Today's Brief 5/07/2024

Youtube English:https://youtu.be/vr-3rYNOIOQ?feature=shared

Youtube Hindi: https://youtu.be/kRG928nYg4A?feature=shared

1. The Third Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with Forms of Oaths or Affirmations.

Form of oath of office for a Minister for the Union:—

, A. B., do swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and solemnly affirm allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, 1[that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India,] that I will faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as a Minister for the Union and that I will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.”

Form of oath or affirmation to be made by the Judges of a High Court:—

“I, A.B., having been appointed Chief Justice (or a Judge) of the High swear in the name ofGod Court at (or of) ..........do solemnly affirm that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, 2[that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India,] that I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and that I will uphold the Constitution and the laws.”

 It prescribes the specific wording that officials must use when taking an oath or affirmation to uphold the Constitution.

• Central Government Officials:

• Union Ministers

• Members of Parliament (both houses)

• Judiciary:

• Supreme Court Judges

• High Court Judges

• Other Important Functionaries:

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India

• State Level Officials:

• State Ministers

• Members of State Legislatures (both houses)

The exact wording of the oaths and affirmations can be found in the official documents of the Indian government

• Allegiance to the Constitution:  A pledge to uphold the Constitution of India.

• Upholding Sovereignty and Integrity: A commitment to safeguarding India's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

• Faithful Discharging of Duties:  A vow to conscientiously perform the duties associated with the office.

• Fairness and Impartiality:  (For some offices) An assurance to act with fairness and impartiality.

2.The SCO, or Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, is a Eurasian political, economic, and security organization. Here's a breakdown of its key features:

• Formation: Established in 2001 by China and Russia [Wikipedia Shanghai Cooperation Organisation].

• Membership: Currently, it has nine member states: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, and Iran (as of July 2024) [Wikipedia Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]. Several other countries participate as observers or dialogue partners.

• Focus Areas: The SCO aims to strengthen cooperation among member states in various areas including:

• Political and security cooperation:  This includes counter-terrorism efforts, border security, and regional stability.

• Economic cooperation:  Promoting trade, investment, and infrastructure development.

• Cultural and people-to-people exchanges:  Encouraging cultural understanding and interaction.

• Significance: The SCO is the world's largest regional organization in terms of geographic scope and population, covering a vast area of Eurasia and representing a significant portion of the global population and GDP [Wikipedia Shanghai Cooperation Organisation]. It is seen as a counterweight to Western-led organizations and a platform for regional cooperation on security and economic issues.

3.Skimmed milk powder (SMP), also known as non-fat dry milk (NFDM), is a dairy product made by removing most of the fat and water from cow's milk. 

Production Process:

1. Standardization:  Raw milk is first standardized to a specific fat content, typically less than 1%.

2. Pasteurization:  The milk is then pasteurized to eliminate harmful bacteria.

3. Evaporation:  Water is removed from the milk through processes like evaporation or drying using rollers or spray dryers. This concentrates the milk solids, including lactose (milk sugar), protein, and minerals.

4. Packaging:  The resulting powder is cooled, packaged, and stored in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage and clumping.

Benefits of Skimmed Milk Powder:

• Long shelf life:  SMP has a much longer shelf life compared to fresh milk, making it a good option for areas with limited access to refrigeration or for emergency food storage.

• Portability:  Being lightweight and compact, SMP is easy to transport and store.

• Versatile ingredient:  SMP can be reconstituted with water to create a beverage similar to skim milk. It's also a common ingredient in baking,  confectionery products, and instant beverages like coffee whiteners.

• Nutritional value:  While lacking fat, SMP retains a good amount of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients found in milk.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Lower fat content:  As the name suggests, SMP is very low in fat. This can be beneficial for those on a low-fat diet but may affect the taste and texture compared to whole milk powder.

• Reconstitution:  SMP needs to be mixed with water in the correct proportions for consumption as a beverage.

• Potential for lactose intolerance:  People with lactose intolerance may experience digestive issues if they consume SMP, as it retains lactose (milk sugar).

Economic and Market Issues (Specific to India):

• Surplus production:  In India, recent years have seen a surplus of SMP due to factors like increased milk production and lower demand for SMP-based products. This has led to a drop in SMP prices, impacting dairy farmers' income and creating a burden for dairies holding large stocks.

• Disposal challenges:  Excess SMP stockpiles can be difficult and expensive to manage, leading to potential wastage.

Overall, skimmed milk powder is a versatile and nutritious dairy product with a long shelf life. It's a valuable ingredient for various applications and a good option for those seeking a low-fat milk alternative.

Read More:https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/how-surplus-milk-powder-is-dairy-industrys-new-problem-9433683/

4.BRICS, originally an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has evolved into a more prominent international organization. Here's a quick rundown:

• Membership: BRICS currently has nine member states:

• Original Members (2009): Brazil, Russia, India, China

• Added in 2011: South Africa

• Added in 2024: Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates

• Focus Areas: BRICS functions as an intergovernmental organization for cooperation among member states. Key areas of focus include:

• Economic Cooperation:  Promoting trade, investment, and financial collaboration.

• Political and Security Cooperation:  Addressing global challenges and fostering regional stability.

• Sustainable Development:  Working together on issues like climate change and poverty reduction.

• Significance: BRICS represents a significant portion of the global population and GDP. It's seen as a potential counterweight to Western-dominated international organizations and a platform for emerging economies to have a stronger voice in global affairs.

Recent Developments:

• Expansion in 2024:  The inclusion of four new members in 2024 reflects the growing influence of the organization and its ambition for broader global representation. This has sparked discussions about the potential impact on BRICS' internal dynamics and its overall goals.

• Increased Economic Clout:  Collectively, BRICS+ (as it's informally called after the expansion) accounts for over a third of global GDP, making it a major economic force.

5.Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA): Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to managing agricultural systems that helps them address the challenges of climate change. 

It aims to achieve three main objectives simultaneously:

1. Increased Productivity and Incomes:  CSA practices aim to sustainably increase crop yields, livestock production, and overall farm incomes. This ensures food security for a growing population even in the face of climate disruptions.

2. Enhanced Resilience and Adaptation:  CSA practices help farms adapt to the changing climate. This could involve techniques like using drought-resistant crops, water-saving irrigation methods, and improved soil management to cope with more extreme weather events.

3. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Ideal CSA practices minimize agriculture's contribution to climate change. This can involve reducing emissions from fertilizers, using renewable energy sources on farms, and managing livestock manure more efficiently.
   

Here are some key aspects of CSA:

• Site-Specific Approach: There's no one-size-fits-all solution.  CSA practices are tailored to the specific local context, considering factors like climate, soil type, and farming systems.

• Integration with Existing Practices:  CSA builds upon and integrates with existing agricultural practices, promoting sustainable intensification where needed.

• Technological Advancements:  New technologies like precision agriculture, climate-resilient crop varieties, and digital tools can play a crucial role in supporting CSA practices.

Benefits of CSA:

• Improved food security and nutrition

• Increased farm incomes and livelihoods

• Enhanced resilience to climate change (drought, floods, etc.)

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

• More sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture

Challenges of CSA:

• Requires knowledge, training, and capacity building for farmers

• Initial investment costs for adopting new technologies

• Access to resources and financing for implementing CSA practices

• Effective monitoring and evaluation of CSA practices

Overall, Climate-Smart Agriculture offers a promising approach to transforming agricultural systems to be more productive, resilient, and environmentally friendly in the face of climate change.

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