Andhra Pradesh has topped Ease of Living Index rankings under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation). It was followed by Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
#AMRUT
#AMRUT
Ease of Living Index
The index was conceived by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2017. It aims to help cities assess their liveability vis-a-vis global and national benchmarks and encourage them to move towards ‘outcome-based’ approach to urban planning and management.
It was launched to rank 116 cities that are smart city contenders, capital cities and cities with population of 1 million plus based on the liveability parameters. The first edition of index released in January 2018 had ranked 111 Indian cities and was topped by Pune.
It captures quality of life based on data collected from urban local bodies on four parameters, which were further broken down into 15 categories. It seeks to help cities undertake 360-degree assessment of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
The four parameters include institutional (governance), social (identity, education, health, security), economic ( economy, employment) and physical factors (waste water and solid waste management, pollution, housing/ inclusiveness, mixed land use, power and water supply, transport, public open spaces). Institutional and social parameters carry 25 points each, physical factors have weightage of 45 points and economic factors 5 points totalling to 100 mark scale on which cities were evaluated.
The index was conceived by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in June 2017. It aims to help cities assess their liveability vis-a-vis global and national benchmarks and encourage them to move towards ‘outcome-based’ approach to urban planning and management.
It was launched to rank 116 cities that are smart city contenders, capital cities and cities with population of 1 million plus based on the liveability parameters. The first edition of index released in January 2018 had ranked 111 Indian cities and was topped by Pune.
It captures quality of life based on data collected from urban local bodies on four parameters, which were further broken down into 15 categories. It seeks to help cities undertake 360-degree assessment of their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
The four parameters include institutional (governance), social (identity, education, health, security), economic ( economy, employment) and physical factors (waste water and solid waste management, pollution, housing/ inclusiveness, mixed land use, power and water supply, transport, public open spaces). Institutional and social parameters carry 25 points each, physical factors have weightage of 45 points and economic factors 5 points totalling to 100 mark scale on which cities were evaluated.
Two coastal tourism projects are inaugurated by Vice President in A.P under Swadesh Darshan Scheme
First coastal circuit:
It includes beautification of Nellore tank and Pulicat Lake, facelift to Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, construction of restaurant and development of Kotha Koduru, Ubbala Madugu, Mypadu, Rama Theertham, and Isukapalli project.
Second coastal circuit:
It is aimed at developing Kakinada port, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Hope Island, construction of cottages and wooden huts at Aduru, Passarlapudi and S Yanam and development of Kotipalli project.
First coastal circuit:
It includes beautification of Nellore tank and Pulicat Lake, facelift to Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, construction of restaurant and development of Kotha Koduru, Ubbala Madugu, Mypadu, Rama Theertham, and Isukapalli project.
Second coastal circuit:
It is aimed at developing Kakinada port, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Hope Island, construction of cottages and wooden huts at Aduru, Passarlapudi and S Yanam and development of Kotipalli project.
Wildlife Sancturies in Andhra Pradesh
1. Kambalakonda
2. Koringa
3. Kolleru
4. Krishna
5. Rollapadu
6. Gundla Brahmeswaram
7. Sri Lankamalleswara
8. Penushila Narasimham
9. Nelapattu
10. Pulicat
11. Sri Venkateswara
12. Koundinya
13. Rajiv Gandhi
1. Kambalakonda
2. Koringa
3. Kolleru
4. Krishna
5. Rollapadu
6. Gundla Brahmeswaram
7. Sri Lankamalleswara
8. Penushila Narasimham
9. Nelapattu
10. Pulicat
11. Sri Venkateswara
12. Koundinya
13. Rajiv Gandhi
Nobel Peace Prize 2018
Given to:
Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege
"For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
@APPSC_groups
Given to:
Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege
"For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
@APPSC_groups
Nobel Prize in Physics 2018
Given to:
Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, Donna Strickland
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
@APPSC_groups
Given to:
Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, Donna Strickland
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
@APPSC_groups
Tools made of light
The inventions being honoured this year have revolutionised laser physics. Extremely small objects and incredibly rapid processes are now being seen in a new light. Advanced precision instruments are opening up unexplored areas of research and a multitude of industrial and medical applications.
Arthur Ashkin invented optical tweezers that grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells with their laser beam fingers. This new tool allowed Ashkin to realise an old dream of science fiction – using the radiation pressure of light to move physical objects. He succeeded in getting laser light to push small particles towards the centre of the beam and to hold them there. Optical tweezers had been invented.
A major breakthrough came in 1987, when Ashkin used the tweezers to capture living bacteria without harming them. He immediately began studying biological systems and optical tweezers are now widely used to investigate the machinery of life.
Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland paved the way towards the shortest and most intense laser pulses ever created by mankind. Their revolutionary article was published in 1985 and was the foundation of Strickland’s doctoral thesis.
Using an ingenious approach, they succeeded in creating ultrashort high-intensity laser pulses without destroying the amplifying material. First they stretched the laser pulses in time to reduce their peak power, then amplified them, and finally compressed them. If a pulse is compressed in time and becomes shorter, then more light is packed together in the same tiny space – the intensity of the pulse increases dramatically.
Strickland and Mourou’s newly invented technique, called chirped pulse amplification, CPA, soon became standard for subsequent high-intensity lasers. Its uses include the millions of corrective eye surgeries that are conducted every year using the sharpest of laser beams.
The innumerable areas of application have not yet been completely explored. However, even now these celebrated inventions allow us to rummage around in the microworld in the best spirit of Alfred Nobel – for the greatest benefit to humankind.
@APPSC_groups
The inventions being honoured this year have revolutionised laser physics. Extremely small objects and incredibly rapid processes are now being seen in a new light. Advanced precision instruments are opening up unexplored areas of research and a multitude of industrial and medical applications.
Arthur Ashkin invented optical tweezers that grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells with their laser beam fingers. This new tool allowed Ashkin to realise an old dream of science fiction – using the radiation pressure of light to move physical objects. He succeeded in getting laser light to push small particles towards the centre of the beam and to hold them there. Optical tweezers had been invented.
A major breakthrough came in 1987, when Ashkin used the tweezers to capture living bacteria without harming them. He immediately began studying biological systems and optical tweezers are now widely used to investigate the machinery of life.
Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland paved the way towards the shortest and most intense laser pulses ever created by mankind. Their revolutionary article was published in 1985 and was the foundation of Strickland’s doctoral thesis.
Using an ingenious approach, they succeeded in creating ultrashort high-intensity laser pulses without destroying the amplifying material. First they stretched the laser pulses in time to reduce their peak power, then amplified them, and finally compressed them. If a pulse is compressed in time and becomes shorter, then more light is packed together in the same tiny space – the intensity of the pulse increases dramatically.
Strickland and Mourou’s newly invented technique, called chirped pulse amplification, CPA, soon became standard for subsequent high-intensity lasers. Its uses include the millions of corrective eye surgeries that are conducted every year using the sharpest of laser beams.
The innumerable areas of application have not yet been completely explored. However, even now these celebrated inventions allow us to rummage around in the microworld in the best spirit of Alfred Nobel – for the greatest benefit to humankind.
@APPSC_groups
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018
Given to:
Frances H. Arnold (“for the directed evolution of enzymes”)
George P. Smith, Sir Gregory P. Winter (“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”)
@APPSC_groups
Given to:
Frances H. Arnold (“for the directed evolution of enzymes”)
George P. Smith, Sir Gregory P. Winter (“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”)
@APPSC_groups
They harnessed the power of evolution
The power of evolution is revealed through the diversity of life. The 2018 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have taken control of evolution and used it for purposes that bring the greatest benefit to humankind. Enzymes produced through directed evolution are used to manufacture everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. Antibodies evolved using a method called phage display can combat autoimmune diseases and in some cases cure metastatic cancer.
Since the first seeds of life arose around 3.7 billion years ago, almost every crevice on Earth has filled with different organisms. Life has spread to hot springs, deep oceans and dry deserts, all because evolution has solved a number of chemical problems. Life’s chemical tools – proteins – have been optimised, changed and renewed, creating incredible diversity.
This year’s Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have been inspired by the power of evolution and used the same principles – genetic change and selection – to develop proteins that solve mankind’s chemical problems.
One half of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Frances H. Arnold. In 1993, she conducted the first directed evolution of enzymes, which are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions. Since then, she has refined the methods that are now routinely used to develop new catalysts. The uses of Frances Arnold’s enzymes include more environmentally friendly manufacturing of chemical substances, such as pharmaceuticals, and the production of renewable fuels for a greener transport sector.
The other half of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is shared by George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter. In 1985, George Smith developed an elegant method known as phage display, where a bacteriophage – a virus that infects bacteria – can be used to evolve new proteins. Gregory Winter used phage display for the directed evolution of antibodies, with the aim of producing new pharmaceuticals. The first one based on this method, adalimumab, was approved in 2002 and is used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Since then, phage display has produced anti-bodies that can neutralise toxins, counteract autoimmune diseases and cure metastatic cancer.
We are in the early days of directed evolution’s revolution which, in many different ways, is bringing and will bring the greatest benefit to humankind.
@APPSC_groups
The power of evolution is revealed through the diversity of life. The 2018 Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have taken control of evolution and used it for purposes that bring the greatest benefit to humankind. Enzymes produced through directed evolution are used to manufacture everything from biofuels to pharmaceuticals. Antibodies evolved using a method called phage display can combat autoimmune diseases and in some cases cure metastatic cancer.
Since the first seeds of life arose around 3.7 billion years ago, almost every crevice on Earth has filled with different organisms. Life has spread to hot springs, deep oceans and dry deserts, all because evolution has solved a number of chemical problems. Life’s chemical tools – proteins – have been optimised, changed and renewed, creating incredible diversity.
This year’s Nobel Laureates in Chemistry have been inspired by the power of evolution and used the same principles – genetic change and selection – to develop proteins that solve mankind’s chemical problems.
One half of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Frances H. Arnold. In 1993, she conducted the first directed evolution of enzymes, which are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions. Since then, she has refined the methods that are now routinely used to develop new catalysts. The uses of Frances Arnold’s enzymes include more environmentally friendly manufacturing of chemical substances, such as pharmaceuticals, and the production of renewable fuels for a greener transport sector.
The other half of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is shared by George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter. In 1985, George Smith developed an elegant method known as phage display, where a bacteriophage – a virus that infects bacteria – can be used to evolve new proteins. Gregory Winter used phage display for the directed evolution of antibodies, with the aim of producing new pharmaceuticals. The first one based on this method, adalimumab, was approved in 2002 and is used for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Since then, phage display has produced anti-bodies that can neutralise toxins, counteract autoimmune diseases and cure metastatic cancer.
We are in the early days of directed evolution’s revolution which, in many different ways, is bringing and will bring the greatest benefit to humankind.
@APPSC_groups
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2018
Given to:
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
"for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation"
@APPSC_groups
Given to:
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
"for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation"
@APPSC_groups
Can our immune defense be engaged for cancer treatment?
Cancer kills millions of people every year and is one of humanity’s greatest health challenges. By stimulating the inherent ability of our immune system to attack tumor cells this year’s Nobel Laureates have established an entirely new principle for cancer therapy.
James P. Allison studied a known protein that functions as a brake on the immune system. He realized the potential of releasing the brake and thereby unleashing our immune cells to attack tumors. He then developed this concept into a brand new approach for treating patients.
In parallel, Tasuku Honjo discovered a protein on immune cells and, after careful exploration of its function, eventually revealed that it also operates as a brake, but with a different mechanism of action. Therapies based on his discovery proved to be strikingly effective in the fight against cancer.
Allison and Honjo showed how different strategies for inhibiting the brakes on the immune system can be used in the treatment of cancer. The seminal discoveries by the two Laureates constitute a landmark in our fight against cancer.
@APPSC_groups
Cancer kills millions of people every year and is one of humanity’s greatest health challenges. By stimulating the inherent ability of our immune system to attack tumor cells this year’s Nobel Laureates have established an entirely new principle for cancer therapy.
James P. Allison studied a known protein that functions as a brake on the immune system. He realized the potential of releasing the brake and thereby unleashing our immune cells to attack tumors. He then developed this concept into a brand new approach for treating patients.
In parallel, Tasuku Honjo discovered a protein on immune cells and, after careful exploration of its function, eventually revealed that it also operates as a brake, but with a different mechanism of action. Therapies based on his discovery proved to be strikingly effective in the fight against cancer.
Allison and Honjo showed how different strategies for inhibiting the brakes on the immune system can be used in the treatment of cancer. The seminal discoveries by the two Laureates constitute a landmark in our fight against cancer.
@APPSC_groups
Nobel Prizes 2018
1. Peace
Given to:
Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege
"For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
2. Physics
Given to:
Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, Donna Strickland
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
3. Chemistry
Given to:
Frances H. Arnold (“for the directed evolution of enzymes”)
George P. Smith, Sir Gregory P. Winter (“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”)
4. Physiology or Medicine
Given to:
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
"for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation"
5. Literature
Nobel prize in literature 2018 cancelled after sexual assault scandal.
Swedish Academy says it needs to ‘commit time to recovering public confidence’ after string of resignations and wide-ranging scandal.
@APPSC_groups
1. Peace
Given to:
Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege
"For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
2. Physics
Given to:
Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, Donna Strickland
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
3. Chemistry
Given to:
Frances H. Arnold (“for the directed evolution of enzymes”)
George P. Smith, Sir Gregory P. Winter (“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”)
4. Physiology or Medicine
Given to:
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
"for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation"
5. Literature
Nobel prize in literature 2018 cancelled after sexual assault scandal.
Swedish Academy says it needs to ‘commit time to recovering public confidence’ after string of resignations and wide-ranging scandal.
@APPSC_groups
Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2018 by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
Haryana was ranked as best State,
Satara District of Maharashtra was ranked as best district.
Uttar Pradesh was rewarded for maximum citizens’ participation.
In Southern Zone, Andhra holds 1st rank in state categery.
@APPSC_groups
Haryana was ranked as best State,
Satara District of Maharashtra was ranked as best district.
Uttar Pradesh was rewarded for maximum citizens’ participation.
In Southern Zone, Andhra holds 1st rank in state categery.
@APPSC_groups
Nobel Prize in Economic Science 2018
Given to:
William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer
"for reshaping the understanding of the long-term determinants of economic growth."
Mr. Nordhaus was cited for his work on the implications of environmental factors, including climate change.
Mr. Romer was cited for his work on the importance of technological change.
@APPSC_groups
Given to:
William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer
"for reshaping the understanding of the long-term determinants of economic growth."
Mr. Nordhaus was cited for his work on the implications of environmental factors, including climate change.
Mr. Romer was cited for his work on the importance of technological change.
@APPSC_groups
Nobel Prizes 2018
1. Peace
Given to:
Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege
"For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
2. Physics
Given to:
Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, Donna Strickland
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
3. Chemistry
Given to:
Frances H. Arnold (“for the directed evolution of enzymes”)
George P. Smith, Sir Gregory P. Winter (“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”)
4. Physiology or Medicine
Given to:
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
"for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation"
5. Literature
Nobel prize in literature 2018 cancelled after sexual assault scandal.
Swedish Academy says it needs to ‘commit time to recovering public confidence’ after string of resignations and wide-ranging scandal.
6.Economic Science
Given to:
William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer
"for reshaping the understanding of the long-term determinants of economic growth."
@APPSC_groups
1. Peace
Given to:
Nadia Murad and Denis Mukwege
"For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict."
2. Physics
Given to:
Arthur Ashkin, Gérard Mourou, Donna Strickland
“for groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics”
3. Chemistry
Given to:
Frances H. Arnold (“for the directed evolution of enzymes”)
George P. Smith, Sir Gregory P. Winter (“for the phage display of peptides and antibodies”)
4. Physiology or Medicine
Given to:
James P. Allison and Tasuku Honjo
"for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation"
5. Literature
Nobel prize in literature 2018 cancelled after sexual assault scandal.
Swedish Academy says it needs to ‘commit time to recovering public confidence’ after string of resignations and wide-ranging scandal.
6.Economic Science
Given to:
William D. Nordhaus and Paul M. Romer
"for reshaping the understanding of the long-term determinants of economic growth."
@APPSC_groups
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
Aim: Mainstreaming the tribal community by promoting primary level value addition to Minor Forest Produce(MFP) at grassroots level.
Implementing Agency:
Implemented through Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal Department at the Central Level and TRIFED as Nodal Agency at the National Level.
At State level, the State Nodal Agency for MFPs and
the District collectors are envisaged to play a pivot role in scheme implementation at grassroot level.
Locally the Kendras are proposed to be managed by a Managing Committee (an SHG) consisting of representatives of Van Dhan SHGs in the cluster.
As per the plan,TRIFED will facilitate establishment of MFP-led multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, a cluster of 10 SHGs comprising of 30 tribal MFP gatherers each, in the tribal areas. Through this initiative, the share of tribals in the value chain of Non-Timber Forest Produce is expected to rise from the present 20% to around 60%. About 3000 such Van Dhan Kendras are proposed to be set up in two years in the forested Tribal Districts of the country.To begin with, this initiative is proposed to be taken up on priority in the 39 Districts with more than 50% tribal population and to then gradually be expanded to other Tribal Districts in India.
Training facilities for a batch of 30 trainees with provision for raw material for training purpose and supply of trainee kits (comprising of bag, scribbing pad, pen, brochures, training manual, booklet etc)
Provisioning of working capital for the SHGs through tie up with financial institutions, banks, NSTFDC etc
@APPSC_groups
Aim: Mainstreaming the tribal community by promoting primary level value addition to Minor Forest Produce(MFP) at grassroots level.
Implementing Agency:
Implemented through Ministry of Tribal Affairs as Nodal Department at the Central Level and TRIFED as Nodal Agency at the National Level.
At State level, the State Nodal Agency for MFPs and
the District collectors are envisaged to play a pivot role in scheme implementation at grassroot level.
Locally the Kendras are proposed to be managed by a Managing Committee (an SHG) consisting of representatives of Van Dhan SHGs in the cluster.
As per the plan,TRIFED will facilitate establishment of MFP-led multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, a cluster of 10 SHGs comprising of 30 tribal MFP gatherers each, in the tribal areas. Through this initiative, the share of tribals in the value chain of Non-Timber Forest Produce is expected to rise from the present 20% to around 60%. About 3000 such Van Dhan Kendras are proposed to be set up in two years in the forested Tribal Districts of the country.To begin with, this initiative is proposed to be taken up on priority in the 39 Districts with more than 50% tribal population and to then gradually be expanded to other Tribal Districts in India.
Training facilities for a batch of 30 trainees with provision for raw material for training purpose and supply of trainee kits (comprising of bag, scribbing pad, pen, brochures, training manual, booklet etc)
Provisioning of working capital for the SHGs through tie up with financial institutions, banks, NSTFDC etc
@APPSC_groups
Fields Medal 2018
The Fields Medal is a prize awarded to two, three, or four mathematicians under 40 years of age at the International Congress of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), a meeting that takes place every four years.
It described as the Mathematicians Nobel Prize. The Medal is given once in 4 years
Given to:
Akshay Venkatesh (India born Australian Mathematician...so chances of coming in exam)
"for his synthesis of analytic number theory, homogeneous dynamics, topology, and representation theory, which has resolved long-standing problems in areas such as the equidistribution of arithmetic objects"
@APPSC_groups
The Fields Medal is a prize awarded to two, three, or four mathematicians under 40 years of age at the International Congress of the International Mathematical Union (IMU), a meeting that takes place every four years.
It described as the Mathematicians Nobel Prize. The Medal is given once in 4 years
Given to:
Akshay Venkatesh (India born Australian Mathematician...so chances of coming in exam)
"for his synthesis of analytic number theory, homogeneous dynamics, topology, and representation theory, which has resolved long-standing problems in areas such as the equidistribution of arithmetic objects"
@APPSC_groups
Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are entitled to a special development package from the Centre for a period of five years under the Section 46, Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014.
Andhra Pradesh is entitled to Rs 350 crore annual grant for the development of seven backward districts, while the neighbouring Telangana would get Rs 450 crore annually for nine backward districts.
@APPSC_groups
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/centre-not-releasing-rs-700-cr-funds-to-andhra-for-backward-districts-says-ap-official-3031191.html
Andhra Pradesh is entitled to Rs 350 crore annual grant for the development of seven backward districts, while the neighbouring Telangana would get Rs 450 crore annually for nine backward districts.
@APPSC_groups
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/centre-not-releasing-rs-700-cr-funds-to-andhra-for-backward-districts-says-ap-official-3031191.html
Moneycontrol
Centre not releasing Rs 700 cr funds to Andhra for backward districts, says AP official
While the government think-tank Niti Aayog has recommended release of the funds to the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh, a file in this regard is pending with the Prime Minister Office (PMO) for last few months, Andhra Pradesh Planning Board vice-chairman C Kutumba…