Social Issues
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2018 report
India has highest number of poor despite 27 crore moving out of poverty in 10 years: report
In India, poverty reduction among children, the poorest states, Scheduled Tribes, and Muslims was fastest
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about MPI 2018 report findings) + Mains ( GS II social justice + welfare schemes for the vulnerable section of population)

What's the NEWS
• India still had 364 million poor in 2015-16, the largest for any country, although it is down from 635 million in 2005-06.

Know! about the findings of the report
• India has reduced its poverty rate drastically from 55% to 28% in 10 years, with 271 million people moving out of poverty between 2005-06 and 2015-16, according to the Global MPI 2018 Report prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative.

• The report, covering 105 countries, dedicates a chapter to India because of this remarkable progress. However, India still had 364 million poor in 2015-16, the largest for any country, although it is down from 635 million in 2005-06.
• The report measures MPI, or multidimensional poverty index, which it says can be broken down to show "who is poor" and "how they are poor".

• This factors in two measures, poverty rate as a percentage of the population, and intensity as the average share of deprivations that poor people experience. The product of these two is MPI. If someone is deprived in a third or more of 10 weighted indicators, the global index identifies them as "MPI poor".

• In India, poverty reduction among children, the poorest states, Scheduled Tribes, and Muslims was fastest, the report says. Of the 364 million people who were MPI poor in 2015-16, 156 million (34.6%) were children.

• In 2005-06 there were 292 million poor children in India, so the latest figures represent a 47% decrease or 136 million fewer children growing up in multidimensional poverty.

• Although Muslims and STs reduced poverty the most over the 10 years, these two groups still had the highest rates of poverty. While 80% of ST members had been poor in 2005-06, 50% of them were still poor in 2015-16. And while 60% of Muslims had been poor in 2005-06, 31% of them were still poor in 2015-16.

• Bihar was the poorest state in 2015-16, with more than half its population in poverty. The four poorest states -Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh - were still home to 196 million MPI poor people, which was over half of all the MPI poor people in India.

• Jharkhand had the greatest improvement, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Nagaland. At the other end, Kerala, one of the least poor regions in 2006, reduced its MPI by around 92%.

• Muslims from Assam, UP, Bihar different... Fight is against Bangladeshi Muslims, not Indian Muslims

• Worldwide, the report found, 1.3 billion people live in multidimensional poverty in the 105 developing countries it covered. This represents 23%, or nearly a quarter, of the population of these countries. These people are deprived in at least one-third of overlapping indicators in health, education, and living standards

• While the study found multidimensional poverty in all developing regions of the world, it was seen to be particularly acute in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. These two regions account together for 83% (more than 1.1 billion) of all multidimensionally poor people in the world.
• Additionally, two-thirds of all multidimensionally poor people live in middle-income countries, with 889 million people in these countries experiencing deprivations in nutrition, schooling, and sanitation, just like those in low-income countries.

• The report describes the level of global child poverty as staggering, with children accounting for virtually half (49.9%) of the world's poor. Worldwide, over 665 million children live in multidimensional poverty. In 35 countries, at least half of all children are MPI poor. In South Sudan and Niger, some 93% of all children are MPI poor.

Defence
Dhanush Howitzer guns

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Dhanush artillery)

What's the NEWS

• Four indigenous Dhanush Howitzer guns were inducted to the Indian Army. In February 2018 Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) had received the bulk production clearance for manufacturing of 114 Guns. Now, Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) Jabalpur is ready with 6 Dhanush guns for issuance to the Army.
Know! about Dhanush Artillery guns
• Dhanush is a 155mm x 45mm calibre artillery gun. It has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata and manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF).
• It is upgraded version of Swedish 155-mm Bofors howitzers, which India procured in the mid-1980s, based on its original designs.
• It has strike range of 38 kilometres which is about 10 km better than the Bofors guns.
• Its 81% components are indigenously manufactured and it will be scaled up to 90% by the end of 2019.
• Each of this gun costs about Rs 14.50 crore while each shell costs Rs. 1 lakh.
• It also has night firing capability in direct fire mode.
• Its armament system comprises a barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunitions.
• It has several significant advance features, including an all-electric drive, high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system and automated command and control system etc.

Importance of Dhanush Artillery guns
• This project would enhance the army's firepower by having more guns of higher calibre. Induction of the gun is part of the army's replacing of calibre such as 105 mm and 120 mm with medium guns.

• This move includes the induction of M777 Ultra Light Howitzer and the K-9 Vajra self-propelled gun in November 2018.
• Apart from that, Dhanush artillery gun is equipped with navigation based sighting system, on board ballistic computation and an advanced day and night direct-firing system. The self-propulsion unit allows the gun to deploy itself in mountainous terrains with ease.

Factoids
President Kovind honoured with Croatia's highest civilian order

What's the NEWS

• President Ram Nath Kovind was honoured with Croatia's highest civilian order - The Grand Order of the King of Tomislav

• The President is in the European country as part of his eight-day three-nation visit to Croatia, Bolivia and Chile to further strengthen bilateral ties between India and the three countries.

• Croatian state order is awarded to heads of state for their important contribution towards the development of state relations between Croatia and their respective countries.

The Grand Order of the King of Tomislav

• The Grand Order of King Tomislav is the highest civilian order of Croatia.
• It is usually awarded to top foreign officials for their contribution to the improvement of Croatia's good standing internationally as well as achievements in developing international relations between Croatia and their respective countries.
• It is awarded by the President of Croatia. It is named after King Tomislav of Croatia.

Commerce & Industry
Coffee Board Activates Blockchain Based Marketplace in India

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about blockchain based coffee e-marketplace) + Mains - GSIII ( science and technology - development of new technologies)

What's the NEWS
• Coffee board launched blockchain based coffee e-marketplace through video conferencing

Know! the benefits of this marketplace
• This pilot project will help integrate the farmers with markets in a transparent manner and lead to realisation of fair price for the coffee producer.

• The blockchain will also reduce the number of layers between coffee growers and buyers and help farmers double their income.
Know! about Indian coffee
• India is the only country in the world where entire coffee is grown under shade, handpicked and sun dried.

• It produces one of the best coffees in the world, produced by small coffee growers, tribal farmers adjacent to National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries in the Western and Eastern Ghats, which are two of the major bio-diversity hot spots in the world.

• Indian coffee is highly valued in the world market and sold as premium coffees. The share of farmers in the final returns from coffee is very meagre.
Know! about blockchain based market place

• Blockchain based market place app for trading of Indian coffees is intended to bring in transparency in the trade of Indian coffee, maintain the traceability of Indian coffee from bean to cup so as the consumer tastes real Indian coffee and the grower is paid fairly for his coffee produced.

• This initiative will help in creating a brand image for Indian Coffee through traceability in reducing growers dependency an intermediaries by having a direct access to buyers for a fair price for their produce, in finding right coffee suppliers for exporters and within the stipulated time to meet the growing demands and in building a better trust and long term relationship due to increased visibility towards the traceability and transparency of the produce.

• The stakeholder like coffee farmers, traders, coffee curers, exporters, rosters, importers and retailers register on the platform to make trade transactions.
• The coffee farmer registers credentials like place where coffee is grown, details of the crop, elevation, certificates if any and any relevant information.

• A block is created for each of the lot the farmer sells on the Blockchain. The credentials of the block/ lot will be stored on the Blockchain throughout its journey and are immutable.

National Affairs
GI Certification for five varieties of Indian coffee
Relevance IN - Prelims( about the types of coffee and about GI)

What's the NEWS
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has recently awarded Geographical Indication (GI) to five varieties of Indian coffee.
They are:
• Coorg Arabica coffee is grown specifically in the region of Kodagu district in Karnataka.

• Wayanaad Robusta coffee is grown specifically in the region of Wayanad district which is situated on the eastern portion of Kerala.
• Chikmagalur Arabica coffee is grown specifically in the region of Chikmagalur district and it is situated in the Deccan plateau, belongs to the Malnad region of Karnataka.

• Araku Valley Arabica coffee can be described as coffee from the hilly tracks of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha region at an elevation of 900-1100 Mt MSL.

• The coffee produce of Araku, by the tribals, follows an organic approach in which they emphasise management practices involving substantial use of organic manures, green manuring and organic pest management practices.

• Bababudangiris Arabica coffee is grown specifically in the birthplace of coffee in India and the region is situated in the central portion of Chikmagalur district.

• Selectively hand-picked and processed by natural fermentation, the cup exhibits full body, acidity, mild flavour and striking aroma with a note of chocolate. This coffee is also called high grown coffee which slowly ripens in the mild climate and thereby the bean acquires a special taste and aroma.

Know! more about coffee production in India

• The Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee, a unique specialty coffee from India, was given GI certification earlier.

• In India, coffee is cultivated in about 4.54 lakh hectares by 3.66 lakh coffee farmers of which 98% are small farmers. Coffee cultivation is mainly done in the Southern States of India:

- Karnataka - 54%
- Kerala - 19%
- Tamil Nadu - 8%
- Coffee is also grown in non-traditional areas like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha (17.2%) and North East States (1.8%).

• India is the only country in the world where the entire coffee cultivation is grown under shade, hand-picked and sun dried.

• India produces some of the best coffee in the world, grown by tribal farmers in the Western and Eastern Ghats,which are the two major bio-diversity hotspots in the world. Indian coffeeis highly valued in the world market and sold as premium coffee in Europe.
• The recognition and protection that comes with GI certification will allow the coffee producers of India to invest in maintaining the specific qualities of the coffee grown in that particular region. It will also enhance the visibility of Indian coffee in the world and allow growers to get maximum price for their premium coffee.

Prelims Practise Questions

Consider the following statements regarding Dhanush artillery guns

1 . Board (OFB), Kolkata and manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) along with the assistance of France

2 . It is upgraded version of Swedish 155-mm Bofors howitzers, which India procured in the mid-1980s, based on its original designs.

3 . It is 100% indigenously developed by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata

Find the correct options from the options given below
a . 1 and 2
b . 2 only
c. 1 and 3
d. 2 only

Consider the following statements

1.The coffee board launched blockchain based coffee e-marketplace through video conferencing

2.This project will help integrate the farmers with markets in a transparent manner and lead to realisation of fair price for the coffee producer.

3.The blockchain will reduce the number of layers between coffee growers and buyers and help farmers double their income.

4.India is the only country in the world where entire coffee is grown under shade, handpicked and sun dried.

Find the correct statements from the option given below

A . all
B . None
C . 1 and 3
D . 2 and 4

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