"May this festival of zeal and verve fill your life with lots of energy and enthusiasm, may it help bring happiness and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Happy Bihu to you and your family"
TISS Guwahati Campus Library
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Quote of the Day January 13, 2021
“At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.”
Benjamin Franklin
“बीस साल की उम्र में इंसान अपनी मर्ज़ी से चलता है, तीस में बुद्धि से और चालीस में विवेक से।”
बेंजामिन फ्रैंकलिन
Current Affairs – January 13, 2021
India
SC stays implementation of three new farm laws
The Supreme Court has put a stay on the implementation of three new farm laws until further orders. “The implementation of the three farm laws 1) Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; (2) Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020; and (3) Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, shall stand stayed until further orders,” it said. The bench was hearing a batch of petitions regarding the Constitutional validity of three farm laws passed by Parliament and a plea to disperse the protesting farmers. It has also set up a committee of agricultural experts to facilitate talks between the Centre and farmers’ unions to resolve the impasse. The four-member panel comprises agriculture economist Ashok Gulati, former Director for South Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Pramod Kumar Joshi, National President of Bhartiya Kisan Union & All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Bhupinder Singh Mann, and Shetkari Sanghatana President Anil Ghanwat.
Kayakalp awards given to Public and Private Health Facilities
Public and Private Health Facilities across the country were on January 12, 2021 felicitated with Centre’s Kayakalp award for high standards of Sanitation and Hygiene. The government had launched a National Initiative ‘Kayakalp’ on 15th May 2015 to ensure hygiene, sanitation and cleanliness in Public Health Facilities in the country.
Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda celebrated as National Youth Day
Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated as National Youth Day on January 12, 2021. Swami Vivekananda became popular in the western world after his famous speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893. He was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa and was the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission.
PM addresses valedictory function of National Youth Parliament Festival
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the valedictory function of the second National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) on January 12, 2021 via video conferencing. The objective of NYPF is to hear the voice of youth between 18 and 25 years of age.
Committee on TRPs of TV channels submits report to I&B minister
The committee constituted to make the Television Rating Points (TRPs) of TV channels more transparent, submitted its report to the Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar on January 12, 2021. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati on November 4, 2020 to make the TRP system more transparent. Following the report, guidelines would be issued to the rating agency, Broadcast Audience Research Council.
Women to be inducted as Army pilots: Army Chief
Women will be inducted as pilots in the Army Aviation Corps from next year, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane said on January 12, 2021. Till now, women are only part of ground duties in the Army Aviation Corps (AAC). The Indian Army raised the AAC on November 1, 1986 and it comprises helicopters that fly in conflict and peace zones.
Economy & Corporate
CPI-based inflation eased to 4.59% in December
Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation eased to 4.59% in December 2020 compared to 6.93% in November, according to government data released on January 12, 2021.
Industrial output contracts by 1.9% in November 2020
The country’s industrial output, measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), contracted by 1.9% in November as against 3.6% growth in October, according to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
KVIC launches eco-friendly “Khadi Prakritik Paint”
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways & MSME Nitin Gadkari launched an innovative new paint developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission on January 12, 2021. The eco-friendly, non-toxic paint, called “Khadi Prakritik Paint” is a first-of-its-kind product, with anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties.
Bharat Biotech to supply Covaxin to Brazil
Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has signed an agreement with Precisa Medicamentos, a firm in Brazil, to supply the COVID-19 vaccine candidate to the Latin American country. Twelve million doses of the indigenous vaccine are likely to be supplied over a period of time.
World
India to set up financial facility for academic collaboration with Arab World
India on January 12, 2021 decided to set up one-billion-dollar facility for academic collaboration with the Arab World. This was decided at third Senior Officials Meeting of the Arab-India Cooperation Forum held via video conference. The financial facility will be a rolling one and continue to be replenished.
Private messages will continue to be encrypted end-to-end: WhatsApp
In the wake of a backlash over its updated privacy policy, Facebook-owned WhatsApp on January 12, 2021 clarified that the update would not affect users’ messages to friends or family. The changes only relate to messaging a business using the platform, the messaging service provider said. In an FAQ posted on its website, WhatsApp added that this update includes changes related to messaging a business on WhatsApp, which is optional.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un given title of general secretary of ruling party
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was given the title of general secretary of the ruling Workers Party formerly held by his late father Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung. Kim already was the party’s top leader. During a 2016 party congress, he was named party chairman and before that had led the party with the title of first secretary.
Malaysia: King declares emergency till August 1 to fight Covid-19
Malaysia’s king on January 12, 2021 declared a nationwide state of emergency to fight a coronavirus surge. Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah agreed to declare an emergency until August 1 following a request from Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin in a meeting on January 11, the national palace said in a statement.
U.S. rebrands Cuba as state sponsor of terrorism
President Donald Trump’s outgoing administration on January 11, 2021 returned Cuba to the U.S. blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited Cuba’s ties with Colombian rebels, alliance with leftist Venezuela and sanctuary to several U.S. fugitives in justifying the blacklisting. The terror designation only be removed after a formal review by the new Joe Biden administration.
Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson dies at 87 in US
Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire mogul and power broker who built a casino empire spanning from Las Vegas to China, died at the age of 87 on January 11, 2021. He was the Chairman and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation.
One Planet Summit
What is One Planet summit?
The One Planet summit is an international event that focused on biodiversity to mobilize commitments to protect the ecosystems and make links to human health.
What is the aim of One Planet summit?
The One Planet Summit aims to promote worldwide ecological transformation. The summit will measure environmental and climate protection combined with innovation and economy.
What is the theme of One Planet Summit, 2021?
Let’s act together for nature
Who organizes One Planet Summit?
United Nations, World Bank and France.
Why is One Planet Summit important?
The COVID-19 has reminded the importance of nature for our daily lives and economies. It is highly challenging to reverse trend set by the pandemic. The One Planet Summit will help to transform the value chains, consumption habits and business models.
With the global economic powers like the United States withdrawing from Paris Agreement, it is important for international organizations act swiftly. The One Planet Summit will help the world in this direction.
When was the first One Planet Summit held?
- The first One Planet Summit was organised two years since the historic Paris Agreement. It then adopted twelve international commitments. They are as follows:
- Responding to the Extreme Events in Island states
- Protecting land and water against climate change
- Mobilizing researchers and young people to work for the climate
- Public procurement and access for local government to green financing
- Zero emission targets
- Sectoral shifts towards a decarbonized economy
- Zero-pollution transport
- Work towards a carbon price compatible with the Paris Agreement
- Anchoring climate issues at the centre of decisions of financial actors
- International mobilization of development banks
- Commitment by sovereign funds
- Mobilizing institutional investors
What is Insect Apocalypse?
The entomologists from all over the world attended the proceedings of National Academies of Sciences recently. According to the entomologists, the insect population is declining at rapid rate. The scientists have named this as Insect Apocalypse.
What is Insect Apocalypse?
The Earth is losing 2% of its insects every year. This is being termed as “Insect Apocalypse”.
What are the main reasons for the Insect Apocalypse?
The main reasons of Insect Apocalypse are as follows:
- Insecticides
- Climate Change
- Light Pollution
- Herbicides
- Invasive Species
- Changes in land use
- Intensive agriculture
Which two insects best illustrate insect decline?
Honey Bees and Butterflies.
What are the main reasons for the decline of honey bees?
Lack of food, insecticides, herbicides and parasites.
How bad is insect decline?
Insect decline is the worst in North America and in parts of Europe. The first Global Scientific review published in the Biological conservation journal has found the following:
- A third of the insect species have become endangered.
- More than 40% of insect species have declined.
- The rate of extinction of insects is eight times faster than that of birds, mammals and reptiles.
- At the rate of insect apocalypse, insects could vanish within a century.
Why are insects important?
Insects outweigh humanity by seventeen times. They are essential for the proper functioning of the ecosystem as pollinators, food for other creatures and as recyclers of nutrients.
When was the insect decline discussed internationally for the first time?
The United Nations Conference of Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP-13) discussed the effects of insects decline on migratory species for the first time. According to the Convention on Migratory Species, insect extinction is to begin. A draft resolution was prepared at the convention. The resolution will help understand die off of the insects and its effects on migratory species.
Swami Vivekananda’s thought is as relevant to India’s future as it was in its past
Swami Vivekananda is the inspiration behind National Youth Day. In just 39 years, 14 of which were in public life, he filled the country with a thought whose energy is still felt today. Generations to come will continue to feel this energy.
One of India’s most important resources is the youth. Every fifth young person in the world is an Indian. It is due to this segment of the population that India’s growth rate has been the third-highest among the 13 major economies in the last five years. After the COVID-19 pandemic, India has emerged as a country that is full of possibilities in the race for development. Those among the youth who are associated with Swami Vivekananda’s ideas are preparing India for a leadership role on the world stage.
“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.” This mantra of Vivekananda’s is as effective, relevant and inspiring today as it was in the days of colonialism. Now, India is ready to be a global leader. With the power of yoga and the energy that comes from spirituality, the youth of the country are impatient about giving direction to the world.
Swami Vivekananda’s lessons still inspire the youth: “Make a life’s aim and incorporate that idea into your life…. Think that thought over and over again. Dream it, Live it… that is the secret to being successful.”
His mantra for the youth is evergreen: “Until you can trust yourself, you cannot trust Allah or God.” If we are not able to see God in other humans and ourselves, then where can we go to find divinity?
Vivekananda caught the world’s attention with his ideas when he represented Sanatan Dharma in Chicago in 1893. A speech like the one he made then could not be made today. The themes in that speech included “Vishwabandhutva”, tolerance, cooperativeness, participation, religion, culture, nation, nationalism and the collective India-Indianness.
At the Parliament of World religions, Vivekananda said he is “from that Hindustan, which gives shelter to persecuted people from all religions and countries”. He also said that Sanatan Dharma is the mother of all religions. He was also proud that the land of India and the Sanatani religion had taught the world the lesson of tolerance and universal acceptance. It is the nature of the Indian soil to accept all religions as true. We were the first laboratory and protector of secularism.
He addressed the Parliament of World Religions as: “American brothers and sisters”. The eternal message of universal brotherhood was clear in his speech. The New York Herald wrote: “Hearing him (Swami Vivekananda) seems that sending a Christian missionary to a knowledgeable nation like India is foolish. Even if he only passes through the stage, the applause starts.”
Swami Vivekananda took forward the efforts made by other thinkers to reach the roots of Indian culture. This thinking makes him acceptable worldwide and establishes him as the spokesperson of Sanatan Dharma, a symbol of Hindustan and Hindustani culture. His inclusive thinking is reflected in the Narendra Modi government’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas”.
Swami Vivekananda taught the world that it is our duty to encourage all those doing good so that they can make their dreams come true.
His vision also gave rise to the idea of Antyodaya. Until the upliftment of the last poor person in the country is ensured, development is meaningless, he said.
Swami Vivekananda’s belief about God is tied to every religion. His idea of charity is at the root of Sanatan Dharma. Charity was a way of life for him. For Vivekananda it was important to connect everyone with this way of life. He said, “The more we come to help and help others, the more pure our heart becomes. Such people are like God.”
Swami Vivekananda combined thinking of different religions, communities and traditions. His thoughts inspire liberation from inertia. This is the reason Swami Vivekananda has no opponent in this country. Everyone bows to his ideas. In the 19th century, the spokesperson of Sanatani religion, who was called the “Cyclonic Hindu” due to his views, is still standing firmly on the world stage with his positive thinking. His ideas remain fresh and relevant.
Source: Indian Express, 13/01/21
Data can be an asset for governance, growth and public welfare
Data is a critical component for measurable and actionable governance and policy perspectives, as well as for triggering innovation and growth. Data to enhance ease of living and efficiency has been addressed through several Government of India initiatives, including the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile or JAM trinity, the Open Government Data Platform of India, and the National Judicial Data Grid.
The report by the Committee of Experts on Non-Personal Data Governance Framework, led by the ministry of electronics and information technology (NPD Report), and the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) paper released by NITI Aayog have built on the concept of data’s benefits. Data as a beneficial good is also covered in the Economic Survey 2019, which proposed that data gathered by governments on issues of social interest ought to be democratised in the interest of social welfare, or made a public good.
The DEPA paper states how the architecture “flows from the Centre’s overarching position that data is primarily an economic good”. Its key goal is empowering individuals with control over their personal data, through a robust and dynamic regulatory, legislative, and institutional framework, supported by technology design for secure data-sharing. DEPA involves regulators across banking, securities, insurance, and pensions — namely, RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA and the ministry of finance coming together.The DEPA platform’s availability as a public good allows market players across the financial and technology ecosystems as well as new entrepreneurs to have the chance to leverage and build on this digital platform. As the paper states, the problem is not that companies are benefiting from the data of individuals; the problem is that individuals and small firms do not benefit. The consent process of DEPA merits special mention, since it takes care of many of the potential concerns.
Data, especially non-personal data, is a vital component for elevating transparency and good governance. The NPD Reportemphasises its importance from a public good perspective. At the intersection of big data and good governance, access to current big data sets also helps provide opportunities to quickly address issues in new technology-led solutions. The report lucidly sets out the “why” and to a large extent, the “how” to accomplish maximum benefit, with enough flexibility within, to accommodate and dynamically adjust to the ground realities from the legal, regulatory, and design principle components. When weighing the risks and rewards of using big data sets for good governance, what needs to remain contextual is that adequate protections are being afforded to the community and individuals. The utility of raw/factual data sets comprising anonymised user information data that is collected is also crucial. The data sharing purpose is extremely relevant for policy on governance.
The recommendation that India should specify a new class of data at a national level, namely data of special public interest or high-value datasets, while also progressively identifying other priority sectors is important. Also insightful is the emphasis on the need for high quality India-relevant data sets in public good sectors to build on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning systems. Meta-data-sharing too will spur innovation on an unprecedented scale and also promote and encourage the development of domestic industry and startups that can scale their data businesses.
To ensure optimum governance outcomes, access to and utilisation of big data is going to be key. This will benefit Indian society from an ease of living perspective. It will also spur the overall achievement of ease of doing business along with world-leading innovation in India. This is what is contemplated by both DEPA and at a more macro-level, the NPD framework. These are important initiatives in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Amitabh Kant is CEO and Desh Gaurav Sekhri Is OSD, NITI Aayog
Source: Hindustan Times, 12/01/21
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