Governance/Space Awareness
Yuktdhara Geospatial Planning Portal

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Yuktdhara Geospatial Planning Portal + Bhuvan) + Mains ( GS II Governance - transparency and accountability + GS III Space awareness)
What's the NEWS

• The new portal under Bhuvan "Yuktdhara", will facilitate planning of new MGNREGA assets using Remote Sensing and GIS based information.

Know! about Yuktdhara Geospatial Planning Portal

• This platform will serve as a repository of assets (Geotags) created under various national rural development programmes i.e. MGNREGA, Integrated Watershed Management Programme, Per Drop More Crop and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana etc., along with field photographs.
• Yuktdhara Geospatial Planning Portal has been launched by Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj,
• It is a culmination of joint efforts of ISRO and Ministry of Rural development towards realising a G2G service for rural planning in support of decentralized decision making.
• This portal integrates wide variety of thematic layers, multi-temporal high resolution earth observation data with analysis tools.
• Planners will analyse previous assets under various schemes and facilitates identification of new works using online tools.
• Plans prepared will be evaluated by appropriate authorities under State Departments.
• Thus, Yuktdhara based plans will be prepared by grassroot functionary and verified by appropriate authorities for relevance and resource allocation.
• This would ensure quality of plan and enable a long term monitoring of the assets created over the years.

Know! about ISRO's Geoportal Bhuvan

• It is the national Geo-portal developed and hosted by ISRO comprising of Geo Spatial Data, Services and Tools for Analysis.
• It is providing visualisation services and Earth observation data to users in public domain.
• It has many versatile features, for Example (1) Visualization of Satellite Imagery and Maps (2) Analysis (3) Free Data Download
• The Satellite Imageries are of Multi-sensor, Multi-platform and Multi-temporal in nature can be visualized in 2D and 3D.
• Varieties of thematic maps are also hosted for analysis of various natural resources themes.
• Bhuvan platform supports many applications that address Governance and other Geo Spatial applications that are being used by the Central and State Governments Departments, Academia and Industry
• Due to its rich information base, satellite images and analytical capabilities, Bhuvan has become a de-facto geospatial platform for number of developmental planning activities in the country.
• GeoMGNREGA on Bhuvan has received wide acclaims.
• The Before-During-After Geotagging of assets has successfully implemented the progress based disbursement of the funds during the process of creation of rural assets.
• Also, a Citizen-centric Mobile Application JANMANREGA has helped rural population for providing feedback using Bhuvan services.

Benefits

• Synergy of Geographic Information and Earth Observation technology has not only brought the value of location to each rural asset, but also brought in unprecedented transparency in MGNREGA programme.

Way Forward

• The Customisation on Bhuvan as per process requirement of Ministry of Rural Development, continuous handholding of State functionaries and also enthusiasm demonstrated by State Department personnel in adopting the technology for building GeoMGNREGA database is noteworthy and is a first of its kind massive exercise in the whole world.

Science & Technology
SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the consortium -highlights) + Mains ( GS II health + regional grouping)
What's the NEWS

• Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India in collaboration with BRICS countries is implementing SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium and multi centric programme to study the impact of severe COVID-19 conditions on TB patients.

SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium

• The SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium is an interdisciplinary collaboration to advance COVID-19 health-relevant knowledge and to contribute to improvements in health outcomes.
• The consortium will accelerate the translation of genomic data leading to clinical and public health research and interventions from clinical and surveillance samples by utilising the high-end genomic technologies, and epidemiologic and bioinformatics tools for future use in diagnostic assays and tracking transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and other viruses.
• The second multi centric programme consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers from India, Brazil and South Africa who would investigate the impact of severe COVID-19 on transient peripheral immunosuppression and lung hyperinflammation conditions in TB patients for epidemiology and comorbidity.
• This collaborative study is expected to provide valuable co-morbidity data pertaining to pulmonary TB patients with or without COVID-19 co-infection that is expected to be generated for better disease management.

Defence
Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations at Indira Point

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame + locations )
What's the NEWS

• The Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame was taken to Indira Point, the southernmost tip of the country on August 22, 2021, as part of its voyage to the Nicobar Group of Islands.
• The Armed Forces personnel from Andaman & Nicobar Command hoisted the National Flag and collected the soil from the location to mark the momentous occasion.

Swarnim Vijay Varsh Victory Flame

• The Victory Flame has now begun its journey back to Port Blair for a befitting farewell before its onward journey to the mainland.
• The journey of the Victory Flame, north to south, spanning the entire Andaman and Nicobar chain of Islands commemorates the spirit of Swarnim Vijay Varsh. 2021 is being celebrated as Swarnim Vijay Varsh to mark the 50th year of India's historic victory in the 1971 war.

Know! all about the Journey of Victory Flame

• The Victory Flame, after covering 3,000 kms on mainland, is scheduled to travel 700 nm (1300 kms) in the sea onboard Indian Naval Ship Sumedha reached Port Blair on August 03, 2021.
• The Victory Flame taken to the towns of Port Blair, Mayabunder, Baratang, Diglipur, Hutbay, Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay
• The flame has also been taken to Landfall Islands, the Northern most deployment of ANC; Barren Island, India's only active volcano and Indira Point, the southernmost point of the country.
• The aim of the journey is to spread the message of India's victory and sacrifices of our war heroes to the remotest areas and shores of the country.
• In December 1971, the Indian Armed Forces had secured victory over the Pakistan Army, and a new nation ‘Bangladesh' was created
• The victory resulted into the largest military surrender post World War-II wherein approximately 93,000 soldiers of the Pakistan Army surrendered to the Indian Army.
• The ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh' celebrations began with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi lighting the Victory Flame on December 16, 2020.
• The Victory Flame was lit from the eternal flame of the National War Memorial, signifying the bravery of the soldiers of the war.
• Since then, the Victory Flame is travelling across the length and breadth of India and a large number of commemorative events are being conducted during its journey.

Know! about Indira Point

• Indira Point, southernmost point of India's territory
• It is a village in the Nicobar district at Great Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India.
• It is located in the Great Nicobar tehsil.
• Rondo Island, Indonesia's northernmost island in Sabang district of Aceh province of Sumatra, lies 163 km south of Little Andaman Island, and 145 km from Indira point.
• India and Indonesia are upgrading the deep sea port Sabang under the strategic military and economic collaboration to protect the channel between Great Nicobar Island and Rondo Island

Agreements
India, ADB sign $500 million loan to expand Metro Rail Network in Bengaluru

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the agreement + about transit-oriented development (TOD) and multi-modal integration (MMI)
What's the NEWS

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $500 million loan to expand the metro rail network in Bengaluru with construction of two new metro lines totaling 56 km in length.
• The project supports urban transformation of Bengaluru City into a more livable and sustainable city through support to urban public transport and urban development with concepts of transit-oriented development (TOD) and multi-modal integration (MMI)

Know! about TOD-based urban development model

• TOD-based urban development model will target realigning growth and increase the city's economic productivity by creating higher density, compact, mixed use, mixed income, safe, and resource-efficient and inclusive neighborhoods.
• TOD also aims to raise land values along these corridors, generating capital revenues for the state government to meet the city's long-term investment needs.
• MMI will aim to provide people-oriented, environment-friendly solutions and a safe, total mobility solution for all Bangalore residents through the seamless integration of different modes of public transport.

Prelims Factoids
‘Dilli Series' Sea Power Webinar - 2021
What's the NEWS

• Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala will conduct the eighth edition of the prestigious annual ‘Dilli Series' Sea Power Seminar on 11th and 12th of October 2021.
• This year, the event will be hosted in the Webinar format and will be streamed live on popular social media platforms.
• The theme for this year's Webinar is ‘Maritime History of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)'.
• This year's Webinar is aimed to provide exposure to cadets on the maritime history of the Indian Ocean Region

Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) Society
What's the NEWS

• Chairman of 15th Finance Commission, NK Singh, has been elected as the new president of the Institute of Economic Growth

Know! about Institute of Economic Growth

• It is an autonomous, multidisciplinary centre that is used for advanced research and training.
• It was founded by VKRV Rao in 1952, but became operational in 1958. It is located at University Enclave of University of Delhi, New Delhi.
• IEG organises regular training programmes for the trainee officers from Indian Economic Service as well as some occasional courses for officers from Indian Statistical Service, NABARD, and university teachers.

Research in the Institute of Economic Growth are categorized in nine broad themes-

• Agriculture and rural development,
• Environment and resource economics
• Globalisation and trade
• Industry, labour and welfare
• Macro-economic policy and modelling
• Population and development
• Health policy
• Social change and
• Social structure.

Ubharte Sitaare Fund
What's the NEWS

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launch an ambitious ‘Ubharte Sitaare Fund'
• It will be launched for export-oriented firms and startups.
• Ubharte Sitaare fund has been set up jointly by Exim Bank and SIDBI
• It will be launched in Lucknow.
• India Exim Bank's Ubharte Sitaare Programme (USP) will identify Indian companies that have the capability to be future champions in domestic arena while meeting the global demands.

Know! about Ubharte Sitaare

• This fund is a mix of structured support- financial as well as advisory services by investing in equity or equity like instruments; debt- both funded & non-funded and technical assistance such as advisory services, grants & soft loans; to the Indian companies.
• It will identify Indian enterprises having potential advantages with respect to technology, products or processes along with export potential, but are currently underperforming or unable to use their potential to grow.
• Exim Bank and SIDBI have developed a pipeline of more than 100 potential companies such as those in Uttar Pradesh in sectors like auto components, pharma, agriculture, engineering solutions, and software.

Government Schemes
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about DDU-GKY) + Mains ( GS II government policies and interventions)
What's the NEWS

• As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) celebrations, around 1183 ‘mobilisation camps' were organised across the country under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) programme between 13th and 19th August, 2021, with much fervour commemorating 75 years of Indian independence.
• State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), State Skills Missions (SSM) came together with various Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) to make the all-India event a grand success.

Know! about DDU-GKY

• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) launched on the 25th September, 2014, is a nationwide placement-linked skill training program funded by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India (GoI).
• DDUGKY seeks to build the placement-linked skills of the poor rural youth and place them in wage employment across various sectors of the economy.
• The programme has an outcome led design with guaranteed placements for at least 70% trained candidates.
• The DDU-GKY programme is being implemented in 27 states and 3 UTs for rural poor youth with an emphasis on placements.
• More than 871 PIAs are training rural poor youth in close to 611- job roles through more than 2381 training centers.
• Cumulatively 10.94 lakh youth have been trained and 7.07 lakh youth have been placed till 31st July, 2021.

Environment
Cyclone-ravaged Sunderbans is now drowning in plastic
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Sunderbans) + Mains ( GS III Environment conservations)
What's the NEWS

• The unregulated inflow of relief materials in the Sunderbans region has resulted in a new crisis in the cyclone battered region: Plastic Waste.
• Sunderbans has been battered by many cyclones over the years, with Cyclone Yaas being the latest.
• To support the affected people, packaged relief material has been flowing into the Sunderbans.
• The unregulated inflow of relief materials has resulted in the accumulation of plastic waste in the Sunderbans.

Plastic waste in the Sunderbans.

• Plastics in the Sunderbans would have both short term and long term ecological impacts.
• The presence of plastic in saline water increases the toxicity of water and could also contribute to the eutrophication of water.
• The breakdown of plastics in the water will lead to an increase in microplastics, which would subsequently enter the food system.
• Given that Sunderbans is connected to the sea, the increase of plastic in the region could lead to plastic waste entering the ocean.
• Sunderbans is largely dependent on fisheries and aquaculture and any change in the delicate ecosystem can spell doom not only for the ecology but also for livelihoods.
• Moreover, the Indian Sunderbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to about 2,626 faunas, including Royal Bengal Tigers, Gangetic Dolphins, saltwater crocodiles, and threatened species of freshwater turtles.
• Hence, an increase in plastic waste may pose a threat to the unique biodiversity of the region.

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