Daily NEWS 11 & 12 February 2024

Tokenization of Assets:

• RBI planning for tokenization of assets and government bonds.
• Tokenization is the process of issuing a digital representation of an asset using DLT or Blockchain.
• Assets can include tangible assets like real estate, financial assets like equities or bonds, and intangible assets like intellectual property.
• Benefits include increased liquidity and enhanced settlement processes.

Great Indian Bustard (GIB):

• GIB has not been spotted at Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh for years.
• GIB is endemic to the Indian Sub-continent and found in central India, western India, and eastern Pakistan.
• Major population is mostly confined to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• Habitat includes arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, and tall grass interspersed with cultivation.
• GIB is critically endangered and listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and in Appendix I of CITES.
• Included in Species Recovery Programme.

High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS):

• National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru successfully completed the first test of a solar powered "pseudo satellite".
• Pseudo satellites or HAPS are unmanned air vehicles that can fly at altitudes of 18-20 km and hold fixed positions.
• Two types of HAPS: Lighter-than-air (LTA) HAPS and Heavier-than-air (HTA) HAPS.
• Applications include search and rescue missions, disaster relief, and surveillance of border areas.

SWATI Portal:

• Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India launched the "Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)" Portal.
• Aims to create a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM.
• Objectives include scaling up efforts to include every Indian woman in science and enabling research on equality, diversity, and inclusivity.
• Developed, hosted, and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi.

Open Radio Access Network (ORAN):

• ORAN is a new technological solution for base stations developed by IIITB COMET Foundation.
• COMET is a hub under the National Mission for Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems.
• ORAN is a key part of mobile network systems that use cellular radio connections.
• It comprises antennae that transmit and receive signals to and from devices.
• ORAN allows operators to mix and match components from different vendors.
• It is cost-effective, secure, and energy efficient.

Brumation:

• American alligators go into brumation during winter months, a type of hibernation.
• Hibernation is a period of inactivity to survive when food is scarce and weather is harsh.
• Brumation is dormancy exhibited by reptiles and amphibians in colder months.
• Reptiles require brumation as they are ectothermic.
• Reptiles may retreat to underground burrows or sheltered areas during brumation.

Other types of hibernation:

• Diapause: Dormancy of insects.
• Aestivation: Summer dormancy in invertebrates and fish.
• Torpor: Short-term physiological state of decreased activity.

Bandipur National Park:

• Located in Karnataka, India.
• Part of Western Ghats Mountains Biogeography Zone and Nilgiri Biosphere reserve.
• Shares boundary with three other national parks.
• Forest type ranges from scrub to moist deciduous.
• Home to various wildlife species including tigers, Indian elephants, leopards, and more.
• Major rivers in the park include Kabini River, Moyar, and Nugu River.

Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis):

• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a campaign to eliminate LF.
  LF is one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD).
• Impairs the lymphatic system (LF) and can cause abnormal enlargement of body parts.
• Caused by microscopic parasite nematodes transmitted through mosquitoes.
• Most cases are asymptomatic with no signs of infection.

Dr. M S Swaminathan's achievements and contributions:

• Dr. Swaminathan has been Conferred with Bharat Ratna.
• Architect of India's Green Revolution in the 1960s.
• Developed high-yielding varieties of wheat with Norman Borlaug.
• Promoted knowledge, skill, and technological empowerment of women in agriculture.
• Recommended Minimum Support Price for farmers based on Comprehensive cost of Production as head of National Commission on Farmers (2004-06).

Rewards and recognitions received by Dr. M S Swaminathan:

• Conferred with Bharat Ratna.
• First World Food Prize Laureate (1987).
• S.S. Bhatnagar Award (1961).

Values demonstrated by Dr. M S Swaminathan:

• Leadership.
• Scientism.
• Compassion.
• Dedication to Public Service.

Action Taken Report on ‘India’s Neighbourhood First Policy’ presented to Lok Sabha:

Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP):

• Aims to strengthen relationships with neighboring countries through a consultative and outcome-oriented approach.
• Focuses on enhancing connectivity, infrastructure, development cooperation, security, and people-to-people contacts.

Significance of NFP:

• Benefits for India: Improved regional stability, economic growth, countering external influence, enhanced Soft Power.
• Benefits for Region: Shared prosperity, peaceful dispute resolution, strengthened multilateralism.

Key recommendations:

• Establishment of a cell within Ministry of External Affairs for NFP coordination.
• Regular review of bilateral and multilateral relationships.
• Strengthening of oversight mechanisms and Joint Project Monitoring Committees.
• Monitoring of terrorism and illegal migration impact on border areas.
• Synergy between NFP and Act East Policy for improved connectivity, development, and security in Northeast India.
    

Union Government Announces National Creators Award:

• The government has introduced a new award to recognize and celebrate the diverse voices and talents that are shaping India's growth and cultural narrative in the Digital Creator Economy.
• The Digital Creator Economy refers to individuals who create content, products, or services and monetize them through digital platforms.

About the Awards:

• The awards will feature a wide array of categories that recognize excellence and impact in various domains such as storytelling, social change advocacy, environmental sustainability, and education.
• The selection process will involve a combination of jury and public votes.
• The initiative is spearheaded by MyGov India.

Current State of Indian Creator Economy:

• India has approximately 80 million creators and knowledge professionals.
• There are around 150,000 professional content creators in India who are effectively monetizing their services.

Opportunities of Creator Economy:

• For individuals, the creator economy offers opportunities for diversification of income streams, creative expression, a flexible work model, and access to a global audience.
• For businesses, it provides cost-effective and organic marketing strategies and the ability to build communities.
• For society and the economy, the creator economy promotes cultural expression, social mobilization, skill development, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Challenges: Some challenges in the creator economy include concerns about authenticity and integrity, mental health issues and burnout due to excessive competition, and gatekeeping and algorithmic biases on digital platforms.

Reasons for the Growth of the Creator Economy in India:

Accessibility:

• Increased availability and usage of smartphones.
• Rise in internet penetration and usage.
• Globalization of content consumption, allowing creators to reach a wider audience.

Platform and Monetization:

• The thriving social media landscape in India offers various platforms for creators to showcase their talent.
• These platforms provide monetization opportunities through brand collaborations, sponsored content, and advertising.

Disruption in Formal Employment:

• The adoption of remote and hybrid work models during the pandemic gave creators more time and resources to focus on their creative pursuits.
• Many individuals turned to content creation as a means of income, leading to the growth of the creator economy.

COVID-19 Pandemic:

• The pandemic led to a surge in creativity as people sought new ways to express themselves and find entertainment.
• This revival of creativity was particularly prominent in vernacular languages across different industries and verticals.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare released report on Review of National Ayush Mission (NAM):

Overview of the National Ayush Mission (NAM):

• Launched in 2014 to improve Ayush healthcare services.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Ayush.
• Includes Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.

Increase in beneficiaries availing Ayush services:

• Number of beneficiaries increased from 1.50 Crores (2020-21) to 8.42 Crores (2022-23).
• Ayush Health & Wellness Centres (AHWCs) part of Ayushman Bharat.

Challenges faced in implementation:

• 69% of integrated Ayush hospitals are yet to be completed.
• Some states and UTs have not opened separate Department of Ayush.
• Delays in finalizing State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) and its approval process.
• NAM Directorate performing multiple roles, leading to inefficiencies.

Key recommendations

• Implement stricter Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for Ayush products.
• Persuade private insurance companies to include AYUSH treatments like Panchkarma in their approved treatments list.
• Extend the period of the scheme beyond FY24 for at least 5 more years.

Major Components of National Ayush Mission:

• Ayush Gram: This component focuses on the development of Ayush villages, where traditional Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy practices are promoted.
• Colocation of Ayush facilities at PHCS, CHCS, and DHS: This involves the integration of Ayush facilities within Primary Health Care Centers (PHCS), Community Health Care Centers (CHCS), and District Health Systems (DHS) to provide holistic healthcare services.
• Ayush Health Wellness Centres: These centers aim to provide preventive and promotive healthcare services through Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy practices.
• Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals: This component focuses on improving the infrastructure and facilities of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals to enhance the quality of healthcare services.
• Ayush Public Health Programmes: This involves the implementation of public health programs that promote Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy practices for the prevention and management of diseases.
• Supply of essential drugs: This component ensures the availability and accessibility of essential Ayush drugs to support the delivery of Ayush healthcare services.

Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development released report on Development and Promotion of Jute Industry:

Importance of the Jute Industry in India:

• Accounts for 70% of the world's jute production.
• Employs around 3.7 lakh workers directly.
• Around 90% of the production is consumed locally.
• 73% of the country's jute industries are concentrated in West Bengal.

Challenges faced by Jute Industries:

• Lack of modernization and integration of advanced technologies.
• Decline in jute cultivation area (1.7 lakh ha between 2013-14 to 2021-22).
• Low value addition and emphasis on products.
• Non-compliance with mandatory jute packaging guidelines.
• Lack of impetus from states to procure jute products.
• Shortage of skilled labor force, closure of existing factories, low export, etc.

Key Recommendations:

• Promote modernization and use of digital moisture meters to improve quality.
• Develop a comprehensive policy for reviving closed mills and setting up new mills.
• Devise a suitable scheme in consultation with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to minimize the shortage of skilled workers.

Key Government Initiatives:

• National Jute Development Programme: A comprehensive scheme aimed at developing the jute industry in India.
• National Jute Board: Established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, to oversee and regulate the jute industry.
• Jute Packaging Materials Act: Enacted in 1987 to make the use of jute packaging material mandatory for packaging commodities.
• Jute Mark Logo: Introduced in 2022 to promote and position Indian jute products in the global market.

PM addresses Programme on 200th Birth Anniversary of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati (1824 - 1883):

About Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati:

• Born at Morvi in Kathiawar (Gujarat).
• Philosopher and social reformer.
• Original name: Mula Shankar.
• Disciple of Swami Virajananda.
• Founder of Arya Samaj.

Key Contributions:

Religious reforms:

• Denounced idolatry and ritualistic worship.
• Preached respect and reverence for other human beings.
• Believed in infallible authority of Vedas and promoted 'Back to Vedas'.

Social reforms:

• Claimed caste should be based on individual's talents and disposition, not hereditary.
• Opposed untouchability and advocated Vedic education for all castes.
• Opposed child marriage and forced widowhood, campaigned for women's education.

Political views:

• Called for 'Swarajya' as 'India for Indians' in 1876.
• Favored political system based on enlightened monarchy.
• Literary works:  Satyartha Prakash, Veda Bhasya Bhumika, Veda Bhasya, etc.

Contemporary relevance of Dayananda Saraswati:

• Value-based education: Emphasis on universal truths, humanism, and work for common welfare.
• Scientific temper and rational thinking: Led crusade against superstitions and orthodoxy.
• Social justice: Advocated for eradication of discrimination based on caste, creed, sect, etc.

Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Food processing presented'Promotion of Climate Resilient Farming’ Report:

• The Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Food processing presented the 'Promotion of Climate Resilient Farming’ Report.
• The report emphasized the importance of Climate Resilient Farming in Indian Agriculture due to its susceptibility to climate change.
• Climate-resilient farming involves sustainable use of natural resources for long term and higher productivity under climate variabilities.

Need of Climate-resilient farming:

• Crops and Horticulture: Yield expected to decrease, with rainfed rice yields in India declining by 20% in 2050 and 47% in 2080.
• Livestock: Rising temperatures may reduce milk, meat, wool, and draught power output.
• Fisheries sector: 1°C temperature rise can disrupt fish survival, migrations, and habitats.

Key Recommendations:

• National Agriculture Disaster Management Authority (NADMA): Creation of Single Nodal Agency at National Level to address Climate Change issues.
• KVK2.0 (Krishi Vigyan Kendras): Transform KVKs with technology like Artificial Intelligence for better farmer support.
• Others: Use of technology such as Big data analytics for optimizing irrigation schedules, promotion of Carbon market in Agriculture.

Key Government Initiatives:

• National Jute Development Programme: A comprehensive scheme aimed at developing the jute industry in India.
• National Jute Board: Established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, to oversee and regulate the jute industry.
• Jute Packaging Materials Act: Enacted in 1987 to make the use of jute packaging material mandatory for packaging commodities.
• Jute Mark Logo: Introduced in 2022 to promote and position Indian jute products in the global market.