UPSC QUIZ 27.05.2024

Explanation:

• World Bank's new report "Water for Shared Prosperity," released at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia, highlights the alarming global water crisis and its implications for human and economic development worldwide.

Key Highlights of the Report

Alarming Water Scarcity Statistics

• Significant gaps exist in access to water and sanitation services globally. As of 2022, 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and 3.5 billion lack access to safely managed sanitation.
• Eight out of ten people without basic drinking water and sanitation services reside in rural areas.

Regional Disparities in Access to Water

• Disparity in Freshwater Distribution: China and India, with 36% of the global population, hold only 11% of freshwater, while North America, with 5% of the population, possesses 52%.
• Africa and Asia: The Democratic Republic of the Congo holds over half of Africa’s water resources, yet regions like the Sahel, Southeastern Africa, and South and Central Asia remain water-stressed.

Explanation:

• According to the World Steel Association, India is the only country among the world's top five crude steel producers to register positive growth in April 2024. India, the second largest crude steel producer globally, achieved growth rate of 3.9% compared to April 2023.

India a bright spot amidst global slowdown

• According to World Steel Association data, the world's crude steel production was 155.7 million tonnes in April 2024, a 5.0% decrease as compared to April 2023.
• India produced 12.1 million tonnes of crude steel in April 2024, an increase of 3.9 per cent compared to April 2023.
• The world’s largest steel producer, China, recorded a decline of 7.2 per cent to 85.9 million tonnes in April.

Explanation:

• An 18-year-old woman E-rickshaw driver from the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh, Arti, has been conferred with the Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award by the King of the United Kingdom, Charles III.
• The award ceremony was held at Buckingham Palace, London, England.Arti arrived at Buckingham Palace in a Pink E-rickshaw, which she received under the Mission Shakti scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government.

Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award

• The Amal Clooney Women's Empowerment Award is named after the famous English Barrister Amal Clooney.
• The award is sponsored by a British charity, Prince Trust International.
• The Prince Trust International was set up by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales.

Explanation:

• The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival has proved to be a milestone for Indian cinema. This year, Indian films and actors received critical recognition, culminating in historic wins.
• Chidanand Naik and Anasuya Sengupta created history at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, which is being held in Cannes, France.
• Chidanand Naik's film ‘Sunflowers Were the First to Know’ won the La Cinef Award for Best Short Film, while Anasuya Sengupta became the first Indian to win the Best Actress award for her film Shameless.
• The Cannes Film Festival, first held in 1946, is now considered one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

Chidanand Naik’s achievement

• Students of the prestigious FTII have won awards at the Cannes Film Festival, but this was the first time that a film made by a student from a 1-year Television course has won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Explanation:

• After the implementation of the Charter, BIMSTEC acquired 'legal personality'.
• After a historic first charter of the BIMSTEC came into force on 20 May, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) will now be open to new members and observers.
• With the entry into force of the Charter adopted at the 5th Summit of BIMSTEC Leaders, the grouping has acquired a 'legal personality' and will be able to enter into structured diplomatic interactions with other groupings and countries.
• BIMSTEC was formed in 1997.
• But for a long time, the organization could not build consensus among its seven member countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar and India – around a common charter that could summarize the group's vision.
• After the pandemic, the leaders of BIMSTEC countries met virtually under the chairmanship of Sri Lanka on 30 March 2022.
• In April 2024, Nepal's Parliament adopted and ratified the BIMSTEC Charter, paving the way for the Charter to come into force.
• The BIMSTEC Charter is a shared commitment of the Member States to promote regional cooperation in key sectors such as security, connectivity, trade, agriculture, environment, science and technology, agriculture and people-to-people contact.