Elevate Socio

Tea Board It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce. The Board is constituted of 31 members (including Chairman) drawn from Members of Parliament, tea producers, tea traders, tea brokers, consumers, and representatives of Governments from the principal tea producing states, and trade unions . The Board is reconstituted every three years. Function Rendering financial and technical assistance for cultivation, manufacture and marketing of tea. Export promotion Research and Development activities Extend financial assistance in a limited way to the plantation workers and their wards through labour welfare schemes. Collection and maintenance of Statistical data and publication. Tea Board offices Head Office located in Kolkata, West Bengal it has twenty three offices which include Zonal, Regional and Sub-Regional Offices Currently Tea Board has two overseas offices located at Dubai, and Moscow

Raisina Dialogue Overview: The ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue will be held from February 21 to 23rd in New Delhi. About Raisina Dialogue It is an annual conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, which aims to address the most challenging issues faced by the world. It is held annually since 2016 in New Delhi. The conference is attended by people from political, business, media, and civil society backgrounds. The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media and academia. It is organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The theme of the 2024 edition is “Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create,” During the three-day conference, the participants will engage with each other over six “thematic pillars”. These include: Tech Frontiers: Regulations & Realities Peace with the Planet: Invest & Innovate War & Peace: Armouries & Asymmetries Decolonising Multilateralism: Institutions & Inclusion The Post 2030 Agenda: People & Progress Defending Democracy: Society & Sovereignty,

Government Allows Donor Egg & Sperm in Surrogacy Why in the News? There is new hope for couples dreaming to become parents via surrogacy. The Central government has amended Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022 to allow use of a donor gamete – ova or egg cells and sperm. About Surrogacy: A surrogate, sometimes also called a gestational carrier, is a woman who conceives, carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple (intended parent/s). The surrogate agrees to give the child to that person or couple after the birth. Types of Surrogacies: Commercial Surrogacy: It includes surrogacy or its related procedures undertaken for a monetary benefit or reward (in cash or kind) exceeding the basic medical expenses and insurance coverage. Altruistic Surrogacy: It involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during the pregnancy. Surrogacy in India: Since 1978, surrogacy has been practiced in India, which is also known for having a high rate of “reproductive tourism” and being a burgeoning hub of the fertility industry. Although commercial surrogacy was made legal, no bill or explicit rule was created and put into effect. This led to a sharp rise in uncontrolled surrogacy in India by low-cost fertility clinics. Subsequently, in 2021, President of India gave assent to the Surrogacy Regulation Bill, 2021 which was passed by the parliament. Key Provisions of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021: Regulation of Surrogacy: The Act prohibits commercial surrogacy, and allows altruistic surrogacy. The Act permits surrogacy when it is: (i) for intending couples who suffer from proven infertility; (ii) altruistic; (iii) not for commercial purposes; (iv) not for producing children for sale, prostitution or other forms of exploitation; and (v) for any other condition or disease specified through regulations. Eligibility Criteria for Surrogate Mother: To obtain a certificate from the appropriate authority, the surrogate mother has to: (i) be a close relative of the intending couple; (ii) be an ever-married woman having a child of her own; (iii) be 25 to 35 years old; (iv) not have been a surrogate mother earlier; and (iv) have a certificate of medical and psychological fitness. Further, the surrogate mother cannot provide her own gametes for surrogacy. Registration of Surrogacy Clinics: Surrogacy clinics cannot undertake surrogacy or its related procedures unless they are granted registration by the appropriate authority. National and State Surrogacy Boards: The central and state governments shall constitute the National Surrogacy Board (NSB) and the State Surrogacy Boards (SSBs), respectively. Offences & Penalties: The Act creates certain offences which include: (i) undertaking or advertising commercial surrogacy; (ii) exploiting the surrogate mother; (iii) selling or importing human embryo or gametes for surrogacy, and (iv) abandoning, exploiting or disowning a surrogate child/ These offences will attract a penalty of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 10 lakh rupees. News Summary: The Central government has modified the surrogacy rules to permit married couples opting for surrogacy to use donor gametes — a move that would come as a big relief to those with medical complications. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, restricted married couples from getting donor gametes. A gamete is a reproductive cell. Female gametes are called ova or egg cells, and male gametes are called sperm. A fresh notification issued on 21 February by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the couple undergoing surrogacy must use their own gametes for having a surrogate child. However, in case a District Magistrate Board certifies that either husband or wife suffers from a medical condition, then the couple can use a donor gamete. But the notification allows only one of the two partners – either wife or husband – to use a donor gamete.

Badwater Basin In the parched expanse of North America’s driest region, Badwater Basin has defied expectations by lingering and expanding as an ephemeral lake. About Badwater Basin: It is endorheic in nature meaning water flows into it but not out, typically resulting in rapid evaporation and ephemeral lakes. It is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level.  However, increased precipitation over the past six months has disrupted this pattern. It is nestled within the Death Valley in North America. Manly Lake was formed in August 2023 after Hurricane Hilary. While the lake initially shrank as expected, it surprisingly persisted through the fall and winter months. Its resurgence came in February 2024, when a powerful atmospheric river replenished its waters. Death Valley’s average annual rainfall of only 51 millimetres, received a remarkable 125 mm in the last six months. Key facts about Death Valley It is located in southeastern California in the United States. It lies near the undefined border between the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert. Most rainfall is blocked by the mountains to the west, so Death Valley is extremely arid. It is the lowest, hottest, and driest portion of North America, noted for its extremes of temperature and aridity.

New trade route to Israel involving Mundra port Why in news? As Houthis continue to attack Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea, Israeli transport minister recently announced an alternative route for trade, involving the Mundra port in Gujarat. What is Red Sea? About Red Sea is narrow strip of water extending southeastward from Suez, Egypt, to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Basically, it is a narrow inland sea between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. The Red Sea separates the coasts of Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea from those of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The Gulf of Aqaba, a north eastern extension of the sea, reaches southern Israel and southwestern Jordan. Significance The Red Sea contains some of the world’s hottest and saltiest seawater. It is one of the most heavily travelled waterways in the world, carrying maritime traffic between Europe and Asia. Significance for India Freight rates for Indian shipments headed to Europe and Africa could surge as much as 25-30 per cent if there is disruption along this route. For India, the Red Sea trade route is the shortest trade route for ships moving from Asia to Europe. India is heavily reliant on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait for its crude oil, LNG imports and trade with parts of West Asia, Africa, and Europe. This route is vital for 30 per cent of global container traffic. Who are Houthis? About The Houthis are a Shiite Muslim sect and political and military organization that emerged in Yemen (which is predominantly Sunni) in the 1990s. Named after the Houthi tribe, they are Zaydi Shias. Zayadism is a sub-sect of Shia Islam and it believes in following the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad’s family, as the political leader of the state. The Houthis are also known as Ansar Allah, which translates to "Supporters of God". Involvement in civil war of Yemen The Houthis are one side of the Yemeni civil war that has raged for nearly a decade. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when Houthi insurgents took control of Yemen’s capital and largest city, Sana’a. By early 2015, Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf states and with U.S. support, was launching airstrikes against the Houthis, who are backed by Iran. A ceasefire was finally signed in 2022. It lapsed after six months but the warring parties haven’t returned to full-scale conflict. Houthis attacking Red Sea ships The Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea in response to Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The Houthis support Hamas, and vowed on November 19 to target vessels they believe are heading to and from Israel. News Summary: New trade route to Israel involving Mundra port What is happening in the Red Sea? Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been attacking ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea, in solidarity with Gaza. This has disrupted global trade, some 12% of which passes through the Red Sea. To avoid the danger zone, ships are going all the way to the south of Africa and crossing the Cape of Good Hope, increasing both costs and the time taken. In this scenario, Israel has been looking for ways to carry out trade bypassing the Red Sea. What is the new route? Under this, goods would move: from Mundra to ports in the UAE, such as Dubai’s Jebel Ali Port, by sea, and then via land through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Israel. Land corridor became feasible due to signing of the Abraham Accords (aimed at normalising ties between Israel and some Arab states) in 2020. A major part of the land transport will be carried out on trucks. A similar route might be used in the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) too. The ambitious project aims to link India to Europe via the Middle East, but its final shape is yet to be decided and the Gaza war has thrown a spanner in its progress. What are the benefits, costs of the new route? The land route will significantly cut travel time and costs for Israel, and will generate revenue for Saudi Arabia and Jordan in terms of transport fee and duties.