Published on: November 15, 2024

Snippets : 15 NOVEMBER 2024

Snippets : 15 NOVEMBER 2024

  • The Union government has reintroduced the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six areas across five districts of Manipur due to escalating violence, with over 200 fatalities and thousands displaced since May last year. Originating in 1947 during British rule, AFSPA was introduced to suppress uprisings and later became a formal law in 1958, enforced in the Northeast region. The Act gives sweeping powers to the armed forces and Central police in “disturbed areas,” allowing them to use force, arrest without warrants, and providing legal immunity for their actions. However, the law has faced significant controversy, particularly for its human rights implications, including accusations of fake encounters and abuse, leading to calls for its repeal, though these have not been acted upon.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a commemorative stamp and coin on November 15, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a tribal icon and freedom fighter. This date was designated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas by the Centre in 2021 to honor Munda’s contributions and those of India’s tribal communities. The day celebrates the vital role of tribal communities in preserving cultural heritage and promoting Indian values such as pride, bravery, and hospitality. Modi is also set to inaugurate and lay the foundation for multiple tribal welfare projects, valued at over ₹6,640 crore, aimed at improving tribal welfare. Birsa Munda, born in 1875, led the Sardari Larai movement to restore tribal land rights and opposed British colonial rule. His efforts culminated in the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908, which protected tribal lands from exploitation. Revered as a healer and preacher, he founded the Birsait religious movement, which advocated monotheism and a return to traditional beliefs, ultimately leading the Munda Rebellion against feudal oppression.
  • The Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) recently announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2024, recognizing six young researchers under 40 for their groundbreaking work in various fields. The prize categories include Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. Each winner receives a gold medal, a citation, and a prize of USD 100,000 (or equivalent in INR). This year, the ISF focused on early-career researchers, highlighting their potential for paradigm-shifting discoveries. Notable awardees include Arun Chandrasekhar for his work in social and economic networks, Shyam Gollakota for innovations in healthcare and technology, Mahmood Kooria for his research on maritime Islam and Kerala history, Siddhesh Kamat for his contributions to lipid biology, Neena Gupta for solving the Zariski Cancellation Problem, and Vedika Khemani for her work in non-equilibrium quantum matter.
  • India’s sports market is projected to experience significant growth, with its current market size estimated at $52 billion in 2023 and expected to more than double to $130 billion by 2030. This growth will be driven by increased government investments and a rising multi-sports culture. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% is expected to outpace India’s GDP growth, with the sports sector anticipated to grow faster than sectors like automobiles and tourism. Growth began 15 years ago, largely due to the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the market’s future potential remains high due to mainstream popularity and investment interest. The sports market can be segmented into core sub-sectors like sporting goods, broadcasting, fantasy sports, technology, infrastructure, and services, which are projected to grow from $31 billion in 2023 to $71 billion by 2030. Allied sub-sectors like sports tourism, wearables, and fitness centers are expected to rise from $21 billion to $59 billion by 2030. Key drivers of growth include multi-sport fandom, digital platforms, and Gen Z’s engagement with sports. The sector is also projected to create 10.5 million jobs by 2030 and generate $21 billion in indirect tax revenue, contributing to economic and social development through grassroots initiatives and infrastructure expansion.
  • The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released the 2024 World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) report, detailing global trends in intellectual property (IP) filings, with a focus on patent, trademark, and industrial design applications. India has emerged as a major player in IP filings, securing a spot in the global top 10 for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. In 2023, India saw the fastest growth in patent applications among the top 20 economies, with a 15.7% increase, marking its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth. India ranks 6th globally in patent applications, with over 64,000 filed, and for the first time, over 50% of patent filings came from residents. Industrial design applications in India rose by 36.4%, with textiles, tools, and health sectors leading in filings. India also ranked 4th globally in trademark applications, with 90% filed by residents, and holds the second-largest number of active trademarks worldwide. On a global scale, patent applications reached a record 3.55 million in 2023, driven by leading economies like China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and India.
  • British writer Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize 2024 for fiction with her novel Orbital, a short, wonder-filled story set aboard the International Space Station. Described as a “space pastoral,” the novel follows six astronauts orbiting Earth, reflecting on their experiences over the course of 16 sunrises and sunsets. Written during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, Orbital touches on themes of isolation and the fragile beauty of Earth. At just 136 pages, it is one of the shortest-ever Booker-winning novels. Harvey, who received £50,000 for the award, is the first British author to win the Booker Prize since 2020. The 2024 Booker Prize shortlist also featured a record number of five women, emphasizing a focus on the quality of the novels, regardless of gender or nationality. Other notable finalists included James by Percival Everett (USA), Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner (USA), Held by Anne Michaels (Canada), Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood (Australia), and The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Netherlands). The Booker Prize, established in 1969, honors novels originally written in English and published in the UK or Ireland, with last year’s winner being Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to receive the Dominica Award of Honour, the highest national award of the Commonwealth of Dominica, for his outstanding contributions to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic and his dedication to strengthening ties between India and Dominica. This prestigious award will be conferred upon him by President Sylvanie Burton at the upcoming India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, scheduled from November 19 to 21. Specifically, Modi’s generosity in providing 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine to Dominica in February 2021, enabled the country to extend support to its Caribbean neighbours, showcasing his commitment to global cooperation
  • Karnataka has witnessed an 18.2% increase in the number of start-ups, rising from 2,568 in 2022 to 3,036 in 2023. This growth has propelled Karnataka to the forefront, now housing 8.7% of India’s total start-ups, the highest percentage for any State. Karnataka’s supportive ecosystem, he wrote, was driven by policy innovation and strategic initiatives. The State also was a preferred launchpad for new ventures, fostering a thriving start-up landscape and reinforcing its reputation as a hub of innovation and opportunity
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the successful completion of flight tests of guided Pinaka multi-barrel rocket (MBRL) system as part of Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials paving the way for its induction. This enhances the range of the Pinaka to over 75 km. The flight tests have been conducted in three phases at different field firing ranges.
  • Botanists recently discovered a new species of flowering plant ‘Crinum andhricum’ in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Indian Navy is set to conduct the fourth edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-24’ on 20 & 21 Nov 24. It is the National Level Coastal Defence Exercise conceptualized in 2018 to validate various measures that have been instituted towards enhancing maritime security since ‘26/11’. The concept of ‘Sea Vigil’ is to activate the Coastal Security apparatus across India and assess the overarching Coastal Defence mechanism.
  • In Geelong, Australia, people are flocking to witness the rare blooming of the Amorphophallus Titanum, or Titan Arum, also known as the Corpse Flower. This endangered species, native to Sumatra’s rainforests, blooms once a decade for just 24-48 hours, emitting a rotting flesh stench to attract carnivorous bees and flies. Reaching 10 ft tall, its unique appearance features a pale yellowish spadix surrounded by a dark red, waxy spathe, mimicking uncooked meat. First described by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari in 1878, this rare event offers a glimpse into the natural world’s fascinating diversity.
  • The third regional event of the year-long celebration, ‘Hamara Samvidhan Hamara Samman’ campaign is being organized under the aegis of Designing Innovative solutions for Holistic Access to Justice (DISHA), a Central Sector Scheme which is being implemented by Department of Justice under Access to Justice division , Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India.
  • DARPG in collaboration with IIAS will host the IIAS-DARPG India Conference, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 10-14, 2025. The IIAS Annual Conference is the flagship event of the IIAS body. It is organized every year in different regions of the world. The theme of the conference is “Next Generation Administrative Reforms – Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile.”
  • Operation Dronagiri, a pilot project under India’s National Geospatial Policy 2022, was launched on November 13, 2024, by Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology. This initiative aims to showcase the potential of geospatial technologies in improving citizens’ quality of life and ease of doing business. Initially, Operation Dronagiri will be implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, focusing on agriculture, livelihoods, logistics, and transport. The project gains momentum with the Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI), facilitating seamless data sharing, access, and analysis for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. GDI’s advanced features empower organizations to make data-driven decisions, fostering innovation and responsible geospatial data use. A nationwide rollout is envisioned under a public-private partnership model, with industry engagement playing a pivotal role. Operation Dronagiri represents a crucial step in positioning India as a global geospatial technology leader, emphasizing the private sector and startups’ role in making geospatial data accessible and impactful.
  • Australia has introduced the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) for Indian university graduates and early-career professionals, allowing them to work in Australia for two years without employer sponsorship. Eligible candidates must be 30 or younger, have proficient English skills, and hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from one of India’s top 100 universities (as per NIRF ranking 2024) in fields like renewable energy, engineering, ICT, AI, FinTech, and AgriTech. MATES participants can live and work in Australia for up to two years, bring dependents, and have multiple entries. The program commences as a pilot with 3,000 places annually, with visa grants determined through a random ballot system (AUD 25 application fee). Successful candidates can extend their stay by applying for other visas.