WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The World Space Week (WSW) is observed every year from October 4 to 10, to celebrate science and technology, and their contribution towards the betterment of the human condition.
• WSW was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on December 6, 1999. The 2021 theme is “Women in Space”!

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The Delhi-based environmental organisation “Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE)” has been felicitated with the 2021 Right Livelihood Award, an international honour, also known as Sweden’s alternative Nobel Prize.
• LIFE has been selected for the award for its “grassroots approach of empowering vulnerable communities to protect their livelihoods and claim their right to a clean environment.”
• The Right Livelihood Award comes with a cash prize of 1 million Swedish crowns ($115,000) and long-term support to highlight and expand Laureates’.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• Amish Mehta has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of rating agency Crisil. He has replaced Ashu Suyash. Crisil is owned by S&P.
• Mehta has more than two decades of leadership experience across industries and joined Crisil in October 2014 as President and Chief Financial Officer.
• In July 2017, he was elevated as the President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the global analytical centre, India research and SME, the global innovation and excellence hub and corporate strategy.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The Union Minister of Law and Justice, Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated the first Sports Arbitration Centre of India at Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
• This Sports Arbitration Centre of India (SACI) will serve as an independent body to fast track disputes in the sports sector and serve as a mechanism to redress issues related to sports.
• The SACI will be promoted by Ahmedabad-based SE TransStadia Pvt Ltd. and all legal backing will be provided by the Ministry of Law and Justice. The SACI will have a far-reaching impact on the sports sector of the country by creating a reputation and establishing credibility for itself through the provision to settle disputes and other issues and concerns of the sports sector in a fast, transparent and very accountable manner.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The government of India has launched a web portal called “Waste to Wealth” to enhance cooperation for sustainable development through economy and community participation.
• The web portal will bring together technology providers, government stakeholders and urban local bodies to find solutions to India’s waste problems, mainly plastic waste.
• The portal has been launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and inaugurated by the Principal Scientific Advisor K. Vijay Raghavan

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has proposed an amendment to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, in a bid to liberalise the forest laws.

Status of the amendments

Ministry has sent the proposed amendments to all the state governments, asking for their objections and suggestions within 15 days. The draft proposal will be drawn and placed before Parliament after taking suggestions from states into consideration.

Key facts

• The amendment puts forward stringent norms for the conservation of forest, by hiking the penal provisions for offenses.
• Amendment also provides for maintaining “pristine forests”. Non-forestry activity will not be allowed within the pristine forests, under any circumstances.
• Under the amendment; deemed forests, that have been listed by state governments up to 1996, will continue to be considered as forest land.
• Land acquired by the Railways and the road ministries before 1980, on which forests came up, will not be considered as forests.
• Amendment would also reduce the flow from foreign exchange for importing wood & wood derivatives of approximately Rs 45,000 crore by means of encouraging plantations and afforestation.

Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA)

FCA was promulgated in the year 1980. Before a “1996 Supreme Court judgement” in TN Godavarman Thirumulpad versus Union of India & Others case, forest land was defined by “1927 Forest Act”. But in the 1996 case, Supreme court included all areas under the definition of forest that are recorded as ‘forest’ under any government record.

Why this amendment was put forward?

The definition of forest under the forest act was problematic in case of railways and roads. There is land that both the ministries own, but they cannot use it without getting permission from the MoEFCC. These permissions are granted in about 2-4 years, causing delays in several projects.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, released a report titled “The State of the World’s Children 2021: On My Mind: promoting, protecting and caring for children’s mental health” on October 5, 2021 in New Delhi. The state of World’s Children 2021 report is UNICEF’s global flagship publication.

About:

• The report highlights the significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of the children.
• This report is significant because mental health is an old issue & emerging issue. Furthermore, COVID-19 was a test of mental stress for the entire world.
• As per UNICEF report, about 14 percent of 15 to 24-year-olds in India, accounting for 1 in 7, reported feeling depressed or they were having little interest in doing things.

The State of the World’s Children 2021 report

This report examines the mental health of child, adolescent and caregiver. It focuses on risks and protective factors at critical moments if life course. It also digs into the social determinants which ultimately shape mental health and well-being. The report also calls for commitment, communication and action in order to promote good mental health for every child. It also seeks to protect vulnerable children and care for children facing the challenges.

Findings of the report

• UNICEF’s state of the World’s Children Report 2021 has warned that children and young people might feel the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and well-being for several years.
• The report highlights that, how children and young people carried the burden of mental health even before COVID-19.
• As per report, children with mental health disorders in India are mostly undiagnosed and hesitant in asking for help or treatment.
• 50 million children in India were affected by mental health issues, before the pandemic. Out of them, 80 – 90 per cent children have not asked for support.
• As per survey conducted across 21 countries, 14 per cent of respondents aged 15 to 24 years in India reported feeling depressed

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The Indian Navy and The Japan maritime Self-Defence Force is scheduled to start the Fifth edition of India – Japan Maritime Bilateral Exercise called in the Arabian Sea.

About:

• Last edition of the JIMEX exercise was held in September 2020.
• During the three-day exercise, the Indian Navy will be represented by indigenously built Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer Kochi and Guided Missile Frigate Teg.
• Missiles will be commanded by Ajay Kochhar, who is the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet Rear Admiral.
• Japanese side will be represented by JMSDF ships Kaga, a Guided Missile Destroyer, an Izumo Class Helicopter Carrier and Murasame. It will be commanded by Commander Escort Flotila – 3 Rear Admiral IkeuchiIzuru.
• Apart from these ships, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, integral helicopters, Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, and MiG 29K fighter aircraft will also take part in the exercise.

Aim of the JIMEX-21

JIMEX-21 is being conducted with the aim of developing a common understanding of operational procedures and enhancing an inter-operability by conducting a multitude of advanced exercises, in the entire spectrum of maritime operations. These multi-faceted tactical exercises will consolidate the coordination developed by both the navies.

About JIMEX Exercise

JIMEX series of exercises was started in January 2012. It mainly focuses on maritime security cooperation. These exercises are conducted between Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, biennially.

Other Military Exercises between both the countries

Besides JIMEX, India and Japan conduct a joint land military exercise called ‘Dharma Guardian’, annually. They also conduct a Joint Air Force exercise called ‘Shinyuu Maitri’. India and Japan are also involved in a Trilateral Maritime Exercise called Malabar with the USA.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The Ministry of Tourism is organising a “Buddhist Circuit Train FAM Tour and Conference from October 4 to October 8, 2021 in a bid to tap the potential of the Buddhist tourism.

About:

• The FAM tour will comprise of the visit of prominent Buddhist sites as well as conferences at Bodh Gaya and Varanasi.
• This conference is likely to be attended by 125 delegates including tour operators, media, hoteliers, and officials of Ministry of Tourism & State Governments.
• Around 100 local tour operators and other stakeholders of tourism & hospitality sector will attend the event at Bodh Gaya and Varanasi for discussing the key issues with respect to the development and promotion of tourism in the circuit.

Buddhist Tourism in India

India is among world’s largest reservoirs of history, culture, heritage, philosophy, and religion.  With these reservoirs, India is counted amongst the most desired destinations for tourists as well as pilgrims. India has a rich ancient Buddhist Heritage comprising of important sites associated with Lord Buddha. Indian Buddhist heritage is of great interest for the followers of Buddhism across the world. It has remained an inspiration & guide to traditions and customs of India.

Buddhist Conclave

Buddhist Conclave is organised by Ministry of Tourism every alternate year. It is organised with the objective of promoting India as a Buddhist Destination and major markets worldwide. In the year 2021, the International Buddhist Conclave is scheduled from November 17 to 21.

Other initiatives by Ministry of Tourism

• Ministry has showcased the Buddhist Sites on “Incredible India Website” and has developed a dedicated website “www.indiathelandofbuddha.in”. It aims to promote rich Buddhist Heritage across India.
• Ministry is also working on projects for capacity building including Linguistic Tourist Facilitator training in Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese, languages.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Ministry of Textiles has approved the continuation of Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS).

About:

• CHCDS scheme was approved with a total outlay of Rs 160 crore.
• Scheme will continue up to March 2026 now.
• Under the scheme, infrastructural support, design & technology upgradation, market access etc will be provided to handicrafts artisans.

Aim of the scheme

CHCDS schemes was launched to create world-class infrastructure which will caters to the business needs of local artisans & SMEs in order to boost production and export. These clusters have been set with the objective of assisting the artisans & entrepreneurs in setting up world-class units with modern infrastructure, adequate training, latest technology, and human resource development inputs. It is also coupled with market linkages and production diversification.

Provisions under CHCDS

Under CHCDS, interventions such as Baseline Survey & Activity Mapping, Skill Training, Marketing events, Improved Tool Kits, Publicity, Seminars, capacity building, Design workshops, etc will be provided. Scheme will also provide for Emporiums, Common Facility Centres, Raw Material Banks, Trade Common Production Centres, Facilitation Centres, Design & Resource Centres.

Who will undertake the projects?

Integrated projects will be taken up for development with the help of Central or State Handicrafts Corporations, Autonomous body Council Institute, Registered Co- operatives, Registered SPV, Producer company of artisans, that are having good experience in handicrafts sector.

Focus of the projects

These products will focus on integration of scattered artisans, building grass root level enterprises for them and linking them to SMEs in the handicrafts sector in order to ensure economies of scale. Mega handicraft clusters comprising of 10,000 artisans will be selected for overall development under the scheme