#PT2021
Transport4All Digital Innovation Challenge
- Launched recently by MoH&UA
- aims to develop digital solutions that will make public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable for all.
Transport4All Digital Innovation Challenge
- Launched recently by MoH&UA
- aims to develop digital solutions that will make public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable for all.
#Governmentinitiative
Aahaar Kranti
Aim:
1. to spread the message of the need for a nutritionally balanced diet.
2. to understand the importance of accessibility to all local fruits and vegetables.
- Launched by Vijnana Bharati (Vibha) and Global Indian Scientists’ and Technocrats’ Forum (GIST).
Motto - ‘Uttam Aahaar Uttam Vichaar’ or ‘Good Diet-Good Cognition’.
Function:
To address the ‘hunger and diseases in abundance’.
Focuses on:
1. To apply the knowledge of Ayurveda-based nutrition to practice
2. To rouse the people to the values of India’s traditional diet
3.Healing powers of local fruits and vegetables.
4.To promote better awareness, nutrition and agriculture.
5. Uttam evam santulit aahaar in locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
6. It will train the teachers.
Aahaar Kranti
Aim:
1. to spread the message of the need for a nutritionally balanced diet.
2. to understand the importance of accessibility to all local fruits and vegetables.
- Launched by Vijnana Bharati (Vibha) and Global Indian Scientists’ and Technocrats’ Forum (GIST).
Motto - ‘Uttam Aahaar Uttam Vichaar’ or ‘Good Diet-Good Cognition’.
Function:
To address the ‘hunger and diseases in abundance’.
Focuses on:
1. To apply the knowledge of Ayurveda-based nutrition to practice
2. To rouse the people to the values of India’s traditional diet
3.Healing powers of local fruits and vegetables.
4.To promote better awareness, nutrition and agriculture.
5. Uttam evam santulit aahaar in locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
6. It will train the teachers.
#Polity
Decriminalising Begging
News: The S C has asked the Centre and five States to file their response on a plea seeking a direction to repeal the provisions criminalising begging.
- Five states are: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar.
Key points:
- criminalising the act of begging were violative of constitutional rights, specifically Article 21.
- This act make an unreasonable choice between committing a crime or not and starving.
- It has referred to the 2018 verdict of the Delhi High Court which had decriminalised begging in the national capital.
- The petition has sought directions to declare as “illegal and void".
- All provisions, except some sections, of
1. Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959,
2. Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act, 1971,
3. Haryana Prevention of Begging Act, 1971
4. Bihar Prevention of Begging Act 1951.
Decriminalising Begging
News: The S C has asked the Centre and five States to file their response on a plea seeking a direction to repeal the provisions criminalising begging.
- Five states are: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar.
Key points:
- criminalising the act of begging were violative of constitutional rights, specifically Article 21.
- This act make an unreasonable choice between committing a crime or not and starving.
- It has referred to the 2018 verdict of the Delhi High Court which had decriminalised begging in the national capital.
- The petition has sought directions to declare as “illegal and void".
- All provisions, except some sections, of
1. Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959,
2. Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act, 1971,
3. Haryana Prevention of Begging Act, 1971
4. Bihar Prevention of Begging Act 1951.
#Governmentinitiative
Umngot River
News: People of Meghalaya’s villages fear the death of Umngot River.
Concern:
- Tourism-based livelihood threatened if the 210 MW hydroelectric project comes up.
Key points :
- Umngot River is considered as the cleanest river in India.
- In some parts this river is as transparent as crystal and you can actually see the river bed.
- This river, which flows in both India and Bangladesh, is in Meghalaya.
- It is the natural boundary between RiPnar (of Jaintia Hills) with HimaKhyrim (of Khasi Hills).
- Over this river hangs a single span suspension bridge called Dawki Bridge.
Umngot River
News: People of Meghalaya’s villages fear the death of Umngot River.
Concern:
- Tourism-based livelihood threatened if the 210 MW hydroelectric project comes up.
Key points :
- Umngot River is considered as the cleanest river in India.
- In some parts this river is as transparent as crystal and you can actually see the river bed.
- This river, which flows in both India and Bangladesh, is in Meghalaya.
- It is the natural boundary between RiPnar (of Jaintia Hills) with HimaKhyrim (of Khasi Hills).
- Over this river hangs a single span suspension bridge called Dawki Bridge.
#Governmentinitiative
Anamaya
- Anamaya is the Tribal Health Collaborative.
- Initiative: of Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
- Supported by Piramal Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Aim –
1.To end all preventable deaths among Indian tribal communities
2. Enhance the health and nutrition status of the tribal communities of India on a Mission Mode.
Function: It brings together governments, philanthropists, national and international foundations, NGOs/CBOs.
Anamaya
- Anamaya is the Tribal Health Collaborative.
- Initiative: of Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
- Supported by Piramal Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
Aim –
1.To end all preventable deaths among Indian tribal communities
2. Enhance the health and nutrition status of the tribal communities of India on a Mission Mode.
Function: It brings together governments, philanthropists, national and international foundations, NGOs/CBOs.
#SnT
Serum Institute of India
- Serum Institute of India Pvt.
Ltd.
- World's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally.
Based in Pune, Maharashtra.
Founded by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla in 1966
Aim: to manufacture life-saving immuno-biologicals, which were in shortage in the country and imported at high prices.
Function:
1. It manufactures highly specialized life saving biologicals like vaccines
2. Uses cutting edge genetic and
cell based technologies, antisera, etc.
3. Vaccines manufactured by the Institute are accredited by the World Health Organization.
4. It sells BCG, polio vaccines, r-Hepatitis B, DTP etc.
Serum Institute of India
- Serum Institute of India Pvt.
Ltd.
- World's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold globally.
Based in Pune, Maharashtra.
Founded by Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla in 1966
Aim: to manufacture life-saving immuno-biologicals, which were in shortage in the country and imported at high prices.
Function:
1. It manufactures highly specialized life saving biologicals like vaccines
2. Uses cutting edge genetic and
cell based technologies, antisera, etc.
3. Vaccines manufactured by the Institute are accredited by the World Health Organization.
4. It sells BCG, polio vaccines, r-Hepatitis B, DTP etc.
#Governmentinitiative
Oxygen Express
- Indian Railway is running Oxygen Expresses with Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) tankers in.
Aim: to the fight against Covid-19.
- First Oxygen Express is going to start its journey from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai.
- Through Ro-Ro service of Indian Railways.
- A green corridor was created between Lucknow to Varanasi.
- Another Oxygen Express that started its journey from Lucknow to Bokaro via Varanasi to fulfil the requirements of oxygen.
Oxygen Express
- Indian Railway is running Oxygen Expresses with Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) tankers in.
Aim: to the fight against Covid-19.
- First Oxygen Express is going to start its journey from Visakhapatnam to Mumbai.
- Through Ro-Ro service of Indian Railways.
- A green corridor was created between Lucknow to Varanasi.
- Another Oxygen Express that started its journey from Lucknow to Bokaro via Varanasi to fulfil the requirements of oxygen.
#Governmentinitiative
e-Property Cards
- Prime Minister will launch the distribution of e-property cards on 24th April.
- Comes under SWAMITVA scheme on National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April 2021).
- Property card for every property in the village is prepared by states.
- It will use accurate measurements delivered by drone-mapping mapping and surveying etc.
- These cards will be given to property owners.
- It will be recognized by the land revenue records department.
e-Property Cards
- Prime Minister will launch the distribution of e-property cards on 24th April.
- Comes under SWAMITVA scheme on National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April 2021).
- Property card for every property in the village is prepared by states.
- It will use accurate measurements delivered by drone-mapping mapping and surveying etc.
- These cards will be given to property owners.
- It will be recognized by the land revenue records department.
#Governmentinitiative
SVAMITVA Scheme
- It is a Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.
- Central Sector Scheme for mapping rural inhabited lands.
- Launched in 2020.
- It is a joint effort of the
1. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
2. State Panchayati Raj departments
3. State Revenue Departments and Survey of India.
Aim: It paves the way for using the property as a financial asset by villagers for availing loans and other financial benefits.
Function:
1. It will promote a socio-economically empowered and self-reliant rural India.
2. It will cover 6.62 Lakh villages of the country during 2021-2025.
- Pilot phase (during 2020-2021)
, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and select villages of Punjab and Rajasthan.
SVAMITVA Scheme
- It is a Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas.
- Central Sector Scheme for mapping rural inhabited lands.
- Launched in 2020.
- It is a joint effort of the
1. Ministry of Panchayati Raj
2. State Panchayati Raj departments
3. State Revenue Departments and Survey of India.
Aim: It paves the way for using the property as a financial asset by villagers for availing loans and other financial benefits.
Function:
1. It will promote a socio-economically empowered and self-reliant rural India.
2. It will cover 6.62 Lakh villages of the country during 2021-2025.
- Pilot phase (during 2020-2021)
, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and select villages of Punjab and Rajasthan.
#Governmentinitiative
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Announced by the Union Government
Period: for the month of May and June 2021.
- PMGKAY is a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP).
Aim: to ameliorate the hardships faced by the poor due to Covid-19 situation.
Key features:
- It has been decided to allocate an additional quota of free-of-cost food grains at 5 Kg per person per month.
- Nearly 80 Crore beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
- The additional quota to the already subsidised 5 kg of food grains that is provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS) will be provided to beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA,
1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
2. Priority Householders (PHH).
- The Food Corporation of India will provide additional 80 LMT food grains in May and June 2021.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
Announced by the Union Government
Period: for the month of May and June 2021.
- PMGKAY is a part of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP).
Aim: to ameliorate the hardships faced by the poor due to Covid-19 situation.
Key features:
- It has been decided to allocate an additional quota of free-of-cost food grains at 5 Kg per person per month.
- Nearly 80 Crore beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA).
- The additional quota to the already subsidised 5 kg of food grains that is provided through the Public Distribution System (PDS) will be provided to beneficiaries covered under both categories of NFSA,
1. Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)
2. Priority Householders (PHH).
- The Food Corporation of India will provide additional 80 LMT food grains in May and June 2021.
#SnT
Sero Survey
News: The third sero survey conducted within Mumbai.
Key points:
- It has shown the presence of
antibodies in 36.30% samples out of the total 10,197.
- The survey included blood samples of only those who had not been vaccinated were collected.
- The sero positivity rate has increased in non-slum areas compared with slum areas.
[Sero Positivity means positive result of a blood test for a particular antibody (a substance in the blood that fights a disease).]
- The health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recommended intensifying vaccinations among the general public as the best way to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Sero Survey
News: The third sero survey conducted within Mumbai.
Key points:
- It has shown the presence of
antibodies in 36.30% samples out of the total 10,197.
- The survey included blood samples of only those who had not been vaccinated were collected.
- The sero positivity rate has increased in non-slum areas compared with slum areas.
[Sero Positivity means positive result of a blood test for a particular antibody (a substance in the blood that fights a disease).]
- The health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recommended intensifying vaccinations among the general public as the best way to control the spread of the coronavirus.
#Governmentinitiative
PRAYAAS Scheme
- The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) sent the pension payment orders to the retiring employees.
- This comes under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 through the “PRAYAAS” initiative.
- PRAYAAS is initiative of the EPFO to disburse pension payment order on the very day of retirement/ superannuation.
PRAYAAS Scheme
- The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) sent the pension payment orders to the retiring employees.
- This comes under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 through the “PRAYAAS” initiative.
- PRAYAAS is initiative of the EPFO to disburse pension payment order on the very day of retirement/ superannuation.
#Current
Covid - A Vascular Disease
- A new study shows that the SARS-CoV-2’s spike proteins.
Key points:
- It help the virus infect its host by latching on to healthy cells and play a key role in the disease itself.
- Covid-19 is not only a respiratory disease, but also a vascular disease.
- The virus damages and attacks the vascular system on a cellular level.
- Covid-19’s wide variety of seemingly unconnected complications.
Covid - A Vascular Disease
- A new study shows that the SARS-CoV-2’s spike proteins.
Key points:
- It help the virus infect its host by latching on to healthy cells and play a key role in the disease itself.
- Covid-19 is not only a respiratory disease, but also a vascular disease.
- The virus damages and attacks the vascular system on a cellular level.
- Covid-19’s wide variety of seemingly unconnected complications.
#Current
CT Scan for Covid
- Covid symptoms are making a beeline for CT scans (who actually need not take CT scan).
Key points:
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- It is a combination of multiple X-rays and a computer process to create a picture of the body or any part of the body.
- Chest CT is a routine imaging tool for pneumonia diagnosis.
- Compared to RT-PCR, chest CT imaging is more reliable, sensitive and rapid method to diagnose and assess COVID-19.
Recommendation –
CT scan reqire only for:
1. Covid patients with worsening condition in home isolation or in hospital with critical condition.
2. If a patient’s oxygen level is going down below 95 during home quarantine.
3. Patients health is not improving even after a week after coming Covid positive.
CT Scan for Covid
- Covid symptoms are making a beeline for CT scans (who actually need not take CT scan).
Key points:
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- It is a combination of multiple X-rays and a computer process to create a picture of the body or any part of the body.
- Chest CT is a routine imaging tool for pneumonia diagnosis.
- Compared to RT-PCR, chest CT imaging is more reliable, sensitive and rapid method to diagnose and assess COVID-19.
Recommendation –
CT scan reqire only for:
1. Covid patients with worsening condition in home isolation or in hospital with critical condition.
2. If a patient’s oxygen level is going down below 95 during home quarantine.
3. Patients health is not improving even after a week after coming Covid positive.
#Governmentinitiative
AYUSH-64
- It is a poly herbal formulation.
- It has been found to help in the treatment of asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 infection.
- Developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)
- CCRAS is a research institution under the Ministry of Ayush.
- Originally developed in 1980 for treatment of Malaria.
Key poits:
1. This drug has notable antiviral, immune-modulator and antipyretic properties.
2. It may also be taken as prophylactic medicine
3. But as a side effect of Ayush-64, loose motions can occur in some patients.
AYUSH-64
- It is a poly herbal formulation.
- It has been found to help in the treatment of asymptomatic, mild and moderate COVID-19 infection.
- Developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)
- CCRAS is a research institution under the Ministry of Ayush.
- Originally developed in 1980 for treatment of Malaria.
Key poits:
1. This drug has notable antiviral, immune-modulator and antipyretic properties.
2. It may also be taken as prophylactic medicine
3. But as a side effect of Ayush-64, loose motions can occur in some patients.
#Current
SARS-COV2 in Asiatic Lions
News: Eight Asiatic Lions housed in the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP), Hyderabad were infected with SARS-COV2.
- The samples from the lions were shared with the Centre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology - Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species Hyderabad.
SARS-COV2 in Asiatic Lions
News: Eight Asiatic Lions housed in the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP), Hyderabad were infected with SARS-COV2.
- The samples from the lions were shared with the Centre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology - Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species Hyderabad.
#SnT
BEAM Committee
- The Central Government had constituted the 'BVLOS Experiment Assessment and Monitoring (BEAM) Committee'.
- Aim: to invite Expression of Interest (EOI) to undertake BVLOS experimental flights of drones.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an EOI notice.
- The BEAM Committee has selected 20 consortia ('Selected Consortia') for the experimental flights.
- Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted conditional exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 to 20 entities to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) experimental flights of drones.
BEAM Committee
- The Central Government had constituted the 'BVLOS Experiment Assessment and Monitoring (BEAM) Committee'.
- Aim: to invite Expression of Interest (EOI) to undertake BVLOS experimental flights of drones.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an EOI notice.
- The BEAM Committee has selected 20 consortia ('Selected Consortia') for the experimental flights.
- Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted conditional exemption from Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021 to 20 entities to conduct Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) experimental flights of drones.
#Polity
Section 142 of the Social Security Code
- Section 142 of the Social Security Code, 2020 has been notified by Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Key points:
- It covers applicability of Aaadhar.
- It will enable Labour Ministry to collect Aadhar details for the database of beneficiaries.
- It comes under various social security schemes.
- National Data Base for Unorganised Workers is at an advanced stage of development by National Informatics Centre.
Aim: at collection of data for unorganised workers including migrant workers for the purpose of giving benefits of the various schemes of the Government.
Significance:
- An inter-state migrant worker can register himself on the portal on the basis of submission of Aadhar alone.
Section 142 of the Social Security Code
- Section 142 of the Social Security Code, 2020 has been notified by Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Key points:
- It covers applicability of Aaadhar.
- It will enable Labour Ministry to collect Aadhar details for the database of beneficiaries.
- It comes under various social security schemes.
- National Data Base for Unorganised Workers is at an advanced stage of development by National Informatics Centre.
Aim: at collection of data for unorganised workers including migrant workers for the purpose of giving benefits of the various schemes of the Government.
Significance:
- An inter-state migrant worker can register himself on the portal on the basis of submission of Aadhar alone.
#Geography
Sauropods
News: Researchers from the Geological Survey of India have identified fossil bone fragments of 100-million-years old sauropods.
Location: area around West Khasi Hills District in Meghalaya.
Key features of Sauropods
1. Dinosaurs that had very long necks, long tails
2. small heads relative to the rest of their body
3. four thick, pillar-like legs.
4. They are notable for the enormous sizes attained by some species.
5. Meghalaya is the fifth state in India to report Sauropod bones which have titanosaurian affinity.
- In India, the sauropods generally belong to the titanosaurian clade.
Sauropods
News: Researchers from the Geological Survey of India have identified fossil bone fragments of 100-million-years old sauropods.
Location: area around West Khasi Hills District in Meghalaya.
Key features of Sauropods
1. Dinosaurs that had very long necks, long tails
2. small heads relative to the rest of their body
3. four thick, pillar-like legs.
4. They are notable for the enormous sizes attained by some species.
5. Meghalaya is the fifth state in India to report Sauropod bones which have titanosaurian affinity.
- In India, the sauropods generally belong to the titanosaurian clade.
#Environment
Crocidura narcondamica
- It is a new species of insectivorous mammal, a white-toothed shrew .
- Discovered by the scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
Location: Narcondam Island of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands.
Key features:
- Shrews are small and mouse-like mammals.
- live in sub-leaf stratum in the
forests.
- Insects are the primary diet of these animals.
- This new species has a distinct external morphology with darker grey dense fur with a thick, darker tail compared to other species of the Crocidura genus.
- Its craniodental characters also make them distinct.
Crocidura narcondamica
- It is a new species of insectivorous mammal, a white-toothed shrew .
- Discovered by the scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
Location: Narcondam Island of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands.
Key features:
- Shrews are small and mouse-like mammals.
- live in sub-leaf stratum in the
forests.
- Insects are the primary diet of these animals.
- This new species has a distinct external morphology with darker grey dense fur with a thick, darker tail compared to other species of the Crocidura genus.
- Its craniodental characters also make them distinct.