Current Affairs 23 June 2021 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 23 June 2021 focuses on Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

World’s First Genetically Modified Rubber Planted In Assam

Source : Indian Express
GS III : Cultivation/Plantation

Approach “World’s First Genetically Modified Rubber Planted In Assam” : Mains

1. About new Plantation
2. GM Rubber and Cultivation
3. Rubber Cultivation In India

Why in News ?

As a major experiment in rubber farming Rubber Board has started field trial of world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber in Assam. 

Key Facts

• Developed in the biotechnology laboratory at Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) in Puthuppally, Kottayam, the new variety was planted at board’s Sarutari research farm in Guwahati.

  

• Rubber Board launched the field trial of the GM Rubber in Assam.
• GM Rubber is the second genetically modified crop to start field trial in India after Bt. Cotton.
• A decade before Kerala Government denied permission for the same citing its possible adverse impact on environment and apprehension on GM crops.
• Benefits of GM Rubber
  • They capacity to withstand adverse climatic conditions, the GM variant is expected to give a big boost to rubber production in the country.
  • It will resist reduced moisture or drought, low and high temperatures as well as high light intensity.
  • Expected to cut short the maturity period of rubber, indicating chances for early yielding as well.
  • Its growth will be faster and it will be ready for tapping earlier than normal rubber.

GM Rubber and Concerns

• Inserting the MnSOD gene, which was taken from the rubber plant itself.
• Its copies were multiplied in the laboratory and reinserted into a cell of the rubber plant which was then regenerated into a full plant that is now planted.
• There are no plant species in India that can breed with natural rubber.
  • There is no risk of genes flowing from GM rubber into any native species, a concern often raised by environmental groups
  • Authorities also dismissed concerns of antibiotic resistance genes from a plant citing that such genes would never come into contact with microbes or disease causing bacteria.

Rubber Plantation in India

• Natural rubber is planted in 16 states in India in which Kerala tops and India is the third largest natural rubber producing country of the world.
• Thailand and Indonesia are top producers in the world
• Rubber tree is a quick growing tall tree acquiring 20-30 metre height.
• Climate Required
  • It requires hot and humid climate with temperature of 25°-35°C
  • Annual rainfall of over 200 cm.
  • The rainfall should be well distributed throughout the year.
  • Well drained loamy soils on the hill slopes at elevation ranging from 300 to 450 metres above sea for best quality.

BRICS Green Hydrogen Summit UPSC

Source : PIB
GS II : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate
GS III : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Approach “BRICS Green Hydrogen Summit UPSC” : Mains and Prelims

1. Why focusing on Green Hydrogen ?
2. About the Summit
3. Importance of Green Hydrogen Initiative
4. Indian Effort in achieving Green Hydrogen Initiative
5. About BRICS

Why in News ?

NTPC Ltd India’s largest energy integrated company under Ministry of Power anchored a two day workshop on Green Hydrogen.

• It is one of the most popular and demanding fields in the current times and considered to be the next carrier of energy.

Why focusing on Green Hydrogen ?

• Hydrogen fuel is a zero-emission fuel burned with oxygen.

  

• Also it is the first element in the periodic table. 
• Hydrogen is the lightest element and weight of hydrogen is less than air
• So it rises in the atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its pure form H2.
• What is Green Hydrogen ?
  • Generated from renewable energy like Solar, Wind etc.
  • The by Products of green hydrogen energy are Water, Water Vapor
• Other types of Hydrogen
  • Blue Hydrogen : Produced from Fossil Fuel. They are stores in the atmosphere
  • Grey Hydrogen : They are extracted from hydrocarbons and by product is CO2.

Key Facts BRICS Green Hydrogen Summit UPSC Perspective

• BRICS shared their insights and professional views on the subject as well as the latest developments going on in their countries in the area of green hydrogen.
• India has launched an ambitious National Hydrogen Mission to introduce hydrogen purchase obligations for fertilizers, refineries involving private sector in transparent and competitive manner to produce green hydrogen..
• Five BRICS countries share a common vision of sustainable development and inclusive economic growth.
• Strengthening energy cooperation and ensuring affordable, reliable, accessible and secure energy for all, has always been a strategic area of importance in the agenda of BRICS countries.
• The transition to a hydrogen economy will not only reduce India’s import dependency on hydrocarbon fuels but also provide clean air to its citizens, reduce GHG emissions in absolute terms.

Importance of Green Hydrogen Initiative

• Green hydrogen is of great topical interest to all the countries including BRICS as it has a great amount of potential to ensure sustainable energy supply.
• It helps in increase the level of energy availability and minimize the negative impact on the environment.

Indian Effort in achieving Green Hydrogen Initiative

India is the planet’s third biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, with only China and the U.S. ahead of it.

• Role of NTPC
  • NTPC is pioneering Green Hydrogen Initiatives in India.
  • NTPC which is undertaking extensive study, experimentation in the areas of Carbon Capture & Hydrogen.
  • It also announced a few pilot projects on Green Hydrogen to this.
• Under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • MNRE has been supporting a broad based Research Development and Demonstration (R&D) programme on Hydrogen Energy and Fuel.
  • Projects are supported in industrial, academic and research institutions to address
    • Challenges in production of hydrogen from renewable energy sources
    • Its safe and efficient storage
    • Its utilization for energy an transport applications through combustion or fuel cells.
• India development and demonstration of internal combustion engines, two wheelers, three wheelers, and mini buses that run on hydrogen fuel.
• According to The Potential Role of Hydrogen in India 
  • By 2050 nearly 80% of India’s hydrogen is projected to be green produced by renewable electricity and electrolysis.
  • The cost of hydrogen from renewables would drop by over 50% by 2030
  • This will enabling it to start to compete with hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.
• National Hydrogen Energy Mission
  • Announced in the Union Budget 2021 by the Finance Minister.
  • It will be launched in 2021-22.
  • For the generation of hydrogen from green power resources in order to link India’s growing renewable capacity with the hydrogen economy.
  • It has near zero carbon footprint.

International Olympic Day 2021

Source : PIB
General Awareness

Approach “International Olympic Day 2021” : General Awareness

1. About International Olympic Day 2021
2. International Olympic Committee 
3. India And Olympics
4. 2020 Summer Olympics Tokyo

Why in News ?

The Prime Minister International Olympic Day 2021 has conveyed the pride that nation feels for those who have represented India in various Olympics over the years.

• Wised the best to the Indian contingent for Tokyo Olympic.

Key Facts

• The day was chosen by the International Olympic Committee in 1948.
• It aims to promote the Olympic idea and the importance of organising mass sports competitions all around the world.

  

• As a result of the effort many nations adopted it to empower youth and represent nations in the global sports competitiop. 
• Besides a number of school from various countries adopted Olympics/Sports as a part of their curriculum. 
• What is special about this Year ?
  • Summer Olympics in Tokyo, scheduled to be held between July 23 and August 8.
  • Infact this was delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The event will be referred to as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
  • A total of 339 events across 33 sports are lined up at the Games from different countries. 

International Olympic Committee

• Non-governmental sports organisation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, authority responsible for organising the Summer and Winter Olympic Games
• It is constituted in the form of an association under the Swiss Civil Code (articles 60-79).
• IOC is the governing body of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs)
  • NOC is a national constituent of the worldwide Olympic movement.
  • Nominate cities within their respective areas as candidates for future Olympic Games.
  • Promote the development of athletes and training of coaches and officials at a national level.
  • Olympic Day Run is usually held during June 17–24 by NOCs with 1.5 km Olympic Day Fun Run, 5 km and 10 km running activities,
  • As of 2020, there are 206 National Olympic Committees across the globe.
    • 193 member states of the United Nations,
    • UN observer state (Palestine)
    • UN non-member state in free association with New Zealand, the Cook Islands
    • States with limited recognition Kosovo and Taiwan.
• Current president of the IOC is Thomas Bach of Germany.
• In 2009 the UN General Assembly granted the IOC Permanent Observer status.
• IOC aims to :
  • Encourage and support the organisation, development and coordination of sport and sports competitions.
  • Regular celebration of the Olympic Games.
  • Act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement.
  • Encourage and support the promotion of women in sport.

India And Olympics

• India first participated in the Olympics in 1900 in Paris.
• The country was represented by Norman Pritchard, an Anglo Indian who was holidaying in Paris during that time.
• Sir Dorabji Tata suggested the need for a Sports body at National level for promoting Olympic Sport in united India IN 1920’s
  • The nation first sent a team to the Summer Olympic Games in 1920
• 1923-24 a provisional All India Olympic Committee was set-up
  • Which organised the All India Olympic Games in February 1924.
  • That later became the National Games of India.
• In 1927 the Indian Olympic Association was officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
• Indian Olympic Association selected sportspersons to represent India at the Olympic Games.
• Later, the IOA also started sending National Teams to Games of the CGF and OCA.
• Indian Participation and achievements
  • Indian athletes have won 28 medals, all at the Summer Games.
  • India national field hockey team was dominant  that winning eleven medals in twelve Olympics between 1920 and 1980.
  • At the 2016 Summer Olympics, a record number of 118 athletes competed.
  • In the 1952 Summer Olympics wrestler K.D. Jadhav won the first individual medal for independent India.
  • Wrestler Sushil Kumar became the first Indian with multiple individual Olympic medals.
  • Saina Nehwal won bronze medal in badminton in Women’s singles getting the country’s first Olympic medal in badminton.
  • Sakshi Malik became the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal with her bronze medal.
  • Shuttler P. V. Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in Olympics and also the youngest Indian Olympic medallist.
• India has never hosted an Olympic Games.

2020 Summer Olympics

• Upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
• Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020 was postponed in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This is the first time that the Olympic Games have been postponed and rescheduled.
• Tokyo was selected as the host city during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2013.
• Hosting Olympics in Tokyo in 1964 making this the first city in Asia to host the Summer Games twice.

Cassava As Raw Material For Bioethanol Production

Source : Business Line
GS III : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Approach “Cassava As Raw Material For Bioethanol Production” : Mains and Prelims

1. About Cassava as raw material
2. What is the need for an alternative against sugarcane ?
3. National Policy on Biofuels 2018

Why in News ?

Based on a recent research by ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) finds cassava (tapioca) as an alternative for material for bioethanol production.

Key Facts

• Cassava with its high starch content and ability to grow under low management conditions has been globally recognised as a potential candidate for bioethanol production.

  

• Economic viability for the scale-up production from cassava varieties has to be ascertained taking into account the reported failure of an alcohol plant set up in Palakkad in the late 1990s.
• What are the Advantage of Cassava over Sugarcane ?
  • Starch with its unique physico-chemical and functional properties finds extensive applications in the food and industrial sectors. 
  • Residues of cassava such as peels, stems and leaves are potential feedstock for 2G bioethanol production.
  • Available in large quantity than Sugarcane from Tamil Nadu, followed by Kerala.

What is the need for an alternative against sugarcane ?

• National Policy on Biofuels 2018 ensures the availability of biofuels to meet the demand of 20 per cent ethanol produced from molasses, sugarcane juices, biomass in form of grasses and agricultural residues, sugar-containing materials such as sugar beet, sweet sorghum, etc, or starch-containing materials such as corn, rotten potatoes, cassava, and damaged food grains.
• India has to produce 1,016 crore litres of ethanol for blending programmes apart from 334 crore litres for other uses as part of the EBP target by 2025.
• Current ethanol production capacity is 426 crore litres from sugarcane-based distilleries and 258 crore litres from grain-based distilleries.
• To meet the target of 1,350 crore litres, production has to be increased to 760 crore litres from molasses and 740 crore litres from grain-based distilleries.

National Policy on Biofuels 2018

• The Policy categorises biofuels as “Basic Biofuels” viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol & biodiesel and “Advanced Biofuels” – Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to drop-in fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal incentives under each category.
• The Policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use of Sugarcane Juice, Sugar containing materials like Sugar Beet, Sweet Sorghum, Starch containing materials like Corn, Cassava, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, Rotten Potatoes, unfit for human consumption for ethanol production.
• Farmers are at a risk of not getting appropriate price for their produce during the surplus production phase. Taking this into account, the Policy allows use of surplus food grains for production of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
• With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refineries of Rs.5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.
• The Policy encourages setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel production from non-edible oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil, short gestation crops.
• Roles and responsibilities of all the concerned Ministries/Departments with respect to biofuels has been captured in the Policy document to synergise efforts.

International Yoga Day June 21

Source : Indian Express
Prelims Fact 

Why in News ?

June 21 is observed as International Yoga Day by recognising the many benefits of the ancient Indian practice of yoga. 

• 21 June 2021  marked 7th International Yoga Day.
• It falls on the with the summer solstice, June 21.

Key Facts

• 2021 the day is celebrating under the theme “Yoga for wellness”.

  

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the m-Yoga fitness app on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
  • Jointly developed by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organisation.
  • Aims to bring assisted yoga training to everyone with a smartphone for free without needing any signing in.
• UN proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga by passing a resolution on December 11, 2014.
• Yoga had Two Guinness World Records
  • First record was set for housing 35,985 people
  • Second was for having the most number 84 of nationalities participating in it.

About Yoga

• Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India.
• The word yoga derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.

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