Daily Current Affairs - 10-06-2021

India wind energy market outlook was released by Global Wind Energy Council. As per the report, India has a pipeline of 10.3 GW in Central and State markets. These pipelines will drive installations until 2023. Report highlights India will install 20 GW of wind energy capacity by 2021-25.

Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)

GWEC was established in 2005. It provides credible and representative forum for entire wind energy sector at international level. Its mission is to ensure that, wind power is established as the leading energy sources in world, providing several environmental and economic benefits. As per GWEC, even though there are temporary supply chain difficulties, international wind markets are growing strongly. European Union is the leading market in wind energy having around 48 GW of installed capacity.

India Wind Power Capacity

Wind power generation capacity in India has increased in recent times. India’s total installed wind power capacity was 38 GW, as of February 2021. It has fourth largest installed wind power capacity worldwide. Wind power capacity is spread across Southern, Western and Northern regions. Cost of wind power is decreasing rapidly in India. Levelized tariff of wind power is Rs 2.43 per kWh in India in 2017 though, it increased to ₹2.77 per kWh in March 2021.

 

According to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will assist development projects in Northeast through Space Technology.

Key points

ISRO’s ongoing projects

ISRO is monitoring and Geo-tagging 67 projects across 221 sites in eight north-eastern states. All the projects are funded by Ministry or North Eastern Council.

North Eastern Council (NEC)

NEC is a statutory advisory body constituted through North Eastern Council Act 1971. It came into existence on November 7, 1972 at Shillong.  Eight north-eastern states namely, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Sikkim are members of council. Council is represented by Chief Ministers and Governors of all these states. Sikkim was added to NEC in 2002. NCE functions under Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER).

Doctors from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi have successfully analysed the monoclonal antibody therapy on two Covid-19 patients. This therapy resulted into fast progression of symptoms within first seven days.

About the therapy

What are Monoclonal Antibodies?

Monoclonal antibodies are identical copies of antibody that targets one specific antigen. They are made by cloning a unique white blood cell. All subsequent antibodies which are derived this way belongs to a unique parent cell. Monoclonal antibodies have monovalent affinity. They bind only to same epitope which is part of an antigen recognized by antibody). Bispecific monoclonal antibodies can also be made by increasing therapeutic targets of one monoclonal antibody to two epitopes.

World Health Organization (WHO) released a handbook to assess the burden of foodborne diseases and locate data gaps which will help in strengthening health infrastructure.

Foodborne Diseases Burden

Which regions have highest burden?

As per WHO report, African and South-East Asia Regions have highest burden of foodborne diseases.

Background

World Health Assembly had adopted a new resolution and mandated WHO to monitor global burden of foodborne & zoonotic diseases at national, regional & international level. It asked WHO to report on global burden of foodborne diseases with estimates of global foodborne disease burden, mortality etc by 2025.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have developed an early cyclone detection technique which will help in early detection of development or strengthening of tropical cyclones in North Indian Ocean region.

About Cyclone Detection Technique

IIT developed this technique using Eddy detection technique. It will investigate formative stages and advance detection time of tropical cyclogenesis. This technique was studied under Climate Change Program with support from Department of Science and Technology. The technique was developed with the aim of identifying initial traces of pre-cyclonic eddy vortices in atmospheric column. It also seeks to track its spatio-temporal evolution. Researchers used a coarser grid resolution of 27 kilometres to identify the characteristics of eddy vortices.

How this technique is different?

Earlier, remote sensing techniques were used to detect cyclones earliest. But this detection was possible only after development low-pressure system over warm ocean surface. New technique is based on cyclonic eddies which are prominent features of vertical atmospheric column inducing and developing into a cyclonic depression over warm ocean surface. They could be used to detect prediction of cyclones at early stage. Thus, larger time gap between detection and impact of cyclone could help in preparation activities.

How study was carried?

Researchers conducted the with cases of four post-monsoon severe cyclones namely, Phailin in 2013, Vardah in 2013, Gaja in 2018 & Madi in 2013 and two pre-monsoon cyclones Mora in 2017 & Aila in 2009. They observed, this technique was able to prediction with a minimum of four days lead time for cyclones.

London-based global think tank Overseas Development Institute published its report called “Costs of Climate change in India”. The report analyses economic costs of climate-related risks in country and possibility of increased inequality & poverty.

Key Findings

Labour Productivity

Climate change will also affect labour productivity through additional channels such as increased incidence of endemic vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis etc.

Recently, in Yogyakarta city of Indonesia, dengue fever cases have been cut by 77% through a trial that manipulates the mosquitoes spreading dengue.

About the trial

About Dengue

Dengue is also known as “break-bone fever” as it causes severe pain in muscles and bones. It is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by dengue virus (DENV). Its symptoms usually start three to fourteen days after infection. Common symptoms include high fever, vomiting, headache, muscle pains and joint pains besides a characteristic skin rash.  In 1970, only nine countries had faced dengue outbreaks. Now, mosquito causes 400 million infections in a year.

International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF jointly published report on child labour. As per report, world has marked rise in child labour in two decades.

Key Findings of report

What is the concern?

ILO and UNICEF have warned if urgent action is not taken to ballooning numbers of families going into poverty, about 50 million more kids could be forced into child labour in next two years.

World Trade Organization (WTO) is set to start formal Covid-19 Vaccine Supply negotiations in a bid to boost COVID-19 vaccine supply in developing countries.

Key points

WTO discussion

WTO members will start discussions on June 17 which will determine format of negotiations and produce a report on progress of vaccine supply plan by July 21-22.

Waiver Proposal

Waiver proposal from emerging nations also comprises of diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices. Proposal might also set a time span of “at least three years” and allow a single WTO member to prolong it indefinitely.

Central government has asked states and union territories to include UDID (Unique Disability Identification) card as identity proof while registering on Co-WIN 2.0 platform. It will ensure a smooth and effective Covid-19 vaccination drive.

Why UDID was allowed?

UDID was allowed with the aim of helping disabled persons to access Covid-19 vaccination. Earlier, as per guidelines for Co-WIN 2.0, seven prescribed Photo IDs were specified and prescribed for verification of beneficiaries for vaccination. Further, this card is issued to persons with disability by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment comprises of features like name, year of birth, gender and photograph. This, it meets the criteria for use of identification in Covid-19 vaccination.

Unique Disability Identification (UDID)

UDID project was implemented to create a National Database for persons with disabilities (PwDs). It issues a Unique Disability Identity Card to each PwDs. It encourages transparency, efficiency and ease of delivering government benefits to PwDs. It also ensures uniformity and stream-line tracking of physical & financial progress of beneficiaries across village level, block level, District level, State level and National level of implementation.

The U.S. Senate voted 68-32 to approve a “sweeping package of legislation” in a bid to boost USA’s ability to compete with Chinese technology. China, while responding to vote, objected to being cast as an imaginary U.S. enemy

Key Points

This measure approved about $190 billion for provisions of strengthening technology and research in United States. $54 billion was approved to increase US production & research into semiconductors & telecommunications equipment. $2 billion were dedicated to chips used by automakers.

How China responded?

Chinese parliament while expressing “strong indignation and resolute opposition” to legislation describe the bill as “paranoid delusion of wanting to be the only winner”. China said, bill has distorted original spirit of innovation and competition.

Provisions of the bill

Airbnb, EaseMyTrip, OYO and Yatra have established a new industry association called “Confederation of Hospitality, Technology & Tourism Industry (CHATT)”. CHATT will help small companies and travel & hospitality technology players.

CHATT association

Members of association

CHATT association comprises of members like-

Airbnb Inc.

It is an American company which operates an online marketplace for lodging, homestays for vacation rentals and tourism activities. It is based in San Francisco, California. Platform can be accessed via website and mobile app. Company does not own any of listed properties and earn profits by receiving commission from each booking. It was founded in 2008 by Joe Gebbia, Brian Chesky and Nathan Blecharczyk.

Union Cabinet allocated 5 MHz spectrum in 700 MHz band for Indian Railways. It will help in boosting hi-speed radio communication.

Highlights

Long Term Evolution (LTE) in Railways

LTE in Indian Railways will be used to provide secure & reliable voice, video & data communication services for operational, safety & security applications. It will be used for modern signalling & train protection systems. LTE can ensure seamless communication between loco pilots & guards and can enable Internet of Things (IoT) based remote asset monitoring of coaches, wagons & locos. It can also enable live video feed of CCTV cameras in train coaches to ensure safer, efficient and faster train operations.

Spectrum Charges

Spectrum charges may be levied on the basis of formula as prescribed by Department of Telecommunications for Royalty Charges and License Fee for Captive use on recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

India and Thailand started 31st edition of Coordinated Patrols or CORPAT, with the aim of reinforcing maritime links between two countries and to keep Indian Ocean safe and secure for international trade.

CORPAT Exercise

This is the first biannual exercise in which Saryu, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel called Saryu from Indian Navy and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Krabi along with Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies are participating.

Significance of CORPAT

CORPAT biannual exercise builds up understanding and interoperability between both the navies. It facilitates institution of measures to prevent & suppress unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, armed robbery and piracy. It also helps in enhancing operational synergy by exchanging information to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration and to conduct SAR operations at sea.

SAGAR Vision

Under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging through bilateral & multilateral exercises, joint exclusive economic zone surveillance & humanitarian assistance & disaster relief (HADR) operations and economic zone surveillance with countries in Indian Ocean Region to enhance regional maritime security.

India Thailand relation

Both the countries share friendly ties as both are members of Bay of Bengal grouping of seven countries which brings South Asian, Thailand and Myanmar from South East Asia under single platform.

Union Cabinet approved an increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Kharif crops for 2021-22, to increase farmers’ income.

Key Points

Background

MSP was increased for Kharif crops in line with Union Budget 2018-19 announcement of fixing MSPs at least 1.5 times of All-India weighted average Cost of Production (CoP).

Minimum Support Price (MSP)

MSP is the rate at which government buys grains from farmers. It is a price that government agencies pay while procuring particular crop. MSP is recommended by Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) for 22 mandated crops and fair & remunerative price (FRP) for sugarcane. 14 crops of kharif season, 6 crops of rabi season and 2 other commercial crops are mandated crops.

MSP crops

Crops on which MSP & FRP are recommended includes-

  1. Cereals- Paddy, wheat, jowar, bajra, barley, maize and ragi.
  2. Pulses- Gram, arhar or tur, urad, moong and lentil.
  3. Oilseeds- Groundnut, mustard, soyabean, toria, sunflower seed, safflower seeds, sesamum, and niger seed,
  4. Raw cotton, Copra, Raw jute, De-husked coconut, and
  5. Sugarcane