Context: India Post Payments Bank enter into MoU with Hindustan Zinc to offer financial inclusion services to its CSR beneficiaries.

Significance of the MOU:

• The collaboration will ensure in creating a lasting impact on the lives of community beneficiaries around Hindustan Zinc’s operational areas. 
• The key services provided by the IPPB will ensure Financial Inclusion and ensure aid for opening bank accounts, access to pension products, long-term savings, and investment schemes.
• It will further aid in providing support and Empowering 3.5 Lakhs+ beneficiaries covering SHG women, farmers, and youth to become Individual Business Correspondents for various IPPB services.
• It will additionally promote government social welfare Schemes through the IPPB  banking channels and assisting beneficiaries in availing income-generating loans through IPPB’s lending partners.
• With this collaboration IPPB, a public limited company under the Department of Posts, reinforce its commitment to reach out to the last mile with best-in-class digital banking services.
• The partnership also underscores Hindustan Zinc’s unwavering commitment to its social responsibility, contributing to the sustainable development of the regions it operates in, and solidifies its reputation as a leader in driving positive change.

About India Post Payments Bank

• India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India.
• The IPPB was launched on September 1, 2018. The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India.
• The fundamental mandate of India Post Payments Bank is to remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked and reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network comprising ~1,65,000 Post Offices (~140,000 in rural areas) and ~3,00,000 Postal employees.
• The IPPB’s reach and its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack – enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers’ doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device.
• Leveraging frugal innovation and with a high focus on ease of banking for the masses, IPPB delivers simple and affordable banking solutions through intuitive interfaces available in 13 languages to more than 8 Crore customers across 5.57 lakh villages & towns in India.

About Hindustan Zinc

• Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company in Zinc-Lead and Silver business is world’s 2^nd largest integrated Zinc producer and 5^th largest Silver producer.
• The company governs about 80% of the growing Zinc market in India with its headquarters at Udaipur along with Zinc-Lead mines and smelting complexes spread across the state of Rajasthan.

Context: The Supreme Court Thursday asked the Centre to formulate a policy to phase out heavy-duty diesel vehicles and to replace them with BSVI vehicles.

News:

• The Supreme Court directed the Centre to formulate a policy within six months regarding the use of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Tughlaqabad, Delhi, to address air pollution concerns.
• The order followed a plea by the Container Corporation of India challenging the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) directive from March 8, 2019.
• The NGT had instructed the corporation to ensure a phased shift from diesel vehicles to electric, hybrid, and CNG vehicles at the ICD, citing their contribution to air pollution in the Delhi NCR area.

The Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards

• They are regulations established by the Indian Government to control the emission of air pollutants from automobiles.
• The determination of fuel standards in the country falls under the jurisdiction of the Environment Ministry, while the Central Pollution Control Board oversees the implementation of these standards.
• These regulations are modeled after the European emission standards. Manufacturers have the option to introduce vehicles adhering to BS VI fuel standards even before the April 2020 deadline, but post-deadline, non-compliant vehicles will not be eligible for registration.
• The enforcement of these new norms is expected to significantly reduce pollution levels by decreasing particulate matter (PM) emissions, with vehicles being a significant contributor to air pollution.

BS-VI emission norms

• The implementation of BS-VI emission norms has been announced by the Union Environment Minister, slated to begin in 2020, with the aim of significantly reducing vehicular pollution.
• Vehicle manufacturers are required to adopt new technologies to ensure compliance with the BS-VI standards.
• Originally scheduled for 2022, the transition to BS-VI vehicles has been expedited by four years due to the alarming air quality conditions.
• Starting from April 1, 2020, all vehicles, including four and two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, must adhere to the new BS-VI standards.
• Currently, India utilizes BS IV and BS III fuels, contributing to increased levels of hazardous air pollutants associated with health issues like asthma, bronchitis, heart diseases, and cancer.

Context: The Art Institute of Chicago is radiating with the spirit of enlightenment as it celebrates Vivekananda Jayanti 2024, also known as National Youth Day, transforming its historic staircase into a beacon of unity adorned with the immortal words of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic 1893 speech. 

About Swami Vivekananda:

• Swami Vivekananda, initially named Narendra Nath Dutta, was born on January 12, 1863, in  Kolkata.
• He became the chief disciple of the 19th-century mystic and yogi Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
• Ramakrishna Paramhansa founded the Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order, and the Ramakrishna Mission, a worldwide spiritual movement based on Vedanta philosophy. Both are located in Kolkata.
• Swami Vivekananda played a crucial role in enlightening the Western world about Hinduism and promoting the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta.
• As a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, he advocated for national integration in colonial India.
• Credited with reviving Hinduism in the nation, Swami Vivekananda's teachings left a lasting impact on spiritual and philosophical thought.

Early Life and Spiritual Awakening

• Swami Vivekananda showed an early interest in Western philosophy, history, religion, and spirituality, displaying a broad range of knowledge. He meditated in front of Hindu deities’ images.
• Met Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa, adopting the name 'Vivekananda' in 1893 at the request of Maharaja Ajit Singh. He was previously known as 'Sachidananda.'
• Authored books like Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Karma Yoga, contributing to spiritual literature.
• Passed away on July 4, 1902, leaving a significant impact on society.

Contributions:

• Swami Vivekananda introduced the world to Indian philosophies, particularly Vedanta and Yoga, promoting the harmony between spirituality and material progress.
• Emphasis on Education: Advocated for holistic, character-building education as a means of regenerating India and shaping morally upright individuals.
• World Parliament of Religions: Gained global recognition for his 1893 speech in Chicago, emphasizing religious tolerance, harmony, and the unity of humanity.
• Pathways to Liberation: Expounded on the four paths to liberation - Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga - providing practical insights for spiritual journeys.
• Influence on Modern India: Deeply influenced modern India; Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose referred to him as the "maker of modern India."

Associated Organizations:

• Ramakrishna Mission (1897): Founded to focus on value-based education, cultural preservation, healthcare, women’s empowerment, youth and tribal welfare, and relief efforts.
• Belur Math (1899): Established as Vivekananda’s permanent abode and the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
• Advaita Ashrama: Founded in Mayavati, Uttarakhand, concentrating on the study and practice of Advaita Vedanta philosophy, book printing, spiritual retreats, and educational and healthcare initiatives.
• Vedanta Society: Inspired the establishment of Vedanta Societies worldwide to improve understanding of Vedanta philosophy and provide a forum for spiritual seekers.
• Bharat Sevashram Sangha: Although not created by Vivekananda, he encouraged its formation. The group focuses on altruistic service to humanity through educational, medical, and relief efforts.

National Youth Day

• It is annually observed on January 12 in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. The year 2024 marks the 161st birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
• The decision to designate Vivekananda's birthday as National Youth Day was made in 1984, and it was first celebrated on January 12, 1985.
• In 1984, the government emphasized that Swami Vivekananda's philosophy and the ideals he lived and worked for could serve as a significant SOURCE of inspiration for the youth of India.

Context:  NITI Aayog organized a National Workshop on "Strengthening Mental Health Services and Care in India" at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.

Objective:

The purpose of the workshop was to elicit the views of States and other stakeholders on existing gaps and challenges under the District Mental Health Program (DMHP) and also to learn from the States, their best practices, which can further be replicated in other States/UTs with their own contextualization.

Key highlights:

• The workshop was conducted as a part of the NITI–State workshop series, an initiative under the State Support Mission (SSM).
• A detailed presentation by MoHFW, highlighting the present scenario of the National and District Mental Health Program and the upcoming proposed strategies to strengthen its implementation. 
• A detailed presentation by Director, NIMHANS, elaborating the challenges, experiences and way forward under the recently introduced component of Tele-MANAS.
• The delegates brought forth views on strengthening the District Mental Health Program, especially with respect to Infrastructure, HR, Training, Treatment and IEC; developing and scaling-up Primary Mental Healthcare through Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs; and rights of persons with mental illness, including reintegration, rehabilitation and empowerment.
• The participants from 31 States and UTs were instrumental in sharing views from the ground and immediate challenges that need to be addressed.

Status of mental healthcare in India:

• In India, over 80% of individuals do not avail mental health services, as reported by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences.
• This lack of access is attributed to various factors, including limited awareness, societal stigma, and the substantial financial burden associated with mental healthcare.
• The economic impact of mental health conditions in India is projected to reach USD 1.03 trillion between 2012 and 2030, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates.

Solutions:

Convergent Model of Mental Health:

• Shift from the medical model to a convergent approach, considering various life factors influencing well-being.
• Implement holistic models like the 'Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child' approach in the US, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and emotional health in schools.

Increased Mental Healthcare Infrastructure:

• Invest in building more mental health clinics and facilities, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Train and recruit additional mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors.
• Promote telemedicine and online mental health services to enhance accessibility, especially in remote areas.

Integration with Primary Healthcare:

• Integrate mental health services into the existing primary healthcare system for early detection and treatment.
• Provide training for primary care providers to identify and manage common mental health issues.

Inclusion of Mental Health in Education:

• Incorporate mental health education into school curricula to promote early awareness and reduce stigma.

Mental Health Insurance Coverage:

• Expand mental health coverage under health insurance policies gradually to enhance affordability and accessibility.
• Implement policies ensuring insurance parity for mental health services.

The way forward is to develop an overarching and holistic vision for inclusive and efficient service delivery, adopt an integrative approach by converging aspects of traditional medicine, and augment the mental healthcare workforce by optimizing post-graduate seats in psychiatry, psychiatric social work, and clinical psychology.

Context: India and the US are set to take up a number of sticky trade issues at the trade policy forum meet that begins today (January 12).

Importance of Trade Policy Forum Meeting:

• The US is India's largest trade partner, and India heavily relies on US demand for export earnings.
• India aims to benefit from the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to counter China's influence in the region.
• Closer trade ties with the US can attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) amid the ongoing supply chain reset.
• The meeting provides a platform to resolve trade tensions and seek export growth in the absence of a free trade agreement (FTA).

Restoration of GSP as a Key Demand:

• GSP benefits were lost in 2019 due to Trump's trade measures, impacting India's $5.7 billion imports into the US.
• Despite expectations, GSP restoration has not occurred under the Biden administration.
• The demand for GSP restoration is crucial for Indian exporters to regain duty-free status and boost trade.

US Concerns about India's Laptop Import Monitoring System:

• The US questions India's proposed laptop import monitoring system, considering it a non-tariff measure.
• India clarifies its intention to ensure IT products come from "trusted geographies."
• This concern is likely to be discussed during the trade policy meeting.

Boosting Service Trade with the US:

• India seeks a liberal visa regime to enhance service trade, addressing concerns over visa delays during the pandemic.
• Services exports to the US have contributed to lowering India's current account deficit.

Totalisation Agreement Demand:

• India reiterates the demand for a totalisation agreement to provide social security to Indian professionals in the US.
• The agreement aims to eliminate dual social security deductions and benefit the Indian IT sector workforce.
• India has provided the US with necessary data about social security schemes for the proposed agreement.

Generalized System of Preferences

• It  stands as the oldest and largest trade preference program in the United States.
• Its primary objective is to encourage economic development by granting duty-free entry or reduced Most Favored Nations (MFN) tariffs for numerous products from specified beneficiary countries.
• This program operates as an overarching framework encompassing the majority of preferential schemes extended by developed nations to those in the process of development.
• Essentially, it facilitates the duty-free access or reduced tariffs for eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.

River dolphins are a group of freshwater cetaceans that inhabit various river systems across Asia and South America. The Six Surviving River Dolphin Species include: Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Tucuxi, and the Yangtze finless porpoise.The Chinese river dolphin was deemed 'probably extinct' in 2007.

As per the IUCN Red list, Yangtze finless porpoise are classified as Critically Endangered.Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy and Tucuxi are labeled as Endangered.

Note: The Yangtze finless porpoise is the world’s only freshwater porpoise but it is included with the other freshwater cetaceans under the umbrella name ‘river dolphins’.

The Amazon river dolphin also known as the pink river dolphin or boto is the largest river dolphin.

About Gangetic River dolphin

The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in 1801.They were declared as the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009.

Freshwater species:The Gangetic river dolphin is one of the four freshwater dolphin species in the world. 

The other three are the baiji, now likely extinct from the Yangtze River in China, the bhulan of the Indus in Pakistan and the boto of the Amazon River in Latin America.

Habitat:

• Ganges river dolphins once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. 
  • But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges.
• The distribution range of the Ganges river dolphins in India covers seven states namely, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Characteristics:

• The Ganges river dolphins can only live in freshwater and are essentially blind.
• They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
• Females are larger than males and give birth once every two to three years to only one calf.
• The Dolphin cannot breathe in the water. It surfaces every 30-120 seconds to breathe in fresh air as it is a mammal.
• Navigation and hunting through a highly developed ‘sonar system’, using echolocation (ultrasonic sounds).

Different names:

They are also known as Susu, Hihu, Blind dolphin, Ganga river dolphin, side swimming dolphin and South Asian river dolphin. 

They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds, which bounces off of fish and other prey, enabling them to see an image in their mind.

IUCN Status: Ganges river dolphins are listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.

Environmental significance

• They are an indicator of a healthy ecosystem. 
• They are the apex predators in the freshwater food chain and their presence indicates that the water is clean and there is a good number of prey species such as fish, turtles, crustaceans etc. 

Threats

• Dam creation, barrages, irrigation projects and fishing are activities that are dividing and isolating populations of the Ganga river dolphin, significantly reducing its range.
• Poachers kill them for their flesh, fat and oil. They are also sometimes injured by machines in the water or accidentally caught in fishing nets. 

Global Declaration for River Dolphins

Recently, 11 Asian and South American countries signed a landmark deal in Bogota, Colombia to save the world’s six surviving species of river dolphins from extinction.This landmark deal signifies a ray of hope in combating the severe decline of river dolphin populations, which have dwindled by a staggering 73% since the 1980s.

Global Declaration for River Dolphins?

The Global Declaration for River Dolphins aims to halt the decline of all river dolphin species and bolster the most vulnerable populations through concerted efforts.It outlines measures such as eradicating gillnets, reducing pollution, expanding research initiatives, and creating protected areas to safeguard the remaining river dolphin species.

Countries that adopted the declaration include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela.

There was also a representative from the regional government in Indonesia that has responsibility for the Mahakam river.

Foundational Pillars:

• The eight foundational pillars of the Global Declaration for River Dolphins comprise initiatives like establishing a network of protected areas, improving river dolphin site management, expanding research and monitoring efforts, engaging local communities and Indigenous Peoples, eradicating unsustainable fishing practices, enhancing water quality and quantity, promoting World River Dolphin Day (24^th October) to raise awareness, and augment resource allocation and partnerships.

Challenges Faced by River Dolphins:

River dolphins are threatened by diverse factors, including unsustainable fishing practices, hydropower dam construction, pollutionfrom various industries, agriculture, and mining, as well as habitat loss.Also, the recent tragic deaths of over 150 river dolphins in the drought-stricken Lake Tefe in the Amazon illustrate how climate change poses an increasingly severe threat to their survival.

Successful Conservation Efforts:

Conservation efforts in populated river basins like the Indus and Yangtze have seen success.

• For instance, the Indus river dolphin population in Pakistan doubled due to joint stakeholder action.
• Additionally, the Yangtze finless porpoises witnessed a 23% increase in numbers owing to protective measures.

Moreover, the World Wildlife Fund's electronic pinger project saved 80 dolphins in Indonesia's Mahakam river from gill net entanglement.

In a first-of-its-kind model of convergence, Kanger Valley National Park is working with a coalition of various organizations and government departments to prepare a landscape-based ecological restoration plan for the national park.

About Kanger Valley National Park

Location:

• It is located in Jagdalpur, in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh state.
• It is located on the banks of the Kholaba River (tributary of the Godavari River). 

The National Park derives its name from the Kanger River, which flows in its length.It got the status of a national park in 1982. 

• The average width of the park (north to south) is 6 km. while the average length (west to east) is 34 km. The area of the park is 200 square kilometers. 
• The entire Park constitutes core area and there is no buffer zone.

Topography: It is noted for its highly heterogeneous land formations, ranging from low, flat, and gentle areas to steep slopes, plateaus, valleys, and stream courses. 

• It is home to three exceptional caves, famous for their amazing geological structures: Kutumbasar, Kailash, and Dandak- Stalagmites and Stalactites.
• National Park is known for the presence of underground limestone caves with dripstone and floston. The stalagmites and stalactite formations are still increasing. 
• Tirathgarh Waterfall is located in the park.
• The Park also has a sizable tribal population.

Flora: It is a typical mixed humid deciduous type of forest in which the Sal, Saugaun, teak, and bamboo trees are available in abundance.

Fauna:

• Major wild animals include tigers, mouse deer, leopards, wildcat, sambar, chital, barking deer, langurs, jackals, rhesus macaque, flying squirrel, etc.
• The aerial fauna at the park consists of common hill myna, red jungle fowl, spotted owlet, racket-tailed drongos, parrots, etc.

A recent study has uncovered two potential new species of lamprey fish in California waters.

About Lamprey Fish

• Lampreys are boneless, jawless fish with eel-like bodies that date back over 350 million years.
• They belong to a relic (primitive) group of jawless fish called Agnathans.
• They live in coastal and fresh waters and are found in temperate regions around the world, except Africa. 
• Features:
  • They range from about 15 to 100 centimetres (6 to 40 inches) long. 
  • Unlike "bony" fish like trout, cod, and herring, lampreys lack scales, fins, and gill covers. 
  • They breathe through a distinctive row of seven pairs of tiny gill openings located behind their mouths and eyes.
  • Like sharks, their skeletons are made of cartilage.
  • Lamprey’s jawless mouth is a circular, fleshy sucker filled with hundreds of small teeth and a rasping tongue.
  • They are migratory fish, moving between fresh and saltwater to complete their lifecycle.
  • They spend most of their lives at sea and only move into freshwater to spawn and for their juvenile life stage.
  • They attach themselves to large animals like fish and whales using their sucker mouth. They feed as parasites, rasping into the host’s flesh with their sharp teeth and sucking out blood.

Recently, the meeting for review of progress of Atal Bhujal Yojna was held at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.

Atal Bhujal Yojna

Atal Bhujal Yojana is a central sector scheme which was launched in 2019.

Duration: Period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25), Increased by 2 years in May, 2023.

Objective: The major objective of the Scheme is to improve the management of groundwater resources in select water stressed areas in identified states.

• The scheme is being taken up in 8220 water stressed Gram Panchayats of seven states: Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Scheme components : It has two major components:

• Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component for strengthening institutional arrangements for sustainable groundwater management in the States including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of Water User Associations, etc.
• Incentive Component for incentivising the States for achievements in improved groundwater management practices namely, data dissemination, preparation of water security plans, implementation of management interventions through convergence of ongoing schemes, adopting demand side management practices etc.
• The scheme is being funded by the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 basis.
• Total cost of scheme is Rs. 6,000 crore, Out of this, Rs. 3,000 is loan from the World Bank and Rs. 3,000 crore is matching contribution from the Government of India.

Implemented Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The key results areas are:

• Strengthened institutional framework and effective ground water data monitoring and disclosure.
• Improved planning and implementation of groundwater management interventions.

• The Zanskar River is a tributary of the Indus River.
• It originates from the Doda and Lungnak rivers, and flows entirely within Ladakh.
• The Zanskar River's headwaters are known as the Tsarap Chu, and originate from the snows of the Himalayas.

The river's entire catchment area is formed by glaciers.

• The temple is dedicated to the deity Veerabhadra, the fiery form of Lord Shiva. The temple is closely associated with the Ramayana. Top of Form
• It was built during the 16^th century, the architectural features of the temple are in the Vijayanagara style with profusion of carvings and paintings.

The Veerabhadra Swamy temple and the Nandi statue in Lepakshi, India were added to UNESCO's tentative list of world heritage sites in 2022.

• Prime Minister inaugurated aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing’s largest investment facility outside the USA in Bengaluru recently.
• It aims to be a cornerstone for partnership with the vibrant startup, private and government ecosystem in the country.

PM will also launch the Boeing Sukanya Program that aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector.