Daily Currentaffairs: 30 Sept 2020

Tables of contents

1.Phthalates

2.Role of Artillery in the Indian Army 

3.ESG Funds

4.Pipeworts-New Species of Wetland Plant

5.India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership

1.Phthalates

Recently, Toxics Link, an environment advocacy group, has found significant presence of phthalates in baby diapers.

Key Highlights

• The research has suggested that pthalates, when in contact with skin, may impede the regulation of hormones.

• The study found high levels of phthalates ranging from 2.36ppm to 302.25ppm.

• The DEHP is the most toxic phthalate and is restricted or banned in several children products but was found between 2.36ppm to 264.94 ppm in the tested samples.

What are Phthalates?

• Phthalates are a family of chemicals used to improve the plasticity of several consumer products, including diapers.

• It is banned in the use of cosmetic products, toys in India, Europe, South Korea and China.

• India has set the standards for five common phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIDP, DNOP & DINP) in various children’s products but there is no such regulation in place for baby diapers in India.

• Phthalates are a family of chemical compounds primarily used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or vinyl, flexible and pliant.

• The colorless, odorless high phthalates are used in a multitude of products that demand high performance, long-lasting wear and durability.

Source: The Hindu

2.Role of Artillery in the Indian Army 

Recently, the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army is celebrating the 193rd Gunners Day.

History of Artillery and its Gunners

• The artilleries of Mughals, Marathas and those of Sikh armies among other historic entities have played a major role in their successful campaigns.

• The foundation of the Regiment of Artillery was laid on September 28 in 1827 when Bombay Artillery, later renamed 5 Bombay Mountain Battery, was raised.

• In May 1857, the mutiny by Indian soldiers started in the artillery of the Army of the Bengal Presidency.

  • The incident prompted a complete ban on Indian artillery units, except the mountain artillery batteries in select provinces.

• With the motto ‘Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal i.e. Everywhere with Honour and Glory’, the regiment boasts of one Victoria Cross, one Distinguished Service Order, 15 Military Crosses during the pre-independence era.

  • After Independence, the regiment boasts one Ashok Chakra, seven Maha Vir Chakras, nine Kirti Chakras, 101 Vir Chakras, 63 Shaurya Chakras, six Bar to Sena Medal, 485 Sena Medals besides many other decorations.

Role of Artillery in the Indian Army

• The Artillery of Indian Army consists of a dynamic inventory which ranges from Ballistic Missile, Multi-Barrel Rocket launchers, High Mobility Guns and Mortars Precision Guided Munitions.

• The Artillery is aimed at destruction of enemy targets to Radars, UAVs and Electro optic devices for locating and carrying out Post Strike Damage Assessment (PSDA).

• The Regiment of Artillery has played a key role in all the post-independence conflicts with the neighbours including the Kargil War.

• The importance of the artillery in conventional warfare remains intact, especially with the artillery guns playing a major role in the ‘Integrated battle groups’.

• The battle groups are formations comprising artillery, mechanised infantry and armoured and infantry elements along with the modern day force multipliers like UAVs and electronic warfare systems.

• The artillery fire can be used for suppressive and destructive purposes to get an upper hand over the enemy.

Evolving Role of the Artillery

• The artillery is extensively being deployed and used in the counter-insurgency (CI) battles because of the advent of precision ammunition.

• The Artillery formations have been deployed in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the northeastern theatre by the Indian Army.

• The introduction of self-propelled and automated artillery weapon systems has reduced the footprint of artillery because of the removal of ancillary systems.

• The advancements have also helped in increasing the survivability of the systems against the enemy fire because their ability to maneuver in all types of terrains has also increased.

• The introduction of ‘force multipliers’ like satellite communication, UAVs, networked electronic systems and artificial intelligence have increased the efficacy of artillery.

Source: The Indian Express

3.ESG Funds

Recently, the ESG funds which imbibe environment, social responsibility and corporate governance in their investing process, are witnessing growing interest in the Indian mutual fund industry too.

About ESG Funds

• The ESG investing is used synonymously with sustainable investing or socially responsible investing.

• ESG stands for environment, social responsibility and corporate governance which use these parameters as filters while picking stocks for investment.

• The ESG fund shortlists companies that score high on environment, social responsibility and corporate governance and then seeks into financial factors.

• The schemes focus on companies with environment-friendly practices, ethical business practices and an employee-friendly record.

Increase in focus on ESG Funds

• The ESG way of investing will be the new normal in India as most of the millennial and young population in India is more conscious while making an investment decision.

• The majority of studies highlighted that companies with good ESG scores tick most of the checkboxes for investing, tends to mitigate environmental and social risks and tends to have stronger cash flows, lower borrowing costs and durable returns.

Possible changes by ESG Funds in India

• The companies will be forced to follow better governance, ethical practices, environment-friendly measures and social responsibility, amid the growing momentum of ESG funds in India.

• Globally there has been a big shift as many pension funds, sovereign wealth funds etc. don’t invest in companies that are seen as polluting.

• The companies need to do function responsibly, utilise the technology available, effluent treatment, should not discharge untreated waste in soil, water or air, and should also take care of their minority shareholders and society.

Source: The Indian Express

4.Pipeworts-New Species of Wetland Plant

Recently, the scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) have discovered two new species of pipeworts, a type of wetland plant, from areas along the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

About Pipeworts

• Eriocaulon is a genus of about 400 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Eriocaulaceae.

• It is commonly known as pipeworts widely distributed in tropical regions, particularly southern Asia and the Americas.

• The genus Eriocaulon is usually adapted to soft water.

• It is a quite small, very narrow-leaved, and almost cushion-growing plant that demands a good supply of light and carbon dioxide to develop.

• The species found in Maharashtra is named as Eriocaulon parvicephalum for its distinct minute inflorescence size.

• The Karnataka counterpart has been named Eriocaulon karaavalense indicating the Karaavali coastal region in the state.

Source: The Indian Express

5.India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership

Recently, the India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership was signed which would build on and consolidate the existing agreement establishing a Joint Commission for Cooperation signed in 2009.

Key Highlights of India-Denmark Green Strategic Partnership

Energy and Climate Change

• The India-Denmark Energy Partnership (INDEP) on capacity building, knowledge-sharing and technology transfer on wind energy.

• The energy modeling and integration of renewable energy illustrate the shared commitment to address some of the common global challenges on the path towards global energy transition, green growth and sustainable development.

Environment/Water and Circular Economy

• The Indian Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Ministry of Environment and Food to develop a Work Plan for an initial period of three years (2021-23).

Sustainable Urban Development including Smart Cities

• The 2nd India-Denmark JWG on Sustainable Urban Development in June 2020 strengthened bilateral cooperation in sustainable urban development, including in smart cities through the Urban Living Lab in Goa.

• Both sides also agreed to strengthen existing City-to-City cooperation between Udaipur and Aarhus and Tumakuru and Aalborg.

Business, Trade and Shipping

• India and Denmark confirmed the emerging cooperation in Intellectual Property Rights, which will help to modernize and strengthen their national intellectual property systems to promote innovation, creativity and technological advancement.

Science, Technology, Innovation and Digitization

• India and Denmark recognize the importance of promoting and facilitating investments in science, technology and innovation (STI) via strong public-private partnerships as an important way to accelerate technology development.

Source: PIB

Jai Hind!