Daily Current Capsules
21st and 22nd November 2022

 

World Fisheries Day

 

 

What's the NEWS

• The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India and National Fisheries Development Board , is celebrating the ‘World Fisheries Day' on 21st November 2022

 

Initiatives taken by the Government of India to transform the fisheries sector

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a budget of over Rs. 20,050 crores for a period of five years.
• PMMSY launched in 2020 aims to achieve fish production of 22 MMT from the current 13.76 MMT by 2024-25
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) scheme which was started in 2018-19 with a budget of Rs. 7,522.48 crores.
• FIDF will specifically cater to creation of fisheries infrastructure facilities both in marine and inland fisheries sectors to augment the fish production to achieve the target.
• Projects under the FIDF is eligible for loan up to 80% of the estimated/actual project cost with interest subvention upto 3% as financial assistance.

World Fisheries Day

• It is celebrated on 21st November every year to demonstrate solidarity with all fisher folk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders throughout the world.
• It started in 1997 where "World Forum of Fish Harvesters & Fish Workers" met at New Delhi leading to formation of "World Fisheries Forum" with representatives from 18 countries and signed a declaration advocating for a global mandate of sustainable fishing practices and policies.
• The event aims to draw attention to overfishing, habitat destruction and other serious threats to the sustainability of our marine and freshwater resources.
• The celebrations serve to focus on changing the way the world manages global fisheries to ensure sustainable stocks and healthy ecosystem.

 

53 Hours Challenge for 75 Creative Minds

What's the NEWS

• Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting inaugurated key initiatives such as '53 Hours Challenge' for '75 Creative Minds', ‘Film Bazaar' and ‘Indian Panorama Section' on side-lines of 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
• ‘53-Hour Challenge' is being organized on the side-lines of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
• The competition will challenge the winners of ‘75 Creative Minds for Tomorrow' to produce a short film on their idea of India@100, all in 53 hours.
• This segment of IFFI 53 is powered by National Film Development Corporation (NDFC) in collaboration with Shorts TV.
• The initiative organised on side-lines of 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), encourages creative and financial collaboration between the South Asian and International film communities.
• The Film Technology Exhibition curated by FTII, Pune is a new initiative at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) showcasing technology and various elements pertaining to film art/cinema and aesthetics.

 

EAC-PM working paper analyses problems with Freedom in the World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index

 

What's the NEWS

• Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has issued a working paper by Sanjeev Sanyal Member EAC-PM and Akanksha Arora .

The Paper analyses three perception-based indices:

• Freedom in the World Index
• V-DEM indices, and
• EIU Democracy Index
• This working paper analyses three perception-based indices: Freedom in the World Index, V-DEM indices, and EIU Democracy Index.
• Freedom in the World Index and V-DEM indices have placed India at the same level as during the Emergency of the 1970s. Moreover, India has been placed below countries like Northern Cyprus.

Why they are analysing?

• There are serious problems with the methodology used in these perception-based indices.
• First, these indices are primarily based on the opinions of a tiny group of unknown "experts"
• Second, the questions that are used are subjective and are worded in a way that is impossible to answer objectively even for a country, let alone compare across countries.
• Third, there are questions that should be asked but are excluded.
• Fourth, certain questions used by these indices are not an appropriate measure of democracy across all countries.
• Since these indices are inputs into the World Governance Indicators, the World Bank should ensure greater transparency and accountability from these institutions.
• Meanwhile, independent Indian think tanks should be encouraged to do similar perception-based indices for the world in order to break the monopoly of a handful of western institutions."

 

PM's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC)

 

• Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PMEAC] is a non-constitutional, non-permanent and independent body constituted to give economic advice to the Government of India, specifically the Prime Minister.
• The PMEAC is chaired by a Chairperson and consists of eminent economists as members.
• After the latest reconstitution, it now has a Chairperson, Member Secretary and two part-time members.
• It is supported in its functions by a team of officials and administrators.
• There is no fixed definition on the exact number of members and staff of the PMEAC.
• For administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes, the NITI Aayog replaced erstwhile Planning Commission to serves as the Nodal Agency for the PMEAC.
• The Council was set up with a view to provide a sounding board for inculcating awareness in government on the different point of view on key economic issues.
• It is common for the Council to be reconstituted time and again with different organizational structures headed by various economists who are of recognized international eminence.
• It was set up in September 2017 with a term of two years, replacing the erstwhile PMEAC, which was headed by former RBI governor C Rangarajan during the terms of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
• The PMEAC is chaired by a Chairperson and consists of eminent economists as members.
• After the latest reconstitution, it now has a Chairperson, Member Secretary and two part-time members.
• It is supported in its functions by a team of officials and administrators.
• There is no fixed definition on the exact number of members and staff of the PMEAC.
• For administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes, the NITI Aayog replaced erstwhile Planning Commission to serves as the Nodal Agency for the PMEAC.

 

Gutti Koya Tribals

 

 

What's the NEWS

 

• A Forest Range Officer (FRO) was brutally killed allegedly by a group of Gutti Koya Adivasis with axes and sickles over a "podu land" issue in Errabodu forest area in Chandrugonda mandal of Telangana's Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
• Podu is a form of shifting cultivation, as practiced by various tribal groups in forest areas has for long been an economical survival versus environmental sustenance issue.
• The Koya population is concentrated in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• The Koyas speak the Koya language, which is a Dravidian language.
• Most important fair celebrated by Koyas is the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra once in two years on full moon day of the Magha Masam (January or February) at Medaram village in Mulug taluk of Warangal district.

 

Committee for Weight and Measures (CIPM)

What's the NEWS

• In a historic election, Prof. Venu Gopal Achanta, Director, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, has been elected as a member of the prestigious International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM).

 

Know! about CIPM

• The CIPM is a supreme international committee which functions under the authority of General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM)
• It is a highest intergovernmental international organisation created as diplomatic treaty called Meter Convention signed on 20thMay 1875 in Paris.
• It is responsible for development and implementation of International Systems of Unites, universally abbreviated as SI, its wide dissemination; make necessary modifications time to time for the advancement of science and technology.
• At present, CGPM is represented by 64 member countries and meets every 4th year at International Bureau of Weight and Measure (BIPM), France.
• The CIPM advises and recommends the amendments, changes, alterations to the SI to the CGPM for formal adoption.
• It can also pass resolutions and recommendations about the basic units of measurements, if needed, at its own authority.
• The primary objective of the CIPM, comprised of 18 members from 18 member states (nations), is to promote international harmonization of SI, meets annually, deliberate reports sent by its 18 Consultative Committees (CCs), among other matters brought to its notice as per mandate.
• Each member of the CIPM takes the responsibility of Chairmanship of one CC.

Know! about CSIR -NPL

• The CSIR-NPL, the National Metrology Institute (NMI) of India was established by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi on January 4, 1947.
• The Government of India enacted the "Standards of Weights and Measures Act" for the first time in 1956 to ensure that every citizen has access to uniform standards of weights and measures those are traceable to the SI units.
• During the year 1957, India became member of the CGPM.

 

 

400th birth anniversary of Ahom General Lachit Barphukan

 

 

What's the NEWS

 

• The three day-long celebration of 400th birth anniversary of Ahom General Lachit Barphukan will begin in New Delhi on November 23, 2022.

 

Know! about Lachit Borphukan

 

• Lachit Borphukan was a commander and councillor in the Ahom Kingdom.
• The Ahom Kingdom resisted the invasion of the Mughal Empire several times and reigned in present-day Assam for over 600 years.
• The Ahom Dynasty was founded in 1228 in Assam's Brahmaputra Valley.
• The first King of the Ahom Kingdom was Chaolung Sukaphaa, who crossed the Patkai mountainous region to reach the Brahmaputra valley.
• In 1615, the Ahom Dynasty engaged in its first significant conflict with the Mughal Empire.
• The Mughals conquered the Ahom capital of Garhgaon in 1662 but were defeated in later battles.
• Finally, during the battle of Saraighat in 1671, the Ahoms led by Lachit Borphukan successfully defeated the Mughals.
• Borphukan is mainly known for his leadership in this battle. By 1682, the Mughal influence in the region was completely eradicated.

 

 

Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram Villages - First Biological Heritage Site

 

What's the NEWS

 

• The Tamil Nadu government recently issued a notification declaring Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district the first biodiversity heritage site in the State.

 

Know! about the first biodiversity heritage site

 

• The site, comprising 139.63 hectares in Arittapatti village (in Melur taluk) and 53.58 hectares in Meenakshipuram village (Madurai East taluk), will be known as the Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site.
• Arittapatti, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds, including three important raptors - Laggar Falcon (Falco jugger), Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata).
• It aims to prevent the loss of biodiversity and preserve the cultural and architectural heritage, the government, as recommended by the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, has declared Arittapatti a biodiversity heritage site.
• It is also home to wildlife such as the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Python (Python molurus) and Slender Loris (Loris spp).
• The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs, that serve as a watershed, charging "72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check-dams".
• The Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of the Pandiyan kings in the 16th century, is one of them.
• The site also features various megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions, Jain Beds and 2200-year-old rock-cut temples adding to its historical value.

 

 

Network Readiness Index 2022

 

What's the NEWS

 

• India has improved its position by six slots and is now placed at 61st rank as per the Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022) report
• The NRI Report maps the network-based readiness landscape of 131 economies based on their performances in four different pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact covering a total of 58 variables
• The report has been prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit, nonpartisan research and educational institute based in Washington DC.

Report Highlights

• India has not only improved its ranking, but also improved its score from 49.74 in 2021 to 51.19 in 2022.
• It is noteworthy that India leads in several indicators.
• The report states that India secured 1st rank in "AI talent concentration", 2nd rank in "Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country" and "International Internet bandwidth", 3rd rank in "Annual investment in telecommunication services" and "Domestic market size", 4th rank in "ICT Services exports", 5th rank in "FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions" and "AI scientific publications".
• NRI-2022 report states that India has a greater network readiness than would be expected given its income level.
• India is ranked 3rd out of 36 in the group of lower-middle-income countries after Ukraine (50) and Indonesia (59).
• India has a score higher than the income group average in all pillars and sub-pillars.

 

Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar 2021- 22

 

 

What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Education gave away the Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar (SVP), 2021-22 to the National awardee schools in New Delhi

SVP 2021-22 (Highlights)

• The third edition of the Award i.e. SVP 2021-22, saw a phenomenal participation with 9.59 lakh schools registered for the awards.
• This number is approx. 1.5 times more than the number of schools (6.15 lakh schools) in SVP 2017-18, who participated during that year.
• The National Selection Committee for selection of schools for SVP 2021-22 , selected 39 schools (34 in overall category and 5 in sub-categories) for National level awards for SVP 2021-2022, after 3rd party evaluation by UNICEF partner agency (NEERMAN).
• Out of 39 selected schools, 21 schools are from rural areas and 18 from urban areas. Further, 28 schools are government/ government aided while 11 are private schools.

Know! about the award

• Under this Award, schools are rated on six broad parameters of (a) Water (b) Toilets (c) Handwashing with Soap (d) Operation and Maintenance (e) Behaviour Change and Capacity building and (f) COVID-19 (Preparedness and Response).
• The Puraskar is given at District, State and National level.
• Swachh Vidyalaya Puraskar (SVP), 2021-22 was successfully launched by Dr Subhas Sarkar on 12thJanuary 2022, which was the birthday of Swami Vivekanand and is celebrated as National Youth Day.
• The methodology of the awards was evolved in consultation with UNICEF, who were the Implementation and Technical partners for the awards.

 

Kashi Tamil Sangamam

 

What's the NEWS

• The Prime Minister, Shri NarendraModi inaugurated ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam' - a month-long programme being organised in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• The objective of the programme is to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi - two of the country's most important and ancient seats of learning.
• More than 2500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will be visiting Kashi.
• During the programme, the Prime Minister also released a book ‘Tirukkural' along with its translation into 13 languages.

Know! about Kashi Tamil Sangamam

• The objective of the programme is to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi - two of the country's most important and ancient seats of learning.
• The programme aims to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life including scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists etc. from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture and best practices and learn from each others' experiences.
• More than 2500 delegates from Tamil Nadu will be visiting Kashi. They will participate in seminars, site visits etc to interact with local people of similar trade, profession and interest.
• The endeavor is in sync with NEP 2020's emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge.
• IIT Madras and BHU are the two implementing agencies for the programme.

 

Army issues RFPs for ballistic shields and body-worn cameras

 

What' s the NEWS

 

• The Indian Army recently issued two Request For Proposals (RFP) for procurement of 7,000 body-worn camera systems and 1,612 ballistic shields to be procured under Emergency Procurement (EP) through the fast-track procurement (FTP) route.
• The ballistic shields should have a minimum indigenous content of 50% and the manufacturer should provide a 60 months warranty for the ballistic shield and 24 months for the harness.
• The shield should have a service life of five years.
• The shield should be of ambidextrous design with height not less than 860 mm and width not less than 520 mm.
• The weight should not be more than 20 kg plus 5%, including ballistic view port and accessories attached to the shield.
• It should be provided with support harness to enable hands-free carriage of ballistic shield while ensuring unhindered usage of personal weapon and balanced weight distribution once fully worn.

 

Know! about Emergency financial powers

 

• Emergency financial powers were granted to the armed forces by the Defence Ministry in the past on three occasions; post the Uri surgical strikes in 2016, the Balakot air strike in 2019 and the 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
• Under the FTP route, the forces can procure weapons systems upto ₹300 crores on an "urgent basis without any further clearances to cut short the procurement cycle".
• Three tranches of EPs were executed under which 68 contracts worth ₹6,000 crores were placed and the fourth EP for indigenous equipment is underway.

 

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