10th FEBRUARY, 2025 A.) India’s Pharmaceutical Industry Report Why in News? A report on India’s pharmaceutical industry has been released in collaboration with the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). Background • India ranks 3rd globally in volume and 14th in value in the pharmaceutical sector. • It is the largest producer of generic drugs, meeting 20% of global demand and supplying 60% of the world’s vaccines. Key Highlights of the Report Mega Trends in India’s Pharmaceutical Industry • The report identifies major trends shaping India’s pharma sector (refer infographic). Opportunities in Key Areas 1. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) o China’s API export dominance is declining due to global policies like the US Biosecure Act. o India has cost advantages and can capture 20-30% of China’s lost market share. o API Definition: The biologically active component in a drug responsible for its therapeutic effect. 2. Biosimilars o India currently holds less than 5% of the global biosimilars market, valued at $30 billion. o Government initiatives like the National Biopharma Mission and Genome Valley expansion (Telangana) aim to boost the sector. o Biosimilars Definition: Medicines similar to biologic drugs, made using living systems (yeast, bacteria, animal cells), offering similar structure and function. 3. Vaccines o India's focus on affordable vaccines limits its reach in high-income markets. o The goal is to increase the global market share from 1.5% to 8% by 2047 through innovation, branding, and expansion.   B.) Upgradation of Anganwadi Centres under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 Why in News? The Union Government has sanctioned 338 Anganwadi Centres for upgradation under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0. Background • Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development • Vision: This initiative aims to create an Integrated Nutrition Support Programme to effectively tackle the challenges of malnutrition among vulnerable groups, including children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Objectives 1. Improve Nutritional and Health Status: Enhance the overall health and nutritional conditions of children in the 0-6 years age group. 2. Reduce Incidence of Mortality and Morbidity: Aim to decrease the rates of malnutrition, mortality, and morbidity, along with reducing school dropout rates. 3. Enhance Maternal Capabilities: Empower mothers with nutrition and health education to better manage the health and nutritional needs of their children. C.) BIMSTEC Youth Summit Hosted in Gandhinagar Why in News? The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has hosted the first-ever BIMSTEC Youth Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, aiming to strengthen youth collaboration in the region and facilitate the exchange of youth-led initiatives among BIMSTEC member countries. Background • BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) • Secretariat: Located in Dhaka, Bangladesh • Genesis: Established in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. Members BIMSTEC comprises the following countries: • Bangladesh • India • Sri Lanka • Thailand • Myanmar • Nepal • Bhutan Objectives • Promote rapid economic development and social progress. • Ensure peace and stability across the Bay of Bengal region. Focus Areas BIMSTEC focuses on seven key areas: 1. Trade 2. Environment and Climate Change 3. Security 4. Agriculture and Food Security 5. People-to-People Contact 6. Science, Technology, and Innovation 7. Connectivity   D.) Central Advisory Committee Meeting for PM-AJAY Why in News? A Central Advisory Committee meeting was held to discuss the PM-AJAY (Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana) scheme, focusing on its progress and future initiatives. Background • Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment • Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme • Launch Year: 2021-22 Objectives 1. Reduce Poverty: Aims to alleviate poverty among Scheduled Castes (SC) communities by generating additional employment opportunities. 2. Improve Socio-Economic Indicators: Seeks to enhance socio-economic developmental indicators in SC-dominated villages. 3. Increase Literacy: Promotes literacy and encourages the enrollment of SC students in schools and higher educational institutions. Components • Development of Adarsh Gram: Transformation of SC-dominated villages into model villages (“Adarsh Gram”). • Grants-in-Aid: Financial assistance to States/Districts for the socio-economic betterment of SC communities. • Educational Hostels: Construction and repair of educational hostels specifically for SC students. E.) NTCA Warning Against Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project Why in News? The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has issued a warning against the construction of the Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project in Madhya Pradesh due to its potential negative impacts on wildlife and local communities. Background • Project Overview: The Morand-Ganjal Irrigation Project involves the construction of two dams on the Morand and Ganjal rivers. • Purpose: The project aims to improve irrigation facilities in the Hoshangabad, Betul, Harda, and Khandwa districts of Madhya Pradesh. Potential Impact 1. Social Impact: o The project could displace 644 families, including 604 tribal families, affecting their livelihoods and homes. 2. Environmental Impact: o The construction and resultant reservoir will impact over seven lakh trees, significantly altering the local ecosystem and biodiversity. 3. Wildlife Impact: o The project threatens to destroy a vital tiger corridor that connects the Satpura and Melghat Tiger Reserves. o This disruption endangers various species, including leopards, wolves, wild dogs, and hyenas, by isolating their habitats and limiting their movement. F.) Passing of Sam Nujoma: Founding Father of Namibia Why in News? Namibia’s first President, Sam Nujoma, the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, has passed away at the age of 95. Background • Political Significance: Sam Nujoma played a crucial role in Namibia's struggle for independence from South African rule and served as the nation’s first president from 1990 to 2005. Political Features of Namibia • Location: Located on the southwestern coast of Africa. • Neighboring Countries: o Angola (north) o Zambia (northeast) o Botswana (east) o South Africa (southeast and south) • Border: The country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Geographical Features • Landforms: o The coastal Namib Desert o The Central Plateau o The Kalahari Desert • Major Rivers: o Zambezi River (drains into the Indian Atlantic, cutting the Tropic of Capricorn twice in Africa) o Mashi River o Orange River • Biodiversity: o Notable wildlife includes antelope, cheetah, giraffes, etc. o Cheetahs imported from Namibia are being reintroduced in India under Project Cheetah.