{"id":139720,"date":"2021-10-07T21:00:15","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T15:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=139720"},"modified":"2021-10-08T16:04:38","modified_gmt":"2021-10-08T10:34:38","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-7th-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-7th-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 October 7th, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-box-red\">Dear Friends<br \/>\nWe have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs.\u00a0What we sought to do:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today\u2019s newspaper are readily available to you.<\/li>\n<li>We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and adds value not just for GS but also for essay writing. Hence, the 9 PM brief now covers the following newspapers:\n<ol>\n<li><strong>The Hindu\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Indian Express\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Livemint\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Business Standard\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Times of India\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Down To Earth<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>We have also introduced the relevance part to every article. This ensures that you know why a particular article is important.<\/li>\n<li>Since these changes are new, so initially the number of articles might increase, but they&#8217;ll go down over time.<\/li>\n<li>It is our endeavor to provide you with the best content and your feedback is essential for the same. We will be anticipating your feedback and ensure the blog serves as an optimal medium of learning for all the aspirants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>For previous editions of 9 PM Brief<\/strong> &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-brief\/\">Click Here<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>For individual articles of 9 PM Brief<\/strong>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/daily-current-affairs-summaries-for-upsc-exam\/\">Click Here<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-white text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Mains Oriented Articles\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#vk\">Why India needs an urbanization policy?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#vk1\">Trade multilateralism at risk<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk2\">The motherhood penalty employers must eliminate<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk3\">Use the latest research to combat child under-nutrition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk4\">A strategy for India in a world that is adrift<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk5\">The Indian women\u2019s movement can only grow by being inclusive<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk6\">The pandemic is a reminder of education being a public good<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk21\">Right to protest in and on Lakhimpur Kheri needs to be protected, the legal quibble can come later<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#vk7\">The recent QES estimates are unreliable<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk8\">WHO\u2019s stark message on air quality \u2014 and what India must do<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk9\">World Is Entering\u00a0A\u00a0New Moon Age<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk10\">Road accidents can be reduced<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-white text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#vk11\">Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk12\">Sensing heat: On 2021 Nobel for Physiology or Medicine<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk13\">Government has approved setting up of 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk14\">Explained: What is Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine to get the WHO\u2019s backing?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk15\">Government allows 100% FDI in telecom sector<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk16\">U.S. expresses unease over S-400 deal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#vk17\">Two day meeting of 30 range countries of Central Asian Flyway begins<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-red text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Mains Oriented Articles<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 1<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><a id=\"vk\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/why-india-needs-an-urbanization-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why India needs an urbanization policy?<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:\u00a0<\/strong>This post is based on the article &#8221; <strong>Why India needs an urbanization policy?&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong>published in the\u00a0<strong>Indian Express on\u00a0<\/strong><strong>7th October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong>GS 1 Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Understanding the future of India\u2019s Urbanisation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> Cities are drivers of economic growth. As India urbanizes, it must ensure that its cities offer a decent quality of life and facilitate job creation.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>According to <strong>UN projections<\/strong>, from a population of 377 million in 2011, Indian cities are projected to house 870 million people by 2050.<\/p>\n<p>However, cities face <strong>several challenges<\/strong> today. Because of Inadequate affordable housing, almost one-sixth of the urban population lives in slums. Then there are other challenges like water supply, waste disposal, climate change, infrastructure and services. Given the importance of urbanization, it is important that the right policy steps are taken to address the needs of urbanization.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What policy steps are needed?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>First<\/strong>, India needs to <strong>decide the size of cities<\/strong>. Whether India needs a large agglomeration of 30 to 40 million or small manageable cities 2 to 3 million. Larger cities have the advantage of economies of scale, but they are difficult to manage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Second<\/strong>, <strong>finance<\/strong> is a big hurdle in creating quality infrastructure. The requirement is beyond the provisions of the budget. Tapping the capital market would require making the services costly. So one way could be monetizing the land assets. India can also explore utilizing the private sector for the provision of services.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Third<\/strong>, India should take <strong>lessons from the historical organizations<\/strong> of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro and start to focus on plant organization rather than just construction.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fourth<\/strong>, city planning should go beyond its political boundaries and <strong>include areas of economic and geographical linkages<\/strong> to make viable urban agglomeration.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fifth<\/strong>, given the challenge of climate change, city\u2019s should focus on green infrastructure, energy-efficient buildings, sustainable solutions to problems of energy and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sixth<\/strong>, India should utilize technology to alter the working patterns like work from home or remote working to reduce the burden on transport infrastructure.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What should be the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>A sound urbanization policy can guide how the growing urban population lives, works, and plays in India\u2019s cities of the future. Such a policy is the need of the hour and cannot be delayed.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><strong><a id=\"vk1\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/trade-multilateralism-at-risk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trade multilateralism at risk<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;<strong>Trade multilateralism at risk<\/strong>&#8221; published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>7th October 2021<\/strong>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>:\u00a0GS\u00a02-\u00a0Important International Institutions, agencies and fora &#8211; their Structure, Mandate.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: crisis with WTO&#8217;s appellate body.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: About WTO\u2019s crisis, various challenges faced by WTO and the way forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Introduction<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The World Trade Organization (WTO)\u00a0is the global trade body. Currently, it is facing a serious existential crisis.\u00a0The upcoming\u00a0WTO ministerial\u00a0meeting which will\u00a0be\u00a0held in Geneva, provides an opportunity to save this institution.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What crisis WTO is facing today?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>The crisis is related to the vacancies in the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO).<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>The Appellate Body (AB)<\/strong>, the highest instance of the WTO dispute settlement, is part of the WTO\u2019s dispute settlement mechanism. Since December 2019, the AB has stopped functioning due to rising vacancies. It has led to an increase in number of pending appeals. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the years, the U.S. has consistently blocked the appointment of AB members resulting in the present crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The U.S. even rejected the proposal to find a solution to this and also denied the proposal of the European Union to establish an alternative interim appellate arbitration mechanism. With this, countries now have an option not to comply with the WTO panel decisions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">As the Appellate Body is unable to hear new appeals, no disputes can now be resolved at the highest instance, causing widespread concern in the context of escalating global trade protectionism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the challenges that WTO currently faces?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On public stock holding: <\/span><\/b>WTO failed to find a solution of public stockholding for food security purposes as decided in 2015 Nairobi meeting. <span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is\u00a0a\u00a0concern for\u00a0countries like India that use Minimum Support Price (MSP)-backed mechanisms to procure food\u00a0grains. The WTO rules allow countries to procure, stock and distribute food.\u00a0However, if such procurement is done at MSP that is\u00a0higher than the external reference price,\u00a0then the budgetary support provided shall\u00a0be considered trade-distorting and is subject\u00a0to an overall cap.\u00a0<\/span>With rising prices and the\u00a0need to do higher procurement to support\u00a0farmers and provide food to the poor at\u00a0subsidised\u00a0prices, India might breach the cap.<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Countries have agreed that legal\u00a0suits will not be brought if countries breach\u00a0the cap.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Waiving TRIPS agreement for COVID medical products<\/strong>: T<span data-contrast=\"auto\">he WTO member countries continue to disagree on the need of waiving the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement for COVID-19 related medical products. <strong>T<\/strong><\/span><strong>his waiver would\u00a0increase the\u00a0accessibility of COVID-19 medical products, including vaccines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Regulation of irrational fishing subsidies<\/strong>: WTO is close to signing a deal on regulating irrational subsidies provided for fishing. These subsidies have led to the overexploitation of marine resources by countries like China. This deal should provide a balance between conserving ocean resources and the livelihood concerns of millions of marginal fishermen. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Plurilateral agreements: <\/span><\/b>T<span data-contrast=\"auto\">he deadlock at the WTO has led to the emergence of mega plurilateral trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. These plurilateral agreements not only hamper the global governance on international trade but also push the multilateral order to the danger.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the way forward?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>On public stock holding<\/strong>: In long term, we <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">need\u00a0to find a permanent\u00a0solution such as not counting MSP\u00a0as trade-distorting.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>On TRIPS waiver<\/strong>: The WTO needs to adopt a waiver in the upcoming ministerial meeting.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>On regulation of fishing subsidies<\/strong>: India and other developing countries should insist on an effective special and differential treatment provision that requisite policy space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>On plurilateral agreements<\/strong>: We need rule based global order. Institutional multilateralism is the remedy to unilateralism and economic nationalism. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Despite many flaws, WTO is the only forum where developing countries like India can push for evolving an inclusive global trading order.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk2\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-motherhood-penalty-employers-must-eliminate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The motherhood penalty employers must eliminate<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>The motherhood penalty employers must eliminate\u201d <\/strong>published in <strong>LiveMint <\/strong>on <strong>7<sup>th<\/sup> October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS 2 Social Issues and Social Justice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>To understand the status of working women in India.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:\u00a0<\/strong>Government intervention is needed to bring women equal to men.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Women in India often faced a lot of discrimination owing to the patriarchy. It does not only impact her social life but takes a toll on her professional one also.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the status of women in India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The gender gap in India has widened by 62.5%.<strong> Low gender parity<\/strong> can be seen in different spheres like political, economic etc.<\/p>\n<p>The difference is also visible in the pay rate in spite of the same jobs with equivalent qualifications. There is a gap of 34% in<strong> gender pay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>India, as of 2020 has the <strong>lowest female labour force participation rate<\/strong> among South Asian nations with many of them neither working nor looking for jobs.<\/p>\n<p>India has also <strong>slipped 28 places<\/strong> in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wef-released-global-gender-gap-report-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Gender Gap, 2021<\/a><\/strong> since 2020, and is currently ranked at 140\/156 nations.<\/p>\n<p>The recent pandemic has further worsened the gender divide among women, especially mothers. The mothers are facing more discrimination than non-mothers. The main reason behind that is to do the household chores, elderly and child care especially with the closing of the school.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-sample-survey-organisation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Sample Survey Organisation<\/a>, it was found that women spent nearly 4.5 hours on child care and other responsibilities, while men only 0.88 hrs.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the motherhood penalty?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It is the situation where working mothers faced discrimination compared to other employees. It is because of the misconception that they are less professional and incompetent. Also, they faced discrimination on various grounds like less pay rate, rare promotions, less hiring etc.<\/p>\n<p>For this notion to be removed, there is a need to reorient workplace norms to make them more gender-equal.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What does the government do?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The government made the amendment to <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-maternity-benefit-act-a-boon-to-motherhood\/\">Maternity Benefit Act<\/a> in 2017. It increased the maternity paid leave from 12 to 26 weeks. In spite of the good efforts, this amendment further strengthens the notion that caregiving is the primary onus of women. So, it raises the risk of women being subjected to the motherhood penalty. Still, there is no similar law for paternity benefits.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What should India do?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>India should adopt the policies of other International governments:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Iceland&#8217;s policy: <\/strong>Iceland makes the mandatory provisions for firms with more than 25 employees to prove every three years that they provide equal pay. Firms get certified according to that. If not certified, they have to pay the daily fine.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ireland: <\/strong>It asks companies with more than 250 employees to publish data on disparities between average and median hourly wages and bonuses for both genders.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk3\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/use-the-latest-research-to-combat-child-under-nutrition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Use the latest research to combat child under-nutrition<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>U<\/strong><strong>se the latest research to combat child under-nutrition\u201d <\/strong>published in <strong>LiveMint <\/strong>on <strong>7<sup>th<\/sup> October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS 2 Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions &amp; Bodies Constituted for Protection &amp; Betterment of These Vulnerable Sections<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance: <\/strong>To understand the status of child health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>Better child health policies are required to improve the malnutrition status of children.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Children are future assets for any nation. Thus, it is important to take care of their development. In India, where several children are malnourished, it is important to study the research carefully and then frame the policies according to that.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>How has the definition of nutrition changed over the years?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Since the 1940s: <\/strong>Micronutrient deficiency was considered the primary cause of childhood undernutrition.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Till the mid-1950s<\/strong>: Caloric deficiency was considered as a primary cause of child under-nutrition.<\/p>\n<p><strong>During the 1970s: <\/strong>Research until the 1950s concentrated on various vitamin deficiencies. In the mid-1970s, the research also <strong>included protein deficiency.<\/strong>\u00a0 From the <strong>late 1970s<\/strong>, it was discovered that child malnutrition is more than caloric and micronutrient deficiency, so it <strong>adopted multi-sectoral nutritional planning.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In 1984: Freedom from Hunger and malnutrition <\/strong>was recognized as <strong>basic human rights<\/strong>. This recognition led to the ratification of a set of goals for UN countries.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1992:<\/strong> UN developed a <strong>conceptual framework for child malnutrition<\/strong>. This was to understand the multi-sectoral factors that affect child health beyond calorific and micronutrient deficiencies.<\/p>\n<p>This framework acknowledged that <strong>inadequate dietary intake and diseases are the immediate causes<\/strong> of child malnutrition. There are another set of causes referred to as <strong>Basic Causes<\/strong>. It includes basic socioeconomic characteristics like wealth, religious practices and resources available to children.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2010: <\/strong>A paediatrics journal highlights the importance of 1<sup>st<\/sup> 1000 days of child health. It showed that the phenomenon of <strong>growth faltering <\/strong>(Child grow slower than prescribed WHO standard) is more in starting first two years of child life. This led to irreversible cognitive and physical damages and also passed on to the next generations also.<\/p>\n<p>Also, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-family-health-nfhs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Family Health survey 4<\/a> <\/strong>found that nearly 40% of Indian children were stunted in 2015-16, the highest in the world. This led to the start of <strong>India\u2019s Poshan Abhiyan, <\/strong>launched in 2018, with an aim of eradicating malnutrition by 2022.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are Poshan Abhiyan and the problems associated with it?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read here: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/tackling-malnutrition-challenge-via-poshan\/\">Poshan Abhiyan and challenges associated<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">What needs to be done?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>A <strong>study in Lancet<\/strong> predicted that a decline of 10-20% in coverage of essential and maternal child health interventions and a 10% increase in wasting of children over 6 months would lead to an additional 250,000 child and 12k maternal deaths. So, it is time that India should update its health policies with up-to-date research.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk4\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/a-strategy-for-india-in-a-world-that-is-adrift\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A strategy for India in a world that is adrift<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article &#8220;<strong>A strategy for India in a world that is adrift<\/strong>&#8221; published in<strong> The Hindu\u00a0<\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>7th October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS 2 Foreign policy of India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> Understanding India China relations in NAM 2.0.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: As the global order shifts with the rising of China and the relative decline of the USA, India must act resolutely to secure its place in the global order.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction <\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>During the 90s, tectonic shifts in global politics prompted the dialogue on <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/non-aligned-movementnam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Non Aligned Movement<\/a> 2.0. Today, again, India stands on a global politics which is in transition. But the principles of NAM still hold relevance today.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>The multipolar world<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Today\u2019s world is not bipolar like in the Cold War days. It is neither unipolar like in the 90s. Today&#8217;s world can be called a world in transition. This is evident in the failed collective response of the world towards the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also seen in the failure of the world to come together on tackling climate change.<\/p>\n<p>This has also created many challenges like rising of China, reverse globalization, formation of regional trade blocks, stalling of initiatives on climate change And an uncertain global order.<\/p>\n<h5><strong style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">What are the challenges &amp; opportunities for India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Close cooperation in security with the other countries could lead to the strengthening of relations in the field of economy, energy, trade and investment. This could also help in cooperation at the global level in the fields of climate change and emerging technologies.<\/p>\n<p>Today, in the maritime domain, India has great strength in the Indian Ocean. This could enable India to project itself as a strong, reliable partner in this region. India can strengthen this further by the creation of a maritime initiative like the Bay of Bengal commission.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>How reviving SAARC will be beneficial for India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Given India\u2019s central position, India can act as a hub of regional integration and consolidation by reviving SAARC. SAARC suffers from over securitisation of national security, which has led to neglect of trade and connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>Strengthening trade relations with SAARC can reduce the dependence of India with China and also ensure that our neighbouring countries do not fall prey to Chinese predatory economics.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It is based on the core strategic principles in Non-Alignment 2.0 which is still relevant: independent judgement, developing our capacities and creating an equitable and enabling international order for India\u2019s transformation.<\/p>\n<p>However, self-reliance is the key to India\u2019s continued growth and prosperity. India should focus on developing its economy and critical technologies to lead the world and secured its place in the global order.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk5\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-indian-womens-movement-can-only-grow-by-being-inclusive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Indian women\u2019s movement can only grow by being inclusive<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>The Indian women\u2019s movement can only grow by being inclusive<\/strong><strong>\u201d <\/strong>published in <strong>Indian Express <\/strong>on <strong>7<sup>th<\/sup> October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS 2 social Justice and social issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:\u00a0<\/strong>Understanding the change in the feminist movement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> While learning from previous generations, feminists today must continue to make room for the concerns of persons from different backgrounds and social groups.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Recently, Kamala Bhasin, an Indian developmental feminist activist, has passed away. One of her renowned quotes is the &#8220;<strong>definition of gender means the socio-cultural definition of a girl and boy, man and woman, it doesn\u2019t mean caste, it doesn\u2019t mean race<\/strong>.&#8221;\u00a0This has opened the various debate on how to perceive these words.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the difference between the Feminist movement of past and present?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Movement in the 1970s and 1980s<\/strong>: Priority was to make women the focus of politics and demands for justice in various contexts. Their important goal was to show that women had certain common experiences due to patriarchal social structures.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Today: <\/strong>Women of different social backgrounds experience the world differently. So, they connect with others according to their views. Among the many ways, most popular today is <strong>intersectionality.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the words of <strong>critical race scholar Kimberl\u00e9 Crenshaw<\/strong>, it is how black women\u2019s experiences were shaped by them being Black and women and were different from the experiences of both Black men and non-Black women<\/p>\n<p>In India also, the same structure has been followed. Therefore, to understand this feminist ideology, India has to understand how it is shaped by other social structures.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are the different shifts seen in the feminist movement of India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>During the last few decades, it was seen that feminists are organizing around particular issues and identities rather than simply as \u201cwomen\u201d. For example, Dalit and Muslim women have formed their own organizations and networks. It could be because they understand their issues well.<\/p>\n<p>Over the time, it has been realized that people of all backgrounds and social groups need and deserve equal attention from the feminist movement. It is contradictory to Bhasin\u2019s comment that feminism is about getting rid of patriarchy and that transgender and ecological issues are separate from it.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk6\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-pandemic-is-a-reminder-of-education-being-a-public-good\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The pandemic is a reminder of education being a public good<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the following articles<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201c<strong>Teacher, you learn too: Filling school vacancies is essential. So is doing this professionally rather than politically<\/strong>&#8220;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>published in\u00a0<strong>Times of India <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>6<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0October 2021.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>\u201c<strong>The pandemic is a reminder of education being a public good<\/strong>&#8220;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>published in\u00a0<strong>Livemint <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>7<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0October 2021.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>\u201c<strong>Learning disabilities<\/strong>&#8220;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>published in\u00a0<strong>Business Standard <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>7<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0October 2021.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong>GS 2 Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector\/Services relating to education.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:\u00a0<\/strong>To understand the issues in the current learning system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>Indian school education system faces various challenges like large vacancies of teachers, vulnerable private schools, etc. The government must act to improve the public school education system.<\/p>\n<h5>Introduction<\/h5>\n<p>The recent UNESCO report State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: \u201cNo Teachers, No Class\u201d, highlighted various challenges associated with school education in India.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-school-system-faces-acute-shortage-of-teachers-says-unesco-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here to know more about the State of the Education Report (SOER) for India: \u201cNo Teachers, No Class\u201d<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What are the challenges associated with Teachers and their performance?<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Vacancies skewed towards states<\/strong>: The UNESCO report highlighted that India\u2019s school system is facing an acute shortage of teachers. According to the UNESCO report, the bulk of the vacancies are in rural schools. But these shortages are skewed towards states with relatively fast-growing populations. For example, Uttar Pradesh, with a shortage of 3,30,000 teachers, Bihar 2,20,000 and West Bengal 1,10,000.<\/p>\n<p>This implies that a <strong>large cohort of India\u2019s future workforce<\/strong> will be <strong>insufficiently educated<\/strong> at a time when technological transitions in both services and manufacturing demand a high minimum standard of education.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Teachers and their non-teaching activities<\/strong>: Teachers are involved in several non-teaching activities too such as coordinating midday meals, registering children for Aadhaar, election duty and vaccination drives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Interstate differences in recruitment and transfer of teachers<\/strong>: <strong>Uttar Pradesh<\/strong> and <strong>Jharkhand<\/strong> see rules of recruitment being changed year to year, suggesting political influences, while <strong>Karnataka<\/strong> and <strong>Tamil Nadu<\/strong> have \u201ca systematic, technology-based, transparent system of recruitment, employment and transfer\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Further, the spread of teacher eligibility tests is helping to improve standards, but these tests only do subject testing, not teaching practice of individuals.<\/p>\n<h5>What are the lessons learned from the pandemic on school education?<\/h5>\n<p>The pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of private schools. Not all private schools are bad. Many are of good quality and are truly bothered about the education and welfare of their students. But an overwhelmingly <strong>large proportion of private schools<\/strong> are run <strong>only for commercial purposes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>For example, running a private school is a business in India. During the past 18 months, they have done nothing to engage children. <span style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">But they have always demanded fees. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">On the other hand, many government schoolteachers have often reached homes and communities to teach students. So, these schools have lost all trust <\/span><span style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">and a few have even collapsed. This has boosted enrolment in the government (public) school system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/long-term-impacts-of-school-closure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Long term Impacts of School Closure \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What needs to be done to improve school education?<\/h5>\n<p>There is no substitute for an equitable, strong and vibrant public education system. So, the energy in the public-school system with this rising enrolment must be effectively harnessed.<\/p>\n<p>India now needs to<strong> incentivise smart young people to take up the teaching<\/strong> profession and train them well. Apart from that, India also needs to <strong>upskill\u00a0the existing teachers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk21\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/right-to-protest-in-and-on-lakhimpur-kheri-needs-to-be-protected-the-legal-quibble-can-come-later\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Right to protest in and on Lakhimpur Kheri needs to be protected, the legal quibble can come later<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Right to protest in and on Lakhimpur Kheri needs to be protected, the legal quibble can come later\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>published in\u00a0<strong>Indian Express <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>7<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong>GS 2 Indian Constitution\u2014 features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:\u00a0<\/strong>To understand the issues surrounding right to protest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> The court can question the legal validity of the Acts, but that does not mean that the Right to protest can be halted from implementation.<\/p>\n<h5>Introduction<\/h5>\n<p>Earlier, the Supreme Court questions the farmers\u2019 protests against the Centre\u2019s farm laws on grounds that the matter is sub judice(under judicial consideration and therefore prohibited). The court has also asked whether the right to protest is an absolute right.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must read<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/law-is-clear-road-blockades-cant-go-on-endlessly-says-supreme-court\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Law is clear, road blockades can\u2019t go on endlessly, says Supreme Court<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Recently, In Lakhimpur Kheri a minister\u2019s convoy ran over protesting farmers, killing four of them, and setting off retaliatory violence that killed four more.<\/p>\n<p>These two events again highlighted the issues surrounding the Right to protest.<\/p>\n<h5>About Right to protest in India<\/h5>\n<p>The right to protest is <strong>not a separate right<\/strong> in the Indian Constitution. It is <strong>implicit<\/strong> in <strong>Article 19(1)(a)<\/strong>, which guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, and in <strong>Article 19(1)(b)<\/strong>, the right to assemble peacefully.<\/p>\n<p>It is integral to the right to protection of life and personal liberty enshrined in <strong>Article 21<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>All rights are subject to reasonable restrictions. The right to protest is not just necessary in and of itself \u2014 it is also inalienable from the articulation and assertion of other rights and freedoms.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/right-to-protest-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Right to Protest in India<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>Why the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision to question right to protest is ill-judged?<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Infringes with Article 32<\/strong>:\u00a0Questioning the Right to protest will came in conflict with <strong>Article 32<\/strong>, the right to constitutional remedy. Protest, dialogue and debate, challenge before courts \u2014 these are not at odds or mutually exclusive. Taken together, they help to secure the citizen against an arbitrary or transgressing state.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Against its own judgment<\/strong>: In <strong>Ram Lila Maidan Incident vs Home Secretary, Union of India and Others, 2012<\/strong>, the court had said: \u201cThe people\u2026 have a right to raise their voice against the decisions and actions of the government or even to express their resentment over the actions of the government\u2026 The government has to respect and in fact encourage exercise of such rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cannot be held as sub judice<\/strong>: The court held that farm laws are under judicial consideration and therefore protests are prohibited. But this is not the right interpretation. Many cases like the <strong>constitutionality of electoral bonds<\/strong> to the <strong>abrogation of Article 370 <\/strong>are pending before the court. But this does not mean that the people across the country should give up their constitutional right to speak out on these issues.<\/p>\n<p>So, the right to protest needs to be protected, the legal questions on the laws can come later.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Terms to know<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/article-21\/\">Article 21<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><a id=\"vk7\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-recent-qes-estimates-are-unreliable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The recent QES estimates are unreliable<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: This post is based on the article &#8220;<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The recent QES estimates are unreliable<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8221;\u00a0published in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Hindu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">7th October 2021<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Syllabus<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: GS3- Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Relevance<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0Recent QES estimates and its shortfalls<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">:\u00a0New Quarterly Employment Survey, its key findings,\u00a0various challenges associated with the survey and the way forward<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Introduction<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recently, the Ministry of Labour and Employment released the results of a new Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for April-June 2021 for the organized (formal) sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It represents establishments employing ten or more workers.\u00a0The surveyed sectors were manufacturing, construction, trade, transport, education, health, accommodation and restaurant, Information Technology\/Business Process Outsourcing (IT\/BPO), and\u00a0financial\u00a0services.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the key findings of the survey?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">First<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0it estimated a growth of 29% in the\u00a0total employment in\u00a0the nine selected sectors\u00a0as compared to\u00a0Sixth Economic Census (2013-14).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Secondly<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, employment fell post the lockdown on July 1, 2020.\u00a0But\u00a024 lakh jobs\u00a0that was\u00a0lost\u00a0during the lockdown in 2020 came\u00a0back by the\u00a0first quarter of 2021.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the various issues\/concerns associated with the survey?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The new QES will help generate timely employment estimates for the larger units. However, the analysis suffers from various issues and calls for caution in its interpretation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Limited coverage-\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">formal establishments account for a small proportion of all non-agricultural establishments (merely 1.66% as per the Economic Census (EC) of 2013-14). Also, a large share of workers (81.3% as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS, 2018-19)) worked in the unorganized sector. With its limited coverage, the QES based on data for formal sector enterprises cannot provide a total picture of employment dynamics.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Major deviation from the other reports<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) showed\u00a0that during April 2020,\u00a0<\/span><strong>12.1 crore\u00a0workers lost their jobs<\/strong>\u00a0(mostly informal workers)<span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <strong>9.1 crore job losses<\/strong> occurred amongst small traders and casual labourers. The unemployment rate by current weekly status in urban areas increased from <strong>9.1%<\/strong> (before the lockdown) to <strong>20.8<\/strong><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>%<\/strong> (Post lockdown).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Methodological\u00a0shortcomings<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; The new QES data suffers from methodological shortcomings like outdated sample frame (QES used EC-2013 sample frame), non-comparability of employment numbers and differences in methods used for gathering the information. Hence, instead of rushing to produce new QES based on outdated sample frame, it was required to wait for the release of the newly updated frame in the EC-2020.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<em> Sample frame: The list of units (e.g., persons, households, businesses, etc.) in the survey population<\/em><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Did not include latest units-<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">new QES has a sample of approximately 11,000 establishments.\u00a0But sample frame implies that\u00a0QES does not include units\u00a0set up after 2013.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Primarily a\u00a0telephonic survey-\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which shows lack of\u00a0verification\u00a0of responses of establishments<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sample collected with a short reference period<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0The questionnaire of the QES asks establishments about employment details for a specific quarter. In contrast, the EC-2013 questionnaire asks establishments about the number of persons working on the last working day prior to the date of\u00a0fieldwork\u00a0in the establishment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Conceptual problem-<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in comparing employment numbers of the Economic Census (EC) with the QES. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> Although the former asks questions about the number of persons working in an enterprise, it is not a good instrument for estimating the size of the workforce or for analysing employment trends as the principal objective of the EC is generating a frame, not estimating employment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the way forward?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We need to produce quarterly employment data for selected industries in the organised sector. Simultaneously, we cannot compromise on data quality and its reliability, in a rush to generate high-frequency estimates.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk8\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/whos-stark-message-on-air-quality-and-what-india-must-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WHO\u2019s stark message on air quality \u2014 and what India must do<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;<strong>An Expert Explains: WHO\u2019s stark message on air quality \u2014 and what India must do<\/strong>&#8221; published in <strong>The Indian Express<\/strong> on <strong>7th October 2021<\/strong>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3- Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Air pollution<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> in India<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Air pollution is worsening in India. We need to raise our air quality standards in line with recently released WHO guidelines and ensure strict compliance while transitioning to a cleaner energy model.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Introduction<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In its recent\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/whos-new-air-quality-standards-underline-the-health-pollution-link-its-time-policies-take-a-holistic-approach\/\">air quality guidelines (AQGs)<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, the WHO said that the impact of poor air quality on public health is at least twice as bad as\u00a0<\/span>previously<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0estimated. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Globally, it is estimated that exposure to PM2.5 kills 3.3 million people every year, most of them in Asia.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India has 37 of the world\u2019s 50 most polluted cities. Still, India\u2019s\u00a0air quality standards\u00a0are\u00a0not strict. For instance, its standards for PM2.5 and PM10 are 60 and 100 \u00b5g\/m3 respectively (over 24 hours), while the WHO\u2019s new standards are 15 and 45 \u00b5g\/m3 (over 24 hours).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why India should be concerned about air pollution?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Worst mortality rates: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India\u2019s air pollution-influenced mortality rates are among the worst. The Global Burden of Disease estimates that India lost 1.67 million lives in 2019 directly as a result of breathing polluted air, or because of pre-existing conditions exacerbated by air pollution. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>Uttar Pradesh had the biggest share at 3.4 lakh, Maharashtra had 1.3 lakh, and Rajasthan 1.1 lakh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lower life expectancy: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The average life expectancy in Delhi is 6.4 years lower than the national average of 69.4, and the number is starting to fall for even coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the harmful effects of the air-pollution?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On health<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-The health impacts of PM2.5 exposure include lung cancer, cerebrovascular disease, ischaemic heart disease and acute lower respiratory illness, besides exacerbating ailments like depression. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Exposure to ozone has been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Prolonged exposure to air pollutants affects newborns and babies still in the womb. Mothers may have to deal with the trauma of premature deliveries and stillbirths. Foetuses face increased risk of being born with lungs that are not yet developed to function properly, and congenital defects that can impact the rest of their lives. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On economy <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; A 2019 study found that India\u2019s poor air quality erased <strong>3% of its GDP<\/strong> for the year and caused a loss of nearly Rs 7 lakh crore (~USD 95 billion). The reason being employees failing to show up at work, far fewer people stepping out to buy goods, and foreign tourists staying away after health warnings. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0Official figures indicate a <strong>loss of 820,000 jobs<\/strong> in the tourism industry and 64% of businesses squarely blame air pollution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On infrastructure-<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Air pollution affected solar panels as ground-level smog and the particulate matter chokes their power output.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On agriculture<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; Several studies have noted a 25% drop in crop yield for wheat and rice after prolonged exposure to PM and ozone.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the way forward?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>India needs to <strong>revisit its National Ambient Air Quality Standards<\/strong>, revise them down to WHO levels, and implement them without exception. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>We need to <strong>conduct nationwide studies<\/strong> and gather raw health data on air pollution to get a picture of how many Indians, regardless of age, gender and occupation, are suffering under bad air. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; The China example- <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">China handled the issue by prioritising <strong>z<\/strong><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ero-emissions transport, staggered use of internal combustion engine vehicles, and by enforcing prevention on point sources of pollution with few exceptions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-Cleaner energy- <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India\u2019s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) can help to find solutions. States like Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana have introduced policies to speed up their market shares, and Electric Vehicles\u2019 year-on-year sales are increasing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-B<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>etter monitoring<\/strong>&#8211; We need to expand the country\u2019s air quality monitoring network. We can use new low-cost monitors instead of CPCB monitors which are costly. The new monitors capture readings for not only PM<sub>2.5<\/sub> and 10 but also gases like NO<sub>2<\/sub>, SO<sub>2<\/sub>, methane, and secondary volatile organic compounds. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">he Centre and state governments must boost the density of the <b>Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations<\/b><strong> (CAAQMS)<\/strong> network to fully inform the science behind the corrective measures.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk9\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/world-is-entering-a-new-moon-age\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Is Entering\u00a0A\u00a0New Moon Age<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;<strong>World Is Entering A New Moon Age<\/strong>&#8221; published in <strong>The Times of India<\/strong> on <strong>6th October 2021<\/strong>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Relevance<\/strong>:\u00a0Artemis\u00a0programme\u00a0and India\u2019s stance\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>:\u00a0About NASA\u2019s Artemis\u00a0programme,\u00a0various consequences of India joining the\u00a0programme\u00a0and how India needs to tackle all this.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Introduction<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On September 7, 2019, India\u2019s Chandrayaan-2 Moon Lander crashed in a cloud of lunar dust no human\u00a0would witness. It had experienced a \u201chard landing\u201d on a desolate patch of the lunar surface.\u00a0It shows the difficulties\u00a0of the operation and \u2018optimism and determination\u2019\u00a0that go into India\u2019s spacefaring aspirations.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Why there is\u00a0attraction\u00a0of\u00a0Moon?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><em><b>Firstly,<\/b><\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Moon\u00a0is barren, lifeless and lethal to humans. However,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">its proximity to Earth and its low gravity\u00a0makes\u00a0it a\u00a0potential launching pad for future missions into interplanetary space,<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><b>Secondly,<\/b><\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0it\u00a0enables\u00a0us to explore the inner solar\u00a0system as well as the vast, largely uncharted expanses that lie beyond the Asteroid Belt.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>Third,<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Moon is also\u00a0believed to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hold natural resources that could help fuel those future expeditions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. For instance, the water\u00a0discovered on the lunar surface by India\u2019s previous Moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, could provide both\u00a0hydrogen for fuel, and oxygen for breathing.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is NASA\u2019s Artemis\u00a0programme?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NASA\u2019s Artemis\u00a0programme\u00a0is the most ambitious lunar exploration undertaking since the\u00a0Apollo missions.<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0It plans to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in the coming years.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0It\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0include a massive technological effort to build new launchers, spacecraft\u00a0and ground-based facilities as well as putting a gateway module in orbit around the Moon, to act as a\u00a0stepping stone for further space exploration.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is\u00a0India\u2019s dilemma\u00a0regarding Artemis?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Partnering with the Artemis\u00a0programme\u00a0would make it much easier for India to ramp up its own lunar\u00a0projects. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, as a precondition for joining the\u00a0programme, <strong>India would have to sign up to a set of\u00a0NASA-defined rules<\/strong> called the Artemis Accords, which 11 countries have signed including Australia, Japan, Brazil, South Korea and the UK. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most of these\u00a0are not harmful and related\u00a0with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to which India is also a party.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>The most problematic Artemis principle<\/strong> is the one that allows for the extraction and use of resources in\u00a0space. While the Outer Space Treaty prohibits claims of sovereignty in space, it says nothing about private\u00a0ownership and leaves open the possibility of using lunar resources.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As US dominates the global commercial space industry, it will harvest the greatest benefits.\u00a0 For instance, <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-In 2015, the US Congress passed a bill enabling private entities to use the mineral resources of other\u00a0celestial bodies.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-In 2020, then President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing US diplomats\u00a0to \u201cdevelop joint statements, bilateral agreements and multilateral instruments\u201d that would make the use of\u00a0space resources an international norm.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Artemis Accords are a direct outcome of this effort.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Russia-China problem: <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India\u2019s choices are also complicated by the existence of the rival Russia-China International Lunar Research Station project. Further, Russians and Chinese are also slated to come up with their own version of Artemis Accords by the end of 2021<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So,\u00a0we have\u00a0three options \u2013 join Artemis Accords,\u00a0join ILRS, or go solo.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What are the consequences of these three options\u00a0and what should India do?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India may lose out on major opportunities if it seeks to explore space by itself. ILRS attractions are spoiled by the presence of China. So, the least bad option for India would be to join the Artemis programme.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Instead of agreeing to all US\u00a0demand,\u00a0India must\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; insist on <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">mechanisms for\u00a0sharing technology and space infrastructure<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; use informal fora, like the newly set up Quad working group on space to push for more detailed norms governing activities on celestial bodies. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India must continue to pursue bilateral space cooperation with Russia, which may even allow it to benefit\u00a0from some of the capabilities developed for the ILRS project. The time for active space diplomacy is now.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk10\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/road-accidents-can-be-reduced\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Road accidents can be reduced<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the following articles<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cRecognising altruism: On rewarding Good Samaritans on road\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>published in\u00a0<strong>The Hindu <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>7<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0October 2021.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>\u201cRoad accidents can be reduced\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>published in\u00a0<strong>The Hindu <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>7<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0October 2021.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Syllabus:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> GS \u20133 Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Relevance:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> To understand the need for proper road safety mechanisms in India.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Synopsis:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India road accident status highlights the importance of road safety in India.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5>Introduction<\/h5>\n<p>Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways decided to award Good Samaritans who save the lives of road accident victims with the cash prize.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/union-ministry-of-road-transport-and-highways-launches-rewarding-scheme-for-grant-of-award-to-the-good-samaritan-who-has-saved-life-of-a-victim-of-a-fatal-accident-involving-a-motor-vehicle\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways Launches Rewarding Scheme for Grant of Award to the Good Samaritan who has saved life of a victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What is the present status of road accidents in India?<\/h5>\n<p>At present<strong> India ranked third<\/strong> among 20 nations that have the highest number of accidents. India <strong>cases to fatalities ratio, <\/strong>with 415 deaths each day, is much worse compared to the U.S. and Japan, which have more recorded crashes but fewer deaths.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Madras High Court<\/strong> recently struck down the <strong>2018 notification of the Union Government<\/strong> wherein the <strong>speed limit was hiked<\/strong> to 120 and 100 km\/hour on expressways and highways, respectively. This was done as 66.7% of accidents was attributed to overspeeding in 2017, 55.73% in 2018 and 64.4% in 2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>In 2019<\/strong>, according to a study conducted by the <strong>Ministry of Road Transport and Highways<\/strong>, More than 1.5 lakh persons were killed and more than 4.5 lakh were injured in road accidents across the country.<\/p>\n<p>National Highways (NHs) and State Highways, which account for about 5% of the total road length, claimed 61% of the deaths related to accidents.<\/p>\n<p><strong>During 2020<\/strong>, even with severely disrupted mobility due to COVID-19, National Crime Records Bureau data show 1,33,715 lives were lost in 1,20,716 cases attributed to negligence relating to road accidents.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/traffic-crash-injuries-and-disabilities-world-bank-report-on-road-accidents-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cTraffic Crash Injuries and Disabilities\u201d -World Bank report on road accidents in India<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>How government is ensuring adequate safety on the roads?<\/h5>\n<p><strong>Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019<\/strong>: The Act has a motive of bringing down the death rate due to road accidents by 50% by 2020. The Act has a dedicated chapter to sensitise police forces and hospitals regarding Good Samaritan.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: Recently, the government shifted the deadline under the Act to 2025.<\/p>\n<p><strong>National Road Safety Board<\/strong>: The board mandate include the formulation of standards on, among other things, safety and trauma management, building capacity among traffic police, and put the crash investigation on a scientific footing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>United Nations Brasilia Declaration<\/strong>: The declaration was adopted at the second global high-level conference on road safety held in Brazil in 2015. It lays down recommendations on strengthening existing legislations, adopting sustainable transport, strengthening the post-crash response, etc. <strong>India<\/strong> is a <strong>signatory<\/strong> to the Brasilia Declaration.<\/p>\n<h6>Various initiatives of states<\/h6>\n<p><strong>Tamil Nadu<\/strong> recorded the highest number of accidents in 2017. Tamil Nadu government introduced a model to identify and removing Black spots in the road. At present, they have reduced road accidents by 38% and deaths by 54%.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Accident Research Cell of the Delhi Traffic Police<\/strong> carried out an analysis of accidents and created a database that facilitates the formulation of policies to prevent accidents.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-issue-of-road-safety-in-india-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The issue of Road Safety in India \u2013 Explained pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What are the steps India needs to do to reduce accidents?<\/h5>\n<p>Achieving a reduction in mortality on Indian roads need determined action on several factors. Such as<\/p>\n<p>i) <strong>Scientific road design<\/strong> and standards, and identification of black spots that are prone to accidents,<\/p>\n<p>ii) Deploying an adequate number of police personnel, particularly during peak hours,<\/p>\n<p>iii) Zero-tolerance enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act,<\/p>\n<p>iv) <strong>Highway patrols<\/strong> with police personnel trained in first aid and ambulances every 10 km could also help save precious lives,<\/p>\n<p>v) <strong>Educating citizens<\/strong> about the impact of accidents on the kin of the victims through public discourse will help in reducing accidents.<br \/>\nNational Crime Records Bureau<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-red text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><a id=\"vk11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Nobel Prize in Chemistry\u00a02021 has been\u00a0awarded to German scientist Benjamin List and\u00a0Scotland-born scientist David WC MacMillan \u201cfor the\u00a0development of asymmetric\u00a0organocatalysis.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is asymmetric\u00a0organocatalysis?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Catalysts are substances that\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">control and accelerate chemical reactions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, without becoming part of the final product.\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For example<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, catalysts in cars transform toxic substances in exhaust fumes into harmless molecules.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our bodies also contain thousands of catalysts<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in the form of enzymes, which chisel out the molecules necessary for life.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the past, it was believed that there are just\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">two types of catalysts<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0available:\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">metals and enzymes<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0Now, there is a third type of catalyst i.e.,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">asymmetric\u00a0organocatalysis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These new catalysts are thus\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fundamental tools for chemists<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0many research areas and industries are dependent on chemists\u2019 ability to construct molecules.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A new generation of small-molecule catalysts is\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">more friendly for the environment and cheaper to produce<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: This post is based on the article\u00a0\u201cDuo\u00a0win Chemistry Nobel for developing tool to build molecules\u201d published in Times of India on 07 October 2021.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<header class=\"entry-header alignwide\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a id=\"vk12\"><\/a>Sensing heat: On 2021 Nobel for Physiology or Medicine<\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This year Nobel prize for Physiology or Medicine has been awarded\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0discovery of\u00a0mechanism through which our body perceives temperature and pressure.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Read more \u2013\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/explained-nobel-prize-in-medicine-2021\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Explained: Nobel Prize in Medicine 2021<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Significance of the discovery<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Our ability to sense touch and temperature, particularly harmful temperature\u00a0(too high or too low) determines, how to interact with our internal or external environment.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The discovery of pain receptors and the cellular mechanism have attracted pharmaceutical companies as these could be targets for novel medicines.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Further research will help in understanding the functions of the receptors in a \u201cvariety of physiological processes and to develop treatments for a wide range of disease conditions\u201d.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: This post is based on the article \u201cSensing heat: On 2021 Nobel for Physiology or Medicine\u201d published in The Hindu on 07th\u00a0October 2021.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk13\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/government-has-approved-setting-up-of-7-mega-integrated-textile-region-and-apparel-pm-mitra-parks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government has approved setting up of 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0This post is based on the\u00a0articles<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8220;<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Government<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0has approved setting up of 7 Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA\u00a0\u092a\u0940\u090f\u092e\u00a0\u092e\u093f\u0924\u094d\u0930) Parks with a total outlay of Rs. 4,445\u00a0crore\u00a0in a period of 5 years<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">published\u00a0in \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">PIB<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019 on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">06 October\u00a02021<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"5\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201c<\/span><strong>Cabinet approves scheme to setup 7 mega textile park<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d published in <strong>Livemint<\/strong> on <strong>07th October 2021.<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The government has approved the setting up of <\/span><strong>seven<\/strong> <b><span data-contrast=\"none\">PM MITRA textiles parks,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0following<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Union Budget for 2021-22&#8243;\u00a0commitments, with a total outlay of Rs. 4,445 crores in a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">period of 5 years.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About \u201cPM-MITRA\u201d Scheme<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The scheme aims to realize the vision of\u00a0building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat by positioning India strongly on the Global textiles\u00a0map. It is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">inspired by the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">5F vision<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0of Hon\u2019ble Prime Minister &#8211;<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Farm to\u00a0Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Aim<\/strong>: The scheme aims to create a world-class industrial <\/span>infrastructure that <span data-contrast=\"none\">would attract cutting-edge <\/span>technology\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"none\">and boost FDI and local\u00a0<\/span>investment\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"none\">in the sector.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sites\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">for the scheme\u00a0will be selected by a\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Challenge Method,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> based on objective criteria for <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Greenfield \/ Brownfield sites<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> The Centre is receiving proposals from states for the ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcels of 1,000+ acres along with other textiles related facilities &amp; ecosystems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What are the various supports provided by the government under the scheme?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><b>Competitiveness Incentive Support (CIS)<\/b>&#8211; The government will provide a fund of \u20b9 300 Crore to \u2018investors\u2019 setting up production facilities to incentivize manufacturing units to get established.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For a<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Greenfield Park\u00a0\u2018developer\u2019<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, the centre will provide 30% of Capital Support from the Project Cost, with a cap of \u20b9 500 Cr.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For a<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Brownfield sites\u00a0\u2018developer\u2019<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, the centre will provide 30% of Capital Support from the Project Cost, with a cap of \u20b9 200 Cr.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What infrastructures do the PM MITRA parks contain?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">PM MITRA park will be developed by a <strong>Special Purpose Vehicle<\/strong> which will be owned by the State Government and Government of India in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode. The Master Developer will develop and also maintain the park during the concession period.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_139723\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-139723\" style=\"width: 473px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-139723\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PM-MITRA-Scheme.png?resize=473%2C258&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"MITRA Parks\" width=\"473\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PM-MITRA-Scheme.png?w=1007&amp;ssl=1 1007w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PM-MITRA-Scheme.png?resize=300%2C164&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/PM-MITRA-Scheme.png?resize=768%2C419&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-139723\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: PIB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ol>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Times New Roman\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Core Infrastructure<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Incubation Centre &amp; Plug &amp; Play facility, Developed Factory Sites, Roads, Power, Water and Waste Water system, Common Processing House and other related facilities e.g., Design Centre, Testing Centres etc.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Times New Roman\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Support Infrastructure<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: Workers\u2019 hostels &amp; housing, logistics park, warehousing, medical, training &amp; skill development facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5>What are the advantages of the PM-MITRA Scheme?<\/h5>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The scheme\u00a0intended to generate approximately 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect employment\u00a0per park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The\u00a0Scheme will offer an opportunity to create an<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0integrated textiles value chain\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">right from spinning, weaving, processing\/dyeing and printing to garment manufacturing<\/span> at one location\u00a0that would ease business\u00a0and <span data-contrast=\"none\">will\u00a0<\/span>reduce logistics costs <span data-contrast=\"none\">of the Industry.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 aria-level=\"2\"><a id=\"vk14\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/explained-what-is-mosquirix-the-first-malaria-vaccine-to-get-the-whos-backing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explained: What is Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine to get the WHO\u2019s backing?<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">This post is based on\u00a0the following articles<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Explained: What is Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine to get the WHO\u2019s backing?<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">published in \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Indian Express<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019 on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">07 October 2021.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201c<\/span><strong>WHO recommends first anti-Malarial vaccine<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d published in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Hindu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">07 October 2021<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The new vaccine<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0\u201cRTS,S\/ASO1 (RTS.S)\u201d<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0with\u00a0its<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">trade name\u00a0\u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/key-malaria-vaccine-set-for-field-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mosquirix<\/a>\u201d <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">was<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">endorsed by the World Health Organisation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> (WHO) recently. This is the <\/span>first\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"none\">and only <\/span>vaccine <span data-contrast=\"none\">shown to\u00a0<\/span>have the capability of significantly reducing malaria<span data-contrast=\"none\">, and life-threatening severe malaria, in tests on young African children.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About the vaccine &#8211; Mosquirix<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Mosquirix has been developed by British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in partnership with the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative. It was approved for the pilot programme in 2015.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The vaccine acts against\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">P. falciparum<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, the\u00a0most deadly\u00a0malaria parasite globally, and the most prevalent in <strong>Africa<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The malaria vaccine should be provided in a schedule of 4 doses in children from 5 months of age for the reduction of malaria disease and burden.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Note<\/strong>: Among children who received 4 doses in large scale clinical trials, the vaccine was able to prevent approximately 4 in 10 cases of malaria over a 4-year period.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">More than 800,000 children in <strong>Ghana<\/strong>, <strong>Kenya<\/strong>, and <strong>Malawi<\/strong> have been vaccinated, and are benefiting from the vaccine as part of a pilot program.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/new-malaria-vaccine-can-be-a-game-changer-in-curtailing-malaria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Malaria Vaccine Can be a Game Changer in Curtailing Malaria<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the significance of the WHO recommendation?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>WHO\u2019s recommendation is based on the advice of its two global advisory bodies, one for immunization and the other for malaria.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Strategic delivery of the vaccine just prior to the high malaria transmission season can optimize impact and markedly reduce mortality, especially when combined with other recommended malaria control interventions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About Malaria<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is caused by the bite of the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">female Anopheles mosquito <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">(vector) if the mosquito itself is infected with a malarial parasite.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0It is\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">preventable and curable<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">There are\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">five kinds of malarial parasites<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0\u2014 Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax (the commonest ones), Plasmodium\u00a0malariae, Plasmodium\u00a0ovale, and Plasmodium\u00a0knowlesi.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Children\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">aged under 5 years are the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">most vulnerable<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0group affected by malaria; in 2019, they accounted for 67% (274,000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:1,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:420}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In 2019,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">India\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">had an estimated\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">5.6 million cases<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of malaria compared to about 20 million cases in 2000, according to WHO.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:1,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:420}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What are the criteria for obtaining malaria-free status?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p>As per WHO, a country can be declared malaria-free when it reports zero indigenous cases of malaria for 3 or more years. <span data-contrast=\"none\">Over the last two decades, 11 countries have been certified by the WHO as malaria-free. The latest one was El Salvador.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; background-color: var(--global--color-background);\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/el-salvador-becomes-malaria-free-country\/\">El Salvador becomes \u201cMalaria-free Country\u201d<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk15\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/government-allows-100-fdi-in-telecom-sector\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Government allows 100% FDI in telecom sector<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">This post is based on\u00a0the following articles<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Via automatic route: Govt allows 100% telecom FDI<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Published in \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Indian Express<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019 on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">07 October 2021.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"7\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201c<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Government allows 100% FDI in telecom sector<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Published in\u00a0<strong>Livemint<\/strong> on <strong>07 October 2021.<\/strong><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade<\/strong> (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">DPIIT) has recently <strong>allowed 100 % FDI<\/strong> across all kinds of telecom services and infrastructure providers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Earlier status of Telecom sector<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Earlier 100 % of FDI was allowed, of which 49 % of investment was permitted through automatic route.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About the recent changes in the telecom sector<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The <strong>Department of Telecommunications<\/strong> (<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">DoT<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">) has slashed performance and financial bank guarantee requirements of telecom operators by 80 percent.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The amendment has been made in both old telecom\u00a0licences\u00a0in the UASL (Unified Access Services\u00a0licences) category and new\u00a0licences\u00a0that were started in 2012- Unified\u00a0Licence\u00a0(UL) category.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">However,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0amendment is subject to\u00a0the condition<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">a body of a country, which shares a land border with India or where the beneficial owner of investment into India is situated or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the government route<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">UASL (Unified Access Services licences) category?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Under this, the country is divided into 22 Service Areas consisting of 19 Telecom Circle Service and 3 Metro Service Areas for providing Unified Access Services (UAS).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:1,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:357}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Unified Access Services operators are free to provide services, <\/span>within their area of operation<span data-contrast=\"none\">, which cover collection, carriage, transmission and delivery of voice and\/or non-voice messages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the U<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">nified Licence (UL) category?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is the\u00a0<\/span>convergence\u00a0<span data-contrast=\"none\">between various services, networks, platforms, technologies and overcoming the existing segregation of licensing, registration and regulatory mechanisms in the concerned areas. This is done to enhance affordability, increase access, delivery of multiple services and reduce cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk16\"><\/a>U.S. expresses unease over S-400 deal<\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0This post is based on the article \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">U.S. expresse<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">s unease over S-400 deal<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> published\u00a0in \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Hindu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019 on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">07 October\u00a02021<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Recently, the American Deputy Secretary of State described the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">S-400 missile deal <\/span><\/b>between <b><span data-contrast=\"none\">India <\/span><\/b>and <b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Russia <\/span><\/b>as dangerous<span data-contrast=\"none\">, expressed hope that the India and US could <\/span>solve the issue<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0amicably.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About S-400 Triumf Missile<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is a mobile, surface-to-air missile\u00a0system (SAM) designed by Russia.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">The missile can destroy airborne targets within the range of 250 km and is also capable of destroying fast-moving targets such as fighter aircraft. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Read more<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0\u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/s-400-long-range-air-defence-system\/\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">S-400<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Triumf missile<\/span><\/b><\/a><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What are the concerns for India?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b> <\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">India is concerned that the U.S would proceed with Countering America\u2019s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions against India over the S-400 purchase from Russia.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; background-color: var(--global--color-background);\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/what-is-caatsa-or-countering-americas-adversaries-through-sanctions-act\/\">What is \u201cCAATSA\u201d or Countering America\u2019s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"vk17\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/two-day-meeting-of-30-range-countries-of-central-asian-flyway-begins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Two day meeting of 30 range countries of Central Asian Flyway begins<\/a><\/h3>\n<p aria-level=\"5\"><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">Source<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">:\u00a0This post is based on the article\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">\u201c<\/span><strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Two day<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\"><strong>\u00a0meeting of 30 range countries of Central Asian Flyway begins<\/strong>\u201d<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">\u00a0published\u00a0in \u2018<\/span><\/span><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">PIB<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">\u2019 on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">06 October\u00a02021<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 2\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the news?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has started\u00a0two days\u00a0<\/span>Online Meeting of<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Central Asian Flyway<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(CAF)\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Range countries<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to strengthen the conservation actions <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">for migratory birds<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and their habitats in the Central Asian Flyway.<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Flyways<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-126442\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/CAF.png?resize=750%2C517&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Central Asian Flyway\" width=\"750\" height=\"517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/CAF.png?w=925&amp;ssl=1 925w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/CAF.png?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/CAF.png?resize=768%2C530&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A flyway\u00a0is a geographical region within which a single or a group of migratory species completes its annual cycle \u2013 breeding, moulting, staging and non-breeding.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">According to\u00a0India\u2019s\u00a0\u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">National Action Plan<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<strong>(NAP) for Conservation of Migratory birds<\/strong>\u201d,\u00a0at least 370 species of migratory bird from\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">3 flyways\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">(CAF, East Asian Australasian Flyway and Asian East African Flyway) are reported to visit the Indian sub-continent during their annual cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is Central Asian Flyway (CAF)?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Central Asian Flyway (CAF)\u00a0covers a large area of Eurasia between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0It is one of the nine most important flyways of migratory birds around the world.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Including India, there are 30 countries under the Central Asian Flyway.\u00a0It extends from the northernmost breeding grounds in the <strong>Russian Federation<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">(Siberia) <\/span><\/b>to<span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0the southernmost non-breeding (wintering) grounds in <strong>West and South Asia<\/strong>, the <strong>Maldives<\/strong> and <strong>British Indian Ocean Territory<\/strong>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 aria-level=\"5\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Why do the countries need to protect Flyways?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:40,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>Approximately one in five of the world&#8217;s 11,000 bird species migrate, some covering enormous distances. Conserving migratory birds requires cooperation and coordination along the entire flyway between countries and across national boundaries.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Safeguarding flyways means protecting the\u00a0birds from\u00a0poachers,\u00a0rejuvenating wetlands\u00a0among\u00a0others. Saving<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> the wetlands, terrestrial habitats\u00a0help\u00a0in\u00a0fulfilling the bigger purpose of\u00a0saving an\u00a0ecosystem.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the treaty dealing with migratory birds and their habitats?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">or the Bonn Convention:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of UNEP. It was signed in 1979 in<strong> Bonn, Germany<\/strong>, and entered into force in <strong>1983<\/strong>. It is the only global convention specializing in the conservation of migratory species, their habitats and migration routes.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Prime Minister<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0of India\u00a0during the opening ceremony of the\u00a0<\/span>13th\u00a0meeting of<span data-contrast=\"none\"> the Conference of Parties (CoP) to the CMS<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, held at <strong>Gandhinagar<\/strong> in February 2020, had noted that India was keen to take the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">conservation of migratory birds<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to a new paradigm with active cooperation of all the Central Asian Flyway Range Countries.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Friends We have initiated some changes in the 9 PM Brief and other postings related to current affairs.\u00a0What we sought to do: Ensure that all relevant facts, data, and arguments from today\u2019s newspaper are readily available to you. We have widened the sources to provide you with content that is more than enough and&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-7th-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 October 7th, 2021<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","category-public","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","views":{"total":0,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1704944363},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139720\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}