Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd signed a joint development agreement with Africa50, to continue to develop “Kenya Transmission Project” in public-private partnership mode.

Kenya Transmission Project

• Kenya Transmission Project provides for the development, construction, financing, and operation of “400kV Lessos – Loosuk” and “220kV Kisumu – Musaga” transmission lines.
• This project is going to be the first independent power transmission (IPT) in Kenya, once completed.
• It will also set a reference point in Africa as the first financing of transmission lines in PPP mode.
• It will improve the supply and reliability of power transmission in Western Kenya as well as create a demonstration effect to help in increasing private sector investments in expansion of power transmission networks in Africa. This expansion would ultimately help in bridging the electricity access gap in the continent.

How PPP mode will work?

Under the PPP mode, State-run Power Grid will provide technical and operational know-how for the project, while Africa50 will provide its project development and finance expertise. Africa 50 will also act as a bridge between private investors and the Kenyan government.

Why Transmission matters?

Transmission plays a significant role in bringing efficiency in entire electricity supply chain. A robust transmission network imparts reliability & security to the electricity grid as well as allows non-discriminatory access for the buyers and sellers.

About Africa50

Africa 50 is an infrastructure investment platform, involved in developing and investing in infrastructure projects. It catalyses public sector capital, and mobilises private sector funding. It currently has 31 shareholders and comprises of 28 African countries besides Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), African Development Bank and Bank Al-Maghrib.

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

It is an Indian statutory corporation, established under the parent head Ministry of Power. It is headquartered in Gurugram. The organisation engages in transmission of bulk power across different states in India. It transmits around 50% of the total power generated in India.

74th Indian Army Day is being celebrated in India on January 15, 2022.

Highlights

• Indian Army Day is celebrated to honour soldiers of the armed forces in India, for their selfless service.
• The day is celebrated at all army command offices across India as well as the headquarters in New Delhi.

Why is the day marked on January 15?

The day is marked on January 15, every year because on this day Lieutenant General KM Cariappa was appointed to the post in 1949. He became the first Indian to head the forces. Since then, this day has become a significant day for Indian history. It was the first time an Indian soldier took reigns of the armed forces.

How is the day celebrated?

• Indian Army Day marks the celebration of not only the brave soldiers, but also marks the transfer of power from British rule to India.
• On this day, a grand parade is organised at Cariappa parade ground in Delhi cantonment.
• The salute of this parade is usually taken by Indian Army Chief. Thus, in 2022, General Manoj Mukund Naravane will make the salute on the occasion.
• Apart from this, the Day also involves a showcase of all the weapons in Indian Army arsenal. The latest kind of weapons, helicopters, drones, etc are displayed with great pride.
• In 2022, latest weapons that were acquired, indigenously-developed and imported, will be showcased.
• Latest additions on display include- 155mm Soltum Gun, BLT T-72 ‘Bharat Rakshak’ tank, and BrahMos Missiles.

Bravery Awards

Bravery awards including unit credentials and Sena medals will also awarded in 2022, to mark the Indian Army Day.

New Camouflage Uniform

In 2022 celebration, all new camouflage uniform will also be showcased during the parade. The uniform has been designed in partnership between Indian Army and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT).

India and Philippines are expected to sign a $374.9 million deal in last week of January 2022, for ‘BrahMos shore-based supersonic cruise missile systems’ supply.

Key Facts

• This deal will be signed as part of Philippines’ plan to strengthen its defence amid territorial conflict with China.
• The deal would involve an unspecified number of missiles & launchers, payment schedule, spare parts, and delivery & training schedule.
• Prior to this, Philippines’ Department of National Defence published a ‘Notice of Award’, asking BrahMos to sign the contract. This means, Philippines has accepted Indian proposal and is now looking to sign the contract.
• To sign the deal, an Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Manila. With this deal, first export order for the BrahMos cruise missile will be made, which has a range of 290 km.
• This deal is for shore-based variant of anti-ship missile system.
• It will help in boosting Philippines’ defence capability, in the backdrop of increasing Chinese aggression.

What was the recent conflict between China and Philippines?

Chinese coast guard ships had blocked and used water cannons on two supply boats of Philippines, in November 2021. The ship was headed to a disputed shoal, that has been occupied by Filipino marines in South China Sea. After this, Philippines government issued a warning that its vessels are covered under Philippines-United States mutual defence treaty.

The Government of India is to finalize the 2047 plan by May 2022. The plan is being framed by a Sectoral Group of Secretaries. That is, the sectaries are from ten different sectors. They will draw a plan that will start by this decade.

Aim of Vision India@2047

The aim of the vision is to create an action plan. Under the plan, a road map will be created for each sector. The execution of the plan is to begin this decade.

Principle of the vision

• The vision follows “Whole of country” or “Whole of Government” approach.
• The plan will build expertise within the government.
• It will leverage international capital
• It will involve international expertise
• It will involve experts from different fields to draw a “Future India” template

Priorities

The plan is to provide priority to the following:

• To develop new age agriculture
• Future – ready cities
• To create an ecosystem that will facilitate emergence of Indian global champions
• To leverage growing soft power of the country

What is New – Age agriculture?

It addresses the issues such as climate change, scarcity of water, lack of land availability and exploding population. The New – Age agriculture increases crop productivity per field. It increases the use of modern technology. It limits usage of water. It produces climate resilient crops. It also includes enhanced seeds, farm equipment, etc. It uses end sensors and provides information about soil conditions, environmental conditions and crop conditions

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently released the State of Forest Report 2021. It is called the ISFR, 2021. The report says that there has been a continuous growth of forest cover in India. The current forest cover of India is 7,13,789 square kilometres.

Increase in Forest Cover

• In the last two years, the forest and tree cover has increased by 1,540 square kilometres.
• Around 21.71% of the land area is under forest cover. In 2019, it was 21.67%.
• Tree cover in the country has increased by 721 square kilometres. Tree cover is the patches of trees in the land size less than one hectare. They occur outside forest area.

State – wise forest cover

• Telangana has shown the highest increase in forest cover of all the states. Here the forest cover has increased by 3.07%. Followed by Telangana, in Andhra Pradesh, the forest cover has increased by 2.22%. At the third place is the state of Odisha. In Odisha, the forest cover has increased by 1.04%. The increase in these states is due to agroforestry and plantation.
• The states with forest loss were Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya.
• The state with highest forest cover is Madhya Pradesh. It was followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra. This ranking is area – wise, that is, states holding largest amount of forest land.
• The states with highest percentage of land cover of forest were Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland. This is percentage of forest land in the total land area of the state.

Mountainous states

• Jammu and Kashmir lost very dense forest. It now has 4,155 square kilometres of very dense forest. In 2019, it had 4,270 square kilometres of very dense forest.
• The state of Himachal Pradesh forest area has increased by 9 square kilometres. However, the moderately dense forest in the state has decreased.
• The Himalayan states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand are to record maximum increase in temperature mainly due to forest cover loss.
• The north eastern states are to face extreme rainfall due to forest cover loss.

Mangroves

They have increased by 17 square kilometres. The total mangrove cover in India is 4,992 square kilometres.

Forest Fires

In India, 35.46% of forest cover is prone to forest fires. Of this, 11.51% are highly prone, 7.85% are very highly prone, 2.81% are extremely prone.

Climate Change

45% to 64% of forests in India are to experience climate change by 2030. The highly vulnerable climate hot spots are all forests except those in Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland. Of all the forest areas, Ladakh will be affected the most.

The Administration of Jammu and Kashmir recently notified Jammu and Kashmir Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) Regulations 2022.

Legalities of the rules

The rules were notified under the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, Samvat 1996.

Rules

• An agricultural land can be used for a non – agricultural purpose only after taking permission from the district collector. The collector will have to get recommendations from the district level committee.
• The party seeking permission has to deposit a requisite fee.
• The land shall be used only for the purpose included in the permit. It shall not be used for other purposes.
• The applicant should start the work within one year of getting permission. Failing to do so, the permission will lapse. The collector shall extend the permission after one year for unavoidable reasons. However, the maximum limit to such permission is two years.
• The application shall be filed online in the exclusive portal.

Process

• After getting the application, the district collector forwards it to revenue field agencies. A copy of the application should also be sent to power department, jal shakti department, National Highway of India, irrigation flood control, airport authority, railway authority. All these departments should provide” No Objection Certificate”.
• After receiving the No Objection Certificate, the collector holds a meeting with the District Level Committee. The committee makes recommendations based on the genuineness of the claim made by the project.

About the District Level Committee

It meets on weekly basis. It notifies the general public about the project and its proceedings. It also notifies the general public about the applicants. The committee should consider court cases filed against the changes in land use.

Role of district Collector

After taking the recommendations from the committee, the collector communicates the deficiencies of the project with the applicant. He will also pass on the comments and decisions taken over the project. This is done in a prescribed time frame. The time period to decide on an application is around 30 days.

The space travel damages the red blood cells in human body. Such condition where the RBC count in the body reduces due to space travel is referred to as Space anemia. In simple terms, lower RBC count in space is called space anemia.

What is space anemia?

The red blood cells are rich in iron. They carry oxygen to different parts of the body. When a human is on the earth, his body creates and destroys two million Red Blood Cells per second. However, when the same person is in space, around three million Red Blood Cells are destroyed per second. This results in loss of 54% more RBCs when the person in space. This lower count of RBC is referred to as space anemia.

Earlier misconceptions

When the astronauts are in space, their bodily fluids shift towards their upper body. This happens due to lack of gravity. It increases pressure in eyes and brain. This leads to cardiovascular diseases. Also, as the bodily fluids shift towards the upper body parts, the astronauts lose 10% of the liquid in their blood vessels. Earlier researchers believed that space anemia occurred due to this shift of the bodily fluids. They also believed that the loss of RBCs was temporary. The count restored and returned to normal after the astronauts spent ten days in space. However, the recent findings have proved that it is not so.

 Recent findings

The research team measured the RBC destruction in space. The RBC has hemoglobin. Heme is iron and globin is a  protein. The hemoglobin carries oxygen. The researchers found that every time the RBC is destroyed, a molecule of carbon monoxide was created. This means the RBC count does not restore to normal in space. Rather it deteriorates the health by producing carbon monoxide.

Impacts

Having lesser RBC count in space is not an issue. However, space anemia can affect the energy levels of astronauts landing on moon or mars. They might lose strength or may even fall sick. This might affect the overall objective of a mission.

The tearless onions are called “Sunions”. It is to be sold in United Kingdom. These onions were produced by cross breeding onion varieties that are less pungent.

About Sunions

The Sunions are sweet onions. They are to be sold in the Waitrose supermarkets of UK. They are ideal for those who have children or sensitive eyes. Sunions can be used in salads and also for cooking. These onions sold in UK are grow in the United States. They are grown in Washington DC and Nevada. They are crunchy and mild. The Sunions become sweeter day by day. They are brown in colour. The cost of Sunions are thrice as that of the normal onions. They are not genetically modified.

Why do eyes tear while cutting onions?

• When cut, the onions produce syn – propanethial S – oxide. It is a chemical irritant. This chemical causes the tears in the eyes. This S – oxide is a lachrymator. Lachrymator is tear producer.
• The sulfenic acid in the onions rearrange themselves to form the S – oxide when cut. The sulfenic acid is highly unstable. When the onions are cut, the enzymes in the onions work to convert the amino acids into lachrymator. More the cut or damage more are the irritants produced. Soaking onions in water dissolves the amino acids in the onion.

Lachrymal glands

The syn – propanethial S – oxide stimulates the lachrymal glands. The glands are located in the orbit above the lateral end of the eyes. These glands are the creators of tears. The tears produced in the eyes actually cleanses the eyes. It is fluid that lubricates and moistens the eyes.

How are tears produced while cutting onions?

The S – Oxides generated in the onions when they are cut are highly volatile. They spread in the air when onions are chopped. Volatile means gets vaporised easily.

Oxfam has recently released its report on “Pandemic Billionaires”. As per report, covid has not only took livelihood for millions but it has also created new billionaires.

Findings of the report

• As per report, people in Asia witnessed their wealth zoom during the covid-19 pandemic. These people were mostly associated with pharmaceuticals sector.
• By March 2021, profits from the pharmaceuticals, services required to fight covid and medical equipment made 20 people rich even amid the lockdowns and economic stagnation.
• These people were from India, China, Japan and Hong Kong.
• The Asia-Pacific region saw the total number of billionaires growing by almost a third from 803 in March 2020 to 1,087 by November last year.
• Their collective wealth increased by three-quarters that is 74 per cent.
• Richest 1 per cent owned more wealth as compared to poorest 90 per cent in Asia.
• Report mentions that, wealth gap is further set to increase.

Who are the billionaires?

New billionaires include:

1. Li Jianquan– His firm named Winner Medical makes personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers.
2. Dai Lizhong– His company, Sansure Biotech, makes COVID-19 tests and diagnostic kits.

Projected number of millionaires

Number of millionaires is projected to increase at 15.3 million, by 2025. It accounts for a 58 per cent increase on 2020.

On the 58th Foundation Day of Food Corporation of India (FCI), the food Minister Shri Piyush Goyal released a “5-point reform agenda for FCI”. It is also called “5 Sutras”. The agenda aims to improve FCI and its progress.

What are the five points?

1. To change the public perception of FCI. Currently the public see the FCI as inefficient and corrupt. This perception will now be converted to inclusive, dynamic and honest entity.
2. To focus on end – to – end tech solutions. This includes everything starting from procurement to delivery. This is to be achieved by reducing PDS response time and efficient tracking of the food grains. Ultimately, this will result in leakage free operational efficient system.
3. To establish grievance redressal mechanism. This will help in reducing the reaction time to a problem. Also, it will help in addressing the issues of farmer producer organization, especially those in high distress. This is to be achieved through “Jan Jagrukta” programmes.
4. To plan and create modern infrastructure and logistics. It will upgrade the warehouses to international standards. The agenda includes increasing the storage capacity for power, network facility and CCTV.
5. It will increase the global practices and make India as “Food Hub”.

Way Ahead

According to the food ministry, India should focus on improving its Global Hunger Index. India ranked 101 in the Global Hunger Index 2021. It ranked 94th in 2020. Also, India should focus on nutritional security. Around 18 lakh children in India are undernourished. 7.7% are severely wasted. 35.5% are stunted. 19.3% are wasted.

On the 58th Foundation Day of Food Corporation of India (FCI), the food Minister Shri Piyush Goyal released a “5-point reform agenda for FCI”. It is also called “5 Sutras”. The agenda aims to improve FCI and its progress.

What are the five points?

1. To change the public perception of FCI. Currently the public see the FCI as inefficient and corrupt. This perception will now be converted to inclusive, dynamic and honest entity.
2. To focus on end – to – end tech solutions. This includes everything starting from procurement to delivery. This is to be achieved by reducing PDS response time and efficient tracking of the food grains. Ultimately, this will result in leakage free operational efficient system.
3. To establish grievance redressal mechanism. This will help in reducing the reaction time to a problem. Also, it will help in addressing the issues of farmer producer organization, especially those in high distress. This is to be achieved through “Jan Jagrukta” programmes.
4. To plan and create modern infrastructure and logistics. It will upgrade the warehouses to international standards. The agenda includes increasing the storage capacity for power, network facility and CCTV.
5. It will increase the global practices and make India as “Food Hub”.

Way Ahead

According to the food ministry, India should focus on improving its Global Hunger Index. India ranked 101 in the Global Hunger Index 2021. It ranked 94th in 2020. Also, India should focus on nutritional security. Around 18 lakh children in India are undernourished. 7.7% are severely wasted. 35.5% are stunted. 19.3% are wasted.

North Korea recently tested the railway-borne missile. With this, North Korea has tested three missiles in January 2022 amidst rising tensions with the US. This has pushed for fresh sanctions by the US.

About the Missile Test

• The railway-borne missile recently tested by the North is a ballistic missile. The missiles that were tested previously were hypersonic missiles.
• The missile flew 800 kilometres and struck a target in the east coast of North Korea.
• Railway borne missile means the missile is launched from a train.
• North Korea tested two railway – borne missiles.

North Vs South

The test comes after the South Koreans tested the submarine – launched ballistic missile. With this, it became the first country to develop such as system without nuclear weapons. The Koreans have been indulging in arms race and are unveiling more capable weapons and missiles.

International Reaction

The former nuclear potential hypersonic missile test and the recent ballistic missile tests have received international condemnation. With these tests, North Korea has violated the United Nations Security Council resolutions. And has also posed threat to its neighbours.

The Andhra Pradesh State Government recently notified rules for the Mahila Police Wing. Also, it has created a separate women police cadre.

About the new women police wing

• The uniform of the new women police is Khaki colour. The wing comprises of inspectors, sub inspectors, senior mahila police, assistant sub inspectors, mahila police personnel. Also, the women police will wear a special separate emblem called the Mahila Police Emblem. They will also wear a beret cap.
• 90% of the posts are to be recruited by the police recruitment board. 5% from eligible villages and 5% from home guards.
• The inspectors and sub inspectors of the mahila wing will report to DSP and ACP respectively. DSP is Deputy Superintendent of Police and ACP is Assistant Commissioner of Police.

Women Police in India

Women make 12% of the police force in the country. Chhattisgarh has the highest number of women police in the country. It accounts of 18% of the total women police force in the state. In Bihar, 25% form the non – gazetted police officers in the state. Only 8% are gazetted officers. Gazetted officers means those who are in the rank of DIG, SP, ASP, ADSP, IGP, GP, etc. On the other hand, inspectors, sub inspectors and constables are all non – gazetted. Kerala accounts to least number of women police force. Only 0.26% of police force of Kerala are women.