[Newsbits] 30.08-4.09.2024: AgriSURE Fund, EShram Portal & More

Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan have emerged as India’s fastest-growing large states, surpassing the national GDP growth rate of 8.2%. Telangana grew by 9.2%, reaching a GSDP of ₹7.9 lakh crore, while Tamil Nadu grew by 8.2%, with a GSDP of ₹15.7 lakh crore. The services sector played a major role in driving growth, particularly in Telangana and Tamil Nadu. However, agriculture faced challenges due to the El Niño phenomenon. Despite this, these states show strong economic performance, while Maharashtra remains India’s largest economy.

The Indian Navy’s P8i Poseidon aircraft made its first landing at France’s Air Base 125 as part of the Varuna exercise from September 2 to 4, 2024. Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France that enhances tactical coordination through advanced maritime drills. The participation of the P8i, a crucial maritime patrol aircraft, and the warship INS Tabar demonstrates India’s strong naval engagement with France. This event marks the first Indian Navy aircraft operation in France in 63 years, symbolizing the enduring India-France naval relationship.

The AgriSURE Fund, launched by the Indian government with ₹750 crore, supports agricultural startups and rural businesses to enhance farming through innovation and technology. By involving NABARD, banks, and private investors, the fund aims to lower farming costs, ensure fair prices, and promote crop diversity. The AgriSURE Greenathon Awards highlight startups like Greensapio, Krushikanti, and Ambronics for their impactful solutions. With a focus on sustainability and food security, the initiative boosts rural economies while encouraging eco-friendly practices in agriculture.

The Jaipur Walled City Heritage Conservation Project aims to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of Jaipur’s historic city, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. With a ₹100 crore budget, the project focuses on improving infrastructure while maintaining the city’s traditional charm, including restoring landmarks like the Hawa Mahal and City Palace. Efforts also include clearing unsightly elements, like cables, to enhance tourism and economic growth. The project is led by Diya Kumari and aims to balance modernization with preserving Jaipur’s unique identity.

The Indian government and Tripura have signed a peace agreement with the insurgent groups NLFT and ATTF to bring stability to the region. The agreement, backed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Manik Saha, aims to end years of violence and unrest by these groups, which seek more autonomy for Tripura’s indigenous people. The peace efforts are part of broader initiatives under Prime Minister Modi to reduce extremism in the Northeast, with 12 prior agreements and 10,000 insurgents having already surrendered their weapons.

The 23rd Law Commission of India, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, will operate from September 2024 to August 2027. The Commission will focus on reviewing outdated laws, addressing poverty-related legal issues, promoting gender equality, and improving judicial efficiency. It also aims to simplify key Central Acts and handle government-referred legal matters. The Commission’s work is crucial for modernizing India’s legal system and addressing pressing social and legal issues. It follows the 22nd Law Commission, which faced delays due to leadership changes.

A study published in Nature Water highlights severe water security risks in the Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, and Congo river basins due to poor governance and environmental management. It introduces the concept of the “precipitationshed,” which examines how distant regions influence local water availability through moisture evaporation. The study reveals that 32,900 cubic kilometers of water are at high risk each year, nearly double previous estimates, emphasizing the impact of deforestation and land-use changes on water availability. The findings call for cross-border cooperation to sustainably manage water resources.

Scientists have discovered over 1,700 ancient viruses in ice cores from the Guliya Glacier on the Tibetan Plateau, with some over 40,000 years old. The study, led by Zhi-Ping Zhong from Ohio State University, revealed how these viruses adapted to climate changes and acquired genetic material from bacteria to improve their survival. The research emphasizes the importance of studying ice cores to understand viral evolution and the potential risks posed by the release of ancient viruses as glaciers melt due to global warming.

NHPC, SJVN, and RailTel have been awarded Navratna status, granting them greater autonomy and decision-making power. This recognition, given for strong financial performance, allows them to invest up to ₹1,000 crore in single projects without government approval. SJVN, NHPC, and RailTel, major public sector companies in hydropower and telecom infrastructure, now have the ability to expand operations, form joint ventures, and set up subsidiaries abroad. Despite receiving this status, the companies have seen a decline in their share prices recently.

The United Nations has allocated $100 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to address urgent humanitarian needs in ten countries affected by conflict and climate crises. This marks the second allocation of 2024, with the first made in February. Countries like Yemen, Ethiopia, and Myanmar are among the recipients, with funding aimed at supporting immediate crisis recovery. The global humanitarian need remains underfunded, with only 29% of the $49 billion required for 2024 secured. CERF continues to play a critical role in quick humanitarian responses, with a goal of raising $1 billion annually.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence has announced plans to buy over 1,000 additional Stinger missiles from the U.S., aimed at boosting its air defense in response to rising military threats from China. The NT$55.54 billion (USD 1.8 billion) order will see the delivery of 1,985 missiles by 2031. Taiwan’s move comes after increased Chinese military activity near its borders. The purchase reflects Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military and strengthen defense ties with international allies, particularly amid growing regional tensions.

Greece has declared a state of emergency in Volos after floods caused massive numbers of dead fish to wash up in the Pagasetic Gulf. The crisis began when severe flooding in the Thessaly region carried freshwater fish into the salty sea, where they couldn’t survive. The local economy, especially tourism, has been severely impacted, with visitor numbers dropping by 80%. The government is responding with cleanup efforts, while public prosecutors investigate the environmental impact. This incident underscores the need for better preparedness for climate-related disasters.

The USCIS has updated guidelines for international STEM students, effective from August 27, 2024. STEM students can now benefit from up to three years of OPT, allowing them more time to gain work experience in the U.S. The new policy also simplifies online course inclusion and school transfers. Students can extend their OPT for 24 months if certain conditions are met, and a 60-day grace period allows for educational progression or potential visa sponsorship. Study abroad program rules and reporting requirements for STEM OPT students have also been clarified to ensure compliance.

Astronomers have discovered J0529-4351, the brightest quasar ever observed, shining 500 trillion times brighter than the Sun and absorbing mass at an incredible rate. Detected with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) by the European Southern Observatory, J0529-4351 provides a rare glimpse into the early universe, with its light traveling over 12 billion years. Its extreme environment, large accretion disk, and historical significance highlight the ongoing potential for discovering extraordinary cosmic phenomena.

On August 28, 2024, a village on Iran’s southern coast may have recorded the highest-ever heat index of 82.2°C, raising global climate concerns. The heat index, which combines temperature and humidity, helps assess the danger of heat-related illnesses. The reported temperature was 38.9°C with 85% humidity, which prevented the body from cooling effectively. This extreme event occurred during a broader heatwave affecting West Asia, with temperatures reaching 50°C. An investigation is underway to confirm the accuracy of this unprecedented reading.

WWF-India’s “Vulture Count 2024” project, running from September 7 to October 6, 2024, focuses on counting critically endangered vultures and raising awareness of their ecological role. Vultures, crucial for maintaining ecological balance by consuming carrion and preventing disease, face threats like toxic chemicals, habitat loss, and electrocution. This initiative aims to monitor populations, identify key habitats, and involve volunteers to contribute to conservation efforts. The data collected will help guide strategies to protect vultures and ensure their survival.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port in Palghar, Maharashtra, on August 30, 2024. The ₹76,000 crore project aims to position Vadhvan as one of the top ten ports globally, with a capacity to handle 23.2 million TEUs. The deep-water port, located near Dahanu, will enhance India’s trade efficiency and reduce congestion at existing ports like JNPT. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the port will create jobs and boost the local economy, while focusing on sustainability and minimizing environmental impacts.

The ASSOCHAM Environment and Carbon Conference was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh in New Delhi, focusing on India’s goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The conference stressed global cooperation, research and development, and sustainable living initiatives like Mission Life. India’s commitment to strengthening its environment and meeting Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) was highlighted, with experts from various sectors participating to foster innovation and collaboration for long-term climate resilience.

The Assam Assembly passed the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces Bill, 2024, replacing a 1935 law. The new law addresses issues such as child marriage, lack of consent, and polygamy by setting strict guidelines for marriage registration, including age requirements, mutual consent, and a 30-day notice period. While it aims to protect vulnerable individuals, tensions with Muslim personal laws have arisen, particularly over the definition of valid marriages involving minors. The bill strengthens protections and enforces accountability for registrars, but further legal review is expected.

India has commissioned its second nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat, enhancing the country’s defense capabilities. Part of the SSBN program, this submarine strengthens India’s nuclear triad by ensuring a reliable second-strike capability. Developed with advanced technologies and self-reliance, INS Arighaat plays a crucial role in India’s defense strategy, bolstering both regional security and India’s maritime strength. This marks a significant step in maintaining military readiness in a complex geopolitical environment.

Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett, became the first non-tech company to reach a $1 trillion market value in 2024. This milestone followed key decisions like selling half its Apple shares and diversifying its investments. Founded in 1839 as a textile company, Buffett transformed it into a conglomerate owning businesses like GEICO and Coca-Cola, guided by value investing principles. His disciplined approach, focusing on long-term gains and diversification, cemented Berkshire Hathaway’s position as one of the world’s most valuable companies.

The Global Fintech Fest 2024 in Mumbai will focus on the latest innovations in financial technology, featuring industry leaders and experts from India and abroad. Alongside fintech advancements, PM Modi will lay the foundation for the ₹76,000 crore Vadhvan Port project and inaugurate over 218 fisheries projects worth ₹1,560 crore to boost fish farming. He will also launch ISRO’s ₹360 crore Vessel Communication and Support System to improve communication for fishermen in India’s coastal areas. These initiatives underscore India’s drive towards economic growth through fintech, infrastructure, and fisheries development.

The second meeting of the Joint Russian-Indian Commission on Cooperation in Emergency Management was held in Moscow, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation in disaster management. Led by Shri Nityanand Rai, the Indian delegation aimed to implement past agreements and signed a working plan for 2025-2026. The plan emphasizes the use of space technology for disaster prediction, sharing knowledge, and training fire and rescue teams. The meeting reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Sendai Framework and set the stage for future cooperation, including hosting the next meeting in India in 2026. The commission, established in 2005, continues to strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries through regular collaboration.