India’s ranking
According to the latest report of the V-Dem Institute, India is among the top 10 autocratising countries of the world along with El Salvador, Turkey, and Hungary. The report also indicated that there will be a further decline in democracy in India. Since last year, India is being classified as an ‘electoral autocracy’. Thus, India is in the category of the bottom 40% to 50% of countries.

Other observations in the report
The report highlights that a new wave of democratization is being witnessed in 15 countries. On the other hand, 32 countries are reeling under autocratisation.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the last decade witnessed a worsening of autocratisation in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The report noted that the autocratisation is driven by anti-pluralist parties in six countries: Brazil, Hungary, India, Poland, Serbia, and Turkey.
According to the report, the anti-pluralist parties lack a commitment to the democratic process, disrespect fundamental rights of the minorities, encourage demonization of the political opponents, accept political violence in the country and also use the government power to push forward their autocratic agendas.
Global scenario
The report noted that the level of democracy enjoyed by the average global citizen in 2021 is down to 1989 levels. The report also highlighted that all over the world dictatorships are on the rise, which affects around 70% (5.4 billion) of the world population. ‘Electoral autocracy’ affects around 44% (3.4 billion) of the global population.

About the liberal democracy index (LDI)
V-Dem institute categorizes the countries based on its liberal democracy index (LDI), which captures both electoral and liberal aspects of democracy. LDI ranges from 0-1, where 0 indicates the lowest level and 1 indicates the highest level of democracy.

About the scheme

• The scheme aims to ensure the social security of around 7,000 Tripura’s tea garden workers.
• The tea garden workers will be provided housing, rations, and financial support, by clubbing the entitlements of the Tripura government and Union government.
• The Tripura government will spend Rs 85 crore for the implementation of the scheme.

Key components of the scheme

• To provide land to tea garden workers for constructing a house.
• To allot defunct tea garden land on a lease basis through Cooperative.
• To provide priority group ration cards and social pension to all eligible families.
• To provide Maternal and Child Health Care assistance and health insurance.
• To provide supportive appliances and assistive devices for persons with disability
• To coordinate with managers of tea gardens for providing an eco-friendly environment.
• To provide basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, education, and healthcare amenities to all households of tea garden workers.

Tea production in Tripura

Among 7,000 tea garden workers of Tripura, 75% are women. Tea is being produced through 54 tea estates and 21 tea processing factories across Tripura. The tea production is mainly distributed in districts of Sepahijala, Unakoti, West Tripura, and North Tripura.

About the scheme

• The scheme aims to ensure the social security of around 7,000 Tripura’s tea garden workers.
• The tea garden workers will be provided housing, rations, and financial support, by clubbing the entitlements of the Tripura government and Union government.
• The Tripura government will spend Rs 85 crore for the implementation of the scheme.

Key components of the scheme

• To provide land to tea garden workers for constructing a house.
• To allot defunct tea garden land on a lease basis through Cooperative.
• To provide priority group ration cards and social pension to all eligible families.
• To provide Maternal and Child Health Care assistance and health insurance.
• To provide supportive appliances and assistive devices for persons with disability
• To coordinate with managers of tea gardens for providing an eco-friendly environment.
• To provide basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, education, and healthcare amenities to all households of tea garden workers.

Tea production in Tripura

Among 7,000 tea garden workers of Tripura, 75% are women. Tea is being produced through 54 tea estates and 21 tea processing factories across Tripura. The tea production is mainly distributed in districts of Sepahijala, Unakoti, West Tripura, and North Tripura.

Contribution of Ukraine
Ukraine is one of the world’s largest suppliers of Neon gas, which is used in the etching process. Thus, the usage of Neon gas is important for the fabrication of semiconductors. After the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, Neon gas production increased in Ukraine. Neon gas is a byproduct of steel production. It is produced by filtration of the gases released during the manufacturing of steel.

Contribution of Russia
Russia is the world’s largest exporter of Palladium and the current sanctions and export controls on Russia will affect the global supply of Palladium. Palladium is known for its conductivity and non-corrosive ability and is thus used for plating in the semiconductor industry.

Alternative sources
While the Russia-Ukraine war may create supply chain disruptions, it may not create a huge problem. This is because there are alternative suppliers for these materials. The United States and the United Kingdom are the major suppliers of Palladium. For the etching process, Neon can be replaced with Chlorine- and Fluorine-based gases.

Impact on the Russian Semiconductor industry
The growing sanctions on Russia will cripple its domestic semiconductor chip industry. Due to export and import controls, it will be difficult for Russia to import high-end processors and chipsets, which are needed for advanced defense and space systems.India also exports some semiconductor chips to Russia and the western sanctions, especially by the U.S. might impact India’s exports to Russia.

About ULIPN

• Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULIPN) project was launched in Assam on a pilot basis.
• Under this project, every land parcel in Assam will have a 14-digit alphanumeric geospatial unique identification number (UIN). Thus, ULPIN will act as an “adhaar for land”.
• The first step in this process is the survey of non-cadastral villages and a re-survey of all cadastral villages.
• The next step is end-to-end integration of digitalized land records and maps, which will pave the way for the generation of ULPIN for the land parcel.
• ULPIN project will pave the way towards the implementation of conclusive titling and will help in the quick resolution of the land disputes in the state.

About Mission Basundhara

• ‘Mission Basundhara’ is a mission launched by the government of Assam to streamline and make land revenue services accessible to all, thereby promoting ease of doing business environment in the land management ecosystem of Assam. ‘Mission Basundhara’ aims to reduce the pendency in the updation of the land records.
• The three components of ‘Mission Basundhara’ are:
  1. Purification of the land records in the state in a mission mode.
  2. Conducting Polygon survey of yet to be surveyed 672 non-cadastral villages.
  3. Conducting a Re-survey of 18789 cadastral villages using the hybrid methodology.

About DILRMP

• ULPIN project is part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
• DILRMP was launched in 2008 by the Government of India. It was earlier known as the National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP). The objective of DILRMP is to digitize and modernize the land records and to develop a centralized land record management system in India.
• The three important components of DILRMP are:
  1. Computerization of the land records.
  2. Conducting a survey or resurvey of the land.
  3. Computerization of the land registration.

The ultimate aim of the DILRMP is to move towards the conclusive titling system with title guarantee by replacing the present presumptive title system in India.

About the convention
The purpose of the special convention is to spread awareness among the pastoral community about Halari donkeys and help them appreciate the animal’s worth.
Union minister of fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying, Parshottam Rupala, and donkey breeders from various districts of Gujarat will attend the convention.
Scientists from ICAR institutes such as the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) and the National Research Centre on Equines also joined the convention.
About Sahjeevan
The convention is being organized by a voluntary organization called Sahjeevan, which is working for the welfare of Gujarat’s pastoral community. Sahjeevan emphasizes the issues of the pastoral community such as getting the pastoral community’s census done, understanding their livelihood issues, etc.

About Halari donkey breed
Halari donkeys are white and are native to Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. They are very docile and are used as pack animals during the migration of pastoralists and also for transportation as donkey carts. One foal (baby donkey) is valued at Rs 1 lakh and their milk is priced at around Rs 150 to Rs 250 per liter. The donkey milk contains a high level of antioxidants, which makes it invaluable for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Halari donkey is an endangered species. A survey conducted in 2021-22 showed that the number of Halari donkeys in Saurashtra dipped to 439 down from 1,200 as found in the survey of 2015.

About the convention
The purpose of the special convention is to spread awareness among the pastoral community about Halari donkeys and help them appreciate the animal’s worth.
Union minister of fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying, Parshottam Rupala, and donkey breeders from various districts of Gujarat will attend the convention.
Scientists from ICAR institutes such as the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) and the National Research Centre on Equines also joined the convention.
About Sahjeevan
The convention is being organized by a voluntary organization called Sahjeevan, which is working for the welfare of Gujarat’s pastoral community. Sahjeevan emphasizes the issues of the pastoral community such as getting the pastoral community’s census done, understanding their livelihood issues, etc.

About Halari donkey breed
Halari donkeys are white and are native to Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. They are very docile and are used as pack animals during the migration of pastoralists and also for transportation as donkey carts. One foal (baby donkey) is valued at Rs 1 lakh and their milk is priced at around Rs 150 to Rs 250 per liter. The donkey milk contains a high level of antioxidants, which makes it invaluable for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

Halari donkey is an endangered species. A survey conducted in 2021-22 showed that the number of Halari donkeys in Saurashtra dipped to 439 down from 1,200 as found in the survey of 2015.

About Khel Mahakumbh 2022

Khel Mahakumbh 2022 will be the 11th Khel Mahakumbh event. It was launched by PM Modi at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

About Khel Mahakumbh

• Khel Mahakumbh is an annual sports competition organized by the Gujarat government.
• It was started in 2010 and has revolutionized sports in Gujarat. The first Khel Mahakumbh in 2010 witnessed the participation of 13 lakh players in 16 sports. In 2019’s Khel Mahakumbh, the participation increased to 40 lakh players participated in 36 sports and 26 para-sports.
• Due to COVID-19, the Khel Mahakumbh could not be organized for the last two years. In the 2022 Khel Mahakumbh, it is expected that 40 lakhs to 55 lakhs players will participate.

Eligibility

There is no age limit for Khel Mahakumbh. Any person of a minimum of 09 years can register through the online portal to take part in the Khel Mahakumbh 2022. As there is no age bar, the event will witness huge participation from the people of Gujarat who will compete in various events over one month. Different games are there for different age groups.

Sports covered

Both traditional and modern sports events are conducted, they include kabaddi, kho-kho, tug of war, yogasana, mallakhambh, tennis, fencing, etc.