{"id":139828,"date":"2021-10-08T21:00:27","date_gmt":"2021-10-08T15:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=139828"},"modified":"2021-10-09T10:39:26","modified_gmt":"2021-10-09T05:09:26","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-8th-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-8th-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 October 8th, 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 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs21\">Decentralised renewable energy solutions offer great promises for healthcare facilities<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs22\">Stronger at the grassroots: On strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions<\/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 style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs31\">Will a bad bank fix India\u2019s broken banking system?<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs32\">Our automobile sector needs a hearty dose of tax relief<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs33\">A host of challenges greets India\u2019s new Air Chief<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs34\">Seeding a data revolution in Indian agriculture<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#gs35\">The farmers\u2019 movement is no longer about the three controversial farm laws<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-white text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Prelims Orie<\/strong><strong>nted Articles (Factly)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f1\">India Joins High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f2\">Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying unveils National Digital Livestock Mission Blueprint at NDDB<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f3\">How seven mega textile parks will help the industry<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f4\">CURTAIN RAISER: 6TH EDITION OF INDIA &#8211; UK JOINT COMPANY LEVEL MILITARY TRAINING: EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR COMMENCES AT CHAUBATIA (UTTARAKHAND)<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f5\">Education Ministry report: At least 40% school children in 7 large states lack access to digital devices<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f6\">In India, 5 out of 6 multidimensionally poor are from lower tribes or castes: UN report<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f7\">SC empowers green tribunal to initiate action on its own<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"#f8\">Explained: Importance of Nobel winner Abdulrazak Gurnah\u2019s writing in highlighting the refugee experience<\/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<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 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs21\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/decentralised-renewable-energy-solutions-offer-great-promises-for-healthcare-facilities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Decentralised renewable energy solutions offer great promises for healthcare facilities<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Decentralized renewable energy solutions offer great promises for healthcare facilities<\/strong>\u201d published in<strong> Down to Earth<\/strong> on <strong>7th Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS2 &#8211; Health<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: How decentralized renewable energy solutions can help India&#8217;s health infrastructure<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: In facilitating access to affordable RTPV electricity in public healthcare facilities, India can achieve the twin objective of greening the economy and transforming the healthcare infrastructure so that it can provide affordable health services.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It has been a big challenge for our health infrastructure to deal with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). <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);\">Apprehension about a third wave of COVID-19 has many health institutions setting up their own oxygen plants within their premises. <\/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);\">But, the <strong>electricity cost of running these oxygen plants<\/strong> is around 70-80% of the running cost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Many health institutions have attempted setting up oxygen plants within their premises under the PPP mode (design-build-finance-operate-transfer). But electricity costs make these projects unviable and unable to compete with the far larger liquid medical oxygen plants. This has driven away private investors.<\/p>\n<p>In the post-pandemic world, energy access interventions involving<strong> rooftop photovoltaics (RTPV)<\/strong> can help health facilities and enable them to become \u2018atmanirbhar\u2019 (self-reliant).<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why RTPV systems should be implemented?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The rationale behind adoption of RTPV systems is driven by the following factors:<\/p>\n<p><strong>i). Electricity cost savings: <\/strong>The RTPV system can produce significant savings for daytime electricity consumption. The state of Madhya Pradesh in mid-2018 discovered the electricity tariff for medical colleges under the RESCO model, a renewable energy service company to be around<strong> Re 1.74 \/ unit<\/strong> with 3% annual escalation <em>(with subsidy support from the state and central governments)<\/em> and <strong>Rs 2.18 \/ unit<\/strong> <em>(without subsidy). <\/em>These rates are a fraction of what medical colleges pay for grid-supplied electricity.<\/p>\n<p>Electricity savings can be<strong> used to purchase medicines and for other necessary expenditures,<\/strong> as well as to strengthen the health infrastructure.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\">A 234-kW RTPV project has been commissioned at the Government Medical College, Shivpuri as part of the project. This has led to <strong>saving of more than Rs 15 lakh in the first year<\/strong> and expected cumulative savings over project life of around<strong> Rs 7 crore<\/strong>. This is with <strong>zero investment<\/strong> by the medical college.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>ii). Environmental benefits<\/strong>: RTPV systems would also result in environmental benefits. For instance: The project, mentioned above, results in approximately 7,187 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being reduced over the project life. This environmental gain would have been achieved by planting 12,345 trees.<\/p>\n<p><strong>iii). <\/strong><strong>Generation of jobs<\/strong>: In a preliminary assessment published by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the potential for RTPV in all district hospitals and medical colleges of our public healthcare system is estimated to be approximately 450 MW, entailing an investment of about Rs 1,575 crores and generating over 13,000 jobs locally.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are some disadvantages of RTPV electricity systems?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The high initial cost of RTPV intervention is one of the reasons state governments overlook such investments, given the budgetary constraints of making significant capital expenditures.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What steps are being taken to offset high initial cost of RTPV systems?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>NITI Aayog&#8217;s and the World Bank&#8217;s <strong>SuBaH initiative<\/strong> aims to bridge these gaps by demonstrating the OPEX \/ RESCO model to provide affordable RTPV electricity services to health facilities.<\/p>\n<p>The health institutions or governments would therefore not have to make any investment whatsoever and would make savings from day one. The investment would be made by<strong> solar developers<\/strong>, who would recover their investment through the sale of power to the health institutions over the 25 years.<\/p>\n<p>Efforts in <strong>demand aggregation planned<\/strong> under the initiative will <strong>optimise upfront costs<\/strong> and <strong>reduce the overall cost<\/strong> of energy services through economies of scale.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Cooperation between the private sector, the public sector and non-governmental organisations has proven crucial to the success of healthcare electrification, such as using the pay-as-you-go model in Rwanda, micro-grids anchored around the facilities and connected to staff housing in Madagascar and Lesotho. Such partnerships should be encouraged.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs22\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/stronger-at-the-grassroots-on-strengthening-panchayati-raj-institutions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stronger at the grassroots: On strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;<strong>Stronger at the grassroots<\/strong>&#8221; published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>8th October 2021<\/strong>.<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>: GS2- Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein, GS 3- Disaster and Disaster Management.<\/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>: Role played by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in tackling the menace of COVID-19.<\/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>: About PRIs, role played by them in COVID-19 crisis, need to build their capacity further so that they can deal with these kinds of situations in stronger way.<\/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 Panchayati Raj\u00a0was\u00a0first adopted by\u00a0Nagaur\u00a0in Rajasthan on October 2,\u00a01959.\u00a0It has\u00a0expanded vastly. There are\u00a0now 2,60,512 Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) represented by about 31\u00a0lakh elected members across India.\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\u00a0are\u00a0PRIs?<\/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\">This is a system of local self-governance, where people in the villages participate in the decision-making process. It is the backbone of democracy. They also provide a platform to build consensus and making resolutions in the community&#8217;s interest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0People\u2019s Plan Campaign and Vibrant\u00a0Gram Sabha Dashboard,<\/span><\/b> rolled out\u00a0this year, aspire to strengthen the\u00a0Panchayati Raj system by making\u00a0gram\u00a0sabhas\u00a0more vibrant.<\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How PRI played a key role in tackling COVID-19 crisis?<\/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\">Unlike other disasters like earthquakes, COVID-19 is an unusual crisis as it is long-drawn and affects people everywhere. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When the traditional top-down disaster response system was compromised during the bad months of the pandemic, it was PRIs that played a remarkable role.\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\">Helped\u00a0reduce risks<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0responded swiftly and thus\u00a0helped people recover quickly.\u00a0They provided essential leadership at the local level.<\/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\">Performed both\u00a0regulatory and welfare functions<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; For\u00a0instance, during the nationwide lockdown, PRIs set up containment\u00a0zones, arranged transport,\u00a0identified\u00a0buildings for quarantining people\u00a0and provisioned food for the incoming migrants.<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/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=\"auto\">Effective implementation of welfare schemes like\u00a0MGNREGA and the National Rural Livelihood Mission<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 This quickened the pace of recovery while ensuring support to the vulnerable population. <\/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\">Bridged the trust gap between the community and the officials<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; They did it with regular engagement with frontline workers like ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers through committee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Organised\u00a0community-based surveillance systems<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0\u2013 It\u00a0involved\u00a0village elders, the youth and self-help groups\u00a0(SHGs). The purpose was to\u00a0keep a strict vigil in quarantine\u00a0centres\u00a0and monitor symptoms\u00a0in households.\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\">Mobilised citizens <\/span><\/b>for COVID-19 vaccination<b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How we can further build\u00a0the\u00a0capacity\u00a0of PRIs?<\/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 Yokohama strategy\u00a0pointed out\u00a0that it is important to focus on\u00a0<strong>disaster prevention, mitigation<\/strong> and\u00a0<strong>preparedness<\/strong> rather than disaster response alone, to reduce vulnerability. In this light, certain initiatives can be taken to build the capacity of PRIs:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; I<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>nclude disaster management chapters in Panchayat Raj Acts\u00a0<\/strong>and make disaster planning and spending part of Panchayati Raj development plans and local-level committees. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This will ensure citizen-centric mapping and planning of resources. Various insurance\u00a0products\u00a0customised\u00a0to local needs will build financial\u00a0resilience of the community.<\/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><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; C<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>onducting regular location specific training programmes<\/strong> for the community and organising platforms for sharing best practices.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This will\u00a0strengthen individual and institutional capacities.\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><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; A<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>ssigning roles to individual members<\/strong> and providing them with the necessary skills. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u00a0can make such\u00a0programmes\u00a0more meaningful.\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><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; C<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>ommunity-based disaster management plans<\/strong> are needed as the community is usually the first responder in case of a disaster. We also need to take the traditional wisdom of local communities which will complement modern practices.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> Moreover, f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">inancial\u00a0contributions from the community should be encouraged through\u00a0the establishment of community disaster funds in all gram panchayats. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u00a0is\u00a0the high time\u00a0to make disaster resilience an inherent part of the community culture.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\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 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs31\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/will-a-bad-bank-fix-indias-broken-banking-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Will a bad bank fix India\u2019s broken banking system?<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Will a bad bank fix India\u2019s broken banking system?<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>8th Oct 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Indian Economy and iGenerate spssues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development\u00a0and\u00a0Employment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Regarding the recently established Bad bank<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Last month, the Union government set up the National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) under the Companies Act. Two experts, Ajit Ranade\u00a0 and C.P. Chandrasekhar, discuss the bad bank proposal. We list out the key points.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read<\/strong>: <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/narcl-need-and-challenges\/\">NARCL: Need and Challenges &#8211; Explained, pointwise<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>What is the need to bail out banks?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>There are many reasons to bail out banks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>One is the fact that <strong>interests of the depositors is involved here.<\/strong> If we allow banks to fail, depositors who operated under the presumption that the regulatory framework would protect their money would be undermined. Historically, we\u2019ve found that central banks try to actually save banks, either by bailing them out or by amalgamating them with stronger banks, in order to be able to protect depositors.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>Two, there is a systemic problem. <strong>If a bank fails, and there is a sort of contagion effect<\/strong>, we could actually have systemic problems. Banks are the core of the settlements system and the credit structure and allowing them to go down would be a problem.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>And finally, there is also the option of getting banks to write off these bad assets and then the government can recapitalize them. But that would deal a<strong> significant blow to the government\u2019s finances.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Isn\u2019t there the risk of moral hazard linked with bailouts, which makes banks more complacent?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>We need to compare the risk of moral hazard of <strong>bailing out banks<\/strong> versus the impact that <strong>bank failures<\/strong> would have on depositors and the social and political implications of it.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why has the government opted for a bad bank over directly infusing capital into banks?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It\u2019s important that these bad loans be moved to a separate entity which is exclusively focused on recovery, so that the bank can then focus on its core business, which is business development, giving new loans, credit growth, etc.<\/p>\n<p>Also, for their growth, banks will need to be infused with additional capital to achieve the credit growth needed to get to 7-8% GDP growth. So, the government will continue to pour more capital into banks, while bad loans will be moved to a separate entity.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Does the bad bank proposal actually address the root causes of the banking crisis or is this just a temporary band-aid?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The fact is that over the last few years, the NPA ratio has been mounting, and we\u2019ve tried many things. In that sense, the bad bank is taking a small chunk out of the overall NPAs to keep the problem within manageable proportions.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs32\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/our-automobile-sector-needs-a-hearty-dose-of-tax-relief\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Our automobile sector needs a hearty dose of tax relief<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Our automobile sector needs a hearty dose of tax relief<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>Livemint<\/strong> on <strong>8th Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Changes in Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Problems ailing India&#8217;s auto industry and likely solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Due to a demand slump and reluctance shown by entrepreneurs to invest in the auto industry, it is going through a rough phase. This sector can be a key driver for the future economic growth of India.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Indian auto industry suffered yet another setback when the renowned automaker, Ford Motors, decided to exit India a few weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p>Faced with <strong>declining demand<\/strong> for vehicles and often also rising inventory levels, most auto production facilities in the country have been running below their capacities. The covid pandemic and its associated lockdowns have only worsened the industry\u2019s problems.<\/p>\n<p>As the outlook remains uncertain despite signs of recovery in the market for passenger vehicles, most players are <strong>reluctant to make fresh investments<\/strong>. Moreover, the private consumption demand has also not picked up.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Falling consumption<\/strong> and a <strong>lack of investment<\/strong> by entrepreneurs has been responsible for a steady decline in overall growth since 2016-17.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the present scenario of India&#8217;s auto industry?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The auto industry also reflects the above-mentioned trends, as it contributes 7.5% to GDP, but certain sectors within the industry show improvement:<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; Motor cars registrations<\/strong> have smartly <strong>recovered,<\/strong> showing robust growth<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211;<\/strong> <strong>Two-wheeler volumes remain down<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If motor car and two-wheeler sales are considered indicators for consumption by upper and lower-income households, respectively, their divergent trends suggest a<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/factly.forumias.com\/indian-economy-is-heading-for-a-k-shaped-recovery-and-it-wont-be-a-pretty-sight\/\"><strong> K-shaped recovery.<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why is auto industry significant for India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It accounts for <strong>49%<\/strong> of the manufacturing sector\u2019s output and employs around 35 million people directly and indirectly.<\/p>\n<p>Globally, India is the <strong>fifth-largest passenger-car manufacturer<\/strong> with 2.9 million vehicles produced in 2020, according to the International Organization for Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.<\/p>\n<p>It is also the <strong>world\u2019s largest market for two-wheelers and the largest maker of tractors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The industry thus can be a critical driver of overall growth. It is a bright spot now that vehicle-manufacturing in most advanced countries has reached maturity.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are some concerns for auto industry?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Auto industry is driven by consumption demand and the outlook on demand is still worrisome.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>Urban consumers are postponing purchases as <strong>new mobility solutions<\/strong> emerge that are disrupting the global auto industry. Electric mobility, digitally connected and autonomously driven vehicles have the potential to drive consumers away from the traditional combustion-based vehicles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>The <strong>value of car ownership itself is being called into question<\/strong>, with ride-hailing options provided by apps like Uber and Ola.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>As an engine of growth, the auto industry needs policy attention.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; Lowering the cost of ownership<\/strong> will help generate demand. For instance: We can lower the GST component of the purchase wherein even\u00a0two-wheelers attract a Goods and Services Tax of 28%.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; Electric mobility: <\/strong>The government is pushing electric mobility and has announced a package to incentivize electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. But, if electric vehicles fail to turn affordable, they too will face the demand constraints faced by other carmakers. Perhaps India could learn from the <strong>example of Norway<\/strong>, which facilitated electric mobility through truly <strong>generous tax subsidies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs33\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/a-host-of-challenges-greets-indias-new-air-chief\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A host of challenges greets India\u2019s new Air Chief<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>A host of challenges greets India\u2019s new Air Chief<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>The Indian Express<\/strong> on <strong>8th Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> Challenges confronting Chief of Air Staff<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: The IAF has played a stellar role in defending India. The squadron strength of the Air force is depleting. We need a quality and quantity check of its operational assets before pushing for the creation of theatre commands.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari assumed office as Chief of Air Staff on September 30. One of the main problems confronting Chief of Air Staff, is that of IAF\u2019s depleted assets.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are the challenges confronting the new Air Chief?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The new Air Chief has a wide spectrum of challenges to address, including<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>Rewiring of India\u2019s military into new theatre commands and the reservations expressed by the IAF about its \u201csupport\u201d role<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>The <strong>depletion in operational air assets<\/strong> due to obsolescence and lack of new platforms. From a strength of 42 combat squadrons in 2002, the IAF now operates barely 30. Experts have cautioned that the combat strength of the IAF will decline to 27 squadrons in five years and will come down to 19 in 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>All this at a time when the country is coping with the Covid pandemic, a complex geopolitical situation due to US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the setback in Galwan.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>How the Air force intends to boost its squadron strength?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>In the next decade<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>IAF hopes to induct the indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) \u2014 a new platform that would be built in India with a foreign entity, the \u201coriginal equipment manufacturer\u201d (OEM), and thereby move up to <strong>35 squadrons.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5><strong>What are the issues with future plans to boost squadron strength?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The AMCA is \u201cunder design\u201d and India\u2019s track record in the design and manufacture of indigenous fighter aircraft is cost- and time-intensive.<\/p>\n<p>As regards the MRFA, the request for information for 114 jets has just been issued. The Rafale experience and the long delays associated with it would suggest that speedy selection of an OEM will be difficult to find.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Air power is becoming technologically more refined with unmanned platforms, cyber-space linkages and AI advances. The inherent trans-border nature of this military capability needs <strong>astute professional and political handling<\/strong>. China has demonstrated the degree of suasion and intimidation that airpower can bring to bear in relation to Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p>Acquiring credible aerospace power with a meaningful degree of indigenization will need a greater degree of national resolve, professional integrity and resource allocation.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs34\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/seeding-a-data-revolution-in-indian-agriculture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Seeding a data revolution in Indian agriculture<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article &#8220;<strong>Seeding a data revolution in Indian agriculture<\/strong>&#8221; published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>8th October 2021.<\/strong><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><b>Syllabus: <\/b>GS3 &#8211; Agriculture<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Relevance:\u00a0<\/strong>Using digital tech for boosting farmer&#8217;s income<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Two consultation paper, one by the Ministry of Agriculture and the other by Bain were released recently. They both talk about leveraging digital technology for helping farmers and supporting their livelihoods.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The first consultation paper is on the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) from the\u00a0Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers\u2019 Welfare (MoA&amp;FW). It\u00a0talks about a digital revolution in the agriculture sector.<\/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 second is on <strong>Indian Agriculture: Ripe\u00a0for Disruption<\/strong> from a private organisation, Bain and Company. It predicts a revolutionary investment growth in agri-logistics, offtake, and agri-input delivery by 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u00a0is\u00a0Bain report?<\/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\">The Bain\u00a0report\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is a data-based prediction on agri-business scenarios related\u00a0the agricultural set-up at present and predicting its<br \/>\nfuture trajectories in another 20 years. It includes targeting the production of alternative proteins, and food cell-based food\/ingredients and initiating ocean farming, etc.<\/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 report has a \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">today\u00a0forward\u2013 future back approach<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019\u00a0and predicts a drastic investment\u00a0opportunity development by\u00a02025. The agriculture sector (currently worth $370 billion), is estimated to receive an additional $35\u00a0billion investment.\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 two enabling conditions for such investment opportunities are the\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\">&#8211;<\/span><\/b>changes in the regulatory framework,\u00a0especially recent changes in the\u00a0Farm Acts and<\/p>\n<p>-digital disruption<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As per the report,\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">huge investments into\u00a0the\u00a0agri-ecosystem\u00a0can help to achieve the target of\u00a0doubling\u00a0farmers\u2019 income in near future.\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 IDEA report?<\/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 IDEA-consulting paper is based on the Task Force and Working Group report constituted by the MoA&amp;FW to design the blueprint of \u201cdigital agriculture\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">IDEA concept is aimed at farmer and the improvement of farmers\u2019 livelihood which can be achieved through <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tight integration of\u00a0agri-tech\u00a0innovation and the agriculture industry ecosystem\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to farming and food systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Value-added innovative services\u00a0by\u00a0agri-tech\u00a0industries and startups are an integral part of the\u00a0IDEA architecture.\u00a0This will help\u00a0Indian agriculture sector\u00a0to become\u00a0a\u00a0single\u00a0national market with a national\u00a0platform with better connection\u00a0between producer and consumers.\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 some issues with these reports?<\/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\"><em><strong>First,<\/strong> <\/em>the IT industry has opposition to IDEA due to the ethics of creating a Unique Farmer ID based on one\u2019s Aadhaar number and data misuse. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Second, <\/strong><\/em><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the emission,\u00a0energy, and other resource footprints and sustainability issues\u00a0around these techniques must be\u00a0carefully studied to confirm the\u00a0projected trajectory (which is not\u00a0a part of the report).<\/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\"><em><strong>Third,<\/strong><\/em> both these reports heavily rely on digital disruption to improve farmers\u2019 livelihoods. But they fail to discuss how much farmers will be prepared to benefit from these newly emerging business environments. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The reality is that\u00a0majority\u00a0of small and marginal farmers are\u00a0not\u00a0having practical knowledge of the technology.\u00a0Most\u00a0of them are under-educated for capacity building.\u00a0Overall, report ignored the capacity-building required at a farmer\u2019s end.\u00a0\u00a0\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\"><em><strong>Fourth,<\/strong> <\/em>The Bain report relies on the general assumption that more investments into the agriculture sector will benefit farmers, <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">but it failed to answer how.<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Also, the IDEA concept fails to clarify, how the technology fix will help resolve all the nine issues of Indian agriculture listed at the beginning of the report. T<\/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><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Though,\u00a0data revolution is inevitable in the\u00a0agriculture\u00a0sector, but we can not only rely on technology fixes to deal with the issue. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We <strong>need to\u00a0improve the capacities of the\u00a0farmers in India<\/strong> \u2013 at least until the\u00a0educated young farmers replace\u00a0the existing under-educated small\u00a0and medium farmers.\u00a0This capacity building can be done through a\u00a0mixed approach.<\/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>building the capacities of individual farmers or\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\"><strong>&#8211;<\/strong>coping with the\u00a0new situation by establishing support systems, through FPOs and\u00a0other farmers associations where\u00a0technical support is available for\u00a0farmers.\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\">To fulfil this target, we <strong>need a separate programme<\/strong> across the country with considerable investment.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"gs35\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-farmers-movement-is-no-longer-about-the-three-controversial-farm-laws\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The farmers\u2019 movement is no longer about the three controversial farm laws<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>The farmers\u2019 movement is no longer about the three controversial farm laws<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>Livemint<\/strong> on <strong>8th Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Issues related to Agriculture<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Farmers&#8217; protest against the farm laws passed by the Central govt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Despite the Supreme Court issuing a stay on the controversial farm laws passed by the govt, the protests which started against them, have carried on. They are now less about the farm laws but more about the issues and problems being faced by our farmers since long. A brief look at some of these issues.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The death of farmers participating in the farmers\u2019 protest in Lakhimpur Khiri, Uttar Pradesh, is turning into a political contest.\u00a0 Attempts to prevent the politicization of the event led to a restriction on political parties. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All this has brought the farmers\u2019 protest back into focus.<\/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 farmer protest is more than just being about the farm laws?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The 2020 farm laws led to country wide protest in India. What has surprised many is the longevity of it. More so because the 2020 farm laws they oppose are technically under a Supreme Court stay and there has been no push by the government to implement them, or even to have the stay vacated.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Clearly, the farmer protest today has less to do with a demand for the laws\u2019 withdrawal than broader concerns on issues related to the sustainability of farming and farm livelihoods.<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the background of the protest and situation in various parts of India?<\/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\u00a0current\u00a0agitation\u00a0started after the three farm laws were forced through Parliament without consultation with the sector\u2019s stakeholders. But\u00a0in reality,\u00a0farmer protests have been going on for the last five years in various parts of the country.\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 mobilization in Maharashtra witnessed two long marches. Similar demonstrations were witnessed in Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and several other states. In Madhya Pradesh, farmers in 2017 were fired upon, resulting in death of seven farmers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The causes of these protests were different but had a common theme and reasons.<\/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 has been witnessing farmer protests since few years?<\/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\">Declining profitability of farming<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211;\u00a0driven by rising input costs, weak farm-gate prices and the withdrawal or dilution of protections available from the state.\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\">Decline in income<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; not only incomes of farmers have declined between 2012-13 and 2018-19, but the majority of them have turned to wageworkers from farmers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> This has resulted in an increased share of casual-wage income in the overall earnings by farmers<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Increase in number of workers in farm secto<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">r- With jobs drying up in non-agricultural sectors, the number of workers in the farm sector has risen up, resulting in decline in per- worker income. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">With rural wages also falling in real terms over the past three years, farmers\u2019 hardship have worsened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Attempting to malign the farmers protest<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8211; this\u00a0has angered farmers.\u00a0This was visible in the early months, when their movement was sought to be linked with foreign elements.<\/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\">Trust deficit-<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> The absence of consultation with farmers and criticism of farmer unions has led to a widening trust deficit between farmers and policymakers. Such a situation may not be conducive to allowing and facilitating greater market penetration and participation by private players. Instead, it is likely to contribute to farmer resistance to all reforms in the agricultural sector proposed by the government.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>No major efforts by the govt:<\/strong> Govt Efforts to negotiate with farmers have been superficial and lacking any enthusiasm. Even the report of the Supreme Court-appointed committee has not been shared publicly, with no further attempts from the judiciary.<\/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\">Since farmers along with other people dependent on agriculture still account for almost two-thirds of the country, a prolonged protest <strong>could also turn into social and political unrest. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">More so given the large pool of unemployed youth in rural areas who only have a slim chance of getting absorbed meaningfully by an economy suffering from a slowdown and pandemic-induced economic distress. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In times of such a multi-dimensional crisis, a confrontational attitude taken by governments towards farm-protesters will only strengthen their movement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Consensus for structural changes in the farm sector needs trust-building and onboarding of all stakeholders.<\/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 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f1\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-joins-high-ambition-coalition-hac-for-nature-and-people\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India Joins High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People<\/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><strong><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\">\u201cIndia Joins High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW26198159 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">\u201d<\/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\">\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\">07 October 2021<\/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\">What is the news?<\/h5>\n<p>At a ceremony held between the French and Indian governments in New Delhi, India officially joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.<\/p>\n<h5>What is the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People?<\/h5>\n<p>The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People was initiated at the \u201cOne Planet Summit\u201d in Paris in January 2021. The coalition <strong>aims<\/strong> to promote an international agreement <strong>to protect at least 30 % of the of world&#8217;s land and ocean by 2030 <\/strong>(30&#215;30 target).<\/p>\n<p>The 30\u00d730 target is a global target that aims to halt the accelerating loss of species and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security.<\/p>\n<p>HAC is co-chaired by Costa Rica and France, and by the United Kingdom as Ocean co-chair.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Members<\/strong>: At present, the group has more than 70 countries encouraging the adoption of the global goal to protect 30&#215;30.\u00a0The members of HAC currently include a mix of countries in the global north and south. These include European, Latin American, Africa and Asia countries are among the members.<\/p>\n<p><strong>India<\/strong> is the first BRICS country to join the HAC.<\/p>\n<h5>Why 30\u00d730 target is needed?<\/h5>\n<p>Currently, an estimated <strong>15% of the world\u2019s land and 7% of the ocean are protected<\/strong>. In order to address both the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis, there is growing scientific research that half of the planet must be kept in a natural state. Some research papers have suggested that the number should be even higher.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this, experts agree that a <strong>scientifically credible and necessary interim goal<\/strong> is to achieve a minimum of 30% protection by 2030. So, to achieve this, the world needs to double the current land protections and more than quadruple current ocean protections.<\/p>\n<h5>What is the significance of India joining HAC?<\/h5>\n<p>India is a major player in biodiversity protection. So, joining the HAC is a real game-changer and will boost multilateral efforts to protect 30&#215;30.<\/p>\n<p>There is a high-level biodiversity meeting, hosted by China, to take place virtually in October this year. The meeting will focus on key aspects of the <strong>biodiversity treaty<\/strong> to be finalized in 2022. The global 30&#215;30 goal is currently a centrepiece of the treaty. So, India&#8217;s membership will boost the adoption of the biodiversity treaty.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f2\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/union-minister-of-state-for-fisheries-animal-husbandry-dairying-unveils-national-digital-livestock-mission-blueprint-at-nddb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying unveils National Digital Livestock Mission Blueprint at NDDB<\/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><strong><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><\/span>Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying unveils National Digital Livestock Mission Blueprint at NDDB<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\">\u201d<\/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\">\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\">07 October 2021<\/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\">What is the news?<\/h5>\n<p>Union Minister of State Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &amp; Dairying unveiled the National Digital Livestock Mission Blueprint at National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).<\/p>\n<h5>What is the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM)?<\/h5>\n<p>NDLM is a digital platform developed jointly by the <strong>Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying<\/strong> (DAHD) and <strong>NDDB<\/strong> on the foundation of the existing <strong>Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health<\/strong> (INAPH).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Aim of NDLM<\/strong>: The aim is to create a farmer-centric, technology-enabled ecosystem where the farmers are able to realize better income through livestock activities with the right information.<\/p>\n<p>The bedrock of NDLM will be the <strong>unique identification of all livestock<\/strong>, which will be the foundation for all the state and national level programmes, including domestic and international trade.<\/p>\n<h5>How the NDLM will benefit farmers?<\/h5>\n<p>Through NDLM, the farmers will be able to effortlessly access the markets, irrespective of their location or holdings through this digital platform as a wide range of stakeholders will be connected in this ecosystem.<\/p>\n<p>This system will also include robust animal breeding systems, nutrition, disease surveillance, disease control programmes and a traceability mechanism for animals and animal products.<\/p>\n<h5>Why does India need NDLM?<\/h5>\n<p>The livestock sector has a unique combination of being the backbone of rural livelihood. The growth would have been a lot better if there were concerted efforts to harmonise programmes across the country in order to create an ecosystem that is conducive to the growth of the sector.<\/p>\n<p>This has been the main idea behind the deployment of NDLM, keeping the welfare of the farmer at the core.<\/p>\n<h5>What is National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)?<\/h5>\n<p>The NDDB is a statutory body and an institute of national importance, established by an act of the Indian Parliament in 1965. It was founded by Dr Verghese Kurien, often called \u2018India\u2019s milkman\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>The NDDB was created to boost, finance and support producer-owned and controlled organisations in the dairy industry. The NDDB is <strong>headquartered<\/strong> in <strong>Anand<\/strong>, Gujarat.<\/p>\n<p>NDDB\u2019s efforts transformed India\u2019s rural economy by making dairying a viable and profitable economic activity for millions of milk producers while addressing the country\u2019s need for self-sufficiency in milk production.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f3\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/how-seven-mega-textile-parks-will-help-the-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How seven mega textile parks will help the industry<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>How seven mega textile parks will help the industry<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>Livemint<\/strong> on <strong>08th October 2021<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5>What is the news?<\/h5>\n<p>The government recently cleared the<strong> PM MITRA scheme<\/strong> to set up seven mega textile parks over five years.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 56px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 56px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%; height: 56px;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <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\u00a0<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What does the scheme mean for the Textile industry?<\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_139885\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-139885\" style=\"width: 493px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-139885\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Textile-sector.png?resize=493%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"PM MITRA\" width=\"493\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Textile-sector.png?w=928&amp;ssl=1 928w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Textile-sector.png?resize=300%2C184&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Textile-sector.png?resize=768%2C472&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-139885\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Livemint<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Help to address the bottlenecks<\/strong>: The textile and apparel industry in India \u200ais\u200a deeply fragmented and due to past policies, including those meant for the protection of small-scale industries, could not scale up. The Scheme will \u200abreak this bottleneck and help the textile sector grow and achieve global competitiveness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make the textile sector more competitive<\/strong>: One of the key factors affecting the global competitiveness of India\u2019s textile and garment exports is the logistics cost. The logistics cost is high due to the fragmented nature of the sector. Mega\u200a integrated\u200a textile parks could be an answer to this.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Help in scaling up of textile sector<\/strong>: The scheme will also help businesses to scale up and to make value-added products leveraging the abundant raw material resources available in the country<\/p>\n<p><strong>Open to all segments of the textile and apparel industry<\/strong>: The government earlier announced a <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/government-approves-production-linked-incentive-pli-scheme-for-textiles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme<\/a>. But this scheme is limited to the man-made fibre segment and technical textiles alone. PM MITRA scheme is open to all segments of the textile and apparel industry. This also includes technical textiles.<\/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\/production-linked-incentive-or-pli-scheme-and-its-challenges-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Production-Linked Incentive or PLI Schemes and its challenges \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>Provide additional benefits to the sector<\/strong>:\u00a0All benefits offered by states either under their textile policy or under their industrial policy will be available to the units coming up under PM MITRA.<\/p>\n<p>Further, the benefit of tax refund will also be available under the<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/government-provides-big-boost-to-exporters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies scheme<\/a>. So, the benefits available under PM MITRA is an additional boost to the sector.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f4\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/curtain-raiser-6th-edition-of-india-uk-joint-company-level-military-training-exercise-ajeya-warrior-commences-at-chaubatia-uttarakhand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CURTAIN RAISER: 6TH EDITION OF INDIA &#8211; UK JOINT COMPANY LEVEL MILITARY TRAINING: EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR COMMENCES AT CHAUBATIA (UTTARAKHAND)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">This post is based on the 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=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>\u201cCURTAIN RAISER: 6TH EDITION OF INDIA &#8211; UK JOINT COMPANY LEVEL MILITARY TRAINING: EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR COMMENCES AT CHAUBATIA (UTTARAKHAND<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>)\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">published in \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">PIB<\/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=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>\u201cIndian forces to carry out exercise with U.K.<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">published\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Hindu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">08 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 6th Edition of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">India &#8211; UK<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Joint Military Training <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Exercise Ajeya Warrior<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> has commenced at <strong>Chaubatia<\/strong> (<strong>Uttarakhand<\/strong>). The execution of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">joint military operations\u00a0is done\u00a0in a semi-urban environment.<\/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 second meeting of the India-U.K. Joint Working Group\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">(JWG) on cyber capacity-building<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0was held through videoconferencing.<\/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 are the expected outcomes of Exercise Ajeya Warrior?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p>The exercise is part of an initiative to develop interoperability and sharing expertise with friendly foreign nations.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Experiences gained during the conduct of various military operations in their respective countries and during overseas engagements would be shared during this exercise.<\/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\">Also, there would be a series of <strong>Expert Academic Discussions<\/strong> on various subjects of mutual interest such as <strong>Combined Arms Concept<\/strong>, Sharing of Experiences in Joint Force, <strong>Operation Logistics,<\/strong> etc.<\/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\">As part of the training, both the Armies would familiarise themselves with each other\u2019s weapons, equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures for carrying out joint military operations.<\/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\">What are the other exercises between India-UK?<\/span><\/b><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\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-navy-exercise-with-uks-royal-navy-carrier-strike-group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Passage Exercise (PASSEX)<\/a>:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> It was conducted between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group to ensure that the navies are able to communicate and cooperate in times of war or humanitarian relief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/exercise-konkan-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Exercise Konkan<\/span><\/b><\/a>: It is also a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of the UK. The Exercise aims to consolidate interoperability and help cement the strong bonds of friendship between the two navies.<\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/exercise-indradhanush-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Exercise Indradhanush<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">It is a joint bilateral air exercise between India and the UK started in 2006.<\/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<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f5\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/education-ministry-report-at-least-40-school-children-in-7-large-states-lack-access-to-digital-devices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Education Ministry report: At least 40% school children in 7 large states lack access to digital devices<\/a><\/h3>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">This post is based on the article\u00a0\u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Education Ministry report: At least 40% school children in 7 large states lack access to digital devices\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\">08\u00a0October 2021.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&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\">The report, \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Initiatives by the School Education Sector in 2020-21<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8220;, released\u00a0by\u00a0the Union\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ministry of Education\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">talks\u00a0about\u00a0the response to challenges thrown up by the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/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 are the key findings of the report?<\/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=\"none\">The report shows that 40% to 70% of school-going children in seven large states do not have access to digital devices. These states are\u2013 Assam (44.24%), Andhra Pradesh (57%), Bihar (58.09%), Gujarat (40%), Jharkhand (43.42%), Madhya Pradesh (70%) and Uttarakhand (41.17%).<\/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\">In absolute numbers, prepared on the basis of surveys of various sample sizes by the states and UTs in 2020 and 2021, 29 crore students, including 14.33 crore in Bihar, were found without access to digital devices.<\/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 digital divide has hit some states disproportionately hard, while a few may have coped well due to the adequate availability of smartphones and television sets.<\/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\">Among the better-placed states and UTs are Delhi with around 4% students without access, Kerala 1.63%, Tamil Nadu 14.51%.<\/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\">What is the significance of the report?<\/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\">Report once again spotlights the grim reality of differential access to education, made starker by the pandemic-induced disruption and the consequential digital divide.<\/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 official figures also validate the concerns expressed by non-profits working in the education sector.<\/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 report also highlights the interventions at various levels to bridge the divide, but those interventions\u00a0did not\u00a0emphasise enough on the need to scale up the efforts.<\/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 are the challenges associated with the report?<\/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=\"none\">There are questionable claims like that of Rajasthan that it does not have students without digital access.<\/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 true picture remains incomplete in the absence of data from states such as Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f6\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/in-india-5-out-of-6-multidimensionally-poor-are-from-lower-tribes-or-castes-un-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In India, 5 out of 6 multidimensionally poor are from lower tribes or castes: UN report<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: This post is based on the article <strong>\u201c<\/strong><\/span><strong>In India, 5 out of 6 multidimensionally poor are from lower tribes or castes: UN report<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0published\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">in<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Times of India<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">08\u00a0October<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a02021.<\/span><\/b><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 news?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0UN\u00a0report:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Global Multidimensional Poverty<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Index\u00a02021<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">highlights yet another divide in the\u00a0Indian\u00a0society\u00a0as\u00a05 out of 6 multidimensionally poor are from lower tribes or castes.<\/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<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What is the key focus of the Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021?<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p>The report provides estimates on multidimensional poverty for 109 developing countries.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Present multidimensional poverty estimates disaggregated by\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">ethnicity and caste<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0for 41 countries to identify who is &#8211; and how people are &#8211; being left behind.<\/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 intrahousehold analysis of poverty with a <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">gender focus.<\/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\">It revealed how multidimensional poverty could amplify the impacts of COVID-19 shocks, hurting education, employment and livelihood.<\/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 are the key findings of the Multidimensional Poverty Index 2021?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<h6><strong>Key findings at the global level<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>The report mentions that there are <strong>1.3 billion multidimensionally poor people<\/strong> globally.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>top five countries<\/strong> with the largest number of people living in multidimensional poverty are <strong>India<\/strong> (381 million), <strong>Nigeria<\/strong> (93 million), <strong>Pakistan<\/strong> (83 million), <strong>Ethiopia<\/strong> (77 million) and the <strong>Democratic Republic of the Congo<\/strong> (56million).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Women and Children<\/strong>: Almost two-thirds of global multidimensionally poor people &#8211; 836 million- live in households in which no female member has completed at least six years of schooling. These people live mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa (363 million) and South Asia (350 million).<\/p>\n<p>The report also found that <strong>half of global multidimensionally poor<\/strong> people are <strong>children<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Women-led houses<\/strong>: One in six multidimensionally poor people across 108 countries live in female-headed households.<\/p>\n<h6><strong>Key findings related to India<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>The report mentions that, in India, five out of six multidimensionally poor people are from lower tribes or castes.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Scheduled Tribe group<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0accounts for 9.4% of the\u00a0population and is the poorest, with 65 million of the 129 million\u00a0people living in multidimensional poverty.\u00a0They account for about one-sixth of all people living in\u00a0multidimensional poverty in India.<\/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\">Following the Scheduled Tribe group is the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Scheduled Caste\u00a0group<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> with 33.3 percent &#8211; 94\u00a0million\u00a0of 283 million people\u00a0living in multidimensional povert<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">y.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The report further said that 27.2 percent of the <strong>Other Backward Class group<\/strong>&#8211; 160 million of 588 million people &#8212; live in multidimensional poverty.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, <strong>five out of six multidimensionally poor<\/strong> people in India live in households whose head is from a <strong>Scheduled Tribe, a Scheduled Caste or Other Backward Class<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In India, <strong>close to 12 percent<\/strong> of the Multidimensional poor population &#8212; 162 million people &#8212; live in female-headed households.<\/p>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About the Multidimensional Poverty Index<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The report is developed by\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Oxford\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/united-nations-organisations-in-news-prelims-capsules-2021\/#United_Nations_DevelopmentProgrammeUNDP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong> United Nations Development Programme<\/strong><\/a> (<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">UNDP<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">)\u00a0since 2010\u00a0for UNDP\u2019s Human Development Reports.<\/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 href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/human-development-index-hdi-and-other-indices-of-undp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Human Development Index (HDI) and other Indices of UNDP<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">NITI Aayog is the nodal agency that has been assigned the responsibility of leveraging the monitoring mechanism of the Global MPI to drive reforms.<\/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\">According to\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Global MPI 2020<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">, India is 62<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nd<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0among 107 countries with an MPI score of 0.123 and 27.91% headcount ratio, based on the NFHS 4 (2015\/16) data.<\/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<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f7\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/sc-empowers-green-tribunal-to-initiate-action-on-its-own\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SC empowers green tribunal to initiate action on its own<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">: This post is based on the article \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">SC empowers green tribunal to initiate action on its own<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d\u00a0published\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">in \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Times of India<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">08 October<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a02021.<\/span><\/b><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 news?<\/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=\"none\">The Supreme Court has empowered the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">National Green Tribunal<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0(NGT) with<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0suo\u00a0motu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">(on its own)<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0power<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to initiate\u00a0proceedings on its own in case of environmental exigencies.<\/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<\/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=\"none\">Earlier, the NGT could pass on a ruling only after a petition has been filed by someone before the tribunal.<\/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 significance of the ruling?<\/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=\"none\">The<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">ruling now gives more teeth to the NGT, which would have wider implications for the\u00a0society and\u00a0environment in particular.<\/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 tribunal would no longer remain a mute spectator to the damages done to the environment and can act in a proactive manner.<\/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 National Green Tribunal (NGT)?<\/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=\"none\">It is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.<\/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%;\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Must read<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">:\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/national-green-tribunalngt\/\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">National Green\u00a0Tribunal (NGT)<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><a id=\"f8\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/explained-importance-of-nobel-winner-abdulrazak-gurnahs-writing-in-highlighting-the-refugee-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explained: Importance of Nobel winner Abdulrazak Gurnah\u2019s writing in highlighting the refugee experience<\/a><\/h3>\n<p aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Source:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">This post is based on the\u00a0articles<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>\u201cExplained: Importance of Nobel winner Abdulrazak\u00a0Gurnah\u2019s\u00a0writing in highlighting the refugee experience<\/strong><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">published\u00a0in \u2018<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Indian Express<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019 on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">08 October 2021.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>\u201cTanzanian novelist wins Nobel<\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">published\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Hindu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">08 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><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the news?<\/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=\"none\">This year\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nobel Prize for Literature<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is awarded to \u201c<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Abdulrazak\u00a0Gurnah<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d, who was born in Zanzibar and now lives in the UK.<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> He became the fifth African writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.<\/span><\/b><\/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\/nobel-physics-prize-goes-to-3-for-climate-discoveries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nobel Prize for Physics Goes to 3 for Climate Discoveries<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">About Gurnah\u2019s work<\/span><\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">He is the author of 10 novels and several short stories and essays. These include \u201cDesertion\u201d and \u201cParadise\u201d(shortlisted for the Booker prize).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The<b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Theme <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">of his works mostly dealt with \u2018immigrant experience and how exile and loss, shape identities and cultures\u2019.<\/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\/explained-nobel-prize-in-medicine-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explained: Nobel Prize in Medicine 2021<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the significance of his work in the contemporary world?<\/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=\"none\">At a time when the\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">global refugee crisis<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0is exponentially on the rise,\u00a0Gurnah\u2019s\u00a0work draws attention to how\u00a0racism and prejudice\u00a0against targeted communities and religions perpetuate cultures of oppression.<\/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\/nobel-prize-in-chemistry-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>About the Nobel Prize in literature<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895. The <b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Nobel Prize in literature<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is a Swedish literature prize that is awarded annually, since 1901, to an author from any country.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\"> The award is based on an author&#8217;s body of work as a whole.\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\/what-is-nobel-prize\/\">About Nobel Prizes\u00a0<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\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-8th-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 October 8th, 2021<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":80071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"9pm-brief-template.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14,9],"tags":[8032,1542,8033],"class_list":["post-139828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9-pm-brief","category-public","tag-current-affairs-for-upsc","tag-daily-current-affairs-for-upsc","tag-upsc-current-affairs","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Copy-of-9-PM-Brief-4.png?fit=448%2C250&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139828","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=139828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139828\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}