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📰 PM Modi unveils national emblem on new Parliament building. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the 6.5 metre-tall National Emblem on top of the under-construction new Parliament building. • The emblem made of bronze weighs 9,500 kg. A supporting steel structure of 6,500 kg was made to support its weight. □ About the National Emblem of India: • The State Emblem or National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh. • India adopted it as the State Emblem on 26th January 1950. • The motto Satyameva Jayate, which means 'Truth Alone Triumphs', written in Devanagari script below the profile of the Lion Capital is part of the State Emblem of India. • The four lions stand on a short cylindrical base that has four Ashok Chakras corresponding to each lion bust and reliefs of four more animals in between them – the lion, the bull, the elephant and the galloping horse. • National Emblem is the official seal of the President of India and Central and State Governments and a part of the official letterhead of the Government of India.

📰 RBI eases rules to boost forex inflows. • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a slew of temporary measures aimed at boosting foreign exchange inflows, including a doubling in the overseas borrowing limit for eligible corporates, and removal of interest rate ceilings for NRIs’ foreign currency deposits, and liberalized norms for foreign investments in Government Bonds. • The move comes at a time when persistent capital outflows and a widening trade deficit have led to a sharp depreciation in the value of the Indian rupee to new record lows against the U.S. dollar. • India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at $593.3 billion as on June 24, supplemented by a substantial stock of net forward assets. • “The Reserve Bank has been closely and continuously monitoring the liquidity conditions in the forex market and has stepped in as needed in all its segments to alleviate dollar tightness with the objective of ensuring orderly market functioning. • In order to further diversify and expand the sources of forex funding so as to mitigate volatility and dampen global spillovers, it has been decided to undertake measures to enhance forex inflows while ensuring overall macroeconomic and financial stability,” the central bank added. • As part of the measures, banks have been exempted from maintaining the stipulated Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) on incremental FCNR(B) and NRE term deposits mobilised up to November 4. • The RBI also temporarily raised the annual limit for raising funds through the External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) route from $750 million or its equivalent, to $1.5 billion. • In another measure, the RBI has decided that category one banks can utilise overseas foreign currency borrowing (OFCBs) for lending in foreign currency to entities for a wider set of end-use purposes, subject to the negative list set out for external commercial borrowings (ECBs). • The measure is expected to facilitate foreign currency borrowing by a larger set of borrowers who may find it difficult to directly access overseas markets. This dispensation for raising such borrowings is available till October 31, 2022, it said. □ What is Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)? • The Cash reserve ratio is a certain percentage of cash that all banks have to keep with the central bank (RBI) as a deposit. • The CRR is fixed by the RBI and is changed from time to time by the central bank itself. □ What is Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR)? • Statutory Liquidity Ratio or SLR is a minimum percentage of deposits that a commercial bank has to maintain in the form of liquid cash, gold or other securities, in their own vaults. • These are not reserved with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), but with banks themselves. • The SLR is fixed by the RBI.

📰 New pathway to regulate nitrate absorption in plants. • Researchers led by those from the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru (NCBS-TIFR), have found a new pathway that regulates nitrate absorption in plants. • The gene MADS27, which regulates nitrate absorption, root development and stress tolerance, is activated by the micro-RNA, miR444, therefore offers a way to control these properties of the plant. • The researchers studied this mechanism in both rice (monocot) and tobacco (dicot) plants.  • Nitrogen is one of the most important macronutrients needed for development of a plant. It is a part of chlorophyll, amino acids and nucleic acids, among others. • It is mostly sourced from the soil where it is mainly absorbed in the form of nitrates and ammonium by the roots. • Nitrates also play a role in controlling genome-wide gene expression that in turn regulates root system architecture, flowering time, leaf development, etc. • Thus, while a lot of action takes place in the roots to absorb and convert nitrogen into useful nitrates, the absorbed nitrates in turn regulate plant development apart from being useful as a macronutrient. • So, the presence of nitrates is important for the plant development and also for grain production. • However, the overuse of nitrates in fertilizers, for instance, can lead to the dumping of nitrates in the soil which leads to accumulation of nitrates in water and soil. • This accumulation adds to soil and water pollution and increased contribution to greenhouse gases. • To avoid this, there should be optimal use of nitrates. Also, since the whole process of nitrate absorption takes place in the roots, a well-developed root system is needed for this to take place optimally.  • At one level, it is known that the hormone auxin is responsible for well-developed roots across all plants. A number of genes are known to help with auxin production, improved nitrate transport and assimilation in plants.  • The micro-RNA ‘miR444’ is specific to monocots. When this is not made, its target, MADS27, is produced in higher abundance, and it improves biosynthesis and transport of the hormone auxin, which is key for root development and its branching. • This regulatory miR444 switch is known to turn off at least five genes called MADS box transcription factor genes. • The researchers have studied a target gene of miR444 called MADS27, a transcription factor which hasn’t been studied well before. • They have found that this transcription factor has a three-pronged effect on the plant. • First, it regulates nitrate absorption by switching “on” proteins involved in this process. • Second, it leads to better development of the roots by regulating auxin hormone production and transport. • Finally, and somewhat surprisingly to the researchers, it helps in the abiotic stress tolerance by keeping the main stress player proteins “on.” • It showed that MADS27 works to improve three factors. They are Nitrate absorption, Root development and Stress tolerance.

📰 Ahead of FATF visit, Pakistan doubles efforts to ‘trace’ Masood Azhar. • As Pakistan enters the final stages of its efforts to be taken off the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) ‘grey list’ this year, all eyes are on action against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) founder Masood Azhar, and his brother Abdul Rauf Asghar. • A senior FATF team is expected to visit Islamabad and other cities for an “on-site visit” from August 28-September 2, to verify whether Pakistan has carried out all the actions on its 34-point task list handed after it was put on the ‘grey list’ in 2018. • If the team is satisfied by its findings, Pakistan is expected to be formally taken off the “increased monitoring” list, as the ‘grey list’ is known, during the FATF’s next plenary session in October this year. □ About Financial Action Task Force (FATF): • The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7. • Its headquarters is at Paris in France. • The FATF Plenary is the decision making body of the FATF. It meets 3 times per year. • India has been a member of the FATF since 2010. • FATF has two lists: Grey list and Black list. • Grey listing means FATF has placed a country under increased monitoring to check its progress on measures against money laundering and terrorism financing. • Black Listed countries are known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs). These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. • Black listed countries are Iran & North Korea. 📰 Red pandas ready to go to back to the forests. • The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in the Darjeeling Hills has started an ambitious programme to augment red panda (Ailurus fulgens) population in the wild. • The first re-wilding programme of red pandas in the country aims to release about 20 animals in a period of about five years in the Singalila National Park (SNP), the highest protected area in West Bengal. • The number of red pandas has been declining in the wild, even in the Singalila and Neora Valley National Parks, the two protected areas where the endangered mammal is found in the wild in West Bengal. • The Padmaja Naidu park, at a height of about 2,000 metres above the sea level, is one of the high-altitude zoos in the country and has been quite successful in captive breeding of the furry mammals. • Red pandas are categorised as an Endangered species as per IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, red pandas are shy, solitary and arboreal animals and considered an indicator species for ecological change. • A couple of recent publications by scientists of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have resolved the mystery around the demography and speciation in red panda. The studies have concluded that India is home to both the (sub) species — Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) and the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh splits the two phylogenetic species. □ Points to remember: • Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) listed as "Endangered" in IUCN Red List. • Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park - West Bengal. • Singalila National Park - West Bengal. • Neora Valley National Park - West Bengal. 📰 Tribal woman dies of burns. • A tribal woman, who belonged to the Sahariya tribe that has been categorised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), had suffered 80% burns died. □ About Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): • The PVTGs are the marginalized section of the Scheduled tribes of India. They are a section who are relatively isolated, educationally and socio-economically backward, living in a habitat far away from amenities. • The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are 1) A pre-agriculture level of technology, 2) A stagnant or declining population, 3) Extremely low literacy, 4) A subsistence level of economy. • 75 Tribal groups are listed as PVTGs. • Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs (13). ■ Topics in detail: About FATF - Click here About PVTGs - Click here List of PVTGs - Click here

📰 P.T. Usha, Ilaiyaraaja, Veerendra Heggade, Vijayendra Prasad nominated to Rajya Sabha. • Olympic Sprinter P.T. Usha, music composer Ilaiyaraaja, philanthropist Veerendra Heggade of the Dharmasthala temple, and screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad, who wrote the blockbusters Bahubali and RRR, have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha in the category of eminent persons nominated by the President of India. • In total, the President of India nominates 12 persons as his nominees to the Rajya Sabha persons known for their eminence in the fields of arts and letters, and public service. • Sivaji Ganesan (1982-86), Vyjayantimala Bali (1993-99) and “Cho” S. Ramaswamy (1999-2005) are the other Tamil film personalities who have served as nominated members of the Rajya Sabha. □ What does the Constitution say about nominated members? • Article 80 - Composition of the Council of States. • Under Article 80 of the Indian Constitution, “The Council of States shall consist of (a) twelve members to be nominated by the President in accordance with the provisions of clause (3); and (b) not more than 238 representatives of the States and of the Union territories.” • Clause 3 of the article lays down the qualifications for the appointment: The members to be nominated by the President shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely: Literature, science, art and social service. □ What is the role of nominated members? • Nominated members of Rajya Sabha enjoy all the powers and privileges to which the elected MPs are entitled. • They can take part in the proceedings of the House in the normal manner. • Nominated members are not allowed to vote in the election of the President. • They do have the right to vote in the election of the Vice-President.

📰 Grant of extension to Rohini Commission. • The Justice Rohini commission was set up on October 2, 2017 under Article 340 of the Constitution. • It was tasked with sub-categorisation of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and equitable redistribution of the 27% quota for OBC. • After the committee recommends changes in the OBC list, the government has to notify it through a presidential order and then address pending requests for inclusions and exclusions. • It was initially given a three-month time frame. However, it has been given an extension for the 13th time. • Article 340 - Appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes. 📰 12-13% of loans given to street vendors turned bad loans (NPAs): • Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said that only 12-13% of loans disbursed to street vendors under the Prime Minister's Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) scheme became Non-Performing Assets (NPAs). □ What is Non Performing Assest (NPA)? • A non performing asset (NPA) is a loan or advance for which the principal or interest payment remained overdue for a period of 90 days. □ About PM-SVANidhi scheme: • PM-SVANidhi scheme was launched on July 2, 2020. • The scheme facilitates collateral-free working capital loan up to Rs 10,000 for one year. After repayment of the first loan, the vendors are eligible for a second loan of Rs 20,000 and then the third loan of Rs 50,000 to enable business expansion. 📰 Centre to promote dragon fruit cultivation. • Following the footsteps of the Gujarat and Haryana Governments, the Centre has decided to promote the cultivation of dragon fruit (Hylocereusundatus), known as a “super fruit” for its health benefits. • The Centre feels that considering the cost effectiveness and global demand for the fruit due to its nutritional values, its cultivation can be expanded in India. • At present, this exotic fruit is cultivated in 3,000 hectares; the plan is to increase cultivation to 50,000 hectares in five years. • The Gujarat Government recently renamed dragon fruit as kamlam (lotus) and announced an incentive for farmers who cultivate it. • The Haryana Government also provides a grant for farmers who are ready to plant this exotic fruit variety. • The fruit is considered good for diabetic patients, low in calories and high in nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium and zinc. • Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja said the demand for the fruit is high in domestic and global markets because of its nutritional values. • He said the Centre can also provide specific target-based help to States and farmers under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). • According to the authorities, and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, the fruit plant doesn’t need much water and can be cultivated on dry land, too. • All the States in India except cold areas are suitable for dragon fruit plants. • At the moment, Mizoram tops among the States that cultivate this fruit, which is indigenous to Mexico and is now produced mainly in Vietnam. The export of the fruit has made a huge contribution to Vietnam’s GDP.  • The initial investment is high but it gives fast returns within a year. The red and pink varieties of the fruit give better yield. □ What is exotic fruit? • Exotic fruits are the fruits which are cultivated in a country but are not native of that country. • Dragon fruit originates in Central and South America. □ About Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): • MIDH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the holistic growth of the horticulture sector covering fruits, vegetables, root & tuber crops, mushrooms, spices, flowers, aromatic plants, coconut, cashew, cocoa and bamboo. • Under MIDH, Government of India (GOI) contributes 60%, of total outlay for developmental programmes in all the states except states in North East and Himalayas, 40% share is contributed by State Governments. • In the case of North Eastern States and Himalayan States, GOI contributes 90%.