More on News : 

    • Chinese-built road has breached the border at Aghil Pass (4805 m).
    • It enters the lower Shaksgam valley of Kashmir, with the road-head now less than 30 miles from Siachen.

     

    aghil pass

    Shaksgam Valley : 

    • It is a tract, spread over about 5,300 square kilometres.
    • The Shaksgam Valley is part of the Hunza-Gilgit region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It is a territory claimed by India but controlled by Pakistan.
    • It was captured by Pakistan in the 1947 war between India-Pakistan.
    • Pakistan handed over to China under Article VI of the Pakistan China Boundary Agreement.

     

      Aghil Pass – 

    Connects Ladakh region of India (Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan administered Kashmir) with the Xinjiang Province of China.

  • Solar Flares led to Blackout in Pacific

    Context:

    Recently Space.com reported the sun unleashed a near X-class solar flare, causing widespread radio blackouts across the Pacific region.

     

    More on News

    • The recent solar flare, classified as M9.53, was measured by NASA’s GOES-16 satellite. 
    • It was just below the X-category solar flare threshold in terms of intensity.
    • Shortwave radio blackouts in the Pacific often occurred after a solar flare eruption due to the intense X-ray and ultraviolet radiation released.

     

    radio blackout map

    About

    Solar flares are explosions from the Sun’s surface that release intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation.

    • Cause: The release of solar flares on the Sun is caused by the rapid release of energy stored in twisted magnetic fields, causing an intense burst of radiation, including X-ray and ultraviolet radiation.
    • Types: Solar flares are classified into lettered groups based on size, with X-class flares being the most powerful, followed by M-class, C-class, B-class, and A-class flares.
        • A-class flares are the weakest and have no significant impact on Earth. 
        • X-class flares have the potential to damage satellites, communications systems, and power grids.
    • Impacts: The solar flare causes ionisation of the upper atmosphere, causing shortwave radio blackouts in sunlit areas such as the Pacific.
        • According to a NASA report, a large solar flare accompanied by a coronal mass ejection hit Earth in 1989 causing a 12-hour electrical blackout across the Canadian province of Quebec.
        • They release high-energy particles, which pose a threat to astronauts and spacecraft operations due to the release of fast-moving charged particles.

    They can also potentially impact climate and weather patterns.

  • Manganese observed in Mars by NASA’s Curiosity

    Why in the news?

    Scientists recently discovered elevated manganese levels in lakebed rocks within Gale Crater on Mars, indicating the presence of an ancient, habitable lake. 

     

    More on News

     

    • Manganese oxide formation is rare on Mars due to its surface conditions.
    • On Earth, manganese oxide deposits are common, facilitated by high atmospheric oxygen from photosynthesis and microbial catalysis of oxidation reactions.
    • The ancient rocks from Gale Crater provide insight into a habitable environment resembles modern Earth locations.

     

    About Manganese 

     

    • Manganese is a hard, brittle, silvery-grey metal and resembles iron.
    • It is a key component of several enzymes and essential for processes like photosynthesis, bone development, and wound healing in humans.
    • Manganese in oxidised forms on other planets suggests the presence of oxygen-rich environments (life sustaining).
    • It can serve as biosignatures, indicating potential biological activity and marking habitable locations.

     

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    NASA Curiosity Mission 

    • NASA Curiosity Mission, officially named as the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) was launched in November 2011 and landed in August 2012.
    • Its primary mission is to determine whether Mars was ever capable of supporting microbial life. 
    • It investigates the planet’s climate and geology and assesses natural resources and hazards for future human missions. 

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  • CRACKDOWN ON ONLINE GAMBLING AND CHANCE GAMES IN TAMIL NADU

    Why in the News?

     

    Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) plans strict action against online gambling and gaming advertisers in the state.

     

    More on News

     

    • The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act, 2022 aims to ban online gambling, chance-based gaming, and betting.
    • Violators are liable for imprisonment which may extend to 3 months or fine amount which may extend to ₹5,000 or both.
    • The Act also bars financial institutions/payment gateways from processing transactions related to online gambling or chance-based gaming.

     

    Games of Chance Vs Games of Skill:

    game of chance and game of skill comparison

    Online Gambling Laws under State Subject

    states where online gambling is banned

     

    • Online gambling in India is primarily regulated by state laws, with the legal landscape varying across different states.
    • While there is no comprehensive national law governing online gambling, states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, etc. have enacted laws to regulate online gambling and chance-based games within their jurisdictions.
    • The central law governing gambling is the Public Gambling Act, 1867, deemed outdated and insufficient to address challenges from digital and online gaming.
    • Betting and Gambling is listed under the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

     

    Why has online gaming come under such an ambit?

     

    • Concerns over addiction and social harm: Particularly young people, becoming addicted to online gaming and gambling, leading to financial losses, debt, and even suicide attempts.
    • Lack of regulation and oversight: The existing Public Gambling Act of 1867 is considered outdated and ill-equipped to handle the challenges posed by online gaming and gambling.
    • Blurred lines between games of skill and chance: The legal distinction between games of skill (which are generally permitted) and games of chance (which are considered gambling) is not always clear, leading to ambiguity and legal challenges.
    • Concerns over data privacy and national security: This has raised broader questions about the need for regulation and oversight of online gaming platforms, especially those with international connections.
    • Money Laundering Concerns: Online gaming and gambling in India have been linked to instances of money laundering and illicit fund transfers abroad.

     

    Supreme Court Judgments

     

    • State of Andhra Pradesh v. K. Satyanarayana (1968): The Supreme Court ruled that rummy is a game of skill, not chance, even though it involves an element of chance in shuffling and dealing the cards.
    • Skill Lotto Solutions Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India (2020): The Supreme Court upheld that lottery, betting, and gambling can be subjected to tax, as they fall under the category of “actionable claims” under the GST law.

     

    Conclusion

    • The ban on online gambling and games of chance in multiple Indian states reflects a proactive stance against the associated risks. 
    • Central laws are imperative to establish uniform regulations and ensure responsible gaming practices nationwide, promoting consumer protection and industry transparency.

     

  • Underwater Domain Awareness

    The 21st century global order has witnessed a significant shift towards the maritime domain, geopolitically and geo-strategically.

     

    What is Underwater Domain Awareness(UDA) ? 

    UDA is an aspect of Maritime domain awareness in various fields ranging from maritime security, blue economy, marine environment, disaster management and science & technology and involves collection and analysis of vast datasets to provide information about sea-mounds, ridges, navigation, communication, temperature etc.

     

    Importance of UDA : 

    • Expanding Blue Economy: Offers opportunity to earn revenue from fisheries, tourism, shipping etc.
    • Identifying Fish rich areas: Recognising regions through space-based sensors and technologies like GAGAN(GPS-aided GEO augmented navigation).
    • Detecting Potential Threats: Tracking maritime threats such as submarines, unmanned underwater vehicles in the maritime borders.
    • Tackle Unforeseen Events: Augmenting preparedness to deal with unprecedented contingency like Tsunami.
    • Research & Innovation: Exploration of Deep sea minerals, polymetallic nodules, and rare earth minerals.
    • Strategic Importance: Maritime is the driving force in the international sphere of influence. For example, the Indo-Pacific region has gained a lot of importance in terms of newly formed minilateralism like AUKUS and QUAD. 

     

    Challenges : 

    • Indigenous development : India lags behind in underwater sensor technology and relies on importing.
    • Deep sea connectivity like optical fibre connectivity between port blair and Chennai is vulnerable to terrorism and cyber attack like the Nord stream incident in Baltic sea.
    • Increase in the blue economy may also increase instances of Anti- Piracy.

     

    India needs to build its capacity to take a lead role because of its strategic location and centre of gravity is shifting towards Indo Pacific but for that India needs acoustic and robust Infrastructure along with up to date technology to counter threats emerging and to achieve SAGAR vision of safety, security and sustainable growth in the region.

     

  • MENSTRUAL LEAVE – IS IT THE HIGH TIME TO GRANT THEM?

    CONTEXT:

    In the backdrop of 2024 general elections, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in its manifesto has provided that DMK will insist the Central Government to enact a law providing menstrual leave for women to attain gender equality. 

     

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    Menstrual /Period leave refers to affirmative policies that allow two to three days of leave to female students and employees experiencing menstrual pain and discomfort during their menstrual cycle. 

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    WHY MENSTRUAL LEAVE? 

    • Menstrual cramps and other issues associated with it like nausea, migraines etc  hinders studies and work of women, reducing their capacity to work efficiently. 
    • Stress and distraction associated with menstruation in the form of lack of sanitation facilities at schools, colleges and workplaces; discomfort and  embarrassment in case of “staining”, “leakages”, and naming and shaming related to it. 
    • Undergoing Hysterectomies: Agricultural labourers in Maharashtra and Telangana undergo hysterectomies to deter any threat on their livelihood.
    • Reducing Dropouts: Granting menstrual leave would reduce the number of girl students dropouts especially in rural India. 
    • Empowerment & Upliftment: Such leaves  align with the welfare policies enshrined by the Constitution. 
    • Article 15 provides for the positive discrimination principle. Article 15(3) provides that nothing in Article 15 shall prevent the state from making any special provision for women and children. 

     

    History to Present:

    • Kerala was the first state to recognise the need for menstrual leave for students and even allowed it during examinations in 1912. 
    • The Bihar government has allowed two days paid menstrual leave to women employees each month since 1992. 
    • A private member bill titled ‘The Menstruation Benefit Bill, 2017’ was introduced in the parliament in 2017. 
    • In 2018, MP Shashi Tharoor introduced ‘The Women’s Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill, 2018’. 
    • Right to Menstrual Hygiene and Paid Leave Bill, 2019, proposed by S.Jothimani sought to bring menstrual leave under the ambit of women’s rights. 
    • The Supreme Court in Shailendra Mani Tripathi vs Union of India case (2023)refused to consider a public interest litigation on the subject. 
    • The court cited it is in the policy domain of the government. 
    • The Kerala government also allows menstrual leave for girl students in all state run educational institutes. 
    • Private entities like Zomato, Swiggy, Byju’s have also formed menstrual leave related policies.  

     

    WHAT IS REST OF THE WORLD DOING ABOUT IT? 

    • Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam have made provisions for Menstrual leave. 
    • Zambia, allows for one day leave to women a month, called ‘Mother’s Day’, without needing a reason or a medical condition. 
    • Spain became the first European country in 2023 to grant paid menstrual leave to women up to 3-5 days.

     

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    Are there any issues related to menstrual leave? 

    • Mental Deadlock in Hiring Female Employees: Employers  may become reluctant in hiring women as granting paid leave would be a financial strain on the employers and affect productivity. 
    • As details with respect to menstrual cycles come under the ambit of personal information, the concept of menstrual leaves is likely to infringe on their right to privacy.    
    • Different Menstrual Experiences: Different menstrual experiences and cycles  affects mandatory menstrual leave as it being an unnecessary advantage to those who do not need it. 
    • Consolidating Stereotypes:It will strengthen gender stereotypes , emboldening the ‘glass ceiling’, making things further difficult for women.

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    IS IT ENOUGH? 

    • Gender Education: Spreading awareness and educating both the genders about Menarche, Menstruation and Menopause. 
    • Engaging boys and men in this conversation is an inseparable part of the whole idea raising the “gender sensitivity quotient”. 
    • Eliminating Social Taboos: Busting myths and taboos around menstruation to end the prejudices and stereotypes.
    • Consolidating Social Infrastructure: Building  Infrastructure to  ease women’s access to menstrual products, like separate washrooms , sanitary pads vending machines, medicines to relieve cramps etc.