Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 16 November 2021

::NATIONAL::

Government has constituted a 20-member Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) for the development and implementation of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP).
Cabinet Secretary will be the Chairperson.

The Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) shall have the following terms of reference:

Review and monitor implementation of the Plan to ascertain the logistics efficiency accruing thereof;
Adopt framework and norms for undertaking any amendments in the Plan;
Coordinate for any changes in the projects already included in the Plan, within the prescribed framework and norms;
To set out a procedure and a definitive timeframe for synchronisation of various activities for construction of roads, rail, etc. along with all utility services in an area-based approach for development of infrastructure on pilot basis;
Align various initiatives on development of a common integrated portal which serves the needs of all stakeholders;
Issue appropriate directions for achieving the objectives and for compliance to guiding principles of the PM GatiShakti NMP and in addressing demand side requirements of concerned Ministries.
The EGoS will also look at the interventions required to meet the demand side, in efficiently transporting bulk goods based on the requirements of various Ministries like Steel, Coal, Fertilizer etc.

Continuous Learning and Activity Portal (CLAP) was launched on the inaugural day of ‘Ganga Utsav- the River Festival 2021’.

About:

CLAP is an interactive portal that is working towards initiating conversations and action around the rivers in India.
It is an initiative by Namami Gange, created and executed by TREE Craze Foundation and funded and supported by World Bank.
The Portal is also a platform to facilitate debates and discussions and express ideas on various issues pertaining to environment, water, rivers etc.
Also, National Mission for Clean Ganga got registered in the Guinness Book of World Records for most photos of handwritten notes uploaded to Facebook in one hour.

India achieved major success at the Group of 20 Leaders’ Summit in Italy as it, along with other developing nations,
The G20 leaders committed to the key goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but for the first time, they identified sustainable and responsible consumption and production as “critical enablers” in achieving the goal.
The G20 leaders fell short on announcing a target of zero emissions, a call India had rejected ahead of the Summit and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
Sustainable consumption and responsible production patterns are also part of Sustainable Development Goal 12, aimed at encouraging developed countries to reduce their luxurious energy-intensive lifestyles.
India pushed for and was able to obtain a commitment from G20 nations on improving livelihoods for small and marginal farmers.
The focus of the members will now be on the marginal farmers rather than just the prosperous ones, according to people familiar with the matter.

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette is participating in the 3rd edition of India, Singapore and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise SITMEX – 21, from 15 to 16 Nov 21 in Andaman Sea.

About:

SITMEX is being conducted annually since 2019 with an aim to enhance mutual interoperability and imbibing best practices between Indian Navy (IN), RSN and RTN.
The maiden edition of SITMEX was hosted by IN off Port Blair in September 2019. RSN hosted the second edition of the exercise in November 2020. The 2021 edition of the exercise is being hosted by RTN in Andaman Sea.
The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 restrictions and highlights growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies.
The two days of maritime drills will witness the three navies engaged in a various tactical exercises including naval manoeuvres and surface warfare drills
SITMEX-21 will fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and further enhance the cooperation between the participating navies towards augmenting the overall maritime security in the region.

Manufacturing PMI of India expanded for fourth straight month.
The Nikkei Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 55.9 in October from 53.7 in the previous month.

About:

PMI is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before.
It is calculated separately for manufacturing and services sectors and then composite index is constructed.
PMI is a number from 0 to 100. PMI above 50 represents an expansion, under 50 represents a contraction, and reading at 50 indicates no change.
Earlier compiled by Japanese firm Nikkei, it is now compiled by IHS Markit for more than 40countries including India.

Recently, Indonesian researchers showed reduction in dengue cases (as much as 77%) after breeding dengue mosquitoes with Wolbachia Bacteria.

About:

Wolbachia are common bacteria that occur naturally in almost 60% of insect species, including some mosquitoes, fruit flies, moths, dragonflies and butterflies. Wolbachia are safe for humans.
Wolbachia does not occur naturally in Aedes aegypti mosquito species that spreads dengue and other diseases such as chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever.
When Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carry Wolbachia, bacteria compete with viruses like dengue,Zika etc and makes it harder for viruses to reproduce inside the mosquitoes.