The US became Indias top trading partner
Context :
The data provided by the Ministry of Commerce stated that in 2018-2019 the US had surpassed China to become India’s top trading partner. It shows greater economic ties between the two countries.
The trend is expected to continue in the coming years as India and the US are engaged in further deepening the economic ties.
Report Highlights :
- The bilateral trade between India and the US stood at $87.95 billion in the year 2018-2019.
- On the other hand, India’s two-way commerce with China aggregated at $87.07 billion in the same year.
- During April-December of the year 2019-20, the bilateral trade between the US and India stood at $68 billion and at $64.96 billion with China.
- Both countries are expected to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) so that the bilateral trade would reach different levels.
- India is demanding a cut in visa fees, exemption from high duties imposed on certain steel and aluminum products, and greater market access for its products from sectors such as agriculture, automobile, automobile components, and engineering by the US.
- On the other hand, the US wants market access for its farm and manufacturing products, medical devices, dairy items, and data localization. It also demanded a cut on import duties on some information and communication technology (ICT) products. The US has also raised concerns over a high trade deficit with India.
Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2020
Context:
Union Cabinet has approved the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2020.
The amended bill is reformed version of the draft legislation which was passed by Lok Sabha in August 2019 but its provisions, including that only a close relative of a couple can be a surrogate mother, had invi ted criticism.
Background :
The bill incorporates all recommendations made by a Rajya Sabha select committee, which studied an earlier version of the draft legislation, and is aimed at banning commercial surrogacy and allowing altruistic surrogacy.
Key features of the Bill :
- It allows any “willing” woman to be a surrogate mother and proposes that widows and divorced women can also benefit from its provisions, besides infertile Indian couples.
- The bill also proposes to regulate surrogacy by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and, State Surrogacy Board and appropriate authorities in states and Union Territories respectively.
- The proposed insurance cover for surrogate mother has now been increased to 36 months from 16 months provided in the earlier version.
- Commercial surrogacy will be prohibited including sale and purchase of human embryo and gametes.
- Ethical surrogacy to lndian married couples, Indian-origin married couples and Indian single woman (only widow or divorcee between the age of 35 and 45 years) will be allowed on fulfilment of certain conditions.
Sources: the Hindu.
World NGO Day is observed on 27 February
Context :
World NGO Day is observed on 27 February. The day aims to raise awareness about the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) sector. The day is observed every year to encourage people worldwide who are involved and dedicatedly working for a good cause.
Aim :
The day aims to highlight the achievements and success of NGOs from all the sectors across the globe. The day aims to make people understand the role of NGOs in society.
History :
The observation of World NGO Day was founded in 2009 by Law student Marcis Liors Skadmanis. The observation of the day was officially declared by 12 countries on 17 April 2010. It was internationally recognized on 27 February 2014 by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
NGO :
NGO is a non-profit association that is independent. It is not a state or an international institution. NGOs play a major role in international development, aid, and philanthropy.
Scientist discover first-ever animal that does not need oxygen to breathe
Context :
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered a unique organism that doesn’t need to breathe.
Henneguya salminicola, the tiny parasite, is the first known multicellular animal that can survive without oxygen. It lives in an anaerobic environment. The parasite lives in salmon tissue and evolved so that it doesn’t need oxygen to produce energy. The researchers made the discovery accidentally while sequencing the Henneguya genome.
Henneguya salminicola :
H. salminicola is a relative of jellyfish and corals. It lives within the muscle tissue of salmon. It is relatively harmless. It causes diseases like milky flesh or tapioca, which is named for the white fluid-filled cysts it causes in the fish. The parasite lacks mitochondrial genes. Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. It captures oxygen to make energy through aerobic respiration.
Researchers are still trying to find how exactly the parasite produces energy. It is suspected that the parasite may be drawing energy from the surrounding fish cells, or it may have a different type of respiration such as oxygen-free breathing, which typically characterizes anaerobic non-animal organisms.
National Technical Textiles Mission
Context :
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the setting up of a National Technical Textiles Mission at an total outlay of ₹1,480 Crore.
Aim :
To position the country as a global leader in technical textiles and increase the use of technical textiles in the domestic market.
Key facts :
The Mission will be implemented for four years from 2020-2021 and will have four components:
- The first component will focus on research and development and innovation and will have an outlay of ₹1,000 crore. The research will be at both, fibre level and application-based in geo, agro, medical, sports and mobile textiles and development of bio-degradable technical textiles.
- The second component will be for promotion and development of market for technical textiles. The Mission will aim at taking domestic market size to $40 billion to $50 billion by 2024.
- The third component will focus on export promotion so that technical textile exports from the country reach from the ₹14,000 crore now to ₹20,000 crore by 2021-2022 and ensure 10% average growth every year till the Mission ends.
- The last component will be on education, training and skill development.
What are technical textiles :
Technical textiles are defined as textile materials and products manufactured primarily for their technical performance and functional properties rather than aesthetic and decorative characteristics.
Technical textiles include textiles for automotive applications, medical textiles, geotextiles, agrotextiles, and protective clothing.
Sources: the Hindu
Kerala High Court Bans Agitations on Campus
Context :
The Kerala High Court has banned all forms of agitations by student groups on school and college campuses.
- The Kerala High Court has issued this order while hearing a petition filed by 20 educational institutions against campus politics.
- The High Court had prohibited campus politics in 2017 also but the decision was not implemented in the State.
Highlights of the Judgement :
- The Court has imposed a ban on strikes in schools and colleges that impact the functioning of the campuses.
- Educational institutions are meant for academic- related activities and not protests. However, these institutions can be made a venue for peaceful discussions.
- There should not be any form of agitation that affects the academic atmosphere on campuses. Right to education is a fundamental right (Article 21-A of the Constitution) and nobody has the right to violate that right.
Arguments Against the Judgement :
- Student wings of political parties consider that the verdict infringes upon fundamental rights (including Article 19(1)(a) – Right to Freedom of speech and expression). Campus politics has a larger role in socialising students and instilling in them the values of democracy and secularism.
- A student group is also a type of a Pressure Group.
- A pressure group is a group of people who are organised actively for promoting and defending their common interest.
- It is called so, as it attempts to bring a change in public policy by exerting pressure on the government.