UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2024 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 1: (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2024)
• 3rd Voice of Global South Summit: India’s ‘Global Compact’
3rd Voice of Global South Summit: India’s ‘Global Compact’
• Contributions of Indian diaspora to US Society
Contributions of Indian diaspora to US Society
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
• Waterspout
Waterspout
• Dhangars
Dhangars
• Purandar Fig
Purandar Fig
• Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
• Liquid water on Mars
Liquid water on Mars
• Zoopharmacognosy
Zoopharmacognosy
• Hayflick limit
Hayflick limit
• Grok-2
Grok-2
• Mercury bomb
Mercury bomb
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2024
#### GS Paper 1:
3rd Voice of Global South Summit: India’s ‘Global Compact’
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: Indian News Network
Context: On August 17, India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), proposing a ‘Global Development Compact’ to share its development experiences with other developing countries.
What is Global South?
The Global South includes countries often termed “developing” or “underdeveloped,” distinct from the richer Global North. The UN Conference on Trade and Development notes that Global South countries often face lower development levels, high income inequality, rapid population growth, and significant external dependence. According to the World Bank, the GDP of the Global South grew from 20% of world GDP in the 1970s-1990s to about 40% by 2012. The term Global South was first coined in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby.
What is ‘Global Compact’?
A Global Compact is an initiative that brings together countries or organizations to commit to shared goals and principles, often focusing on sustainable development, human rights, and global cooperation.
What is VOGSS?
The Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) unites Global South countries to share perspectives on issues aligned with the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ India hosted the 1st and 2nd VOGSS in January and November 2023.
Key Highlights of the 3rd VOGSS:
• Theme: “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.”
• Virtual Participation: 123 countries joined; China and Pakistan were not invited.
• Global Development Compact (GDC): India proposed the GDC to address development finance concerns, focusing on trade, sustainable growth, and technology sharing.
• Funding: India will launch a $2.5 million fund for trade promotion and a $1 million trade policy training fund for capacity building.
India’s Role in the Global South:
Aspect | Details
Integrating Factor | The Global South needs a central figure to unify its negotiation process.
India is a natural contender, actively fulfilling this role.
In January 2023, India hosted the 1st Voice of Global South Summit with 47 African, 29 Latin American and Caribbean, 31 Asian, 11 Oceania, and 7 European countries.
India’s Foreign Policy Principles | India’s history of non-alignment and recent actions, such as distributing COVID vaccines, being neutral in Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza war, etc., bolster its credibility.
India is seen as more credible than powers like the US and China in the Global South.
India’s Initiatives for global south | Social Impact Fund: India will contribute $25 million for accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Global South.
Global South Young Diplomat Forum: Launched to promote education and capacity building.
Vision of Aarogya Maitri: One World-One Health is India’s mission for health security E.g. Jan Aushadhi Kendras’ in African and Pacific Island countries.
Bridge Between North and South | As a democracy with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, India is well-placed to address equity and sovereignty concerns.
India can facilitate dialogue between the North and South.
Examples include India’s role in the Quad and adding the African Union to the G20 to represent developing nations’ concerns.
What is India’s Global South Vision?
India’s Global South Vision emphasizes fostering strategic partnerships with nations in the Southern Hemisphere, aiming for a more equitable and inclusive global order. It focuses on economic cooperation, multilateralism, and solidarity among developing countries to address common challenges and promote sustainable development.
Challenges Faced by the Global South:
• Outdated global governance and financial institutions.
• Technology divides between North and South.
• Ongoing threats from terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
Conclusion
In all, the energy and the environmental crisis as well as the geopolitical contestation will have a significant impact on the Global South.
Amidst this, India is in somewhat of a sweet spot to negotiate middle paths to these challenges. Therefore, it is likely that India will emerge as the definitive capital and voice of the Global South.
Insta Links:
• India’s Strategic Focus: Centering Africa in the Global South Vision
• India-Africa ties
Mains Link:
How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource-rich Africa? (UPSC 2014)
Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically Examine. (UPSC 2015)
Prelims Link:
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)
• The India-Africa Summit
• held in 2015 was the third such Summit
• was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: A
Tags: 3rd Voice of Global South Summit, India’s ‘Global Compact’, GS2, International Relations
Contributions of Indian diaspora to US Society
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: Indiaspora
Context: A BCG and Indiaspora report highlights that, despite being only 1.5% of the U.S. population, Indian Americans have made significant contributions to American society.
The United States has a four million-plus strong Indian diaspora, the second-largest immigrant group in the US. The high-achieving Indian Americans have gained attention like never before.
Contributions:
Category | Contributions
Economic Impact | CEOs of Indian origin head 16 Fortune 500 companies.
Notable leaders: Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe).
Cultural Influence | Diwali and Holi widely celebrated.
Renowned chefs: Vikas Khanna.
Wellness practices: Deepak Chopra.
Innovation, Research, and Development | 13% of US scientific publications co-authored by Indian Americans.
Prominent figures: Har Gobind Khorana, Abhijit Banerjee, Manjul Bhargava.
Government and Public Services | Kamala Harris: First woman Vice President of Indian descent.
Bobby Jindal: First Indian American Governor.
Rise and significance of Indian diaspora in the U.S.:
• Presence and Dominance:
• The Indian diaspora excels in politics, administration, entrepreneurship, technology, medicine, science, and academia. They are the most educated and highest-earning Asian group in the U.S.
• The Indian diaspora excels in politics, administration, entrepreneurship, technology, medicine, science, and academia.
• They are the most educated and highest-earning Asian group in the U.S.
• Skilled Labor:
• Indian professionals, especially in IT and engineering, are crucial to U.S. businesses through the H-1B visa program. High-profile figures like Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Parag Agarwal enhance India’s reputation as a tech powerhouse and a source of top talent.
• Indian professionals, especially in IT and engineering, are crucial to U.S. businesses through the H-1B visa program.
• High-profile figures like Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Parag Agarwal enhance India’s reputation as a tech powerhouse and a source of top talent.
Impact:
• Changed perceptions: The success of the Indian-American community has significantly changed the U.S. perception of Indians and India. E.g., As part of “soft diplomacy,” Indian-Americans played a pivotal role in the fructification of the historic Indo-US nuclear deal in 2005.
• Strengthened the India-US relationship: The fifth largest economy in the world, India today, is seen in the US as a strong bilateral partner sharing common democratic values.
• Economic: The U.S. is the top remittance source ($26B of $113B in 2022-2023).
• Brain Gain: ~20% of Indian unicorns have U.S.-educated co-founders, e.g., Rahul Chari (PhonePe), Harsh Jain and Bhavin Seth (Dream11).
• Political: Effective diplomacy and lobbying, e.g., Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
• Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power: 1 in 10 Americans practices yoga (2023); Spread of Indian cuisine and Ayurveda.
• Indo-US Scientific Collaboration: Projects like NISAR and iCET.
Conclusion
The uncompromisable role of the Indian-American community has become inevitable to the all-round development of the US, and this has significantly transformed the perceptions of and dealings with India.
Insta Link:
• Indian Diaspora: The roots of global success
• Indian Diaspora
Mains Link: UPSC 2017
Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in Southeast Asian countries’ economies and societies. Appraise the role of the Indian Diaspora in Southeast Asia in this context.
Tags: Indian Diaspora, Diaspora in USA, GS2, International Relations
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2024 – Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Waterspout
Source: IE
Context: Recently a tragic incident where a luxury yacht off the coast of Sicily, Italy, sank during a violent storm, is possibly caused by a waterspout.
A waterspout is a rotating column of air and mist over water, similar to a tornado but generally weaker.
Waterspouts can be either tornadic, associated with severe thunderstorms, or fair-weather, forming during calm conditions.
The waterspout that likely caused the sinking is believed to be a tornadic type, which can cause significant destruction.
Tags: GS1, Geography, Waterspout
Dhangars
- •Source: IE*
Context: The Dhangar community in Maharashtra, a nomadic group of shepherds are seeking recognition of their traditional grazing routes through forests.
• They have also long advocated for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
• Their recent protest called for “grazing corridors” to allow them to continue their traditional herding practices without being penalized for encroaching on protected forest areas.
The Dhangars, who are listed as a Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribe (VJNT) in Maharashtra, face challenges due to forest department restrictions, which conflict with their traditional lifestyle.
The Dhangar community, has significant political influence in parts of Maharashtra but lacks a unifying issue in recent elections.
Tags: GS2, Social Justice, Tribals, Dhangars
Purandar Fig
Source: PIB
Context: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the first export of India’s ready-to-drink fig juice, made from GI-tagged Purandar Figs, to Poland.
• The fig juice, produced by Purandar Highlands Farmers Producer Company Ltd., gained international attention after being introduced at SIAL 2023 in New Delhi and winning an award.
APEDA has played a key role in the development and export of this innovative product, which has been granted a provisional patent.
Tags: GS3, Agriculture, Fig
Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
Source: PIB
Context: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), in partnership with Australia’s CSIRO, has launched a call for applications from start-ups and MSMEs in India and Australia for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator.
• This program, aims to support businesses in developing technologies that enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of climate challenges.
• The RISE Accelerator, established in 2023, helps start-ups and MSMEs expand into international markets by offering online and in-person sessions, market insights, coaching, and field trials.
Tags: GS3, Science, Innovation, Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator
Liquid water on Mars
- •Source: IE*
Context: Scientists have discovered liquid water deep within Mars’ crust for the first time.
• Using data from NASA’s Mars Insight Lander, which recorded seismic waves from Marsquakes and meteorite impacts, researchers identified a layer of fractured igneous rock, likely granite, filled with liquid water at depths of 10 to 20 kilometers.
• This water is thought to have seeped from the surface billions of years ago when Mars had rivers and lakes.
The discovery could provide insights into Mars’ water cycle, climate evolution, and the potential for habitable environments.
Tags: GS3, Science, Space, Liquid water on Mars
Zoopharmacognosy
- •Source: TH*
Context: Zoopharmacognosy is the study of how animals self-medicate using natural substances.
• This behaviour has been observed across various species, including primates, lemurs, elephants, and dogs, who use plants, soil, and insects to treat infections, aid in reproductive processes, and maintain general health.
• The term was coined by ecologist D.H. Janzen, and it highlights how animals instinctively use medicinal plants, a knowledge that has influenced traditional medicine in human civilizations for thousands of years.
For example, a Sumatran orangutan was observed treating a facial wound with the plant Fibraurea tinctoria, which contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Tags: GS3, Science, Zoopharmacognosy
Hayflick limit
- •Source: IE*
Context: Biomedical researcher Leonard Hayflick, who discovered that normal somatic cells can divide (and thus reproduce) only a certain number of times, died recently.
• He gave the concept of Hayflick limit that normal somatic cell can only divide a finite number of times (around 40-60 times) before they stop dividing, leading to aging.
• This discovery challenged the previous belief that cells could be immortal and that aging was solely due to external factors like disease and diet.
The “ultimate Hayflick limit” suggests that human lifespan is capped at about 125 years, beyond which it cannot be extended through lifestyle or genetic interventions.
The discovery of telomeres, the protective ends of DNA strands that shorten with each cell division, provided further insight into the aging process.
Although telomerase, a protein that can replenish telomeres, has been found, its practical application in extending human lifespan is still a distant possibility.
Tags: GS3, Science, Hayflick limit
Grok-2
- •Source: IE*
Context: Elon Musk’s xAI has unveiled two new AI chatbot models, Grok-2 and Grok-2 Mini, which include advanced features such as image generation and improved coding and reasoning capabilities.
• The most discussed feature is Grok-2’s ability to create photo-realistic images, which has raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI-generated content, especially with the upcoming US presidential election.
Tags: GS3, Science, AI, Grok-2
Mercury bomb
Source: TOI
Context: Recent study has found the potential environmental threat posed by melting Arctic permafrost, which could release significant amounts of mercury into the environment causing Mercury bomb.
• As the permafrost thaws due to climate change, mercury that has been trapped in the soil for millennia is being released, particularly along rivers like the Yukon in Alaska.
• While the immediate threat is minimal, the mercury could gradually accumulate in the food chain, posing long-term risks to human health, especially in Arctic communities.
The study analyzed deeper soil layers in riverbanks and found consistent mercury levels with higher estimates from previous research.
Tags: GS3, Science, Mercury bomb
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21 August 2024 [PDF]
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