India’s e-commerce exports
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) predicts a remarkable surge in India’s E-commerce exports.
- Factors driving the growth of India’s e-commerce exports include –
- Global e-commerce exports are estimated to touch $2 trillion by 2025.
- About 90% of e-commerce exporters are small and medium-sized businesses.
- DGFT is attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for administering laws regarding foreign trade.
Sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn fruit from Ladakh has been awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
- Belongs to Ladakh.
- A plant found throughout Europe and Asia.
- Habitat –
- In India, it is found above the tree line in the Himalayan region
- Generally, in dry areas such as the cold deserts of Ladakh and Spiti.
- Other Products – Apricot (Raktsey Karpo), Pashmina, and Ladakhi Wood Carving.
Glyphosate
European Union allows the use of glyphosate for 10 more years.
- A phosphonic acid and odourless white powder.
- Active ingredient in weed-killer (herbicide).
- Major Concern – Non-selective nature i.e. kills both crop and weeds
- India permits restricted use of various glyphosate formulations under the Insecticides Act, 1968.
Paramutations
In a new study, researchers have explored how paramutations work.
- They are unusual mutations that can protect humans against viruses.
- It is a small chemical modification of a chromosomal protein that flips a nearby gene into a silenced state.
- Active and silenced versions of a paramutated gene share the same DNA sequence but their associated proteins have different modifications.