National Press Day is observed every year on November 16, to commemorate the presence of responsible and independent press in India.
Key Points
The day also marks the establishment of Press Council of India as well as a day it started operating as a statutory and quasi-judicial establishment.
Press and Media has a big responsibility in helping India to evolve as vibrant democracy. Journalists and members of press act as a mirror to the society. They bring out the truth with no fear and without favour for or against any governmental agency or private entity.
History of the Day
National Press Day is celebrated in India as a day to commemorate the establishment of the Press Council of India. Proposal to set up Press Council of India (PCI) was put first at the meeting of Press Commission in 1956. PCI was envisioned as an independent watchdog of the press, at the meeting. Following several discussions, PCI came into being on November 16, 1966. Since then, PCI has been working as an agency to monitor quality of reportage provided by Indian Press.
Theme of national press day
Theme for National Press Day 2021 is ‘Who is Not Afraid of Media?’
How this day was celebrated?
Press Council of India held function at the Constitution Club of India, as a part of New Delhi. The celebration was graced by Eminent Journalist and Author Mr Swaminathan Gurumurthy, as the Guest of Honour & Keynote Speaker.
Ministry of Rural Development organised a National Workshop on Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), on November 16, 2021.
Key Points
The workshop was organised in a bid to boost to national land record modernization programme.
This workshop would enable States to share the best practices with each other in the field and learn regarding the latest software developments.
Who inaugurated the Workshop?
The workshop was inaugurated by Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh. He also launched “National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) portal & Dashboard, on the occasion.
National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS)
NGDRS is an in-house advanced software application for doing registration. This system is configurable and compatible with state-specific needs in India.
National Land management Award-2021
National Land Management Award-2021 was initiated by Department of Land Resources, in order to appreciate and encourage the good work done by the State Governments. Department will also provide a national level ranking of States on the basis of best practices for land acquisition for infrastructure projects.
Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN)
Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN) is like Aadhar Number of land parcels. In this unique system, a unique ID will be generated on the basis of Geo-coordinates of the parcels. Unique ID is assigned to the plots. This system has been implemented in 13 States and has been pilot-tested in another six. The Department seeks to complete the process of assigning unique IDs in entire country by the end of financial year 2021-22.
The Central government has proposed several measures in an affidavit before supreme court, to reduce Delhi air pollution.
Key Points
Central government expressed its unwillingness to ask its employees to work from home.
It has advised its employees in Delhi-NCR region to go for carpooling in order to reduce the number of vehicles used by them.
It maintains that, number of vehicles used by Central government is a minuscule fraction of the total vehicles that are used in Delhi. So, stopping their plying is not going to make much impact on improving the air quality of Delhi.
Directives by Commission for air quality management
The Centre also pointed outs directives issued by Commission for air quality management for Delhi-NCR. The directives include-
Ban on entry of trucks in Delhi till November 21. Exception to be given for trucks carrying essential commodities.
Closure of thermal plants.
Ban on construction and demolition activities.
Deployment of anti-smog guns and water sprinklers.
Background
Earlier on November 15, Supreme Court had directed Central government to call for an “emergency meeting” on November 16 with Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It also asked to prepare an action plan for curbing air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The court asked the Centre regarding scientifically proven steps that are being taken to bring down pollution.
Air Quality in Delhi
According to System of Air Quality & Weather Forecasting & Research (SAFAR), Air Quality in Delhi continues to be in ‘very poor’ category for the fourth consecutive day on November 17. Though, overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reduced from 396 to 379.
System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)
SAFAR was introduced by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to measure air quality of metropolitan city. It measures overall pollution level and location-specific air quality in city. SAFAR was indigenously developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. It is operationalized by India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system comprises of giant true colour LED display to provide real-time air quality index on 24×7 basis.
Pfizer has signed an agreement with Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) on November 16, 2021 for Covid-19 Oral Candidate called Paxlovid
Highlights
Pfizer stated that, it is seeking emergency use authorization from FDA for its investigational COVID-19 pill.
It will now allow generic drug makers for producing novel antiviral for low-income and middle-income countries.
Antiviral PF-07321332 is administered with a low-dose ritonavir as Paxlovid.
The approval will make treatment widely available across 95 low-income and middle-income countries. Thus, 53% of the world’s population will get access to the Oral medicine to treat covid-19.
Background
The agreement and announcement that Pfizer is seeking Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Paxlovid in United States came after Pfizer announced early results from trial. The result showed an 89% reduction in risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19 among people who got treated in initial three days of symptoms onset.
PF-07321332
It is an antiviral drug, developed by Pfizer. It acts as an orally active 3CL protease inhibitor. The drug is a covalent inhibitor, that binds directly with the catalytic cysteine (Cys145) residue of enzyme. The Pfizer has asked for Emergency use authorisation of PF-07321332/ritonavir combination drugs to treat Covid-19. It will be available under trade name Paxlovid.
How this medicine works?
In the combination, ritonavir slows down the metabolism of PF-07321332 by cytochrome enzymes for maintaining higher circulating concentrations of main drug.
A direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missile was tested by Russia on November 15, 2021.
Highlights
DA-ASAT missile struck a Russian satellite called COSMOS 1408, as a result, debris field in low-Earth orbit.
This test has generated about 1500 pieces of trackable orbital debris, so far.
It will generate hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris, in future tests.
As per initial assessment of USSPACECOM, these debris will remain in orbit for years. As a result, it poses a significant risk for the crew on the International Space Station.
USSPACECOM is continuously monitor the trajectory of debris. It will ensure that all space-faring nations get information necessary to safeguard their on-orbit activities.
Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Test by Russia
Russia’s First ever direct ascent anti-satellite missile called PL-19 Nudol, was test-fired on November 18, 2015. Russia tested the Nudol for the second time, in May 2016. Nudol was launched from “Plesetsk cosmodrome test launch facility” which is located 805 kilometres north of Moscow. In 2016, Russia conducted three more launches. Russia conducted a direct ascent anti-satellite missile test in 2020, which was capable of taking-out spacecraft or satellites in low Earth orbit. Its most recent test was in November 2021, that destroyed Kosmos 1408.
Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT)
ASAT are space weapons, that have been designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic or tactical purposes. No ASAT system has yet been used in warfare. But, countries like India, US, Russia and China have successfully shot down their own satellites to demonstrate capabilities of their ASAT.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) published advice on transgender athlete rules, recently.
Key Points
This move is aimed at helping sports write eligibility rules for transgender athletes.
IOC advices to shift the focus from individual testosterone levels.
It also calls for evidence to prove in case a performance advantage existed.
IOC maintains that, no athlete should be excluded from competing on the basis of an “unverified, alleged or perceived unfair competitive advantage because of their sex variations, transgender status or physical appearance.
Background
IOC took this decision after the Tokyo Olympics, in which first openly transgender athlete, weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, competed and defended 800-meter champion Caster Semenya.
Is IOC document legally binding?
The IOC document is not legally binding yet. It clearly states that, governing bodies should now be responsible for regulating their own sports.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
IOC is a non-governmental sports organisation. It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was set up in the form of an association under Swiss Civil Code (articles 60–79). The association was founded in the year 1894, by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas. It is responsible for organising modern Olympic Games. IOC is the governing body of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as well as the “Olympic Movement”.
President of IOC
Current president of the IOC is Thomas Bach. He succeeded Jacques Rogge in September 2013.
On India’s first centralised database of unorganised workers, e-Shram portal, more than 7.86 crore registrations have been done till date. Out of this number, 40.5 percent belong to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), 27.4 percent general category, 23.7 percent scheduled castes (SCs) and 8.3 percent to scheduled tribes (STs).
Highlights
These estimations are significant as they offer an indicator of social profile of informal sector workers in India.
As per 2011 census, population share of SCs was 16.2 per cent and that for STs was 8.2 per cent.
The count of OBCs is not detailed in 2011 Census. However, as per a survey conducted in 2007 by National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) had estimated the population share of OBCs as 40.9 per cent.
Population share of general category population was around 34 per cent.
Occupation-wise registration data
Maximum registrations (53.6 percent) have been seen in agriculture sector.
It is followed by construction sector (12.2 per cent) and domestic & household workers (8.71 per cent).
The e-Shram portal has been recording primary as well as secondary occupation of unorganised sector workers. Workers in rural areas are routinely recording two occupations.
Registration across states
In agriculture sector, West Bengal is at the top slot with 13.38 per cent share. It is followed by Odisha (10.5 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (9.15 per cent), Bihar (5.71 per cent) and Jharkhand (3.03 per cent). Highest registrations were seen for crop & farm labourers and field crop & vegetable growers.
In construction, top four countries with highest number of registrations are- West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. Highest registrations were recorded for building and construction workers.
Russia recently started supplying S-400 Triumf air defence system to India, giving a major boost to Indian defence capabilities.
Highlights
These defence systems will boost India’s capabilities to take out cruise missiles and enemy fighter aircraft at long range.
The announcement that Russia started supplying S-400 systems to India, was made during Dubai Air Show.
First squadron of this system will be deployed near Western border of India. it will help in tackling threats from both Northern as well as Western borders with China and Pakistan.
Missile requirement of India
India will require five squadrons to tackle air threats from up to 400-km. First squadron of the S-400 system is likely to be complete by end of 2021.
India-Russia S-400 system agreement
India inked an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with Russia in October 2016, during BRICS Summit. A formal agreement was signed in October 2018 for procuring the defence system. The deal is worth Rs 35,000 crores to contract S-400 air defence system from Russia. After several negotiations, India brought down the price of this deal by a billion dollars.
Training of IAF personnel for operating S-400 system
The Indian Air Force officers and personnel were trained in Russia to operate the system.
Significance of S-400 missiles for India
The S-400 Triumf air defence system will give a major boost to Indian capabilities of taking out enemy cruise missiles and fighter aircraft at long range.
It will provide India with an edge in South Asian skies.
India would now be able to take out enemy missiles and aircrafts from a distance of 400-kms.
Components of the system
S-400 missile defence system comprises of four different missiles:
48N6DM: It is capable of destroying airborne targets up to 250 km
40N6: It can reach a distance of 400 km. It makes use of active radar homing for intercepting air targets at great distances.
9M96E: This component can strike moving targets like fighter aircraft with great accuracy.
9M96E2: This component is descended for direct impact. It can reach up to 102 km.
On November 16, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Purvanchal Expressway.
Highlights
Purvanchal Expressway is a stretch of about 341-kms.
It is more like an extension of the Greater Noida Expressway, Taj Expressway, and Agra-Lucknow Expressway.
Purvanchal Expressway
It is a 340.8 km long, 6-lane wide, access-controlled expressway in Uttar Pradesh. The expressway is expandable to 8-lane.
It connects Chand Saray village in Lucknow district with Haydaria village in Ghazipur district on NH-31.
The expressway was developed by “Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA)”.
It also comprises of a 3.2 km long airstrip at Akhalkiri Karwat village near in Sultanpur district for emergency landing of aircrafts.
It is the longest expressway in India.
Inauguration of the expressway
Its construction started by the UPEIDA on in October 2018 and was inaugurated on November 16, 2021.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived to inaugurate the expressway, in C-130 Hercules.
Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets performed ‘touch and go’ operation, under which 30 fighter planes touched the expressway airstrip and then took off.
Background
This project was announced by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in May 2015 as Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ballia Expressway. Later, Yogi Adityanath government changed the routes to Lucknow-Azamgarh-Ghazipur. Foundation stone of the expressway was laid July 14, 2018 by Prime Minister Modi. The total project value is Rs 22494 crore. It includes land acquisition cost.
About UPEIDA
UPEIDA stands for Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority. It was established in 2007 by Uttar Pradesh government, to develop expressway projects in the state. Its headquarter is at Paryatan Bhawan in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.
ADIPEC conference is being held in Abu Dhabi, from November 15 to November 18, 2021.
Highlights
World’s biggest oil & gas companies and several OPEC+ energy ministers are there in Abi Dhabi to attend this conference.
The conference is taking place in the backdrop of COP26 climate talks and increasing energy prices.
Brent crude has increased by 60% in 2021, to above $80 a barrel.
Natural-gas prices in Asia and Europe also hit record highs in recent times.
During the conference, India’s petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, India made a “concerted push” with OPEC+ on oil production. However, it also advised major consumers against selling their strategic reserves.
Energy using blue ammonia
Mitsui of Japan and GS Energy of South Korea, will partner with Adnoc and Fertiglobe for developing blue ammonia. Blue ammonia will be developed at Ta’ziz industrial zone in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. It will be taken by Mitsui and GS Energy to meet increasing energy demands in Japan and South Korea.
Blue Hydrogen
Several major state energy firms in Persian Gulf, like Adnoc and Saudi Aramco, are holding talks with companies in Asia regarding long-term supply contracts for blue hydrogen. Blue Hydrogen fuel is made by converting natural gas and capturing carbon emissions.
What is ADIPEC?
ADIPEC is the world’s most influential meeting place. it is hosted by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). During the meeting, oil, gas and energy companies and professionals convene in-person, to engage & identify the opportunities in a bid to unlock new value in energy landscape. ADIPEC provides opportunities for visitors, sellers and buyers to meet, learn, do business as well as discover new products, solutions and technologies.
The Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project published a study in Lancet Planetary Health. As per study, global antibiotic consumption rates have increased by 46% in last two decades.
Key Points
GRAM used a novel approach, by deploying statistical modelling techniques.
It incorporated several data sources and types like large-scale household surveys in low-income & middle-income countries, antibiotic consumption data from World Health Organisation (WHO) and pharmaceutical sales data.
GRAM also gathered data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
GRAM study provides a comparative analysis of “antibiotic consumption rates” globally. This rate is defined in WHO metric of “defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 population per day”.
Findings of the study
Variation in total antibiotic consumption rates, across the country, ranges from 5 DDD to 45.9 DDD per 1000 population per day.
In between 2000-2018, global antibiotic consumption rate increased by 46%, accounting for an increase from 9.8 to 14.3 DDD per 1000 population per day.
In low-income & middle-income countries, anti-biotic consumption rate increased by 76%, accounting an increase from 7.4 to 13.1 DDD per 1000 per day.
However, in high-income countries, consumption rates were stable.
Antibiotic consumption rates in South Asia increased by 116%.
Second largest increase (111%) was witnessed in North Africa and Middle East region.
Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, inaugurated the “Duare Ration Scheme” on November 16, 2021.
Highlights
The Duare Ration (ration at doorstep) scheme is going to benefit around 10 crore people of the state.
Government has also decided to enhance commission for ration dealers from Rs75 to Rs 150 per quintal of food grains.
Under the scheme, 10 crore people will get their ration at their doorstep on a fixed day in every month.
How Ration will be delivered at doorstep?
Each dealer will be allowed to appoint at least two persons, to assist them in delivering ration.
They will get a salary of Rs 10,000 per month, of which government will pay Rs 5,000 and rest will be paid by the dealer.
By doing do, 21,000 dealers would create 42,000 jobs. This is benefit Local youth.
Dealers will also get a financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh from government, for purchasing vehicles to deliver ration.
For this scheme, government will be spending Rs160 crore.
Distribution process
Taking ration to each doorstep is a tough job. Thus, it will take around one year to complete one locality. Till then, government will divide one stretch of a road into four parts to distribute ration to the people. The locals require to be informed about the distribution in advance.
Ration Dealership
To make this scheme, more ration dealers will be needed. Thus, the working capital to apply for a ration dealer will be decreased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 50,000. It will help more people to apply for dealership.
Khadya Sathi: Amar Ration Mobile App
West Bengal government also inaugurated the “Khadya Sathi: Amar Ration Mobile App” on the occasion. This app will help people to apply for ration cards and get related information. For the same purpose, a WhatsApp chatbot for Food & Supplies Department was also inaugurated.