Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 11 September 2023 | Download PDF

• African Union Granted Permanent G20 Membership: African Union was granted permanent membership in the G20, signifying a significant step toward inclusivity.
• Bilateral Discussions: Numerous bilateral discussions unfolded, including a pivotal meeting between Indian Prime Minister Modi and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reinforcing diplomatic ties.
• Adoption of G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration: Prime Minister Modi proudly announced the adoption of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, showcasing collective agreement and commitment.
• Acknowledgment and Gratitude: PM Modi extended gratitude to G20 sherpas, ministers, and officials for their unwavering dedication to making the joint declaration possible.
• India’s Presidency Walking the Talk: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted that India demonstrated its commitment and action during its presidency, emphasizing tangible results.
• Addressing the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The declaration addressed the Russia-Ukraine conflict, underlining the urgency for peace in today’s global landscape and its detrimental effects on supply chains, macro-financial stability, inflation, and economic growth.
• Global Biofuel Alliance Launch: PM Modi introduced the Global Biofuel Alliance, rallying G20 nations to take ethanol blending with petrol to a global 20% standard.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: Leaders inaugurated the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, a massive rail and shipping connectivity project, fostering economic integration across regions.
• Successful Negotiations and Unity: Hard-fought negotiations led by India, with support from key countries such as Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia, culminated in a united G20 declaration, dispelling doubts amid divisions related to the Ukraine war.
• G20 Commitment to WTO Reforms: G20 leaders expressed their commitment to reform the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement system by 2024.
• G20 Leaders Dinner: President Droupadi Murmu hosted a lavish dinner for G20 leaders, featuring a diverse array of Indian culinary traditions.
• US President Biden on Xi’s Absence: US President Joe Biden commented on the absence of China’s President Xi Jinping, stating that the summit was proceeding well despite it.
• Nalanda University’s Legacy: The greeting area at the dinner featured the ruins of Nalanda University, highlighting India’s rich educational heritage.
• Bilateral Talks and Meetings: Prime Minister Modi engaged in bilateral discussions with several leaders, including Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni.
• Global Biofuels Alliance Launch: India launched the Global Biofuels Alliance, urging G20 nations to join the initiative and increase ethanol blending with petrol to 20%.
• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: PM Modi stressed the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, emphasizing its potential for sustainable development.
• G20 Commitment to Cross-Border Payments: G20 nations committed to promoting faster, transparent, and inclusive cross-border payments, in line with the G20 roadmap.
• UK-India FTA Discussions: India and the UK discussed their growing ties and progress towards delivering a UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
• G20 Spouses Explore Indian Agriculture: The spouses of G20 leaders experienced India’s agricultural prowess through exhibitions and farm-to-fork experiences.
• G20 Leaders Embrace Clean Energy: G20 countries committed to phasing down unabated coal power and eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.
• Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty: The G20 declaration called for all states to uphold principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and peaceful conflict resolution.
• Global Push for Crypto-Asset Policies: There is a global push for clearer policies on crypto-assets, gaining momentum and consensus among G20 nations.
• G20 Urges Peace in Ukraine: The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration stressed the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and refraining from war in today’s era.
• Achievements of India’s G20 Presidency: India’s G20 Presidency was marked by ambitious initiatives, a focus on climate financing, and successful negotiations on various fronts.
• Record Stock Market Valuation: India’s strong economic growth and stock market performance set the stage for a significant presence at the G20 summit 2023.
• Adoption of G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration: Prime Minister Modi officially declared the adoption of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, signaling the successful outcome of Day 1.

Basics: Know about Earthquake 

• • A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 hit the Marrakech and surrounding region in Morocco. 
• This is the biggest earthquake in a North African country in 120 years.

Key points

• Most affected province and cities are Al Haouz province and Taroudant, Agadir, Al Hoceima (Mediterranean port city)
• Doctors Without Borders, or MSF offers help which is a charity that provides humanitarian medical care. 
• It is a non-governmental organization (NGO) of French origin known for its projects in conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases.
• Such quakes occur due to the “northward convergence of the African plate with respect to the Eurasian plate along a complex plate boundary”.

Did you know?

• Morocco has a coast by the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea.
• It is bordered by Spain to the north (a water border through the Strait and land borders with three small Spanish-controlled exclaves, Ceuta, Melilla, and Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera), Algeria to the east, and Western Sahara to the south. Since Morocco controls most of Western Sahara, its de facto southern boundary is with Mauritania.

• 67 species of reptiles and 59 species of amphibians were identified in the first herpetofaunal survey that concluded recently in the South Wayanad Forest Division.

Key points

• The Survey was conducted by: University of Calicut, Kerala Forest Research Institute, South Wayanad forest department and Aranyakam Nature Foundation.
• Of these, four amphibians and three reptiles were spotted for the first time at the forest division.
• Of the 126 species identified, 48 amphibians and 21 reptiles are endemic to the Western Ghats.

Important amphibian species recorded and sighted were: 

1. Starry Night Frog, bearing a constellation of blue dots on its obsidian body;
2. Miniature Night Frog, the tiniest frog in the country; 
3. Naked Dancing Frog; and 
4. Endangered species such as Malabar Torrent Toad and Red Stream Toad,
5. Wayanad Dravidogecko, 
6. Nilgiri Spiny Lizard, and 
7. the Nilgiri Forest Lizard 

• Global Biofuel Alliance is one of the priorities under India’s G20 Presidency, under which Brazil, India, and the United States, will work together during the next few months towards the development of a Global Biofuels Alliance along with other interested countries. 
• The Alliance shall work in collaboration with and complement the relevant existing regional and international agencies as well as initiatives in the bioenergy, bioeconomy, and energy transition fields more broadly, including the Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Platform, the Mission Innovation Bioenergy initiatives, and the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP).

International Biofuel Alliance Objectives:

1. Promoting the use of sustainable biofuels.
2. Development and strengthening of the biofuel market
3. Facilitating global biofuel trade.
4. Development of Biofuel policy.

• It is observed on September 10th. 
• World Suicide Prevention Day is an initiative which began in 2003 to shed light on the critical issue, diminish societal stigma, and heighten awareness. 
• The theme since 2021, ‘Creating Hope Through Action,’ aims to inspire hope and bolster preventive measures.

• Housewives make up over 50% of India’s female suicides.
• Highest suicide rates are in the south compared to the north states.

According to National Crime Records Bureau (2021 Study) – 

• The number of women who died by suicide in India reached a peak of 45,026 in 2021.
• Housewives make up over 50% of India’s female suicides.
• 35% of married women in poorest households had faced some form of abuse.
• Over 30% of all suicides (men and women) were due to issues relating to family or marriage.
• When we look at suicide deaths, the highest suicide rates are in the south. There is more societal pressure in these states to have a successful life. The thing is that a state with a high level of education also brings a higher level of expectations. And when those expectations are unmet the frustration level is higher. 
• In the south, where female literacy rates are comparatively high and women have greater access to mass media, there tends to be a clash between modern perspectives and traditional societal norms. In contrast, the push back against traditional expectations is less pronounced in the north, partly due to lower levels of exposure among women.

• Ex-NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant  acted as India’s new Sherpa in the recent G-20, replacing Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, who was appointed as the G-20 Sherpa in September last year.
• A retired 1980-batch IAS officer of Kerala cadre, Amitabh Kant is known for his role in big initiatives — Startup India, Make in India, Incredible India.
• He is credited with coining the slogan “Kerala: God’s Own Country” during his tenure in the Kerala government.

• African leaders welcomed the unanimous decision by the G-20 countries to admit the African Union (AU) as its 21st member.
• Union of Comoros President and AU chairperson Azali Assoumani took the seat as a full member of the G20.
• The AU is an influential organisation comprising 55 member states that make up the countries of the African continent.

• Odisha state government will set up a Paika Academy and Research Centre in Khurda district of Odisha.

Key Points

• The proposed academy will be set up along the lines of Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre under the department of Odia Language Literature and Culture
• The academy will work towards preserving and promoting Paika culture in Odisha.
• The academy will have specially-designed syllabi for its students. 
• Besides, there will be adequate facilities for research work. 
• The state government will provide scholarships to the students of the Paika Academy.

Did you know?

• The Paikas (pronounced “paiko”, literally ‘foot soldiers’), were a class of military retainers had been recruited since the 16th century by kings in Odisha from a variety of social groups to render martial services in return for hereditary rent-free land (nish-kar jagirs) and titles.
• When the British arrived they were peasant militias of the Gajapati ruler Mukund Dev II, of Odisha.

• An air-conditioned restaurant in a rail coach with all modern facilities will be thrown open to people near the Rourkela railway station.
• This will be done by a Kolkata-based firm.

• The world leaders gathered at New Delhi for the G20 Summit were today served with Indian vegetarian platter with delicacies from across the country.

Key points

• The G20 leaders were served Paneer Lababdar, Jawar Dal Tadka and Kuttu Malpua from Uttar Pradesh, Subz Korma from Andhra Pradesh, Pyaz Jeera Ki Pulao from Punjab
• Kesar Pista Rasmalai from Odisha was served to the visiting leaders as a dessert at the dinner

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik felicitated seven visually-challenged cricket players from Odisha for their remarkable achievements at the International Blind Sports Federation – IBSA World Games 2023 in Birmingham of England

Key points

• The Chief Minister presented a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh to each of the women players from Odisha–Padmini Tudu, Basanti Hansda, Jhili Birua, and Phula Soren, who were part of the Indian women’s team that secured the gold medal.
• Jafar Iqbal, Nakula Badanayak, and Pankaj Bhue from Odisha were presented with Rs 15 lakh each as they were part of the Indian Men’s team, which won the silver medal.

The Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar welcomed five new guests from Mizoram’s Aizawl Zoo.

Key points

• The new guests included a pair of hoolock gibbons, a pair of pig-tailed macaques and a female Himalayan black bear.
• They were brought to Nandankanan Zoo from the Aizawl Zoological Park in Mizoram under an animal exchange programme.
•  In exchange for the new species, the Nandankanan Zoo sent two tigers to Aizawl.