9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – January 18th, 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• India’s watchwords in a not so bright 2022
• India-Taiwan relations: India Must Give Taiwan A Helping Hand
• India-Japan relations: How the India-Japan friendship can help global peace, prosperity
• Pakistan’s National Security Policy: Can Pakistan put off change again?
• Think, give-and-take to expand trade relations

GS Paper 3

• Pragmatism on investment
• Some unemployment puzzles
• It’s time for the world to reform capitalism from within
• Domestic hazardous waste: Toxic ignorance: Most Indian cities way off segregating domestic hazardous waste
• “Just what the doctor ordered for the livestock farmers”

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• NFT: How crypto tech made it possible to own, trade digital art
• Will the Tonga volcanic eruption affect the global climate?
• In the works: National e-commerce policy to script arm’s-length rulebook
• What is the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda ’22?
• ‘India-UK trade pact needs data accord’
• Oxfam report: In 2021, income of 84% households fell, but number of billionaires grew
• National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): Ministry of Textiles clears 20 Strategic Projects in the areas of Specialty Fibres and Geotextiles under the Flagship Programme National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)
• UV-C Disinfection Technology: Union Minister says, CSIR’s newly developed Disinfection technology is being installed to combat the pandemic in railway coaches, AC buses, closed spaces etc
• PM delivers ‘State of the World’ special address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda
• Sixth mass extinction event in progress – and it’s humanity’s fault – study
• Explained: How are Republic Day tableaux designed and selected?

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

India’s watchwords in a not so bright 2022

News: Contemporary threats to the World and to India in 2022.

What are the risks/threats that the world needs to confront this year?

One, the future of democracy is under threat. The following reasons are

Rise of authoritarian rulers in many countries.

The attack on democratic tenets in recent years.

America, seen as a bulwark for democracy, has become weak.

The above situations are not a good sign for the future of democracy worldwide.

Two, the challenges that China can pose to the existing international order. The reasons are,

With increasing economic prosperity, China demands to be recognized as equal to the US in world affairs.

Militarily, China is openly challenging U.S. supremacy in many areas, including ‘state-of-the-art weaponry’ such as hypersonic technology.

China’s unwelcome attitude towards Hong Kong and the existent threat for Taiwan posed by China could become one of the flashpoints of conflict in 2022.

Further, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as a conflict zone due to China’s assertiveness. This could lead to new tensions in the Asia-Pacific region in 2022.

Three, the Russia-Ukraine conflict. With Ukraine backed by the U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces, the Russia-Ukraine conflict could result in a possible war or conflict. In the past three decades, NATO has expanded its reach almost 1,000 miles to the east in violation of an earlier tacit understanding. Russia might not be willing to concede more.

Four, peace across vast regions of the globe in 2022 is severely constrained. For example, the current unrest in Kazakhstan, which was one of the more stable Central Asian nations, lately. It demonstrates increasing friction between the U.S.-led West and its principal opponents, Russia and China.

What are the challenges for India in 2022?

First, the resurgence of radical Islamist activities in Afghanistan and Indonesia is a potential threat to India’s security.

Developments in Afghanistan have fuelled the ambitions of quite a few ‘anti-state militant groups’ across the region. For example, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In Indonesia, The Jemaah Islamiyah has reportedly become more active.

Second, India’s border issues with China are likely to intensify in 2022. The transgressions across the Line of Actual Control in different sectors in Ladakh could well be expanded in 2022. Because, China is disturbed by India’s decision to join QUAD, which is seen as an anti-China coalition.

Third, Indian diplomacy will be under severe test in both regions, Central Asia and West Asia.

In Central Asia, India will be challenged on how best to manage its traditional friendship with Russia with the pronounced tilt seen more recently in India-U.S. relations.

In West Asia, the challenge for India is how to manage its membership of the Second Quad (India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S.) with the conflicting interests of different players in the region.

India-Taiwan relations: India Must Give Taiwan A Helping Hand

News: To counter the aggressive China policies, India should not repeat its mistake and work towards consolidating Taiwan’s position globally.

What China is doing to annex Taiwan? 

China has taken many steps to annex Taiwan. It is now working to wipe its international identity by bribing Nations to break off diplomatic relations with Taiwan. China is vetoing Taiwan’s presence in international organizations. Today, only 13 Nations and Vatican City recognize Taiwan.

But Lithuania has taken a bold step by allowing Taiwan to open its embassy. Other Nations like the Czech Republic, Poland are seeking to deepen ties with Taiwan.

Why China’s claim for Taiwan is not valid?

Taiwan was inhabited by Malayo-Polynesian tribes and had no ties with China until the island’s Dutch colonial rulers in the 17th century invited Chinese workers to emigrate. So, accordingly, Taiwan is closer to the Philippines than China.

What should Taiwan do to secure its place?

Taiwan needs to create greater international space for itself. This will enable it to get the status of a nation, making it difficult for China to seize the island like it did in Tibet and Xinjiang in 1949.

Also, Taiwan needs to strengthen its defences with anti-Ship and anti-aircraft missiles and increase the cost on the Chinese of any attempted invasion.

What is the significance of Taiwan for India?

Taiwan plays an important role in the defence of India, as it keeps a sizable portion of Chinese forces occupied.

Why and how India should help Taiwan?

India needs to learn from its mistakes in Tibet. India had opposed Tibet’s plea for a discussion in the UN and handed over telegraph and postal services to China. To help Taiwan, India must reinforce its defences.

India should follow Japan and USA in standing ties with Taiwan. It can also learn from Lithuania and allow Taiwan to rename its “Taipei Economic and Cultural Center” in New Delhi as the “Taiwanese Representative Office“. India should rebrand its own mission in Taipei as the “India Representative Office”.

Taiwan is on the front line against Xi’s totalitarianism. Major democracies therefore must act to save Taiwan.

India-Japan relations: How the India-Japan friendship can help global peace, prosperity

News: The year 2022 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. It is based on the theme “building a future for our centenary.” which means to create a future and propel both countries towards the 100th-anniversary landmark and beyond.

About the History of India-Japan relations

Formal relations: India and Japan started their formal relations in 1952. To ensure equality and honour after WW II, India chose to opt for a bilateral peace treaty with Japan instead of signing a multilateral San Francisco Peace Treaty. India also invited Japanese athletes in 1951 to the first Asian Games it hosted in New Delhi. It was an important occasion in Japan as it was one of the first occasions where the Japanese flag was hoisted after WWII.

Cultural Relations: In 752, an Indian monk, Bodhisena, performed the consecration ceremony for the Great Buddha Statue at Todai-ji, which is one of the most important temples in Japan.

Industrial relations: Many Japanese travelled to India to purchase cotton, iron ore, etc, in the late 19th century, when Japan was in need of natural resources to modernize its industry.

Exchange of artists: Exchange between artists was also visible like Nobel Laureate in literature, Rabindranath Tagore, and Okakura Tenshin, a Japanese philosopher.

What is the present status of India-Japan relations?

Today, India and Japan are working as natural partners and working together for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” and various other global issues. Japan is the largest ODA (Official Development Assistance) donor to India. It is also one of the largest investors in India. For example, both countries are collaborating in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project.

Apart from it, both countries have together promoted economic cooperation in other countries to enhance social infrastructure and connectivity.

What are the future endeavours for India-Japan relations? 

First, Both countries can work towards ensuring global peace and prosperity. Together, they can work in various fields like including cybersecurity, outer space, and economic security.

Second, India and Japan can work together to enhance their economic relations. This will help to further strengthen the economy of the Indo-Pacific, as well as the world economy.

Third, There has been an increase in the number of Japanese learners in India. These cultural exchanges can be further strengthened to strengthen the foundation of both countries.

Pakistan’s National Security Policy: Can Pakistan put off change again?

News: Pakistan has recently released its National Security Policy, which acknowledges the need for change in its state. But the policy did not talk about how the change will go.

What is the present crisis with Pakistan is struggling?

Most of the problems which Pakistan is facing today are similar to which India faced in the 1990s. These are:

1) Economic model, 2) Political instability which leads to weak coalition governments, 3) Social conflicts like caste and religion, 4) External pressure to bring domestic changes.

What are the reasons behind new changes in Pakistan National Security Policy?

Below policy has led Pakistan to bring changes in its National policy:

Cross border terrorism: With the end of the Cold War, Pakistan chose to opt for cross border terrorism to bring instability to Kashmir and turn Afghanistan into a protectorate.

Economic modernization: Pakistan has done little to bring reforms to its economy. As a result, its economy in 2021 (GDP at $280 bn) is well behind that of Bangladesh ($350 bn). The Indian economy at $3.1 trillion is also more than 10 times larger than that of Pakistan.

Foreign policy: In the past, Pakistan played a large role in the Middle East and more broadly the Muslim world. But today, its equities in the West have steadily diminished. It does not get a call from Joe Biden since he has been elected as USA president.

Backfire of policies: Pakistan’s support for violent religious extremism has also started to backfire. Militant groups which were once seen as valuable instruments for Pakistan have now turned against the state. Also, severe financial penalties have been imposed on Pakistan by the international system for supporting terrorist activities.

Troubled relations: After USA intervention in Afghanistan, Pakistan had a chance to change its course. Instead, it has chosen to bring them back to power. This may lead to the wrath of the USA. And Taliban on the other hand is signalling it is not a proxy of China.

India has also changed its tactics of engagement with Islamabad. Now, India is not shy of using military power in response to terror attacks.

Think, give-and-take to expand trade relations

News: India in 2020 declined to join the Chinese led RCEP. 

This fueled the concerns of trade isolation and to overcome this India has been trying to forge some bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs).   

What are the initiatives taken by India in this direction? 

India has been generally following a ‘Look West’ approach and has initiated FTA talks with the US, Europe, UK. 

Its full trade agreement with UAE is also in the final stages. 

Although negotiations have taken place with EU, US, Australia and Canada but the progress has been slow. 

UK after Brexit has been keen for a trade alliance with India.  

What should India focus on while signing FTA with UK? 

India and UK both have been trying to put some goods and services off the pact. This may lead to a situation where only 65% of goods and 40% of the services get covered. 

However, both the sides in a bilateral FTA should not go closely into sectoral details as only a full-scale FTA can bring long term benefits to both the parties. 

The short term effects on local markets should not prevent India from seeing the long term gain from the deal. For example- India has a very high tariff on Scottish whiskey which only leads to custom duties but does not automatically generate jobs in local markets.  

India should focus on having competitive edge rather than market access to derive benefit from the deal. 

As India and UK have little overlaps in terms of what they manufacture at scale,trade pact will not be hard to negotiate. 

GS Paper 3

Pragmatism on investment

News: Recently, India’s foreign direct investment (FDI) policy was altered through a press note. But the government is re-examining extra scrutiny on Chinese investment.

What was changed in FDI policy?

Investment from countries with which India shared a land border would no longer be allowed through the automatic route. They have to be cleared in advance.

This was done to curb opportunistic or strategic takeovers by Chinese companies. However, there is a need for large-scale re-evaluation of the process because proposals valued at about $6 billion have been delayed by bureaucratic requirements.

What are the flaws existing with extra scrutiny on Chinese investment?

 First, an overall roadblock reduces investment because flows through the global financial center of Hong Kong were also scrutinized.

Second, there are also effects on the attempt to attract global supply chains to India because the supply chains are not single-owner, single-unit enterprises.

For example, A large mobile handset maker has a chain of supporting subcontractors. Some of these might be Chinese-owned. To make India an attractive destination for the handset maker would require the involvement of its subcontractors.

Third, Indian policymakers realized that economic openness should not be ignored while focusing on “self-reliance”. It is essential to be a location for global supply chains.

Fourth, India’s attempts to develop mass manufacturing and key frontier sectors will be nil, if it does not understand the feature of global value chains.

What is the way forward?

One, all recent tariffs or industrial policies should be evaluated.

For example, the production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme for semiconductors. The government has set aside a subsidy of $10 billion for a new fabrication plant. This has a strategic significance because there are bottlenecks in the semiconductor supply chain in the whole world.

But it must not create a high-cost, protected enclave domestically.

Two, it is essential to balance efficiency, strategic autonomy, and the reality of trading networks, and the government should take a flexible and pragmatic approach.

For example, A semiconductor supply chain that passes through India must be deeply integrated with the rest of the world and reflect India’s comparative advantage in design.

Some unemployment puzzles

News: India’s unemployment problem is not reflected in its unemployment rate. Its problem lies in the low employment rate and its discouraged young female labor force.

Why the unemployment rate is not India’s most important labor market indicator?

The unemployment rate was 7.9 percent in December 2021. This does not mean that the remaining 92.1 percent were employed.

The unemployment rate merely tells us the proportion of the working-age population that wants to be employed to earn some wages or profits through its work.

The unemployment rate does not take into account those who do not want to be employed and those who do not try to find work.

The problem in India is that most adults do not express a desire to work to earn wages or profits. This reluctance to work on the part of the majority of adults makes the unemployment rate a less useful indicator of the health of the economy than it is imagined to be.

Then, what is the most reliable and alternative option available?

The employment rate is a more useful indicator. It is a ratio of the employed to the total working-age population. The employment rate is a measure of success.

Where India stands in the employment rate statistics?

India’s success rate on this count is low. While the global employment rate was 55 percent in the pandemic-hit 2020 (it was 58 percent in 2019), India recorded a low of 43 per cent.

Only West Asia and North Africa by World Bank classification have a lower employment rate than India.

According to CMIE’s relatively stringent definition of employment, the employment rate in India is lower, at 38 percent.

What can be inferred from the available employment rate statistics?

First, only 38 percent of the working-age population is employed and only another 3 percent wants to work but cannot find work. It implies that 59 percent of the working-age population does not want to work.

So, India’s path to prosperity is in finding employment for not only the 3 percent who are unemployed but also for the eligible population of the remaining 59 percent of the population.

To reach global employment rate standards, India needs to employ an additional 187.5 million people.

Second, out of the 59%, 9 million women were willing to work, although they were not actively looking for work.  Therefore, there is a need to investigate why such many women are not looking for work, though they are willing to work.

Finally, the immediate challenge is to provide employment to the 7.9 percent (35 million) who were not employed and were actively looking for employment.

It’s time for the world to reform capitalism from within

News: Pandemic has highlighted the need to reform capitalism to make it work for everyone and to make the world a better place to live in.

Why there is a need for reforms in capitalism?

Though Capitalism had helped in incentivizing science to develop and produce vaccines in record time, it also disincentivized allocation and availability of vaccines to the most vulnerable.

Jerry Z. Muller, in The Tyranny of Metrics, highlighted how obsession to quantify and accordingly incentivize human performance leads to unmeasurable issues.

Along with pandemic, there are other major problems faced by the world. For example, climate change and inequality.

Though we recognize Climate crisis but without appropriate incentives, capitalism can decelerate the world’s fight against it.

Also, the World Inequality Report of 2022 highlighted the inequitable distribution of wealth, which is considered a side effect of capitalism.

How to reform capitalism?

First, acknowledge and understand the problem.

Second, after understanding the problem, a genuinely unbiased assessment of the successful and problematic aspects of capitalism is required. The benefits of capitalism need to be democratized.

For example, trade-adjusted programs, special and differential treatment haven’t realized their potential due to insincere design, poor prioritization, and a weak focus on enabling conditions.

Third, there is a need to clearly articulate the meaning of safety nets and form mechanisms that can ensure their efficient and inclusive application. This requires inter-linkages between different components of a society.

Fourth, giving importance to the distribution of the economic pie is as important as increasing its size. Hence, we can begin by setting objectives of inclusion, sustainability, and resilience.

Fifth, we need managed competition to maximize value for consumers as well as employers. Hence, the potential of cooperatives and collectives need to be reaped to give power back to people, communities and prioritize equity. For example;

– One, India’s community owned-and-managed enterprise models. These consider productivity and worker welfare as equally important objectives.

– Two, people-first public-private partnerships, which aim to prioritize the interests of people while considering the long-term gains of infrastructure investment for the economy and society.

Domestic hazardous waste: Toxic ignorance: Most Indian cities way off segregating domestic hazardous waste

News: In the absence of a robust framework and infrastructure, segregation of domestic hazardous waste remains a distant dream for most Indian cities

What are the concerns associated with handling domestic hazardous waste?

No proper disposal: Harmful chemicals like sanitisers, power bulbs have become the norm. And often people don’t exercise care while disposing of them. These, though in small quantities, they pile up in landfills and dumping grounds. The legal framework for the disposal of domestic hazardous waste is non-existent.

No proper monitoring: As per census 2011, India has 8,000 towns, but there are no official estimates of domestic hazardous waste. In 2020, IIT Delhi and Bombay analyzed eight dump sites across major metros and found significant levels of toxic heavy metals and persistent organic contaminants like pesticides in them. But, still, no proper monitoring, how much harmful waste is dumped there.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the dangers of inadequate disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health.

Absence in the government rules: Domestic hazardous waste is not mentioned in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The rules even left out cigarette butts even though they contain traces of heavy metals and other chemicals. Also, the norms of segregating the waste into wet, dry, and domestic hazardous categories are not properly followed. (Apart from Indore, which follows the norms).

Not enough disposal facilities: A disposal facility should have engineered landfills that stop the percolation of toxic leachate into the ground. According to Handbook on Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management and Handling in India, there are only 45 of these facilities. At least 18 states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Bihar, and Assam, do not have safe disposal facilities. Other states, like Punjab and Haryana, have one facility for the entire state.

What should be the way forward for the safe handling of domestic hazardous waste?

India should consider including hazardous waste under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). India currently has an EPR policy only for plastic products and electronic and electrical equipment. It should learn from countries like Canada, where domestic hazardous waste has been under EPR since the 1990s.

“Just what the doctor ordered for the livestock farmers”

News According to the twentieth livestock census around 95.8% of livestock population in India is concentrated in rural areas. This makes access to veterinary services, a major challenge. 

To mitigate this problem, Government has introduced Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) under the revised provisions of Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) programme. 

What are MVUs? 

MVU are vans which are equipped with veterinarian and para-veterinarian, equipment for diagnosis, treatment and minor surgery, other basic requirements for the treatment of animals.  

What are the benefits of this initiative? 

Improves Longevity and productivity of Live Stocks-Farmers are often compelled to travel far from their villages whenever their animals need treatment. This also adversely impacts the longevity and the productivity of the livestock. MVUs will help to overcome this issue with its doorstep delivery model. 

Zoonotic diseases-There is a drastic rise in cases of zoonotic diseases which make availability of adequate testing and treatment facilities for veterinary diseases very essential. 

Anti microbial resistance-The gap created by the unavailability of adequate facilities is filled by Quacks or untrained animal health workers. This leads to inappropriate treatment and inadequate administration of antibiotics which can cause Antibiotic resistance. This is a threat to human health. 

MVU model will mitigate the issue of antimicrobial resistance and is in alignment with the ‘One Health vision’ laid down by the Global Action Plan of WHO. 

Rural poverty-A majority of livestock farmers have two to four animals per household. 

Any improvement in the longevity and the productivity of the livestock will go a long way towards alleviating rural poverty. 

Milk loss-This will help to lower the milk loss and subsequent monetary loss to the farmers. 

Employment generation– Increasing adoption of MVUs across the country will lead to a surge in employment opportunities for veterinarians and assistants.  

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

NFT: How crypto tech made it possible to own, trade digital art

Source: This post is based on the article “NFT: How crypto tech made it possible to own, trade digital art” published in Times of India on 18^th Jan 2022.

What are NFTs?

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital items stored on a blockchain, the same network that runs cryptocurrencies.

– Anything digital – images, videos, music, online version of various articles – can be converted into an NFT and monetised.

– NFTs are not the digital art but instead certificates of authenticity, and most use the blockchain of ethereum, the second-biggest cryptocurrency.

What are the concerns associated with NFTs?

– Trading of NFTs has no legal backing yet. This lack of regulation means NFTs are prone to price manipulation.

What are the use-cases for NFT?

Many consumers who had put money in crypto were introduced to NFTs as a new medium of investment.

Some users have taken to NFTs due to speculation, as the value of a token is derived from what buyers are willing to pay for it.

NFTs also enable digital content creators and owners of IP (intellectual property) to monetise their work or assets without a ‘middleman’ and earn a royalty every time the NFT is resold.

The appreciation of crypto market capitalisation along with mainstream users adopting crypto has driven NFT popularity.

For more: Read here

For more on NFTs, read these articles:

– The NFT promise is overhyped even for creative folks

– NFTs are overhyped but useful for creator economy

– Similarities Between Non-fungible tokens and worldwide web

Will the Tonga volcanic eruption affect the global climate?

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Will the Tonga volcanic eruption affect the global climate?’ published in Indian Express on 18^th January 2022.

What is the news?

A massive underwater volcanic eruption occurred in Tonga in the Southern Pacific Ocean. This has raised questions whether this volcanic eruption could cool the climate.

How does volcanic eruption cool the climate?

Volcanic Eruption releases several types of gases, steam and ash into the stratosphere.

One of the gases it releases include sulphur dioxide (SO₂) which is of particular interest because of its global cooling effect.

This is because Sulphur dioxide from volcanic eruptions turns into sulphuric acid, which condenses rapidly in the stratosphere to form fine sulphate aerosols.

The aerosols increase the reflection of radiation from the sun back into space, making it harder for the sun’s energy to reach the Earth’s surface, which cools the climate.

Will Tonga Volcanic Eruption cool the climate?

In 1991, Mount Pinatubo volcanic explosion occurred in the Philippines. Pinatubo released about 15 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere. The total mass of SO₂ in the volcanic cloud was 20 Tg.

Due to this explosion, researchers recorded a 0.5 degrees Celsius (°C) drop in the average global temperature over large parts of the earth between 1992 and 1993.

On the other hand, the Tonga volcanic cloud contains roughly 0.4 teragram (Tg) of SO₂. This means that the (Tonga) event appears unlikely to have a significant cooling effect on temperatures globally.

However, experts said it was still too early to draw conclusions as new data would emerge. Also, more eruptions were possible.

In the works: National e-commerce policy to script arm’s-length rulebook

Source: This post is based on the article ‘In the works: National e-commerce policy to script arm’s-length rulebook’ published in Business Standard on 18^th January 2022.

What is the News?

Government is preparing a revised and perhaps a more lenient Draft National E-commerce Policy.

What will be the purpose of the upcoming Draft National E-commerce Policy?

Aim: To regulate India’s e-commerce sector to make marketplaces more accountable and provide a level playing field for traditional offline traders.

Coverage: The policy will be applicable to all digital and electronic platforms engaged in buying and selling of goods and services, including television shopping channels, web pages and social media.

What are the key provisions of the upcoming Draft National E-commerce Policy?

Firstly, E-commerce companies will have to appoint officers to ensure compliance with domestic laws and address all complaints in a fair and a time-bound manner.

Secondly, No marketplace can have any control over the products sold on the platform. Also, such firms cannot directly or indirectly sell their products to vendors registered on their platform. They also cannot mandate a vendor to sell products exclusively on their platform.

Read more here

What is the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda ’22?

Source:  This post is based on the article ‘What is the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda ’22?’ published in Livemint on 18^th January 2022.

What is the news?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is hosting the Davos Agenda 2022 on the theme ‘State of the World’.

What is the WEF Davos Agenda Summit, 2022?

The summit is being organized virtually by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The summit offers the first global platform of 2022 for world leaders to come together to share their visions for the year ahead.

The key issues that will be discussed include:

Climate action: Climate action failure, extreme weather and biodiversity loss are ranked the top three most-severe risks for the world over the next decade according to the Forum’s Global Risks Report 2022.

Pandemic Recovery: Vaccine inequities, addressing antimicrobial resistance, disparities in health coverage and outcomes, and the importance of mental healthcare for all (and especially our global health workforce) will be discussed.

Economic and social resilience: After decades of progress in addressing poverty and income inequality, COVID-19 set us back – bringing the first rise in extreme poverty in a generation. This will be discussed here.

What are the main initiatives that will be launched at Agenda-22?

Agenda 2022 will see the launch of other WEF initiatives meant for accelerating the mission to net-zero emissions on the economic opportunity of nature-positive solutions and on cyber resilience. 

‘India-UK trade pact needs data accord’

Source: This post is based on the article ‘‘India-UK trade pact needs data accord’’ published in Livemint on 18^th January 2022.

What is the news?

According to the managing director of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), the India-UK free-trade agreement should include a Data Adequacy Agreement.

What is a Data Adequacy Agreement?

Data Adequacy Agreement facilitates the cross-border movement of personal data based on mutual adequacy.

Has the UK signed a Data Adequacy Agreement with any other country or Union?

The UK has entered into a data adequacy agreement with the European Union post-Brexit. 

The agreement allows personal data to flow freely from the EU and wider European Economic Area (EEA) to the UK. 

As a result, businesses and organisations in the UK can continue to receive personal data from the EU and EEA without having to put additional arrangements in place with European counterparts.

This in turn supports trade, innovation, investment and assists with law enforcement agencies tackling crime.

Oxfam report: In 2021, income of 84% households fell, but number of billionaires grew

Source:  This post is based on the article ‘Oxfam report: In 2021, income of 84% households fell, but number of billionaires grew’ published in Indian Express on 18th January 2022.

What is the news?

Oxfam has released a report titled “Inequality Kills’’.

The report has been released ahead of the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda.

What are the key findings of the report?

The wealth of the 10 richest men has doubled, while the incomes of 99% of humanity are worse off, because of COVID-19. 

Inequality is contributing to the death of at least 21,000 people each day, or one person every four seconds.

The pandemic has set gender parity back from 99 years to 135 years.Women collectively lost Rs 59.11 lakh crore (USD 800 billion) in earnings in 2020, with 1.3 crore fewer women in work now than in 2019. 

What are the key findings of the report with respect to India?

Inequality worsened by the Covid pandemic: The income of 84% of households in the country declined in 2021. But at the same time, the number of Indian billionaires grew from 102 to 142.

India has the third-highest number of billionaires in the world, just behind China and the United States. There is a 39% increase in the number of billionaires in India in 2021.

In 2021, the share of the bottom 50% of the population in national wealth was a mere 6%.

More than 4.6 crore Indians are estimated to have fallen into extreme poverty in 2020.

Decrease in Social Expenditure: The healthcare budget saw a 10% decline from RE (revised estimates) of 2020-21. There was a 6% cut in allocation for education.

Moreover, the budgetary allocation for social security schemes declined from 1.5% of the total Union budget to 0.6%.

Dependence on Indirect taxes: There was an increase in indirect taxes as a share of the Union government revenue in the last four years.On the other hand, the proportion of corporate tax in the same was declining.

The additional tax imposed on fuel has risen 33% in the first six months of 2020-21 as compared to the last year and 79 per cent more than pre-Covid levels. 

At the same time, lowering of corporate taxes from 30% to 22% to attract investment last year resulted in a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, which contributed to the increase in India’s fiscal deficit.

Out of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE): The data from the National Sample Survey (NSS) (2017-18) shows that Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) in private hospitals is almost six times of that in public hospitals for inpatient care and two or three times higher for outpatient care. The average OOPE in India is at 62.67%, while the global average is at 18.12%.

National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM): Ministry of Textiles clears 20 Strategic Projects in the areas of Specialty Fibres and Geotextiles under the Flagship Programme National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Ministry of Textiles clears 20 Strategic Projects in the areas of Specialty Fibres and Geotextiles under the Flagship Programme National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)’ published in PIB on 18th January 2022.

What is the News?

The Ministry of Textiles has cleared 20 strategic research projects in the areas of Specialty fibres and Geotextiles. These strategic research projects fall under the Flagship Programme ‘National Technical Textiles Mission’.

What are Technical Textiles?

Technical textiles are textiles materials and products manufactured primarily for technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic characteristics. 

Technical Textiles products are divided into 12 broad categories (Agrotech, Buildtech, Clothtech, Geotech, Hometech, Indutech, Mobiltech, Meditech, Protech, Sportstech, Oekotech, Packtech) depending upon their application areas.

India shares nearly 6% of the world market size of 250 Billion USD. However, the annual average growth of the segment is 12%, as compared to 4% world average growth. The penetration level of technical textiles is low in India at 5-10%, against 30-70% in advanced countries.

What is the National Technical Textiles Mission?

Aim: To position the country as a global leader in Technical Textiles and improve the penetration level of technical textiles in the country. 

Implementation Period:  FY 2020-21 to 2023-24. 

Components of the mission: The mission has four components: 

– Research, Innovation and Development: Focus on research, innovation and indigenous development of speciality fibres from Carbon, Nylon-66, Glass, Aramid and other high technology polymers; increase the application of geotextiles, agro-textiles, medical textiles, protective textiles and other segments of technical textiles in various application areas.

– Promotion and Market Development: Promote awareness amongst users, bring in large scale investments and encourage high-end technical textiles products.

– Export Promotion: Enhance India’s exports of technical textiles by 2024 through focused attention on the highest traded products.

– Education, Training, Skill Development: Create robust human resources in the country both through specialised higher education and skill development of technical manpower of the country.

Implementation Mechanism: The mission will get implemented through a 3-tier institutional mechanism constituting as follows; 

Mission Steering Group: It is chaired by the Union Minister of Textiles. It is fully empowered to approve all financial norms in respect of all Schemes, Components and programmes of the NTTM. In addition, all scientific/technological research projects under the NTTM shall require the approval of this Group. 

Empowered Programme Committee: It is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles. It will approve all projects within the financial limit of each programme as approved by the Mission Steering Group, except Research Projects. The EPC will also monitor the implementations of various components of the Mission and guide the Mission Directorate on implementation matters. 

Committee on Technical Textiles on Research, Development & Innovation: It is chaired by Member(S&T), Niti Aayog. It will identify and recommend all research projects related to strategic sectors such as defence, paramilitary, security, space, and atomic energy to the Mission Steering Group for approval.

UV-C Disinfection Technology: Union Minister says, CSIR’s newly developed Disinfection technology is being installed to combat the pandemic in railway coaches, AC buses, closed spaces etc

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Union Minister says, CSIR’s newly developed Disinfection technology is being installed to combat the pandemic in railway coaches, AC buses, closed spaces etc’ published in PIB on 18th January 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister has said that UV-C Disinfection technology is being installed to combat pandemics in railway coaches, AC buses, closed spaces etc.

What is UV-C Disinfection Technology?

UV-C Disinfection Technology has been developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).

Purpose: The technology is meant for the mitigation of airborne transmission of Covid-19.

Working: UV-C deactivates viruses, bacteria, fungus and other bioaerosols etc with appropriate dosages using 254 nm UV light.

Applications: The disinfection system can be used in auditoriums, large conference rooms, classrooms, malls etc. which provides a relatively safer environment for indoor activities in the current pandemic. It can also be used in buildings, transport vehicles, etc.

Moreover, this technology can also be used by the Election Commission of India during indoor meetings with limited capacity for the upcoming Assembly polls in 5 States in the wake of a ban on physical rallies and roadshows for a specified period of time.

PM delivers ‘State of the World’ special address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda

Source: This post is based on the articles:

 ‘PM delivers ‘State of the World’ special address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda’ published in PIB on 18th January 2022.

“PM Modi: Best time to invest in India, multilateral institutions need reforms” published in Indian Express on 18th January 2022.

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has delivered a ‘State of the World’ special address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda.

What are the key highlights of his address at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Agenda?

India as Pharmacy to the World: India has exported essential medicines and vaccines by following its vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’. India is currently the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical producer and is considered a ‘pharmacy to the world’.

IT Sector: a) India is providing a record number of software engineers. More than 50 lakh software developers are working in India b) As compared to mere 100 start-ups in 2014, India has more than 60 thousand start-ups and c) India has the third-largest number of unicorns with over 80 unicorns, among which more than 40 were formed in 2021 itself. 

Climate Change: He introduced the concept of the “P3 (Pro-Planet People) movement” that underlines India’s climate change commitments. This movement has the same spirit as the Mission LIFE idea that he had discussed at COP-26. 

Net Zero Carbon Emissions: India has set the target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. India’s initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure for Climate Adaptation are proof of this.

Economic Reforms: India has regained the confidence of the business community by reforming measures like retrospective taxes, and it has also deregulated many sectors like Drones, Space, Geo-spatial mapping. 

Infrastructure: India has launched Gati Shakti National Master Plan to bring every stakeholder on the same platform for promoting development. Under the plan, work will be undertaken for planning, development and implementation of connectivity infrastructure in an integrated manner. 

Sixth mass extinction event in progress – and it’s humanity’s fault – study

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Sixth mass extinction event in progress – and it’s humanity’s fault – study’ published in MSN on 18th January 2022.

What is the News?

According to a study, the Sixth Mass Extinction is underway. And this time, it is entirely caused by human activities.

What is Mass Extinction?

A mass extinction event is when species vanish much faster than they are replaced. This is usually defined as about 75% of the world’s species being lost in a ‘short’ amount of geological time – less than 2.8 million years.

Earth has so far undergone five mass extinctions caused by natural phenomena, either due to natural climate shifts or asteroid impacts. After each of these extinctions, it took millions of years to regain species comparable to those that existed before the event.

Now the sixth mass extinction is underway. This extinction is entirely caused by human activities. Researchers have described it as the “most serious environmental problem” since the loss of species will be permanent.

What does the study say about the sixth mass extinction?

The study has said that the sixth mass extinction has been going on since at least the 16th century.

Earth was once home to two million known species. But since 1500 CE, as many as 7.5%-13% of them may have been lost, meaning from 150,000 to 260,000 different species.

The study also said that some people deny this sixth mass extinction. But this denial was due to a biased view that focuses only on mammals and birds, ignoring the die-off rate of invertebrates.

Note: An Invertebrate is any animal that lacks a vertebral column, or backbone. More than 90% of all living animal species are invertebrates. They include animals as diverse as sea stars, sea urchins, earthworms, sponges, jellyfish, lobsters, crabs, insects, spiders, snails, clams, and squid.

What is Elon Musk’s views on the sixth mass extinction?

Elon Musk has said that it is inevitable that all life on Earth will go extinct. But the expansion of the Sun could possibly result in the extinction of all species on the planet.

But this can be averted if humanity spreads throughout the stars and becomes a multi-planetary civilization.

Explained: How are Republic Day tableaux designed and selected?

Source: This post is based on the article ‘Explained: How are Republic Day tableaux designed and selected?’ published in Indian Express on 18th January 2022.

What is the News?

West Bengal Chief Minister has said that she was shocked as West Bengal’s tableaux for the Republic Day parade was rejected without assigning any reasons or justifications.

What are tableaux? 

Tableaux refer to a group of models or motionless figures representing a scene from a story or from history.  

On Republic Day, states and different departments and ministries showcase their achievements in form of cutting-edge technology and instruments or their history and culture in their respective tableaux. 

Can participating states or departments depict anything through their tableaux?

The participants have to showcase elements relevant to their state/ UT/ department, within the overarching theme. 

The theme given to participants this year was around 75 years of India’s Independence. The theme, the government told willing participants, is India@75 – Freedom struggle, Ideas @75, Achievements @75, Actions @75 and Resolve @75.

Moreover, the tableaux of two different states/ UTs cannot be too similar as the tableaux should showcase the diversity of the country.

Further, the tableaux cannot have any writing or use of logos, except for the name of the state/ UT/ department which should be written in Hindi on the front, English on the back and a regional language on the sides.

How are the tableaux selected?

The selection process is elaborate and time-consuming. 

The Defence Ministry constitutes an expert committee of distinguished persons from fields like art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture and choreography.  

The Committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and visual impact before making its recommendations.