WHY IN THE NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 14, 2021, that, August 14 would now be observed as “Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”

About:

• The day would be observed every year to commemorate the “struggles and sacrifices” of millions of people who were displaced and lost their lives during Partition.
• On August 14, Pakistan emerged as a political entity after Partition and is observed as Independence Day of Pakistan.

Significance

This move by Prime Minister becomes significant in the backdrop of the situation in Afghanistan and the advance of the Taliban raising old spectres in the region.

Partition Horrors Remembrance Day

This day is a national Memorial Day in India, that was announced to be observed on August 14. The day commemorates the victims and sufferings of people during the Partition of India. It remembers the sufferings of Indians during the partition. The day was announced with the aim of reminding Indians of the need of removing social divisions and disharmony. It seeks to further strengthen the spirit of oneness, social harmony and human empowerment

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Kaziranga National Park of Assam has become the first national park in India to be equipped with satellite phones.

About:

• About 10 satellites phones were handed over to forest personnel of Kaziranga National Park by Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua.
• This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 27, 2021.

Significance of the move

According to an official of Kaziranga National Park, this move will boost anti-poaching measures in the park. These satellite phones will be used in the six ranges of parks having no wireless or poor mobile connectivity. Thus, it will help in taking timely measures.

Who is the service provider?

Satellite Phones were procured for the park by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) at an estimated cost of Rs 16 lakh. Service will be provided by BSNL while monthly expenses will be fulfilled by park authorities. BSNL also trained the forest personnel to operate satellite phones in areas where satellite phones do not work like in shadow areas and grooves.

Kaziranga National Park

This national park of India is spread to the district of Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon in the state of Assam. It hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses. Park has also been listed as a World Heritage Site. According to the census of 2018, there are 2413 rhino populations in Kaziranga National Park. It includes 1,641 adult rhinos, 387 sub-adults and 385 calves. Kaziranga was known for the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world. It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. Presently, the highest tiger density is in Orang National Park of Assam. Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species also recognises Kaziranga park as an Important Bird Area

WHY IN THE NEWS?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the 75th Independence Day celebration, announced that Sainik Schools across India will now be open for female students as well.

About:

• This decision was taken following the messages from lakhs of female students that they also want to study in Sainik School.
• Girls were first allowed in Sainik schools of Mizoram about 2.5 years ago.

Sainik Schools

Sainik Schools are a system of schools that was established and managed by the Sainik Schools Society. It comes under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The establishment of Sainik schools was led by V. K. Krishna Menon in 1961, who was the then Defence Minister of India.

Why Sainik Schools were established?

Sainik Schools were established in order to rectify regional and class imbalance amongst Officer cadre of the Indian Military. Schools were opened to prepare students mentally and physically to enter into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Naval Academy (INA).

How many such schools are there?

As of now, there were 33 Sainik Schools. Now, MoD is set to establish 100 more boarding Sainik Schools in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

Who run Sainik Schools?

MoD run Sainik Schools in association with the respective state governments. MoD provides funding and serving officers for the post of Principal while, State governments provide land, infrastructure and teaching & administrative employees.

Curriculum of Sainik Schools

Sainik Schools follow “CBSE Plus” curriculum by using CBSE curriculum with the additional aim of preparing children for entry into NDA and INA.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on August 15, highlighted India’s target to become ‘energy independent’ by 2047, when India will be celebrating 100th year of Independence.

About:

• India targets to become energy independent through a mix of electric mobility, gas-based economy and mixing ethanol in petrol.
• Prime Minister highlighted his target of making India a hub for hydrogen production.
• Currently, India spends more Rs 12 lakh crore on energy imports per year.

Roadmap to becoming energy independent

Roadmap for India to become energy independent include:

1. Increasing usage of natural gas in the economy
2. Setting up a network of CNG and piped natural gas network throughout India
3. Blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol and electric mobility.

India’s current achievement

Presently, India has achieved the target of 100 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity much before the set the target.

Energy policy of India

Energy Policy of India is defined by expanding energy deficit and increased focus of India on developing alternative sources of energy like nuclear, solar and wind energy. As of 2017, India has attained 63% overall energy self-sufficiency.

Primary Energy Consumption in India

Primary energy consumption in India has increased by 2.3% in 2019. It has become the third biggest consumer after China and USA, with global share of 5.8%.

India’s net import

As of 2018, India’s net imports were about 205.3 million tons of crude oil and its products, 26.3 Mtoe of LNG and 141.7 Mtoe coal. They totalled to 46.13% of total primary energy consumption. India is largely dependent on fossil fuel imports to meet its domestic energy demands. As per reports, India’s dependence on energy imports is expected to exceed 53% by 2030.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched National Hydrogen Mission on August 15, 2021 from Lal Quila on the occasion of celebration of 75th Independence Day. This mission was launched to push for energy security of India.

About:

• This mission was announced in the backdrop of India spending Rs 12 trillion annually to meet its energy needs.
• The mission seeks to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.
• India currently imports 85% of its oil and 53% of its gas demand.
• On the occasion, pm stressed that, for India to progress and become self-reliant, it becomes important to become energy independent.
• In the line, India is considering to make it mandatory for fertilizer plants and oil refineries to buy green hydrogen under its plans to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

How Green Hydrogen is produced?

Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with the help of electrolyzer which is powered by electricity from renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Green Hydrogen Consumption Obligation (GHCO)

Government of India has also planned to implement Green Hydrogen Consumption Obligation (GHCO) in fertilizer production and petroleum refining. It is similar to renewable purchase obligations (RPO) that require electricity distribution companies to buy a fixed amount of renewable energy. It helps to cut reliance on fossil fuels.

Hydrogen Demand in India

Total hydrogen demand in India is 6.7 million tonnes currently. It is expected to increase to 11.7 million tonnes (mt) by 2029-30.

About Hydrogen

It is a colourless, odourless gas found in Earth’s atmosphere. It is used for industrial uses like petroleum refining, manufacturing of chemicals, steel, & ammonia fertilisers and aerospace applications.

How it is extracted?

Hydrogen is extracted through two methods for Industrial purposes, namely, gasification of coal or through steam methane reformation (SMR). In SMR, methane from natural gas is heated with steam to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which is used as fuel. However, these methods aren’t carbon-friendly and cause vast emissions of greenhouse gasses. Hydrogen produced from this method is called as brown hydrogen. While the Green hydrogen is extracted without releasing any emissions at all.

WHY IN THE NEWS?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 100 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti initiative

About:

• This initiative will create employment opportunities for youth in India. It will also lead to the growth and development of infrastructure.
• In his address, Prime Minister highlighted that; Gatishakti-National Master Plan will be announced soon.
• Prime Minister also noted that India needs to increase both manufacturing and exports. Each of the products that are sold globally from India is attached to India. Thus, every product of yours is a brand ambassador for India.

Focus areas of the initiative

• Gati Shakti plan will help in raising the global profile of local manufacturers.
• It will also help manufacturers to compete with their counterparts across the world.
• It also increases the possibilities of new future economic zones.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

India’s renewable energy capacity, excluding large hydroelectric projects, hit 100 GW (gigawatts) on 12th Aug 21, making it the world’s fourth-largest in terms of total installed green energy capacity.

The 100 GW renewable capacity accounts for 26% of India’s total installed generation capacity of 383 GW.

• It should be noted that in 2015, India had announced its plan to build 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022. This target has been enhanced to install 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

• Significance

• The milestone is commendable for the world’s third-largest polluter, as it has been achieved in a short span of five years.
• This milestone of reaching 100 GW, will help us to resist international pressure to declare a net-zero goal and India can call out the developed countries to increase their efforts to reduce carbon emission.
• It also shows India’s commitment to decarbonizing its economy and will meet its NDC (nationally determined contributions) targets for power generation from non-fossil fuel sources and emission reductions.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The Union Government of India has decided to allow the import of genetically modified (GM) soymeal.

Background:

• Soymeal is the protein-rich solid left after the oil is extracted from the bean. It is used as a raw material for poultry feed.
• Since the last few months, domestic prices of soymeal have risen from Rs 40/kg to Rs 110/kg.
• As a result, the production cost for poultry farmers has increased, which was already impacted by the Covid-19 and Avian Influenza.
• Hence, due to this, the poultry industry has been asking the government to import soy meal to overcome domestic shortages and high prices. But the import was not being allowed due to Government’s regulation regarding genetically modified ingredients.

Why has the Government allowed the import of Soymeal?

• The import of genetically modified organisms and living modified organisms is restricted in India.
• However, soya de-oiled cake or meals do not fall under these categories. It falls under the non-living organism category.
• Hence, on this basis, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change ruled that the import of Soymeal would not require permission from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and has allowed the import of Soymeal.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has notified the Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021.

Main Purpose of the Rules:

• The rules aim to prohibit the use of specific single-use plastic items which have “low utility and high littering potential” by 2022.

Key Provisions of the Rules:

Range of Plastics Banned:

• The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following single-use plastic commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July 2022:
  • Earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration; 
  • Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery, wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, invitation cards,  and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

The thickness of Plastic bags:

• The permitted thickness of the plastic bags, currently 50 microns, will be increased to 75 microns from 30th September 2021, and to 120 microns from 31st December 2022.
• This is because plastic bags with higher thickness are more easily handled as waste and have higher recyclability.

Plastic Wastes not banned:

• Compostable Plastics: The ban will not apply to commodities made of compostable plastic.
  • Instead of using plastic made from petrochemicals and fossil fuels, compostable plastics are derived from renewable materials like corn, potato, and tapioca starches, cellulose, etc. These plastics are non-toxic and decompose back into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass when composted.

Plastic Packaging waste which is not covered under the phase-out of identified single-use plastic items should be collected and managed in an environmentally sustainable way through the Extended Producer Responsibility as per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.

• Extended Producer Responsibility is a policy approach in which producers take responsibility for the management of the disposal of products they produce once those products are designated as no longer useful by consumers

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Union Minister of Science & Technology has launched “IndiGau”.

About:

• IndiGau is India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip for the conservation of pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds like Gir, Kankrej, Sahiwal, Ongole etc.
• Developed by: National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NAIB), Hyderabad, an autonomous institution under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology.

Significance of IndiGau Chip:

• Firstly, IndiGau is purely indigenous and the largest cattle chip in the world. It has 11,496 markers (SNPs) more than that placed on 777K Illumina chips of US & UK breeds.
• Secondly, the chip will have practical utility in the Government’s schemes to achieve the goal of conservation of our own breeds with better characteristics and help towards doubling farmers income by 2022.

About SNP Chip:

SNP stands for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism. It is a type of DNA microarray which is used to detect polymorphisms within a population.

SNP chips are DNA microarrays that test genetic variation at many hundreds of thousands of specific locations across the genome. SNP chips have proven to be excellent for studying common genetic variation, which can be used to assess ancestry as well as predisposition to many complex multifactorial diseases.