DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 27, 2022

Centre identifies 75 tribal districts for focused TB interventions

Tags: National National News

Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TB Division of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare organised a National Conference to publicise the features of 100 Day Assurance Campaign under 'Tribal TB Initiative' on 24th August at National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI), New Delhi.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• On the occasion of 75 years of India's independence, 75 overburdened tribal districts have been selected to focus on TV in the coming months.

Three tier strategy for 75 districts :

1. Creating demand for TB services through community mobilisation, increasing awareness of TB symptoms, prevalence and treatment procedures, and continuing engagement with community influencers involved in the recovery process.

2. Improving the delivery of TB services by provision of customised solutions by leveraging PIPs and other sources of funding to bridge implementation gaps by augmenting TB testing and diagnostics infrastructure.

3. Reducing the risk of spreading the disease through active case detection campaigns.

Tribal TB Initiative :

• It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health, supported by USAID as a technical partner and by Piramal Health as an implementation partner.

• Through this initiative, the Assurance Campaign was launched on 7 January 2022 to detect active cases of TB in 174 tribal districts of India.

• The initiative was flagged off in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra.

• Under this, door-to-door screening of TB was done in 68,019 villages.

• Based on oral test of 1,03,07,200 persons during the campaign, 3,82,811 people were identified as having TB.

• Of these, 2,79,329 (73 per cent) samples were tested for TB and 9,971 people tested positive for TB.

• All of them were treated as per the protocol of the Government of India.

What is Tuberculosis (TB) ?

• It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

• The bacteria generally attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain.

• Tuberculosis infections began increasing in 1985 because of the emergence of HIV.

• HIV weakens a person's immune system, so it can't fight the TB germs.

Transmission :

• Its bacteria spread from person to person through the air.

• When people with pulmonary (Lung) TB cough, sneeze or spit, they spread TB germs into the air.

Symptoms of TB :

• cough for three or more weeks

• coughing up bloody sputum

• Chest pain, pain with breathing and coughing

• weight loss, Fatigue, Fever and Night sweats etc.

Government Initiatives to Combat TB :

• National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination (2017-2025)

• Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY- financial support)

• TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign

• Universal Immunisation Programme

• The government of India aims to have a TB-free India by 2025.

• Revised National TB Control Program under National Health Mission

• Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 under United Nations SDG target 3.3.

• Every year World TB Day is celebrated on 24 March.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

TB Burden :

• Every year one crore people fall ill with TB and 1.5 million people die from TB every year.

• About half of all people with TB are found in eight countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and South Africa.

• It is one of the top 10 leading causes of death worldwide.

• India accounts for 30 percent of the world's TB cases, the highest in the world, followed by Indonesia and China.

38th Ministerial Meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission

Tags: International Relations Important Days

The 38th Ministerial Meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was held in New Delhi on August 25, 2022.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The Indian delegation was chaired by Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Minister of State for Water Resources Zaheed Farooq.

• The two countries discussed a wide range of issues related to Ganga, Teesta and several smaller rivers during the meeting.

• The two sides also discussed the exchange of data and information related to floods, river-bank conservation works, general basin management and India's river interlinking project.

• Bangladesh requested for the early completion of the long pending Teesta water sharing treaty.

• Both sides also finalised a draft Memorandum of Understanding to share the waters of the Kushiyara River on an interim basis.

• Both sides welcomed the finalization of the design of the Feni River Water Drawing Site and its technical infrastructure to meet the drinking water requirements of Sabroom Town in Tripura.

• It is noteworthy that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries in this regard in October 2019.

• This meeting was held after a gap of 12 years

Rivers between India and Bangladesh :

• India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers.

• All are part of the drainage system of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin.

• The Padma (Ganga), Jamuna (Brahmaputra) and Meghna (Barak) and their tributaries play an important role in maintaining food and water security in Bangladesh.

• The dispute between India and Bangladesh regarding water resource allocation dates back to the time when Bangladesh was East Pakistan.

• In 1961, India began construction of the Farakka Barrage which was to be operational by April 1975.

• When India began its preliminary planning for the project, Pakistan expressed concerns over the potential effect of the project on East Pakistan.

Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) :

• It was constituted in 1972 between India and Bngladesh.

• It is a bilateral mechanism to address issues of mutual interest on common / border / transboundary rivers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

About Kushiyara River :

• It is a distributary river in Bangladesh and Assam.

• The water of Kushiyara drains into tributaries from Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

The One Nation One Fertiliser scheme

Tags: Government Schemes

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has announced that the One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF) scheme will be implemented from October 2.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The Government is introducing a “Single Brand for Fertilisers and Logo” under the fertiliser subsidy scheme named “Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna” (PMBJP).

• As part of the initiative, crop nutrients -- urea, di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) or muriate of potash (MOP) will be sold under a single brand name, ‘Bharat’.

• The ministry has issued directions to all companies to use the new brand name 'Bharat' and logo of the subsidy scheme on the bags.

What is One Nation One Fertiliser Scheme?

• Under this scheme, all the fertilizer companies of the country will have to sell their products under the brand name of 'Bharat'.

• Companies have been allowed to display their name, brand, logo and other relevant product information on only one-third of their bags.

• The remaining two-thirds will have the "Bharat" brand and the Prime Minister Bhartiya Jan Fertilizer Project logo on it.

• The scheme will be applicable to both public and private sector companies.

Why is the government introducing this scheme?

• The maximum retail price of urea is fixed by the government, which also compensates companies for the high cost of manufacturing or importing it.

• The government also decides where they can sell. This is done through the Fertilizers (Movement) Control Order, 1973.

• So, when the government is spending huge amounts on fertilizer subsidies, it wants to take credit and send this message to the farmers.

Criticism of the Scheme

• This will hinder the fertilizer companies in undertaking marketing and brand promotion activities.

• They will now be restricted to contract manufacturers and importers for the government.

• Opposition parties criticized the 'One Nation One Fertilizer' initiative as an exercise of self-promotion.

Arth Ganga Model

Tags: Government Schemes National News

The Director General of the National Mission for Clean Ganga mentioned the Arth Ganga model during his virtual keynote address to the Stockholm World Water Week 2022 on 26 August.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

About Arth Ganga Model :

• PM Modi first introduced the concept of Arth Ganga Model during the first National Ganga Council meeting in Kanpur in 2019.

• During the meeting he urged for a shift from Namami Gange (cleaning of Ganga) to the model of Arth Ganga. 

• Arth Ganga focuses on the sustainable development of the Ganga and its surrounding areas, by focusing on economic activities related to the river.

• The Arth Ganga model seeks to use economics to connect people to the river.

• The scheme seeks to contribute at least 3% of the GDP from the Ganga basin.

Features of Arth Ganga Model :

• Zero Budget Natural Farming - This includes chemical free farming on 10 km on either side of the river and promotion of use of cow dung as manure through Govardhan Yojana.

• Monetization and Reuse of Sludge & Wastewater - It envisages reuse of treated water for irrigation, industries and revenue generation for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

• Creation of livelihood opportunities - For example- ‘Ghat Mein Haat’, promotion of local products, Ayurveda, medicinal plants, capacity building of volunteers like Ganga Praharis.

• Increase public participation - To enhance synergy among the stakeholders associated with the river.

• Promotion of cultural heritage and tourism - To promote cultural heritage and tourism in and around the Ganga through conduct of boat tours, adventure sports and yoga activities.

• Improved water governance - To promote institutional building by empowering local administration for better water administration.

Justice U U Lalit sworn in as 49th Chief Justice of India

Tags: Person in news

Justice U U Lalit took oath as the 49th Chief Justice of India (CJI) on 27 August.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• President Draupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Lalit at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• The tenure of the new Chief Justice is short and he will hold the post till November 8, 2022.

• He succeeds Chief Justice N V Ramana who retired on 26 August.

About Justice Uday Umesh Lalit :

• He was born on 9th November, 1957 at Solapur, Maharashtra. 

• Justice Lalit was enrolled as an Advocate by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in June, 1983.

• He practised in the Bombay High Court until December 1985, before moving to Delhi in January 1986.

• He worked in Soli Sorabji's chamber from October 1986 to 1992 and was on the panel of lawyers for the Union of India during the period when Soli Sorabji was the Attorney General of India.

• From 1992 to 2002 he served as Advocate on Record and was designated as Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court in April 2004.

• He was also appointed amicus curiae in many important matters like forest matters, vehicular pollution, pollution of Yamuna etc.

Landmark Judgments :

• In August 2017, a five-judge Constitution Bench, which also included him, declared the practice of instant divorce through 'triple talaq' as "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional" by a 3-2 majority.

• In another important judgement, a bench headed by Justice Lalit had empowered the then royal family of Travancore to manage the historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, which is one of the richest temples.

• A bench headed by Justice UU Lalit had ruled that touching the sexual parts of a child's body or any act involving physical contact with 'sexual intent' is punishable under Section 7 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

Argentina shows interest in Made in India 'Tejas' fighter aircraft

Tags: Defence International News

Argentina has shown interest to buy Tejas fighter aircraft manufactured in India under Make in India.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged Argentina's interest in Tejas fighter aircraft and highlighted the importance of the proposal to enhance strategic cooperation of bilateral ties.

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Argentina Minister of Foreign Affairs Santiago Cafiero jointly presided over a Joint Commission Meeting in Buenos Aires.

• During the meeting, both sides underlined the importance of bilateral relations in defence, nuclear energy, space, pharma, science and technology, yoga, climate change and economic cooperation.

• Australia, Egypt, the United States, Indonesia and the Philippines are also interested in Tejas jets.

TEJAS fighter aircraft :

• It is an 'Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft'.

• It has been jointly developed by 'Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)' and 'Hindustan Aeronautics Limited' (HAL).

• It is the smallest-lightweight single-engine 'Multirole Tactical Fighter Aircraft'.

• It has been designed with an aim to reduce India's dependence on Russia's MiG-21 fighter jets and move towards self-reliance in the field of national security.

• It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface weapons.

• It is capable of refueling in the sky during the journey and has a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg.

• It can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a range of 3,000 km.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

Types of tejas :

1. Tejas Trainer

2. LCA Navy

3. LCA Tejas Navy MK2

4. LCA Tejas Mk-1A

Argentina :

• President - Alberto Fernández

• Capital - Buenos Aires

• Currency - Argentine peso

• Official Language -Spanish

• location - South America continent

For the first time, India votes against Russia in UNSC during procedural vote on Ukraine

Tags: International News

India for the first time on August 24 voted against Russia during a “procedural vote” at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Ukraine. 

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The UNSC held a meeting to take stock of the six-month-old Russia-Ukraine conflict on the 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

• A procedural vote was requested regarding the participation of the Ukrainian President in the meeting held by video tele-conference.

• The 15-member UNSC invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to address a meeting through a video tele-conference.

• This is the first time India has voted against Russia on the Ukraine-Russia issue since Russian military action began in February.

• So far, India has not participated in the UN Security Council on Ukraine due to the displeasure of the Western powers led by the United States.

• Western countries, including the US, have imposed major economic and other sanctions on Russia after the attack on Ukraine.

• India has so far not criticised Russia for its aggression against Ukraine.

• India has repeatedly called on Russia and Ukraine to return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue.

• India has also expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.

About UNSC :

• It was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter.

• It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.

• The other 5 organs of the United Nations are - the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.

• It has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the P5. 

• India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term, which expires in December.

• Any one of them can veto a resolution.

• Headquarters - New York

Distinguished Scientist Samir V Kamat takes charge as new DRDO chairman

Tags: Person in news

Dr Sameer V Kamat has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Defense Research and Development (DDRD) and the new Chairman of Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO).

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• Dr Sameer V Kamat was currently serving as Director General (Naval Systems and Materials) in DRDO.

• Sameer V Kamat will succeed the current Secretary G Satheesh Reddy who has been appointed as Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister.

About Dr Sameer V Kamat :

• His full name is Dr Sameer Venkatapathy Kamat.

• Dr. Kamat holds a B.Tech Engineering (Hons) degree in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1985.

• He obtained his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from Ohio State University, USA in 1988.

• In recent times, Dr. Kamat has made significant contributions in the development of Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) at DMRL.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) :

• It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

• It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.

• It was established in 1958.

• Headquarters : New Delhi

• Chairman : Dr. Sameer V Kamat

Government notifies Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022

Tags: National National News

Recently the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has published Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 on 24th August, 2022 to ensure environmentally sound management of waste batteries.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The new rules will replace the Battery (Management and Operation) Rules, 2001.

• The notification of these rules is a transformative step towards implementation of the announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Independence Day on 15th August, 2021, to give a serious boost to the circular or circular economy.

• These regulations cover all types of batteries such as electric vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries and industrial batteries.

• These rules encourage the establishment of new industries and entrepreneurship in the collection and recycling/refurbishment of waste batteries.

• These rules will make it possible to set up a centralised online portal for exchange of EPR certificates between producers and recyclers/renewers to meet the obligations of the producers.

• Mandating a minimum percentage of removal of useful material from waste or waste batteries under these rules will bring new technologies and investments into the recycling and renewables industry and create new business opportunities.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel wins UNESCO Peace Prize 2022

Tags: Awards National News

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded the 2022 UNESCO Peace Prize for her efforts to welcome refugees.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• All jurors, including jury chairman and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, have been impressed by Merkel's courageous decision to welcome more than 1.2 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Eritrea in 2015.

• Additionally, the jury awarded an honorable mention to Julian Lusanz for his commitment to women victims of sexual violence.

Angela Merkel :

• Angela Merkel was born on 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany.

• In the 2005 national elections, Merkel became the first female chancellor of Germany, and is one of the leading figures in the European Union.

• She became the Chancellor of Germany for the fourth and last time on 14 March 2014.

• Before joining politics, she was working as a research scientist.

About UNESCO Peace Prize :

• Officially it is called the Felix Houphouet-Bougain-UNESCO Peace Prize.

• The honour is named after the former President of Ivory Coast.

• UNESCO's Felix Houphouet-Bogen Peace Prize was created in 1989 to honour living individuals and active public or private bodies or institutions that have made significant contributions to peace.

• The award was established by a resolution supported by 120 countries

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

About UNESCO :

• Establishment of UNESCO - 16 November 1945

• UNESCO Headquarters - Paris, France

• UNESCO members - 193 countries

• UNESCO chief - Audrey Azoulay

Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance

Tags: National National News

A gazette notification has been issued to declare Anang Tal, located near Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, National Capital Territory of Delhi, as a national monument.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• Thousand years ago by Raja Anang Pal Tomar, the founder of Delhi, the mini lake was constructed, which is known as Anang Tal.

• Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal had issued instructions to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to renovate this pool as well as declare it a national monument.

Anang Tal :

• This lake is located in Mehrauli, Delhi, which was built by Tomar King Anangpal II in 1060 AD.

• The millennium old Anang Tal marks the early days of Delhi.

• Anang Tal has a strong connection with Rajasthan as Maharaja Anangpal is known as the maternal grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, whose fort Rai Pithora, is included in the list of ASI.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

Anangpal II :

• Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.

• The Tomar dynasty is one of the early mediaeval minor dynasties of northern India.

• He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually came to be known as Delhi.

• Evidence of the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of the Masjid Quwwat-ul-Islam adjacent to the Qutub Minar.

• The study of several inscriptions and coins suggests that Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of Delhi and Haryana between the 8th-12th centuries.

• He got the city built on the ruins and under his supervision got the construction of AnangTal Baoli and Lal Kot.

Women's Equality Day

Tags: Important Days

Every year 26 August is celebrated as Women's Equality Day with the aim of strengthening the status of women all over the world and giving them equal rights and respect as men in every sphere of society.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• Celebrating this day started in America but now many countries including India celebrate Women's Equality Day.

• On August 26, 1920, in America, women got the right to vote for the first time through the 19th Constitutional Amendment.

• Earlier there women had the status of second class citizens.

• From the year 1971, 26 August was celebrated as 'Women's Equality Day' due to the efforts of Bella Abzug, a woman lawyer who constantly struggled to get equal status for women.

• New Zealand is the first country in the world to introduce 'Women's Equality' in the year 1893.

Women rights in india :

1- Equal pay right :-

• There can be no gender discrimination in the payment of income or wages under this law. That is, any working woman has the right to get a salary equal to the man working in that post.

2- Maternity Benefit Law :-

• Under this Act, implemented in 1961, a working woman has the right to take 6 months leave from office in the event of becoming a mother. The company cannot deduct the salary of a female employee on maternity leave or leave during pregnancy.

3- Right to Property :-

• Sons are considered to be the total lineage of the father and the family in India. However, under the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 both the son and the daughter have equal rights over the father's property or ancestral property.

4-Right not to be identified :-

• The Indian law gives women the right to protect their privacy. Under this, if a woman is a victim of sexual harassment, she can keep her identity confidential and can record her statement alone in the presence of a district magistrate and a woman police officer.

Karim Benzema, Alexia Putellas win UEFA best player awards

Tags: Sports Sports News

Karim Benzema and Alexia Putelas have won the UEFA Best Player Awards in the men's and women's categories respectively.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• Karim Benzema is a French professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Real Madrid and as a striker for the France national team.

• Alexia Putelas is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Barcelona club, and captains the Spain national team.

• Benzema scored 15 goals in the Champions League for Real Madrid and was instrumental in their 14th European title.

• With this award he has also strengthened his claim for the Ballon d'Or award to be given in October.

• Alicia Putellas has been voted the best female footballer for the second time in a row.

• Real Madrid coach Carlo Angelotti has been named the best coach in the men's category.

• In the women's section, England's Sarina Wigman has been adjudged the best coach.

Africa adopt PEN-PLUS strategy against non-communicable diseases

Tags: International News

Recently Africa has adopted a new strategy called the Pen-Plus strategy to promote access to diagnosis, treatment and care of serious non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Pen-plus strategy :

• It is a regional strategy to address serious non-communicable diseases in first-level referral health facilities.

• The strategy aims to bridge the gap in access to care for patients with chronic and severe NCDs.

• It urges countries to establish standardised programs to combat chronic and serious non-communicable diseases to ensure that essential medicines, technologies and diagnostics are available and accessible in district hospitals.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

Non-Communicable Diseases :

• Non-communicable diseases are medical conditions or diseases that are not spread by infectious agents.

• Non-communicable diseases are also known as chronic diseases because they are long-lasting and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

• NCDs include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma etc.

• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these cause 71% of deaths globally.

• The proportion of mortality due to NCDs in the African region ranges between 27-88%.

Status of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India :

• About 58 million people in India die from NCDs every year (WHO report, 2015) or in other words 1 in 4 Indians are at risk of dying from NCDs before they reach the age of 70.

• Further it has been found that the duration of 'Disability-adjusted Life Years' (DALYs) due to NCDs has increased by 30% in the year 1990 to 55% in the year 2016 and the proportion of deaths due to it has also increased .

• NCDs (for all types of deaths) increased from 37% in 1990 to 61% in 2016.