2023 06 15

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes
Global DPI Summit
Child trafficking in India

GS Paper 3:

Use of ‘Water as a Weapon of War’

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Circular Economy
Greenwashing

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
IBBI to form ‘common panel’ of insolvency professional
e-RUPI vouchers
Super-engineered vaccines created to help end polio
Leptospirosis
One-shot chikungunya vaccine
Indian Navy ships launched

Mapping

Mount Mayon (Philippines)
Chite Lui River (Mizoram)

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes

GS2/GS3 Paper

Syllabus: Government Policies & Interventions

Source: PIB

Context: The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes in India have had a positive impact on production, employment generation, economic growth, and exports.

About PLI Scheme:

In the PLI Scheme, companies receive financial incentives or rewards based on their production and sales. For example, if a company makes more smartphones in India, they can earn a bonus from the government. This encourages companies to increase production, create jobs, and boost the country’s economy.


Aspect	Details
Objective	Scale up domestic manufacturing capability, increase import substitution, and generate employment.
Initial Targeted Industries	Mobile and allied Component Manufacturing, Electrical Component Manufacturing, and Medical Devices. Now expanded to Automobile and auto components, Electronics and IT hardware, Telecom, Pharmaceuticals, Solar modules, Metals and mining, Textiles and apparel, White goods, Drones, Advanced chemistry cell batteries, and other sectors as well.
Incentives	Calculated based on incremental sales. Range from 1% to 20% depending on the industry.
Additional Incentives	In some sectors such as advanced chemistry cell batteries, textile products, and the drone industry, the incentive is based on sales, performance, and local value addition achieved over a period of five years.

The success of the PLI Scheme (data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)):


Key Highlights of PLI Schemes	Details
Increase in FDI	76% increase in FDI in the Manufacturing sector in FY 2021-22 compared to the previous year; Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (+46%), Food Processing Industries (+26%) and Medical Appliances (+91%).
Value addition	20% value addition achieved in mobile manufacturing within a period of 3 years
India’s exports basket	PLI Schemes have transformed India’s export basket from traditional commodities to high-value-added products. Exports boosted by Rs 2.56 Lakh Crore till FY 2022-23
Investment	733 applications approved to date in 14 sectors with an expected investment of Rs. 3.65 Lakh Crore. Rs. 62,500 Crore investment realized till March 2023, resulting in employment generation of around 3,25,000
Indian farmers and MSMEs in the food processing sector	PLI Scheme for Food Processing positively had a positive impact on the income of Indian farmers and MSMEs
Import substitution	Import substitution of 60% achieved in the Telecom sector, making India self-reliant in Antennae, GPON, and CPE
Growth in the drones sector	Drones sector turnover has seen a 7 times jump due to the PLI Scheme
Reduction in imports	Significant reduction in imports of raw materials in the Pharma sector, transfer of technology in the manufacturing of Medical Devices

Challenges associated with the scheme:


Challenges	Examples
Lack of clarity	In the electric auto industry, firms are looking for clarity on the incentives they are supposed to receive. In 2022-23, incentives could not be disbursed because no auto company presented the required documents.
Lack of disbursements	In 2022-23, the government paid Rs. 2,874 crore to beneficiaries against a claim of Rs. 3,420 crore in various sectors.
Insufficient investment	The low disbursement of incentives suggests that the PLI scheme may not have resulted in the expected level of investment. 6 of the 14 sectors including textiles, solar PV modules, and advanced chemistry cell (ACC) batteries are lagging.
Affects competition	The state’s decision to select champions and provide fiscal incentives could affect competition in the targeted sectors.
Documentation issues	Without the required documents, incentives cannot be disbursed to the eligible companies.
Limited outgo of allocated funds	The actual disbursement of funds has been significantly lower than the allocated budget for the scheme.

Conclusion:

Policymakers should not excessively depend on the PLI scheme. It is not a way out of the inadequacies in the manufacturing sector. Modern manufacturing depends on complex supply chains and giving fiscal incentives to one set of producers may not work. So, the government will have to work on improving the overall industrial environment.

Insta Links:

IT Hardware PLI Scheme 2.0

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, Today's Article

Global DPI Summit

GS2/GS3 Paper

Syllabus: Government Policies & Interventions

Context: Global DPI Summit and Global DPI Exhibition were inaugurated by the Ministry of State in Electronics and IT and MSDE. Also, a meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) is being held in Pune.

What is DPI?

DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure) refers to the technological framework and systems that enable digital transformation and provide essential digital services to the public. DPI encompasses various components such as digital identity (e.g., Aadhar), digital payments (e.g., UPI), data exchange, and other digital solutions that contribute to improving governance, inclusivity, and efficiency in public services.

Highlights of the Summit:


Topics discussed	Description
Setting the Stage for DPI Advancements	India has signed MoUs signed with Armenia, Sierra Leone, and Suriname to share India’s digital solutions (India Stack)
Digital Identities for Empowering People	The importance of digital identities such as Aadhaar (India) and PhilSys (Philippines) highlighted
Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion	Focus on DPI’s role in facilitating fast and inclusive digital payments as well as bridging the financial divide through DPI
DPI for Judicial Systems and Regulations	Implementation of DPI in judicial systems e.g., e-court systems, e-filing, paperless courts, live streaming
Draft PKI Mutual Recognition Framework	Draft Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Mutual Recognition Framework has been released by the Ministry of Electronics & IT for the adoption of India’s DPI beyond India

About G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)

The Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG), formerly known as DETF, was established in 2017 during the German G20 presidency. Its primary objective is to facilitate the development of a secure, interconnected, and inclusive digital economy.

About One Future Alliance

The One Future Alliance is a voluntary initiative that brings together countries and stakeholders to collaborate on shaping the future of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Its goal is to harness the power of technology for improved governance and the well-being of people.

Insta Links:

DPI

Prelims Links

Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018)

Aadhaar card can be used as proof of citizenship or domicile.
Once issued, the Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: D

In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of (UPSC 2020)

(a) Digital security infrastructure
(b) Food security infrastructure
(c) Health care and education infrastructure
(d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure

Ans: A

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, Global DPI Summit, Today's Article

Child trafficking in India

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of the Vulnerable Sections

Source: TH

Context: Several reports since the 2020 lockdown have noted that the pandemic created a second crisis of child trafficking, with children being pushed into “despair, disease and death.”

Child trafficking:

Child labour is a form of modern slavery that includes any work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity, and physical or mental development. (ILO)
The practice includes trafficking, sexual exploitation, debt bondage, and exploitation in armed conflicts.
Child trafficking manifests in the form of domestic labour, forced child labour across industries, and illegal activities such as begging, organ trade and commercial sex purposes.
Estimates show that children account for one in every three detected victims of trafficking worldwide.

Prevalence in India:

According to the NCRB, 8 children were trafficked every day in India in 2021 for labour, begging and sexual exploitation.
95% of the reported cases in 2019 were of internal trafficking.
The sale of children happens across borders too, with key routes being India to Gulf States (for ‘khadama’ to work as housemaids) and South East Asian countries.

Most vulnerable: Minor girls in the age bracket 15-18 years, as they are in greater demand for the sex trade industry and domestic labour.

Main reasons for child trafficking in India:

Poverty, hunger, and lack of work.
This year’s World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) emphasised social injustices (caste and community-based discrimination and unfair treatment) as the root causes of child labour and trafficking.
Externalities such as the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflict, and climate change.
Vulnerable to online sexual predators.
More than 40% of children trafficked were recruited by a family member or relative.

Laws governing anti-trafficking crimes:


Laws	Salient Provisions/ Issues
The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956	It is targeted at stopping immoral trafficking and sex work. It is criticised for criminalising sex workers without providing sufficient legal recourse or scope for rehabilitation, falsely presuming that all trafficking is done for sex work only.
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006	It prohibits and penalises the act of child marriage. However, there is a rise in child marriage and sexual abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986	In 2016, an amendment completely banned the employment of children below 14 years; adolescents aged 14-18 years are not allowed to work in hazardous working conditions.
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1976	It prohibits systems of labour where people, including children, work under conditions of servitude to pay off debt, and also provides a framework for rehabilitating released labourers. 22 States and UTs did not report identifying any bonded labour victims or filing a case under the law.
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015	It governs laws relating to children alleged and found to be in conflict with the law.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012	It seeks to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of children.
The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill	The MWCD published the Draft of the Bill in 2021, detailing measures to prevent, protect and rehabilitate victims. There are specified penalties for offences divided into “trafficking” and “aggravated trafficking”. It widened the scope of “victims” to include transgender persons.

The penalty for trafficking minors:

For trafficking one minor imprisonment from 10 years to life, along with a fine.
For trafficking more than one minor, the penalty is life in prison and a fine.

Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs):

India set up AHTUs in 2007, which are tasked with addressing the existing gaps in the law enforcement response, ensuring a victim-centric approach, developing databases on traffickers, etc.
As of 2022, 768 AHTUs are functional in the country; 20 out of 36 States and UTs have met the target of setting units across all districts.

Concerns:

Gross underestimate of the true extent: Child trafficking does not account for missing children – 1 child goes missing every 8 minutes in India.
- This is mainly due to a lack of awareness about the modalities of trafficking, reluctance to seek police help and socio-economic deprivation.
Low conviction: Less than 10% of the reported cases end up in convictions.
Lack of coordination among AHTUs and disjointed operations by State and Central Governments.
Absence of a witness protection framework (the victim is also the witness) and challenges in accessing compensation.
The Trafficking in Persons Bill violates the Juvenile Justice Act, as it places the burden of proof on the offender (the child) rather than the prosecuting agency.
The 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report:
- India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.
- India doesn’t have a composite anti-trafficking law that addresses prevention, protection, rehabilitation and compensation of survivors.

Way ahead:

Community-based rehabilitation models allow the greater agency to the individual.
Revisit existing laws to plug legal holes.
Cultivate awareness about different trafficking crimes, and form targeted child protection schemes.

Conclusion: The antidote to poverty-driven child labour is decent work for adults, so they can support their families and send their children to school, not to work. (ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo)

Insta Links:

Human trafficking

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, 15 June CA, Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), Child trafficking in India, GS 2, JJ Act, POCSO Act, Today's Article, Today’s article, World Day Against Child Labour (June 12)

Use of ‘Water as a Weapon of War’

GS Paper 3/2

Syllabus: Internal Security/ Effect of Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests

Source: IE

Context: The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine is a fast-moving disaster, developing into a long-term environmental catastrophe (termed as ecocide) and worsening the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Kakhovka Dam:

It was built in 1956 (under the Soviet Union) on the Dnipro River in Ukraine (Kherson region) as part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant.
The reservoir of the dam supplies water to the Crimean peninsula (annexed by Russia in 2014) and Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (Europe’s largest and also under Russian control).
There are different theories behind the collapse of the dam – Ukraine blames Russia/ Russia blames Ukraine/for collapse due to earlier damage.

Impact of the collapse:

Floods and destruction: The left bank of the Dnipro River remains under Ukrainian control, while the right side is controlled by the Russians.
Agriculture and global food security: Often called the “bread basket” of the world, 64% of Ukraine’s wheat is exported to developing countries. The flooding is likely to make arable lands unfit for agriculture for years to come due to increased salinity in the soil, as well as contamination of irrigation canals.
Energy security: Ukraine relies on its four nuclear power plants, considered to be a clean energy source, for over half of its energy needs. The damage to the hydroelectric dam is also a hit to the renewable energy resources in Ukraine.
Fresh water supplies: For example, water levels in the North Crimea Canal, which brings fresh water from the Dnipro River to the Crimea peninsula, may decrease.

Use of water as a weapon of war:

The use of water as a weapon has a history stretching back to ancient times and it continues today.
As climate change intensifies water scarcity, the value of water is likely to increase, thus incentivising its further use in conflict.
Damage to water infrastructure can be an accidental consequence of war or an intentional
Sometimes, weaponising water serves both military and political goals. For example,
- Israel has restricted water resources to Palestinians to displace local populations and undermine Palestinian economic development.
- The Syrian regime repeatedly used water shortages against civilians and combatants during the Syrian civil war.
Upstream states can use water as leverage when negotiating (by threatening to cut or reduce the flow of water) with downstream states about a wide range of issues. For example,
- Pakistan (downstream) accused India (upstream) of waging ‘fifth-generation warfare‘ by restricting western rivers (Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum) flow to Pakistan.
- India accuses China of controlling the flow of water in the Brahmaputra River by building ‘super’ dams close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Ethical concerns related to the use of water as a weapon of war include:

Violation of human rights and denial of access to clean water.
Environmental damage and ecological consequences.
Disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
Breach of international humanitarian law.
Long-term consequences and hindrance to post-conflict recovery.
Escalation of conflict and perpetuation of violence.

Way ahead:

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols regulate the conduct of armed conflict and seek to limit its effects.
- Under the additional protocols, attacks on water infrastructure such as dams can constitute a war crime, particularly if they cause significant harm to civilians.
The international community needs to place greater emphasis on addressing the role of water in conflict.
However, much depends on how the international community responds and enforces consequences for such violations.

Conclusion: The tragic results of the Nova Kakhovka dam collapse should bring greater attention to the role that weaponising water is likely to play in the future.

Insta Links:

Kakhovka Dam (Ukraine)

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, 15 June CA, Dnipro river, GS 2, Kakhovka Dam (Ukraine), Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, Kherson region, the Crimean peninsula, Today's Article, Today’s article, Water as a weapon of war, Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Circular Economy

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: BBC

The circular economy is an economic model that aims to minimize waste and resource consumption by promoting reuse, recycling, and regeneration of materials and products.

Examples are:

United Repair Centre (URC) (in Amsterdam) employs refugees as tailors to repair clothing, contributing to sustainability and prolonging garment lifespans.
Start-up Madaster (in Amsterdam) created an online registry to track materials used in buildings, promoting reuse and reducing waste in the construction industry.
Clothes Box Foundation: It is a not-for-profit organization that bestows clothes to less fortunate individuals.
Binbag Recycling: It leverages technology to collect and recycle e-waste in formal channels.

Usage: The example can be cited in Environment questions to highlight the circular economy.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, circular economy, Today's Article

Greenwashing

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Greenwashing refers to the deceptive practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product, service, or company in order to appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are.

Delta Air Lines, which claimed to be the world’s first carbon-neutral airline, is facing a lawsuit alleging false advertising. The lawsuit accuses Delta of misleading customers with its sustainability pledges, particularly its use of carbon offsetting to balance out its carbon emissions.

sage: This case can be quoted as an example of greenwashing in Environment/Economy questions.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, Greenwashing, Today's Article

Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ohchr

Context: This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

About the convention:

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) is a human rights declaration adopted by consensus at the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993 in Vienna, Austria.

Main features of declaration:

It affirmed the universality, indivisibility and interdependency of human rights.
Vienna’s Right of self-determination to freely determine their political status, and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development
Fight against impunity, including the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Action Plan:

The position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rightswas recommended by this Declaration and subsequently created by General Assembly
World Conference on Human Rights recommended that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan for the protection of human rights
United Nations Human Rights Councilholds regular debates (under its agenda item 8) on follow-up

The declaration reaffirms the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948. Throughout 2023, UN Human Rights is celebrating the Human Rights 75 initiative to nudge countries to fulfil the promises of the Universal Declaration.

About UDHR (1948):

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted in 1948, sets out a common standard of human rights for people worldwide, regardless of their nationality, race, religion, or other status. It consists of two treaties i.e. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) adopted in 1966. Together with UDHR, ICCPR and ICESCR comprise the International Bill of Human Rights.

India has ratified both ICCPR and ICESCR.

Note: Don’t confuse this with Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, Today's Article, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

IBBI to form ‘common panel’ of insolvency professional

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Economic Times

Context: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) will create a “common panel” consisting of registered insolvency professionals (IPs).

This list will be shared in advance with the adjudicating authority.
For appointment as IRP (interim resolution professional), Liquidator, RP (resolution professional) and BT (bankruptcy trustee).

The purpose of this panel is to allow the authority to choose IPs from the list to oversee various cases of resolution or liquidation.

Previously, the IBBI could only recommend an IP’s name after receiving a reference from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in a corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP). This new measure aims to streamline the selection process and improve efficiency in handling insolvency cases.

Who are Insolvency professionals?

They are individuals registered with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) who specialize in handling insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings. They are responsible for managing the affairs of the debtor, conducting investigations, gathering financial information, coordinating with creditors, and implementing the resolution plan or liquidation process by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

About the IBC:

The IBC was enacted in 2016, replacing a host of laws, to streamline and speed up the resolution process of failed businesses.
The Code also consolidates provisions of the current legislative framework to form a common forum for debtors and creditors of all classes to resolve insolvency.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, economy, GS3, IBBI, IBC, NCLT, Today's Article

e-RUPI vouchers

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

Context: The RBI has permitted non-bank Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI).) issuers to issue e-RUPI vouchers and enable the issuance of e-RUPI vouchers on behalf of individuals.

What is e-RUPI?

e-RUPI is a contactless cashless voucher which a user gets on his or her phone in the form of an SMS or QR code.
S/he can go and redeem it at any centre that accepts it.
The cap on the amount for e-RUPI vouchers issued by the government has been set at Rs 1,00,000 per voucher.
The central bank has also allowed the use of the e-RUPI voucher multiple times (until the amount of the voucher is completely redeemed).

How will it work?

For instance, if the central government wants to cover a particular treatment of an employee in a specified hospital, it can issue an e-RUPI voucher for the determined amount through a partner bank.
The employee will receive an SMS or a QR Code on his/her feature phone/smartphone.
S/he can go to the specified hospital, avail of the services and pay through the e-RUPI voucher received on his phone.

How will e-RUPI benefit?

It ensures an easy, contactless process that is operable on basic phones also.
It will deepen the penetration of digital payments in the country and a major stride towards promoting financial inclusivity.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, 15 June CA, e-RUPI vouchers, Today Article, Today's Article

Super-engineered vaccines created to help end polio

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BBC

Context: Scientists have “super-engineered” polio vaccines to prevent them from mutating into a dangerous form that can cause outbreaks and paralysis.

The wild poliovirus is currently limited to small pockets in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and oral vaccines play a crucial role in eradicating polio worldwide.
However, the oral vaccine has genetic instability, with just one mutation capable of reversing its safety and causing paralysis. Vaccine-derived polio cases now outnumber wild poliovirus cases.

What are Vaccine-derived polio cases:

These are instances where the poliovirus in the oral polio vaccine (OPV) mutates and causes paralysis in vaccinated individuals or spreads to others in the community. These cases occur when the weakened virus in the vaccine reverts to a form that can cause disease.

To address this, researchers have genetically modified the weakened virus, making it more resistant to causing paralysis. The modified vaccines have shown promising results in human trials, providing more stability and addressing the instability concern (leading to Vaccine-derived polio cases.

However, challenges remain in achieving full coverage and delivering vaccines to impoverished and conflict-affected areas.

About Polio:

Poliomyelitis, also known as polio, is an infection caused by a virus (poliovirus). It is a serious, highly contagious disease that can affect a person’s nervous system.

There are three types of wild poliovirus:

WPV 1: still exists but efforts are going on to eradicate it.
WPV 2: eradicated.
WPV 3: eradicated.

Polio typically affects children aged 5 years or younger. It can result in muscle weakness, permanent disability, and even death.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, GS3, health, polio, SCIENCE, Today's Article, Virus

Leptospirosis

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: Leptospirosis is a dangerous infectious disease that has become significant worldwide, especially during monsoon season.

It is caused by the bacterium Leptospira interrogans and is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with the urine of infected animals.

The disease is more prevalent in warm, humid countries and is often associated with heavy rainfall or flooding. Leptospirosis can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe organ dysfunction, and it is estimated to affect around 1.03 million people annually, resulting in approximately 60,000 deaths.

Leptospirosis is often misdiagnosed due to its symptoms resembling those of dengue, malaria, and hepatitis. Limited access to reliable diagnostics, lack of awareness among physicians, and insufficient environmental surveillance further contribute to inaccurate reporting of cases.

Prevention:

Preventing leptospirosis requires effective health education, community empowerment, and the adoption of preventive measures. Although commonly referred to as “rat fever,” leptospirosis can be transmitted by various animals, and seasonal patterns and extreme weather events exacerbate its incidence.
Proper waste management, improved sanitation facilities, and control of stray animals is crucial in preventing the disease.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, GS3, health, Leptospirosis, SCIENCE, Today's Article

One-shot chikungunya vaccine

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: According to the first phase 3 trial of the preventive published in The Lancet journal – a single-dose vaccine (VLA1553 vaccine) for chikungunya was found safe and produced a strong immune response against the viral disease.

About Chikungunya:

The mosquito-borne disease is caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is endemic in some regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Chikungunya causes symptoms such as fever, headaches, fatigue, and severe muscle and joint pain and there are no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments available.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, chikungunya, Disease, GS3, health, SCIENCE, Today's Article, Virus

Indian Navy ships launched

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Context: Recently, the fourth ship of the Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project, named ‘Sanshodhak’, was launched at Kattupalli, Chennai.

The project involves building four SVL ships for the Indian Navy by L&T/GRSE. The SVL ships, with new-generation hydrographic equipment, will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships and collect oceanographic data.

‘Anjadip’

Also, recently, the third 3rd Anti-Submarine Shallow Water Craft (ASMSWC) ship, ‘Anjadip’, was launched.

It has been named after the strategically important island of Anjadip, situated off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka and connected to the mainland by a breakwater, the ship represents the vital maritime role played by the island.

The ASW SWC project involves the construction of a total of eight ships, designed to replace the existing Abhay class ASW Corvettes. These ships boast over 80% indigenous content, promoting large-scale defence production by Indian manufacturing units and bolstering employment opportunities while strengthening the country’s capabilities in naval defence. ASWSWCs require less draft and can operate close to the coast, searching for underwater threats and neutralising enemy assets.

Both the ships have been manufactured indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipbuilding.

June 15, 2023 /'Anjadip', 'Sanshodhak', 15 June 2023, Today's Article

Mount Mayon (Philippines)

Mapping

Source: BBC

Thousands of people have been evacuated as Mount Mayon, a volcano in the Philippines, has started spewing lava.

The Philippines is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, in the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of 7,641 islands which are broadly categorized into three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It is bounded by the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, the Sulu Sea to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the north. It sits at the convergence zone of the Eurasian Plate, Philippine Sea Plate, and Indo-Australian Plate.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, Mount Mayon, philippines, Today's Article

Chite Lui River (Mizoram)

Source: DTE

The Chite Lui River in Mizoram is of great cultural and sentimental value to the people of the state. However, the river is facing pollution and degradation due to unplanned urbanization, encroachments, and businesses located near its banks.

The Chite Lui River originates from the Bawngkawn range in north Aizawl, Mizoram, and flows for approximately 20 km before joining the River Tuirial.

Mizoram’s largest river is Chhimtuipui, originating in Myanmar (Burma). Other significant rivers in Mizoram include Tlawng, Tuirial, and Tuivawl, which flow through the northern territory and ultimately join the Barak River in Assam.

June 15, 2023 /15 June 2023, Chite Lui River (Mizoram), Today's Article