#Brood_X
The term ‘brood’ refers to a population of cicadas that is isolated from other populations because of differences in their year of emergence or locality.
It is the largest brood of 17-year cicadas.
It is found in Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, Indiana and eastern Tennessee
What are Cicadas?
They are members of the superfamily Cicadoidea and are physically distinguished by their stout bodies, broad heads, clear-membraned wings, and large compound eyes.
Cicadas live underground for extended periods of time, typically 13 or 17 years, and feed on roots of trees both underground and above it.
Among periodical cicadas, there are seven species and there are also some annual cicadas, which come out every year.
They do not bite or sting, but when the males sing, their collective chorus can reach up to 100 decibels.
The only harm cicadas can cause is during egg laying when small twigs may be damaged by deep slits cut by the female when she deposits her rows of eggs.
What do cicadas do underground?
The cicada nymphs go through five stages of development when they are underground.
The males emerge from underground once they become adults, which take about 17 years for some periodical cicadas.
#Rengma_Nagas
People who are presently living in Rengma Hills are from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
The traditional Rengma religion is an animist religion and involved spirit worship.
Ngada is the harvest festival of the Rengmas.
They speak different dialects and do not know Karbi language of Karbi Anglong.
#Track_Child_Portal
Under this the Ministry of WCD supports 24×7 outreach helpline service for children in distress.
This service is available through a dedicated toll free number, 1098, which can be accessed by children in crisis or by adults on their behalf from any place in the geographical location of India.
The Ministry has been using Facial Recognition System employed by Delhi Police to track the missing children, with the help of NIC.
#Incredible_India_Tourist_Facilitator_Certification_Programme
It is a digital initiative of Ministry of Tourism (MoT), where new age tourist facilitators can learn about tourism at their own time, space, path and pace.
The successful completion of this programme would enable the learner to become a Certified Tourist Facilitator of Ministry of Tourism.
#MICE_Tourism
In tourism, travelling for business is referred to as MICE tourism; which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conference/ Conventions and Exhibitions/ Events.
#Indian_Science_Technology_and_Engineering_facilities_Map (I-STEM)
It is an initiative of Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India under the PM-STIAC mission.
The goal is to strengthen the R&D ecosystem by connecting researchers with resources, in part by promoting technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously and providing necessary supplies and supports to researchers and enable them to access existing R&D facilities through the I-STEM web portal.
The portal hosts the database of facilities across India so that a researcher desirous of using any of them can search for the same and make a booking online for using it.
The portal also features a Digital Catalogue of indigenously developed technologies and products, as well as host the platformon for the various City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters, to enhance R&D collaboration and skill development across the country.
#Pre_Revision
The term ‘brood’ refers to a population of cicadas that is isolated from other populations because of differences in their year of emergence or locality.
It is the largest brood of 17-year cicadas.
It is found in Pennsylvania, northern Virginia, Indiana and eastern Tennessee
What are Cicadas?
They are members of the superfamily Cicadoidea and are physically distinguished by their stout bodies, broad heads, clear-membraned wings, and large compound eyes.
Cicadas live underground for extended periods of time, typically 13 or 17 years, and feed on roots of trees both underground and above it.
Among periodical cicadas, there are seven species and there are also some annual cicadas, which come out every year.
They do not bite or sting, but when the males sing, their collective chorus can reach up to 100 decibels.
The only harm cicadas can cause is during egg laying when small twigs may be damaged by deep slits cut by the female when she deposits her rows of eggs.
What do cicadas do underground?
The cicada nymphs go through five stages of development when they are underground.
The males emerge from underground once they become adults, which take about 17 years for some periodical cicadas.
#Rengma_Nagas
People who are presently living in Rengma Hills are from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
The traditional Rengma religion is an animist religion and involved spirit worship.
Ngada is the harvest festival of the Rengmas.
They speak different dialects and do not know Karbi language of Karbi Anglong.
#Track_Child_Portal
Under this the Ministry of WCD supports 24×7 outreach helpline service for children in distress.
This service is available through a dedicated toll free number, 1098, which can be accessed by children in crisis or by adults on their behalf from any place in the geographical location of India.
The Ministry has been using Facial Recognition System employed by Delhi Police to track the missing children, with the help of NIC.
#Incredible_India_Tourist_Facilitator_Certification_Programme
It is a digital initiative of Ministry of Tourism (MoT), where new age tourist facilitators can learn about tourism at their own time, space, path and pace.
The successful completion of this programme would enable the learner to become a Certified Tourist Facilitator of Ministry of Tourism.
#MICE_Tourism
In tourism, travelling for business is referred to as MICE tourism; which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conference/ Conventions and Exhibitions/ Events.
#Indian_Science_Technology_and_Engineering_facilities_Map (I-STEM)
It is an initiative of Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India under the PM-STIAC mission.
The goal is to strengthen the R&D ecosystem by connecting researchers with resources, in part by promoting technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously and providing necessary supplies and supports to researchers and enable them to access existing R&D facilities through the I-STEM web portal.
The portal hosts the database of facilities across India so that a researcher desirous of using any of them can search for the same and make a booking online for using it.
The portal also features a Digital Catalogue of indigenously developed technologies and products, as well as host the platformon for the various City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters, to enhance R&D collaboration and skill development across the country.
#Pre_Revision
#Hindu_Kush_Himalayan(HKH) Region
The HKH region spans Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
It is considered the Third Pole (after the North and South Poles), and has significant implications for climate.
It contains vast cryospheric zones and is also the world’s third-largest storage of snow and ice after the Antarctica and Arctic.
HKH region is home to 4 global biodiversity hotspots: the Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Mountains of Southwest China, and Mountains of Central Asia hotspots.
Major river basins in HKH region are: Amu Darya, Brahmaputra, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Salween, Tarim, Yangtze, Yellow Rivers.
#Measles.
Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air.
The virus infects the respiratory tract, and then spreads throughout the body.
Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
#Lead
Malleable [can be hammered into thin sheets], soft, heavy and bad conductor.
Lead is a constituent in bronze alloy and is used as an anti-friction metal.
Lead oxide is used in cable covers, ammunition, paints, glass making and rubber industry.
It is also made into sheets, tubes and pipes which are used as sanitary fittings.
It is now increasingly used in automobiles, aeroplanes, and calculating machines.
Lead nitrate is used in dyeing and printing.
Lead does not occur free in nature. It occurs as a cubic sulphide known as GALENA.
Galena is found in veins in limestones, calcareous slates and sandstones.
The main ore of lead is galena. It is found in the sedimentary rocks of limestone and sandstone.
Rajasthan is the richest state in terms of availability and variety of minerals in the country and produces about 57 different minerals.
Rajasthan is the sole producer of lead & zinc ores, selenite and wollastonite.
The Zawar area (Udaipur) of Rajasthan is famous for the production of Lead.
#Monopsony
is a market condition in which there is only one buyer, the monopsonist. It is a market structure in which a single buyer substantially controls the market as the major purchaser of goods and services offered by many would-be sellers.
An #oligopoly is a market structure in which a few firms dominate. When a market is shared between a few firms, it is said to be highly concentrated.
#Pre_Revision
The HKH region spans Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
It is considered the Third Pole (after the North and South Poles), and has significant implications for climate.
It contains vast cryospheric zones and is also the world’s third-largest storage of snow and ice after the Antarctica and Arctic.
HKH region is home to 4 global biodiversity hotspots: the Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Mountains of Southwest China, and Mountains of Central Asia hotspots.
Major river basins in HKH region are: Amu Darya, Brahmaputra, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy, Mekong, Salween, Tarim, Yangtze, Yellow Rivers.
#Measles.
Measles is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family and it is normally passed through direct contact and through the air.
The virus infects the respiratory tract, and then spreads throughout the body.
Measles is a human disease and is not known to occur in animals.
#Lead
Malleable [can be hammered into thin sheets], soft, heavy and bad conductor.
Lead is a constituent in bronze alloy and is used as an anti-friction metal.
Lead oxide is used in cable covers, ammunition, paints, glass making and rubber industry.
It is also made into sheets, tubes and pipes which are used as sanitary fittings.
It is now increasingly used in automobiles, aeroplanes, and calculating machines.
Lead nitrate is used in dyeing and printing.
Lead does not occur free in nature. It occurs as a cubic sulphide known as GALENA.
Galena is found in veins in limestones, calcareous slates and sandstones.
The main ore of lead is galena. It is found in the sedimentary rocks of limestone and sandstone.
Rajasthan is the richest state in terms of availability and variety of minerals in the country and produces about 57 different minerals.
Rajasthan is the sole producer of lead & zinc ores, selenite and wollastonite.
The Zawar area (Udaipur) of Rajasthan is famous for the production of Lead.
#Monopsony
is a market condition in which there is only one buyer, the monopsonist. It is a market structure in which a single buyer substantially controls the market as the major purchaser of goods and services offered by many would-be sellers.
An #oligopoly is a market structure in which a few firms dominate. When a market is shared between a few firms, it is said to be highly concentrated.
#Pre_Revision
#National_Security_Guard (NSG)
The NSG is a counter-terrorism unit that formally came into existence in 1986 by an act of Parliament- ‘National Security Guard Act, 1986’.
It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is a task-oriented force that has two complementary elements in the form of:
Special Action Group (SAG) comprising of the Army personnel- is the main offensive or the strike wing of the NSG, and
Special Ranger Groups (SRG) comprising of personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces/State Police Forces. They generally handle VIP securities.
The head of NSG- designated as Director General (DG), is selected and appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs.
National Security Guard has been given the specific role to handle all facets of terrorism in any part of the country as a Federal Contingency Force.
The NSG personnel are often referred to in the media as Black Cat Commandos because of the black outfit and black cat insignia worn on their uniform.
Operations undertaken:
Operation Black Thunder (Golden Temple, Amritsar, 1986 & 1988)
Operation Ashwamedh (Indian Airlines Flight-IC427 hijacking, India, 1993)
Operation Thunderbolt or Vajra Shakti (Akshardham Temple attack, Gujarat, 2002)
Operation Black Tornado (Mumbai Blasts, 2008)
#Sub_Mission_on_Agricultural_Mechanization (SMAM)
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched a Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) in 2014-15.
It aims to increase the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions & difficult area where farm power availability is low.
The scheme will be implemented in all the states, to promote the usage of farm mechanization and increase the ratio of farm power to cultivable unit area up to 2.5 kW/ha.
SMAM will have Central Sector Schemes under component No.1 & 2 in which Government of India contributes 100%.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes are covered under component No. 3 to 8 including Administrative and Flexi funds in which Government of India contributes 60% and states contribute 40% except North eastern states and Himalayan regions states where it is 90 %(Central Share) and 10% (State Share).
For Union Territories, it is 100% Centre share.
Objectives
Increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low
Promoting ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership
Creating hubs for hi-tech & high value farm equipments
Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities
Ensuring performance testing and certification at designated testing centers located all over the country.
#Galgal_Fruit
Galgal is rarely cultivated, it is rather collected from the wild.
It is more commonly found in north-western foothills of the Himalayas, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Galgal has a high yield, is tolerant to citrus canker, and is adapted to temperature variations.
It can survive in both 40 degrees Celsius summers and 4°C winters.
#Pre_Revision
The NSG is a counter-terrorism unit that formally came into existence in 1986 by an act of Parliament- ‘National Security Guard Act, 1986’.
It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is a task-oriented force that has two complementary elements in the form of:
Special Action Group (SAG) comprising of the Army personnel- is the main offensive or the strike wing of the NSG, and
Special Ranger Groups (SRG) comprising of personnel drawn from the Central Armed Police Forces/State Police Forces. They generally handle VIP securities.
The head of NSG- designated as Director General (DG), is selected and appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs.
National Security Guard has been given the specific role to handle all facets of terrorism in any part of the country as a Federal Contingency Force.
The NSG personnel are often referred to in the media as Black Cat Commandos because of the black outfit and black cat insignia worn on their uniform.
Operations undertaken:
Operation Black Thunder (Golden Temple, Amritsar, 1986 & 1988)
Operation Ashwamedh (Indian Airlines Flight-IC427 hijacking, India, 1993)
Operation Thunderbolt or Vajra Shakti (Akshardham Temple attack, Gujarat, 2002)
Operation Black Tornado (Mumbai Blasts, 2008)
#Sub_Mission_on_Agricultural_Mechanization (SMAM)
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched a Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) in 2014-15.
It aims to increase the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions & difficult area where farm power availability is low.
The scheme will be implemented in all the states, to promote the usage of farm mechanization and increase the ratio of farm power to cultivable unit area up to 2.5 kW/ha.
SMAM will have Central Sector Schemes under component No.1 & 2 in which Government of India contributes 100%.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes are covered under component No. 3 to 8 including Administrative and Flexi funds in which Government of India contributes 60% and states contribute 40% except North eastern states and Himalayan regions states where it is 90 %(Central Share) and 10% (State Share).
For Union Territories, it is 100% Centre share.
Objectives
Increasing the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low
Promoting ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ to offset the adverse economies of scale arising due to small landholding and high cost of individual ownership
Creating hubs for hi-tech & high value farm equipments
Creating awareness among stakeholders through demonstration and capacity building activities
Ensuring performance testing and certification at designated testing centers located all over the country.
#Galgal_Fruit
Galgal is rarely cultivated, it is rather collected from the wild.
It is more commonly found in north-western foothills of the Himalayas, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Galgal has a high yield, is tolerant to citrus canker, and is adapted to temperature variations.
It can survive in both 40 degrees Celsius summers and 4°C winters.
#Pre_Revision
#Small_Island_Developing_States (SIDS)
SIDS are islands of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The SIDS were recognized as a distinct group of developing countries in June 1992, at the UN Conference on Environment and Development.
Their small size, remoteness, narrow resource and export base, and exposure to global environmental challenges and external economic shocks, including to a large range of impacts from climate change and potentially more frequent and intense natural disasters SIDS continue to address those structural and external challenges to achieve their sustainable development.
SIDS are broken down into three geographic regions: the Caribbean; the Pacific; and Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS). SIDS of Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) are: Bahrain, Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, and Singapore.
#Mount_Merapi
is the most active of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes.
It is locate near the centre of the island of Java and Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire, also referred as Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
#Market_Based_Economic_Dispatch
MBED is electricity market operations reform and a step towards a one nation one grid one frequency one price network.
MBED model would function on a date ahead time horizon and schedule and dispatch all generation purely on economic principles subject to technical constraints.
It reduce the cost of power purchase across distribution utilities ( Discoms) and enable flexibility in grids to facilitate renewable energy generation
#Central_Athlete_Injury_Management_System (CAIMS)
It is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for streamlining the sports medicine and rehabilitation support offered to the athletes.
It aims to provide the best of sports injury management support nearest to the athlete’s geographical location.
CAIMS will help to standardize appropriate injury treatment protocol for athletes across the country.
It will start with support for athletes who are a part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) development group expected to participate in 2024 and beyond.
It will have the following four structures: Athlete Wellness Cell, On-Field Sports Medicine Experts, National Resource Referral Teams and a Central Core Team.
#Canadian_Hydrogen_Intensity_Mapping_Experiment (CHIME)
It is a large stationary radio telescope in British Columbia, Canada.
The telescope receives radio signals each day from half of the sky as the Earth rotates.
The telescope has no moving parts and observes half of the sky each day as the Earth turns.
CHIME is a partnership between the University of British Columbia, McGill University, the University of Toronto and the Canadian National Research Council’s Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory.
#Fast_Radio_Bursts
FRBs are oddly bright flashes of light, registering in the radio band of the electromagnetic spectrum, which blaze for a few milliseconds before vanishing without a trace.
These brief and mysterious beacons have been spotted in various and distant parts of the universe, as well as in our own galaxy.
Their origins are unknown and their appearance is highly unpredictable.
#Black_Pepper_micronutrient_foliar_formation
ICAR-IISR has developed crop specific designer micronutrient foliar formulations for major spices (black pepper, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom) to overcome micronutrient deficiencies and to meet the physiological and metabolic requirements of spice crops.
The micronutrient mixture for black pepper has been designed to fulfil the requirements of the black pepper crop by maintaining optimal ratio of secondary micronutrients like magnesium, zinc and boron in the leaf.
SIDS are islands of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The SIDS were recognized as a distinct group of developing countries in June 1992, at the UN Conference on Environment and Development.
Their small size, remoteness, narrow resource and export base, and exposure to global environmental challenges and external economic shocks, including to a large range of impacts from climate change and potentially more frequent and intense natural disasters SIDS continue to address those structural and external challenges to achieve their sustainable development.
SIDS are broken down into three geographic regions: the Caribbean; the Pacific; and Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS). SIDS of Africa, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) are: Bahrain, Cape Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, and Singapore.
#Mount_Merapi
is the most active of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes.
It is locate near the centre of the island of Java and Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta.
Indonesia is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire, also referred as Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterised by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
#Market_Based_Economic_Dispatch
MBED is electricity market operations reform and a step towards a one nation one grid one frequency one price network.
MBED model would function on a date ahead time horizon and schedule and dispatch all generation purely on economic principles subject to technical constraints.
It reduce the cost of power purchase across distribution utilities ( Discoms) and enable flexibility in grids to facilitate renewable energy generation
#Central_Athlete_Injury_Management_System (CAIMS)
It is a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for streamlining the sports medicine and rehabilitation support offered to the athletes.
It aims to provide the best of sports injury management support nearest to the athlete’s geographical location.
CAIMS will help to standardize appropriate injury treatment protocol for athletes across the country.
It will start with support for athletes who are a part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) development group expected to participate in 2024 and beyond.
It will have the following four structures: Athlete Wellness Cell, On-Field Sports Medicine Experts, National Resource Referral Teams and a Central Core Team.
#Canadian_Hydrogen_Intensity_Mapping_Experiment (CHIME)
It is a large stationary radio telescope in British Columbia, Canada.
The telescope receives radio signals each day from half of the sky as the Earth rotates.
The telescope has no moving parts and observes half of the sky each day as the Earth turns.
CHIME is a partnership between the University of British Columbia, McGill University, the University of Toronto and the Canadian National Research Council’s Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory.
#Fast_Radio_Bursts
FRBs are oddly bright flashes of light, registering in the radio band of the electromagnetic spectrum, which blaze for a few milliseconds before vanishing without a trace.
These brief and mysterious beacons have been spotted in various and distant parts of the universe, as well as in our own galaxy.
Their origins are unknown and their appearance is highly unpredictable.
#Black_Pepper_micronutrient_foliar_formation
ICAR-IISR has developed crop specific designer micronutrient foliar formulations for major spices (black pepper, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom) to overcome micronutrient deficiencies and to meet the physiological and metabolic requirements of spice crops.
The micronutrient mixture for black pepper has been designed to fulfil the requirements of the black pepper crop by maintaining optimal ratio of secondary micronutrients like magnesium, zinc and boron in the leaf.
The crop-specific micronutrient formulation is recommended for black pepper as a foliar spray during spike initiation with the onset of the monsoon and afterwards at monthly intervals.
#Pre_Revision
#Pre_Revision
#Pyrostria_laljii
A 15 metre tall tree that belongs to genus of the coffee family has recently been discovered in Andaman Islands
The new species Pyrostria laljii, is also the first record of the genus Pyrostria in India. Trees belonging to these species are usually found in Madagascar
The tree is distinguished by a long stem with a whitish coating on the trunk and oblong-obovate leaves with a cuneate base and was first reported from Wandoor forest in South Andaman
Other places where tree could be located are: Jarawa reserve forest, chidia tapu forest
Pyrostria laljii: Critically endangered as per IUCN status
It has been named Pyrostria laljii after Lal Ji Singh, Joint Director and Head of Office, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India
#Botanical_Survey_of_India (BSI)
BSI is the apex research organization under Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of country.
It was established in 1890 with objective to explore plant resources of country and to identify plants species with economic virtues.
It has nine regional circles situated at different regions of the country.
Primary functions of BSI
Exploration, inventorying and documentation of phytodiversity in general and protected areas, hotspots and fragile ecosystems in particular
Publication of National, State and District Floras.
Identification of threatened and red list species and species rich areas needing conservation.
Ex-situ conservation of critically threatened species in botanical gardens.
Survey and documentation of traditional knowledge (ethno-botany) associated with plants.
Develop National database of Indian plants, including herbarium and live specimens, botanical paintings and illustrations, etc
#Dawn_Raids
It's when Pacific Island people were targeted for deportation in the mid-1970s during aggressive home raids by authorities to find, convict and deport overstayers.
The Dawn Raids were a product of the New Zealand government's immigration policies to attract more Pacific Islanders.
#Pre_Revision
A 15 metre tall tree that belongs to genus of the coffee family has recently been discovered in Andaman Islands
The new species Pyrostria laljii, is also the first record of the genus Pyrostria in India. Trees belonging to these species are usually found in Madagascar
The tree is distinguished by a long stem with a whitish coating on the trunk and oblong-obovate leaves with a cuneate base and was first reported from Wandoor forest in South Andaman
Other places where tree could be located are: Jarawa reserve forest, chidia tapu forest
Pyrostria laljii: Critically endangered as per IUCN status
It has been named Pyrostria laljii after Lal Ji Singh, Joint Director and Head of Office, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre, Botanical Survey of India
#Botanical_Survey_of_India (BSI)
BSI is the apex research organization under Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of country.
It was established in 1890 with objective to explore plant resources of country and to identify plants species with economic virtues.
It has nine regional circles situated at different regions of the country.
Primary functions of BSI
Exploration, inventorying and documentation of phytodiversity in general and protected areas, hotspots and fragile ecosystems in particular
Publication of National, State and District Floras.
Identification of threatened and red list species and species rich areas needing conservation.
Ex-situ conservation of critically threatened species in botanical gardens.
Survey and documentation of traditional knowledge (ethno-botany) associated with plants.
Develop National database of Indian plants, including herbarium and live specimens, botanical paintings and illustrations, etc
#Dawn_Raids
It's when Pacific Island people were targeted for deportation in the mid-1970s during aggressive home raids by authorities to find, convict and deport overstayers.
The Dawn Raids were a product of the New Zealand government's immigration policies to attract more Pacific Islanders.
#Pre_Revision
#UNESCO_Science_Report
Published by UNESCO for every 5 years.
This report maps the latest trends and developments in national and regional policy landscapes, against the backdrop of shifting socio-economic, geopolitical and environmental realities.
India has one of the lowest GERD/GDP ratios among the BRICS nations, according to the report.
The gross domestic expenditure on research (GERD) has been stagnant at 0.7% of the GDP for years, although, in absolute terms, research expenditure has increased.
While India has made ‘solid progress’ towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets concerning industry, infrastructure and innovation, the country’s investment in research remains unsatisfactory
India’s research intensity has been declining since 2014.
The Science and Technology Policy of 2003 fixed the threshold of devoting 2% of GDP to research and development (R&D) by 2007.
This target date was set back to 2018 in the new Science,
Technology and Innovation Policy (2013) then again to 2022 by the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister.
In 2020, the task force drafting the country’s new Science and Technology Policy recommended pushing back the target date to a more realistic 2030.
R&D in the government sector has been in steady decline since 2015, whereas the share of private business enterprises in it has shot up to 42%.
While in theory this is a positive trend, the R&D is focused primarily on sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, and information technology.
Even in these industries, it is concentrated in a small number of firms, the report said.
It further noted that investment in R&D by foreign multinationals is on the rise, accounting for as much as 16% of private-sector investment in R&D in 2019.
The report noted that the majority of the software-related patents were being bagged by MNCs operating from Indian soil, while pharma patents were obtained mostly by domestic firms.
#UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hq. Paris
UNESCO was founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of Nations' International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation
It has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members (As of April 2020) and is governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board.
Three UNESCO member states are not UN members: Cook Islands, Niue, and Palestine.
While three UN member states (Israel, Liechtenstein, United States) are not UNESCO members.
#Protection_of_Heritage_Trees
Recently, the Maharashtra government has decided to make amendments to the Preservation of Trees Act of 1975, to introduce provisions for the protection of ‘heritage trees’.
Under the proposed amendment, a tree with an estimated age of 50 years or more shall be defined as a heritage tree.
The state climate change department should also consider a tree’s rarity, its botanical, historical, religious, mythological and cultural importance in defining a heritage tree.
The local Tree Authority will have to ensure tree census to be carried out every five years along with counting of heritage trees.
#Pre_Revision
Published by UNESCO for every 5 years.
This report maps the latest trends and developments in national and regional policy landscapes, against the backdrop of shifting socio-economic, geopolitical and environmental realities.
India has one of the lowest GERD/GDP ratios among the BRICS nations, according to the report.
The gross domestic expenditure on research (GERD) has been stagnant at 0.7% of the GDP for years, although, in absolute terms, research expenditure has increased.
While India has made ‘solid progress’ towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets concerning industry, infrastructure and innovation, the country’s investment in research remains unsatisfactory
India’s research intensity has been declining since 2014.
The Science and Technology Policy of 2003 fixed the threshold of devoting 2% of GDP to research and development (R&D) by 2007.
This target date was set back to 2018 in the new Science,
Technology and Innovation Policy (2013) then again to 2022 by the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister.
In 2020, the task force drafting the country’s new Science and Technology Policy recommended pushing back the target date to a more realistic 2030.
R&D in the government sector has been in steady decline since 2015, whereas the share of private business enterprises in it has shot up to 42%.
While in theory this is a positive trend, the R&D is focused primarily on sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, and information technology.
Even in these industries, it is concentrated in a small number of firms, the report said.
It further noted that investment in R&D by foreign multinationals is on the rise, accounting for as much as 16% of private-sector investment in R&D in 2019.
The report noted that the majority of the software-related patents were being bagged by MNCs operating from Indian soil, while pharma patents were obtained mostly by domestic firms.
#UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hq. Paris
UNESCO was founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of Nations' International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation
It has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members (As of April 2020) and is governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board.
Three UNESCO member states are not UN members: Cook Islands, Niue, and Palestine.
While three UN member states (Israel, Liechtenstein, United States) are not UNESCO members.
#Protection_of_Heritage_Trees
Recently, the Maharashtra government has decided to make amendments to the Preservation of Trees Act of 1975, to introduce provisions for the protection of ‘heritage trees’.
Under the proposed amendment, a tree with an estimated age of 50 years or more shall be defined as a heritage tree.
The state climate change department should also consider a tree’s rarity, its botanical, historical, religious, mythological and cultural importance in defining a heritage tree.
The local Tree Authority will have to ensure tree census to be carried out every five years along with counting of heritage trees.
#Pre_Revision
#Platform_for_Effective_Enforcement_for_No_Child_Labour (PENCIL) Portal
It is an electronic platform for no child labour developed by the Labour Ministry.
The portal creates a robust implementing and monitoring mechanism for enforcement of the legislative provisions of National Child Labour Policy (NCLP).
Since the subject of labour is in the concurrent list, the enforcement of the policy depends on respective state governments.
This online portal aims to connect the Centre to the state government, district and to all project societies for effective implementation of NCLP.
The portal has a component of child tracking system.
#Child_Labour_Prohibition_and_Regulation_Amendment_Act_2016:
According to the Act, employment of children below the age of 14 years in any commercial enterprise is illegal.
The Act also bars the employment of adolescents in occupations that deal with hazardous working conditions such as chemical plants and mines.
The Act says that children can only work after school hours or during holidays and that children are allowed to work in family owned secure sectors
or allows the child to be “an artist in an audio-visual entertainment industry”.
It excludes a section of toiling children in the unorganized sectors including agriculture as well as the household work.
The Act does not define the hours of work and it simply states that children may work after school hours or during vacations
Other Child Labour Laws/Programmes in India
#Article_24 of the Constitution: No child below the age fourteen years shall be employed in work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.
#Article_39: The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing
(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.
#National_Policy_on_Child_Labour (1987): It focuses more on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.
#Juvenile_Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015: It includes the working child in the category of children in need of care and protection, without any limitation of age or type of occupation.
#National_Child_Labour_Project (NCLP) Scheme 2007: Under it, children in the age group of 9-14 years, rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centres, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system.
#The_Right_to_Education_Act, 2009 has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children aged 6 to 14 years are in school and receive free education.
According to the #Mines_Act_1952, employment of children below the age of 18 years is illegal in mines.
Recently, India has ratified International Labour Organizations Convention (ILO) no 138 (minimum age for employment) and Convention no 182 (worst forms of child labour).
#Epidemic_Dropsy
Epidemic dropsy is a form of edema of extremities due to poisoning by Argemone mexicana (Mexican prickly poppy).Sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine are two major toxic alkaloids of argemone oil.
When mustard oil is adulterated deliberately (as in most cases) or accidentally with argemone oil, proteinuria (specifically loss of albumin) occurs, with a resultant edema as would occur in nephrotic syndrome.
The then government in 1998 declared the disease an epidemic due to the alleged deaths and hospitalisation in the North Indian states.
#Pre_Revision
It is an electronic platform for no child labour developed by the Labour Ministry.
The portal creates a robust implementing and monitoring mechanism for enforcement of the legislative provisions of National Child Labour Policy (NCLP).
Since the subject of labour is in the concurrent list, the enforcement of the policy depends on respective state governments.
This online portal aims to connect the Centre to the state government, district and to all project societies for effective implementation of NCLP.
The portal has a component of child tracking system.
#Child_Labour_Prohibition_and_Regulation_Amendment_Act_2016:
According to the Act, employment of children below the age of 14 years in any commercial enterprise is illegal.
The Act also bars the employment of adolescents in occupations that deal with hazardous working conditions such as chemical plants and mines.
The Act says that children can only work after school hours or during holidays and that children are allowed to work in family owned secure sectors
or allows the child to be “an artist in an audio-visual entertainment industry”.
It excludes a section of toiling children in the unorganized sectors including agriculture as well as the household work.
The Act does not define the hours of work and it simply states that children may work after school hours or during vacations
Other Child Labour Laws/Programmes in India
#Article_24 of the Constitution: No child below the age fourteen years shall be employed in work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment.
#Article_39: The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing
(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.
#National_Policy_on_Child_Labour (1987): It focuses more on rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes, rather than on prevention.
#Juvenile_Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015: It includes the working child in the category of children in need of care and protection, without any limitation of age or type of occupation.
#National_Child_Labour_Project (NCLP) Scheme 2007: Under it, children in the age group of 9-14 years, rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centres, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system.
#The_Right_to_Education_Act, 2009 has made it mandatory for the state to ensure that all children aged 6 to 14 years are in school and receive free education.
According to the #Mines_Act_1952, employment of children below the age of 18 years is illegal in mines.
Recently, India has ratified International Labour Organizations Convention (ILO) no 138 (minimum age for employment) and Convention no 182 (worst forms of child labour).
#Epidemic_Dropsy
Epidemic dropsy is a form of edema of extremities due to poisoning by Argemone mexicana (Mexican prickly poppy).Sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine are two major toxic alkaloids of argemone oil.
When mustard oil is adulterated deliberately (as in most cases) or accidentally with argemone oil, proteinuria (specifically loss of albumin) occurs, with a resultant edema as would occur in nephrotic syndrome.
The then government in 1998 declared the disease an epidemic due to the alleged deaths and hospitalisation in the North Indian states.
#Pre_Revision
#United_Nations_Convention_to_Combat_Desertification
The Convention, the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Conference's Agenda 21, was adopted in Paris on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996.
It is the first and only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of desertification.
Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
It reviews the implementation of the Convention; promotes and facilitates the exchange of information; approves the budget and activity programmes of its subsidiary bodies; cooperates with international organizations, NGOs & other related conventions; and meets on a biannual basis.
India currently holds the presidency of UNCCD.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry for this Convention.
June 17 is observed as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought globally
To help publicise the Convention, 2006 was declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”.
#Delhi_Declaration,2019: Commitment for a range of issues, including gender and health, ecosystem restoration, taking action on climate change, private sector engagement, Peace Forest Initiative and recovery of five million hectares of degraded land in India.
#Desertification
Desertification is the process by which the biological productivity of drylands (arid and semiarid lands) is reduced due to natural or manmade factors. It does not mean the expansion of existing deserts.
#Land_Degradation_Neutrality
A state whereby the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security, remains stable or increases within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems.
About 29.32% of the Total Geographical Area of the country is undergoing the process of desertification/land degradation
Top three districts with highest area under desertification or land degradation are Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (92.96 per cent during 2011-13 and 98.13 per cent during 2003-05), Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh (80.54 per cent during 2011-13 and 80.57 per cent during 2003-05) and Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir (78.23 per cent during 2011-13 and 78.22 per cent during 2003-05)
At the COP-13, India had committed to restoring 13 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by the year 2020 and an additional 8 million hectares by 2030. Now target increased to 26 million hectares.
Main reasons that cause desertification in India are:
Water erosion (10.98 per cent).
Wind erosion (5.55 per cent).
Human-made/settlements (0.69 per cent).
Vegetation degradation (8.91 per cent).
Salinity (1.12 per cent).
Others (2.07 per cent).
#Pre_Revision
The Convention, the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Conference's Agenda 21, was adopted in Paris on 17 June 1994 and entered into force in December 1996.
It is the first and only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of desertification.
Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
It reviews the implementation of the Convention; promotes and facilitates the exchange of information; approves the budget and activity programmes of its subsidiary bodies; cooperates with international organizations, NGOs & other related conventions; and meets on a biannual basis.
India currently holds the presidency of UNCCD.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry for this Convention.
June 17 is observed as the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought globally
To help publicise the Convention, 2006 was declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”.
#Delhi_Declaration,2019: Commitment for a range of issues, including gender and health, ecosystem restoration, taking action on climate change, private sector engagement, Peace Forest Initiative and recovery of five million hectares of degraded land in India.
#Desertification
Desertification is the process by which the biological productivity of drylands (arid and semiarid lands) is reduced due to natural or manmade factors. It does not mean the expansion of existing deserts.
#Land_Degradation_Neutrality
A state whereby the amount and quality of land resources, necessary to support ecosystem functions and services and enhance food security, remains stable or increases within specified temporal and spatial scales and ecosystems.
About 29.32% of the Total Geographical Area of the country is undergoing the process of desertification/land degradation
Top three districts with highest area under desertification or land degradation are Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (92.96 per cent during 2011-13 and 98.13 per cent during 2003-05), Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh (80.54 per cent during 2011-13 and 80.57 per cent during 2003-05) and Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir (78.23 per cent during 2011-13 and 78.22 per cent during 2003-05)
At the COP-13, India had committed to restoring 13 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by the year 2020 and an additional 8 million hectares by 2030. Now target increased to 26 million hectares.
Main reasons that cause desertification in India are:
Water erosion (10.98 per cent).
Wind erosion (5.55 per cent).
Human-made/settlements (0.69 per cent).
Vegetation degradation (8.91 per cent).
Salinity (1.12 per cent).
Others (2.07 per cent).
#Pre_Revision
#Generalized_System_of_Preferences
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is an umbrella that comprises the bulk of preferential schemes granted by industrialized nations to developing countries.
It involves reduced Most Favored Nations (MFN) Tariffs or duty-free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.
The idea of granting developing countries preferential tariff rates in the markets of industrialized countries was originally presented at the first UNCTAD conference in 1964.
The GSP was adopted at UNCTAD in New Delhi in 1968 and was instituted in 1971.
There are currently 13 national GSP schemes notified to the UNCTAD secretariat. Australia; Belarus; Canada; European Union ; Iceland ; Japan; Kazakhstan; New Zealand;
Norway ; Russian Federation; Switzerland; Turkey; United States of America.
#UNCTAD
United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
It supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
It has 194 member nations.
#Most_Favored_Nations (MFN)
As per the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade’s MFN principle, each of the WTO member countries should “treat all the other members equally as ‘most-favoured’ trading partners.”
According to the WTO, though the term ‘MFN’ “suggests special treatment, it actually means nondiscrimination.”
#Jivan_Vayu
It is nation’s first power-free CPAP device ‘Jivan Vayu’.
Developed by IIT Ropar.
What is CPAP?
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep.
A CPAP machine increases air pressure in your throat so that your airway doesn’t collapse when you breathe in
#WISA_Woodsat
It is the world’s first wooden satellite, to be launched by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The mission of the satellite is to test the applicability of wooden materials in spacecraft structures and expose it to extreme space conditions.
#Pre_Revision
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is an umbrella that comprises the bulk of preferential schemes granted by industrialized nations to developing countries.
It involves reduced Most Favored Nations (MFN) Tariffs or duty-free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.
The idea of granting developing countries preferential tariff rates in the markets of industrialized countries was originally presented at the first UNCTAD conference in 1964.
The GSP was adopted at UNCTAD in New Delhi in 1968 and was instituted in 1971.
There are currently 13 national GSP schemes notified to the UNCTAD secretariat. Australia; Belarus; Canada; European Union ; Iceland ; Japan; Kazakhstan; New Zealand;
Norway ; Russian Federation; Switzerland; Turkey; United States of America.
#UNCTAD
United Nation Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
It supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
It has 194 member nations.
#Most_Favored_Nations (MFN)
As per the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade’s MFN principle, each of the WTO member countries should “treat all the other members equally as ‘most-favoured’ trading partners.”
According to the WTO, though the term ‘MFN’ “suggests special treatment, it actually means nondiscrimination.”
#Jivan_Vayu
It is nation’s first power-free CPAP device ‘Jivan Vayu’.
Developed by IIT Ropar.
What is CPAP?
Continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP) uses a machine to help a person who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) breathe more easily during sleep.
A CPAP machine increases air pressure in your throat so that your airway doesn’t collapse when you breathe in
#WISA_Woodsat
It is the world’s first wooden satellite, to be launched by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The mission of the satellite is to test the applicability of wooden materials in spacecraft structures and expose it to extreme space conditions.
#Pre_Revision
#National_Securities_Depository_Limited
The enactment of Depositories Act in August 1996 paved the way for establishment of NSDL in August 1996.
It handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialized form in the Indian capital market.
NSDL works to support the investors and brokers in the capital market of the country.
It aims at ensuring the safety and soundness of Indian marketplaces by developing settlement solutions that increase efficiency, minimize risk and reduce costs.
#New_Shephard-the rocket system
It is a rocket system meant to take tourists to space successfully.
The system is built by Blue Origin.
New Shephard has been named after astronaut Alan Shephard, the first American to go to space.
It offers flights to space over 100 km above the Earth and accommodation for payloads.
The system is a fully reusable, vertical takeoff and vertical landing space vehicle.
#Coalition_of_Epidemic_Preparedness_for_Innovation (CEPI)
The CEPI is a foundation that takes donations to finance independent research projects to develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases (EID).
It is focused on the WHO’s “blueprint priority diseases.
These diseases include the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the SARS coronavirus 2 the Nipah virus, the Lassa fever virus, and the Rift Valley fever virus, as well as the Chikungunya virus and the hypothetical, unknown pathogen “Disease X”.
CEPI investment also requires “equitable access” to the vaccines during outbreaks.
CEPI was conceived in 2015 and formally launched in 2017 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
#Pre_Revision
The enactment of Depositories Act in August 1996 paved the way for establishment of NSDL in August 1996.
It handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialized form in the Indian capital market.
NSDL works to support the investors and brokers in the capital market of the country.
It aims at ensuring the safety and soundness of Indian marketplaces by developing settlement solutions that increase efficiency, minimize risk and reduce costs.
#New_Shephard-the rocket system
It is a rocket system meant to take tourists to space successfully.
The system is built by Blue Origin.
New Shephard has been named after astronaut Alan Shephard, the first American to go to space.
It offers flights to space over 100 km above the Earth and accommodation for payloads.
The system is a fully reusable, vertical takeoff and vertical landing space vehicle.
#Coalition_of_Epidemic_Preparedness_for_Innovation (CEPI)
The CEPI is a foundation that takes donations to finance independent research projects to develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases (EID).
It is focused on the WHO’s “blueprint priority diseases.
These diseases include the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV), the SARS coronavirus 2 the Nipah virus, the Lassa fever virus, and the Rift Valley fever virus, as well as the Chikungunya virus and the hypothetical, unknown pathogen “Disease X”.
CEPI investment also requires “equitable access” to the vaccines during outbreaks.
CEPI was conceived in 2015 and formally launched in 2017 at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
#Pre_Revision
#NCBS
National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore, Karnataka, is a research centre specialising in biological research.
It is a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) under the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India.
The mandate of NCBS is basic and interdisciplinary research in the frontier areas of biology.
The research interests of the faculty are in four broad areas ranging from the study of single molecules to systems biology.
NCBS focuses on fundamental research from diverse fields of biology including Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Neurobiology, Cellular Organization and Signalling, Genetics and Development, Theory and Modelling of Biological Systems, Ecology and Evolution etc.
#Filovirus
Filoviruses belong to a virus family called Filoviridae.
Filovirus is a filamentous RNA virus of a genus which causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates.
3 genera of this virus family have been identified: Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus.
#TATA_INSTITUTE_OF_FUNDAMENTAL_RESEARCH (TIFR)
It is a Deemed University and a research institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.
It is country’s premier research institute dedicated to basic research in mathematics and the sciences.
With support from J.R.D. Tata, then chairman of the Tata Group, TIFR was founded on 1 June 1945, and Homi Bhabha was appointed its first director.
#Giant_Metrewave_Radio_Telescope (GMRT): GMRT, located near Pune (Narayangaon) is an array of thirty fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes of 45 metre diameter, observing at metre wavelengths. It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, a part of the TIFR
#Terms used during southwest Monsoon Season (June to September)
#Northern_limit_of_Monsoon (NLM)
A line delineating the regions where the monsoon has advanced from the regions where the monsoon is yet to set in.
#Axis_of_Monsoon_trough
A northwest-southeast oriented trough across the northern plains, often extending over the Bay of Bengal.
The normal position of the monsoon trough on sea level chart passes through Ganganagar-Allahabad-Kolkata to Head Bay.
#Break_Monsoon
Monsoon trough shifts northwards and runs close to foot hills of Himalayas, resulting in drastic reduction in rainfall over the country outside the foot hills and southernmost Peninsula.
#Off_shore_trough
The trough along the west coast which generally runs from Gujarat to Kerala coasts and is generally seen from surface to 0.9 km. above mean sea level.
#ISOLINE: imaginary lines joining regions with equal rainfall or any other parameter.
#ISOBAR: imaginary lines joining regions with equal pressure.
#ISOTHERM: imaginary lines joining regions with equal temperature.
#ISOHYET: imaginary lines joining regions with equal rainfall.
#Pre_Revision
National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore, Karnataka, is a research centre specialising in biological research.
It is a part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) under the Department of Atomic Energy of the Government of India.
The mandate of NCBS is basic and interdisciplinary research in the frontier areas of biology.
The research interests of the faculty are in four broad areas ranging from the study of single molecules to systems biology.
NCBS focuses on fundamental research from diverse fields of biology including Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bioinformatics, Neurobiology, Cellular Organization and Signalling, Genetics and Development, Theory and Modelling of Biological Systems, Ecology and Evolution etc.
#Filovirus
Filoviruses belong to a virus family called Filoviridae.
Filovirus is a filamentous RNA virus of a genus which causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and nonhuman primates.
3 genera of this virus family have been identified: Cuevavirus, Marburgvirus and Ebolavirus.
#TATA_INSTITUTE_OF_FUNDAMENTAL_RESEARCH (TIFR)
It is a Deemed University and a research institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India.
It is country’s premier research institute dedicated to basic research in mathematics and the sciences.
With support from J.R.D. Tata, then chairman of the Tata Group, TIFR was founded on 1 June 1945, and Homi Bhabha was appointed its first director.
#Giant_Metrewave_Radio_Telescope (GMRT): GMRT, located near Pune (Narayangaon) is an array of thirty fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes of 45 metre diameter, observing at metre wavelengths. It is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, a part of the TIFR
#Terms used during southwest Monsoon Season (June to September)
#Northern_limit_of_Monsoon (NLM)
A line delineating the regions where the monsoon has advanced from the regions where the monsoon is yet to set in.
#Axis_of_Monsoon_trough
A northwest-southeast oriented trough across the northern plains, often extending over the Bay of Bengal.
The normal position of the monsoon trough on sea level chart passes through Ganganagar-Allahabad-Kolkata to Head Bay.
#Break_Monsoon
Monsoon trough shifts northwards and runs close to foot hills of Himalayas, resulting in drastic reduction in rainfall over the country outside the foot hills and southernmost Peninsula.
#Off_shore_trough
The trough along the west coast which generally runs from Gujarat to Kerala coasts and is generally seen from surface to 0.9 km. above mean sea level.
#ISOLINE: imaginary lines joining regions with equal rainfall or any other parameter.
#ISOBAR: imaginary lines joining regions with equal pressure.
#ISOTHERM: imaginary lines joining regions with equal temperature.
#ISOHYET: imaginary lines joining regions with equal rainfall.
#Pre_Revision
#FAO
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
It was founded in October 1945 and is headquartered in Rome.
It maintains regional and field offices around the world, operating in over 130 countries.
It also conducts research, provides technical assistance to projects, operates educational and training programs, and collects data on agricultural output, production, and development.
Composed of 197 member states, the FAO is governed by a biennial conference representing each member country and the European Union, which elects a 49-member executive council.
The Director-General serves as the chief administrative officer.
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031--Agenda for Sustainable Development through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.
The “Four Betters” represent an organizing principle for how FAO intends to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities)
Indian Civil Service Officer Dr Binay Ranjan Sen was the Director-General of FAO during 1956-1967.
The World Food Programme, which has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, was established during his time.
India’s proposals for the International Year of Pulses in 2016 and the International Year of Millets 2023 have also been endorsed by FAO
Important reports and Programmes
Global Report on Food Crises.
Every two years, FAO publishes the State of the World’s Forests.
FAO and the World Health Organization created the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1961 to develop food standards, guidelines and texts.
In 1996, FAO organized the World Food Summit. The Summit Concluded with the signing of the Rome Declaration, which established the goal of halving the number of people who suffer from hunger by the year 2015.
In 1997, FAO launched TeleFood, a campaign of concerts, sporting events and other activities to harness the power of media, celebrities and concerned citizens to help fight hunger.
The FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Programme was initiated in 1999.
The main purpose of the programme is to attract public and media attention to the unacceptable situation that some 1 billion people continue to suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition in a time of unprecedented plenty.
In 2004 the Right to Food Guidelines were adopted, offering guidance to states on how to implement their obligations on the right to food.
FAO created the International Plant Protection Convention or IPPC in 1952.
FAO is depositary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, also called Plant Treaty, Seed Treaty or ITPGRFA, entered into force on 29 June 2004.
The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Partnership Initiative was conceptualized in 2002 during World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.
#Pre_Revision
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
It was founded in October 1945 and is headquartered in Rome.
It maintains regional and field offices around the world, operating in over 130 countries.
It also conducts research, provides technical assistance to projects, operates educational and training programs, and collects data on agricultural output, production, and development.
Composed of 197 member states, the FAO is governed by a biennial conference representing each member country and the European Union, which elects a 49-member executive council.
The Director-General serves as the chief administrative officer.
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031--Agenda for Sustainable Development through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-food systems for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.
The “Four Betters” represent an organizing principle for how FAO intends to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities)
Indian Civil Service Officer Dr Binay Ranjan Sen was the Director-General of FAO during 1956-1967.
The World Food Programme, which has won the Nobel Peace Prize 2020, was established during his time.
India’s proposals for the International Year of Pulses in 2016 and the International Year of Millets 2023 have also been endorsed by FAO
Important reports and Programmes
Global Report on Food Crises.
Every two years, FAO publishes the State of the World’s Forests.
FAO and the World Health Organization created the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1961 to develop food standards, guidelines and texts.
In 1996, FAO organized the World Food Summit. The Summit Concluded with the signing of the Rome Declaration, which established the goal of halving the number of people who suffer from hunger by the year 2015.
In 1997, FAO launched TeleFood, a campaign of concerts, sporting events and other activities to harness the power of media, celebrities and concerned citizens to help fight hunger.
The FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Programme was initiated in 1999.
The main purpose of the programme is to attract public and media attention to the unacceptable situation that some 1 billion people continue to suffer from chronic hunger and malnutrition in a time of unprecedented plenty.
In 2004 the Right to Food Guidelines were adopted, offering guidance to states on how to implement their obligations on the right to food.
FAO created the International Plant Protection Convention or IPPC in 1952.
FAO is depositary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, also called Plant Treaty, Seed Treaty or ITPGRFA, entered into force on 29 June 2004.
The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Partnership Initiative was conceptualized in 2002 during World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa.
#Pre_Revision
#Gas_hydrates
Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline minerals that form when low molecular weight gas (such as methane, ethane, or carbon dioxide) combines with water and freezes into a solid under low temperature and moderate pressure conditions.
They belong to a class of chemical compounds called clathrates which are ‘encaged’ compounds.
Most gas hydrates are formed from methane (CH4), which has led to the terms “gas hydrate” and “methane hydrate” often being used interchangeably
Scientific interest in gas hydrates is driven mainly by its potential future role as an energy resource, and by the role of methane as a strong greenhouse gas and contributor to global climate change.
#Methane_Hydrate
Methane hydrate is a crystalline solid that consists of a methane molecule surrounded by a cage of interlocking water molecules.
Several other names are commonly used for methane hydrate. These include: methane clathrate, hydromethane, methane ice, fire ice, natural gas hydrate, and gas hydrate.
Most methane hydrate deposits also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbon hydrates. These include propane hydrate and ethane hydrate.
#Biogenic_Methane: It is the methane produced from the metabolic activities of living organisms. The research team has identified the methanogens that produced the biogenic methane trapped as methane hydrate, which can be a significant source of energy.
#Methanogens: These are microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic by-product in hypoxic (low levels of oxygen) conditions.
Known as flammable ice, methane hydrates are molecules of gas contained in an ice matrix found in permafrost regions of the arctic and on the seafloor at continental margins below 500 meters of depth.
Gas hydrates are also important for seafloor stability studies, because “melting” gas hydrate may cause seafloor “land” slides.
Relatively climate friendly as combustion of methane is twice as efficient as burning coal.
It is estimated that one cubic meter of methane hydrate contains 160-180 cubic meters of methane.
The study revealed maximum methanogenic diversity in the Krishna-Godavari basin, which is one of the prominent reasons to confirm it to be the extreme source of biogenic methane in comparison to the Andaman and Mahanadi basins.
Even the lowest estimate of methane present in the methane hydrates in the KG Basin is twice that of all fossil fuel reserves available worldwide.
#Fifth_Ocean
The National Geographic magazine has recognised the ‘Southern Ocean’ as the world’s fifth ocean.
The Southern Ocean is the only ocean ‘to touch three other oceans and to completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them’.
Its northern limit is a latitude of 60 degrees south.
It is also defined by its Antarctic Circumpolar Current that was formed 34 million years ago. The current flows from west to east around Antarctica.
The International Hydrographic Organization too had recognised the term in 1937 before repealing it in 1953.
#Pre_Revision
Gas hydrates are ice-like crystalline minerals that form when low molecular weight gas (such as methane, ethane, or carbon dioxide) combines with water and freezes into a solid under low temperature and moderate pressure conditions.
They belong to a class of chemical compounds called clathrates which are ‘encaged’ compounds.
Most gas hydrates are formed from methane (CH4), which has led to the terms “gas hydrate” and “methane hydrate” often being used interchangeably
Scientific interest in gas hydrates is driven mainly by its potential future role as an energy resource, and by the role of methane as a strong greenhouse gas and contributor to global climate change.
#Methane_Hydrate
Methane hydrate is a crystalline solid that consists of a methane molecule surrounded by a cage of interlocking water molecules.
Several other names are commonly used for methane hydrate. These include: methane clathrate, hydromethane, methane ice, fire ice, natural gas hydrate, and gas hydrate.
Most methane hydrate deposits also contain small amounts of other hydrocarbon hydrates. These include propane hydrate and ethane hydrate.
#Biogenic_Methane: It is the methane produced from the metabolic activities of living organisms. The research team has identified the methanogens that produced the biogenic methane trapped as methane hydrate, which can be a significant source of energy.
#Methanogens: These are microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic by-product in hypoxic (low levels of oxygen) conditions.
Known as flammable ice, methane hydrates are molecules of gas contained in an ice matrix found in permafrost regions of the arctic and on the seafloor at continental margins below 500 meters of depth.
Gas hydrates are also important for seafloor stability studies, because “melting” gas hydrate may cause seafloor “land” slides.
Relatively climate friendly as combustion of methane is twice as efficient as burning coal.
It is estimated that one cubic meter of methane hydrate contains 160-180 cubic meters of methane.
The study revealed maximum methanogenic diversity in the Krishna-Godavari basin, which is one of the prominent reasons to confirm it to be the extreme source of biogenic methane in comparison to the Andaman and Mahanadi basins.
Even the lowest estimate of methane present in the methane hydrates in the KG Basin is twice that of all fossil fuel reserves available worldwide.
#Fifth_Ocean
The National Geographic magazine has recognised the ‘Southern Ocean’ as the world’s fifth ocean.
The Southern Ocean is the only ocean ‘to touch three other oceans and to completely embrace a continent rather than being embraced by them’.
Its northern limit is a latitude of 60 degrees south.
It is also defined by its Antarctic Circumpolar Current that was formed 34 million years ago. The current flows from west to east around Antarctica.
The International Hydrographic Organization too had recognised the term in 1937 before repealing it in 1953.
#Pre_Revision
#Bharitalasuchus_Tapani
It is a carnivorous reptile that lived 240 million years ago.
In the Telugu language, Bhari means huge, Tala means head, and Suchus is the name of the Egyptian crocodile-headed deity.
Named after: The reptile has been named after palaeontologist Tapan Roy Chowdhury. For his contribution to Indian vertebrate palaeontology, and especially his extensive work at Yerrapalli Formation.
Genus: The reptile belonged to a family of extinct reptiles named Erythrosuchidae.
Bharitalasuchus Tapani were robust animals with big heads and large teeth, and these probably predated other smaller reptiles.
They were approximately the size of an adult male lion and might have been the largest predators in their ecosystems.
#UN_Democracy_Fund (UNDEF)
UNDEF was created by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world.
UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments
#Hallmarking_Scheme
It is a Scheme under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Under the scheme, jewellers are registered for selling hallmarked jewellery and recognise testing and Hallmarking centres.
Hallmarking will enable Consumers/Jewellery buyers to make a right choice and save them from any unnecessary confusion while buying gold.
At present, only 30% of Indian Gold Jewellery is hallmarked.
#Pre_Revision
It is a carnivorous reptile that lived 240 million years ago.
In the Telugu language, Bhari means huge, Tala means head, and Suchus is the name of the Egyptian crocodile-headed deity.
Named after: The reptile has been named after palaeontologist Tapan Roy Chowdhury. For his contribution to Indian vertebrate palaeontology, and especially his extensive work at Yerrapalli Formation.
Genus: The reptile belonged to a family of extinct reptiles named Erythrosuchidae.
Bharitalasuchus Tapani were robust animals with big heads and large teeth, and these probably predated other smaller reptiles.
They were approximately the size of an adult male lion and might have been the largest predators in their ecosystems.
#UN_Democracy_Fund (UNDEF)
UNDEF was created by UN Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world.
UNDEF subsists entirely on voluntary contributions from Governments
#Hallmarking_Scheme
It is a Scheme under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Under the scheme, jewellers are registered for selling hallmarked jewellery and recognise testing and Hallmarking centres.
Hallmarking will enable Consumers/Jewellery buyers to make a right choice and save them from any unnecessary confusion while buying gold.
At present, only 30% of Indian Gold Jewellery is hallmarked.
#Pre_Revision
#AUM (Air Unique-quality Monitoring)
With the support from Department of Science and Technology’s Clean Air Research Initiative, Gayatri Vidya Parishad-Scientific and Industrial Research Centre (GVP-SIRC) & GVP College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, has developed an indigenous photonic system for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters.
The system titled AUM (Air Unique-quality Monitoring) had CATS Eco-Systems, Nashik as the technology transfer partner for commercialization.
It is an innovative application of the principles of laser backscattering, statistical mechanics, optoelectronics, artificial intelligence, machine/deep learning, and Internet of Things.
It can identify, classify, and quantify various pollutants simultaneously (of orders of less than one part per billion) and meteorological parameters, with very high precision, sensitivity and accuracy.
It is portable, compact, low powered and economical, works on plug and play system, requires no setting uptime, and no additional civil infrastructure for housing.
It is a non-intrusive remote, real-time monitoring system and is capable of monitoring in both spatial and temporal domains, with very high sampling frequencies.
Also, the data from spatially separated sensors can be seamlessly streamed to a cloud server, from where digestible real-time encrypted information on dashboard is made available to user at any part of the world.
#Aravali_Range
They are aligned in north-east to south-west direction.
They run for about 800 km between Delhi and Palanpur in Gujarat.
They are one of the oldest (very old) fold mountains of the world and the oldest in India. {Fold Mountains – Block Mountains}
After its formation in Archaean Era (several 100 million years ago), its summits were nourishing glaciers and several summits were probably higher than the present day Himalayas.
Now they are relict (remnants after severe weathering and erosion since millions of years) of the world’s oldest mountain formed as a result of folding (Archaean Era).
They continue up to Hariddwar buried under the alluvium of Ganga Plains.
The range is conspicuous in Rajasthan (continuous range south of Ajmer where it rises to 900 m.) but becomes less distinct in Haryana and Delhi (characterized by a chain of detached and discontinuous ridges beyond Ajmer).
According to some geographers, one Branch of the Aravalis extends to the Lakshadweep Archipelago through the Gulf of Khambhat and the other into Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
It’s general elevation is only 400-600 m, with few hills well above 1,000 m.
At the south-west extremity the range rises to over 1,000 m. Here Mt. Abu (1,158 m), a small hilly block, is separated from the main range by the valley of the Banas. Guru Sikhar (1,722 m), the highest peak, is situated in Mt. Abu.
Pipli Ghat, Dewair and Desuri passes allow movement by roads and railways.
The Aravalli Range joins two of the ancient earth’s crust segments that make up the greater Indian craton– Aravalli Craton and Bundelkand Craton
Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries of Yamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into the Rann of Kutch.
#The_Great_Green_Wall_of_Aravalli
It is a 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi.
It will be connected to Shivalik hill range.
To be implemented on a concept similar to the Great Green Wallof Sahara in Africa, it will act as a buffer against pollution.
#Pre_Revision
With the support from Department of Science and Technology’s Clean Air Research Initiative, Gayatri Vidya Parishad-Scientific and Industrial Research Centre (GVP-SIRC) & GVP College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, has developed an indigenous photonic system for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters.
The system titled AUM (Air Unique-quality Monitoring) had CATS Eco-Systems, Nashik as the technology transfer partner for commercialization.
It is an innovative application of the principles of laser backscattering, statistical mechanics, optoelectronics, artificial intelligence, machine/deep learning, and Internet of Things.
It can identify, classify, and quantify various pollutants simultaneously (of orders of less than one part per billion) and meteorological parameters, with very high precision, sensitivity and accuracy.
It is portable, compact, low powered and economical, works on plug and play system, requires no setting uptime, and no additional civil infrastructure for housing.
It is a non-intrusive remote, real-time monitoring system and is capable of monitoring in both spatial and temporal domains, with very high sampling frequencies.
Also, the data from spatially separated sensors can be seamlessly streamed to a cloud server, from where digestible real-time encrypted information on dashboard is made available to user at any part of the world.
#Aravali_Range
They are aligned in north-east to south-west direction.
They run for about 800 km between Delhi and Palanpur in Gujarat.
They are one of the oldest (very old) fold mountains of the world and the oldest in India. {Fold Mountains – Block Mountains}
After its formation in Archaean Era (several 100 million years ago), its summits were nourishing glaciers and several summits were probably higher than the present day Himalayas.
Now they are relict (remnants after severe weathering and erosion since millions of years) of the world’s oldest mountain formed as a result of folding (Archaean Era).
They continue up to Hariddwar buried under the alluvium of Ganga Plains.
The range is conspicuous in Rajasthan (continuous range south of Ajmer where it rises to 900 m.) but becomes less distinct in Haryana and Delhi (characterized by a chain of detached and discontinuous ridges beyond Ajmer).
According to some geographers, one Branch of the Aravalis extends to the Lakshadweep Archipelago through the Gulf of Khambhat and the other into Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
It’s general elevation is only 400-600 m, with few hills well above 1,000 m.
At the south-west extremity the range rises to over 1,000 m. Here Mt. Abu (1,158 m), a small hilly block, is separated from the main range by the valley of the Banas. Guru Sikhar (1,722 m), the highest peak, is situated in Mt. Abu.
Pipli Ghat, Dewair and Desuri passes allow movement by roads and railways.
The Aravalli Range joins two of the ancient earth’s crust segments that make up the greater Indian craton– Aravalli Craton and Bundelkand Craton
Three major rivers and their tributaries flow from the Aravalli, namely Banas and Sahibi rivers which are tributaries of Yamuna, as well as Luni River which flows into the Rann of Kutch.
#The_Great_Green_Wall_of_Aravalli
It is a 1,600 km long and 5 km wide green ecological corridor along Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi.
It will be connected to Shivalik hill range.
To be implemented on a concept similar to the Great Green Wallof Sahara in Africa, it will act as a buffer against pollution.
#Pre_Revision
Forwarded from UPSC Shots | Current Affairs Summary | Daily MCQs
Forwarded from UPSC Shots | Current Affairs Summary | Daily MCQs
#Tuberculosis (TB)
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.
Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air.
Symptoms: Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
TB is treatable and curable disease.It is treated with a standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs
#Multidrug_resistant_tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.
#Extensively_drug_resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease
India’s Initiative to Fight TB:
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
Eliminating TB by 2025: five years ahead of the global target by the World Health Organisation (WHO) i.e. 2030.
#The_Nikshay_Ecosystem
It is the National TB information system which is a one-stop solution to manage information of patients and monitor program activity and performance throughout the country.
#Nikshay_Poshan_Yojana (NPY):
This scheme is aimed at providing financial support to TB patients for their nutrition.
#TB_Harega_Desh_Jeetega_Campaign
Launched In September 2019 it is showcasing the highest level of commitment for the elimination of TB.
#The_Saksham_Project
It is a project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) that has been providing psycho-social counselling to DR-TB patients.
The Government of India has partnered with the Global Fund to launch JEET (Joint Effort for Elimination of TB), a private sector engagement program operating across the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a joint initiative “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB” with the Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership
WHO also releases the Global Tuberculosis Report.
#Pre_Revision
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.
Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air.
Symptoms: Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
TB is treatable and curable disease.It is treated with a standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs
#Multidrug_resistant_tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.
#Extensively_drug_resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a more serious form of MDR-TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to the most effective second-line anti-TB drugs, often leaving patients without any further treatment options.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease
India’s Initiative to Fight TB:
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme
Eliminating TB by 2025: five years ahead of the global target by the World Health Organisation (WHO) i.e. 2030.
#The_Nikshay_Ecosystem
It is the National TB information system which is a one-stop solution to manage information of patients and monitor program activity and performance throughout the country.
#Nikshay_Poshan_Yojana (NPY):
This scheme is aimed at providing financial support to TB patients for their nutrition.
#TB_Harega_Desh_Jeetega_Campaign
Launched In September 2019 it is showcasing the highest level of commitment for the elimination of TB.
#The_Saksham_Project
It is a project of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) that has been providing psycho-social counselling to DR-TB patients.
The Government of India has partnered with the Global Fund to launch JEET (Joint Effort for Elimination of TB), a private sector engagement program operating across the country.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a joint initiative “Find. Treat. All. #EndTB” with the Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership
WHO also releases the Global Tuberculosis Report.
#Pre_Revision