Content:

1. 30 People Drowned per Hour in 2021, Says WHO

2. Fractured Bonds Along the Border

3. Andhra Pradesh All Set to Get Skill-Tagged

4. SEBI Mulls Allowing Retail Investors in Algo Trading

---

 30 People Drowned Per Hour In 2021, says WHO

---

Context : WHO released Global drowning statistics(2021)

Relevance : GS 2(Health)

Global Drowning Statistics (2021):

• 3,00,000 deaths (30 per hour).

• 92% occurred in low- and middle-income countries.

• South-East Asia (including India): 83,000 deaths (28% of global burden).

Impact on Vulnerable Groups:

• Children under 5: 24% of deaths.

• Age 5-14: 19% of deaths.

• Drowning is the 4th leading cause of death for children aged 1-4 and the 3rd leading cause for ages 5-14.

Progress and Disparities:

• Global deaths reduced by 38% since 2000.

• Europe: 68% decline; South-East Asia: 48% decline.

Underreporting:

• Natural disaster-related drowning (e.g., floods) and water transport accidents often excluded due to data gaps.

Challenges in Prevention

Limited Programs:

• Only 33% of countries train bystanders in rescue and resuscitation.

• Just 22% integrate swimming and water safety in schools.

Legislative Gaps:

• Existing laws insufficient to address the scale of the issue.

Data Deficiency:

• Poor quality and inconsistent data hinder effective action.

Implications for India

• High burden due to frequent flooding and lack of swimming skills.

• Poor and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected.

Recommendations

• Policy Initiatives: Strengthen laws and allocate funds for drowning prevention.

• Awareness and Training: Promote swimming and water safety education in schools.

• Train bystanders in rescue and resuscitation techniques.

• Infrastructure: Build safe water facilities, especially in vulnerable areas.

• Data and Research: Improve data collection and monitoring systems for drowning incidents.

---

Fractured Bonds Along the Border

---

Context: Tensions between India and Bangladesh over attacks on minorities and political shifts are disrupting cross-border ties, trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges, particularly affecting West Bengal.

Relevance :GS 2(International Relations)

Trade and Border Movement:

• Decline in Trade: Economic activities at the Petrapole-Benapole border are strained due to protests and threats of economic blockades.

• Infrastructure Upgrades: Union Home Minister emphasized improved trade infrastructure, boosting passenger capacity, though tensions have disrupted progress.

Impact on Tourism:

• Reduced Tourists: 90% of Bangladeshi tourists have stopped coming, affecting hotel occupancy in Kolkata’s “mini-Bangladesh.”

• Economic Losses: Hotels and travel agencies face severe downturns, with businesses operating at 5% capacity.

• Cultural Decline: Bangladeshi participation in events like the Kolkata Book Fair and Film Festival has significantly reduced.

Medical Tourism:

• Falling Numbers: Visa restrictions and tensions have reduced Bangladeshi medical tourists by 60-80%.

• Private Hospitals: Some continue to treat Bangladeshi patients, while others are rescheduling procedures due to low inflow.

Political and Social Ramifications:

• Protests: Multiple organisations like ISKCON and political parties have intensified protests, affecting cross-border relations.

• Cultural Backlash: Burning of goods and symbolic actions have deepened hostility, disrupting shared cultural ties.

Historical and Academic Concerns:

• Cultural Legacy: Shared heritage between Bengal and Bangladesh, represented by Tagore’s songs and shared language, is at risk.

• Academics’ Views: Concern over extremists gaining ground in Bangladesh and the impact on bilateral ties.

Border Dynamics:

• Security Heightened: Border Security Force deployed at zero line in Murshidabad.

• Transport Halted: Suspension of Bandhan and Maitree Express trains since July reflects the strain on connectivity.

---

Andhra Pradesh All Set to Get Skill-Tagged

---

Intro:

First-of-its-kind Census: Andhra Pradesh will launch India’s first statewide skill census in January 2025 to identify and map skill gaps and strengths.

Relevance: GS 2(Governance)

Pilot Success: The initiative builds on the pilot project conducted in Mangalagiri, covering over 1.12 lakh households and 2.77 lakh residents.

Objectives

• Skill Mapping: To classify and organize the workforce’s existing skills while identifying gaps.

• Addressing Unemployment: Targeting the youth unemployment rate, especially the 15-29 age group, which exceeds the national average (15.7% vs. 10%).

•  Bridging Skill Gaps: Aligning existing skills with industry demands to enhance employability.

• Economic Development: Boosting job creation and improving the state’s economy through targeted interventions.

Implementation Details

• Demographic Coverage: Encompasses 3.5 crore working-age individuals (15-59 years) across 1.8 crore households.

• Dual Census Approach: Covers households and industries, including 33 lakh MSMEs and major industries in Andhra Pradesh.

• Enumerators: A workforce of 50,000 enumerators and 8,000 supervisors will carry out the project in bilingual formats to overcome language barriers.

• Skill ID: Post-survey, individuals will receive a Skill ID linked to their Aadhaar, offering access to skilling opportunities and a personalized skill profile.

Challenges

• Apprehensions Among Residents: Hesitation to share personal details and skepticism about the survey’s purpose.

• Surveyor Workload: Village secretariat staff juggling multiple government priorities alongside the census.

• Youth Dropouts: Over 1 lakh students drop out of mainstream education yearly, limiting the skilled labor pool.

• Gender Gap: Low female labor force participation in the 15-29 age group highlights the need for tailored programs for women.

Potential Outcomes

• Data Utilization: Accurate skill data will guide policy-making, vocational training, and job-oriented programs.

• Improved Employability: Focused skilling initiatives for youth and women to reduce unemployment and boost labor participation.

• Competency Mapping: Enables a structured classification of workforce skills akin to a “library of capabilities.”

• Economic Growth: Anticipated increase in job creation, enhanced workforce readiness, and alignment with industry demands.

Expert Opinions

• Academic Perspective: Experts emphasize the urgency to complete the census to tap into the graduating batch of 2024 with high employability potential.

• Student Feedback: Youth view the census as a transformative opportunity to align their skills with industry needs.

• Government Standpoint: Officials stress that the census will systematically address skill gaps, improving both individual and state-level prospects.

Significance

• Innovative Governance: A pioneering initiative to build a comprehensive database of workforce capabilities.

• Demographic Dividend: Leveraging Andhra Pradesh’s growing labor force to achieve sustainable economic growth.

• Holistic Approach: Combines traditional skill mapping (e.g., toddy-tapping) with modern sectors like cybersecurity and cloud technology.

---

SEBI Mulls Allowing Retail Investors In Algo Trading

---

Algorithmic Trading (Algo Trading): The use of computer algorithms to execute orders in financial markets at high speeds and volumes. These algorithms automatically place buy or sell orders based on pre-defined criteria.

Relevance: GS 3(Trade)

Purpose: To increase trading speed, efficiency, and precision, as well as to manage large volumes of trades.

Advantages:

• Faster Order Execution: Algorithms can process and execute orders in milliseconds, faster than human traders.

• Improved Liquidity: By providing continuous bids and offers, algos can help maintain market stability.

• Reduced Transaction Costs: Minimizes the market impact of trades by executing orders at optimal prices.

• Greater Transparency: Algorithms maintain detailed audit trails of trades, making it easier for regulators to track transactions.

• Risk Management: Allows for real-time risk assessment and control, such as setting price limits, stopping loss orders, and controlling order sizes.

Proposal by SEBI:

• SEBI has proposed enabling retail investors to participate in algorithmic trading.

• Aims to provide benefits like faster order execution and improved liquidity.

• Direct Market Access (DMA): SEBI introduced DMA for institutional investors, providing advantages such as faster execution, reduced costs, greater transparency, better audit trails, and improved liquidity.

• Limited Access: Initially, only institutional investors had access to these facilities.

Rationale Behind the Proposal:

• Filling the Gap: Proposal aims to fill the gap for retail investors wanting to trade using algos with added safeguards.

• Enhancing Market Efficiency and Transparency: Extending the framework with additional safeguards to allow retail participation.

Safeguards Proposed:

• Regulatory Adjustments: Extending the existing regulatory framework to retail investors with additional controls and oversight.

• Risk Management: Safeguards include restrictions on order sizes, required capital levels, and regular monitoring to prevent manipulation and protect investors.

Expected Impact:

• Wider Participation: Democratizes access to advanced trading tools for retail investors.

• Increased Liquidity: Boosts market liquidity.

• Consumer Protection: Ensures retail investors are protected from risks associated with high-frequency trading and algorithmic strategies.

Challenges:

• Monitoring and Oversight: Challenges in effectively monitoring retail participation and preventing abuses.

• Educating Investors: Importance of educating retail investors on the risks and mechanics of algorithmic trading for the proposal’s success.