Published on: December 9, 2024

Snippets : 9 DECEMBER 2024

Snippets : 9 DECEMBER 2024

  • Karnataka has slipped to the third position in marine exports, ceding the second spot to Gujarat in 2023-24. The state exported 2.735 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, a decline from 2.984 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, primarily due to drought conditions impacting fish breeding cycles and rising sea temperatures reducing fish catch. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh maintained its top position, with exports increasing to 4.272 lakh tonnes, driven by extensive shrimp farming across 71,921 hectares. Gujarat climbed to second place with 3.451 lakh tonnes, supported by commercial shrimp farming. Nationally, India’s seafood exports hit a record high of 18.19 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, with frozen shrimp accounting for 40.19% of export quantity and 66.12% of earnings. Karnataka faces challenges such as limited aquaculture farming (970.39 hectares) and a 25% decline in marine fish production to 5.42 lakh tonnes in 2023-24. Recommendations include expanding shrimp farming, mitigating climate change effects, and supporting aquaculture farmers to enhance production resilience.
  • On December 6, 2024, the RBI revised its monetary policy, cutting the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points to 4%, freeing ₹1.16 lakh crore to boost bank lending and support economic growth amidst tight liquidity caused by dollar sales, tax outflows, and credit demand. The repo rate remains unchanged at 6.5% for the 11th consecutive policy, reflecting concerns over food inflation and the need for durable price stability. Borrowers benefit as repo-linked lending rates remain stable, while banks face mixed impacts with marginally lower deposit rates and rising MCLR-linked loan rates. The GDP growth forecast for FY25 was lowered to 6.6% (from 7.2%), citing a slowdown in Q2, but recovery signals exist. Retail inflation forecasts rose to 4.8% (from 4.5%) due to CPI inflation peaking at 6.21% in October 2024. The RBI retains a neutral stance, balancing liquidity, inflation control, and growth challenges amidst evolving economic conditions.
  • Uber’s launch of ‘Uber Shikara’ in Dal Lake has introduced a modern twist to traditional shikara operations, raising both optimism and concerns. For decades, shikara rides have been integral to Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism, with over 4,000 shikarawallas relying on them for livelihood. Traditionally, shikaras function as transportation to houseboats and joyrides for tourists, with fixed government rates of Rs. 800/hour, though actual pricing varies. Uber Shikara aims to address challenges such as pricing confusion by introducing standardized rates, online booking, and transparent pricing while compensating shikarawallas per government norms with additional commissions. While these changes promise ease for tourists and potential business growth, local shikarawallas fear competition and marginalization, citing parallels to disruptions faced by Kerala taxi drivers due to corporate entries. Dal Lake itself, a 18 sq. km freshwater body surrounded by the Zabarwan Mountains, is a key tourist attraction offering experiences such as houseboat stays, historic Mughal Gardens, cultural sites like Hazratbal, floating gardens, and the iconic Char Chinar.
  • Tiruppur, India’s knitwear hub, may benefit from the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh, with top apparel brands from the US and Europe showing interest in securing supplies from the region, which could lead to a potential increase in knitwear exports to Rs 40,000 crore in the 2024-2025 fiscal.
  • The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying conducted Karnataka’s first SectorConnect Field Epidemiology Programme in One Health. The three-month training programme aimed to integrate human, animal, and environmental health sectors to streamline disease reporting and enhance preparedness. It brought together 35 officers from various departments, including epidemiologists and veterinary officers. The programme was modelled on the One Health Joint Action Plan by the WHO and focused on a collaborative approach to health crises. Training sessions were facilitated by experts from the Isaac Centre for Public Health and the Bengaluru Science and Technology cluster. The programme covered disease surveillance, laboratory-based outbreak investigations, and strategies to mitigate health crises. Participants applied their learnings in field assignments, enhancing routine surveillance activities and strengthening outbreak response. A 15-point technical framework was introduced to assess multi-agency collaboration. The programme concluded with a final contact session, where participants presented findings from joint investigations into outbreaks of Kyasanur Forest Disease, dengue, and snakebites.
  • The ‘Champion in Me’ initiative by the Bangalore Schools Sports Foundation encourages HIV-positive children to break the stigma through sports. Founded in 2009, it empowers HIV-positive children to embrace inclusivity and joy through athletics. An athletics meet was conducted on Sunday, with over 500 vulnerable children participating. The event aimed to help children integrate into mainstream society without discrimination. Organised ahead of World AIDS Day, it showcased the transformative power of sports. ‘Champion in Me’ symbolises inclusion, equality, diversity, and accessibility. Children from various organisations participated in the athletics meet, featuring separate races and a mixed relay. The initiative strives to create a stigma-free city through sports. Over 18 support and care centres participated in the event. It promoted inclusivity and joy through athletics.
  • The Karnataka State Police (KSP) has made headlines for its innovative use of drone technology, earning the inaugural FICCI Drone Award in training and capacity building. The award, instituted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), recognizes groundbreaking applications of drone technology by government and private organizations. The KSP’s Remote Pilot Training Institute (RPTI), established in 2023, has trained 270 police personnel in various drone applications, including surveillance, mapping, and disaster management, with 170 personnel receiving drone licenses, complying with the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s regulations
  • The Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (Phana) Karnataka, elected new office-bearers and executive committee members. Dr Shobha Prakash was elected the first woman president for the 2025-2027 term of the association at annual general body meeting during the summit.
  • Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into India have crossed the $1 trillion milestone in the April 2000-September 2024 period, firmly establishing the country’s reputation as a safe and key investment destination globally. According to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the cumulative amount of FDI, including equity, reinvested earnings and other capital, stood at $1,033.40 billion during the said period
  • Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta appointed a new Prime Minister, a day after dissolving the government without providing any reason. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo (in picture), until now communications minister and spokesperson of the government, will be the West African country’s new Prime Minister
  • Ghana’s Vice-President and ruling party candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat on Sunday to opposition candidate and former President John Dramani Mahama in the West African nation’s presidential election seen as a vote of no-confidence in the current government’s handling of an ailing economy
  • Ghana’s Vice-President and ruling party candidate, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat to opposition candidate and former President John Dramani Mahama in the West African nation’s presidential election seen as a vote of no-confidence in the current government’s handling of an ailing economy
  • New genetic research on Nicobarese revealed a significant ancestral connection with Austro-Asiatic populations across South and Southeast Asia.
  • The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2024 will be conferred on former Chilean president and prominent human rights voice Michelle Bachelet, a statement issued by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said recently. The Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, also known as the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development, was instituted in the memory of the former prime minister by a trust in her name in 1986. It consists of a monetary award of 25 lakh rupees along with a citation. The award is given to individuals or organisations who work towards ensuring international peace and development, ensuring that scientific discoveries are used to further the scope of freedom and better humanity, and creating a new international economic order.
  • The Little Gull, a bird native to the Eurasian region, has been spotted for the first time in NCR. It is the smallest species of gull in the world, breeding in northern Europe and migrating to western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the US. The Little Gull has a length of 25-30 cm, a wingspan of 61-78 cm, and weighs 68-162 g. It has a pale grey breeding plumage with a black hood and dark underwings. In winter, its head turns white with a darker cap and eye-spot. The Little Gull’s flight is tern-like, with rounded wings. Young birds have black markings on the head and upper parts. They take three years to reach maturity. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The spotting of the Little Gull in NCR is a significant sighting.
  • Recently, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced a comprehensive rating system for performance assessment of the Concessionaires engaged in the National Highway development and maintenance. It is a detailed methodology for rating the concessioners has been formulated by NHAI. Under which concessioners will be evaluated every six months and ratings will be uploaded on NHAI website and its social media handles.
  • Recently, the third Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite was launched last night aboard a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. It is the Earth observation component of the European Union’s Space programme. It offers information services that draw from satellite Earth Observation and in-situ (non-space) data.
  • Recently, the Union Minister for Education launched the PM eVIDYA DTH 24×7 Channel No. 31 dedicated to Indian Sign Language (ISL) in New Delhi, underlining the government’s commitment to inclusive education. PM eVIDYA, launched on 17th May 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure quality education for all learners across the nation. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, it provides multi-mode access to education through digital, online, and on-air platforms, minimizing learning losses and enhancing accessibility, especially in rural and remote areas. Key components include DIKSHA, a digital platform offering e-content and QR-coded textbooks; PM eVIDYA DTH Channels, now expanded to 200 channels catering to classes 1–12 in multiple languages; SWAYAM, a MOOC platform offering higher education and school courses; and community platforms like Radio, Shiksha Vani, and e-content resources for teachers. This initiative leverages technology to make education equitable and accessible nationwide.