9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – December 11th, 2021

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Gujarat HC’s strictures against the campaign to stop sale of non-vegetarian food is a much-needed pushback
• Make the mental well beings of teacher a priority
• India and its neighbourhood relations: Winning back some neighbours
• Celebrating NRI success: When ‘national pride’ trumps obvious questions
• “Chinese Project at Balochistan port: local protests, global concerns”
• “Future of jobs: Modernised labour market require social security”

GS Paper 3

• What true MSP means
• Despite risks, there’s great potential in cryptocurrencies
• Before criticising AFSPA, a full probe is necessary
• “58 Percent of Potential oil palm acreage identified in 5 states: ICAR study”
• “Goods and services tax as an unfinished agenda”
• “Radioactive Pollution in water: A global concern for human health”

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Watch for secretive behaviour, tendency to switch screens: govt advisory on online gaming among children
• SC says scribes should not suffer for reporting on what is already in public domain
• PM moots social media, cryptocurrency norms
• Centre looking to use stubble as biofuel
• Six Technology Innovation Platforms launched to foster technological innovations in Heavy Industries
• Parliament passes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021
• NITI Aayog and Bharti Foundation announce the launch of ‘Convoke 2021-22’
• Explained: NASA’s IXPE mission that will explore universe’s mysterious objects
• NCW Launches Online Resource Center on Cyber Safety Under ‘We Think Digital’ Programme
• NEDFI Announces New Scheme Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme for the Artisans under Ministry of Doner
• India co-chairs Global Methane Initiative Steering Leadership Meeting
• Only 2 states, two HCs are for all-India judicial service: Union Law Ministry
• Neurocysticercosis: Worms thriving in brains, Assam’s tea garden workers lose lives, livelihoods
• Indian Mathematician receives 2021 DST-ICTP-IMU Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Gujarat HC’s strictures against the campaign to stop sale of non-vegetarian food is a much-needed pushback

News: Gujarat HC questioned the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation about restricting the sale of non-vegetarian food in the city.

What is the issue all about?

What do the stats show about the dietary habits of Gujarat state?

According to the Sample Registration System Baseline Survey 2014, 71% of Indians eat non-vegetarian food. Gujarat has a 40% meat-eating population, which includes not just Muslims, Christians, and Parsis, but also OBCs, Dalits, and tribals.

Analysis of Gujarat HC opinion

Banning any particular dietary habit or forcing any particular homogeneous idea on people can stigmatize other ways of living as inferior. So, the Gujarat HC decision to reprimand Ahmedabad municipal authorities was a welcome step. It also reminded that the state cannot overstep its limits to interfere in the personal choices of citizens.

Make the mental well beings of teacher a priority

News: Pandemic has impacted the lives of all in one way or another. Teachers are also not an exception in this.

What are the issues faced by the teachers due to the pandemic?

Security: Teachers who teach in low-fee private schools often have low salaries, poor working conditions and no systemic protection.

Constant monitoring: New type of “bullying” is faced by the teachers who work in medium-range, urban private schools. They are in constant ‘watch’ of parents who pointed out even the tiniest mistakes, including variety in pronunciation in online classes.

They are also under constant pressure to submit records of efforts made to keep learning ‘alive’.

Media reports: During the pandemic, media reporting of teachers drew salary without any work, affecting the self-image and self-respect of teachers.

Deployment in other activities: Under COVID-19 duty, they are deployed in undertaking door-to-door COVID-19 survey, distributing immunity booster tablets, disciplining queues outside liquor shops and other activities, led them to a sense of ‘loss of identity.

Cut off with children: Many teachers got stressed because of total cut-off from contact with children during the initial months and during and after the second wave.

How to improve the mental well-being of teachers?

Supportive environment: Space should be created for teachers where they can easily discuss their stress and other issues.

Teacher Training:  Regular teacher training should be conducted for their mental health, well-being, and management.

Objective Recognition Programme: It should be focused on the small achievements of teachers. It should also help in building an environment focused on improving the strengths of teachers.

What should be the way forward?

To create an environment where our children feel secure, safe, and protected with professionally well-trained teachers, then there is a need to take care of the mental health of our educators as a priority.

India and its neighbourhood relations: Winning back some neighbours

News: India started working on strategies to normalize its relations with neighbouring countries. Now, India has been reclaiming some of the ground, it had lost to China.

What is the major shift from the earlier policies?

1) The government made sincere efforts to win not only the neighbouring governments but also their people, 2) The government ignored unjustified advice from television anchors.

How did India start building its relationship with neighbouring countries?

Nepal: 2015 was the worst year for India- Nepal relations as issues related to the Nepalese constitution, economic blockade strained their relations. China, although initially, got some benefit from it, but its policies of dominance also bring some tensions between China- Nepal relation.

How India is winning back Nepal’s confidence? India- Nepal started working out to build their relations. To ensure no tensions arise over Kalapani, Nepal is considering a methodology of conducting its 12th national census in that region without a trespass of territory. Recently, Baba Ramdev, inaugurated the Patanjali TV station, dedicated to yoga in Nepal.

How India is winning back Sri Lanka’s confidence? Sri Lanka turned to India for help and not China when its foreign exchanges ran low. For the first time in history, the Indian Army has signed an agreement to become a sister battalion of a unit in the Sri Lankan Army’s Gajaba Regiment, which is also the president’s regiment. Also, the project to build West Container Terminal goes to the Adani group

The Chief Guest at the inauguration of Kushinagar airport was Namal Rajapaksa, who was MP and son of the Sri Lankan prime minister.

Celebrating NRI success: When ‘national pride’ trumps obvious questions

News: Indians have to be critical about celebrating every time an NRI gets to head a giant corporation. There is a need to look at the kind of company they are running, the nature of products, or their business practices.

About Indian’s performance in a global arena

One should recognize the achievements or the hard work behind their success. Going from India to a new country with a different culture, customs and getting qualified for prized degrees at storied universities, and then working quickly up the corporate ladder to reach the top when still in their 40s or early is no doubt an achievement.

While celebrating first-generation NRIs, India should focus on those who excel in less conflicted fields like public policy or academics, and not just the growing list of Nobel laureates.

For eg Recently Neeli Bendapudi, a first-generation immigrant chosen to be president of a leading American university.  Gita Gopinath, named No. 2 at the International Monetary Fund, and Rishi Sunak, touted as a future British prime minister.

Why should India be critical of celebrating NRIs heading MNC’s?

India should question them for their endless controversies, fines, tax dodges, etc. for the companies in which they work. For Eg Though Indira Nooyi diversified the food range of Pepsico, one should look at the food products that they promote.

What about the diaspora of other countries?

It is not only Indians who achieved success in large platforms. Three Africans currently are heads of international organizations: The World Health Organization, World Trade Organization, and International Finance Corporation.

Similarly, the Chinese have a bigger presence in Corporate America, as there are many Chinese students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses at US universities. Most of them also have headed back home and built Chinese companies to compare with America’s Facebook, Amazon, and others. Something that no Indian has managed till yet.

“Chinese Project at Balochistan port: local protests, global concerns”

News– Since November, there have been continuous protests in Gwadar, Baluchistan against mega-development plans of the port city as a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. 

About Baluchistan- 

Baluchistan is among the least developed even though it is the most resource-rich of Pakistan’s four provinces. The main means of livelihood for people in the region is fishing.  

What are Indian Specific concerns of India? 

Gwadar gives China the strategic access to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. It is not just being developed as a trade entrepot but as a dual-purpose port for use by PLAN (the Chinese Navy) and is intended to expand Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region. With vital military interests in West Asia, the US too is concerned about the Chinese presence in Gwadar. 

Given China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, and Pakistan’s close military ties with it, these concerns will remain. 

“Future of jobs: Modernised labour market require social security”

News-Pandemic has led to dramatic increase in employees working remotely particularly in white collar jobs. 

What are the other changes to the work models? 

With the normalisation of work from home model, companies have also started providing work contracts and complementarity flexibilities. It means they are offering different combinations of flexi-work and financial security and medical benefits s per the combination. For instance, HUL has launched ‘U-Work’ and ‘Open2U’ offers to employees and gig workers respectively. 

What would be the implications of new work models? 

This flexible model or flexi-curity is the key to the talent pool, which is bigger than the office workers pool, looking for an office job on 40-40-40 model.  

The office model was also blamed for failure to attract investment away from China. 

Way forward 

While the new models can be a solution to unemployment problem, but India needs to expand specialised higher education. Also, only good economic growth can increase good jobs.  

 How Low social security affects growth in India 

We can’t paste this image from the Clipboard, but you can save it to your computer and insert it from there.

India unlike other developed countries like USA does not has major social security provisions. This prevents Corporates from experimenting with various work culture models which ultimately hampers innovation. India has been long stuck into the 40-40-40 model, its time that there are changes to this. All this should happen keeping in mind the social security of workers at its core. 

GS Paper 3

What true MSP means

News: Farms laws have been repealed by the Govt. Further, it has also conceded to the demand of the unions to set up a committee to ensure minimum support prices (MSP) for all farmers along with other assurances. Amongst them, perhaps the most controversial and ambiguous is the demand for a guarantee of MSP.

As to what a legal guarantee for MSP entails, there are two prevailing opinions:

– As a mandatory enforcement of trade in agricultural produce, including private trade to be necessarily at or above the MSP for that crop, or

– The nationalisation of agricultural trade, whereby the government promises to buy all the crop produced at MSP.

Both these formulations are not correct.

Implementing MSP in the true sense requires the government to intervene when market prices fall below a pre-defined level, not buy all the produce.

What is the context in which farmers’ demand for a statutory MSP needs to be seen?

– twin droughts of 2014 and 2015

– declining commodity prices since 2014.

– The twin shocks of demonetisation and hurried rollout of GST: It crippled the rural economy, primarily the non-farm sector, and also agriculture.

– The slowdown in the economy after 2016-17, followed by the pandemic: This has ensured that the situation remains uncertain for the majority of the farmers.

– With rural wages declining in real terms since 2014 and lack of employment opportunities, the crisis in the rural economy has actually worsened.

– Higher input prices for diesel, electricity and fertilisers

In this context, the demand for ensuring remunerative prices is only a repeat of the promise made by successive governments to implement the Swaminathan Committee report in letter and spirit.

What are the issues with current MSP regime?

Presently, the current MSP regime has no relation to prices in the domestic market. Political interventions have meant that actual procurement is way more than actual requirements for NFSA, leading to excess stocks. Apart from being a waste of resources, this is also inefficient and counterproductive, contributing to price distortions.

Despite repeated demands, there has not been any progress in including pulses, edible oils and millets in PDS.

What is the way forward?

A policy for market intervention: Govt should intervene whenever the market prices fall below a pre-defined level, primarily in case of excess production and oversupply or a price collapse due to international factors. It should buy only to stabilise prices at the MSP level. A mechanism to monitor the prices already exists, a policy for requisite market intervention is missing.

Boosting nutritional security: MSP can also be an incentive price for many of the crops which are desirable for nutritional security, such as coarse cereals, and also for pulses and edible oils for which we are dependent on imports. This will also

–  ensure geographical balance, as most of these are grown in rained and arid regions.

– increase the pool of farmers likely to benefit from MSP interventions to include small and marginal farmers who grow millets, pulses and edible oil.

Less financial burden: A true MSP may also not cost much, given that the market intervention is needed only in the case of a price collapse and only for the commodity for which it occurs. The cost of such an operation is unlikely to be significant as long as the Govt has a mechanism to sell the grain procured in the open market or the export market.

Despite risks, there’s great potential in cryptocurrencies

News: Reports indicate that the Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021, is to be introduced in this winter session of Parliament.

While it is unclear what the Bill will contain, if India goes the China route and bans cryptocurrencies, it would be unfortunate.

What is the way forward?

– The underlying blockchain technology can make our payment systems more efficient and should be encouraged.

– There should be a regulatory mechanism that mandates the maintenance of customer and transaction records.

– India can learn from the mistakes and best practices of countries like Dubai, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States which are struggling with legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies.

– Issues of money laundering and ransomware can always be dealt with by modifying existing statutes.

Before criticising AFSPA, a full probe is necessary

News: Recently, the army operation resulted in the tragic death of 14 civilians in Nagaland, due to mistaken identity as insurgents. The incident occurred in a district inhabited by the Konyak tribe, who have generally been supportive of the government.

What was the response to the incident?

The Army: Set up a court of inquiry headed by a Major General to probe the circumstances.

State government: Set up a special investigation team, which has been directed to complete its work within one month.

How did security forces perform so far?

1. Security forces are performing an extremely difficult and complicated task in the midst of multiple insurgencies in the Northeast, 2. Security forces facing challenges for political mis-management since the mid-Fifties when trouble erupted in the Naga Hills.

About the Naga peace process

Some global examples of such incidents

Global examples for such incidents include 1. In 2017 unintentional death of 14 civilians occurred while striking ISIS in Iraq, 2. In 2015, 13 civilians were killed in Syria due to the proximity to the target location, etc.

What is the present status of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)?

In the last four years, the Government has already been gradually withdrawing AFSPA from different areas. The Act was withdrawn from Tripura in 2015 and Meghalaya in 2018 while in Arunachal Pradesh it is now restricted to the three districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding.

At present, the whole of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur (except the Imphal municipal area) continue to be under AFSPA.

What should be done?

The present incident needs to be carefully investigated, and if there was any mala fide or excessive use of force, the guilty must be punished.

The government must re-examine the Jeevan Reddy Commission report to repeal AFSPA. The government must consult with all stakeholders and a well-considered decision must be taken with the view of national security.

“58 Percent of Potential oil palm acreage identified in 5 states: ICAR study”

News– Centre’s relaunched National Mission for Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) to expand area under oil palm, largely in southern and north-eastern parts of the country. Recently ICAR also launched report on palm oil cultivation in India. 

What does ICAR study says about oil palm cultivation 

ICAR analysis shows oil palm cultivation requires less water than rice, banana and sugarcane. Thus, it will be a suitable option for crop diversification, especially as an alternative to rice. 

What is National Mission for Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) 

At present, less than 0.5 million hectares is under Oil Palm cultivation in India domestically, largely in Andhra Pradesh and a few North-Eastern states. Mission plans to raise oil palm cultivation to 1.7-1.8 million hectares by 2029-30. 

How mission plans to Increase area under Oil palm cultivation– 

1. Price assurance to farmers– Government has approved a benchmark purchase price for oil palm along the lines of the existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Provide Viability gap Funding to protect farmers’ interest. 
2. Incentive to oil palm processors if they set up their units in North-Eastern states. 

What are the apprehensions regarding oil palm plantation 

1. Large scale deforestation– According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the expansion of oil palm plantations is likely to cause huge forest loss. 
2. Felling and burning of forests impact populations of endangered wildlife, disrupts local livelihoods and contribute to global warming. 

What can be challenges in realising the goals of Mission 

Previous such efforts have not yielded much results due to the following reasons 

1. Firstly, farmers have to wait for four years for the trees in India to start yielding palm fruit bunches, which would then give palm oil and palm kernel oil. 
2. Secondly, Indian farmers generally have very small farm holdings, making investments in a sector like palm with varied and geographically diverse marginal farm holdings challenging. 
3. Thirdly, Corporate sector investments in oil palm are limited as compared with Malaysia and Indonesia. 

For plantations to be successful, these have to be taken up on a large scale to create efficiencies. 

“Goods and services tax as an unfinished agenda”

News– GST was launched in July,2017 with the vision of  “one nation one tax”, it has seen quite some adaptations since then but still lacks in some key aspects.  

What was the vision behind GST’s Introduction 

It was expected to improve tax-GDP ratio, end tax cascading, enhance efficiency, competitiveness, growth, and ensure lower prices. Many exemptions, along with different tax rates, have been accommodated to protect the interests of different stakeholders. 

What are key features of GST  

1)GST Council and GSTN-Its Foundation is built on GST Council and the GST Network (GSTN). While the former is the key decision-making body, chaired by the Union Finance, the latter generates high-frequency data and subjects them to analytics for informed policymaking.  

2)Revenue neutrality and GST compensation for the States serve as its two key pillars. Although assured revenue neutrality remains a mirage and many States have experienced a declining tax-GDP ratio. 

3)It is a destination-based consumption taxation, with input tax credit. 

4)GST is applicable to all goods and services except alcohol for human consumption and five specified petroleum products. 

International experience and need for improvement in GST 

1) GST could be improved by limiting zero rating, tax-exemptions and harmonising tax rates.  

2) Experience of other countries indicates that transfers through social security or subsides tend to be more progressive than subventions or exemptions. It is because reduced rates or zero rating do not usually get passed on to target groups or industries as happening in India. 

3) GST is shared equally between the Centre and States despite two expert committees recommended for a higher share for the States. Also, GST compensation has also recently gone through much debate and controversy, this is not conducive to sustainable co-operative federalism. 

4) GST is sometimes seen as discriminatory to manufacturing States, indicating the need for a revenue sharing formula that duly incentivises exporting States. 

5) Need for swift and transparent functioning of the input tax credit system through a flawless IT infrastructure, the massive and invaluable data being generated via GSTN has to be put to effective use. 

GST should be seen purely from a revenue point of view and as a fiscal policy tool for efficiency, competitiveness and growth. Profiteering and cascading will prevent both states and consumer to take true advantage of GST and also prevent the true vision behind GST to become a reality. 

“Radioactive Pollution in water: A global concern for human health”

Context-Although Water pollution has been a concern since many decades .But, radioactive pollution of water is newly emerging threat. Recently, radioactive contamination and associated health impacts have been reported in many parts of the globe. 

Radioactivity is the phenomenon of spontaneous emission of particles or waves from the unstable nuclei of some elements.  

What causes radioactive pollution- 

1)Natural causes– Percolation of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) from the soil to the aquifer causes groundwater contamination. 

2)Anthropogenic sources– These can be divided into two types-a)Major sources– Nuclear reactors and nuclear warhead experiments, Nuclear submarines, nuclear power houses(which also use water as a coolant) and dumping of radioactive waste. b) Minor sources- Application of radioisotopes in industries and scientific laboratories, 

How these sources contaminate water 

Dumping of these radioactive wastes in surface waterbodies causes water pollution. However, Radioactive contamination is more prevalent in groundwater as compared to surface water since it is much exposed to radioactive elements found in the rocks. 

How does this effect human health 

Small amount of radiation is found in all types of water but the extended amount of radiation is harmful to human health. 

1)Immediate consequences– Distressing skin, lungs, genitals, and causing hair fall. 

2)Long term effects-Exposure to radiation causes various disorders in human physiology, including cancer, leukaemia, genetic mutations and chromosomal disruption, etc.Sometimes it can be fatal also.  

3)Hereditary disorders -Ionizing radiation induces mutations in germ cells resulting in structural alteration in germ cell DNA that are passed on to offsprings. Example of nuclear accidents- Chernobyl . 

What can be done to prevent this 

Treatment methods like aeration, reverse osmosis, ion exchange and granule carbon adsorption are effective remedial measures for treating the radioactive contaminated water. 

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Watch for secretive behaviour, tendency to switch screens: govt advisory on online gaming among children

Source: This post is based on the article “Watch for secretive behaviour, tendency to switch screens: govt advisory on online gaming among children” published in The Indian Express on 11th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Centre has issued an advisory to parents and teachers on the threats posed by online gaming, observing that the closure of schools due to the lockdown has caused an increase in children using cell phones and the internet.

Issued by: Ministry of Education

It comes days after Rajya Sabha Chairman had asked the Centre to take note of an MP’s observation in the floor of the House that the Govt should regulate the sector to prevent gaming addiction among children.

Teachers have been asked to ensure that the advisory is publicised well to help make children understand the mental and physical stress that gaming can trigger.

What are the key points of the advisory?

Gaming addiction: It notes that playing online games leads to a serious gaming addiction, which has also been considered as a gaming disorder, as most online games are designed in a way that each level is more complicated and complex than the previous one. This causes a player to push themselves to the limit in order to progress in the game. Therefore, playing online games with no restriction and self-limits leads many players to become addicted and are eventually diagnosed with gaming disorder.

It also mentions that the gaming companies emotionally compel the child to buy more levels and almost force in-app purchases.

What are the recommendations?

Furthermore, it lists a number of dos and don’ts for parents and teachers. It also recommends that companies should not allow online game related purchases without parental consent.

To avoid in-app purchases:

– OTP based payment methods may be adopted as per RBI’s guidelines

– Avoid credit/debit cards registration on apps for subscriptions.

– Place an upper limit on expenditure per transaction.

Suggestions for parents:

– Parents should look out for unusually secretive behaviour of children related to their online activity like, any sudden increase in the time they spend online, especially social media, and tendency to switch screens on their device when approached.

– Help children understand that some features in online games are used to encourage more play and spending. Talk to them about gambling, what it is and its consequences both online and in the physical world.

SC says scribes should not suffer for reporting on what is already in public domain

Source: This post is based on the article “SC says scribes should not suffer for reporting on what is already in public domain” published in The Hindu on 10^th Dec 2021 and “Difference in perception can be expressed in better language: Supreme Court” published in The Indian Express on 11^th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Supreme Court in an order has urged the political class to be more tolerant of each other’s opinion while maintaining a temperate language in their critiques.

Background: The order came after West Bengal informed the court that it had no objection to the quashing of FIRs registered on the basis of reports in ‘OpIndia’ portal. FIRs were registered by the West Bengal Police in connection with some news stories published by the portal.

‘OpIndia’ editor Nupur Sharma and other petitioners had moved the court, saying the FIRs amounted to an abuse of law and suppression of Press freedom.

Quashing the FIRs, the court said that what the petitioners had done was to reproduce what the political class has stated against each other and which is already in public domain.

What are the observations made by the SC?

The court observed that:

– State force should not be used to browbeat (intimidating someone into doing something) a political opinion, and journalists should not be made to suffer the consequences of reporting on what is already in the public domain.

– The political class across the country should introspect on the debasement in dialogue which was taking place.

– Also, the journalists should not forget their responsibilities while reporting, especially so in the Twitter age.

– In a country which prides itself on its diversity, there are bound to be different perceptions and opinions, which would include political opinions. That is the very essence of a democracy.

– The political exchanges may get heated, but differences in perceptions can always be expressed in a better language.

PM moots social media, cryptocurrency norms

Source: This post is based on the following articles

“PM moots social media, cryptocurrency norms” published in The Hindu, and “Summit for democracy: Need global norms for crypto, social media, says PM Modi” published in Indian Express on 11^th Dec 2021 respectively.

What is the news?

The Prime Minister of India has virtually addressed the Summit for Democracy.

What is the Summit for Democracy?

The Summit for Democracy was a virtual summit hosted by the United States to renew democracy at home and confront autocracies abroad.

Themes: The three themes of the summit are defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights.

Invitees: There were 110 countries invited to the summit. The invitees from the Asia-Pacific region include India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Pakistan, Maldives and the Philippines but not Bangladesh. However, Pakistan skipped the summit.

Initiatives launched at the summit

– Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal: Under this Initiative, the US administration plans to provide funds for supporting free and independent media, fighting corruption, strengthening democratic reforms, advancing technology for democracy and defending free and fair elections.

What are the key highlights of Indian PM’s address to the summit?

Democratic Spirit in Indian Civilizations: The democratic spirit is integral to Indian civilization. India had elected republican city-states such as Licchavi and Shakya as far as 2,500 years back.

Elements of Democracy: The basic elements such as multi-party elections, an independent judiciary, and free media are structural features of democracy. However, the strength of democracy is the spirit and ethos that lie within our citizens and our societies.

Global Norms for Technology: The international community must jointly shape global norms for technology such as social media and cryptocurrencies so that they are used to empowering democracy, not undermine it.

Centre looking to use stubble as biofuel

Source: This post is based on the article “Centre looking to use stubble as biofuel” published in The Hindu on 10^th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Government of India has informed the Parliament that it is working on a plan to use stubble as a biofuel and manure as part of an effort to deal with stubble burning.

What are the steps the Government of India is taking on stubble burning?

Stubble burning has often been cited as a source of pollution in northern India.

To stop stubble burning, the government of India is working on a plan to use stubble as a biofuel and manure.

For this, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had procured 3,000 tonnes of stubble to be used as biofuel and would study the results. Further, about one lakh acres of manure and compost from stubble were also used in Punjab and Haryana.

Moreover, to stop farmers from getting defamed due to stubble burning, the Government has completely “decriminalised” stubble burning in the Air Quality Commission Act.

Other News Covered in the Article

Opposition Questions India’s Net Zero target by 2070: At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the Indian Prime Minister had announced India would achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

However, opposition leaders asked the Government to provide credible research on how it reached the decision of announcing the net-zero emissions target by 2070.

Six Technology Innovation Platforms launched to foster technological innovations in Heavy Industries

Source: This post is based on the article “Six Technology Innovation Platforms launched to foster technological innovations in Heavy Industries” published in PIB on 10^th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched six web-based technology innovation platforms.

What is the purpose of these six technology innovation platforms?

The six platforms aim to bring together the Industry & Academia to foster technological innovations in heavy industries. 

They do this by offering opportunities to industries to seek optimum solutions for technological problems faced by them from the vast pool of scientific & technical manpower in the academia. 

What are the six platforms launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries?

TechNovuus: It has been set up and maintained by Automotive Research Association of India(ARAI). The platform focuses on the Automotive sector.

SANRACHNA: It has been set up and maintained by BHEL. The platform focuses on the power sector and renewable energy sector.

DRISHTI: It has been set up and maintained by Central  Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru. It focuses on the various technologies associated with Capital goods.

​​ASPIRE: It has been set up and maintained by the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). It focuses on Automotive Technologies development.

KITE: It has been set up and maintained by AMTDC-IIT Madras. It focuses on Robotics and Virtual Reality, Machine Tools. 

SURGE: It has been set up and maintained by HMT MTL Ltd- IISc Bangalore. It is a Technology Innovation Platform focussing on Machine Tools sector.

Parliament passes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Source: This post is based on the article “Parliament passes National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021” published in AIR on 10th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

Parliament has passed the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021.

About National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Bill seeks to amend the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Act, 1998. 

Aim: To ​​accord the status of ‘institute of national importance’ to six more institutes of pharmaceutical education and research, and also set up an advisory council for them.

What are the key features of the bill?

New institutions of national importance: The Bill declares six additional National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research as Institutions of National Importance. These institutes are located in: (i) Ahmedabad, (ii) Hajipur, (iii) Hyderabad, (iv) Kolkata, (v) Guwahati, and (vi) Raebareli.

Establishment of the Council: The Bill provides for a Council to coordinate the activities among the institutes under the Bill to ensure development of pharmaceutical education and research and maintenance of standards. The council will be chaired by the Minister having administrative control of pharmaceuticals.

NITI Aayog and Bharti Foundation announce the launch of ‘Convoke 2021-22’

Source: This post is based on the article “NITI Aayog and Bharti Foundation announce the launch of Convoke 2021-22” published in PIB on 10^th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

NITI Aayog in partnership with Bharti Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Bharti Enterprises, has launched Convoke 2021-22.

What is Convoke?

CONVOKE is a National Research Symposium for Teachers and Heads of Schools.

Aim: To address challenges in imparting education and strengthening its quality with special focus on all teachers, educationists, heads of schools across India. 

Through this platform, School Teachers/ Heads/Principals of Government Schools and teachers from Bharti Foundation network will be encouraged to use research-based solutions through scientific approach. It would showcase their efforts taken at the grass-root level in improving learning outcomes.

What is the significance of this initiative?

Firstly, the initiative will promote the suggestions of the National Education Policy 2020 on recognizing novel approaches to teaching that improve learning outcomes in their classrooms. 

Secondly, it will help in creating a culture of using research-based pedagogy to improve learning outcomes in school education.

Thirdly, Teachers over the years have been coming up with innovative solution to help support students and even more during lockdown. Through Convoke they’ll be able to share their micro research papers. The shortlisted Research Papers will be presented during ‘National Research Symposium’ scheduled in January, 2022.

Explained: NASA’s IXPE mission that will explore universe’s mysterious objects

Source:  This post is based on the article “Explained: NASA’s IXPE mission that will explore the universe’s mysterious objects” published in Indian Express on 10^th Dec 2021.

What is the news?

NASA has launched a new mission named Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). The mission was launched from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

What is the IXPE Mission?

IXPE observatory is a joint effort of NASA and the Italian Space Agency. 

Aim: To study the most extreme and mysterious objects in the universe – supernova remnants, supermassive black holes, and dozens of other high-energy objects.

Duration: The mission’s duration is 2 years.

Instruments used: IXPE carries three state-of-the-art space telescopes. Each of the three telescopes hosts one light-weight X-ray mirror and one detector unit. These will help observe polarized X-rays from neutron stars and supermassive black holes.

By measuring the polarization of these X-rays, we can study where the light came from and understand the geometry and inner workings of the light source.

The mission will complement other X-ray telescopes such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency’s X-ray observatory, XMM-Newton.

Importance of the mission: The mission will help scientists answer questions such as:

– How do black holes spin?

– Was the black hole at the center of the Milky Way actively feeding on surrounding material in the past?

– How do pulsars shine so brightly in X-rays?

– What powers the jets of energetic particles that are ejected from the region around the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies?

NCW Launches Online Resource Center on Cyber Safety Under ‘We Think Digital’ Programme

Source: This post is based on the article “NCW Launches Online Resource Center on Cyber Safety Under ‘We Think Digital’ Programme” published in PIB on 11th December 2021.

What is the news?

National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched an online resource center under the ‘We Think Digital’programme”. The programme is run collaboratively by the NCW, Facebook, and Cyber Peace Foundation.

How would the online resource center help women?

-It aims to help women in distress on issues related to online safety like cyberbullying, cyberstalking, financial fraud, etc.

-It will help women the safe usage of technology and will also help them to be safe from online threats.

– It will act as a source of information and support for online presence.

How would the online resource center work?

The center will provide information on cyber security in the form of posters, awareness videos, quizzes, and self-learning modules. It will include lessons with tips for safe usage and reporting and redressal of cybercrimes. The users can also find byte-sized information on various topics of cyber security on the website.

It will provide information on the step-by-step process of reporting on cyber-crime issues including reporting on social media platforms.

About ‘We Think Digital’ Programme

The programme was launched by Facebook in partnership with the National Commission for Women (NCW) and Cyber Peace Foundation.

Under this, Facebook will provide digital literacy training to 1 lakh women across seven states (Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Bihar).

As part of the program, the company will partner with agencies from both government and civil society to design learning modules to equip people with skills, including the ability to think critically about what they see online, report harmful content and how to communicate respectfully.

NEDFI Announces New Scheme Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme for the Artisans under Ministry of Doner

Source: This post is based on the article “NEDFI Announces New Scheme Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme for the Artisans under Ministry of Doner” published in PIB on 10th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) has launched Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme for the grass root artisans in the North East Region.

About Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme

Aim: To develop the artisans of the North Eastern Region by providing them financial assistance in the form of term loans for income-generating activities like setting up / expansion/modernization and other activities related to the sector. 

Key Features of the Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme

Under the scheme, a total of 17 artisans have already been provided with credit assistance of Rs.1 lakh per artisan. 

The credit facility is collateral-free and carries a subsidized interest rate of 6% p.a., which is repayable in 24 months.

For regular repayment, an incentive of 1% on the interest rate is provided, which will be refunded to the artisans on successful repayment of loans.

Eligibility Criteria: The interested artisans can apply for the scheme with the following eligibility criteria:

• Registered/ unregistered artisan/ Individual
• Having valid qualifications or practising any art form
• No existing loan from any other bank/ financial institution
• Bank Account

India co-chairs Global Methane Initiative Steering Leadership Meeting

Source: This post is based on the article “India co-chairs Global Methane Initiative Steering Leadership Meeting” published in PIB on 10th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

India has co-chaired the Steering Leadership meeting of the Global Methane Initiative(GMI).

What is the Global Methane Initiative(GMI)?

GMI is an international public-private initiative launched in 2004.

Aim: To achieve a global reduction in anthropogenic methane emission through a partnership among developed and developing countries having economies in transition.

Members: It is a voluntary Government and an informal international partnership having members from 45 countries including the United States and Canada. India has been one of the members since its inception.

Secretariat: It is currently hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Current Chairperson: Canada

Vice-Chairmanship: India has taken up Vice-Chairmanship for the first time in the Steering Leadership along with the USA. 

Only 2 states, two HCs are for all-India judicial service: Union Law Ministry

Source: This post is based on the article “Only 2 states, two HCs are for all-India judicial service: Union Law Ministry” published in Indian Express on 10th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

The Union Minister for Law and Justice has informed Parliament about the proposal on setting up of All India Judicial Services. 

What is All India Judicial Services(AIJS)? 

AIJS is a national-level recruitment process for district judges on the lines of the Union Public Services Commission proposed by the Central government to strengthen the overall justice delivery system.

However, under the Constitution, the power to make appointments to the lower judiciary vests with the states. 

Currently, states conduct their own examinations in consultation with high courts, based on vacancies that arise. Hence, AIJS is being seen as a dilution of the state’s powers.

Which states and High Courts are in support of AIJS?

Only two state governments, Haryana and Mizoram and two High Courts, Tripura High Court and Sikkim High Court are in favour of creating AIJS.

Note: In 2017, the Supreme Court had also favoured a centralised recruitment process of district judges.

Why are other states and High Courts opposing AIJS?

Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal Pradesh is purely a tribal state with its own peculiar and distinct tribal customs and ethos, and the modes of rendering justice vary from tribe to tribe. Hence, the proposal of having a common judicial service would create chaos and instability in their administration of justice.

Chhattisgarh: It wants only 15% of vacancies at the level of Additional District Judge and above from the Bar to be filled up through AIJS.

Odisha: It is insisting on a minimum experience of ten years and an upper age limit of forty years for district judges.

Bombay High Court: It has cited a 2014 full court resolution that rejected the proposal of AIJS.

Punjab and Haryana High Court: They said that the formation of AIJS will seriously erode the federal structure contemplated by the Constitution.

Other Concerns: The AIJS proposal does not address structural issues plaguing the lower judiciary, including low pay and fewer chances of being promoted to the higher judiciary.

Neurocysticercosis: Worms thriving in brains, Assam’s tea garden workers lose lives, livelihoods

Source: This post is based on the article “Worms thriving in brains, Assam’s tea garden workers lose lives, livelihoods” published in Down To Earth on 10th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

According to a study, Neurocysticercosis(NCC) was one of the leading causes of seizures in developing countries particularly in areas without proper sanitation and where pig-rearing was widespread. 

What is Neurocysticercosis(NCC)?

Neurocysticercosis(NCC) is a zoonotic disease. It is a neurologic infection caused when a human consumes meat from — or is indirectly in contact with — a pig infected with tapeworm.

What happens after the person gets infected with tapeworm?

The eggs of the tapeworm invade the muscles of the human body to make cysts. Sometimes these cysts get into people’s brains, triggering epileptic seizures, headaches, difficulty with balance and excess fluid around the brain.

Transmission: Those with NCC cannot spread the disease to other people. But people with taeniasis (tapeworm infection in the intestine) may spread tapeworm eggs to other people if they do not practice good hygiene (e.g. handwashing after they use the toilet).

Diagnosis: Neurocysticercosis is diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) scan. Diagnosis may also be confirmed by the detection of antibodies against cysticerci in CSF or serum through ELISA or immunoblotting techniques.

Treatment: Treatment includes epileptic therapy and a long-course medication of praziquantel (PZQ) and/or albendazole.

Indian Mathematician receives 2021 DST-ICTP-IMU Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries

Source: This post is based on the article “Indian Mathematician receives 2021 DST-ICTP-IMU Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries” published in Indian Express on 10th Dec 2021.

What is the News?

Professor Neena Gupta, a mathematician at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata has been awarded the 2021 DST-ICTP-IMU Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from developing countries. She was awarded for solving the Zariski cancellation problem.

What is the Zariski cancellation problem?

It is one of the world’s greatest math problems. It is a fundamental problem in Algebraic Geometry. The problem was posed by one of the most eminent founders of modern Algebraic Geometry, Oscar Zariski, in 1949. He was one of the founders of modern Algebraic Geometry.

What is the problem? “The cancellation problem asks that if one have cylinders over two geometric structures, and that have similar forms, can one conclude that the original base structures have similar forms?”

Neena Gupta solved this problem which is considered as one of the best works in algebraic geometry in recent years done anywhere.

About Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians

The Ramanujan Prize for young mathematicians from developing countries has been awarded annually since 2005. 

Who is the prize awarded to? The prize is given to an eminent Mathematician who is less than 45 years of age on 31 December of the year of the award and has conducted outstanding research in developing countries

Administered by: The Prize is administered by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) jointly with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Government of India and the International Mathematical Union (IMU).

Sponsored by: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (DST).

ICTP: It was founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam. It seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers.

IMU: It is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization with the purpose of promoting international cooperation in mathematics.