31st August - AAJ KA QUALITY ENRICHMENT

KEYWORDS

• Meaning: It means safeguarding the fundamental components or elements that make up a democratic system i.e., various smaller components that collectively contribute to its functioning.
• Usage: It can be used in questions related to: Freedom of speech, Regulation of speech, Sedition, democratic government, Separation of power and Checks and balances, etc.

• Meaning: This keyword signifies the importance of individuals, groups, professionals, or society at large who are playing their important role towards India’s growth and to make this ‘Amrit Kaal’ as to transform India into a developed nation.
• Usage: It can be used in questions related to - Manufacturing and Industry, Zero defect & zero effect, Export and PLI, One district – One Product etc.

• Meaning: This keyword signifies and encourages a dynamic and proactive approach to personal, group, business etc. growth, learning, and development.
• Usage: It can be used in questions related to – Youth, Startups and Entrepreneurship, R&D and Innovation, Education and skill etc.

• Meaning: This keyword suggests transforming specific goals or objectives into a collective effort involving the broader community or society. It's about mobilizing people's participation, enthusiasm, and collaboration to work towards achieving those missions.
• Usage: It can be used in questions related to - Government schemes and implementation, Participatory governance, good governance, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Corruption free governance etc.

CASE STUDIES/ EXAMPLES

• Case: Karnataka.
• Step taken: It announced to create a cyber security police for Karnataka i.e., a fact-checking unit to tackle “fake news syndicates”.
• Issues: It may clamp down voices of dissent and freedom of press.
• Need: Karnataka government need to “clearly specify the scope of and powers of the proposed fact checking unit, as well as the governing mechanism under which it will operate.”

• Case: World’s first electrified flex fuel vehicle.
• Step taken: Developed by Toyota in India, it is particularly important as it is the world’s first BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle prototype, which has both the flex fuel engine as well as an electric powertrain, thereby offering higher use of ethanol combined with better fuel efficiencies.

KEY FACTS

• Step towards zero emission: The Indian Railways has increased its solar capacity by more than 5o times in the last 9 years. 
• India ranks 4th in solar energy generation globally and Rajasthan has the highest solar power generation potential of any state in the country.

• While the cost of a healthy diet has increased in recent years in India, it is still the lowest among the BRICS nations (including the newly added six countries) and India’s neighbors.
• In India, 74% were not able to afford a healthy diet in 2021, the fourth highest share among the nations considered.

• In a short span of 8 years (2014-2023), the Ethanol blending in India has increased by over 8 times. It has increased from 1.53% to around 11.5% leading to savings in the import bills and also lowering of carbon emissions.
• India has advanced the target for E20 blending to 2025 (5 years ahead of earlier planned schedule), from the original plan of 2030. 

PM/VP/PRESIDENT SPEECHES

• On Business community: “Business can transform potential into prosperity, obstacles into opportunity, aspirations into achievements, small or big, global or local, it can ensure progress for everyone.”

JUDGEMENTS/ COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

• Reserve bank of India (RBI) Governor recently asked the boards of urban cooperative banks (UCBs) to strengthen financial and operational resilience to ensure overall financial and banking sector stability. 
• He also urged them to further strengthen governance practices at UCB, especially the three supporting pillars of compliance, risk management, and internal audit.
• RBI’s Financial Stability Report (FSR), 2023: It showed that under a severe stress scenario, the consolidated capital adequacy ratio or CRAR of scheduled UCBs and non-scheduled UCBs diminishes significantly.

DEFINITION

• Definition: The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-distribution treaty signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, arranged and negotiated by the World Bank, to use the water available in the Indus River and its tributaries.

• Definition: Energy infrastructure is the system of facilities and projects that produce, transmit, and distribute electricity and other forms of energy. 
• It is essential for the economy, security, and welfare of nations. 
• It relies on various energy sources, such as oil, natural gas, coal, and renewables, and faces challenges from aging, reliability, climate change, and innovation.

QUOTES

• Meaning: The quote emphasizes the severe impact of corruption within the judicial system. 

• Corruption in the judiciary undermines the fundamental principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law. It erodes public trust in the legal system and compromises the integrity of judicial decisions.

• Meaning: The quote emphasizes the importance of fairness and balance in addressing social and economic inequalities. 

• It suggests that achieving justice and inclusivity should not come at the expense of those who are already in a relatively stronger position. It suggests that positive change should be pursued through constructive means that promote growth, development, and empowerment for everyone involved.