Current Affairs 9 September 2024

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's visit to Saudi Arabia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday arrived in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where he will attend the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers' meeting.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance of six countries of the Arabian Peninsula. These six countries are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1981, the GCC aims to promote economic, security, cultural and social cooperation among these countries. The GCC holds summits every year in which cooperation and regional affairs are discussed.

Importance of GCC for India:

• Energy security: GCC countries have almost half of the world's oil reserves. Currently, GCC suppliers account for about 34% of India's crude oil imports.

• Trade and Investment: The GCC region is now expanding beyond the energy sector into other sectors such as tourism, construction and finance, opening up new trade and investment opportunities for countries like India.

• Presence of Indian expatriates: The number of Indian expatriates in the Middle East is around 8.9 million. According to RBI reports, remittances from the region account for nearly 30% of the total remittances India receives from abroad.

• Geostrategic: The GCC countries are located across the Persian Gulf, a vital sea route for global trade. India and the GCC desire political stability and security in the region.

India and GCC Relations:

1. Introduction: The Gulf is India's closest neighbour, separated only by the Arabian Sea. The GCC has emerged as a major trading and investment partner for India.

2. Political Dialogue: The first India-GCC Political Dialogue was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in 2003. In September 2022, India and the GCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding that lays down the framework for annual dialogue.

3. Economic and Commercial Relations: India-GCC bilateral trade stood at US$161.59 billion during FY 2023-24. India's exports were US$56.3 billion and imports were US$105.3 billion.

4. India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA): India and the GCC signed a framework agreement to enhance economic cooperation in August 2004. Negotiations on the FTA are ongoing, and are likely to gain momentum after the India-UAE FTA.

5. Energy cooperation: The GCC contributes 35% of India's oil imports and 70% of gas imports. India is implementing the second phase of its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), in which several GCC countries have expressed interest.

6. Overseas Indians and Remittances: There are about 8.9 million Indian expatriates living in GCC countries, accounting for about 66% of the NRI population. The share of remittances from the GCC region in India’s inward remittances is projected to decline from 50% in 2016-17 to about 30% in 2020-21, but it still accounts for a large share of India’s total inward remittances.

Semicon India 2024

• Under the leadership of the Uttar Pradesh government, Semicon India 2024 will be held from September 11 to 13, 2024, at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.

• The event will be organized in collaboration with SEMI, Messe München India, and the Electronics Industries Association of India, and is one of the largest electronics trade shows in Southeast Asia.

• The aim of this event is to strengthen India's semiconductor sector and establish it as a leading player on a global scale.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event, which will also be attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC)

• Two indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) for the Indian Navy were launched at the Kochi Shipyard in Kerala. 

• These are the fourth and fifth shallow watercraft being built for the Navy. 

• Upon joining the Navy, they will be named INS Malpe and INS Mulki.

Main Features of these Vessels:

• These vessels are capable of conducting anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime and mine-laying operations, as well as underwater surveillance and search and rescue operations.

Weapon Systems:

• They are equipped with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets, close-in weapon systems, and remote-controlled guns.

Technical Specifications:

• The vessel's length is 78 meters, width is 11 meters, and full-load displacement is 900 tons. It can achieve a maximum speed of 25 nautical miles per hour.

Previous Three ASWSWC:

• The first three Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) were launched together at the Kochi Shipyard in a series of eight ASWSWC being built for the Indian Navy.

• After joining the Navy, these three ships were named INS Mahe, INS Malvan, and INS Mangalore.

Call for Revival of SAARC Spirit by Bangladesh Interim Government Chief

The Chief of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has called for the revival of the "SAARC spirit." He emphasized that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could address many pressing issues in the region.

The SAARC summit in 2016 was canceled following the Uri terrorist attack. Countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan opted out of participation.

The last SAARC biennial summit was hosted by Nepal in 2014.

Reasons for SAARC's Inactivity:

• Lack of Political Will: Member countries often prioritize national interests over regional cooperation, hindering SAARC's progress.

• Structural Weakness: SAARC operates on the principle of consensus, meaning every member country's approval is required for decisions. This system can create stalemates, especially when major members like India and Pakistan disagree on issues.

• Economic Disparities: India's economic power dominates over other member countries, leading to dissatisfaction and resentment among smaller nations.

• Limited Scope of Cooperation: While SAARC has achieved some success in health, education, and disaster management, it has struggled in areas such as security, trade, and economic development.

• External Influences: Geopolitical influences from external powers like China and the U.S. have complicated SAARC's internal dynamics.

• Internal Conflicts and Political Instability: Internal conflicts and political instability in several member countries have impeded their capacity for regional cooperation.

Need for Revival of SAARC:

• Regional Cooperation for Peace and Security: SAARC can provide a platform to encourage diplomatic dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

• Economic Integration and Development: A revived SAARC could promote regional trade and investment through agreements like SAFTA.

• Addressing Shared Challenges: Regional cooperation can be enhanced to tackle shared challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and food security.

• Rohingya and Refugee Crisis: Regional cooperation can address humanitarian crises like the Rohingya refugee crisis.

• Geopolitical Balance: With China's growing influence in South Asia, reviving SAARC could help member countries balance the impact of external powers.

• Leveraging Global Platforms: A revived SAARC can strengthen South Asia's voice on global platforms.

Future Directions:

• Strengthening Political Will: Member countries should prioritize regional cooperation over bilateral disputes.

• Promoting Inter-Regional Trade: Simplifying trade processes and fully implementing SAFTA will help unlock the region's untapped trade potential.

• Leveraging Sub-Regional Initiatives: Aligning SAARC goals with sub-regional initiatives like BIMSTEC and Act East Policy can ensure mutual development and regional stability

Fateh-360 Missile

Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran has supplied short-range ballistic missiles, including the Fateh-360, to Russia.

The Fateh-360 is an Iranian short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) designed specifically to target various tactical objectives.

Key Features of the Fateh-360 Missile:

• Launch Weight: 787 kilograms.

• Speed: The missile travels at speeds ranging from Mach 3 to Mach 4.

• Fuel: Equipped with a solid fuel engine, allowing for rapid deployment and quick launch times.

• Range: Approximately 120 to 300 kilometers.

• Warhead Weight: Capable of carrying a 150-kilogram payload.

• Design: Its small and agile design makes it difficult for air defense systems to intercept.

• Guidance System: Combines inertial guidance and satellite navigation to achieve an accuracy of 30 meters.

• Launch System: Utilizes a truck-mounted transporter erector launcher (TEL) designed to carry and launch multiple missiles.

These features make the Fateh-360 missile an effective and capable weapon on the battlefield, especially due to its rapid deployment and launch capabilities.

Ballistic Missiles

A ballistic missile is a type of rocket-powered, self-guided strategic weapon system that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver a payload to a predetermined target from its launch site.

Types:

• Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM): Such as the Fateh-360, with a range of up to a few hundred kilometers. Useful for coastal areas.

• Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM): With a range of approximately 1,000 to 3,000 kilometers.

• Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM): With a range of 3,000 to 5,500 kilometers.

• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM): With a range of over 5,500 kilometers, capable of targeting across continents.

Features:

• Explosive Warhead: Ballistic missiles can carry various types of warheads, such as nuclear, conventional explosives, chemical, or biological.

• Guidance System: Modern ballistic missiles use inertial guidance, satellite navigation (GPS), and other precision guidance technologies for high accuracy.

• Solid or Liquid Fuel: Ballistic missiles can be powered by solid or liquid fuel, with solid fuel missiles typically being deployed more rapidly.

Paris Paralympics 2024

• India achieved its most successful performance in Paralympic history at the Paris 2024 Games, winning a total of 29 medals, including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze medals.

• The Paris 2024 Paralympics, held in the French capital from August 28 to September 8, saw a record 84 para-athletes representing India.

Key Facts:

• Avni Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games.

• In high jump T42 category, Mariyappan Thangavelu became the first Indian to win medals in three consecutive Paralympics, having previously won gold in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020.

Medal Distribution:

• Athletics: 17 Medals

• Badminton: 5 Medals

• Shooting: 4 Medals

• Archery: 1 Medal

• Judo: 1 Medal

International Literacy Day

September 8 is celebrated worldwide as International Literacy Day.

The theme for International Literacy Day 2024 is "Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace."

Background: 

• The proposal to celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8 was passed at the UNESCO General Conference held in 1966. 

• The first International Literacy Day was observed in 1967.

Key Events: 

• In India, the Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy, in collaboration with UNESCO, organized a ceremony in New Delhi to celebrate International Literacy Day. 

• The chief guest for the ceremony was Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Literacy Standards in India:

•  For the purposes of the 2011 Census, a person aged seven years or older who can understand, read, and write in any language is considered literate. A person who can only read but cannot write is not considered literate.

•  In censuses before 1991, children under the age of five were automatically considered illiterate.

Literacy Status in India: 

• According to the 2011 Census, there has been an increase in the literacy rate in the country. The literacy rate in India is 74.04%, with 82.14% for men and 65.46% for women. 

• The states with the highest literacy rates in India are Kerala (93.91%), Lakshadweep (92.28%), and Mizoram (91.58%). 

• The states with the lowest literacy rates in India are Bihar (63.82%), Arunachal Pradesh (66.95%), and Rajasthan (67.06%).

Efforts to Promote Literacy in India:

1. National Literacy Mission (NLM): Launched in 1988, it aimed to provide functional literacy to non-literate adults aged 15 to 35 years.

2. Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Started in 1995, this scheme aimed to improve school enrollment and attendance by providing nutritious food to school children.

3. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Initiated in 2001, this scheme focused on providing free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.

4. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Launched in 2009, it aimed to increase enrollment in secondary education and ensure quality education.

5. Sakshar Bharat Scheme: Started in 2009, this scheme aimed to make illiterate adults literate. It ran until 2018 and achieved literacy for over 76.4 million adults.

6. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat: Launched in 2014, this initiative aimed to improve basic literacy and numeracy skills in early grades.

7. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Launched in 2015, this scheme aimed to promote girls' education and improve the sex ratio.

8. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): Started in 2017, it aimed to make at least one member of each rural household digitally literate.

9. Nava Bharat Saksharata Program (NILP): Launched for the period 2022-23 to 2026-27, this program aims to educate 10 million illiterates aged 15 years and above through online education, with a budget of 1037.90 crore rupees.

Increase in Vulture Population in Nepal

• Efforts to conserve vultures in Nepal are moving in a positive direction. According to recent vulture counts, there has been a 22% increase in the vulture population in Pokhara and surrounding areas.

•  In the Far-Western Province, 147 nests of rare vultures, including the White-rumped Vulture and the Slender-billed Vulture, have been observed, indicating a restoration of the endangered vulture populations.

Nepal has taken several important steps for vulture conservation:

1. Vulture Conservation Action Plan: A comprehensive plan has been developed to increase vulture populations, including various conservation measures.

2. Vulture Restaurants: Feeding centers for vultures have been established in various regions, such as the Jatayu Vulture Restaurant in Nawalparasi. These centers provide vultures with access to safe carcasses of dead livestock.

3. Ban on Diclofenac: Diclofenac, a drug used in animals, was a major cause of declining vulture populations. Nepal banned the drug in 2006 and declared 76 districts as Diclofenac-free zones. Instead, Meloxicam, a safer alternative for vultures, is used.

4. Feeding Centers: Bird Conservation Nepal has established seven additional feeding centers in various districts, providing food for vultures and helping to stabilize their populations.

5. Addressing Deforestation and Pollution: Other factors affecting vultures, such as deforestation, industrial pollution, and water scarcity, are also being addressed to protect their habitat and ensure their survival.

Nuakhai Juhar: A Major Agricultural Festival

Recently, the Prime Minister of India extended his greetings to the country's farmers on the occasion of 'Nuakhai Juhar.'

Name and Significance:

• Name: Nuakhai Juhar (also known as Nuakhai Parab or Nuakhai Bhetghat).

• Meaning: 'Nuakhai' translates to 'new food' or 'new rice.' This festival is celebrated to mark the eating of new rice and welcoming the new harvest.

• Regions: The festival is primarily celebrated in Western Odisha, Southern Chhattisgarh, and some areas of Jharkhand.

• Timing: The day after Ganesh Chaturthi.

Main Traditions:

• Farmers worship grains on this day and offer the first produce of the land to Goddess Samaleshwari.

• Special meals are prepared.

History:

• The Nuakhai festival is believed to have originated in the Vedic period. It includes the Pralamban Yajna, which involves the harvesting of new crops and offering them to the goddess.

Purpose of the Festival:

• The objective of the Nuakhai festival is to highlight the relevance of agriculture and to convey an important message about its role in the economic progress of the country.

Cultural Context:

• A similar festival in coastal Odisha is celebrated as 'Nabanna.'

• Odisha has a vibrant culture of festivals deeply connected with agricultural and religious traditions.

International Clean Air Blue Sky Day 2024

On September 7, 2024, the International Clean Air Blue Sky Day (Clean Air Day) was celebrated in Jaipur.

The event was attended by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Mr. Bhupender Yadav, and the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Mr. Bhajan Lal Sharma. The event was hosted by the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.

Key Highlights of the Event:

• A video showcasing improvements in air quality under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was presented.

• Trends show a reduction in air pollution in 95 cities. Among these, 51 cities have seen a reduction of over 20% in PM10 levels, while 21 cities have recorded a reduction of over 40%.

Clean Air Survey Awards:

1. Category-1 (Cities with a population of over 1 million): Surat, Jabalpur, Agra

2. Category-2 (Cities with a population of 300,000 to 1 million): Firozabad, Amaravati, Jhansi

3. Category-3 (Cities with a population of less than 300,000): Rae Bareli, Nalgonda, Nalagarh

Awards and Recognition:

• The commissioners of the winning cities received cash prizes, trophies, and certificates.

• Recognition was given for efforts in air quality forecasting, public participation initiatives, and technological improvements.

Theme and Future Plans:

• Theme: "Invest in Clean Air"

• Message: Emphasis was placed on the need to invest time, resources, and efforts for better air quality and an improved quality of life.

Randhir Singh

• During the 44th General Assembly of the Continental Body held in New Delhi, experienced sports administrator Randhir Singh was elected as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

• 77-year-old Mr. Randhir Singh was elected as the OCA President unanimously. 

• Term - 2024-2028 

• Yoga has been included as a demonstration event in the 2026 Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

About Randhir Singh

• Between 1968 and 1984, he participated in five Olympic Games, becoming only the second Indian to achieve this feat.

•  In 1978, he won a personal gold medal in trap shooting, a bronze medal in trap shooting in 1982, and a silver medal in the trap shooting team event in 1986. 

• He also represented India at the Commonwealth Games held in Edmonton, Canada, in 1978.

•  In 1979, Randhir Singh was honored with the Arjuna Award, and he was also awarded the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award.

•  Randhir Singh has been honored with the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) Award of Merit in 2005, the ANOC Merit Award in 2006, and the Olympic Order, Silver, in 2014.

Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)

• The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a major sports organization dedicated to promoting sports within Asia and encouraging Olympic ideals. 

• Establishment - It was established on November 16, 1982, in New Delhi, India. 

• Members - The OCA has 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from Asia as members. Headquarters - The headquarters of the OCA is located in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

K.J. Baby

• K.J. Baby was a renowned writer and social activist who made significant contributions to the upliftment of tribal communities in Wayanad. He passed away at the age of 70.

• He was known for his work and social service, particularly for establishing an unconventional school named 'Kanav' in 1991, aimed at educating tribal children.

Major Contributions in Literature:

1. 'Nadugadhika'

2. 'Mavelimanthram': This work won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1994 and is considered a milestone in Malayalam Dalit literature.

3. 'Bespurakkana'

4. 'Goodbye Malabar'

His literature reflects the struggles and cultural history of Dalit and tribal life, making his works unique. His writing and social work were significant steps toward improving the lives of tribal communities.

Increase in Kawasaki Disease

• Recently, a doctor from Bengaluru revealed that he has observed an increase in Kawasaki disease among children following the devastating second wave of COVID-19.

About Kawasaki Syndrome

Kawasaki Syndrome, also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is a rare disease that primarily affects children under the age of 5.

Affected Organs: The disease causes the body's immune system to mistakenly attack blood vessels, leading to inflammation. It particularly affects the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscles, and is a common cause of acquired heart disease in children.

Symptoms of the Disease: Symptoms include fever, rash, swelling of hands and feet, eye irritation and redness, swollen lymph nodes, and inflammation of the mouth and throat.

Cause: The cause is still unknown, but cases are often seen at the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Background: The disease was first described in 1967 by Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki, and the first case outside Japan was reported in Hawaii in 1976.

Coronary Arteries:

Coronary arteries are the main arteries that supply blood to the heart. These arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles (myocardium), providing the oxygen and nutrients necessary for the heart to function.

There are primarily two coronary arteries:

• Right Coronary Artery (RCA): Supplies blood to the muscles on the right side of the heart and the lower part.

• Left Coronary Artery (LCA): Supplies blood to the muscles on the left side and most parts of the heart. The left coronary artery further divides into two branches:

• Left Anterior Descending (LAD): Supplies blood to the front part of the heart.

• Circumflex Artery: Supplies blood to the left and back sides of the heart.

When these arteries become blocked or constricted, such as in coronary artery disease (CAD), the heart may not receive enough blood, leading to a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or other heart problems.