PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI – Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI October-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of October. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, CUET, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI October-2022 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- National Affairs
- International Affairs
- Economic Affairs
- Appointments
- Important Dates
- Sports
- Reports And Indexes
- Science & Technology
- Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
'ONE NATION ONE FERTILIZER' SCHEME
The “One Nation, One Fertilizer” scheme was launched recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The “One Nation, One Fertiliser” scheme or Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana was launched by the Central Government.
This is the largest fertilizer initiative implemented by the Indian Government till date.
Under the scheme, all types of fertilizers, whether urea, DAP or NPK, will be sold under the single brand name “Bharat”.
The scheme seeks to standardize fertilizer brands across India regardless of the company that manufactures them. It aims to remove all confusions related to the quality of fertilizers and their availability.
1ST INDIGENOUS ALUMINIUM GOODS TRAIN RAKE
The Indian Railways recently flagged off the first indigenously-made aluminium goods train rake in Odisha.
The aluminium goods train was jointly developed by Besco Limited Wagon Division and aluminium major Hindalco. It is developed based on the designs approved by the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
The wagon was made using high-strength aluminium alloy plates and extrusion, indigenously developed by Hindalco’s rolling facility in Hirakud, Odisha.
The aluminium rake is 180 tonnes lighter than the existing steel rake. This has increased the travel speed and minimized the power consumption for the same distance.
1ST STATE TO ACHIEVE TARGET FOR JAL JEEVAN MISSION
Tamil Nadu has emerged as the only state in India which has achieved the target for 2022 Q1 and Q2 for Jal Jeevan Mission, with 69.57 lakh households provided with tap connections.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat visited Chennai and reviewed the progress of the work on the Jal Jeevan Mission for assured portable Tap water supply to every rural household by 2024.
Out of 1.25 crore households in Tamil Nadu, 69.57 lakh households have received tap water connections in Tamil Nadu.
The percentage of households with tap water connection is higher than the national average.
The target set by the Union government for Q1 and Q2 for 2022 was 12.1 lakh tap connections and registering 134% of that. The target set for 2022-2023 in Tamil Nadu is 28.48 lakh connections.
Currently, the implementation of 14.44 lakh tap connections is underway. Out of 12,525 villages in Tamil Nadu, the state has reported 2,663 Villages as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ Villages with tap water connection in 100% of households.
M. GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEES ACT
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) helped compensating 20-80% of the income loss incurred because of the Covid-19 induced lockdown, as per a study conducted by Azim Premji University across four states (Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh).
However, 39% of the surveyed households didn’t get a single day of work in the Covid-19 year due to lack of adequate works being sanctioned/opened.
What is MGNREGA?
MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programmes in the world launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Rural development.
The primary objective of the scheme is to guarantee 100 days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work.
As of 2022-23, there are 15.4 crore active workers under the MGNREGA.
WHAT IS NHAI INVIT?
The Union Minister of Transport and Highways announced recently that National Highways Infra Trust (NHAI InvIT) bonds will provide a return of 8.05 percent each year.
The National Highways Infra Trust (NHAI InvIT) is an infrastructure investment trust established by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Its purpose is to provide funding for the government’s National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP). It was established under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and the SEBI (Security and Exchange Board of India) regulations.
The creation of the NHAI InvIT was approved in December 2019 by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Modi.
Currently, the National Highways Infra Trust is looking to raise an additional investment of Rs 3,800 crore. It was able to receive Rs.1,500 crore via the issuance of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) with a long-dated maturity of 24 years.
The InvIT bonds will be listed in the BSE and NSE to enable their trading in the stock market.
PM KISAN SAMMAN SAMMELAN 2022
The PM Kisan Samman Sammelan 2022 will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi.
More than 13,500 farmers from all around the country and about 1,500 agri entrepreneurs are expected to attend the two-day event.
The Prime Minister will officially open 600 Pradan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras (PMKSK) under the ministry of chemicals and fertilisers.
In the country, a progressive conversion of more than 3.3 lakh retail fertiliser stores into PM Kisan Samman Sammelan Kendras (PMKSK) is envisaged.
REGIONAL LANGUAGES IN LEGAL SYSTEM
Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the All-India Conference of Law Ministers and Law Secretaries via video conference.
While Inaugurating the Conference, PM bats for use of regional languages in the legal system to bring ease of justice.
What is the Background of Languages in the Legal System?
Background: The language used in Courts in India has seen a transition over centuries with the shift from Urdu to Persian and Farsi scripts during the Mughal period which continued in subordinate courts even during the British Rule.
The British introduced a codified system of law in India with English as the official language.
Post-independence, Article 343 of the Constitution of India provides that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in the Devanagari script.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY MONITORING AGENCY (MDMA)
The Indian Government recently disbanded the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) that was set up to investigate the assassination of the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) was set up in 1998 for two years based on the recommendations of the MC Jain Commission.
The MC Jain Commission came across various leads, including bank transactions of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) frontal outfits before and after the assassination and movement of arms meant for the militant group during that period.
Hence, the NDMA was set up under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), having officers from various central security agencies like the Intelligence Bureau, RAW, Enforcement Directorate, and the Department of Revenue Intelligence.
It was given extensions each year but failed to make any breakthroughs in the investigation of a wider conspiracy into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The order to disband the NDMA was issued by the Central Government in May 2022 and the pending investigations were transferred to a different unit of the CBI.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
PAKISTAN LIKELY TO EXIT THE GREY LIST OF FATF
Pakistan is likely to exit the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) after it was placed in the infamous category since 2018 for failing to check money laundering and terrorist financing, a media report said.
The Paris-based global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing said that the first FATF Plenary under the two-year Singapore Presidency of T. Raja Kumar will take place on October 20-21.
Pakistan was included in the increased monitoring list in June 2018 for deficiencies in its legal, financial, regulatory, investigations, prosecution, judicial and non-government sector to fight money laundering and combat terror financing considered serious threat to global financial system.
What Are Its Repercussions:
With Pakistan’s continuation on the grey list, it had increasingly become difficult for Islamabad to get financial aid from the IMF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the cash-strapped country.
A 15-member joint delegation of the FATF and its Sydney-based regional affiliate — Asia Pacific Group— paid an onsite visit to Pakistan from August 29 to September 2 to verify the country’s compliance with the 34-point action plan committed with the FATF.
INDIA & NEW ZEALAND RELATIONSHIP
Recently, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India has visited New Zealand and Australia.
The meeting consisted of various geo-political issues like how India-New Zealand contributions together will shape the larger region, the Indo-Pacific region.
They also discussed the present security situation in the Indo-Pacific and also the consequences arising out of the Ukraine conflict.
What are the Different Aspects of India-New Zealand Relations?
Historical Relations: India and New Zealand have a longstanding, friendly and growing relationship. Our ties go back to the 1800s, with Indians settling in Christchurch as early as the 1850s. Larger numbers of immigrants from Punjab and Gujarat came to New Zealand in the 1890s. Indian troops fought alongside the Anzacs in Gallipoli in 1915.
Political Relations: India and New Zealand have cordial and friendly relations rooted in the linkages of the Commonwealth, parliamentary democracy, and the English language.
Both countries became independent in the same year and diplomatic representation of India was established in 1950 with the opening of a Trade Commission, which was later upgraded to High Commission.
Both countries are fellow travellers in their commitment to disarmament, global peace, North-South Dialogue, human rights, ecological preservation and combating international terrorism.
ABDUL LATIF RASHID ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF IRAQ
The Iraqi Parliament chose Kurdish politician, Abdul Latif Rashid to lead the country. Rashid won more than 160 votes against 99 for the incumbent Saleh.
Rashid was born in 1944 in the northeastern Sulaymaniyah region of Iraq. He graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Liverpool in 1968. He went on to complete his engineering doctorate in 1976 from the University of Manchester.
Rashid has a long history in Iraqi politics. He served as the minister of water resources from 2003 to 2010 and then as the senior adviser to the President. He can speak speaks Kurdish, Arabic and English.
Rashid is a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) party. He was also the former spokesperson for the PUK in Britain.
According to the Iraqi political norm since 2006, a Kurd is elected as president of the country, while a Shia takes the role of prime minister. A Sunni will head the parliament.
WHAT IS IBSAMAR?
The seventh edition of maritime exercise IBSAMAR was organized from October 10 to 12 in South Africa.
Exercise IBSAMAR is a joint maritime exercise between South Africa, Brazil and India. The inaugural edition of this naval exercise was held in 2008 to converge the democratic values, economic interests and maritime cooperation.
In 2016, the fifth edition of the maritime exercise evolved to become a complex trilateral exercise involving the participation of naval vessels, aircraft and special forces from the three countries.
The previous edition (IBSAMAR VI) was held off SimonsTown in South Africa in 2018. In 2022, the seventh edition of the naval exercise took place in South Africa from October 10 to 12.
The harbour phase of the exercise involved the sharing of best practices regarding damage control, firefighting drills, maritime boarding actions like cross-boarding and Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) targeting adversary vessels, terrorism, piracy and smuggling.
The exercise has boosted maritime security, joint operational training capability, sharing of best practices and interoperability to address common maritime threats.
The Indian Navy was represented by INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and the Marine Commando Force (MARCOS).
G7'S JUST ENERGY TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP (JETP)
The G7 nations’ plan of persuading India to start negotiations on a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), an initiative of the rich nations to accelerate phasing out of coal and reducing emissions has hit a road-block.
JETP makes various funding options available for this purpose in identified developing countries.
The Power Ministry has refused to give its consent to the negotiations so far, as it argues that coal cannot be singled out as a polluting fuel, and energy transition talks need to take place on equal terms.
What Is Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP):
Upon taking over the G-7 presidency for 2022, host Germany had promised to build on Glasgow’s momentum.
JETP makes various funding options available to accelerate the phasing out of coal and reduce emissions in identified developing countries.
What Is The Climate Deal Offered To India:
The US and Germany have proposed a G-7 partnership with India to support and fund the makeover of its energy mix from fossil fuels to carbon-neutral sources. India is a special invitee to this year’s summit, along with Indonesia, South Africa, Senegal and Argentina.
GI TAG SOUGHT FOR 'NIHONSHU' FROM JAPAN
This is the first time a product from Japan has filed for a tag at the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai. The Embassy of Japan, New Delhi, has filed an application seeking a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Nihonshu/Japanese sake, an alcoholic beverage.
It is learnt that this is the first time a product from Japan has filed for a tag at the Geographical Indication Registry here.
Nihonshu is regarded as a special and valuable beverage made from fermenting rice.
People traditionally drink nihonshu on special occasions, such as festivals, weddings or funerals, but it is also consumed on a daily basis. Thus, it is an integral part of the lifestyle and culture in Japan.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF INTERPOL HELD IN NEW DELHI
The General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) is meeting in Delhi for four days from October 18, 2022.
This is the second time since 1997 the 195 member-strong body is holding such a large conference in India.
What is Interpol?
It was set up in 1923, as a secure information-sharing platform that facilitates criminal investigation of police forces across the globe through collection and dissemination of information received from various police forces.
It is headquartered in Lyon, France. It keeps track of the movements of criminals and those under the police radar in various regions and tips off police forces which had either sought the Interpol’s assistance or which in its opinion will benefit from the particulars available with it.
KEY POINTS ABOUT KURIL ISLANDS
Kuril Islands are stretched from the Japanese island of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula separating Okhotsk Sea from the North Pacific ocean.
It consists of 56 islands and minor rocks. The chain is part of the belt of geologic instability circling the Pacific (Ring of Fire) and contains at least 100 volcanoes, of which 35 are still active, and many hot springs.
Earthquakes and tidal waves are common phenomena over these islands.
Russia-Japan Dispute:
The Kuril Islands dispute between Japan and Russia is over the sovereignty of South Kuril Islands.
The South Kuril Islands comprise Etorofu island, Kunashiri island, Shikotan island and Habomai island.
These islands are claimed by Japan but occupied by Russia as the successor state of the Soviet Union.
Japan calls the Islands as Northern Territories and Russia as the South Kuril.
INDIA-AFRICA SECURITY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME
India-Africa Security Fellowship Programme was launched recently by the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
India-Africa Security Fellowship Programme was launched during the 2nd India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) that was held on the sidelines of the DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The newly launched fellowship will give opportunities for African scholars to conduct research on defence and security aspects in India.
Under this programme, the fellows will be part of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) for one to three months. They will be provided with a stipend during the research.
The research programme will focus on topics that will increase the understanding of security challenges in Africa and possibilities of boosting India-Africa cooperation. It will increase ties between Indian and African researchers and boost mutual research capabilities on strategic issues.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
75 DIGITAL BANKING UNITS IN INDIA
Recently, the Prime Minister of India has dedicated 75 Digital Banking Units (DBU) across 75 districts to the nation.
As part of the Union budget speech for 2022-23, the Finance Minister announced setting up the 75 DBUs in 75 districts to commemorate our country's 75 years of independence.
What are Digital Banking Units?
A Digital Banking Unit is a specialised fixed point business unit or hub, set up by scheduled commercial banks, housing certain minimum digital infrastructure for delivering digital banking products and services as well as servicing existing financial products and services digitally in self-service mode at any time.
The DBUs are being set up with the objective to ensure the benefits of digital banking reach every nook and corner of the country and will cover all the States and Union territories.
Benefits: The DBUs will enable those who do not have Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure to access banking services digitally. They will also assist those who are not tech savvy to adopt digital banking.
AWARDS & HONOUR
SHEHAN KARUNATILAKA AWARDED BOOKER PRIZE 2022
The Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka won the Booker Prize for “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida”.
The novel was recognized for its scope and the humorous narrative tactics that bring home the fact those concepts of corruption, race-baiting, and cronyism will never work.
The work narrates the story of a war photographer who has woken up dead in a celestial visa office. He has “seven moons” to try and solve his death’s mystery and help unveil photos that will rattle war-torn Sri Lanka.
With this, Shehan Karunatilaka became the second Sri Lankan to receive this prestigious literary award. The first Sri Lankan to receive this award is Michael Ondaatje, who won the award in 1992 for his work “The English Patient”.
About Booker Prize
Booker Prize is a literary prize that is conferred each year to recognize the best novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Initially, this prize recognized only those novels written by authors from Commonwealth countries, Ireland and South Africa. In 2014, it was expanded to include any English-language novel.
IMPORTANT DATES & DAYS
INT. E-WASTE DAY OBSERVED ON 14TH OCT.
Each year, International E-Waste Day is held on 14 October, an opportunity to reflect on the impacts of e-waste and the necessary actions to enhance circularity for e-products.
International E-Waste Day was developed in 2018 by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment recycling (WEEE) Forum to raise the public profile of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling and encourage consumers to recycle. 2022 is the fifth edition of International E-Waste Day.
This year, the main focus of International E-Waste Day will be those small electrical devices that we no longer use but keep in drawers and cupboards or often toss in the general waste bin.
This is why International E-Waste Day (#e waste day) 2022 will be focusing on small items of e-waste, under the slogan “Recycle it all, no matter how small!”. #e waste day will take place on 14 October 2022.
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed each year on October 13. The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction aims to promote international awareness about disaster risks and preparedness.
It also recognizes the efforts of individuals and communities towards minimizing their vulnerabilities to disasters. The theme for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2022 is Early Warning.
Background
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was first established by the UNGA in 1989 to promote the global culture of disaster risk mitigation and increase awareness about various risks posed by disasters.
In 2002, another UNGA resolution was passed to mark this day every year.
WORLD STANDARDS DAY OBSERVED ON 14TH OCTOBER
14th October is observed as the World Standards Day.
World Standards Day raises global awareness about the importance of standardized measurements, technologies and industries.
It gives recognition of scientists’ achievements in the development of voluntary universal standards used for measurements. The theme for this year is “Shared Vision for a Better World”.
This year’s theme is part of the campaigns of ISO (the International Organization for Standardization), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), and ITU (International Telecommunication Union) towards creating global awareness about the role of standardization in achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
On the occasion of World Standards Day 2022, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) organized a standards conclave called “Manak Mahotsav”.
The event was organized based on the theme “Standards for Sustainable Development Goals – A Shared Vision for a Better World”.
WORLD FOOD DAY OBSERVED ON 16TH OCTOBER
World Food Day is observed on October 16 each year to emphasize the importance of a healthy diet and a regular access to nourishing food.
The 2022 edition of the World Food Day was observed amid the rising concerns of the food crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, climate change, inflation and diplomatic crisis.
The theme for this year is Leave NO ONE behind. It highlights the importance of providing food security and nutrition security for everyone in the world on a regular basis. It aims to create a sustainable world where everyone, everywhere gets regular access to healthy food.
On the occasion of World Food Day 2022, the Kirisia Community Forest Association (CFA) was conferred an FAO award for the restoration of the Kirisia forest in Kenya.
The second edition of the World Food Forum was organized on this occasion. It included events such as WFF Global Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum and the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN
International Day of Rural Women is observed on October 15 to promote gender equality and women empowerment in rural regions.
International Day of Rural Women celebrates the achievements and contributions of women living in remote rural regions.
The theme for International Day for Rural Women 2022 is “Rural Women, key for a world free from hunger and poverty”. The theme focuses on the role of women in combating hunger and malnutrition.
One of the major contributions of the United Nations since it was established was empowerment and well-being of women, especially those living in rural areas.
During the Fourth World Conference on Women, which was held in 1995 in Beijing, the UN suggested the creation of the International Day of Rural Women to honour the role of women in agriculture, food production and food safety.
The UN declared this day on December 18, 2007. Since then, it has been observed across the globe to empower rural women and celebrate their achievements despite the struggles and stereotypes.
WORLD STUDENTS' DAY OBSERVED ON 15TH OCTOBER
World Students’ Day is observed on 15th October each year.
World Students Day is observed on the occasion of the birth anniversary of A P J Abdul Kalam. Since it is not officially declared by the United Nations, it is observed only in India.
This year’s theme is “the transformation of education begins with teachers”. In 2021, the theme for World Students Day was “Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace”.
World Students Day is different from international Students Day. The International Students Day is observed on November 17 to recognize multiculturalism of students, especially those studying in foreign countries, away from their homeland.
It commemorates the day when Czech universities were raided by the Nazis in 1939. It honours students who lost their lives or sent to concentration camps. Over the years, this day evolved as a celebration of diversity among students.
INT. DAY FOR ERADICATION OF POVERTY
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on October 17 every year.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty seeks to raise global awareness about the problem of poverty and its role in the violation of human rights and dignity.
It also honors the bravery of people living in poverty and recognizes their everyday struggles.
2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. “Dignity For All in Practice” is the theme for this year’s International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Through this theme, the United Nations urges individuals across the world to commit to the promotion of social justice, with an emphasis on human dignity, which is the basis for all fundamental rights.
Background
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty commemorates the day in 1987 when thousands of people came together at the Trocadéro in Paris to honor victims of extreme poverty, violence, and hunger.
They proclaimed that poverty is a human right violation. The following year, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in Trocadéro. The UNGA adopted the resolution declaring this day in 1992.
REPORTS & INDEXES
GLOBAL MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY INDEX
The multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was recently released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).
The MPI 2022 was released under the title “Unpacking deprivation bundles to reduce multidimensional poverty”. In 111 countries, 1.2 billion people (19.1%) live in acute multidimensional poverty. 593 million (50%) of these people are minors under the age of 18.
The developing region with the highest prevalence of multidimensional poverty is Sub- Saharan Africa (nearly 579 million), followed by South Asia (385 million).
In India
For the first time, the report dedicated a special section focusing on the 15-year trend of poverty in India. Over the past 15 years, the number of poor people has declined by 415 million. The MPI value and incidence of poverty fell from 0.283 in 2005-06 to 0.122 in 2015-16. The figure dropped again to 0.069 in 2019-21.
The incidence of poverty declined from 55.1 per cent to 16.4 per cent over the past 15 years. However, India still has the highest number of poor people in the world and Nigeria has the second-highest poor population.
LIVING PLANET REPORT 2022
Living Planet Report 2022 found drastic decline in the global wildlife population.
Living Planet Report 2022 is a joint endeavor of the World Wildlife Fund and Zoological Society of London.
According to the flagship publication, there has been a 69 per cent decline in the global wildlife population between the years 1970 and 2018.
This does not mean that 69 per cent of individual animals across the world have declined.
The report gives an average of changes in population sizes of different species of animals and not of the number of creatures lost. It measures the relative size of the decline in each animal population and averages it.
The report analyzed almost 32,000 populations of 5,230 species. Besides providing a broad picture of the dwindling wildlife population across the world, the Living Planet Report also highlighted the importance of dealing with biodiversity loss and climate crisis as one rather than two different issues.
The link between these two issues was highlighted for the first time in this report. According to the report, the Latin America and the Caribbean region, which hosts the Amazon Rainforest, witnessed the highest wildlife decline of 94 percent between 1970 and 2018.
Africa recorded the second highest decline of 66 per cent during the same period, followed by the Pacific (55 per cent). North America and Europe recorded lesser nature decline, falling by 20 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.
WHAT IS LEADS REPORT 2022?
LEADS (Logistics Ease across Different States) 2022 was released recently by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The LEADS survey assesses the views of various users and stakeholders involved in the value chain of the logistics sector. This survey is conducted to recognize the enablers, hindrances and gaps within the logistics ecosystem.
This annual survey ranks the logistics ecosystem of each state and union territory across India using data received from stakeholders (perception data) and states and union territories (objective data).
The LEAD 2022, unlike the former versions, adopted the classification-based grading, with states and union territories classified under four broad categories – coastal states, hinterland/landlocked states, northeastern states and union territories.
It provides three performance categories – Achievers (states and UTs achieving 90 per cent or more), Fast Movers (states and UTs scoring between 80 and 90 per cent), and aspirants (states and UTs with percentage scoring below 80 per cent).
The 15 states and UTs that have been categorized as achievers in the logistics index chart 2022 are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The fast movers in the latest report are Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Sikkim and Tripura.
INDIA BECOMES 3RD LARGEST FISH PRODUCING COUNTRY
Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. L Murugan has recently said that India stands third in the world in terms of fish production. India is the 3rd largest fish producing and 2nd largest aquaculture nation in the world after China.
What The Minister Said:
He said, India stands third in the world in terms of fish production. Making specific reference to Karnataka, the Union Minister said that 734.77 crore rupees was allocated to the state under the flagship scheme of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) from 2020-21 till date for the development of infrastructure facilities.
What Is Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):
The vision is to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector. The main motto of PMMSY is ‘Reform, Perform and Transform the fisheries sector.
Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is the implementing agency. The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with two separate components – Central Sector Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) Component is further segregated into non-beneficiary oriented and beneficiary orientated sub-components/activities.
GLOBAL HUNGER INDEX (GHI) 2022
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2022 was released recently. The GHI has been released since 2000 by the European NGOs – Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.
It aims to track the prevalence of global hunger by region and by country. A low score means the country will be ranked higher, implying a better performance.
Its ultimate aim is to help the world achieve “Zero Hunger by 2030” – one of the SDGs of the United Nations. It does not rank certain high income countries.
It focuses on 4 main parameters – undernourishment (inadequate food), child wasting (acute undernutrition among children), child stunting (chronic undernutrition) and child mortality (inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environment).
Countries scoring less than or equal to 9.9 on a 100-point scale will come under the “low” category of hunger. The “serious” category countries are those that score between 20 and 34.9 and “extremely alarming” category countries are those scoring above 50.
India’s performance
Out of 121 countries, India’s GHI ranking fell from 101 in 2021 to 107 this year. It is ranked behind its neighbors – Nepal (81), Pakistan (99), Sri Lanka (64) and Bangladesh (84).
Afghanistan, at the 109th position, is the only Asian country ranked behind India. India’s score in all four indicators was poor, especially for the prevalence of child wasting.
Child wasting has increased from 15.1 in 2014 to 19.3 and child undernourishment increased from 14.8 in 2014 to 16.3. India has the highest child wasting rate in the world – higher than it was in 1998-1999. India improved its performance in other two indicators – child mortality (3.3) and child stunting (35.5).
PUBLIC AFFAIRS INDEX (PAI) 2022
The Bengaluru-based Public Affairs Centre (PAC) recently released the seventh edition of the Public Affairs Index (PAI 2022).
The PAI 2022, which assesses the delivery of economic, political, and social justice in the states, recognized Haryana as the best-governed state under the big states category, which ranked 18 states.
It was followed by Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Karnataka, and others. Maharashtra, West Bengal and Jharkhand were ranked 16th, 17th and 18th positions in the index. Sikkim retained the top position in the category of 10 smaller states.
It is followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which secured second and third positions respectively.
Economic Justice: Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Karnataka are the top performers in delivering economic justice. The worst performer in this aspect is West Bengal, with a score of 0.18. Sikkim topped the list of small states providing economic justice, while Uttarakhand scored the lowest.
Political Justice: Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh topped the list of major states providing political justice. Among the smaller states, the top rank is held by Uttarakhand and Goa secured the last position.
Social Justice: Punjab received the highest score in the delivery of social justice. Haryana and Kerala hold the second and third positions respectively. Among the smaller states, Uttarakhand was ranked at the top, while Nagaland was ranked at the lowest.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
WHAT IS HTT-40 AIRCRAFT?
The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 is set to be unveiled during the 12th edition of the DefExpo on October 19, 2022.
The indigenous Basic Trainer Aircraft HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is developed and manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The trainer aircraft is expected to be unveiled at the India Pavilion during the DefExpo 2022. The HAL and Indian Air Force will finalize a contract for 70 HTT-40s during the event.
HTT-40 will be used by the IAF for training new pilots before they are allowed to use more advanced HAL HJT-16 Kiran (intermediate jet-powered trainer aircraft) and “Hawk” Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT).
ISRO'S MARS ORBITER MISSION?
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) confirmed that the Mars Orbiter craft has lost communication and is non-recoverable and the Mangalyaan mission has attained end-of-life.
Despite being designed for a life-span of six months as a technology demonstrator, the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) has lived for about eight years in the Martian orbit.
What is MOM?
About: The Rs 450 crore Mars Orbiter Mission was launched onboard PSLV-C25 on 5th November, 2013, and the MOM spacecraft was successfully inserted into the Martian orbit in September, 2014 in its first attempt.
Mangalyaan was India's first interplanetary mission. The mission made India the first Asian country, and the fourth in the world after Roscosmos, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and the European Space Agency, to get to the planet.
MISCELLANEOUS
1ST ACTOR TO SHOOT IN SPACE
Hollywood Actor Tom Cruise, who is renowned for pulling off high-octane stunts in his projects, is taking things to the next level and may soon become the first actor to shoot in space.
The Top Gun actor has reportedly partnered with director Doug Liman on a project that calls for him to perform a spacewalk.
The Hollywood actor and director have reportedly approached the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG) with a proposal for Tom to launch himself up to the International Space Station.
The project was initially slated for 2020, but the Covid-19 outbreak put the project on hold. The movie is currently in the conceptual stage and hasn’t started shooting yet.
Tom Cruise would be the first movie celebrity to film on the International Space Station if the film is successful, as was previously announced.
Liman was asked about reports that the movie will cost around $200 million but she insisted they are yet to work out the final budget. Presumably, a flight to space for Cruise and a film crew will cost a packet.
WHAT IS GALAPAGOS ISLANDS?
According to a recent study, Cold ocean currents have sheltered the Galápagos Islands from global warming.
The islands are protected from an otherwise warming Pacific Ocean by a cold, eastward equatorial ocean current. The equatorial undercurrent in the Pacific Ocean is bound to the equator by the force of the planet’s rotation.
Under the ocean’s surface, a swift circulation of cold, nutrient-rich water flows from west to east.
What is Galapagos Archipelago?
Location: The Galapagos Islands, spread over almost 60,000 sq km, are a part of Ecuador. These are located in the Pacific Ocean around 1,000 km away from the South American continent.
Protection Status: Ecuador made a part of the Galapagos a wildlife sanctuary in 1935, and the sanctuary became the Galapagos National Park in 1959. In 1978, the islands became UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site.
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