CNA 23 June 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. PM Modi’s visit to U.S. C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. A doorway to an entrepreneurial university INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Escalating Israel-Palestine Violence F. Prelims Facts 1. Matsya-6000 submersible 2. International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) 3. Kalaignar pen monument G. Tidbits 1. RBI’s riot & natural calamity provision 2. Air Independent Propulsion Technology in Submarines 3. Medicines Patent Pool deal to make cancer drug cheaper H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Syllabus: Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Prelims: About various key agreements signed between India and the U.S.
Mains: Trends in India-U.S. bilateral relations
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking his first designated state visit to the U.S. from June 20-24, 2023.
Key details
- The ongoing visit of the Prime Minister is only the third “official state visit” by an Indian leader to the U.S.
- The first two visits came in June 1963 (President S Radhakrishnan) and November 2009 (PM Manmohan Singh).
- During the official state visit of Prime Minister Modi to the U.S., the leaders of the two countries hailed the strengthening of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
- The two leaders, while addressing a gathering of officials and thousands of members of the Indian diaspora after meeting each other at the White House, noted that both countries share democratic values and described the current bilateral relations as a new stage in the India-U.S. relationship.
- The two leaders also discussed various aspects of the war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the East and South China Sea during their bilateral meeting.
- PM Modi further added that both countries take pride in their diversity and believe in the fundamental principle of the welfare of all.
- The PM of India during the state visit also met key business leaders including the likes of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, co-founder of the hedge fund and Bridgewater Associates Ray Dalio and famous American economist Prof Paul Romer among others.
Important agreements signed during the visit
- The two leaders announced several agreements on various sectors such as defence cooperation, semiconductors, critical and emerging technologies, health, environment, visas, energy and mobility, and space.
- Jet engine tech transfer: General Electric and Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) signed an MoU for the co-production of GE 414 Jet Engines for the LCA Tejas Mk2 in India.
- INDUS-X: The Defence Ministries of the two countries launched the inaugural session of the “INDUS-X” innovation platform which was hosted by the U.S. India Business Council (USIBC) with an aim to foster defence industrial collaboration.
- Critical and emerging technology: U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology, Inc has announced plans to invest up to $825 million in a new semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat.
- Other U.S.-based companies such as Applied Materials and Lam Research also are expected to announce investments in India.
- Space cooperation: India has agreed to join the U.S.-led Artemis Accords on space exploration and collaborate with NASA for a framework for human spaceflight and a joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024.
- Artemis Accords is a framework for space exploration and cooperation that has been signed by 25 countries at present.
- Drone technology: India has also agreed to procure 31 U.S.-made armed MQ9-Reaper drones.
- Maritime cooperation: India and the U.S. also look to deepen their maritime relations as the U.S. looks to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched by the Indian government in 2015.
- Visas: The U.S. Department of State announced the launch of a pilot project to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas.
- This programme could expand to cover H1B and L-1 skilled visas by 2024 and to other categories eventually.
- Acknowledging the rapid development in strategic partnership and demand for travel, both countries intend to initiate the process to open two new consulates in India in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
- Advanced telecommunications: The two countries are said to be closely working together on 5G and 6G technologies and Open Radio Access Network (RAN) systems.
- Other key agreements: Agreements in the fields of AI, cancer diagnosis and therapeutics, off-shore and onshore wind power and ‘ green hydrogen’ are also expected to be announced.
Read more – India-United States Relations
Nut graf: Prime Minister Modi’s first-ever official state visit to the U.S. has gained extreme significance as the visit yields several vital agreements in crucial sectors such as defence cooperation, critical and emerging technologies, health, visas, and space.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. A doorway to an entrepreneurial university
Syllabus: Issues Relating to Development & Management of Social Sector/Services-Education
Mains: Significance of integrating industry expertise into higher education
Context: This article discusses various prospects of the ‘Professor of Practice’ concept.
Introduction:
- The collaboration between academia and industry, aimed at generating innovative products, services, platforms, and patents, is entering a new phase, paving the way for the emergence of the entrepreneurial university.
- While some academic circles oppose the commercialization of research, there is a growing global trend among modern universities and educational entrepreneurs to strike a balance between education and enterprise.
- This ensures that learners obtain valuable knowledge, employable skills, and the opportunity to pursue significant research at an optimal cost.
- It is crucial to establish mechanisms and pathways that facilitate research and the commercialization of its outcomes.
- The integration of academic and industrial research within universities not only adds economic and intellectual value but also accelerates the growth of new disciplines worldwide.
- The evolution of universities towards becoming entrepreneurial institutions is driven by the necessity to foster research, create avenues for commercialization, and enable universities to extract intellectual value from novel innovations.
The UGC’s push to the concept of ‘Professor of Practice’:
- The University Grants Commission (UGC)’s initiative to institutionalise the concept of ‘Professor of Practice’ signifies a step towards an entrepreneurial university.
- The UGC aims to enhance the quality of higher education by integrating practitioners, policymakers, and skilled professionals into the higher education system through the introduction of the Professor of Practice (PoP) role.
- PoPs are individuals with extensive industry experience who are appointed to university faculty positions to impart their practical knowledge and skills to students. Unlike traditional academic professors, PoPs are often recruited from outside academia and may not be required to hold a PhD or advanced research degree.
- PoPs are expected to contribute real-world insights and perspectives to the classroom based on their expertise and experience in specific professions or industries.
- They can be found in various fields such as business, engineering, law, journalism, and the arts.
Key to innovation:
- The introduction of PoPs can strengthen the relationship between universities and industry partners, facilitating internships and job placements for students, and serving as ambassadors for the university.
- This integration benefits both classrooms, where real-world practices and experiences can be shared, and higher education institutions, which gain additional faculty resources.
- PoPs can actively engage with professional organisations and conferences to stay updated on industry trends, fostering a culture of continuous innovation within the university.
- A strong culture of innovation within universities enables academic individuals to synthesise ideas and establish start-up enterprises that incubate, patent, and commercialise innovative concepts.
- The synergy between research, industry collaboration, and academia, facilitated by initiatives like PoPs and university-based start-ups, fosters an entrepreneurial university environment.
- This cultivates a campus where motivated students create innovative ventures, potentially giving rise to future “entrepreneurs in residence” who drive transformative ideas, comparable to Google’s success.
Nut Graf: The introduction of “Professors of Practice” (PoPs) by UGC facilitates the integration of industry expertise into higher education. This synergy fuels a culture of entrepreneurship, empowering students to create groundbreaking ventures and potentially become future industry leaders.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Escalating Israel-Palestine Violence
Syllabus: Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Impact of Israel-Palestine issue on the region and its impact on India’s interests.
Context: Israel conducts drone strike in West Bank, escalating already high tensions with Palestine.
Introduction:
- The occupied West Bank experienced a significant escalation in violence recently, reminiscent of the waves of attacks and counter-attacks during the second Intifada.
- Intifada is a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first intifada lasted from 1987 to 1993, and the second began in 2000.
- With increasing control over the West Bank and the gradual growth of Jewish settlements, Israel has witnessed the emergence of local Palestinian resistance groups like the Jenin Brigade.
- These groups employ homemade weapons and low-tech bombs to carry out attacks on Israeli soldiers and settlers.
- Jenin, located in the northern West Bank, has become a hotspot for violent Palestinian resistance. Israeli raids in the region are a frequent occurrence, leading to casualties among Palestinians.
- According to the UN, as of June 12, 2023, Israel has killed at least 114 Palestinians, including civilians and militants, in the West Bank in 2023 alone. In the same period, Palestinian attacks have claimed the lives of at least 19 Israelis.
Image Source: BBC
Intensifying violence:
- The recent events highlight the intensifying conflict and tension in the West Bank, with both Israelis and Palestinians resorting to violence.
- This cycle of attacks and counter-attacks poses significant challenges to achieving peace and stability in the region.
- Despite the deepening occupation and the establishment of checkpoints by Israel in the West Bank, another organised resistance similar to the second Intifada has not yet emerged.
- However, isolated knife attacks, often carried out by Palestinians in what has been dubbed the ‘knife intifada,’ have occurred as hopes for a political solution diminish.
- In the current phase of violence, local Palestinian groups are engaging in larger-scale attacks. In response, Israel responds with airstrikes on Palestinian villages and the demolition of attackers’ homes.
Road Ahead:
- The Arab world, previously supportive of Palestinian aspirations for nationhood, is now focused on improving relations with Israel.
- The United States and Europe remain silent on the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli issue.
- The current situation in the West Bank and the blockaded Gaza Strip, along with the continued expansion of Israeli settlements, poses a significant threat and is highly precarious.
- Genuine efforts should be made to halt settlement expansion and initiate dialogue between the two sides to end the cycle of violence.
Read more on Israel-Palestine Conflict
Nut Graf: The occupied West Bank has seen a surge in violence reminiscent of the second Intifada, with local Palestinian resistance groups emerging. Israel’s control and settlement growth fuel the conflict. Israeli raids and casualties among Palestinians are frequent.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS-3; Science and Technology; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Prelims: About Matsya-6000 submersible and Samudrayaan project
Context:
Amidst the search for Titan submersible, the proposed Matsya-6000, Indian submersible dive has come to the limelight.
Background
- Titan is a 22-foot carbon-fibre and titanium craft deployed by a Canadian expedition ship, the M.V. Polar Prince, to travel nearly 13,000 feet down to explore the site of the Titanic shipwreck in the North Atlantic.
- However, this submersible watercraft with five people on board has been missing after it set out to explore the shipwreck site.
Matsya-6000 submersible
- Matsya-6000 is India’s indigenous submersible dive vehicle currently being developed.
- The Matsya-6000 vehicle is being developed with an aim to carry humans to a 6000-metre (6km) depth underwater as a part of the ambitious “Samudrayaan project”.
- The Matsya-6000 submersible vehicle is being designed and developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- It has an endurance of 12 hours under normal operation and 96 hours in case of emergency for human safety.
- The Matsya-6000 submersible vehicle is designed in such a way as to carry three people in a 2.1-meter diameter Titanium Alloy Personnel Sphere.
- Manned Submersible helps facilitate direct human observation in deep sea or ocean exploration of critical mineral resources such as Nickel, Cobalt, Rare Earths, Manganese, etc. and collection of samples.
- Apart from the scientific research and technological empowerment, the Manned Submersible mission also helps promote underwater engineering innovations in asset inspection, tourism and ocean literacy
- This underwater Manned Submersible mission is expected to be realised by the year 2026.
2. International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC)
Syllabus: GS-2; Social Justice; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Human Resources.
Prelims: About International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC)
Context:
- Close to 10 Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have boycotted the Labour20 (L-20), which is the meeting of trade unions from G-20 countries as they are unhappy with the Centre’s decision to appoint the trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) as the chair of the L-20.
- Various CTUs have argued that the International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) used to chair the L-20 meetings and the BMS was not a member of the ITUC.
International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC)
- The International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) was established on the 1st of November 2006 on account of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL).
- Headquarters: Brussels in Belgium
- ITUC is regarded as the world’s largest trade union federation and the voice of working people across the globe.
- The primary objective of the federation is to promote and defend workers’ rights and interests, through international cooperation between trade unions, global campaigning and advocacy within the major global institutions.
- The key areas of its activity include trade union and human rights; economy, society and the workplace; equality and non-discrimination; and international solidarity.
- The function of ITUC is in line with the basic principles of trade union democracy and independence.
- ITUC is administered by four-yearly world congresses, a General Council and an Executive Bureau.
- ITUC also works very closely with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other UN Specialised Agencies.
Syllabus: GS-1; Art and Culture
Prelims: Kalaignar pen monument
Context:
The Central Government has granted approval for the construction of the Muthamizh Arignar Dr. Kalaignar pen monument.
Kalaignar pen monument
Image Source: The Hindu
- The Tamil Nadu government has proposed to construct the Muthamizh Arignar Dr. Kalaignar pen monument in the Bay of Bengal, off Marina Beach in Chennai.
- The proposed pen monument is expected to be 30 meters high and would be spread over 8,551 sq.m.
- The pen monument would include a pen pedestal, a lattice bridge above the beach as well as a land and pedestrian pathway above the sea.
- The construction of the Pen Monument is being planned by the Tamil Nadu Government to celebrate and commemorate the contributions of former Chief Minister and popular leader M. Karunanidhi to Tamil literature.
- The Union Ministry of Environment has recently given Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the construction of the monument based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (CRZ) and Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority.
G. Tidbits
1. RBI’s riot & natural calamity provision
- The Manipur state government has announced that the whole State has been impacted due to the riots and violence which has also affected the economic activities and livelihood of the public.
- In order to provide the much-needed relief, the State government has invoked a rarely used Reserve Bank of India (RBI) provision pertaining to restructuring and rescheduling of loans.
- The RBI provision provides relief to borrowers when economic activity comes to a halt and offers a moratorium on the repayment of loans.
- Such provisions have been mostly invoked in areas affected by natural calamities and not for a law and order situation.
2. Air Independent Propulsion Technology in Submarines
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have signed a contract for the realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for the Kalvari Class of submarines of the Indian Navy.
- The Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) module extends the endurance of conventional submarines and is a niche technology.
- The Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) modules are said to be the core of the fuel cell-based AIP System, indigenously developed by the Naval Materials Research Laboratory of the DRDO with L&T as the prime industry partner.
- The Energy Modules comprising fuel cells produce the required power, along with onboard hydrogen generation.
3. Medicines Patent Pool deal to make cancer drug cheaper
- The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) has signed sub-licence agreements with the India-based companies Eugia, Hetero and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, along with the Indonesian firm BrightGene, to make generic versions of the drug Nilotinib of the Switzerland-based pharmaceutical corporation Novartis.
- The drug Nilotinib is used for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, which is a type of blood cancer and the move is expected to make certain cancer drugs more accessible and cheaper for patients.
- Nilotinib is sold under the brand name Tasigna and marketed worldwide by Novartis.
- According to the recent announcement, the selected manufacturers can make generic versions of Nilotinib in India and seven middle-income countries and can also supply it in 44 territories included in the licence through a non-exclusive licence agreement, subject to local regulatory authorisation.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements w.r.t Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ):
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest, & Climate Change (MoEFCC) published CRZ notification for the first time in 1991.
- The CRZ rules govern & regulate commercial, human & industrial activities that are near the coastline.
- Coastal areas are categorised into six different types by the CRZ notification.
How many of these statement/s is/are correct?
- One Only
- Two Only
- All Three
- None of The Above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
- Statement 1 is correct. In 1991, the Government of India issued a notification regarding the CRZ under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 administered by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to protect and conserve the environment and ecosystem on the coastline of the country.
- Statement 2 is correct. The CRZ rules and regulations have been formulated with the objective of protecting coastal ecosystems, by regulating human and industrial activities near the coastline.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. Coastal areas are categorised into four different types by the CRZ notification.
Q2. ‘Matsya-6000’ recently seen in news is:
- Indigenously developed Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSN).
- India’s only Ballistic missile submarine.
- Kalvari Class diesel-electric attack submarines.
- Indian crewed deep-submergence vehicle intended to be utilised under the Deep Ocean mission.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Matsya 6000 is an Indian crewed deep-submergence vehicle intended to be utilised for deep-sea exploration of rare minerals under the Deep Ocean mission.
Q3. Consider the following statements w.r.t Medicines Patent Pool (MPP):
- It is a public health organisation working to increase access & facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries.
- It is backed by the United Nations.
- It was founded by the World Health Organisation.
How many of these statement/s is/are correct?
- One Only
- Two Only
- All Three
- None of The Above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access & facilitate the development of life-saving medicines for low- and middle-income countries.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) is a United Nations-backed public health organisation. It was founded by Unitaid, which continues to be MPP’s main funder.
Q4. Consider the following statements w.r.t International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC):
- It was formed out of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) & the World Confederation of Labour (WCL).
- Its headquarters are in Belgium.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct. International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) was established on the 1st of November 2006 on account of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL).
- Statement 2 is correct. ITUC is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
Q5. Reserve Bank of India (Relief Measures by Banks in Areas affected by Natural Calamities) Directions apply to:
- Only the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) licensed to operate in India by RBI
- All Scheduled Commercial Banks including Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and RRBs
- All Scheduled Commercial Banks including SFBs and excluding RRBs
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
The provisions of these Directions shall apply to every Scheduled Commercial Bank – including Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and excluding Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) licensed to operate in India by the Reserve Bank of India.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the recent advances that India and the USA have made in the field of science and technology. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
- How does UGC’s ‘Professor of Practice’ model help improve academia-industry collaboration? Evaluate. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; Social Justice]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 23 June 2023:- Download PDF Here
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