Relevance IN - Prelims (about ICH + about the 13 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements from India inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List +World Heritage Day) + Mains ( GS I Indian Culture)
What's the NEWS

• Minister for Culture launched the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India

Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH)

• India houses a repository of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.
• It aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection.
• This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.

Following UNESCO's 2003 Convention for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, this list has been classified into five broad domains in which intangible cultural heritage is manifested:
1. Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage;
2. Performing arts;
3. Social practices, rituals and festive events;
4. Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe;
5. Traditional craftsmanship.
Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India

• The present items in the list have been collated from the projects sanctioned under the scheme for ‘Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India' formulated by the Ministry of Culture in 2013.
• The aim and objective of this scheme is to professionally enhancing awareness and interest in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), safeguarding, promoting and propagating it systematically.
• As of now the list has more than 100elements, It also includes the 13 elements of India that have already been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Know! about the 13 Intangible Cultural Heritage elements from India inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

• The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture, is the nodal office for matters relating to the intangible cultural heritage including for preparation of the nomination dossiers for the Representative List of UNESCO.

Some of the major organisations involved in preservation of propagation of ICH are named below:
1. Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi
2. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
3. National School of Drama
4. Centre for Cultural Resources & Training
5. Zonal Cultural Centres (seven in number)
6. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
7. Anthropological Survey of India
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity


Know! about World Heritage Day

• World Heritage Day is observed every year on April 18 to preserve the human heritage and recognize the efforts of the organizations working for it.
• Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility is the theme of 2020.
• It is decided by the International Council on Monuments and Sites every year.

International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

• The ICOMOS organization was established on the principles put down in the Venice Charter, also known as the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites.
• In 1983 at the 22nd session of the UNESCO Conference, a resolution to celebrate World Heritage Day was passed on April 18 every year.

Know! about World Heritage site

• It is a place that is listed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization as of cultural importance.
• World Heritage Day gives us an opportunity to conserve and preserve our heritage culture which is of ancient significance.
• Archaeological Survey of India will light candles and diyas at Red Fort, Qutub Minar, and Humayun's tomb to express solidarity to the 'corona warriors' on World Heritage Day.

Energy
Power Ministry floats draft Electricity Act(Amendment) Bill 2020

Relevance IN - Prelims (about the draft proposals highlights - ECEA,APTEL) + Mains ( GS III infrastructure development -Energy )
What's the NEWS

• The Ministry of Power has issued draft proposal for amendment of Electricity Act, 2003 in the form of draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill,2020
  

Major amendments proposed in the Electricity Act are as follows.
Establishment of Electricity Contract Enforcement Authority(ECEA)

• A Central Enforcement Authority headed by a retired Judge of the High Court is proposed to be set-up with powers of the Civil Court to enforce performance of contracts related to purchase or sale or transmission of power between a generating, distribution or transmission companies.
• It is proposed to empower Load Dispatch Centres to oversee the establishment of adequate payment security mechanism before scheduling dispatch of electricity, as per contracts.

APTEL

• Strengthening of the Appellate Tribunal (APTEL) to seven apart from the Chairperson so that multiple benches can be set-up to facilitate quick disposal of cases.
• It is proposed to have one Selection Committee and Uniform qualifications in Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions.

National Renewable Energy Policy

• It is proposed to provide for a policy document for the development and promotion of generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy.

Cross border trade in Electricity

• Provisions have been added to facilitate and develop trade in electricity with other countries.

International Organisations
Vietnam chairs online ASEAN Special Summit on Covid-19 challenges

Relevance IN - Prelims (about ASEAN and ASEAN +3 + highlights of the summit) + Mains (GS II Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
What's the NEWS

• The online ASEAN Special Summit and ASEAN+3 Special Summit on Covid-19 response takes place in Hanoi
• Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired the virtual summit, which was attended by the heads of state or government of the 10 ASEAN members, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and the ASEAN Secretary-General
• Leaders of the 10-nation bloc and their partners from three ASEAN partners, namely China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, discussed measures and initiatives to strengthen co-operation in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure dynamic and sustainable development in the region in the long run.
• They adopted a joint statement of the ASEAN Summit and another of the ASEAN+3 Special Summit on COVID-19 response
  
  

ASEAN Plus Three (APT)

• It was established in 1997 as a forum that functions as a coordinator of co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the three East Asian nations of China, South Korea, and Japan.
• Government leaders, ministers, and senior officials from the 10 members of the ASEAN and the three Northeast Asian states consult on an increasing range of issues

Economy
India amends FDI policy to prevent ‘opportunistic acquisitions' of Indian companies⁠ by the Chinese


Relevance IN - Prelims (about the changes in the FDI Norms) + Mains (GS III Economic development)
What's the NEWS

• The Centre has made prior government approval mandatory for foreign direct investments from countries which share a land border with India. Previously, only investments from Pakistan and Bangladesh faced such restrictions.
• The restrictions that were earlier imposed on Bangladesh and Pakistan will now apply to other neighbouring countries like China as well
• The revised FDI policy is aimed at "curbing opportunistic takeovers/acquisitions of Indian companies due to the current COVID-19 pandemic

Know! about the amendment to India's FDI Policy by DPIIT

• India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• Investors from countries not covered by the new policy only have to inform the RBI after a transaction rather than asking for prior permission from the relevant government department.
• The revised policy states that the countries that share land borders with India can only invest in Indian companies with government's approval. It will be applicable to large shareholding - more than 10%
• Any investments in these 17 sectors - including defence, space, pharmaceuticals and atomic energy - needs government nod.
• A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited.
• However, an entity of a country, which shares a land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route
• In case of the transfer of ownership in an FDI deal, the acquisitions can be made only via government route.

Why it was needed?

• The recent amendment to India's FDI Policy by DPIIT was much needed because in the current depressed economic environment, Indian companies are vulnerable to predatory acquisitions.
• China is now investing and acquiring companies all over the world
• Chines firms are engaged in high numbers of direct and indirect Chinese investments in India (e.g recently the People's Bank of China acquired 1.01% stake in the HDFC Housing finance Company).
• China is now investing and acquiring companies all over the world but now with the amendment to India's FDI Policy any firm (including the chines firm) will now have to get Indian Government permission in order to make an acquisition in India or acquire an Indian firm.
  

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