Third Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGS) hosted by India in virtual format

Objective of the Summit:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged developing countries to unite their voice for a more equitable global governance system.
• Emphasized the need for “just and inclusive” global governance.

Global Development Compact:

• India announced a $3.5 million (₹29 crore) fund for a “Global Development Compact.”
• The compact focuses on trade, capacity building, technology sharing, and trade negotiation training for developing countries.

 Key Concerns Addressed:

• Tensions and conflicts, notably the ongoing Gaza conflict.
• Call for addressing disparities between the Global North and South.

Participants:

• Leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Timor-Leste, Chile, El Salvador, Mongolia, Oman, and Belarus.
• Notably, China and Pakistan were not invited.

 UN Reform:

• Emphasis on the need to reform multilateral institutions like the UN for greater credibility and effectiveness.

What is the Voice of Global South Summit?

• The VoGS Summit is a Indian initiative that has been designed to provide a common platform for the countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on several major issues.
• It aims to find out solutions for common challenges faced by developing countries through talks.
• Inspired by PM’s vision, ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’, the summit follows India’s philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

About Global South:

• Global South refers to countries in Asia, Africa, and South America, while Global North includes countries like the US, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand.
• It’s a term used to categorize countries based on economic development and historical factors.

APEDA facilitates first shipment of Fig Juice to Poland

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of India''s first ready-to-drink fig juice, made from GI-tagged Purandar Figs, to Poland.
• The exported products are made from Purandar figs, renowned for their taste, size, and nutritional value, which have earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• This follows the successful export of India’s first commercial consignment of GI-tagged Purandar figs to Hong Kong in February 2023.

Purandar Fig

• The distinct bell-shaped Purandar Fig with violet colour differentiates itself from other varieties. It has a sweet taste.
• The size of Purandar Fig is bigger than other varieties of fig. It has more than 80 per cent pulp or edible part. The pulp colour of Purandar Fig is pinkish red and is highly nutritious.
• Pune district is the leading region in Maharashtra regarding fig plantation. The fig is cultivated in many villages of Purandar taluk in Pune district.
• The agro-climatic factors such as dry weather, hilly slope, well drained medium land is essential for Purandar Fig cultivation.
• Fig variety cultivated in Pune region is also known as ‘Dive Anjir’.

What is APEDA?

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the government under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by Parliament in December 1985. The Act came into effect on February 13, 1986.
  • APEDA, which replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC), has its headquarters in New Delhi.

Zebrafish use surprising strategy to regrow spinal cord

Zebrafish are capable of fully healing a severed spinal cord. The researchers showed that survival and adaptability of the severed neurons themselves is required for full spinal cord regeneration. Stem cells capable of forming new neurons — and typically thought of as central to regeneration — only play a complementary role but do not lead the process.

Zebrafish:

• It is a small (2-3 cm long) freshwater fish found in tropical and subtropical regions.
• The vertebrate takes its name from the horizontal blue stripes runningthe length of its body. 
• It is native to South Asia''s Indo-Gangetic plains, where they are mostly found in the paddy fields and even in stagnant water and streams.
• IUCN Red List Status: Least concerned.

Significance in Clinical research:

• The zebrafish is an important and widely used vertebrate model organism in scientific research, for example in drug development, in particular pre-clinical development. 
• It is also notable for its regenerative abilities and has been modified by researchers to produce many transgenic strains.

Lok Sabha Speaker constitutes six new parliamentary panels

Key highlights:

New Committee Appointments:

• Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
  • Headed by senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal.
  • The PAC is a crucial financial committee that scrutinizes government expenditure.
  • Traditionally led by a senior member of the principal Opposition party.
• Estimates Committee:
  • Chairperson: Sanjay Jaiswal (Bharatiya Janata Party - BJP).
  • This committee examines the estimates of expenditure proposed by the government.
• Public Undertakings Committee:
  • Chairperson: Baijayant Panda (BJP).
  • It focuses on the performance of public sector undertakings.
• Welfare of Other Backward Classes Committee:
  • Chairperson: Ganesh Singh.
  • This committee looks into the welfare of Other Backward Classes.
• Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Committee:
  • Chairperson: Faggan Singh Kulaste.
  • This committee addresses issues related to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Tenure and Composition:

• The committees are appointed for a one-year tenure.
• They include members from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Pending Appointments:

• The Lok Sabha Speaker has yet to form the 24 departmentally related Standing Committees that cover all Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.

Formation Process:

• Unlike previous Lok Sabhas, the formation of committees in the 18th Lok Sabha (after the June 2024 General Election) has been largely through consensus rather than election.

What is a Parliamentary Committee?

• A Parliamentary committee is a committee of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected or appointed from amongst the members of the house or nominated by the Speaker or Chairman. The concept of Parliamentary committees originated in the British Parliament. These committees operate under the direction of the Speaker of Lok Sabha or Chairman of Rajya Sabha and present their findings and recommendations to the respective houses.

The Parliamentary committees draw their authority from the constitution. 

• Article 105:Powers, privileges, etc., of the houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
• Article 118: Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulations, subject to the provisions of this constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.