Articles Covered

1. India and New Zealand to have deeper collaboration in Pharma, Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, among others
2. Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to Participate in CPD57 Side Event “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” on 3rd May 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York
3. The services story: On India’s success
4. Kutch Ajrakh
5. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) – Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), in collaboration with Knowledge & Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP) conducts Scientific Excursion for over 250 Students
6. Indian Institute of Astrophysics releases video of moon occulting Antares
7. Launch of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Technology/Product Booklet and ToT of Thermal Camera to Industry
8. Particles called quarks hold the key to the final fate of some stars
9. How the next government will push ‘balanced fertilisation’
10. Chocolate industry meltdown: What led to the rise in prices of cocoa beans
11. Red Colobus
12. Adsorption
13. 7000 Yoga enthusiasts practised Common Yoga Protocol in unison at Police Parade Ground, Surat, Gujarat

India and New Zealand to have deeper collaboration in Pharma, Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, among others

11^th India – New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting held in New Zealand
Enhancing services sector trade given special focus during discussions

1. A delegation led by the Commerce Secretary, Shri Sunil Barthwal held a number of constructive and outcome-oriented meetings in New Zealand from 26-27 April 2024 to work on ways to deepen the existing bilateral relations.
2. These meetings were held with the Minister for Trade of New Zealand Hon. Todd McClay, Acting Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand, Mr. Brook Barrington, the India-New Zealand Business Council (INZBC) and the 11^th India – New Zealand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting.
3. Both sides acknowledged the existing huge potential in both economies and mutual trade complementarities, there is a substantial potential to increase the trade and people to people contacts.
4. These meetings had focused discussions on several key areas aimed at promoting bilateral trade and cooperation, marking a pivotal moment in strengthening economic ties and fostering collaboration between the two nations, building upon the existing close ties through people to people and business contacts.
5. The meetings reviewed progress on market access issues, economic cooperation projects and explored opportunities for new initiatives.
6. Both sides discussed the establishment of robust bilateral economic dialogue architecture and the creation of working groups on sectors like Agriculture; Food Processing, Storage & Transportation; Forestry and Pharmaceuticals to facilitate ongoing collaboration on key trade and economic issues.
7. Notably, discussions also included the cooperation in horticulture sector, including cooperation in kiwi fruit sector (quality & productivity, proper storage in pack houses and their suitable transportation) as well as the dairy sector.
8. Once working groups are established, India and New Zealand will review the progress made by those working groups and the recommendations thereof at regular intervals.
9. The meetings addressed bilateral trade matters of mutual interest, including issues related to market access, non-tariff barriers (NTBs), and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures on products like grapes, okra and mangoes, Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) in Organic products, simplified homologation including through mutual recognition of comparable domestic standards for vehicles, etc. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to resolve these issues through constructive dialogue and cooperation under the existing mechanism of JTC.
10. Services sector and enhancing its scale for bilateral trade was given special focus during the discussions held at various levels which revealed great interest from both sides for increasing business to business as well as people to people contacts and to work on the skill gaps and how the same can be strengthened through capacity building and improving the ease of mobility.
11. It touched upon areas such as hospitality sector including adventure tourism, nursing, tele-medicine, education, air connectivity, Joint R&D (wherever feasible), startups, etc.
12. Collaboration in area of pharmaceuticals and medical devices sector was discussed at length, including the adoption of fast tracking of regulatory process and quality assessment of manufacturing facilities using, as appropriate, the inspection reports of comparable overseas regulators. Greater sourcing of medicines from India and cooperation in medical device sector was also discussed.
13. Both parties briefly explored opportunities for collaboration in digital trade, meeting Nationally Determined Contributions, cross border payment systems, among others. Discussions also encompassed co-operative engagement within platforms such as G20, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and other plurilateral and multi-lateral associations and how to address imperative economic challenges and opportunities. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to uphold a rules-based international trading system.
14. Overall, it was a common understanding that the existing co-operation can be taken forward with continuous dialogue. Hence, both the sides committed to hold regular meetings at all levels to sort out issues and work on collaborative and co-operative activities in exiting as well as areas which remain unexplored.

Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to Participate in CPD57 Side Event “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” on 3rd May 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York

1. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is organizing the side event titled “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” on 3^rdMay, 2024, during the 57th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD57), taking place from the 29^thof April until the 3^rd of May 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.Smt.
2. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, Tripura; Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari, Sarpanch, Pekeru Gram Panchayat, Andhra Pradesh and Smt. Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch, Lambi Aheer Gram Panchayat, Rajasthan are attending the event to represent the Elected Women Representatives from the rural local self-government in India and the delegation is led by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI.
3. Scheduled for 3^rdMay 2024, the side event titled “Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India Lead the Way” will shed light on the key role of Indian women in grassroots political leadership, emphasizing their significant contributions to sustainable development at the grassroots level.
4. This momentous occasion will be livestreamed from the United Nations Headquarters on the social media pages of theMinistry of Panchayati Raj, GoI, commencing at 10:45 PM (IST) on 3^rdMay, 2024 (Friday), facilitating a global audience to witness this inspiring display/manifestation of women’s empowerment in action.
5. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, will inaugurate the event by highlighting the pivotal role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in advancing gender equality, and the significance of women leadership in grassroots governance, through her opening remarks.
6. Following Ambassador Kamboj’s address, Secretary Shri Vivek Bharadwajwill discuss strategies derived from India’s Panchayati Raj Institutions aimed at fostering gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly focusing on poverty reduction and inclusive development.
7. He will also share insights from India’s experience with women’s leadership in local governance.

The side event will feature a panel discussion with three distinguished Elected Women Representatives (EWRs), who will share their invaluable experiences, insights, and perspectives on local self-governance as well as their impactful journey.

Smt. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, Tripura will share insights on the women’s leadership role in the Panchayats in enabling inclusive development. Smt. Kunuku Hema Kumari, Sarpanch, Pekeru Gram Panchayat, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh will highlight the Panchayat’s role in driving key social sector programmes.

Smt. Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch, Lambi Aheer Gram Panchayat, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan will share her experience in promoting women and girl-friendly Panchayats.

• The CPD57 side-event will also see the presence of Mr. Pio Smith, the UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director, Ms. Andrea M. Wojnar, the UNFPA India Representative, and Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR, who will share their insightful remarks and recognize these leading EWRs for their game-changing efforts and instrumental role as torchbearers in driving forward the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) have been instrumental in driving positive change at the grassroots level. India stands at the forefront globally, with 1.4 million women serving as elected members of Panchayati Raj Institutions / Rural Local Bodies, constituting 46% of the total elected representatives of PRIs.
• The CPD57 side event on 3^rdMay, 2024 aims to highlight India’s trailblazing model of empowering EWRs in Panchayati Raj Institutions to spearhead the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It showcases how EWRs play catalytic roles in championing gender equality, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development at the grassroots.
• India’s remarkable success stories, where EWRs have driven positive and impactful change through community leadership and engagement, advancing SDG localization, will be highlighted.
• The event illustrates the scalability and replicability of India’s transformative approach in empowering EWRs as agents of change to steer local development aligned with the SDGs.
• Moreover, it advocates for greater global recognition and support for India’s pioneering model as a best practice in promoting women’s meaningful participation and leadership towards achieving the SDGs at the grassroots level.
• This groundbreaking event emphasizes India’s commitment to empowering women in local governance as torchbearers of sustainable development.
• During its G20 Presidency, India reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality and women-led development by establishing the Working Group on Women’s Empowerment.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken a proactive leadership role in localizing and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural India, with women spearheading local self-governance initiatives.

Embracing a thematic approach, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has endeavoured to localize the SDGs through Panchayati Raj Institutions, consolidating the 17 SDGs into nine overarching themes.Notably, ‘Theme 9: Women-Friendly Panchayat’underlines the pivotal objective of safeguarding and promoting the interests of women, while ensuring their survival, protection, development, and participation rights at the grassroots level.

• In order to empower women to assume leadership roles effectively, various initiatives have been launched, including providing quality training. Beginning this year, an innovative and first-of-its-kind initiative – Leadership and Management Development Programme – has been undertaken to conduct training programs for elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs in premier management institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad.
• The CPD57 side event showcases how EWRs like Smt. Supriya Das Datta, who received training in the first batch of MoPR’s Leadership and Management Development Programme at IIM Ahmedabad, play catalytic roles in championing gender equality, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development at the grassroots.

Brief Profile of Three EWRs attending CPD57 side-event at the UN Headquarters

1. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati, Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, Tripura has promoted women’s involvement in public decision-making processes.
2. She initiated discussion platforms for women in the District to voice concerns and views on village development issues before District Panchayat officials. She has been active in promoting child-care facilities to create a conducive work environment for women.
3. She firmly believes in addressing deep-rooted social norms to achieve gender equality and has actively worked towards this goal in her public role. Smt. Supriya Das Datta holds a Diploma in Pharmacy.
4. Kunuku Hema Kumari, Sarpanch, Pekeru Gram Panchayat, Block: Iragavaram, District: West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh has dedicated herself to raising awareness about government schemes and programs within the community.
5. She has focused on ensuring the effective delivery of public services to the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. Smt. K. Hema Kumari has organized regular medical camps in her village, ensuring that medical services reached even the most remote areas. She has successfully established linkages between frontline health workers and women and girls in need of health services through her public outreach efforts. She holds a Master’s Degree in Technology and previously served as a faculty member for Electronics and e-Communication in an Engineering College.
6. Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch, Lambi Aheer Gram Panchayat, Tehsil: Buhana, District: Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan has led initiatives to combat gender stereotypes and empower women.
7. She prioritized girls’ education, leading community efforts to reduce school dropout rates among girls. She has been acknowledged by the Government of Rajasthan for outstanding contributions to education.
8. She initiated girls’ engagement in sports, particularly hockey, challenging regressive gender norms and earning the title “Hockey Wali Sarpanch”. Smt. Neeru Yadav steered campaigns to reduce plastic usage and organized large-scale plantation drives for environmental preservation.
9. She launched an innovative initiative to promote environmental conservation by presenting trees as part of Kanyadaan during marriages and initiated the campaign ‘My Tree–My Friend’. She holds a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Education and is currently pursuing her Ph.D.

The services story: On India’s success

India’s robust intangible exports growth faces risks that warrant a nuanced response

• Recently, a report titled“India’s rise as the emerging services factory of the world”, has been released by Goldman Sachs.

Goldman Sachs:

• It is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals.

Crucial Insights of the Report:

Rise in India’s Service Exports:

1. India’s services exports reached $340 billion in 2023.
2. India has become the ‘services factory’ of the worldas the country’s services exports have more than doubled in the past 18 years and are expected to touch $800 billion by 2030.
3. While global services exportstripled over 18 years, India grew at twice the pace to reach nearly $340 billion last year.
4. Between 2005 and 2023, Indian services exports grew from 2% to 4.6% whereas the country’s goods exports in the same period only grew to 1.8% from 1%.
5. Also, India’s exports growth has been the third fastest globally since 2005, behind Singapore and Ireland. 

Contribution in Indian Economy:

• India’s services exports will comprise 11% of the GDP by 2030 (versus 9.7 percent of GDP in 2023), which would amount to$800 billion(compared to around $340 billion in 2023).
• It further projected that the current account deficit would be 1.1% of the GDP by 2030 “assuming no significant moves in commodity prices and goods trade balance beyond 2024”.
• Over the last 18 years, professional consulting has grown the fastest and travel services have grown the slowest,and financial services could gain if initiatives such as the GIFT City are promoted.
• Concerns Raised: 
• Domestic Concerns:The report flagged the resource stress that Bengaluru, a hub of computer services export, is facing (water crisis) and the issue of a skilled workforce for the future.

Outsourcing Success Stories- How India Became the Global Hub for Business Transformation:

1. India has emerged as a cornerstone in the global outsourcing landscape by consistently delivering transformative solutions for businesses.
2. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Nielsen: TCS revamped Nielsen’s IT framework, enhancing its data analytics and market research capabilities.
3. This collaboration exemplified India’s aptitude for revitalising intricate global processes.
4. Wipro and Citibank: Wipro developed scalable core banking solutions for Citibank.
5. This partnershipshowcased India’s strengths in the fintech domain with applications that have global relevance.
6. IBM India and Bharti Airtel: IBM India was instrumental in transforming Bharti Airtel’s IT operations, enhancing customer service and operational efficiency.
7. This partnership underlined the capacity of Indian tech solutions to elevate telecommunications services.

• Fall on Target: The projected growth of the services exports would stillfall short of the government’s target.
• In India’s foreign trade policy unveiled in 20230, the government had set the target of $1 trillion for services exports by 2030.
• International Concerns:The report also highlighted that the exports are dependent on global demand for information and communications technology (ICT)spending and rising protectionism in destination countries could hurt export prospects.

Actions Required: 

1. A Calibrated Approach: India needs a calibrated approach that should include a hard push for global market access and opportunities for all professional services, as well as a light-touch regulatory approachto let new ideas and enterprises bloom across areas such as artificial intelligence, manufacturing-linked services, and blockchain applications.
2. Need for Specific Focus:India should not take services exports for granted as services exports as per projection is seeming to fall short of the government’s target.

India’s march towards a $5 trillion economy by 2025 and role of service sector:

• India is one of the fastest growing major economies and its strengths are indicative of the potential of India to achieve a USD 5 trillion economy by 2025. 
• The current structure of the economy and the emerging dynamics provide us grounds to target achieving 1 trillion dollars from agriculture and allied activities,1 trillion from manufacturing and 3 trillion from services.

Service Sector in India: Refers: The service sector is also known as the tertiary sector. It is one of the three sectors of the economy, the other two being the primary sector (includes agriculture, forestry, mining, and fishing) and the secondary sector (includes manufacturing and construction). Includes: India’s services sector covers a wide variety of activities such as trade, hotel and restaurants, transport, storage and commun ication, financing, insurance, real estate, business services, community, social and personal services, and services associated with construction. Evolution & Development: The reforms of the 1990s have been associated with the expansion of the service sector in India. Midway through the 1980s, the service sector began to expand, but it took off in the 1990s when India started a series of economic reforms in response to a serious balance of payments issue.Jurisdiction: Union List: Telecommunications, postal, broadcasting, financial services (including insurance and banking), national highways, mining services. State List: Healthcare and related services, real estate services, retail, services incidental to agriculture, hunting, and forestry. Concurrent List: Professional services, education, printing and publishing, electricity.

Contribution: The service sector has over 50% contribution to India’s GDP  The service sector has emerged as the highest employment generator with a 5-7% y-o-y growth in 2022. The share of the services sector accounted for 57% of the total Gross Value Added (GVA) in FY24 (April-September) as per advance estimates. As per data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the services category ranked first in FDI inflows. India’s service exports stood at US$ 163.94 billion, whereas imports stood at US$ 88.89 billion in (April-September) 2023-24. The services trade surplus for 2023-24 (April-September) is expected to be US$ 75.05 billion.

Future Prospects:

1. Upcoming sectors are expected to contribute to rapid expansion of services sector in India:
2. By2025, the healthcare industry is expected to reach US$ 372 billion.
3. By2025, India’s digital economy is estimated to reach US$ 1 trillion.
4. By the end of 2023, India’s IT and business services sector is expected to reach US$ 14.3 billion with 8% growth.
5. By2035, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to boost India’s annual growth rate by 1.3%

Some Developments in the Services Sector in India:

1. FDI: The Indian services sector was thelargest recipient of FDI inflows worth US$ 106.70 billion between April 2000-September 2023.
2. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the service sector received US$ 3.85 billion in FDI equity inflowsin FY24* (April-September).
3. Banking Sector: According to RBI’s Scheduled Banks’ Statement, deposits of all scheduled banks collectively surged by a whopping Rs.1.75 lakh crore as of December 1st, 2023.
4. Telephone Industry:India’s telephone subscriber base stood at 1,179.21 million as of August 2023 and total broadband subscriber base stood at 876.53 million.
5. Teledensity(the number of telephone connections for every 100 individuals) in India stood at 84.69%, as of August 2023.
6. Startups: Since the launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016, DPIIT has recognized 98,119 entities as startups as of 30th April 2023.
7. Healthcare Industry:It is growing at a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% and the total public and private spending on healthcare is 4% of GDP. India’s healthcare industry is expected to grow to US$ 50 billion in size by 2025.
8. The Indian healthcare industry is expected to shift to digitally enabled remote consultations via teleconsultation. The telemedicine market in India is expected to increase at a CAGR of 31% from 2020 to 2025.
9. CAGR is the mean annual growth rateof an investment over a specified period of time longer than one year.
10. The IT & Business Services Market:It will grow at a CAGR of 8.3% between 2021-26, reaching a US$ 20.5 billion valuation by the end of 2026.

Reasons for Growth in Services Sector: Structural Transformation: LPG Reforms offered more opportunities for the development of the services sector particularly in the field of Banking, Insurance, Telecommunication, Aviation, Transportation etc. Technological Advancements: Technical advancements have led to a shift in outsourcing, leading in the expansion of the service industry. Also, the development in the agriculture and industrial sector has increased the need for services such as transportation, storage and trade. Rise of Demand: There is high demand in the Indian service sector in foreign markets, rise in domestic population and also the necessity for basic services like hospitals, educational institutions, banking services, etc. Attractive Ecosystem: Various government policies such as Start-up India, Digital India Program, Ayushman Bharat, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana have increased the potential for the sector in India. Low setup costs make this sector an attractive investment destination. India also has a reasonably well-developed financial market. Skilled Workforce: A large pool of skilled IT manpower has made India into a global outsourcing hub. Improved Productivity: Due to better technology and improved labor productivity there is an increase in output of manufacturing goods and agriculture with less labor. Global Technology Hub: India is the digital capabilities hub of the world, with the presence of about 75% of global digital talent.  In the next five years, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is working to increase the contribution of the digital economy to 20% of GDP. The government is working to build cloud-based infrastructure for collaborative networks that can be used for the creation of innovative solutions by entrepreneurs and startups.

Initiatives taken by the India to Promote Service Sector Growth: Action Plan for Champion Sectors in Services: To give focused attention to 12 identified Champion Services Sectors. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): As of November 9, 2022, the number of bank accounts opened under PMJDY scheme reached 47.39 crore and deposits in Jan Dhan bank accounts totalled Rs. 1.76 lakh crore (US$ 21.59 billion). Production-linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: In October 2021, the government launched a PLI scheme to boost manufacturing of telecom and networking products in India. Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF): In October 2021, the government launched phase II of MGNF to empower students and boost skill development. PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission: It was launched in October 2021 to strengthen the critical healthcare network across India in the next four to five years. 100% FDI: The FDI limit for insurance companies has been raised from 49% to 74% and 100% for insurance intermediates. Third phase of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): It was launched in January, 2021 tol focus on new-age and COVID-related skills. National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): It was launched in 2020 to provide a unique health ID to every Indian and revolutionize the healthcare industry by making it easily accessible to everyone in the country. Over the next 10 years, the National Digital Health Blueprint can unlock the incremental economic value of over US$ 200 billion for the healthcare industry in India. National Broadband Mission: The government of India has launched the National Broadband Mission to provide Broadband access to all villages by 2022. IGnITE Programme: It was launched in December 2020 to encourage high-quality training and technical education. ‘IGnITE’ aims to develop highly trained technicians based on the German Dual Vocational Educational Training (DVET) model. By 2024, this programme aims to upskill about 40,000 employees. Germany’s dual vocational education and training system is highly regarded worldwide for its emphasis on practical training and close collaboration between industry and educational institutions. To enhance India’s commercial services exports, share in the global services market from 3.3% and permit a multi-fold expansion in the GDP, the government is also making significant efforts in this direction. PM Gati Shakti: National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity infrastructure project. Bharatmala Project: To Improve connectivity in North East India. Start-up India: To catalyze Startup culture in India.

Significance of the Service Sector in India:

1. Economic Growth & Development: The service sector accounts for most of the country’s economic output, over 50% to India’s GDP.
2. The services sector is not only the dominant sector in India’sGDP but has also attracted significant foreign investment, has contributed significantly to exports and has provided large-scale employment.
3. Employment Generation: The service sector is a major source of employment in India. It provides jobs to about 30.7% of the Indian population.
4. Foreign Exchange:Services like IT, business process outsourcing (BPO), and medical tourism have generated substantial foreign exchange earnings for India.
5. Global Outsourcing Hub: India is a global outsourcing hub, particularly for IT, BPO, and knowledge-based services.
6. Knowledge-Based Economy:India produces many highly skilled professionals, including software engineers, doctors, engineers, and business analysts.
7. E-commerce and Retail Growth: These sub-sectors have experienced significant growth, driven by increasing consumer spending and digital transformation.
8. Tourism and Cultural Exchange: The tourism and hospitality sector contributes to cultural exchange and the growth of India’s reputation as a global tourist destination.

Challenges Faced by the Services Sector in India:

1. Lack of Government Incentives: Many experts feel that the Government has not provided incentives to the services sector on the same lines as the manufacturing sector.
2. Trade Restrictions:Services sector is hampered by restrictions placed by foreign governments like restrictions on movement of service professionals, domestic certification requirements for foreign service providers, tax on offshore income of Indian service firms etc. These restrictions limit the export potential of India’s Services Sector.
3. As highlighted by the Surjit Bhalla Committee on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs),India has failed to capitalize on its strengths in the services sector to boost exports to FTA partner countries.
4. Access to Finance: Many small services firms lack access to affordable finance that hampers access to technology, up-skilling of people, up-gradation of systems and processes that impacts their competitiveness.
5. Complex Regulations:Complex and frequently changing regulations can create hurdles for growth in the service sector.
6. Infrastructure Challenge: Inadequate infrastructure, such as transportation and logistics, can hinder the efficient delivery of services.
7. Shortage of Skilled Labor:While India produces a large number of graduates and skilled professionals, there can be a disconnect between the skills possessed by the workforce and the demands of certain service sectors.
8. Technology Advancements:While India has made significant progress in the IT and software services sector, many other service industries lag behind in adopting technology for efficiency and competitiveness.
9. Data Privacy and Security:In the digital age, these concerns of data have become more pronounced.

Way Forward:

1. Policy Interventions:The Services Sector in India requires structured policy interventions by the Government. The Government should launch a ‘Services from India’ initiative on the lines of Make in India. 
2. Government should consider greater tax incentives, and PLI-like schemes for the Services Sector to support an increase in services exports.
3. Action on Priority Basis:The Services Sector needs to be accorded a greater priority in trade negotiations. Focus of India’s FTA has been on merchandise trade.
4. Setting of Standards: India should push for setting standardsfor global data governance. There is a need to resolve data and privacy barriers.
5. Comprehensive Roadmap:The Government should make a comprehensive roadmap for further diversification of the services sector. Sub-Sectors like Healthcare, Tourism, Banking/Financial Services, Telecommunication need to be supported for further expansion.
6. Cultivating Soft-Skills: There is a need to impart such generic courses among peoples that can offer a holistic blend of technical proficiency, soft skills, and industry-specific knowledge essential for success in service-centric roles.

Kutch Ajrakh

Recently, the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM) has bestowed the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate upon the traditional artisans of ‘Kutch Ajrakh,’ hailing from the vibrant region of Kutch in Gujarat.

Kutch Ajrakh

1. The Ajrakh is a textile craft,and holds deep roots in the cultural tapestry of Gujarat, particularly in the regions of Sindh, Barmer, and Kutch, where its legacy spans millennia.
2. The art of Ajrakh entails a meticulous process of hand-block printing on treated cotton cloth, culminating in intricate designs infused with rich symbolism and history.

• Ajrak’s nomenclature originates from ‘Azrak’, meaning indigo,a well-known substance most often employed as a powerful dye to achieve a bluish effect.
• Ajrakh prints have traditionally consisted of three colors:bluewhich signifies the sky, redwhich signifies the land and the fire, and white which signifies the stars.

1. Textiles are treated with vegetable and mineral coloursand the fabric goes through a washing cycle about eight times.
2. This craft wasintroduced to this region over 400 years back by the Sind Muslims.
3. Nomadic pastoralist and agricultural communities like the Rabaris, Maldharis, and Ahirs wear Ajrakh printed cloth as turbans, lungis, or stoles.

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) – Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), in collaboration with Knowledge & Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP) conducts Scientific Excursion for over 250 Students

1. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), in collaboration with the Knowledge and Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP), conducts Scientific Excursion on April 29th, 2024 at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The Scientific Excursion was conducted by KAMP under the CSIR Jigyasa and Viksit Bharat Program with 250 students accompanied by their teachers from DPS Kolar Road Bhopal, IES public school Sehore, and IES public school, Ratibad, Bhopal. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. D.P Mondal, Chief Scientist. Head, Alloys, Composites and Cellular Materials Division, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal and Dr. Satanand Mishra Principal Scientist & Jigyasa Coordinator, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal.

• This excursion provided the students with a unique opportunity to delve into the world of science, technology, and innovation. It aimed to instill a passion for scientific exploration and discovery within the students.
• Mishra and his Jigyasa team inspired the students in their scientific pursuits through interactive discussion and lab visits. Within the labs, the students learnt several new things in a practical manner with respect to 3D printing Lab, Raman Spectrometer lab, Hybrid Composite, Centre for Advanced Radiation Shielding and Geo-polymeric Materials (CARS&GM).
• Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Bhopal was instituted in May 1981 as “Regional Research Laboratory” (RRL).
• The Knowledge and Awareness Mapping Platform (KAMP), an initiative and knowledge alliance between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) and industrial partner M/S Nysa Communications Pvt. Ltd. (NCPL) provides a platform for students to explore and engage with scientific concepts, develop a holistic understanding, and ignite their scientific curiosity.

Indian Institute of Astrophysics releases video of moon occulting Antares

The moon passed in front of the bright red star Antares on April 27, hiding it for roughly 40 minutes 

The Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) has filmed the passing of the moon in front of Antares, a bright red star.

Antares

• Antares, also known as Alpha Scorpii,is the alpha, or brightest, star in the constellation Scorpius, and the 15th-brightest star in the whole night sky.
• It is a massive red super giant star.
• It is 10,000 times brighter than our sun.
• It is one of the largest known stars, 700 times the sun’s diameter, large enough to engulf the orbit of Mars if the solar system were centered on it.
• It lies about 600 light-years from the Earth.
• Despite its size, the overall density of Antares is less than one-millionth that of the sun.
• Antares is also relatively cool as stars go. Its surface temperature is about 6,100 degrees F(3,400 degrees C). That’s in contrast toour sun’s surface temperature of about 10,000 degrees F (5,500 degrees C).
• The star’s low temperature accounts for its ruddy color.

Red Supergiant Star

1. They are very large stars that are approaching the later stages of their stellar life.
2. They have a radius that is several hundred to 1500 times that of the Sun.
3. Though they are great in size, the red color indicates that stars of this type have a relatively low surface temperature.
4. They are highly luminous.
5. Most red super giants are variable stars. This means, their degree of brightness changes and fluctuates as seen on Earth.
6. Also, these stars are actively losing mass. Nebulae have been seen around them as they expel material.

Launch of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Technology/Product Booklet and ToT of Thermal Camera to Industry

1. The Indigenous Technologies of Thermal camera, designed and developed by CDAC Thiruvananthapuram under InTranSE Program of MeitY, was transferred to M/s Aditya Infotech (CP Plus). It is a step towards Innovation, Science and Technology theme of Vikshit Bharat @2047.
2. Thermal Camera:The thermal Smart camera has an inbuilt Data Processing Unit (DPU) to run various AI based analytics. The indigenised technology is targeted for applications across multiple domains, including Smart cities, Industries, Defence and Health, etc. The field implementation, testing and validation of this camera was done for Road traffic applications.

ITS Technology/Product Booklet:

Under InTRanSE program of R& D group, MeitY, technologies/product/solution developed for Traffic control, Public Transit, Road Safety, Sensors for traffic Applications etc. have been compiled in a booklet form which was launched for awareness creation.

Particles called quarks hold the key to the final fate of some stars

Scientists have reported that the insides of most massive neutron stars is most likely made of an unusual state of matter called quark matter

A recent study revealed that three-quark clusters are more prone to formation compared to two-quark clusters, particularly in scenarios where other particles densely surround a specific type of quark.

1. Challenge to Traditional Particle-physics Models: The researchers noted that this finding challenges the traditional particle-physics models, which assume that quark consolidation occurs independently of the particle environment.
2. Cluster of Heavy Quarks: Another study reported the observation of clusters consisting exclusively of heavier quarks.
3. Difficulty in Studying Heavy Quarks: Heavy-quark clumps are very short-lived and harder to study, requiring more sophisticated tools and computing power.

However, understanding them is important for understanding all quarks shedding light on their impact on phenomena such as nuclear fusion and the evolution of stars.

Composition of Matter:

1. All matter comprises atoms, with protons and neutrons forming the nucleus while electrons orbit outside.
2. However, unlike electrons, protons, and neutrons, which constitute composite particles, consist of quarks.

Stages of Star/Life Cycle of Stars:

• Equilibrium of Forces: A star represents a sphere of matter that achieves equilibrium between two opposing forces.
• Gravity, arising from the star’s mass, encourages the star to collapse inward. Conversely, the nuclear force expressed in the explosive energy released by fusion reactions at its core, pushes the star to blow up and outwards.
• Within a star, these two forces are in perfect balance, resulting in its luminous presence in the sky.
• Collapse of Star: When a star exhausts its fusion fuel, nuclear fusion diminishes, allowing gravity to gradually overpower the outward pressure. Eventually, the star will reach the end of its life cycle and undergo collapse or implosion.
• Post-Life Fate Determination Based on Size and Mass: The destiny of the star in its post-life phase is determined by its initial size and mass, leading to the formation of a white dwarf, a neutron star, or a black hole.
• Scientists have estimated that if the Sun were 20-times more massive, it may collapse into a black hole when it dies. If it were only eight-times heavier, it could become a neutron star.

Neutron Stars:

• About:In neutron stars, the strength with which the core collapses will fuse all protons and electrons inside into neutrons.
• Extreme Density and Novel Matter States in Neutron Stars:The interior of neutron stars exhibits extreme density, with the equivalent mass of two Suns compressed into a sphere just 25 kilometers wide.
• This immense pressure may lead to the formation of a novel state of matter.
• Study of Neutron Properties: The Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV)equation is used to calculate the bulk properties of neutron stars. It assigns a probability to the presence of quarks within neutron stars.
• The TOV equation is widely used in the study of properties of compact stars.
• Magnetic Moments of Protons and Neutrons: Protons are positively charged and therefore have a magnetic moment (a turning force exerted by a magnetic field) associated with them.
• Neutrons also have a magnetic moment but they are neutrally charged. 
• Quest for Quark Matter in Neutron Stars:A longstanding question in physics concerns whether this state could involve quark matter, where neutrons are no longer present, only quarks.
• Evidence for Quark Matter: As per a recent journal Nature Communications, the interiors of the most massive neutron stars may consist predominantly of quark matter,with an estimated likelihood of 80-90%.
• However, the astrophysical observations were small in number, meaning the result is not so reliable. Astrophysicists need more observational data to understand quark matter and how exactly it forms.
• Challenges with Neutron Study: While their properties are well-theorized, direct experimentation on them is impossible in earthly laboratories.
• Additionally, crucial data on the masses and radii of most neutron stars remain unknown, sparking intense interest among astrophysicists.

Understanding Quark Stars:

• Discovery of Quarks:Physicists in the 1960s figured neutrons must be made of smaller particles that gave rise to the magnetic moment but whose electric charges cancel themselves out.
• Gell-Mann called them quarks and their existence was confirmed in the 1970s.
• Classification of Quarks and Antiquarks: Quarks, fundamental particles, come in six varieties: up, down, top, bottom, strange, and charm. There exist antiquarks also, which are the antimatter counterparts of quarks.
• Meson Formation:When a quark and an antiquark combine, they form a meson, with examples including up + anti-down. 
• Baryon Formation:Three-quark clusters are referred to as baryons, constituting the ordinary matter that surrounds us.
• Quarks Binding by Gluons: Quarks are further held together by another set of particles called gluons. 
• Since nuclear forces are very strong, quarks are always tightly bound to each other and are not free, even in the vacuum of empty space.
• Quantum Chromo dynamics Theory:It explains the nuclear force that holds quarks together.
• It predicts that at sufficiently high energies,nuclear matter can become ‘deconfined’ to create a new phase of matter in which quarks don’t have to exist in clusters.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC):

1. About: The LHC is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator.
2. CERN-led Global Collaboration Project: It is a Global collaboration project led by CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research).
3. Location: The LHC is situated underneath the earth’s surface at a depth of 175 metres on the border between France and Switzerland near Geneva.
4. Purpose: LHC was built to study some of the fundamental particles (like protons, Higgs Boson etc.,) and how they interact.

• Evidence of Confinement: Physicists have provided evidence of de confinement through experiments involving the collision of lead ions at extremely high energies, such as those conducted at the Large Hadron Collider.
• Existence of Quark-gluon Plasma:These experiments have revealed the existence of a state of matter known as quark-gluon plasma, where quarks briefly exist independently, signifying the ‘plasma’ phase. 
• According to the Big Bang theory, the early universe was filled with this plasma before particles aggregated to form the first matter clusters.
• Clues to discover Quark stars: This process of particle aggregation may release energy or induce alterations in the surrounding environment, providing astrophysicists with potential clues to identify and eventually discover quark stars.
• Until then, the existence of quark stars remains one of the unresolved mysteries in physics.

How the next government will push ‘balanced fertilisation’

Capping consumption of urea and DAP to correct worsening plant nutrient imbalance is likely to be on the priority list of the government post the Lok Sabha polls

Balanced fertilization will be a key policy goal for the new government after the Lok Sabha elections

The financial Year 2023- 2024 saw urea consumption hit a record 35.8 million tonnes (mt), 16.9% higher than the 30.6 mt in 2013-14

Balanced Fertilization: 

1. The requirements of nutrients such as Nitrogen, Phosphate and Potash are soil and crop specific.
2. The use of the right ratio of nutrients as per soil or crop requirement is known as “balanced fertilization”.

Fertilizer consumption in India:

1. Total consumption of all fertilizer products: At 63.92 million MT during 2022-23 showed a decline of 0.03% over 2021-22.
2. Increase in consumption: Urea at 35.73 MMT and DAP at 10.53 MMT recorded increase of 4.5% and 13.6% respectively, during FY 2022-23.
3. Decrease in consumption:  NP/NPK complex fertilizers, MOP at 1.63 MMT and SSP at 5.02 MMT witnessed decline of 12.2%, 33.6% and 11.7%, respectively during FY 2022-2023.
4. All-India NPK use ratio: It widened from 7.7:3.1:1 during 2021-22 to 11.8:4.6:1 during 2022-23.
5. Per hectare use of total nutrients (N+P+K): It improved marginally from 141.0 kg in 2021-22 to 141.2 kg in 2022-23.

Objective: 

1. To correct soil nutrient deficiency and improve the quality of crops.
2. To maintain or improve soil fertility and restore soil fertility impaired through imbalanced fertilizer use

Need: 

• To discourage farmers from over application of only primary nutrient based fertilizers like urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) or muriate of potash (MOP).

Initiative:

The Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) system:

• The government fixed a per-kg subsidy for N, P, K and S, linking subsidy on any fertiliser to its nutrient content.
• Objective: To induce product innovation and move away farmers from urea, DAP (18% N and 46% P content) and MOP (60% K), in favour of complex fertilisers containing N, P, K, S and other nutrients in balanced proportions with lower concentrations.

Neem coated urea:

• Mandatory neem oil coating of all urea came into effect from 2015, and was intended to check illegal diversion of the highly-subsidised urea for non-agricultural uses like in plywood, dye, cattle feed and synthetic milk makers.
• Neem oil also acted as a mild nitrification inhibitor,allowing more gradual release of nitrogen.
• Improved nitrogen use efficiency resulted in bringing down the number of urea bags required per acre with the government reducing the bag size from 50 to 45 kg in 2018
• Price control measures for non-urea fertilizers: Department of Fertilizers (DoF) in their new guidelines imposed indirect MRP controls on non-urea fertilizers by capping the profits that companies can earn from their sales.
• It prescribed maximum profit margins that will be allowed for fertilizer companies ie. 8% for importers, 10% for manufacturers and 12% for integrated manufacturers.

Sulphur coated Urea: 

• The Union Government has recently approved the launch of sulfur-coated urea, containing 37% N and 17% S priced at Rs 266.50 per bag of 40 kg, as against 45 kg for the neem coated urea, translating into a 12.5% price hike.

Challenges:

• Pricing mismatch:The restoration of price controls on non-urea fertilizers has worsened the nutrient imbalances with di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) becoming the new urea with farmers inclined to over-apply both.
• Example: The current MRP of DAP, at Rs 1,350 per 50-kg bag, is below the Rs 1,470 for the 10:26:26:0 and 12:32:16:0 NPKS complex fertilisers.
• Unaffordable Muriate of Potash (MOP):MOP is retailing at Rs 1,650 per bag which disincentives not only farmers to apply it directly but also companies to incorporate it into NPKS complexes.
• Example: The most widely consumed complex fertiliser, 20:20:0:13, contains no potassium which is concerning trend as potassium boosts the immunity of crops against pests and diseases as well as uptake of nitrogen.
• Failure of the NBS:The NBS scheme failed simply because it excluded Urea. Urea’s MRP is government controlled which resulted in only a minute increase in the prices by just 16.5 per cent post NBS introduction, making it cheaper thus facilitating over use by farmers.
• Import dependency: India is heavily import-dependent in all types of fertilisers, be it of finished products or intermediates and raw materials. High global prices add to the country’s foreign exchange outgo and also the government’s subsidy burden.

WAY FORWARD

1. Maintain price hierarchy: Price Hierarchy needs to be ensured among non-urea fertilizers by pricing DAP the highest, MOP the lowest and complexes in between.
2. Restricted use of DAP: DAP should be mainly restricted to rice and wheat with other crops meeting their P requirement through complexes and SSP.
3. Enhancing acceptability: Market DAP  in granular, and  not powdered, form. Granules are less prone to adulteration with gypsum or clay, while also enabling slower release of P without drift during application.
4. Rationalize MRPs of fertilizers: This could involve bringing urea under NBS and mitigating the impact of a significant hike in its MRP by increasing the subsidy rates on other nutrients.
5. Super Phosphate: Government should promote the use of super phosphate in the country which is an important source of supply of P, S and calcium.

Chocolate industry meltdown: What led to the rise in prices of cocoa beans

The price of cocoa beans, the most important raw material in chocolates, has skyrocketed, hitting a record $12,000 a tonne in April, around four times last year’s price. Here is why

The chocolate industry is facing a big problem due to the rise in the price of cocoa beans, which are crucial for making chocolate. 

• In April, it reached $12,000 per tonne, which is four times higher than last year.
• Cocoa processors, who process these beans into chocolate ingredients, have reduced production because they can’t afford the expensive beans.

cocoa

1. Origin and Distribution: Cocoa plants are small trees originally from the American tropics but are now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide.
2. It refers to the dried and fully fermented fatty seeds of the cacao tree.
3. It is used in making chocolate.
4. It can also refer to hot chocolate drinks, cocoa powder (the result of grinding cocoa seeds and removing cocoa butter), or a combination of both cocoa powder and cocoa butter.
5. Primary Producers:
6. The main countries leading in cocoa production globally include Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Brazil.

Climate Requirements:

1. Cocoa grows well up to 300 meters above sea level.
2. Origin:It originated as a crop growing beneath the trees in the Amazonian forests.
3. Cultivation of cocoa:It is cultivated under the shadow of forest trees or alongside other crops (A practice known as intercropping). 
4. Annual Rainfall:It needs a minimum of 90-100 mm rainfall per month, with an annual rainfall of 1500-2000 mm.
5. Equitable climate with well-distributed rainfall is essential, and irrigation may be necessary during prolonged dry periods.

Black pod disease

• This disease is the primary ailment affecting cocoa.
• It is caused by a fungus, Phytophthora palmivora. 
• It commonly occurs during the monsoon season.
• Infected pods develop a pale brownish color, leading to deterioration in the quality of cocoa beans.
• Preventive Measures:

Phytosanitation and prophylactic spraying with a 1% Bordeaux mixture are effective methods for preventing black pod disease in cocoa.

1. Ideal temperature: The ideal temperature range is 15°-39°C, with 25°C considered optimal.
2. Soil Conditions: Most cocoa cultivation areas use clay loam and sandy loam soils.
3. Shade Requirements: Commercial cocoa cultivation requires around 50% sunlight.

Cultivation of cocoa in India

In India, cocoa is primarily grown in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, often as a secondary crop alongside arecanut and coconut.

Ideal Environment:

• Cocoa cultivation thrives in India, particularly in coconut and arecanut gardens.
• These environments provide optimal     conditions for cocoa growth.

Sunlight Accessibility:

• Arecanut gardens allow 30-50% of sunlight to filter through their canopy.
• Cocoa plants benefit from this filtered sunlight, which supports their growth and development.

Factors affecting prices of cocoa

Climate Factors:

1. El Niño Influence: The immediate reason for the crisis is the bad harvest season in West African countries Ghana and Ivory Coast, where 60% of the world’s cocoa beans come from.
2. Increased rainfall in West African cocoa-growing regions due to El Niño has facilitated the spread of black pod disease, leading to decreased crop yields.
3. The International Cocoa Organization has predicted a shortage of about 374,000 tonnes cocoa beans for the 2023-2024 season than a shortage of 74,000 tonnes last year.
4. Climate Change: Rising temperatures leading to heat waves, droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns caused by climate change have made cocoa trees more vulnerable to diseases and environmental stress, further reducing yields.

Economic Challenges for Farmers:

• Low Farmer Income: Cocoa farmers in West Africa earn significantly low incomes, often less than $1.25 a day, which hinders their ability to invest in their farms and improve productivity.
• It’s much lower than the United Nations’ poverty line of $2.15 per day.
• As a result, there is widespread use of slave and child labor on cocoa farms, and farmers are resorting to selling their land to illegal gold miners.
• As a result, there is widespread use of slave and child labor on cocoa farms, and farmers are resorting to selling their land to illegal gold miners.
• Poverty Cycle: Poverty among cocoa farmers perpetuates a cycle of exploitation, preventing them from adopting modern farming practices or adapting to climate change.
• In Ghana, a 2023 report by Oxfam found that around 90% of farmers can’t afford basic necessities like food, clothing, housing, and medical care.
• The survey, conducted among 400 farmers across the country, reveals a concerning trend. Since 2020, the average income of these farmers has decreased by 16%, with women experiencing an even steeper decline of nearly 22%.
• Nine out of ten farmers have been reported being worse off financially since the pandemic.

Industry Practices:

1. Lack of Fair Compensation:Major chocolate companies prioritize keeping consumer prices low, leading to minimal investment in improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
2. Sustainable Farming Challenges: With low income and limited resources, cocoa farmers struggle to implement sustainable farming practices or invest in resilience against climate change.
3. Exploitative Practices: Despite substantial profits, chocolate companies have not adequately addressed the plight of cocoa farmers, contributing to ongoing exploitation and poverty.
4. Potential Escalation: Unless there are substantial changes in how the industry operates, the cocoa price crisis is expected to continue. This could worsen the exploitation of farmers and potentially lead to higher chocolate prices.

Red Colobus

A new study by an international team of scientists stated conserving Red colobus could hold the keys to protecting tropical forests.

Red Colobus

• These are a rare group of imperilled monkeys spread across Africa,are primary indicators of biodiversity.
• Red colobus monkeys are one of two major simian groups

1. Colobinesare primarily leaf-eaters, as compared to the cercopithecines, which are omnivores and thus include animals in their diet as well.
2. Colobines also include the langurs of south and southeast Asia besides Africa’s colobus (olive and black-and-white besides red) monkeys.

• Distribution: Ranging from forests in Senegal to the Zanzibar Archipelago.
• Most red colobus are facing extinction, making them the most threatened group of non-ape primates in mainland Africa.
• More than half of the 18 distinct forms of red colobus monkeys (scientists are unclear about how many species there are) are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Threats

1. Hunting for trade and local subsistence
2. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation due to logging, mining, charcoal production, infrastructure development and conversion of forest to farms and agriculture plantations.

Initiative to conserve Red Colobus

• The Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan, initiated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Species Survival Commission Primate Specialist Group and the African Primatological Society.
• The action plan aims to make red colobus a priority conservation target, which will help to secure Africa’s tropical forests and reduce unsustainable hunting for wild meat.
• A Red Colobus Working Group(RCWG) has been formed to guide implementation of the action plan and a Red Colobus Conservation Network (RCCN)has been created to promote communication, capacity-building and monitoring of red colobus conservation efforts.

Adsorption

Scientists have conducted research on a nano-material-based adsorption process to efficiently remove uranium wastewater extracted from actual radioactive-contaminated soil.

Adsorption

• It refers to the adhesion of atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid to the surface of a material.
• It is considered a surface phenomenonthat creates a film of the adsorbate onthe surface of the adsorbent (a solid material, for instance).
• Materialsthat are used to adsorbgases or dissolved substances are called adsorbents; the adsorbed molecules are usually referred to collectively as the adsorbate.

Adsorption Works

• Adsorption depends on surface energy.
• The surface atoms of the adsorbent is partially exposed, so they can attract the adsorbate molecules.
• Adsorption may result from electrostatic attraction, chemisorption, or physisorption.

Characteristics of Adsorbents:

1. Typically, adsorbents have small pore diameters so that there is a high surface area to facilitate adsorption.
2. The pore size usually ranges between 0.25 and 5 mm.
3. Industrial adsorbents have high thermal stability and resistance to abrasion.
4. Depending on the application, the surface may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic.
5. The adsorbents come in many shapes, including rods, pellets, and molded shapes.
6. Examples of adsorbents include Silica gel, Alumina,Activated carbon or charcoal, Zeolites, Adsorption chillers used with refrigerants, Biomaterials that adsorb proteins, etc.

• Adsorption is a different process from absorption, in which a substance diffuses into a liquid or solid to form a solution.
• Adsorption phenomena are operative in most natural physical, biological, and chemical systems, and adsorption operations employing solids such as activated carbon and synthetic resins are widely used in industrial applications and for the purification of waters and waste waters.

7000 Yoga enthusiasts practised Common Yoga Protocol in unison at Police Parade Ground, Surat, Gujarat

International Day of Yoga has now become a Global platform to raise awareness about Yoga – Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha 50^th Countdown to IDY 2024 generated massive enthusiasts about Yoga, people from all walks of life participated in the event
Surat was infused with the bliss of Yoga during the ‘Yoga Mahotsav,’ a grand celebration leading up to the International Day of Yoga-2024. Held at the Police Parade Ground in Athwalines, this event, drew a massive crowd. Above seven thousands of eager participants came together for this gala affair, immersing themselves in the practice of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) from 7.00 AM on May 02, 2024. Their overwhelming enthusiasm and active engagement highlighted the increasing significance of Yoga in fostering both personal and societal well-being.

• Their attendance lent a profound significance to the occasion, showcasing a shared dedication to the promotion of Yoga and the advancement of betterment for individuals and communities alike. Their participation underscored a collective commitment to fostering holistic well-being through the practice of Yoga.
• In his address, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted that Surat has also made a wonderful contribution to the development of the country. It is a matter of pride for us that Surat has got the title of the cleanest city in the country.
• Vaidya Kotecha expressed his delight at the gathering for the ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ in Surat, amidst its serene environment. He commended the attendees for their disciplined presence, which contributed to the success of the program.
• He said that Yoga has now drawn attention of the world and in IDY 2023 more than 23.5 crore people across the globe practised Yoga. This Year this participation is sure enough to increase. He also said that to mark the occasion of 25^thcountdown to IDY2024, a major event will also be held in Bodhgaya.
• He emphasized that in 2015, a significant milestone was achieved when the United Nations declared June 21st as International Day of Yoga.
• This day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about the many benefits of practicing Yoga, both for physical and mental well-being, and to promote its universal appeal across different cultures and societies.
• Since its inception, International Yoga Day has been celebrated worldwide with various events, seminars, workshops, and demonstrations aimed at highlighting the profound impact of Yoga on individuals and communities.
• He also stated that Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of yoga in our country by producing thousands of skilled yoga masters.
• Kashinath Samagandi, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), began the event with a warm welcome address, extending his gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions to the program’s success.
• He underscored the role of Yoga Mahotsav as a crucial stepping stone towards the International Day of Yoga 2024 (IDY-2024), emphasizing its significance in promoting the universal practice of Yoga.
• The 10th edition of the International Day of Yoga celebrations represents a significant milestone in the journey of this global movement promoting health and well-being.
• A live demonstration of the Common Yoga Protocol unfolded, showcasing the expertise of the practitioners from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, led by the Director of the institute. Over 7000 Yoga enthusiasts actively participated in the demonstration, collectively engaging in the prescribed Yoga practices outlined in the Common Yoga Protocol.
• The event was enriched by the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush, Gujrat Yog Board, representatives from the state government, and numerous other distinguished dignitaries and experts.
• Additionally, the gathering was enhanced by messages from revered Yoga masters and gurus, further illuminating the significance of the occasion. Their collective involvement and guidance added depth to the event, emphasizing the importance of Yoga in promoting personal and societal well-being.

The Ministry of Ayush, in conjunction with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, is orchestrating a series of Mass Yoga Demonstrations and sessions as part of the ‘100 Days, 100 Cities, and 100 Organizations’ campaign- an event to commemorate to IDY-2024. This initiative operates in collaboration with a wide array of stakeholders including schools, universities, institutes, colleges, corporate bodies, as well as all states and union territories.