9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – June 11th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Asia’s highland: Do better than Thais, fully decriminalise marijuana
• The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross
• What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations
• From Rajendra Prasad to Our Next Rashtrapati

GS Paper 3

• Stories during stagflation: How India fares on ‘modified’ misery index?
• Explained: What is the environment index, and why has India questioned it?
• What India is doing to tackle its water crisis?
• India is not the fastest growing big economy
• Microbes cause Earth to function — from plants to humans, we all live due to microbial activity’
• How India Got Her Top Guns

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Union Minister For Labour & Employment Participates in World Of Work Summit In Geneva
• Guidelines on Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022’
• Galápagos Giant Tortoise name Chelonoidis phantasticus Rediscovered
• ‘Microbes cause Earth to function — from plants to humans, we all live due to microbial activity’
• Lakeside View: Neeli Jheel in Asola to be developed as ecotourism hub
• Explained: The Sant Tukaram temple and its significance
• Prime Minister inaugurated the Headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre(IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Asia’s highland: Do better than Thais, fully decriminalise marijuana

News: Thailand recently became the first Asian nation to decriminalize marijuana for medical and industrial use.

Details about Thailand’s move on Marijuana

Thailand’s move means is that farmers will be able to grow the plant while entrepreneurs can sell cannabis-infused food, drinks and cosmetics.

There are two caveats –

– smoking pot in public will still be outlawed

– possession and sale of cannabis extracts containing more than 0.2% of its psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), will not be allowed.

Thailand’s part decriminalisation of marijuana is expected to fetch the industry as much as $435 million by 2026.

What is the situation in India wrt Marijuana?

India continues to stick to a grey area where only certain parts of the plant (bhang leaves) and certain uses (medical and scientific) are allowed.

This system came about because India had given in to American pressure in the 1980s and banned all narcotic substances. But since then the US has reversed course and today 19 American states allow recreational marijuana.

Therefore, it makes little sense to keep marijuana in the proscribed list, clog up courts by prosecuting low quantities of possession, drive the trade underground and eschew legitimate revenue.

Way forward

Before the ban, India had a centuries-old tradition of marijuana use as part of its culture. Decriminalising marijuana fully makes legal sense, as well as an economic one.

The gulf of sensitivity that India will have to cross

News: Over the past few days, the Islamic governments including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has criticized the Indian state regarding remarks made on the Prophet Mohammad.

Success of India’s Foreign Policy in this regard

Some Islamic states have not been swayed by Pakistan’s consistent portrayal of the Indian Government as fascist and anti-Muslim.

Despite criticism from OIC, the criticism has not been reflected in the member-states’ bilateral ties with India.

India’s relations with some significant Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have strengthened since last few years.

Implications on India’s Interests

It will lead the middle-east countries to do greater scrutiny of the Indian government’s policies towards the country’s Muslims.

It was a great offence that was constituted to all Muslims worldwide. Furthermore, it would be perceived as a disrespect towards the Prophet.

When the Vice-President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu was on a three-nation tour of Gabon, Senegal and Qatar, he faced embarrassment on foreign soil. For example, the ceremonial banquet of the Vice President’s host, the Deputy Amir of Qatar, was called off.

India’s Response

India has rejected the statements of the OIC and Pakistan for they reeked of political considerations.

What is the root cause of the problem?

The Indian intellectual tradition that has evolved after Independence does not pay sufficient attention to faith. It has led to a lack of knowledge of other religions, leading to misperceptions.

Way Forward

The governments of Islamic countries would not want their Foreign Policies on India to be determined by theological considerations. This is because they have an array of interests at stake in their India ties.

There is a distinction between criticising some social practices of Muslims and what is perceived to be an attack on the personality of the Prophet.

There is a need to foster an understanding in society at large of other faiths and their sensitivities. It is important for our multi-faith society at a time when religiosity is rising sharply across the world.

The Arab states and India have mutual interest. Therefore, all faiths should be respected. It is important for social harmony and promotions of India’s external interests.

What IPEF offers India: Opportunities, tough negotiations

News: Recently, the US Administration launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) as its de facto foreign economic policy for Asia

Features

It empowers the US administration to shape rules across several critical pillars that will condition America’s economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific amid competing with the Chinese BRI.

What is the importance of the IPEF?

Overall

It aims to address constraints that have been caused by Covid-19, inflation and supply chain shocks, and devise new standards.

It is the first multilateral attempt to boost supply chain resilience, to ease global inflationary pressures and mitigate effects of future disruptions in key raw materials, critical minerals, and semiconductors.

It will negotiate “high-standard” rules to govern the digital economy, climate mitigation, workers empowerment, equitable global tax, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery provisions.

It is the economic agenda of the US, to protect and prolong America’s economic leadership across Asia.

For the US

It will service the domestic economic agenda of the US through 21st century economic arrangement. It is aimed to retain America’s technological primacy.

It will deal with issues like climate change, tax evasion, worker rights, labour rights, productivity. This will be done using market incentives and fiscal spending. It will be aimed to reduce inequality, deter environmental damage, foster digital openness and connectivity, and expand tax compliance.

Importance for India

It is flexible and is open in nature. The US and India can jointly shape the rules governing the Indo-Pacific’s economic future.

It can counter China which is spreading its economic footprint across Asia. It is proposed as an alternative economic paradigm that emphasises openness, flexibility, and integration.

What are the challenges for other member countries, including India?

There are doubts over whether the US administration could sustain its focus in Asia as war broke out in Europe.

The IPEF is not a trade or investment agreement. It’s a framework to regulate trade and commerce across four key pillars: Digital economy, supply chains, clean energy, and governance.

It can impact the signatories on how they will regulate their domestic economies. For example, the signatory will have to internalize the standards domestically.

It will facilitate US MNCs’ access to Asian economies at the expense of domestic preferences.

The IPEF’s pillars could clash with and supersede the member countries’ policy preferences on such issues. For example,

(1) Proposed free and open data flows will impact India’s interest to regulate data for domestic purposes. India has been working on data protection legislation in the last few years.

(2) The Indian government is not open to sync its tax policies with the US Proposal of global tax standard to mitigate tax avoidance and evasion.

The IPEF does not grant market access to the United States or include tariff reduction provisions.

Way Forward

The IPEF modalities has to be negotiated amongst partners that share interests and some values.

From Rajendra Prasad to Our Next Rashtrapati

Context: The election date for the post of India’s President has been announced by the Elections Commission. Now, it is to be seen, whether political parties will choose candidates who will be rubber stamps or defenders of the constitutional values of the country.

Except for President APJ Abdul Kalam, all other Presidents of India have been political personalities. The majority of these political personalities have been Governors, Rajya Sabha MP, or Finance Ministers.

How the system of selection of Presidential candidates has changed over the years?

For the first 20 years after Independence, anyone could stand for presidential elections in the country. An interesting example was a lawyer from Rohtak, Choudhary Hari Ram. He was a candidate in the first five elections.

History books record his name as the runner-up in the 1962 elections, in which Dr. Radhakrishnan was elected President.

Parliament plugged this loophole by requiring a prospective candidate to get his name proposed by voters in the presidential election, i.e. MPs and MLAs. The law now requires at least 50 proposers and 50 seconders for a valid candidature.

What was the discussion about the election of the President during the framing of the Constitution?

During the framing of the Constitution, there was an extensive debate on how the President would be elected.

The draft Constitution proposed an electoral college made of MLAs and MPs and a two-term limit on an individual holding the office of the President.

However, Constituent Assembly members like KT Shah wanted the direct elections for President by adult franchise. He wanted the president “not to be a creature of party majorities in the Centre or local legislatures, but a real representative of the people”.

However, this reasoning was contrary to the parliamentary model of government being proposed by BR Ambedkar and Jawahar Lal Nehru. Nehru defended the Electoral College mechanism for the presidential election.

He stated that it was a middle ground that ensured that the President was not elected by the majority party dominating Parliament. And that it gave members of the state legislature a role in the election of the President.

The final Constitution retained the electoral college mechanism for electing the President, but rejected the two-term limit.

Powers of President

Constitution framers were also concerned with the nature of the President’s powers. Ambedkar equated the position of the President in the Indian Constitution to that of the King in England.

He said that the President “is the Head of State, but not of the executive. He represents the nation, but does not rule the nation. He is the symbol of the nation. His place in the administration is that of a ceremonial device of a seal by which the nation’s decisions are made known. ”

But shortly after Independence, differences arose between President Rajendra Prasad and Prime Minister Nehru. The point of contention was whether the President could act independently of the advice of the council of ministers.

During Prime Minister Indira Gandhi government, the constitution was amended. It specified that the President shall act on the advice of the council of ministers. However, after the emergency, the Janata Party amended the Constitution, and it allowed the President to ask the council of ministers to reconsider its advice.

Conclusion

Under our Constitution, there is a special place for President. Ministers and members of Parliament bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution. But the President takes the oath to “protect and defend the Constitution and the law”.

GS Paper 3

Stories during stagflation: How India fares on ‘modified’ misery index?

News: Global economies are staring at the simultaneous prospect of low-to-zero growth and high inflation, i.e. Stagflation.

What is a misery index, and how does the countries fare on it today?

Economists in the 1970s devised a concept to describe what people were experiencing under stagflation: A misery index

– It basically added up the rate of consumer inflation and the rate of unemployment.

Misery is highest in the countries known for economic mismanagement and/or congenital problems: Turkey, Argentina, South Africa.

After that come two of the BRICS economies (war-affected Russia and Brazil), keeping company with Pakistan and Egypt.

Next comes India. Not very flattering, for sure, but the leading European economies and the US are not far behind.

Modified Misery index

Two modifications were made to the misery index.

– One was to add the prevailing rate of interest. That makes the picture much worse for poorly-placed countries like Turkey, Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan — since high inflation usually brings with it high interest rates. It doesn’t look great for India, which ranks more than halfway down a list of 20 economies chosen to represent the major economies in each region.

– The second modification added per capita income growth rates, since these reduce economic hardship. This helps India (which in 2022 is expected to remain the fastest-growing large economy) to improve its score, but not its rank. With all four factors (inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and income growth) taken into account, India remains in 12th position in our list of 20.

Based on their scores, both China and Japan appear to be models of economic management.

– They score the best on the misery index, in its original form and with modifications. They do better than average on the twin deficits. But, it’s worth noting that China’s growth rate has come down to “normal” levels (around 5 per cent) while its fiscal deficit has grown. The signs of stress are beginning to show.

Way forward

Such measurements capture only part of the full reality. One could therefore add other measures, like absolute income levels and poverty (since that determines one’s capacity to deal with difficult times), and also inequality.

The greater the inequality, the less is the chance of intergenerational mobility, something that is captured through yet another measurement construct — appropriately dubbed the Great Gatsby Curve — which was thought up by an economist on US President Barack Obama’s team.

To the extent that India does not do well on these measurements either, the country has a lot of food for thought as it prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of its freedom from colonial rule.

Explained: What is the environment index, and why has India questioned it?

News: The newly released Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2022, measured by Yale and Columbia universities, ranks India at the bottom position among 180 countries.

The Environment Ministry has issued a rebuttal, saying the indicators used in the assessment are based on “unfounded assumptions”.

What is the Environmental Performance Index (EPI)?

The EPI is an international ranking system of countries based on their environmental health.

Read here.

How poor is the EPI assessment of India?

With a rank of 180 and a score of 18.9, India has fallen from rank 168 and a score of 27.6 in 2020.

India comes after Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Myanmar, the poorest performers.

Denmark tops the list with a score of 77.9.

India ranks close to the bottom on a number of indicators including ecosystem vitality (178th), biodiversity (179th), biodiversity habitat index (170th), species protection index (175th), etc.

What are the objections raised by India?

In a statement, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated that some of the indicators used for assessing performance are extrapolated and based on surmises and unscientific methods.

Two major concerns have been cited

– Baseline data does not seem to have been used, and

– There has been no explanation for the weightages assigned to certain indicators.

The Ministry said the shifting of weightage on many indicators has resulted in India’s low ranking.

– For example, for black carbon growth, India’s score actually improved from 32 in 2020 to 100 (the top score) in 2022, but the weightage of this indicator has been reduced to 0.0038 in 2022 from 0.018 in 2020.

What is the objection with the projection?

The government has objected to calculations of greenhouse gas projections for 2050.

The government said the projection for greenhouse gas emissions has been computed based on the average rate of change in emission of the last 10 years rather than modelling that takes into account a longer period, extent of renewable energy capacity and use, additional carbon sinks, energy efficiency etc.

It said crucial carbon sinks that mitigate GHG, such as forests and wetlands, have not been taken into account.

India’s low emissions trajectory, unlike high historical trajectories of developed countries, has been ignored, it said.

The government has objected to the low weightage given to per-capita GHG emissions.

Among other objections raised:

– the index emphasises the extent of protected areas rather than the quality of protection that they afford

– the computation of biodiversity indices does not factor in management effectiveness evaluation of protected areas

– indicators such as agro biodiversity, soil health, food loss and waste are not included even though they are important for developing countries with large agrarian populations.

Do environmental scientists agree with the report?

As per experts, the climate change parameter of the EPI report is “highly problematic”.
– The EPI 2022 makes an assumption that every country has to reach net-zero by 2050 — whereas the understanding is that developing countries will need more time.

– GHG emissions will continue to grow in poorer countries for a time, unlike many developed countries, which have peaked.

The EPI 2022 is neither ethically correct nor reflects the political reality.

Moreover, the low weightage given to per-capita GHG emissions automatically reduces the ranks of countries like India and China.

– Even if air pollution declines steadily, in countries like India and China, by virtue of their large populations the overall figure of the health burden for instance, will always be high and therefore will always fall in the bottom of the pile, if per-capita GHG emissions are given lower weightage.

Way forward

Despite issues with the EPI, India does have severe local environmental issues, which have been highlighted in the report and need to be addressed.

What India is doing to tackle its water crisis?

Context: Although India has 16% of the world’s population, the country possesses only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources. India is water-stressed due to changing weather patterns and repeated droughts.

But it looks like the country has finally got its act together and several measures are now in place to conserve and rejuvenate our water bodies.

What is the situation wrt water crisis in India?

In the 75 years since Independence, annual per capita availability of water has declined by 75%.

Due to encroachment, India is staring at depletion of groundwater and pollution of surface water, including vanishing water bodies – ponds, lakes, tanks, wetlands.

– Provisional data from the country’s first census of water bodies shows that 2% of water bodies have been encroached.

What steps are being taken to address the water crisis?

Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) was started in 2019 as a movement for water conservation, recharge and rainwater harvesting in 256 water-stressed districts.

– The JSA now covers all 740 districts in the country. States are implementing it, while the Centre provides the nudge.

The states are also preparing an inventory of water bodies, which should make encroachment in the name of building infrastructure or setting up industries difficult.

According to the fifth minor irrigation census, various water bodies in rural areas are not in use for various reasons such as non-availability of water, siltation, salinity etc. With water bodies vanishing or becoming unusable, the Centre has decided to build 50,000 water bodies – Amrit Sarovar – across the country by August 15 next year to conserve water.

– The initiative aims to develop and rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (75 years of Independence) celebrations. The project seeks to refocus various schemes, including MGNREGS and Watershed Development Component.

Issues that need to be resolved

Experts flagged many issues – from policy gaps to legislative provisions – that have been affecting overall water management in the country.

– Water being a state subject invariably leads to a political tug of war when it comes to water-sharing between states.

– Fragmented policy environment: There’s no integration of surface and groundwater, drinking water and irrigation, and departmental coordination. The national water policy is very irrigation-centric.

– Excessive dependence on groundwater: Reports have flagged how use of over 85% fresh water in agriculture has led to a crisis in several states, including Punjab, Haryana and western UP, with excessive dependence on groundwater in cultivating water-guzzling crops such as paddy and sugarcane.

Indiscriminate use of water for irrigation and absence of conservation efforts have left over 10% of water bodies in rural areas redundant.

Way forward

Rainfed agriculture in the country has to be incentivised, given its high contribution to India’s food and nutrition security.

Centre has urged states to focus on enumerating, geo-tagging and making an inventory of all existing water bodies on priority under the JSA so that encroachment can be prevented.

India is not the fastest growing big economy

News: Recently, the Provisional Estimates of Annual National Income in 2021-22 was released. It showed that India’s GDP grew 8.7% in real terms and 19.5% in nominal terms (including inflation) which made India the fastest growing major economy in the world.

What are the problematic areas in the present GDP estimation?

As per data, Indian GDP has registered no growth since the pre-pandemic year. India has just recovered the level of GDP that was before the pandemic. It was impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, supply disruptions following the war in Ukraine and the severe COVID-19 lockdown in China.

It also means India has been facing high inflation.

What are the underlying causes for the above-mentioned problem?

There is an issue in correctness of data used in quarterly estimates since very limited data are available for estimating it.  The reasons are

(1) During 2020-21, full data could not be collected due to the pandemic induced lockdown and other measures.

(2) Agriculture is a part of the unorganised sector. Very little data is available for its assessment.

(3) The limited data available for the organised sector is used as a proxy for the non-agriculture unorganised sector. This method may have been acceptable before demonetisation (2016), however, the unorganised non-agriculture sector has suffered far more than the organised sector during the waves of the pandemic.

At present, the data used remains largely unchanged. This implies that the same error is being carried forward. It means the errors made in the quarterly data are repeated in the annual data.

If GDP data are incorrect, data used on its components like private consumption and investment are also incorrect.

– For example, according to the RBI, consumer confidence throughout 2021-22 was way below its pre-pandemic level. So, consumption could not have come close to its pre-pandemic level.

What is the possible correction in the provisional estimate?

The GDP for 2021-22 has grown by only 1.8%, and not 8.7%. Further, It would be less than the pre-pandemic GDP of 2019-20 by 4.92%. It is because the organised sector and agriculture are growing at the official rate of growth of 8.2% and 3%, respectively. However, the non-agriculture unorganised component has been declining due to the closure of units and the shift in demand to the organised sector.

Way Forward

Clearly, recovery is incomplete and India is not the fastest growing big economy of the world.

Microbes cause Earth to function — from plants to humans, we all live due to microbial activity’

Context: The speed of evolution in the microbial world is enormous. If there is a favorable condition, then microbes multiplicate in hours. These microbes are a very important part of nature.

Importance of Microbes

Their microbial activities are foundational for the functioning of our planet. The plants, and animals including humans evolved with microbes. They create suitable conditions for life. For example, microbes produce oxygen in the oceans, generate sulphur and nitrogen, prepare soil etc.

It is an important part of the ecosystem. For example, Human body is also like an ecosystem in which microbial organisms constantly interact.

– For example, microbes live on the skin surface, inside our gut tract etc.

Microbes interact with land, oceans etc. They play an important role in bio-geochemical cycles. For example, bacteria generate a large part of Earth’s sulphur cycle, impact cloud formation, the climate, etc.

The microorganism like bacteria and fungi also release important molecule likes geosmine, in the soil.

Are microbes harmful to human beings?

Out of millions of species of microbes on our planet, only a few can cause disease in humans. There are innumerable diverse species which are very beneficial to us.

– For example, bacteria are used for nitrogen fixation. Also, they are vital for sustaining our food chain. For instance, microbes are used for fermentation, making sanitised beverages, creating bread, yogurt, cheese and so on.

Impact of climate change on microbes

The microbial life is changing dramatically due to climate change. For example, soil depletion and degradation cause reduction in the microbial activities in soil. This cause greater soil erosion and decreased food production.

How can we help to preserve microbes?

There is a need to leave ecosystems alone. There should not be any unwarranted anthropogenic interference. Human beings should be respectful of the planet.

How India Got Her Top Guns

Context: In 1940/50s Indian Air Force (IAF) undertook air combat tactics and training through the Royal Air Force.

Evolution of IAF Training

In the post-independent India, The Indian Air Force (IAF) has sent pilots abroad (like the UK) to undergo the Pilot Attack Instructors (PAI) course. These pilots were required to pass on their knowledge to squadron pilots.

Although, Maharajpur, Jamnagar, Bhopal, Amarda Road & Cholavaran were established as centres. But, training courses like air to ground weapon delivery, air to air combat and tactics were continued to take place overseas.

During the 1960s, no IAF Fighter Leader was trained for nearly 15 years, till 1972 due to lack of funds and approvals coupled with the 1962 and 1965 wars.

Measures Taken to develop tactics and training more suited to Indian needs

The Directorate of Offensive Operations was established to give a fillip to training and tactics in the IAF

The Tactics and Combat Development and Training Squadron (TCDTS) was set up as a one-year experiment. Initially, it was moved to Ambala. Later it was renamed as the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).

Further, the establishment was moved to Jamnagar. In 2000, TACDE was moved to Gwalior because the location was geographically better.

The TCDTS has been given the task of conducting low-level night strikes on Pakistani Air Force (PAF) bases. Therefore, TCDTS has executed night-time raids at major PAF bases.

In 1973, the course for the first Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) was started. It had three pilots each from MiGs and Sukhois fleets, who were all Flight Commanders of their various squadrons and qualified PAIs from the pre-TACDE era.

The PAI course was reintroduced at TACDE. It was instituted as a subset of the broader FCL Course.

The Fighter Strike Leader and Master Fighter Controller courses were added in 1989. Further, Surface to air guided weapons (missiles) combat crew were also integrated.

In 1997 the Helicopter Combat Leader course was added.

Outcomes

More than 500 pilots and over 100 Fighter Controllers had graduated from the above said unit.

What are the challenges?

The MiG-21 would remain the only aircraft at TACDE for the next 12 years.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Union Minister For Labour & Employment Participates in World Of Work Summit In Geneva

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister For Labour & Employment Participates in World Of Work Summit In Geneva” published in PIB on 10th June 2022.

What is the News?

The Union Minister For Labour & Employment has participated in a High-Level Panel discussion under the World of Work Summit.

What is the World of Work Summit?

Organized by: International Labour Organization(ILO)

The summit was organized on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference.

Objectives:

To discuss the multiple challenges that the world of work is facing; such as worsening inequalities, demographic realities, unequal technological progress, informality, and climate change.

To discuss the actions that should be taken by the countries and the international communities to tackle these challenges

To achieve the goal of human-centered, resilient, and sustainable recovery.

Theme: “Tackling multiple global crises: promoting human-centered recovery and resilience”.

What is the International Labour Conference?

The International Labour Conference is the ILO’s highest decision-making body. It is often called the International Parliament of Labour.

It meets once a year in June in Geneva, Switzerland.

Participation: The conference brings together governments, workers, and employers delegates of the ILO member States.

Mandate: The broad policies of the ILO are set by the Conference. It also establishes and adopts international labour standards and is a forum for discussion of key social and labour questions. It also adopts the Organization’s budget and elects the Governing Body.

Guidelines on Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022’

Source: The post is based on the article “Centre issues ‘Guidelines on Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022’” published in PIB on 10th June 2022.

What is the News?

Central Consumer Protection authority(CCPA) under the Department of Consumer Affairs has notified ‘Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022’

What are Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022?

Issued by: Central Consumer Protection authority(CCPA) under the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Objective: To curb misleading advertisements and protect the consumers, who may be exploited or affected by such advertisements.

– To ensure that consumers are not being fooled with unsubstantiated claims, exaggerated promises, misinformation and false claims.

What are the key provisions of the guidelines?

Source: TOI

Advertisements targeting children shall not feature any personalities from the field of sports, music or cinema for products that under any law require a health warning or cannot be purchased by children.

Prohibits Surrogate Advertising: It bans surrogate advertising, a practice where a seller promotes a product whose advertisement is not allowed by disguising it as another product. Liquor ads commonly indulge in such practices — under the guise of selling soda, CDs, and even holiday packages.

Free claims advertisements: A free claims advertisement shall not describe any goods, products, or service to be ‘free’, ‘without charge’, or use such other terms if the consumer has to pay anything

Bait Advertisements: The guidelines lay down conditions to be complied with while issuing bait advertisements. Bait advertisement means an advertisement in which goods, products, or service is offered for sale at a low price to attract consumers. 

Bars Deceptive Advertisements: The guidelines bar the omission of material information that makes advertisements deceptive and helps conceal their commercial intent.

The guidelines bar Indian citizens living abroad from endorsing such advertisements that have been barred for Indian professionals living in the country.

What is the penalty for violating these guidelines?

CCPA can impose a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh on manufacturers, advertisers, and endorsers for any misleading advertisements. For subsequent contraventions, CCPA may impose a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh. 

The authority can prohibit the endorser of a misleading advertisement from making any endorsement for up to 1 year and, for subsequent contravention, prohibition can extend up to 3 years.

Galápagos Giant Tortoise name Chelonoidis phantasticus Rediscovered

Source: The post is based on the article “This word means: Chelonoidis phantasticus” published in Indian Express on 11th June 2022.

What is the News?

A Giant Tortoise named Chelonoidis Phantasticus once believed to be extinct has been recently discovered in 2019.

What is Chelonoidis Phantasticus?

IUCN status: Critically endangered & possibly extinct.

Chelonoidis Phantasticus is a Giant Tortoise. It is commonly called Fernandina Island, Galápagos Giant Tortoise.

It has been named Fernanda after the Fernandina Island where it was discovered.

The species was so far known only from a single individual, collected in 1906. It has now been recently discovered again in 2019.

These tortoises can’t swim from one island to another. But they can be carried from one Galápagos island to another during major storms. There are also historical records of seafarers moving the tortoises between islands.

What is Fernandina Island?

Fernandina Island is an active volcano that stands alone on the western periphery of the Galápagos Archipelago. It is reputed to be the largest pristine island on Earth.

‘Microbes cause Earth to function — from plants to humans, we all live due to microbial activity’

Source: The post is based on the article “Microbes cause Earth to function — from plants to humans, we all live due to microbial activity” published in TOI on 11th June 2022.

What is the News?

This article talks about why microbes are essential to life and the threat it faces from climate change.

Why are Microbes essential to Earth’s species?

Source: TOI

Microbial activities are foundational for the functioning of our planet.  Without microbes, there is no chance that plants, animals, or humans would have ever evolved or been able to sustain life. 

Microbes are involved in each one of Earth’s large geochemical cycles. They are the producers of oxygen in the oceans. They generate much of the sulphur and nitrogen that living beings need. 

In plants, chloroplast, the remnants of bacteria, conducts photosynthesis to produce energy and oxygen. 

Microbial activity in the soil causes food to grow. 

Do microbes cause diseases?

Source: TOI

There are millions of species of microbes on our planet, of which just a few can cause disease in humans. 

But there are innumerable diverse species that are very beneficial to us. For example, much of the food we consume is also processed by microbes — in cooking, microbes transform food, making it safer. 

What is the impact of Climate Change on Microbes?

There is direct evidence already that microbial life is changing dramatically due to climate change. 

For instance, due to excessive use of fertilizers over the last seven decades — microbial activities in soil worldwide have changed enormously. Depleted soils won’t be able to stay productive in the long run — which will cause problems in food production.

What is the significance of the Geosime molecule?

It is a wonderful molecule produced by bacteria and fungi in the soil.

Insects recognize this molecule and coat themselves with these organisms. This provides the microorganisms a way to transport themselves to greener pastures. 

These microorganisms also make molecules we call antibiotics that balance ecosystems and keep pathogens away.

Lakeside View: Neeli Jheel in Asola to be developed as ecotourism hub

Source: The post is based on the article “Lakeside View: Neeli Jheel in Asola to be developed as an ecotourism hub” published in TOI on 11th June 2022.

What is the News?

The government of Delhi has given permission to develop the area near Neeli Jheel in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary as an ecotourism hub.

The Delhi Government’s plan around Neeli Jheel

Source: TOI

Neeli Jheel is a large lake hidden in the thick scrub forests of the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

The area bordering the lake will be developed as an ecotourism hub.

It will get a natural stepped seating facility, amphitheater, selfie point, toilets, 3D animal exhibits, and parking. 

The bamboo and other eco-friendly products would also be used for the beautification of the place.

E-vehicles would be used to ferry a limited number of people inside the sanctuary. 

About Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

Sanctuary ​​is situated in the South Delhi Ridge section of the Aravalli range on the Delhi-Haryana border.

The sanctuary contains one of the last surviving remnants of the Delhi Ridge hill range and its semi-arid forest habitat and its dependent wildlife.

The sanctuary has 23 species of mammals, 252 bird species, 28 reptile species, and 86 butterfly species. 

Among the animals that are sighted here are leopards, jackals, palm civets, black-naped hare, grey mongoose, rudy mongoose, striped hyena, porcupine, hog deer, black buck, spotted deer, wild boar and langur.

Historical places around the sanctuary are Surajkund and Anangpur Dam (both in Haryana), Tughlaqabad Fort and Adilabad ruins (both in Delhi), Chhatarpur Temple (in Delhi).

Explained: The Sant Tukaram temple and its significance

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained: The Sant Tukaram temple and its significance” published in Indian Express on 11th June 2022.

What is the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Sant Tukaram Shila Mandir in the temple town of Dehu in Pune district.

What is Shila?

Shila refers to a rock that is currently on the Dehu Sansthan temple premises. It has been the starting point of Wari pilgrimage for centuries and is pious for the Warkari sect. 

Significance of this rock: Bhakti saint Sant Tukaram had sat on this piece of rock for 13 continuous days when challenged about the authenticity of the Abhyangs he had written.

Who was Sant Tukaram?

Sant Tukaram Maharaj was a 17th-century Bhakti saint and Marathi poet from Maharashtra. 

Tukaram is best known for his devotional poetry called Abhanga and community-oriented worship with spiritual songs known as kirtans.

His work is central to the Warkari sect spread across Maharashtra. He is also credited with starting the Wari pilgrimage.

His message about a casteless society and his denial of rituals had led to a social movement. 

Prime Minister inaugurated the Headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre(IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Source: The post is based on the article “Prime Minister inaugurated the Headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre(IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat” published in PIB on 10th June 2022.

What is the News?

​​The Prime Minister inaugurated the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre(IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. 

What is IN-SPACE?

IN-SPACe is an independent nodal agency under the Department of Space.

Mandate: To encourage, promote and handhold the private sector for their participation in the Space Sector. 

Responsibilities:

Click Here to read about it

Members: IN-SPACe will have a Chairman, technical experts for space activities, Safety experts, experts from Academia and Industries, Legal and Strategic experts from other departments, members from PMO and MEA of Government of India.

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.