theIASHub | 02 May, 2025 | 5
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Orange Economy: Recently, at the inaugural session of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), Prime Minister spotlighted India's emergence as a rising force in the 'orange economy'.
o Global Demand: Highlighted the rising international appetite for Indian films, digital content, animation, and gaming.
o Responsible Creativity: Stressed the need for ethical storytelling — creativity that enriches human values and avoids dehumanization.
o WAVES Awards Announcement: Unveiled a new WAVES Awards platform to honor excellence in global content creation.
o Cultural Showcase:Emphasized that India is a land of a billion stories, ranging from courage and science to spirituality and drama, ready to reach global audiences.
o Cinematic Legacy: Celebrated India’s journey from Raja Harishchandra to RRR's Oscar win, showcasing Indian cinema’s evolving global influence.
o Tribute to Icons: Paid homage to Indian cinematic legends like Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, A.R. Rahman, and S.S. Rajamouli for elevating India's cultural identity worldwide.Kendu Leaves Or Green Gold : Eight Gram Sabhas in Baipariguda, Koraput, await government approval to deregulate the trade of kendu leaves under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
o It is primarily used for rolling bidis (local cigarettes).
o Major producing states include Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, with Odisha being the third-largest producer.
o The FRA supersedes state laws, such as the Odisha Kendu Leaf (Control of Trade) Act, which has historically restricted trade and hindered economic progress.
o Precedents from other districts (Nabarangpur, 2013; Kalahandi, 2017) show that deregulation boosts tribal incomes and economic outcomes.
Global Action On Chemicals: Recently, at the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions Conference of the Parties (COPs) 2025 in Geneva, India made key contributions to global environmental governance.
o Conference Theme: “Make visible the invisible: Sound management of chemicals and wastes,” reflecting India’s focus on environmental regulation and leadership in addressing global pollution, especially plastic waste.
o Key Focus: India highlighted the role of finance, technology transfer, and international cooperation in achieving BRS Conventions’ goals.
o National Legislation: India’s Environment (Protection) Act, Hazardous and Other Wastes Management Rules, and E-Waste Management Rules (2016) were emphasized as essential tools for sustainable governance.
o Leadership in Waste Management: India’s institutional and technical investments position it as a leader in sustainable waste management, setting an example for global action.
o Consultation with Norway: India participated in a consultation on the ongoing work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution.
o Domestic Efforts: India has implemented domestic bans on specific single-use plastics and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging.
o Global Advocacy: Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India introduced a resolution on single-use plastics at UNEA-4, bringing the issue to the global forefront.
Para-Phenylenediamine (PPD): Recently, health experts have raised concerns over the widespread use of para-phenylenediamine (PPD) in commercially available henna.
o Traditionally made from the leaves of the Lawsonia inermis plant, natural henna is valued for its reddish-brown hue and its cooling, soothing effect on the skin.
o Legal Status: While it is allowed in low concentrations for hair applications under global safety guidelines, its use on the skin is banned in many countries.
o Skin reactions: Intense itching, burning, redness, inflammation, swelling, fluid-filled blisters, and ulcers.
o Permanent Effects: Can lead to permanent scarring or pigmentation changes.
o Sensitization: Repeated exposure to PPD can cause long-term allergic reactions. Once sensitized, individuals may react to various products such as hair dyes, textile dyes, rubber products, and certain adhesives, drastically impacting daily life.Vizhinjam International Seaport: The Vizhinjam International Seaport, located in Kerala, is set to redefine India's maritime trade landscape as it is officially commissioned by PM.
o This all-weather, semi-automated port aims to become a key South Asian transshipment hub, boosting India's capacity for large container ships.
o Tech Sophistication: AI-powered control room with Vessel Traffic Management System for optimized vessel tracking and traffic flow.
o Economic Impact: Aims to reduce India's $200-220 million annual loss from reliance on foreign ports for 75% of transshipment cargo.
o Infrastructure: 2,960-meter breakwater allows handling of 18,000 TEU vessels. Capacity to increase from 1 million to 3 million TEUs by 2028.
o Financials: ₹8,867 crore project funded by State government (63%), Adani Group (28%), and ₹818 crore Central Government loan.o Strategic Location: Positioned 10 nautical miles from key international shipping routes.
o Significance: Marks a major step for Kerala and India, enhancing global maritime trade and positioning Kerala as a South Asian transshipment hub.
Natural Hydrogen : Natural hydrogen, a clean, abundant, and cost-effective energy source, is emerging as a key solution for decarbonizing the future and meeting growing energy demands.
o Unlike conventional hydrogen derived from natural gas, it offers a cleaner and more sustainable energy alternative.
Untapped Reserves: Natural hydrogen remains largely unexplored but shows immense promise globally and in India.
o India’s Geological Advantage: Unique formations like ultramafic rocks, volcanic-sedimentary belts, and hydrothermal systems offer high natural hydrogen potential.
o Estimated Reserves: India may hold around 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen—enough to significantly reduce manufacturing needs and support decarbonization.
o Global Discoveries: Large reserves found in places like Lorraine, France, suggest long-term global energy potential.
o Rising Global Interest: Over 40 companies (up from 10 in 2020) are exploring natural hydrogen across Australia, the U.S., Spain, and France.
o Lower Extraction Cost: Natural hydrogen is cheaper to extract than green hydrogen, attracting major firms like BP, Rio Tinto, and start-ups like Koloma.
o India’s Strategic Edge: With hydrogen demand projected to rise from 6 Mt/year (2020) to 50+ Mt/year by 2070, tapping natural reserves can cut costs and speed up net-zero targets.
o Report Title: "Climatewash: The World Bank’s Fresh Offensive on Land Rights"
o Main Allegation: The World Bank is using global climate goals to justify controversial land reforms that favor corporate access over community rights and environmental sustainability.
o The report cites examples from Indonesia, Madagascar, Malawi, the Philippines, and Argentina, illustrating how World Bank–backed land reforms have resulted in:
ü Evictions and loss of customary land rights
ü Consolidation of land under agribusiness and mining corporations
ü Increased conflict over natural resources
ü Widening socio-economic inequalitiesInternational Thermo-Nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER): Recently, the ITER project,has made significant progress toward demonstrating nuclear fusion as a large-scale, carbon-free energy source.
o Aims for a tenfold energy gain by injecting deuterium and tritium into the tokamak.
o ITER is designed to produce 500 megawatts of fusion power from just 50 megawatts of input heating power, marking a milestone in fusion energy research.
o Launched in 1985, it is a collaboration of 35 nations including - China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States.
o In southern France, it is world's largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion.
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