In news

The report titled, 'State of the Climate in Asia 2021' by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) was released at the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change being held at Sharm El-Sheikh.

Report findings

• The report highlights how climate change impacts are wreaking an ever-increasing human, financial and environmental toll, worsening food insecurity and poverty and holding back sustainable development.
• Asian region was warming faster than the global average, and the economic losses from the consequent extreme weather events like floods and droughts amounted to more than US$ 35 billion in 2021, including at least US$ 7.5 billion in India.
• The Rate of glacier retreat in the High Mountains of Asia is accelerating and many glaciers suffered from intense mass losses as the result of exceptionally warm and dry conditions in 2021.
• Compared to the average in the past 20 years, economic losses from extreme weather events were showing an increasing trend. Hence, countries would need to spend increasing amounts of money on resilience and adaptation efforts.
  • In the Asia region, floods caused the highest fatalities and economic damage, and drought in the region affected the highest number of people.
• Ocean warming
  • Kuroshio current system (on the west side of the North Pacific Ocean basin), the Arabian Sea, and the southern Barents, Kara Sea and the south-eastern Laptev Sea in the Arctic, are warming about three times faster than the global average.
  • The rates of sea-level rise in Oceans surrounding Asia are slightly faster than the global mean.
• Precipitation
  • While certain regions suffered drought, there was abnormally high annual precipitation in South and Southeast Asia, eastern China and the Western Siberian Plain.
  • Also, the number of days of snow coverage was a record low in the polar region of Asia.
• Food security
  • Asia is one of the regions with the highest number of people facing severe food insecurity.
  • Further, Climate change-induced extreme weather events exacerbate this vulnerability.

Recommendation

• Top adaptation priorities informed by the risk landscape and with high investment cost-benefits, are:
  • strengthening early warning systems and building resilient infrastructure
  • making water resources management more resilient
  • improving dryland agriculture crop production
  • implementing nature-based solutions
• Also, there is a clear need to prioritise the development of multi-hazard early warning systems and climate forecasts, for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (Climate Action) (on which insufficient progress has been made towards achieving targets, such as 1.1 on the number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters, and 13.1.2 on adoption and implementation of national disaster risk reduction strategies), but also for accelerating progress on several other associated SDGs.

Source:

State of the Climate in Asia 2021

Image source:

https://library.wmo.int/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=22158#.Y3H_R-zMLjA

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Why in news?

• Recently, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has released a report titled, “5G — Unfolding India’s era of digital convergence.” 

Key Findings of the Report

Global Scenario

• By 2025, number of 5G connections is estimated to be in excess of 4 bn, representing 35% of total connections; 5G mobile subscriptions are expected to grow at a CAGR of over 50% across the globe.
• Key sectors that are expected to benefit the most from 5G include healthcare, energy & utilities, manufacturing, and retail.

Indian Scenario

• At ~1.1 Bn, India has 2nd highest numberof telecom users in the world, of which 740 Mn are 4G customers
• India is expected to have >500 Mn 5G users by 2027
• Potential: 5G can contribute up-to 2% of India’s GDPby 

Implementation Challenges –

• Infrastructure Upgradation- Lack of adequate infrastructure upgradation, low levels of fiberisation for 5G deployment, lack of India-specific use cases, cybersecurity, Lack of uniform implementation of Right of Way (RoW) rules in states, etc.
• Consumer adoption- Optimal pricing of 5G services for customer adoption, affordability issues, enterprise penetration

Recommendations

• Need of effective Public-Private Partnership
• Government must work on reducing regulatory overlapping with other departments
• Improving policies related to privacy and cybersecurity infrastructure
• Ensuring adoption of Green 5G (network sharing, reducing toxic waste) to enable sustainable adoption of 5G.

Content Source Link:

• https://community.nasscom.in/index.php/communities/5g/nasscom-arthur-d-little-5g-unfolding-indias-era-digital-convergence
• http://www.uniindia.com/5g-unfolding-india-s-era-of-digital-convergence-study/east/news/2860935.html

Image Source Link:

• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnasscom.in%2Fknowledge-center%2Fpublications%2Fnasscom-arthur-d-little-5g-unfolding-indias-era-digital-convergence&psig=AOvVaw1vzHNEQHJT1ZnenqOpcYJj&ust=1668831735661000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjhxqFwoTCMivrOfwtvsCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

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In News:

• UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs has recently released a report on World Population Prospects.
• As per the findings, India is set to surpass China to become the world’s most populous country by 2023.
• res in the present day will not have a major impact on growth over the next few decades.

Important findings:

• Overall: According to the report, the world’s population crossed the 8 billion marks by the end of 2022 and is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050.
• Demographic impulse: About half of the increase in population from the present day to 2050 will be contributed by just 8 countries, including India.
• Trajectory: The world’s population will hit 10.4 billion by the 2080s and will stabilise around that number by the end of the century.
• Growth rate: In 2020, the global population growth rate fell under 1 per cent per year for the first time since 1950.
• Fertility rates: There has been a stark decline in global fertility rates, which came down from around 5 births per woman in 1950 to 2.3 births per woman in 2021 and is expected to decline to just 2.1 births by 2050.
• Driving force: The rise in global population, then, is largely driven by “the momentum of past growth that is embedded in the youthful age structure of the current population".
• Contrasting growth: The global rise in population contrasts sharply with forecasts of population decline in many parts of the world.
• Declining trend: Populations of many countries or areas are projected to decrease by 1 per cent or more between 2022 and 2050, owing to sustained low levels of fertility with countries like Ukraine, Bulgaria, Latvia and Lithuania to see population declines of 20% or more by 2050.
• Life expectancy: The global life expectancy at birth has increased steadily in past decades and shot up by 9 years between 1990 and 2019 to reach 72.8 years. However, this number fell to 71 years in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Slowing rate: While it took the global population 12 years to grow from 7 billion to 8 billion, it will take approximately 15 years — until 2037 — for it to reach 9 billion — “a sign that overall growth rate of global population is slowing”.
• Skewed distribution: As of 2022, more than half the world’s population lives in Asia with China and India being the two most populous countries with more than 1.4 billion people each.
• Focus area: With population growth stabilising across the world, the focus should be on eliminating unmet need for contraception and freedom to women to make maternity choices.
• World population will peak in 2054 at 9.7 billion and start declining after that, reaching 7 billion in 2100.

Findings on India:

• India’s fertility rate has hit 2.1 births per womane., replacement-level fertility and is falling while China's population is no longer growing and “may start declining as early as 2023.
• Growth pattern: While India’s population growth is stabilising, it is “still growing at 0.7% per year” and is set to surpass China in 2023 as the world’s most populous country.
• India is likely to peak in 2048 at 1.7 billion population and then start declining to 1.1 billion at the end of the century.

Source:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-population-eight-billion-india-china-un-8268993/

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In News

Union Ayush Minister said that India’s Ayush sector will scale up its market share to USD 23 billion globally by 2023. This is based on the report of Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), 2021.

What is AYUSH sector?

AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. In 2015, Sowa Rigpa was also included in the AYUSH system. These systems are based on traditional medical philosophies.

The government of India established the Ministry of AYUSH (MoA) in 2014 with a vision of reviving the knowledge of our ancient medicine systems and ensuring the development and propagation of the Ayush system.

What has been the growth of Indian Ayush sector over the years?

• The market size of Ayush has grown in 2014-20 to reach $18.1 billion with a growth rate of 17%.
• Related segments such as plant derivatives grew by 21%, plant extracts by 14.7%, and herbal plants by 14.3% during the same period. There is a huge demand for Ayush products and services worldwide.

What has been the strategy of India in promoting Ayush systems?

• National Ayush Mission (NAM) was launched in 2014 by the Department of Ayush, with an objectives of providing cost-effective services, quality control of drugs and sustainable availability of raw materials.
• Push to cultivation of medicinal crops under NAM. Subsidies at 30%, 50% and 75% of the cultivation cost for 140 medicinal plants are being provided.
• Ministry of Finance announced Rs 4000-crore package under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan for the promotion of herbal cultivation.
• Establishment of WHO-Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, which would make it the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world.
• MoA has set up 12 National Institutes and 5 Research Councils which are engaged in coordinating, formulating, developing & promoting research on scientific lines in Ayush systems.

What are the challenges faced by AYUSH medicines and practitioners?

• Poor credibility of AYUSH practitioners and tussle with allopathic medicines.
• Lack of scientific validation of AYUSH medicines.
• Poor quality of practitioners, as the Ayurvedic graduation and post-graduation courses are often substandard and obsolete.
• Overuse of AYUSH medicines as most of them are sold over the counter.

Way Forward

The Ayush sector requires a multi-dimensional push, ranging from initiatives at the institutional level, massive awareness and promotion of cultivation of medicinal plants by farmers.

• Strengthening of State Medicinal Plant Boards which should have experts for conservation, cultivation, R&D etc.
• Development of comprehensive databases on Ayush trade, products and raw materials.
• Integrated medicine, where integration of Ayush systems into mainstream systems will give wider acceptance to traditional systems

Source:

• https://theprint.in/india/indias-ayush-sector-to-have-23-bn-market-globally-by-2023-sonowal/1213503/
• https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/invigorating-the-ayush-industry/article65372662.ece

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• Context: German-born engineer, Friedrich Oscar Oertel unearthed India’s National Emblem.
• Official Adoption:

The design of India's national emblem was adopted on 26 January 1950 from the Lion Capital of an Ashokan pillar excavated in Sarnath.

• Significance of Symbols

The capital originally consisted of five component parts:

(i) the shaft (which is broken in many parts now),

(ii) a lotus bell base,

(iii) a drum on the bell base with four animals proceeding clockwise,

(iv) the figures of four majestic addorsed lions, and

(v) the crowning element, Dharamchakra, a large wheel, was also a part of this pillar.

• The capital without the crowning wheel and the lotus base has been adopted as the National Emblem of Independent India.
• There's also the Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law), which also signifies eternity.
• Below the Abacus the phrase 'Satyameva Jayate' is inscribed in Devanagari script, which translates to 'Truth Alone Triumphs'.

Sources:

• https://www.thebetterindia.com/301882/forgotten-german-born-engineer-oscar-ortel-unearthed-indian-national-emblem-lion-capital-ashoka/
• https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php?kefa1=3-8

Image Source:

• https://www.exoticindiaart.com/product/homeandliving/6-ashoka-stambh-national-emblem-of-india-hollow-wall-hanging-handcrafted-in-india-zeo286/

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• Context: DRDO's Centre for High Energy Laser Systems (CHESS) is developing Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) called High Energy Laser Systems.

What is it HELS?

• HELS is recognised as a unique speed-of-light energy beam weapon using high-power lasers that can be precisely aimed to target hostile objects. It is a step ahead in ‘Make In India’.
• Key highlights of the technology

1. DEWs are capable of destroying or damaging the target temporarily or permanently by focusing high-energy beams or lasers.
2. The application of the system is for neutralizing targets such as personnel, missiles, drones, vehicles and optical devices on land, air and water.
3. While CHESS is working on R&D, Bharat Electronics Limited is working on mass production.
4. Army Air Defence, National Security Guard and Special Protection Force are using it.

• Similar technology in India: DURGA II, Kilo Ampere Linear Injector (KALI), Project Aditya and Air Defence Dazzlers
• Other countries developing HELS: Russia, France, Germany, the UK, Israel and China among others.

Source:

•  
• https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/technology/drdos-centre-for-high-energy-laser-systems-on-a-mission-to-modernise-defence-technology-of-the-nation/94132360
• https://www.drdo.gov.in/sites/default/files/monographs-documents/28-highpower-lasers.pdf

Image source:

• https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/technology/drdos-centre-for-high-energy-laser-systems-on-a-mission-to-modernise-defence-technology-of-the-nation/94132360

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• Context: On the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the President of India pays tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

• The Government has declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas dedicated to the sacrifices of the tribal freedom fighters towards the cause of India's freedom struggle; the date being the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda who is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities across the country.
• Birsa Munda was an iconic freedom fighter, social reformer and revered tribal leader of the country who organized and led the tribal movement, giving a call for “Ulgulan” (revolt) against British Colonial Rule.
• The President said that the tribal community gives priority to the community over the individual, cooperation over competition and equality over distinctiveness. Equality between men and women is a feature of tribal society. The gender ratio in tribal society is better than that of the general population. These characteristics of tribal society are exemplary for all.
• The most known tribes of India are Gonds, Bhils (or Bheels), Santhal, Munda, Khasi, Garo, Angami, Bhutia, Chenchu, Kodaba, and the Great Andamanese Tribes.

Sources:

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1876155

Image source:

• https://slideplayer.com/slide/12225497/

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• • Context: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign)is completing 7 years in December 2022.

• • The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier-free and conducive environmentfor Divyangjans (Persons with Disabilities) all over the country.
  • It was launched by the Prime Minister of India on the International Day of Persons with Disabilitieson 3^rd December 2015.
  • Implementing Agency: AIC is the nationwide flagship campaign of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
  • Background:
    • Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995categorically provided for non-discrimination in transport and in the built environment.
      • It needs to be noted that theRights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 replaced the PwD Act, 1995 to comply with the United Nations Convention  on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) 
    • UNCRPD,to which India is a signatory, under Article 9 casts obligations on the Governments for ensuring to PwDs accessibility to:
      • Information
      • Transportation
      • Physical Environment
      • Communication Technology
      • Accessibility to Services as well as emergency services.
    • Components of AIC:
      • Built Environment Accessibility
      • Transportation System Accessibility
      • Information and Communication Eco-System Accessibility

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Exam View: Constitutional Provisions Related to the Governor, Issues Related to the Post of Governor in India, Reforms Proposed by Various Commissions.

In News: With the rise in instances of tension, and even stand-offs, between State governments and Governors, there is once again a debate on the role of the Raj Bhavan.

Governor is a nominal executive head of the state. He forms an important part of the state executive where he acts as the chief executive head. He acts as a bridge between the Centre and the States and is considered as one of the pivotal parts of cooperative governance.

Since 1858, when India was administered by the British Crown. Provincial Governors were agents of the crown, functioning under the supervision of the Governor-General. With the Government of India Act, of 1935, the governor was now to act in accordance with the advice of Ministers of a province’s legislature but retained special responsibilities and discretionary power.

Currently, under the parliamentary and cabinet systems of governance adopted by India, the Governor was envisaged to be the Constitutional Head of a State.

The Governor has various functions, such as addressing the joint session of the Assembly and the Budget session and signing Bills that have been passed by the Assembly. The Governor has administrative and political functions to perform.

Issues Related to the Post of Governor in India:

• Act as a Centre’s Agent: National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution held that the Governor owes his appointment and his continuation to the Union. Apprehensions exist that he will follow instructions given by the Union Council of Ministers. This goes against the constitutionally mandated neutral seat and has resulted in bias.
• Misuse of Discretionary Powers: Governor's recommendation for President's Rule in a state has not always been based on 'objective material', but on political whim or fancy.
• Conflicts between the Governor and the State government: The constitutional mandate to act on the advice of the council of ministers is not clearly distinguished from the statutory authority as chancellor. For Ex, there was a recent appointment of a Vice Chancellor in a university by the Kerala Governor, bypassing government nominations.
• Removal of Governors: Having no written grounds or procedures for removing governors, several times governors were removed arbitrarily.
• Post's impartiality and non-partisanship: The convention of consulting the Chief Minister before appointing the Governor is often ignored.
• No guidelines for the exercise of the governor’s powers in certain cases: There are no guidelines for the exercise of the governor’s powers in case of the appointment of a Chief Minister or the dissolving of the Assembly. Also, there is no limit set for how long a Governor can withhold assent to a Bill.

 Reforms Proposed by Various Commissions:

Therefore, there has to be cooperation and coordination between the State government and the Governor, irrespective of their political loyalties. The majority and vote of confidence have to be decided on the floor of the House. The Governor is supposed to be a friend, philosopher, and guide. He should help from the back for sorting out issues and resolving disputes, even between political parties. The Governor should also advise the Centre on what is happening and what needs to be done.

Getting the Chief Minister involved in the process of governor selection is not right. The Governor cannot be made to feel that the Chief Minister was one of those responsible for his selection; the Governor has to be above the Chief Minister, be independent, be able to function in a non­partisan manner, and not be beholden to the ruling party or to the Chief Minister.

There is a need to devise a 'Code of Conduct' that should define certain 'norms and principles' that should guide the governor's discretion and constitutional mandate. Discretion must be a choice dictated by reason, actuated by good faith and tempered by caution.

Source:

• https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-chief-ministers-have-a-say-in-the-appointment-of-governors/article66120133.ece

Image source:

• https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-chief-ministers-have-a-say-in-the-appointment-of-governors/article66120133.ece

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Why in news? Recently, Prime Minister of India gifted a ‘Patan Patola’ scarf to the Prime Minister of Italy at the G20 summit.

About:

• Patola is a double ikat woven fabric, usually made from silk in Patan (North Gujarat).
• It is woven on primitive hand-operated harness looms made of rosewood and bamboo strips.
• It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2013.
• The ancient art of double ikat or Patola woven in pure silk dates back to the 11th century.
• The technique of dyeing is, known as ‘bandhani’ process.
• It is dyed with natural extracts of marigold, onion skin, pomegranate, etc.
• One of the major practitioners of this art form is the Salvi family from Patan.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/modi-gifts-italian-pm-a-patan-patola-scarf-what-the-ancient-gujarat-art-form-is-8272441/

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Why in news? The Prime Minister of India gifted ‘Mata Ni Pachedi’ handmade textiles to the Prime Minister of UK.

About:

• It is a handmade textile of Gujarat meant to be an offering in the temples which house the Mother Goddess.
• It is a religious textile folk art featuring Mother Goddess at the centre and her stories and legends filling the remaining cloth.
• It is hand-painted, hand-spun cloth of rectangular shape, with natural colour.
• It was crafted by the nomadic community of Waghris.

https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/photos-pm-modis-gifts-to-world-leaders-at-g20-summit-mata-ni-pachedi-pithora-painting-agate-bowl-article-95567907

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Why in news? Recently, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced the new UK-India Young Professionals Scheme.

About:

• Under the scheme, the UK will offer 3,000 places annually to 18–30-year-old degree-holding Indian nationals to live and work in the UK for up to two years.
• The scheme will commence in early 2023 and be on a reciprocal basis.
• India is the first “visa-national country” to benefit from such a UK scheme.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/3000-young-professionals-in-india-uk-to-benefit-from-exchange-scheme/articleshow/95565896.cms

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Why in news? Recently, Government has appointed 15 judicial and technical members at the NCLT for a period of five years or till they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

About:

• The National Company Law Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body in India.
• The NCLT (established in 2016 under the Companies Act,2013) adjudicates matters related to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and companies’ law.
• The tribunal was established based on the recommendation of the Balakrishna Eradi committee.
• It has a total of 28 benches, with the principal bench in New Delhi.

https://thedailyguardian.com/central-government-appoints-judicial-and-technical-members-for-nclt/#:~:text=Central%20Government%20Appoints%20Judicial%20And%20Technical%20Members%20For%20NCLT,-Legally%20Speaking&text=These%20members%20have%20been%20appointed,65%20years%2C%20whichever%20is%20earlier

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• Why in news? Recently, a consortium of countries that includes India has jointly opposed the Carbon Border Taxes at COP-27.
• About:
• It is a duty on imports based on the amount of carbon emissions resulting from the production of the product in question, which is carbon intensive such as cement, steel etc.
• The aim is to help slash the EU’s overall greenhouse gas emissions by 55% below 1990 levels by 2030.
• It is proposed by European Union, with effect from

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/carbon-border-tax-which-india-opposed-cop27-8274506/#:~:text=The%20BASIC%20group%2C%20comprising%20India,Parties%2C%20must%20be%20avoided.%E2%80%9D

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Why in news? 26th edition of the multinational maritime exercise MALABAR 22 culminated in the seas off Japan.

About:

• It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and the US.
• Later, Japan, and Australia joined as permanent participants.
• It is aimed to support free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific and remains committed to a rule-based international order.
• This edition marked the 30th anniversary of the exercise and was hosted by the JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force). It was conducted over a period of five days near Yokosuka.

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/26th-edition-of-multinational-maritime-exercise-malabar-culminates-11668597154598.html

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Background

The first open and organized revolt against the unjust practices of the East India Company, the Attingal Revolt took place in 1721 at the coastal town of Anchuthengu, Kerala.

Why did the Attingal Revolt take place?

• The head of the medieval kingdom of Kerala’s Venad Royal House, Rani of Attingal, Umayamma Rani granted permission to Britishers to build a fort in Anchuthengu in 1694. She considered it a good idea to put an end to the trade by the Dutch.
• The company soon annihilated agriculture in the region, leading to a drastic loss of livelihood for the common man.
• Britishers even mocked the religious and cultural beliefs and practices prevalent among the locals. They also exploited the farmers economically by buying cheap and selling costly.

How did the revolution pan out?

• The Nairs, Ezhavas and Muslims in the region came together to revolt against the British along with the support of the Umayamma Rani. They tried to stop the construction of the fort, however, the locals were defeated.
• The locals then approached Kudaman Pillai, one of the feudal lords of Pillai dynasty, which had their own armies. He agreed to assist them in this revolt and trained the locals by Kalaripayattu experts.

Kalarippayattu: It is a martial art based on the ancient knowledge of the human body which originated in Kerala during 3nd century BC to the 2nd century AD. It is a Malayalam word that signifies a kind of gymnasium. It is considered to be one of the oldest fighting systems in existence and as the father of modern Kung - Fu.

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