{"id":142588,"date":"2021-10-22T21:00:45","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T15:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=142588"},"modified":"2021-10-23T10:08:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-23T04:38:31","slug":"9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-22nd-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/9-pm-daily-current-affairs-brief-october-22nd-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 October 22nd, 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 class=\"mb-0\"><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 2<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#gs11\">Engaging the Taliban<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs12\">The process is the punishment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"mb-0\"><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#gs21\">Will privatisation take off after the Air India sale?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs22\">Uttarakhand Floods: Respect Himalayan landscape if you want to preserve it, say experts<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs23\">Can biomass co-firing offer a viable solution to coal shortage and stubble burning?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs24\">International trade is not a zero-sum game<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs25\">The carbon markets conundrum at COP26<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs27\">The poor conditions of protectors<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#gs28\">Indian Railways likely to become world\u2019s first \u2018net-zero\u2019 carbon emitter by 2030<\/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><a href=\"#f1\">Cabinet approval sets the implementation of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) in motion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f2\">School students to prepare projects on lives of gallantry award winners under \u2018Veer Gatha\u2019 initiative<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f3\">Launch of NITI Aayog\u2019s Atal Innovation Mission Digi-Book Innovations for You Sector in Focus \u2013 Health Care<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f4\">Govt sets up \u2018war room\u2019 on movement of fertilisers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f5\">Explained: Why a peak in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is now named after Manipur<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f6\">Gene editing guidelines facing delay<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f7\">System to track prisoners on parole<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#f8\">\u2018Double-dip\u2019: La Nina has formed for second year in a row, says NOAA<\/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 class=\"mb-0\"><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><a id=\"gs11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/engaging-the-taliban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Engaging the Taliban<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>The post is based on the article<strong>\u00a0&#8220;Engaging the Taliban&#8221;\u00a0<\/strong>published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>22nd October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong>GS2 &#8211; India and its neighbourhood- relations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:\u00a0<\/strong>Understanding the impact of the regime shift in Afghanistan on India.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:\u00a0<\/strong>India and regional powers should ensure that the Afghan rulers respect their people&#8217;s rights.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Recently India participated in a meeting with Afghanistan along with 10 other nations in Moscow. The signing of a joint statement indicates a new shift in India&#8217;s policy towards Islamist groups.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why engagement with the Taliban is vital for India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>India earlier took a strong stand towards any kind of engagement with the Taliban. Taliban has close ties with anti-terror groups such as Let.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, when it came to power, India witnessed an increase in violent incidents in Kashmir and other activities like the hijacking of an Indian plane to Kandahar.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-afghan-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">India\u2019s future Afghan policy \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">But now with the changing scenario, India changes its stance. This is the first time that India is holding a meeting with the Taliban delegates. Taliban also makes the commitment not to let use its territory for any terror organization.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/evaluating-indias-options-in-afghanistan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Evaluating India\u2019s options in Afghanistan<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>Why is Taliban signalling a change in its policies?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Taliban economy is already on the brink to collapse. So, it is keen to engage with its regional neighbours and countries to help in reviving its economy. <strong>Moscow 10 format,<\/strong> which <strong>includes China, Pakistan, Iran and the Central Asian republics<\/strong>, has some leverage.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; height: 28px;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 28px;\">\n<td style=\"width: 100%; height: 28px;\"><strong>Read more:\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/regional-powers-and-the-afghanistan-question\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Regional powers and the Afghanistan question<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5>What is the way forward?<\/h5>\n<p>But for this to happen, it is important for the Taliban to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the Taliban has shown no such inclination.<\/p>\n<p>So while the regional countries should help Afghanistan economically, they should <strong>use their political weight<\/strong> to ensure that Taliban implements its promises of an inclusive government.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs12\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-process-is-the-punishment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The process is the punishment<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong>This article is based on the post &#8220;<strong>The process is the punishment<\/strong>&#8221; published in the\u00a0<strong>Business Standard <\/strong>on\u00a0<strong>22nd October.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Subject<\/strong>: GS 2- FR<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> Understanding the issue of bails and undertrials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: The right to Liberty is a fundamental right as enshrined in our constitution. But given the number of people denied bail, this needs closer scrutiny.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Introduction<\/strong><br \/>\nRecently in the Aryan Khan case, the courts denied the bail again. Earlier only the poor were victims of denials of bail. Now it looks like jail and not the bail has become the norm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What do the judgements say about the matter of bail?<\/strong><br \/>\nIn a recent judgement in the <strong>Arnab Goswami case<\/strong>, SC remarked that liberty survives in the cacophony of media and courts which uphold the rule of law.<br \/>\nSC also referred to the <strong>Justice Krishna Iyer Judgement (Rajsthan vs Balchand)<\/strong> where he had put that rule is bail, not jail.<br \/>\nEarlier, <strong>Justice Bhagwati<\/strong> had remarked that the right to Liberty is enshrined in our constitution and thus must be upheld in every case.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the condition in India?<\/strong><br \/>\nThere are about <strong>91,568 bail pleas pending in High Court and about 1.96L in district courts. <\/strong>Moreover, government agencies look people up on flimsy grounds, government lawyers oppose every bail plea in principle. This often leaves the poor and vulnerable with no way out other than rotting in jail.<br \/>\nIn these matters, while Supreme Court seems to uphold the right to Liberty, lower courts seem to have forgotten their duty.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What should be the way forward?<\/strong><br \/>\nJustice Bhagwati worried about the poor. But now it seems even the rich have no options when government agencies are targeting them as was seen in Rhea Chakraborty case and Aryan Khan case. The solution lay in courts acting the first line of defence by upholding the constitution.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3 class=\"mb-0\"><strong style=\"font-family: var(--heading--font-family); font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: var(--heading--letter-spacing-h3); background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary);\">GS Paper 3<\/strong><\/h3>\n<h3><a id=\"gs21\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/will-privatisation-take-off-after-the-air-india-sale\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Will privatisation take off after the Air India sale?<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Will privatisation take off after the Air India sale?<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>22nd Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Privatisation of Air India and related issues<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Implications of the sale of Air India for the future of India\u2019s public sector.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Recently, the Tata Group emerged as the winning bidder for Air India, the debt-laden national carrier. Further, in this year\u2019s Budget, the government unveiled a bold new disinvestment policy for even the strategic sectors.<\/p>\n<p>The government is also pursuing the sale of its entire stake in public sector firms such as BPCL, Shipping Corporation of India, IDBI Bank, two other public sector banks and one general insurance company this financial year alone.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What would be the likely impact of Air India&#8217;s privatisation wrt divestment?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>&#8211; Positive signal<\/strong>: In the last 18 years, irrespective of the government in power, there\u2019s been share sales or transfer of shares from one pocket to the other but no genuine privatisation. Hence, this is certainly a long-awaited positive signal regarding the public sector, and more so for domestic and foreign investors.<\/p>\n<p>That the DIPAM (Department of Investment and Public Asset Management) has found a mechanism for the strategic sale of a loss-making unit like Air India is also a positive, because it\u2019s easy to sell something like BPCL that will attract buyers based on its enterprise value and profits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; Clarity of thought: <\/strong>The real value in this Air India sale is that <strong>there is clarity of thought.<\/strong> The government feels that whether it\u2019s a loss-making or a profit-making Central PSU (CPSU), it is willing to make a strategic exit.<\/p>\n<p>But, since the general elections are coming up in 2024, so the window of opportunity for either this kind of disinvestment or for monetisation is, at best, 18 to 20 months.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>There is a possibility that as and when profitable PSUs are sold, there will be stronger ideological battles and questions. It\u2019s far more difficult to justify those kinds of sales; it would be easier to justify the loss-making sales.<\/p>\n<p>Government needs to <strong>clearly articulates its policy<\/strong> on what it wants to sell and what it wants to retain. This shall ensure a general consensus across the political spectrum that the public sector need not be a prominent player in the economy.<\/p>\n<p>While people may object for the sake of objecting, as long as the process is run in a very <strong>transparent manner<\/strong>, there will not be too much objection.<\/p>\n<p>Also, India should not conduct those kinds of sales which happened in certain countries where oligarchs came and just lapped up all the public sector assets and then became billionaires at the cost of the social good.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read<\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/privatisation-of-air-india-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Privatisation of Air India &#8211; Explained, pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs22\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/uttarakhand-floods-respect-himalayan-landscape-if-you-want-to-preserve-it-say-experts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Uttarakhand Floods: Respect Himalayan landscape if you want to preserve it, say experts<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Uttarakhand Floods: Respect Himalayan landscape if you want to preserve it, say experts<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>Down to Earth<\/strong> on <strong>21st Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus: <\/strong>GS3 &#8211; Disaster and Disaster management<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Preserving Himalayan Biodiversity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: To save biodiversity-rich places the governments of Uttarakhand and the entire Himalayan region must preserve their forests and reflect on their infrastructure model.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The\u00a0latest floods in Uttarakhand caused terrible damage to life and property are a warning about the climate tragedy that is building up in the Himalayas.<\/p>\n<p>If the mountain range\u2019s rich natural wealth is to be saved for the future, govt will have to respect the landscape.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why Himalayas need to be preserved?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The Himalayas are home to many rare and endemic species of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects. The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau are also the water tower of South Asia.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, much of the region\u2019s population, cutting across political boundaries is poor.Hence, steps need to be taken to preserve the region.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What steps can be taken to preserve Himalayan biodiversity of India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Key to protecting Himalayan biodiversity, climate mitigation as well as livelihood generation are:<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Forests\u2019 and \u2018infrastructure\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>i). Forest conservation<\/strong> is the only way to protect the rare species, for slope stabilisation as well as climate mitigation and providing better livelihoods to people.<\/p>\n<p>The first step should be to focus on <strong>forest restoration in both Himachal and Uttarakhand<\/strong>. The forest cover should be of hardwood mixed deciduous type. Because chir pine are not capable of stabilising the slopes. Pines are very shallow rooted. They are also more prone to fire.<\/p>\n<p><strong>ii).<\/strong> <strong>Infrastructure<\/strong>: The second important step to prevent a climate catastrophe in the Himalayas was to focus on infrastructure. The planning of infrastructure has to be much more sensitive to the fragility of these slopes. Even before the Uttarakhand floods, there were huge landslides along the Char Dham route. It was an old historic route which was just doing fine. But the doubling of its width without paying attention to geological and technical considerations has caused havoc.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lessons from Bhutan<\/strong>: The Bhutanese have recognised that their future wellbeing depends on healthy forests. They have a specific land use plan in which areas have been demarcated for forests which are not to be used for tourism or construction. India needs to take similar steps. States such as Uttarakhand needed to have a very strict and scientifically-designed land use plan too,<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Himalayas span political boundaries, so India needs to take the lead and set an example towards developing a more sustainable Himalayan landscape.<\/p>\n<p>India is a leader in south Asia having the money and technical expertise that poorer countries such as Nepal and Bhutan do not.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs23\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/can-biomass-co-firing-offer-a-viable-solution-to-coal-shortage-and-stubble-burning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Can biomass co-firing offer a viable solution to coal shortage and stubble burning?<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source<\/strong>: This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>Can biomass co-firing offer a viable solution to coal shortage and stubble burning?<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>Down to Earth<\/strong> on <strong>21st Oct 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS3 &#8211; Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: Tackling the coal crisis with biomass co-firing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Co-firing policy floated by the government for the thermal plants is a win-win solution for farmers and environment.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>India&#8217;s economy is on the path to recovery since the second wave of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The first half of October saw a 4.9% increase in electricity consumption compared to September.\u00a0However, coal supply fell short of demand by 1.4%. The government reported a shortage in coal supply despite abundant reserves.<\/p>\n<p>As one of the measures to tackle the coal shortage, the Government of India (GoI) has made it <strong>mandatory for thermal power plants in three categories to use a 5% blend of biomass pellets and coal.<\/strong> The policy will come into effect in October 2022, with a requirement to increase the blend to 7% within two years for two categories of plants.<\/p>\n<p>The co-firing policy will be in effect for 25 years or till the useful life of the thermal power plant, whichever is earlier.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read<\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/coal-crisis-in-india-explained-pointwise\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Coal crisis in India &#8211; Explained, pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>What is the contribution of the coal-based power to CO<sub>2<\/sub> emissions in India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>India still relies heavily on coal-based power generation to meet most of its electricity demand.<\/p>\n<p>The power sector contributes nearly 50% of the sector-wise carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2<\/sub>) emissions. Coal and coal-based power is the single-largest contributor of CO<sub>2<\/sub> emissions in India, according to the\u00a0International Energy Agency (IEA).<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Why India needs to move on from Coal-based power?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Energy security<\/strong>: In India, the government is committed to ensuring that all grid-connected households have 24&#215;7 access to reliable power. The result will be a significant increase in coal-fired power generation and CO<sub>2<\/sub> emissions. Resultant increase in coal imports will give rise to energy security concerns.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Meeting Paris target<\/strong>: India also needs to reduce coal-based GHG emissions rapidly to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution goals for 2030 (NDC). For that, coal plants with higher emissions will have to be shut down and replaced with cleaner ones.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, India needs to move on from the coal based power. Biomass Co-firing offers an alternative.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Must Read<\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/what-is-the-scale-of-crop-residue-generation-in-india\/\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Scale of crop residue generation in India<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>What are the benefits of Biomass co-firing?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Co-firing biomass pellets with coal in India is a promising strategy for reducing GHG emissions from coal-based power plants.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/portal\/what-is-biomass\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline; color: #003300;\">i). <\/span>Biomass<\/a> <\/strong><\/span>co-firing has been shown to <strong>reduce coal power plant carbon footprint<\/strong> in Europe, the US and the United Kingdom, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).<\/p>\n<p>Biomass pellets made from agricultural waste have <strong>equivalent calorific value to that of Indian coal<\/strong>, based on estimates from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).<\/p>\n<p><strong>ii). Reduction in pollution due to drop residue burning<\/strong>: Around 85 to 100 million tons of crop residue have been burnt in recent years, despite various government policies aimed at reducing crop burning. Biomass co-firing in places where agro-residue burning is prevalent, this can result in a reduction of coal dependence and a sharp decline in pollution levels.<\/p>\n<p><strong>iii). <\/strong>NOx and SO2 emissions decrease with an increase in blending percentage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>iv). Source of earning: <\/strong>After deducting the labour and transport costs, farmers can earn between Rs 500-Rs 1,500 per tonne of crop residue. In addition, pellet manufacturing, storage, handling and transportation create jobs in rural areas.<\/p>\n<p>An effective method to address pollution and mitigate climate change is to identify older units that are operating efficiently and to promote their co-firing with biomass.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs24\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/international-trade-is-not-a-zero-sum-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">International trade is not a zero-sum game<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> GS Paper 3 \u2013 Indian economy &#8211; International Trade<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>International trade is not a zero-sum game<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>Indian Express <\/strong>on <strong>22nd October<\/strong> <strong>2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Trade protectionism is increasing in India. It may harm India\u2019s trade relations with other countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Introduction <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the recent G-20 ministerial meeting in Italy, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India is deepening trade ties with several countries.<\/p>\n<p>India is indeed negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with several countries. However, rising trade protectionism in India could hinder this progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Is India\u2019s trade protectionism rising?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There are many examples of increasing trade protectionism in India.<\/p>\n<p>Firstly, as per Arvind Panagariya, <strong>India\u2019s average tariff<\/strong> has increased by almost 25 per cent to 11.1 per cent in 2020-21, from 8.9 per cent in 2010-11. This policy is against the political consensus on tariff liberalization that India followed since 1991. It was also admitted by Former finance minister Arun Jaitley in his 2018 budget speech that India is making a<strong> \u201ccalibrated departure\u201d<\/strong> from the policy of cutting tariff rates.<\/p>\n<p>Secondly, India is the <strong>highest initiator of anti-dumping <\/strong>measures, even compared to US, EU and China. These measures are aimed at shielding domestic industry from import competition.<\/p>\n<p>Third, India recently <strong>amended Section 11(2)(f) of the Customs Act of 1962.<\/strong> This amendment empowers the government to ban the import or export of any good if it is necessary to prevent injury to the economy. Earlier, this provision <strong>was applicable for just gold and silver<\/strong>. This amendment is inconsistent with consistent with <strong>India\u2019s WTO obligation<\/strong>s.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 93.1722%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\" width=\"624\"><strong>WTO rules on the import ban<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>WTO allows countries to impose restrictions on imports in case of injury to domestic industry, not to the \u201ceconomy\u201d. However, it is subject to certain conditions. \u2014 for example, if there is a sudden, significant and sharp increase in imports that is causing serious injury to the domestic industry. India already has laws to impose these trade remedial measures.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, countries can also impose restrictions on trade on account of balance of payment difficulties and national security purposes. However, section 11(2)(f) of the Customs Act does not talk about any of these grounds to restrict trade, thus is unnecessary.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Fourth, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech of 2020 claimed that FTA benefits are harming the domestic industry. Subsequently, India amended the<strong> rules of origin requirement <\/strong>under the Customs Act. Rules of origin determine whether a product is originated in an FTA or a non-FTA country. The products from FTA countries attract preferential tariff rates, while non-FTA attract the most favored nation rate. The<strong> burden of compliance<\/strong> is imposed on importers, which discourages imports.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, the Prime Minister appealed to the public to be <strong>\u201cvocal for local\u201d<\/strong> (giving preference to domestically made goods). It has created an atmosphere against imports.<\/p>\n<p>India\u2019s experience with trade protectionism in the decades before 1991 was disastrous. Thus, lessons should be taken from history to not repeat the same mistake.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs25\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-carbon-markets-conundrum-at-cop26\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The carbon markets conundrum at COP26<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> GS Paper 3- Environment \u2013 Climate change<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> This post is based on the article \u201c<strong>The carbon markets conundrum at COP26<\/strong>\u201d published in <strong>The Hindu <\/strong>on <strong>22nd October<\/strong> <strong>2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong> Article 6 of the Paris Agreement needs special attention in the upcoming climate summit. It may help in encouraging carbon mitigation efforts in developing countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/article-6-of-the-paris-agreement\/\">Article 6 of the Paris Agreement<\/a> for the carbon market would be at the center of discussion in the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26). It has been a most contentious unresolved issue of the Paris Agreement Work Programme.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is the issue linked to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Developing countries, particularly India, China, and Brazil have benefitted immensely from <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/carbon-markets\/\">Clean Development Mechanism<\/a> (CDM) of the <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/kyoto-protocols-adaptation-fund\/\">Kyoto Protocol<\/a>. India alone has been issued total carbon credits known as Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) worth U.S.$2.55 billion.<\/p>\n<p>However, with the ratification of the Paris Agreement, the rules have changed. Now even developing countries are required to have mitigation targets. Now developing countries can either sell their carbon credits in return for lucrative foreign investment flows or use these credits to achieve their own mitigation targets.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why CDM is beneficial for developing countries?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The new market mechanism is beneficial to promote sustainable development and assist climate change adaptation in developing countries.<\/p>\n<p>It encourages private sector participation and attracts foreign investments to support low carbon development.<\/p>\n<p>It is the developed countries that rely upon market mechanisms to meet their <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indias-ndc-targets\/\">NDC(Nationally Determined Contributions) goal<\/a>s, whereas countries like India, aim to rely on domestic mitigation efforts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the issues that require attention in the upcoming COP26?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>-Projects under CDM have gone through due diligence and credits have been issued under UNFCCC oversight. Therefore, <strong>due credit should be ensured<\/strong> for these projects to keep the trust of private investors in UNFCCC commitments. If the decision regarding the transition of CDM is not favorable, it could lead to a loss of billions of dollars&#8217; worth of potential revenue to India alone.<\/p>\n<p>-At the present stage, India need not undertake the economy-wide emission reduction targets. Thus, all mitigation efforts of India will not fall under the purview of its NDC.\u00a0 India can sell emission reductions that lie outside its NDC. <strong>Robust accounting<\/strong> will ensure that there will be no double-counting of emission reduction. Thus, the argument of developed countries that it will discourage raising ambition levels is flawed, as India will only sell additional efforts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>-Adaptation Fund<\/strong> remains severely underfunded compared to financing for mitigation activities. It is necessary for adaptation for developing countries.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, Climate discussions should ensure equitable sharing of carbon and developmental space. Climate justice demands that developing countries get access to their fair share of global carbon space.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs27\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/the-poor-conditions-of-protectors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The poor conditions of protectors<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>The post is based on the article<strong> &#8220;The poor conditions of protectors&#8221; <\/strong>published in <strong>The Hindu<\/strong> on <strong>22nd October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0<\/strong>GS3 &#8211; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance:<\/strong> Understanding the need of giving more facilities to our protectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis: <\/strong>Despite the difficult nature of their duties, the police are neglected a lot.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>There have been many instances where our forces lost their lives in the line of duty. To pay tribute to those forces, <strong>October 21 is celebrated as Police Commemoration Day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h5><strong>What is the story behind October 21?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>On October 21, 1959, Chinese troops threw grenades and opened fire at twenty Indian soldiers in Ladakh. Out of them, ten brave police personnel attained martyrdom while seven others sustained injuries in that incident.<\/p>\n<p>Their cremation was held at the <strong>Hot springs in North Eastern Ladakh<\/strong>, with full Police honours. Since then, October 21 is observed as \u201cPolice Commemoration Day\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the various issues with govt policy wrt the police personnel?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In spite of the demanding nature of their job, police personnel are neglected a lot. The government pays them fewer salaries. They are often deprived of basic services and have a poor quality of life.<\/p>\n<p>Those who joined forces in 2004 or after are not even eligible for pensions.<\/p>\n<p>Even the Central police canteens are not exempted from GST.<\/p>\n<h5><strong>What should the government do?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Government should adopt policies which boost the morale of our forces. Their sacrifices should not be let in vain.<\/p>\n<p>Government should <strong>bring uniformity in the ex-gratia amounts given<\/strong> to the next of kin of the police who are killed. It is observed that some states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi offers 1 crore while other don&#8217;t even pay half.<\/p>\n<p>Government should also ensure that the family of the deceased should not be deprived of decent living.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"gs28\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/indian-railways-likely-to-become-worlds-first-net-zero-carbon-emitter-by-2030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian Railways likely to become world\u2019s first \u2018net-zero\u2019 carbon emitter by 2030<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content-box-blue\">\n<p><b>Source:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This post is based on the article<\/span><b> \u201c<\/b><b>Indian Railways likely to become world\u2019s first \u2018net-zero\u2019 carbon emitter by 2030<\/b><b>\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> published in <\/span><b>Down To Earth <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on <\/span><b>21st October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><strong>Syllabus<\/strong>: GS 3 &#8211; Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Relevance<\/strong>: To understand challenges associated with <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Railways \u2018net-zero\u2019 carbon emission plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Synopsis<\/strong>: Indian railways announced a grand plan to achieve net-zero carbon emission. But the plan might face a few challenges in implementation.<\/p>\n<h5><b>Introduction<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Railways has recently announced ambitious plans to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">become a \u2018net-zero\u2019 carbon emitter by 2030.<\/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-net-zero-target-how-fair-and-realistic-these-targets-are\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is net zero target? How fair and realistic these targets are?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b>About Indian Railways and its carbon emissions<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Railways is the world\u2019s fourth-largest railway network in terms of size. It is also one of the largest electricity consumers in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It transports 24 million passengers every day \u2014 slightly less than Australia\u2019s population. In addition, Indian Railways also sends 3.3 million tonnes of freight per day \u2014 1,200 million tonnes in 2020\/21. Therefore, Indian Railways has a massive carbon footprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India\u2019s transport sector contributes to 12% of the country\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions with the railways accounting for about 4% of these emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What are Indian Railways plans to become a net-zero emitter?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Railways goal is to become a \u2018net-zero\u2019 carbon emitter by 2030. And it has ambitious plans to accomplish this goal. The plan includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Electrify Entire Rail Network:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Indian Railways plans to electrify the entire rail network by December 2023. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electric trains are considered less polluting than trains that run on diesel since they do not directly emit carbon dioxide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Shift to Solar Energy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Indian Railways plans to use solar power to meet its electricity needs. It <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plans to install 20 gigawatts (GW) of solar for both traction loads (trains) and non-traction loads (offices, railway stations etc).<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; background-color: var(--global--color-background);\" title=\"Net Zero Emissions Target for India \u2013 Explained, Pointwise\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/net-zero-emissions-target-and-significance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Net Zero Emissions Target for India \u2013 Explained, Pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b>What are the projects launched by Indian Railways to achieve the Net Zero Emissions?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Railways has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">built a 1.7-MW solar power plant in <strong>Bina<\/strong>, <strong>Madhya Pradesh<\/strong> in 2020. It is the first solar energy plant in the world to directly power railway overhead lines, from which locomotives draw traction power.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Railways has started a 2.5-MW solar project in <strong>Diwana, Haryana,<\/strong> with state transmission unit connectivity. The 50 MW of power generated by the plant will be used to power trains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Railways has also installed solar panels at over 960 stations and is using solar power to meet railway station energy needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Challenges faced by the Indian Railways in terms of solar plant proliferation<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><b>No-objection certificate for open access<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Open access has been granted as a deemed licensee in 11 states and the Damodar Valley Corporation area. However, no objection certificate (NoC) for open access to electricity flow for railways in some states has not been operationalised due to regulatory challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Wheeling and banking provision<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Full deployment of solar potential will become more feasible if states provide wheeling and banking arrangements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What can be done to achieve Indian Railway plans?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a study by Niti Aayog, by <strong>shifting freight to rail<\/strong> and optimising truck use, India can reduce logistics costs from 14-10% of Gross Domestic Product and carbon dioxide emissions by 70%\u00a0 by 2050 compared to a business-as-usual scenario.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>So, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Railways can implement <strong>operational steps toward last-mile linkage<\/strong> to raise its ambition beyond the official target of 50% freight share by 2030, up from its current share of 33%.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p-3 mb-2 bg-info text-white text-center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Prelims Orie<\/strong><strong>nted Articles (Factly)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><a id=\"f1\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/cabinet-approval-sets-the-implementation-of-pm-gati-shakti-national-master-plan-nmp-in-motion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cabinet approval sets the implementation of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) in motion<\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><strong>What is the news?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>Recently, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pm-launches-gati-shakti-national-master-plan-for-infrastructure-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>PM Gati Shakti- National Master Plan<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. It includes an institutional framework for <strong>rolling out, implementation, monitoring and support mechanism<\/strong> for providing multi-modal connectivity.<\/p>\n<p>Implementation framework further includes <strong>Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGOS), Network Planning Group (NPG) and Technical Support Unit (TSU<\/strong>) with required technical competencies.<\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/pm-gati-shakti-national-infrastructure-master-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">PM Gati Shakti \u2013 National Infrastructure Master Plan \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><strong>How would the implementation mechanism work?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>EGOS:\u00a0<\/strong>It will be <strong>headed by Cabinet Secretary<\/strong> and consists of members of different ministries and the Head of Logistics Division as Member Convenor. Their job is to <strong>review<\/strong> and <strong>monitor<\/strong> the implementation of the scheme to ensure logistics efficiency. They can also prescribe framework and norms for undertaking any subsequent amendments to the NMP.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211; <\/strong>Their job is to <strong>synchronize various activities<\/strong> and ensure that these activities will be part of the common integrated digital platform. EGOS will also look at the interventions required to meet the demand side and to transport bulk goods on the requirement of various Ministries like Steel, Coal, Fertilizer, etc.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NPG: <\/strong>It will consist of heads of the Network Planning wing of respective infrastructure ministries. Its job is to assist the EGOS.<\/p>\n<p><strong>TSU: <\/strong>It will consist of <strong>domain experts<\/strong> from various infrastructure sectors as Aviation, Maritime, Public Transport, etc. TSU will also have<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);\"> <strong>S<\/strong><strong>ubject<\/strong><\/span><strong style=\"background-color: var(--global--color-background); color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base);\">\u00a0Matter Experts (SMEs)<\/strong><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);\"> as Urban &amp; Transport Planning, Structures (Roads, Bridges &amp; Buildings), Data Analytics, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong>The post is based on the article<strong> &#8220;Cabinet approval sets the implementation of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) in motion<\/strong><strong>&#8221; <\/strong>published in <strong>PIB<\/strong> on <strong>21st October 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f2\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/school-students-to-prepare-projects-on-lives-of-gallantry-award-winners-under-veer-gatha-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">School students to prepare projects on lives of gallantry award winners under \u2018Veer Gatha\u2019 initiative<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post is based on the article <\/span><b>\u201c<\/b><b>School students to prepare projects on lives of gallantry award winners under \u2018Veer Gatha\u2019 initiative<\/b><b>\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">published in <\/span><b>\u201cIndian Express\u201d <\/b>on<b> 21st October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government of India has launched the Veer Gatha Initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the Veer Gatha Initiative?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b>Under the initiative, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">school students across the country will prepare projects in the form of poems, paintings, essays or multimedia presentations on the lives of gallantry award winners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Aim of the Project<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The aim of the project is to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make school students aware of the gallantry award winners and to <\/span><span style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base); background-color: var(--global--color-background);\">honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of India\u2019s brave hearts. The initiative also aims to <\/span><span style=\"color: var(--global--color-primary); font-family: var(--global--font-secondary); font-size: var(--global--font-size-base); background-color: var(--global--color-background);\">celebrate the valiance and courage of armed force officers and personnel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Ministries Involved:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministry of Education along with the Ministry of Defence<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Eligibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Students of Class 3rd to 12th can participate in the initiative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After preparation, the projects will be first vetted by the <\/span><b>State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">following which a committee will be appointed by the<\/span><b> Ministry of Education. <\/b>The committee <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">will pick 25 best entries at the national level, which will get awards on the coming Republic Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f3\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/launch-of-niti-aayogs-atal-innovation-mission-digi-book-innovations-for-you-sector-in-focus-health-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Launch of NITI Aayog\u2019s Atal Innovation Mission Digi-Book Innovations for You Sector in Focus \u2013 Health Care<\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NITI Aayog\u2019s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has launched \u2013 \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovations for You\u201d.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h5><b>About Innovations for You\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovations for You is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a digital book that aims to showcase the success stories of Atal Innovation Mission\u2019s Startups in different domains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These startups have worked to create new, disruptive and innovative products, services and solutions that can pave a path for a sustainable future.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Atal Innovation Mission and its Initiatives<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b>Atal innovation mission(AIM): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was set up by NITI Aayog in 2016 to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by creating institutions and programs that enhance innovation in schools, colleges, and entrepreneurs in general.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Atal Tinkering Labs(ATL): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It aims to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing among others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Atal Incubation Centres(AICs)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: These centres have been established at universities, institutions and corporates to foster and support world-class innovation, dynamic entrepreneurs who want to build scalable and sustainable enterprises.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Atal New India Challenge<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It is an initiative aimed at supporting innovators to create products\/solutions based on advanced technologies in areas of national importance and social relevance through a grant-based mechanism.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b\u200b<\/span><b>Atal Community Innovation Centers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> They have been launched to encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship in the underserved\/unserved regions of India by providing enabling infrastructure and facilitating an environment for innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Atma Nirbhar Bharat ARISE-ANIC program<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: It is a national initiative to promote research &amp; innovation and increase the competitiveness of Indian startups and MSMEs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post is based on the article<\/span><b> \u201c<\/b><b>Launch of NITI Aayog\u2019s Atal Innovation Mission Digi-Book Innovations for Your Sector in Focus \u2013 Health Care<\/b><b>\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">published in<\/span><b> PIB <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on <\/span><b>21st October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f4\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/govt-sets-up-war-room-on-movement-of-fertilisers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Govt sets up \u2018war room\u2019 on movement of fertilisers<\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<strong> Department of Fertilizers<\/strong> under the <strong>Ministry of Chemicals &amp; Fertilizers<\/strong> has set up a war room on the movement of fertilizers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the issue?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">international prices of fertilisers and inputs have increased to their highest since 2008-09. Due to this, there is an unprecedented shortage of fertilisers both domestic and globally.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the Government doing to overcome the shortage of fertilizers?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier, the Government of India used to simply send fertilisers to states based on the month-wise requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But now, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Department of Fertilizers <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are finding out district-wise requirements and the crops, where sowing is taking place on a real-time basis. The field demand thus assessed is then sought to be addressed by sending fertilizers to those locations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What are a few important fertilizers used in India?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b>Urea: <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urea is the most widely consumed fertiliser having 46% nitrogen content. It is generally given first around three weeks after sowing, when the crop is in vegetative and tillering stages.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP): <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAP is the second most commonly used fertiliser in India, after urea. Farmers normally apply this fertiliser just before or at the beginning of sowing, as it is high in phosphorus (P) that stimulates root development.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/issue-of-fertilizer-subsidy-in-india-explained-pointwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Click Here to Read about the Issue of Fertilizer Subsidy in India<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post is based on the article<\/span><b> \u201c<\/b><b>Govt sets up \u2018war room\u2019 on movement of fertilisers<\/b><b>\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> published in <\/span><b>Indian Express <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on <\/span><b>21st October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f5\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/explained-why-a-peak-in-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-is-now-named-after-manipur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Explained: Why a peak in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is now named after Manipur<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government of India has renamed <strong>Mount Harriet<\/strong> of <strong>Andaman and Nicobar (A&amp;N) Islands<\/strong> to <strong>Mount Manipur<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Why was Mount Harriet named as Mount Manipur?<\/b><\/h5>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142493\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142493\" style=\"width: 351px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142493 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1634812023_image10.png?resize=351%2C493&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"351\" height=\"493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1634812023_image10.png?w=465&amp;ssl=1 465w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/1634812023_image10.png?resize=214%2C300&amp;ssl=1 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142493\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: Research Gate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Harriet is the third-highest island peak in the A&amp;N Islands. It is the place where Manipur\u2019s <strong>Maharaja Kulchandra Singh<\/strong> and 22 other freedom fighters were imprisoned during the <strong>Anglo-Manipuri war<\/strong>(1891).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hence, Mount Harriet has been renamed as Mount Manipur to pay tribute to those freedom fighters of Manipur.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>About Anglo Manipur War<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Anglo-Manipur War<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was an armed conflict between the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">British Empire<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kingdom of Manipur<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The war lasted between 31 March and 27 April 1891, ending in a British victory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What was the reason for the Anglo Manipur War?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1886, Surchandra inherited the throne from his father Chandrakirti Singh. During this time, the kingdom of Manipur was not under British rule but had links with the crown through different treaties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Surchandra&#8217;s ascension to the throne was controversial and his younger brothers &#8211; Kulachadra, Tikendrajit &#8211; revolted against him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 1890 coup by the rebel faction removed Surchandra, and proclaimed Kulachandra, the next oldest brother, the king. Surchandra fled to Calcutta seeking British help to reinstate him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After this, the British dispatched <strong>James Quinton<\/strong>, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, with an army to Manipur. His mission was to recognise Kulachandra as the king under the condition that they are allowed to arrest the coup leader Crown Prince Tikendrajit and deport him from Manipur.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This aggressive imposition of British law in a sovereign state was rejected by the king, precipitating the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>Who won the war then?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first phase of the war, the British surrendered and their officers &#8211; including Quinton &#8211; were executed in public.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the second phase, the British attacked Manipur from three sides and finally captured the <strong>Kangla Fort in Imphal<\/strong>.<strong> Prince Tikendrajit<\/strong> and four others were hanged by the British, while Kulachandra, along with 22 others, was deported to the Andaman Islands.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is the significance of the Anglo Manipur War?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In India, this war was viewed as being part of the general uprising against British rule in the country, soon after the Revolt of 1857.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, this war also led to Manipur officially becoming a princely state under the indirect rule of the British crown.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0This post is based on the article <\/span><b>\u201c<\/b><b>Explained: Why a peak in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is now named after Manipur<\/b><b>\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">published in <\/span><b>\u201c<\/b><b>Indian Express<\/b><b>\u201d on <\/b><b>20th October 2021<\/b><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f6\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/gene-editing-guidelines-facing-delay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gene editing guidelines facing delay<\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Government of India is delaying in approving the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Genome\/Gene-Edited Plants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is Gene Editing?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genome editing, also called gene-editing, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a group of technologies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that give scientists the ability to change an organism\u2019s DNA. These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at particular locations in the genome.<\/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\/gene-editing-an-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gene Editing: An Analysis<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b>What is the problem created due to the delay in the approval of Gene Editing Guidelines?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists at the <strong>Indian Agricultural Research Institute<\/strong>(IARI) had previously worked on <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/explained-what-is-golden-rice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">golden rice<\/a>, a traditional GM variety that inserted genes from other organisms into the rice plant. But the trials of golden rice was lasted over five years ago due to agronomic issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then the IARI scientist moved to newer technologies such as Site-Directed Nuclease (SDN) 1 and 2 to develop resilient and high-yield rice varieties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the proposal for Indian regulators to consider the SDN 1 and 2 technique as equivalent to conventional breeding methods has been pending with the <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/all-about-commercialization-of-gm-mustard\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee(GEAC)<\/strong><\/a> for almost two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Why are scientists calling SDN 1 and 2 techniques equivalent to conventional breeding methods?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SDN 1 and 2 techniques are equivalent to conventional breeding methods since it does not involve inserting any foreign DNA. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These techniques basically aim to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bring precision and efficiency into the breeding process using gene-editing tools such as <a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/gene-editing-an-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CRISPR<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under this technique, scientists just tweak a gene that is already there in the plant, without bringing in any gene from outside. This is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">just like nature does a mutation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, this technique is also much faster and far more precise than natural mutation or conventional breeding methods which involve trial and error and multiple breeding cyc<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">les.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post is based on the article<\/span><b> \u201c<\/b><b>Gene editing guidelines facing delay<\/b><b>\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">published in <\/span><b>The Hindu <\/b>on<b> 22nd October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f7\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/system-to-track-prisoners-on-parole\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">System to track prisoners on parole<\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued directions to all the states and the Union Territories on a system to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">track prisoners on parole.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What are the directions given by the Centre to <\/b><b>track prisoners on parole?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><b>Firstly, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">States should<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> update recent photographs of prisoners released on parole\/ furlough\/premature release in the \u201cePrisons\u201d and Interoperable Criminal Justice System database&#8221;. This will generate immediate alerts and facilitate easy tracking in the event of their violating the law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Secondly,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> States should review the existing practices and procedures governing grant of parole, furlough and premature release to inmates as per provisions under the Model Prison Manual, 2016, and guidelines issued by the Home Ministry, National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Thirdly,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> States should ensure that the inmates released on parole, furlough and premature release do not violate the law. For this, systems must be put in place for monitoring and follow-up of each such case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Fourthly,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prison departments should update the details of any escape from the prison\/custody on \u2018ePrisons\u2019 on a real-time basis. Quick availability of this information would facilitate police and other authorities concerned in nabbing the escapee\/absconder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Fifthly,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> appropriate systems should be put in place for monitoring and follow-up of each case of an inmate released on bail, parole, furlough and premature release etc. so that they do not indulge in criminal activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>: <a style=\"font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; background-color: var(--global--color-background);\" title=\"State of Prisons in India \u2013 Explained, pointwise\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/state-of-prisons-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">State of Prisons in India \u2013 Explained, pointwise<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h5><b>What is Parole?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parole is a system of releasing a prisoner with the suspension of the sentence. The release is conditional, usually subject to behaviour, and requires periodic reporting to the authorities for a set period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In India, parole (as well as furlough) are covered under the <strong>Prisons Act of 1894<\/strong>. Prisoners convicted of multiple murders or under the anti-terror<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/uapa-or-unlawful-activities-prevention-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Unlawful Activities Prevention Act<\/a> (UAPA) are not eligible for parole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since prisons are a State subject in the Constitution, the Prisons Act of each state government defines the rules under which parole is granted in that state.<\/span><\/p>\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 100%;\"><strong>Read more<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/prison-reforms-in-india-21st-november-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prison reforms in India<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><b>What is Furlough?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a concept broadly similar to parole, but with some significant differences. Furlough is given in cases of long-term imprisonment. The period of furlough granted to a prisoner is treated as remission of his sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furlough is given merely to enable the prisoner to retain family and social ties and to counter the ill effects of prolonged time spent in prison.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post is based on the article<\/span><b> \u201c<\/b><b>System to track prisoners on parole<\/b><b>\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">published in <\/span><b>\u201cThe Hindu\u201d <\/b>on<b> 22nd October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><a id=\"f8\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/double-dip-la-nina-has-formed-for-second-year-in-a-row-says-noaa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u2018Double-dip\u2019: La Nina has formed for second year in a row, says NOAA<\/a><\/h3>\n<h5><b>What is the News?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/strong> (NOAA) has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">declared<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that La Ni\u00f1a has re-developed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is Double Dip La Nina?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>La Nina is one part of the <strong>El Nino Southern Oscillation<\/strong> (ENSO) cycle. But when t<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wo La Ninas happen one after the other (with a transition through ENSO neutral conditions in between) is not uncommon. This is usually referred to as a \u2018double-dip\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2020, La Nina developed during the month of August and then dissipated in April 2021 as ENSO-neutral conditions returned.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What is La Nina?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">La Ni\u00f1a is a weather pattern that can occur in the Pacific Ocean every few years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142576\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142576\" style=\"width: 389px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142576 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Normal_rev1_500-2.jpg?resize=389%2C245&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"245\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Normal_rev1_500-2.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Normal_rev1_500-2.jpg?resize=300%2C189&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142576\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: NASA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a normal year, winds along the equator push warm water westward. Warm water at the surface of the ocean blows from South America to Indonesia. As the warm water moves west, cold water from the deep rises up to the surface. This cold water ends up on the coast of South America.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142577\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142577\" style=\"width: 386px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142577 \" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LaNina_rev1_500.jpg?resize=386%2C243&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"386\" height=\"243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LaNina_rev1_500.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/LaNina_rev1_500.jpg?resize=300%2C189&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 386px) 100vw, 386px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142577\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Source: NASA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the winter of a La Ni\u00f1a year, these winds are much stronger than usual. This makes the water in the Pacific Ocean near the equator a few degrees colder than it usually is. Even this small change in the ocean\u2019s temperature can affect weather all over the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Impact of La Nina<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">La Ni\u00f1a results in heavy or better monsoon rains in India, droughts in Peru and Ecuador, heavy floods in Australia, and high temperatures in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><b>What&#8217;s the difference between El Ni\u00f1o and La Ni\u00f1a?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both events start in the Pacific Ocean, but they are opposites in almost every other way. La Ni\u00f1a causes the water in the eastern Pacific to be colder than usual. In the same region, El Ni\u00f1o can cause the water to be warmer than usual. So, areas that are hit with drought during La Ni\u00f1a years can get lots of rain in El Ni\u00f1o years!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Source: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post is based on the article<\/span><b> \u201c<\/b><b>\u2018Double-dip\u2019: La Nina has formed for second year in a row, says NOAA<\/b><b>\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">published in<\/span><b> Down To Earth <\/b>on <b>22nd October 2021.<\/b><\/p>\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-22nd-2021\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief \u2013 October 22nd, 2021<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":80068,"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-142588","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\/9-PM-Brief-1-e1615452440806.png?fit=600%2C335&ssl=1","views":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142588","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=142588"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142588\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}