Daily Current Affairs 13 November 2023 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 13 October 2023 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

AAINA Dashboard for Cities

Source: PIB
GS II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About AAINA Dashboard for Cities
3. Digital India Corporation

Why in the News?

The AAINA Dashboard for Cities portal has been made live by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)

News in Brief

• Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country can participate in this pioneering initiative by voluntarily submitting their key data regularly.
• Submission is through a simple, easy-to-fill, data entry form on the portal.

About AAINA Dashboard for Cities

Initiative provides Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the country with the opportunity to voluntarily submit crucial data, fostering transparency and progress in urban governance. A tool for comparing similarly placed cities and promoting peer learning among cities.

• The primary objectives of the AAINA Dashboard are to help cities to
  • Performance to see how they are faring vis-à-vis other cities
  • Inspire them by pointing to possibilities and areas of improvement
  • Providing opportunities to learn and engage with frontrunners.
• While not ranking the ULBs, the AAINA dashboard would serve as a tool for comparing similarly placed cities and promoting peer learning among cities.
• The dashboard will present the data submitted by the ULBs based on indicators across five broad pillars namely
  • Political & Administrative Structure
  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Citizen-Centric Governance
  • Delivery of Basic Services
• ULBs will submit their data, including audited accounts, and self-reported performance metrics by logging in to the dashboard’s portal.
• ULBs would be free to update the information initially provided by them, anytime on the portal as per need.
• Aims to create a robust database of the key performance metrics of Urban Local Bodies, which could be accessed by all stakeholders.
• Subsequently would open for public view once it gets populated.
• Ministry through Digital India Corporation will provide handholding support to ULBs / States in the data submission process on a need basis.

How AAINA Dashboard for Cities help?

• India’s urban development journey has taken a transformative step forward with the launch of the ‘AAINA Dashboard for Cities’.
• This innovative tool empowers ULBs to track their performance, learn from their peers, and inspire positive change.
• With its dynamic capabilities, this dashboard has the potential to revolutionize urban governance by promoting transparency and progress across all cities in India.
• By encouraging active cooperation from all stakeholders, the ‘AAINA Dashboard for Cities will shape the future of urban India.

Digital India Corporation

Digital India Corporation (DIC) is a government organization in India that plays a key role in implementing various initiatives under the Digital India program.

About the Digital India Corporation

Objective

• The Digital India Corporation aims to facilitate the implementation of the Digital India program, which is a flagship initiative of the Government of India to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

Implementation

• The corporation is involved in the execution and implementation of various projects and initiatives that fall under the Digital India umbrella.

Digital India Program

• Digital India is a comprehensive program that covers various areas, including digital infrastructure, e-governance, digital literacy, electronic manufacturing, and more.

Initiatives

• The Digital India Corporation is likely involved in coordinating and overseeing specific initiatives such as the creation of digital infrastructure, the rollout of e-governance services, and the promotion of digital literacy.

Collaboration

• The corporation may collaborate with government departments, private sector entities, and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the Digital India program.

Innovation and Technology

• It may focus on fostering innovation, leveraging technology, and implementing best practices to drive the digital transformation of various sectors.

INS Sumedha Mission

Source: PIB
GS II: International Relation

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About INS Sumedha
3. About Sudan

Why in the News?

INS Sumedha in continuation with Indian Navy’s mission-based deployment to West Africa and Atlantic made a port call at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

News in Brief

• This port call is a manifestation of India’s warm ties with Namibia.
• Shows commitment to enhance maritime security and demonstrate solidarity with friendly nations.
• Professional interactions aimed at exchanging best practices, cross deck visits and social engagements were also conducted with Namibia Navy during the ship’s stay in harbour.
• India, over the years, has extended training to a large number of Namibian military officers at various military institutions in India.

About INS Sumedha

• It is the third of the indigenously developed Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV).
• It is the Saryu class deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations.
• The ship is equipped with several weapon systems, sensors, state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems and Electronic Warfare system.
• Sumedha has undertaken various Fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and HADR missions.
• Recently conducted Op Kaveri for evacuation of Indian diaspora from war hit Sudan in April 23.

About Sudan

Sudan is a country located in northeastern Africa. Please note that there might have been changes or developments since then.

Geography

• Location
  • Sudan is situated in the northeastern part of Africa
  • Egypt to the north
  • Red Sea to the northeast
  • Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east
  • South Sudan to the south
  • Central African Republic to the southwest
  • Chad to the west
  • Libya to the northwest

Capital

• The capital city of Sudan is Khartoum, which is also the largest city and serves as the political, cultural, and commercial center.

History

• Sudan has a rich history, with ancient civilizations such as the Kingdom of Kush, which existed along the Nile Valley. It later became part of various empires, including the Egyptian and Ottoman empires.
• Sudan gained independence from joint British-Egyptian rule in 1956.

Civil Wars

• Sudan experienced prolonged civil wars, notably the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005) between the north and the south. The conflict eventually led to the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

Religion

• Islam is the dominant religion in Sudan, and the majority of the population is Muslim. There are also small Christian and indigenous religious communities.

Language

• Arabic is the official language, and English is widely used in government and education.

Economy

• Sudan’s economy is diverse, with agriculture, services, and industry contributing to its GDP. Agriculture is a crucial sector, with crops like sorghum and millet being important staples.

Recent Developments

• Sudan has undergone significant political changes in recent years. In April 2019, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was ousted from power after months of protests. A transitional government, consisting of both civilian and military leaders, was established.

Challenges

• Sudan faces various challenges, including economic issues, ethnic and religious tensions, and the need for political stability and development.

Darfur Conflict

• The Darfur region in western Sudan has been a site of conflict, with ethnic and tribal tensions leading to violence and displacement.

G20 THINQ

Source: PIB
General Topic

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About G20 THINQ

Why in the News?

The Indian Navy and NWWA (Navy Wellness and Welfare Association) have, over the years, been conducting a quiz competition for school children as part of Navy Week activities

News in Brief

• The Indian Navy Quiz – THINQ, the 2023 edition of the quiz has acquired global reach, riding on the partnership and support it has received from the G20 Secretariat in a year that marks India’s presidency of the prestigious G20.
• The event is also being called the G20 THINQ.
• National Round of the G20 THINQ saw a record number of 11,741 schools registering for it.

About G20 THINQ

• The event is being conducted at two levels, national and international, and in two locations – in Mumbai and New Delhi.
• The first elimination round (ER1) was completed on 14 Sep 23 with 3902 schools qualifying for the next level, ER2.
• ER2 was conducted on 03 Oct 23 with a total of 1674 qualifying for the quarter-finals conducted on 10 Oct 23.
• The quarter-finals, the selection of the following 16 schools that will match wits against each other over the semifinals.
• Participating students will also get the opportunity to meet and interact with naval personnel in uniform.
• A jury will identity two best quizzers from amongst all finalists to form “Team India” for participation in the international round at India Gate.
• For the international round, invitations were extended to all G20+09 nations.

Prelims

Phreatomagmatic eruption

News: A new island near Japan’s Ogasawara island chain was formed by a phreatomagmatic eruption.

• What is Phreatomagmatic eruption?
  • It is an eruption that involves both magma and water.
  • It typically interacts explosively leading to concurrent ejection of steam and pyroclastic fragments.
• Phreatomagmatic ash is formed by the same mechanism over a wide range of basic and acidic compositions.
• As a result blocky and uniform crust with low vesicle content is formed.
• Deposits from phreatomagmatic eruptions are thought to be better classified and finer-grained than those from magmatic eruptions.
• This is the result of higher fragmentation of phreatomagmatic eruptions.

National Coal Index (NCI)

News: The National Coal Index (NCI) experienced a notable rise in September 2023, marking a significant shift since April 2023.

• The NCI was established in 2020.
• It aims to measure for track monthly coal price fluctuations against a fixed base year.
• It amalgamates coal prices from various channels.
  • This includes notified, auction, and import prices, to calculate premiums and revenue shares for coal transactions.
• How does it help?
  • It acts as a crucial indicator for policy-making and market analysis in India’s coal sector.
• Latest Index
  • NCI increased by 3.83 points to 143.91 in Sep 2023.
  • Reason for Increase: A spike in global coal prices and increased domestic demand.
  • Implications: This increase is an opportunity for coal producers to enhance domestic production.

Insurance Surety Bond

News: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has accepted the Insurance Surety Bond for the monetization program of the upcoming bid of Toll Operate Transfer (TOT) Bundle 14.

• It is a written agreement to guarantee compliance, payment, or performance of an act.
• These are instruments where insurance companies act as Surety.
• It is a unique type of insurance because it involves a three-party agreement.
• Three parties in a surety agreement are
  • Principal: The party that purchases the bond.
  • Surety: The insurance company or surety company that guarantees the obligation will be performed.
  • Obligee: The party who requires and often receives the benefit of the surety.

Baler Machine

News: The Baler machine has been in demand in Punjab with the problem of farm fires being taken up by the Supreme Court.

• It facilitates ex-situ (off-site) stubble management.
• It compresses agricultural residue into manageable and transportable bales. 
• Baler’s machines have been around for a decade, and currently around 2,000 of them operate in Punjab.
  • Of these 1,268 are highly subsidised (50-80%) under the Centre’s Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme.
• Need for Baler Machine
  • Farmers burn the stubble, the smoke from which becomes one of the largest air pollutants each year.
  • More environment-friendly methods include the incorporation of the stubble into the soil using machines such as super seeders.

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