Current Affairs 18 Sep 2023

Today’s News

---

Testing Times: August’s Foreign Trade Numbers are Worrisome, Yet Hold Some Hope

(Current Affairs 18 Sep 2023 | Relevant for GS Paper-3)

• India’s goods exports shrank for the seventh consecutive time and the ninth time in 11 months this August, while imports surged to hit the highest level since March this year
• At $58.6 billion, inbound shipments were still 5.2% below last August’s levels, but exports fell by a relatively steeper 6.9%, leading to a $24.2 billion trade deficit — the widest since October 2022.
• Goods exports are now down 11.9% so far this year and imports have dropped 12.1%.
• For now, the 0.4% drop expected in services exports in August is minor and with intangible imports also likely dropping at a sharper pace, this will not exacerbate the trade balance yet.
• With global commodity prices rising around 12% from June levels to hit a 15 ­month high this month, the pressure on the goods trade deficit is
• likely to escalate, especially as oil and gems and jewellery imports have fallen less than their exports so far in 2023­-24.
• In the first four months of this fiscal, about half the decline in outgoing shipments has been fuelled by petroleum despite volumes rising 6%, as prices fell 27%.
• This may change if global oil prices, which crossed $90 per barrel over the past week for the first time since November 2022, stay elevated.
• Export volumes of as many as 13 major items rose between April and July, but their value had declined owing to lower prices. That is a good omen about demand for Indian goods amid the gloom, and the government believes rising commodity prices will help trade tallies.
• Inflation reheated in the United States last month, but not enough yet to dent festive demand that may lift order books in coming months.
• India needs to do all it can to nurture precious green shoots and support exporters.

---

India is at a pivotal moment in its health-care journey

(Current Affairs 18 Sep 2023 |Relevant for GS Paper-2)

• It is heartening to witness a new India emerging — an India that is ambitious; an India that believes in its destiny to be the global leader; an India that is guided by the heritage of an ancient civilisation but fuelled by the energy, passion and ambition of its youth.
• However, this is also the same India that is now the world’s diabetes capital; also, millions have hypertension, and its youth are succumbing to heart attacks, cancer, respiratory issues, depression and more.
• India’s non ­communicable diseases (NCD) burden will be nearly $4 trillion by 2030. This is one of the biggest roadblocks to India’s development and will create an ‘age tax’ on India’s demographic dividend.
• The country has come a long way from 1983 when we started Apollo, and has made tremendous progress on key health metrics. Infant mortality has improved by four times, maternal mortality has improved by seven times and the average life expectancy of an Indian is up nearly 30% from 55 years to over 70 now.
• In fact, today, India has world­ class health­care infrastructure along with incredible clinical talent that delivers the best in class clinical outcomes at incredible scale and at a fraction of the global price. 
• India’s expertise in highly specialised areas such as organ transplants, cardiology, oncology and more has made the country a fast­ growing destination for medical value travel (MVT), not just for the price but also for the speed of access and the sheer quality of care.
• India has emerged as a global MVT hub, particularly in the fields of oncology, orthopedics, and robotic surgery. A significant milestone in this journey is the introduction of proton beam therapy technology, making India a regional leader in cancer treatment.
• Orthopedic procedures, including joint replacements and spinal surgeries, are conducted by highly skilled surgeons using minimally invasive techniques.
• Robotic surgery has also gained popularity, with India’s hospitals adopting robotic­ assisted techniques for precision and faster recovery.
• MVT is gaining strategic importance given its ability to create employment as well as earn foreign exchange. While India is already one of the leading destinations for patients seeking care abroad, there is adequate headroom for growth.
• Moreover, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial for realising this vision. Public ­private partnerships can help create a conducive environment for MVT by jointly investing in infrastructure, promoting medical tourism, and setting up international health­care accreditation bodies.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming health care worldwide, and India has the potential to be at the forefront of this revolution. The country possesses a vast pool of talented data scientists, engineers, and health­care professionals who can drive innovation in AI ­driven health­care solutions.
• One of the key areas where AI can make a significant impact is in diagnostics. AI­ powered tools can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of medical diagnoses, leading to faster treatment decisions and better patient outcomes.
• India has already made strides in AI applications for health care, but it must continue to invest in research and development, foster collaborations between academia and industry, and create an ecosystem that encourages innovation.
• In the last few years, India has steadily become a strong voice for various critical issues. Whether it is climate change, electrification, new age manufacturing or the space race, India is at the forefront and even leading the change.
• India stands at a pivotal moment in its health­care journey. By reimagining its health­care model, the country can position itself as the global destination for medical value travel, a powerhouse in AI­ driven health­care solutions, and a leader in combating NCDs.

---

Assessing outcomes of G­20 summit

(Current Affairs 18 Sep 2023 |Relevant for GS Paper-2)

• The 18th G­20 Summit produced the ‘New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration’. In the days building up to the summit, there was anxiety about the chances of its success. It hinged on the question of whether the summit would end in a consensus based, full spectrum declaration or in a ‘Chair’s summary’, with its portions marked to show a split among the members.
• This, together with the inclusion of the African Union (AU) in the G­20 as a member, turned concern into joyous celebration. Now it is time to evaluate the declaration and assess its value on the three­fold yardstick of consensus, additionality, and implement ability (CAI).
• Six paragraphs of the ‘Preamble’ and the last paragraph of the ‘Conclusion’ reveal the goals and driving motivations of the G­20 leaders.
• The notion of unity and a shared destiny was aptly stressed to covey the gravity of the multiple challenges facing humankind today. The way out for the world is to be driven by the “the philosophy of living in harmony with our surrounding ecosystem.” 
• They worked on harmonising development with environment, stating that “no country should have to choose between fighting poverty and fighting for our planet.”

• Paragraph 5 lists 12 goals to which the members are fully committed. These range from securing inclusive growth and accelerating full implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to addressing debt vulnerability, reform of Multilateral Development Banks, and integrating the perspectives of the Global South into the “future G­20 agenda.”
• Eight paragraphs were devoted to defining the grouping’s view of what the preceding ministerial meetings had called “geopolitical issues.” A fine balance was struck between the Russian red line and the insistence by G7 on ensuring respect for “territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence.” 
• The general verdict was that Russia gained a little more, while the G7 lost a little to prevent the summit’s failure. The leaders agreed to call for “a comprehensive, just and durable peace in Ukraine.”
• The first ­ever expansion of G­20 membership was imbued with much significance. The document depicts the AU as “a permanent member” even though G­20 does not have permanent and no permanent members; it has only members and guests.
• G­20’s central agenda relating to economic and financial sectors, climate action and energy transitions, implementation of SDGs, technological transformation through Digital Public Infrastructure, reform of international financial institutions, trade, and taxation, and securing gender equality and empowerment of “all” women and girls is wide ­ranging, ambitious, and even aspirational. 
• A question that is often asked is, from where will additional financial resources come for achieving all these goals? John Kirton, Director, G­20 Research Group at the University of Toronto, noted, “There was little new money mobilised for debt relief for developing countries, for reform of MDBs and the International Monetary Fund, for global health, or for food security, education and other social needs.”

• Paragraph 47 propounds the view that global challenges of the 21st century can “only be addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism, reforms and international cooperation.”
• The fact that these formulations have the support of the entire G­20 leadership creates a glimmer of hope of some progress in the future, even though realism demands that the proponents of reform to remain cautious.
• On the CAI yardstick, it is obvious that the declaration is not only backed by “100%” consensus, but it also breaks new grounds and records progress in terms of concepts, goals, and objectives, as compared to the Bali Declaration.
• There should be no hesitation in recognising that the summit has been a major political and diplomatic success for G­20 and its current president, India.

---

Why is the Government Pushing for Regulatory Mechanisms for OTT Services?

(Current Affairs 18 Sep 2023 |Relevant for Prelims, GS paper-2)

• On July 7, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India(TRAI) invited responses to a consultation paper it released on a regulatory mechanism for over­the­top (OTT) communication services.
• The discussion on the selective banning of OTT services came after a Parliamentary Standing Committee issued a notice to the Department of Telecom (DoT) to explore this option due to the unrest caused by these platforms which have mass reach and impact.
• It is important to note that only OTT communication services like WhatsApp, Signal, Meta, Google Meet, Zoom, X, etc. were discussed in the consultation paper and not the ‘content’ OTTs such asNetflix, Amazon Prime etc.
•  The TRAI has also asked stake holders to define OTT, and a proposal on cost­sharing mechanisms between Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and OTT services.

Conflict between TSPs and OTTs

• Telecom Service Providers are of the opinion that OTTs should be regulated and charged because they use and thrive on the infrastructure built by operators over the years.
• “OTT communications services have led to erosion of revenues for the telecoms. These platforms offer users an array of services, sending of Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS), instant messaging to voice and video calls, delivered over the internet. 
• COAI argues, “OTT communication service providers neither contribute to the exchequer nor make investments like the TSPs in spread of network infrastructure in the country
• The funds received by TSPs from OTTs will support the expansion of networks and enhance contribution to the exchequer, the COAI added.
• Similarly, the Internet Service Providers Association of India replied, if OTT services are a substitutable service offered by licenced service providers, then such OTT services should be considered as the same services offered under the telecom licence granted by the Government.
• The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) submitted that cost­sharing demands are often articulated through a model where the sending party network pays (SPNP) the network operator.
• It would essentially mean charging twice for the same service as consumers already pay TSPs for the data they consume. It would add a cost to accessing free or cheap content, a part of which will eventually be passed on to consumers, thus raising the cost of internet usage.
• It also goes against the principle of net neutrality that states networks should be neutral to all the information being transmitted through it, said the IAMAI.

• “OTTs obtain the location of the customers and can easily bar access. Once the OTT communication services are under license this barring will be much easier to implement.
• Government should consider source­ level blocking so that the desired outcome may be achieved without any significant difficulties, the COAI added.
• The IAMAI believes that there is no need to implement additional regulations governing OTT services, or even a regulatory framework for the selective banning of OTT services. Similarly, the Broadband India Forum (BIF) firmly opposed any selective ban on OTT services as they are adequately regulated under the existing IT Act, 2000, Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and other associated Acts and Rules.

---

Santiniketan Finds its Place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List

(Current Affairs 18 Sep 2023 |Relevant for Prelims)

• Santiniketan, a town established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, made it to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Sunday.
• Located in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, Santiniketan, which means “abode of peace”, started taking shape in 1901 and is the place where Tagore laid the foundations of Visva­ Bharati University.
• “New inscription on the @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List: Santiniketan, #India. Congratulations!” the world body said. Santiniketan becomes India’s 41st World Heritage Site to join the UNESCO List. 

Refresh to basics

• Santiniketan is a renowned cultural and heritage place located in Birbhum District, West Bengal, India. It holds historical significance and is known for its association with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Here are key points about Santiniketan:
• It was the home of Rabindranath Tagore, where he lived and composed many of his literary works, including songs, poems, and novels.
• The Santiniketan campus is adorned with splendid sculptures, frescoes, murals, and paintings created by renowned artists such as Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar, Binodbehari Mukhopadhyay, and others.
• The region of Birbhum District, where Santiniketan is located, is also famous for its fairs and festivals. Some notable ones are Poush Mela (December), Joydev Mela (January), Basanta Utsav (Holi) in March, and the famous mystic Baul Singers.
• Special cultural events are held during Bengali New Year and Rabindra Janmotsav (birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore) in the Bengali month of Boisakh with great enthusiasm.
• Santiniketan celebrates unique festivals like Briksharopan (festival of Planting Saplings) and Halakarshan (festival of Plowing the Fields) on the 22nd and 23rd days of Sravana (August), respectively.
• Varshamangal, the festival of rains, is celebrated during August/September.
• Poush Mela is an annual fair and festival held in Santiniketan, starting on the 7th day of the month of Poush. The fair officially lasts for three days, but vendors may stay until the end of the month. It is known for live performances of Bengali folk music, particularly by bauls (traditional wandering minstrels), and also features tribal dances like Santali.

To master these intricacies and fare well in the Sociology Optional Syllabus, aspiring sociologists might benefit from guidance by the Best Sociology Optional Teacher and participation in the Best Sociology Optional Coaching. These avenues provide comprehensive assistance, ensuring a solid understanding of sociology’s diverse methodologies and techniques.

Current affairs 18 September 2023, Today news, Today news GS, Today news upsc, Today news and views, Today news 2023, Today news Current affairs September 2023, Current affairs news, Current affairs book pdf, Current affairs best blog, Current affairs for UPSC, Current affairs 2023, Current affairs contact, Current affairs book, Current affairs program meaning

---

Choose The Best Sociology Optional Teacher for IAS Preparation?

At the beginning of the journey for Civil Services Examination preparation, many students face a pivotal decision – selecting their optional subject. Questions such as “which optional subject is the best?” and “which optional subject is the most scoring?” frequently come to mind. Choosing the right optional subject, like choosing the best sociology optional teacher, is a subjective yet vital step that requires a thoughtful decision based on facts. A misstep in this crucial decision can indeed prove disastrous.

Ever since the exam pattern was revamped in 2013, the UPSC has eliminated the need for a second optional subject. Now, candidates have to choose only one optional subject for the UPSC Mains, which has two papers of 250 marks each. One of the compelling choices for many has been the sociology optional. However, it’s strongly advised to decide on your optional subject for mains well ahead of time to get sufficient time to complete the syllabus. After all, most students score similarly in General Studies Papers; it’s the score in the optional subject & essay that contributes significantly to the final selection.

“A sound strategy does not rely solely on the popular
Opinion of toppers or famous YouTubers cum teachers.”

It requires understanding one’s ability, interest, and the relevance of the subject, not just for the exam but also for life in general. Hence, when selecting the best sociology teacher, one must consider the usefulness of sociology optional coaching in General Studies, Essay, and Personality Test.

The choice of the optional subject should be based on objective criteria, such as the nature, scope, and size of the syllabus, uniformity and stability in the question pattern, relevance of the syllabic content in daily life in society, and the availability of study material and guidance. For example, choosing the best sociology optional coaching can ensure access to top-quality study materials and experienced teachers. Always remember, the approach of the UPSC optional subject differs from your academic studies of subjects. Therefore, before settling for sociology optional, you need to analyze the syllabus, previous years’ pattern, subject requirements (be it ideal, visionary, numerical, conceptual theoretical), and your comfort level with the subject.

This decision marks a critical point in your UPSC – CSE journey, potentially determining your success in a career in IAS/Civil Services. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose wisely, whether it’s the optional subject or the best sociology optional teacher. Always base your decision on accurate facts, and never let your emotional biases guide your choices. After all, the search for the best sociology optional coaching is about finding the perfect fit for your unique academic needs and aspirations.

To master these intricacies and fare well in the Sociology Optional Syllabus, aspiring sociologists might benefit from guidance by the Best Sociology Optional Teacher and participation in the Best Sociology Optional Coaching. These avenues provide comprehensive assistance, ensuring a solid understanding of sociology’s diverse methodologies and techniques. Sociology, Social theory, Best Sociology Optional Teacher, Best Sociology Optional Coaching, Sociology Optional Syllabus.
Best Sociology Optional Teacher, Sociology Syllabus, Sociology Optional, Sociology Optional Coaching, Best Sociology Optional Coaching, Best Sociology Teacher, Sociology Course, Sociology Teacher, Sociology Foundation, Sociology Foundation Course, Sociology Optional UPSC, Sociology for IAS,

Follow us :

🔎 https://www.instagram.com/triumphias

🔎 www.triumphias.com

🔎https://www.youtube.com/c/TriumphIAS

https://t.me/VikashRanjanSociology

Find More Blogs

Compare and contrast Karl Marx’s and Max weber’s	Karl Marx- Historical Materialism	Talcott Parsons : Social system	Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences
Position of Women In the Modern Indian Society	Sociology: Social system and pattern variables	Changing family structure in India	Modernity and social changes in Europe