- WORLD LAGS ON 2040 NATURE GOALS AS COP 16 TALKS BEGIN
SUBJECT : ENVIRONMENT
- UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16): Lagging Progress on 2030 Goals:Despite the ambitious Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework agreement in 2022, countries are falling behind on their commitments to halt nature destruction.
- Activities like loggingand overfishingcontinue at unsustainable rates. A key indicator of this lag is the failure of most countries to submit their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)by the COP16 deadline.
- Funding Gap for Conservation:A major challenge is securing sufficient financial resources for conservation efforts. COP16 aims to develop new initiatives to generate revenue for nature, as current funding falls billions of dollars short of the 2025 target.
- Status of National Biodiversity Plans (NBSAPs): Limited Submissions:As of October 18, 2024, only 31 out of 195 countries had submitted their NBSAPsto the UN biodiversity secretariat. An additional 73 countries submitted less comprehensive documents outlining national targets without implementation details. This makes it difficult to assess global progress toward the “30 by 30” goal.
- Disparity Between Nations:Wealthier nations, including many in Europe, along with Australia, Japan, China, South Korea, and Canada, have generally been more prompt in submitting their plans. Poorer countries face greater challenges in securing funding and expertisefor plan development.
- The United States, while present at the talks, has not ratified the Convention on Biodiversityand is not obligated to submit a plan.
2. IN MEGA TOURISM EVENT, SAUDI ARABIA CELEBRATES INDIAN DIVERSITY, PLURALISM
SUBJECT : BILATERAL
- India-Saudi Arabia Cultural Exchange Event:Saudi Arabia hosted a two-week celebration of Indian cultureas part of its annual Riyadh Season, a major tourism event. This was linked to the Saudi government’s Global Harmony Initiative.
- Focus:The event highlighted India’s diversity and pluralism through music, food, and appearances by Indian performers and athletes.
- Diplomacy:Indian Ambassador Suhel Ajaz Khan played a key role and described the event as “unforgettable.”
- Indian Community:Saudi Arabia has a significant Indian diaspora, estimated at 2.4 million, the second largest expatriate communityafter Bangladeshis (2.7 million)
3. SOME SLACKENING OF MOMENTUM BUT GDP MAY HAVE RISEN 6.8% IN Q2
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Q2 2024-25 Projection:The RBI projects 6.8% GDP growth for Q2 2024-25, slightly higher than the 6.7% growth in Q1. This is based on the RBI’s Economic Activity Index (EAI), which uses high-frequency indicators.
- Factors Affecting Growth:
- Positive: Robust domestic demand
- Positive consumer and industry sentiment
- Easing supply chain pressures (though still vulnerable to geopolitical risks), and
- Anticipated revival in consumption spending during the festival season.
- Lead indicators suggest encouraging signs for private investment.
- Negative:A slowdown in momentum observed in Q2 due to heavy rains, Pitru Paksha, and global geopolitical tensions. Specific indicators showing weakness include GST collections
- Auto sales
- Bank credit growth
- Merchandise exports, and
- Manufacturing PMI
- Future Outlook:While private investment and consumption are expected to improve, concerns remain regarding stretched stock market valuations and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in the Middle East. These factors could lead to market caution.
4. SECULARISM IS A CORE PART OF THE CONSTITUTION :SC
SUBJECT : POLITY
- The Supreme Court, during a hearing challenging the inclusion of “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble, affirmed that secularism is a core component of the Constitution’s Basic Structure.
- Key Arguments and Observations:
- Secularism as Basic Structure:The Court reiterated its established position that secularism is integral to the Basic Structure, referencing the principles of equality and fraternity enshrined in the Constitution.
- Interpretation of Socialism:Justice Khanna clarified that “socialism” in the Indian context doesn’t necessarily align with Western interpretations. It emphasizes equal opportunity and equitable wealth distribution within the country.
- Petitioner’s Contention:The petitioner argued against the retrospective insertion of “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble in 1976 (through the 42nd Amendment), not against the words themselves.
- Historical Context:The 42nd Amendment, enacted during the Emergency, introduced “socialist” and “secular” into the Preamble and replaced “unity of the nation” with “unity and integrity of the nation.”
- Kesavananda Bharati Case:The Court referenced the Kesavananda Bharati case, where a 13-judge bench declared the Preamble an integral part of the Constitution, amendable by Parliament as long as the Basic Structure remains untouched.
- 42nd Amendment’s Legacy:While acknowledging the controversial nature of the 42nd Amendment (particularly its attempts to curtail judicial power), the Court noted that the inclusion of “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble was retained even after subsequent amendments restored other aspects of the Constitution
5. CYCLONE
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- A super cycloneisa tropical cyclone with sustained wind speeds of at least 120 knots (220 km/h) for a period of three minutes.It is the highest classification of tropical cyclone used in the North Indian Ocean.
- Super cyclonesare characterized by:A low-pressure center, Strong winds, and Spiral arrangement of thunderstorms and rains.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) introduced the term “super cyclonic storm” in 1999to replace the previously used “Severe Cyclonic Storm”.One of the most recent super cyclones was Cyclone Amphan in 2020.
- The 1999 Odisha cyclone, also known as the Paradip Cyclone, was another super cyclone that hit India.It caused the deaths of about 10,000 people and heavy damage to the region.
