#IR_InNews #PT2021
Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) – 2021:
- Indian Navy recently hosted ‘GMS-21’ under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa.
- The event for the first time was hosted in virtual mode, with online participation of Naval representatives from 13 Indian Ocean Littoral countries.
- It included India, Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
- The theme for GMS-21 was focused on “Maritime Security and Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies.”
Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) – 2021:
- Indian Navy recently hosted ‘GMS-21’ under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa.
- The event for the first time was hosted in virtual mode, with online participation of Naval representatives from 13 Indian Ocean Littoral countries.
- It included India, Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
- The theme for GMS-21 was focused on “Maritime Security and Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies.”
#Polity_Current #PT2021
MPLAD scheme:
- Launched in December, 1993.
- Seeks to provide a mechanism for the Members of Parliament to recommend works of developmental nature for creation of durable community assets and for provision of basic facilities including community infrastructure, based on locally felt needs.
- It is a Plan Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
- The annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is Rs. 5 crore.
MPLAD scheme:
- Launched in December, 1993.
- Seeks to provide a mechanism for the Members of Parliament to recommend works of developmental nature for creation of durable community assets and for provision of basic facilities including community infrastructure, based on locally felt needs.
- It is a Plan Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
- The annual MPLADS fund entitlement per MP constituency is Rs. 5 crore.
#Polity_Current #PT2021
National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT):
- It is a quasi-judicial body in India adjudicating issues concerning companies in the country.
- It was formed on June 1, 2016, as per the provisions of the Companies Act 2013.
- Formed based on the recommendations of the Justice Eradi Committee that was related to insolvency and winding up of companies in India.
- Appeals: Decisions taken by the NCLT can be appealed to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
- The decisions of the NCLAT can be appealed to the Supreme Court on a point of law.
National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT):
- It is a quasi-judicial body in India adjudicating issues concerning companies in the country.
- It was formed on June 1, 2016, as per the provisions of the Companies Act 2013.
- Formed based on the recommendations of the Justice Eradi Committee that was related to insolvency and winding up of companies in India.
- Appeals: Decisions taken by the NCLT can be appealed to the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
- The decisions of the NCLAT can be appealed to the Supreme Court on a point of law.
#Environment
NGT Order on Banni Grasslands
News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all encroachments to be removed from Gujarat's Banni grasslands
is within six months and directed a joint committee to prepare an action plan in a month.
Key features:
- The nomadic pastoralist community, the Maldharis welcomed the move.
- The NGT said that the Maldharis will continue to hold the right to conserve the community forests in the area.
- It granted to them as per the provisions in Section 3 of Forest Rights Act, 2006.
NGT Order on Banni Grasslands
News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all encroachments to be removed from Gujarat's Banni grasslands
is within six months and directed a joint committee to prepare an action plan in a month.
Key features:
- The nomadic pastoralist community, the Maldharis welcomed the move.
- The NGT said that the Maldharis will continue to hold the right to conserve the community forests in the area.
- It granted to them as per the provisions in Section 3 of Forest Rights Act, 2006.
#Geography
Mekedatu
News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, has appointed a joint committee
- This committee look into allegations of unauthorised construction activity taking place in Mekedatu, Karnataka.
Key Points:
- Mekedatu (means 'goat's leap') is a gorge along Kaveri where Arkavati merges with Kaveri.
- About 3.5 kilometers downstream, the river Kaveri flows through a deep and narrow gorge.
Background:
In 2017, the Karnataka government had proposed to construct a dam in Mekedatu across the Cauvery River.
- This project received approval from the erstwhile Ministry of Water Resources for the detailed project report.
It was opposed by Tamil Nadu government.
Mekedatu
News: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Southern Zone, has appointed a joint committee
- This committee look into allegations of unauthorised construction activity taking place in Mekedatu, Karnataka.
Key Points:
- Mekedatu (means 'goat's leap') is a gorge along Kaveri where Arkavati merges with Kaveri.
- About 3.5 kilometers downstream, the river Kaveri flows through a deep and narrow gorge.
Background:
In 2017, the Karnataka government had proposed to construct a dam in Mekedatu across the Cauvery River.
- This project received approval from the erstwhile Ministry of Water Resources for the detailed project report.
It was opposed by Tamil Nadu government.
#Current#PT2021
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
News: Tennis player Ankita Raina has been added to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS or TOP Scheme).
- It is a flagship program of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
- It provides assistance to India’s top athletes.
Under the Scheme,
1. identify athletes who are potential medal winners in 2020 / 2024 Olympics.
2. Add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win Olympic medals.
3. It also funds a Developmental Group of Athletes who are medal prospects for the Olympic Games in Paris (2024) and Los Angeles Games (2028).
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
News: Tennis player Ankita Raina has been added to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS or TOP Scheme).
- It is a flagship program of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
- It provides assistance to India’s top athletes.
Under the Scheme,
1. identify athletes who are potential medal winners in 2020 / 2024 Olympics.
2. Add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win Olympic medals.
3. It also funds a Developmental Group of Athletes who are medal prospects for the Olympic Games in Paris (2024) and Los Angeles Games (2028).
#Environment
WHO BioHub
News: WHO will establish the first BioHub Facility in Spiez, Switzerland.
- The BioHub will allow rapid sharing of pathogens between labs and partners.
Features:
1. It facilitate a better analysis and preparedness against them.
2. It will help in safe reception, sequencing, storage and preparation of biological materials.
3.Distribution to other labs.
4. It will enable member states to share biological materials with and via the BioHub.
Significance
1. will help contribute to the establishment of an international exchange system for SARS-CoV-2
2. Establishing other emerging pathogens.
3. It assess risks and launch countermeasures.
4. It will ensure timeliness and predictability in response activities.
WHO BioHub
News: WHO will establish the first BioHub Facility in Spiez, Switzerland.
- The BioHub will allow rapid sharing of pathogens between labs and partners.
Features:
1. It facilitate a better analysis and preparedness against them.
2. It will help in safe reception, sequencing, storage and preparation of biological materials.
3.Distribution to other labs.
4. It will enable member states to share biological materials with and via the BioHub.
Significance
1. will help contribute to the establishment of an international exchange system for SARS-CoV-2
2. Establishing other emerging pathogens.
3. It assess risks and launch countermeasures.
4. It will ensure timeliness and predictability in response activities.
#environment_current #PT2021
Blackbucks
- Odisha’s blackbuck population has doubled in the last six years, as per the census released recently by the chief conservator of forest (wildlife).
- Protection status:
The blackbuck is a Schedule-1 animal according to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- as ‘Vulnerable’ according to the Red Data Book.
Blackbucks
- Odisha’s blackbuck population has doubled in the last six years, as per the census released recently by the chief conservator of forest (wildlife).
- Protection status:
The blackbuck is a Schedule-1 animal according to the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- as ‘Vulnerable’ according to the Red Data Book.
#environment_current #PT2021
Bhitarkanika National Park
- in Odisha
- famous for its mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles, and countless creeks.
- India’s second-largest mangrove forest.
- It is represented by 3 Protected Areas, the Bhitarkanika National Park, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
- It is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Mahanadi river systems.
- It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
-Fauna
spotted deer, bird species and other species such as wild boars, jackal, hyenas, jungle cat, fishing cats, water monitor lizards, rhesus macaques, common languor, Indian civet cat and hare.
- It was designated a national park in September 1998 and as a Ramsar site by UNESCO in August 2002.
Bhitarkanika National Park
- in Odisha
- famous for its mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles, and countless creeks.
- India’s second-largest mangrove forest.
- It is represented by 3 Protected Areas, the Bhitarkanika National Park, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
- It is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Mahanadi river systems.
- It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.
-Fauna
spotted deer, bird species and other species such as wild boars, jackal, hyenas, jungle cat, fishing cats, water monitor lizards, rhesus macaques, common languor, Indian civet cat and hare.
- It was designated a national park in September 1998 and as a Ramsar site by UNESCO in August 2002.
#Geography #PT2021
Cauvery River
- Origin: River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in south-western Karnataka state.
- The river basin covers three states and a Union Territory: Tamil Nadu, 43,868 square kilometres, Karnataka, 34,273 square kilometres l, Kerala, 2,866 square kilometres and Puducherry.
- Key tributaries: Hemavati, Lakshman Tirtha, Kabini, Amaravati, Noyil, and Bhavani rivers.
Dams: Mettur Dam was constructed for irrigation and hydel power in Tamil Nadu.
Cauvery River
- Origin: River rises on Brahmagiri Hill of the Western Ghats in south-western Karnataka state.
- The river basin covers three states and a Union Territory: Tamil Nadu, 43,868 square kilometres, Karnataka, 34,273 square kilometres l, Kerala, 2,866 square kilometres and Puducherry.
- Key tributaries: Hemavati, Lakshman Tirtha, Kabini, Amaravati, Noyil, and Bhavani rivers.
Dams: Mettur Dam was constructed for irrigation and hydel power in Tamil Nadu.
#environment_current #PT2021
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve:
- in Assam.
- Formed in 1908
- located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots.
- It hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses.
- It is a World Heritage Site.
- Recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.
- ‘big four’ species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.
- crisscrossed by four main rivers — Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri.
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve:
- in Assam.
- Formed in 1908
- located in the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots.
- It hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceroses.
- It is a World Heritage Site.
- Recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.
- ‘big four’ species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.
- crisscrossed by four main rivers — Brahmaputra, Diphlu, Mora Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri.
#SchemesInNews #PT2021
YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) Scheme:
- Ministry Of Education has launched YUVA To Mentor Young Authors.
- The scheme seeks to mentor authors under the age of 30 and train them to promote reading, writing and book culture in the country, and project India and Indian writings globally.
- A consolidated scholarship of Rs50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the YUVA Scheme.
- YUVA is a part of India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav).
- The National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education is the Implementing Agency.
YUVA (Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors) Scheme:
- Ministry Of Education has launched YUVA To Mentor Young Authors.
- The scheme seeks to mentor authors under the age of 30 and train them to promote reading, writing and book culture in the country, and project India and Indian writings globally.
- A consolidated scholarship of Rs50,000 per month for a period of six months per author will be paid under the YUVA Scheme.
- YUVA is a part of India@75 Project (Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav).
- The National Book Trust, India under the Ministry of Education is the Implementing Agency.
#SnT_Currents #PT2021
Vitamin D
- It is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it dissolves in fats and oils and can be stored in your body for a long time.
- It is produced when sunlight (or artificial light, particularly in the ultraviolet region of 190-400 nm wavelength) falls on the skin and triggers a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule, and converts it into calcidiol in the liver and into calcitriol in the kidney.
Vitamin D
- It is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it dissolves in fats and oils and can be stored in your body for a long time.
- It is produced when sunlight (or artificial light, particularly in the ultraviolet region of 190-400 nm wavelength) falls on the skin and triggers a chemical reaction to a cholesterol-based molecule, and converts it into calcidiol in the liver and into calcitriol in the kidney.
#Economy
Bitcoin Mining Council
- It will consist of miners who commit to publishing current and planned renewable usage.
- The Bitcoin Mining Council, formed by cryptocurrency companies like ArgoBlockchain, Galaxy Digital, Core Scientific and Hive,
- It will Standardise energy reporting
- Will pursue industry ESG goals
- Educate and grow the marketplace.
Bitcoin Mining Council
- It will consist of miners who commit to publishing current and planned renewable usage.
- The Bitcoin Mining Council, formed by cryptocurrency companies like ArgoBlockchain, Galaxy Digital, Core Scientific and Hive,
- It will Standardise energy reporting
- Will pursue industry ESG goals
- Educate and grow the marketplace.
#Current #PT2021
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
News: Tennis player Ankita Raina has been added to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS or TOP Scheme).
- It is a flagship program of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
Key points:
- It provides assistance to India’s top athletes.
- Department of Sports shall identify potential medal winners in 2020 / 2024 Olympics.
- The scheme looks to add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win Olympic medals.
- It also funds a Developmental Group of Athletes who are medal prospects for the next Olympic Games in Paris (2024) and Los Angeles Games (2028).
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
News: Tennis player Ankita Raina has been added to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS or TOP Scheme).
- It is a flagship program of the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
Key points:
- It provides assistance to India’s top athletes.
- Department of Sports shall identify potential medal winners in 2020 / 2024 Olympics.
- The scheme looks to add a premium to the preparations of these athletes so that they can win Olympic medals.
- It also funds a Developmental Group of Athletes who are medal prospects for the next Olympic Games in Paris (2024) and Los Angeles Games (2028).
#SnT
AmbiTAG
- Developed by Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar
- a first-of-its-kind IoT device called AmbiTag.
- Function: It records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines (like COVID vaccine), body organs and blood.
- Developed under IIT Ropar Technology Innovation Hub - AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Startup ScratchNest.
- AWaDH is a Govt of India project.
Key features:
- It generates an alert when the
temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit.
- It helps to know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished.
- Shaped as USB device
- It continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for
- a full 90 days on a single charge.
AmbiTAG
- Developed by Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar
- a first-of-its-kind IoT device called AmbiTag.
- Function: It records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines (like COVID vaccine), body organs and blood.
- Developed under IIT Ropar Technology Innovation Hub - AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Startup ScratchNest.
- AWaDH is a Govt of India project.
Key features:
- It generates an alert when the
temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit.
- It helps to know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished.
- Shaped as USB device
- It continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for
- a full 90 days on a single charge.
#Current
Indimimus Jayanti
- Indimimus Jayanti has become the twelfth subgenus, or species, of spider cricket
- It identified under the genus Arachnomimus Saussure, 1897.
- Found in the Kurra caves of Chhattisgarh
- New subgenus was named Jayanti after Professor Jayant Biswas, a leading cave explorer in India.
Difference - Indimimus subgenu is different from the Arachnomimus and Euarachnomimus subgenera because of the male genitalia structure.
- Unique: Insects have a lock-and-key model genitalia structure which is unique to each subgenus.
Significance –
1. They may be communicating by beating their abdomen or any other body part on the cave walls (Vibrational communication).
2. help in designing hearing aids for human which can capture quietest signals and amplify to an audible hearing range.
Indimimus Jayanti
- Indimimus Jayanti has become the twelfth subgenus, or species, of spider cricket
- It identified under the genus Arachnomimus Saussure, 1897.
- Found in the Kurra caves of Chhattisgarh
- New subgenus was named Jayanti after Professor Jayant Biswas, a leading cave explorer in India.
Difference - Indimimus subgenu is different from the Arachnomimus and Euarachnomimus subgenera because of the male genitalia structure.
- Unique: Insects have a lock-and-key model genitalia structure which is unique to each subgenus.
Significance –
1. They may be communicating by beating their abdomen or any other body part on the cave walls (Vibrational communication).
2. help in designing hearing aids for human which can capture quietest signals and amplify to an audible hearing range.
#SnT # PT2021
CD8 T cells
- Study to better understand the immune determinants of Covid-19 deaths.
- CD8 T cells are a type of white blood cells that can kill cancer cells and other invaders.
Finding -
1. Blood cancer patients with Covid-19 who had higher CD8 T cells were more than 3 times likelier to survive than patients with fewer CD8 T cells.
2. Patients with blood cancers, in particular patients treated with anti-CD20 antibodies, had decreased B cells and antibodies compared to patients with solid cancers and patients without cancer.
CD8 T cells
- Study to better understand the immune determinants of Covid-19 deaths.
- CD8 T cells are a type of white blood cells that can kill cancer cells and other invaders.
Finding -
1. Blood cancer patients with Covid-19 who had higher CD8 T cells were more than 3 times likelier to survive than patients with fewer CD8 T cells.
2. Patients with blood cancers, in particular patients treated with anti-CD20 antibodies, had decreased B cells and antibodies compared to patients with solid cancers and patients without cancer.
#Sn #PT2021
International Nitrogen Initiative
- The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the main focus of the eighth triennial conference of the INI.
- INI was set up in 2003 under the sponsorship of Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP).
The key aims of the INI are to:
1. Optimize nitrogen’s beneficial role in sustainable food production.
2. Minimize nitrogen’s negative effects on human health and the environment resulting from food and energy production.
3. INI is coordinated by a Steering Committee led by a chair
4. 6 regional centre directors representing, Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, South Asia and East Asia.
International Nitrogen Initiative
- The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the main focus of the eighth triennial conference of the INI.
- INI was set up in 2003 under the sponsorship of Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP).
The key aims of the INI are to:
1. Optimize nitrogen’s beneficial role in sustainable food production.
2. Minimize nitrogen’s negative effects on human health and the environment resulting from food and energy production.
3. INI is coordinated by a Steering Committee led by a chair
4. 6 regional centre directors representing, Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, South Asia and East Asia.
#Current # PT2021
China’s Red Tourism
- The popularity of ‘red tourism’ is bringing in huge revenues for China.
- Launched in 2004,
- It involves visiting places that are of historical and cultural importance to the Communist Party’s history.
- It also provides an impetus to tourism and local businesses.
- It reminds people of the sacrifices made by the leaders of the Communist party to forge a modern China.
China’s Red Tourism
- The popularity of ‘red tourism’ is bringing in huge revenues for China.
- Launched in 2004,
- It involves visiting places that are of historical and cultural importance to the Communist Party’s history.
- It also provides an impetus to tourism and local businesses.
- It reminds people of the sacrifices made by the leaders of the Communist party to forge a modern China.