Kerala Affairs
TheUDFsubcommittee, which was given the task to examine thefeasibilityofSilverlinesemi high-speed rail project ofKerala Rail Development Corporation(K-Rail), has in its report said that the ambitious project of theLDFgovernment was unviable and would pose seriousenvironmental issues. The report of the subcommittee, headed byIUMLleader and formerPWDministerMK Muneer, will be discussed by UDF at a meeting scheduled
The report is said to have pointed out that the project is expected to have huge cost overruns than the currently estimated figure of Rs 63,000 crore and will not be financially viable. It has also been said that as the Silverline project is going to use standard gauge, it cannot be integrated into the existing rail of the country.
Silverline is an ambitious project that aims to cover a distance of 530km from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram in less than four hours. The project is facing criticism from a section of activists and the public over the huge costs involved amid fears of causing environmental damage. The project will require 3418 acres, including both RAILWAY and private land. Of the estimated project cost of Rs 63,941 crore, Rs 11,535 crore has been estimated for overall compensation.
National and International Affairs
National Conference on Agriculture For Rabi Campaign 2021-22 Inaugurated By Government Of India
The Govt. Of India launched National Conference On <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture For Rabi Campaign 2021-22 on 21 September.
Highlights
National Conference On Agriculture for Rabi Campaign for the year 2021-22 happened through video conference on 21 September.
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi campaign.
The objective is to review and assess crop performance during the preceding crop season.
It also aims to fix crop-wise targets for Rabi season in consultation with State Governments and facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies, to enhance the production and productivity of the crops.
Indias clean energy commitments at UN summit
India has also committed to develop and implement a National Hydrogen Energy Mission in order to boost the annual green hydrogen production to 1 MT by 2030.
It also announced to start a Production Linked Incentive Scheme which will help in adding 10 GW solar PV manufacturing capacity by 2025.
Indias commitments were the part of new multi-billion-dollar commitments that countries made in order to increase renewables and access to electricity & clean cooking technologies at the critical summit.
The summit was aimed at boosting efforts towards reducing the ranks of about 800 million people living in energy POVERTY. It also seeks to set the world on a trajectory towards net-zero-emissions by 2050.
India also announced to establish a 15 MMT production capacity of compressed biogas by 2024 and achieve 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by the year 2025-26. It seeks to enhance Energy Efficiency in <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture, , buildings and transport sectors besides promoting energy-efficient appliances & equipment in a bid to reduce Indias emissions intensity of GDP by 33-35 per cent by 2030.
The first in-person meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) of India, Australia, the United States and Japan, was held in Washington.
Meeting was participated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with leaders of the US, Japan, and Australia. US President Joe Biden is hosting all of them at the White House.
During the meeting, leaders also agreed to keep a careful eye on Pakistan, as its historic rival has been an instigator of trouble in Afghanistan.
PM Modi shared concerns regarding extremist Elements in Afghanistan
During the meeting, PM Modi noted that, four nations of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue came together in the interest of humanity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that Quad vaccine initiative will help Indo-Pacific nations.
It is a strategic dialogue between India, United States, Japan and Australia. This dialogue was initiated in 2007 by Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. It was paralleled by joint military exercise called Exercise Malabar.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published a new report titled Climate Indicators and Sustainable Development: Demonstrating the Interconnections.
Release of the WMO report coincides with the annual session ofUnited NationsGeneral Assembly and the opening of the SDG Action Zone, dedicated to accelerating action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The report also examines the implications of latest data & scientific research on the state of global climate for sustainable development in order to highlight how climate is changing and how these changes will help in achieving the SDGs.
World Giving Index by CAF
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index 2021 was published, in which India found the place among top-20 generous countries.
Highlights:
India has been ranked at the 14th spot. Its rank has elevated up from the 10-year world rank of 82.
CAF report notes that India is one of the fastest climbers on the Index.
According to the report, 61% Indians have helped a stranger in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, 36% of Indians donated , 34% Indians volunteered for social Motives in India.
According to a CAF survey, communities across the world have mobilised to help fellow citizens all through covid-19 pandemic. It resulted in the perfect helped a stranger figures since 2009, 55% of the worlds adults (that is three billion people) had said supporting any person they didnt understand in 2020, 31% of human beings donated money in 2020 as in contrast to donations in the last five years.