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2 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 3 INDEX

TAMILNADU NEWS 4

NATIONAL NEWS 11

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 38

COVID NEWS 40

ECONOMY NEWS 41

PROGRAMS AND YOJANAS 46

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 52

ENVIRONMENT 56

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TNPSC BITS 89

2 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 3 NEWS AMILNADU T The history of the elected legislature in began with the rule CENTINARY YEAR OF THE during the British regime. ELECTED LEGISLATURE IN TAMILNADU

HISTORY OF TAMILNADU LEGISLATURE  The first elected legislature in the State,  originally called the Madras Legislative Council, was established in 1921 under the Government of Act, 1919.  Theterm of the Council was three years.  It consisted of 132 members, of which 34 were nominated by the Governor and the rest were elected. E v e n  The Council met for the first time on in the second general January 9, 1921 at Fort St George, and elections to the Council, held in 1923, was later formally inaugurated by the the Justice Party formed the ministry. Duke of Connaught, a paternal uncle of  But the party lost the 1926 elections. In the King of England, on January 12, 1921 the 1930 general election, the Justice Party on the request of the Governor, Lord Wellington. won again and formed the ministry.   Under the Act, But the Congress party defeated the 1919, the first general election to the Justice Party in the 1937 elections. Madras Legislative Council was held in  The Dravidian parties’ legacy of social December, 1920. justice owes its continuation till now to  The Congress party did not participate the social reforms initiated by the Justice in the election due to its non- Party during its rule in the State. cooperation movement, and the Justice  On September 16, 1921, the Government Party registered a tremendous victory, of Madras issued the Communal G.O. capturing 63 out of 98 seats. 4 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 5 extending the principle of distribution of  In 1986, the State Assembly became appointments among various castes and unicameral following the abolition of the communities. legislative council.  Enactment of Hindu Religious ‘AASIRIYAM’ INSCRIPTIONS: Endowment Act in 1926, DISTRICT  Abolition of the system,  Aasiriyaminscriptions found in the  The introduction of issuing free Thirumayam area of Malayadipatti, pattas to the poor for housing sites, Melappanaiyur, Thevarmalai in and pudukkottai district revealing the contract for security guards.  The introduction of the mid-day  meal scheme in Chennai was among They appointed security guards to their the important social justice measures people and their possessions. With that of the Justice Party. they also guard the merchants who came and trade from abroad and their  The Government of India Act, 1935 possessions. established a bicameral legislature in the  Province of Madras. These are the inscriptions which informs the administrator of the village or temple.  The Legislature consisted of the Governor KONDHAGAI EXCAVATION: ANOTHER and two Chambers, called the Legislative HUMAN SKELETON Council and the Legislative Assembly.  The Legislative Assembly consisted of 215  Another human skeleton was found members, of which 146 were elected from during excavations at Konthagai near general seats, of which 30 were reserved Thirupuvanam in Sivagangai district. for Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Muslims,  More than 700 artifacts have been found Anglo-Indians, Europeans, Indian so far in the first phase of excavation Christians, and others. Eight seats were work that underway from Feb. 13 near reserved for women. Thiruppuvanam areas of Keezhadi,  The first Legislature of the erstwhile Kondagai, Agaram and Manalur. under the was constituted on March 1, 1952, after the first General elections held in January 1952 on the basis of adult suffrage.  The name of Madras State was changed to Tamil Nadu and the Assembly here became the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

4 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 5 NEGAMAM HANDLOOM SAREES  In keezhadi so far  earthen pot,  Mug,  Gold ring,  dice,  Plough,  Pottery in black and red  Soil pots,  Weavers has applied for geo-identification for the Negamam Cotton Saree and  Algae-like were unearthed. application was registered in the  So far 5 pits had been dugged in the area Geographical Indication Registration of of kondhagai. Products, Tamil Nadu Government.  Few days ago, a human skeleton was found in one among that pit.  In Tamil Nadu, 38 items including  Another human skeleton of 3 feet long Kanchipuram silk, Salem silk and was found nearby to that pit. Thanjavur doll had been recognized and KODUMANAL: 2300 YEARS OLD WELL given Geographical Indication tag.  Excavations in the Kodumanal area Negamam- History next to have uncovered a  Also known as village cot saree, the well with a staircase used by the public handloom saree is woven by the master 2,300 years ago. weavers hailing Negamam, a rural area  Excavations at Kodumanal have in the coimbatore district. This saree is uncovered 3 types of megalithic stones famous in kongu region for its thickness, known as Eemachinnam. its length, durability, contrasting colours and multicolour thread work of motifs,  In that one of the megalithic stone checks, designs, etc. contains a human skull. Benefits of GI tag  Furthermore, ongoing excavation  It confers legal protection to Geographical uncovered a well with staircases. Indications in India  Stairs had been arranged to take water  Prevents unauthorised use of a Registered from this well from 2 directions. Geographical Indication by others  The well was created by digging rocks in  It provides legal protection to Indian 10 meters long and 2.36 meters deep. Geographical Indications which in turn  The well was surrounded by a componded boost exports. wall.  It promotes economic prosperity of  All of these antiquities were used humans producers of goods produced in a when they lived about 2,300 years ago. geographical territory. 6 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 7 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PARKS second centuries BCE found in the upper AT 14 LOCATIONS IN TAMIL NADU part of the Vaigai valley, support the authenticity of the hero stone tradition  Chief Minister Stalin advised that IT described in the Sangam Tamil literature. parks should be set up at 14 places in Tamil Nadu to "make Tamil Nadu the  The tradition of erecting hero stones best state in the country in terms of in memory of dead warrior-heroes is information technology". considered to be an extension of the menhir type of megalithic tradition.  For this, a separate department namely “ Department of Information Technology”  Menhirs, upright monumental stones, and was set up in 1998 by the late Chief dolmens made of big slabs or boulders are Minister Karunanidhi. megalithic tombs found in Tamilnadu. MEGALITHIC FULL-LENGTH SWORD Megalithic sites in tamilnadu UNEARTHED  Adhichanallur  Kodumanal  Payampalli MEGALITHIC OFFERING POT

 Found at Mayiladumparai, a megalithic site, in Krishnagiri district.  The pot was found intact 72 cm below  This is the first time the Department of the ground at the western side of the pit Archaeology has unearthed a full-length burial of capstone sword with a handle in Tamil Nadu  Offering pots would normally contain the  Discovered in a megalithic cist burial favourites of the deceased. People would monument be placed either inside the burial urn or beside it or over it Megalith AUTO AMBULANCE SERVICE  A circular tomb using big stone slabs INITIATIVE built upon the place of burial is known as a megalith. Initiative of Smt. Radhika Shastry of  The urn burial system was another type of Nilgiri district found a mention in Prime practice and is evidenced in Adichanallur Minister’s monthly radio broadcast, (present Thoothukudi district). “Mann Ki Baat” AmbuRx (Amburex) Project  Black-ware is peculiar to burial sites in Tamilnadu.  The purpose of this project is to provide  The four primitive hero-stones with Tamil easy transport for the treatment of Brahmi inscriptions, datable to third to patients in hilly areas 6 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 7  An AmbuRx is equipped with a Stretcher, 2021 -Thagaisal Thamizhar’ Award Oxygen Cylinder, First Aid Box and other 2021 award has been awarded to veteran things. communist leader N. Sankaraiah who  This auto ambulance has been designed recently celebrated his 100th birthday. in such a way as to reach hilly areas where Chief minister M K Stalin will present the normal Government-run ambulances the award to Sankaraiah at the Independence are unable to reach. Day celebrations in Chennai on August 15.  With the ability to travel across narrow PALLAVA ERA ‘HERO STONE’ path and aid the sick people to get timely DISCOVERED IN TAMIL NADU treatment, this new service is indeed a blessing in disguise. PERFORATED TERRACOTTA DISTILLATION PIPES UNEARTHED IN KORKAI Nine perforated terracotta pipes, stacked one above the other, have been found during archaeological excavation at Korkai, an ancient  A group of local archaeology enthusiasts site, in Thoothukudi district. from Tamil Nadu have unearthed a  The diameter and the height of the pipes Pallava era hero stone near Harur. were both 27 cm.  It is the third in the line of hero stones  The pipes have a thickness of 1 cm. They were found 30-35 cm below the surface discovered in the same location and and would have probably been used for bearing the name of Eachuvara Varaman, distillation a Pallava ruler.  Archaeological excavation in Korkai first  The hero stone is engraved with Tamil discovered in 1876 and unearthed burial urns Brahmi script that speaks of the death of 'THAGAISAL THAMIZHAR’ AWARD a lieutenant of one Vanaathiarasar, during a conflict and his death in the conflict. The amilT Nadu government has instituted the ‘Thagaisal Thamizhar’ Two more hero stones were recovered (distinguished Tamil) Award to honour an from the same area. An earlier hero stone eminent personality who has contributed a bears the name “Paramthaayar'', which great deal to the welfare of Tamil Nadu and literally would mean big family taking development of the Tamil community after the word “Param”. The name was that of a clan chief, or chief of a pastoral The award will be presented by the land nurtured along river banks. Chief Minister at the celebrations each year. It will include a cash  While all the three hero stones were prize of ₹10 lakh and a citation attributed to the rule of Eachuvara 8 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 9 Varman, the names in the hero stones are  Throughout their reign they were in constant supposed to have been that of the local conflict with both Chalukyas of Badami in chiefs, who directly led the people. the north and the Tamil kingdoms of Chola and Pandyas in the south.  The hero stones were erected valorising the martyrdom of those men, who had  Pallavas were finally defeated by the Chola th fought to claim pastoral lands in the ruler Aditya I in the 9 century CE. conflicts that arose between clans that  The territory of the Pallavas was known contested over pastoral lands in the area. as Tundaka Visaya or Tundaka Rashtra. About Hero Stone  Pallavas are most noted for their patronage of architecture, the finest example being  Hero Stone is a memorial commemorating the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World the honorable death of a hero in battle. Heritage Site in Mamallapuram.  th Erected between the 6 century BC and  Chinese traveller Xuanzang visited th the 18 century AD, hero stones are Kanchipuram during Pallava rule and found all over India. extolled their benign rule.  They often carry inscriptions displaying a PANEL FOR REVIVING MSMES variety of adornments, including bas relief  Tamilnadu government constituted a panels, frieze, and figures on carved stone. committee for revival of micro, small  Usually they are in the form of a stone and medium enterprises (MSMEs) monument and may have an inscription which would be led by retired IAS officer at the bottom with a narrative of the battle. N. Sunderadevan. About  The committee would look into the challenges faced by the MSME sector in  ThePallava dynasty was an Indian Tamil Nadu and would suggest dynasty that existed from 275 CE to 897  Immediate, CE, ruling a portion of southern India.  Medium-term and  They gained prominence after the eclipse  of the Satavahana dynasty, whom the Long-term measures required for the Pallavas served as feudatories. revival of the MSME sector  It would also suggest measures needed to  Pallava Dynasty was founded by improve loan facilities to MSMEs and to Simhavishnu in 560 A.D. Their capital boost exports by them. was at Kanchipuram.  It will suggest measures to promote  Pallavas became a major power during industrial growth in backward regions of the reign of Mahendravarman I and the State. The committee will submit its Narasimhavarman I. report within three months. 8 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 9 FREE VACCINATION THROUGH Findings at Porpanai kottai PRIVATE HOSPITALS 1. Different color beds 2. Pottery 3. Bangles 4. Iron implements KEEZHADI- SILVER COIN

 The Tamil Nadu government will explore possibilities of offering free vaccines to the public through private hospitals using corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from private firms  Silver punch-marked coin dated back to magadha dynasty ( buddha era coin)  Rationale behind exploring the possibility unearthed in Keezhadi is that the private hospitals are not using  A thin silver punch-marked coin was the vaccines allotted to it fully. discovered at Keezhadi during the seventh  Funds from private firms and institutions phase of excavation were used for buying equipment and  A coin weighing 2.20 gm was traced at the improving facilities in hospitals when the depth of 147 cm in a trench. State was reeling under COVID-19.  One side of the coin has symbols such as sun, moon, a bull, taurine, an animal  With the COVID-19 situation eased, the figurine and geometric design and government is exploring possibilities of the other side has semi-circles and an using CSR funds for free vaccinations L-shaped mark through private hospitals  Significance: The silver punch-marked PORPANAI KOTTAI coins are considered as one of the indicators for the existence of trade  Tamil Nadu Open University commences between the north and the south, excavation at Porpanai Kottai particularly with Gangetic valley. These  It is a village in Thiruvarangulam panchayat coins were in circulation from the time of union Mahajanpadas of the 6th century BCE

10 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY NEWS NATIONAL

INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE INDIAN HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY Healthcare is one of the major sectors in the country both in terms of revenue and employment. The major initiatives taken by Government are Ayushman Bharat PradhanMantri Jan  Emergency Response and Health ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) Systems Preparedness Package  Launched on 23rd September 2018,  Ayushman Bharat PradhanMantri Jan  ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY is the largest Government funded health assurance/  PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana insurance scheme in the world. (PMSSY)  PM-JAY is a centrally sponsored scheme.  Medical Education  It is entirely funded by Government and  Efforts of Ministry of AYUSH the funding is shared between Centre and States Emergency Response and Health Systems  Preparedness Package It provides a cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary  Public Health and Hospitals” being a care hospitalization across public and state subject, the primary responsibility private empanelled hospitals in India. of strengthening public healthcare  PM-JAY provides cashless access to system lies with the respective State health care services for the beneficiary at Governments. the point of service, that is, the hospital.   Under National Health Mission (NHM), PM-JAY is an entitlement-based scheme. technical and financial support is  The households included are based on provided to the States/UTs to strengthen the deprivation and occupational criteria of Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 the public healthcare system at public (SECC 2011) for rural and urban areas healthcare facilities. respectively SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 11 PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana  Central Sector Scheme for Skill (PMSSY) Development PMSSY Scheme Announced in 2003  Central Sector Scheme for establishing and Launched in 2006 AYUSH Grid Objective -  AYUSH (aogusy) the central sector  To correct regional imbalances in the scheme for augmenting the quality of AYUSH drugs availability of tertiary healthcare services and MEASURES FOR WELFARE OF  To augment facilities for quality medical BEGGARS-SMILE education in the country  TheMinistry of Social Justice and Two components Empowerment has formulated a scheme  Setting up of new AIIMS like institutes and “SMILE - Support for Marginalized  Up gradation of existing Govt. Medical Individuals for Livelihood and Colleges (GMCs) Enterprise”, which includes sub scheme – ‘Central Sector Scheme for Medical Education Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons There are three Centrally Sponsored Schemes engaged in the act of Begging’. under Medical Education, namely,  This scheme covers several comprehensive  Establishment of new Medical Colleges measures including welfare measures for attached with existing district/referral persons who are engaged in the act of hospitals, begging.  Upgradation of existing State Government/  The focus of the scheme is extensively on Central Government medical colleges to  increase MBBS seats in the country and Rehabilitation,  Provision of medical facilities,  Strengthening and upgradation of State  Government Medical colleges for starting Counseling, new PG disciplines and increasing PG seats  basic documentation, EFFORTS OF AYUSH MINISTRY  education,  skill development,  Ministry of AYUSH is implementing a  Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Economic linkages and so on. AYUSH Mission to provide cost-effective The scheme would be implemented with AYUSH Services the support of State/UT Governments/Local  Central Sector Scheme for Establishment Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, of AYUSH Super-speciality Hospitals/ Community Based Organizations (CBOs), institutions and others. Day care centres. 12 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 13 CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT ON PART IX B OF CONSTITUTION COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES The mendmenta introduced Part IX B NEWS of the Constitution, defining   A three-judge bench of the Supreme Powers of the state legislature and Court on Tuesday struck down a part of  The Centre to regulate incorporation, the 97th Amendment Act and Part IX  Elections and governing of these B of the Constitution which governs cooperative societies. cooperative societies in the country. For multi-state cooperatives and Union Territories, Parliament has the power to issue  The issue gains significance as the central regulations. government during recent expansion When it comes to Multi State of the Council of Ministers created a Co-operative Societies (MSCS) with objects separate “Ministry of Cooperation” not confined to one State, the legislative power under Union Home Minister Amit would be that of the Union of India which is contained in Entry 44 List I (Union List) Shah. It is declared that Part IXB of the  The “Ministry of Cooperation” will Constitution is operative only insofar as it continue to have the power to look into concerns multi-State cooperative societies the work of “multi state” co-operative both within the various States and in the societies though the Supreme Court Union Territories has struck down the constitutional INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY provisions BOARD OF INDIA AMENDS THE  The bench has held that the states have the INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY power to prescribe rules for cooperative BOARD OF INDIA (INSOLVENCY RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR societies which operate only in their own CORPORATE PERSONS) territory, and that the constitutional REGULATIONS, 2016 provisions which had prescribed these  rules were unconstitutional. The amendment regulations enhance the discipline, transparency, and NOTE-CONSTITUTIONAL accountability in corporate insolvency PROVISIONS proceedings Constitution 97th Amendment act INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY inserted - Article 43B and part IXB of the CODE, 2016 constitution (Articles 243ZJ-243ZS), which  Thecode replaced all the existing laws prescribed the rules under which the state and created a uniform procedure to resolve governments could regulate societies. insolvency and bankruptcy disputes.

12 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 13 process, appoint the insolvency professional, and approve the final decision of creditors.  National Company Law Tribunal(NCLT): It is the adjudicating authority for companies and limited liability entities

 It allows creditors to assess the viability  Debt Recovery Tribunal: It is the adjudicating authority for individuals of a debtor as a business decision. and partnership firms. Further, the creditors can agree with the  Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board: plan for its revival or suggest for a speedy The Board will regulate insolvency liquidation. professionals, insolvency professional  The Code creates a new institutional agencies and information utilities set up under the Code. framework. This framework facilitated a formal and time-bound insolvency  The code aims toresolve insolvencies in a strict time-bound manner – the resolution process and liquidation. The evaluation and viability determination framework includes: must be completed within 180 days.  Insolvency Professionals: They will  Moratorium period of 180 days administer the resolution process. They (extendable up to 270 days) for the also manage the assets of the debtor and Company. For startups and small companies, the resolution time period is provide information for creditors to assist 90 days which can be extended by 45 days. them in decision-making. About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code  Insolvency Professional Agencies: (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 The insolvency professionals will be  The Amendment allows the use of Pre- registered with insolvency professional Packaged insolvency resolution as an agencies. The agencies would conduct alternative resolution mechanism for MSMEs. examinations to certify the insolvency  professionals and enforce a code of The threshold limit to trigger the Pre- Packaged insolvency resolution is conduct for their performance. between Rs 10 lakh to 1 Crore.  Information utilities: They will keep a  Section 54A: It allows the use of Pre- record of debts given by creditors along with Packaged insolvency resolution(PPIR). details of repayments/ dishonour of debt.  PPIR is a form of restructuring that allows creditors and debtors to work on  Adjudicating authorities: They will give an informal plan and then submit it for the approval to initiate the resolution approval. 14 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 15  Under this system, financial creditors ‘BOLD’ TO BOOST TRIBAL INCOME will agree to the terms of a potential investor. Further, they will seek approval of the resolution plan from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).  However, the submission of the resolution plan cannot happen directly to NCLT. It requires approval of a minimum of 66% of financial creditors that are KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries unrelated to the corporate debtor before Commission) has launched Project BOLD submission of a resolution plan. (Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Draught), a first-  The threshold limit to trigger the PPIR is of-its-kind exercise, to create bamboo-based between Rs 10 lakh to 1 Crore. green patches in arid and semi-arid land zones. MATSYA SETU It is the first of its kind exercise in India  Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal which was launched from the tribal village NichlaMandwa in Udaipur, Rajasthan Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh has launched the Online Course What is bamboo? Mobile App “MatsyaSetu”. The app was  These are a group of woody perennial developed by the ICAR-Central Institute evergreen plants. Although it appears like of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR- a tree, taxonomically, it is grass. In India, North-eastern states grow around 70% of CIFA), Bhubaneswar the country’s total bamboo production.  MatsyaSetu app has species-wise/  KVIC Founded: 1956; subject-wise self-learning online course  KVIC Headquarters: Mumbai; modules, where renowned aquaculture  KVIC Chairperson: Vinai Kumar Saxena. experts explain the basic concepts and STUDENT CREDIT CARD SCHEME practical demonstrations on breeding,  seed production and grow-out culture of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has introduced the Student commercially important fishes like carp, Credit Card Scheme for Higher catfish, scampi, murrel, ornamental fish, Education. It has been reported that pearl farming etc. students can get a loan of up to Rs 10 lakh  Better Management Practices to be under this scheme. followed in maintaining the soil & water Purpose quality, feeding and health management  The objective of this program is to enable in aquaculture operations were also the youth of the state to become self- provided in the course platform reliant 14 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 15 Uses - The main objective of this project is to  By this scheme, students can get a loan of create a situation where there are no up to Rs. 10 lakhs. rural areas without internet facilities. EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS  Very low annual interest will be charged WITHOUT A SMART PHONE: on this amount NATIONAL AWARD FOR NASHIK Users COMMUNITY RADIO  This loan can be used by undergraduate,  The Nashik Community Radio has been postgraduate, PhD and research students awarded the National Award for helping studying in India or abroad. students who doesn’t have smart phones MARITIME AIRLINES to learn.  Nashik-based community radio station  Maritime flights between holy cities of Radio Vishwas, won two awards in the Uttar Pradesh are going to be launched. eighth edition of the National Community Radio Awards established by the Ministry  Travelers can take a trip to cities like of Information and Broadcasting. Mathura, Chittorgarh, Kashi alias DAM ACROSS THE MARKANDEYA RIVER: Varanasi, Allahabad and Ayodhya. Note  Originates from Nandi Hills in the  The first seaplane service in the country Chikballapur district of Karnataka, the was launched in Gujarat. South Pennai River flows through the BHARATNET PROJECT districts of Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri,  Union Cabinet approves BharatNet Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram and project to provide broadband connectivity Cuddalore and finally drains into the Bay to 3.6 lakh villages in 16 states in India of Bengal. Uses  A major tributary of South penn is - GramaPanchayat Offices River Markandeya. River Markandeya originates at Muthyalamaduvu on - Schools in villages the Karnataka border and enters the - This will provide connectivity, Krishnagiri district. including post offices.  In that scenario, in 2010 the Government - In addition to this, facilities including of Karnataka decided to build a dam tele-medicine, distance education, e-health and e-entertainment have across the Markandeya River (a major been extended to the villages by using tributary of the Thenpennai River) in the BharatNet. village named Yergol.

16 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 17  In response to that, then Tamil Nadu  Implemented by the Department of government filed a petition in the School Education and Literacy, this Supreme Court in 2013 against dam programme will be implemented in all construction. But the Supreme Court the States and Union Territories under the refused to accept and dismissed the Central Government's SamagraShiksha petition. Scheme at the five levels of National,  So that farmers in 5 districts of Krishnagiri, State, District, Block and School. Dharmapuri, Thiruvannamalai,INDIA'S FIRST MARITIME Villupuram and Cuddalore were the ARBITRATION CENTER river Thenpennai flows through, are at  Gujarat Maritime University has signed high risk of being affected. a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Financial  The dam will also affect the South Pennai- Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) palar Linkage Project and the South in GIFT City to set up the Gujarat Pennai River Drinking Water Project International Maritime Arbitration Centre (GIMAC). NIPUN BHARAT PROGRAMME  GIMAC will be the first of its kind  Ministry of Education launched National centre in India to manage arbitration Initiative (Nibun Bharat) for proficiency and mediation proceedings for disputes in reading with understanding and related to the maritime and shipping numeracy. It is implemented by sector. Department of School Education and INDIA'S FIRST DIGITAL UNIVERSITY: Literacy under the Ministry of Education

 Nipun Bharat, a major initiative in the  Governor of Kerala, has inaugurated field of school education and literacy India’s first Digital University named and it is part of a series of initiatives to Kerala University of Digital Sciences, implement the National Education Policy Innovation and Technology. Students 2020, which was released in July 2020. are more interested to join higher studies in that university even in corona  This programme aims for Proficiency pandemic times. in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN Bharat), for Note ensuring that every child in the country  It situated in mangalapuram, necessarily attains foundational Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. literacy and numeracy by the end of  Leaving out the usual choices in Grade 3, by 2026-27. research courses, ‘Popular courses

16 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 17 including, artificial intelligence, robotics, BENEFITS computational intelligence, and imaging,  A geographical indication right enables have been introduced’. those who have the right to use the GEOGRAPHIC INDICATION: FAZIL indication to prevent its use by a third MANGOES party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. GI certified Fazil mangoes exported Legislation related to geographic indication from West Bengal to bahrain  India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection)Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from 15th September 2003.  So far 195 indian products have got GI Geographic indication tag certification  A geographical indication (GI) tag is  Out of them 57 are food and agriculture used for an agricultural, natural or a based goods. manufactured product (handicraft and  industrial goods) originating from a In 2004 Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical definite geographical territory. indication tag.  Typically, such a name conveys an Fazil mangoes assurance of quality and distinctiveness,  Cultivated in West Bengal and Bangladesh which is essentially attributable to the  place of its origin. It is a late maturing mango variety. So it is only available after the cultivation of  It will confirm the quality and uniqueness other mangoes varieties of the material  Each mango is weight upto one kg  Darjeeling tea, EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT  Tirupatiladdu, IN NEWS  Kangra paintings,  UGC has instructed the higher education  Nagpur orange and Kashmir institutions to send a reports on activities pashmina are among the registered conducted under Ek Bharat Shreshtha GIs in India. Bharat

18 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 19 EK BHARAT SHRESHTHA BHARAT.  This ministry will provide a separate  Launched on 31 st October 2015- administrative, legal and policy National Integration day.(140th birth framework for strengthening the anniversary of Sardar Vallabhai Patel cooperative movement in the country. Objectives  The new ministry of Cooperation will  To develop national integration work to realise the vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi”.  It aims to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of  It will help deepen Co-operatives as a different states/UTs through the concept true people based movement reaching of state/UT pairing. upto the grassroots.

 The states carry out activities to promote  In our country, a Co-operative based a sustained and structured cultural economic development model is very connect in the areas of language learning, relevant where each member works with culture, traditions & music, tourism a spirit of responsibility. & cuisine, sports and sharing of best  The Ministry will work to streamline practices. processes for ‘Ease of doing business’ for Implementation co-operatives and enable development of This programme is implemented by coordinating Multi-State Co-operatives (MSCS).  States , Cooperative Movement and Cooperative  Union Territories, Societies in India  Central Ministries, Cooperative societies  Educational insstitution and   The Public The Cooperative Societies can be MINISTRY OF COOPERATION defined as an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet Objectives their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically- controlled enterprise. COOPERATIVE  India is an agricultural country and laid the foundation of World’s biggest cooperative movement in the world.

18 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 19 Cooperative Movements in India  Themost important success stories lays The Cooperative Movements in India can be behind the success of White Revolution studied into two phases: which made the country the world's 1. Co-operative Movement in pre- largest producer of milk and milk Independence era products; and 2. Co-operative Movement in post-  Green Revolution and the conversion of Independence era villages into model villages have assumed Co-operative Movement in pre- great importance in the wake of the Green Independence era Revolution.  Cooperative move came with structure Government of India announced National and shape when British enactment of the Policy on Co- operatives in 2002. Cooperative Credit Societies Act, 1904. The ultimateobjective of the National Policy is to-  In 1919, cooperation became a provincial (a) Provide support for promotion and subject and the provinces were authorised development of cooperatives to make their own cooperative laws under the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms. (b) Reduction of regional imbalances  This categorization carried on to (c) Strengthening of cooperative Government of India Act, 1935. education, training and human  In 1942, Government of British India resource development enacted the Multi-Unit Cooperative Cooperative Societies in India Societies Act to cover Cooperative IMPORTANCE Societies with membership from more than one province. 1. It provides agricultural credits and funds where state and private sectors have not After independence era been able to do very much.  Cooperatives became an integral part of 2. It provides strategic inputs for the Five-Year Plans. agricultural-sector; consumer societies  In 1958, the National Development meet their consumption requirements at Council (NDC) had recommended a concessional rates. national policy on cooperatives and also 3. It helps to overcome the constraints of for training of personnel's and setting up agricultural development. of Co-operative Marketing Societies. PROVISIONS OF INDIAN CONSTITUTION  In 1984, Parliament of India enacted the 1. Directive Principles of State Policy Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act to remove the plethora of different laws enshrines under article 43 that- Living governing the same types of societies. wage, etc., for workers. The State

20 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 21 shall endeavour to secure, by suitable (Sedition)which was behind time and legislation or economic organisation needed a relook. or in any other way, to all workers,  Section 124A- 1962 judgment in the agricultural, industrial or otherwise, kedarnath case upheld this section- a relic work, a living wage, conditions of work of the colonial agency. ensuring a decent standard of life and  This was used by the British full enjoyment of leisure and social and Administration to arrest Gandhi and cultural opportunities and, in particular, BalGangadharTilak. the State shall endeavour to promote SECTION 124A cottage industries on an individual or co- operative basis in rural areas.  Under Section 124A of IPC, the offence of 2. Right to form cooperatives can also be sedition is committed when any person construed as a Fundamental Right, by words or otherwise brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or Article 14 – (Right to Equality) and excites or attempts to excite disaffection Article 19(1)(c) as ‘Right to form towards the government established by Associations or Unions. law. Committee related to the Cooperative  The colonial era law, which many say Movements in India is used to quell protests and to quieten 1. All-India Rural Credit (1954) criticism against the government, Survey Committee Report carries a maximum punishment of life 2. ChaudharyBrahmPrakash (1990) imprisonment and the police can arrest Committee (which individuals without a warrant. proposed a model law)  Sedition is a cognisable, non-bailable 3. Mirdha Committee (1996) and non-compoundable offence under 4. JagdishKapoor Committee (2000) the law, entailing life imprisonment as 5. VikhePatil Committee (2001) maximum punishment, with or without 6. V. S. Vyas Committee (2001 a fine. and 2004) HISTORY OF SEDITION LAW IN INDIA SECTION 124A INDIAN Sedition law after Independence PENAL CODE  After Independence, “sedition” was dropped from the Constitution in 1948 THE SUPREME COURT WILL after discussions of the Constituent EXAMINE THE PETITION Assembly. CHALLENGING SECTION 124A.  KM Munshi moved an amendment to  The Supreme Court chief justice remove the word “sedition” that was questions the relevance of section 124A included in the draft Constitution as 20 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 21 a ground to impose restrictions on  The other well-known case was the constitutional freedom of speech and sedition trial of in expression. 1922.  The word “sedition” thus disappeared SEDITION – PROS from the Constitution when it was  It helps to combat anti-national, adopted on November 26, 1949, and secessionist and terrorist elements Article 19(1)(a) gave absolute freedom  It protects the elected government from of speech and expression. However, attempts to overthrow the government Section 124A continued to stay in the with violence and illegal means. IPC.  The continued existence of the government STATISTICS established by law is an essential condition  Compared to other offences, sedition of the stability of the State remains a rare crime (it accounts for  Many districts in different states face less than 0.01% of all IPC crimes). But a Maoist insurgency and rebel groups within India, some parts are emerging as virtually run a parallel administration. sedition hotspots. Assam and Jharkhand These groups openly advocate the  In Jharkhand, the police have used overthrow of the state government by sedition to charge different types of revolution protesters. DRAWBACKS

 In January, more than 3,000 protesters  Increasing misuse of sedition law - The against the Citizenship Amendment Act recent reports show that the number (CAA) were charged with sedition while of cases of sedition under Section 124A in 2019, more than 3,300 farmers were increased by 160%. charged with sedition for protesting  Rate of conviction dropped to 3.3% about land disputes. in 2019 from 33.3% in 2016. Some of the most famous sedition  Recommendation of Law commission: th trials of the late 19 and early 20th century In 2018, the Law Commission of India involved Indian nationalist leaders. questioned how far it is justified to retain  The first among them was the trial of Section 124A. It even suggested re- Jogendra Chandra Bose in 1891. thinking or repealing the Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code.  It was also used to prosecute BalGangadharTilak (for his writings in  Against India’s international Kesari) in 1897. Commitment: In 1979, India ratified the

22 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 23 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).  It sets forth internationally recognized standards for the protection of freedom of expression. However, misuse of sedition and arbitrary slapping of charges are inconsistent with India’s  It was formed under the National international commitments. Commission for Backward Classes Act,  IPC and Unlawful Activities Prevention 1993. Act have provisions that penalize  This ommissionC was formed as “disrupting the public order” or “overthrowing the government with an initiative for investigating the violence and illegal means”. These conditions and difficulties of the are sufficient for protecting national socially and educationally backward integrity. There is no specific need for classes and thus making appropriate Section 124A. recommendations. SUGGESTIONS  Year of formation-14th August 1993  The government has to educate the Law  NCBC Headquarters - enforcement authorities to prevent the problem of misuse.  NCBC Chairman –Bhagwan LalSahni  State should also accept the fact that  TheNational Commission for Backward public figures must face criticism. Classes (NCBC) was an outcome NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR of the IndraSawhney case (Mandal BACKWARD CLASSES (NCBC) Commission)of 1992. NEWS  NCBC, in the year 2015, proposed that a Cabinet approves Extension of term of the person having an annual family income of Commission constituted under Article 340 of up to ₹15 lakhs and belonging to the OBC the Constitution to examine the issue of Sub- caste will be considered as a minimum categorization within Other Backward Classes ceiling for OBC. in the Central List  It also recommended that OBC can National Commission for Backward Classes be sub-divided into ‘backwards’, ‘more (NCBC) backwards’ and ‘extremely backward’  th It was established on 14 August 1993 is categories. As per NCBC, the number of a constitutional body under the Ministry backward castes in the year 2016 increased of Social Justice and Empowerment. to 5013 in the Central list of OBCs. 22 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 23 Structure of NCBC 2. To participate and advise actively on The National Commission for the socio-economic development of Backward Classes consists of five regulatory the socially backward classes along members with evaluating the progress of their  Chairperson, development.  Vice-Chairperson and 3. It annually presents the reports based  Three other members with a tenure on the working of the safeguards to the period of three years. President. Constitutional Provisions 4. NCBC is responsible for the protection,  Article 340 deals with the need to, welfare, development and advancement of inter alia, identify those “socially the socially and educationally backward and educationally backward classes. classes”, understand the conditions SECTION 66A OF THE INFORMATION of their backwardness, and make TECHNOLOGY ACT 2000 recommendations to remove the difficulties they face.  Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)  102nd Constitution Amendment Act requests States and UnionTerritories inserted new Articles 338 B and 342 A. (UTs) to direct police stations not to register cases under repealed Section 66A  The amendment also brings about changes in Article 366. of the Information Technology Act, 2000  Article 338B provides authority to  The Supreme Court in its judgment on NCBC to examine complaints and 24.03.2015 in the matter of ShreyaSinghal welfare measures regarding socially and Vs.Union of India had struck down educationally backward classes. Section 66A of the Information  Article 342 A empowers President Technology Act, 2000. to specify socially and educationally  In ShreyaSinghal (2015), the Court backward classes in various states and ruled that the provision was vague and union territories. violated the freedom of free speech NCBC- Powers and Functions enshrined under Artile 19(a) Part III of 1. To investigate and monitor all the the constitution matters of the socially and educationally Some other disabled constitutional provisions backward classes under the Constitution are or under any other law that are related  IPC 303- CAPITAL PUNISHMENT to the proper working of the safeguards FOR MURDER BY A PERSON provided. SERVING A LIFE TERM 24 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 25  377- UNNATURAL SEX BEING farmers to get ‘right information at right UNCONSTITUTIONAL time’ in their desired language.  497- ADULTERY AS BEING ICAR MANIFESTLT ARBITRARY,  The Indian Council of Agricultural DISCRIMINATORY, AND Research (ICAR) was established on 16 VIOLATIVE OF THE DIGNITY July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. OF A WOMAN  It is an autonomous organisation under ‘RUDRAKSH’ CONVENTION CENTRE the Department of Agricultural Research IN VARANASI and Education (DARE), Ministry of  International Cooperation and Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Convention Centre “Rudraksh”, in Government of India. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.  It is headquartered at New Delhi.  The centre will become an attractive  It is the apex body for coordinating, destination for conferences and pull in guiding and managing research and tourists and businesspersons to the city. education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal  The international cooperation and sciences in the entire country. convention centre has been named “Rudraksh” and has as many as 108 INITIATIVES Rudraksha at the centre.  2006: ICAR developed a vaccine against  Its roof is shaped like a ‘Shiva Linga’. flu.   The objective is to provide opportunities 2011: ICAR scientists were the first in for social and cultural interactions the world to sequence the pigeon pea between people at the international genome. It was an indigenous effort by 31 convention centre. scientists led by Nagendra Kumar Singh ICAR 93RD FOUNDATION DAY of NRCPB.  2019: ICAR has also published an  Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) celebrated its 93rd foundation Integrated Mobile App called KISAAN day (Krishi Integrated Solution for Agri Apps Navigation) for Farmers of country  As a part of the celebration, Union Minister Mobile App has interface in 12 Indian for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Languages. and Union Minister of Electronics &  Information Technology jointly launched The Indian Council of Agricultural ‘KisanSarathi’, a digital platform to facilitate Research (ICAR) will start a Farmers Innovation Fund. 24 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 25 MILESTONE ACHIVEMENTS 23rd December to celebrate the birth anniversary of ChaudharyCharan Singh,  Prepared soil resource maps of the the former Prime Minister of India. country   Twenty agro-ecological regions and Dr. Norman E. Borlaug was the winner of sixty agro-ecological sub-regions of the in 1970 for his work the country have been delineated and in global agriculture. He is also known as mapped. the Father of the Green Revolution.  Developed 75 model watersheds  The World Food Prize is also known as the with location specific soil and water " for Food and Agriculture". conservation measures. Dr. Rattan Lal has been declared the  Developed sandune stabilization and winner of the World Food Prize 2020. shelterbelt plantation technologies to  Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the father of India’s check wind erosion & desertification. green revolution, was the first recipient of  Developed cost effective liming this award in 1987. technology for amelioration of acid soils, reclamation technology for salt  World Food Day is observed annually on affected soils and sub-surface drainage 16th October to address the problem of technology for waterlogged saline soils global hunger (SDG 2-Zero hunger)P  Developed promising salt tolerant DIGITAL PLATFORM KISAN SARATHI varieties for rice, wheat, mustard, gram,  To facilitate farmers to get ‘right fennel and coriander. information at right time’ in their desired  Developed multipurpose rubber dam for language watershed to reduce soil erosion, create water storage facility, enhance ground  Farmers can avail personalised advisories water recharge and quick & safe disposal on agriculture and allied areas directly of sediments. from scientists through the digital  Developed a portable soil test kit/mini platform lab (Mridaparikshak) to supplement soil  It was published on CSIR 93rd foundation testing service in the country. The kit is day useful in analysing soil samples for the NATIONAL’S FIRST GRAINS ATM purpose of distributing soil health cards OPENS IN GURUGRAM to farmers FACTS  The country’s first ‘Grain ATM’ has been set up as a pilot project in Gurugram, Haryana.  The 'Kisan Diwas' or National Farmers  It is an automatic machine, which works Day is observed across the country on just like a bank ATM. 26 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 27  Thismachine has been installed under the  The institute had been maintaining ‘’ of the United Asia’s largest field gene bank with 374 Nations (UN), and is called the ‘Automated, indigenous and 124 exotic varieties along Multi Commodity, Grain Dispensing with invitro and cryo gene banks. Machine’. It had released six climate resilient banana About the Machine: varieties –  This automatic machine is equipped with  Udhayam, the biometric system with a touch screen,  Saba, where the beneficiary will have to enter the  KaveriKalki, Aadhaar or ration card unique number.  KaveriSugantham,  On biometric authentication, the foodgrain  KaveriHaritha and prescribed by the government to the  KaveriKanya. beneficiaries will be automatically filled in the bags installed under the machine.  TheNRC B has also developed a ‘nendran’  Three types of grains — wheat, rice and variety which can be eaten raw without millet — can be distributed through this cooking and the variety was undergoing machine.. field trials. It has also identified banana NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTRE FOR varieties which can be consumed by BANANA diabetics

 TheNational Research Centre for  Bio-fortified banana- enriched with Banana (NRCB) in Tiruchi has been carotenoid and iron through genetic awarded the Sardar Patel Outstanding transformation aimed at overcoming ICAR Institution Award 2020 under the vitamin A and iron deficiency among category of small institutes. Indians. MEKEDATU- ISSUE  The research centre has been chosen for the award from among 104 institutes NEWS across the nation for its achievement in  Karnataka government unilaterally the past five years. announced plans to go forward with  ISO 9001:2015 certified institute has the long-pending mekedatu project, exacerbating Tamil Nadu’s concerns that brought about a sea change in banana their farmers further downstream will be cultivation by introducing various affected. technologies in cultivation and post-  harvest management of banana in the As a consequence Tamil Nadu all parties country. extended their support to the TN 26 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 27 government to take any steps needed (CWDT) in which the SC held that no to prevent Karnataka from undertaking state can claim exclusive ownership or any dam construction activity at vbbbb assert rights to deprive other states of the b Mekedatu. waters of inter-state rivers. MEKEDATU RIVER CAUVERY WATER MANAGEMENT Mekedatu, meaning goat’s leap, is a AUTHORITY (CWMA) deep gorge situated at the confluence of the Cauvery Water Management Scheme, 2018 rivers Cauvery and its tributary Arkavathi. Central Government, in exercise of the MEKEDATU PROJECT: powers conferred by section 4 of the Inter- State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (33 of  This project aims to store and supply 1956) had constituted the Cauvery Water water for drinking purposes for the Disputes Tribunal Bengaluru city.   Around 400 megawatts (MW) of power To adjudicate upon the water dispute is also proposed to be generated through regarding the Inter-State river Cauvery the project. and   It was first approved by the Karnataka The river valley thereof among the States state government in 2017. of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Union territory of Puducherry  It received approval from the erstwhile Composition and Powers of CMA: Ministry of Water Resources 1. The authority will comprise a chairman, a  In 2018, Tamil Nadu approached the secretary and eight members. Supreme Court (SC) against the project even if Karnataka had held that it would 2. Out of the eight members, two will be full not affect the flow of water to Tamil Nadu. time, while two will be part time members Reasons for Opposition by Tamil Nadu: from centre’s side.  Tamil Nadu is opposed to any project 3. Rest four will be part time members from being proposed in the upper riparian states. unless it was approved by the SC. Functions:  Karnataka has no right to construct any  The mainmandate of the CMA will be to reservoir on an inter-state river without secure implementation and compliance of the consent of the lower riparian state the Supreme Court’s order in relation to  The project is against the final order of “storage, apportionment, regulation and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal control of Cauvery waters”.

28 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 29  CMA will also advise the states to take NATIONAL FARMERS WELFARE suitable measures to improve water use PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE OFFICE efficiency.

 It will do so by promoting use of Inaugurated by Ministry of Agriculture micro-irrigation, change in cropping National Farmers Welfare Program patterns, improved farm practices and Implementation Committee would act as a development of command areas. project monitoring unit for the implementation  The CMA will also prepare an annual of PM-KisanYojana, KisanMaandhanYojana, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and other report covering its activities during the schemes of the Department of Agriculture preceding year. and Farmers Welfare. BONALU UNITED NATION’S GLOBAL SURVEY  Bonalu’ is a traditional folk festival ON DIGITAL AND SUSTAINABLE celebrated every year in the Telugu month TRADE FACILITATION

of Ashadham (falling in June/July), in the India has scored 90.32% in United state of Telangana. Nation’s Economic and Social Commission  The Bonalu festival was declared a ‘state for Asia Pacific's (UNESCAP) latest Global festival’ in 2014. Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. The Survey hails this as a About the festival: remarkable jump from 78.49% in 2019  The Bonalu festival involves scores of After evaluation of 143 economies, devotees offering the traditional ‘bonam’ the 2021 Survey has highlighted India's (derived from Bhojanam, meaning meals) significant improvement in the scores on all to the goddess Mahankali at 25 temples 5 key indicators, as follows: across the twin cities of Hyderabad and 1. Transparency:100% in 2021 (from Secunderabad 93.33% in 2019) 2. Formalities: 95.83% in 2021 (from 87.5% in 2019) 3. Institutional Arrangement and Cooperation: 88.89% in 2021 (from 66.67% in 2019) 4. Paperless Trade: 96.3% in 2021 (from 81.48% in 2019) 28 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 29 5. Cross-Border Paperless Trade: 66.67% 1. Financial support up to Rs. 20 lakhs in 2021 (from 55.56% in 2019) under the Umbrella Scheme of The Survey notes that India is the best RashtriyaArogayaNidhi shall be provided performing country when compared to South by the Central Government for treatment, of those rare diseases that require a one- and South West Asia region (63.12%) and Asia time treatment. Pacific region (65.85%). The overall score of India has also been found to be greater than 2. Beneficiaries for such financial assistance many OECD countries including France, UK, would not be limited to BPL families, Canada, , Finland etc. and the overall but extended to about 40% of the population, who are eligible as per norms score is greater than the average score of of PradhanMantri Jan ArogyaYojana, for EU. India has achieved a 100% score for the their treatment in Government tertiary Transparency index and 66% in the “Women hospitals only. in trade” component. 3. State Governments can consider About the Survey: supporting patients of such rare diseases The Global Survey on Digital and that can be managed with special diets or Sustainable Trade Facilitation is conducted hormonal supplements every two years by UNESCAP. 4. Voluntary crowd-funding for treatment. RARE DISEASES POLICY HISTORIC URBAN LANDSCAPE PROJECT NATIONAL POLICY FOR RARE DISEASES, 2021  In the state of , the AIM cities of Orchha and Gwalior have been The Policy aims at lowering the incidence selected by UNESCO under its ‘Historic and prevalence of rare diseases based on an Urban Landscape Project.’ integrated and comprehensive preventive  Six cities of , including the strategy encompassing awareness generation, Indian cities of Varanasi and Ajmer, are premarital, post-marital, pre-conception and already involved in this project. Gwalior post-conception screening and counselling and Orchha have been included as the 7th programmes to prevent births of children and 8th cities of South Asia. with rare diseases, and within the constraints on resources and competing health care PEGASUS SPYWARE priorities, enable access to affordable health Pegasus, the malicious software, has care to patients of rare diseases. allegedly been used to secretly monitor and Initiatives for treatment support for patients of spy on an extensive host of public figures in rare diseases under the Policy are as follows: - India.

30 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 31 About Pegasus: communication metadata (which are  It is a type of malicious software or little snippets of information hidden malware classified as a spyware. inside each communication) coming into the country to detect real-time  It is designed to gain access to cyber threats. devices, without the knowledge of users, and gather personal  Cyber Swachhta Kendra: In 2017, this information and relay it back to platform was introduced for internet whoever it is that is using the users to clean their computers and software to spy. devices by wiping out viruses and  Pegasus has been developed by the malware. Israeli firm NSO Group that was  Indian Cyber Crime Coordination set up in 2010. Centre (I4C): I4C was recently Targets: inaugurated by the government.  Human Rights activists, journalists  National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and lawyers around the world have has also been launched pan India. been targeted with phone malware sold to authoritarian governments  Computer Emergency Response by an Israeli surveillance firm. Team - India (CERT-IN): It is the nodal agency which deals with  Indian ministers, government cybersecurity threats like hacking officials and opposition leaders also figure in the list of people and phishing. whose phones may have been Legislation: compromised by the spyware.  Information Technology Act, 2000. Recent Steps Taken in India:  Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.  Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative:  International Mechanisms: It was launched in 2018 with an aim to spread awareness about  International Telecommunication cybercrime and building capacity Union (ITU): It is a specialized for safety measures for Chief agency within the Information Security Officers which plays a leading role in the (CISOs) and frontline IT staff across standardization and development all government departments. of telecommunications and cyber  National Cyber security security issues. Coordination Centre (NCCC): In  Budapest Convention on Cybercrime: 2017, the NCCC was developed It is an international treaty that seeks to scan internet traffic and to address Internet and computer

30 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 31 crime (cybercrime) by harmonizing that attest to the unique skill of the national laws, improving investigative Kakatiyan sculptors. techniques, and increasing  The sculptural art and decoration specific cooperation among nations. It came to the time and Kakatiyan Empire have into force on 1st July 2004. an outstanding universal value. India is not a signatory to this  The distinct style of Kakatiyas for the convention. gateways to temple complexes, unique INDIA GETS ITS 39TH WORLD only to this region, confirm the highly HERITAGE SITE evolved proportions of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India. Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple) at ` Palampet, Warangal, Telangana inscribed on European merchants and travelers were UNESCO’s World Heritage List mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and one such traveler had remarked  The Rudreswara temple was constructed that the temple was the "brightest star in 1213 AD during the reign of the in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Kakatiya Empire by Recherla Rudra, a Deccan". general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. DHOLAVIRA  The presiding deity here is ` The Harappan City in the Rann of Kutch, RamalingeswaraSwamy. It is also known Gujarat inscribed on UNESCO’s World as the Ramappa temple, after the sculptor Heritage List who executed the work in the temple for 40 years. ` India has 40 world heritage properties overall, which includes 32 cultural, 7 natural and one mixed property. ` Countries that have 40 or more World Heritage sites and apart from India, this now contains Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France. About the Harappan city of Dholavira ` Dholavira: a Harappan city, is one of the very few well preserved urban settlements rd  The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a in South Asia dating from the 3 to mid- nd distinct style, technology and decoration 2 millennium BCE. exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan ` It demonstrates its multifaceted sculptor. achievements in terms of urban planning,  The temple stands on a 6 feet high star- construction techniques, water management, shaped platform with walls, pillars and social governance and development, art, ceilings adorned with intricate carvings manufacturing, trading, and belief system. 32 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 33 The property comprises two parts: reservoirs which are extant along the ` A walled city and a cemetery to the west eastern and southern fortification. of the city. ` To further access water, few rock-cut wells, ` The walled city consists of a fortified which date as one of the oldest examples, Castle with attached fortified Bailey are evident in different parts of the city, and Ceremonial Ground, and a fortified the most impressive one being located in Middle Town and a Lower Town. the citadel. ` A series of reservoirs are found to the ` Such elaborate east and south of the Citadel. methods of Dholavira are unique and ` The great majority of the burials in the measure as one of the most efficient Cemetery are memorial in nature. systems of the ancient world. ` Unlike other Harappan antecedent towns RAJA MIRCHA normally located near to rivers and NEWS perennial sources of water, the location ` Raja Mircha’ also referred as king chilli of Dholavira in the island of Khadir was from Nagaland was exported to London strategic to harness different mineral and raw material sources and to facilitate ` King Chilli also considered as world’s internal as well as external trade to the hottest based on the Scoville Heat Units Magan (modern Oman peninsula) and (SHUs) Mesopotamian regions. ` The chilli from Nagaland is also referred to as Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper. It ` Dholavira is an exceptional example got GI certification in 2008 of a proto-historic Bronze Age urban settlement pertaining to the Harappan ` Nagaland King Chilli belongs to genus Civilization (early, mature and late Capsicum of the family Solanaceae. Harappan phases) and bears evidence of ` Naga king chilli has been considered as a multi-cultural and stratified society the world’s hottest chilli and is constantly Water conservation method on the top five in the list of the world's hottest chilies based on the SHUs. ` The expansive water management 24/7 HELPLINE FOR WOMEN system designed to store every drop of AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE water available shows the ingenuity of ` With the objective of further improving the people to survive against the rapid safety and security of women across geo-climatic transformations. the nation and in line with the Union ` Water diverted from seasonal streams, Government’s efforts towards overall scanty precipitation and available ground betterment of women, the Union Minister was sourced, stored, in large stone-cut for Women and Child Development,

32 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 33 National Commission for Women’s 24/7 NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 helpline number - 7827170170. First anniversary of National ` The helpline aims to provide 24/7 Educational Policy online support to women affected by Prime minister launches multiple key violence through referral by linking initiatives to mark the occasion them with appropriate authorities such as police, hospitals, District Legal Service ACADEMIC BANK OF CREDIT: The Authority, psychological services etc. Academic Bank of Credit will provide INDIA’S FIRST CITY TO PROVIDE multiple entry and exit options for QUALITY DRINKING TAP WATER students in higher education. ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES IN ` Puri has become the first city in India REGIONAL LANGUAGES: where people can avail high-quality 14 engineering colleges of 8 states are drinking water directly from the tap on a starting to impart education in 5 Indian 24-hour basis. languages: , Tamil, Telugu. Marathi and Bangla. ` It has enabled the people of Puri to collect ` quality drinking water directly from the A tool has been developed for translating tap. engineering courses in 11 languages. KARNATAKA- FIRST STATE TO ` This emphasis on mother tongue as RESERVE JOB FOR TRANSGENDER the medium of instruction will instil PERSONS confidence in the students from poor, rural and tribal backgrounds. VIDYA PRAVESH: Vidya Pravesh is a three- month play-based school preparation module for Grade 1 students.

INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE: Indian Sign Language will be included as a subject at the secondary level ` Karnataka has become the first state in the country to provide one per cent reservation NISHTHA 2.0: NISHTHA 2.0 is an integrated programme of teacher training designed by for the ‘transgender community in all the NCERT. government services. SAFAL: SAFAL is Structured Assessment For ` The specifies one per cent reservation in Analyzing Learning Levels, a competency- all general as well as reserve categories based assessment framework for Grades 3, 5 for the third gender and 8 in CBSE schools 34 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 35 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A website needs and aimed at bringing out the dedicated to Artificial Intelligence will also be unique capabilities of each student. launched by the prime minister. School Education National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) and National Education ` Ensuring Universal Access at all Levels of Technology Forum (NETF) School Education NEW EDUCATION POLICY- 2020  NEP 2020 emphasizes on ensuring universal access to school education ` Launched on 29th July 2020 at all levels i.e. preschool to ` It replaced National Policy on secondary. Education,1986 ` Infrastructure support, innovative ` The Cabinet has also approved the education centres to bring back dropouts renaming of the Ministry of Human into the mainstream. Resource Development to the Ministry ` Facilitating multiple pathways to learning of Education involving both formal and non-formal Aim - education modes. ` It aims to pave the way for transformational ` Open learning for class 3,5 and 8 reforms in school and higher education throughNational Institute of Open systems in the country. Schooling (NIOS). ` It aims for universalization of education ` About 2 crore out of school children will from preschool to secondary level with be brought back into mainstream under 100 % Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in NEP 2020. school education by 2030. Higher Education Significance NEP 2020 aims to increase the Gross ` Built on the foundational pillars of Enrolment Ratio in higher education Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability including vocational education from 26.3% and Accountability, this policy is aligned (2018) to 50% by 2035. to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Teacher Education ` It aims to transform India into a vibrant ` A new and comprehensive National knowledge society and global knowledge Curriculum Framework for Teacher superpower by making both school and Education, NCFTE2021, will be college education more holistic, flexible, formulated by the NCTE in consultation multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century with NCERT. 34 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 35 ` By 2030, the minimum degree from any state to study in a good medical qualification for teaching will be a 4-year college in any other state. integrated B.Ed. degree ` Though same examination held Evolution of Education Policy throughout of the country, large number of seats are reserved for students ` University Education Commission domiciled in their respective states (1948-49) ` The remaining seats —15% in UG and ` Secondary Education Commission 50% in PG — are surrendered by the (1952-53) states to the All India Quota. ` Education Commission (1964-66) under ` Until 2007 -no reservation was Dr. D.S. Kothari implemented within the All India Quota ` National Policy on Education, 1968 for medical admission. ` On January 31, 2007, in Abhay Nath ` 42nd Constitutional Amendment,1976- v University of Delhi and Others, the Education in Concurrent List Supreme Court directed that reservation ` National Policy on Education (NPE), of 15% for Scheduled Castes and 7.5% 1986 for Scheduled Tribes be introduced in ` NPE, 1986 Modified in 1992 (Program of the AIQ Action, 1992) BOLD

` S.R. Subramanian Committee Report BOLD project launched at Jaisalmer (27 May, 2016) ` To prevent drought and desertification ` K. Kasturirangan Committee Report (31 May, 2019) ` To promote Rural economy RESERVATION IN MEDICAL ` Environment protection EDUCATION ` Sustainable model of development The Centre has approved reservation for the OBC and EWS categories within the News All India Quota for NEET ` To develop green cover in the Indian ` 27% for OBC STUDENTS deserts of Rajasthan, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) planted ` 10% FOR EWS STUDENTS 1000 bamboo saplings at Tanot village in All India Quota for NEET Jaisalmer ` The AIQ scheme was introduced in 1986 ` Bamboo plantation, as part of KVIC’s under the directions of the Supreme Project BOLD (Bamboo Oasis on Lands Court to provide for domicile-free, in Drought) aims at serving the combined merit-based opportunities to students national goals of reducing desertification 36 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 37 and providing livelihood and multi- ` We will soon reduce the number of road disciplinary rural industry support to the accidents and fatalities by 50 per cent, local population. and we will achieve that level. Bamboo ` Today, Tamil Nadu has already ` Grass variety successfully achieved this goal that what ` Bamboo can be used for making agarbatti we set. The number of road accidents and sticks, furniture, handicraft, musical that fatalities in Tamil Nadu has decreased instruments and paper pulp while the by 53 percent. So I congratulate Tamil bamboo waste is widely used in making Nadu for this. charcoal and fuel briquette. ` He also mentioned that, ‘we plan to ` Bamboos are also known for conserving divide the highway into 4 to 16 lanes for water and hence useful in arid and safe road travel’. drought-prone regions .MANSUKHMANDAVIYA CONGRATULATIONS FOR TAMIL NADU: ROAD ACCIDENTS HALVED

` Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Minister NitinGadkarihas lauded Tamil Nadu for successfully reducing road accidents and so fatalities by 50 per cent. ` We aim to halve the number of road ` New Health Minister MansukMandavia accidents and fatalities by accident in the has been promoted to the rank of Cabinet country by 2025. Minister from deputy minister. ` We also aim to create a accident free ` The promotion came for better environment by 2030. performance of his previous position, as ` We participated in the conference that a deputy mimister. held in Sweden last year on behalf of It is noted that Mandavia was a frequently the Union Ministry of Road Transport. In that, we promised to create a road hit parliament with cycle to emphase on accident free environment in India by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and 2030. reducing .

36 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 37 NEWS INTERNATIONAL

CHINA IS CERTIFIED MALARIA-FREE QUAD GROUPING BY WHO The US, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed in principle to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform focused on enhancing regional connectivity Objective: ` long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan critical to regional connectivity and agree that peace and regional connectivity are mutually ` China has been awarded a malaria-free reinforcing. certification from WHO – a notable feat for a country that reported 30 million ` Afghanistan is bordered by Pakistan cases of the disease annually in the 1940s. to the east and south, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan ` China is the first country in the WHO to the north, and China to the northeast. Western Pacific Region to be awarded a FATF PAKISTAN malaria-free certification in more than 3 decades. NEWS ` ` Other countries in the region that have FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF) has refused to take Pakistan out achieved this status include Australia of the ‘Grey List’ yet again. (1981), Singapore (1982) and Brunei Reason-failed to take appropriate Darussalam (1987). action against UN-designated terrorists such ` 1-3-7” strategy. The “1” signifies the one- as 26/11 accused Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief day deadline for health facilities to report MasoodAzhar. a malaria diagnosis; by the end of day 3, health authorities are required to confirm IMPLICATIONS a case and determine the risk of spread; and, within 7 days, appropriate measures ` Pakistan was pushed into the ‘grey list’ must be taken to prevent further spread in June 2018 and given an action plan to of the disease. complete by October 2019 38 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY ` Remaining in the ‘grey list’ has made ` The FATF also works to stop funding for it increasingly difficult for Pakistan weapons of mass destruction. to get financial assistance from the ` The FATF reviews money laundering International Monetary Fund, World and terrorist financing techniques and Bank, Asian Development Bank and the continuously strengthens its standards to address new risks, such as the FATF- regulation of virtual assets, which have spread as crypto currencies gain ` The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) popularity. was established in July 1989 by a Group of Seven (G-7) Summit in Paris, initially ` The FATF monitors countries to ensure to examine and develop measures to they implement the FATF Standards fully combat money laundering. and effectively, and holds countries to account that do not comply ` In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat RUSSIA SUCCESSFULLY TESTED terrorist financing, in addition to money S-500 MISSILE SYSTEM laundering. About the S-500 ` In April 2012, it added efforts to counter ` The S-500 is the most advanced anti- the financing of proliferation of weapons missile system in the world and is of mass destruction. expected to have a range of 600km. OBJECTIVES ` This missile system is also capable of ` The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) countering attacks from space. is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. ` The inter-governmental body sets international standards that aim to prevent these illegal activities and the harm they cause to society. ` As a policy-making body, the FATF works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative ` The S-500, also known as Prometey or and regulatory reforms in these areas. 55R6M “Triumfator-M”, is a Russian FUNCTIONS surface-to-air missile/anti-ballistic missile system which is the most ` They help authorities go after the money advanced anti-missile system in the of criminals dealing in illegal drugs, world and is capable of countering human trafficking and other crimes. attacks from space

SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 39 NEWS COVID

CORONA VACCINE FOR THOSE Zycov-D vaccine OVER 12 YEARS OF AGE: ZYDUS ` KETILA Zycov-D vaccine of ZydusKetila contains three doses. ` The 2nd dose should be given on the 28th day after taking the first dose and the 3rd dose will be on 56th day. ` This vaccine is to be injected by needle- free technology Needle-free Technology

` Needle free injectors delivers vaccine using a narrow stream of fluid to penetrate the skin, and deliver vaccine to ` -based ZydusKetila the proper tissue depth. Pharmaceuticals has developed a corona ` The vaccine was developed with the vaccine for people over 12 years of age. support by the National Biopharma The company has asked permission from Mission (NBM) under the aegis of BIRAC Drug controller general of India for and the Department of Biotechnology, emergency use of drugs it discovered. Government of India. ` In India so far 4 vaccines have been ` By storing under 2-8 degree celcius, we approved by the Central Government can use this vaccine for long term. For for emergency use. The vaccines are short term usage this vaccines are stored named Covaxin, Covieshield, Sputnik, at 25 degree celcius. Moderna.

40 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY NEWS ECONOMY

RETAIL AND WHOLESALE TRADE IN only the minimum interest rate if they fail MSME SECTOR to renew their FD fixed deposit account.

Fixed DepositAmount

` Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has decided to include Retail and Wholesale trade as MSMEs but only ` People earn interest by keeping money for the limited purpose of Priority Sector as a fixed deposit for a certain period of Lending. This means that these segments time in various banks across the country. of businesses can now take loans under ` This deposit is kept for 15 days to several the Priority Sector Lending arrangement years. Interest is paid according to each under the MSME category. plan. ` These Retail and Wholesale traders can ` The interest rate varies between the now register on Udyam Registration Portal. banks. MINIMUM INTEREST IN CASE OF ` Currently, fixed deposits offer an average FAILURE TO RENEW THE PERIOD interest rate of 5 percent and an additional FOR FIXED DEPOSIT ACCOUNT: 0.5 percent to the senior citizens. RESERVE BANK ` Whereas the interest rate offered for a ` The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has normal savings account is 2.9 per cent in announced that customers will be given most banks.

SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 41 NABARD CELEBRATES 40TH Refinancing FOUNDATION DAY ` NABARD's refinance fund from World ` 40th Foundation day of National Bank Bank and Asian Development Bank to for Agriculture and Rural Development state co-operative agriculture and rural (NABARD) celebrated on 12th July. development banks (SCARDBs), state co-operative banks (SCBs), regional rural banks (RRBs), commercial banks (CBs) and other financial institutions approved by RBI. RBI LAUNCHES ‘RETAIL DIRECT SCHEME’ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched ‘the RBI Retail Direct’ scheme for retail investors, through which they can directly buy ` Formed on 12th July 1982 and sell government securities (G-Secs), both ` Head office - Mumbai primary and secondary. ` Predecessor- Agricultural refinance and development corporation Purpose ` Takes measures towards institution building for improving absorptive capacity of the credit delivery system, including monitoring, formulation of rehabilitation schemes, restructuring of credit institutions, training of ` This dedicated bond-buying window is personnel,etc., a part of RBI’s effort to increase retail participation in government securities. ` NABARD is also known for its 'SHG Bank Linkage Programme' which encourages ` The scheme also provides the facility to India's banks to lend to self-help groups Retail investors (individuals) to open (SHGs). and maintain the ‘Retail Direct Gilt Regulatory body Account’ (RDG Account) with RBI. ` ` NABARD supervises State Cooperative Under this scheme, retail investors are Banks (STCBS), District Cooperative able to open and maintain their gilt Central Banks (DCCBs), and Regional securities account named ‘Retail Direct Rural Banks (RRBs) and conducts Gilt Account’ (RDG Account) through statutory inspections of these banks a ‘With RBI’online portal‘

42 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 43 Government securities( G secs) 3. Enhancing settlement mechanisms. 1. A Government Security (G-Sec) is a 4. Elimination of the “time zone difference” tradeable instrument issued by the in foreign exchange transactions, which Central Government or the State would result in a cheaper and smoother Governments. international settlement system. 30 YEARS OF LIBERALIZATION, 2. It acknowledges the Government’s debt PRIVATISATION AND GLOBALIZATION obligation. ` LPG reforms of 1991 is a strategic shift in 3. Such securities are short term (usually Indian economy called treasury bills, with original maturities of less than one year) or long ` India’s New Economic Policy was term (usually called Government bonds announced on July 24, 1991 known as the LPG or Liberalisation, Privatisation and or dated securities with original maturity Globalisation model. of one year or more). Liberalization- It refers to the process of 4. In India, the Central Government issues making policies less constraining of economic both, treasury bills and bonds or dated activity and also reduction of tariff or removal securities while the State Governments of non-tariff barriers. issue only bonds or dated securities, Privatization- It refers to the transfer of which are called the State Development ownership of property or business from a Loans (SDLs).State government does government to a privately owned entity. not issues Treasury Bills Globalization- It refers to the expansion of 5. G-Secs carry practically no risk of default economic activities across political boundaries and, hence, are called risk-free gilt-edged of nation states. instruments. OBJECTIVES RBI-CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL ` The main objective was to plunge CURRENCY Indian economy into the arena of The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will introduce “Globalization” and to give it a new its own version of Central Bank Digital thrust on market orientation. Currency (CBDC) in a phased manner ` The policy was intended to move CBDC “is the same as a fiat currency and is towards a higher economic growth rate exchangeable one-to-one with the fiat currency and to build sufficient foreign exchange reserves. BENEFITS ` It wanted to achieve economic 1. Reducing dependency on cash, stabilization and to convert the economy 2. Saving on the cost of money printing, into a market economy by removing all and kinds of unnecessary restrictions. 42 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 43 ` The policy aimed at increasing the Salient features of LPG Policy: participation of private players in all 1. Abolition of Industrial licensing/ Permit sectors of the economy. Raj Factors which lead to 1991 economic 2. Public sector role diluted reforms: 3. MRTP limit goes ` Rise in Prices 4. Beginning of privatisation ` Rise in Fiscal Deficit 5. Free entry to foreign investment and ` Increase in Adverse Balance of Payments technology ` Iraq War 6. Industrial location policy liberalized ` Dismal Performance of PSUs 7. Abolition of phased manufacturing programmes for new projects ` Fall in Foreign Exchange Reserves 8. Removal of mandatory convertibility International events associated with Indian cause reforms: 9. Reduction in import tariffs ` The Soviet Union was collapsing at the 10. Deregulation of markets time, proving that more socialism could not be the solution for India’s ills. 11. Reduction of taxes 12. Outcome of the LPG reforms: ` Deng Xiaoping had revolutionized China with market-friendly reforms. Positive outcomes: ` The 1990-91 Iraq war led to the stoppage ` India’s GDP growth rate increased of flow of foreign currency from Gulf ` Increase in Foreign Direct Investment countries. ` In 1991 the unemployment rate was high ` To tide over the Balance of Payment (BoP) but after India adopted a new LPG policy issues, India borrowed huge amounts more employment got generated as new from the International Monetary Fund foreign companies came to India and due (IMF). to liberalization many new entrepreneurs started companies. ` The Asian financial crisis of 1997-99 laid ` India low. Per Capita income increased due to an increase in employment. ` The dot-com collapse and global ` Exports have increased and stood at USD recession of 2001, and the huge global 26.38 billion as of October 2019. uncertainty created in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Negative outcomes: ` The global boom of 2003-08 was ` In 1991, agriculture provided employment spearheaded by China. to 72 percent of the population and

44 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 45 contributed 29.02 percent of the GDP. ` Globalization has also contributed to Now the share of agriculture in the GDP the destruction of the environment has gone down drastically to 18 percent. through pollution by emissions from This has resulted in a lowering the manufacturing plants and the clearing per capita income of the farmers and increasing rural indebtedness. of vegetation cover. It further affects the health of people. ` Due to the opening up of the Indian economy to foreign competition, ` LPG policies have led to widening income more MNCs are competing with local gaps within the country. The higher businesses and companies which growth rate is achieved by an economy are facing problems due to financial at the expense of declining incomes of constraints, lack of advanced technology people who may be rendered redundant. and production inefficiencies.

44 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 45 PROGRAMS & YOJANAS

SANKALP SE SIDDHI – MISSION TRIFED HAS BEEN COMING UP WITH VAN DHAN SEVERAL INITIATIVES, AIMED AT ` The Minister for Tribal Affairs, SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR ArjunMunda, virtually launches OUR TRIBAL POPULATION livelihood initiatives and inaugurates seven new Tribes India outlets along SANKALP SE SIDDHI DRIVE: with the new office for TRIFED ` The main aim of this drive is to activate ` Minister for Tribal Affairs launches the the Van DhanVikasKendras (VDVKs) tribal livelihoods initiative “Sankalp in the villages. Se Siddhi – Mission Van Dhan”- ` The drive will entail 150 teams (10 in LAUNCHED ON June 15 each region from TRIFED and State ` Implemented by TRIFED Implementation Agencies/Mentoring Agencies/Partners) visiting ten villages each. ` The visiting teams will also identify locations and shortlist potential Van DhanVikasKendras for clustering as and VAN DHAN VIKAS YOJANA SFURTI units as larger enterprises. ` The Van DhanVikasYojana is an initiative SCHEME OF FUND FOR of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and REGENERATION OF TRADITIONAL TRIFED. INDUSTRIES (SFURTI) IS A SCHEME ` The program will ensure higher success OF THE MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSME). enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products ` Rs. 200 crore Sales during the next 12 with quality certifications. months is targeted as a result of this ` ‘Vocal for Local’ and to build an initiative once the VDVKs are activated Atmanirbhar Bharat, in these 1500 villages. 46 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 47 ` The teams willalso identify tribal ` TRIBES INDIA COFFEE TABLE artisans and other groups and empanel BOOK-showcases the rich cultural them as suppliers so that they can have tribal heritage and highlights the access to larger markets through the journey of various tribal artisans Tribes India network – both physical practicing different arts and crafts outlets and TribesIndia.com NATIONAL AYUSH MISSION VILLAGE AND DIGITAL CONNECT INITIATIVE:

` To ensure that existing schemes and initiatives reach the tribals, TRIFED’s regional officials across the country have been visiting identified villages with a significant tribal population. SCHEMES FOR ENSURING FAIR Government of India is implementing PRICES TO TRIBALS: Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through States/UTs ` Schemes such as Mechanism for for development and promotion of AYUSH Marketing of Minor Forest Produce system of medicine including Homoeopathy. (MFP) Through Minimum Support Price The objectives of National AYUSH Mission (MSP) and (NAM) are as follows: ` Development of Value Chain for MFP (i) To provide cost effective AYUSH provide MSP to gatherers of forest Services, with a universal access produces. (ii) To strengthen institutional capacity at TECH FOR TRIBALS: the state level iii) Support cultivation of medicinal plants ` Tech ForTribals program aims to by adopting Good Agricultural Practices transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs (GAPs) by capacity building and imparting (iv) Support setting up of clusters entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest through convergence of cultivation, produce gatherers enrolled under the warehousing, value addition, marketing PradhanMantri Van DhanYojana and development of infrastructure for (PMVDY). entrepreneurs TRIFOOD Scheme: PRASAD SCHEME

` It is a joint initiative of the Ministry Prime Minister inaugurated the Tourist of Food Processing Industry, Ministry Facilitation Centre under the Project of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it “Development of Varanasi Under PRASHAD promotes value addition to MFP. Scheme – Phase II” under PRASHAD Scheme

46 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 47 ` The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage  Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage  Puri (), Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is  Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and a Central Sector Scheme fully financed by the Government of India.  Vellankani (Tamil Nadu). ` It was launched by the Ministry of SCHOOL INNOVATION AMBASSADOR Tourism in the year 2014-15. LAUNCHED BY UNION EDUCATION ` After the discontinuation of the HRIDAY MINISTER AND UNION TRIBAL AFFAIRS scheme of the Ministry of Housing and MINISTRY Urban Development, the development AIM of Heritage destinations was included in the PRASAD Scheme, changing it to ` The innovative and one-of-its-kind PRASHAD. training program for school teachers, it aims at training 50,000 School Teachers OBJECTIVES on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, IPR, ` Integrated development of identified Design Thinking, Product development, pilgrimage and heritage destinations. Idea generation, among others ` Infrastructure development such as ` It will help provide quality education to entry points (Road, Rail and Water Transport), children in tribal areas ` Last mile connectivity, ` It is a collaborative effort by the Ministry ` Basic tourism facilities of Education’s Innovation Cell, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, CBSE and AICTE, which ` The projects identified under this will in turn nurture lakhs of students scheme shall be implemented through the identified agencies by the respective with innovation capabilities, develop State/ Union Territory Government a culture of innovation and lay the foundation of a new and vibrant India CITIES `  Ajmer (Rajasthan), ‘SIATP’ will give wings to the creativity of the children and provide a platform so  Amritsar (Punjab), that they can give something new to the  Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), world with their ideas  Dwarka (Gujarat), ` It is an unique capacity building  Gaya (Bihar), programme for teachers, prominence has  Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), been given to development of creativity,  Kamakhya (Assam), collaboration, critical thinking and  Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), communication skills among children 48 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 49 and the integration of Eklavya Schools ` The Nutritious Meal Programme was into the entire programme introduced by the then Chief Minister Dr. ADI-PRASHIKSHAN PORTAL M.G.R. on 01.07.1982. ` Under this programme free hot cooked ` The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched nutritious meal is being provided an Adi-Prashikshan portal which is also to children in Government Schools, a repository of training inputs. Government aided Schools, Special ` It will be of great benefit if SIAP training Training Centres, Madarasas, Maktabs module also gets connected to this portal, supported under Sarva Shiksha Abiyan he said. and also in Special Schools functioning MID DAY MEAL SCHEME under National Programme. A study shows that Midday meal scheme ` The Government of India initiated the leaves a long lasting positive impact on girls National Programme of Nutritional Findings Support to Primary Education (NP- th ` Lower stunting among children with NSPE) on 15 August 1995 as a Centrally mothers who had access to free school Sponsored lunches, shows data from 1993-2016. ` Scheme. ` During 1997-1998, the scheme was universalized across all blocks of the country covering children from 1st standard to 5th standard. ` During October 2007, the scheme was extended to upper primary classes of 6th standard to 8th standard and the name ` Girls who had access to the free lunches was changed from ‘National Programme provided at government schools, had for Nutritional Support to Primary children with a higher height-to-age Education’ to ‘National Programme of ratio than those who did not, says a new Mid Day Meal in Schools’. study on the inter-generational benefits ` The Government of India provides fund of India’s midday meal scheme published for implementing the scheme with 60:40 in Nature Communications sharing pattern between the Centre and About the scheme State Governments. However, the cost of food grains, its transportation and ` Education lays the foundation for the Monitoring, Management and Evaluation development of a society and hunger (MME) component is fully borne by becomes an impediment to learning. Government of India. 48 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 49 Objectives of the Programme ` Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs ` To maximize enrolment and reduce 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for school dropout rates with a view to cluster formation, capacity building universalize elementary education. and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue ` To provide nutrition to the under fed and analysis. under nourished children. STAND UP INDIA SCHEME ` To encourage children from disadvantaged background to attend Stand Up India Scheme extended up to the school regularly and to help them in year 2025 attaining formal education. Implemented by Department of Financial ` To empower women by providing Services, Ministry of Finance, the Stand Up employment opportunities India Scheme was launched by the Prime BHARTIYA PRAKRITIK KRISHI Minister on 05th April, 2016 and has been PADHATI (BPKP) extended up to the year 2025.

Government is implementing Bhartiya Objective of the Stand Up India Scheme is Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP) as a sub To facilitate loans from Scheduled scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana Commercial Banks (SCBs) of value between (PKVY) for the promotion of traditional Rs. 10 lakh and Rs.1 Crore to at least one indigenous practices. Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrower and one woman borrower per bank branch for setting up a green field enterprise in manufacturing, services or trading sector. PMCARES FOR CHILDREN.IN- WEB BASED PORTAL About ` The Ministry of Women and Child The scheme mainly emphasizes on Development has launched the web ` exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs based portal pmcaresforchildren.in to and facilitate submission of applications, ` promotes on-farm biomass recycling identification of children eligible to with major stress on biomass mulching; receive support under the 'PM CARES for Children' scheme and processing ` use of cow dung-urine formulations; of applications for securing benefits to ` Plant-based preparations and time to them. time working of soil for aeration. 50 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 51 ` The module on Child registration and NASHA MUKTI BHARAT ABHIYAAN identification of beneficiaries has been made functional. ` The portal shall be regularly updated with necessary information and modules. PM CARES for Children ` This scheme is for supporting children who have lost both parents or surviving National Action Plan for Drug Demand parents or legal guardians or adoptive Reduction: parents due to COVID-19 pandemic. ` The Ministry of Social Justice and ` The scheme aims to ensure comprehensive Empowerment implements the scheme of care and protection of children who have National Action Plan for Drug Demand lost their parents to COVID pandemic, Reduction (NAPDDR), under which in a sustained manner. there is a provision of providing Grant- in-Aid to drug de-addiction centres for ` It enables their wellbeing through health female. insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self- Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan: sufficient existence with financial support ` Ministry has launched Nasha Mukt of Rs. 10 lakh, on reaching 23 years of age. Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in 272 Eligibility: identified vulnerable districts with an aim to create awareness about ill effects All children who have lost of substance abuse. ` Both parents or ` Under NMBA, nearly 1.5 Lakh women ` Surviving parent or have been actively involved. ` Legal guardian/adoptive parents due ` Anganwadi & ASHA Workers, ANMs, to COVID 19 pandemic, starting from Mahila Mandals & Women SHGs are 11.03.2020 till the end of pandemic, shall some of the Women Groups actively be entitled to benefits under this scheme. participating in the Abhiyaan.

50 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 51 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

‘MIXED-CO-VACCINES’: GOOD Other examples EFFICACY ` Though this is a modern system, it is not ` Many countries have been successful in a new system. engaging in new research to introduce ` This method was already used when modern methods to meet the growing vaccinating against Ebola. vaccine demand. ` Besides, the microbes that make up the ‘Mixed - Combined Vaccines’ ‘pentavalent’ - ‘monovalent’ rotavirus ` Instead of administering the same vaccine currently given to children are type of vaccine to a beneficiary in two also different. So far, there is nothing installments, try different types of wrong with their use. vaccines. If one type given for the first CERTIFIED PACKAGING ENGINEER installment of the primary vaccine and the second or third installment we go for ` Indian Institute of Packaging in chennai different vaccine(Heterologous prime – has launched a one-year online course boost regimens). on "Certified Packaging Engineer" for ` These vaccines are called 'mix-and- the first time in India. Those who have match vaccines'. completed engineering education and are COM-COVstudy working as engineers can join this course. ` In a ‘com-cov’ study conducted by the ` The course is listed in University of Oxford in the UK, 800 “AzadiKaAmritMahotsav”, an initiative of volunteers who had been vaccinated the Prime Minister to celebrates 75 years with the estrogen vaccine(Covishield of India's independence. in India) in the first installment were Purpose vaccinated with Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine in the second installment. ` The purpose of this course is to develop packaging engineers with professional ` The number of corona-fighting skills in packaging who have learned antibodies in their blood was multiplied the techniques of quality packaging into many and the number of memory according to the nature of product after ‘T’ cells was also increased. manufacturing.

52 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 53 ZIKA VIRUS ` This will be India’s largest solar park to be The cases of Zika virus is increasing in Kerala. built by the largest power producer of the country. Symptoms `  Fever, As a part of its green energy portfolio augmentation, NTPC strides towards  Itching of skin, building 60 GW Renewable Energy  Body pain, capacity by 2032.  Joint Pain,  Headache Other projects  Zika virus stays in the body for 3 ` India’s largest Floating Solar of 10 MW to 14 days. Symptoms appear 2 to 7 (ac) on the reservoir of Simhadri Thermal days after exposure to zika. Power Plant, Andhra Pradesh. Primary mode of transmittor ` 100 MW Floating Solar Project on the ` Primarily transmitted by the bite of an reservoir of Ramagundam Thermal Power infected mosquito ,Aedesaegypti. Plant, Telangana Transmission and health hazards ` NTPC REL, the subsidiary was ` In pregnant women: Zika virus is a cause incorporated on 07.10.2020 to accelerate of microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities in the developing fetus and the RE business of NTPC. newborn. NANO UREA ` It can also result in pregnancy Government is encouraging the production of complications such as fetal loss, stillbirth, Nano fertilizers in the country. and preterm birth. ` Other modes of transmission including Nano urea (liquid) fertilizer sexual contact. It aims to address the imbalanced and excessive ` Zika virus has no treatment or vaccine. use of conventional Urea. Needs It further aims to improve crop productively, soil ` More rest. health and nutritional quality of the produce. ` Eating liquid foods. INDIAN SCIENTISTS DISCOVER MATERIALS THAT SELF-REPAIR ` The World Health Organization (WHO) MECHANICAL DAMAGES says that the only treatment for this is to give medicine for body pain and fever.\ ` New materials may soon make it possible SINGLE LARGEST SOLAR PARK- for damaged electronic components, such NTPC RENEWABLE ENERGY LTD as in space crafts, to mend themselves. ` NTPC to set up India’s single largest solar ` The materials recently developed by park at Rann of Kutch with capacity of scientists can repair their own mechanical 4750MW damages with the electrical charges 52 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 53 generated by the mechanical impact on I-STEM them. ` The Indian Science Technology and ` Devices that we use daily often break Engineering facilities Map (I-STEM), down due to mechanical damage, forcing the national web portal for sharing us either to repair or replace them. R&D facilities was formally launched in This decreases the life of the equipment January 2020 and increases maintenance costs. In ` The goal of I-STEM is to strengthen many cases, like in space crafts, human the R&D ecosystem of the country by intervention for restoration is not possible. connecting researchers with resources, ` Keeping such necessities in mind, in part by promoting technologies researchers from the Indian Institute of and scientific equipment development Science Education and Research (IISER) indigenously, and providing necessary Kolkata, teaming up with IIT Kharagpur, supplies and supports to researchers have developed piezoelectric molecular by enabling them an access to existing publicly funded R&D facilities in the crystals that repair themselves from country through the I-STEM web portal mechanical damages without need for any external intervention. Piezoelectric GEO-IMAGING SATELLITE“EOS-03" crystals are a class of materials that ` It would enable near-real time monitoring generate electricity when it undergoes of natural disasters like floods & cyclones. a mechanical impact. ` EOS-03 is capable of imaging the whole ` The piezoelectric molecules developed by country 4-5 times daily the scientists called bipyrazole organic ` It also enable monitoring of water bodies, crystals recombine following mechanical crops, vegetation condition, forest cover fracture without any external intervention, changes etc autonomously self-healing in milliseconds Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) with crystallographic precision. ` The SSLV si a cost-effective, three-stage ` In these molecular solids, due to the and all-solid launch vehicle with a payload unique property of generating electrical charges on mechanical impact, the capability of 500 kg to 500 km planar broken pieces acquire electrical charges orbit or 300 kg to Sun-Synchronous Polar at the crack junction, leading to Orbit. attraction by damaged parts and precise ` It is ideal for the on-demand, quick turn- autonomous repair around launch of small satellites.

54 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 55 PSLV VS GSLV equatorial plane) by firing its in-built on- ` PSLV- To deliver "earth-observation” board engines. or “remote-sensing” satellites with lift- ` Due to their geo-synchronous nature, the off mass of up to about 1750 Kg to Sun- satellites in these orbits appear to remain Synchronous circular polar orbits of 600- permanently fixed in the same position 900 Km altitude. in the sky, as viewed from a particular ` The remote sensing satellites orbit the location on Earth, thus avoiding the earth from pole-to-pole (at about 98 deg need of a tracking ground antenna and orbital-plane inclination). hence are useful for the communication ` An orbit is called sun-synchronous when applications. the angle between the line joining the Two versions of the GSLV are being developed centre of the Earth and the satellite and the Sun is constant throughout the orbit. by ISRO. ` Due to their sun-synchronism nature, 1. GSLV Mk-II, has the capability to launch these orbits are also referred to as “Low satellites of lift-off mass of up to 2,500 kg Earth Orbit (LEO)” to the GTO and satellites of up to 5,000 kg ` PSLV is also used to launch the satellites lift-off mass to the LEO. of lower lift-off mass of up to about 1400 2. GSLV MK-II is a three-stage vehicle with Kg to the elliptical Geosynchronous the first stage using a solid rocket motor, Transfer Orbit (GTO) second stage using Liquid fuel and the ` It is a four stage launch vehicle with first third stage, called Cryogenic Upper Stage, and third stages using solid rocket motors using a cryogenic engine. and second and fourth stages using liquid CHANDRAYAAN -3 rocket engines. ` Delayed further by 2022 due to Covid GSLV ` ` The GSLV is designed mainly to deliver Chandrayaan 3 is successor to the communication-satellites to the chandrayaan 2 mission ` To attempt soft landing on the Lunar surface highly elliptical (typically 250 x 36000 Km) Gaganyaan Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). ` Gaganyaan, announced by the Prime ` The satellite in GTO is further raised to its Minister in August 2018. ` It is the ₹10,000-crore Indian human final destination, viz., Geo-synchronous space flight scheduled for 2022. Earth orbit (GEO) of about 36000 Km ` It is designed to have 3-7 crew members altitude (and zero deg inclination on spend 3-7 days in space in a 400-km orbit.

54 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 55 ENVIRONMENT

NEW JUMPING SPIDER SPECIES About the Gangetic dolphin: ` The Gangetic dolphin has been declared an endangered aquatic animal and is one of the four freshwater dolphins species in the world as another three species are said to be found in the Yangtze River, the Indus River in Pakistan and the Amazon River globally. ` Named after 26/11 martyr35% OF INDIA’S TIGER RANGES TukaramOmble. ARE OUTSIDE PROTECTED AREAS ` Group of scientists who discovered two new species of jumping spiders from the Thane-Kalyan region named one of them after the brave police constable TukaramOmble who lost his life in the 26/11 terror attacks. The species is called ` ‘IciusTukarami.’ According to a WWF-UNEP report thirty-five per cent of India’s tiger ranges INDIA’S FIRST DOLPHIN RESEARCH are outside protected areas and human- CENTRE animal conflict affects over 75 percent of ` India’s and Asia’s first National Dolphin the world’s wild cat species, Research Centre (NDRC) will set upon ` The report “A Future for All – A necessity the bank of the Ganges in the premises of for Human-Wildlife Coexistence”, Patna University examined rising human-wildlife battle, and has discovered that marine and ` The Gangetic dolphin is India’s national terrestrial protected areas solely cowl aquatic animal 9.67 per cent globally. ` It frequently falls prey to illegal poaching. ` Protected areas play a more and more ` The presence of dolphins in the Ganga necessary function for the survival of gives a sign of a healthy ecosystem key species similar to giant predators and herbivores. 56 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 57 ` Apart from India’s tigers, 40 per cent of managing national parks, sanctuaries the African lion vary and 70 per cent of and other protected areas the African and Asian elephant ranges Types of fall outside protected areas, finds the ` National parks. report. ` Wildlife sanctuaries. What is protected area? Protected areas are regions or zones ` Biosphere reserves. of land or sea which are given certain ` Reserved and protected forests. levels of protection for conservation of ` Conservation reserves and community and socio-environmental reserves. values. In these areas, human intervention and exploitation of resources is limited ` Private protected areas. Protected Area Network in India-Legal ` Conservation areas Provisions Wildlife Sanctuaries ` Forests and wildlife are included in ` It is a protected area constituted for the the Concurrent list of the Indian protection and conservation of wildlife Constitution. Therefore, the Union or its environment. government makes policies and plans for ` They are declared in areas that are Wildlife Conservation. considered to be of adequate ecological, ` On the other hand, the State Forest geomorphological and natural Departments are the ones implanting significance. those national policies and plans at the ` In wildlife sanctuaries, certain rights of state-level. people living inside are permitted as long ` National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) as they don’t harm the wildlife. puts forward a policy framework for ` Such activities include harvesting of wildlife conservation in India. The Board timber, collecting minor forest products, was constituted under the Wildlife livestock grazing, ownership of private (Protection) Act, 1972. It is chaired by land. the Prime Minister. National Parks ` Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (with Amendment Acts of 2003 and 2006) ` It is a protected area constituted for the protection and conservation of wildlife  It provides for the protection of or its environment. plants and animal in India. The aim of the Act is to ensure the ecological ` They are declared in areas that are and environmental security of India. considered to be of adequate ecological, geomorphological and natural  It is the principal act which contains significance. provisions for setting up and 56 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 57 Conservation Reserves ` These areas also act as buffer zones between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India. ` Rights of people living inside a Community Reserve are not affected. ` Example: Lalwan community reserve in Punjab, Gogabeel in Bihar (1st community reserve of Bihar) MONK FRUIT ` They are declared by the State Governments in any area owned by the Government. ` The aim of conservation reserves is to protect landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna and their habitat. ` They act as buffer zones between established national parks, wildlife ` sanctuaries and reserved and protected India' s first monk fruit cultivation starts in Himachal pradesh forests of India. ` The ‘monk fruit’ from China, which is ` It is important to note that the rights known for its properties as a non-caloric of people living inside a Conservation natural sweetener, was introduced for Reserve are not affected. field trials in Himachal Pradesh by the Palampur-based Council of Scientific ` Examples: Bankapur Peacock Research and Industrial Technology Conservation Reserve (Karnataka), Beas Institute of Himalayan Bioresource River Conservation Reserve (Punjab). Technology (CSIR-IHBT) in Kullu. Community Reserves GREEN SOHRA CAMPAIGN ` They are declared by the State Government ` in any private or community land. The Afforestation programme at cherrapunji, meghalaya land should not be within a National Park, ` Sanctuary or a Conservation Reserve. This afforestation campaign will be run by the Meghalaya Government with the ` It is basically an area where an individual help of Assam Rifles, this will greatly or a community has volunteered to benefit eco-tourism and will also boost conserve wildlife and its habitat tourism in the state 58 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 59 Afforestation 6. Improving watersheds and water tables ` Afforestation is the process of planting trees in areas devoid of any forest cover 7. Employment creation (no trees). Disadvantages ` Afforestation shouldn’t be confused with 1. Loss of land for urban development the term “” which is the 2. poor management, afforestation planting of plants in a region which has a projects may end up doing the exact gradual decrease in the number of trees. opposite, decreasing biodiversity in the ecosystem. Importance of Afforestation 3. Habitat Loss and Destruction ` It helps to reduce the pressure on pre- existing natural forests regarding the 4. Afforestation may become a potential demand for forest products by being an problem if it is built for the purpose alternative source of such products. of ecotourism. Ecotourism brings various problems and challenges, such ` It provides commercial benefits. as littering and harm to wildlife ` It still helps to reduce deforestation of BIODIESEL FROM CHICKEN WASTE existing forests ` The invention is an outcome of inventor ` Afforestation allows people to plant tree John Abraham's research at Namakkal species more in demand so that they can Veterinary College under the Tamil be supplied to customers requiring it for Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences various purposes. University. ` To conserve trees and be able to replenish their stocks more readily as it bares the demand for the products ` They also help to increase species biodiversity within those regions. Advantages of Afforestation 1. Constant supply of Forest Products ` He received the patents for inventing 2. Prevents Soil Erosion biodiesel from slaughtered chicken waste 3. Reverses Climate Change and Global that offers mileage of over 38 km a litre at Warming around 40 per cent of the current price of diesel and lowers pollution by half. 4. Oxygen Production through the process of photosynthesis ` and pigs have single stomachs which 5. Tackling Air Pollution offer higher fat saturation and this is easy to render oil under room temperature. 58 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 59 The high Cetane value of 72 in animal fat Different Generation of Biofuels biodiesel leads Biodiesel ` To shorter ignition delays, ` It is produced through a biochemical ` Providing more time for fuel combustion, process called “Transesterification.” ` Leading to more efficiency and ` Less exhaust emission ` Biodiesel is made from renewable sources such as vegetable/plant/animal oils for Biofuels use in diesel engines. ` Any hydrocarbon fuel i.e. Solid, Liquid or Gas, that is produced from an organic ` Vegetable oils are chemically called matter which may be living or once living triglycerides (fats). material, in a short period of time is considered a biofuel. ` Biodiesel comprises esters of long chain  Examples include: fatty acids derived from these oils.  Solid: Wood, manure ` To make biodiesel, fats in the vegetable oil  Liquid: Bioethanol and Biodiesel (triglycerides) are reacted with alcohol —  Gaseous: Biogas usually methanol. ` Biofuels can be produced from biomass, such as corn or sugar, vegetable oils or ` In this reaction, glycerine (in waste feedstocks. triglycerides) is replaced by methanol to ` As biofuels emit less carbon dioxide produce methyl ester (biodiesel). (CO2) than conventional fuels they ` can be blended with existing fuels as an Biofuel development in India centres effective way of reducing CO2 emissions around the cultivation of Jatropha plant in the transport sector. seeds — rich in oil (40%).

60 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY REPORTS AND INDICES

INDIA RANKED AT 10TH POSITION Index: IN ITU’S GLOBAL CYBERSECURITY ` India ranked at 10th position, with 97.5 INDEX 2020 points to rank among the top ten best countries in the world. ` The United States has topped the GCI 2020. ` The United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia is tied on the second position ` Estonia was ranked third in the index

` India has been ranked as the 10th best NEWSONAIR RADIO LIVE-STREAM GLOBAL RANKINGS country in the world in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2020, released by International Telecommunication Union (ITU). ` The GCI 2020 is the fourth edition of the annual index and ranked 194 countries. ` The GCI measures thecommitment of countries to cybersecurity at a global level. ` News On Air Radio Live-stream Global Countries were ranked on the basis of Rankings was released recently ranking performance on five parameters, countries where All India Radio (AIR) ` legal measures, live-streams on the NewsOnAir app are ` technical measures, most popular. ` organisational measures, ` Rank Country ` capacity development, and 1 United States ` cooperation. 2 Fiji

SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 61 3 Australia Parameters: 4 United Kingdom The report has a score for each location, which 5 Canada is calculated as the sum of three parameters: 6 United Arab Emirates ` quantity of start ups 7 Singapore ` quality of start ups and 8 Kuwait ` business environment 9 Saudi Arabia OXFAM STUDY REPORT 10 Germany ` Global starvation kills 11 people per ` AIR is the National Public Radio minute. The study further says in global Broadcaster of India. Since 1956 is level food shortages is 6 times higher officially known as Akashvani. than last year. ` Founded in 1936, it is a division of Note PrasarBharati. ` Oxfam, an anti-poverty organization, INDIA RANKED 20TH IN GLOBAL conducted a global study on hunger STARTUP ECOSYSTEM INDEX 2021 during the Corona period entitled 'The Hunger Virus Multiplies'. ` During last year, globally more than 2 crore people were affected by factors such as hunger, food insecurity and famine. But now number has increased to 15.5 crore. ` Global defence expenditure has increased to $ 5,100 billion (Rs. 38,000 crore). ` India stands at the 20th spot among the ` This is 6 times higher than amount top 100 countries that have been ranked spend by UN on relief of starving people in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index worldwide. 2021 by Startup Blink Worst Hit countries ` In 2019-17th position - Afghanistan, ` Ranking of the Indian Cities: - Ethiopia, India currently has 43 of its cities listed in the - South Sudan, top 1000, globally, with Bengaluru(10th), New - Syria, Delhi (14th) and Mumbai (16th) in the top 20. - Yemen

62 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 63 Reasons ` Also, 12.6 per cent more children are stunted in SC households than those in general category homes. ` And, the chances of a child dying before the age of five are three times higher for the bottom 20 per cent of the population compared to the top 20 per cent. ` The Oxfam India report also finds that institutional births and access to food supplements under the Integrated ` Global food prices have inflated by 40 Child Development Services (ICDS) are percent due to global warming and a 10 per cent less for Muslim households devastating economy in pandemic. as compared to Hindu households; and 8 per cent less children are immunised ` This surge in inflation has starved one in Muslim households. crore people across worldwide. ` When it comes to healthcare, people INDIA’S “INEQUALITY REPORT 2021: in general category are better off than INDIA’S UNEQUAL HEALTHCARE Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled S TO R Y " - OXFAM Tribes (ST) households; ` ` The report says that the absence of Hindus are better off than Muslims; the universal health coverage has starkly rich do better than the poor; men are better off than women; and the urban and disproportionately affected population fares better than the rural marginalised groups at a time when socio-economic inequalities in India THE STATE OF FOOD SECURITY AND are growing because of the Covid-19 NUTRITION IN THE WORLD 2021 REPORT pandemic

` 65.7 per cent of the households ` The annual UN-FAO report titled “The belonging to the general category State of Food Security and Nutrition have access to improved, non-shared in the World 2021” states that between sanitation facilities, only 25.9 per cent 720 and 811 million people in the world ST households have better, non-shared faced hunger in 2020, which is around sanitation facilities. 161 million more than in 2019.

62 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 63 ` The report was jointly produced by the ™ Asia: 418 million (More than half of world hunger population) ™ Africa: 282 million (One-third) ™ Latin America and the Caribbean: 60 million ™ Nearly 2.37 billion people did not have access to adequate food in 2020, an increase of 320 million people over 2019. ™  UN Food and Agriculture Children under 5 affected by stunting (low height-for-age): 22.0 percent Organization (FAO), (149.2 million)  The International Fund for ™ Children under 5 affected by wasting Agricultural Development (IFAD), (low weight-for-height): 6.7 per cent  The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), (45.4 million)  The World Food Programme (WFP) ™ Children under 5 who are overweight and (high weight-for-height): 5.7 per cent (38.9 million)  The World Health Organization (WHO). ™ Percentage of women of reproductive age affected by anaemia: 29.9% Key facts and figures ™ Percentage of infants aged below ™ Number of hungry people in 2020 6 months who were exclusively in the World: between 720 and 811 breastfed: 44% million

64 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY NEWS SPORTS

INDIAN-ORIGIN AMERICAN MITHALI RAJ BECOME HIGHEST RUN- ABHIMANYU MISHRA BECOMES SCORER YOUNGEST EVER CHESS GRANDMASTER

` Surpasses - England skipper Charlotte ` At 12 years, four months and 25 days, he Edwards obliterated the long-standing record held ` India captain Mithali Raj became the by Sergey Karjakin, who was 12 years and highest run-getter in women’s cricket seven months old when he attained the ` Mithali achieved this in ODI against hosts title. England Second largest stadium-at jaipur ` Three years ago, India’s R Praggnanandhaa had almost surpassed him but missed the ` India's first largest stadium - narendramodi opportunity by a whisker. stadium at ahmedabad Tokyo olympics ` Indian wrestler Sumit Malik has been banned for two years for doping. Indian flag bearers: WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 ` Paralymics- MariappanThangavelu- Para ` In the men category, Novak Djokovic high jumper defeated MatteoBerrettini ` Tokyo olympics- mary komman preet ` In women’s category, Ashleigh Barty of singh Australia beat Karolina Pliskova

SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 65 Wimbledon Junior Men’s title ` There is no universal minimum age ` Indian-American Samir Banerjee has for Olympians set by the International won the Wimbledon Junior Men`s title Olympic Committee, but individual sports have eligibility limits. Gymnasts, About the Wimbledon: for example, must be 16 years old to ` Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam compete at the Games, while boxers must tennis tournaments, which also includes have turned 18. Olympic skateboarding, the Australian Open, the French Open notably, has no minimum age requirement. and the US Open. OLYMPICS ` The tournament is held at the All England 2020- olympic games held in tokyo, japan Club in Wimbledon, London, since 1877. 2024- paris france 2022 KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES 2028- los angeles, california ` The state government of Haryana will organise the Khelo India Youth Games 2032- brisbane, queensland, australia 2021 in February 2022. PRAMOD BHAGAT: DIFFERENTLY ABLED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAr ` Earlier the sports show was scheduled to be held from November 21 to December ` Paralympic-bound shuttler Pramod 5, 2021, but has been shifted due to Bhagat named the Differently Abled the possible third wave of Covid-19 Sportsman of the Year at Indian Sports pandemic. Honour for 2019. ` Under 18 category ` Bhagat won two gold medals and a bronze Weightlifter MirabaiChanu bags silver medal in at the Dubai Para Badminton Tournament women’s 49 Kg weightlifting event today, brings this year. India it’s first medal in Tokyo Olympics ` Founded in 2017, Indian Sports Honours MOMIJI NISHIYA: JAPAN’S YOUNGEST are awards given annually by the RPSG GOLD MEDALLIST IN OLYMPICS Group in association with the Virat ` Momiji Nishiya, the 13-year-old Kohli Foundation to outstanding sports skateboarding player, became the personalities of India. youngest gold medallist from Japan as PRIYA MALIK WINS GOLD AT WORLD she won the women’s street skateboarding CADET WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP event of the 2020 Olympics. ` Indian Wrestler Priya Malik has won a ` The youngest Olympian in the modern Gold Medal at the 2021 World Cadet history of the games to win a medal was Wrestling Championship in Budapest, 10-year-old Dimitrios Loundras, a Greek gymnast who helped his team win a Hungary. She defeated Kseniya Patapovich bronze medal in team parallel bars at the 5-0 in the summit clash of women’s 73kg 1896 Athens Summer Games. weight category to win the yellow medal.

66 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 67 PERSONALITIES

LEGENDARY BOLLYWOOD ACTOR ` He was part of India’s historic feat at the DILIP KUMAR PASSES AWAY 1948 Olympics where they beat home team Britain 4-0 at the Wembley Stadium in London to win the first gold post Independence. SIRISHA BANDLA

` Legendary Bollywood actor Mohammed Yusuf Khan, known professionally as Dilip Kumar passed away at 98. ` He was popularly known as the tragedy ` India-origin woman SirishaBandla will king of Bollywood. travel to the space on July 11 ` He was last seen in the 1998 film Qila. ` This is significant as she will be the He was the first actor to win the Filmfare third woman of Indian origin to go to Award for Best Actor in 1954 and won it space after KalpanaChawla and Sunita a total of 8 times. Williams. ` He and Shah Rukh Khan jointly hold the ` Other indian who flys to space are record for most Filmfare trophies. -Rakeshsharma OLYMPIC GOLD-WINNING HOCKEY -Kalpanachawla LEGEND KESHAV DATT PASSES -Sunitawilliams AWAY ` Two-time Olympic gold medallist in ` In short B.C. Roy. Doctors' Day is hockey, KeshavDatt passed away. observed in his memory.

66 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 67 ` Born on July 1, 1882 in Patna, the capital ` In memory of Dr. PC Roy July 1 has been of Bihar. celebrated as National Doctors Day every ` He completed his MD, DSC, MRCP and year since 1991 in India. FRCS degrees in medicine during the ` , will always remain a dream unless British rule. the people are healthy and strong in mind ` Because of so many poor, vulnerable people, he often gave them free treatment and body. They can not be so unless mothers have the health and wisdom to ` Other then his health service, he also participated in the freedom struggle look after the children properly - Bidhan along with Mahatma Gandhi Chandra Roy ` He was a great leader in West Bengal DR. MUTHULAKSHMI during the freedom struggle ` After independence in 1948, he rose to become the Chief Minister of West Bengal. ` He served as Chief Minister for 12 years until 1960. ` Even after becoming chief minister, he didn’t gave up his service in medical field. ` Especially, every day he provided medical ` Dr. from treatment for poor and marginalized Pudukottai is the first person to achieve people at free of cost. various achievements at the national level. ` P.C. Roy was awarded the Bharat Ratna - The country's first female doctor by the Central Government in 1961 in recognition of his service. (1912) - Deputy Speaker ` He died on 1962, July - First Councilor elected to the Specialties Corporation of Chennai ` In 1962, the Medical Association of - First President of the Indian Women's India launched the “B.C. Roy Award” for Association remembarance of his service in medical - She had an achievement that doesn’t field. have an end. ` The awards have been presented annually - In the legislature, She fought for the since 1973 to outstanding individuals in abolition of the Devadasi system the fields of medicine, art, literature, and (1929) and she founded the famous service. Cancer Institute in Adyar. 68 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 69 YASH SHARMA MUHAMED YUNUS

` Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize winner, will receive the Olympic Laurel at the Tokyo Games

` Former Indian cricketer, Yashpal Sharma, who was a member of the Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, has passed away. ` He represented India in 37 Tests and 42 ` Yunus founded the in the ODIs 1980s and shared the Nobel Prize with the KADHAMBINI GANGULY micro-lender. ` His initiatives include the Yunus Sports Hub, a network of social enterprises that promote development through sports. DANISH SIDDIQUI

` KadambiniGanguly was the first woman in the British Empire to receive a BA, thus also the First Woman graduate of Calcutta University. ` She was also one of the first lady doctors of India. ` She was the first doctor of Bengal and ` Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian First woman delegate to address the photojournalist, Danish Siddiqui, has Indian National Congress. passed away, after he was killed in a clash while reporting a fight between ` *ChandramukhiBasu was another graduate from Calcutta University Afghan troops and the Taliban Kandahar around the same time. province in Afghanistan on July 13, 2021 68 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 69 ` He was a recipient of the prestigious ` In 1963, one of his works ‘Thirukkural Pulitzer Prize with six others working Katturai Thoguppu’ (Thirukkural as a photographer with Reuters news Essay Collection) was released by the agency in 2018. then Prime Minister . IRA ILANKUMARANAR ` In 2003, the then president APJ Abdul Kalam too released his book ‘Sanga ` Renowned Tamil scholar Ira Ilakkiya Varisaiyil Purananooru’. Ilankumaranar, breathed his last on NANDU NATEKAR the night of July 25 at his residence in Madurai, due to age related health issues. ` He was known for conducting nearly 5,000 marriages in the ancient Tamil traditional way, which he called ‘Aadhi Tamil Murai Thirumanam’.

` Legendary Indian badminton player Nandu Natekar, who became the first Indian to win the international title in 1956, has passed away.

` He was the recipient of the first Arjuna

His Works Award, instituted in 1961. ` He wrote more than 500 books on Tamil RAKESH ASTHANA history, literature and grammar, one of ` Border Security Force (BSF) Director his greatest achievements was to retrieve General (DG), Rakesh Asthana has the work ‘Kakkaipadiniyam’. been appointed as the Delhi Police ‘KAKKAIPADINIYAM’ Commissioner ` It was the only grammar work done by a ` woman Tamil poet named Kakkaipadini The Appointments Committee of the in the 6th century AD. Cabinet has extended Asthana’s service ` It is claimed that it was the first grammar initially for a period of one year beyond work done by a woman in any language the date of his superannuation or until in the world. further order, whichever is earlier. 70 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 71 AWARDS

DECODING SHANKAR’, WINS ` It is the national investment promotion AT TORONTO INTERNATIONAL and facilitation agency. WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL ` Invest India focuses on sector-specific Filmmaker DeeptiPillay Sivan’s most touted investor targeting and the development documentary, “Decoding Shankar” about the life and career of the celebrated musician of new partnerships to enable sustainable Shankar Mahadevan, recently won the Best investments in India. Film Award in the Documentary section (Best KAUSHIK BASU AWARDED Biographical) at the Toronto International PRESTIGIOUS HUMBOLDT Women Film Festival, 2021. RESEARCH AWARD

` Indian economist KaushikBasu has been awarded the Humboldt Research Award for Economics.

INVEST INDIA WON THE MOST INNOVATIVE INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY 2021 AWARD

` Invest India has been awarded the world’s most innovative Investment Promotion ` This prestigious award is sponsored by Agency 2021 by OCO Global. the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and awarded to as many as 100 recipients About Invest India: each year. ` Invest India, set up in 2009, is a non- profit venture under the Department ` A former chief economist of the World for Promotion of Industry and Internal Bank, Basu is currently a professor of Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Economics at Cornell University. He also Industry, Government of India. served as the Government of India’s chief

70 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 71 economic advisor from 2009 to 2012. UNDP EQUATOR PRIZE 2021 Basu is also a recipient of the , the third-highest civilian award 2-Indian organisations win this prize in India. 1. AadhimalaiPazhangudiyinar OMCHERY N N PILLAI Producer Company Limited and 1. Snehakunja Trust are among the 10 awardees of the prestigious Equator Prize 2021 for their work in the field of conservation and biodiversity.

` Journalist and playwright Omchery N NPillai has been selected for the Bahrain KeraleeyaSamajam (BKS)’s Literary Award for 2021. ` The award constitutes a cash prize of `50,000 and a citation acknowledging the achievement. ` The UNDP gives this biennial award to ` The award ceremony will be held later recognize community efforts to reduce in Delhi. “His enormous contributions poverty through the conservation and as a whole to Malayalam language sustainable use of biodiversity. and literature are remarkable, which ultimately led to this award. About the AadhimalaiPazhangudiyinar Producer Company Limited: CANNES 2021- BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD ` AadhimalaiPazhangudiyinar Producer Company Limited is a 1,700-member ` Director PayalKapadia’s, “A Night cooperative, managed and run entirely of Knowing Nothing” won the by indigenous people from the Nilgiri Oeild’or (Golden Eye) award for best Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu documentary at the 74th Cannes Film ` It work in the past eight years has Festival. improved livelihood across 147 villages ` Kapadia, an alumna of the Film & by processing and marketing a diverse Television Institute of India (FTII), is range of forest produce and crops. known for her films nda documentary About the Snehakunja Trust:  What is the Summer Saying (2018) ` Snehakunja Trust has protected sensitive and wetland and coastal ecosystems in the  Last Mango Before the Monsoon, Western Ghats and the Karnataka coast 2015 short, to her credit. for 45 years with a focus on community- based restoration and conservation. 72 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 73 NEWS DEFENCE

AKASH-NG ` Miniaturised Infrared Imaging seeker ` Major boost to Army and AatmaNirbhar Bharat ` The missile is incorporated with state-of- the-art Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test brings the development of indigenous ` New Generation surface-to-air Missile third generation man portable Anti-Tank ` High manoeuvrability to neutralise aerial Guided Missile close to completion. threats INDIA’S 1 INDIGENOUS DRONE ` Boost to Air Defence capabilities of Indian DEFENCE DOME Air Force ` Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force. MPATGM ` ‘Indrajaal’ has been developed by Hyderabad-based Grene Robotics. ` The drone defence dome – ‘Indrajaal’ is capable of autonomously protecting an area of 1000-2000 sq km against aerial threats.

` Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile ` It protects the area by assessing (MPATGM) and acting on aerial threats such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), ` Low weight, fire and forget Man Portable and Low- Radar Cross Section (RCS) Anti-tank Guided Missile targets.

72 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 73 WAR MEMORIAL FOR INDIAN ` In this operation, the entire Pakistani SOLDIERS AT CASSINO, ITALY post was destroyed, killing 17 Pakistani soldiers ` In the Battle of Monte Cassino during World War II, over 5,000 Indian soldiers MINISTRY OF DEFENCE IMPLEMENTS laid down their lives while fighting to SPARSH SYSTEM save Italy from fascist forces. ` Ministry of Defence has implemented ` Nearly 50,000 Indians were enlisted for SPARSH (System for Pension Italy’s liberation between September Administration Raksha), an integrated 1943 and April 1945. Both the UK and system for automation of sanction and Italy are important partners for India disbursement of defence pension. This in the fields of defence, healthcare, web-based system processes pension aerospace, education, clean technology, claims and credits pension directly into renewable energy and information and the bank accounts of defence pensioners communication technology among without relying on any external others. intermediary. WAR MEMORIAL OF CAPT About the SPARSH: GURJINDER SINGH SURI ` SPARSH envisages the establishment ` On the occasion of the birthday of of Service Centres to provide last-mile connectivity to pensioners who may be Captain Gurjinder Singh Suri, who died unable to directly access the SPARSH during the operation “BirsaMunda” in portal for any reason 1999, the Indian Army inaugurated a war memorial in memory of Captain in TTX-2021 Gulmarg near the Line of Control (LOC). ` Top defence officials from India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives participated in a virtual trilateral tabletop exercise “TTX-2021”. ` The exercise focused on maritime crimes like curbing narcotics and assistance in maritime search and rescue in the region About the exercise: TTX-2021 exemplifies the deep trilateral About the Operation BirsaMunda: engagement between India-Maldives-Sri Lanka ` Operation BirsaMunda was a punitive Interaction between the three neighbouring raid conducted against a Pakistani post countries in the Indian Ocean Region by a Bihar battalion of the Indian Army, (IOR) has also grown significantly in recent in the month of November 1999. years, in consonance with India”s policy 74 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 75 of''Neighbourhood First” and vision of INDRA 2021 ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region (SAGAR). MISSION SAGAR (SECURITY AND GROWTH FOR ALL IN THE REGION)

` SAGAR is a term coined by PM Modi in 2015 during his Mauritius visit with a focus on the blue economy. ` 12th Edition of Indo-Russia joint ` It is a maritime initiative which gives military Exercise INDRA 2021 will be priority to the Indian Ocean region for held at Volgograd, Russia from 01 to 13 ensuring peace, stability and prosperity August 2021. of India in the Indian Ocean region. ` The exercise will entail conduct of counter terror operations under the ` The goal is United Nations mandate by a joint force  to seek a climate of trust and against international terror groups. transparency; ` The 11th edition of the exercise was held  respect for international maritime on 4th September 2020 in the Andaman rules and norms by all countries; Sea.  sensitivity to each other`s interests; ` 250 personnel from both the nations will form part of the exercise.  peaceful resolution of maritime issues; and ` The Indian Army contingent comprising of a Mechanised Infantry Battalion  increase in maritime cooperation. underwent rigorous training at different ` It is in line with the principles of the locations in India to refine their drills for Indian Ocean Rim Association. participation in the joint exercise.

74 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 75 BOOKS AND AUTHORS

NAT HURAM GODSE: THE TRUE THE LIGHT OF ASIA” STORY OF GANDHI’S ASSASSIN” - Authored by jairam - It is a biography of an epic bio-poem - Author- DhavalKulkarni on the Buddha. - This book is about biography POETS AND WRITERS - GEMS of NathuramGodse, Mahatma OF DECCAN' Gandhi’s infamous assassin. LADY DOCTORS: THE UNTOLD Authored by senior journalist, Shri J.S. Ifthekhar STORIES OF INDIA’S FIRST WOMEN IN MEDICINE About the book ` ‘Gems of Deccan’ is an anthology of - Authored by KavithaRao prose and poetry that encapsulates the - This book recovers the stories of life and works of 51 outstanding poets India’s first women doctors. and writers of the Deccan region. - Some of the india's well known women ` The book traces the rich literary and doctors areKadambiniganguly, cultural traditions of Deccan, right from Muthulakshmireddyand others. the time of Muhammad QuliQutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, to the present THE FOURTH LION: ESSAYS FOR times. GOPALKRISHNA GANDHI’ Origin of Urdu Language - Authored by Venu Madhav Govindu ` Origin of Urdu had taken place in Punjab and Srinath Raghavan. The book state of India. consists of twenty-six essays ` The great poet AmeerKhusro, in his book contributed by individuals drawn ‘Ghurrat-ul- Kamal’ had written that from various walks of life and from MasoodLahori a renowned poet born in across the globe. 76 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 77 Lahore in 11th century had composed THE ART OF CONJURING ALTERNATE poetry in Hindvi (Urdu) which is also REALITIES called Dehlavi. ` Authored by Shivam Shankar Singh and ` This shows that Urdu was very much AnandVenkatanarayanan. originated from Punjab ` This book widely talks about how ` Before it is called Urdu, it was familiar information warfare is shaping your life with other names including Hindustani, and world. Hindavi, Dehlavi and . THE STRUGGLE WITHIN: A MEMOIR ` The subject, object, auxiliary, verb, OF THE EMERGENCY AUTHORED BY grammar, tenses of Urdu are very much ASHOK CHAKRAVARTI. Indian and like the Hindi language. ` A Memoir of the Emergency- It deals ` As per the historical references after its with one of independent India’s darkest origin in Punjab, Urdu got developed hours during the emergency period. and flourished in Delhi along with part ` The Emergency (1975-1977) was one of of Haryana state and some states in South independent India’s darkest hours. where it was developed in the form of ` In that period, Over 150,000 people ‘Dakhni (Deccani) language’. were imprisoned without trial; as many ` Urdu flourished in Delhi during the as eleven million forcibly sterilized, period of ‘’ from 12th to and countless killed in police firings or 16th century and then during the period otherwise eliminated. of ‘Mughal Empire’ in Delhi from 16th The India Story’ century to 19th century. ` Authored by BimalJalan Urdu’s official status ` Former RBI governor BimalJalan writes a ` It is one of the officials’ languages under new book titled ‘The India Story’. the Constitution of India, it is among the 15 Indian Languages written on the ` The book focuses on India’s economic Indian Currency notes. history and aims to provide lessons for the future of India’s political economy. ` I official languages in states like Kashmir, Telangana, UP, Bihar, New Delhi and ` He also authored the books ‘India Then West Bengal. and Now’, ‘India Ahead’. 76 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 77 IMPORTANT DAYS

ICAI, CA Day is celebrated to honour the NATIONAL POSTAL WORKER DAY: 01 Chartered Accountant. JULY

` About the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI): ` ICAI is India’s national professional ` The National Postal Worker Day is accounting body and also the second marked every year on July 1 globally in biggest accounting organization in the recognition of the contribution made by postal workers in our society. world. ` The day was initiated by a popular postal ` The Institute of Chartered Accountants service provider from Seattle, the United of India (ICAI) was established on this States of America in 1997 to felicitate and day in the year 1949 under an Act passed honour the co-postal workers for their dedication in Parliament. NATIONAL CHARTERED ` The ICAI is the sole licensing and ACCOUNTANTS DAY: 01 JULY regulatory body for the financial audit ` National Chartered Accountants Day or and accounting profession in India. CA Day is celebrated on July 1 every year. This day is celebrated to commemorate NATIONAL DOCTORS’ DAY: 01 JULY the finding of the Institute of Chartered ` Accountants of India (ICAI) by the The National Doctors’ Day is organized parliament of India in 1949. Every year on 01 July annually in India by the on the day of the establishment of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The

78 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 79 day is celebrated to honour the great the 70th anniversary of the foundation physicians and help us understand the of the organization. AIPS was formed on July 2 of 1924, during the Summer importance of doctors in our lives and Olympics in Paris. value them, to offer them our respects WORLD UFO DAY: 02 JULY by commemorating one of their greatest representatives.

` It is a day dedicated to the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) History of the day: by the World UFO Day Organization (WUFODO). WUD aims to raise ` The day commemorates the birth awareness about the existence of UFOs anniversary of the second Chief Minister and encouraging people to think about of West Bengal, DrBidhan Chandra Roy the possibility of us not being alone in who was born on July 1, 1882, and died the Universe. on the same date in 1962 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WORLD SPORTS JOURNALISTS DAY: COOPERATIVES: 3 JULY 0 2 J U LY

` The United Nations celebrates the ` World Sports Journalists Day is observed International Day of Cooperatives every nd globally on 2 July every year. The day year on the first Saturday of July to aims to acknowledge the work of sports increase awareness of cooperatives. In journalists & to encourage them to do the year 2021, the International Day of better at their work. Sports journalists Cooperatives will be celebrated on 3rd help millions of people in the world to July with a focus on the contribution receive information on various sports of cooperatives to combating climate History of the day: change. ` World Sports Journalist Day was ` This July 3rd, the International Day of established by the International Sports Cooperatives (#CoopsDay) will be Press Association (AIPS) in 1994 to mark celebrated as “Rebuild better together”. 78 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 79 Cooperatives around the world will ` The United Nations has set up a showcase how they are meeting the population fund (UNFPA) and a COVID-19 pandemic crisis with population division to plan programmes - solidarity and resilience and offering to highlight and disseminate information communities a people-centred and about population control measures. environmentally just recovery. Theme of World Population Day 2021 WORLD ZOONOSES DAY: 6 JULY ` This year, the theme of World Population Day 2021 is 'the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fertility'.

` It will be observed to shed more light on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health and ` World Zoonoses Day is held every reproductive behaviour globally. year on July 6 to raise awareness of the ` organised by the Population Division risk of zoonotic diseases. Zoonoses are of the United Nations Department of infectious diseases (virus, bacteria and Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). parasites) that can spread from animals GOVERNMENT SCHEMES TO to humans, and vice versa, either with CONTROL POPULATION direct contact with animals or indirectly, vector-borne or food-borne ` Mission ParivarVikas- substantially increasing access to contraceptives and ` It was on July 6, 1885, when Louis family planning services in 146 high Pasteur successfully administered the fertility districts with Total Fertility Rate first vaccine against Rabies virus, which (TFR) of 3 and above in seven high focus is a zoonotic disease. states WORLD POPULATION DAY - JULY 11 ` New Contraceptive Choices ` Compensation scheme for sterilization World Population Day is observed every acceptors year on July 11. ` Scheme for Home delivery of ` Purpose - is to draw attention towards contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of the issues arising out of rising population beneficiaries. across the globe. ` Scheme for ASHAs to Ensure spacing in births. ` India has the world’s second-largest ` Scheme for provision of Pregnancy populace after China. Testing Kits 80 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 81 ` National Family Planning Indemnity Awards and honours Scheme (NFPIS) under which clients ` 2012- National youth peace prize are insured in the eventualities of death, ` 2014- Nobel Peace Prize complication and failure following sterilization. ` The UN has declared her as “the most famous teenager in the world” in its ` Appointment of dedicated RMNCH+A Decade in Review report in late 2019 counselors at high case load facilities. ` documentary- He Named Me Malala, ` Improved Demand generation activities ` Books through a 360 degree media campaign. ` I Am Malala- Co author Achievements: ` We are displaced ` The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 2.2 (SRS 2017). WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY 2021- J U LY 1 5 ` The Crude Birth Rate has declined from 23.8 to 20.2 from 2005 to 2017 (SRS). ` United Nations celebrates World Youth ` The Teenage birth rate has halved from Skills Day globally on 15 July every year. 16% (NFHS III) to 8% (NFHS IV). ` The day is celebrated as an opportunity for ` National Population Policy, 2000 young people, technical and vocational Goals were formulated to be achieved by education and training (TVET) 2010 institutions, and public and private sector Others stakeholders to acknowledge as well as Uttar Pradesh government launches celebrate the importance of equipping population policy- young people with skills for employment, Aim decent work and entrepreneurship. ` Stabilize the population by 2050 The theme of World Youth Skills Day 2021 ` Trying to reduce the population growth is “Reimagining Youth Skills Post- to 2.1% Pandemic”. WORLD MALALA DAY: 12 JULY

` The United Nations has declared 12th July as World Malala Day to honour the young activist, MalalaYousafzai. ` Malala Day is commemorated, the ` birthday of MalalaYousafzai, to honour In 2014, the United Nations General women and children’s rights around the Assembly declared 15 July as World world. 80 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 81 Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic ` In 1993, and Frederik importance of equipping young people Willem de Klerk were jointly awarded with skills for employment, decent work the Nobel Peace Prize ‘for their work for and entrepreneurship. the peaceful termination of the apartheid NELSON MANDELA INTERNATIONAL regime, and for laying the foundations DAY CELEBRATED ON 18 JULY for a new democratic South Africa.’

` He was awarded with Gandhi peace prize on 2001 WORLD DAY FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE: 17 JULY

` The World Day for International Justice, ` TheUnited Nations observes 18 July every (also known as Day of International year as Nelson Mandela International Criminal Justice or International Justice Day. Day), is celebrated globally on July 17 to ` The day acknowledges Nelson Mandela’s support and recognize the work of the contribution to the struggle for democracy International Criminal Court (ICC). internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. ` The day marks the anniversary of the ` Nelson Mandela Day is an occasion for adoption of the Rome Statute on July all to take action and inspire change. 17, 1998, the treaty that created the International Criminal Court. Nelson Mandela SCIENCE EXPLORATION DAY: 20 JULY ` Nelson Mandela was born as Nelson Rolihla Mandela in Transkei, South ` Science Exploration Day (also called Moon Africa on 18 July, 1918 Day) is marked every year on 20 July. ` Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) had ` It was on this day in 1969 that Neil dedicated his life fighting for human rights and he believed that everyone has Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin the potential to make a difference in their became the first humans to land on the communities for the world to be a better Moon’s surface. place. ` To commemorate their achievement, the ` He joined the African National Congress day was declared a holiday in 1984 by in 1944 when he helped to form the ANC the then President of the United States, Youth League (ANCYL). Ronald Reagan.

82 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 83 INTERNATIONAL CHESS DAY: 20 JULY ` In India, the Income Tax Day is celebrated every year on July 24, as it was on 24 July ` The International Chess Day is celebrated 1980 that Income Tax was introduced annually on July 20, since 1966, to for the first time in India by Sir James celebrate one of the most ancient and Wilson. most popular games in history that ` The purpose of this tax was to promote fairness, equality, mutual respect compensate for the losses incurred by and understanding among nations. the British regime during the first war of independence against British Rule in 1857. ` July 24 was first celebrated as Income Tax day in 2010. ` It was on this day that the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded, in WORLD BRAIN DAY- JULY 22 1924. About the chess: ` Invented in India in the fifth century, this board game was originally named “Chaturanga”. Chess is likely one of the oldest games of this era. After the ` The World Federation of Neurology development of the game in India, it (WFN) celebrates World Brain Day on eventually spread to Persia. every July 22, focusing on a different ` The first modern chess tournament was theme each year. held in London in 1851 and won by ` Many public awareness programmes and German Adolf Anderssen. On July 20, educational & social media activities 1924, at the eighth summer Olympic are promoting the movement to stop games in Paris, France, the FIDE (World multiple sclerosis, commencing July 22, Chess Federation) was founded 2021, & continuing until October 2022. AAYKAR DIWAS (INCOME TAX DAY) - J U LY 24 ` The theme for this World Brain Day is “Stop Multiple Sclerosis”. World Brain ` The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) observed the 161st Income Tax Day advocates early diagnosis of this Day (also known as AaykarDiwas) on 24 condition that can help improve the July 2021. quality of life of the patient.

82 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 83 WORLD DROWNING PREVENTION Hindus as a day to mark reverence to DAY: 25 JULY their gurus. Note: Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din is observed on 14 October to commemorate the day when B. R. Ambedkar, embraced Buddhism with approximately 600,000 of his followers on Vijaya Dashami on 14 October 1956 at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur. ` World Drowning Prevention Day, KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS-26 JULY declared through the April 2021 UN General Assembly Resolution “Global drowning prevention”, is held annually on 25 July.

` This global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families ` On 26th July 2021, we are celebrating the and communities and to offer life-saving 22nd year of Kargil Vijay Diwas. solutions to prevent it. ` Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every CHAKRA DAY 2021 year on July 26 since the year 1999, to

` On ‘Asaadh Poornima’ (July 24) Dharma mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the Chakra Day 2021 was observed. Kargil conflict (infiltration of Pakistani Army and capturing Indian posts at high ` Dharma Chakra Day commemorates altitudes). Buddha's first sermon to his first five ascetic disciples at the Deer Park, ` The Kargil War was fought for more than Isipatana in the present day Sarnath near 60 days between May-July of 1999 in the Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir ` The day is also celebrated by Buddhists along the Line of Control (LoC) and all over the world as the day of Dharma ended on 26th July. Chakra Parvattana or "Turning of the ` India responded with ‘Operation Vijay’ Wheel of Dharma ''. (by Indian Army) and ‘Operation White ` This day is also aptly observed as Guru Sea’ (Indian Air Force) to flush out Poornima by both Buddhists and Pakistani troops.

84 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 85 CRPF OBSERVES 83RD RAISING DAY ON (or World Day) is celebrated 27 JULY annually on 26 July.

` The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), ` The day is celebrated to raise awareness of rd observed its 83 Raising Day on 27 July the importance of mangrove ecosystems 2021. as “a unique, special and vulnerable ` CRPF is India’s largest Central Armed ecosystem” and to promote solutions Police Force, under the authority of the for their sustainable management, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). conservation and uses. ` Its headquarter is located in New Delhi. ` The day was adopted by the General ` It came into existence as the Crown Conference of the UN Educational, Representative’s Police on 27 July 1939. Scientific and Cultural Organization ` After Indian Independence, it became (UNESCO) in 2015. the Central Reserve Police Force on the enactment of the CRPF Act on 28 December 1949. ` Mangroves are a special type of vegetation. And they are found in the intertidal regions where freshwater and saltwater intermixes, in the bays, estuaries, creeks, and lagoons. ` They are the salt-tolerant variety of plants, which can survive in harsh conditions. ` And they are economically and INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ecologically significant. CONSERVATION OF THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM-26TH J U LY WORLD HEPATITIS DAY CELEBRATED ON 28TH J U LY

` The World Health Organization observes 28th July every year as “World Hepatitis Day”.

` This day is celebrated to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis, an ` The International Day for the inflammation of the liver that causes Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem a range of health problems, including

84 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 85 liver cancer. This year's theme of World Treatment: Hepatitis Day 2021 is ‘Hepatitis Can’t ` Hepatitis A and E are self-limiting Wa i t ’. diseases (i.e. go away on their own) and require no specific antiviral medications. ` For Hepatitis B and C, effective medications are available. India ` 40 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis B virus and 6 to 12 million Hepatitis with Hepatitis C virus. ` inflammation of the liver — the irritation ` In 2018, the government launched or swelling of the liver cells from any the National Viral Hepatitis Program. cause. The program is the largest program ` It can be acute (inflammation of the for Hepatitis B and C diagnosis and liver that presents with sickness — treatment in the world. jaundice, fever, vomiting) or chronic ` Hepatitis B is included under India's (inflammation of the liver that lasts more Universal Immunization Programme than six months, but essentially showing (UIP) which provides free of cost no symptoms). vaccination against eleven (excluding Causes: Hepatitis B) vaccine-preventable ` Usually caused by a group of viruses diseases i.e. Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, known as the “hepatotropic” (liver Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Pneumonia directed) viruses, including A, B, C, D and Meningitis due to Haemophilus and E. Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus ` Other viruses may also cause it, such as diarrhoea. the varicella virus that causes chicken ` pox. SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand became the first four countries in the Covid-19 may injure the liver, too. World Health Organization’s Southeast ` Other causes include drugs and alcohol Asia region to have successfully abuse, fat buildup in the liver (fatty liver controlled Hepatitis B. hepatitis) or an autoimmune process in HIV-AIDS - 1st December which a person’s body makes antibodies TB- 24th March that attack the liver (autoimmune hepatitis). Malaria- 25th April and 86 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 87 Hepatitis- 28th july History of International Tiger Day:

The World Health Organization ` The Global Tiger Day came into being (WHO) officially endorses disease- during the signing of the Saint Petersburg specific global awareness days. declaration by 13 tiger range countries in WORLD DAY : 2 8TH J U LY 2010 in Russia. ` The governments of these tiger range ` World Nature Conservation Day is countries had resolved to encourage observed on 28th July every year. conservation, protect natural habitats ` The main objective of celebrating this and double the number of tigers by 2022. day is to raise awareness about protecting nature and adopting best practices for ` Poaching and the illegal trade of tiger conserving our natural resources. body parts like bone and skin has posed INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY: 29 JULY the biggest threat to wild tigers.

` The demand for tiger body parts has increased the poaching and trafficking of wild cats. TIGER RESERVES-Protected Areas to Conserve Tigers ` Global Tiger Day or International Tiger ` was launched by the Day is observed on 29th July every year Government of India in the year 1973 to to raise awareness about the declining population of wild cats and make efforts save the of tiger in to conserve them. the country. ` The goal of the day is to promote a global ` Administrated by NATIONAL TIGER system for protecting the natural habitats CONSERVATION AUTHORITY of tigers and to raise public awareness TIGER RESERVES IN TAMILNADU and support for issues. 1. KALAKAD MUNDATHURAI This year marks the 11th International Tiger Day. 2. ANNAMALAI ` The theme/Slogan for the 2021 3. International Tiger Day celebration is 4. MUDUMALAI “Their Survival is in our hands”.

86 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 87 NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION Board consists of AUTHORITY ` Chairperson – Ministry Of Environment And Forest The National Tiger Conservation Authority ` Vice chairperson - the Minister of State in (NTCA) is a statutory body under the Ministry the Ministry of Environment and Forests of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (as Vice-Chairperson), constituted under section 38 L (1) Wildlife ` Three members of Parliament, (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, ` Secretary, for strengthening tiger conservation ` Ministry of Environment and Forests and The objectives of NTCA are: Functions- Section 38 O (1) of the wild life protection act 1972 1. Providing statutory authority to 1. to approve the tiger conservation plan Project Tiger so that compliance of prepared by the State Government its directives become legal. under section 38 O (1) (a) of this Act 2. Fostering accountability of Center- 2. evaluate and assess various aspects of State in management of Tiger sustainable ecology and disallow any Reserves, by providing a basis for ecologically unsustainable land use MoU with States within our federal such as, mining, industry and other structure. projects within the tiger reserves 3. lay down normative standards for 3. Providing for an oversight by tourism activities and guidelines for Parliament. project tiger from time to time for 4. Addressing livelihood interests of tiger conservation in the buffer and local people in areas surrounding core area of tiger reserves and ensure Tiger Reserves. their due compliance

88 SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY TNPSC BITS

` Mumbai Samachar, India's oldest 1. Nepal Capital: Kathmandu; running newspaper, enters its 200th year 2. Nepal Currency: Nepalese rupee; ` Renowned Odia poet DrRajendra 3. Nepal President: Bidhya Devi Kishore Panda has been awarded the Bhandari. KuvempuRashtriyaPuraskar PINK BOOTH- JAMMU AND ` NitinGadkari inaugurates India’s first KASHMIR private LNG Facility plant at Nagpur. All women pink booth for covid 19 vaccination LNG is a clean, pollution-free and cost- centre set up at J&K Udhampur district hospital effective liquid fuel, which is also easy to store and reduces logistics costs. PINK PROTECTION PROJECT FOR SAFETY OF WOMEN ` India’s first Cryptogamic Garden Inaugurated in Uttarakhand. with around ` The eralaK Police has launched a new 50 different species grown, has been initiative called the "Pink Protection" inaugurated in Deoban area of Dehradun project for the protection of women in in Uttarakhand. public, private and digital spaces What is Cryptogamae? ` The "Pink Protection" project aims to  Cryptogamae means “hidden prevent dowry-related issues, cyber- reproduction” referring to the fact bullying and humiliation in public that no seed, no flowers are produced. places. The project has 10 components, Thus, cryptogams represent the one of which is activating the existing non-seed bearing plants. Algae, Pink Police Patrol system. bryophytes (moss, liverworts), ` The system has been named "Pink lichens, ferns and fungi are the best- Janamaithri Beat", under which police known groups of cryptogams that officials will conduct regular house require moist conditions to survive. visits to collect information on domestic ` SherBahadurDeuba becomes Nepal’s violence. They will collect information Prime Minister for 5th time from Panchayat members, neighbours

SIVARAJAVEL IAS ACADEMY 89 and other locals and hand it over to the Preventive Conservation, Epigraphy and Station House Officers for further action. Numismatics, Manuscriptology as well as ` The Pink Beat system, in which specially conservation training facilities to in-service trained women police officers have been employees and students of the institute. deployed, will be present at Karnataka 3D PRINTED STEEL BRIDGE State Road Transport Corporation The world’s first 3D-printed steel bridge (KSRTC) and private buses and in front was opened to the public in Amsterdam, of schools, colleges and other public Netherlands places including bus stops. Pink control About the bridge: rooms have been set up in all 14 districts to coordinate the activities. ` The 12-metre-long steel structure will be PERUMKULAM KERALA'S FIRST a ‘living laboratory’ that will capture and BOOK VILLAGE transmit data on its health in real-time to show how it changes over its lifespan. Perumkulam is a small village in Kulakkada ` The length of the bridge is nearly 40 feet. near Kottarakkara in Kollam district. It is a 6-ton stainless steel structure BapujiSmarakaGrandhasala’, a library in UNESCO REMOVES LIVERPOOL the village is at the forefront in this effort of FROM WORLD HERITAGE LIST making it the first book village of the State INDIAN INSTITUTE OF HERITAGE The UN’s cultural agency UNESCO has voted narrowly to remove Liverpool’s waterfront from The government has decided to set up the its list of world heritage sites, citing concerns Indian Institute of Heritage at Noida, Gautam about Buddha Nagar. ` Overdevelopment, including plans for a SIGNIFICANCE new football stadium. This will impact higher education and NEW CHIEF MINISTERS research in the field of rich Indian heritage UTTARAKHAND: PUSHKAR SINGH and its conservation, leading to Masters and DHAMI PhD courses in History of Arts, Conservation, Museology, Archival Studies, Archaeology, KARNATAKA- BASAVARAJ BOMMAI

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