Current Affairs – 27 May 2024
AI Anchors
Recently, DD Kisan deployed two Artificial Intelligence anchors as part of the initiative to present the television channel in a new avatar.
AI Anchors
- Named ‘AI Krish’ and ‘AI Bhoomi’.
- Capable of speaking in 50 Indian and foreign languages.
- Function as human-like news anchors.
- Operate 24/7 without rest.
- Accessible to viewers across all States in India.
- Provide crucial information on:
- Agricultural research (domestic and global).
- Trends in agriculture markets.
- Weather changes.
- Government schemes.
Key Facts about DD Kisan
- Only TV channel in India dedicated to farmers, established by the Government of India.
- Launched on 26 May 2015.
Objectives of DD Kisan Channel
- Keep farmers informed about:
- Weather changes.
- Global and local markets.
- Enable farmers to plan ahead and make timely decisions.
- Highlight efforts of progressive farmers.
- Serve the agricultural and rural community.
- Promote holistic development through education.
DD Kisan’s Three-Dimensional Concept of Agriculture
- Balanced farming.
- Animal husbandry.
- Plantation.
Small Island Developing States
The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS-4) will be convened from May 27-30, 2024.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Comprise 39 States and 18 Associate Members of UN regional commissions.
- Face unique social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities.
- Geographical regions:
- Caribbean
- Pacific
- Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea (AIS)
- Recognized as a special case for environment and development at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- For SIDS, the EEZ is, on average, 28 times their land mass.
Issues Faced by SIDS
- High vulnerability due to:
- Low economic diversification.
- High dependence on tourism and remittances.
- Volatility from private income flow fluctuations and raw material price changes.
- Debt stress situations.
- Majority of accessible natural resources come from the ocean.
India’s Top Trading Partners
India has recorded a trade deficit, the difference between imports and exports, with nine of its top 10 trading partners in 2023-24, according to official data.
India’s Top Trading Partners (2023-24)
- China: Largest trading partner with $118.4 billion in two-way commerce.
- United States: Second largest trading partner with $118.28 billion in bilateral trade. Top trading partner in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): Third largest trading partner with $83.6 billion.
- Russia: Fourth with $65.7 billion.
- Saudi Arabia: Fifth with $43.4 billion.
- Singapore: Sixth with $35.6 billion.
Trade Deficit and Surplus
- Total Trade Deficit: Narrowed to $238.3 billion from $264.9 billion in the previous fiscal.
- Trade Deficit with Specific Countries:
- China: $85 billion (up from $83.2 billion).
- Russia: $57.2 billion (up from $43 billion).
- Korea: $14.71 billion (up from $14.57 billion).
- Hong Kong: $12.2 billion (up from $8.38 billion).
- Trade Surplus with Specific Countries:
- United States: $36.74 billion.
- Netherlands: $17.3 billion (hub for India’s petroleum trade with Europe).
- United Kingdom: $4.5 billion.
- Italy: $2.9 billion.
- France: $902 million.
- Belgium: $598 million.
Free Trade Agreements
- India has free trade agreements with four of its top trading partners:
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Korea
- Indonesia (as part of the ASEAN bloc)
Nyishi Tribe
Mountaineer and cricketer Kabak Yano etched her name in history recently by becoming the fifth woman from Arunachal Pradesh and the first woman from the Nyishi tribe to scale Mt. Everest.
Nyishi Tribe
- Largest Ethnic Group: In Arunachal Pradesh, with a population around 300,000.
- Language:
- Traditional language is Nishi.
- “Nyi” means “a man” and “shi” means “a being,” referring to a civilized human being.
- Belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family, but its origin is disputed.
- Geographical Distribution:
- Arunachal Pradesh: Concentrated in East Kameng, Pakke Kesang, Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Kamle, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, and Upper Subansiri districts.
- Assam: Also live in Sonitpur and North Lakhimpur districts.
- Economy:
- Slash-and-burn agriculture, hunting, and fishing.
- Experts in handicrafts: weaving, cane and bamboo works, pottery, blacksmithing, wood carving, and carpentry.
- Religion:
- According to 2011 Census: Christianity (31%), Hinduism (29%), and indigenous Donyi Polo.
- Donyi Polo: Reverence for the Sun (Ayu Donyi) and Moon (Atu Polu).
- Festivals:
- Boori-Boot (February)
- Nyokum (February)
- Longte (April)
- Celebrations focus on pleasing gods and goddesses for good harvests, health, wealth, and prosperity.
- Social Structure:
- Polygyny is prevalent.
- Patrilineal descent.
- Divided into several clans.
- Society is not based on caste or class, only a loose type of social distinction.
- Women’s Role:
- Considered the source of peace, progress, and prosperity.
- Importance increases through an established reciprocal marital exchange system.
Mundra Port
Adani Group’s Mundra Port recently saw the largest ever container ship to dock at an Indian port when the almost 400-metre-long MSC Anna came visiting.
Mundra Port
- Largest Private and Container Port: In India.
- Location: North shores of the Gulf of Kutch, near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat.
- Features:
- Deep-draft, all-weather port.
- Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
- Container Traffic: Handles 33% of India’s container traffic.
- Ownership:
- Operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ).
- APSEZ is India’s largest commercial port operator, handling nearly one-fourth of the country’s cargo movement.
- Handling Capacity:
- Total capacity of 260 million metric tonnes (MMT).
- Handles over 155 MMT annually (FY 2022-23), about 11% of India’s maritime cargo.
- Infrastructure:
- 26 berths and two single-point moorings.
- Capable of accommodating a wide range of vessels.
- Cargo Types:
- Containers, dry bulk, break bulk, liquid cargo, and automobiles.
- Home to India’s largest coal import terminal.
- Connectivity:
- Rail connection to the national rail network.
- Cargo can be handled for any location in India.
MSC Anna
- Significance: Largest container ship ever to call at an Indian port.
- Specifications:
- Length: 399.98 meters (approximately the length of four football fields).
- Capacity: 19,200 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).
- Arrival draft: 16.3 meters.
- Only Adani Ports, Mundra can accommodate such a deep-draft vessel.