1. Union Minister Jitendra Singh to lead Indian delegation at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum meeting in America
Tags: place in news Science and Technology Summits International News
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh will lead a Joint Indian Ministerial official delegation of Ministry of Power, New & Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Science & Technology on a 5-day (19-23 September) visit to USA, to participate in Global Clean Energy Action Forum. The delegation includes Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Meeting in the United States of America :
- They will take part in the joint convening of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM13) and Mission Innovation (MI-7) which will take place from 21st to 23rd September at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
- They will also participate in the 1st Roundtable on Sustainable Bioenergy and Bio-refineries and the 2nd Roundtable on Net Zero Built Environment with Connected Communities.
- At the Clean Energy Action Forum the ministers are likely to underline India's commitment to a low-carbon future that aims to transform the energy landscape of the country by accelerating clean energy innovations.
India’s commitment on clean energy :
- The government of India has committed itself to reach 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and increase the contribution of renewable energy in total energy to 50%.
- It has also committed to reduce carbon emissions by one billion tons, reduce carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent over 2005 levels and finally achieve net zero emissions by 2070.
2. Tajikistan -Kyrgyzstan border clash at ‘Vorukh’ leaves at least 54 people dead
Tags: place in news International News
The old border dispute at Vorukh area between the two former Soviet Central Asian republics of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan flared up again on 16 September leading to the death of at least 54 persons. The bloody clash in the Vorukh area has seen frequent clashes between the two sides.
Both the sides accused each other of using tanks, mortars, rocket artillery and assault drones to attack outposts and nearby settlements.
The border clash came at the time when the leaders of both the countries, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov were attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Border Dispute :
- Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were part of the Soviet Union. Both gained Independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
- The current boundary dispute between the two countries lies in the demarcation of boundaries during the Soviet era.
- Vorukh is an enclave of Tajik territory surrounded by Kyrgyzstan. Many times there have been clashes over the issue of the access of the Tajiks living in Vorukh to Tajikistan. The Tajiks living in the Vorukh territory has to cross the Kyrgyz territory to go to Tajikistan.
- Tajikistan has proposed an exchange of territory with Kyrgyzstan so that Vorukh can have access to Tajikistan but so far Kyrgyzstan has refused to accept this offer.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Kyrgyzstan :
- Capital: Bishkek
- Currency: Kyrgyzstan Som
- President: Sadyr Japarov
- Tajikistan
- Capital: Dushanbe
- Currency: Somoni
- President: Emomali Rakhmon
3. PM Modi unveils National Logistics Policy
Tags: National Economy/Finance National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Logistics Policy (NLP) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 17 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The central government has been working on the National Logistics Policy for three years.
The commerce ministry released a draft logistics policy for consultation in 2019, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the National Logistics Policy in the budget 2022-23.
PM said faceless assessment has started in customs and e-way bills and FASTag are bringing efficiency in the logistics sector.
He said the Sagarmala project to link ports and dedicated freight corridors has started improving logistics connectivity and systematic infrastructure development work.
The Prime Minister said that India is now the fifth largest economy in the world and is emerging as a manufacturing hub.
Aim of the National Logistics Policy :
It aims to promote smooth movement of goods and enhance the competitiveness of the industry.
Through this policy, the focus will be on areas like process re-engineering, digitization and multi-modal transport.
Highlight of the Policy :
This policy seeks to support rapid growth in the aftermath of the corona pandemic.
It will streamline regulations and remove supply-side bottlenecks, besides providing a roadmap to reduce fuel costs and logistics costs.
The draft policy seeks to create a reference point for all logistics and trade facilities and to reduce costs for the logistics sector by 10 percent over five years.
The logistics sector is estimated to account for 13-14 per cent of the GDP.
This policy is an attempt to improve the competitiveness of Indian goods, increase economic growth and employment opportunities.
India's logistics sector :
India's logistics sector has more than 20 government agencies, 40 participating government agencies (PGAs), 37 export promotion councils, 500 certifications, over 10,000 items and a $160 billion market.
As per the World Bank Logistics Index of 2018, India is ranked 44th in logistics costs.
4. Kazakhstan renames its capital to Astana and bars second term for President
Tags: place in news International News
The Parliament of Kazakhstan voted to amend the constitution on 16 September 2022 to revert back the name of the nation’s capital to Astana. It also extended the term of the President and barred a person from becoming President more than once.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Term of the President :
- The term of the President has been extended to seven years from the present five years.
- Also a person can become the President of Kazakhstan only once. Earlier a person can become the President for a maximum two consecutive times.
Renaming of the Capital :
- It also passed a constitutional amendment to change the name of the capital to Astana from Nur-Sultan.
- Kazakhstan moved its capital from Almaty to Astana in 1997 after it became an Independent country in 1991. In Soviet times Astana was called Tselinograd.
- Later when Kazakhstan first President Nur Sultan Nazarbayev resigned after being in power for almost thirty years in 2019, his successor the current President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev renamed Astana to Nur-Sultan in honour of the ex-leader.
- However, now again the name has been changed back to Astana.
Parliament of Kazakhstan :
- The Parliament of Kazakhstan is bicameral. It consists of the upper house senate and a lower house called National Assembly (Mazhilis).
Republic of Kazakhstan :
- Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union which gained Independence on 16 December 1991, after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
- It lies in Central Asia. It is the largest country in central Asia and 9th largest country in the world.
- It has the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is the world’s first spaceport. The Soviet Union used to launch its space rocket from here.
- The first Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma was launched into space from here on the Soviet Soyuz T-11 rocket on 3 April 1984.
- Now it has been leased to the Russians.
- Capital: Astana
- Currency: Tenge
- President: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
5. India Discrimination Report 2022
Tags: National National News
Oxfam India recently released the 'India Discrimination Report 2022'. The report highlights that women and marginalized communities face discrimination in the job market.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Key Highlights of the report :
Labour force participation rate (LFPR) :-
The labor force participation rate (LFPR) of women in India was just 25 per cent in 2021.
It is considerably lower than Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.
Low participation was mainly due to gender discrimination in wages and opportunities.
Wage Gap :-
Self-employed urban men earn 2.5 times more than their female counterparts.
83 percent of this pay gap is attributable to gender-based discrimination.
In rural areas, the income gap between men and women is 93 percent due to gender discrimination.
Discrimination with Educational Qualification :-
The employment status of women does not depend on their educational qualifications.
Social Norms :-
A large section of qualified women is not available in the labor market due to family responsibilities.
Women from well-educated and economically well-off households often withdraw from the labor force due to socio-cultural reasons.
Women do not enter the labor market due to insecurities during travel and the need to go to office on time and due to family reasons.
Lack of salaried jobs :-
60 percent of urban men are engaged in salaried jobs or are self-employed, while among women this figure has come down to just 19 percent.
Status in SC, ST communities :-
SC and ST women start working at an early age without any formal education due to poor socio-economic conditions.
This means that more than educational qualification or age, social factors are the determinant factor for rural women to opt out or stay away from work.
Individuals belonging to SC and ST communities earn Rs 5,000 less than the national average.
Oxfam India :-
It is a organisation of people working to end discrimination and create a free and just society.
It is a part of the Oxfam Global Confederation in which 21 countries are working together as partners to build a better world.
6. SCO summit 2022 : India to host SCO summit next year
Tags: International Relations Summits International News
The SCO summit was held two years later in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 15 and 16 September. The next meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State will be held in 2023 in India.
Agenda of the summit :
The technological and digital divide, continued turbulence in global financial markets, instability in supply chains, increased protectionist measures and uncertainty in the global economy.
Member States also highlighted the impacts of global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, which have posed additional challenges to economic growth, social welfare and food security.
Samarkand Declaration :
The leaders of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) signed the Samarkand Declaration at a meeting of the Council of Heads of State.
The declaration states that the SCO will be headed by India for the next period.
In the declaration, the member states supported the efforts of the countries of the region to ensure prosperity, peace and sustainable development.
They advocated for strengthening the role of SCO in promoting stability and socio-economic development in the region.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The leaders stressed the need to adopt new approaches to promote more equitable and effective international cooperation and sustainable economic development.
Member States expressed deep concern over the security threat posed by terrorism, separatism and extremism and strongly condemned terrorist acts around the world.
They also resolved to take measures to contain the spread of terrorism, to eliminate terrorist financing channels.
They supported the establishment of Afghanistan as a free, neutral, united, democratic and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war and drugs.
Member States called for strengthening the effectiveness of the World Trade Organization as the principal forum for discussing the international trade agenda and adopting the rules of the multilateral trading system.
Member States have decided to set up an expert working group on start-ups and innovation, poverty reduction and traditional medicine.
PM Modi's participation in the Summit :
In the summit PM Modi said the Indian economy is expected to grow by 7.5 per cent this year and thus will be the highest among the largest economies in the world.
PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) :
It is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.
It was founded in 2001.
The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and came into force in 2003.
It is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization.
Its aim is to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.
China, Russia and four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – were founding members of the SCO.
Its members include China, Russia, India and Pakistan, as well as 4 Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Official Languages - Russian and Chinese
Chairmanship - On the basis of rotation for a year by Member States
7. PM Narendra Modi releases 8 Cheetahs in MP's Kuno National Park
Tags: National State News International News
The first batch of cheetahs, translocated from Namibia to India, has been released into the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Cheetahs (5 females and 3 males) have been brought from Namibia in Africa as part of 'Project Cheetah'.
Eight cheetahs were brought in a cargo plane to Gwalior as part of an intercontinental cheetah translocation project.
Later, helicopters from the Indian Air Force transported the cheetahs from Gwalior Air Force Station to Kuno National Park.
This is the first time in the world that a large carnivore has been transferred from one continent to another.
The cheetahs have been brought under a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year.
Reintroduction Action Plan :
Reintroduction of a species means releasing it in an area where it is capable of surviving.
Under the scheme, 50 cheetahs will be released in various national parks of the country over a period of 5 years.
Extinction of cheetahs :
The last cheetah of the country was found dead in the year 1947 in Chhattisgarh and in the year 1952 it was declared extinct in the country.
Habitat loss, conflict with humans, poaching and high susceptibility to diseases are the major causes of their extinction.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About ‘Project Cheetah’ :
This is a one of its kind project in which a species is being brought out of the country (from South Africa / Namibia) and restored to the country.
The subspecies of the extinct cheetah in India was the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and the subspecies of the cheetah being brought back to the country is the African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus).
Research has shown that the genes of both these subspecies are similar.
8. 'Swachhta Hi Seva' (SHS) campaign
Tags: National National News
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The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti launched a fortnightly campaign 'Swachhta Hi Seva' (SHS) on 16 September to accelerate efforts towards complete sanitation in rural India.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Its objective is to accelerate the efforts being made towards total sanitation in rural India.
This is a massive campaign for old waste cleaning and solid waste management activity.
The campaign will culminate on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Major activities to be organized in villages under the campaign :
Cleaning of old waste sites in villages.
Construction of waste collection and segregation sheds/centres
Keeping the areas around water bodies clean and planting trees around them
Procurement of waste collection vehicles such as tricycles/e-carts (battery operated vehicles) through GeM
Door to door collection of non-biodegradable waste such as plastic
To create awareness about the ill-effects of Single Use Plastic (SUP) by organizing Gram Sabha meetings
Promoting the 4 R's for Plastic Waste Management – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
9. Science Magazine ‘Vigyan Pragati’ receives ‘Rajbhasha Kirti Award’
Tags: National Awards National News
CSIR’s popular science magazine “Vigyan Pragati” has received the National Rajbhasha Kirti Award (First position).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The award was given at the 2nd All India Official Language Conference held during 14-15 September 2022 at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium, Surat.
The Department of Official Language, Ministry of Home Affairs organized the event which was attended by about 9000 spectators.
Director of CSIR-National Institute for Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), Prof. Ranjana Agarwal received this prestigious Kirti Award.
Article 51A (h) of the Indian Constitution states that it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to develop scientific temper, spirit of inquiry, humanism and reform.
Magazine ‘Vigyan Pragati’ :
‘Vigyan Pragati’ (a popular science magazine in Hindi) is one of India's best popular science magazines.
It is popular among children, teachers, researchers and the public in India as well as in other countries.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) started publication of this journal in 1952.
The aim of Vigyan Pragati is to make science and technology accessible to the common man in simple language.
10. Varanasi nominated as first SCO cultural and tourism capital
Tags: National National News
Varanasi has been designated as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tourism and Cultural Capital for the first time during the period 2022-2023 at the 22nd meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 16 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The nomination of Varanasi as the first SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital will promote tourism, cultural and humanitarian exchanges between India and SCO member countries.
It also underlines India's ancient civilizational ties with the SCO member states, particularly the Central Asian republics.
Under the framework of this flagship cultural outreach programme, several events will be organized in Varanasi during the year 2022-23, in which guests from SCO member states will be invited to participate.
Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
