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MARITIME SUMMIT 2021 • The earliest evidence of the caracal in the subcontinent comes from a fossil dating Why In News? back to the civilisation of the Indus Valley Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will c. 3000-2000 BC, according to a reference inaugurate ‘Maritime India Summit 2021’ on in ‘Historical and current extent of 2nd March via video conferencing occurrence of the Caracal in India’, one of the few published studies on the animal. About Maritime India Summit 2021 Do you know? • The Maritime India Summit 2021 is • Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-88) had siyah- being organized by the Ministry of Ports, goshdarkhana, stables that housed large Shipping and Waterways on a virtual numbers of coursing caracal. It finds platform mention in Abul Fazl’s Akbarnama, as a • The Summit will visualize a roadmap for hunting animal in the time of Akbar (1556- India’s Maritime sector for next decade 1605). Descriptions and illustrations of the caracal can be found in medieval texts and will work to propel India to the such as the Anvar-i-Suhayli, Tutinama, forefront of the Global Maritime Sector. Khamsa-e-Nizami, and Shahnameh. • Speakers from several countries will attend • The caracal’s use as a coursing animal the Summit and explore the potential is believed to have taken it far beyond its business opportunities and investments natural range to places like Ladakh in in the Indian Maritime domain. Denmark the north to Bengal in the east. The East India Company’s Robert Clive is said to is the partner country for the three-day have been presented with a caracal after summit. he defeated Siraj-ud-daullah in the Battle of Plassey (1757). Source: PIB Source: Indian express CARACAL NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION Syllabus section: Environment and ecology Syllabus section: economy Why in News? Why in News? Recently The National Board for Wildlife and The National Bamboo Mission anchored at Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and the Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Climate Change month included the caracal, Farmers Welfare organized a two-day conference a medium-sized wildcat found in parts of ‘National Consultation on Opportunities and and , in the list of critically Challenges for Bamboo in India’ through endangered species. the virtual platform on the 25th and 26th of February 2021. About: About: • Besides India, the caracal is found in • NITI Aayog and Invest India also joined several dozen countries across Africa, the hands with the National Bamboo Mission Middle East, Central and South Asia. to conduct the event. • While it flourishes in parts of Africa, its • The aim of the brainstorming session was numbers in Asia are declining. to deliberate on the bamboo ecosystem for promoting the holistic growth of the sector • The wildcat has long legs, a short face, across the entire value chain. long canine teeth, and distinctive ears — • The deliberations of experts and long and pointy, with tufts of black hair at stakeholders from various fields would their tips. further accelerate the efforts of the • Name: The iconic ears are what give the National Bamboo Mission to pinpoint animal its name — caracal comes from the solutions to issues facing the sector. • This conference provided benefit because of Turkish karakulak, meaning ‘black ears’. the participation of eminent professionals In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian related to bamboo farming, innovation, name that translates as ‘black Ear’. A research, industry, entrepreneurs, and Sanskrit fable exists about a small wild attendees from research institutes, cat named deergha-karn or ‘long-eared’. farmers and entrepreneurs. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 1 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• It held discussions on all subjects related Source: DD News to the bamboo industry starting from planting material to high-end engineered “SUGAMYA BHARAT APP” AND “ACCESS products & marketing. - THE PHOTO DIGEST”| 01 MARCH • The topics of discussion in the conference Why in News? include- Union Minister for Social justice and Ø Bamboo for Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot will Ø Promoting Exports & Global Branding, virtually launch the “Sugamya Bharat App” Ø Availability of Feedstock & Plantations, and a handbook entitled “Access – The Photo Ø Innovations, Research & Development, Digest”. Ø Skill Development and About: Ø Access to Institutional Credit & International Cooperation. Sugamya Bharat APP • It is a Crowdsourcing Mobile Application. Some important ideas/challenges that emerge • It is meant for sensitizing and enhancing from the discussions were as follows: accessibility in the 3 pillars of the Ø Adoption of agro-forestry models by Accessible India Campaign i.e. built the farmers, especially to tide over the environment, transportation sector and initial 3-4 years of gestation of bamboo ICT ecosystem in India. plantation • The app provides for five main features, 4 Ø Intercropping with ginger, pulses, of which are directly related to enhancing lemongrass, etc were suggested as a viable accessibility, while the fifth is a special option. feature meant only for Divyangjan for Ø Use of good credible planting material and COVID-related issues. improved agronomic practices to increase • The accessibility-related features yields were considered to be absolutely are: the registration of complaints of vital for the sector. inaccessibility across the 3 broad pillars Ø Plantations on culturable wastelands of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan; positive should be encouraged on a large scale to feedback of examples and best practices provide feed stock to the industry. worth emulating being shared by people Ø Integrated primary processing units for as jan-bhagidhari; Departmental updates; the complete utilization of bamboo i.e. a and guidelines and circulars related to zero waste policy would lead to optimum accessibility. use of bamboo in the country. • It is available in 10 regional languages, What else can be done? namely, Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, • To overcome the issue of high transport Odiya, Kannada, Telugu, Gujarati, cost especially from the North Eastern Punjabi, and Malayalam. Region, use of waterways and transport • DEPwD has also prepared a handbook subsidy options need to be explored. entitled “Access - The Photo Digest” with • Incentives available across sectors for a collection of photographs from across bamboo need to be compiled for use by different States and UTs potential entrepreneurs. Source: PIB • Steps need to be taken to encourage startups, entrepreneurship in the bamboo EWS IMPULSE -CITY INNOVATION sector. EXCHANGE (CIX)| 02 MARCH • The GeM portal will create a dedicated Syllabus section: society window for registration of bamboo products to add visibility of bamboo Why in News? products in the electronic market space City Innovation Exchange (CiX) Launched for for Government procurement. Fostering Innovation in Urban Ecosystem. • The need for mass production related to bamboo in areas such as construction, About: bio CNG, ethanol etc. would provide a real • The platform will be a significant addition fillip to the sector and add to the income to the growing innovation ecosystem of of farmers. Import substitution should India and focuses on fostering innovative be an important aim such as for agarbatti practices in cities. and engineered wood. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 2 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• CiX, through an ‘open innovation’ process, INDIA SENDING HUMANITARIAN engages with innovators to design-test- ASSISTANCE TO DROUGHT-HIT deliver on solutions to pressing urban MADAGASCAR challenges. • This initiative is among the ongoing efforts Syllabus section: International relations of the Government to realize the Prime Why in News? Minister’s vision of New and AtmaNirbhar India is sending a consignment of 1,000 metric Bharat, by making cities more self-reliant tonnes of rice and 100,000 hydroxychloroquine and enabled to meet the needs of and tablets to Madagascar in response to the east provide services to their citizens. African country’s appeal for assistance to deal • the platform will bring together Citizen with a humanitarian crisis triggered by a severe Organisations-Academia- Businesses- drought. Government to co-create for the future of Urban India in a transparent and About: sustainable manner. • The humanitarian assistance is being • The Smart Cities Mission will partner delivered onboard the Indian Naval Ship and effectively collaborate with Startup Jalashwa, which will leave with food and India, Atal Innovation Mission, AGNIi and medical assistance on March 3 and is other initiatives in the Indian Innovation expected to reach the Port of Ehoala in ecosystem. Madagascar. • India has always been among the first City Innovation Exchange (CiX) responders when it comes to assisting • The City Innovation Exchange (CiX) will the people of Madagascar in such connect cities to innovators across the humanitarian crises. national ecosystem to design innovative • INS Jalashwa will also have onboard solutions for their pressing challenges. an Indian naval training team, which is • The platform will ease the discovery, being deployed in Madagascar for capacity design& validation of solutions through building and training of the Malagasy a robust, transparent and user-centric Special Forces for two weeks. process that will reduce barriers for • INS Jalashwa will also call at Port Anjouan innovators and cities to discover fitting in the Republic of Comoros where it will solutions. deliver a consignment of 1,000 metric • Built on the concept of ‘open innovation’, tonnes of Indian rice. the platform will help in the flow of ideas ‘outside in and inside out’, enhancing The supplies of food assistance and support for the skills and capacity required to deliver capacity building to the friendly countries of smart urban governance. Madagascar and Comoros is in line with Prime • Through interaction with Academia and Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR and businesses/Startups, the platform will India’s time-tested role as a net security provider benefit cities in the transfer of ideas from in the Indian Ocean Region ‘labs’ to real environment. Similarly, by Source: Indian Express helping urban governments interact with citizens, the platform will ensure the ARCTIC-MONITORING SATELLITE adoption of tested solutions that will be Syllabus section: Science and tech impactful and sustainable. • The platform in due time will help our Why in News? cities in adopting solutions that will Russia has successfully launched its first enhance the quality of life for its residents satellite to monitor the Arctic’s climate and and significantly improve the Ease of environment, the country’s space corporation Doing Business. Roscosmos. • The Platform has more than 400 start- Need: The creation of a satellite system in highly ups, 100 smart cities, more than 150 elliptical orbits is necessary for information challenges statements, and over 215 collection to solve operational meteorology and solutions at the time of launch. hydrology problems, and monitoring the climate Source: PIB and environment in the Arctic region.

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About: SIGNIFICANCE: • The Arktika-M will provide round-the- • It has been instrumental in showcasing clock continuous monitoring of the folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines northern territory of Russia and the seas & culture of one state in other states of the Arctic Ocean. reinforcing the cherished goal of “Ek • The satellite will be able to transmit Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. overview images of the Earth’s northern • The RashtriyaSanskritiMahotsava will polar region and the adjacent areas at reconnect the people, especially the youth, least every 15-30 minutes. with their indigenous culture, its multi- • The satellite will be based on the faceted nature, magnificence, opulence LavochkinElektro-L meteorological satellite. and historical, importance in the context • The payload of the satellite comprises of of India as a nation over the millennia. MSU-GSM multi-spectral imager along • It has been instrumental in showcasing with the transmitters for meteorological folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines systems and rescue systems. & culture of one state in other states reinforcing the cherished goal of “Ek Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. Activities (Roscosmos) It is a state corporation of the Russian Federation Source: PIB which is involved in space flights, aerospace research, and cosmonautics programs. The GLOBAL BIO INDIA: ATMA NIRBHAR Roscosmos was emerged after the dissolution of BHARAT CONCLAVE: FOR INDIA AND the Soviet Union in the year 1991. It was initially THE WORLD established as the Russian Space Agency, in Why in News? 1992. The Roscosmos is headquartered in The largest biotechnology conglomerate Moscow. It has its main Mission Control Center Global Bio-India 2021 was inaugurated by located in the nearby city Korolyov, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science Source: Buisness standard &Technology,Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare 1st March 2021. RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV 2021 • Co-organised by: Department of Why in News? Biotechnology along with its Public Sector The third and final leg of the 11th edition of the Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2021 took place Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) in at Murshidabad, West Bengal. partnership with Invest India. • Various colorful performances were given About: by the local artists, including ‘BaulGaan’, • Objective: The event will see different ‘AlkupGaan’, ‘Leto gaan’, ‘Jhumuriya’ and sessions touching down upon different Ranpa folk dances. aspects of biotechnology. • It has been instrumental in showcasing • The first session of the Global Bio-India folk and tribal art, dance, music, cuisines addressed how India’s campaign of ‘Make & culture of one state in other states in India’ has translated into “Atmanirbhar reinforcing the cherished goal of “Ek Bharat Abhiyaan” to provide resilience Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”. and self-sufficiency” to the country. About: o The session highlighted the National • It is the flagship festival of the Ministry of Priorities, examples from India’s Culture. experience in turning COVID pandemic • It has been organized since 2015 with the challenges into opportunities for active participation of Seven Zonal Culture developing domestic innovation Centres. ecosystem gaining self-sufficiency in • It was started with an intention to exhibit requirements the rich cultural heritage of the country • The first edition of Global Bio-India 2019 in all its rich and varied dimensions was organized at New . namely, Handicrafts, Cuisine, Painting, • Theme: “Transforming lives” Sculpture and Performing Arts- Folk, • Tag line: “Biosciences to Bioeconomy” Tribal, Classical and Contemporary- all at one place. Source: PIB

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REVISING FOOD SECURITY ACT • To make these changes in the law, the government will have to amend sub- Why in News? The NITI Aayog recently circulated a discussion section (2) of Section 3 of the NFSA. paper on a proposed revision in the National Benefits of the Proposal: Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 If the national coverage ratio is revised About: downward, the Centre can save up to Rs 47,229 crore (as estimated by the NITI Aayog paper). Why a discussion on a revision? • The NFSA provides a legal right to persons Source: PIB belonging to “eligible households” to MOBILE TRAIN RADIO COMMUNICATION receive foodgrains at subsidised price– rice (MTRC) SYSTEM at Rs 3/kg, wheat at Rs 2/kg and coarse grain at Rs 1/kg — under the Targeted Syllabus section: science and technology Public Distribution System (TPDS). Why in News? o The term “eligible households” Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) comprises two categories — “priority System commissioned in Western Railway households”, and families covered by Trains. the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY). o Priority households are entitled to About: receive 5 kg of foodgrains per person • The Mobile Train Radio Communication per month, whereas AAY households system is an effective and technologically are entitled to 35 kg per month at the advanced communication system which same prices. can play an intrinsic role in preventing • These are called central issue prices (CIPs) train accidents and reducing delays • A revision of CIPs is one of the issues that through effective communication. have been discussed. • It facilitates an instant and constant • The other issues are updating of the interaction of train crew with the Control population coverage under the NFSA, and Centre and the Station Master. beneficiary identification criteria. • MRTC acts in a similar way to that of Air What is the extent of coverage, and how is traffic control (ARC) for aircrafts. it to be updated? • The system will monitor, track and aid in • The Act has prescribed the coverage under communication between the trains and “eligible households” — 75% of the rural the control room thereby ensuring smooth population and up to 50% of the urban movement of rakes as well as help in population. preventing adverse events. • The number of NFSA beneficiaries was • This is the first time that MTRC is frozen in 2013. commissioned in Indian Railways. • However, given the population increase • The new system has already been installed since then, there have been demands from in 90 out of 100 rakes running between the states and union territories to update Churchgate and Virar. the list by ensuring an annual updating system under NFSA, The benefits of MTRC System are as follows: • It was in this context that the Ministry • Single touch dialing to call any of the of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Two Section Train Controllers, Dy. Train Distribution had asked the NITI Aayog Controller, EMU Controller to suggest an alternative methodology • Auto Call Answer for Cab Radios for for “covering beneficiaries under NFSA, Motorman and Guards to receive only including prospective beneficiaries. audio (Only from Controllers and call from NITI Aayog Proposal: another cab of same rake) • The NITI Aayog has suggested that the • Contact numbers of three controllers (TPC, national rural and urban coverage ratio SIG and TMS) are fed into the phonebook be reduced from the existing 75-50 to 60- for easy access while dialing 40. if this reduction happens, the number • Motorman can directly communicate of beneficiaries under the NFSA will drop defect of EMU-to-EMU Controller which to 71.62 crore reduces detention of other trains

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• In any Unusual Situation, i.e. if the HARYANA GOVERNMENT APPROVES called MTRC phone is busy then on BILL TO RESERVE 75% JOBS IN making the emergency call the overriding PRIVATE SECTOR FOR LOCALS feature the speech will get through and Syllabus section: Polity communication will be established. The Why in News? emergency call goes to Dy. CTNL The Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana, that the governor of the state Satyadev Narayan Source: PIB Arya has approved the bill that will provide 75% reservation in the private sector jobs with NASSCOM LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO a gross salary of up to Rs. 50,000 per month ACCELERATE AI-LED INNOVATION to the people of the state. The legislation was Syllabus section: science and tech passed by the state Assembly in 2020. Why in News? Key Highlights: • The billmakes it compulsory for the Nasscom is launching an ‘AI Gamechangers’ private sector companies to reserve 75% program to promote artificial intelligence (AI)- of the jobs with a salary up to 50,000 for led innovation in the country, the apex body of the people of the state. the IT industry. • The bill by the government also contains clause companies can invoke in case they Aims: Nasscom aims to spotlight some of the are not able to find suitable candidates. leading AI-based innovations in the country, to In this case, the company can hire from outside as long as they inform the recognize their efforts, and motivate the larger government of such a step. ecosystem to leverage this opportunity to help • The companies must register the details India become a global powerhouse in AI-led of the employees getting Rs. 50,000 per innovation. month and in case they fail to do so within three months, it will attract penalties. About: • According to the state government, the • The program seeks to recognize impactful reservation will be economically, socially, and scalable AI-based innovation in the and environmentally desirable. country. Source: Economic times • The program will recognize innovators INDIA AND ON RENEWABLE for their successful AI implementation at ENERGY COOPERATION Nasscom’sXperience AI Summit, one of Why in News? the largest AI summits in India. Cabinet approves Memorandum of • This will serve as a platform for startups, Understanding between India and France on Renewable Energy Cooperation. enterprises, academia, governments, and NGOs to showcase their AI-based products and solutions, providing reach About: and impetus to drive AI innovation for the • The objective of the MoU is to establish country. the basis for the promotion of bilateral • AI to unlock $500 billion of value to India’s cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy on the basis of mutual GDP by 2025. benefit, equality, and reciprocity. • Data and AI are driving transformation • It covers technologies relating to solar, at scale across industries and offer a wind, hydrogen, and biomass energy. tremendous opportunity to transform The MoU Covers: public infrastructure and solve some of • exchange and training of scientific and the most critical issues facing the country. technical personnel; • exchange of scientific and technological Source: Livemint information and data;

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• organization of workshops and seminars; • The Ombudsman is a person in the transfer of equipment, know-how and insurance industry, civil or judicial technology; services, and is appointed by the insurance • development of joint research and council. technological projects. • The serving term of the Insurance • This MoU will help in the development Ombudsman is three years. of technological know-how in the field of Renewable Energy and thereby aid the Source: PIB process of attaining the ambitious target NEWS IMPULSE -RASHTRIYA UCCHTAR of 450 GW of installed Renewable Energy SHIKSHA ABHIYAN capacity by 2030. Why in News? Source: PIB Union Education Minister chaired a review meeting on RashtriyaUcchtar Shiksha Abhiyan GOVERNMENT AMENDS INSURANCE (RUSA). OMBUDSMAN RULES About: Why in News? Government amends Insurance Ombudsman Highlights of the Meeting: Rules for better resolution of policyholders’ • It has been asked to strengthen the RUSA complaints regarding insurance service Scheme and to draw plans on educating deficiencies. additional 3.5 crore students to increase About: GER to 50% by 2035. • A total of 7 crore students with employable Amendments: skills that suits local conditions • It has enlarged the scope of complaints to should pass out from our colleges and Ombudsmen from only disputes earlier Universities. to deficiencies in service on the part • To reach the last mile students, online of insurers, agents, brokers and other distance learning and infrastructure intermediaries. development should be encouraged across • Insurance brokers have been brought the country. within the ambit of the Ombudsman • It has been stressed that education should mechanism, by empowering the lead to local employment. Education in Ombudsmen to pass awards against Degree College should be aligned with insurance brokers as well. “One district one product” plan. • Policyholders will now be enabled for making complaints electronically to the • University Grants Commission will Ombudsman monitor the progress of work done by Institutions that received funding under • Complaints management system will be created to enable policyholders to track RUSA Scheme. the status of their complaints online. • The Minister will review the RUSA Scheme • To enable access to relief through the in every three months. Ombudsman mechanism even when there About RashtriyaUcchtar Shiksha Abhiyan is a vacancy in the office of a particular • Aim: It aims at providing strategic Ombudsman, provision has been made funding to higher education institutions for giving additional charge to another throughout the country. Ombudsman, pending the filling of the o The scheme is being operated in mission vacancy. mode for funding state universities and About Insurance Ombudsman: colleges to achieve the aims of equity, • The Insurance Ombudsman scheme was access and excellence. created by the Government of India for • Funding: It is a centrally sponsored individual policyholders to have their scheme launched in October 2013. complaints settled out of the courts system o Since 2016-17, the government has in a cost-effective, efficient and impartial spent an average of Rs. 1,500 crore way. every year on RUSA.

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• Objectives: • Government of seeks to o Improve the overall quality of state integrate the state’s Engineering R&D institutions by conforming to the ecosystem and further strengthen its overall value proposition, to champion prescribed norms and standards. India’s Engineering R&D growth trajectory o Adoption of accreditation (certification of competency) as a mandatory quality The policy will also support industrial application of academic research, spend 10,000 per student assurance framework. on training and certification as provide grants o Promoting autonomy in state universities to universities to set up laboratories. and improving governance in institutions. o Ensure reforms in the affiliation, academic Source: Hindustan Times and examination system. SWACHHTA SAARTHI FELLOWSHIP o Ensure adequate availability of quality Syllabus section: society faculty in all higher educational Why in news? institutions and ensure capacity building The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser at all levels of employment. to the Government of India under its “Waste o Create an enabling atmosphere for to Wealth” Mission launched the “Swachhta research in the higher education system. Saarthi Fellowship” to recognize students, community workers/self-help groups, and o Correct regional imbalances in access to municipal/sanitary workers who are engaged higher education by setting up institutions in tackling the enormous challenge of waste in unserved and underserved areas. management, scientifically and sustainably.

KARNATAKA’S ENGINEERING RESEARCH About: POLICY Swachhta Saarthi Fellowships invites applications from students and community Syllabus section: science and tech workers who have done previous work or Why in News? are currently engaged in waste management The Karnataka government recently launched activities, including awareness campaigns, surveys & studies. The three categories of the ‘Karnataka Engineering Research & awards under the fellowships are as below: Development (Engineering R&D) Policy 2021’ as a measure to leverage the sector’s potential, • Category-A – Open to School students create jobs and improve the state’s contribution from 9th to 12th standards engaged in in the space through strategic interventions waste management community work. • Category-B – Open to College students and bridging the gap between academia and (UG, PG, Research students) engaged in industry. waste management community work. Open to Citizens working Objective:The policy would help bridge the gap • Category-C – in the community and through SHGs, between engineering talent and the industry. municipal or sanitary workers working beyond specifications of their job About: requirement/descriptions. • The ER&D sector in the country is the fastest growing industry with a compound Waste to Wealth Mission annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8%. • The “waste to wealth mission” was launched with the objective of identifying, • The global Engineering Research and developing and deploying technologies Development industry is expected to reach in order to treat the waste to recycle spending of $2 trillion by 2025. materials, extract worth and generate • This policy aims to prepare the state to energy. make use of the future opportunities • This mission is one among the nine-national emanating from this sector. mission of the “Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC)” • The new policy envisages creation of an of the Prime Minister. additional 50,000 jobs. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 8 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• It will also assist and augment the Smart • The Summit brought together leaders from Cities project and Swachh Bharat Mission the public and private sectors to accelerate in a bid to create circular economic models responsible digitization of merchants in which are financially viable for waste India’s North-Eastern and Himalayan management. regions, and Aspirational districts. • This will in turn help in streamlining the About: waste handling across the country. The Highlights of the Summit are: Source: PIB • Empowering women merchants who play SURVEY OF BACKWARD critical roles in their communities is one of CLASSES the priorities to help achieve the mission of Digital India. Syllabus section: Polity • The National Language Translation Why in news? Mission can be used to disseminate digital The Odisha government is set to begin its first payments information, privacy clauses state survey of the social and educational and consent in local languages for trust conditions of people from backward classes — and empowerment. there are around 209 communities identified • Identified opportunities to address the as socially and educationally backward classes challenges of connectivity, access to (SEBCs) comprising around 54 percent of smartphones, and digital literacy for Odisha’s population. merchants at the last mile. • Along with the increased focus on ‘Make About: in India’ through Atmanirbhar Bharat • Survey will be conducted on the social Scheme, responsible digitization must and educational conditions of the people more strongly include rural networks belonging to backward classes. such as Self Help Groups and community • Their occupation, education standard and enablers. other parameters will be covered. • This will lead to the creation of the local • The move will have a transformative digital ecosystems to help millions of impact on the backward classes of the merchants join the formal economy, state. access credit, and grow their business. • The supreme court of India recently • From an average of 2-3 billion digital agreed to examine a plea that seeks for transactions monthly, India has set directions to the central government to an ambitious target for 1 billion digital conduct “caste-based” census in the year transactions per day. 2021 in order to collect data on the other • Person to Merchant (P2M) digital payment backward classes. transactions will scale to 10-12 billion • In the state of Odisha, there are around transactions every month to contribute to 209 communities which are identified as India’s digital economy. the socially and educationally backward Related Recent initiatives: classes (SEBCs). • Digital Payments Index. • They account for 54% of the Population in • Payments Infrastructure Development Odisha. Fund (PIDF) scheme. Source: Indian Express • Relaxations in Merchant Discount Rate. MERCHANT DIGITIZATION SUMMIT Source: PIB 2021 SENKAKU ISLANDS Why in News? Why in News? The Government of India, Federation of Indian Japan dismisses Chinese claims over Senkaku Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Islands, empowers its coastguard to use and UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance weapons. • Merchant Digitization Summit 2021: About: Towards AatmaNirbhar (Self Reliance) • China has recently passed a law allowing Bharat with special focus on Himalayan its coastguard to fire on foreign vessels Regions, North East Regions and in some circumstances, a change that Aspirational Districts of India. provoked criticism from Japan EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 9 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• China justified the intrusion of its Coast • The programme would strengthen the guard vessels into Japan’s territorial existing intrastate transmission network waters near Senkaku Islands in the East of by augmenting it with newer China Sea. networks to achieve affordable, secure, • China claims Senkaku Islands as efficient and reliable 24×7 power. ‘inherent’ territory. o This would, in turn, bring Assam closer to ensuring long-term sustainability of Background: its electricity supply. Dispute History: Benefits of the Project: Ø China says that the islands have been • The strong backward and forward linkages part of its territory since ancient times, associated with the project will create serving as important fishing grounds socio-economic opportunities for both administered by the province of Taiwan. households and business communities in Ø Taiwan was ceded to Japan in the Treaty the State. of Shimonoseki in 1895, after the Sino- • The project would improve the transmission Japanese war. network constraints and congestion in the Ø Japan annexed the archipelago following state. China’s defeat in the first Sino-Japanese o The State of Assam currently witnesses war from 1894 to 1895. Yet the islands substantial energy and peak demand were left out of the Treaty of San Francisco deficits. One of the main reasons for at the end of the second world war that the power-deficit scenario in Assam is returned to China most of the territories congestion of the electricity distribution previously occupied by Japan. and transmission networks. o China says, when Taiwan was returned o Assam Electricity Grid Corporation in the Treaty of San Francisco, the Limited (AEGCL), the sole transmission islands should have been returned too. utility in Assam is responsible for Ø Under the terms of Japan’s surrender, the operation, maintenance and the island chain was controlled by the development of the transmission US until 1971, when it was returned to system in the State. Japan along with Okinawa and other • The project will also help in reducing surrounding islands. greenhouse gas emissions and improve Ø Two years earlier, a report highlighting the quality of power supply to the ultimate the potential for oil reserves in the area consumers. prompted China to reassert its territorial claims over the islands. Japan does not Source: DD News: recognise China’s claims nor the existence CERAWEEK GLOBAL ENERGY AND of a dispute over the islands’ sovereignty. ENVIRONMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD Source: All India News Why in News? Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the INDIA & AIIB SIGN AGREEMENT CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Why in News? Leadership Award today. India & AIIB sign agreement for $304 million to improve reliability, capacity and security of the About: power transmission network in Assam. • CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award was About: instituted in 2016. • The project aims to strengthen Assam’s • It recognizes the commitment of leadership electricity transmission system by on the future of global energy and 1. constructing 10 transmission environment and for offering solutions and substations and laying transmission policies for energy access, affordability lines with the associated infrastructure; and environmental stewardship. 2. upgrading 15 existing substations, CERAWeek: transmission lines and existing ground • In 1983, Cambridge Energy Research wire to optical power ground wire; and Associates (CERA) was founded in 3. providing technical assistance to Cambridgeby Dr. Daniel Yergin. support project implementation. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 10 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• CERAWeek brings together global leaders o Carrying out inspection of meat and meat to advance new ideas, insight and solutions products in slaughterhouses, processing to the biggest challenges facing the future plants, storage premises, conveyances or of energy, the environment, and climate. other places where such products are kept • Now in its 39th year, CERAWeek is widely or handled for the purpose of ensuring the considered to be the most prestigious quality of such products; annual gathering of CEOs and Ministers o Improving of the packaging of the from global energy and utilities, as well Scheduled products; as automotive, manufacturing, policy o Improving of marketing of the Scheduled and financial communities, along with a products outside India; growing presence of tech. o Promotion of export oriented production • It has been described by the Financial and development of the Scheduled Times as the ‘the Davos of energy,’ and products; by Politico as the “industry’s Super Bowl.” o Collection of statistics from the owners CNBC called it “the world’s preeminent of factories or establishments engaged in energy conference.” the production, processing, packaging, marketing or export of the scheduled Source: All India Radio products or from such other persons as RED RICE may be prescribed on any matter relating to the scheduled products and publication Why in News? of the statistics so collected or of any First export consignments of ‘red rice’ from portions thereof or extracts therefrom; Assam to the USA flagged off. o Training in various aspects of the About: industries connected with the scheduled • ‘Red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley products; of Assam, • PRODUCTS MONITORED • It is rich in Iron, grown without the use of APEDA is mandated with the responsibility any chemical fertilizer. of export promotion and development of the • The rice variety is referred as ‘Bao-dhaan’, following scheduled products: which is an integral part of the Assamese food. • Fruits, Vegetables and their Products. • The flagging-off ceremony of the export • Meat and Meat Products. consignments was carried out by APEDA. • Poultry and Poultry Products. • Dairy Products. About APEDA: • Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery • The Agricultural and Processed Products. Food Products Export Development • Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products. Authority (APEDA) was established • Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all by the Government of India under the kinds. Agricultural and Processed Food Products • Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages. Export Development Authority Act passed • Cereal and Cereal Products. by the Parliament in December 1985. • Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts. • FUNCTIONS: • Pickles, Papads and Chutneys. Following functions have been assigned to the • Guar Gum. Authority. • Floriculture and Floriculture Products. • Herbal and Medicinal Plants. o Development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of INDIA’S DIGITAL SKILLED WORKFORCE providing financial assistance. NEEDS TO GROW NINE-FOLD BY 2025 o Registration of persons as exporters of the Syllabus section: society scheduled products on payment of such fees as may be prescribed; Why in News? o Fixing of standards and specifications for Recently, a report was commissioned by the the scheduled products for the purpose of Amazon Web Services (AWS) on India’s Digital exports; skilled workforce. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 11 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

Highlights: • The MPI examined the sectoral performance • India’s present workforce comprises only of 111 municipalities (with Delhi being 12% digitally skilled employees, and the assessed separately for NDMC, and the number of employees requiring digital three Municipal Corporations). skills in the country will need to increase nine-fold by 2025 Parameters Used: • The research surveyed over 500 digital • The five verticals under MPI are Services, workers in India, and 3,196 workers in Finance, Policy, Technology and total across six countries in the APAC Governance. These five verticals comprise region, including Australia, India, 20 sectors and 100 indicators in all Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and South totality. Korea. Categories:The assessment framework under • As per the report, transitioning MPI 2020 has classified municipalities based on organizations from the on-premises to their population: the cloud environments are the most frequently used digital skill in India. • Million+ (municipalities having over a • Nearly 150 million workers in six APAC million population) and countries apply digital skills on the job, • Less than a Million Population. and those in need of such skills is poised to surge past 800 million by 2025. MPI 2020 Performance • the top five digital skills in-demand • Million+ category: in India are cloud architecture design Indore has emerged as the highest-ranked (34%); software operations support (31%); municipality, followed by Surat and Bhopal. website, game, or software development (28%); large-scale data modeling (28%); • Less than Million category: and cybersecurity skills (27%). Municipal Council topped, followed • Over 50% of digital workers in the by Tirupati and Gandhinagar. manufacturing sector think they will require skills like cloud architecture Ease of Living Index design and the ability to create original • It is an assessment tool that evaluates the digital content, to perform their jobs. quality of life and the impact of various To meet the projected digital skill needs by initiatives for urban development. 2025, each of the six APAC countries will require • It provides a comprehensive understanding different policy approaches that address their of participating cities across India based unique challenges and skills priorities. on the quality of life, economic-ability of a Source: The Hindu city, and its sustainability and resilience. • It aims to enable cities to systematically EASE OF LIVING AND MUNICIPAL assess themselves against global and PERFORMANCE INDEX (MPI) 2020 national benchmarks and encourage Why in News? them to shift towards an ‘outcome- Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban based’ approach to urban planning and Affairs released the final rankings of the Ease management. of Living Index (EoLI) 2020 and the Municipal Performance Index (MPI) 2020. Parameters: 1) Citizen Perception: About: The EoLI 2020 strengthens its scope by Municipal Performance Index: consolidating the framework with the addition • It has been launched as an accompaniment of a Citizen Perception Survey in the index, to the Ease of Living Index. holding a weightage of 30%. • It seeks to examine local government practices in municipalities across areas of 2) Citizen Perception Survey: services, finance, policy, technology and • It was undertaken to help validate citizens’ governance. experience of their city in terms of service • It also seeks to simplify and evaluate the delivery. complexities in local governance practice • Bhubaneswar had the highest CPS and promote the ethos of transparency score, followed by Silvassa, Davangere, and accountability. Kakinada, Bilaspur and Bhagalpur.

EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 12 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

3) Existing Living Conditions: • Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber • It also examines the outcomes that lead to where it mixes with the hot compressed existing living conditions. air and ignites. • Across 13 categories such as Education, • A ramjet-powered vehicle requires an Health, Housing and Shelter, Buildings, Energy Consumption, and City Resilience, assisted take-off like a rocket assist to that account for 70% of the overall accelerate it to a speed where it begins to outcome. produce thrust. EoLI Performance 2020 • Ramjets work most efficiently at o Million+ Category: supersonic speeds around Mach 3 (three • Top Performers: times the speed of sound) and can operate Ø Bengaluru followed by Pune and up to speeds of Mach 6. Ahmedabad. • However, the ramjet efficiency starts to • Worst Performers: drop when the vehicle reaches hypersonic Ø Amritsar, Guwahati, Bareilly, Dhanbad speeds. and Srinagar. Source: PIB o Less than Million Category: • Top Performers: REBUTTAL TO FREEDOM HOUSE Ø Shimla followed by Bhubaneshwar and REPORT ON INDIA’S DECLINING Silvassa. STATUS AS A FREE COUNTRY • Worst Performers: Syllabus section: Polity Ø Aligarh, Rampur, Namchi, Satna and Muzaffarpur. Why in News? Source: Indian Express The Freedom House report titled “Democracy DRDO CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL Under Siege” in which it has been claimed that FLIGHT TEST OF SOLID FUEL DUCTED India’s status as a free country has declined RAMJET to “partly free”, is misleading, incorrect and Why in News? misplaced. Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a About: flight demonstration based on Solid Fuel Ducted • This is evident from the fact that many Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. states in India under its federal structure are ruled by parties other than the one About: at the national level, through an election • Successful demonstration of Solid Fuel process that is free and fair and which based Ducted Ramjet technology has provided DRDO with a technological is conducted by an independent election advantage that will enable it to develop body. long-range air-to-air missiles. • This reflects the working of a vibrant • At present, such technology is available democracy, which gives space to those only with a handful of countries in the who hold varying views. world. • The performance of the missile was Rebuttal to specific points:- monitored using the data captured by • Discriminatory policies against Muslims Electro-Optical, Radar and Telemetry instruments deployed by ITR and in India and North East Delhi riots– the confirmed successful demonstration of Government of India treats all its citizens the mission objectives. with equality as enshrined under the Ramjet: Constitution of the country and all laws • A ramjet is a form of air-breathing jet engine are applied without discrimination.Due that uses the vehicle’s forward motion to process of law is followed in matters compress incoming air for combustion relating to law and order, irrespective of without a rotating compressor. the identity of the alleged instigator. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 13 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• Use of sedition law –“PublicOrder’ and SINGORGARH FORT ‘Police’ are State subjects under India’s Syllabus section: Art and culture federal structure of governance. The responsibility of maintaining law and Why in News? order, including investigation, registration President Inaugurates conservation works at and prosecution of crimes, protection of Singorgarh Fort in Damoh district (MP). life and property, etc., rests primarily About: with the concerned State governments. • The program was organized by the Ministry Therefore, measures as deemed fitare of Culture, Government of India and the taken by law enforcement authorities to Tribal Affairs Department of Madhya preserve public order. Pradesh. • Government response to COVID-19 • Singorgarh Fort, in the Damoh district of through Lockdown – between March 16 Madhya Pradesh state in Central India, is to 23, most State governments/Union a hill-fort of Garha Kingdom, spread over Territories resorted to partial or full the hills of a forested area. Lockdown in their respective State/ Union • It is about 45 km from Jabalpur city, on Territory based on their assessment of the the way to Damoh town. COVID-19 situation. Any mass movement • It was a magnificent fort and a residence of people would have spread the disease of Rajgond rulers of Central India who rapidly throughout the country. Taking spent part of each year there. into consideration these facts, the global experience and need for consistency in Background: the approach and implementation of • Before coming in hand of Gond rulers, various containment measures across Singorgarh fort was under Chandel rulers the country, a nationwide lockdown was in 1308. announced. • It was Gond ruler Sangram shah who conquered the Singorgarh fort in early • Government response on period of 16th century. organizations – the Indian Constitution • Sangram Shah was a powerful Gond ruler provides for adequate safeguards under and was Father in Law of Rani Durgavati. various statutes, including the Protection • It was year 1564 when the Mughal army, of Human Rights Act 1993 for ensuring led by Asaf Khan (from Kunda, Uttar the protection of human rights. This Act Pradesh), with the assistance of Rewa provides for the constitution of a National rulers, attacked the Gond Kingdom. Human Rights Commission and State • In those days, Mughal ruler Akbar ordered Human Rights Commissions in the States his general Asaf Khan of Kunda, to attack for better protection of human rights and the Gond dynasty as he was jealous for matters connected to this subject. of the Gond dynasty’s prosperity and • Intimidation of academics and journalists sovereignty. In summers of year 1564, and crackdown on expressions of dissent Mughal army reached the Gond kingdom by media – the Indian Constitution provides border. for freedom of expression under Article • During that time, Rani Durgavati was 19. Discussion, debate and dissent is part ruling the kingdom and was present in of Indian democracy. The Government of same Singorgarh fort. India attaches highest importance to the • When she came to know about the huge safety and security of all residents of the army of more than 70,000 soldiers, she country, including journalists decided to leave the fort and shifted to • Internet shutdowns: the temporary Garha fort of Jabalpur and major war suspension of telecom/internet services is took place in this area. resorted to with the over-arching objective • While marching towards Jabalpur, of maintaining law and order under strict Mughal army first reached Singorgarh fort safeguards. and attacked here in which fort was badly • FCRA amendment leading to freezing of damaged and since then, although ruled Amnesty International’s assets has led to but never gained its previous prosperity decline in ranking. and gleam. Source: PIB Source: PIB EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 14 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

EASE OF LIVING INDEX Objective • The CSIR Floriculture Mission aims Syllabus section: society to focus on commercial floral crops, Why in News? seasonal/annual crops, cultivation of Ease of Living Index (EoLI) 2020 was recently flower crops for honey bee rearing, and released by Ministry of Housing and Urban wild ornaments. Affairs. • Some of the popular floriculture crops Highlights: include Marigold, Rose, Carnation, • Chandigarh Ranked 29th in the Ease Chrysanthemum, Gladiolus, Gerbera, of Living Index (EoLI) and 23rd in the Canna, Lilium, and Tuberose. Municipal Performance Index (MPi) 2020. • Bengaluru topped the Ease of Living Index Significance with 66.70 score followed by Pune and • The CSIR Floriculture Mission is expected to Ahmedabad in Million plus category. create opportunities for entrepreneurship • Indore topped in Municipal Performance development in floriculture. Index followed by Surat and Bhopal. • Under the mission, CSIR will lead to infuse the latest technologies in the field Ease Of Living Index of floriculture. • According to the Government of India, the Ease of Living Index (EoLI) is an • Floriculture has the potential to employ assessment tool that evaluates the quality a large number of people through of life and the impact of various initiatives nursery raising, floriculture farming, for urban development. entrepreneurship development for nursery • It provides a comprehensive understanding trade, value addition, and export. of participating cities across India based • Through the CSIR Floriculture Mission, on quality of life, economic-ability of a agro-technologies, new varieties, and city, and its sustainability and resilience. value addition technologies available • The assessment also incorporates the with the CSIR institutions, efforts are residents’ view on the services provided being made to take these to farmers by city administration through a Citizen and entrepreneurs and help them in Perception Survey. multiplying their income. • In the indicator of quality of life, • The market linkage and trade- Chandigarh scored 54.42 while economic related issues will be solved with the ability was 9.90. In sustainability criteria, partnership of APEDA, state horticulture Chandigarh scored 60.12, in citizen perception survey it got 72.8. departments, and TRIFED and added that the convergence of Floriculture with Source: Indian Express Apiculture as envisaged in the mission FLORICULTURE MISSION will yield even greater benefits. Syllabus Section: Economy Source: PIB Why in News? INDIAN MEDICINES PHARMACEUTICAL Union Health Minister launched ‘CSIR CORPORATION LIMITED Floriculture Mission’ through virtual mode. Syllabus Section: Economy Implementation: The CSIR Floriculture Mission will be implemented Why in News? in collaboration with several bodies including Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation the Indian Council of Agricultural Research Limited (IMPCL) has entered into a tie-up with (ICAR)-Directorate of Floriculture, Ministry of the Government e-Market (GeM) portal for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) selling its products online. and Universities, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED), Highlights: Agricultural and Processed Food Products • GeM created 31 categories covering Export Development Authority (APEDA), 311 medicines, which are life in the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre marketplace and IMPCL can now upload (FFDC) and the Khadi and Village Industries these medicines on GeM Portal. Commission (KVIC). EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 15 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• With this decision of GeM, the Ayurvedic • This process of verifying the SMS content and Unani medicines of IMPCL will is known as SMS scrubbing. figure on the GeM portal to hundreds • A blockchain method is used to verify of government sector buyers, at prices the content of every SMS and every finalized by the Ministry of Finance, unregistered SMS is blocked. Department of Expenditure. About TRAI This will facilitate quick procurement of these It is a statutory body established under section medicines by Central/State Government institutions for their healthcare programmes. 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It regulates the telecommunications • Thus, this tie-up between GeM & IMPCL sector in India. TRAI comprises of a Chairperson also helps to streamline the procurement and more than two full-time members and distribution of Ayurvedic and Unani medicines by State Units. Source: Indian Express • The thousands of patients and other clients TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY DESK AT who visit Government Ayush hospitals CYBERABAD every day stand to gain because of this increased availability of such medicines Syllabus section: society even in far-flung Ayush Hospitals and Why in News? Clinics. A ‘Transgender Community Desk’ was inaugurated at Gachibowli Police Station, Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation .It is India’s first-of-its-kind gender- Limited inclusive community policing initiative. • IMPCL is the public sector manufacturing unit of the Ministry of AYUSH. Highlights: • IMPCL is the only CPSE under the • It will be managed by a Police Liaison Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, Officer and a member of the transgender and its prices are vetted and finalized by community who is designated as a the Ministry of Finance (Department of community coordinator. Expenditure) for their Ayurvedic & Unani • It will also be the focal point for Medicines. all grievance redressal among the transgender community in Cyberabad Source: PIB Commissionerate. SMS SCRUBBING Advantages: Syllabus Section: Economy • It will provide support to file cases Why in News? in offenses related to violence or The Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) started to discrimination against any transgender implement the second phase of SMS regulation. person. With this move, the functioning of banks and • It will provide counseling, legal aid, life- e-commerce firms were hit and several crucial services were disrupted such as sending of one- skills, soft skills training, job placements, time password (OTP) by banks and e-commerce and referral linkages to welfare schemes firms for several services. in partnership with the Department of Women & Child Welfare and District Legal Highlights: Services Authority. • New regulations provide the subscriber • The Society for Cyberabad Security Council with complete control over their consent will organize monthly employability and the ability to revoke the consent already granted, at their option. training and life-skill training and facilitate • concept of registered templates for both access to job opportunities. Prajwala will SMS and voice communication has been assist the desk to facilitate safe space for introduced to prevent the deliberate any transgender person who needs an mixing of promotional messages into the emergency transit stay. transactional stream. Source: The Hindu EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 16 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

UNEP FOOD WASTE INDEX REPORT WOMEN WILL” WEB PLATFORM’’ 2021 Syllabus section: society Syllabus Section: Economy Why in News? Why in news? Internet giant Google Inc. said it will support An estimated 931 million tonnes of food were one million rural women entrepreneurs in wasted globally in 2019, enough to circle the India to help them pursue their ambitions and Earth seven times, according to a UN report improve their livelihoods. Google will implement which said that household food waste in India this through the ‘Women Will’ web platform is about 68.7 million tonnes a year. launched at the virtual Google for India.

Highlights: About: • Around 931 million tonnes of food waste • Google also announced a $500,000 Google. org grant to Nasscom Foundation to train was generated in 2019, sixty-one percent 100,000 women Agri workers in Bihar, of which came from households, 26 Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, percent from foodservice and 13 percent Uttarakhand, and on digital from retail. and financial literacy. • In India, the household food waste • The Foundation will set up a helpline estimate is 50 kg per capita per year, or where the women can get counseling on 68,760,163 tonnes a year. their entrepreneurship-related queries. • The household food waste estimate in • Available in English and Hindi, the Women the US is 59 kg per capita per year, or Will platform is designed for women 19,359,951 tonnes a year, while for China aspiring to explore entrepreneurship. these estimates are 64 kg per capita per • To begin with, Google will work with 2,000 year or 91,646,213 tonnes a year. ‘Internet Saathis’ to help other women with • It shows that most of this waste comes this resource to start their entrepreneurial from households, which discard 11 journey. percent of the total food available at the Together, we embarked on training women consumption stage of the supply chain. trainers to familiarize other women on how to • Food services and retail outlets waste 5 utilize the internet, all in the rural environment, percent and 2 percent respectively. that would otherwise never take place. In • On a global per capita-level, 121 kgs bringing today’s technology, and perhaps of consumer-level food is wasted each tomorrow’s technology, to bear for the benefit of year, with 74 kgs of this happening in rural women is a great move forward. households. Source: Livemint Advantage of reducing food waste: Reducing food waste would cut greenhouse gas emissions, TRISHUL MILITARY AIRBASE slow the destruction of nature through Syllabus section: Defence and security land conversion and pollution, enhance the Why in News? availability of food and thus reduce hunger and save money at a time of global recession The first flight from Delhi to the newly upgraded Trishul Military Airbase, Bareilly Airport, Uttar About the Food Waste Index Report 2021: Pradesh, was recently flagged off. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target Now people can fly at ease by 12.3 aims at halving per-capita global food waste Significance: opting for a flight of 60 mins from Delhi to at the retail and consumer levels and reducing food losses along production and supply chains. Bareilly while earlier they were forced to opt for Countries using this methodology will generate a road travel of more than 6 hours or a train strong evidence to guide a national strategy journey of more than 4 hours. on food waste prevention, that is sufficiently Highlight: sensitive to pick up changes in food waste over • The Bareilly airport has been upgraded two- or four-year intervals, and that enables for commercial flight operations under meaningful comparisons between countries the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude globally. Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) of the Government of India. Source: NDTV EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 17 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• Trishul Military Airbase, Bareilly belongs About: to the Indian Air Force and the land was • This healing centre has been established handed over to the Airport Authority of in a pine-dominated forest as it has been India for construction of the interim civil found in various studies that coniferous aviation operations. like Pine trees emit certain oil compounds • To date, 325 routes and 56 airports to safeguard themselves from various including 5 heliports and 2 Water microbes and pathogens, which are called Aerodromes have been operationalized phytoncides. under the UDAN scheme. To keep the fares • It has been found in various researches accessible for the common man, financial that these compounds help to multiply incentives in the form of Viability Gap natural killer (NK) cells in our blood, which Funding (VGF) are being provided under help in fighting infections and cancerous the UDAN scheme from the Centre, State growth and enhance overall immunity. governments, and airport operators to • It has been found that because of typical selected airlines to encourage operations molecular vibration patterns of trees, tree- from unserved and underserved airports hugging has a beneficial impact on the under the scheme. increase in the level of feel-good hormones • This aerial connectivity will fulfill the like oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine, aspirations of the lakhs of people who visit creating the pleasant effect and in Bareilly for the NathNagri countries like Iceland forest department has been making efforts to facilitate this About the Scheme: activity for benefit of health purpose of Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) was launched local citizens. as a regional connectivity scheme (RCS) under • Another important activity in this healing the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2016. centre in forest meditation which is distinct from the traditional meditation system of Aim: controlling thoughts or concentrating the Ø To develop the regional aviation market. awareness on some particular point. Ø To provide affordable, economically viable, • This practice is based more on immersing and profitable air travel on regional routes oneself in silence and the ambience of the to the common man even in small towns. forest without making any extra effort. Ø It envisages providing connectivity to un- • It involves many activities like forest served and under-served airports of the walking, tree-hugging, forest meditation country through the revival of existing and sky gazing. airstrips and airports. • Under-served airports are those which do Source: Livemint not have more than one flight a day, while SUPER-75 SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME unserved airports are those where there are no operations. Syllabus section: society • The scheme is implemented by the Airports Why in News? Authority of India (AAI) and is operational On International Women’s Day, Jammu and for a period of 10 years. Kashmir Lieutenant Governor announced the launch of the Super-75 scholarship scheme to Source: PIB support the education of meritorious girls from poor families, so that they can excel in streams INDIA’S FIRST FOREST HEALING like medicine, engineering, ITI (Industrial CENTRE training institutes) and humanity and contribute Syllabus section: environment and ecology to nation-building. Why in News? About the Super-75 scholarship scheme: First Forest Healing centre of the country was • The super-75 scholarship scheme will inaugurated at Ranikhet in Kalika Uttarakhand. support the education of meritorious girls The forest healing centre has been developed from poor families, so that they can excel by the Research Wing of Uttarakhand Forest in streams like medicine, engineering, Department after research on healing properties ITI (Industrial training institutes) and of the forests and its revitalizing impact on humanity and contribute to nation- overall health and well being. building.

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• Apart from this, Lt Governor Sinha • Hence there is a concerted effort to include also announced a new scheme named medicinal, fruits, fodder, tree-borne ‘Tejaswini’. This scheme has been oilseeds, lac host etc. in addition to the launched under ‘Mission Youth-J&K’. longer rotation timber species. • Mission Youth will provide 10 % of the • The initiative of formalizing the project cost and will also pay the interest collaboration in the sericulture sector every year is especially targeted for augmentation of sericulture host plants e.g. Mulberry, • Under Tejaswini, financial assistance of Asan, Arjuna, Som, Soalu, Kesseru, Rs 5 lakhs will be provided to the girls BadaKesseru, Phanat, etc. to be cultivated between the age group of 18 to 35 years to both as block plantations and border or start their business. peripheral plantations on farmlands. Areas to be focussed for womens • Planting sericulture-based tree species on development: the farm bunds and rearing silkworms has Acknowledging women’s role in economic the potential of creating additional income development of J&K, the Lt Governor stressed opportunities for farmers besides their on the need to put more focus on some key regular source of income from agriculture areas like creating a positive environment; activities. skill development of women entrepreneurs; Source: PIB facilitating financial assistance; providing global market to women entrepreneurs and connecting ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND them with innovative products. COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) Why in News? Source: Hindustan Times India has lauded the efforts of the Organization AGROFORESTRY IN THE SILK SECTOR for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for countering terrorism on the occasion of the Syllabus section: economy Security Council open briefing. Why in News? About: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare • OSCE was among the first regional signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) organizations to strongly condemn the with the Central Silk Board under the Ministry terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament of Textiles on a convergence model for the in 2001. implementation of Agroforestry in the silk sector • Sweden has taken the OSCE Chair. Ann under the ongoing Sub-Mission on Agroforestry Linde, Sweden’s Foreign Minister is the (SMAF) Scheme. new OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and took over in January 2021. Highlights: • The signing of this MoU aims to incentivize About OSCE: the farmers to take up sericulture-based • The OSCE has a comprehensive approach Agroforestry models thereby contributing to security that encompasses politico- to the Make in India and Make for the military, economic and environmental and human aspects. World vision of the Prime Minister. o Within the politico-military dimension, the • This linkage will add another dimension OSCE seeks to create greater openness, to agroforestry for faster returns to the transparency and co-operation and has growers as well as support the production developed the world’s most advanced of the range of silks that India is famous regime of arms control and confidence- for. building measures. Areas of work include • The Central Silk Board (CSB), Ministry of reforms in the security sector and the Textiles, Govt. of India will act as a catalyst safe storage and destruction of small to promote Agroforestry in the silk sector. arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition About SMAF: • It addresses a wide range of security- • SMAF aims to encourage farmers to plant related concerns, including arms control, multi-purpose trees together with the confidence- and security-building agriculture crops for climate resilience measures, human rights, national and an additional source of income to the minorities, democratization, policing farmers, as well as enhanced feedstock to strategies, counter-terrorism, and inter alia wood-based and herbal industry. economic and environmental activities.

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• There are 57 participating states o The initiative is being implemented by encompassing three continents - North the Biotechnology Industry Research America, Europe and Asia. Assistance Council(BIRAC) and Clinical o All 57 participating States enjoy equal Development Services Agency(CDSA) status, and decisions are taken by under the aegis of the National consensus on a politically, but not legally Biopharma Mission and Ind-CEPI binding basis. Mission of DBT. • OSCE has broken new ground in developing effective tools for conflict prevention, Source: PIB peace-building, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation to address AZADI KA AMRUT MAHOTSAV these risks and threats to security. Why in News? The Mahotsav is a series of events being Source: PIB organized by the Government to commemorate VACCINE MAITRI INITIATIVE the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence.

Why in News? About: Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative of the • A Padyatra from the Sabarmati Ashram Government of India, three nations (Iran, Bahamas and Benin ) received the Made in India will be flag off at Ahmedabad in Gujarat COVID-19 Vaccines. • It will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari About : • The Padyatra will be undertaken by 81 • India produces 60 per cent of all vaccines marchers from Sabarmati Ashram in manufactured in the world. Ahmedabad to Dandi in Navsari, a journey • Vaccine Maitri initiative aimed to assist of 241 miles that will end on 5th of April, countries in their fight against the lasting for 25 days. coronavirus pandemic. o The day marks the historic salt march • Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, in accordance with the ‘Neighbourhood First’ of Mahatma Gandhi. policy Bhutan and Maldives became the o It was on 12th of March in 1930 that first two countries to receive vaccines Gandhiji began the Dandi March from respectively, on January 20, 2021. Sabarmati Ashram against the Salt • Twenty-five nations across the world have Laws along with 81 padyatris. already received Made-in India vaccines. • A National Implementation Committee • Forty-nine more countries will be supplied headed by the Home Minister has in the coming days, ranging from Europe, been constituted to chalk out policies Latin America and the Caribbean to Africa, and planning of various events to be South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands. undertaken under the Commemoration. Earlier Diplomacy measures by India: • State and Union Territories Governments Ø India had earlier supplied are also organizing programs all over the Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and country . In addition to these programs, Paracetamol tablets as well as diagnostic the Archaeological Survey of India and kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other Zonal Cultural Centres under the Ministry medical supplies to a large number of of Culture, Ministry of Youth Affairs and countries during the pandemic. TRIFED have planned various activities to Ø Under the Partnerships for mark the occasion. Accelerating Clinical Trials(PACT) programme, India has also provided Source: PIB training to several neighbouring countries FUGAKU- WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL to enhance and strengthen their clinical capabilities SUPERCOMPUTER Syllabus section: science and tech Additional Facts: Ø PACT programme: It has been launched Why in News? for supporting COVID-19 vaccine The world’s most powerful supercomputer development activities in partner Fugaku is now fully developed in Japan, and countries. the machine is available for research use. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 20 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

About: • Both leaders have also reviewed the status • Fugaku is fully open and available for of on-going cooperation activities in earth shared use, Japan’s Research Organization observation, satellite navigation, space for Information Science and Technology situational awareness and establishment (RIST) has selected 74 projects that will of the transportable terminal in Australia to use the supercomputer in FY2021. support ‘’Gaganyaan’’ programme. • Fugaku is a key national technology, • According to ISRO, India has always • Objective is to achieve research results recognised that space has a dimension that will help build a long-lived and beyond national considerations, which can healthy society, disaster mitigation, and only be addressed along with international better energy use, with the ultimate goal partners. to establish the government’s vision of an ultra-smart Society 5.0. About Gaganyaan • Fugaku has topped the Top500 list, a It is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft of supercomputer benchmark index, for two the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. It consecutive years. is being designed so as to carry three people. • The computer has 100 times the application It will also carry a planned upgraded version performance of K supercomputer and is equipped with the rendezvous and docking developed to implement high-resolution, capability. This will be the first crewed mission long-duration and large-scale simulations. of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The • A portion of Fugaku’s research is said to be spacecraft will orbit the Earth at 400 km altitude dedicated to COVID-19 related projects. for up to seven days with two or three-person on • The initiative by the Japanese government board. The mission was planned to be launched on ISRO’s GSLV Mk III in December 2021 but it aims to make a society where all people has been delayed to 2023. live safe and comfortable lives. Source: The Hindu Source: Outlook India ISRO, JAXA REVIEW COOPERATION ON MOBILE INTEGRATED NETWORK JOINT LUNAR POLAR EXPLORATION TERMINAL (MINT SATELLITE MISSION Why in News? Syllabus section: science and tech Mobile integrated network terminal (mint) for Indian army under AatmaNirbharBharat Why in News? Abhiyaan. Indian and Japanese space agencies on Thursday reviewed their ongoing cooperation to launch a About: joint lunar polar exploration (LUPEX) mission. • The Indian Army is in the process of Scientists from the Indian Space Research procuring Mobile Integrated Network Organisation (ISRO) and Japan Aerospace Terminal (MINT) systems under the Make Exploration Agency (JAXA) have been working II category of DAP 2020. on a mission that aims to send a lander and • The system is envisaged as a lightweight, rover to the Moon’s south pole around 2024. portable, state of art integrated About: communication solution with satellite • Apart from reviewing on-going cooperation backhaul and wireless access system to in earth observation, lunar cooperation support voice, video and data. and satellite navigation, both sides • The Contract will subsequently be placed have agreed to explore opportunities for with one of the firms on the successful cooperation in space situational awareness development of the prototype as per and professional exchange programme. provisions of Buy (Indian-IDDM) of DAP • Both agencies signed an ‘’Implementing 2020. Arrangement’’ for collaborative activities on rice crop area and air quality monitoring MOBILE INTEGRATED NETWORK using satellite data. TERMINAL • India and Italy decided to explore • MINT exploits the advantage of icy, high- opportunities in the field of earth altitude terrain to deliver unfettered observation, space science and robotic voice, video, data and remote monitoring and human exploration. services at sub-zero temperatures.

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• Lightweight, portable, and easy-to- 1ST MEETING OF THE BRICS CONTACT configure, it creates a dedicated high- GROUP ON ECONOMIC AND TRADE speed 4G network bubble, with on-request ISSUES support for interoperability between Why in News? LTE handsets and other existing tactical The BRICS Contact Group on networks. Economic and Trade Issues (CGETI) leads held their first Significance: meeting under India’s Chairship • Development of MINT systems will enhance from 9-11 March 2021. the operational communication capability About: of the field army in consonance to the self- • Theme: “BRICS@15: Intra BRICS reliance vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation, for Defence production and Consensus”. • Robust communication support has • India, under its Chairship in 2021, always been a key enabler of the combat presented the calendar of events for BRICS CGETI 2021, which included the priority potential of the field army. Advancements areas for deliverables, schedule, and in communication technologies have scope of the MSME roundtable conference facilitated solutions that can be adapted workshop on Services Statistics, and the and customised as per operational BRICS Trade Fair. requirements to give a distinctive winning • The deliverables proposed are on : edge i. Action plan based on the document “Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership About Make Category: 2025” adopted during Russian Presidency • The provision of ‘Make’ category of capital in 2020 acquisition in Defence Procurement ii. BRICS Cooperation on Multilateral Procedure (DPP) is a vital pillar for Trading system including cooperation for realising the vision behind the ‘Make in the TRIPS Waiver proposal at WTO; India’ initiative of the Government, by iii. Framework for Consumer Protection in E-Commerce; fostering indigenous capabilities through iv. Non-Tariff Measures (NTM) Resolution design & development of required defence Mechanism; equipment’s by both public and private v. Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) sector industry in a faster time frame. Working Mechanism; • ‘Make’ Procedure has the following two vi. Co-operation framework for the protection sub-categories: of Genetic Resources and Traditional o Make-I (Government Funded): Projects Knowledge; under the ‘Make-I’ sub-category will vii. BRICS Framework on Co-operation in Professional Services. involve Government funding of 90%, released in a phased manner and based on Source: PIB the progress of the scheme, as per terms ATMANIRBHAR NIVESHAK MITRA agreed between MoD and the vendor. PORTAL o Make-II (Industry Funded): Projects Why in News? under the ‘Make-II’ category will involve Government working on AtmanirbharNiveshak prototype development of equipment/ Mitra portal to digitally facilitate investors. system/ platform or their upgrades • In order to strengthen efforts to promote or their subsystems/ sub-assembly/ domestic investments, the Department for assemblies/ components, primarily for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade import substitution/innovative solutions, (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry for which no Government funding will is in the process of finalizing a dedicated be provided for prototype development digital portal “AtmanirbharNiveshak purposes. Mitra” for handholding and facilitation, information dissemination, and facilitation Source: PIB of domestic investors

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About: Significance: • The portal is in the testing phase and the • This is one of the most significant digital final version will be ready for launch by initiatives being undertaken to target the 15th May 2021. specific investor interests and ensure • This Project is under the “Invest India” swift clearances & approvals throughout agency which was set up in 2009 as a non- their doing business journey. profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Source: PIB Ministry of Commerce and Industry, NATIONAL STEEL POLICY Government of India. • The portal will digitally support investors Syllabus Section: Industry throughout their doing business journey Why in News? in India and help them getting all the Union Minister for Steel Shri Dharmendra information starting from finding an Pradhan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha investment opportunity to exploring has given the information about National Steel incentives & taxes applicable to their Policy. businesses. • It will give all the information and About: assistance for doing business in India, • National Steel Policy enshrines the long- sources of funding, information on term vision of the government to give raw material availability, training, impetus to the steel sector. management requirement, and tender • The policy envisages creating a information. technologically advanced and globally competitive steel industry that promotes Special features of the Portal: self-sufficiency in steel production as well • Daily updates on Policies and New as economic growth. Initiatives by the Central and State • Steel being a de-regulated sector, Government will be made available on the government acts a facilitator, by creating portal. enabling environment for the development • One-stop-shop to access all MSME of the steel sector. portals like Champions portal, MSME • Various initiatives taken by the Samadhaan, MSME Sampark, etc. Government are as following:- • Know more about the Approvals, Licenses (i) Domestically Manufactured Iron & & Clearances applicable to your business. Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy with an • Explore Incentives & Schemes across objective to encourage production and different sectors and states and do an consumption of domestically produced apple-to-apple comparison. steel. • Information on Manufacturing Clusters (ii) Steel Scrap Policy to enhance the and Land Availability. availability of domestically generated • One on one Meetings & Discussions with scrap. the Invest India experts which will ensure (iii) Issuance of Steel Quality Control Orders adequate facilitation to domestic investors to prevent manufacturing and import of and issue resolution. non-standardized steel. • Connect to various Stakeholders on a single (iv) Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for platform like Central Ministries, Industry advanced registration of steel imports. Associations, State Departments. (v) Engagement with various stakeholders • Information on all Central and State including industry associations and Tenders by linking to the tender portal of leaders of the domestic steel industry Government of India. to identify their issues required to be • Information on all states their policies, addressed by the concerned Ministries/ know your approvals, departments, and Departments of the Central Government key officials etc. and State Governments. • Linking platform to other initiatives like (vi) Engagement with relevant stakeholders National Single Window, Startup India, including those from the Ministry/ ODOP, PMG, NIP, etc. Department of Railways, Defence, EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 23 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

Petroleum and Natural Gas, Housing, Civil • Beneficiaries of the scheme from Aviation, Road Transport and Highways, disadvantaged backgrounds can receive Agriculture and Rural Development up to 490 pounds per month towards sectors to enhance the overall demand for living costs, as well as travel funding and steel in the country. money to offset the cost of passports, (vii) Inclusion of ‘Specialty Steel’ under the visas, and insurance. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme SCHEME’S IMPACT ON INDIA recently announced by the Government • The UK’s Department for Education (DfE) (viii) Various schemes as notified from time to has confirmed that India, already a top time to refund or exempt taxes and duties source of international students to the levied on inputs used in export production UK, could be among the leading list of like Duty Drawback Scheme and Advanced countries with which UK universities seek Authorization Scheme etc. to improve the to strike student exchange projects. cost competitiveness of exported items. Source: Indian Express Source: PIB CSIR-NIO90 DAYS EXPEDITION TO UK’S TURING SCHEME INDIAN OCEAN

Syllabus Section: International Relation Syllabus Section: Science and Technology Why in News? Why in News? CSIR-NIO has launched a 90 days Expedition • Having left the ’s flagship to the Indian Ocean to conduct genome and Erasmus scholarship program after Brexit, proteome mapping of microorganisms present the UK launched its own replacement in the seawater and sediments. called the Turing scheme to enable UK students to study abroad. About: o Named after the celebrated English • The expedition will be starting from mathematician and codebreaker Alan Visakhapatnam Port, going to the mouth Turing. of Hooghly, Brahmaputra, and going southwards right up to 30oS latitude About the Scheme: along 90oE. • The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s • The team will be cruising through CSIR- scheme to provide funding for international NIOs Research Vessel Sindhu Sadhana. opportunities in education and training • Key objectives of the mission is to identify across the world. and characterize the genes and proteins in • It supports Global Britain by providing the ocean to understand the cellular level an opportunity for UK organizations processes occurring in the microorganisms from the higher education, further is the response. education, vocational education, and • The researchers will also explore the training and schools sectors to offer macro-and micro-nutrients in the waters their students, learners, and pupils life- to understand cellular level operations of changing experiences to study or work ocean organisms, abroad. • The scientists will use modern molecular biomedical techniques, genetic sequencing, • The scheme is part of the UK’s drive to and bioinformatics to understand the increase the amount generated from ecosystem dynamics of the Indian Ocean. education exports, including fees and • Using proteins, the catalysts of income from overseas students and biogeochemical reactions, the researchers English language teaching abroad. will try to identify the physiological • The British government has said that responses of ocean organisms under the scheme is aimed towards ensuring varying conditions. social mobility and targets students from o This will allow the scientists to disadvantaged backgrounds and areas understand cellular biochemistry and from where not many could benefit under the response of the ocean to climate the previous Erasmus+ scheme. change, nutrient stress, and pollution. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 24 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

Significance of Expedition: Benefits: • The large oceanic genetic information The major benefit will be enhanced access to generated in the form of an RNA and universal & affordable health care through DNA library can be utilized for future bio- the availability of earmarked resources while prospecting explorations. ensuring that the amount does not lapse at the • With the gene-level research, the team end of the financial year. is expecting to get new insights into the Background: taxonomy and adaptive capacity that can Health is vital for improved developmental help conservation efforts around marine outcomes. From an economic standpoint, better species health improves productivity and reduces losses • The scientists are also hoping to find due to premature death, prolonged disability, commercial biotechnology applications and early retirement. Health and Nutrition also — anticancer treatments, cosmetics, directly impact scholastic achievements and industrial enzymes, and antiviral have a bearing on productivity and income. molecules — from the exploration. Health Outcomes depend substantially on Source: DD News public spending on health. One extra year of population life expectancy raises GDP per capita PRADHAN MANTRI SWASTHYA by 4%, Investment in health creates millions of SURAKSHA NIDHI jobs, largely for women, through a much-needed Syllabus section: Society expansion of the health workforce. Why in News? Source: PIB The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime UDAN 4.1 Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi Syllabus Section: Economy (PMSSN) as a single non-lapsable reserve fund Why in News? for a share of Health from the proceeds of Health On the commencement of the ‘Azadi Ka and Education Cess levied under Section 136-b Amrit Mahotsav (India@75)’ launched by the of Finance Act, 2007. Government of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has proposed about 392 routes Salient features of the PMSSN under UDAN 4.1 bidding process. • A non-lapsable reserve fund for Health in the Public Account; Highlights: • Proceeds of the share of health in the • The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- Health and Education Cess will be credited Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) is a into PMSSN; flagship scheme of the Ministry of Civil • Accruals into the PMSSN will be utilized Aviation (MoCA) envisaged to make air for the flagship schemes of the Ministry of travel affordable and widespread in the Health & Family Welfare namely, country. Ø Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan • The scheme intends to boost inclusive Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) national economic growth, employment Ø Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness opportunities, and air transport Centres (AB-HWCs) infrastructure development across the Ø National Health Mission nation. Ø Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha About UDAN 4.1 : Yojana (PMSSY) • UDAN 4.1 round is focused on connecting • Emergency & disaster preparedness and smaller airports, along with a special responses during health emergencies helicopter and seaplane routes. • Administration and maintenance of the • Some of the operational flexibilities are PMSSN is entrusted to the Ministry of extended to Airlines under the UDAN 4.1 Health & Family Welfare; and to ensure suitable operation models to • In any financial year, the expenditure on connect smaller cities/ airstrips. such schemes of the MoHFW would be • Additionally, operations under NSOP initially incurred from the PMSSN and will be allowed for a seaplane, fixed- thereafter, from Gross Budgetary Support wing aircraft, Helicopters for RCS Routes (GBS). awarded under UDAN 4.1.

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Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik What is Parcel Management System? • Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik” is a Government The Parcel Management System of the Indian of India’s flagship program which aims to Railways envisages the complete automation provide affordable, economically viable, of booking, tracking, and handover of these and profitable air travel on regional packages, simultaneously improving the routes. quality of customer service, and reliability and efficiency of the parcel division. The packages • This Regional Connectivity Scheme offers can also be tracked online.The parcel booking a unique opportunity to a common man to counter equipment plays an important role in fly at an affordable price. this project. A thin client computer is provided, • UDAN has played a major role in adding that is interfaced to a digital weighing scale, a new airports and routes to the aviation barcode printer, and a barcode scanner. All of landscape of the country. these devices interact directly with the web- • As the implementing agency, AAI has an based PMS software, using APIs and technology ambitious plan to develop at least 100 developed jointly by CRIS and Thinvent. airports/waterdromes/heliports by 2024 Source: Live Mint under the Scheme. ADOPT A HERITAGE: APNI DHAROHAR, Source: PIB APNI PEHCHAAN” PROJECT NEW PARCEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Syllabus section: Art and culture (PMS) Why in News? Syllabus Section: Economy The 28th MoU under the “Adopt a Heritage: Why in News? Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project has been awarded for Dara Shikoh Library Building. The new parcel management system (PMS) of the Indian Railways will soon be extended from Highlights: 84 locations to 523 as part of its transformation • The project will be implemented by the geared towards providing transportation for government stakeholders including the small consignments over a vast network of Ministry of Tourism Government of India; stations. Art, Culture & Language Department (through The Department Of Archaeology) Highlights: Government Of National Capital Territory • This will bring enhancements such as Of Delhi and the private entities i.e. provision for 120 days advance booking, Monument Mitras, The Arts and Cultural showing the availability of parcel space Heritage Trust (TAACHT) and the Museum on the online e-forwarding note module & Arts Consultancy (MAC) acting in a joint on the PMS website, and generation of consortium. forwarding notes online by registered • Under this MoU, the Monument Mitras customers with fare estimates. plan to take up development, operations, • Other enhancements include and maintenance of basic amenities such as the cleanliness of the building Ø Booking of parcel/luggage at parcel and outdoor area including provision of office at stations through computerized garbage bins, etc. counters • The duration of the MoU is for an initial Ø Automatic capturing of weight through period of five years, extendable based on electronic weighing of consignment the performance of the Monument Mitra. Ø Barcoding on each consignment for tracking Ø Status updates of packages through GPRS About Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni network transmission of data, and Pehchaan” project Ø SMS updates to customers at each stage. • The ‘Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, • The new PMS will also include an FSLA Apni Pehchaan’ scheme is an initiative of (Freight System Ledger Accounting) the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration module for online preparation of manifest with the Ministry of Culture and the for registered newspapers and magazines. Archaeological Survey of India. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 26 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• It was launched in September 2017 on What will the scientists learn from this World Tourism Day. genome mapping in the ocean? • Under it, the government invites entities, • This will help scientists understand the including public sector companies, private internal working of the ecosystem of the sector firms as well as individuals, to Indian Ocean. develop selected monuments and heritage • The research will enable scientists to and tourist sites across India. identify the factors controlling the changes in RNA, DNA in the oceans, and various • Aim: The project aims to encourage stressors impacting them. companies from the public sector, private • The ocean has several micronutrients like sector, trusts, NGOs, individuals, and nitrates, sulfates, and silicates, minerals other stakeholders to become ‘Monument like iron ore and zinc, and trace metals Mitras’. like cadmium or copper. • The Monument Mitras are selected by • The genome mapping will show the the ‘oversight and vision committee,’ co- presence of which these microbes have chaired by the Tourism Secretary and adapted to, in addition to their reaction to the Culture Secretary, on the basis of atmospheric carbon dioxide. the bidder’s ‘vision’ for development of all • This will help in identifying which part of amenities at the heritage site. the ocean has a greater concentration of which mineral or element. Source: PIB • Scientists will then use these as tracers GENOME MAPPING IN INDIAN OCEAN to tackle the causative factors for excess or lack of a certain mineral or element Syllabus section: Science and technology and suggest possible solutions for their Why in News? mitigation. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) first- • In addition, the large pool of RNA, DNA of-its-kind research project in the country to libraries of the oceans will be utilized for map genomes in the Indian Ocean. using the Indian Ocean to human benefit in the future. Highlights: • Exploring the ocean genome will enable A 30-member team of scientists and researchers an increase in the growing number of from the National Institute of Oceanography commercial biotechnology applications, (NIO) in Panaji and another 30 crew members extending from multiple anticancer on board its research vessel Sindhu Sadhana treatments to cosmetics and industrial will spend the next three months traversing enzymes to antiviral molecules. the course of over 10,000 nautical miles in the • Exploration of the ocean at a genetic Indian Ocean on a research project to reveal the level will result in new insights into the internal working of the body of the ocean at a taxonomy and adaptive capacity that can help optimize conservation efforts. cellular level. Objective: Aims: The first-of-its-kind research project • Trace metals like cadmium or copper in the country is aimed at understanding the are supplied to oceans via continental biochemistry and the response of the ocean to run-offs, atmospheric deposition, climate change, nutrient stress, and increasing hydrothermal activities, and continental pollution. shelf interaction. • They are essential for ocean productivity. About the project: • Isotopic forms of trace metals can be • The researchers will collect samples utilized to track the movement of water from various stretches of the ocean at an masses responsible for ocean circulation average depth of about 5 km. and as tools to study the biological, • Just like gene mapping is carried out on geochemical, and ecosystem processes blood samples collected from humans, the and food web analyses. scientists will map these in the bacteria, • It will generate new information about microbes found in the ocean. trace metals from underexplored regions • The mapping of the Deoxyribonucleic acid of the Indian Ocean, the third-largest (DNA) and Ribonucleic acid (RNA) will water body in the world, covering about show the nutrients present in them, and 20 percent of the Earth’s water surface. also those lacking in different parts of the Source: Indian Express ocean. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 27 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

RAJYA SABHA PASSES NATIONAL is wasted in India while every third child is INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY suffering from malnutrition. Thus, more such BILL 2019 institutes are required to manage the entire food chain and skill development & training Syllabus section: Polity of the food processing units. Further, the law will create jobs and will make the farmers an Why in News? entrepreneur. The Rajya Sabha on Monday approved a Bill that declares two food technology institutes at Source: Economic Times Kundli in Haryana and Thanjavur in as national institutes. The Rajya Sabha passed FORMALISATION OF THE INFORMAL The National Institutes of Food Technology, SECTOR Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2019 Syllabus Section: Economy by voice vote. Why in News? Highlights: Minister of State (I/C) for Labour & Employment • The bill aims to declare certain institutions in a written reply in Rajya Sabha gave information of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, about measures taken. and Management to be the institutions of national importance. About: The Government has taken a number of • The bill facilitates these institutes in measures to formalize the informal sector. The terms of providing instruction, research, details are as under: and knowledge dissemination in the field of food science and technology. Pradhan Mantri RojgarProtsahan Yojana • The Bill also provides for a Board of (PMRPY) Governors, which will act as the principal executive body of the institutes and a • Government is implementing this yojana Council for coordinating activities and since 2016. facilitating interactions for performance • Objective: to incentivize employers for improvement. the creation of new employment and also aimed to bring informal workers to the • Reservation policy will also be applicable formal workforce. on these institutes • Under the scheme, the Government of India Functions of the institutes: is paying Employer’s full contribution i.e. Under the Bill, the functions of the institutes 12% towards Employees’ Provident Fund include: (EPF) and Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) both (as admissible from time to • providing for instruction, research, and time) for a period of three years to the new knowledge dissemination in the field of employees through Employees’ Provident food science and technology, Fund Organisation (EPFO). • holding examinations and granting • The terminal date for registration of degrees, diplomas, certificates, and other beneficiary through establishment was 31 academic distinctions or titles, st March 2019. • determining and collecting fees and other • The beneficiaries registered up to 31st charges, and (iv) instituting and making March 2019 will continue to receive appointments for academic and other the benefits for 3 years from the date of posts, except that of the Director. registration under the scheme. • The total outlay of the PMRPY scheme Benefits: for the entire period of the scheme is Rs. upgradation of the two institutes will not only 10178.60 Crore. attract students to make a career in the food processing sector but will also boost employment Aatmanirbhar Bharat RozgarYojana (ABRY):- opportunities and export. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) has been launched to incentivize employers The bill was introduced in the light that, India for the creation of new employment along with is currently facing challenges in food storage, social security benefits and restoration of loss cold chain, and processing of the food. As per of employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. a report, Further, food worth USD 14 billion Under the scheme; EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 28 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• An employee drawing a monthly wage of • In the case of liquidation of Gujarat NRE less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working Coke Limited, National Company Law in any establishment registered with the Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), in 2019, held Employees’ Provident Fund Organization that any person who was ineligible, under (EPFO) before 1st October 2020 and did Section 29A of IBC, to bid for his company, not have a Universal Account Number or was also barred from proposing a scheme EPF Member account number prior to 1st of compromise and arrangement under October 2020 is eligible for the benefit. Section 230 of the Companies Act. • An employee drawing a monthly wage of • Supreme Court uphold the NCLAT decision less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working and said that while Section 230 would be in any establishment registered with the applicable for promoters and creditors in Employees’ Provident Fund Organization the normal course of the workings of the (EPFO) before 1st October 2020 and did company, it would not be applicable if the not have a Universal Account Number or company is facing liquidation under IBC. EPF Member account number prior to 1st • It would lead to a manifest absurdity if October 2020 is eligible for the benefit. the very persons who are ineligible for • This scheme being implemented submitting a resolution plan, participating through the Employees’ Provident Fund in the sale of assets of the company in Organisation (EPFO). liquidation are somehow permitted to • Under ABRY, the Government of India is propose a compromise or arrangement crediting for a period of two years, both under Section 230 of the Act of 2013 the employees’ share (12% of wages) and employers’ share (12% of wages) of Impact On Promoters Of Companies contribution payable or only the employees’ • It will speed up the resolution process. share, depending on employment strength • Quick liquidation is of utmost importance of the EPFO registered establishments. to maximize the value of the assets of the • The scheme has commenced from 1st company. October 2020 and shall remain open for • It also settles down the conflicting registration of eligible employers and new judgments given by different benches employees up to 30th June 2021. of the National Company Law Tribunal • Government will pay the subsidy for two (NCLT), wherein these forums had, in years from the date of registration. order to follow the IBC’s principle of the value of asset maximization, allowed some Source: PIB of the promoters to re-bid for the company NO BACK-DOOR PACT FOR DEFAULTING or propose some arrangement when it was PROMOTERS sent to liquidation. Syllabus Section: Source: PIB Why in News? GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI The Supreme Court has ruled that promoters (AMENDMENT) BILL, 20210 of insolvent companies, which are barred from bidding for their own companies under Section Syllabus Section: Governance 29A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Why in News? (IBC) cannot use any scheme or arrangement to The Centre introduced the Government of gain control of their company even if it goes into liquidation. National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha. to amend the Meaning of the ruling by the Supreme Court: Government of National Capital Territory of • Section 230 of the Companies Act allows Delhi Act, 1991. promoters or creditors of the company Ø to propose a scheme of arrangement or It aims to “further define the responsibilities compromise under which the debt of the of the elected government and Lieutenant company can be restructured. Governor (LG) in Delhi”. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 29 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

About: Changes if the amendments are cleared by Parliament Provisions of the Bill: • The amendment, if cleared, will force • Among the major proposed amendments, the elected government to take the L-G’s one makes it explicitly clear that the term advice before taking any action on any “government” in any law made by the cabinet decision. Legislative Assembly shall mean the L-G. • The Bill seeks to add a provision in the original GNCTD Act, 1991, barring the • The Bill gives discretionary powers to the Assembly or its committees from making LG even in matters where the Legislative rules to take up matters concerning day- Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make to-day administration, or to conduct laws. inquiries in relation to administrative • The amendment also says that “Legislative decisions. Assembly shall not make any rule to • This assumes significance as the enable itself to consider the matters of the 70-member Assembly, where the AAP day-to-day administration of the Capital has as many as 62 MLAs, has multiple committees examining matters ranging or conduct inquiries in relation to the from riots to environment. administrative decisions”. • The Bill adds that the L-G’s opinion shall Source: Indian Express be obtained before the government takes PROJECT RE-HAB any executive action based on decisions Syllabus Section: Environment taken by the Cabinet or any individual minister. Why in News? KVIC rolls out project RE-HAB to prevent Background: Elephant – Human conflict using Honey Bees. • Delhi’s current status as a Union Territory About: with a Legislative Assembly is an outcome • Khadi and Village Industries Commission of the 69th Amendment Act through (KVIC), launched a unique project of which Articles 239AA and 239BB were creating “bee-fences” to mitigate human- introduced in the Constitution. elephant conflicts in the country. • The GNCTD Act was passed simultaneously • The objective of Project RE-HAB (Reducing to supplement the constitutional Elephant – Human Attacks using Bees) is to thwart elephant attacks in human provisions relating to the Assembly and habitations using honey bees and thus the Council of Ministers in the national reducing the loss of lives of both, humans capital. as well as elephants. • the GNCTD Act outlines the powers of • The pilot project was launched at four the Assembly, the discretionary powers locations around village Chelur in Kodagu enjoyed by the L-G, and the duties of the district of Karnataka Chief Minister with respect to the need to • These spots are located on the periphery furnish information to the L-G. of Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve and prone to human-elephant What did the Constitution Bench say? conflicts. • In its 2018 verdict, the five-judge Bench • Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission under had held that the L-G’s concurrence is KVIC’s National Honey Mission. not required on issues other than police, National Honey Mission public order, and land. Honey Mission is a program to increase the bee • It had added that decisions of the Council population, honey production and beekeepers’ of Ministers will, however, have to be income by setting up apiaries. communicated to the L-G. National Honey Mission • The status of the Lieutenant Governor of Honey Mission is a program to increase the bee Delhi is not that of a Governor of a State, population, honey production and beekeepers’ rather he remains an Administrator, income by setting up apiaries. in a limited sense, working with the Source: DD News designation of Lieutenant Governor”. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 30 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

FIRST VIRTUAL TRADE FAIR BY APEDA • It is the policy as one to convert waste and knowledge into wealth. Why in News? The First Virtual Trade Fair (VTF) organized by About Vehicle Scrapping Policy: APEDA to boost the export potential of India’s • In case of failure to get a fitness certificate, agricultural and processed food products during commercial vehicles will be de-registered the COVID19 pandemic drew a huge response after 15 years. Private vehicles will be de- from participants, exporters, and buyers from registered after 20 years if found unfit or countries including India, UAE, Brazil, New in case of a failure to renew registration Zealand, and France. certificates. • owners of old vehicles will get strong About: • The fair with a theme ‘India Rice and Agro incentives to scrap old and unfit vehicles. Commodity’, focussed on showcasing the • The scheme shall provide strong incentives export potential of various agricultural to owners of old vehicles to scrap old commodities. and unfit vehicles through registered • Importers, as well as exporters, were key scrapping centres, which shall provide the participants of the VTF. owners with a scrapping certificate. • Because of COVID19 related restrictions • The registration fees may also be waived on physical travel and trade, APEDA has for the purchase of a new vehicle against initiated the concept of VTF for sustaining the scrapping certificate. India’s agricultural and processed food • The criteria for a vehicle to be scrapped is products exports and also exploring new primarily based on the fitness of vehicles markets for expanding export footprints. through Automated Fitness Centres • In the pre-COVID19 era, trade fairs and (AFCs) in case of commercial vehicles and exhibitions have been instrumental in non-renewal of Registration in case of promoting the export of agricultural foods private vehicles. by APEDA. Advantages: Due to using the raw material from • Such virtual events also provide cost- the scrapped vehicles, not only the price of new effective and productive platforms where vehicles will be reduced but their maintenance the buyers and sellers could negotiate or cost will also come down and it will also help in discuss trade face to face giving a feel of generating more employment opportunities in real-time exhibitions or fairs. the sector”. • APEDA has been a pioneer in taking IT initiatives in the past in terms of making Around 100 vehicle scrapping centres will its process system online, implementation become operational in the country in the next of traceability, and adoption of advanced one and a half to two years and the number will technology. keep increasing.

Source: PIB Source: PIB VEHICLE SCRAPPING POLICY IQ AIR’S GLOBAL AIR POLLUTION Syllabus section: environment and ecology REPORT Why in News? Syllabus section: environment and ecology Minister for Road Transport & Highways said Why in News? that “the new vehicle scrapping policy will New Delhi was the world’s most polluted capital present a win-win situation for all stakeholders. for the third straight year in 2020, according to IQAir, a Swiss group that measures air quality Highlights: levels based on the concentration of lung- • The results of the policy will include damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5. aspects like safety, reduction in fuel consumption and pollution. Highlights: • Concession in Goods & Services Tax on • India was home to 35 of the world’s 50 purchase of new vehicles. most polluted cities. • Road Transport Ministry has made it • The findings were based on the country’s mandatory for economic models of the annual average of particulate matter cars to have airbags as an additional PM2.5, airborne particles with less than safety measure. 2.5 microns in diameter.

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• Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can lead • The LCU 58 is an amphibious ship that to deadly diseases, including cancer and can carry 160 troops, in addition to its cardiac problems. crew. With a displacement of 900 tons, the • Air pollution caused an estimated 54,000 ship is capable of carrying various types premature deaths in New Delhi in 2020, of combat vehicles such as Main Battle according to a recent study by Greenpeace Tanks (MBTs), BMPs, Armoured Vehicles, Southeast Asia Analysis and IQAir. trucks, etc. • Despite an 11% reduction in the annual • The ship measures 63 meters in length average of PM2.5 levels due to nationwide and is fitted with two MTA 4,000 series coronavirus lockdown curbs imposed last engines, which are capable of propelling year, India emerged as the world’s third the ship at speeds of up to 15 knots (28 most polluted country after Bangladesh kmph). and Pakistan. • The ship is also fitted with an advanced • China ranked 11th in the latest report, a Electronic Support Measure (ESM) suite to deterioration from the 14th in the previous intercept enemy radar transmissions, an edition of the report. advanced Integrated Bridge System (IBS), About the World Air Quality Report and a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), which allow The 2020 World Air Quality Report is based on PM2.5 data from 106 countries, that has single station monitoring of the ship’s been measured by ground-based monitoring navigational and machinery equipment stations. Of the data sources included in this respectively. report, 66.6% of stations were operated by • The main armament of the ship includes governmental agencies, while the remainder two indigenously manufactured 30 mm represents monitoring stations managed by CRN 91 guns which are controlled by local residents, non-profit organizations, and a Stabilised Optronic Pedestal (SOP), companies. an electronic day-night director sight manufactured by Bharat Electronics About IQAir Limited (BEL). IQAir is a Swiss-based air quality technology • In addition, the ship is fitted with six company that since 1963 seeks to empower Machine Gun Posts to neutralize air, individuals, organizations, and communities surface, and sub-conventional threats. to breathe cleaner air through information, collaboration, and technology solutions. Uses: It will be deployed in a variety of roles such as Beaching, Search and Rescue, Disaster Source: Indian Express Relief, Coastal Patrol, and Surveillance INDIAN NAVAL LANDING CRAFT operations along the Andaman and Nicobar UTILITY L58 Group of Islands, Bay of Bengal, and in the Indian Ocean. Syllabus section: science and tech Why in News? Advantage: It will augment the Indian Navy’s Indian Naval Landing Craft Utility (LCU) L58, mobility, reach, and flexibility, furthering the the eighth and last ship of the Landing Craft Andaman and Nicobar Command’s motto, Utility (LCU) Mark IV Class, was commissioned ‘Victory through Jointness’. into the Indian Navy at Port Blair, Andaman & Source: PIB Nicobar Islands. US INDIA ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE About: (USIAI) INITIATIVE • Indigenously designed and built by GRSE, Syllabus Section: Science and Technology Kolkata, the ship’s commissioning has added one more feather in the cap of the Why in News? nation’s ‘Make in India’ & ‘Atmanirbhar USIAI was launched during the launch ceremony Bharat’ program in the field of warship organized by Indo-U.S. Science and Technology design and construction. Forum (IUSSTF)on March 17, 2021. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 32 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

About: About: • IUSSTF’s USIAI Initiative focuses on AI cooperation in critical areas that are Van Dhan Programme priorities for both countries. • It was launched on 14th April 2018. • USIAI will serve as a platform to discuss Implemented by TRIFED as the nodal opportunities, challenges, and barriers for agency at the national level. bilateral AI R&D collaboration. • It is a programme for value addition, • It will enable AI innovation, help share branding & marketing of Minor ideas for developing an AI workforce, and Forest Produces by establishing Van recommend modes and mechanisms for DhanKendras to facilitate the creation catalyzing partnerships. of sustainable livelihoods for the forest- Significance of the Initiative: based tribes. • The US-India strategic partnership can be Ø One major scheme that has contributed strengthened by focusing on AI cooperation to increasing employment and income in critical areas that are priorities for both generation among the tribal population is countries, the Van Dhan tribal start-ups programme. • India scores in diversity, and diversity is o It is a component of the ‘Mechanism very important for research. India is rich in for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce data and banking on the strength of both (MFP) through Minimum Support Price countries, these global collaborations help them both.” (MSP) & Development of Value Chain • The AI Initiative is another example for MFP’ Scheme. of IUSSTF’s critical role in catalyzing Source: PIB collaborations between India and the U.S. in cutting-edge areas of science and ATAL INNOVATION MISSION, AWS technology. COLLABORATE TO SCALE CLOUD • USIAI leverages IUSSTF’s unique ability to SKILLING bring together key stakeholders from India Syllabus Section: Science and Technology and the United States to create synergies that address challenges and opportunities Why in News? at the interface of science, technology, and • The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI society. Aayog, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Source: PIB announced new initiatives to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship MANIPUR EMERGES AS THE MODEL ecosystem in India. STATE FOR VAN DHAN VIKAS YOJANA o It will be done by empowering school Syllabus Section: Society students with cloud computing skills, and enabling entrepreneurs to build innovative education technology (EdTech) solutions Why in News? • Manipur has emerged as the champion on the cloud. state where the Van Dhan programme has About: emerged as a major source of employment • A Statement of Intent (SoI) was signed for the local tribals. between NITI Aayog and Amazon Internet o Since the time that the programme was launched in the State in October 2019, Services Private Limited (AISPL), which 100 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have undertakes the resale and marketing of been established. AWS Cloud services in India. o These constitute 1500 SHGs and are • As per the SoI, AIM will leverage AWS benefitting 30,000 tribal entrepreneurs, Educate, Amazon’s global program that who are involved in the collection, processing, value-adding, packaging provides resources for students and and marketing of value-added products educators to accelerate cloud-related from Minor Forest produce. learning.

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• This program will introduce the Highlights: fundamentals of cloud computing such • The campaign aims to identify anemic as cloud storage, virtual compute power, women and malnourished children and web hosting, artificial intelligence (AI), converge various departments to effectively machine learning (ML), and virtual reality deal with the problem in a state where (VR), to students at more than 7000 Atal malnutrition has been a major problem. Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in India. • The recent Economic Survey quoted The • AWS will also conduct Faculty Development Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey Programs (FDPs) for the personnel in- conducted in the state during March 2017 charge at the ATLs, and provide resources to July 2017 stating that based on the and tools at each ATL to expedite student sample data, 36% of under five years of learning and enable them to create and age are stunted—height for age, 29% are build solutions on the cloud. affected from Wasting—weight for height, • AIM will also adopt AWS EdStart,a virtual and 45% are underweight—weight for age, startup accelerator program that enables indicating the status of undernutrition. EdTech startups to develop innovative What are the existing schemes to tackle teaching and learning solutions on AWS. malnutrition in Jharkhand? Benefits: The state government runs various schemes • The collaboration with AWS will equip the under Child Development Schemes, National talented youth of the country with digital Nutrition Mission among others to deal with and web-based tools that can enhance the situation, but it is not enough. Dealing with their creative and innovative capabilities, malnutrition in the state monitoring has been in turn helping the nation to grow manifold an important concern due to lack of doctors or in its innovation and entrepreneurship health care workers. network The need of SAAMAR Campaign: • The education and tools will establish a • SAAMAR has been launched with a 1000 strong foundation in cloud computing days target, under which annual surveys for students of ATLs across India, while will be conducted to track the progress. the support of AWS EdStart for startups • It talks of convergence of various from AICs and ACICs will accelerate departments such as Rural Development their productization and potential Department and Food and Civil Supplies commercialization, and engagement with school management • AWS is committed to bridging the committees, gram sabhas among others, digital skills gap in cloud computing and making them aware of nutritional and empowering entrepreneurs to build behavior. innovative products and services on the • Most importantly, the campaign, as per cloud. the note, also tries to target Primarily o India will need nine times as many Vulnerable Tribal Groups. digital skilled workers by 2025, • It encourages research and proposes according to the report fellowships on the nutritional behavior of these groups for effective implementation. Unlocking APAC’s Digital Potential: Changing Digital Skill Needs and Policy Approaches, How does SAMAAR propose to tackle prepared by strategy and economics consulting acute malnutrition in children and anemic firm AlphaBeta, and commissioned by AWS. women? • All of these will be done through measuring Source: PIB Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of SAAMAR CAMPAIGN women and children through MUAC tapes and Edema levels, swelling in a small area Syllabus section: society or the entire body—malnutrition is one of Why in News? the reasons attributed to this disease. The Jharkhand government Wednesday • Angawadi’sSahayia and Sevika will take announced the launch of SAAMAR (Strategic them to the nearest Health Centre where Action for Alleviation of Malnutrition and Anemia they will be checked again and then Reduction) campaign to tackle malnutrition in registered on the portal of State Nutrition the state. Mission. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 34 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

What is the program on adolescent girls and • While it is most often used in official women? functions to felicitate guests, the landscape • It will capitalize on the Tejaswini Project of rural Assam features a more utilitarian functioning in the 17 districts of the state version, which farmers wear to protect themselves from the harsh weather, both where 12, 800 youth communities—of sun and rain, while working in the fields. women and adolescent girls have been • The decorated ones, on the other hand, are formed—are being trained in various used to felicitate people who visit Assam skills, entrepreneurship, and -jobs. • It is basically a memento that represents • All these adolescent girls and women will the state.” be educated on nutritional behavior too, • The first possible recorded use of jaapi and all will be given a health and nutrition dates back to the Ahom-era buranjis, or card where they will be informed on their chronicles. weight, height, Body Mass Index, and • Today, the bulk of Assam’s jaapis are Hemoglobin. made by artisans based in a cluster of • They will also be asked to consume Iron- villages in Nalbari district. Folic Acid and deworming tablets under Gamosa supervision. • The Gamosa, which literally translates to a cloth to wipe one’s body, is omnipresent in How will the campaign measure the Assam, with wide-ranging uses. It can be outcome? used at home as a towel (ukagamosa) or in • Nutrition Sabhas will be conducted and public functions (phulam/floral gamosa) the Mukhiyas will work along with every to felicitate dignitaries or celebrities villages’ Anganwadi Sevika, Sahayika, • the gamosa is a “symbol of the Assamese Poshan Sakhi, School Management nation” and its use in that context can Committee President, Jal Sahiya among be traced back to 1916 and 1917, when the AsomChatraSanmillan (first student others. organisation) and Asom Sahitya Sabha • The Panchayat Secretariat will carry color- (premier literary organisation) were coded boards of every village’s nutritional founded condition. • “Both were Assam’s first non-political • Later a social audit will be conducted after organisations, and it was from them that which a panchayat will be given the tag of the initial strains of Assamese jatiyotabaad Malnutrition Free Panchayat. (nationalism) grew, and so did the use of • There is a provision of Rs 1 lakh to be the gamosa, • Today, no public function can commence given to every panchayat to achieve this. without the guest first being felicitated Source: Indian express with the gamosa. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JAAPI, XORAI Xorai: AND GAMOSA IN ASSAM • Made of bell-metal, the xorai — essentially a tray with a stand at the bottom, with or Syllabus Section: Society and Culture without a cover — can be found in every Why in News? Assamese household. • it is primarily used as an offering tray Primarily used to felicitate important people and during prayers, or to serve tamale-paan guests, these important symbols of Assamese (betel-nut) to guests, a xorai is also identity and culture are abundantly seen in presented along with the jaapi and gamosa political campaigns across the state. while felicitating someone • The bulk of xorais in Assam are made in About: the state’s bell metal hub Sarthebari in Jaapi the Bajali district. • The jaapi is a conical hat made of bamboo • The xorai has a long history. “It was used and covered with dried tokou (a palm during the time of Vaishnavite reformer Sankardeva too. tree found in rainforests of Upper Assam) leaves. Source: Indian Express

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GRAM UJALA SCHEME INDIA TB SUMMIT Syllabus section: society Syllabus Section: Health-Related Issues Why in News? Why in News? In the first phase of the Gram Ujala scheme, The India TB summit was organized to 15 million LED bulbs will be distributed across highlight the global and national prevalence of villages in 5 states. Tuberculosis in the run-up to World TB Day celebrations on 24th March 2021. Highlights: • Union power and new and renewable Key Highlights: energy minister launched the scheme, • The Union Health Minister reaffirmed the which comes with no government support political commitment of the government to or subsidy. end TB. • In its first phase launched from Arrah o Indian Government accorded high priority in Bihar, 15 million LED bulbs will be to eradicating Tuberculosis in India by distributed across villages of Arrah (Bihar), 2025, five years ahead of the Sustainable Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Vijaywada Development Goals (SDG) target of 2030. (), Nagpur (Maharashtra), • He gave the details of the National TB and western Gujarat. Elimination Programme’s ambitious • The bulbs are offered by state-run Energy National Strategic Plan (NSP) to achieve Efficiency Services Ltd’s subsidiary the said target by 2025, Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) by leveraging scale. o The NSP embraces bold strategies with • Gram Ujala program will be financed commensurate resources to rapidly entirely through carbon credits and will decline TB incidence and mortality be the first such program in India. o National TB Elimination Programme’s • Under the United Nations’ Clean (NTEP )has instituted many innovations Development Mechanism (CDM), the such as: scheme will claim carbon credits. Ø Contracting of Patient-Provider Support Also, under the new scheme, the rural Agencies (PPSAs) to enhance engagement consumer’s incandescent and CFL with the private sector. (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs will be Ø Strengthening community engagement taken back. through TB Forums at the National, State • Under the program, 7 watts and 12 watts and District levels. LED bulbs with three years warranty Ø Integrating TB services across all levels will be given to rural consumers against in the Health System, including the submission of working incandescent Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness bulbs. Centres, thereby, making TB an essential • The Gram Ujala program will be part of Comprehensive Primary Health implemented in villages of the 5 districts Care only and consumers can exchange a • New initiatives taken at the sub-national maximum of 5 LED bulbs. level to strengthen community-level Significance of the scheme engagement and to make it a part of India is currently the second-largest LED market Comprehensive Primary Health Care: across the world by value. So, the scheme will i. Through enhanced access to molecular help in avoiding the peak electricity demand of diagnostics by decentralizing CBNAAT 9,428 megawatts. and TruNat services, India has enabled Source: Livemint earlier detection of drug resistance. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 36 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

ii. Through Active Case Finding, India • The government of India had in May has reached out to the unreached 2020, decided to link grant of additional and vulnerable groups. Sub-national borrowing permissions to States who surveillance of TB and disease-free undertake the reforms to facilitate ease of certification has been introduced, wherein doing business. The reforms stipulated in States/Districts that have achieved a this category are: significant reduction in the incidence of a. Completion of first assessment of ‘District TB from 2015 baselines were assessed and Level Business Reform Action Plan’ have been likewise awarded Bronze, Silver, b. Elimination of the requirements of renewal Gold and even TB Free certifications. of registration certificates/approvals/ iii. India has established TB Forums which licences obtained by businesses under provide a common platform to govt various Acts. officials, physicians, civil society and c. Implementation of computerized central representatives from patient groups to random inspection system under the discuss all concerns pertaining to service Acts wherein allocation of inspectors is delivery and patient care. done centrally, the same inspector is not • He called upon every citizen to fight assigned to the same unit in subsequent collectively and think of TB not as only years, prior inspection notice is provided a biomedical disease but also as a social to the business owner, and inspection disease. To address Tuberculosis, the first report is uploaded within 48 hours of the step is that we need to stop thinking of inspection. biomedical solutions only as TB is a social • In view of the resource required to meet disease. TB control needs to be taken up the challenges posed by the COVID-19 by all of us as a developmental issue. pandemic, the Government of India had enhanced the borrowing limit of the Source: PIB States by 2 percent of their GSDP. Half of this special dispensation was linked to EASE OF DOING BUSINESS REFORMS undertaking citizen-centric reforms by the Syllabus Section: Economy States. Why in News? o The four citizen-centric areas for reforms • Five more States namely, Arunachal identified were Pradesh, , Goa, Meghalaya (a) Implementation of One Nation One Ration and Tripura have completed the “Ease of Card System, Doing Business” reforms stipulated by the (b) Ease of doing business reform, Department of Expenditure. (c) Urban Local body/ utility reforms and o The number of States who have (d) Power Sector reforms. successfully completed the “Ease of Doing Significance of the Reform Business” reforms has reached to twenty • The ease of doing business is an important About: indicator of the investment-friendly • States completing Ease of Doing Business business climate in the country. reforms are eligible for additional • Improvements in the ease of doing borrowing of 0.25 percent of Gross State business will enable faster future growth Domestic Product (GSDP) of the state economy. o Accordingly, on receipt of recommendations Source: PIB from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the 4,690 ANTI-TANK GUIDED MISSILES Department of Expenditure has granted Syllabus section: society permission to these 20 States to raise additional financial resources of Rs.39,521 Why in News? crore through Open Market Borrowings. The Defence Ministry sealed a deal with state- run Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) to acquire o State wise amount of the additional 4,960 anti-tank guided missiles at a cost of borrowing permitted to these 20 States is 1,188 crores for the Indian Army. annexed.

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About: • A proposal has been initiated by National • The missiles, having a range of 1,850 Centre for Polar and Ocean Research meters, can be fired from the ground as (NCPOR) Ministry of Earth Sciences to well as vehicle-based launchers. estimate thickness of Himalayan glaciers • Their induction is planned to be completed using innovative airborne radar surveys in three years. in collaboration with established Indian • The missiles are being produced by BDL researchers in India and abroad. under license from French defense major • India plans to add 45 gigawatts (GW) of MBDA Missile Systems. hydropower capacity to its energy basket. • They can be deployed in the anti-tank role • Different techniques like geophysical for both offensive and defensive tasks. techniques and Ground Penetrating • The contract will further boost the ‘Make Radar (GPR) profiling have been employed for glacier depth assessment by Geological in India’ initiative of India. Survey of India (GSI). Significance: Induction of these missiles will Importance: further enhance the operational preparedness • There is a high interdependence between of the armed forces. the glaciers located in the Himalayas and This project is a big opportunity for the defense the energy security of the country. industry to showcase its capability and will be • Almost 33% of country’s thermal electricity a step in the direction of achieving the goal of and 52% of hydropower in the country ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in the defense sector. is dependent on the water from rivers originating in Himalaya. Source: Livemint • These rivers receiving significant part of INDIA TO CONDUCT RADAR SURVEYS their water due to melting of ice, glaciers 0F HIMALAYAN GLACIERS make an indispensable part of India’s energy security Syllabus section: environment and ecology Impact of climate change: Why in News? Climate change has strong influence on the India plans to conduct airborne radar surveys precipitation over Himalayas as well as melting to estimate the thickness of Himalayan glaciers, response of glaciers/ snow cover in Himalayas. with a pilot study to be conducted in Lahaul- This in turn affects the runoff pattern of rivers Spiti basin of Himachal Pradesh. Once the pilot draining from the glaciated catchments of project is done, similar studies will be conducted Himalayas. in Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra sub-basins. Source: Livemint Background: This also comes in the backdrop of India being KEN-BETWA LINK one of the most vulnerable country for extreme Syllabus section: Governance weather events, ranking 20th on Climate Risk Why in News? Index (CRI). Also, the country was recently Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh will sign witness to a human tragedy when several people an agreement to implement the Ken-Betwa Link lost their lives, after a glacier near Raini village Project, according to the Jal Shakti Ministry. above Rishiganga river in Uttarakhand burst About Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP) Highlights: • The first project of the National Perspective • The development assumes significance Plan for interlinking of rivers, through given the importance of glaciers in India’ video conferencing/ virtual platform. river systems and the 500 million lives • Under the link project, water from the Ken they sustain downstream in the Indo- river will be transferred to Betwa River Gangetic plains. through the construction of Daudhan • They are also important from the energy Dam and a canal linking the two rivers, security standpoint and have a strategic the Lower Orr Project, Kotha Barrage and imperative. Bina Complex Multipurpose Project. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 38 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• The project will be of immense benefit to • The Act requires insurers to hold a the water-starved region of Bundelkhand, minimum investment in assets which especially to the districts of Panna, would be sufficient to clear their insurance Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, claim liabilities. Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen of • If the insurer is incorporated or domiciled Madhya Pradesh and Banda, Mahoba, outside India, such assets must be held in Jhansi and Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh. India in a trust and vested with trustees • It will pave the way for more interlinking who must be residents of India. of river projects to ensure that scarcity of • The Act specifies in an explanation water does not become an inhibitor for development in the country. that this will also apply to an insurer incorporated in India, in which at least: Concern: Interlinking of Ken and Betwa rivers o 33% capital is owned by investors will destroy the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya domiciled outside India, or Pradesh. o 33% of the members of the governing Aim: This agreement will herald the beginning of body are domiciled outside India. inter-state cooperation to implement the vision Source: PRS of Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee to carry water from areas that have surplus water to drought prone CATCH THE RAIN CAMPAIGN and water deficit areas through the interlinking Syllabus Section: Environment and Ecology of rivers. Why in News? Source: Livemint On World Water Day (22nd March), Prime THE INSURANCE (Amendment) BILL Minister Narendra Modi launches the ‘Catch the 2021 Rain’ campaign. Syllabus section: Polity and Governanace About: Why in News? • Catch the Rain’ campaign aims to The Insurance (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was ‘’conserve rainwater when it falls, where it passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Finance falls so that water reaches every corner of Minister moved the bill in the lower house of the nation.’ the parliament which sought to raise the FDI • The ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign, focusing limit in the insurance sector to 74% from 49%. on water security, will go on from March 22 to November 30, covering the pre- Highlights: monsoon and monsoon season in the • The Act provides the framework for functioning of insurance businesses and country. regulates the relationship between an • It will also encourage ‘’water conservation insurer, its policyholders, its shareholders, at the grass-root level through people’s and the regulator (the Insurance participation.’’ Regulatory and Development Authority of • Theme for this year’s World Water Day is India). ‘’Valuing Water’’. • The Bill seeks to increase the maximum foreign investment allowed in an Indian Source: All India Radio insurance company. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FORESTS • The Act allows foreign investors to hold Syllabus Section: Environment and Ecology up to 49% of the capital in an Indian insurance company, which must be owned Why in News? and controlled by an Indian entity. The United Nations observes March 21 as the • The Bill increases the limit on foreign International Day of Forests, commemorating investment in an Indian insurance the green cover around the world and reiterating company from 49% to 74%, and removes its importance. restrictions on ownership and control. • However, such foreign investment may • The United Nations General Assembly be subject to additional conditions as proclaimed March 21 as the International prescribed by the central government. Day of Forests (IDF) in 2012.

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About: • The past awardees include luminaries • The theme of the International Day of like Dr. , Former Forests for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a President of Tanzania; Dr. Gerhard path to recovery and well-being”. Fischer, Federal Republic of Germany; • The Day is celebrated by the United ; (Shri Nations Forum on Forests and the Food MurlidharDevidasAmte); Late Dr. Nelson and Agriculture Organization of the Mandela, former President of South United Nations (FAO), in collaboration Africa; of Bangladesh; with governments, the Collaborative Archbishop of South Partnership on Forests, and other relevant Africa; Shri & Indian organizations in the field. Space Research Organisation. Recent awardees include , • Themes of the International Day of Forests India(2015); , are aimed to fit into the UN Decade on India and (Jointly, Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030), for 2016); Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India(2017) which calls for the protection and revival and Shri Yohei Sasakawa, Japan(2018). of ecosystems around the world. His Majesty Sultan Al Said Forest cover in India • His Majesty Sultan Qaboos was a visionary • As per the biennial State of Forest Report, leader whose twin policy of moderation 2019, India’s forest cover has increased and mediation in addressing international by 3,976 sq km or 0.56% since 2017. issues won him praise and respect across • For the second consecutive time since the globe. 2007, the report recorded a gain — an • He played an important role in supporting impressive 1,275 sq km — in dense forest peace efforts in various regional disputes (including very dense forest with a canopy and conflicts. H.M. Sultan Qaboos was density of over 70%, and moderately dense the architect of the special ties between forest with a canopy density of 40-70%). India and Oman. Source: Indian Express • Under his leadership, India and Oman became strategic partners and our FOR YEAR 2019 mutually beneficial, comprehensive AND 2020 partnership strengthened and scaled Why in News? newer heights. The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2019 Bangabandhu and 2020 is being conferred on His Majesty • Bangabandhu was a champion of human Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman rights and freedom in Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman • The legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu respectively. has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, About: and that the path shown by Bangabandhu • Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award has laid a strong foundation for the instituted by Government of India since partnership, progress and prosperity of 1995, the 125th Birth Anniversary both countries over the last decade. commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi. • The award is open to all persons regardless Source: PIB of nationality, race, language, caste, creed PORTAL “PRANIT” or sex. • The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 Syllabus Section: Industry crore, a citation, a plaque andan exquisite Why in News? traditional handicraft/ handloom item. POWERGRID Launches Certified E-Tendering • The Jury for Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired Portal “PRANIT”. by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi ,and comprises of two ex-officio About: members, namely the Chief Justice of • It will lead to less paperwork and ease of India and Leader of the single largest operation, making the tendering process Opposition Party in Lok Sabha. more transparent. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 40 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• It has been certified by Standardisation, About: Testing and Quality Certification • PM, Modi also addresses International Directorate (STQC), Ministry of Electronics Conference on Disaster resilient and Information Technology, Government Infrastructure. of India. • Prime Minister stressed that Countries • POWERGRID is now the only organization that are making large investments in infrastructure, such as India, must ensure in India to have an eProcurement solution that this is an investment in resilience, on SAP Supplier Relationship Management and not in risk. (SRM), complying with all applicable • The Prime Minister elaborated on key requirements relating to security and priority areas. transparency as stipulated by STQC. • First, CDRI must embody the central Source: PIB promise of the Sustainable Development Goals, that is, “leave no one behind”. This INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE means that we have to put the concerns ON DISASTER RESILIENT of the most vulnerable nations and INFRASTRUCTURE communities first. • Second, we must take stock of the Syllabus Section: Disaster Management performance of some of the key Why in News? infrastructure sectors - particularly • Finance Minister urged advanced health infrastructure and the digital economies to scale up their climate infrastructure, that played a central role during the pandemic. change financing commitments and help • Third, in our quest for resilience , no emerging countries build climate resilient technological system should be considered infrastructure. too basic or too advanced. • The Minister was addressing the • The CDRI must maximize the International Conference on Disaster demonstration effect of the application Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI). of technology. And finally, the notion of “resilient infrastructure” must become a What is climate finance? mass movement galvanizing the energies • Climate finance refers to local, national of not just the experts, and formal or transnational financing—drawn from institutions public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support Climate Financing in India: • The largest source of climate financing in mitigation and adaptation actions that India is public funding, which is routed will address climate change. through budgetary allocation and several • The Convention(UNFCCC), the Kyoto funds and schemes related to climate Protocol and the Paris Agreement call change established by the Government for financial assistance from Parties with of India such as National Clean Energy more financial resources to those that are Fund (NCEF) and National Adaptation less endowed and more vulnerable. Fund (NAF). • It is in accordance with the principle of • The Government of India also provides “common but differentiated responsibility funding through eight missions and respective capabilities” set out in the established under the National Action Plan for Climate Change. Convention. • It has established a Climate Change • Climate finance is needed for mitigation, Finance Unit (CCFU) in the Ministry of because large-scale investments are Finance, which is the nodal agency for all required to significantly reduce emissions climate change financing matters. • Climate finance is equally important o However, public funding in India is for adaptation, as significant financial inadequate and misused. For example, resources are needed to adapt to the NCEF funds have been used to meet adverse effects and reduce the impacts of budgetary shortfalls in the Ministry of a changing climate. New and Renewable Energy (MoNRE). EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 41 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

o Additionally, there is no assessment • In mid-2020 the Andaman and Nicobar of climate relevance of publicly funded Islands Integrated Development projects in India, making it difficult to Corporation (ANIIDCO) was designated as evaluate financial allocation towards the nodal agency for the process. climate action. • In January, 2021, the Standing Committee Source: PIB of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) denotified the entire Galathea Bay Wildlife MOU BETWEEN UPSC, AFGHANISTAN’S Sanctuary to allow for the port there. IARCSC • Nicobar megapode is the globally Why in News? endangered bird unique to the Nicobars. Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a • Threat to Shompen community: The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between proposed project areas are important UPSC and Civil Services Commission (IARCSC), foraging grounds for this hunter-gatherer Afghanistan. nomadic community. Significance: Source: TH • The MoU will strengthen the relationship between IARCSC and UPSC. DISTRICT – WISE EXPORT PROMOTION • It will facilitate sharing of experience and Syllabus Section: Economy expertise of both the institutions in the area of recruitment. Why in news? • The MoU includes exchange of information The government has readied a draft district-wise and expertise including books, manuals export promotion plan for 451 districts in the and other documents which are not country after identifying products and services of a confidential nature and sharing with export potential in 725 districts. of expertise in the use of Information Aim: To double-digit export growth from 500 Technology (IT) for the preparation of districts over 3-5 years. written examinations and holding of Computer Based Recruitment Tests and Highlights: Online Examinations. • Commerce Ministry has asked States to Source: All India Radio prepare an annual ‘export ranking index’ of districts on export competitiveness with GREAT NICOBAR ISLAND the assistance of the Directorate General Why in News? of Foreign Trade (DGFT). More than 150 sq. km. of land is being made • While foreign trade constitutes 45% of available for Phase I of a NITI Aayog-piloted India’s GDP, most export promotion efforts ‘holistic’ and ‘sustainable’ vision for Great are driven by the Centre. Nicobar Island, the southernmost in the • In the initial phase, products and services Andaman and Nicobar group. with export potential in each district About: have been identified and an institutional • This amounts to nearly 18% of the 910 sq. mechanism of State and District Export km. island, and will cover nearly a quarter Promotion Committees (SEPC) are being of its coastline. The overall plan envisages created, with an action plan to grow the use of about 244 sq. km. — a major exports from each district. portion being pristine forest and coastal • Products/services with export potential systems. have been identified in 725 districts • Projects to be executed in Phase I across the country (including Agricultural include a 22 sq. km. airport complex, & Toy clusters and GI products in these a transshipment port (TSP) at South Districts). Bay at an estimated cost of 12,000 • District Export Promotion Committees crore, a parallel-to-the-coast mass rapid have been notified in the districts of all transport system and a free trade zone the States except West Bengal. and warehousing complex on the south western coast. Source: The Hindu EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 42 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

SPECIAL PURPOSE ACQUISITION • The merger of ReNew Power with RMG COMPANIES (SPAC) Acquisition will result in the former’s listing on Nasdaq and gross cash proceeds Syllabus Section: Exonomy of around $1.2 billion. Why in News? Regulation of SPACs in India: The US Securities and Exchange Commission • India has not taken an official regulatory (SEC) issued an investor alert warning to SPACs, stand on allowing the listing of SPACs or special purpose acquisition companies. here, the Security and Exchanges Board of India (SEBI) has reportedly formed a • The securities watchdog cautioned group of experts to study the feasibility investors “not to make investment of bringing SPACs under the regulatory decisions related to SPACs based solely on ambit. celebrity involvement • The Indian regulatory framework does not allow the creation of these blank cheque About: companies as yet. Meaning of SPAC: Risk Involved: • An SPAC, or a blank-cheque company, • The boom in investor firms going for SPACs is an entity specifically set up with the and then looking for target companies objective of acquiring a firm in a particular have tilted the scales in favour of investee firms. This has the potential, theoretically, sector. to limit returns for retail investors post- • The concept of SPAC has existed for merger nearly a decade now and several investors • Also, even as the SPACs are mandated and company promoters have used this to return money to their investors in the route to take their investments public, the event no merger is made within two years, vehicle has gained momentum just last fine print of several SPAC prospectuses year, making 2020 a record year for SPAC shows that certain clauses could deals — a record that has already been potentially prevent investors from getting their monies back. broken by 2021 • The aim of this SPAC is to raise money Source: Indian Express in an initial public offering (IPO), and at ‘BULDHANA PATTERN’ FOR WATER this point in time, it does not have any CONSERVATION operations or revenues. Syllabus Section: Environment and Ecology • Once the money is raised from the public, it is kept in an escrow account, which can Why in News? be accessed while making the acquisition. Minister for Jal Shakti informed Rajya Sabha about the ‘Buldhana Pattern’ for water If the acquisition is not made within two conservation. years of the IPO, the SPAC is delisted and the money is returned to the investors. Details: • It is based on the synchronization of Why it is so attractive? national highway construction and water • A key factor that makes SPACs attractive conservation. to investors despite them essentially being • NITI Aayog has prepared draft guidelines shell companies, are the people sponsoring for convergence of the activities of the blank-cheque company. (i) sourcing earth for improvement/ construction of national highways, state India and SPAC: roads and railways and • In India, renewable energy producer (ii) water conservation works through ReNew Power last month announced an desiltation/ deepening of water bodies. agreement to merge with RMG Acquisition This two-fold activity has already been Corp II, a blank-cheque company, in successfully implemented as a pilot project in what became the first involving an Indian the Buldhana district of Maharashtra state. company during the latest boom in SPAC deals. Source: PIB EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 43 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

SAUDI ARABIA’S PEACE INITIATIVE IN VMRDA ORDER ON NON-TRIBAL YEMEN MANDALS AND THE CONTROVERSY Syllabus Section: International Relation Syllabus Section: Society Why in News? Why in News? India has welcomed the initiative announced by The Andhra Pradesh government has Saudi Arabia for fostering peace in Yemen. issued orders to expand the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Development Authority (VMRDA) About: which created a controversy. • The initiative inter proposes a comprehensive ceasefire across Yemen About: under the supervision of the UN as well as • Due to rapid urbanisation of consultations between the Yemeni parties Visakhapatnam city, a significant urban to reach a political resolution under the sprawl has been detected in the fringe auspices of the UN areas of existing VMRDA limits towards • The initiative also includes humanitarian western corridor of Visakhapatnam cooperation and economic concessions Metropolitan Region. too. • In order to reduce pressure on urban • Restrictions on the Red Sea port of infrastructure of the city, and to ensure Hodeidah would be eased, allowing access planned development in the fringe areas for ships and cargo. Income from the port, by curbing unauthorised constructions, including taxes, would go to the central the 13 mandals have been brought into bank in Hodeidah in accordance with the VMRDA. Stockholm agreement. • These mandals are said to be ‘contiguous • The plan calls for the reopening of Sanaa in nature’, having the potential to develop airport, and new talks to reach a political as urban areas. resolution to the conflict. Controversy: Background: Yemen War Broke Out: • Organisations like Human Rights Forum • The conflict has its roots in the Arab (HRF) are of the opinion that expanding Spring of 2011, when an uprising forced the area under the VMRDA to include 13 the country’s long-time authoritarian non-Agency mandals within it is a reckless president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to hand move because tribals live in many of the over power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh villages and they have been demanding to Mansour Hadi. be declared as Scheduled villages. • The political transition was supposed to • As per the Constitution, the Fifth Schedule bring stability to Yemen, one of the Middle area is of a unique and exceptional nature East’s poorest nations, but President Hadi and is endowed with explicit Constitutional struggled to deal with various problems recognition. including militant attacks, corruption, • Merger of these villages in the VMRDA food insecurity, and continuing loyalty of directly infringes upon the Panchayat many military officers to Saleh. (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, • Fighting began in 2014 when the 1996 (PESA) as well as The Scheduled Houthi Shia Muslim rebel movement Tribes and Other Traditional Forest took advantage of the new president’s Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) weakness and seized control of northern Act, (FRA of 2006) that grant special and Saada province and neighbouring areas. exclusive powers to Adivasi gram sabhas. The Government Order, is plainly violative • The Houthis is a group of Zaidi Shia of these seminal statutes. Muslims who ruled a kingdom there for nearly 1,000 years. Other Concerns: • Saudi Arabia interfered in Yemen after • There is also concern that several villages the Shia Houthi rebels captured Sana’a, that are predominantly Adivasi and are the capital city, and the internationally seeking inclusion in the Fifth Schedule recognised government of President Hadi since many decades have also been moved to the country’s south. included in the list of mandals to be merged in the VMRDA. Source: All India Radio EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 44 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• Tribes of these villages have been seeking Election Commission’s stand on electoral inclusion in the Fifth Schedule but to bonds now include about 90 such villages in the • The Election Commissionhad objected to VMRDA, they say, is historic injustice. the amendments in the Representation of the People (RP) Act, which exempt political Source: Indian Express parties from disclosing donations received through electoral bonds. It described the ELECTORAL BOND SCHEME move as a “retrograde step”. Why in News? Source: Indian Express Supreme Court flags concern over misuse of electoral bonds. INDIA TB REPORT Syllabus Section: Health About: • Announced in the 2017 Union Budget, Why in News? electoral bonds are interest-free bearer • India TB Report 2021 was released by instruments used to donate money Health Ministry recently. anonymously to political parties. • India reported a 24% year-on-year fall in • A bearer instrument does not carry any tuberculosis registrations last year. information about the buyer or payee and Highlights: the holder of the instrument (which is • Between January and February 2020, the political party) is presumed to be its registrations rose 6% on year. owner. • As a result of the lockdown, notifications • The bonds are sold in multiples of Rs in the public sector fell by 38% and 44% 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1 lakh, Rs 10 lakh, in the private sector in April and May and Rs 1 crore, and the State Bank of • In 2019, of the total reported tuberculosis India (SBI) is the only bank authorised to cases of 24.04 lakh, the treatment success sell them. was at 82% and mortality rate was 4%. • The report said 20,892 (42%) of patients • Donors can purchase and subsequently were initiated on a shorter MDR-TB donate the bonds to their party of choice, regimen at the time of diagnosis. which the party can then cash through its • This is a significant decline from 2019. verified account within 15 days. • There is no limit on the number of bonds Government Initiatives an individual or company can purchase. Government of India is undertaking several schemes to tackle the challenge of TB: Problems Associated: • The anonymity provided to donors • Nikshay Ecosystem: It is a National TB information system which acts as one- donating electoral bonds is the point of stop solution to manage the information contention. of patients and monitor program activity • Through an amendment to the Finance & performance across the country. Act 2017, the Union government has • NikshayPoshan Yojana (NPY): NYP scheme exempted political parties from disclosing was launched with the aim of providing donations received through electoral financial support to TB patients for their bonds. nutrition. • Before the introduction of electoral bonds, • TB HaregaDeshJeetega Campaign: This political parties had to disclose details of campaign was launched in September all its donors, who have donated more 2019 with highest level of commitment to than Rs 20,000 eliminate TB. • In less than three years of their • Saksham Project: This project was launched by Tata Institute of Social introduction, by virtue of the anonymity Sciences (TISS) to provide psychosocial they offer to donors, electoral bonds counselling to Drug resistant-TB patients. have become the most popular route of donation. Source: Live Mint EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 45 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

MICE ROADSHOW - MEET IN INDIA’ Caves(Maharashtra), Humayun’s Tomb, AND INAUGURATION OF CHHATRASAL Red Fort &QutubMinar (Delhi), Colva Beach CONVENTION CENTRE AT KHAJURAHO (Goa), Amer Fort (Rajasthan), Somnath , Dholavira& Statue of Unity(Gujarat), Syllabus Section: Art and Culture Khajuraho (MP), Hampi(Karnataka), Why in News? Mahabalipuram (TamilNadu), Kaziranga Minister of State for Tourism will inaugurate the (Assam), Kumarakom (Kerala), ‘Chhatrasal Convention Centre at Khajuraho Konark(Odisha) and Mahabodhi Temple developed under Swadesh Darshan Scheme of (Bihar). Ministry of Tourism. Source: PIB They will also launch “MICE Roadshow Meet in India” Brand and Roadmap for the Promotion 34 GREEN ZONE SITES APPROVED FOR of India as MICE Destination in Khajuraho, NPNT Madhya Pradesh . Syllabus Section: Government Policies and Intervention About: • To promote India as MICE Destination Why in News? (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted permit to and Exhibitions), Ministry of Tourism, “No-Permission-No-Takeoff’ (NPNT) compliant Government of India in association drone operations at 34 additional green zones with Madhya Pradesh Tourism and to facilitate, smoothen, and promote drone India Convention Promotion Bureau are operations in the country. organizing ‘MICE Roadshow – Meet in India’ About: at the heart of Incredible at Chhatrasal • As per DGCA, “NPNT or ‘No Permission Convention Centre, Khajuraho. – No Take-off’ compliance enables every • It will be an effort under Aatmanirbhar Remotely Piloted Aircraft (except Nano) to Bharat, realizing India’s MICE potential. obtain a valid permission through Digital • The roadshow will be an opportunity to Sky platform before operating in India. focus on the Government’s initiatives in • Flying in these approved ‘green-zones’ will developing India as a MICE destination require only intimation of the time and with infrastructure and an eco-system location of the flights via the Digital Sky pan-India that will favourably place India portal or the app. amongst the global competitors. • The approved sites allow drone usage up • the Ministry of Tourism plans to launch its to 400 ft Above Ground Level (AGL) campaign “Meet in India” from Khajuraho, • These zones are in addition to the twenty- which is one of the identified iconic tourist six green zone sites approved dated 02 Feb destinations of the country. 2021 and six green zone sites approved • Recognizing India’s huge potential as a dated 03 Apr 2020. MICE destination, ‘Meet in India’ will be • Drone flights in the green zone sites the distinct sub-brand under ‘Incredible shall be compliant with the applicable India’ to promote the country as a MICE conditions of Unmanned Aircraft System destination. (UAS) Rules, 2021. Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations Scheme: • The Ministry of Tourism has framed About Unmanned Aircraft Systems ‘Development of Iconic Tourist Destinations • Unmanned Aircraft means an aircraft, Scheme’ a Central Sector Scheme for which is intended to operate with no pilot development of nineteen identified iconic on board and UAS includes these and the destinations in the country following a associated elements. holistic approach. • Categories: Aeroplane, Rotorcraft and • The identified tourist sites to be developed Hybrid unmanned aircraft system. as iconic destinations under the • Sub-categories: Remotely piloted, Model scheme are Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri remotely piloted and Autonomous (Uttar Pradesh), Ajanta Caves & Ellora unmanned aircraft systems. EDEN IAS Classroom : Shop no - 6, 2nd Floor, Front Side, Bada Bazar Road, Old RajindeNagar Market Land mark - Fair Price book shop and kumar book depo 46 www.edenias.com Contact No : | 9311092321 | 9354399200 | 9315227819 NEWS IMPULSE EDEN IAS - Educational Development & Enrichment Network

• Classification based upon the maximum INTER-STATE TIGER RELOCATION all up weight including the pay loads. PROJECT o Nano Unmanned Aircraft: Less than or equal to 250g. Syllabus Section: Environment and Ecology o Micro Unmanned Aircraft: Greater than Why in News? 250g and less than or equal to 2 kg. Sundari — a tigress shifted as part of India’s o Small Unmanned Aircraft: Greater than first inter-state translocation project in 2018 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg. from Madhya Pradesh to Odisha has returned o Medium Unmanned Aircraft: Greater home. than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg. About: o Large Unmanned Aircraft: Greater than • Both the big cats were selected for the 150 kg. translocation project as per the NTCA • Under the Drone Regulation, the Ministry guidelines and in collaboration with the of Civil Aviation has partitioned the Air Wildlife Institute of India and the GoI. space into Red Zone (flying not permitted), • Two key factors were considered for Yellow Zone (controlled airspace), and Green Zone (automatic permission). choosing the animal — first, a dispersing young animal which is to find a new and Source: PIB second, an adult transient which was yet NORTH KOREAN MISSILE TESTS to establish any territory • Satkosia Tiger Reserve was chosen Why in News? North Korea fired four short-range missiles into because according to NTCA, Satkosia falls the sea in its first missile launches in about a under reserves where “there is a potential year. for increasing tiger populations”. • The purpose of the relocation was to About: repopulate tigers in the reserve areas. North Korea’s strategy Tiger Relocation Project • North Korea has a long history of • The tiger relocation project was initiated performing major weapons tests around the time new governments take power in in 2018 wherein two big cats, a male the United States and South Korea. (Mahavir) from Kanha Tiger Reserve and • The four missiles fired appear to follow a female (Sundari) from Bandhavgarh that playbook. from MP were relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha. Biden Administration Response: • The relocation was meant to serve two • It’s highly unlikely for the Biden purposes administration to back down and make concessions in the face of North Korea’s 1. to reduce the tiger population in areas with short-range missile launches. excess tigers to majorly reduce territorial • North Korea could end up launching disputes and bigger weapons tests, especially if it isn’t 2. to reintroduce tigers in areas where the satisfied with the Biden administration’s population has considerably reduced due North Korea policy review to various reasons Way Forward: Source: The Hindu • Such a major provocation would certainly prompt the United States and its allies NISAR, THE JOINT EARTH-OBSERVING to seek additional UN sanctions against MISSION OF NASA AND ISRO North Korea. Syllabus Section: Science and Technology • But tougher sanctions may be difficult because of China, the North’s major Why in News? diplomatic ally and economic lifeline, NASA and ISRO are collaborating on developing wields veto power on the UN Security a satellite called NISAR, which will detect Council. movements of the planet’s surface as small as Source: Indian Express: 0.4 inches .

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About: About Index Monitoring Cell • It’s an SUV-sized satellite that is being • It was established in the year 2020 by the jointly developed by the space agencies of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. the US and India • Objective : Improving the rank of India • The partnership agreement was signed in the ‘World Press Index’ and developing between NASA and ISRO in September unbiased criteria to measure the freedom 2014, according to which NASA will provide one of the radars for the satellite, of media. a high-rate communication subsystem for • It is noteworthy that India was ranked 142 science data, GPS receivers and a payload out of 180 countries in the ‘World Press data subsystem. Index, 2020’. • ISRO, will provide the spacecraft bus, the • It will develop a mechanism for determining second type of radar (called the S-band the ranking of states in press freedom. radar), the launch vehicle and associated • Structure: I.M.C. is a 15-member launch services. committee, headed by Kuldeep Singh • NISAR will be equipped with the largest Dhatwalia (Principal Director General of reflector antenna ever launched by NASA. Press Information Bureau). • Primary Goal: tracking subtle changes in the Earth’s surface, spotting warning • It includes the Secretary of the Press signs of imminent volcanic eruptions, Council of India and NITI Aayog in helping to monitor groundwater supplies addition to the Registrar Officers of and tracking the rate at which ice sheets the Indian Newspaper, Outreach and are melting. Communications Bureau and Press • The name NISAR is short for NASA-ISRO- Facilitation Unit. SAR. SAR here refers to the synthetic aperture radar that NASA will use to Source: Live Mint measure changes in the surface of the SWARNA JAYANTI SCHOLARSHIP FOR Earth. YOUTHS OF BANGLADESH • Essentially, SAR refers to a technique for producing high-resolution images. Syllabus Section: International Relations Because of the precision, the radar can Why in News? penetrate clouds and darkness, which Prime Minister Modi announced Swarna Jayanti means that it can collect data day and scholarship for youths of Bangladesh. night in any weather. Source: Indian Express About: • The Swarna jayanti Fellowship is a INDEX MONITORING CELL research fellowship awarded annually by Syllabus Section: Polity and Governance the Department of Science and Technology of India. Why in News? Recently, the Index Monitoring Cell submitted • It is given for the notable and outstanding its report to the Central Government. research by young scientists, applied or fundamental, in biology, chemistry, About: environmental science, engineering, Recommendations of the Report: mathematics, medicine and physics. • This report talks about declaring • Referring to the completion of 50 years of defamation as non-criminal. It is known diplomatic relationship between India and that India is one of the few countries where Bangladesh, Mr. Modi also announced to defamation is considered a criminal act. invite 50 entrepreneurs of Bangladesh to • It has also been recommended to make visit India and join start-up initiative and the consent of the Press Council of India meet Indian venture capitalists. mandatory before filing an FIR against the media or publication. Source: DD News

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TRIBAL TB INITIATIVE Syllabus Section: Health Issues Why in News? • Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched ‘Tribal TB Initiative’ in pursuit of TB Mukt Bharat. • A Guidance Note on Joint Action Plan for Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination, a Special Edition of Tribal Ministry’s Publication ‘ALEKH’ on TB, and a document on Tribal Tuberculosis (TB) Initiative was also released at the event.

About: • Over 104 million tribal population lives in India, across 705 tribes, accounting for 8.6 % of the country’s population. • 177 tribal districts were identified as high priority districts where physical remoteness, malnutrition, poor living conditions and lack of awareness contribute to the vulnerability of the tribal population to TB. • Initially, the activities of the joint plan will be focusing on 161 districts across 18 identified States. This would involve periodic TB active case finding drives and provision of TB Preventive Therapy (IPT) to identified vulnerable population and develop long term mechanisms for vulnerability reduction. • The linking of NIKSHAY Portal of MoHFW and Swasthya Portal of the M/o Tribal Affairs will help boost data compilation on TB and pave way for efficient and convergent actions. • The health problems of the tribal communities need customised solutions. Highlights from the Events: • UT of Lakshadweep and district of Badgam in Jammu & Kashmir have been declared TB Free on World TB Day this year. • Government accords top priority to ensuring Universal Access to free treatment and care for TB across the country. • High quality drugs, diagnostics, digital initiatives, innovative private sector interventions and community engagement intervention, are all aligned to rapidly decline TB incidence and mortality in the country. Source: PIB/ All India Radio

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