- Indian Heritage
Edinburgh to Kozhikode: how Kerala got onto UNESCO’s City of Literature list
Home to some of India’s best-known writers, including M.T. Vasudevan Nair, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and S.K. Pottekkatt, the city also has a vibrant theatre tradition, several publishing houses, many libraries and bookshops, and hosts the popular Kerala Literature Festival ver four days in the coming month of January, the Kozhikode beach will witness a sea of people braving the blazing sun to listen to some great minds, from across the country and overseas, speaking mostly on literature.
The seventh edition of the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) should attract hundreds of thousands of book lovers, as in previous years. It will be the first since UNESCO named Kozhikode a City of Literature, a fortnight ago.
The massive attendance for the KLF — there was a five lakh footfall at the last edition, according to the organisers — has, in fact, become the most visible symbol of Kozhikode’s love for literature. UNESCO’s recognition is richly deserved by this historic city.
Kozhikode is India’s first City of Literature. It was in 2004 that UNESCO launched the Creative Cities Network to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Edinburgh was the first City of Literature.
- Culture
- Modern Indian history
- The Freedom Struggle
- Post-independence
- Indian Society
A. population and associated issues
B. poverty and developmental issues
C.urbanization
7. Geographical features
8.Indian Constitution
9. Polity
10. Governance
A. institutions
3rd Audit Diwas Celebrations
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that under the leadership of Comptroller and Auditor General of India, government’s audit community has made significant contributions in strengthening integrity, governance and system building.
The President said that people of India want to move forward rapidly towards building a developed India by the year 2047. All important institutions and communities of the country, including C&AG, have to contribute to achieve this goal. She was happy to note that C&AG has taken many forward looking steps, including the establishment of the Centre for Data Management and Analytics, in which digital technology and other modern methods are being used in line with the future.
The President said that the entire team of C&AG is expected to contribute as a controller and an examiner who is both a companion and a guide in the country’s developmental journey. She stated that C&AG team will have an important role in making India the third largest economy in the world.
The President said that the impact of today’s market system characterized by global competition is relevant to all institutions and enterprises. The ability to compete on the basis of ethics should continuously increase in all enterprises and activities of the country. Removing obstacles in achieving the national goals of accelerated growth and development while ensuring financial propriety and legality is the touchstone of effective contribution by every institution and individual responsible for good governance, including the C&AG. She emphasised that the auditors should be considered as facilitators of good governance, not critics. She added that they should be considered guides whose scrutiny teaches us to follow the right path.
The President said that India’s leading position in the world community is also visible in the field of audit. The emphasis on the issues of Blue Economy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence during India’s presidency of Supreme Audit Institutions 20 (SAI 20) is a good effort to prepare a roadmap for the future. She was happy to note that C&AG is also playing a leading role in other international forums.
Functions, Duties and Powers of Comptroller and Auditor General of India
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is a constitutional functionary, independent of Parliament/legislature and executives. The CAG is responsible for
- Audit of Ministries and departments of Government of India and the State Governments.
- Audit of Central and State Government Public Sector Undertakings and other autonomous bodies and authorities which are financed from Government funds.
- Audit of receipts of Union or of States.
- Audit of accounts stores and stock.
- audit of companies and corporations.
The Comptroller and Auditor General is also responsible of compilation of accounts of the State Government, authorisation of pensionary benefits of selected categories of employees, maintenance of provident funds accounts of State Government employees of most State Governments.
These audit and accounting functions are carried out by the Indian Audit and Accounts Department (IA & AD) which functions under the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Role of the C&AG in regard to audit
The Comptroller and Auditor General is the sole authority prescribed in the Constitution entrusted with the responsibility of audit of accounts of the Union and of the States. It is the duty of the Comptroller and Auditor General to audit receipts and expenditure of the Union and each State and the Union Territory Governments. The audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General are placed before Parliament or the legislature of the State or the Union Territory, as the case may be. The duties of the Comptroller and Auditor General also extend to audit of Government companies and corporations and bodies and authorities in accordance with the laws made by the legislature and rules made there under.
Broad objectives of audit
The broad objectives of audit are to ensure legality, regularity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of financial management and public administration mainly through assessment as to:
- whether the financial statements are properly prepared, are complete in all respects and are presented with adequate disclosures (financial audit);
- whether the provisions of the Constitution, the applicable laws, rules and regulations made thereunder and various orders and instructions issued by competent authority are being complied with (compliance audit); and
- The extent to which an activity, programme or organisation operates economically, efficiently and effectively (performance audit).
B. regulatory
National Press Day, 2023.
The Press Council of India
objects and functions of the Council.-
(1) The object of the Council shall be to preserve the freedom of the Press and to maintain and improve the standards of newspapers in India
(2) The Council may, in furtherance of its object, perform the following functions, namely :-
(a) to help newspapers to maintain their independence;
(b) to build up a code of conduct for newspapers and journalists in accordance with high professional standards;
(c) to ensure on the part of newspapers and journalists the maintenance of high standards of public taste and foster a due sense of both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship;
(d) to encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility and public service among all those engaged in the profession of journalism;
(e) to keep under review any development likely to restrict the supply and dissemination of news of public interest and importance;
(f) to keep under review such cases of assistance received by any newspaper or news agency in India from foreign sources, as are referred to it by the Central Government;
Provided that nothing in this clause shall preclude the Central Government from dealing with any case of assistance received by a newspaper or news agency in India from foreign sources, in any other manner it thinks fit;
(g) to promote the establishment of such common service for the supply and dissemination of news to newspapers as may, from time to time, appear to it to be desirable;
(h) to provide facilities for the proper education and training of persons in the profession of journalism;
(i) to promote a proper functional relationship among all classes of persons engaged in the production or publication of newspapers;
(j) to study developments which may tend towards monopoly or concentration of ownership of newspapers, including a study of the ownership or financial structure of newspapers, and if necessary, to suggest remedies therefor;
(k) to promote technical or other research;
(l) to do such other acts as may be incidental or conducive to the discharge of the above functions.
C. Government policies
D. role of NGOs
E. measures
11. Social Justice
A. Welfare schemes
B Health
C. Education
D. Human Resources
E. poverty and hunger
12. International relations
A. India and its neighbourhood
B. groupings and agreements
C.Indian diaspora
13. Economic Development
A. Government Budgeting
What is venture capital?
enture capital (VC) is generally used to support startups and other businesses with the potential for substantial and rapid growth. VC firms raise money from limited partners (LPs) to invest in promising startups or even larger venture funds.
For example, when investing in a startup, VC funding is provided in exchange for equity in the company, and it isn’t expected to be paid back on a planned schedule in the conventional sense like a bank loan. VCs typically take a longer-term view and invest with the hope they will see outsized returns should the company be acquired or go public. VCs usually take only a minority stake — 50% or less — when investing in companies, also known as portfolio companies, because they become part of the firm’s portfolio of investments.
How venture capital works
At the start, companies often “bootstrap” their operations. Funds are provided by the founder and founder’s friends and family who want to be supportive and hopefully are confident that the young company will succeed. However, there comes the point where the fledgling company needs to scale, sometimes years ahead of profitability. At this point, founders seek more formal sources to finance their growth.
Tapping venture capital is a logical choice. There are many sources and, as noted above, nontraditional investors are joining an already large mix of traditional VC firms. Many funds target a specific industry or sector, geography or stage of company development. Many connections are made through startup networking groups, accelerators and mentoring programs. Among the first items is to create a pitch deck and target firms that appear to be good fit for your company and business model.
If an investor is impressed by your pitch deck and business plan, they will do their due diligence to verify your point of view. This will include a full analysis of your business model, products or services, financial position and performance — now and in earlier ventures.
Suppose the decision is made to go forward. In this case, the venture investor will present a term sheet that will include:
- The venture capital investment amount they are proposing to make
- The equity stake in the company that they expect in return
- Other conditions of the deal
There may be conditions you need to meet before they release their funds, including additional fundraising on your part. You should expect that VC money can be structured to come in several rounds over several years.
If you are fortunate to have a choice of VC firms, use this scorecard to help evaluate multiple VC offers and select the one that aligns best with your goals.
Most terms are negotiable; however, you should prioritize those that are the most important to you and your partners, particularly other financial partners. Be specific and realistic when you’re negotiating or you run the risk of coming across as inexperienced or overly confident. Either way, this can lead to getting off on the wrong foot with your new VC partner.
B. industrial
E.issues
14. Technology
India’s global supremacy to be determined by its scientific prowess, says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
Recent twin achievements of Chandrayaan-3 and Covid vaccine have placed India’s scientific capabilities at par with international benchmarks”: Dr Jitendra Singh
Union S&T Minister says India International Science Festival is an outreach festival for those who could get benefitted by Science, Technology and Innovation for ‘Ease of Living’
15. Environment
High rainfall afforded resilience to tropical rainforests around 50 million years ago
High rainfall helped the survival of equatorial rainforests at a time when Earth was globally warm and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was a whopping more than 1000 ppmv, around 50 million years ago.
The mechanism in which biota survives adverse conditions is still poorly known. The existing palaeoclimate data of mid- and high latitudes suggest large fluctuations in rainfall at around 50 million years ago. However, the quantification of terrestrial palaeoclimate data from the equatorial region was never attempted. Scientists are trying to explore the palaeoclimate data to probe the mysteries of survival under adverse conditions.
Scientists of Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology, have quantified the terrestrial equatorial climate of around 50 million years ago using plant proxy. They reconstructed climate data and found that a significantly high rainfall was present during that time. The scientists have estimated that the high rainfall, most likely, increased the plant’s water use efficiency and afforded resilience to survive and remain functional under extremely warm and elevated carbon dioxide concentration at around 50 million years ago.
It was earlier known that the Earth was around 13°C warmer than present and carbon dioxide concentration was more than 1000 ppmv during this time. This drastically affected the survival of mid- and high latitude forests due to changes in the hydrological cycle, but the equatorial forests survived successfully. The recent research published in the journal Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology revealed for the first time, the mechanism of survival of equatorial forests when the Earth was much warmer than the present.
The study has also helped focusing on developing a calibration file from the low-latitude regions which will be useful in the quantification of seasonal deep-time terrestrial climate. Tracing the mystery of the survival of the rainforests – the biodiversity hotspots of the world is the Key to understanding climatic and biotic changes occurring at present and in the future.
Greenhouse gases hit record high in 2022
greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere hit new record highs in 2022, with no end in sight to the rising trend, the United Nations warned on Wednesday.
The UN’s World Meteorological Organization said levels of the three main greenhouse gases — the climatewarming carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — all broke records last year.
‘Wrong direction’
Such levels of heattrapping gases will mean further temperature increases, more extreme weather and higher sea levels, the WMO said in its 19th annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.
“Despite decades of warnings from the scientific community, thousands of pages of reports and dozens of climate conferences, we are still heading in the wrong direction,” WMO chief Petteri Taalas said.
The 2015 Paris Agreement saw countries agree to cap global warming at “well below” 2o C above average levels measured between 1850 and 1900 — and 1.5o C if possible.
World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
he World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the UN system’s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth’s atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources.
WMO has a membership of 189 Member States and Territories(on 4 December 2009). It originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873. Established in 1950, WMO became the specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951 for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences. As weather, climate and the water cycle know no national boundaries, international cooperation at a global scale is essential for the development of meteorology and operational hydrology as well as to reap the benefits from their application. WMO provides the framework for such international cooperation. WMO is – with UNEP – one of the parent organizations of the IPCC. WMO plays an active role in developing a global system of climate services, in support of vulnerability and adaptation assessment. The World Climate Conference-3 (WCC-3), which has brought together from 31 August to 4 September 2009, in Geneva, Switzerland, more than 2000 climate scientists, sectoral experts and decision-makers today established a Global Framework for Climate Services “to strengthen production, availability, delivery and application of science-based climate prediction and services.”
16. Security
INDIA – SRI LANKA JOINT EXERCISE MITRA SHAKTI – 2023 COMMENCED TODAY
The ninth edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” commenced today in Aundh (Pune). The exercise is being conducted from 16th to 29th November 2023. The Indian contingent, of 120 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment. The Sri Lankan side is being represented by personnel from 53 Infantry Division. 15 personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise.
The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The Scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. Both sides will practice tactical actions such as raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc. In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum.
Exercise MITRA SHAKTI – 2023 will also involve employment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems besides helicopters. Drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations will also be rehearsed jointly by both sides. Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peace keeping operations.
Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other. Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Sri Lankan Army. The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations.
NDIAN NAVY COMPLETES SECOND GULF OF GUINEA ANTI PIRACY PATROL INS SUMEDHA FURTHERS INDIA’S NATIONAL INTERESTS
INS Sumedha is on an Extended Range Operational Deployment and is currently operating in the Atlantic Ocean along the West Coast of Africa. During this period, INS Sumedha operated in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) undertaking a 31 days anti-piracy patrol. This is the second such patrol being undertaken by the Indian Navy in this crucial maritime region. The maiden GoG Anti piracy patrol was undertaken by INS Tarkash in Sep – Oct 22. The region is critical for India’s National Interests as it is an important source for India’s energy requirements. Sumedha’s deployment also ensured enhancing Navy to Navy connect with regional navies including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Angola and Namibia. The deployment was also used to further the capability of the regional partners through joint training undertaken by the ships’ crew reiterating India and Indian Navy’s focus on helping our friends and the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family). Another highlight of the deployment was the ships participation in the maiden India- EU Joint Exercise in the GoG
FATF team in India to hold onsite review meetings
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) team is in India as part of the process to conduct the country’s mutual evaluations to ascertain if authorities have put in place and effectively implemented the required legal framework against money laundering and terrorist financing.
It is learnt that the team arrived in Delhi in the first week of November. During the onsite visit, expected to last around two weeks, the FATF team will hold meetings with senior government officials and representatives of the private sector.
“Usually, such an FATF team comprises over a dozen members. They include FATF Secretariat officials and domain experts. They may meet senior functionaries of the Department of Revenue under the Finance Ministry and officials of various enforcement agencies, such as the Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau and National Investigation Agency [as it enforces the antiterror Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act], and financial regulators,” said a government official.
Role of FATF: The Financial Action Task Force
The global economy is rapidly growing by leaps and bounds, and so are the financial crimes. Money laundering is a worldwide concern as billions of dollars are laundered every year. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), established in 1989, is an inter-governmental policy-making body that can be defined as the backbone of the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
The organisation makes policies – at the local and international levels to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes resulting from funding from illicit money.
The FATF has issued 40 recommendations to prevent money laundering and provided 9 special recommendations to prevent terrorist financing. Initially, the organisation was set up to combat money laundering, but recently, its scope has been widened to avoid funding weapons of mass destruction, corruption, and terrorist financing. A large number of developed countries are part of the FATF.
This global organisation prevents financial crime and laundering of money to prevent financial terrorism. The objective of the FATF is to provide guidelines and ensure effective implementation of the legal, regulatory, and operational measures for containing money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial threats that plague the society, the economy, and the world at large.
The organisation monitors the member countries’ progress and evaluates how effective they have been in implementing the anti-money laundering rules and regulations. It also reviews the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing mechanisms, tools, and countermeasures. It promotes global adoption of the AML/ CFT guidelines to enable countries to fight money laundering and terrorist financing. It also includes measures to prevent the financing of proliferation.
The FATF recommendations act as guidelines for member countries which they should have in their criminal justice and regulatory systems. These are preventative measures that financial institutions and other regulated entities should adopt to fight money laundering and terrorist financing. In this way, they also safeguard their reputation and avoid non-compliance and penalties. By following the recommendations, financial institutions and businesses can make their customer onboarding process more transparent and detect and deter criminals from misusing their organisation and the financial system to launder money obtained from fraudulent means.
- he FATF lays emphasis on adopting a risk-based approach to implement the Anti-money laundering and combatting of terrorism financing. It will help the countries to employ a proactive approach to mitigate the risks. It has been fully enhanced within the Standards.
- Get quick access to correct information on the beneficial ownership of the legal entities, and the arrangements for the same have been strengthened.
- The Tax offences for money laundering have been made predicate offences (a crime which is a component of a more significant crime).
- The powers and responsibilities of the FIU and law enforcement have increased. The coverage of international cooperation has been broadened.
- The definition of PEP has been broadened. Now it includes PEPs- Politically Exposed Persons- domestic and international organisations.
- The scope for financial group (or consolidated) supervision has been enhanced.
- The transparency of wire transfers has been improved.
- The FATF has added new standards for implementing targeted financial sanctions to prevent the accumulation of weapons of mass destruction.
17. Disaster Management