CSR's IAS - Official UPSC/PSC Preparation Channel

The African delegation observes Indian systems of traditional medicine After joining G20 bloc under India's 2023 presidency, the African Nations are all set to explore the power of Indian Systems of Traditional Medicine and Integrative health care. On Septeber 26, a 15-member group of High Commissioners and Ambassadors of East and Southern African Countries visited All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi to explore the cutting-edge science and interventions of AIIA in the field of Ayurveda and Integrative Health Care. The African delegation, after being welcomed in a befitting Indian traditional way by AIIA, visited AIIA hospital, OPD etc. and came to know first-hand the advances and interventions made in primary and tertiary health care, adjuvant therapy etc. through Ayurveda. Traditional medicine, as defined by the World Health Organization, is the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement, or treatment of physical and mental illness. Minister of Ayush and Ports, Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the African delegation and said that this visit will help in achieving the objective of Universal Health Coverage in African nations through the potential of Traditional Medicine Systems of India. In his video message, Sonowal further highlighted the role of Ayurveda and other Traditional Medicine systems of India and said, "Traditional Medicine has always played an important role in meeting the global health care needs. World Health organization also recognizes its' potential. Bringing Traditional Medicine in main healthcare can bridge access gaps for millions of people across the globe and would be an important step towards people centered and holistic approaches to health and well-being." The African delegation was deeply impressed and benefited from the various facets of AIIA by having first-hand account. During this historical visit, Dr Tanuja Nesari, Director AIIA, explained the tour de force of AIIA to the group and said, "AIIA is putting in every effort to take Ayurveda to the global community, and has entered into MoUs with more than 50 research organizations and reputed institutions or universities, among them 17 are of international repute.” Earlier, the first ever WHO-Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in Gujarat, Gandhinagar on 17th-18th August 2023 also saw the increasing acceptance of Traditional Medicine in an interface of G20 health Ministers and Ministry of Ayush. This visit of African delegation is also being considered as in continuum and highlights the twin objective of projecting AIIA as a one stop destination for Medical Value Travel, and to advance tangible collaboration in traditional medicine with E&SA countries.

Minister of External Affairs and UAE counterpart discuss comprehensive strategic partnership in New York During the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York, UAE's Foreign Affairs Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Minister of External Affairs Minister, Dr. S.Jaishankar. They discussed the longstanding ties between the UAE and India and the ways to enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership. The two leaders also conversed about the global issue of climate change, especially in light of the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) being hosted by the UAE in Expo City Dubai.Sheikh Abdullah emphasized the commitment of both the UAE and India in promoting international collaborations to tackle global challenges and foster partnerships for the greater good of humanity. He reminded that since 2017, the two nations have fortified their strategic relationship and entered into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022. This has facilitated several developmental successes for their citizens. Sheikh Abdullah underscored that the COP28 is an opportune moment to showcase the unique bond between the UAE and India and the importance of global collaboration to address pressing challenges. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and the UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was also present during the meeting.

India creates history, clinches Gold medal in equestrian at Asian Games after 41 years India created history on Tuesday as they clinched a gold medal in equestrian at the ongoing Asian Games. This momentous victory marks India’s return to the pinnacle of equestrian excellence after an agonizing 41-year wait. The last time India tasted Gold in this sport was at the 1982 Asian Games held in Delhi. The triumphant Indian equestrian team, consisting of Anush Agarwalla, Hriday Cheeda, Divyakriti Singh, and Sudipti Hajela, displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, amassing a total score of 209.25. Their impeccable performance left no room for doubt, securing their rightful place atop the podium. In a closely contested battle, China emerged as the runners-up, earning the silver medal with a total score of 204.882 points.

Waheeda Rehman to be conferred Dadasaheb Phalke Award for contributions to Indian cinema Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced that veteran actor Waheeda Rehman will be honoured this year's Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award. Waheeda Rehman is regarded as one of India's finest actors and is best known for her roles in films like "Pyaasa", "CID", "Guide", "Kaagaz Ke Phool", "Khamoshi" and "Trishul", "Chaudhvin Ka Chand" and "Teesri Kasam". Taking to X, I&B Minister Anurag Thakur wrote, "I feel an immense sense of happiness and honour in announcing that Waheeda Rehman ji is being bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award this year for her stellar contribution to Indian Cinema,". Minister continued, "Waheeda ji has been critically acclaimed for her roles in Hindi films, prominent among them, Pyaasa, Kaagaz ke Phool, Chaudhavi Ka Chand, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Guide, Khamoshi and several others. In her career spanning over 5 decades, she has essayed her roles with extreme finesse, leading to a National Film Award for her role as a clanswoman in the film Reshma and Shera. A Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, Waheeda ji has exemplified dedication, commitment and the strength of a Bharatiya Nari who can achieve the highest level of professional excellence with her hardwork,". Dadasaheb Phalke Award was introduced by the Government of India to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke's contribution to Indian cinema who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra in 1913. Honoured with the highest award in the field of cinema, the recipients are recognized for their ‘outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema’. The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh. Last year, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was conferred on veteran Bollywood star Asha Parekh for her exemplary lifetime contribution to Indian Cinema. The other recipients of the prestigious award include Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Gulzar, Pran, Prithviraj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Manna Dey, and Vinod Khanna (posthumously), among others.

Green Hydrogen fuel cell bus launched to boost green mobility India's first green hydrogen fuel cell bus was launched in New Delhi on Monday, September 25 with the purpose of bolstering green mobility. The bus was flagged off by Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at India Gate war memorial. On the occasion, the Union Minister said that the government is working in a mission mode to bring in a new generation of green vehicles. He also highlighted the merits of green energy, and added that it has helped in bringing down the import bill of the country. Vehicles with hydrogen fuel cells, in which hydrogen mixes with oxygen to produce water and energy to power a battery, can refuel in minutes and have a much longer range than battery-electric vehicles, but infrastructure is lacking and it is less energy-efficient. Last year, New Delhi approved a 174.9 billion rupees (USD 2.1 Billion) incentive plan for the fuel, which is made using renewable energy and without producing greenhouse gases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. The move also supports India's initiative in reducing the use of fossil fuels in the country. Union Minister Puri said, "This is our duty to the next generation that we move from the fossil fuel and internal combustion engine to a new green mobility and I want to tell you that the progress I have seen in this area and I am not saying this because I happen just now to be the minister of petroleum and natural gas but the progress I have seen in my short tenure is nothing less than absolutely revolutionary." More importantly, India has set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. As the country’s demand for energy and resources grows, a shift towards renewable energy sources is necessary to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Green hydrogen (GH2) is one of the most promising renewable energy carriers and has the potential to play a vital role in India’s low-carbon and self-reliant economic pathways. Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, powered by renewable energy. Unlike grey hydrogen, which is produced industrially from natural gas and generates significant carbon emissions, green hydrogen is renewable and carbon-free. The cleanest version of hydrogen is green hydrogen, which is generated by renewable energy sources without producing carbon emissions. According to Indian Oil Chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, 13 more buses will be launched by the end of the year in the Delhi-NCR region as part of the project.

Extreme weather conditions around the globe! What is to be blamed? Fiona in Nova Scotia, Daniel in Libya, tornado in China, heavy rainfall in India, heatwaves in Europe, flooding in Spain. Over the last few months, different climate hazards have taken place in different countries around the world. Scientists say climate change is most likely the reason impacting heavy rainfall and flooding. In Libya, a catastrophic flooding induced by hurricane Daniel, led to as many as 10,000 deaths. In the first 11 days of September, eight devastating flooding events have unfolded on four continents. Before Mediterranean storm Daniel sent floodwaters surging through eastern Libya, severe rain inundated parts of central Greece, northwestern Turkey, southern Brazil, central and coastal Spain, southern China, Hong Kong and the southwestern U.S. These are unseasonal and unrelated extreme weather events taking place around the world. Studies show that global warming is intensifying the planet’s water cycle. Warmer temperature means increased evaporation from the water bodies, which means more moisture in a warm atmosphere. As a result, when storms can unleash more intense precipitation and thus cause severe flooding. Researchers have observed those changes over time as the world warms. Since 1901, global precipitation has increased at an average rate of 0.04 inches per decade, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the Sixth Assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the occurrence of extreme events is unprecedented in the observed record and will increase with increasing global warming, Although each extreme weather condition in September had a different origin, it unleashed havoc on the people. The Mediterranean storm named Daniel caused heavy rain over central Greece and Libya. Meanwhile, Typhoon Haikui and its remnants lashed Hong Kong and southern China with record rain, waterlogging urban and rural areas, destroying roads and causing more than 100 landslides. Torrential downpours caused flash flooding in central and coastal regions of Spain, northwest Turkey and thousands of miles away in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The impact is such that people continue to suffer the aftermath of the climatic phenomenon, in form of loss of life, property, livelihood, exposure to diseases and more.

Rare metal Vanadium, key for batteries, discovered in India's Gujarat India seems to have hit a jackpot. After the discovery of lithium in Kashmir, 'vanadium', a rare metal has been discovered in Gujarat. Vanadium is a rare metal and key raw material for many industrial applications. The metal has been found in the sediment samples collected from Gulf of Khambhat, which opens into the Arabian Sea off Alang in Gujarat. The new found metal is significant as it is scarce in India and possesses the capability to enhance the resilience of steel and titanium. The metal also has application in vanadium redox batteries to store energy efficiently. Modern applications of vanadium include its use as vanadium secondary batteries for power plants and rechargeable vanadium redox battery (VRB) for commercial applications. The main advantages of VRB are that it can offer almost unlimited capacity simply by using sequentially larger storage tanks; can be left completely discharged for long periods of time with no ill effects; can be recharged by replacing the electrolyte if no power source is available to charge it; and suffers no permanent damage if the electrolytes are accidentally mixed. The VRB has also been shown to have the least ecological impact of all energy storage technologies. Earlier in February 2023, the Geological Survey of India (GSI), for the first time, found lithium deposits - 5.9 million tonnes in Salal-Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir. Meanwhile, in 2021, an exploration by Geological Survey of India (GSI) placed the eastern Himalayan State of Arunachal Pradesh, on the vanadium map of the country. As per GSI, the metal was recovered as a by-product from a slag that was collected from the processing of vanadiferous magnetite ores. Although India is a significant consumer of Vanadium, it lacks behind in terms of producing the essential metal. According to Indian Bureau of Mines, the total estimated reserves of Vanadium in India is around 24.63 million tonnes. Of this, the estimated Vanadium Pentoxide is 64,594 tonnes. The world production of vanadium in 2017 was 85,842 tonnes of metal content. Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of vanadium, with Russia and South Africa rounding out the top three. Brazil alone is responsible for nearly one-quarter of the metal’s global export market, and the combined trio represents nearly 60 percent of the market. Meanwhile, China has the highest vanadium reserves in the world with 9.5 million MT as of 2022. Vanadium is used primarily as an alloying element in Iron & Steel Industry and to some extent as a stabiliser in titanium and aluminium alloys which are used in aerospace applications. It imparts toughness and strength to steel, alloys and also acts as scavenger for oxygen. Vanadium also offers exceptional resistance to corrosion and elevated temperatures.

PM Modi invited US President Joe Biden to be Republic Day chief guest: Eric Garcetti US President Joe Biden has received an invitation to attend India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26th, in the national capital. This revelation came from the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, during an announcement on Wednesday. Garcetti disclosed that Prime Minister Modi extended the invitation to President Biden during their bilateral meeting at the recently concluded G20 Summit. At this summit, India and the US also successfully resolved the seventh and final outstanding dispute under the World Trade Organization (WTO). It’s worth noting that the six previous disputes were resolved during Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to the US. In a joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India, reaffirming the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries. Both leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress being made in implementing the groundbreaking agreements that stemmed from Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Washington in June 2023. The two leaders called upon their respective governments to continue advancing the India-US Strategic Partnership across all facets of their multifaceted global agenda, rooted in trust and mutual understanding. Following their meeting, both leaders praised the India-US relationship and emphasized that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a significant role in advancing global well-being. The G20 Summit was held in New Delhi from September 9th to 10th, with India in the presidency role. Notably, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi graced this year’s Republic Day parade. In 2015, Barack Obama made history as the first US President to attend India’s Republic Day parade as the chief guest.

India Global Forum and World Governments Summit Launch Emerging Economies Programme Dubai, UAE – 20 September 2023: India Global Forum and World Governments Summit have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an Emerging Economies Programme. The programme will convene key stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, economists, and experts to foster high-level discussions on sustainable economic growth, geo-economic perspectives, and innovative solutions. The partnership will also focus on cultivating and fostering thought leadership, producing research on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities that pertain to the Global South. The programme will also progressively enhance the data on the region for future governments. The MoU was signed by Manoj Ladwa and Mohamed al Sharhan, Managing Director, World Governments Summit, in the presence of Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Vice-Chair of the World Governments Summit Organization. Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of India Global Forum, said, “The recently concluded G20 in New Delhi demonstrated the imperative for the Global South to continue on a path towards building equitable, sustainable & inclusive economies. That’s why I'm delighted that India Global Forum, alongside the World Governments Summit, are launching an Emerging Economies Programme. The programme will be a pivotal new platform that will directly respond to the needs and aspirations of the Global South. This unique partnership will unite the experience and expertise of both organisations with the aim of unleashing the limitless potential of the world's emerging economies.” Mohamed Al Sharhan, Managing Director of the World Governments Summit, emphasized the significance of inclusivity in international cooperation and the role of the World Governments Summit Organization as a global platform to unite governments based on shared knowledge and expertise towards forecasting the emerging trends and events that the future brings with them. Al Sharhan further added that inclusivity in governance yields potential by securing accessibility of knowledge and resources in developing nations, therefore allowing the acceleration of advanced technologies through universality, and that strengthening cooperation between governments and knowledge contributors is the foundation for building resilient governments ready for unforeseen challenges of the future. “Together both India Global Forum and the World Governments Summit will help make governments around the World more informed, ready and innovative,” said Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Vice-Chair of the World Governments Summit Organization, after the signing. The Emerging Economies Programme is a significant initiative that will help to promote sustainable economic growth and development in the Global South. It is a testament to the commitment of India Global Forum and the World Governments Summit to working together to create a better future for all. About India Global Forum India Global Forum tells the story of contemporary India. The pace of change and growth India has set itself is an opportunity for the world. IGF is the gateway for businesses and nations to help seize that opportunity. We are uniquely placed to understand the political, economic, and cultural nuances of those wanting to enter the Indian market and those wanting to go global. About World Governments Summit The World Governments Summit Organization is a global, neutral, non-profit organization dedicated to shaping the future of governments. The Summit, in its various activities, explores the agenda of the next generation of governments, focusing on harnessing innovation and technology to solve universal challenges facing humanity.

2023 SDG Summit: Developing countries urge developed ones to contribute towards climate finance World leaders are expressing concerns for the changing climate at the UN SDG Summit in New York. Addressing the Summit, various country heads including Pakistan's and Peru's took up the matter of climate financing. It is pertinent to note that climate financing has been a major point of discussion and cause of concern at various climate forums. Climate financing for developing countries Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister and Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on September 19 called on rich countries to fulfill their financial pledges to flight climate change. Kakar, who was addressing the United Nations summit on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said that Pakistan's developed country partners must fulfill their pledge to provide $100 billion annually in climate finance. Earlier in 2022, Pakistan was in news for the devastating floods that submerged one third of the country, affecting 33 million people, half of whom were children. The floods damaged most of the water systems in affected areas, forcing more than 5.4 million people to rely solely on contaminated water from ponds and wells. It is hopeful that the upcoming CoP28 will seek and deliver climate justice. Pakistan alone faces a financing gap to achieve the SDGs which has risen to 4.0 trillion annually. Speaking on the matter, Peruvian President Dina Boluarte also said that today more than ever it is urgent to mobilise annually 100 billion dollars for climate action in developing countries, that they (developed countries) are committed to. Also, (it is urgent) to establish the losses and damages fund agreed in the last Conference of the Parties, the COP. Call for peace, focus on climate change Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 19 to call for peace summits to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and the Palestinians, so humankind can focus instead on addressing climate change. He also said the world should work toward a de-carbonized economy. He said, "We need to plan and finance the transition towards the decarbonized economy. I have no doubt that a decarbonized econony will be a more humane and fair economy. That is why I, the president of the country of beauty, propose to reform the world financial system, the International Monetary Fund, multilateral banks, to end with economic blockades and to guide private equity funds.” SDGs need a global rescue plan António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said, "The SDGs aren’t just a list of goals. They carry the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere.” The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for ending hunger, switching to renewable energy, spreading digitisation and education, and full gender equality rights. "The transition to renewable energy isn't happening fast enough. We are putting forward new energy compacts in which governments, businesses, and global organizations joined forces to invest in decarbonizing energy systems and ensuring a just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy," he said. Each of the 17 goals contains targets, with 169 overall, however, currently only 15 per cent are on track, while many are going in reverse. Creation of an international pact Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has proposed the creation of an international pact to tackle the effects of the El Nino weather phenomenon, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Boluarte urged increased collaboration to ease the effects of the weather phenomenon, which the country's central bank has said remains a risk to the local economy and inflation. The natural climate phenomenon fuels tropical cyclones in the Pacific and boosts rainfall and flood risk in parts of the America and elsewhere.

Elon Musk’s Neuralink approved to recruit humans for brain-implant trial Neuralink, the brain implant company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, has recently gained approval from an independent review board to initiate the recruitment of human participants for a brain implant trial. This groundbreaking development follows Neuralink’s previous announcement in May, where they revealed their intention to begin human testing after securing FDA acquisition. According to a blog post from the California-based neurotechnology company, the primary objective of these human trials is to assess the safety and functionality of their brain-computer interface (BCI) known as “the Link.” Neuralink’s overarching mission is to develop implantable devices that empower users to control various functions using their thoughts. It is worth noting that Neuralink is just one of several companies working on brain interface devices, despite the futuristic nature of the technology. In their announcement, the company stated, “The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.” While this advancement holds promise, it’s important to acknowledge that Neuralink’s “first-in-human clinical trials” carry substantial risks for participants, as highlighted by the Mashable website. Neuralink has faced significant criticism in the past, particularly for their experimentation on lab animals. In February 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine lodged a complaint, alleging invasive and lethal brain experiments by Neuralink. By December of the same year, federal authorities were investigating the company for potential violations of animal welfare standards, with reports suggesting that around 1,500 animals, including rats, monkeys, pigs, and mice, had been used in experiments since 2018. In response to these serious allegations, Neuralink defended its actions, claiming that they treated the rhesus macaque monkeys under their care with utmost respect and honour. Musk even took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to assert that no monkeys had died as a result of a Neuralink implant. Although the announcement did not specify the start date for these trials, it did indicate that individuals with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify to participate in the trial, as per reports.

African Union to launch own credit ratings agency The African Union plans to launch a new African credit rating agency next year in response to its concerns about what it views as unfair ratings given to African countries. The agency will generate its own evaluation of lending risks associated with African countries. It will operate within the continent, self-funding its operations, and aims to provide additional context for investors when making decisions about purchasing African bonds or extending private loans to countries, as stated by the African Union. The African Union and its member nations’ leaders assert that the “big three” ratings agencies – Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings – do not fairly assess the lending risks associated with African countries. They also allege that these agencies are quicker to downgrade African countries, especially during crises such as the global health crisis. A study by the UN earlier had shown that subjective biases in credit ratings had cost African countries a combined US$74.5 billion. This was through funding opportunities lost and excess interest paid on public debt. In essence, credit ratings serve to assess the likelihood of a borrower defaulting and influence the terms under which banks and other entities extend loans to them. Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings have consistently denied any bias in their assessments and maintain that their rating methodologies remain consistent worldwide. As of now, there has been no immediate response from Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P Global Ratings to requests for comments on this matter.

Belem Declaration: Amazon countries fail to agree on protection goals https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/belem-declaration-amazon-countries-fail-to-agree-on-protection-goals-91095

🅾️8 Amazonian countries of #ACTO are : Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela

🅾️Belem is the city in #Brazil 👉Members of (ACTO) issued an alliance for combatting forest destruction, asserting Indigenous rights and protections, and agreeing to cooperate on further sustainable development at Belem, Brazil (called #BELEMDECLARATION ✅️) 👉But it failed to agree on a common goal for ending deforestation. 👉The summit brought together the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) for the first time in 14 years. 

#BelemDeclaration✅️