Daily Current Affairs

13-October-2023

1. India reiterates call for a ‘sovereign Palestine state’

Topic: GS2 – International relations

Context:

• India reiterated its support for the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the obligation to uphold humanitarian principles.

Additional information on the news:

• Operation Ajay, India’s mission to rescue its citizens from conflict-hit Israel, commenced with an Air India flight evacuating 230 Indians.
• The MEA spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, stated that India maintains close contact with relevant stakeholders regarding the evolving situation.
• India’s long-standing and consistent policy advocates the resumption of direct negotiations for a sovereign, independent, and viable Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel within secure and recognized borders.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conducted meetings with Ministry officials to assess the situation.

2. Retail inflation cooled from 6.83% in Aug. to 5% in Sept.

Topic: GS3 – Indian economy

Context:

• India’s retail inflation decreased from 6.83% in August to 5.02% in September, falling below the Reserve Bank of India’s tolerance threshold.
• Food prices saw a notable decrease, with inflation easing from nearly 10% to 6.6%.
• Rural inflation was 5.33% in September, down from 7% in August, while urban consumers experienced inflation moderation, dropping to 4.65% from 6.6% in August.
• Vegetable prices saw a significant drop from 26.1% inflation in August to 3.4% in September.

Possible reasons for this cool down:

• Decrease in Food Prices: The significant drop in food prices, especially in vegetables, played a crucial role in lowering inflation. This could be due to improved supply, favorable weather conditions, or government interventions.
• Reduction in Fuel and Light Prices: The LPG cylinder price cuts by the government led to a decrease in fuel and light prices, contributing to the overall decline in inflation.
• Base Effects: Inflation figures are often influenced by base effects, which compare the current year’s prices to the same period in the previous year. If the previous year had higher inflation, it can make the current year’s figures appear lower.
• Monetary Policy: The policies of the Reserve Bank of India, particularly the decisions made by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), can impact inflation. Any steps taken by the central bank to control inflation may have contributed to the cool down.
• Government Measures: Government policies and interventions, such as price controls or subsidies, can influence the prices of essential commodities and, consequently, inflation.
• Seasonal Factors: Seasonal fluctuations can affect food prices and, in turn, inflation. Crop harvesting and supply patterns can impact prices differently at various times of the year.

3. India ranks 111 out of 125 countries in hunger index

Topic: GS3 – indices

Context:

• India is ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2023, reflecting its struggle against hunger.
• The Indian government has contested India’s GHI ranking for the third consecutive year, citing issues with the methodology used for assessment.
• Afghanistan, Haiti, and 12 sub-Saharan countries are among those performing worse than India on the GHI.
• India’s GHI score is 28.7 on a 100-point scale, categorizing its severity of hunger as “serious.”

Some important factual data:

• 15% of the Indian population is undernourished. This means that they do not consume enough calories to meet their basic energy needs.
• India has the highest number of undernourished children in the world. Nearly 40% of Indian children under the age of five are stunted, meaning that they are too short for their age.
• Food insecurity is on the rise in India. The Global Hunger Index, which measures hunger on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being the best and 100 being the worst, ranked India 111th out of 125 countries in 2023.

Challenges to India’s efforts on combating hunger:

• Food Insecurity: Millions in India still lack access to sufficient and nutritious food.
• Malnutrition: High levels of child malnutrition and stunting remain a challenge.
• Uneven Distribution: Disparities in food access and distribution persist between urban and rural areas.
• Poverty: Widespread poverty contributes to hunger and inadequate diets for many.
• Agricultural Issues: Challenges in agriculture, such as crop failures and low yields, affect food production.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient storage and transportation infrastructure lead to food wastage.
• Government Programs: Challenges in effectively implementing food and nutrition programs.
• Population Growth: The growing population strains food resources and distribution.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen Food Security: Enhance policies and programs to ensure food security for all.
• Nutrition Interventions: Implement targeted nutrition programs to address malnutrition and stunting.
• Equity Measures: Reduce urban-rural and income-based disparities in food access and distribution.
• Poverty Alleviation: Tackle poverty through employment generation and social safety nets.
• Agricultural Reforms: Invest in agriculture, improve crop yields, and address challenges in the sector.
• Infrastructure Development: Enhance storage and transportation facilities to minimize food wastage.
• Efficient Governance: Improve the efficiency and reach of government food and nutrition initiatives.
• Sustainable Practices: Promote sustainable agricultural and food production practices.
• Population Management: Address population growth through education and awareness programs.

Question: Discuss the challenges and potential strategies for India to combat hunger and achieve food security. How can effective governance and sustainable agricultural practices contribute to addressing this critical issue?

 

4. Stepwell into the times that were

Topic: GS1 – Indian art and culture

Context:

• Heritage activist Vikramjeet Singh Rooprai’s book “Baoli” delves into the history and stories of stepwells (baolis) in Delhi, showcasing their rich heritage.
• The book explores various legends, myths, and historical accounts associated with baolis, shedding light on their significance and mysteries.

What are Baoli?

• Baoli, also known as stepwells, are ancient structures primarily found in the Indian subcontinent.
• They are architectural marvels designed to store and provide access to water, particularly during dry seasons.
• Baolis consist of a series of steps leading down to a well or reservoir, allowing people to descend to the water source.
• These structures often feature intricate and decorative designs, reflecting the artistic and engineering skills of their builders.
• Baolis served both practical and social purposes, providing water for drinking, irrigation, and bathing while also serving as communal gathering places.
• They are found in various parts of India and neighboring regions and are significant for their historical and cultural value.
• Many baolis have unique stories, myths, and legends associated with them, adding to their cultural significance.

5. The case for caste census in India

Topic: GS2 – Indian polity

Background of the Caste Census

• Caste-based enumeration began under British colonial rule in 1881 and continued till 1931.
• Independent India abandoned full caste enumeration in national censuses fearing that it might perpetuate caste divisions.

Caste Inequality and Poverty

• Multiple socio-economic data reveal significant disparities across caste categories.
• Caste-based deprivation is reflected in income, education, and employment statistics.
• Official surveys have consistently shown that Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) face higher levels of poverty and deprivation.

Role of the Mandal Commission

• The Mandal Commission in 1980 estimated that the combined population of Hindu and non-Hindu OBCs was around 52% of India’s population.
• It recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government services to avoid breaching the 50% reservation ceiling set by the Supreme Court.

Indra Sawhney Judgement

• In 1992, the Supreme Court upheld 27% OBC reservation with the observation that caste could be a valid criterion for reservation.
• This laid the foundation for OBC reservation in India.

Opposition to a Caste Census

• Opposition to a nationwide caste census stems from concerns that revealing the exact OBC population share (likely greater than 52%) may trigger demands to increase the 27% OBC reservation quota.

Need for a Caste Census

• Full caste enumeration is crucial to ascertain accurate population figures.
• It’s essential to determine the numbers and proportions of individual castes within the OBC category to address concerns of concentration among dominant caste groups.
• A nationwide socio-economic caste census is necessary for scientific sub-categorization of OBCs and to create equitable criteria for reservations.

Justice Rohini Commission

• The commission, established in 2017 to examine OBC sub-categorization in the Central list, submitted its report in August 2023.

Overall Impact

• Caste inequalities persist and require comprehensive data for evidence-based policy-making.
• A caste census can help ensure that reservation benefits are more fairly distributed among various OBC groups.

6. INDIA bloc writes to Meta, Google to remain ‘neutral’ ahead of LS election

Topic: GS2 – Indian polity

Context:

• The Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has expressed concerns about Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube’s alleged role in inciting communal hatred in India.
• They have written letters to the CEOs of Meta (Mark Zuckerberg) and Google (Sundar Pichai) urging them to ensure platform neutrality ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Potential implications of social media sites on general elections:

• Social media sites, like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube, can have a significant impact on general elections.
• They provide a platform for political discourse, information dissemination, and engagement with voters.
• However, concerns have arisen about these platforms being used to incite communal hatred and social unrest.
• There are allegations of biased content promotion, favoring the ruling party and suppressing opposition voices.
• Social media can influence public opinion and shape electoral outcomes.
• Ensuring platform neutrality and addressing content-related issues are essential for fair and democratic elections.
• The spread of misinformation and fake news on social media can also be a challenge during elections.
• Political parties and leaders leverage social media to connect with voters and mobilize support.
• Regulation and oversight of social media platforms may be necessary to maintain electoral integrity.

Question: Discuss the role of social media platforms in shaping electoral outcomes and the potential challenges they pose to the integrity of general elections. Suggest measures for ensuring fairness and neutrality in the use of social media during elections.

7. IIP rises at 14-month high of 10.3%

Topic: GS3 – Indian economy

Context:

• India’s industrial output in August surged at a 14-month high rate of 10.3%, showing a significant improvement from a revised 6% rise in July.
• This growth is influenced by favorable base effects from the previous year when production levels had contracted by 0.7%.
• The manufacturing sector exhibited strong performance in August, with just seven out of 23 major segments recording a contraction, compared to nine in July.
• Key sectors like electricity and mining registered substantial growth, with a 15.3% and 12.3% increase, respectively.

About IIP:

• IIP is a composite indicator that measures the growth rate of industry groups classified under Broad-based, Mining & Quarrying, Manufacturing, Electricity, and Gas sectors.
• It is a significant indicator for the growth of the Indian economy and is used by the government, businesses, and economists to track the performance of the industrial sector.
• IIP is compiled and released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on a monthly basis.
• The base year for IIP is 2011-12.
• IIP is calculated using a weighted average method, where the weights are based on the gross value added (GVA) of each industry group.
• IIP is used to calculate the GDP growth rate of the Indian economy.

Significance of IIP:

• IIP is a significant indicator for the growth of the Indian economy, as the industrial sector is a major contributor to GDP.
• IIP is used by the government to track the performance of the industrial sector and to formulate policies to promote industrial growth.
• IIP is used by businesses to make investment decisions and to track the demand for their products.
• IIP is used by economists to analyze the economic outlook of the Indian economy.

Limitations of IIP:

• IIP does not include the services sector, which is the largest sector of the Indian economy.
• IIP is based on a limited number of items and may not be representative of the entire industrial sector.
• IIP is subject to revision, which can make it difficult to interpret the data.

Question: Discuss the significance of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in the Indian economy and its limitations.

8. Giant Ozone ‘Hole’ Found Over Antarctica

Topic: Geography

Context:

• A massive ‘hole’ in the ozone layer above the icy continent of Antarctica has been found by satellite measurements.
• The ‘hole’ is nearly three times the size of Brazil and covers an area of 26 million sq km.
• The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite made the recordings on September 16.

What is the ozone layer?

• The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere are the five principal layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, starting from the lowest layer.
• The area of the stratosphere (15–50 km above Earth’s surface) that is usually referred to as the ozone layer has the highest concentration of ozone, however even at its thickest, there are only a few ozone molecules for every million air molecules.
• Nevertheless, because it filters out dangerous ultraviolet wavelengths from the sun, this layer is essential for planetary life.

What is an ozone hole?

• An ozone “hole” is just an area with a low concentration of the gas.
• Scientists believed this depletion, which was first noted in the early 1980s, to be the biggest existential threat to life as we know it. Over the South Pole, it was noticeably more pronounced.
• By the middle of the 1980s, experts believed that the main factor contributing to this depletion was the usage of a class of industrial chemicals, the most prevalent of which were chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were widely employed in the paint, furniture, air conditioning, and refrigeration sectors.

Is the problem being fixed?

• The usage of “ozone depleting substances” has steadily decreased since the Montreal Protocol came into effect in 1989, and as a result, the “hole” has gradually closed.
• The ‘hole’ over the Antarctic, the largest of them all, is expected to be mended by 2066, according to the most recent forecasts, restoring the majority of the ozone layer to its 1980 status by the 2040s.

Is there a reason to worry?

• The “hole” this year is not cause for fear, according to scientists.
• The advancements made over the previous three decades, however, have begun to be undone in recent years by climate change.
• Wildfires caused by global warming, which are becoming more common and fierce worldwide, may once again be degrading ozone layers, according to scientists.
• Wildfires in 2020 and 2021 were associated with the larger-than-usual Antarctic ozone holes.

9.‘Unconventional warfare’ tops anti-terror meet talks

Topic: GS3- Internal Security

Context:

• As the Israel-Hamas conflict reached its sixth day, 33 foreign delegates, including Israelis, attended an anti-terror conference of special forces conducted in Delhi that reviewed the challenges of preventing “unconventional warfare” in the context of the ongoing conflict in the region.

Details:

• Representatives from all of the nation’s special anti-terror forces, including those raised by state police, central armed police forces, and the armed forces, attended the two-day conference, which the National Security Guard
• It was the first conference of its kind to be held in the nation.

Aim of the conference:

• The conference’s primary goal was to bring together and coordinate all special units from India and friendly nations to handle emergency scenarios, but it also took into account recent developments in the Middle East.
• A conversation about how to prepare for unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances, like those saw during the Israel-Hamas conflict, was held in the background.

10. India rejects Global Hunger Report

Topic: GS2-Health

Context:

• India ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index for 2023, which the government dismissed as inaccurate and having malicious intent.

Key Findings of the Report:

• The report, which was published on Thursday, also revealed that India has the highest child wasting rate in the world, at 18.7%, which indicates severe undernourishment.
• The GHI, a tool for fully measuring and tracking hunger at global, regional, and national levels, ranked India 107th out of 121 nations in its 2022 edition.
• According to a report based on the index, India has a serious level of hunger with a score of 28.7 on the GHI-2023.
• India’s neighbors Bangladesh (81st), Nepal (69th), Sri Lanka (60th), and Pakistan (102nd) have performed better.
• With a GHI score of 27, which indicates severe hunger, South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara have the highest levels of hunger in the world.
• According to the report, India’s undernourishment rate was 16.6% and its under-five mortality rate was 3.1%.
• Additionally, the report stated that 1% of women between the ages of 15 and 24 had anemia.

What is Global Hunger Index?

• The GHI is a tool created to fully assess and monitor hunger at the international, regional, and national levels, reflecting many aspects of hunger throughout time.

Published by:

• The largest assistance and humanitarian organization in Ireland, Concern Worldwide, and Welthungerhilfe collaborate to yearly issue the GHI.
• In 2006, the first GHI report was released.

Calculation: Each nation’s GHI score is determined using a system that combines four factors that collectively depict the multifaceted character of hunger.

Undernourishment: It is the percentage of the population whose caloric intake is insufficient.

Stunting in children: It is the percentage of children under the age of five who are low in height for their age.

Child wasting: It is the percentage of kids under five that are underweight for their height, a sign of severe malnutrition.

Child mortality: It is the percentage of kids that pass away before turning five, which is partially due to the deadly combination of poor nutrition and hazardous environment.

11. Developing border roads govt priority: PM in Uttarakhand

Topic:GS3- Internal security

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the groundwork for a number of development projects costing over Rs 4,200 crore in Uttarakhand.
• He officially launched initiatives in the areas of roads, electricity, irrigation, drinking water, horticulture, education, health, and disaster management.

Border Roads Significance:

• Border roads are strategically essential roadways in the country’s bordering territories.
• Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a Government of India initiative that builds and maintains border roads.
• This organisation was founded in 1960 with the goal of developing critical highways in the northern and northeastern border territories.
• Border roads are significant because they facilitate accessibility in tough terrain locations. They have contributed to the economic growth of border regions.
• Border roads are built in the country’s most distant places to enable connection.
• The BRO has built 43,567 kilometres of border roads in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• During times of war or other emergencies, border infrastructure aids with the rapid deployment of troops.
• Armed troops can deploy rapidly to border areas and assist in safeguarding the country’s frontiers from foreign assault thanks to border highways.

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13 October 2023 : Daily Current Affair



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11 Oct 2023 : Daily Quiz



11 Oct 2023 : Daily Answer Writing

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