Daily CURRENT AFFAIRS

Daily Current Affair - UPSC/KAS Exams - 25th May 2021

What :

• On 25th May 1998, the then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, announced that 11th May would henceforth be celebrated as Technology Day. He urged the industry to forge powerful partnerships with the national laboratories and to create knowledge networks with academic institutions to promote research and development and to gain entry into global markets. In this background, Government of India decided to give  National Award for the successful commercialization of Indigenous Technology
• The Award is given to an industrial concern which has successfully developed & commercialized an indigenous technology. In case, the technology developer / provider and technology commercializer are two different organizations; each one would be eligible for award of Rs. 25 lakh and a trophy.

What is the recent news :

• A Bangalore based start-up has received the National Award 2021 from Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels.
• Breathe Applied Sciences, a start-up incubated at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of CO2 to methanol and other chemicals.
• It has led to improvisation of process engineering to enhance the production of chemicals and fuels from anthropogenic CO2 generated from various sources including coal and natural gas power generation sectors, steel industry, cement industry, and chemical industries and integrating multiple components involved in the CCUS (Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) to develop a complete solution for the environmental issues due to global warming.

What is the news : A high-powered committee, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana and Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary, met on Monday to finalise the choice of the next director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Details :

Director of CBI:

• The CBI is headed by a Director.
• The Director of CBI as Inspector General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organisation.
• With the enactment of CVC Act, 2003, the superintendence of Delhi Special Police Establishment vests with the Central Government to save investigations of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in which, the superintendence vests with the Central Vigilance Commission.
• The Director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure in office by the CVC Act, 2003.

Appointment:

• The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013) amended the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (1946) and made the following changes with respect to appointment of the Director of CBI:
• The Central Government shall appoint the Director of CBI on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him.
• Later, the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2014 made a change in the composition of the committee related to the appointment of the Director of C.B.I.
• It states that where there is no recognized leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, then the leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha would be a member of that committee.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):

• The CBI was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Now, the CBI comes under the administrative control of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
• The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).
• The CBI is not a statutory body. It derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
• The CBI is the main investigating agency of the Central Government.
• It also provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal.
• It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigation on behalf of Interpol Member countries.

ECONOMY

SHAHI LITCHI

What is the news: In a major boost to export of GI certified products, season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to United Kingdom by air route today.The phyto-sanitary certification for exports of Shahi Litchiwas issued from newly established certification facility at Patna. The fruit is being exported by Cira Enterprises and sourced from farmers in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

Details:

SHAHI LICHI:

• The Shahi Lichi is a variety of lichi that is grown in Muzaffarpur and has high pulp and is juicier compared to the litchi grown in other parts of the country.
• Humid condition and alluvial soil having fairly good amount of calcium content in Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and nearby areas, proved ideal for lichi cultivation in Bihar.
• India is the second largest producer of lichi in the world after China and Bihar is the leading state for lichi production in the country. Production is mostly organic.
• It was accorded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag recognition in 2018.
• Lichi is most commonly blamed for the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) outbreak in Bihar.
• However, experts are of the view that fruit is only a triggering factor for malnourished children as the toxin methylenecyclopropyl glycine (MCPG) can lead to hypoglycemia (fall in sugar levels) in undernourished children that in turn results into unconsciousness, coma and even death.
• AES is a basket term used for referring to hospital, children with clinical neurological manifestations which include mental confusion, disorientation, convulsion, delirium or coma.

What: Lunar eclipse occurs on a full moon day when the Earth comes in between the Sunand the Moon and when all the three objects are aligned. A total lunar eclipse will occur when the whole Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth and the partial lunar eclipse occurs when only a part of the Moon comes under the umbral shadow of the Earth.

What is the news: A total eclipse of the Moon will occur on May 26, 2021.From India, just after moonrise, ending of partial phase of the eclipse will be visible for a short span of time from north eastern parts of India(except Sikkim), some parts of West Bengal, some costal parts of Odisha and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

ANA

What is the news : According to National Hurricane Centre, Miami, subtropical storm Ana is drifting northeast across the Atlantic Ocean after causing rain to Bermuda. Thus, first named Atlantic storm will cause no damage to land and will dissipate soon.

About : Ana storm was located about 435 kilometres northeast of Bermuda. It had a maximum sustained wind of 75 kilometres per hour. Ana was the first named storm in Atlantic in 2021, even though hurricane season is not started yet. Hurricane season usually start on June 1.

Atlantic hurricane: Atlantic hurricane, also called as tropical storm, is a tropical cyclone forming in Atlantic Ocean. It forms usually in months of June and November. Hurricane is different from cyclone or typhoon based on their location, only.  Hurricane storm occurs in Atlantic Ocean and north-eastern Pacific Ocean, typhoon in north-western Pacific Ocean while cyclone in South Pacific Ocean or Indian Ocean.

What :

• On 25th May 1998, the then Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, announced that 11th May would henceforth be celebrated as Technology Day. He urged the industry to forge powerful partnerships with the national laboratories and to create knowledge networks with academic institutions to promote research and development and to gain entry into global markets.
• In this background government of India decided to give National Award for the successful commercialization of Indigenous Technology
• The Award is given to an industrial concern which has successfully developed & commercialized an indigenous technology. In case, the technology developer / provider and technology commercializer are two different organizations; each one would be eligible for award of Rs. 25 lakh and a trophy.

What is the recent news : A Bangalore based startup has received the National Award 2021 from Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels.

DETAILS:

• Breathe Applied Sciences, a startup incubated at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of CO2 to methanol and other chemicals.
• It has led to improvisation of process engineering to enhance the production of chemicals and fuels from anthropogenic CO2 generated from various sources including coal and natural gas power generation sectors, steel industry, cement industry, and chemical industries and integrating multiple components involved in the CCUS (Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) to develop a complete solution for the environmental issues due to global warming.

What : Agreement on agriculture between 2 countries

Who signed : MIDH, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India, and MASHAV - Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation

Details :

• India and Israel are implementing the “INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence” and “INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence”.
• Aim : Development in Agriculture cooperation, while affirming the ever-growing bilateral partnership and recognizing the centrality of agriculture and water sectors in the bilateral relationship.
• The work program will aim to grow existing Centres of Excellence, establish new centers, increase CoE’s value chain, bring the Centres of Excellence into the self-sufficient mode, and encourage private sector companies and collaboration.
• As for the “INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence”, this is a new concept aimed at creating a model ecosystem in agriculture across eight states, alongside 13 Centers of Excellence within 75 villages. The program will promote the increase of net income and better the livelihood of the individual farmer, transforming traditional farms into modern-intensive farms based on IIAP standards. Large-scale and complete value chain approach with economic sustainability, embedded with Israeli novel technologies and methodologies will be tailored to local conditions. The IIVOE program will focus on:

(1) Modern Agriculture infrastructure

(2) Capacity Building

(3) Market linkage

IRAN - IAEA NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

Details :

• In 2015, Iran with the P5+1 group of world powers - the USA, UK, France, China, Russia, and Germany agreed on a long-term deal on its nuclear programme.
• The deal was named as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and in common parlance as Iran Nuclear Deal.
• Under the deal, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activity in return for the lifting of sanctions and access to global trade.
• The agreement allowed Iran to accumulate small amounts of uranium for research but it banned the enrichment of uranium, which is used to make reactor fuel and nuclear weapons.
• Iran was also required to redesign a heavy-water reactor being built, whose spent fuel could contain plutonium suitable for a bomb and to allow international inspections.
• In May 2018, the USA abandoned the deal criticising it as flawed and reinstated and tightened its sanctions.
• Since sanctions were tightened, Iran has been steadily breaking some of its commitments to pressure the remaining signatories to find a way to provide sanctions relief.
• The USA held that it would attempt to force all countries to stop buying Iranian oil and put pressure on Iran to negotiate a new nuclear accord.

IAEA’s Stand:

In 2018, an International Atomic Energy Agency’s report concluded that Iran’s stockpile of uranium and heavy water, as well as its implementation of additional protocols, were “in compliance” with the agreement.

What is the news : The UN nuclear watchdog and Iran have agreed to extend an understanding to monitor Tehran’s activities by one month, the agency said on Monday, while talks in Vienna try to save the 2015 nuclear deal.

International Atomic Energy Agency

• About: Widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
• Establishment: The IAEA was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology.
• Headquarter: Vienna, Austria.
• Objective: The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
• In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work for a safe and peaceful world.
• Functions: It is an independent international organization that reports annually to the United Nation General Assembly. When necessary, the IAEA also reports to the UN Security Council in regards to instances of members’ non-compliance with safeguards and security obligations.

When : May 23 every year

Why :

• Bringing attention to turtles and tortoise besides increasing knowledge and respect for them.
• This day also encourages human action to help the turtles and tortoise survive and thrive.
• The day is considered among most effective of species awareness days which increases search for information on turtles online.
• American Tortoise Rescue which was founded in 1990 is the founding sponsor of World Turtle Day. However, “WORLD TURTLE DAY” term was trademarked by Susan Tellem.

About Turtles: They are reptiles, characterized by a bony or cartilaginous shell or a carapace that developed from their ribs. Shell acts as a shield. Earliest known members of turtle dates back to Middle Jurassic. Thus, they are the oldest reptile groups even older than snakes or crocodiles. They are land-dwellers as well as amphibians. Largest sea turtle is  “Leatherback turtle”.

About Tortoises: They are reptile species from family Testudinidae. They are distinguished from turtles as they are exclusively land-dwelling. They also have a shell for protection from predation and other threats.

Points observed :

• During the second wave of Covid infections, communities emerged as resilient entities across the country. India’s ethos, value systems and cultural strengths have automatically generated new energies and scores of new groups. Community actions enabled society to overcome the failure of the state and market. However, the one big battle they are facing is that of information asymmetry on various medical equipment, hospital delivery strategies and lack of clarity over the ever-changing rules and regulations by governments.
• The task for the NITI Aayog should be to address specific issues involving the pandemic without losing much time. NITI should engage government institutions that encourage public participation and also support new frameworks for crisis management that critically look into the weaknesses and failures of the existing ones in attracting community participation in an effective manner. This would also help in NITI’s own goal of localisation of development as part of its SDG strategy.
• NITI should partner with willing state governments to explore the launch of platforms that promote cross-learning and experience-sharing to reduce the cost of operations and to avoid reinventing the wheel. This may help in scaling up and, in some cases, overcome the asymmetric flow of information. The scope for the usual bureaucratic hassles should be minimised and opportunities for participation of communities in decision making and their implementation at local levels may be explored.
• The advantage for NITI is DARPAN, its portal for all voluntary organisations/non-governmental organisations engaged in development activities. The challenge would be to work on an ecosystem that facilitates the entry of new actors, which have grown out of new social and economic policies. Several informal entities, start-ups and others, at times undefined, may also have to be engage

Points to be noted :

• First, an aggressive vaccination programme and improving the healthcare facilities in both rural and urban areas is needed. Reducing the health crisis can lead to an economic revival. Vaccine inequality between urban and rural areas has to be reduced. As rural areas have poor health infrastructure, more efforts are needed to reach the rural areas for vaccination. The crisis can be used as an opportunity to create universal healthcare facilities for all, particularly rural areas. Other states can learn from Kerala on building health infrastructure.
• Second, the budget offered some good announcements relating to capital investment in infrastructure. The Development Financial Institution (DFI) for funding long-term infrastructure projects is being established. A boost to infrastructure investment, including in rural areas, can lift the economy out of the Covid-19 induced slowdown. The government has to fast track infra investment. This can revive employment and reduce inequalities.
• Third, there is a need for safety nets including cash transfers. The informal workers and other vulnerable sections including MSMEs have been dealt back-to-back blows in the last 13 months due to the first and second waves. A majority of workers have experienced a loss of earnings. Therefore, apart from its focus on infrastructure, the government has to provide safety nets in the form of free food grains for six more months, expand work offered under MGNREGA in both rural and urban areas and undertake a cash transfer to provide minimum basic income.

• Government to give assistance of Rs.1500 to each Transgender person in view of Covid pandemic
• Haryana launched an anti-Covid “Sanjeevani Pariyojana”. It will provide a supervised and quick medical care at home for people, with mild to moderate symptoms of covid-19, residing in rural areas
• Singapore has approved a covid breath test which detect to covid-19 and show the accurate results in less than a minute. The test has been developed by a start-up Breathonix. The test kit works in a manner similar to standard breathalyzer test which is used by police to check for erratic drunken drivers. To test, person first blows into a one-way valve mouthpiece. Then, compounds in person’s breath are compared through machine learning software. It compares against sort of breath signature which is a symptom of person who is Covid-positive.