16 September 2022 – Current Affairs

Kuno National Park

Paper 3 – Biodiversity

Why Should You Know?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on 17th September and will release wild Cheetahsin Kuno National Park

In details

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on 17th September. Prime Minister will release Cheetahs in Kuno National Park.
• The release of wild Cheetahs by the Prime Minister in Kuno National Park is part of his efforts to revitalise and diversify India’s wildlife and its habitat.
• Cheetah was declared extinct from India in 1952. The Cheetahs that would be released are from Namibia and have been brought under an MoU signed earlier this year. The introduction of Cheetah in India is being done under Project Cheetah, which is world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.
• Cheetahs will help in the restoration of open forest and grassland ecosystems in India. This will help conserve biodiversity and enhance the ecosystem services like water security, carbon sequestration and soil moisture conservation, benefiting the society at large.
• This effort, in line with the Prime Minister’s commitment towards environment protection and wildlife conservation, will also lead to enhanced livelihood opportunities for the local community through eco-development and ecotourism activities.

About Kuno National Park

• Kuno National Park is a national park in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is established in 1981 as a wildlife sanctuary. In 2018, it was given the status of a national park.
• It is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests.
• It  has a vast richness and diversity of indigenous flora and fauna which represents a typical cross-section of the dry deciduous forest of the Central India.

About Project cheetah

• Project Cheetah, an ambitious project undertaken by the Government of India, aims to restore the species to its historic habitat in India.
• Restoration of wild species especially cheetah is being done as per IUCN guidelines and procedures for transportation of live wild animals from one continent to another with disease screening, quarantining of released animals etc. Careful planning and execution is required.

Status of cheetah

• IUCN status: Critically Endangered
• Status in India: Declared extinct in India in 1952
• CITES :species being in danger

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)

Paper 2 – Health

Why Should You Know?

Secretary, Ministry of AyushVaidya Rajesh Kotecha, visited the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), a scientific research council under the Ministry of Ayush, to review the functioning of the Council.

In details –

• Recently Secretary, Ministry of AyushVaidya Rajesh Kotecha, visited the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), a scientific research council under the Ministry of Ayush, to review the functioning of the Council.
• Reportedly, the Council has been doing considerable work in the field of Ayurvedic sciences and has also received ‘Best Institution for Research in the field of Ageing’ award from the President of India in 2019.

• Notably, the CCRAS is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Government of India.
• It is an apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, development, and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda. The Council has been considered the leading body in scientific research in the field of Ayurvedic Sciences.

About CCRAS

• The Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) is a self-financing organization of the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India.
• Its headquarter is in Delhi. It was established in the year 1978.
• It was registered on 30 March 1978 under Societies Registration Section, xxi-1860.
• This council came into existence after the bifurcation of the erstwhile Central Council for Research in Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy.
• This council is fully funded by the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Vision

• “To develop scientific evidence in Ayurvedic Principles, drug therapies by way of integrating ancient wisdom with modern technology and to bring Ayurveda to the people through scientific innovations related to diagnostics, preventive, promotive as well as treatment methods and also introduce scientific research for sustained availability of quality natural resources, to translate them into products and processes and in synergy with concerned organizations to introduce these innovations into public health systems.”

Mission

• To aim for AYUSHMAN Bharat by way of promoting better health through evidence based Ayurvedic principles and practices..
• To develop CCRAS into a dynamic, vibrant and model research organization for undertaking, coordinating, aiding and promoting research in Ayurveda.
• To bring-up modern scientific knowledge, technology to explore Ayurveda scientific treasure following prevalent scientific methods.
• To attain global leadership in research for treatment and prevention of emerging important lifestyle related disease and health requirement.

MoU between Indian Navy and Amity University

Paper 2 – Education

Why Should You Know?

Recently Indian Navy signed an MoU with Amity University.

In details –

• On 15 Sep 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between the Indian Navy and Amity University Uttar Pradesh (AUUP).
• The event was attended by the Chief of Personnel, Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripath, AVSM, NM from the Navy and senior functionaries of Amity University, Noida.
• The MoU has been concluded to establish academic linkages between the Indian Navy and Amity University.
• As per provisions of the MoU, Amity University will conduct customised courses for the Indian Navy in niche domains, such as, 5G Technology and lot, Control System Integration, AI, Blockchain, Machine Learning, Cryptology, Data Science, Big Data Analysis, Digital Marketing, Computer Networks, Anti Drone Warfare, Cyber Warfare Security, Automation, Surveillance and Tracking etc.
• These endeavours will also contribute towards grooming ‘Scholar Warriors’ who can think better and adopt to the future challenges of conflict in all domains.

Significance

• In addition, the participation of Naval personnel in these customised courses is expected to enhance the educational qualifications, skill base and core competencies of serving Naval personnel thereby enhancing prospects of ‘in-service career benefits.
• In addition, these courses will ensure better placements of Naval personnel upon superannuation from Service.

INS Tarkash

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Recently, INS Tarkash was deployed in the Gulf of Guinea under a mission.

In details –

• Reinforcing Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security, INS Tarkash is currently mission deployed in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) for anti-piracy operations.
• As part of the deployment, the ship undertook Joint Maritime Exercise with Nigerian Navy Patrol Ships NNS Kano, Osun, Sokoto and Nguru from 12 to 13 Sep 22.
• The exercise provided an opportunity for reinforcing inter-operability between the Indian and Nigerian navies in various facets of maritime operations like Anti-Piracy operations, Assistance to vessel in distress, SAR drills as also anti-air and anti-surface operations. It also helped enhance skills for maritime interdiction and counter piracy operations.
• The exercise marks the first joint operational deployment by India and Nigeria, in support of Anti-piracy operations, in the GoG.

About INS Tarkash

• INS Tarkash (F50) is the second Talwar-class frigate constructed for the Indian Navy.
• It is part of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy.
• These are modified Krivak III-class frigates built by Russia.
• It was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• It was commissioned to Navy service on 9 November 2012 at Kaliningrad and joined the Western Naval Command on 27 December 2012.
• These ships use stealth technologies and a special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross section.
• Much of the equipment on the ship is Russian-made, but a significant number of systems of Indian origin have also been incorporated.

About Talwar-class frigates

• The Talwar-class frigates is also known as  Project 11356 are a class of stealth guided missile frigates designed and built by Russia for the Indian Navy.
• The Talwar-class guided missile frigates are the improved versions of the Krivak III-class (Project 1135) frigates used by the Russian Coast Guard.
• The design has been further developed as the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate for the Russian Navy. Six ships were built in two batches between 1999 and 2013.
• Designed by Severnoye Design Bureau, the first batch of ships were built by Baltic Shipyard and the second batch by Yantar Shipyard.
• Preceded by the Brahmaputra-class frigates, the Talwar-class frigates are said to have semi-stealth features and better armament.
• The Indian Navy currently has six of these ships and 4 more are under construction including 2 in an Indian shipyard, for which Goa shipyard was selected.
• The first frigate, INS Talwar was delivered in May 2002. The second, INS Trishul, was delivered in November 2002 and the third, INS Tabar, in May 2003. The other frigates are INS Teg(2012) , INSTarkash(2012), INSTrikand(2013).

“E-Baal Nidan”Portal

Paper 2- Social Issues

Why Should You Know?

Recently, the online portal “e-Bal Nidan” was revamped by the government for redressal of complaints against violation of child rights.

In details

• Keeping in view  the observations made by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for coordinated working of NCPCR and SCPCRs and Section 13(2) of CPCR Act, 2005, NCPCR will be providing access to all SCPCRs on the “E-Baal Nidan” portal.
•  NCPCR will be providing user IDs and Passwords to the State Commissions to enable them to view the complaints registered on the portal to take necessary action. Further, the portal will have an option of transferring the registered complaints from NCPCR to the concerned State Commission, In case, the State Commission has already taken cognizance of the case. An option of joint inquiry will also be provided to the State Commissions if they want involvement of NCPCR in complaint resolution.
• The Commission has revamped this portal in 2022 to include new features which would be beneficial for the complainants as well as the Commission while dealing with complaints.
• Some of the new features include bifurcation of complaints based on the nature of the complaint into their subject matters like Juvenile Justice, POCSO, Labour, Education etc, internal monitoring and transfer of complaints in the Commission, tracking of complaints at every stage in a more mechanised and time bound manner.

What is NCPCR?

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) is a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 to protect the child rights and other related matters in the country.
• The Commission is further mandated to monitor the proper and effective implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
• In one of the functions laid down under Section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005, the Commission has been assigned with the function to examine and review the safeguards provided by or under any law for the time being in force for the protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation.

About “E-BaalNidan” portal

• The Commission, to fulfil its mandate and functions under Section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005 had developed an online complaint mechanism “E-BaalNidan” in 2015. 
• It is an online portal,  wherein any person can register a complaint reporting about any violation committed against a child and after such registration, the complainant will get a complaint registration number.
• Through this number, the progress of redressal of the complaint in the Commission can be tracked by the complainant.
• The registration form is prepared in a way that all the aspects of a complaint can be enumerated and details can be provided by the complainant.
• The details that are included in the form are the date of incidence, place of incidence, information about the victim, the authority, the nature and category of complaint, what action was initiated, etc. The complaints so registered with the Commission are processed and dealt like any other complaint received by the Commission.
• This online mechanism of reporting ensures that the complainant has the ease of making a complaint to the Commission through online mode without any costs. It makes the process of redressal of complaints transparent for the complainant and helps in timely disposal of cases by the Commission.

‘ANGAN 2022’- international Conference

Paper 3- Infrastructure

Why Should You Know?

Recently a three-day international conference on the theme “Zero-Carbon Change in Buildings” – ‘Courtyard 2022’ was held.

In details

• A three-day international conference ANGAN 2022 (Augmenting Nature by Green Affordable New-habitat), second edition, titled “Making the Zero-Carbon Transition in Buildings” began on 14th September, 2022. 
• Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power inaugurated the conference.
• ANGAN 2.0, which is being organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, in collaboration with Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC) under the Indo-Swiss Building Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP).
• The conference was graced by dignitaries of international organizations. Around 75 eminent speakers and more than 15 countries and international organisations, have gathered to debate and discuss issues related to building energy efficiency and reducing carbon emission from buildings in 8 plenary and 8 thematic sessions.

Objective

• The objective of this conference is to promote a healthy ecosystem which was mentioned at COP 26 in Glasgow by the Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi on LiFE (Lifestyle And Environment) and Panchamrit, aiming to make India Net Zero by 2070.
• This conference also hosts an exhibition of various low carbon products, technologies and innovations applicable in the building sector.
• Several CEOs of companies offering innovative technologies and solutions for energy-efficient and low-carbon buildings addressed the conference and around 20 companies showcased their products and services which included, low-carbon building materials, external movable shading systems, energy-efficient space cooling technologies in the exhibition accompanying the conference.
• This conference cum exhibition is expected to foster national and international strategic collaboration, partnership, network and information exchange to promote low carbon, energy efficient habitat.
• The conference witnessed deliberation on critical issues like “Unlocking Finance for Low-Carbon Buildings, “Thermal Comfort and Climate Resilience in Residential buildings”. The Conference had special sessions on “Women in the Resource Efficiency Conversation”.

Background

• Over this period, BEEP has provided technical support to BEE in the formulation of Eco-Niwas Samhita (energy conservation building code for residential buildings), design of around 50 buildings and trained more than 5000 building sector professionals.

NEERMAN Awards

• The winners of the BEE’s 1st National Energy Efficiency Roadmap for Movement towards Affordable and Natural habitat (NEERMAN) Awards were felicitated today.
• These awards are institutionalised with the objective to acknowledge and encourage exemplary building designs complying with BEE’s Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) and Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC).
• The NEERMAN award has seen participation of building projects across the country from Jammu & Kashmir to Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• More than 500 delegates consisting of Architects, Engineers, Builders, building material industries, Teachers, Students, Researchers, central and state government officials are attending the conference.

“Aavartan”  Program

Paper 3 – Economy

Why Should You Know?

Recently the The Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK)presented“Aavartan”, a two-day event on 16th & 17th September, 2022 in Bengaluru.

In details

• In an endeavor to connect with people, the Centre of Excellence for Khadi presents Aavartan, a two-day event on 16th & 17th September 2022 at the Bangalore International Centre (BIC) Bengaluru.
• The Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) was conceived by the Ministry of MSME to support Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in association with the National Institute of Fashion Technology, with the intention to reach out to young audience and global market. The centre has been set up as a hub and spokes model at Delhi as hub; Bengaluru, Gandhinagar, Kolkata and Shillong as spokes.
• The event will showcase home and apparel collections designed for a pan-generational audience by the in-house designers of CoEK. Khadi Institutions have been invited to market their fabrics and sarees.
• Interactive sessions have been planned on khadi and its finer nuances by CoEK team, for which students from the design colleges of Bengaluru have been invited on 16th September.
• The three sessions: Relinking Khadi, Khadi for new Generation and the DNA for Khadi, will encourage conversation on sustainability and legacy of Khadi.
• Another initiative of CoEK ‘Khadi and Art’, is a medium to reach out to the followers of different art forms and to acknowledge how art is intertwined with Khadi.
• CoEK has collaborated with Kalyani Sarada, a young contemporary dancer and choreographer, based in Bengaluru. She will be presenting a specially choreographed piece ‘Aavartan’ at 6;00pm on 17th September 2022 at BIC.
• Her performance aims to portray the unique process of khadi. The performers will be wearing the Khadi ensemble designed specially by the team of CoEK.
• The event aims to integrate Khadi with other art forms to take the ‘Khadi Spirit’ to a broader audience and interpret Khadi with newer meanings. The event will focus on connecting Khadi with Youth through the exhibition and the sessions and give Khadi Institutions a platform to showcase their products.

What is Khadi?

• Khadi, derived from khaddaris a hand-spun and woven natural fibre cloth promoted by Mahatma Gandhi as swadeshi (self-sufficiency) for the freedom struggle of the Indian subcontinent, and the term is used throughout India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• The first piece of the hand-woven cloth was manufactured in the Sabarmati Ashram during 1917–18. The coarseness of the cloth led Gandhi to call it khadi.
• The cloth is made from cotton, but it may also include silk or wool, which are all spun into yarn on a charkha. It is a versatile fabric that remains cool in summer and warm in winter.

Financial Stability and Development Council

Paper 3- Economy

Why Should You Know?

Recently Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman Chaired 26th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council

In details

• On 15 September 2022 The 26th Meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was chaired by the Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in Mumbai today.
• The Council, inter alia, deliberated on the Early Warning Indicators for the economy and our preparedness to deal with them, improving the efficiency of the existing Financial/Credit Information Systems, issues of governance and management in Systemically Important Financial Institutions including Financial Market Infrastructures, strengthening cyber security framework in financial sector, Common KYC for all financial Services and related matters, update on Account Aggregator and next steps, Issues relating to financing of Power Sector, strategic role of GIFT IFSC in New Aatmanirbhar Bharat, inter-regulatory Issues of GIFT-IFSC, and need for utilisation of the services of Registered Valuers by all Government Departments.
• It was noted that there is a need to monitor the financial sector risks, the financial conditions and market developments on a continuous basis by the Government and the regulators so that  appropriate and timely action can be taken so as to mitigate any vulnerability and strengthen financial stability.
• The Council also took note of the preparation in respect of financial sector issues to be taken up during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.

What is FSDC?

• Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) is an apex-level body constituted by the government of India.
• The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was formed in December 2010. The council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
• The idea to create such a super regulatory body was first mooted by the Raghuram Rajan Committee in 2008.
• The function of the Council is to exercise judicious supervision over small issues related to the economy including financial stability, development of the financial sector, inter-regulatory coordination, financial literacy, financial inclusion and the functioning of large financial companies.
• Its members include Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Finance Secretary, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance, Chairman of SEBI, Chairman of IRDA, P.F.R.D.A. The Chairman is included.

India’s first Lithium Cell Manufacturing Plant

Paper 3 –Science & Technology

Why Should You Know?

The Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology,Chandrasekhar to visit India’s first Lithium Cell Manufacturing Plant in Tirupati.

In details –

• The Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar will visit India’s first lithium cell manufacturing facility at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
• This state-of-the-art facility has been set up by the Chennai based Munoth Industries Limited with an outlay of Rs. 165 crores. The facility is located in one of the two Electronics Manufacturing Clusters set up in the temple town, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
• The installed capacity of the plant at present is 270 Mwh and can produce 20,000 cells of 10Ah capacity daily. These cells are used in power bank and this capacity is around 60 per cent of India’s present requirement.
• Cells for other consumer electronics like Mobile Phones, hearable and wearable devices will also be produced.
• Currently India imports complete requirements of lithium-ion cells primarily from China, South Korea, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
• The inauguration of this plant will be a step in the direction for realizing Indian government’s vision of making India the global hub of electronic manufacturing, Shri Chandrasekhar said before leaving for Tirupati.
• Shri Chandrasekhar will also be visiting the Dixon Technologies and United Telelinks facilities located in the two EMCs. He will also address the media after visiting the lithium cell manufacturing facility by Munoth Industries.

New Tribes included in Scheduled Tribes (ST)

Paper 2 – Polity

Why Should You Know?

Recently, the tribes of 5 states were included in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) by the Central Government.

In details

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently approved the inclusion of tribes of five states in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of the tribes of Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh in the ST category.
• The following  communities have been included in the ST list-

Uttar Pradesh

• The cabinet has included ‘Gonds’ community in the Bhadohi (earlier Sant Ravidas Nagar) district of Uttar Pradesh state along with its five sub-castes (Dhuria, Nayak, Ojha, Pathari and Rajgond) in the Scheduled Tribes list of Uttar Pradesh. To do so, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has approved the proposal.

Himachal Pradesh

• The Hati or Hattee community living in the Trans-Giri region within the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh has been included in the Scheduled Tribes list in the state.
• Due to this, about 1 lakh 60 thousand people have now joined this list. This decision is also important because Himachal assembly elections are due later this year.

Tamil Nadu

• The proposal of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to include the Narikoravan community of the state of Tamil Nadu in the Kurivikkaran community has also been approved.
• For this, in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, a bill was introduced in the Parliament for amendment.

Karnataka

• The ‘Betta-Kuruba’ community of the state of Karnataka will now be known as synonymous with the ‘Kadu Kuruba’ community.
• For this also an amendment was made in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

Chhattisgarh

• The Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of 12 communities in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, including Binjhia, Bhuyan, Bhuyan, Bhuyan and Bharia of the state of Chhattisgarh.