5 Dec 2023

#GS3: – 01. Extreme Heat

Extreme heat has to be viewed as one of the most dangerous results of changing climate, especially in India. …we have to worry about what’s happening on the ground with so many millions of people, especially women in India.
– Hillary Clinton Former Us Secretary Of State

#GS3: – 02. India’s Green Energy Targets

The green energy space in India is getting increasing investor and financier focus as the government plans to ramp up renewable energy installation and achieve 500 gigawatt (GW) of installed renewable energy in the country by 2030, and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. These objectives have resulted in high potential for investments in the green energy space.
-Commentary in News

The total investment in clean energy supply and cleantechnology manufacturing in India would double by 2030 from $60 billion in 2022.

Investments in clean energy need to triple to $180 billion by the end of this decade for India to achieve its net zero emissions targets.
-IEA
By 2047,annual investments worth$350-400 billion would be required to meet the country’s ambitious clean energy targets.
-KPMG

Currently there is an investment opportunity of around $216 billion in the renewable energy space in the country; data showed that 467 renewable energy projects are underway across 230 districts in the country with 150 promoters.
-Invest India

#GS2: – 03. Interceptions allowed in Post Office Bill

In a society which is as complex and diverse, and times which are as difficult as they are, it is very important that interception is done.This kind of a provision is kept for national security.
-Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of communications, electronics and information technology

#GS3: – 04. Growth

Similarly, in the GDP numbers, agriculture at 1.2% is at its lowest growth since FY19, and trade at 4.3% is at the lowest since FY21. A vibrant topline seems to be masking this slow growth down the line. Therefore, it is imperative for the RBI to maintain a proactive stand to facilitate a broader recovery.
– Kotak Mahindra Bank Whole TIme Director Shanti Ekambaram

#GS2: – 05. Lack of manpower in Healthcare

The availability of trained manpower is one of the biggest problems in the healthcare industry in our country. Despite this,India does 75 lakh cataract surgeries in a calendar year.
-Mahipals Sachdev Chairman&Managing Director, Centre For Sight

If there has to be some zoonotic disease or some outbreak, we should be much better prepared in terms of infrastructure, in terms of human resources, to tackle any sort of health emergency if it arises.

Between2020 and 2022, the entire healthcare system,whether it be the government, public health care system or private players, equipment suppliers, private hospitals, drug manufacturers and professionals,worked to tackle the pandemic.
-Health secretary Sudhansh Pant

#GS2: -06. ISO for Ayush

India is developing ISO standards for the country’s traditional system of medicines, with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) allowing medicines and services provided under the umbrella of Ayush ministry to get international recognition and market access to over 150 countries across the globe.

We were sending our products across the globe,but certain drug regulators asked us to specify standards for our products and were rejecting their use even as supplements. So, we are working with BIS and it has already published 50 such standards, which we are willing to convert to ISO standards. Once that happens,our products would be allowed in more than 150 countries.
-Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, secretary, Ministry of Ayush

#GS2: -07. Unemployment

Himachal Pradesh has witnessed the highest overall unemployment rate of 33.9%, followedbyRajasthanat 30.2%, among the age group of 15 to 29 years in cities during July-September 2023.
-PLFS

#GS2: – 08. Female Labour Force Participation

India has made great strides in Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR). However, FLFPR is not a fool-proof indicator of the real participation of women in the workforce.

To boost women participation further, India has to emphasize on education. The goal for every state in India should be
to get to where Kerala is today in the next fiveyears.

Laws regarding rights to property, safety at the workplace, gender pay equality, social reform are essential. Governments should roll out the red carpet for women microentrepreneurs.