Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 12 February 2024 | Download PDF

Key Claims:

• UPA mismanaged a once robust economy over a decade.
  • Neglected economic reforms caused macroeconomic instability.
  • Post-2008, high economic growth led to inflation and fiscal deficit.
  • Unproductive borrowing led to decreased capital expenditure and neglected infrastructure.
  • Capital expenditure as a percent of total expenditure (excluding interest payments) halved from 31% in FY04 to 16% in FY14 (this ratio stands at 28% in the current year).
• Health expenditure minimally improved during UPA’s tenure.

• Policy paralysis caused defense preparedness shortages by 2012.
• UPA’s tenure was marred by scandals and policy missteps.

Recently, the government presented a White Paper on the Indian economy in Parliament.

Background:

• The Modi government, during the Union Interim Budget on February 1, 2024, announced its intention to release a ‘White Paper.’ 
• This document aims to compare the economic performances of the Congress-led UPA government over ten years with that of the BJP-led NDA government.

Definition of White Paper:

• A White Paper is a governmental publication designed to showcase new policies and achievements, seeking support and public feedback. 
• Typically, it’s bound in a white cover. This White Paper is expected to analyze the Indian government’s economic policies, including fiscal, monetary, trade, and exchange rate policies, over the years.

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, delivered a message via video at an event commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. 
• The event was held at Swami Dayananda’s birthplace in Tankara, Morbi, Gujarat.

About:

• Dayanand Saraswati, an Indian philosopher and social reformer, founded the Arya Samaj, a movement aimed at reforming Hinduism. 
• His influential work, “Satyarth Prakash,” elucidates Vedic philosophy and human responsibilities. 
• In 1876, he advocated for “India for Indians,” a precursor to the Swaraj movement championed by Lokmanya Tilak. 
• He vehemently opposed idolatry and ritualistic practices, striving to revive Vedic principles.

Key points:

• Renowned figures such as S. Radhakrishnan and Sri Aurobindo hailed him as a key figure in shaping modern India. 
• Dayanand Saraswati campaigned against social injustices like the caste system, Sati practice, child marriage, and idol worship, aligning his teachings with the principles of the Vedas.
• He championed the slogan “Go Back to Vedas,” emphasizing the importance of Vedas as repositories of essential knowledge and spiritual truths for society. 
• Swami Dayanand Saraswati’s ascetic lifestyle underscored his deep reverence for the Vedas and his commitment to their teachings.

Examples Across Species

• Box Turtles and Painted Turtles: These turtles burrow into mud at the bottom of ponds or lakes.
• Snakes: Seek refuge in underground dens or caves.
• Lizards: Hide under rocks or within vegetation.

Importance of Brumation

• Survival: Crucial for reptiles to endure cold climates and challenging environmental conditions.
• Reproduction: Allows them to reemerge in more favorable conditions for feeding and reproduction.

• Alligators and other reptiles may appear dormant during colder months, leading to confusion about whether they are alive or dead.
• This state is called brumation, akin to hibernation in mammals, which allows reptiles to conserve energy and endure harsh environmental conditions.

Characteristics of Brumation

• Dormancy: Reptiles experience a period of dormancy or slowed activity.
• Environmental Triggers: Brumation is prompted by colder temperatures and limited food availability.
• Metabolic Slowdown: Reptiles’ metabolism significantly decreases, enabling them to go without food for weeks or even months.

Behavior During Brumation

• Seeking Shelter: Reptiles retreat to underground burrows, rock crevices, or other sheltered areas with stable temperatures.
• Reduced Activity: Activity levels decrease to conserve energy.
• Resource Conservation: Reptiles minimize resource requirements during this period.

Assessment of 2023

• Many warming records were broken in 2023, accompanied by climate disasters like wildfires, cyclones, droughts, and floods.
• Public focus often centers on whether the 1.5 degrees C warming threshold was crossed.

• Global warming’s impact is influenced by its patterns, not just its overall levels.
• Local conditions can moderate or amplify global warming effects.

Role of El Niño

• El Niño events impact global warming patterns, influencing phenomena like monsoons.
• The location and intensity of El Niño affect its global consequences.

Need for accurate predictions

• It is hardly possible to over-emphasise our need for accurate predictions of warming patterns to manage the climate change impacts that have already landed. 
• We need such predictions not only on an event-to-event basis but also in order to adapt to the changing seasons and the unavoidable harm they are rendering to lives, livelihoods, and economies.

• PM-SVANidhi boosted annual income of street vendors by Rs 23,000.
• Study was commissioned by Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

About:

• Central Sector Scheme
• Provides affordable working capital loans to street vendors affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Implementation until March 2022.
• Initial working capital of up to Rs. 10,000 for vendors.
• Interest subsidy of 7% for early or timely loan repayment.
• Monthly cash-back incentives for digital payments, ranging from Rs. 50-100.
• Higher loan eligibility upon timely repayment of the first loan.
• No requirement for collateral security.

Odisha Regional Specific News

• National Productivity Day is celebrated in India every year on February 12th. 
• It marks the foundation day of the National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous organization established in 1958 to promote productivity consciousness and culture in the country. 
• The day is recognized as part of a week-long National Productivity Week, observed from February 12th to 18th.
• This year’s theme is “Artificial Intelligence (AI)- Productivity Engine for Economic Growth.” 
• It highlights the crucial role of AI in driving a country’s economic growth and productivity.

About:

• This date marks the anniversary of the foundation of the International Labour Organization (ILO). 
• The first NPD was celebrated in 1962

• The administration in Odisha’s Puri town has launched a mobile app to facilitate online registration for cremation of bodies at Swargadwar cremation ground.
• Now, the bereaved families can opt for online registration by visiting Swargadwar App at Google Play store, said an official of the district administration today.

Key points:

• “The Swargadwar App has been launched to facilitate easy registration for cremation at the Swargadwar ground in the Holy Town here. 
• The mobile app will help reduce waiting time at the offline registration counter at Swargadwar. The mobile app has been developed in three languages—Odia, Hindi and English,”
• Apart from the registration option, people can get all information related to facilities at Swargadwar from the mobile app, said the official.
• However, the authorities made it clear that offline registration will also continue at the cremation ground.

Cognizant is an American multinational information technology services and consulting company. 

It is headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.

Founders: Kumar Mahadeva, Francisco D’Souza

• Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the new facility of Cognizant, one of the largest professional services companies in the world, in Odisha capital Bhubaneswar.

Key Highlights:

• Odisha has emerged as a ‘Destination of the Future’ with growing scale of investment, talent pool and ambition. 
• “We are excited to begin our expansion to Tier II cities with the opening of a new center in Bhubaneswar. Odisha has an entrepreneurial spirit, renowned educational institutions, strong infrastructure, and promising talent,” said Ravi Kumar S, CEO, Cognizant, who is the first Odia CEO of any Fortune 200 company.

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a host of measures for the welfare of Kendu leaf pluckers and other persons engaged in the sector.
• According to the Chief Minister, the Kendu leaf pluckers will be provided a 50 percent bonus in the ongoing crop season. The amount will be provided to the Kendu leaf pluckers through direct benefit transfer (DBT) method.
• The binders and seasonal staff of the Kendu leaf sector will also get 10 per cent incentives. The seasonal employees are entitled to one more months of employment

Key Details:

• The state government has also hiked the price of Kendu leaves in Odisha. 
• The price of a bundle of 20 Kendu leaves has been hiked from Rs 1.40 to Rs 1.60 while the same for a bundle of 40 leaves has been raised to Rs 3.20 from Rs 2.80.
• The state government has also accepted a proposal for revision of wages for the seasonal staff of Kendu leaf sector. 
• Besides, the traveling and cycle allowances for the seasonal employees have been hiked by 50 per cent. Now, Kendu leaf pluckers can avail the social security measures till 62 years of age.
• “The state government will provide financial assistance of Rs 25,000 for the wedding of daughters of Kendu leaf pluckers during the upcoming crop season. Each plucker can avail the benefits for the wedding of at best two daughters,” 
• As many as 9 lakh Kendu leaf pluckers, binders and seasonal employees will be benefitted by the welfare measures announced by the Chief Minister. The state government will spend around Rs 150 crore for this purpose.

• The first Foundation Day of Dharanidhar University was celebrated with much gaiety.
• The college with the same name was established in 1957 for the development of higher education in the tribal-occupied Keonjhar district. 
• It has now been granted university status.
• On the occasion, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena was present as chief guest. “Dharanidhar University will create a golden signature in the field of education and research if the ideals and dedicated attitude remain strong,”

• The last rites of veteran Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and 10-time MLA V Sugnana Kumari Deo were performed at Khallikote in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
• A large number of people joined Deo’s funeral procession, who passed away in a private hospital in Chennai Friday night. She was 86.

Key points:

• She was first elected to the state assembly in a by-election held at Khallikote in 1963.
• “Even though she belonged to a royal family, Sugnana Kumari Deo served the people for 60 years as a common citizen.

• Prana Ranjan Behera, a young farmer from Jayapatana block in Kalahandi district, is in the spotlight after he created a portrait of President Droupadi Murmu on his paddy field.
• Kalahandi district, once the landmark of hunger in India’s political map, has now become an example for the entire country in agriculture and pisciculture.
• Proud of its farmers and their success stories, this western district in Odisha is now attracting attention and making headlines owing to different types of rice cultivation in the area.

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