Daily Current Affairs Date 17th June 2021

Daily Current Affairs Date 17th June 2021

TOPICS

  • NATO declares China a Global Security Challenge.
  • The history of Tulu and the demand for official language status.
  • UNESCO Science Report 2021.
  • IAEA Chief says: Nuclear Deal Must Await New Iran Govt
  • Sustainable Development Report 2021
  • India’s agriculture exports increase 17.34% at $41.25 bn in 2020-21
  • Bihar govt approves 130 MW hydroelectric project over Kosi river, all set to start work soon.

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Questions-

Q- Consider the following statements related to NATO.

1)NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues.

2)It is an intergovernmental military alliance. 

3)NATO leaders have declared China a constant security challenge. 

Which of the following statement is or are correct?

a) 1 & 2

b) 2 & 3

c) All of the above

d) None of the above

NATO declares China a Global Security Challenge.

  • NATO leaders have declared China a constant security challenge stating that, Chinese are working to undermine global order.
    • As per NATO leaders, China’s goals and assertive behaviour put challenges to rules-based international order and across the areas relevant to alliance security.
    • This warning has come, as US President started making effort to bring allies together to speak in unified voice about China’s human rights record, trade practices and assertive behaviour of Chinese military which has disturbed U.S. allies in Pacific.
  • NATO leaders asked China to uphold its international commitments and act responsibly with international system.

How China Reacted?

  • Chinese Embassy to United Kingdom said, the G-7 communique “deliberately slandered China and arbitrarily interfered in internal affairs of China”. 
  • It also exposed intentions of countries like United States.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

    • NATO is an alliance of European and North American countries.
    • It was formed after World War II against Russian aggression. 
    • This intergovernmental military alliance comprises of 30 European and North American countries.
    •  It works in accordance with North Atlantic Treaty that was signed in April 1949.
  • NATO works on the principle of collective defence where its independent member states agree for mutual defence against attack.

Question

 Q- Consider the following statements:

  1. Tulu is listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through 95th Constitutional Amendment Act.
  2. Tulu-speaking people are larger in number than speakers of Manipuri and Sanskrit.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

The history of Tulu and the demand for official language status.

  • More than 2.5 lakh people on June 13, 2021, came out in support of a Twitter campaign to give an official language status to Tulu in Kerala and Karnataka.
  • Currently, Tulu is not an official language in the country. Tulu speakers and supporters of the Tulu language are making efforts to get Tulu included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. 

History of Tulu

  • Tulu is a Dravidian language. Mostly, it is spoken in southern Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala, India. 
  • The native speakers of Tulu are referred to as Tuluva and are confined to mentioned regions in Karnataka and Kerala, informally referred to as Tulu Nadu.
  • According to the 2011 Census report, there are 18,46,427 Tulu-speaking people in India. Some researchers state that Tulu is one of the oldest Dravidian languages with a history of 2000 years.

 Demand of Tulu speakers

  • The native speakers of the Tulu language, mainly spread across Kerala and Karnataka, have been demanding the Government of India to give an official language status to Tulu and include it in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
  • Interchange fee per transaction changed from Rs 15 to Rs 17 for financial transactions while from Rs 5 to Rs 6 for non-financial transactions in effect from August 1, 2021.

Demand for a separate state for Tulu Nadu

  • The political party ‘Tuluvere Paksha’ has been giving support to the aspirations of the Tulu-speaking people for a separate state for Tulu Nadu.
  •  The Election Commission of India had recognized the political party in February 2021 under Section 29A of Representation of the People Act 1951.

QUESTION

Q- Consider the following statement related to UNESCO Science Report (USR) 

1)  Job opportunities for science, technology, engineering & medicine (STEM) graduates have not increased.

2) According to report, India adopted industry 4.0 technologies

3) It is entitled as “race against time for smarter development”.

Which of the following statement is or are correct?

a) 1 & Daily Current Affairs Date 15th June 2021 – ENSEMBLE IAS ACADEMY2

b) 2 only

c) All of the above

d) None of the above

UNESCO Science Report 2021

  • Latest edition of UNESCO Science Report (USR) was published on June 11, 2021 which is entitled as “race against time for smarter development”. 

About USR

  • USR is a flagship publication of UNESCO which is published once every five years.
  • It is a report on science, technology and innovation (STI).
  • Every edition comprises of a chapter on India.
  • Chapter on India in latest edition was authored by Prof Sunil Mani, director at Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.
  • This chapter provides an overview of STI developments in India along with suggestions and recommendations.

Recommendations and Suggestions

  • With respect to initiatives promoting innovation on account of COVID-19, USR suggests to find new ways for finance research projects and to amend existing IP rules to do away compulsory licenses on vaccines and drugs.
  • According to report, India has not adopted industry 4.0 technologies and job losses due to automation is not a serious threat now.
  • Report highlights, despite some efforts only a few Indian states have made progress on meeting renewable energy targets. 
  • USR suggests for incentives to promote use of electric and hybrid vehicles.
  •  Report is silent about policies on biofuels or on hydrogen as a source of energy.
  • On employment report highlights, job opportunities for science, technology, engineering & medicine (STEM) graduates have not increased.
  •  However, employability of STEM graduates has increased to 49% in 2019 from 34% in 2014.
  •  It is serious issue because every other graduate is unemployable.

Questions

Q- Consider the following statements regarding International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

  1. IAEA is the world’s centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.
  2. It reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and United Nations Security Council.
  3. It was established as an autonomous organization under the UN Statute.
  4. It inhibits the complete use of nuclear technologies and nuclear energy.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 2, 3

c) 2, 3, 4

d) 1, 2, 4

IAEA Chief says: Nuclear Deal Must Await New Iran Govt

  • Iran will have to wait until the formation of a new government before returning to the 2015 Iran nuclear accord, said the IAEA chief. 
  • Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency in an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica said that it will be necessary to wait for the new Iranian government.
  • He made the comment in response to a question about the stage of talks on the nuclear deal.

IAEA chief wants a nuclear deal to wait 

  • Grossi said that the discussions have been going on for weeks and the political will of all the parties is needed to revive the deal. 
  • The sixth round of talks in the Austrian capital to revive the deal, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), resumed in Vienna. 
  • The meeting was held between Iran and the remaining parties to the accord which include United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany.
  • A top European diplomat on June 15 said that he believes international negotiations with Iran will ultimately succeed in re-imposing limits on its nuclear program. Enrique Mora, who is coordinating the talks in Vienna, said progress had been made on overcoming key obstacles at the talks. 

Talks to revive nuclear deal resume

  • Iran President Hassan Rouhani on June 2 said that a breakthrough in Nuclear Deal 2015 talks in Vienna to revive the pact before he is set to leave the office in August required “will” and most issues are already “resolved”. 
  • Meanwhile, the negotiations to revive the Iran Nuclear Deal kickstarted in April between Iran and the remaining members of the accord including Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia. 
  • The United States is not formally part of meetings that launched in Vienna earlier this year.
  •  But the administration of President Joe Biden has signaled willingness to rejoin the deal.

Question

Q-Consider the following statement related to • Sustainable Development Report .

1) Finland was ranked highest in the index.

2) It is a successor to Millennium Development Goals.

3) It will also establish a joint comment for assessment and review and follow up on the implementation of the MoU.

Which of the following statement is or are correct?

a) 1&2

b) 2,3

c) All of the above

d) None of the above

Sustainable Development Report 2021

  • Sustainable Development Report was prepared and released by experts from UN Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN). 
  • The index compares how countries implement 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
  • This year, Finland was ranked highest in the index.
  • A Nordic country has ranked at the top of SDG Index for the first time.
  • Finland has topped even when COVID-19 has slowed down sustainable development process across the world.

How Finland topped the index?

As per Government, Finland has topped the index based on its achievements with respect to the goals related to poverty reduction, health, education, energy, water, peace, reduction of inequality and rule of law.

What were the challenges for Finland?

  • Fight against climate change, sustainable consumption, elimination of biodiversity loss, production methods etc are the challenges that Finland faced. 
  • Further, covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted sustainable development.

Which countries have ranked highest?

Top 10 countries in Sustainable development index 2021 are: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Norway, France, Slovenia and Estonia (in that order). 

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • SDGs was adopted in 2015 by all member states of United-Nations. 
  • It describes a universal agenda which are applicable to all countries.  
  • It is a successor to Millennium Development Goals. 
  • SDG index is framed on the basis of implementation of 17 SDG goals among UN member states in six broad categories- education, skills, health & wellbeing, clean energy & industry, sustainable land use, sustainable cities, and digital technologies.
  •  Index is prepared by independent experts at Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and Bertelsmann Stiftung.

Also Read: Daily Current Affairs Date 15th June 2021

Questions-

Q- Consider the following statements.

  1. The Department of Agriculture, Co-operation and Farmers Welfare conducts agriculture census every five years to collect data on the size of agriculture land holdings in the country.
  2. As per the latest information available from Agriculture Census, the average size of operational holdings has increased from 1970-71 to 2015-16.
  3. Except in the years of adverse weather and natural calamities, the production and productivity of agriculture crops in the country has been generally increasing.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a) 1, 2

b) 1, 3

c) 1 only

d) 1, 2, 3

India’s agriculture exports increase 17.34% at $41.25 bn in 2020-21

  • India’s export of agricultural and allied products in 2020-21 grew by 17.34 per cent to USD 41.25 billion, and this growth momentum is expected to be sustained in the current fiscal as well, a top government official said on Thursday.
  • Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan said huge growth has been seen in the export of cereals, non-basmati rice, wheat, millets, maize and other coarse grains.
  • The largest markets for India’s agricultural products are the US, China, Bangladesh, UAE, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Nepal, Iran and Malaysia.
  • He also informed that exports have taken place from several clusters for the first time, for instance, the export of fresh vegetables and mangoes from Varanasi, and black Rice from Chandauli.
  • Exports of only agricultural products (excluding marine and plantation products) increased by 28.36 per cent to USD 29.81 billion in 2020-21 as compared to USD 23.23 billion in 2019-20.
  • “Agriculture Exports have performed well during 2020-21. After remaining stagnant for the past three years (USD 38.43 billion in 2017-18, USD 38.74 billion in 2018-19 and USD 35.16 billion 2019-20), the exports of agriculture and allied products (including marine and plantation products) during 2020-21 jumped to USD 41.25 billion, an increase of 17.34 per cent,” Wadhwan said.
  • Further, as many as 18 states — including Maharashtra, Kerala, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Punjab, and Karnataka — have finalised their specific action plan to implement the Agri export policy.
  • As part of the policy, 46 unique product-district clusters have been identified for export promotion and 29 cluster level committees have been formed.
  • The Department of Commerce has been making efforts, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, for gaining market access for Indian products.
  • India has recently gained market access for pomegranate in Australia; mango and Basmati rice in Argentina; carrot seeds in Iran; wheat flour, basmati rice, mango, banana and soybean oilcake in Uzbekistan; tomato, okra and onion in Bhutan; and oranges in Serbia.
  • The commerce ministry in a statement said that pesticide residue problems have affected Basmati rice exports to the European Union due to stringent norms imposed by the EU for chemicals like Tricyclazole and Buprofezin, which are extensively used in rice cultivation in India.
  • Export Inspection Council (EIC) testing has been made mandatory for Basmati exports to the EU, which led to a decrease in the number of alerts.
  • “As a result, Punjab imposed a ban on the sale of 9 chemicals, including tricyclazole and buprofezin, during the Kharif season 2020,” it added.
  • Efforts are also being made to ensure that the process for fixing Import Tolerance Limits (ITLs) for Tricyclazole and Buprofezin by the EU is not delayed.
  • When asked about SEIS (Services Exports from India Scheme), Wadhwan said when the department would make a new foreign trade policy, “what we need to do for services will be taken into account based on stakeholder feedback and other inputs”.
  • It is world’s fourth-largest technology company by revenue.

Q- Consider the following statements:

  1. The Kosi river has its source in Tibet.
  2. The Kosi river joins the Ganga River in Katihar district of Bihar.
  3. Kosi is also known as the Sorrow of Bihar.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Bihar govt approves 130 MW hydroelectric project over Kosi river, all set to start work soon 

  • Bihar will soon have the multi-purpose 130 MW Hydroelectric project executed over the Kosi river in Supaul district at Dagmara.
  • Recently, the Bihar Cabinet approved this project giving a major impetus towards its’ works. Commonly called as the Dagmara Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project, it is coming up in Bhaptiyahi block of Supaul district over Koshi River, about 31 km downstream from Koshi barrage.
  • Secretary of Bihar’s energy department, Sanjeev Hans, said that the project will have the total capacity of generating 130 MW energy, in which 17 units of 7.65 MW will be installed with the availability of 5.87 meters-head for power generation.
  • In this project, concrete barrage, earth dam and power house are to be constructed whose length would be 945 meters, 5750 meters and 283.20 meters respectively.
  • “The estimated cost of construction of this project is at Rs.2478.24 crore and the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) will construct this project.”
  • A bilateral agreement was signed between the NHPC and the Bihar State Hydroelectric Power Corporation for next 40 years, he added.
  • Hans, who is himself monitoring the progress of this project under the directions of both CM Nitish Kumar and Power Minister Bijendra Yadav, said that the state government has approved to grant Rs 700 crore for next five years to this project.
  • Khawja Jamal, Senior Protocol Officer of Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd said that the Bihar State Jal Vidyut Nigam has invited two-stage tender for preparation of detailed project report of Dagmara project.
  • “After necessary approval of the state government, work was allotted to the selected agency M/s Roddick Consultant, New Delhi for Rs.11.68 crore in July 2019,” Khawja Jamal said.
  • He further stated that the detail project report after obtaining all clearances from the Central Electricity Authority, Central Water Commission, Geological Survey of India, Central Soil and Material Research Station, Water Resources under Ministry of Jal Shakti, River and Ganga Rejuvenation Department and the Inland Waterways Authority of India has been submitted to the Central Electricity Authority on 27 May 2021 for technical approval.