GS PAPER I NEWS
International sign language day
Why in News
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- Every year 23 September is celebrated by the United Nations as International Day of Sign Languages.
Key point
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- This day is celebrated globally. There are many people around the world who cannot speak or hear. They talk through facial expressions with their hands to make their point.
- This day is being celebrated since 2018. This day is celebrated every year on 23rd September to create awareness among the deaf people all over the world. The main purpose of this day is to teach language (speaking) by body gestures to those who are deaf people.
International Sign Language Day
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- International Sign Language Day has been chosen to celebrate 23 September as the World Federation of the Deaf was formed on this day.
- It is the World Federation of the Deaf that came up with the concept of celebrating International Sign Language Day.
First international day of sign languages
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- The first International Day of Sign Languages was observed in 2018 along with the International Week of the Deaf. This week was first observed in 1958 by the World Federation of the Deaf.
- According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are over 72 million deaf people around the world. More than 80 percent of deaf people live in developing countries and use more than 300 sign languages.
- According to the 2011 census, more than 50 lakh people in India are deaf (who cannot speak or hear). Or his hearing power is very weak.
Importance
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- The day recognizes that early access to sign language and services such as quality sign language education available in sign language is critical to the growth and development of deaf people and to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals.
- use the same sign languages
- It recognizes and promotes the use of sign languages at par with spoken languages. This makes it easier to learn sign language. It was adopted in the year 2006.
- The Convention has received 177 ratifications. Its main objective is to end discrimination against persons with disabilities.
GS PAPER II
India to be world’s third largest importer by 2050: Report
Why in News
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- India will become the world’s third largest importer by 2050. India 5th in global imports. It will be just behind China and the US with a share of 9 percent. China is a major driver of this economic transformation as it is expected to become the world’s largest economy by 2030.
Key point
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- The report states that according to the current estimated ranking among world economies, India is 2nd. It ranks eighth among the largest importing countries with an import share of 8 percent and is set to become the fourth largest importer by 2030.
US and EU share will decrease
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- The share of most import sectors in the US and the EU is expected to decline by 2030 as increasing purchasing power accounts for Asia’s middle class.
- This change is particularly marked in the food, travel and digital services sectors. This is stated in the latest Global Trade Outlook report released by the UK’s Department of International Trade.
World’s largest economy
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- China is a major driver of this economic transformation as it is expected to become the world’s largest economy by 2030. The report estimates that India will rank 6th in global GDP by the year 2050, after China and the US, in the ranking of the world’s largest economies. Will move to the third position with a share of 8 percent.
- At present, India is 3rd in size of the world’s economies. It is at the fifth position with a share of 3 percent. India’s GDP is projected to surpass Germany by the year 2030 to become the fourth largest economy.
- seven largest emerging economies
- The ‘E7 group’ of the seven largest emerging economies – China, India, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey – is projected to equal the G7’s share of global import demand by 2050. The seven richest countries in the world – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US – are part of the G7 group.
G7’s stake
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- The share of G7 in global GDP fell from 65 percent in 2000 to 46 percent in 2020, while the share of ‘E7’ increased from 11 percent to 28 percent.
- Over the next thirty years, labor productivity growth in the E7 is expected to grow at nearly twice the rate of the G7. During 2030, the E7 will overtake the G7 in economic size.
- However, the report cautioned that emerging economies may also face major challenges.
GS PAPER III
India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
Why in News
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- India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles and the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade have formally initiated negotiations on the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Key point
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- The first round of CEPA talks will be held on 23-24 September 2021.
- In view of the progress made by the two countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017, the two Ministers expressed their desire for a mutually beneficial economic agreement.
- The two sides will move forward with the goal of concluding negotiations by December 2021 and signing a formal agreement in March 2022, following internal legal procedures and approvals.
- Both Ministers emphasized that CEPA will create new employment opportunities, raise the standard of living and provide wider social and economic opportunities in both countries. Within five years of the signing of a new Strategic Economic Agreement, bilateral trade (goods) is expected to grow to $100 billion and in services it could reach $15 billion.
Trade relations with UAE and India
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- The United Arab Emirates is currently India’s third largest trading partner, with bilateral trade at $59 billion in 2019-2020.
- UAE is also India’s second largest export destination after US, exports in 2019-2020 were around $29 billion. India was the UAE’s second largest trading partner in 2019, with bilateral non-oil trade at US$41 billion.
- The United Arab Emirates is the eighth largest investor in India, investing $11 billion between April 2000 and March 2021, while Indian companies are estimated to invest more than $85 billion in the UAE.
- Exports from India to UAE include petroleum products, precious metals, stones, gems and jewellery, minerals, food items such as cereals, sugar, fruits and vegetables, tea, meat and seafood, textiles, engineering and Machinery products and chemicals.
- At the same time, the major items imported from UAE include petroleum and petroleum products, precious metals, stones, gems and jewellery, minerals, chemicals and wood and wood products.
- India imported crude oil worth $10.9 billion from UAE in 2019-2020.
- Committing to work together, the two ministers agreed to strengthen the rules-based, transparent, non-discriminatory, open and inclusive multilateral trading system set forth by the WTO. They also agreed to work towards a balanced and inclusive outcome at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva, Switzerland.
GS PAPER III
Air quality management commission
Why in News
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- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CQM) in a series of tweets today informed about the steps taken by the Commission towards reducing air pollution in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
Key point
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- In order to reduce pollution due to stubble burning, the states of Punjab, NCR have prepared a detailed action plan for prevention and control of stubble burning.
- These Action Plans have been prepared on the basis of the framework laid down by the CAQM and directions have been issued for their strict implementation.
- The Commission has directed the State Governments of Punjab, NCR States and GNCTD to implement these action plans based on the following components-
- Management of Crop Residue in Field- Supported by CRM Scheme of Ministry of Agriculture.
- 14,3801 machines are already available for this. Another 56,513 machines are being procured during the current year to facilitate crop residue management in the fields.
- Off-field crop residue management
- Ban on burning of stubble/crop residue
- Effective monitoring/enforcement
- Schemes to reduce production of paddy straw
- IEC Activities for Action Plan
Efforts
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- Directions have been issued to adopt a standard protocol developed by ISRO for recording and monitoring the occurrence of fires for stubble burning.
- With regard to promoting the use of bio-decomposer technology developed by IARI for in-field management of crop residues, the Commission has been informed that the use of Pusa Bio-decomposer is 6 lakh acres in Uttar Pradesh, 1 lakh in Haryana. acre, 7,413 acres in Punjab and 4,000 acres in Delhi are planned.
- Review of projects with key stakeholders to promote use of crop residues and straw for co-firing in thermal power plants- Guidelines have been issued to all 11 thermal power plants within 300 km radius of Delhi in this regard Which are some other steps regarding burning of stubble.
- Directions have been issued to road maintenance agencies and municipal bodies in NCR State Governments/GNCTD to reduce dust from roads/open areas through ‘Dust Control and Management Cell’.
- Activities identified for effective management of dust on roads include optimum use of machines in road cleaning, scientific disposal of dust collected at designated sites/places, dust preventive measures and water sprinkling on roads and open spaces, roads proper maintenance of unpaved roads, paving and making them eco-friendly, greening between roads, preference of paved roads over bituminous roads especially in industrial areas, monitoring of dust control measures and large scale Ensuring tree plantation/greenery.
- The steps taken towards management of dust arising out of construction and demolition project activities include installation of anti-smog guns and screens at construction sites, dust repellants and water fogging, transportation of C&D material in covered vehicles, project Sites include installation of air quality monitoring sensors and own inspection and certification mechanisms by project agencies.