DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 11, 2022

IIT-Kanpur to establish network of air-quality sensors to measure pollution in rural India

Tags: National News

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has announced that it will undertake a USD 2.5 million (₹19 crore) project to install around 1,400 sensors in rural blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

• IIT Kanpur is undertaking this project to promote measurement of air pollution in rural India.

• Air pollution is a serious problem in India's cities, burning of biomass, and dependence on diesel gensets for electricity is deteriorating air quality even in villages.

• Benefit of the project

• The outcome of this project will help local communities, policy makers and researchers to understand the real situation.

• The three-year pilot project will pave the way for a national network of air quality sensors in rural India.

• The data from this network will also be made available in real time to enable actionable and evidence-based decision making.

• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

• It was launched in 2019 by the government of India.

• Under this, a national target has been set to reduce the PM 2.5 and PM10 particulate matter present in the air by 20 to 30 percent, taking 2017 as the base year.

• Under this scheme, initially 122 cities with the highest air pollution in India have been targeted primarily.

• Upon its launch, there was a commitment by the government to increase the network of rural air pollution monitoring sensors, but little progress has been made on that front.

• The country’s current annual safe limits for PM 2.5 and PM 10 are 40 micrograms/per cubic metre (ug/m3) and 60 micrograms/per cubic metre.

Army opens 20 bedded medical facility in Galwan

Tags: National News

The Indian Army for the first time has set up a Field Dressing Station (FDS), a 20-bed medical facility at Galwan, that will provide treatment to soldiers injured by gunshot wounds at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet.

• Important facts

• This medical facility was started two years after 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in a violent clash with the Chinese Army in Galwan, Ladakh.

• India and China have been keeping watch at several places along the undefined Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh for more than two years.

• It is capable of carrying out all types of treatments that a field hospital would have but the facilities are limited.

• The inauguration of the medical facility at such a height is significant as earlier there was no such arrangement and any patient in critical condition was either airlifted or brought down by road to the Leh field hospital more than 200 km away.

• It will have material to treat gunshot wounded soldiers or critical patients, and they can then be referred to a field hospital in Leh.

• Disputed area Galwan valley

• Galwan Valley refers to the land, which is situated between the hills present near the Galwan River.

• The source of the Galvan River is present in Aksai Chin towards China and later it meets the Shyok River of India.

• This valley is situated between Ladakh in the west and Aksai Chin in the east, due to which it is strategically important.

• Its eastern part is very close to China's Xinjiang Tibet Road, which is called the G219 Highway.

• Line of Actual Control 

• LAC is a type of demarcation line, which separates Indian-controlled territory and Chinese-controlled territory from each other.

• India believes that the length of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is about 3,440 km while China considers this line to be about 2,000 km long.

Defence Ministry launches 75 newly Artificial Intelligence products in New Delhi

Tags: Defence National News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first-ever ‘Artificial Intelligence in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organised by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 11 July.

• Important facts

• The event featured an exhibition showcasing the latest AI-enabled solutions developed by research organisations, industry and start-ups and innovators and the launch of AI products for the market.

• This is a major event where 75 newly developed AI products/technologies in Defence were launched as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

• These products will promote the ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative in Defence.

• These products are being tested and will soon be deployed in the security of the nation.

• Apart from the 75 products being launched, another 100 are in various stages of development.

• Panel discussions on 'Deploying AI in Defence', 'GenNext AI Solutions' and 'AI in Defence - Industry Perspective' were also held at the event.

• Products are in the following domains-

1. Automation/unmanned/robotics systems

2. Cyber security and human behaviour analysis

3. Intelligent monitoring system

4. Logistics and supply chain management

5. Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence

6. Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems

7. Operational data analytics

• Artificial Intelligence in defence

• The AI Task Force on Defence was set up in 2018 to provide a road map for promoting AI in defence.

• A Defence AI Council, headed by the Defence Minister, is working in this direction.

• The Defence Minister had announced that "25 defence-specific AI products" would be developed by 2024.

• A Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has also been created under the defence production secretary for AI-enabled projects.

• The Navy is also building an AI Centre of Excellence at INS Valsura in Jamnagar, which already has a modern laboratory on AI and Big Data analysis.

• What is Artificial Intelligence?

• It is a broad branch of computer science that deals with the creation of smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.

INS Vikrant successfully completes 4th phase of sea trials

Tags: Popular Defence

India's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant successfully completed the fourth phase of sea trials on 10 July before being inducted into the Indian Navy next month.

• INS Vikrant

• INS Vikrant (IAC-I) is the first aircraft carrier built in India by Cochin Shipyard (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala for the Indian Navy. 

• It is the first Vikrant-class aircraft carrier.

• It is also known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 or IAC-1.

• INS Vikrant can carry a total of 30 aircraft (fighters and helicopters).

• It is powered by four gas turbines and can reach speeds of 30 knots (about 55 kmph).

• Its endurance is 7,500 knots at a speed of 18 knots (32 kph).

• The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and RAN-40L 3D radars as sensors. 

• The ship is largely based on Russian technology.

• The aircraft carrier, built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore. 

• The warship is ready to operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters and MH-60R multi-role helicopters.

• It is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and it has a height of 59 metres. Its construction began in 2009.

Centre releases guidelines for Mission Vatsalya

Tags: Government Schemes National News

The Centre has issued certain guidelines for getting access to central funds and benefits under Mission Vatsalya. Mission Vatsalya is an umbrella scheme for child protection services in the country.

• What are the new guidelines?

• The states will have to retain the official name given by the Centre.

• Only correct translation in the local language will be allowed.

• Funds to the states will be sanctioned through Mission Vatsalya Project Approval Board (PAB), which will be headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development.

• States/UTs have also been directed to focus on special needs of children with physical or mental disabilities.

• Institutions will now have to provide specialized teachers, doctors and nurses to provide occupational therapy, speech therapy, verbal therapy and other remedial classes.

• The employees of these special units will have to know sign language, braille etc. as per the new guidelines.

• Mission Vatsalya, in partnership with states and districts, will implement a 24×7 helpline service for children.

• Mission Vatsalya

• It promotes family-based non-institutional care of children in difficult situations based on the 'principle of institutionalization of children' as a last resort.

• Before the year 2009, three schemes were implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development for children in need of protection -

1. Juvenile justice programs for children as well as children in need of care and protection

2. Integrated Program for Street Children

3. Child Home Assistance Scheme

• In the year 2010, these three schemes were merged into a single scheme which is known as Integrated Child Protection Scheme.

• In the year 2017 its name was changed to "Child Protection Services Scheme" and in the year 2021-22 it was also changed to Mission Vatsalya.

• It aims to ensure a healthy and happy childhood for every child in the country.

India will surpass China as the most populous country on earth in 2023: UN

Tags: Popular International News

According to a report by the United Nations released on 11 July India will surpass China as the most populous country on earth in 2023.

• Important facts

• The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Population Division has said that the global population is projected to reach eight billion on November 15, 2022.

• As per a UN report, the world's population is growing at its slowest pace since 1950. It has fallen under 1% in 2020.

• According to the United Nations the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050.

• This year's World Population Day, July 11, marks a milestone, when the birth of the eight billionth person on Earth is expected.

• More than half of the projected growth in global population by 2050 will be concentrated in just eight countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania.

• India’s population in 2022

• According to the report, India's population is 1.412 billion in 2022 as compared to China's 1.426 billion.

• India, which will overtake China as the world's most populous country by 2023, is projected to have 1.668 billion people in 2050, far ahead of China's 1.317 billion people by the middle of the century.

• World’s most populous regions in 2022

• The world's two most populous regions in 2022 were East and South-East Asia, with 2.3 billion people, representing 29% of the global population.

• Central and Southern Asia, with 2.1 billion, account for 26% of the world's population in 2022.

• With a population of over 1.4 billion in 2022, China and India account for the largest populations in these regions.

• Outflow of more than 1 million migrants

• It is estimated that ten countries experienced a net outflow of more than 1 million migrants between 2010 and 2021.

• In many of these countries, these outflows were due to temporary workers leaving their country.

• Pakistan (net outflow of -16.5 million during 2010-2021), India (-3.5 million), Bangladesh (-2.9 million), Nepal (-1.6 million) and Sri Lanka (-1 million).

• Projections of Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME)

• Alternative long-term population estimates have also been made by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).

• In its recent projections, IHME projected that the global population will reach 8.8 billion in 2100.

India’s first Autonomous Navigation facility, TiHAN launched at the IIT Hyderabad

Tags: Science and Technology

The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh inaugurated India's first autonomous navigation facility, called TIHAN, on the campus of IIT Hyderabad.

• Important facts

• The navigation facility has been developed by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology with an outlay of Rs 130 crore.

• What is Tihan?

• It is a multi-disciplinary initiative that aims to make India a global player in 'smart mobility' technology for the future and the next generation.

• The platform will facilitate high quality research between industry, academia and R&D laboratories locally and globally.

• TiHAN stands for "Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation".

• Importance

• TiHAN Test Bed strives to make India a global leader in autonomous navigation technologies.

• TiHAN-IITH will help in precise testing of next generation autonomous navigation technologies.

World Population Day

Tags: Important Days

World Population Day is celebrated annually by the United Nations on 11 July.

• Important facts

• The day was established in 1989 by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

• It was inspired by the public interest in 'Five Billion Days' on July 11, 1987. The estimated world population on this date had reached five billion people.

• The purpose of observance of this day is to raise public awareness on the importance of various population issues such as family planning, maternal health, gender equality, poverty and human rights.

• The theme for the year 2022 is '8 Billion World: Towards a Resilient Future for All - Harnessing Opportunities and Ensuring Rights and Choices for All'.

• Additional Information

• According to the latest United Nations estimates, by July 2022, the world population will exceed 7.96 billion.

• In 2037 it can cross 9 billion and by 2057 it can cross 10 billion mark.

• According to the World Population Prospects, 2019, Asia accounts for more than 60% of the world's population. China and India are the most populated countries in the world.

• 18.78% of the world's people live in China. Whereas 17.45% people live in India. About 36% of the world's people are in China and India.

• According to estimates, around 2027, India will overtake China in terms of population and become the most populous country in the world.

• Vatican City, a country in the continent of Europe, is counted among the smallest countries in the world.

• Maldives is the smallest country in Asia in terms of area and population.

Wimbledon 2022 : Novak Djokovic Beats Nick Kyrgios For Fourth Consecutive Title

Tags: Sports Sports News

Novak Djokovic of Serbia won the men's singles title by defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia in the final of Wimbledon Tennis Competition 2022 played in London.

• Important facts

• This is Djokovic's seventh Wimbledon and 21st Grand Slam title overall.

• Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the record for winning the most Grand Slam titles in men's singles. Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles so far.

• Djokovic has become the fourth player after Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Björn Borg to win the title for four consecutive years.

• Kazakhstan's Elena Rybkina defeated Tunisian Ons Jabeur to win the first Grand Slam title of her career.

• Djokovic's Grand Slam title

• French Open- 02

• US Open - 3

• Australian Open - 9

• Wimbledon - 7

• Other winners of Wimbledon 2022

ICMR-VCRC develops special female mosquitoes to control Dengue, Chikungunya

Tags: Science and Technology

ICMR-Vector Control Research Centre has developed special female mosquitoes to control Dengue and Chikungunya.

• Important facts

• These female mosquitoes will mate with males and produce larvae that do not contain the virus.

• Two colonies of Aedes aegypti have been developed by ICMR-VCRC, Puducherry. who are infected with wMel and wAlbB Wolbachia strains to reduce the spread of viral disease.

• These are called Aedes aegypti (Pud).

• After getting permission from the government, these female mosquitoes will be released outside so that they will form larvae that are free from the viruses of these diseases.

• Mosquito-borne diseases

• Malaria - This disease is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito.

• Malaria fever is caused by a virus called Plasmodium vivax.

• Dengue - Dengue virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito.

• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), dengue is the most widely spread disease by mosquitoes worldwide.

• Chikungunya - Chikungunya, like dengue, is caused by the bite of the Aedes mosquito.

• Yellow Fever - This disease is caused by the bite of a human from the Aedes mosquito, especially Aedes aegypti.

• Yellow fever is caused by flavivirus.

Gujarat will host the 36th National Games in September, 2022

Tags: State News Sports News

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that the 36th National Games will be held in Gujarat for the first time from 27 September to 10 October.

• Important facts

• The prestigious event is being organised after a gap of seven years, last held in Kerala in 2015.

• Competitions will be held in six cities of the state namely Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar.

• Around 7000 players from across the country will participate in 36 sports.

• Indoor and outdoor events like Athletics, Hockey, Football, Volleyball, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Judo, Kushmi, Kabaddi and Kho-Kho etc. will be organised.

• The 36th National Games were to be held in Goa in May 2020 but were postponed indefinitely due to the spread of COVID-19.

• About Gujarat State 

• Formation - 1 May 1960

• Gujarat is also known as 'The Land of Legends'.

• The Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is home to the only wild population of Asiatic Lions in the world.

• Gujarat is the main producer of cotton, tobacco and groundnut in the country.

• Garba is the main traditional dance of Gujarat.

• Lothal was the ancient city of Gujarat where India's first port was established.

• Capital- Gandhinagar

• Governor- Acharya Devvrat

• Chief Minister- Bhupendrabhai Patel 

• Assembly seats-182

• Rajya Sabha seats- 11

Kharchi Puja Festival 2022

Tags: State News

Kharchi Puja or Kharchi Puja is a Hindu festival of Tripura. In this festival, 14 Hindu deities are worshipped, who are considered to be the deities of the Tripuri people.

• Important facts

• The festival includes 14 deities- Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Brahma, Abadhi (god of water), Chandra, Ganga, Agni, Kamadeva and Himadri (Himalaya).

• Kharchi Puja is mainly a tribal festival but its origin is from Hinduism.

• The annual 'Kharchi Puja' and festival is meant to cleanse the sins of mortal souls.

• Kharchi Puja is the biggest festival for the Hindu tribals in the Northeast region.

• Thousands gather from all over the country and neighbouring Bangladesh to attend the 'Kharchi Puja'.

• The temple of 14 deities was built during the reign of Maharaja Krishna Manikya.

• This is an age-old tradition that has been celebrated since around 1760 AD.

• Major Festivals of North Eastern States

• Sikkim - Losar, Saga Dawa, Losang

• Nagaland - Hornbill Festival, Motsu Festival

• Assam - Bihu, Ambubachi Fair

• Manipur - Yaoshang, Porag

• Mizoram - Chapcharkut Festival

• Meghalaya - Pomblang Nongkrem, Cherry Blossom Festival