• Sat Prakash Bansal, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), said that the university and the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) would soon organise an  international conference on “Promotion of Buddhist Studies and Culture across Buddhist Circuit”. Its aim is to promote Buddhist culture in India and in Buddhist circuit.
• “If we promote this type of tourism in Buddhist circuit, it will create a lot of opportunities for tourism promotion in India, particularly in Himachal,” said Bansal during a meeting with IBC’s adviser Rajesh Kumar Raina.
• He said that the central university and the IBC would jointly organise the conference in February next year.
• The Dalai Lama, Chief Minister, Governor and the Union Culture Minister were expected to attend it. Bansal said that the representatives of seven countries with whom they wanted to promote relations would also be invited. “There will be an inaugural session on the first day. Later, there will be technical sessions chaired by distinguished representatives. The next day, there will be an open session where discussions will be held,” he added.
• He said that a proposal for Buddhist culture promotion would be submitted to the Union Government.

• With concern being echoed on the increasing impact of global warming, the latest findings by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) only reaffirm this fear with the average annual mean temperature of Himachal increasing significantly by 1.5°C between 1901 and 2021.
• During the period, the state’s average maximum temperature showed a significant increasing trend of 2.2°C while the minimum temperature showed a relatively lower increasing trend of 0.8°C over the same period. The year 2016 was the warmest year since 1901 followed by 2017, 2010, 2021 and 2018.
• The rise in the maximum temperature by 1.5°C is a major cause for concern as its impact is already visible in the form of accelerated global warming, erratic rainfall pattern and a change in the ago-climatic zoning. What is worrisome is that the adverse impact of global warming and climate change will be far more severe in mountainous regions like Himachal, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir.
• The winter season (January-February) recorded the highest maximum temperature anomaly of 2.4°C, second warmest since 1901. The minimum temperature anomaly was recorded at1.5°C while mean temperature anomaly was 1.9°C. These anomalies are based on the Long Period Average for 1981-2010.
• Among the months, the highest state average monthly mean temperature anomaly was recorded in March (2.4°C), followed by February (2.1°C). The annual maximum and minimum temperatures averaged over the state during 2021 was warmer than average with anomaly of 0.80°C.
• “The severe weather analysis could be an important input for the state for planning and policy formulation, disaster management issues, economic sustainability and growth,” said KS Hosalikar, Head, Climate Research and Services, IMD, Pune.
• With the continuous projections of climate scientists indicating the possibility of increase in the severe weather events along with its severity, both at global and regional level, this report would be very useful, he added.
• As far as the annual departure of rainfall in different districts of Himachal Pradesh for 50 years between 1961-2010 is concerned, eight districts received normal rainfall, one received excess rainfall and the remaining three received deficient (-59% to -20%) rainfall.
• The IMD also shared data regarding the total loss of life due to heavy rain, floods and snowfall in 2021. There were 56 deaths in the monsoon, mainly in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu and Lahaul Spiti. There were 12 deaths in the winter of 2021 in Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti due to heavy snow.
• The highest rainfall of 229.6 mm occurred at Dharamsala and 210.2 mm in Palampur on July 13 in 2021. The highest rainfall of 230 mm took place in Palampur on July 19, 2021.

• In a bid to digitally transform Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and impart quality education to its tribal students, the Centre has joined hands with Microsoft.
• In the first phase, 36 EMRS have been selected for the digital transformation. “Digital Transformation of EMRSs can play a key role in improving the learning experience for both students and teachers, where focus shall be on integration of digital technologies to improve teaching and learning.
• Access to technology can lead the way forward for access to knowledge,” said Asit Gopal, Commissioner, National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization established under the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry. He was speaking at an online workshop organized for EMRS principals and school heads on “Education Transformation Framework” (ETF), in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited recently.
• Emphasizing on the imperative need of digital transformation in EMRSs, Gopal said that such change keeping in with changing times can play a key role in improving the learning experience for both students and teachers, where focus shall be on integration of digital technologies to improve teaching and learning.
• Gopal asserted that in the first phase, 36 EMRSs have been selected which shall walk their way forward to digitally transform schools and enhance the technological skills by use of Microsoft software and application.
• The Union Tribal Ministry hopes to enroll 3.5 lakh students and recruit 36,000 teachers in its 740 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRs) for tribal students schools targeted to be functional by 2026 across the country.
• Presently, as of November, a total of 688 EMRSs have been sanctioned, of which 392 are functional where around 105463 students are enrolled.
• The current workshop on EMRs digitization was first in its journey of transformation, other components include professional development of teachers using Microsoft Technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) applications; building exposure of students to AI and Coding; sharing of Coding Curriculum for Grade 6th to 12th & AI curriculum for Grade 8th to 12th; workshop on Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) program etc, shared an official from the Ministry. Last year, the Ministry on May 17 had inked a pact with Microsoft to help Tribal schools such as EMRS and Ashram Schools have digital transformation.
• As per the MoU, Microsoft is preparing bi-lingual Artificial Intelligence (AI) curriculum for tribal students in English and Hindi languages that will be taught at all EMRS schools to upskill both educators and students in nextgen technologies.
• The project could not take off last year in full swings owing to the restrictions posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the official said. He explained that as part of the MoU, the teachers will also be trained in using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching in a phased manner, where they can even earn certificates from Microsoft Education Centre.
• Microsoft will also mentor students from EMRS on Ai projects to help pursue the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched startup applications for registration on the MAARG portal, the National Mentorship Platform by Startup India.
• The purpose of the application is to provide further boost the startup ecosystem by catalysing the startup culture and building a strong and inclusive ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
• MAARG portal, (Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth) is a one stop platform to facilitate mentorship for startups across diverse sectors, functions, stages, geographies, and backgrounds.
• The MAARG is being operationalized in three phases which include, Mentor Onboarding, Startup Onboarding, and MAARG Portal Launch and Mentor Matchmaking.
• According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the final launch where the mentors will be matched to the startups has initiated onboarding process of startups under Phase II.
• All interested startups can apply on MAARG.STARTUPINDIA.GOV.IN

• Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar will participate in the ‘Third Global High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance’ to be held in Muscat, Oman on 24th and 25th of this month.
• She will deliver India’s national statement during the opening session of the conference for the heads of the delegation.
• During the conference, Dr Pawar will also have extensive discussions with other leaders, policymakers, key global experts, representatives from the private sector, civil society, research institutions and multilateral organizations on antimicrobial resistance, AMR.
• It is one of the greatest threats to global public health preventing the treatment of bacterial diseases using antibiotics.
• The conference under the theme ‘The AMR Pandemic: From Policy to One Health Action’ will enhance international cooperation to tackle AMR and build on the success of the two previous high-level ministerial conferences held in the Netherlands in 2014 and 2019.
• The conference is also expected to pave the way for nations to come out with bold and specific political commitments in the 2024 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR.

• Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, and His Excellency Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf, Secretary General, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held a Joint Press Conference, in New Delhi, to announce the intent to pursue negotiations on the India-GCC FTA.
• With forward-looking and solution-oriented deliberations, bilateral engagements witnessed significant progress on all matters of mutual interest across the entire gamut of bilateral economic relations between India and the GCC nations.
• Both sides agreed to expedite conclusion of the requisite legal and technical requirements for formal resumption of the FTA negotiations.
• The FTA is envisaged to be a modern, comprehensive Agreement with substantial coverage of goods and services.
• Both sides emphasized that the FTA will create new jobs, raise living standards, and provide wider social and economic opportunities in India and all the GCC countries.
• Both sides agreed to significantly expand and diversify the trade basket in line with the enormous potential that exists on account of the complementary business and economic ecosystems of India and the GCC.
• It may be noted that the GCC is currently India’s largest trading partner bloc with bilateral trade in FY 2021-22 valued at over USD 154 billion with exports valued at approximately USD 44 billion and imports of around USD 110 billion (non-oil exports of USD 33.8 Billion and non-oil imports of USD 37.2 Billion).
• Bilateral trade in services between India and the GCC was valued at around USD 14 billion in FY 2021-22, with exports valued at USD 5.5 Billion and imports at USD 8.3 Billion.
• GCC countries contribute almost 35% of India’s oil imports and 70% of gas imports. India’s overall crude oil imports from the GCC in 2021-22 were about $48 billion, while LNG and LPG imports in 2021-22 were about $21 billion. Investments from the GCC in India are currently valued at over USD 18 billion.

• India reiterated its commitment on conserving tortoises and fresh water turtles in the country during the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 19) at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said this in a press release. The 19th Meeting is being held at Panama City from 14th November to 25th November 2022.
• At CoP 19, India’s proposal for induction of fresh water turtle Batagur kachuga earned wide support of the parties in CoP 19 of CITES. It was widely appreciated by the parties and well accepted when introduced.
• CITES lauded and recorded the works done by the India in the area of conservation of tortoises and fresh water turtles and efforts made in combating wildlife crime and illegal trade of turtles in the country.
• The resolution documents submitted by the CITES Secretariat on tortoises and fresh water turtles specifically mentioned the commendable result achieved by the country in operations such as those initiated by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau namely Operation Turtshield, which resulted in nabbing many criminals involved in poaching and illegal trade of fresh water turtles and substantial seizures made by the agencies in different part of the country.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct its annual joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise “Samanvay 2022” from November 28 to 30 at Agra.
• The objective of the exercise is to assess the efficacy of institutional disaster management structures and contingency measures. It will comprise a seminar on disaster management and a “multi-agency exercise” involving static and flying aspects of several assets needed for the HADR operations.
• ASEAN representatives and several stakeholders within the country will participate in the three-day exercise.
• The armed forces, National Disaster Response Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation and Border Roads Organisation will also be part of the “Samanvay 2022”.
• The exercise is expected to contribute to the evolution of institutional frameworks for effective communication, interoperability, cooperation and their application for successful conduct of the HADR operations.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest at the capability demonstration planned during the exercise on November 29.

• As Egypt hosted COP27, Mumbai has become the first Indian city to be added to the A-list in the 5th Annual Cities Report published by The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a non-profit organisation that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions – recognises the important role that cities play in taking bold actions to mitigate and adopt to climate change.
• The organisation says that Mumbai was able to attain despite the challenging global economic situation. Designed to encourage and support cities to ramp up their climate action and ambition, CDP’s Cities A-List is based on environmental data disclosed by cities to CDP-ICLEI Track.
• In fact, 122 cities across the globe have been named as leaders in environmental action and transparency in 2022 by CDP. For the first time, this includes cities from several countries in the Global South, including Mumbai; cities that are often among those most affected by the impacts of climate change.

India’s financial hub

• Mumbai is the most populous city in India, and, globally, the 7th largest in terms of population. Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Mumbai is separated from the mainland by Thane Creek and Harbour Bay. The city is vulnerable to climate change-induced hazards, such as sea level rise, heavy rainfall, storm surges, increasing heat, and tropical cyclones. It is also susceptible to landslides, due to heavy rain that causes many fatalities and physical damage each monsoon season.
• The city has recently released its first-ever Climate Action Plan in 2022, ‘Towards a Climate Resilient Mumbai’. It outlines the aims to reach net-zero carbon neutrality by 2050 – the most significant step taken in its climate journey thus far.
• The Climate Action Plan has laid down a 30-year roadmap for the city to tackle the challenges of climate change, by adopting inclusive and robust mitigation and adaptation strategies. The action plan sets short, medium, and long-term climate goals aimed at achieving zero emission of greenhouse gases or a net-zero target for 2050.
• Recent CDP data shows that 80 percent of cities face climate hazards, from drought to floods, which are expected to be more intense and frequent by 2025 for 25 percent of cities. Hence the need for strong climate action is urgent. A-List cities are demonstrating their climate leadership through concerted and effective action; just as national governments have been asked to do at COP27. They are taking more than three times as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities.
• For the first time, over 1,000 cities (1,002 in total) received a rating for their climate action from CDP in, a rise on the 965 cities scored in 2021. In 2022, just over one in ten cities scored by CDP (12% of such cities) received an A. What is clear is that a momentum in city climate disclosure and action is gradually building up. In this context, Mumbai is setting an example in India by showing how emission reduction targets and adaptation plans can change the face of the city.
• Other cities from Global South that have also made it onto the A-List for the first time are: Lima (Peru), Quito (Ecuador) and Yaounde IVth Commune (Cameroon. The Middle East also sees its first A-List cities, including Amman (Jordan) and Kadikoy in (Turkey). Brazil, Chile, and the Philippines have returned to the cities A-List for the first time since 2020.

• Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reportedly declared the country’s first-ever National Centre of Excellence for Green Port and Shipping an initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping for greener solutions.
• India is working on increasing the share of renewable energy to 60% of the power demand of each of the major ports from a share of below 10%. This will be via wind- and solar-generated generated power.
• The authorities of Paradip Port, Deendayal Port Kandla, Paradip, Thoothukudi and Cochin Shipyard Limited, and V.O Chidambaranar Port have decided to extend their support to the ministry in setting up this centre. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is going to be the implementation and also the knowledge partner for the project.
• The Minister also mentioned that the centre would provide policy and regulatory support to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways to develop a regulatory framework and facilitate the adoption of an alternate technology roadmap for Green Shipping. This will help foster a circular economy (CE) and carbon neutrality in India’s shipping sector. He then thanked the project stakeholders for hedging the resources toward a critical aspect of the industry.
• By 2030, the major ports have aimed to lower Carbon emissions per ton of cargo, reportedly handled by 30%.
• The Maritime Vision Document 2030, released by India’s prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a 10-year blueprint of India’s vision of a vibrant blue economy and sustainable Maritime sector.
• India got selected as the first nation under the IMO Green Voyage 2050 assignment to conduct a pilot project on Green Shipping.