India's $250 Million Agri-credit Boost to Kenya

GS Paper 2: India and its Neighbourhood, Bilateral, and Multilateral Relation.

Context-:
India announced a $250 million line of credit to Kenya for the modernization of its agricultural sector.

Key Highlights-:
Bilateral Agreements-:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto agreed to strengthen bilateral ties in various sectors, including defense, trade, energy, digital public infrastructure, and healthcare.

Signed Pacts-:

Five pacts were signed between the two nations, covering areas such as sports, education, and digital solutions.
A joint vision document was unveiled to enhance maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean region.

Concerns About Missing Indians-:

India raised the issue of two Indian nationals who went missing in Kenya in July the previous year (Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and Zaid Sami Kidwai).
Reports suggested the possibility of abduction and alleged involvement of the disbanded Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) unit.

Digital Public Infrastructure Cooperation-:

India expressed its commitment as a reliable development partner and offered to share achievements in digital public infrastructure with Kenya.

Agricultural Sector Modernization-:

India's $250 million line of credit aims to modernize Kenya's agricultural sector.
Kenyan side offered land for farming to Indian companies under a cooperative model.
Kenya expressed interest in India’s payment system, UPI (Unified Payments Interface).

Counter-Terror Cooperation-:

Both nations acknowledged terrorism as the most serious global challenge.
Agreed to increase counter-terrorism cooperation.

Defence Cooperation-:

Deliberations on defense cooperation, emphasizing military exercises, capacity building, and linking defense industries of both countries.
Appreciation for the concluded MoU between Goa Shipyard Ltd and Kenya Shipyard Ltd in defense cooperation.

Indian Diaspora and Indo-Pacific Cooperation-:

Approximately 80,000 people of Indian origin in Kenya considered the "biggest strength" in bilateral ties.
Close cooperation between Kenya and India will strengthen efforts in the Indo-Pacific region.

Invitation for Indian Investments-:

Kenyan President Ruto invited Indian companies to invest in Kenya, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, health, green energy, and green mobility sectors.

Acknowledgment of Indian Assistance-:

Kenyan side thanked India for extending concessional Lines of Credit (LOC) for projects in energy, textiles, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

India-Kenya Bilateral Relationship-:

India and Kenya, being maritime neighbors, have developed a strong and diverse partnership characterized by frequent high-level visits, growing trade and investment, and extensive people-to-people interactions.
The historical ties include the establishment of the office of Commissioner for British East Africa residents in Nairobi in 1948.
After Kenya gained independence in December 1963, a High Commission was established in Nairobi, while an Assistant High Commission was set up in Mombasa.
Notable visits, such as Vice President Dr. S Radhakrishnan's in July 1956 and Smt.
Indira Gandhi's attendance at Kenya's Independence celebrations in 1963, has contributed to the bilateral relationship.
A significant milestone was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's State visit to Kenya in July 2016, providing renewed momentum to the bilateral partnership.

Bilateral Trade -:

Related Search-:
Kenya Location and Geography

Prelims Specific-:
About Kenya India Relation
Trade and Investment
Significance of Kenya for India

COP28 Pledge to Triple Nuclear Capacity by 2050

GS Paper 3: Environment pollution and Degradation, Climate change, Clean Energy.

Context-:
More than 20 countries aim to achieve net-zero emissions by pledging to triple global nuclear-installed capacity by 2050 at COP28.

Details-:

Led by the United States, 22 countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and Ukraine, commit to working together to triple nuclear energy capacity from 2020 to 2050.
The goal recognizes the crucial role of nuclear energy in limiting global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius and ensuring net-zero transitions.
China and Russia did not sign, although they have the world’s fastest-growing and most ambitious nuclear power programs.
The IAEA director general also announced a Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels in March to discuss nuclear energy's role in reducing fossil fuel use, enhancing energy security, and boosting economic development.

Nuclear Energy and Significance -:

Nuclear energy, a clean but non-renewable source, contributes about 10% of the world's total electricity through 370 GW of operational capacity in 31 countries.
A tripling would aim for at least 1,000 GW by the middle of the century, with nuclear power plants being vital for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
An International Energy Agency study reveals that nuclear power has prevented nearly 70 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions over the last 50 years.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasizes that significant investment in nuclear energy is essential to achieve the global net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.

India's Stand-:
India, consistent with its position not to form alliances outside the COP process, refrains from joining the nuclear energy commitment, similar to its stance on the pledge to triple renewable energy.

Opportunity for India-:

Former chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, suggests India's need for rapid nuclear energy expansion to reach its net-zero goal by 2070.
India plans to double its nuclear capacity by constructing eight new reactors, adding 6,800 MW to the existing 6,780 MW.
Kakodkar emphasizes the necessity of nuclear energy alongside renewables to meet the increasing demand for clean energy.
While India did not join the COP28 coalition, Kakodkar believes collaboration could enhance India's case for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Related Search-:
Nuclear Power Plant in India - Location

Prelims Specific-:
COP 28
Key Highlights
About Pledge to Triple Nuclear Capacity
Significance and Scope
India's Stand
Significance for India

Warmest decade in history

GS paper 3: Climate change Environment Pollution and Degradation; International Organization

Context-:
The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration” is a report published by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Key Highlight of the Report-:
Warmest Decade:- The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) reported that the decade from 2011-2020 was the warmest in history.

Economic Losses vs. -Deaths:- Although there was a rise in economic losses due to extreme weather and climate events, it was the decade with the lowest number of deaths from such events.

Improvement in Early Warning Systems:- The decrease in casualties is attributed to improved early warning systems driven by advancements in forecasting and better disaster management.

India's Preparedness:- In India, advancements in forecasting cyclone formation and response time contributed to increased preparedness, allowing for the evacuation of those at risk.

Historic Ozone Hole Recovery:- The report notes that this was the first decade where the depleted ozone hole visibly showed signs of recovery, credited to the success of the Montreal Protocol.

Glacial Thinning:- Glaciers worldwide thinned by approximately 1 meter per year on average between 2011 and 2020. Greenland and Antarctica lost 38% more ice during 2011-2020 compared to 2001-2010.

Climate Change Impact:- The report highlights that human-caused climate change increased risks from extreme heat events, with heatwaves causing the highest number of human casualties.

Financial Commitment:- Public and private climate finance nearly doubled between 2011 and 2020. However, it is emphasized that it needs to increase significantly to achieve climate objectives.

Climate Finance Targets:- To meet climate goals, including limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, climate finance needs to increase at least sevenfold by the end of the decade.

About World Meteorological Organization (WMO)-:

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related fields.
The WMO was established on March 23, 1950, and became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951.
The organization has a membership of 191 Member States and Territories, making it one of the most widely subscribed UN specialized agencies.

Objective-:
The primary objectives of the WMO are to facilitate the exchange of meteorological information and promote international collaboration in the areas of weather, climate, water, and related sciences.

Programs and Services:-
Global Observing System (GOS): The WMO coordinates global observing systems to collect and disseminate data on weather, climate, and water.
Global Telecommunication System (GTS): Facilitates the rapid exchange of meteorological and other environmental information among member countries.
Climate Services: WMO plays a crucial role in climate monitoring and provides climate services to assist decision-makers in various sectors.
Disaster Risk Reduction: The organization works on early warning systems and risk reduction strategies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS): WMO leads the GFCS, an international initiative aimed at improving the quality and use of climate services worldwide.

Related Search-:
Ozone Hole and ODF
Green House Gas

Prelims Specific-:
About Report and Highlights
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

Pompe disease

Context:
Recently, India’s first patient diagnosed with the Pompe disease died after spending nearly six years in a semi-comatose state.

About the Pompe disease:
It is a rare inherited disorder that affects one child per million.

Its Causes:

Pompe disease is linked to genetic mutations occurring in the GAA gene.
This particular gene holds the instructions for creating an essential enzyme known as acid alpha-glucosidase, also termed acid maltase.
The acid alpha-glucosidase enzyme operates within lysosomes, specialized structures within cells responsible for recycling.
Under normal circumstances, this enzyme's role involves breaking down glycogen—a complex sugar—into simpler glucose, which serves as the primary energy source for most cells.
However, when mutations affect the GAA gene, they hinder the effective breakdown of glycogen by acid alpha-glucosidase. Consequently, glycogen accumulates to harmful levels within lysosomes.
This accumulation inflicts damage on various organs and tissues throughout the body, particularly affecting muscles.
The progressive symptoms and signs characteristic of Pompe disease arise due to this damage.

Pompe disease manifests in two primary forms:
Infantile-onset: Symptoms emerge within the initial months following birth.
Late-onset or delayed-onset: Symptoms become apparent later in childhood or even during adulthood.
Importantly, this disease affects both males and females equally, without gender-based discrepancies in its occurrence.

Treatment:
As for treatment, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) stands as a key approach.
ERT involves administering the deficient enzyme, acid alpha-glucosidase, intravenously to aid in breaking down accumulated glycogen and mitigating the progression of the disease.

Gram Manchitra

Context:
To encourage the Spatial Planning by the Gram Panchayat, Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Geographic Information System (GIS) application “Gram Manchitra”.

About the Gram Manchitra application:
The introduction of the Geographic Information System (GIS) application "Gram Manchitra" by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a significant step toward enhancing spatial planning at the Gram Panchayat level.
Facilitating Spatial Planning:- Gram Manchitra leverages geo-spatial technology, providing a unified platform for Gram Panchayats to visualize developmental works across different sectors. This aids in effective spatial planning.
Decision Support System:- The application offers a decision support system for the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). By visualizing various developmental works, it enables informed decision-making.
mActionSoft - Mobile Solution:- The introduction of mActionSoft complements Gram Manchitra by enabling easy capture of photos with Geo-Tags (GPS Coordinates) for works involving assets. It records asset-related information at different stages of completion—before, during, and after work.
Comprehensive Asset Repository:- Geo-tagging assets at various stages creates a comprehensive repository of information. This repository encompasses diverse areas such as natural resource management, water harvesting, sanitation, agriculture, etc.
Integration of Assets:- Assets geotagged through m-ActionSoft are integrated into Gram Manchitra. This integration enhances the visualization of developmental works within Gram Panchayats, offering a comprehensive view of the progress and impact.
Geotagging Finance Commission Funds Assets:- The geotagging of assets created under finance commission funds by the Panchayats strengthens the accountability and transparency of fund utilization. It creates a documented record of the assets developed with these funds.

Significance:
These tools assist Gram Panchayat officials in formulating pragmatic and attainable development strategies.
They offer a decision support system for drafting development plans, including tools to pinpoint prospective locations for projects, track assets, estimate project costs, and evaluate project impact.

Panchayat Development Index

Context:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released a report on the Panchayat Development Index (PDI).

About PDI:
The Panchayat Development Index (PDI) is a Multi-domain and multi-sectoral index that is intended to be used to assess the overall holistic development, performance & and progress of panchayats.
The Panchayat Development Index takes into account various socio-economic indicators and parameters to gauge the well-being and development status of the local communities within the jurisdiction of a panchayat.

Indicators-:
Infrastructure: Availability of basic amenities like roads, electricity, water supply, sanitation facilities, etc.
Health and Education: Access to healthcare services, educational institutions, literacy rates, and enrollment in schools.
Economic Indicators: Income levels, employment opportunities, agricultural productivity, and economic activities.
Social Indicators: Poverty rates, gender equality, social inclusion, and overall quality of life.
Governance and Administration: Efficiency and transparency of local governance, delivery of public services, and citizen participation.
Environmental Sustainability: Measures related to ecological balance, conservation, and sustainable practices.

Significance-:

The Panchayat Development Index shall provide public representatives, policymakers, government agencies, and local authorities with valuable insights into the areas that require attention for improvement within the rural areas under the jurisdiction of the panchayats.
It helps in identifying disparities, achievement of development goals, and formulating targeted policies and interventions to enhance the overall well-being and quality of life of rural communities.

Free of Cost Digital Tools to Marginalised Communities

Context-:
The Minister of State for Education provided details in a written response in the Lok Sabha about the measures taken by the Government to provide marginalized communities with digital tools at no cost.

National Education Policy 2020:-
Emphasizes investment in digital infrastructure, online teaching tools, virtual labs, and innovative teaching methods.
Promotes multilingualism and recognizes the importance of language in learning.
Identifies essential skills like digital literacy, coding, and computational thinking.

PM e-VIDYA Initiative (Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan - May 17, 2020):-
A comprehensive effort for digital, online, and on-air education.
Offers multi-mode access to education, available free to all students across states

Key Components of PM e-VIDYA:-
DIKSHA: Digital infrastructure for quality e-content in States/UTs.
QR coded Energized Textbooks: One nation, one digital platform.
Expansion of DTH Channels: From 12 to 200 for supplementary education in various languages (Classes 1-12).
Use of Radio and Community Radio: CBSE Podcast - Shiksha Vani.
Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired: Developed on DAISY and in sign language.

Crucial Skills Development:-
Proposal to establish 750 virtual labs and 75 Skilling e-labs by 2023.
Virtual Labs for Science and Mathematics (Classes 6th - 12th).
Skilling e-labs for simulated learning.
Training for teachers conducted through PM eVidya DTH TV channels.

ICT and Digital Initiatives under Samagra Shiksha:-
Covers Government and Aided schools (Classes VI to XII).
Financial assistance for establishing ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms.

SATHEE Portal:-
Developed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur.
Aids students preparing for competitive exams.
Feedback on the beta version is currently being collected from students nationwide.

Lakadong turmeric

Context-:
Meghalaya's Lakadong turmeric has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Details-:
Lakadong turmeric is a special variety of turmeric (Curcuma longa) that is predominantly grown in the Lakadong area of Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, India.
This particular turmeric is renowned for its vibrant yellow color and high curcumin content.
Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric responsible for its various health benefits.

About Cur-cumin-:

Cur-cumin is a bioactive compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, believed to contribute to the health benefits of turmeric.
It is a polyphenol that has been shown to target multiple signaling molecules while also demonstrating activity at the cellular level.
Curcumin is renowned for its strong anti-inflammatory effects, and it is often used to alleviate inflammation in the body.
It acts as a potent antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress.

Geographical Indication (GI) tag-: