WHY IN THE NEWS?

NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launched a new digi-book-called “Innovations for You” in a bid to showcase the success stories of start-ups set up under the Atal Innovation Mission in different domains.

First Edition of the Book

• First edition of the book is focused on innovations in Health Care.
• It showcases 45 start-ups that have worked to create new, innovative & disruptive products, services & solutions.
• These services and solutions will pave a path for a sustainable future in health care sector.
• The Digi-book series would soon include other sectors as well.

NITI Aayog’s Digi Book

• NITI aayog has launched the DIGI book, as India is celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Digi-book is a compilation of 45 health tech start-ups. These start-ups have been incubated at the Atal Incubation Centres across the country.
• These start-ups have been leveraging technologies such as AI, IoT, ICT and others for providing socially relevant solutions to health issues like neonatal & child care, mental health, dental care, anaemia and monitoring human vitals.

Aim of the book

The Digi-book was launched with the aim of serving as an encouragement for upcoming entrepreneurs in order to work on the path of creativity and imagination for addressing some of the pressing challenges in India. It also aims to showcase best innovations and entrepreneurs to bring them the forefront.

Significance

This book will showcase how young India is slowly and steadily progressing towards becoming a world-class leader.

Atal Innovation Mission

It is a flagship initiative by NITI Aayog launched with the aim of promoting innovation and entrepreneurship culture in India. This mission was launched with the objective of creating an umbrella structure for revolutionising innovation ecosystem of India.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

South Korea has launched its first ever space rocket on October 21, 2021. This is the first rocket completely developed and built in South Korea. However, it failed to successfully deploy a test satellite into orbit.

About:
The rocket is called as “Nuri”.

• It is a 47-meter rocket that was lifted off, with bright yellow fire shooting from the engines.
• The rocket was launched from Naro Space Center, South Korea. This space centre is located on a small island on the southern coast of South Korea.

About Nuri Spacecraft

Nuri is the South Korea’s first space launch vehicle that was developed and built completely using the South Korean technology. It is a three-stage rocket and is powered by five rocket engines for completing its first and second stages. Another engine is used in the final stage of the rocket. Rocket is designed to carry a payload of around 1.5 tons to an orbit between 600 to 800 kilometres above Earth.

Why this mission failed?

This mission failed because the third-stage engine stopped burning some 50 seconds earlier than it was expected. This in turn prevented the payload from reaching its right speed for reaching into the orbit. Second attempt of the Nuri spacecraft have been planned for May.

Significance of the launch

South Korea was earlier dependent on other countries for launching its satellites since early 1990s. Now it is trying to become the 10th country to send satellite into space using its own technology.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The United States categorised India as a ‘country of concern’ on climate in the assessment of the American Intelligence Community in its report called “National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on climate”.

About:                            

• India was put in this category along with 10 other countries namely, Afghanistan, Haiti, Colombia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Iraq, North Korea, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
• These countries will bear the brunt of global warming such as intensifying & more frequent heat waves & droughts and water & power scarcity.
• As per report, intelligence community has assessed that these countries will face “warming temperatures, extreme weather, as well as disruption to ocean patterns which will also threaten their food, water energy, and health security”.
• Frequent heat waves and droughts will create water supply volatility and might strain their electric utility operations, while growing population & economies will increase the electricity demands to handle rising temperatures.
• As per report, frequent and intense cyclones will contaminate water sources and increase vector populations & diseases they transmit in some of the 11 countries.
• Report suggests that, instances of dengue will probably increase in countries like India, Haiti, Afghanistan, Guatemala, Iraq, Honduras, and Pakistan.

National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) report

This was the first ever “National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on climate”. It was put together by US Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The IC (Intelligence Community) had identified 11 countries as well as two regions of concern with respect to threat from climate change.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The United States has successfully tested the hypersonic missile technology on October 20, 2021.

About:

• Hypersonic Missile Technology is a new weapons system which is already being deployed by Russia and China.
• The test was conducted at a NASA facility in Wallops, Virginia.
• It is a significant step in development of a Navy-designed common hypersonic missile.
• This test by US demonstrated advanced hypersonic technologies, prototype systems and capabilities in a realistic operating environment.
• Hypersonic missiles such as traditional ballistic missiles can fly at five times the speed of sound that is, Mach 5.
• These missiles are more manoeuvrable as compared to their ballistic counterparts.

Purpose of the Missile

Missile will be used to trace a low trajectory in atmosphere by making them harder to defend.

China’s Hypersonic Missile

China had conducted a test of Hypersonic Missile with nuclear capacity in August 2021. China’s hypersonic missile completed a circuit of Earth before landing. However, it missed its target. According to China, it was a routine test for a spacecraft rather than a missile. China launched hypersonic medium-range missile called “DF-17” in the year 2019. This hypersonic missile can travel about 2000 kilometres and can carry nuclear warheads.

Russia’s Hypersonic Missile

Russia also launched a hypersonic missile called the Zircon, recently. It was launched from a submarine. It also has Avangard Missiles in service since late 2019. The Avangard can travel at a speed up to Mach 27.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the Union government has renamed Mount Harriet of Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands to Mount Manipur.

About:

• Mount Harriet, the third-highest island peak in A&N Islands, where Manipur’s Maharaja Kulchandra Singh and 22 other freedom fighters were imprisoned during the Anglo-Manipuri war (1891).
• It has been renamed as a tribute to those freedom fighters of Manipur.
  • Manipur celebrates Khongjom Day on 23rd April in commemoration of the freedom fighters of Anglo-Manipuri War.

Anglo-Manipuri War:

Background:

• In 1886, when Surchandra inherited the throne from his father Chandrakirti Singh, the kingdom of Manipur was not under British rule but had links with the crown through different treaties.
• However, Surchandra’s ascension to the throne was controversial and his younger brothers – Kulachadra, Tikendrajit – revolted against him.
• The 1890 coup by the rebel faction removed Surchandra, and proclaimed Kulachandra, the next oldest brother, the king. Surchandra fled to Calcutta seeking British help to reinstate him.

British Imposition:

• The British dispatched James Quinton, the Chief Commissioner of Assam, with an army to Manipur. His mission was to recognise Kulachandra as the king under the condition that they be allowed to arrest the coup leader Crown Prince Tikendrajit and deport him from Manipur.
• This aggressive imposition of British law in a sovereign state was rejected by the king, precipitating the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891.

Culmination:

• In the first phase of the war, the British surrendered and their officers – including Quinton – were executed in public.
• In the second phase, the British attacked Manipur from three sides, and finally captured the Kangla Fort in Imphal.
  • Prince Tikendrajit and four others were hanged by the British, while Kulachandra, along with 22 others, were deported to the Andaman Islands.
• Despite their victory, it had led to the death of five important officers.
  • In India, it was viewed as being part of the general uprising against British rule in the country, soon after the Revolt of 1857.
• The war led to Manipur officially becoming a princely state under the indirect rule of the British crown.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, an American scientific agency) has declared that La Niña has re-developed. Consecutive La Niña is called Double-Dip.

About:

• La Nina is one part of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which is characterized by opposing warm and cool phases of oceanic and atmospheric conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
• Consecutive La Ninas following a transition through ENSO neutral conditions are not uncommon and can be referred to as a “Double-Dip.”
  • In 2020, La Nina developed during the month of August and then dissipated in April 2021 as ENSO-neutral conditions returned.
  • For the upcoming winter season, which extends from December 2021 through February 2022, there is an 87% chance of La Nina.
• Previous La Ninas occurred during the winter of 2020-2021 and 2017-2018, and an El Nino developed in 2018-2019. When neither climate pattern is present, ENSO is neutral and does not influence global climate patterns.

ENSO:

• It is a periodic fluctuation in sea surface temperature (El Niño) and the air pressure of the overlying atmosphere (Southern Oscillation) across the equatorial Pacific Ocean.
• El Nino and La Nina are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Region. They are opposite phases of what is known as the ENSO cycle.
• El Nino and La Nina episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some prolonged events may last for years.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Recently, the 2021 Production Gap Report was released by the leading research institutes and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

• The Production Gap Report, first launched in 2019, tracks the discrepancy between governments’ planned fossil fuel production and global production levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.
• UNEP’s Major Reports Emission Gap Report, Adaptation Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Making Peace with Nature. 

Findings of the Report:

Increase in Production Gap:

• The production gap to achieve the climate goal is the widest for coal: Production plans and projections by governments would lead to around 240% more coal, 57% more oil, and 71% more gas in 2030 than global levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.
• The most worrying factor is that almost all major coal, oil and gas producers are planning to increase their production till at least 2030 or beyond.

Effects of Covid-19:

• The production gap has been fuelled by incremental capital flow towards fossil fuels in comparison to clean energy in the post novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) recovery phase.
  • The Group of 20 countries (G20) has channelised USD300 billion to fossil fuels since the beginning of the pandemic, and the sector is still enjoying significant fiscal incentives.

India’s Position:

• • India’s first NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution), issued in 2016, pledged a 33%-35% reduction in the “emissions intensity” of its economy by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
  • The report quotes a 2020 Government of India press release, to shine a light on India’s plans to raise coal production.
    • The government seeks to “unleash the power of coal” and become self-reliant by 2023-24; it also wants to bring about “a paradigm shift in approach from being oriented to maximum revenue from coal to maximum coal available in the market at the earliest.”
    • India plans to augment coal production from 730 million tonnes in 2019 to 1,149 million tonnes in 2024.

• India also aims to increase total oil and gas production by over 40% in the same period through measures such as accelerated exploration licensing, faster monetization of discoveries, and gas marketing reforms.

Suggestions:

• Early efforts from development finance institutions to cut international support for fossil fuel production are encouraging, but these changes need to be followed by concrete and ambitious fossil fuel exclusion policies to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
• Fossil-fuel-producing nations must recognize their role and responsibility in closing the production gap and steering the world towards a safe climate future.
• As countries increasingly commit to net-zero emissions by mid-century, they also need to recognize the rapid reduction in fossil fuel production that their climate targets will require.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Mount Aso volcano in Japan, erupted on October 20, 2021, and emitted a giant column of ash about thousands of metres into the sky.

About:

• No injuries were reported immediately and People were warned not to go towards the volcano as it ejected hot gas and ash.
• The volcano ejected gas and ash up to the height of 3,500 metres.
• Pale grey torrents of ash rushed down the slopes of the 1,592-metre mountain.

Background

Mount Aso last erupted in the year 2016. The Japan Meteorological Agency had then raised its warning for Mount Aso to the level that was reported on October 20.

About Mount Aso

Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan and one among the largest across the world. The volcano stands on the island of Kyushu, in Aso Kuju National Park in Kumamoto Prefecture. Its peak is 1,592 meters above sea level. It has a fairly large caldera, having a circumference of about 120 km. The caldera dominates the island Kyushu, where it is a popular tourist draw.

Volcano in Japan

Japan is among the world’s most volcanically active countries. It is located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where a large proportion earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are recorded. Japan suffered its deadliest eruption in the month of September 2014, when Mount Ontake burst unexpectedly. It killed 63 people

Kyushu Island

It is the third largest island out of five main islands. It is mountainous and house to Japan’s active volcano called Mount Aso.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed monetary penalty on two payment system operators viz., Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PBBL) as well as Western Union Financial Services Inc.

About:
RBI levied a penalty of Rs 1 crore on PBBL. Penalty was imposed because of an offence related to Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act).

• It levied a penalty of Rs 27.78 lakh on Western Union Financial Services, which is a cross-border in-bound service operator. Fine was imposed for non-compliance with certain directions that were issued by the central bank.

Offense by PBBL

In the application for issue of final Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) of PBBL, RBI observed that PPBL had submitted information which did not reflect the factual position. This was an offence of the nature in accordance with Section 26 (2) of the PSS Act.

Offense by Western Union

Western Union reported the case of breach in ceiling of 30 remittances per beneficiary during 2019 and 2020. It filed an application for compounding of the violation.

Western Union Company

It is an American multinational financial services company. It is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The company was founded in the year 1851 as “New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company”. In the year 1856, company changed its name to the Western Union Telegraph Company.

Paytm Payments Bank (PBB)

The Indian payments bank called PBB was founded in 2015. It is headquartered in Noida. PBB received the license to run a payments bank from RBI in 2015. It was finally launched in November 2017.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

India crossed another significant milestone in its fight against the covid-19 pandemic on October 21, 2021. It touched the mark of 100 crore Covid vaccinations including the first as well as second doses.

About:

• On the other hand, India reported 18,454 new cases in the last 24 hours.
• Currently, the active caseload stands at 1,78,831.
• The recovery rate stands at 98.15 per cent, accounting for the highest since March 2020.
• With 160 Covid patients lost life to Covid-19 infection in the last 24 hours, total death now stands around 4.52 lakh.

Vaccination count

Data on vaccines shows that India’s inoculation drive has been fairly equitable. More than 65 per cent of total vaccine doses are being administered across rural areas. 74 per cent of the estimated adult population have received first dose of the vaccine while 31 per cent are fully vaccinated.

India’s vaccination drive

India started its COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16, 2021. As of October 21, 2021, India has crossed 100 crores mark, including first and second doses. About half of the eligible population has got at least one shot, while 19 per cent have received both the doses. India initially approved Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine and Covaxin. Later, these vaccines were joined by the Sputnik V, Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Moderna vaccines and ZyCoV-D.

First Phase of Vaccination

In the first phase of vaccination, about 30 million health who were directly dealing with Covid-19 patients as well as frontline workers received the vaccine.  In subsequent phases, vaccination plan was rolled out for other people.