INTERNATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE (IDAFLW) 2023: IMPORTANCE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT The world marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) annually on 29th September to highlight the serious issues surrounding food loss and waste. According to the 2023 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report,
ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIES (ASI) REPORT 2022-23 The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently published the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2022-23. This report provides crucial data about the manufacturing sector's recovery and growth following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted from November 2023 to June 2024
SWACHH BHARAT MISSION 2.0 TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) or "Clean India Mission" is a flagship initiative launched by the Indian government aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene across the country. While the first phase of SBM focused on eliminating open defecation, SBM 2.0, which was launched in October 2021, primarily
MODIFIED PARBATI-KALISINDH-CHAMBAL EASTERN RAJASTHAN CANAL PROJECT (PKC-ERCP) The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) represents a crucial inter-state collaboration between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh aimed at addressing severe water scarcity issues in Rajasthan. This project is a component of the broader National Perspective Plan (NPP), which seeks to interlink rivers across India for enhanced
NAMASTE SCHEME: ADDRESSING MANUAL SCAVENGING IN INDIA The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in India. Its goal is to eliminate the dehumanising practice of manual scavenging and improve the safety
INDIA'S 5 NEW CLASSICAL LANGUAGES: WHAT THE TAG MEANS TOPIC: (GS1) CULTURE: INDIAN EXPRESS Recently, the Union Cabinet extended the "Classical Language" status to five new languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This designation comes with significant cultural and academic benefits, enhancing the preservation and promotion of these languages. Prior to this announcement, Tamil,
SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATIONS FOR CHILDREN: GLOBAL INITIATIVES With the rise of digital platforms, social media has become a prominent part of children's lives. While it provides opportunities for learning and socialization, it also raises concerns regarding children's safety online. The Australian Prime Minister recently proposed a plan to set a minimum age for social media
TIRUPATI LADDU CONTROVERSY AND GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF HINDU TEMPLES The recent issue of adulterated ghee in the Tirupati laddu, a sacred offering at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, has reignited debates over government control of Hindu temples. Many argue that temples should be managed by the religious community rather than the government. This controversy reflects a
CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN TOPIC: (GS2) INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: INDIAN EXPRESS Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since April 2023, involving two major factions: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This conflict has caused widespread suffering and displacement, with millions affected. Origins of the Conflict Power Struggle:
CLASSICAL LANGUAGES OF INDIA The Government of India has been recognizing certain languages as "Classical Languages" to preserve their ancient heritage and cultural significance. Recently, the Union Cabinet expanded the list by recognizing five more languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. These languages, along with previously recognized ones, represent India's rich linguistic diversity and
AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL MISSION (ABDM) The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched in 2021 as part of the Government of India's efforts to revolutionize the healthcare sector. It aims to create a national digital health ecosystem that enhances the accessibility, efficiency, and transparency of healthcare services across the country. The mission integrates digital health
CASTE-BASED DISCRIMINATION IN PRISON MANUALS AND ITS UNCONSTITUTIONALITY TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a landmark judgment on October 3, 2024, declaring the caste-based division of labour in prisons as unconstitutional. The ruling addresses several discriminatory provisions in prison manuals across various Indian states, which perpetuate caste-based labour assignments.
