25th May 2021
Lithuania quits China’s 17+1
Recently, Lithuania said that it was quitting China’s 17+1 cooperation forum with central and eastern European states that includes other EU members.
- In March, Lithuania announced that it would open a trade representative office on the island to promote its relations with Taiwan.
- It also ignited the firm objection from China, which urged the Baltic nation to stay true to the one-China principle.
China’s 17+1
- It is a mechanism between China and Central and Eastern Europe Countries (China-CEECs).
- China and the Central and Eastern European countries first held their Lithuania quits China’s 17+1
- It launched the 16+1 platform for boosting cooperation and trade.
- When Greece joined the platform in 2019, it was renamed 17+1 and became an important supplement to China’s ties with the EU.
- It focuses on infrastructure projects such as bridges, motorways, railway lines and modernisation of ports in the member states.
Why Lithuania quits China’s 17+1?
- Lithuania’s decision to withdraw the mechanism as a chance of “reducing negative assets” in the cooperation mechanism.
- Lithuania has dropped out of the 17+1 cooperation mechanism for “practical purposes”.
- Lithuania has certain level of fear toward former Soviet Union and today’s Russia.
- It is clear that Lithuania is challenging China not only on trade and business but also on the questions concerning Beijing’s core interests.
- Lithuania’s move to leave the 17+1 format is the latest indication of the deteriorating relationship between China and the European Union.
Appointment of new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Recently, a high-powered committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met to select the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Establishment of CBI
- It was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel and now it enjoys the status of an attached office.
- It was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption(1962-1964).
- The CBI is not a statutory body but it derives its powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
- It plays an important role in the prevention of corruption and maintaining integrity in administration.
Composition of CBI
- It is headed by a Director and assisted by a special director or an additional director.
- The Director of CBI as Inspector-General of Police, Delhi Special Police Establishment, is responsible for the administration of the organisation.
- The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act (2013) amended the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (1946) and made the following changes with respect to the composition of the CBI:
- The Central Government shall appoint the Director of CBI on the recommendation of a three-member committee consisting of:
- The Prime Minister as Chairperson,
- The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha (leader of the single largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha)
- The Chief Justice of India or Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by him
- There shall be a Directorate of prosecution headed by a Director for conducting the prosecution of cases under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
- The Central Government shall appoint officers of the rank of SP and above in the CBI on the recommendation of a committee consisting of:
- The Central Vigilance Commissioner as Chairperson
- The Vigilance Commissioners
- The Secretary of the Home Ministry
- The Secretary of the Department of Personnel
CBI vs State Police
- The role of the Special Police Establishment (a division of CBI) is supplementary to that of the state police forces.
- In order to avoid duplication and overlapping of cases between these two agencies, the following administrative arrangements have been made:
- The SPE shall take up such cases which are essentially and substantially concerned with the Central Government’s affairs or employees, even if they also involve certain state government employees.
- The state police force shall take up such cases which are substantially concerned with the state government’s affairs or employees, even if they also involve certain Central Government employees.
- The SPE shall also take up cases against employees of public undertakings or statutory bodies established and financed by the Central Government.
Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM)
Recently, the Ministry of Science & Technology has said that the reduced the anthropogenic activities during COVID-19 imposed lockdown period indicated by decreased Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) build-up and nutrients in the Mandovi Estuary.
Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM)
- The dissolved organic matter is the largest reservoir of organic carbon in the aquatic environment.
- It can be greatly influenced by land use, which can ramp up or diminish organic matter loads to waterways.
- The forested lands can contribute more DOM than agricultural lands, but the nutrients bound in the material can be less bio-available than those from farm fields.
- The organic matter in waterways can be viewed as a mixture of things living and dead, including plant, microbial and animal products at various stages of decomposition.
Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM)
- CDOM is interchangeably known as chromophoric dissolved organic matter or colored dissolved organic matter.
- The CDOM cover the parameter that can be measured in aquatic environments as a product of decaying material.
- CDOM is largely a subset of DOM, or dissolved organic matter.
- The decay releases organic substances, also called tannins that stain waters and can have effects on light absorption and other aspects of water quality.
- CDOM is closely related to fDOM or fluorescent dissolved organic matter, as fDOM refers to the fraction of CDOM that fluoresces.
- CDOM contributes to light absorption and may also help fuel bacterial respiration because of the large quantities of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus that it carries.
Why CDOM is measured?
- It is measured because of its value as an indicator of all the constituents floating around water bodies, regardless of their size or location.
- The CDOM can have effects on all aquatic life in a water body.
- It reduces transparency, traps heat, binds with metals and fuels respiration.
- It impacts on levels of dissolved oxygen in a water body.
- Large loads of organic matter can greatly increase oxygen demands in rivers and lakes by spurring enhanced microbial consumption of dissolved oxygen.
BRICS Astronomy Working Group
Recently, India hosted the 7th meeting of the BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG)as well as the astronomers from these countries.
BRICS Astronomy Working Group
- It provides a platform for BRICS member countries to collaborate in the field of astronomy.
- It will help seek funding support to realise the flagship project whenever funding opportunity announced by BRICS funding agencies.
Key Highlights of BRICS Astronomy Working Group
- In the BAWG meeting, the delegates agreed to develop a flagship project in this area.
- It witnessed participation from all five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) with more than 50 participants, including researchers, academicians and government officials.
- The members of the working group indicated future directions of research in this area such as:
- Building network of intelligent telescope and data network;
- Study of transient astronomical phenomena in universe; and
- Big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning application to process the voluminous data generated due to enhance multi-wavelength telescope observatory.
- The delegates deliberated on strategic and operational matters and recommended the networking of existing telescopes in BRICS countries and creating regional data network.
National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has unveiled 'Cool' PPE Kits for Corona Warriors developed under National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI).
'Cool' PPE Kits for Corona Warriors
- It is named as Cov-Tech developed by a student innovator Nihaal Singh Adarsh from Mumbai.
- It is a compact and frugal innovation which is a ventilation system for PPE kits.
- It takes the surrounding air, filters it and pushes it into the PPE suit.
- The design of the ventilation system ensures a complete air seal from the PPE kit.
- It provides a breeze of fresh air to the user in a gap of just 100 seconds.
- The Cov-Tech Ventilation System became a reality, thanks to a Rs. 10 lakh grant for prototype development and product innovation.
- The innovator received the funding from NIDHI’s PRomoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs (PRAYAS).
NIDHI
- It is an umbrella program pioneered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
- It is aimed at nurturing ideas and innovations (knowledge-based and technology-driven) into successful startups.
- The objectives of NIDHI are:
- To take forward student innovations in IEDC / NewGen IEDC programme to commercialization stage;
- To promote student startups; and
- To accelerate the journey of idea to prototype by providing initial funding assistance
- The key components of NIDHI are:
- NIDHI-GCC - Grand Challenges and Competitions for scouting innovations
- NIDHI-PRomotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring technology entrepreneurs (NIDHI-PRAYAS) - Support from Idea to Prototype
- NIDHI - Entrepreneur in Residence (NIDHI-EIR) - Support system to reduce risk
- NIDHI-Technology Business Incubator (TBI) - Converting Innovations to start-ups
- NIDHI-Accelerator - Fast tracking a start-up through focused intervention
- NIDHI-Seed Support System (NIDHI-SSS) - Providing early stage investment
- NIDHI Centres of Excellence (NIDHI-CoE) - A World class facility to help startups go global
NIDHI-PRAYAS
- It is a pre-incubation initiative that would be implemented through a Program Management Unit (PMU).
- The incubators selected for implementing the PRAYAS programme will be the PRAYAS Centres (PCs).
- It is specifically launched to support young innovators turn their ideas into prototype/ proof of concept (PoC).
- It allows the innovators to try their ideas without fear of failure, hence allowing them to reach a stage where they have a ready product and are willing to approach incubators for commercialization.
- The objectives of PRAYAS Prototyping Grant:
- Enable translation of an innovative idea to a prototype;
- Provide a platform for faster experimentation and modify approaches in the idea to market journey;
- Generate innovative solutions relevant to the local and global problems;
- Attract a large number of youth who demonstrates problem solving zeal and abilities; and
- A pre-incubation program or pipeline activity leading to startup incubation
Additional Judge of a High Court
Recently, the President of India has appointed Shri Vikas Bahl to be an Additional Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, for a period of two years.
Additional Judge of a High Court
- The President can appoint duly qualified persons as additional judges of a high courtfor a temporary period not exceeding two years when:
- There is a temporary increase in the business of the high court; or
- There are arrears of work in the high court.
- The President can also appoint a duly qualified person as an acting judge of a high court when a judge of that high court (other than the chief justice) is:
- Unable to perform the duties of his office due to absence or any other reason; or
- Appointed to act temporarily as chief justice of that high court.
- An acting judge holds office until the permanent judge resumes his office.
- Both the additional or acting judge cannot hold office after attaining the age of 62 years.
Constitutional Provisions of Additional Judge of a High Court
- Article 224 (1): It provides that the President may appoint duly qualified persons to be additional Judges of the Court for such period not exceeding two years as he may specify.
- Article 224 (2): When any Judge of a High Court other than the Chief Justice is by reason of absence or for any other reason unable to perform the duties of his office or is appointed to act temporarily as Chief Justice:
- The President may appoint a duly qualified person to act as a Judge of that Court until the permanent Judge has resumed his duties.
- Article 224 (3): No person appointed as an additional or acting Judge of a High Court shall hold office after attaining the age of sixty-two years.
Provision of one court for two states
- Article 231 (1): It provides that Parliament may by law establish a common High Court for two or more States or for two or more States and a Union territory.
- Article 231 (2): In relation to any such High Court:
- The reference in article 217 to the Governor of the State shall be construed as a reference to the Governors of all the States in relation to which the High Court exercises jurisdiction;
- The reference in article 227 to the Governor shall, in relation to any rules, forms or tables for subordinate courts, be construed as a reference to the Governor of the State in which the Subordinate Courts are situate; and
- The reference in articles 219 and 229 to the State shall be construed as a reference to the State in which the High Court has its principal seat:
- Provided that if such principal seat is in a Union territory, the references in articles 210 and 229 to the Governor, Public Service Commission, Legislature and Consolidated Fund of the State shall be construed respectively as references to the President, Union Public Service Commission, Parliament andConsolidated Fund of India.
Cyclone Yaas
Recently, the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had announced a yellow message over Odisha and Bengal coast due to Cyclonic Storm ‘Yaas’.
Cyclone Yaas
- It is the name of a tropical cyclone which is set to hit eastern coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal.
- The name ‘Yaas’ has been given by Oman and it refers to a ‘tree’.
- The word 'Yaas' is said to have originated from the Persian language and it means 'Jasmin' in English.
Tropical cyclone
- A tropical cyclone is an intense circular storm that originates over warm tropical oceans and is characterised by low atmospheric pressure, strong winds followed by heavy rainfall.
- Tropical cyclones always have an eye, a central region of clear skies and warm temperatures.
- Cyclones are fueled by available heat in the water bodies and the conducive temperature for the intensification of the cyclone is 28 degrees Celsius and above.
- The Bay of Bengal is usually warmer than the Arabian Sea so it results in more cyclones being formed over it.
Cyclones Naming
- The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) maintains rotating lists of names, which are appropriate for each Tropical Cyclone basin.
- If a cyclone is particularly deadly or costly, then its name is retired and replaced by another.
- The name list is proposed by the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) of the WMO members of a specific region and approved by the respective tropical cyclone regional bodies at their annual or biennial sessions.
- It came into the practice for quick identification of the storms in warning messages because names are presumed to be easier to remember than latitude and longitude numbers and technical terms.
- The names make it easier for the media to report on tropical cyclones and increase community preparedness.
- As per WMO, the use of short, distinctive names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods.
Naming cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
- The World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/UNESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones agreed in principle to assign names to the tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
- It was decided to name cyclones in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea during WMO/ESCAP’s 27th session held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, in 2000.
- The naming of the tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean commenced from September 2004, with names provided by eight members.
- The members are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lankaand Thailand.
- In September 2018, it was decided to prepare a fresh list of names of tropical cyclones including representation from five new member countries, viz., Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Shahi Litchi
Recently, the season’s first consignment of Shahi Litchi from Bihar was exported to United Kingdom by air route in a major boost to export of GI certified products.
Shahi Litchi
- It is mostly grown in Muzaffarpur and its neighbouring districts of East Champaran, Vaishali, Samastipur and Begusarai.
- It was accorded the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2018.
- The lychee (Litchi chinensis) is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae.
- It is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree native to southern China, Taiwan, Bangladesh and Southeast Asia, and now cultivated in many parts of the world.
- There are four products from Bihar which are accorded with Geographical Indication (GI) Tag such as Shahi Litchi, Zardalu Mango, Katarani paddy and Magahi Paan (betel leaf).
- The application for Katarani paddy, long and thin in shape and distinctly aromatic, was moved by Katarani Dhan Utpadak Sangh, Jagdishpur village in Bhagalpur.
- Magahi Pan Utpadak Kalyan Samiti, Deuri village, Nawada district, had moved the application for GI tag to the unique variety of betel leaf which is adored for its softness and taste.
- The betel leaf variety is also grown in adjoining district of Gaya.
- Zardalu Mango was accorded the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2017.
- It is a unique product from Bhagalpur district of Bihar and it is known for its light yellow skin and special aroma.
- It was first planted in Bhagalpur region by Maharaja Rahmat Ali Khan Bahadur of Kharagpur.
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