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By admin: June 14, 2023

Global Slavery Index 2023

Tags: INDEX

The Walk Free Foundation recently released the Global Slavery Index 2023, an assessment of modern slavery conditions in 160 countries. 

An overview of the news

• Global Slavery Index 2023 is the fifth edition and is based on the estimates from 2022.

• The global slavery index provides an overview of modern slavery.

• According to the report approximately 50 million individuals were living in “modern slavery” on any given day in 2021.

• Of the 50 million affected people, 28 million suffer from forced labor, while 22 million face forced marriage. Remarkably, 12 million of those affected are children.

What is Modern Slavery?

• It refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, or abuses of power. 

• Modern slavery is a term that covers various forms of exploitation, including forced labor, forced marriage, debt bondage, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, slavery-like practices, forced or servile marriage, and the sale and exploitation of children.

Key findings of the report

• Countries with the highest prevalence: Based on available data, the following countries have been identified as having the highest prevalence of modern slavery: North Korea, Eritrea, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. These countries exhibit a relatively higher incidence of individuals living in modern slavery compared to others.

• Countries with the lowest prevalence: On the other hand, certain countries have been found to have the lowest prevalence of modern slavery. These countries include Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden. They have comparatively lower instances of individuals living in modern slavery within their populations.

• Countries with the maximum number of people living in modern slavery: India, China, North Korea, Pakistan, and Russia have been identified as countries with the highest number of people living in modern slavery.

• G20 nations hosting the maximum number of people living in modern slavery: Out of the G20 nations, which represent the world's major economies, six members have been found to host the highest number of individuals living in modern slavery. These countries are India, China, Russia, Indonesia, Turkey, and the United States.

What is the Prevalence of Modern slavery? 

• The prevalence of modern slavery refers to the incidence of individuals living in modern slavery per 1000 population. 

What is the Global Slavery Index?

• The Global Slavery Index is a comprehensive report developed by Walk Free, a respected human rights organization. 

• The index draws upon data provided by the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, a collaborative effort by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Walk Free, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

• These organizations work together to gather and analyze data on modern slavery worldwide.

• The recently published Global Slavery Index is the fifth edition of the report. 

• It represents the most up-to-date information available on the prevalence of modern slavery. 

• The data used in this edition is based on estimates from 2022, providing insights into the current state of modern slavery.

• One of the key aspects examined by the Global Slavery Index is the prevalence of modern slavery within different countries. 

• To determine this, the index calculates the incidence of modern slavery per 1000 population. 

• This measurement provides a standardized way to compare the scale of modern slavery across countries.

Warkari community’s Palkhi festival

Tags: Festivals

Delegates attending the three-day G20 Digital Economy Working Group conference in Pune recently got a first-hand glimpse of the palanquins of the Warkari community.

About Palkhi Festival

• The Palkhi festival is a tradition that dates back 1000 years and was initiated by saints from Maharashtra, India. 

• The Palkhi festival takes place in the month of Jyeshth (June) and lasts for a total of 22 days. It involves a journey from the departure points to Pandharpur.

• It is still practiced today by their followers known as varkaris. 

• These varkaris are individuals who follow a vari, which is a fundamental ritual associated with the festival.

Purpose and location of the festival

• The Palkhi festival is an annual pilgrimage (yatra) to Pandharpur, a town in Maharashtra that serves as the abode of the Hindu god Vithoba. 

• The festival is held to honor this deity and express devotion towards him.

• During the festival, varkaris walk in groups, carrying palkhis or chariots. 

• These palkhis contain the paduka or sacred sandals of various saints, with Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram being the most prominent ones.

• The Palkhi procession begins from two different locations in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Dnyaneshwar's palakhi starts from Alandi, while Tukaram's palakhi commences from Dehu.

Warkari community

• This community or sect is associated with the Bhakti spiritual tradition of Hinduism and has a long history in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

• It has been a prominent part of the religious fabric since the thirteenth century CE.

• Saints of this community have contributed significantly to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Maharashtra.

• Some of the famous saints associated with this community include Dnyaneshwar, Namdev, Chokhamela, Eknath and Tukaram.

Rashmika Mandanna becomes the brand ambassador for Epson India

Tags: Person in news

Printer company Epson India has signed popular actress Rashmika Mandanna as its brand ambassador. 

An overview of the news

• Mandanna will collaborate with the company in a multi-media campaign to promote its 'EcoTank' printers this month.

• Epson India aims to leverage Rashmika Mandanna's popularity and diverse fan base across Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil cinema to reach a wider audience, particularly the younger generation, through the campaign. 

• The company believes her association will help spread awareness about their products and the benefits they offer.

Epson India's perspective

• Tushad Talati, the Director of Brand and Communication at Epson India, expressed the company's enthusiasm for having Rashmika Mandanna as their brand ambassador.

• Through the campaign, they aim to reach a wider audience and raise awareness about the printers and their advantages.

Mandanna's other endorsements and industry trends

• Rashmika Mandanna is also associated with brands such as PlayerzPot, 7Up, TTK Healthcare's Eva, and others. 

Reliance climbs eight spots to 45th rank on Forbes' Global 2000 list

Tags: Reports INDEX

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd climbed eight spots to the 45th rank, the highest for an Indian company on Forbes’ latest Global 2000 list of public companies worldwide.

An overview of the news

• This achievement marks the highest position for an Indian company on the list. 

• The Global 2000 ranks public companies worldwide based on sales, profits, assets, and market value.

JPMorgan tops the list

• JPMorgan, America's largest bank with $3.7 trillion in assets, has secured the top spot on the Global 2000 list.

• This marks its first time at the top since 2011. 

• The bank's strong performance during the regional banking crisis, coupled with increased deposits and the opportunistic acquisition of the failed First Republic Bank, contributed to its ranking.

• Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, which topped the list in the previous year, fell to the 338th position in the latest ranking. 

• This decline is attributed to unrealized losses in its investment portfolio. 

• Saudi Arabia's oil giant, Aramco, holds the second position on the list.

Indian firms on the list

• Reliance Industries leads as the highest-ranked Indian company at the 45th spot. 

• Other notable Indian firms include State Bank of India at 77th, HDFC Bank at 128th, ICICI Bank at 163rd, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) at 387th. 

• A total of 55 Indian companies made it to the Global 2000 list, including Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), HDFC, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), and Tata Steel.

Gautam Adani's conglomerate firms

• Three companies from Gautam Adani's conglomerate are included in the list. Adani Enterprises secured the 1062nd position, Adani Power is at 1488th, and Adani Ports & Special Economic Zones is at 1598th.

Fourth warship of Indian Navy 'Sanshodhak' launched

Tags: Defence National News

The fourth Survey Vessel Large (SVL) of the Indian Navy, named 'Sanshodhak', was launched at Kattupalli, Chennai on 13th June. 

An overview of the news

• The launch ceremony, held on June 13, was attended by Adhir Arora, Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India, as the chief guest. 

• Tanvi Arora launched the ship while an invocation from the Atharva Veda was chanted, following naval maritime traditions.

About 'Sanshodhak' warship

• The ship's name, meaning 'Researcher', reflects its primary role as a Survey Vessel.

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted the launch of the fourth SVL as a testament to India's commitment to indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the government's 'Make in India' and Aatma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. 

• The project, undertaken by L&T/GRSE for the Indian Navy, demonstrates the nation's resolve in promoting self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing.

Purpose and features of SVL ships

• The SVL ships are designed to replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships and are equipped with new-generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data. 

• These ships have a length of 110 meters, a width of 16 meters, and a displacement of 3,400 tons. 

• The hull of the ships is constructed using DMR 249-A steel, an indigenously developed material manufactured by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). 

• With over 80 percent indigenous content by cost, the SVL project promotes defense production by Indian manufacturing units, contributing to employment generation and enhancing warship building capabilities in the country.

Construction and launch timeline

• The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between the MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on October 30, 2018. 

• As per the build strategy, the first ship was built at GRSE, Kolkata, while the construction of the remaining three ships up to the outfitting stage was sub-contracted to L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli. 

• The first three ships, named Sandhayak, Nirdeshak, and Ikshak, were launched on December 5, 2021, May 26, 2022, and November 26, 2022, respectively.

Advocate Lalitha Natarajan wins America's Iqbal Masih Award

Tags: Awards

Chennai-based advocate and activist Lalitha Natarajan won the 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Eradication of Child Labor presented by the US Department of Labor.

An Overview of the News

• The award ceremony took place on 30 May at the US Consulate General in Chennai, where Consul General Judith Ravin presented the award to Lalitha Natarajan.

• Lalitha Natarajan is known for her leadership in combating exploitative child labor in southern India.

• As a member of the Child Welfare Committee (North Zone) under the Department of Social Defence, Tamil Nadu, Natarajan ensures that child labor victims receive compensation as per the Child Labor Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

About Iqbal Masih Award

• It is an annual non-monetary award established by the US Congress in 2008.

• It is administered by the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking within the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) of the US Department of Labor.

• The award recognizes individuals or organizations making an extraordinary contribution to combating child labour.

• It is named after Iqbal Masih, a Pakistani child who was sold into slavery and forced to work in a carpet factory.

• He was murdered in 1995 at the age of twelve.

• The award aims to raise awareness about child labor and honour those fighting against it.

'Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012':

• This is the law related to child sexual abuse in India.

• This act was passed by the Parliament of India on 22 May 2012.

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development framed guidelines and regulations to aid in the implementation of the Act.

• In November 2012, rules were framed to ensure effective enforcement of the Act.

• The objective of the Act is to prevent, detect and prosecute sexual offences against children.

• It covers various forms of sexual abuse including molestation, rape and child pornography.

RSL Christopher Bland Award 2023 won by Patterson Joseph

Tags: Awards

Paterson Joseph has been awarded the prestigious RSL Christopher Bland Prize 2023 for his debut novel 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho'.

An Overview of the News

• The RSL Christopher Bland Prize is a renowned literary prize, and this year is in its fifth edition.

• 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho' is the title of Patterson Joseph's first novel, which has garnered critical acclaim and recognition within the literary community.

• About the book 'The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho'

• This book is a historical fiction about Charles Ignatius Sancho.

• Sancho was the first black man to vote in England.

RSL Christopher Bland Award:

• It is a prestigious annual award that recognizes the achievements of first-time authors in the genre of fiction or nonfiction.

• It is specifically awarded to individuals who have published their first work at the age of 50 or more.

• The RSL Christopher Bland Award was instituted in 2018 to pay tribute to the memory of the famous British politician Sir Christopher Bland.

Patterson D. Joseph:

• He is an English actor and writer who was born in London, England.

• He has recently been officially appointed as the Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University.

• One of his notable early films was "In the Name of the Father".

Uttam Lal appointed as Director (Personnel) of NHPC

Tags: Person in news

Uttam Lal has been appointed as Director (Personnel) in National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd.

An Overview of the News

• NHPC Limited is India's leading hydropower company.

• Uttam Lal earlier served as Chief General Manager (HR-CSR/R&R/LA) in NTPC Limited.

• Uttam Lal is known for his expertise and experience in the power sector.

• Uttam Lal did his PG Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations from Xavier Institute of Social Sciences (Ranchi) and also obtained LLB degree from Ranchi University.

NHPC Limited:

• It is a Government of India Hydropower Board and operated under the ownership of the Ministry of Power, Government of India.

• It was incorporated in 1975 with an authorised capital of ₹2,000 million.

• Its objective is to plan, promote and organise the integrated and efficient development of hydroelectric power.

• It is currently classified as a Mini Ratna Category-I Enterprise of the Government of India.

• NHPC is one of the top ten companies in India in terms of investment.

• The first project commissioned by NHPC was Baira Suil Power Station in Salooni Tehsil of Chamba District.

GSITI Hyderabad recognized as "Athi Uttam"

Tags: State News

The Geological Survey Training Institute of India (GSITI) located at Hyderabad has been accredited as “Athi Uttam” by the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET).

An Overview of the News

• The accreditation recognizes GSITI's excellent services and high standards in the field of Earth Science training.

• The accreditation was granted to GSITI after an on-site assessment conducted by Capacity Building Commission (CBC), NABET and Quality Control of India.

• GSITI, established in 1976, functions under the Ministry of Mines and is headquartered in Hyderabad.

• The institute consists of six Regional Training Divisions (RTDs) located at Hyderabad, Nagpur, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata and Shillong.

• Four Field Training Centers (FTCs) are also established at Chitradurga (Karnataka), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Jawar (Rajasthan) and Kuju (Jharkhand).

• The Institute conducts courses on Remote Sensing sponsored by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) under the NNRMS programme.

About Telangana

It is a state located in south-central India on the high Deccan Plateau.

• Telangana was carved out of the northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh on 2 June 2014 and became the newly formed state of Telangana with Hyderabad as the capital.

• Telangana is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Chhattisgarh to the northeast, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the east and south.

• As of 2019, the state of Telangana is divided into 33 districts.

District - 33

Governor - Tamilisai Soundararajan

Chief Minister - K Chandrasekhar Rao (BRS)

State Legislature - Bicameral

Council - (40 seats)

Legislative Assembly - (119 seats)

Rajya Sabha - 7 seats

Lok Sabha - 17 seats

Ankush won gold in the freestyle 55kg category at the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships

Tags: Sports Sports News

On 13 June 2023 India won a total of seven medals with one gold, three silver and three bronze medals on the final day of the tournament in the Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

An Overview of the News

• Ankush won the only gold medal for India by defeating Iran's Amirreza Ali Taimoorizad in the freestyle 55 kg category.

• Dhanraj Bharat Shirke who represented India lost to Ahora Farhad Khateri of Iran and earned a silver medal.

• Competing in the freestyle 48 kg category, Rupesh won the silver medal after losing to Iran's Sam Reza Sayar in the final.

• India finished second behind Iran in the freestyle team rankings.

Indian medal winners at the U17 Asian Wrestling Championships 2023

World Blood Donor Day - 14 June

Tags: Important Days

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated every year on 14 June.

An Overview of the News

• The day aims to express gratitude to the selfless voluntary blood donors and celebrate the essence of life and humanity.

• The program emphasises the importance of ensuring universal access to safe blood transfusions.

• The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2023 is "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often."

• The theme highlights the importance of regular blood and plasma donations to create a safe and sustainable supply of blood and blood products around the world.

• The host country of World Blood Donor Day 2023 is Algeria.

• The National Blood Transfusion Service of Algeria is responsible for organising and coordinating the global program.

History of World Blood Donor Day

• The World Health Organization (WHO) established World Blood Donor Day in 2004.

• In 2005, the 58th World Health Assembly designated it as an annual global event.

• World Blood Donor Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation.

• Blood donation has ancient origins, with cultures recognizing the medical benefits of bloodletting and blood transfusions.

• English physician Richard Lower contributed significantly to blood donation.

• Lower's book, 'Tractatus de Cordae', documented his important work on blood transfusion and the functioning of the cardiopulmonary system.

SIDBI launches EVOLVE mission with NITI Aayog

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) launched the Electric Vehicle Operations and Lending for Vibrant Ecosystem (EVOLVE) mission.

An Overview of the News

• The mission has been launched in collaboration with NITI Aayog, World Bank, Korean-World Bank and Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

• Its main objective is to provide financial assistance to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the electric vehicle sector.

• The collaboration between SIDBI, NITI Aayog, World Bank, Korea-World Bank and Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) highlights the importance of public-private partnership.

• The EVOLVE mission contributes to the promotion of sustainable transportation solutions in India.

• By supporting MSMEs in the electric vehicle industry, the initiative aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem for electric vehicles.

EVOLVE Mission Aim:

• Its primary objective is to provide funds for the purchase of 50,000 Electric Vehicles (EVs).

• Sanction letters have been sent to companies such as Aristo Securities and Muffin Green Finance to achieve this goal.

• These companies have been tasked with facilitating the introduction of around 5,000 two-wheeler and three-wheeler electric vehicles on the roads in the near future.

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):

• Apex regulatory body for micro, small and medium enterprise finance companies in India.

• Responsible for licensing and regulation in this sector.

Jurisdiction:

• Under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

• The headquarters is located in Lucknow.

Establishment:

• Established on 2nd April, 1990 by the Government of India.

• Initially a wholly owned subsidiary of IDBI Bank.

• Delinked from IDBI Bank on March 27, 2000.