29th September Current Affairs

S. Swaminathan (1925-2023): Father of ‘Green Revolution’
Five Eyes’ intelligence alliance
Global Innovation Index 2023
Review of Maritime Transport 2023
India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) Widens: Implications and Outlook
Monoclonal Antibodies

M.S. Swaminathan (1925-2023): Father of ‘Green Revolution’

Central Idea

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, a celebrated agricultural scientist recognized as the driving force behind India’s “Green Revolution,” passed away at the age of 98. His enduring legacy is intricately linked to India’s pursuit of food security.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s Background

Transition to Agriculture: Despite initially clearing the civil services examination, Dr. Swaminathan’s passion for agriculture prompted him to redirect his career towards agricultural research.

A Turning Point: Motivated by the Bengal famine of 1942-43, which he attributed to British policies, Dr. Swaminathan chose to focus on agricultural studies, particularly in genetics and breeding, significantly influencing India’s agricultural landscape.

Timeline of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s Remarkable Life and Contributions:

Year Milestones

1925 Born on August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Madras Presidency.
1940s Pursued advanced studies in zoology and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Science.
1949-1954 Conducted research on combatting potato crop parasites during a UNESCO fellowship and obtained a PhD from the University of Cambridge.

1954 Specialized in the Solanum genus and initiated research on fertilizers and high-yielding wheat varieties.

1965-70 Collaborated with Dr. Norman Borlaug to develop high-yield semi-dwarf wheat varieties, pioneering India’s Green Revolution.

1979-1982 Appointed as Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and held various government roles.

1982 Became Director General of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.

1987 Honored with the inaugural World Food Prize for his agricultural contributions.

2002 Elected as President of the Pugwash Conferences on science and world affairs.

2004 Chaired the National Commission on Farmers, which proposed significant reforms for Indian agriculture.

2005 Joined the United Nations Millennium Project’s Hunger Task Force, setting targets to combat poverty and hunger.

2007 Nominated to the Rajya Sabha and introduced the Women Farmers’ Entitlements Bill.
2013 onwards Continued involvement in various initiatives focused on nutrition, internet access, and agricultural institutes worldwide.

The Green Revolution: A Transformative Era

Radical Transformation: Dr. Swaminathan’s pioneering efforts ushered in an era of high-yielding variety seeds, improved irrigation systems, and enhanced fertilization for farmers in regions such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. This period marked the inception of India’s Green Revolution.

Impact on Wheat Production: The Green Revolution witnessed a substantial surge in wheat production. In 1947, India produced around 6 million tonnes of wheat annually, a figure that skyrocketed to approximately 17 million tonnes between 1964 and 1968, significantly bolstering the nation’s self-sufficiency in food production.

Dr. Swaminathan’s Contributions to the Green Revolution

Semi-Dwarf Wheat Varieties: Driven by the goal of reducing wheat plant height to prevent lodging while maintaining grain yield.
Collaboration with Norman Borlaug: Collaborative work with Norman Borlaug to introduce dwarfing genes into spring wheat varieties suitable for India.
The Wheat Revolution: A collective endeavor commencing in 1963, culminating in high-yield semi-dwarf wheat varieties.
Role of High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs): Focused on developing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, essential in addressing drought and famine.
Yield Gap Reduction: Targeted the enhancement of productivity on existing farmland through HYVs, mitigating the threat of famine.
Expertise in Cytogenetics: Extensive contributions in the field of cytogenetics, involving the study of chromosomes and the identification of traits like disease resistance.

Challenges and Ethical Commitments

Unintended Consequences: Despite its achievements, the Green Revolution encountered criticism for primarily benefiting affluent farmers and causing ecological issues.

Swaminathan’s Advocacy: As the head of the National Commission on Farmers, he championed fair Minimum Support Prices for farmers and highlighted concerns related to soil fertility, pesticide usage, and water management.

Legacy and Recognitions

International Honors: Dr. Swaminathan received several international accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971, the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986, the UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize in 1994, the UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal in 1999,

the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in 1999, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award in 2000, and the distinction of being the First World Food Prize Laureate in 1987.

National Awards (India): Recognized with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award and the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development.

Civilian Awards (India): Honored with the Padma Shri in 1967, the Padma Bhushan in 1972, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1989.

Honorary Doctorates: Conferred with over 80 honorary doctorates from universities worldwide.

Civilian Awards (Other Nations): Received civilian awards from countries such as the Philippines, France, Cambodia, China.

Fellowships in Scientific Academies: Elected as a fellow in numerous scientific academies in Russia, Sweden, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, China, and Bangladesh.

Source for Swaminathan Committee Report:

https://prsindia.org/files/policy/policy_committee_reports/1242360972–final%20summary_pdf_0.pdf

Five Eyes’ intelligence Alliance

Context:

In recent developments, the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has alleged the involvement of the Indian government in the assassination of a prominent Khalistani leader on Canadian soil. This accusation has brought attention to the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance.

About:

The ‘Five Eyes’ alliance, originally established as the UKUSA Agreement during the aftermath of World War II, was a collaboration between the United States and the United Kingdom aimed at countering the emerging Soviet threat during the Cold War.

In 1946, this alliance took formal shape through the British-U.S. Communication Intelligence Agreement, known as BRUSA.

Signatories to this treaty included the U.S. State-Army-Navy Communication Intelligence Board (STANCIB) and Britain’s London Signal Intelligence Board (SIGINT).

Over time, this alliance expanded to include other nations. Canada joined in 1948, followed by Australia and New Zealand in 1956, collectively forming the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing alliance.

This partnership has continued to operate and collaborate on intelligence matters for many decades.

The ‘Five Eyes’ alliance now encompasses over 20 different agencies from five English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

It primarily focuses on surveillance and signals intelligence (SIGINT) activities. Intelligence documents shared among these member nations are classified as ‘Secret—AUS/CAN/NZ/UK/US Eyes Only,’ which lends the alliance its name.

Objectives:

The objectives of the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance have evolved since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the emergence of new global challenges, such as terrorism and the increasing influence of China.

Today, the alliance engages in various activities, including ocean and maritime surveillance, scientific and defense intelligence analysis, medical intelligence, geospatial intelligence, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and the continuous sharing of intelligence products through a secret collective database known as ‘Stone Ghost.’

In September 2016, the Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council (FIORC) was established as a non-political entity responsible for intelligence oversight, review, and security coordination among member countries.

It serves as a platform for sharing views on mutual interests, best practices, areas of cooperation, and maintaining contact with non-Five Eyes nations.

Challanges

However, the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance has faced persistent concerns related to privacy, security, and its secretive operational methods.

These concerns came to the forefront in 2013 when Edward Snowden, a former NSA contractor, leaked classified documents revealing a massive surveillance program jointly conducted by the alliance, raising significant privacy and civil liberties issues.

Moreover, the absence of domestic legislation governing intelligence-sharing has raised questions about the legal basis and democratic legitimacy of these arrangements.

The absence of a ‘Third-party rule,’ typically included in intelligence-sharing agreements, has also hindered effective oversight and transparency.

In 2013, a Canadian court criticized the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) for exploiting the alliance to monitor the electronic communications of Canadian terror suspects abroad.

This highlighted deliberate misinformation provided by Canadian spy agencies to expand their surveillance powers unlawfully, potentially exposing government agents to criminal charges and jeopardizing the rights of Canadian terrorism suspects.

For India, there are several implications associated with the ‘Five Eyes’ alliance. Firstly, India may share concerns about the extent of global surveillance conducted by the alliance’s members, given the revelations made by Edward Snowden.

This could influence India’s approach to data protection and cybersecurity.

Secondly, the alliance’s collaboration on intelligence and security matters on a global scale might require India to consider the implications for its own diplomatic and geopolitical strategies, especially in areas where its interests align or conflict with those of the alliance.

Lastly, India’s interactions with ‘Five Eyes’ member countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, may be influenced by the intelligence-sharing arrangements of the alliance. This could impact bilateral agreements on data sharing, counterterrorism efforts, and other security-related matters.

Conclusion:

The ‘Five Eyes’ alliance, while serving as a significant intelligence-sharing network among its member countries, faces ongoing concerns related to privacy, security, and transparency. Its activities have implications for nations like India in the realms of data protection, diplomacy, and security cooperation.

Global Innovation Index 2023

India’s Consistent Rank in GII 2023

In the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings recently released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), India maintains its position at 40th out of 132 economies, reflecting its continued progress in the field of innovation.

India’s Innovation Journey

India’s advancement in the Global Innovation Index aligns with the nation’s focus on fostering innovation as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.

Several factors contribute to India’s improved GII ranking, including its strong knowledge capital, a thriving startup ecosystem, and contributions from both public and private research organizations.

NITI Aayog has played an active role in promoting policy-led innovation across various sectors.

Significance of GII

The Global Innovation Index is a valuable tool for governments worldwide to assess the impact of innovation on social and economic development.

To mark the release of GII 2023, a virtual launch event was held in India on September 29, 2023, hosted by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and WIPO.

Key Findings from GII 2023

Switzerland maintaining its top position as the most innovative economy for the 13th consecutive year, followed by Sweden, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Singapore as the top innovative economies.
In the top 40, middle-income economies like Malaysia, Bulgaria, Türkiye, and India stand out.

Global Innovation Trends and Challenges

Additionally, the report highlights various challenges and trends in global innovation, such as fluctuations in investment, government R&D budgets, patent filings, and venture capital investments.

It also notes positive trends in technology adoption, automation, and progress in sectors like information technology, health, mobility, and energy.

Challenges in Innovation

Despite these advancements, there remain areas where innovation penetration rates are moderate to low, including access to cancer treatment through radiotherapy in many countries.
Moreover, the socioeconomic impact of innovation remains somewhat limited, and the COVID-19 crisis has disrupted labor productivity, contributing to stagnant life expectancy and continued increases in carbon dioxide emissions.

Understanding the GII

The GII, introduced in 2007, is a collaborative effort involving institutions like INSEAD, Cornell University, and WIPO.

It relies on 80 indicators to assess innovation across various dimensions, using data from sources like the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The GII serves as a crucial reference point for governments and businesses to evaluate a country’s innovation performance, calculating scores based on the Innovation Input Index and the Innovation Output Index, each composed of specific pillars with weighted indicators.

Review of Maritime Transport 2023

Context:

In 2023, the UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2023 revealed that international shipping had witnessed a 20% increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to the levels of a decade ago.

Global Impact of Shipping:

The shipping industry handles over 80% of the world’s trade volume.
It is responsible for nearly 3% of the total greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Trends in Global Maritime Shipping:

In 2022, global maritime shipping experienced a 4% decline due to disruptions in supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A growth rate of 2.4% is anticipated for 2023.
Containerized trade, which declined by 3.7% in 2022, is projected to grow by 1.2% in 2023 and further increase by 3% between 2024 and 2028.
The trade volumes of oil and gas saw significant growth in 2022, and tanker freight rates rebounded due to geopolitical events.

Challenges in Fleet Renewal:

As of January 2023, the average age of commercial ships stood at 22.2 years.
More than half of the global fleet is aged over 15 years.
The uncertainty surrounding technology and regulatory frameworks presents a hurdle for shipowners when renewing their fleets.
Port terminals also encounter similar challenges in making investment decisions.

Transition to Alternative Fuels:

Currently, 98.8% of the global fleet relies on conventional fuels such as heavy fuel oil, light fuel oil, and diesel/gas oil.

Only 1.2% utilize alternative fuels, with LNG being the primary choice, followed by battery/hybrid, LPG, and methanol.

Around 21% of vessels on order are designed to operate on alternative fuels, with LNG being the predominant choice.

In terms of active tonnage, nearly 6% of the active fleet operates on alternative fuels.

IMO’s Role in Emissions Reduction:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by approximately 2050.

The IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy aims to promote the adoption of zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, with a goal of accounting for 5% to 10% of energy used in international shipping by 2030.

Need for Sustainable Marine Fuels:

Renewable ammonia and methanol fuels are better suited for newer ships equipped with dual-fuel engines.

Sustainable marine fuels must exhibit zero or near-zero carbon dioxide equivalent emissions throughout their entire life cycle.

International regulations, led by the IMO, are crucial to drive the adoption of sustainable marine fuels.

The IMO is in the process of revising carbon intensity regulations for ships, with deadlines set for 2026 and 2027.

Estimates suggest that achieving decarbonization of the global fleet by 2050 may necessitate annual investments ranging from $8 billion to $90 billion.

UNCTAD:

Established in 1964.
Aims to facilitate the integration of developing countries into the global economy in a development-friendly manner.
Operates as a permanent intergovernmental organization.
Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key reports published by UNCTAD include the Trade and Development Report, World Investment Report, The Least Developed Countries Report, Information and Economy Report, Technology and Innovation Report, and Commodities and Development Report.

India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) Widens: Implications and Outlook

Context:

According to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s Current Account Deficit (CAD) has expanded significantly to $9.2 billion, which is equivalent to 1.1% of the GDP, during the April-June quarter.

This represents a substantial increase from the previous three months when it was at $1.3 billion, or 0.2% of GDP.

This current scenario is in contrast to the same quarter in the fiscal year 2022-23 when the CAD was $17.9 billion, accounting for 2.1% of GDP, indicating evolving economic dynamics.

Explanation of Current Account Deficit (CAD):

The current account is a critical component of a country’s balance of payments, which records the transactions between a country and the rest of the world.

This includes a nation’s net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments (including interest and dividends), and net transfer payments such as remittances and foreign aid.

The CAD arises when the value of imported goods and services exceeds the value of exports, while the trade balance specifically refers to the net balance of goods traded.

Components of Current Account:

The Current Account Deficit (CAD) is calculated as the sum of three components:

Trade Deficit: This is the result of imports exceeding exports. A trade deficit occurs when a country imports more goods and services than it exports, leading to an outflow of domestic currency to foreign markets.

Net Income: This component reflects the income earned by multinational corporations (MNCs) from their investments in India. When foreign investment income surpasses the savings of the country’s residents, it results in a net income deficit.

This foreign investment can contribute to a country’s economic growth, but if foreign investors become concerned about the returns on their investments, they may reduce funding.

Net Transfers: Net transfers encompass financial flows where foreign residents send money back to their home countries. This category includes remittances, gifts, donations, and government grants to foreigners.

Current Account Transactions:

To understand the Current Account Deficit fully, it’s essential to know the types of transactions that fall under current account transactions, which require the use of foreign currency.

These transactions can be categorized into three components:

Payments related to Foreign Trade, including imports and exports.
Interest payments on loans to other countries and net income earned from investments in other countries.
Remittances for living expenses of family members abroad, as well as expenses related to foreign travel, education, and medical care of family members.

Factors Influencing CAD:

Geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the supply chain have led to a global increase in crude oil and commodity prices, contributing to upward pressure on the import bill.

Rising prices of coal, natural gas, fertilizers, and edible oils have also added to the trade deficit.

However, the increase in global demand has boosted merchandise exports.

Impact of a Large CAD on the Economy:

A significant CAD leads to increased demand for foreign currency, resulting in the depreciation of the domestic currency.

To balance the CAD, countries strive to attract capital inflows and achieve a surplus in their capital accounts through increased foreign direct investments (FDI).

However, a worsening CAD can put pressure on the capital account inflows.

Nonetheless, if the increased import bill is driven by imports for technological upgrades, it can have long-term development benefits for the economy.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Regarding Monoclonal Antibodies:

Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic proteins created in the lab to imitate the natural antibodies generated by the immune system.

These antibodies specifically bind to antigens, which are foreign substances, aiding the immune system in locating and eradicating them.

Their production relies on recombinant DNA technology, facilitating large-scale manufacturing.

Monoclonal antibodies possess diverse therapeutic applications, encompassing the treatment of infectious diseases and cancers.

In 1984, Niels K. Jerne, Georges J.F. Köhler, and César Milstein were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their pioneering work in monoclonal antibody development.

Concerning m102.4:

4 is a fully human monoclonal antibody with the capability to neutralize Hendra and Nipah viruses.

It has successfully completed phase-one clinical trials and is currently administered on a compassionate use basis.