VISION

1)  International Animation Day: 28 October

•International Animation Day is observed every year on October 28 to celebrate the art of animation and also recognise the artists, scientists and technicians behind animation. This year marks the 20th International Animation Day. The day was created in 2002 by International Animated Film Association (ASIFA), an International Animated Film Association, a member of UNESCO.

2)  India successfully test-fires “Agni-5” ballistic missile

•The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried successful test-firing of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-5 on October 27, 2021, from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha. Agni-5 is a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine. The missile can strike targets at ranges up to 5,000 km with a very high degree of accuracy.

•The indigenously-developed surface-to-surface missile, Agni-5, is capable of striking a target more than 5,000 km. It is about 17-metre long, 2-metre wide and has a launch weight of around 50 tonnes. The missile can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne. The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’.

3)  PM Modi attend 16th East Asia Summit virtually

•Prime Minister Narendra Modi has participated in the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) through a video conference on October 27, 2021, during which he re-affirmed India’s focus on a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and the principle of ASEAN Centrality in the region. The 16th EAS was hosted under the Chairmanship of Brunei. This was the 7th East Asia Summit for Prime Minister Modi.

4)  Rajnath Singh chairs Ambassadors’ Round Table for DefExpo 2022

•In a major outreach to the friendly foreign countries as also to the defence manufacturing industries of the world, Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh has chaired the Ambassadors’ Round Table for Def Expo 2022, in New Delhi. DefExpo 2022 will be Asia’s largest defence exhibition. The Round Table was aimed to brief the Ambassadors of foreign missions about the planning, arrangements and other details of DefExpo 2022, which will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between March 10-13, 2022.

•More than 200 delegates, including Ambassadors, Heads of Missions and Defence Attaches attended the Round Table, reflecting the growing global interest in the Indian Defence space. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar and other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence & Government of Gujarat were also present.

5)  Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched ‘Go Green’ Scheme

•Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has launched the ‘Go-Green’ scheme & its Portal to provide electric two-wheelers at subsidised rates to construction and industrial workers of the state. The scheme is aimed at reducing fuel bills and also curbing vehicular pollution.

•The organised sector workers, such as an industrial labourer, would get a subsidy of 30 per cent on the vehicle’s price or Rs. 30,000, whichever is less, on the purchase of battery-powered two-wheelers. For construction sector workers, 50 per cent subsidy or Rs. 30,000, whichever is less on the purchase of battery-powered two-wheelers.

6)  MSME Ministry launches “SAMBHAV” National Level Awareness Programme

•The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched an e-National Level Awareness Programme ‘SAMBHAV”, to promote engagement of the youth in promoting entrepreneurship. The e-National Level Awareness Programme 2021 ‘SAMBHAV” was launched by Union Minister of MSME Narayan Rane in New Delhi.

7)  Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue commences

•Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2021 is being organized as a three-day online event on 27, 28 and 29 October 2021. IPRD 2021 will focus on the theme ‘Evolution in Maritime Strategy during the 21st Century: Imperatives, Challenges and Way Ahead’. It will focus on eight specific sub-themes.

8)  Shavkat Mirziyoyev re-elected as President of Uzbekistan

•Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the incumbent President of Uzbekistan has won a 2nd five-year term as the President of Uzbekistan. He is a member of the UzLiDeP (Uzbekistan Liberal Democratic Party). Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016 following the death of Islam Karimov, the first post-independence president of Uzbekistan.

9)  France launched Military Communications Satellite “Syracuse 4A”

•France has successfully launched a state-of-the-art satellite namely ‘Syracuse 4A’ into orbit which was carried off by Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, in French Guiana. It is designed to allow France’s armed forces across the globe to communicate swiftly and securely. The satellite can survey its close surroundings and move itself to escape an attack.

•Syracuse IV produces a throughput three times higher (1.5 Gbit/sec) than Syracuse III by operating in two bands: X and Ka. Three satellites are to be placed in orbit: the second in 2022 and the third on an unknown date. The total cost of the Syracuse IV programme is EUR3.6 billion (nearly USD4.2 billion). Syracuse IV is the first French military satellite with the ability to detect other satellites that are trying to gather information from it or to destroy it.

10)  Indo-Canadian Anita Anand appointed Canada’s defence minister

•Indo-Canadian Anita Anand became just the second woman to be appointed Canada’s minister of national defence as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his new cabinet. The ministers were sworn in by governor-general Mary May Simon in a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. She is the first woman to serve as defence minister since Kim Campbell in the 1990s.

11)  R K Singh launches the Green Day Ahead Market (GDAM)

•The Union Minister of Power & New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh has launched a new market segment, “Green Day Ahead Market (GDAM)”. This makes India as the only large electricity market in the world to implement a GDAM exclusively for renewable energy. The launch of the green day-ahead market will deepen the green market and will provide competitive price signals, besides offering an opportunity to market participants to trade in green energy, in the most transparent, flexible, competitive, and efficient manner.

📰 Centre wants to keep birth, death database

Vision IAS Essay Value Added Material Complete Download

 What is the issue?

The net zero campaign has been gaining momentum as a number of countries and non-state actors are pushing for the world’s carbon dioxide emissions to reach net zero.

What targets have been set by the countries towards net zero emissions?

IPCC AR6 emphasised that to keep temperature rise within 1.5°C, global emissions should be reduced by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, on the way to net zero 2050.

• Developed countries – Countries such as the U.S., UK and Australia have committed to to achieve the goal of net zero GHG emissions by 2050.
• Developing countries – Countries such as China have pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2060.
• India hasn’t set any  net zero target so far.
• Non state actors - Race To Zero is a UN-led campaign is asking cities, businesses, universities, and more to hit net zero emissions.

Can net zero contain the global temperature rise within 1.5°C?

 What is the issue?

The issue of the maximum water level  in the Mullaperiyar dam and the possibility of a dam-break has revived the contyroversy  surrounding the Tamilnadu Kerala relations.

What is the history of  the Mullaperiyar dam?

• The 130-year old Mullaperiyar dam is located on the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar River in Kerala’s Idukki district.
• It was built by Pennycuick to create a harmonious atmosphere in the east coast by taking the water there and have people cultivate crops.
• Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated by Tamil Nadu following an 1886 lease indenture for 999 years that was signed between the Maharaja of Travancore and the Secretary of State for India.

What is the genesis of the dispute?

• In 1979, a problem erupted over the safety of the dam which led to a tripartite meeting that decided to bring the water level from the full reservoir level of 152 ft to 136 ft.
• By mid-1990, Tamil Nadu started demanding restoration of the water level in the Mullaperiyar as it had completed the dam strengthening works.
• When no consensus was reached through negotiations, the Supreme Court was approached.
• The Supreme Court in February, 2006 allowed Tamil Nadu to raise the water level of the dam to 152ft.
• In response to that,Kerala government enacted Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006  and put the second schedule of Mullaperiyar Dam as endangered and fixed its maximum water level to 136ft.
• In 2014, the apex court declared the Act unconstitutional and restrained Kerala from interfering with the rights of Tamil Nadu in raising the water level in the dam to 142 feet.
• The Kerala government has been at many times emphasising the urgent need for the gradual release of water.

What is the standpoint of Kerala government?

• Dam safety- The Mullaperiyar dam suffers from structural issues and the possibility of a dam-break cannot be ruled out.
• The dam is located in an earthquake-prone area and small-time earthquakes that had happened in 1979 and 2011 caused some cracks in the dam.
• The leakage in the dam is another cause of concern.
• The technology which was put into use for constructing the dam 130 years ago was obsolete compared to the sophisticated construction methods used now.
• According to the UN University report, 35 lakh people in Kerala will be directly hit in the case of a dam-break.
• It will also have its impact on the National Periyar Park which hosts some of the endangered species.

What is TamilNadu’s position regarding the dispute?

• For Tamil Nadu the Mullaperiyar dam is like a lifeline for the people of Madras Presidency for irrigation  and drinking
• The dam is also significant for the generation of the power in lower Periyar water station as the region is is shadow and arid.
• So, the government of Tamil Nadu insists on raising the water level in the dam pointing out the failure of crops.
• The government has also asserted that it has full right over the control of the dam.
• Tamil Nadu  has challenged the Kerala’s  proposal for decommissioning of the dam and construction of a new dam.

What are the other river water issues between both the states?

 SHANKAR IAS MAINSTORMING SOCIAL ISSUE 2021 PDF

1)  Indian Army celebrates 75th Infantry Day on 27 October

•The Indian Army celebrates October 27 every year as the ‘Infantry Day’. This year nation celebrates its 75th Infantry Day on October 27, 2021. On this day that the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment landed at Srinagar airbase and displayed resoluteness and extraordinary courage and became ‘The Wall’ to thwart the evil designs of the Pakistan Army, who had invaded Kashmir with the help of tribal raiders in 1947.

2)  World Day for Audiovisual Heritage: 27 October

•The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is observed every year on 27 October. The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is a key initiative for both UNESCO and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) to honour audiovisual preservation professionals and institutions that safeguard our heritage for future generations. The day was chosen to raise awareness of the significance and preservation risks of recorded sound and audiovisual documents.

•The theme of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2021: “Your Window to the World”.

3)  Vigilance Awareness Week 2021: October 26 to November 01

•The Vigilance Awareness Week 2021 has been organised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) from 26 October to 01 November 2021. The annual event is celebrated during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls, which is held on October 31. The theme of Vigilance Awareness Week 2021: ‘Independent India @75: Self Reliance with Integrity‘.

•The week-long celebration aims to promote integrity, transparency and accountability amongst public servants and create awareness about the existence, causes and gravity of corruption and the threat posed by it to society as a whole.

4)  India’s first Radio over Internet Protocol system inaugurated in Kolkata

•The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SPM) in Kolkata has become the first Major Indian Port to get a Radio over Internet Protocol (ROIP) System. The ROIP was inaugurated by Vinit Kumar, Chairman of SPM, on October 25, 2021.  SMP, Kolkata has been constantly maintaining its pivotal position in Indian Major Ports for the past 152 years.

•ROIP system is a long-range marine communication solution, to aid especially during storms and inclement weather. Using the ROIP mode of communication, the vessels at Sandheads can be directly communicated via Radio, from Kolkata. The solution shall cover the entire Hugli River Estuary from Kolkata to Sandheads, and will have base stations at 4 Locations: Kolkata, Hugli point, Haldia and Sagar Pilot Station.

5)  N. Sitharaman virtually attends 6th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB

•The Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has participated in the 6th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) through a video conference from New Delhi. The theme of the Annual Meeting of AIIB was “Investing Today and Transforming Tomorrow”.

•This year the meeting was jointly organized by AIIB in collaboration with the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The basic objective of the annual meet is to take key decisions on important matters relating to AIIB, and its future vision. The Finance Minister of India shared her thoughts on the theme “COVID-19 Crisis and Post-COVID Support”, during the Governor’s Roundtable Discussion.

6)  Goa became the 1st state to achieve ODF and Electricity for each household

•Goa has achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) and Electricity for every household. The original ODF protocol was issued in the year 2016. According to it, a city or ward is notified as ODF city or ward if not a single person is found defecating in the open, at any point of the day.

•Goa has also become the first state to provide tap water to every household under the “Har Ghar Jal Mission”. Apart from that, Goa achieved a 100 per cent target to provide free ration to the poor and needy. It has also completed 100 per cent first dose of covid-19 vaccination.

7)  India-UK conducts maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’

•The Armed Forces of India and the United Kingdom (UK) are undertaking the sea phase of the maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’ off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea from October 24 to 27, 2021. The harbour phase of the seven-day exercise was held in Mumbai from October 21 to 23, 2021. The exercise Konkan Shakti 2021 aims at further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.

•The two forces integrated within their groups with exercises such as replenishment at sea approaches, air direction and strike operations by fighter aircraft (MiG 29Ks and F35Bs), cross control of helicopters (Sea King, Chetak and Wildcat), transiting through war-at-sea scenarios, and gun shoots on expendable air targets. The simulated induction of Army troops was also undertaken and was followed by the setting up of a joint command operations centre. The two forces thereafter effected a rendezvous at sea with advanced air and sub-surface exercises.

8)  GAIL to build India’s largest green hydrogen plant

•State-owned GAIL (India) Ltd will build India’s largest green hydrogen-making plant as it looks to supplement ‎its natural gas business with carbon-free fuel. GAIL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Jain said the company is looking at building a 10-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer capable of generating 4.5 tonnes of green hydrogen daily. The firm has already floated a global tender to buy the electrolyzer and is hoping to get delivery in 12-14 months. It will be double the size of the one announced by state electricity producer NTPC.

9)  Siddhartha Lal reappointed Eicher Motors MD for 5 years

•Eicher Motors Ltd passed the resolution to reappoint Siddhartha Lal as the Managing Director of the company for five years, starting May 1, 2021. The board also approved a revised remuneration structure for the Managing Director, with a maximum cap of 1.5 per cent of profits as per Section 198 of the Companies Act. The proposal for reappointment was cleared with almost 93.8 per cent of the total 226 million votes casted going in favour of the resolution.

10)  Tsitsi Dangarembga receives Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 2021

•The Peace Prize of the German Book Trade 2021 has been awarded to the Zimbabwean author and a filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga for a “new Enlightenment”, a work on violence in her country and all over the world by Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels, an association of German book publishers and booksellers.

•Dangarembga is the first black woman to win the German Peace Prize. She has won the PEN Pinter prize 2021. Her debut novel, Nervous conditions were the first to be published in English by black women from Zimbabwe.

📰 Draft rules seek to make airports disabled-friendly