News In Short 07-11-2024

Horn of Africa

Syllabus: GS 1/World Geography, Places in News

Context

• A UN report reveals that over 65 million people in the Horn of Africa are food insecure.

About the Horn of Africa 

• Location: It is a geographical region falling within the horn-shaped part of North Eastern Africa that comprises four countries — Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.

• There are also broader definitions, the most common of which include all the countries mentioned above, as well as parts or all of Kenya, the Sudan and Uganda.
• Part of the Horn of Africa region is also known as the Somali peninsula; this term is typically used when referring to lands of Somalia and eastern Ethiopia.
• Geography and climate: The Horn of Africa, almost equidistant from the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, is an arid region.
  • Socotra is a small island off the coast of Somalia, in the Indian Ocean, that is considered to be part of Africa.
  • The Horn of Africa is a UNESCO Biodiversity Hotspot.
• Geopolitical and strategic importance: It is situated along the southern boundary of the Red Sea; extending hundreds of kilometres into the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel, and Indian Ocean, it also shares a maritime border with the Arabian Peninsula.
  • These geographic facts personify the Horn as a strategic location for regional and global actors.

Source: AIR

Thadou Community

Syllabus: GS1/ Human Geography

Context

• Thadou Community has extended support to the BJP-led state government in its move to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

About

• The Thadous are one of the oldest and largest non-Naga tribes of Manipur.
  • It has been the single-largest tribe in Manipur consistently since the first census of India in 1881 till the latest census in 2011.
• Language: The Thadou language is part of the Tibeto-Burman family and has several dialectal variations. 
• Religion: Historically, the Thadous practiced animistic and nature-worship rituals.
  • Today, Christianity, plays a vital role in shaping the community’s social and religious life.
• Festivals: Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival.

Source: TH

Union Cabinet Approved PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme

Syllabus: GS2/ Education

Context

• The Union Cabinet approved PM Vidyalaxmi, which seeks to provide financial support to meritorious students in their pursuit of higher education.
  • The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommended expanding financial assistance to meritorious students across both public and private higher education institutions in India.

PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme

• The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and facilitates the extension of education loans to students who get admission in the top 860 quality higher educational institutions (QHEIs) of the nation.
• Benefits: For loans up to ₹7.5 lakh, the student will receive a credit guarantee of 75%, enabling banks to extend education loans to students.
  • The scheme will provide for students with up to Rs. 8 lakhs annual family income, for 3% interest subvention on loans up to Rs 10 lakh.
• The scheme will be applicable to the QHEIs of the nation, as determined by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings, including all HEIs – government and private.
• It will supplement Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme.

About Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Scheme – The scheme provides scholarships to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to support their higher education expenses, helping them access quality education without financial constraints. – PM-USP prioritizes students from marginalized groups, including those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), promoting equity in higher education.

Source: TH

CARICOM (Caribbean Community)

Syllabus: GS2/ IR

In News

• The second meeting of the India-CARICOM Joint Commission was held recently to review India-CARICOM relations.

About CARICOM

• About: CARICOM is a regional organization that was established to promote economic integration, cooperation, and coordination of foreign policy among its member states in the Caribbean.
• Establishment: In 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
• Members: CARICOM has 15 member states and 5 associate members, primarily Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, and Guyana.
• Secretariat: Georgetown, Guyana

Source: PIB

India Makes Formal Bid to Host 2036 Olympics

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• India has officially submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission for hosting the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

About

• If India does manage to win, it will become only the 4th Asian country ever to host the quadrennial event – after China, South Korea and Japan. 
• Yoga, kho-kho, kabaddi and chess are among the sports likely to be included in India’s bid. 
• A decision on the host will not be taken before the IOC elections next year.
• India will also have to face competition from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Chile Qatar and Turkey, who are positioning themselves as strong contenders to host the event.
• Paris hosted the latest edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games this year while Los Angeles and Brisbane are set to host the 2028 and 2032 editions respectively.

Olympic Games

• The Olympic Games are a global sporting event that occurs every four years, with the Summer and Winter Games alternating every two years. 
• Origin: The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece in the 8th century BCE, and were held every four years in Olympia in honor of the Greek god Zeus.
• The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
• The Olympic motto is “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, which is Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger.” 
• The Olympic Rings: The five interlocking rings, each representing a continent (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania), symbolize the unity of the world’s nations through sport.
• The Olympic Flame: The flame is lit in Olympia, Greece, and then carried to the host city in a relay before being used to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony.
  • The flame symbolizes the continuity and peace that the Games represent.

Source: TH

TULIP

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) launched ‘TULIP’ (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme).

About

• Under the TULIP brand, artisans from Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), sanitation workers, and persons with disabilities will have an e-platform to market their products.
• The goal of TULIP is to empower marginalized artisans by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sales of their products through e-marketing.

Source: PIB

Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project

Syllabus: GS 3/Economy 

In News 

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $200 million loan agreement for Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project.
  • The project aims to improve infrastructure in Haldwani and four other cities (Champawat, Kichha, Kotdwar, and Vikasnagar) by upgrading roads, traffic management, flood management, and water supply systems.

About  Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• Founded: In 1966 with the goal of promoting social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific.
• Membership: 68 members (49 from Asia-Pacific, 19 from outside). India is a founding member.
• Assistance: Provides loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to support development in member countries.
• Largest Shareholders (as on 2023):
  • Japan and USA: 15.6% each
  • China: 6.4%
  • India: 6.3%
  • Australia: 5.8%
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines

Source: PIB

Vostro Account 

Syllabus: GS3/Economy 

In News 

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering expanding the use of rupee vostro accounts, potentially allowing them to support cross-border lending, capital account transactions, and loans to non-resident Indians (NRIs).
  • This move aims to increase the rupee’s role in international trade and financial markets, aligning with India’s push to internationalize its currency.

About Vostro Accounts

• A vostro account held by a domestic bank on behalf of a foreign bank, enables foreign institutions to settle forex transactions and make cross-border payments.
• Present status : Currently, India has agreements for Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) with 22 countries, though only arrangements with Russia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are active.
  • Despite these initiatives, challenges remain, as Indian exporters often prefer foreign currency to hedge against fluctuations. 
• Future outlook: The RBI is expected to introduce a new framework within six months to broaden vostro account utility.
  • RBI is examining ways to allow foreign institutions to use rupee holdings for NRI lending, which could integrate the rupee more fully into global finance and support India’s economic influence.

Source:LM

Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands 

Syllabus:GS3/Economy/Environment 

In News 

• The Ministry of Fisheries has announced the establishment of a Tuna Cluster in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). 

About Tuna cluster & Significance

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a prime opportunity for fisheries development, with around 6.0 lakh square km of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rich in under-exploited sea resources, particularly Tuna and other valued species.
• Tuna Cluster is expected to drive economic growth, improve incomes, and streamline fisheries operations.
• Investments will focus on building partnerships with tuna-fishing nations, stakeholder training, and infrastructure for landing, processing, and export to boost India’s global competitiveness in the sector.

About Tuna – Tuna are remarkable migratory fish, traveling vast distances such as from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe and back to breed.  – They are a vital food source and one of the most commercially valuable fish globally.  – Four main species dominate the market: skipjack (over half of the global catch), yellowfin, bigeye, and albacore.

Source:PIB

Agrivoltaic Farming

Syllabus: GS 3/Agriculture/Environment

Context

• The Seventh Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi showcased the practical implementation of Agrivoltaic farming. 

About Agrivoltaic Farming

• Also called agrisolar or dual use solar, it is the practice of growing crops underneath solar panels. 
• The panels are positioned 2-3 metres off the ground and sit at an angle of 30 degrees that can be elevated or suspended to allow plants to grow beneath them.
  • This allows enough light/shade and rainwater to reach the crops, as well as providing access for farm machinery and certain crops appear to thrive more when grown in such environments.
• Benefits: It enhances land efficiency, increases crop yield by providing partial shade, and generates additional income from solar energy.

Source: AIR

Millimeter Wave Transceiver for 5G Rural Connectivity

Syllabus: GS3/Science and Technology

Context

• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed an agreement with the IIT Roorkee for the development of Millimeter Wave Transceiver for 5G Rural Connectivity.

Millimeter Wave Transceiver Technology

• It refers to the use of electromagnetic waves in the frequency range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to wavelengths between 1 millimeter (mm) and 10 mm.
  • It has the ability to support high data transfer rates, high-resolution imaging, and precise sensing capabilities.
  • MMW technology is central to the development of 5G and future 6G networks, autonomous vehicles, and advanced radar systems.
• Significance: It will encourage small and medium scale industries to setup their manufacturing units in India which will create job opportunities for engineering graduates.
  • This will also reduce over dependence on semiconductor fabrication industries. 
  • The proposed cost for the development of technology is extremely small as against the opportunities it would create. 
  • The project also aims to contribute to generate Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and develop a skilled workforce to support the emerging millimetre wave/Sub-THz technology for 5G/6G.

Source: PIB