9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – November 14th, 2022

Current Affairs Compilations for UPSC IAS Prelims 2022

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

• Why China’s dominance of electric vehicle supply chain must be countered

GS Paper 3

• The coal reality: How coal is phased out is India’s policy choice, the transition cannot be decided by West’s interests
• Green yields – Transparency will be critical for green bonds
• Preserving the precious: On ground water use
• Behind the smokescreen around private climate finance
• Why India cannot afford to ignore the GM crop revolution
• Spare a thought for the trilemma of central bank digital currencies
• Importance of agri exports — and what Govt can do to boost India’s farm trade surplus

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

• Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity: Explained | Can vaccine distribution be made fairer?
• The strange case of the Indian skimmer
• Rule of Law Index: India Ranks 77 Out Of 140 Countries, Improves In Order & Security Parameter
• Jharkhand wants new quota Bill placed in Ninth Schedule: What this section of Constitution is
• IUU fishing: Extra-regional fishing fleets present in Indian Ocean: Navy
• General Network Access: Regulatory loopholes may end up favouring bigger players: Experts
• How type-2 diabetes can be reversed in young people without medication
• Shabd Shala Initiative: Finding Indian language equivalents for selfie, drones…
• Vice President leads delegation at the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Cambodia
• PM pays tributes to Acharya Kripalani on his Jayanti
• Miniature dhows from Beypore make their way to Qatar World Cup

Mains Oriented Articles

GS Paper 2

Why China’s dominance of electric vehicle supply chain must be countered

News– The article explains that it is too risky and expensive for India to be dependent on imports across the energy transition board, particularly EVs.

What are the concerns in energy transition?

There are issues related to the supply chain for electric vehicles.

The assertive behaviour by China across the Taiwan Straits acts may create challenges. The risk may be even more acute because of a troubled relationship with China.

Supply chain is highly concentrated in China.

What are some facts related to China’s dominance in various stages involved in the supply chain of Electric Vehicles.

According to a recent report by the International Energy Association, every part of the EV supply chain is highly concentrated, mostly in China.

As the first stage of the supply chain are the key minerals required for batteries, namely lithium, nickel, cobalt and graphite.

China has an 80 per cent share of global mining output in graphite. In cobalt, the politically highly unstable Democratic Republic of Congo mines two-thirds of the global supply and Chinese companies control a big share of that country’s mining.

The second stage of the supply chain is the processing of ore into metal.

Globally, over 60%of lithium processing, over 70% of cobalt processing, 80% of graphite processing and about 40% of nickel processing takes place in China.

The third stage is cell components where China produces two-thirds of global anodes and three-fourths of cathodes. The only other producing countries of note are South Korea and Japan. After that come battery cells, where China has a 70% share.

Finally, in EVs themselves, China has a share of around 50 per cent in global production. Europe is a distant second with 25 per cent. India does not feature as a player of note.

What are facts related to investment in energy transition across the world?

China is now the biggest spender on climate  and energy transition. According to a report by Bloomberg’s New Energy Fund (NEF), in 2021, total global investment in climate transition is $750 billion. China alone spent $266 billion.

The US was a distant second with $114 billion.

India was at 7th place with $14 billion invested.

Almost 40% of Chinese and US spending was on EVs. In the case of India, more than 95 per cent of India’s spending is on renewable energy. In Europe, about 75-80 per cent of the spending is on EVs, which is why it leads the US in this sector.

In India, despite intent, EVs have not received sufficient investment.

What is the way forward?

A two-pronged strategy is needed.

First, on the minerals and materials. India has been slow at acquiring overseas mines of these critical minerals.

The government focus is upon PSUs. An alternate option is to liberalise exploration policies domestically, benchmark them with global best practices and invite global investors to find and mine in India.

It is important to have supply alliances with countries ex-China, as has been done with Australia. There is a need for much investment in the higher end of the supply chain.

A public-private partnership is vital. The vibrant startup ecosystem must be leveraged because it is more likely to be innovative than legacy firms.

GS Paper 3

The coal reality: How coal is phased out is India’s policy choice, the transition cannot be decided by West’s interests

News: Far from the phase-down of coal that COP26 called for in Glasgow, now in COP27 India has proposed that the decision text should call for phasing down all fossil fuels rather than focusing only coal.

This is because, a) Natural gas and oil do contribute to GHG emissions as well, b) India gets targeted for heavy coal reliance for its energy needs, and c) The energy security of many countries still dependent on coal.

How rich countries are performing in climate change pledge?

Rich countries have fallen horribly short of their commitments to help developing countries make a just transition from fossil fuels. For instance, US energy use per capita is 6,804 kg of oil equivalent compared to India’s 637 kg.

What are the challenges in phasing out coal in India?

Needs internal just-transition: 85% of coal production is concentrated in the relatively poor eastern and central states. On the other hand, over 60% of renewable energy potential and 80% of current capacity is concentrated in relatively wealthy southern and western states. So, while phasing out coal India needs an internal just-transition.

Need longer time to eliminate coal: More finance and technology support is required before phasing out coal.

Why India needs to phase out coal?

a) Regular accidents that show open-cast mines to be death traps, b) Cleaning up coal is very much in workers’ interests, c) Sickening smog hovering over northern India and global carbon emissions from fossil fuels expected to hit a record level this year. So, phasing out them is essential to improve environmental conditions.

Overall, India should put hard timelines to phase out coal and extract and deploy cleaner technologies.

Green yields – Transparency will be critical for green bonds

News: Union government issued a robust framework for sovereign green bonds. This will allow the government to issue green bonds as announced in the Union Budget.

What are Green Bonds?

Click Here to read

About India’s Sovereign Green Bonds Framework

Click here to read

Funds: The funds raised by green bonds will be deposited as usual in the Consolidated Fund of India. However, a separate account will be maintained by the finance ministry to make funds available for green projects.

Green Register: The Finance ministry will set up an information system to maintain a “Green Register” with details such as the bond issuances, funds raised, and allocations made.

Annual assessment: The government further intends to involve an external third-party reviewer to provide an annual assessment of allocation.

What is the need for Sovereign Green Bonds Framework?

Need resources for India’s climate commitments: A report submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change showed that India’s emission intensity declined by 24% between 2005 and 2016. It has committed itself to reduce the emission intensity of a gross domestic product by 45% by 2030 compared to the level of 2005.

This would obviously need resources and investment in a variety of areas, and green bonds are one of the enabling factors for investment

To take advantage of Greenium: “Greenium” is defined as the yield difference between similar conventional bonds and green bonds. It is higher in developing economies.

For instance, according to estimates, greenium in emerging markets is about 49 basis points for dollar-denominated bonds. The same is 5-6 basis points in advanced economies. The difference can partly be explained by the usual yield difference between advanced and emerging economies.

What are the challenges with Sovereign Green Bonds Framework?

a) A sustained higher fiscal deficit and inflation could undermine the potential of green bonds, b) India lacks transparency in the proceeds of green bonds, c) History shows that the government often doesn’t spend on the stated purpose for which the funds are raised as is the case in various kinds of cess and surcharge levied.

But the overall conditions in the framework should be able to boost transparency.

Preserving the precious: On ground water use

News– The article explains the issues related to management of groundwater.

What do the facts reveal?

According to a report by the Ministry of Water Resources, the total annual groundwater recharge is, 437.60 billion cubic metres. The quantity extracted out of it was 239.16 bcm

The 2022 assessment suggests that groundwater extraction is the lowest since 2004, when it was 231 BCM. The above facts reveal that a decrease in groundwater extraction may indicate better water management.

However, National Compilation on Dynamic Ground water Resources of India says that the improvement is only marginal. It may be explained by natural conditions and changes in methodology by the Central Ground Water Board and States, which conduct the survey.

Also, the percentage of blocks where the groundwater was ‘critically’ low was around 14%. It is roughly similar to that in previous years.

What are the Regional consumption trends?

Firstly, regions with the most blocks with critical groundwater levels are in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh. Despite replenishable systems, indiscriminate groundwater withdrawal in these regions has depressed the water table.

Secondly, other endangered blocks are in Rajasthan and Gujarat.Here arid climate has limited the groundwater recharge.

Finally,  in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, groundwater availability is low due to inherent characteristics of crystalline water-storing aquifers.

What are challenges to  groundwater management?

At present,there is no central law governing the use of groundwater.

Various States have their own laws on regulating its extraction. These are deployed in a perfunctory manner.

What is the way forward?

Water ought not to be considered a free, private resource but one whose costs must be measured and borne equitably.

The climate crisis should inspire consensus across the political spectrum on disincentivizing wasteful consumption of this precious resource.

A draft National Water Policy recommends a shift in usage from water-guzzling crops and prioritising recycling over freshwater for industrial purposes.

Behind the smokescreen around private climate finance

News- The article explains the issues related to climate finance.

What are the main points emphasised by developed countries on climate finance?

They claim that their commitment of $100 billion in climate finance a year for developing countries is close to being met.

They view the mobilisation of private finance as the critical component of climate finance.

What are the issues related to climate finance goals by developed countries?

The UNFCCC Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) released a report on the progress made by developed countries towards achieving the goal of mobilising $100 billion per year. It says that the $100 billion goal has not been achieved in 2020. Efforts to mobilise private finance by the developed countries have met with comprehensive failure.

The SCF report relied mainly on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Oxfam reports. The OECD report claims that developed countries have mobilised $83.3 billion in climate finance in 2020. The latest Oxfam report challenges this figure. It claims that the actual value of climate assistance is only around $21–$24.5 billion.

In 2016, developed countries issued a “Roadmap to $100 billion” with forward-looking projections of climate finance in 2020. The road map indicated that public finance would reach $67 billion. Remaining $33 billion would be provided by private finance.

The OECD 2020 data shows that the mobilisation of private climate finance has underperformed against the expectations of developed countries. It is $13.1 billion in 2020 against $33 billion in the road map.

What are the concerns of developing countries?

Developing countries have for a long time insisted that a significant portion of climate finance should come from public funds. Private finance will not address their needs.

Climate finance already remains skewed towards mitigation and projects that yield profit on investment. Low-income countries with poor credit ratings need more adaptation finance.

What is the future plan of developed countries for climate finance and associated challenges?

Developed countries pushed the target year for achieving it to 2025 from 2020. At COP26 in Glasgow, developed countries came up with a Climate Finance Delivery Plan (CFDP) to meet the goal. They claimed that the goal would be met in 2023.

The CFDP scenario implies that the composition of public climate finance portfolios will progressively change. It will go towards a larger share of activities with low private finance mobilisation potential for adaptation, and capacity building, as grants, for least developed and small island developing countries. In these scenarios, financing the urgent adaptation needs of developing countries is pushed further into the future.

What is the way forward?

The climate finance needs of developing countries cannot be left to private climate finance by developed countries.

Grant-based and concessional international public climate finance is needed in addressing the needs of developing countries.

Why India cannot afford to ignore the GM crop revolution

News- The article explains the issues related to GM crops.

What are arguments in support of GM crops?

GM crops have spread around the world since 1996. By 2019, roughly 190 million hectares were under GM crops. There has been no harmful impact on human or animal health or the environment per. More than 70 countries have accepted the use of GM crops.

Cotton production increased remarkably from a mere 13.6 million bales in 2002-03 to 39.8 million bales in 2013-14. Cotton productivity increased from 302 kg per hectare in 2002-03 to 566 kg per hectare in 2013-14.

Bt cotton has made India the second-largest producer and the second-largest exporter of cotton in the world today.

GMOs have been in our food systems for years. India heavily depends on imported edible oils. A large portion of this comes from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the US, which is all from GM technology. Cotton seed is also fed to cattle which gives the milk its fat content. Even poultry feed, such as soya and corn, is being imported.

By not allowing GM crops, we are denying the basic rights of farmers who want to increase their incomes. The best way to do so is by raising productivity in a sustainable manner. The field trials of GM mustard at different locations showed 25-28 per cent higher yield and better disease resistance compared to indigenous varieties.

What are concerns associated with GM crops?

There has been enhanced sucking pest damage in Bt cotton. It has led to an increase in secondary pests such as mired bugs and emergence of pest resistance.

It has environmental and health implications in terms of toxicity and allergenicity that can cause hepatotoxic reactions in the human body.

There is increased exposure of farmers to a greater risk of monopoly in the seed business.

Spare a thought for the trilemma of central bank digital currencies

News: Central banks around the world have started to issue their own digital currencies (CBDC) but it has challenges too.

Why are central banks issuing CBDC?

One of the reasons behind issuing CBDC is that it will be accessible to masses that will bring financial inclusion and ease of payments. However, there are other ways of financial inclusion which India has already tried.

How has India tried to achieve financial inclusion?

The Prime Minister’s People’s Wealth Scheme has addressed the issue of offering zero-balance, low-cost accounts to underbanked rural residents. This led around 400 million people to open the account.

Further, the United Payments Interface (UPI) is also a low cost electronic-payments infrastructure that has also helped in financial inclusion.

What are the challenges with CBDC?

It is argued that CBDC will help in facilitating the cross-border payments and might be a digital alternative to the dominance of the US dollar.

Central banks with help from the Bank for International Settlements have also experimented with a platform ‘mBridges’ to globally exchange CBDC.

However, there are political concerns with the use of CBDC globally and it would also be difficult to adopt such a common platform worldwide.

For example, it would be difficult for China and the US to come to an agreement on a single platform of exchanging CBDC.

Therefore, central banks face a trilemma when issuing CBDC as they can have only two of three things – a digital currency, confidentiality of transactions and financial stability.

Further, if CBDCs are used for bank transfers then commercial banks will be disintermediated from the system which will raise financial risk and imbalances for the central banks.

Importance of agri exports — and what Govt can do to boost India’s farm trade surplus

News: The article discusses position of India in importing agri-products and measures to improve it.

What is the position of India in agri-exports?

India’s agriculture exports have grown 16.5% in the period of April-September and are expected to grow further.

This growth has come at a time when the government has brought measures to ban the export of wheat, broken rice and sugar.

However, despite the ban all three have shown a rise in exports from the last year. For example, sugar exports grew 45.5% in April-September this year compared to last year.

However, imports have increased more than exports.

What is the position of India in import?

The first six months of the current fiscal (2022-23) have seen a narrow trade surplus because imports grew at a faster rate (27.7%) than exports (16.5%).

India’s trade deficit in overall merchandise trade account has widened from $76.25 billion in April-September 2021 to $146.55 billion in April-September 2022.

Even with a wide trade deficit, India’s surplus in agriculture trade reduced only from $7.86 billion to $7.46 billion.

Therefore, surplus in agricultural trade matters because this is one sector, apart from software services, where India has some comparative advantage.

Which agri-products have seen increase in import?

Exports of all agri-products have been good except cotton, spices, cashew and vegetable oils.

Exports of cotton have declined and its import has increased due to the lower domestic production which has turned India a net cotton importer.

In spices, India has become an importer of pepper and cardamom. Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Brazil have out-priced India in pepper, while India has lost market share to Guatemala in cardamom.

India has also increased its import of cashew compared to its export.

Further, India is a major importer of vegetable oils. Imports have increased by more than 25% in the first half of this fiscal year. Vegetable oils are the country’s fifth biggest import item after petroleum, electronics, gold, and coal.

That is why the government has come up with important decisions to reduce its import of vegetable oil.

What are the decisions taken by the government?

1. a) government has raised the MSP of mustard from Rs 5,050 to Rs 5,450 per quintal for the 2022-23 crop season, b) government has granted clearance for commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) hybrid mustard.

The yield from GM hybrid mustard is claimed to be 25-30% more than from currently-grown popular varieties and it would be also useful in developing new mustard hybrids giving higher yields.

What is the way forward?

A similar kind of approach is needed to boost high yields of cotton production.

GM Bt technology has helped in the increase in the cotton production but a new approach is required as production has started to fall down touching a 12-year low in 2021-22.

Therefore, India should focus on domestic production and productivity by leveraging technologies.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity: Explained | Can vaccine distribution be made fairer?

Source: The post is based on the article “Explained | Can vaccine distribution be made fairer?” published in The Hindu on 14th November 2022

What is the News?

The Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity has recently been released.

What is the Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity?

Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity is a joint effort of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization(WHO) and the University of Oxford with cooperation across the UN system.

Purpose: It combines the latest data on the global roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines with the most recent socio-economic information. This is to illustrate why accelerating vaccine equity is not only critical to saving lives but also to drive a faster and fairer recovery from the pandemic with benefits for all.

What is Vaccine Equity?

Vaccine equity means that vaccines should be allocated across all countries based on needs and regardless of their economic status. 

Access to and allocation of vaccines should be based on principles grounded in the right of every human to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or any other social condition.

What are the key findings from the Global Dashboard for Vaccine Equity?

Accessibility of vaccines: Only one in four people have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in low and middle-income countries. In comparison, in high-income countries, three in four people have got at least one dose of the vaccine.

Affordability of vaccines: High-income countries have to increase their healthcare spending by 0.8% on average to cover the cost of vaccinating 70% of the population.

– On the other hand, Low-income countries have to increase their healthcare spending by 30-60% on average to cover the cost of vaccinating 70% of the population.

What are the efforts taken to reduce vaccine inequity?

The COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership (COVAX) was launched with the aim to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination coverage in 34 low-coverage countries, along with their governments.

The strange case of the Indian skimmer

Source: The post is based on the article “The strange case of the Indian skimmer” published in The Hindu on 14th November 2022

What is the News?

Recently, Indian skimmer was seen in huge flocks during winter in Coringa wildlife sanctuary (Kakinada).

What is an Indian Skimmer?

Indian skimmer or Indian scissors-bill (Rynchops albicollis) is one of the three species that belong to the skimmer genus Rynchops in the family Laridae. 

IUCN Status: Endangered

Features: A thick, orange-yellow bill with a slightly longer lower mandible (jaw) is one of the most striking features of the Indian skimmer.

Habitat: More widespread in winter, the Indian skimmer is found in the coastal estuaries of western and eastern India.

– About 20% of the total population of Indian Skimmer nests along river Chambal. Villagers here call it pancheraa, that which tears water.

Threats: a) Degradation of wetland and riverine habitats and b) the damming of the Chambal River, in upstream Rajasthan, has adversely affected its population.

Initiatives: In 2020, the Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS) initiated a ‘Guardians of the Skimmer’ programme, which is a community-based conservation initiative.

– BNHS in collaboration with Bird Count India has also initiated the ‘Indian Skimmer Count’-a a citizen science initiative.

Rule of Law Index: India Ranks 77 Out Of 140 Countries, Improves In Order & Security Parameter

Source: The post is based on the article “Rule of Law Index: India Ranks 77 Out Of 140 Countries, Improves In Order & Security Parameter” published in The Quint on 13th November 2022

What is the News?

According to the Rule of Law Index 2022, rule of law has declined globally for the fifth consecutive year.

What is the Rule of Law?

WJP defines the rule of law as a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers: 1) accountability (government and private bodies), 2) just law (the law which is clear and stable), 3) open government (accessible), and 4) impartial justice system.

What is the Rule of Law Index?

Released by: World Justice Project (WJP), an International civil society organization.

Parameters: The index is prepared by examining these above four principles through eight factors: 1) constraints on government powers, 2) absence of corruption, 3) open government, 4) fundamental rights, 5) order and security, 6) regulatory enforcement, 7) civil justice and 8) criminal justice.

What are the key findings of the index?

Globally: Denmark has topped the index followed by Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

According to the index, rule of law has declined globally for the fifth consecutive year. It says that the checks on executive power are weakening, and respect for human rights is falling.

India: Overall, India has been ranked 77 out of 140 countries.

– On individual parameters, India ranks 94 out of 140 as far as adherence to fundamental rights is concerned, 111 out of 140 in civil justice, 89 out of 140 in criminal justice and 93 out of 140 in absence of corruption.

Jharkhand wants new quota Bill placed in Ninth Schedule: What this section of Constitution is

Source: The post is based on the article “Jharkhand wants new quota Bill placed in Ninth Schedule: What this section of Constitution is” published in Indian Express on 14th November 2022.

What is the News?

The Jharkhand Assembly has cleared two Bills, one increasing reservation in vacant government posts and services in the state to 77% and the second to use land records with 1932 as the cut-off year to determine domicile status and the definition of ‘local residents’.

However, the Bills came with a caveat. It said they would come into force only after the Centre carries out amendments to include these in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

What is the Ninth Schedule?

The Ninth Schedule contains a list of central and state laws which cannot be challenged in court. 

Currently, 284 such laws are shielded from judicial review. Most of the laws protected under the Schedule concern agriculture/land issues.

The Schedule became a part of the Constitution in 1951 when the document was amended for the first time. 

It was created by the new Article 31B, which along with 31A was brought in by the government to protect laws related to agrarian reform and for abolishing the Zamindari system.

Are laws in the Ninth Schedule completely exempt from judicial scrutiny?

The Ninth Schedule provides the law with a “safe harbour” from judicial review.But the protection is not blanket.

In I R Coelho v State of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court ruled that while laws placed under Ninth Schedule cannot be challenged on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights, they can be challenged on the ground of violating the basic structure of the Constitution.

The court clarified that the laws cannot escape the “basic structure” test if inserted into the Ninth Schedule after 1973 as it was in 1973 that the basic structure test was evolved in the Kesavananda Bharati case as the ultimate test to examine the constitutional validity of laws.

IUU fishing: Extra-regional fishing fleets present in Indian Ocean: Navy

Source: The post is based on the article “Extra-regional fishing fleets present in Indian Ocean: Navy” published in The Hindu on 14th November 2022.

What is the News?

According to the Indian Navy, as many as 392 reported incidents of Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing were monitored in 2021 compared to 379 in 2020 in the Indian Ocean. Most of the illegal activity is found in the Northern Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

What is Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing?

Illegal, unreported and unregulated(IUU) fishing is a broad term that captures a wide variety of fishing activity.

Illegal fishing: It is conducted by foreign vessels in waters under the jurisdiction of a State, without the permission of that State, or in contravention of its laws and regulations.

Unreported fishing: Fishing which has not been reported or has been misreported, to the relevant national authority, in contravention of national laws and regulations.

Unregulated fishing: Fishing which is conducted in a manner inconsistent with State responsibilities for the conservation of living marine resources under international law.

Who regulates IUU fishing activities?

As per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal nations are responsible for addressing IUU fishing issues within their respective EEZ. 

There are regional fisheries management organizations such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement operating under the mandate of UNCLOS as regulatory bodies to monitor IUU fishing on the high seas.

What is the impact of IUU fishing?

IUU fishing depletes fish stocks, destroys marine habitats, puts fishermen at disadvantage and impacts coastal communities, especially in developing countries.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO), IUU fishing activities are responsible for the loss of 11–26 million tonnes of fish each year, which is estimated to have an economic value of US$10–23 billion. 

What are the measures taken and conventions related to IUU fishing?

Joint Quad Monitoring: Quad comprising India, Australia, Japan and U.S. In 2022, the Quad announced a major regional effort under the ambit of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness(IPMDA). It aims to provide a more accurate maritime picture of “near-real-time” activities in the region. 

All vessel movements on the high seas are monitored by the Indian Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram and the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region(IFC-IOR) which is co-located with it.

International regulations: There are two main regulations globally on IUU fishing: the Cape Town Agreement and the Agreement on Ports State Measures. So far, India is not a signatory of either agreement.

General Network Access: Regulatory loopholes may end up favouring bigger players: Experts

Source: The post is based on the article “Regulatory loopholes may end up favouring bigger players: Experts” published in The Hindu on 14th November 2022.

What is the News?

Recently, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission(CERC) released a draft proposal to facilitate a regulatory framework for General Network Access(GNA).

Alongside, CERC has also released new connectivity regulations. These regulations are being red-flagged by market players.

What is General Network Access(GNA)?

General Network Access(GNA) means open access to the inter-State transmission system.

It seeks to do away with pre-determined point-to-point transmission access.  Instead, it enables both access or drawal on the entire transmission corridor in a way that it provides generators and procurers with the flexibility of both injection and withdrawal.

What are the benefits of the General Network Access(GNA) regulatory framework?

Firstly, GNA will untangle the current webs in the system and ensure that a generator focuses only on producing power and the consumer on buying it.

Secondly, GNA provides more flexibility and the possibility of open access to the buyers and sellers of power in terms of scheduling, subject to grid constraints and does not suffer from the rigidity of the current point-to-point open access mechanism.

What are the issues with the GNA framework now?

There are loopholes in the accompanying connectivity regulations issued subsequently by CERC. 

The concern is that these connectivity regulations could potentially end up favoring the bigger players in the sector.

How type-2 diabetes can be reversed in young people without medication

Source: The post is based on the article “How type-2 diabetes can be reversed in young people without medication” published in Indian Express on 14th November 2022.

What is the News?

According to several studies, Type 2 diabetes can be reversed without medication by restricting calories (less than 800 kcals).

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Click Here to read

What are the primary causes of diabetes?

Click Here to read

What are the measures that should be taken to prevent diabetes?

Use less oil and take healthy food: There is a need to use less oil in cooking – it should be restricted to less than half a kg per person per month and eliminate trans fats like vanaspati and avoid reheating oils or food. 

– On the other hand, there is a need to encourage locally-grown healthy fruits and vegetables, local millets, herbs and nuts grown in the country.

Exercise regularly: Break ones sitting posture every 30 minutes. Experts agree that short spells of five minutes of a brisk walk could make a person live longer by four years. 

– Ten thousand steps is what is recommended but current data says to do at least 6,000 to 8,000 steps. Indians have less muscle mass. Classical Surya namaskar and sit-ups can also help build muscle mass.

Avoid stress and Meditate: Stress has a huge impact on health. Meditation, mindfulness and chanting of mantras, including the Gayatri Mantra, can go a long way in reducing stress, and anxiety and promoting good quality sleep.

Take Proper Sleep: Sleeping on time for at least seven hours is important for our biological clock.

Digital detoxification: It’s mandatory to do an hour of digital detoxification – stay away from mobile phones, computers or television screens and engage in music or hobbies.

Shabd Shala Initiative: Finding Indian language equivalents for selfie, drones…

Source: The post is based on the article “Finding Indian language equivalents for selfie, drones” published in The Hindu on 14th November 2022.

What is the News?

The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology(CSTT) will soon launch the ‘Shabd Shala’ initiative.

What is the Shabd Shala Initiative?

Shabd Shala is a website which will invite suggestions for the translation of words that are recent additions to the English language and are used widely in India. 

People across India can log onto the website and provide suggestions for possible translations of these words or the most prevalent usages in their respective languages.

The suggestions will not be limited to only 22 languages (covered under the Eight Schedule). People can provide translations in other languages like Bhojpuri and Nagamese.

Significance: ‘Selfie’, ‘drones’, ‘metaverse’, and ‘Artificial Intelligence’ are among the new “technical” English words that become a part of the Indian psyche and culture but have no formal translations into Indian languages.

– This initiative will help in finding standardized vernacular versions of these words in common usage.

What is the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology(CSTT)?

Established in: 1961 by the Government of India under Article 344(4) of Indian Constitution.

Mandate: To evolve technical terminology in all Indian Languages, propagate its use and distribute it widely.

Nodal Ministry: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

Headquarters: New Delhi.

Vice President leads delegation at the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Cambodia

Source: The post is based on the article “Vice President leads delegation at the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Cambodia” published in PIB on 13th November 2022.

What is the News?

The Vice President is leading India’s delegation at the 19th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Note: This year marks the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations and is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year.

What are the key highlights from the 19th ASEAN-India Summit?

ASEAN and India adopted a joint statement announcing the elevation of the existing Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 

Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in the space sector through the establishment of Tracking, Data reception and Processing Stations in Vietnam and Indonesia. 

India-ASEAN Relations Timeline

India’s focused engagement with ASEAN started in 1992 when India launched its Look East policy and became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. 

In 1996 India became a dialogue partner and subsequently a summit level partner in 2002. 

At the 20th Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi in 2012, India-ASEAN relations were elevated to a strategic partnership. 

In 2014, India revamped the Look East policy as the Act East policy to add strategic focus to engagements with ASEAN.

PM pays tributes to Acharya Kripalani on his Jayanti

Source: The post is based on the article “PM pays tributes to Acharya Kripalani on his Jayanti” published in PIB on 13th November 2022

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has paid  tributes to Acharya Kripalani on his Jayanti.

Who was Acharya Kriplani?

Acharya Kriplani was born in 1888 in Hyderabad, Sindh. He was an independence activist, an Indian politician and an Educationist.

Contributions by Acharya Kriplani

Independence movement: He was actively involved in movements like Non-Cooperation Movement, Quit India Movement, and Salt Satyagraha.

– He served in the Interim Government of India (1946–1947) and the Constituent Assembly of India.

As an educationist: Kripalani was also well-known for his work in the field of education, environment and other social movements.

– He earned the moniker ‘Acharya’ title around 1922 when he was teaching at the Gujarat Vidyapith, founded by the Mahatma a couple of years before.

Political Career: He became one of the founders of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party (KMPP) after independence leaving congress.

– He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957, 1963 and 1967 as a member of Praja Socialist Party.

– He moved the first-ever No confidence motion in Lok Sabha in 1963, immediately after the India-China War (1962).

– He was arrested during the Emergency in 1975.

– His autobiography “My Times” was published posthumously in 2004.

Miniature dhows from Beypore make their way to Qatar World Cup

Source: The post is based on the article “Miniature dhows from Beypore make their way to Qatar World Cup” published in The Hindu on 12th November 2022

What is the News?

Kerala’s own Beypore Uru (yacht made of wood and coir) is all set to be a part of FIFA World Cup 2022.

Note: Beypore is an ancient port town located on the banks of the Chaliyar River in Kerala.

What is Beypore Uru?

An uru is a wooden dhow (ship) mainly made of Malabar teak in Beypore town of Kerala. It is probably the biggest handicraft in the world.

Origin: Uru making in Beypore is a centuries-old tradition that was established since India began its maritime trade with Mesopotamia.

Making process: Beypore urus are purely made of wood, without using any modern techniques, and traditional methods are used to launch this ship into the water. The carpenters manually join each piece of wood to build the large boat.

Artisans responsible for making Uru: The Khalasis are the traditional artisans responsible for the manufacture of the Uru. They are the ones who launch these urus into the water, setting them ready for travel. It takes at least four years and the effort of over forty Khalasis to build an Uru.