9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 6th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

• Why India needs to stop participating in commonwealth games

GS Paper 2

• Lessons for India from the Taiwan standoff
• Addressing the challenges in new-age digital commerce

GS Paper 3

• Sticking to commitments-India must set an example by balancing energy use and climate goals
• Who needs media in New India?
• Fiscal policy should return to fundamentals
• Towards a super vaccine
• Explained: as India strengthens its climate targets, a look at the progress so far, what’s new

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Major initiatives under National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)
• No privilege to MPs from criminal proceedings during session:Rajya Sabha Chairman
• Azaadi SAT: ISRO to send Small Satellite Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota
• The hippo is an enigma. It lives hidden from us — yet, it faces habitat loss now
• Parliamentary panel suggests phasing out of coal imports
• Badhe Chalo’ Movement under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav begins
• PM inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Valsad district of Gujarat
• Explained: What are live-fire exercises, recently conducted by China?
• Explained: What is a carbon market, and why does India want to create one?

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 1

Why India needs to stop participating in commonwealth games

News: The 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games is being held in Birmingham, UK and athletes from 72 nations and territories are participating in the sports event.

History of Commonwealth Games (CWG)

Queen Elizabeth is the head of the Commonwealth. The CWGs are part of the Commonwealth. The CWGs were once known as the British Empire Games (BEG). Later on, it came to be known as the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Further, it was renamed the British Commonwealth Games.

What is wrong with the very idea of the Commonwealth Games (CWG)?

Historical Reasons

The 72 nations and territories that are participating in the 2022 edition of the Commonwealth Games, were once colonized by the British. As a result of this colonization, Britain took our wealth and led to the impoverishment of colonies like India. Hence, our “commonwealth” is now British wealth.

The natives of these colonies were subjugated, civilized, and then disciplined with devices like the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

From India’s perspective, as per some experts, the East India Company and the British Raj siphoned out nearly $44.6 trillion from India over a rough period of 200 years, i.e., 1765 to 1938, etc.

As per the experts, India’s per capita consumption of food grains went down from 200 kg in 1900 to 157 kg on the eve of the Second World War. The major reason for the impoverishment of India can be owed to the British practices of greedy taxation. For example, The British East India Company first got revenue collecting rights in Bengal in 1765, and it promptly tripled the tax revenue from Bengal. Thus, Bengal faced a massive famine in 1770.

During WWII, Former British PM Winston Churchill’s wartime colonial policies resulted in the Bengal famine of 1943. India was forced to pay for British defense expenditure, above what was already paid in peacetime. Further, the British kept presses in India working overtime to print Indian rupees during this time, pushing up inflation and making food more expensive in India.

Contemporary reasons

In 2019, when the then British Prime Minister Theresa May, was pressed in parliament to apologize to colonies, on the country’s behalf, she expressed her “regrets” but refused to apologize.

Further, Britain has established a terrible immigration policy, which intertwines with its colonial past.

In the Commonwealth, the closest relationships with Britain are still enjoyed by the settler countries, where British citizens went to settle. For Example, Australia, Canada & New Zealand.

What should be done?

The government should establish a museum to memorialize the grief and loss during British rule on lines of those already present. Like a private museum to Partition in Amritsar, and a memorial to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

The government should commission the writing of a good economics textbook that can teach our young about the colonial-era impoverishment of India.

The government and sports ministry should support participation in other games and contests.

GS Paper 2

Lessons for India from the Taiwan standoff

News: Recently, the United States House Speaker visited Taiwan against Chinese warnings. This has the potential to increase the already deteriorating relationship between the U.S. and China. Further, by conducting the recent meeting Taiwan signalled that it is unwilling to back down from its declared aims, no matter what the consequences were.

Why Taiwan is important for US and China?

Taiwan is a small island of 23 million people which has decided to stand up to one of the strongest military and economic powers on the planet(China).

China claims about a rising superpower, but this might not be true if it is unable to unify its claimed territories, in particular Taiwan.

For the U.S., it is about re-establishing steadily-diminishing American credibility in the eyes of its friends and foes.

Why are the mistakes of India’s China policy?

First, India’s policy of meeting/hosting Chinese leaders while the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continue(d) to violate established territorial norms on the LAC is a deeply flawed one.

Second, India is unilaterally avoiding Chinese sensitivities even during the standoffs between the two militaries. For instance, the parliamentary delegation visits and legislature-level dialogues between India and Taiwan have not taken place since 2017.

Third, soft-peddling of the Quad when China objected to it. It is only in the last two years or so that India has witnessed renewed enthusiasm around the Quad.

Fourth, non-acknowledgement of the PLA’s intrusion into Indian territory in 2020 standoff.  For example, ever since the standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2020, the government has not clarified what really went on at the border in 2020 and whether China continues to be in illegal occupation of Indian territory.

What are the impacts of India’s China appeasement policy?

India’s current policy of ‘hide and seek’ vis-à-vis China amounts to poor messaging, and confuse its own people as well as the larger international community.

This provides a) China with the cover of ambiguity to pursue its territorial claims vis-à-vis India, b) Confuses India’s friends in the international community, c) Make India’s China policy counterproductive.

What lessons India should learn from the Taiwan standoff?

The growing economic and trading relationship between India and China is enough to ensure that tensions between the two sides do not escalate and that the two sides must find ways of co-existing peacefully.

India should remember that the trade deficit is in China’s favour. On the other hand, China is Taiwan’s largest trading partner, and China has an annual trade deficit of around $80 billion to $130 billion with Taiwan. China is dependent on the semiconductors produced in Taiwan in a big way.

This shows that the close economic relationship with China has not stopped Taiwan from asserting its rights, nor has it backed down under Chinese threats.

India should learn the importance of articulating red lines and sovereign positions in an unambiguous manner like Taiwan. Any absence of such clarity will be cleverly utilised by China to push Indian limits. So, India for sure should do business with China, but not on China’s own terms.

Addressing the challenges in new-age digital commerce

News: The novel coronavirus pandemic has further accelerated the process of digital inclusion. The rise in smartphone use fuelled by affordable data plans has catalysed an online revolution in the country.

For instance, the revolution has not only increased the routine to transact online but also learning online, having medical consultations online, and even resolving disputes online.

What are the challenges faced by small enterprises in digital inclusion?

Despite the rapid advancement small enterprises such as local Kirana stores have not gained from this. This is because, a) To sell on numerous platforms, sellers must maintain a separate infrastructure. This adds costs and limits participation, b) distinct terms and conditions of each platform limit the sellers’ flexibility, c) centralising digital commerce transactions on a single platform creates a single point of failure.

How Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) will create a level playing field?

The ONDC began its pilot in five cities in April 2022, i.e., New Delhi, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Bhopal and Shillong. Currently, the pilot has expanded to 18 cities, and there are immediate plans to add more cities.

India’s e-commerce industry is set to reach $200 billion by 2027, this shift from a platform-centric paradigm to the democratisation of the nation’s online market will catalyse the inclusion of millions of small business owners and kirana businesses.

What should be done to improve the ONDC?

It is important to ensure a positive dispute resolution experience. Hence, it is imperative to support the ONDC initiative with a modern-day, cost-effective, timely and high-speed dispute resolution system. This can be done by Online Dispute Resolution or ODR.

The need for ODR include, 1)  The ODR is not restricted to the use of legal mechanisms such as mediation, conciliation and arbitration in an online environment but can be tailormade for the specific use case keeping the participants in mind, 2)  The ODR can not only digitise the entire value chain but can also facilitate an enhanced user experience, 3) The ODR will help mitigate litigation risk and provide valuable insights into problems faced by consumers, 4) Consumers are provided with another choice for effective redress of their grievances, thereby building trust, confidence and brand loyalty.

How does the government is utilising ODR?

The governments, regulators and private enterprises have been adopting and encouraging its use. For instance, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has mandated platforms in the UPI ecosystem to adopt the ODR for complaints and grievances connected to failed transactions.

The other applications include, SEBI SCORES (SEBI COmplaints REdress System), RBI CMS (Complaint Management System), MSME Samadhaan (the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Delayed Payment Monitoring System), and RTIOnline are other examples of ODR systems that are widely used in the country.

A customised ODR process can help achieve a steep five-year target of adding $48 billion in gross merchandise value to India’s e-commerce market and aid a network of 90 crore buyers and 12 crore sellers with the least hiccups.

GS Paper 3

Sticking to commitments-India must set an example by balancing energy use and climate goals

News: Ahead of the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27), in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt the Cabinet has approved India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

What are India’s updated NDCs?

What is the present state of the Paris Agreement targets?

The 2015 Paris Agreement requires countries to spell out a pathway to ensure the globe does not heat beyond 2°C, and endeavour to keep it below 1.5°C by 2100. Under the agreement the countries must submit NDCs every five years, mapping what will be done post-2020 to stem fossil-fuel emissions.

But the subsequent COPs are making compromises on the cuts they can undertake over multi-decadal timelines with the least impact on their developmental priorities.

About India’s first INDC and India’s participation in COPs

India consistently held that the existing climate crisis is largely due to industrialisation by the U.S. and developed European countries since 1850. However, international pressure and clearer evidence of the multi-dimensional impact of climate change have seen India agree to move away from fossil fuels over time.

India’s first NDC, in 2015, specified eight targets.

At COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out five commitments, or ‘Panchamrit’. But the recent updated NDC is silent on silent on whether India would cut emissions by a billion tons and create carbon sinks.

What should be done?

India has expressed its intent, via several legislations, to use energy efficiently and many of its biggest corporations have committed to shifting away from polluting energy sources.

India should not promise more than what it can deliver. As it undermines the moral authority that India brings to future negotiations. India should be an exemplar for balancing energy use, development and meeting climate goals.

Who needs media in New India?

News: The government has ordered the Indian Women’s Press Corps(IWPC) to vacate its premises, a 27-year-old institution.

The IWPC was allowed to retain the building based on the Parliament resolution which was passed to express solidarity with the institution. IWPC was allowed to retain the premises, two decades ago, as it had an important role in our democracy.

Role of Media

The media is the fourth pillar and a co-stakeholder in our democracy. Media play’s role in guarding against elected representatives and bureaucrats exercising unfettered power and misusing the system.

How government’s engagement with media has been changing lately?

The long-established tradition of sharing information with journalists is slowly fading in many spheres. Rather, the idea is to maintain a distance and the government will provide its data and findings.

The Central Hall in Parliament is now out of bounds for senior journalists. Journalist has been banned since Coronavirus. Further, in the new Parliament building plan of the government, there is no provision for a Central Hall, where correspondents could exchange notes with MPs.

The media’s presence in Parliament House has also been drastically reduced. For example, media organisations are now permitted to send only one accredited parliamentary correspondent to cover the Lok Sabha. Further, the number of days for coverage per week is also restricted for journalists.

Further, correspondents with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) cards are no longer permitted automatic access to the North and South Block secretariats. The meeting can be made with a prior appointment.

Similarly, photographers are not allowed to cover functions in the Durbar and Ashoka Halls and investiture ceremonies in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The government also ended the practice of taking newspersons on the Prime Minister’s flight. Similarly, the only official media is allowed to be on board the president’s and vice president’s flights.

There have been few incidents in which the Enforcement Directorates has raided media owners.

Issues in the functioning of media

Nowadays, the media does not take objective editorial stands on the ongoing issues in Indian politics. They allow spokespersons of different parties to freely express themselves on topical issues.

On television channel debates, people representing diametrically opposite views simply shout each other down without any attempt at a dialogue or rational argument.

What are the reasons for such a move?

Earlier governments followed the liberal approach that news persons act as a watchdog on politicians, bureaucracy and constitutional bodies.

However, in recent times, the government has adopted an authoritarian model. It has taken a dim view of the role of the media in a democracy.

What should be done?

India has a country that is large, diverse, and stratified, socially and economically. Therefore, such diversity should be represented in the form of a plurality of opinions in our mainstream television channels and newspapers.

To function freely, the media necessarily needs to remain in contact with those in authority, so that it is in a position to deduce the truth and obtain accurate information on issues of public importance.

Fiscal policy should return to fundamentals

News: Recently, the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank have hiked large interest rates to forcefully bring down inflation.

Some experts are of the opinion that deficit spending needs to play a much more active role in managing business cycles.

Evolution in the use of fiscal and monetary policy in the business cycles?

(1) Before the 2008 global financial crisis, Monetary Policy was the main device to address ordinary business cycles. On the contrary, it was suggested that fiscal policy should play a supporting role, except in the event of wars and natural catastrophes such as pandemics.

(2) Post-financial crisis 2008: Over the past decade, it has been firmly established that even in normal times, the fiscal policy should also play a more dominant macroeconomic stabilization. Monetary policy could respond immediately, but it was suggested that fiscal policy through taxation and government expenditure should quickly follow and take the lead over time.

It is true that “helicopter money” and other transfer programs proved extremely effective during the initial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. These programs helped to cushion individuals while reducing long-term economic scarring.

However, both monetary and fiscal policy are vital to handle a routine downturn in the economy.

What are the challenges in the conduct of fiscal policy?

The large and politically divided countries, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, have not figured out how to conduct technocratic fiscal policy on a consistent basis. Because politics is hardwired into fiscal policy.

There are horse-trading and issues in the implementation of the fiscal measures or transfer programs. The implementation remains inefficient, and these tend to be bigger as the spending bill increases.

The fiscal measures resulted in increased inflationary pressures and reduced capacity to respond to the supply shocks triggered by the war.

What should be done now with high inflation and slowing growth?

(1) Interest rates need to be raised, but not at the pace at which it is happening. This entails a risk of yet another deep recession at the end of 2023

(2) Some mainstream economists believe that public debt could be much bigger without any negative consequences.

What should be done?

The governments should redistribute income on a sustainable basis. It should raise taxes on higher-income individuals and increase transfers to lower-income, especially very low-income, segments of the population. Higher taxes on high-income and upper-middle-income individuals will also lead to the achievement of social cohesion.

Fiscal policy needs to go back to fundamentals and be recalibrated. There is a need for the readjustment of macroeconomic policy gradually, as it is important to avoid a deep recession.

Towards a super vaccine

News: On July 23, WHO declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest level of alert. Since Covid in February 2020, this is the second such alert in two years.

About Monkeypox disease

Nature of Monkeypox

This international monkeypox outbreak is largely restricted to those below 40 years of age, who were born after the smallpox vaccination ended in 1980.

History of Smallpox Vaccine Development

(1) Ancient Variolation: It was an ancient method practiced in India, China, and the Orient. This involved introducing a tiny amount of pus from the smallpox pustule into the recipient’s arm. It produced immunity. Later on, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu introduced it to 18th-century Britain.

(2) In 1763, John Fewster, a local surgeon in Gloucestershire, discovered cross-protection between cowpox and smallpox. In 1801, Edward Jenner understood the implications of this revolutionary medical advance of cross-protection, and he predicted that this vaccination would rid the world of smallpox.

(3) In the 1930s, the ‘vaccinia viruses’ were used for the development of a smallpox vaccine to eradicate smallpox.

(6) The first-generation smallpox vaccine was made by growing the vaccinia virus in the skin of animals – mostly cows, but also sheep.

(7) The second-generation vaccine used live vaccinia virus grown in eggs or in cell culture, being introduced in the late 1950s and early 1970s, respectively.

(8) A freeze-drying method developed in the early 1950s allowed the vaccine to be stored and transported at room temperature.

(9) Between 1958 and 1977 it was mainly the second-generation vaccine that was used in smallpox eradication programmes.

(10) Third-generation vaccines introduced in the late 1970s are based on a Turkish strain – Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) – which had lost the ability to multiply in humans; it could still be grown well in chicken embryos.

The smallpox-monkeypox vector: Two smallpox vaccines are approved for use against monkeypox.

1) ACAM2000 is a second-generation vaccine that includes live vaccinia virus, which replicates in the recipient and has unpleasant side effects.

2) MVA-BN is a third-generation vaccine, which uses MVA technology developed in the 1990s and has a better safety profile. It is licensed under three brand names – Jynneos (US), Imvanex (EU)and Imvamune (Canada).

In 2019 a clinical study showed equivalence between the MVA and ACAM2000 vaccines, with the former showing better post-vaccination safety.

Several studies have established MVA-based candidates to have good efficacy against monkeypox.

Thereafter, MVA/S was developed. As per a study, MVA/S vaccination produced strong neutralising antibodies and cellular immunity against the Covid virus.

The Way Forward

The monkeypox-Covid vector: There are chances that MVA/S may provide protection against both Covid and monkeypox.  Therefore, it can be used to develop a single vaccine that can protect against two diseases that are circulating now and both have been declared as a PHEIC rating.

Explained: as India strengthens its climate targets, a look at the progress so far, what’s new

News: Recently, India has updated its Nationally determined commitments (NDC) with incorporation of the two of the five promises, that were made by the Prime Minister at the Glasgow Summit, into official targets, as part of India’s international climate commitments for 2030.

The 2015 Paris Agreement requires every country to set self-determined climate targets, which have to be progressively updated with more ambitious goals every few years.

(1) India’s first Intended Nationally Determined Commitments (INDC) were submitted in 2015. It contained three main targets for 2030:

(a) A 33 to 35 percent reduction in emissions intensity (or emissions per unit of GDP) from 2005 levels

(b) At least 40 percent of total electricity generation to come from non-fossil renewable sources

(c) An increase in forest cover to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent

(2) In 2021, the Prime Minister promised to strengthen India’s climate commitments at the Glasgow meeting. He made 5 promises, and called it the ‘Panchamrit”.

(3) In addition, PM had said that at least 500 GW of India’s installed electricity generation capacity in 2030 would be based on non-fossil fuel sources, and India would also ensure avoided emissions of at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent between now and 2030.

(4) PM Modi had also announced a net zero target for India for the year 2070. It means India would offset its greenhouse gas emissions entirely, either by absorption of carbon dioxide through natural processes like photosynthesis in plants or through physical removal of greenhouse gases using futuristic technologies. But net-zero is a long-term target and does not qualify to be included in the NDC which seeks five-to-10-year climate targets from countries.

What are the newly updated official targets?

* India will now reduce its emission intensity by at least 45 percent, instead of just 33 to 35 percent, from 2005 levels by 2030.

* Also, it would now ensure that at least 50 percent of its total electricity generation, not just 40 percent, would come from renewable sources by 2030.

What are the reasons for incorporating the two promises incorporated into the new official targets?

India is on its way to achieving its existing INDC targets well ahead of the 2030 timeline stipulated in the climate pact.

(1) India’s emissions intensity was 24% lower than the 2005 levels in the year 2016 itself. It is very likely that the 33 to 35% reduction target has already been achieved, or is very close to being achieved.

(2) The other target of having at least 40% of electricity coming from non-fossil fuels has officially been reached, i.e., 41.5% of India’s current installed electricity capacity of 403 GW is now powered by non-fossil fuels. For example, wind, solar, and others renewables energy alone account for more than 28% of this capacity while hydropower contributes over 11 percent.

Which Glasgow commitments have not been converted into official targets by the government?

(1) India’s non-fossil fuel electricity generation capacity would touch 500 GW in 2030.

(2) India would cut at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from its net projected emissions between now and 2030.

What are the reasons for the non-incorporation of the two targets?

(1) It is difficult to achieve the 500 GW non-fossil fuel electricity capacity target for 2030. Of the current installed capacity of 403 GW, over 236 GW, or 58.5% comes from fossil fuel sources, while non-fossil fuels make up only 167 GW.

To add capacity from non-fossil sources, this would have to triple in the next 10 years to reach the 500 GW target. But, the total installed electricity capacity has more than doubled in the last 10 years

(2) The promise to reduce at least one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent from the cumulative projected emissions till 2030 is problematic. As per, India’s annual projections, India could be emitting anywhere between 35 and 40 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in total by the year 2030.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Major initiatives under National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)

Source: The post is based on the article “Major initiatives under National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)” published in PIB on 5th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Government is implementing the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) with the goal of making India leprosy free. 

What is the National Leprosy Eradication Programme(NLEP)?

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme

Nodal Mission: National Health Mission(NHM)

Aim: To detect the cases of leprosy at an early stage and to provide complete treatment, free of cost in order to prevent the occurrence of disability.

Major Initiatives under the mission

– Leprosy Case Detection Campaign(LCDC) in high endemic districts.

– Leprosy Awareness Campaign on 30th January every year.

– NIKUSTH – A real-time leprosy reporting software implemented across India.

– Strengthening of Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation (DPMR) services.

– Certificates, awards and performance-linked financial incentives are given to the districts for achieving leprosy elimination.

– Contact tracing is done and Post Exposure Prophylaxis(PEP) with a Single dose of Rifampicin (SDR) is given to the eligible contacts of the index case in order to interrupt the chain of transmission.

India’s achievements in Leprosy eradication

India has achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem as per WHO criteria of less than 1 case per 10,000 population at the National level in 2005. However, there are few districts within the States where leprosy is still endemic.

No privilege to MPs from criminal proceedings during session:Rajya Sabha Chairman

Source: The post is based on the article “No privilege to MPs from criminal proceedings during session:Rajya Sabha Chairman” published in The Hindu on 6th August 2022.

What is the News?

Rajya Sabha Chairman has clarified that members of Parliament do not enjoy any immunity from arrest in criminal cases when the House is in session, and they cannot avoid summons issued by law enforcement agencies.

What are MP’s privileges on arrests?

Under Article 105 of the Constitution, members of Parliament enjoy certain privileges, so they can perform their duties without any hindrances.

One of the privileges is that a member of Parliament cannot be arrested in a civil case 40 days before the commencement of the session or committee meeting and 40 days thereafter. This privilege is already incorporated under Section 135A of the Civil Procedure Code,1908.

However, in criminal matters, members of Parliament are not on a different footing than a common citizen. That means members of Parliament do not enjoy any immunity from being arrested in a criminal case during the session or otherwise.

Supreme Court judgements on this issue

K Anandan Nambiar Case: In this, the Court held that the true Constitutional position is that so far as a valid order of detention is concerned, a Member of Parliament can claim no special status higher than that of an ordinary citizen and is as much liable to be arrested, detained or questioned even during the Session.

State of Kerala Vs K. Ajith and Others: In this case, the Supreme Court observed that privileges and immunities are not gateways to claim exemptions from the general law of the land, particularly in the case of criminal law which governs the action of every citizen.

Azaadi SAT: ISRO to send Small Satellite Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota

Source: The post is based on the article “ISRO to send Small Satellite Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota” published in AIR on 6th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO) is all set to launch a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle(SSLV) from Sriharikota. 

The vehicle will carry an Earth Observation Satellite named EOS-02 and a co-passenger satellite, ‘Azaadi SAT’ into low earth orbit. 

What is a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle(SSLV)?

Click Here to read

What is EOS-02?

EOS-02 is an Earth Observation Satellite. It will provide information about thermal anomalies in the field of geo-environmental studies, forestry, hydrology, agriculture, soil and coastal studies.

What is Azaadi SAT?

Azaadi satellite has been designed by 750 girl students of government schools in rural areas from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Purpose: The satellite weighs around 8 kg and has 75 Femto experiments (selfie cameras to click pictures of its own solar panels and long-range communication transponders).

– It also contains a long-range transponder and a solid-state PIN diode-based radiation counter to measure the ionizing radiation in its orbit.

– The satellite will also carry a recorded version of the national anthem sung by Rabindranath Tagore, which will be played in space as a tribute to the country.

Significance: The satellite is the result of ISRO pushing for girls to take up Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics(STEM). 

The hippo is an enigma. It lives hidden from us — yet, it faces habitat loss now

Source: The post is based on the article “The hippo is an enigma. It lives hidden from us — yet, it faces habitat loss now” published in TOI on 6th August 2022.

What is the News?

This article talks about Hippopotamus.

What is Hippopotamus?

Hippopotamus is also known as the river horse. They live along the rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. 

It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopo which lives in forested areas in very few countries across west Africa.

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Features: Weighing up to 8,000 pounds, the hippo is the heaviest land animal after the elephant.

– Hippos seek refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come ashore to feed on short, soft grasses and fallen fruit. 

– The ears, eyes, and nostrils are located high on the head so that the rest of the body may remain submerged.

Threats: Their population is currently in decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly in West Africa which is occurring as more and more humans lay claim to increasingly scarce freshwater resources.

Significance of Hippos: The decline of hippos is a cause of worry because hippos are an integral part of balancing freshwater ecosystems. These include nutrient recycling, generating matter which helps river fish and aquatic insects survive, harbouring aquatic birds, conducting habitat engineering by making tracks in water bodies etc.

Parliamentary panel suggests phasing out of coal imports

Source: The post is based on the article “Parliamentary panel suggests phasing out of coal imports” published in Livemint on 6th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy in its report has suggested the Government has to ensure optimum utilization of locally-produced coal through effective collaboration so that coal imports can be phased out over time.

What has been the trend in coal imports to India?

The Ministry of Power and Ministry of Coal have taken efforts that led to a 56% drop in coal imports for blending in FY21.

However, higher international prices hit imported coal-based power plants. This led to increased demand for domestic coal and consequently reduced domestic coal stocks at power plants.

This forced the government to float tenders for coal imports.

What can be done to reduce coal imports?

The Ministry of Power and Ministry of Coal should make concerted efforts for optimum utilization of domestic coal reserves.

For instance, the quality of indigenous coal can be enhanced and the design of boilers at power plants can be modified to enable them to run on domestic coal. 

Moreover, the central government can persuade state governments to resolve issues that lead to delays in the operationalization of coal blocks.

Badhe Chalo’ Movement under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav begins

Source: The post is based on the article “Badhe Chalo Movement under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav begins” published in PIB on 5th August 2022.

What is the News?

Badhe Chalo Movement under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav has started.

What is the ‘Badhe Chalo’ Movement?

Organized by: Ministry of Culture under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’

Aim: To connect with the youth of the nation and to instil a deeper sense of patriotism among them.

The movement will feature Flash Dances happening across 75 cities where dancers will perform on a specially created ‘Youth Anthem’.

What is the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign?

‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.

Note: ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is an initiative of the Government to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.

PM inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Valsad district of Gujarat

Source: The post is based on the article “PM inaugurates and lays foundation stone of various projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Valsad district of Gujarat” published in AIR on 5th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister of India inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission at Dharampur in Gujarat. 

About Shrimad Rajchandra Mission

Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur is a spiritual movement for inner transformation through wisdom, meditation and selfless service.

Founded by Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, the organization works through 196 centers on five continents.

Who was Shrimad Rajchandra?

Shrimad Rajchandra (1867 – 1901) was a Jain poet, philosopher, scholar and reformer.

Honoured as Yugpurush, he gave the world a rich heritage that continues to guide generations of seekers, in a short span of 34 years. 

He wrote a large number of philosophical poems including Atma Siddhi.

He is best known for his teachings on Jainism and his spiritual guidance to Mahatma Gandhi.

Explained: What are live-fire exercises, recently conducted by China?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What are live-fire exercises, recently conducted by China?” published in Indian Express on 6th August 2022.

What is the News?

China has begun its live-fire exercise near Taiwan by launching at least 11 ballistic missiles into the country’s coast. This is being done after the US House speaker visited Taiwan.

What are Live-fire exercises?

They are exercises primarily used by military personnel in which live ammunition is used to create training conditions that are as close to real combat scenarios as possible. 

During live-fire training, soldiers are placed in simulated combat situations and are given the opportunity to use their weapons and equipment (like ships, aircraft, tanks and drones). 

Such exercises are invaluable in maintaining the combat readiness of troops, the cohesiveness of units, and instilling confidence in their ability to use their weapons and equipment correctly.

The exercises also involve testing the effectiveness of vehicles, weapon platforms and weapons systems so that any design flaws can be resolved before the weapons are fully operational.

Explained: What is a carbon market, and why does India want to create one?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: What is a carbon market, and why does India want to create one?” published in Indian Express on 6th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022 seeks to establish a domestic carbon market and facilitate trade in carbon credits.

What are Carbon Markets?

Carbon markets allow the trade of carbon credits with the overall objective of bringing down emissions. These markets create incentives to reduce emissions or improve energy efficiency. 

For example, an industrial unit which outperforms the emission standards stands to gain credits. Another unit which is struggling to attain the prescribed standards can buy these credits and show compliance to these standards.

The unit that did better on the standards earns money by selling credits while the buying unit is able to fulfil its operating obligations.

Where do Carbon Markets stand at the International level?

Kyoto Protocol: Under the Kyoto Protocol, carbon markets have worked at the international level as well. The protocol had prescribed emission reduction targets for a group of developed countries. Other countries did not have such targets, but if they did reduce their emissions, they could earn carbon credits. 

– These carbon credits could then be sold off to those developed countries which had an obligation to reduce emissions but were unable to. This system functioned well for a few years. But the market collapsed because of the lack of demand for carbon credits. 

– A similar carbon market is envisaged to work under the successor Paris Agreement, but its details are still being worked out.

Europe: There is an emission trading scheme (ETS) in Europe. Under this, industrial units in Europe have prescribed emission standards to adhere to and they buy and sell credits based on their performance. 

India: There is a scheme called PAT(or perform, achieve and trade). It allows units to earn efficiency certificates if they outperform the prescribed efficiency standards. The laggards can buy these certificates to continue operating.

What does the Bill seek to create?

The new carbon market that is proposed to be created through this amendment to the Energy Conservation Act, would be much wider in scope.

Although the details of this carbon market are not yet known, it is likely to be on the lines of the European ETS, facilitating the buying and selling of carbon credits.