Assam Polytechnic PAT 2021 dates announced

 Assam Polytechnic PAT 2021: The dates of the Assam Polytechnic Admission Test (PAT 2021) have been announced. The exam will be held in two phases on July 18 and 25, and the application process will begin from May 20 to June 30.

PAT will be held in offline (pen-and-paper) format following COVID-19 guidelines. The candidates have to carry face masks, hand sanitisers at the exam centres, without it, they will not be allowed to appear at the exam centre.

The admit card will be released at the website- dte.assam.gov.in following the completion of the registration process, and the exam centres are mentioned on the hall ticket.

Here’s how to apply for PAT 2021

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Directorate of Technical Education

Step 2: Click on “click here to apply”.

Step 3: Fill up the application form

Step 4: Upload photograph and scanned signature

Step 5: Click submit to save the application form.

After step five, an automated unique application number will generate, which will be active as long the admission process ends.

After saving the unique application number, a candidate will be required to complete payment.

Step 1: Select the payment category “PAT – 2020”

Step 2: EnteStep 3: Select either offline or online payment

Step 4: Pay and save the receipt for future reference.

The status of payment will be updated in the application form within seven days after the transaction. Once a candidate completes his/her registration, they can check their application status any time using the applicant login area.r your details

Source: Indian Express, 14/01/21

To truly become self-reliant, invest in research and development

 India has long had a reputation about its ability to thrive on “jugaad technology” which can be loosely translated as innovative solutions which get around the rules. This needs to become a story of the past now. For India to evolve into a self-reliant economy, the importance of investment in research and development (R&D) is critical in this new decade.

Despite all efforts, the gross domestic expenditure on R&D as a fraction of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has declined from 0.8% in 2010 to 0.6% in 2018. It has been hovering around this level for more than two decades. This pales in comparison to R&D investment in developed countries such as Japan (3.2%), Germany (3.0%), the United States (2.8%) and developing ones such as South Korea (4.8%) and China (2.2%) in 2018. Most R&D expenditure in India comes from the government and this is unfortunate.

A higher expenditure on R&D usually correlates with high technology exports. India’s share in high technology exports stands at 9.1%, while for China and South Korea, it is 31.4% and 36.3% respectively. To move up the manufacturing value chain and enhance competitiveness, there is a need to increase R&D expenditure in sectors which are import-dependent.

Though hundreds of international companies having set up R&D shops, utilising the talent pool at lower cost, Indian corporates have failed to keep pace.

The heightened need for R&D creates opportunities for financing its expansion. This will not only lead to augmenting exports but also reduce the country’s dependence on R&D-related product imports — something which can make the trade deficit more manageable. In fact, according to the government’s Invest India report, each $1 million invested in R&D in India per year by multinational corporations (MNCs) is likely to generate a demand for around eight to ten researchers.

In this context, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government may possibly consider setting up a credit facility solely for investments in R&D in industries in which India requires import substitution. The initiative would provide lending at rates lower than the prevailing repo rate, for 10 to 12 years, to finance investments that create technological and production capacity in R&D-intensive sectors.

To further ensure greater access for the R&D sector, the government can consider a sub-category under the priority sector lending (PSL) which will boost access to finance. However, there should be clarity on the list of industries to be covered in order to ensure that benefits are not skewed to select ones only.

India has always been found lacking in terms of academia-industry linkages. This is a bedrock in developed economies. In fact, private-public partnerships aligned with national innovation and industrial strategies such as China’s Industry-Research Strategic Alliances, Canada´s Strategic Network Grants, the Netherlands´ Top Sectors, Germany´s Innovation Alliances, Israel´s Magnet Consortium, and France´s Strategic Industrial Innovation Programme are all worth looking into.

The government should set up a mechanism wherein the grants received by Central Universities and technology and management institutes are linked to their collaboration with the public and private sectors and designed to produce concrete outcomes, not just cooperation agreements on paper.

Economies worldwide have graduated in the production chain from low and middle technology exports and have been focusing on R&D-related high technology exports which bring in greater foreign exchange earnings. In fact, Samsung’s global R&D spending in the first nine months of 2020 hit a record high of $14.3 billion and was equivalent to 9.1% of its sales amid the Covid-19 pandemic. This clearly demonstrates the importance such firms give to R&D.

India needs to show flexibility and offer differential treatment to Indian companies in the form of tax incentives, uninterrupted support, and stringent supervision. The upcoming Budget in 2021 could possibly be just the right moment to support R&D in the backdrop of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Rahul Mazumdar is an economist with EXIM Bank, India

Source: Hindustan Times, 13/01/2021

Dear Reader, Wish You A Very Happy Bihu

 "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

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 15^th 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 19^th 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?

2017. 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.