GS PAPER I
Raman Magsaysay Award
Why in News
Recently, the Raman Magsaysay awardees have been announced by the Manila-based foundation.
Key Points
- Raman Magsaysay award 2021 has been awarded to four individuals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines and Southeast Asia, and an Indonesian organisation.
- The awardees are:
- Dr. Firdausi Qadri – A Vaccine scientist from Bangladesh.
- She has been selected for her commitment in vaccine development that saved millions of lives.
- Muhammad Amjad Saqib – Microfinance pioneer from Pakistan.
- He has been chosen for the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2021 for outstanding efforts in restoring human dignity, alleviating poverty and helping over 3 million families to come out of poverty through zero-interest lending model.
- Roberto Ballon – Filipino fisher and community environmentalist.
- Roberto Ballon is a Filipino fisher who has taken lead in the conservation of natural resources in Sibuguey Bay. He also helps communities improve their income through livelihood programs. The Filipino awardee dedicated his award to his fellow fisher folk.
- Steven Muncy – Humanitarian worker from the United States.
- Dr. Steven Muncy has been chosen for this prestigious Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to humanitarian work, refugee assistance and peace building and unstinting pursuit of dignity, peace and harmony for people in exceptionally difficult circumstances in Asia.
- Watchdoc- Indonesian torch bearer for investigative journalism.
- Watchdoc has been recognized for its highly principled crusade for an independent media organization and its energetic use of investigative journalism, documentary filmmaking and digital technology to transform Indonesia’s media landscape.
Raman Magsaysay Award
- Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 to commemorate the third president of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay.
- It is conferred every year to honour individuals and organizations in Asia who transform lives and societies by manifesting selfless service.
- Objective of introducing this prestigious award is to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay’s example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.
- It presented annually on 31st August on the birth anniversary of Magsaysay and this is 63rd Ramon Magsaysay Awards which will be conferred on 28th November, 2021.
- The prominent Indians who have won the Ramon Magsaysay Award in the past include Arvind Kejriwal (2006), Kiran Bedi, Jayaprakash Narayan (1965), T. M. Krishna (2016), Jayaprakash Narayan (1965), Baba Amte (1985), Vinoba Bhave (1958), Verghese Kurien (1963), Manna Dey (1966), Satyajit Ray (1967), R. K. Laxman (1984) and Mother Teresa (1962).
GS PAPER III
Ladakh State Bird and Animal
Why in News
Recently, Ladakh declared two endangered species, snow leopard and black-necked crane, as State animal and State bird.
Black-necked crane
- Black-necked crane, or Gurus nigricollis, is a bird species with upper long neck, head, primary and secondary flight feathers and tail are completely black and body plumage is pale gray/whitish.
- A conspicuous red crown adorns their head. The bill is greenish and the legs and feet are black.
- The juveniles have a brownish head and neck and plumage is slightly paler than that of adult.
- It is only found in Ladakh region, was the State bird of J&K before August 5, 2019.
- They are considered loyal couples, are only found in Ladakh’s Changthang region.
Snow leopard
- The snow leopard, also known as Panther unica, found in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia.
- In India, their geographical range encompasses a large part of the western Himalayas including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas.
About International Union for Conservation of Nature
- With the establishment of International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1948 at Gland, Switzerland, the world took the steps towards the nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
- Over the past decades, IUCN has widened its focus beyond conservation ecology and now incorporates issues related to sustainable development in its projects.
- IUCN does not itself aim to mobilize the public in support of nature conservation. It tries to influence the actions of governments, business and other stakeholders by providing information and advice, and through building partnerships.
- The organization is best known to the wider public for compiling and publishing the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.
- It divides species into nine categories: Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct.
GS PAPER III
Merchandise export of India
Why in News
Merchandise exports surged 45% in August from a year before and over 27% from August in FY20.
Key Points
- Imports of India jumped over 51% from a year earlier and 18% from the pre-Covid level, signalling a broader trade recovery.
- Similarly, core imports rose 34% year-on-year and 3% from the level witnessed in August 2019.
- Overall, goods imports in April-August stood at $220 billion, up 82% from a year ago but only over 4% from 2019.
Merchandise Exports
- According to foreign trade policy (2015–2020) merchandise export is export of goods manufactured in India.
- Government is promoting manufacturers, merchant exporters to promote exports Under MEIS (Merchandise exports from India scheme).
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) stated that the prospects for a quick recovery in world trade have improved as merchandise trade expanded more rapidly than expected in the second half of last year.
- According to new estimates from the WTO, the volume of world merchandise trade is expected to increase by 8% in 2021 after having fallen 5.3% in 2020, continuing its rebound from the pandemic-induced collapse that bottomed out in the second quarter of 2020.
Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)
- Under Foreign Trade Policy of India (FTP 2015-20), MEIS is one of the two schemes introduced in Foreign Trade Policy of India 2015-20, as a part of Exports from India Scheme.
- It was launched on 1st April 2015.
- Objective is to offset infrastructural inefficiencies and associated costs involved in exporting goods/products which are produced /manufactured in India including products produced/manufactured by MSME Sector.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
- It is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade between nations.
- It was operationalized on 1 January 1995, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that had been established in 1948.
- The WTO is the world’s largest international economic organization, with 164 member states representing over 96% of global trade and global GDP.
GS PAPER III
KAZIND-21
Why in News
The India and Kazakhstan going to conduct joint military exercise KAZIND-21 at Training Node Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan.
Key Points
- KAZIND-21 is the 5th Edition of Annual bilateral joint exercises of both Armies which will be continue till 10th September.
- It comprises 120 troops from Kazakhstan and 90 soldiers from the Indian Army.
- Both the contingents will share their expertise and skills in the field of counter-terror operations.
- This exercise will provide impetus to the ever growing military and diplomatic ties between the two nations.
- The joint exercise also reflects the strong resolve of both nations to counter terrorism and will to stand shoulder to shoulder to combat the same.
- Its 4th edition was held in September 2019 in Pithoragarh, Uttrakhand.