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Posted 23 Sep 2024
8 min read
ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)
During 12th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers Meeting in Lao PDR, India called for expeditious review of the AITIGA.
About AITIGA
- Genesis: Signed in 2009 and entered into force in 2010.
- Mandates: Each party shall accord National Treatment to goods of other parties in line with GATT, 1994.
- Need for review: Goods from China and other non- ASEAN nations routing to India taking advantage of duty concessions under AITIGA.
- ASEAN constitutes for about 11% share in India's global trade
- ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) is collaborating on conducting a joint study on AITIGA.
- Tags :
- GATT
- East Asia Summit (EAS)
- AITGIA
- India-ASEAN Relations
- National Treatment
Articles Sources
Exercise Eastern Bridge VII
The 7th edition of the Exercise Eastern Bridge between Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) concluded.
- It was held at Masirah (Oman).
- Tags :
- Indian Air Force (IAF)
- Exercise Eastern Bridge VII
- India-Oman Relations
Articles Sources
Legacy Waste
According to Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs’ Data, only 16% of land is reclaimed under ‘legacy waste management project of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0’.
- SBM 2.0 mandates all cities to clear legacy waste sites.
Legacy Waste
- Definition: Although there is no official definition of ‘legacy waste’, it typically refers to the aged municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills or dumpsites.
- Impact: Releases greenhouse gases, contamination of soil and groundwater, etc.
- Ways to deal: Sustainable SWM management plan, maximum utilisation of recovered fractions, building capacity of urban departments, reusing reclaimed land sustainably.
- Tags :
- Swachh Bharat Mission
- Legacy Waste
- SBM 2.0
- MSW
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003
Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare jointly issued an advisory to all States and UTs for the rigorous implementation of the ToFEI manual in line with COTPA, 2003.
- Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (ToFEI) was launched as part of the National Tobacco Control Program.
- 8.5% of school students in the age group of 13 to 15 consume tobacco in different forms across the country (Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2019)
About COTPA, 2003
- Prohibit advertisement, regulate trade, production, supply and distribution of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
- Prohibits the sale of tobacco products in an area within a radius of 100 yards of any educational institution.
- Tags :
- COTPA, 2003
- Tobacco-Free Educational Institution
- National Tobacco Control Program
Articles Sources
Infrasound
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) is holding a workshop for scientists on using ‘infrasound’ for monitoring nuclear tests with the industry.
- Set up in 1996, CTBTO is an interim organization tasked with building up the verification regime of the CTBT (India is not a signatory).
About Infrasound
- Refers to low-frequency sound waves with a spectrum between 0.002 and 20 Hz that are below the range of human hearing.
- Microbarometers are used to detect minute changes in atmospheric pressures caused by infrasounds.
- Sources: Natural (Earthquakes, volcanic explosions, etc.) and non-natural (mining, chemical explosion, nuclear explosions, etc.)
- Applications: Detection of distant nuclear explosions (CTBTO’s International Monitoring System (IMS)), checking structural health of infrastructure, wildlife tracking, etc.
- Tags :
- Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
- CTBTO
- Infrasound
Nanozymes
A CSIR-CLRI study has found that nanozymes can ensure collagen’s integrity and enhance resistance to enzymatic degradation.
- Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It is found in the bones, skin, muscles, and tendons.
About Nanozymes
- Nanozymes are nanomaterial-based artificial enzymes with intrinsic enzyme-like properties.
- Unlike biological enzymes, nanozymes are typically inorganic materials, i.e., metals, metal oxides, or carbon-based nanostructures.
- Advantages: High stability, easy modification, designability, ease of preparation, and low cost.
- Applications: Biomedical (Biosensing, Drug delivery, diagnosis and therapy, etc.), Environmental Remediation (Water Purification, Air Purification, etc.), among others.
- Tags :
- Nanozymes
- Collagen
FIDE Chess Olympiad
Recently, Indian contingent won Gold in both open and women’s category at the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Olympiad.
About 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad
- Organised in: Budapest, Hungary.
- 44th Chess Olympiad took place for the first time in India (Chennai).
- Trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup.
- Trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the Vera Menchik Cup.
About FIDE
- It’s the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions.
- Constituted as a non-governmental institution, it was recognized by International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999.
- Tags :
- FIDE
- Chess Olympiad
- Hamilton-Russell Cup
- Vera Menchik Cup
Articles Sources
Nagar Van Scheme
111 Nagar Vans have been sanctioned within the last 100 days.
About Nagar Van Scheme
- Launched in: 2020.
- Aim: To develop 1000 Nagar Vans by the year 2027 with financial support of National Fund of National Compensatory Afforestation Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA).
- Launched by: Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to promote urban forestry/ greenary by involving local communities, NGOs, educational institutions, local bodies, etc.
- Provision has been made on MeriLiFE Portal for uploading details of plantations done.
- Significance: Protecting urban forests, addresses environmental concerns like air pollution, urban heat islands, biodiversity loss etc.
- Tags :
- Nagar Van Scheme
- CAMPA
- MeriLiFE Portal
Articles Sources
News Today (Sep 22-23, 2024)