The 97th edition of the World Sangeet Tansen Festival was started in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh on December 25, 2021.
Key Points
World Sangeet Tansen Festival is a five-day festival, that started from December 25 and will conclude on December 30, 2021.
The stage of the festival has been constructed on the theme of “Siddhanath temple” which is situated in Omkareshwar.
The formal opening of the ceremony took place on December 26, 2021.
Programs at the festival
In the music festival, many artists are taking part from India as well as from abroad.
During the festival, a total of nine musical concerts will be held.
All the programs are being held in in 2 shifts.
Morning shift starts from 10 am to 3pm while the evening function starts from 6 pm to 10 pm.
First seven concerts were held at the stage, that was prepared at mausoleum of Tansen and the tomb of Mohammad Ghaus.
Eighth concert
The Eighth concert is scheduled to held on banks of River Jhilmil, on December 30. It will be held in Behat, which is the Birthplace of Tansen. The last brief concert will be held at Gwalior Fort on December 30 itself.
Who was Tansen?
Tansen, also known as Miyan Tan Sen or Ramtanu Pande, was a prominent figure of Hindustani classical music. He was born in a Hindu family and learnt his art in Madhya Pradesh. He started his career and spent most of his adult life in the court and patronage of king of Rewa, Raja Ramchandra Singh. In the court, Tansen’s musical abilities and studies gained huge fame. His reputation gained the attention of Mughal Emperor Akbar, who requested Tansen to join the musicians at Mughal court. In 1562, he joined the Akbar’s court.
On December 27, 2021, a new Chinese Earth observation satellite named “Ziyuan-1 02E” was launched into space by China.
Key Facts
The satellite was launched for exploring natural resources.
It also launched a smaller satellite, which will be used for teaching geography at a school in Beijing.
Both the satellites took off from the Taiyuan Launch Center in Sjanxi Province, aboard the Long March 4C rocket.
Ziyuan-1 02E
The satellite, called Ziyuan-1 02E, has been equipped with a high-resolution infrared camera, a long-wavelength infrared camera and a multi-spectrum imager. The satellite is designed for an eight-year lifespan in Earth orbit. It was launched with the objective of mapping the Earth’s surface in high resolution to explore the natural resources. Data from satellite will be used to alert for environmental disasters and monitoring water quality.
Smaller Satellite
Smaller satellite will be dedicated entirely to geography and science classes at a high school in Beijing.
Background
The Ziyuan-1 02E satellite is a part of series of Earth observation satellites. Its most recent version was launched in July 2021 called Ziyuan III 03.
China’s missions in space
Launch of Ziyuan-1 02E satellite marks China’s 53rd space launch.
The launch broke the record of 39 launches in 2018 and 2020.
With this launch, China reached the mark of 104 satellites placed in orbit in 2021 alone.
In May 2021, China launched Tianwen-1 mission. It comprises of an orbiter and a rover. It landed successfully on the Martian surface, and made China the third country to do so.
China also sent the Tianhe module into Earth’s orbit, which was the main unit of Chinese space station Tiangong-3.
The Global Environment and Climate Action Citizen Award was presented in Dubai, on December 23, 2021.
Highlights
The prestigious Global Environment and Climate Action Citizen Award was presented to Surat’s noted industrialist Viral Desai.
Viral Desai is popularly known as Greenman, because of his love for the environment.
Sanskruti Yuva Sansthan presented the ‘Bharat Gaurav Samman’ to Viral Desai and other winners, at Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm.
28 prominent personalities from 11 countries, namely the United Kingdom, the United States, France, New Zealand, and Malaysia, were felicitated with the prestigious awards.
Viral Desai was the only Indian to won honour for climate action.
It is an environmental award, established by “Harvard Medical School Centre for Health and Global Environment”. It is bestowed annually to an individual who is working to restore and protect global environment.
Center for Health and the Global Environment
It is located at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The center works with the mission to help people in understanding that our health depends on the health of environment. It was founded in 1996, for promoting a understanding of human health consequences because of global environmental change.
According to Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), India will regain sixth position from France in 2022 and become the third-largest economy in 2031.
Highlights
Earlier it was predicted that, India will become the third-largest economy in 2030.
In its annual World Economic League Table, the CEBR also predicted that China will overtake the United Sates in 2030.
According to the report, in next 15 years, India will observe improvement in its ranking in the World Economic League Table (WELT). Its ranking will increase from 7th place in 2021 to 3rd place in 2031.
India is going to take over France to regain its 6th place in 2022 WELT ranking, which India briefly lost to France in 2021.
India will replace Britain in 2023.
In 2033, Germany will overtake Japan in terms of economic output.
Russia might become a Top 10 economy by 2036.
In 2034, Indonesia looks on track for ninth position.
How COVID-19 pandemic affected economy?
According to CEBR, COVID-19 pandemic has been nothing short of devastating India. India has the third highest death toll across the world. But with the help of emergency aid and prompt responses from government, India was able to transition out of second Covid-19 wave. Sharp decline in daily active cases, contributed to a sharp rebound in economic activity in 2021. Overall, economy have grown by 8.5% in 2021.
Centre for Business and Economic Research (CBER)
CBER was formerly called as Bureau of Business Research. It is an economic policy and forecasting research centre. The centre is headquartered in USA. CBER research encompasses health care, regional economies, public finance, energy sector studies and transportation.
India cleared two more covid vaccines and one pill on December 28, 2021.
Key Points
The two vaccines, Corbevax and Covovax, were approved by drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Anti-viral drug Molnupiravir was also approved. It can be used only in an emergency situation.
Number of approved Covid vaccines
The number of approved covid-19 vaccine for emergency use authorisation in India has increased to eight. Before these vaccines, 6 vaccines were approved for emergency use authorisation:
Serum Institute’s Covishield
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin
Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D
Russia’s Sputnik V
US-made Moderna and
US-made Johnson and Johnson
Corbevax covid vaccine
Corbevax covid-19 vaccine is 1st indigenously developed RBD protein sub-unit vaccine in India. It has been manufactured by Hyderabad-based firm Biological-E.
Covovax Covid vaccine
Covovax is a nanoparticle Vaccine, which will be manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India.
Molnupiravir covid pill
Molnupiravir is an antiviral drug. It will be manufactured in India by 13 companies for restricted use under emergency situation. It will be used for treatment of adult covid-19 patients and who have high risk of progression of this disease.
Covid-19 cases in India
6,358 new people tested positive for coronavirus infections on December 27. With this, India’s total number of COVID-19 cases increased to 3,47,99,691. The active covid cases have decreased to 75,456. India reported 293 fresh deaths and thus death toll has increased to 4,80,290. India has reported 653 cases of the Omicron variant in 21 states and UTs so far.
Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued guidelines for Flex-Fuel Vehicles and Flex-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
Key Points
As per guidelines, the Automatic Manufacturers in India have been asked to start manufacturing Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) and Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEVs).
This will help in substituting India’s import of petroleum as a fuel as well as provide direct benefits to farmers.
Automobile Manufacturers have been advised to start manufacturing such vehicles in accordance with BS-6 Norms in a timely manner within six months.
Significance of the move
Flex Fuel Vehicles have capability to run on a combination of 100 percent petrol or 100 percent bio-ethanol as well as their blend, in line with Government’s policy on promoting ethanol as a transport fuel.
FFV-SHEVs are capable of running on strong Hybrid Electric technology.
This move will thus reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions from vehicles, drastically and help India to comply with its commitment at COP26 to reduce carbon emissions by One Billion Tonnes by 2030.
Other steps by Government
Union Government is also enabling the use of other alternate fuels in order to shift from fossil fuels.
Government has introduced the “Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme” that has included automobile, auto components and auto components of flex fuel engines, in order to accelerate the introduction of Flex Fuel vehicles.
NITI Aayog has formulated road map for Ethanol blending for 2020-2025 period to acknowledge the strong foundation for Ethanol blending programme (EBP).
Flexible-fuel vehicle (FFV)
FFVs are also called as “dual-fuel vehicle” or a flex-fuel vehicle. These are an alternative fuel vehicle comprising of internal combustion engine that run on more than one fuel. The engine usually run-on gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol fuel. Both of the fuels are stored in a common tank. These vehicles are different from the bi-fuel vehicles, wherein two fuels are stored in separate tanks and the engine runs on one fuel at a time.
In January 2022, India will chair the UNSC counterterrorism committee, after 10 long years.
Key Points
The Counter terrorism committee is of a greater significance for India, because, India has been pitching pertinent measures to fight terrorism across the global platform.
India last chaired the committee in 2012.
Background
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador TS Tirumurti had announced on January 8, 2021 that, India will chair three important communities at the UNSC in 2021-22. The three committees are- Taliban Sanctions Committee, Counter-terrorism Committee and Libya Sanctions Committee.
India’s resolution on counter-terrorism
TS Tirumurti had announced in November 2020 that, India’s annual resolution on counter-terrorism issue was co-sponsored by more than 75 countries. The resolution was adopted by consensus in the First Committee of the UNSC.
India has encouraged stronger international cooperation for preventing terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems in the annual resolution called “Measures to Prevent Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction.”
India has been at the forefront of emphasising the treat to international peace and security that terrorist groups pose, because India has been a victim of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
At United Nations, India had called for stronger national measures for addressing this issue before the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 1540.
UNSC Resolution 1540
UNSC Resolution 1540 requires all states to refrain from supporting non-state stakeholders in developing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, transferring, transporting, or using nuclear, biological or chemical weapons.
Counter-Terrorism Committee
Counter-Terrorism Committee is a subsidiary body of United Nations Security Council. It is a 15-member committee, established in the aftermath of 9/11 attack in United States to monitor the UNSC resolution 1373. The resolution was adopted mandates all States to criminalize assistance for terrorist activities, share information on groups planning terrorist attacks and deny financial support & safe haven to terrorists.
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed on December 27, every year in a bid to raise public awareness on epidemics on all levels and prepare for future outbreaks.
Highlights
United Nations and the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared December 27 as International Day for Epidemic Preparedness in the light that, major infectious diseases and epidemics have devastating effects on human lives.
It also hinders the long-term social and economic growth.
Global health crisis, such as ongoing covid-19 pandemic, also threatens to swamp the overburdened health systems and cause disproportionate devastation to world economies by disrupting global supply chains.
Thus, the day is observed to raise awareness about the epidemics.
History of the Day
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was first commemorated on December 27, 2020.
Views of different organisations
In the year 2020, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had emphasised on the significance of advocating for epidemic preparedness, prevention, and collaboration against epidemics.
According to United Nations, to have most suitable response to any future challenge, it is important to learn lessons on epidemic management and apply them to strengthen epidemic prevention.
United Nations also emphasises on the importance of collaboration and cooperation between all international organisations, among communities and individuals, in order to combat a pandemic like COVID-19.
According to WHO, there is an urgent need is to invest in systems which can assist detect, prevent, and respond to outbreaks threatening the health systems, supply chains, and livelihoods.
The UN also seeks to popularise the One Health approach, which in turn encourages the integration of human, plant, and animal health.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Kanpur on December 28, 2021 and inaugurate the completed section of Kanpur Metro Rail Project.
Highlights
Prime Minister will also inaugurate “Bina-Panki multi-product pipeline project”.
later, he will address the 54th convocation ceremony of IIT-Kanpur.
Kanpur Metro Rail project
Kanpur Metro is a rail-based mass transit system. It is under construction for the city of Kanpur. The project is extendable to the Kanpur metropolitan area. The feasibility study for this project was done in June 2015 by RITES. Under the project, metro will run for a distance of 32 kilometres. It is being built at a cost of Rs 11000 crore. Construction of red line started on November 15, 2019 with 9 km stretch from IIT Kanpur to Moti Jheel. Its tender has been awarded to AFCONS infrastructure Ltd. First section of the project will be opened in January 2022.
Background
Central government has approved the Kanpur Metro Project on February 28, 2019, at an estimated cost of more than Rs 11,000 crores and a five-year time limit. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has also proposed to provide a €650 million loan for this project.
Bina-Panki Project
The 356-km long Bina-Panki project has a capacity of 3.45 million metric tonne per annum. The project extends from Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh to Panki in Kanpur. It has been built at a cost of more than Rs 1,500 crore. The refinery will help in accessing petroleum products in the region.
On December 27, 2021, the NITI Aayog released its fourth Health Index.
Highlights
The fourth round of Index took into account the period 2019-20 as reference year.
NITI Aayog prepared this report in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as well as with the technical assistance from the World Bank.
Key findings
According to NITI Aayog’s health index, Kerala has emerged as the top performer with respect to overall health performance among larger states. On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh has been ranked the last.
However, Uttar Pradesh topped in terms of incremental performance since it registered the highest incremental change in reference year 2019-20 as compared to the base year 2018-19.
Tamil Nadu emerged as second while Telangana emerged as the third best performers, on health parameters.
Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have been ranked among top five.
Bihar is the second and Madhya Pradesh is the third worst performers, on health parameters.
In smaller states category, Mizoram became the best performer in overall performance and incremental performance.
Among Union Territories, Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir have been ranked among bottom UTs with respect to overall performance. However, they emerged as leading performer with respect to incremental performance.
In terms of health performance, Kerala emerged as the best state, for the fourth time.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu were top two performers with highest reference year (2019-20) index score, in terms of overall performance. However, they have been ranked twelfth and eighth in terms of incremental performance.
Telangana secured the third place in terms of overall performance as well as incremental performance.
Rajasthan was the worst performer, in terms of overall performance and incremental performance.
Among smaller states, Mizoram & Tripura registered strong overall performance. They also showed improvements in incremental performance.
NASA’s Psyche mission is going to be launched in August 2022. It will be the first launch to explore a giant metal asteroid known as Psyche in the main asteroid belt.
Key Facts
The asteroid Psyche is in between Mars & Jupiter and is orbiting the Sun.
The Psyche mission is one among the two missions of NASA to explore early Solar System. The Lucy mission is another mission to explore Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids in order to study early Solar System.
NASA’s Psyche mission
NASA’s Psyche Mission is the first mission, that will be launched to explore a unique giant metal asteroid called Psyche. The mission is being led by Arizona State University. Mission management, navigation and its operations will be looked upon by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Mission was selected as one of the two missions to explore early Solar System on in 2017. Mission will be launched in August 2022 from Kennedy Space Center, Florida and will arrive on Psyche asteroid in 2026.
Observation Period of Psyche asteroid
Mission will spend 21 months for studying and mapping the asteroid Psyche.
Instruments on Psyche mission
The Psyche asteroid is carrying following scientific instruments:
X-band Gravity Science Investigation
Gamma Ray and Neutron Spectrometer
Multispectral Imager
Magnetometer
What is the Objectives mission?
To understand how planets and other bodies separated into layers such as cores, mantles, and crusts.
To examine an asteroid made of metal.
To explore early eras of solar system
About Asteroid Psyche
Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis had discovered the Psyche as 16th asteroid in 1852. He named the asteroid after the Goddess of Soul in ancient Greek mythology. It is 210 kilometers in diameter. The asteroid is made up of mostly metallic iron and nickel, similar to Earth’s core.