Latest Current Affairs For Sunday 21st August, 2022

India’s First Indigenous Monkeypox Test Kit

The Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone recently launched the first indigenously manufactured RT-PCR kit for testing monkeypox. With the help of this kit, infection can be detected quickly. This kit was developed by Transasia-Erba Biomedicals and was launched by Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser of the Center.

Infection will be easily detected. 

If we talk about the merits of this kit, then TransAsia-Erba Monkeypox RT-PCR Kit is highly sensitive. Its accuracy is very good, with the help of which people will be very comfortable in use with investigation.

First Case of Monkey Pox in India:

On July 14, the Kollam district of Kerala announced the country’s first case of monkeypox. According to the World Health Organization Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis, or a virus that spreads from animals to humans. It has symptoms resembling those of smallpox but is clinically less serious. It can also be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesions, and indirect contact with lesion material such as through contaminated clothing or linen of an infected person.

India so far has reported ten cases of monkeypox.

ICMR may do Sero Survey:

Recently the Indian Council of Medical Research had said that it can conduct a sero-survey to check antibodies among the contacts of patients with monkeypox. Apart from this, it will also be investigated how many of those patients were asymptomatic. Significantly, monkeypox usually manifests with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes. The disease is usually accompanied by symptoms lasting two to four weeks. The ‘Guidelines on the Management of Monkeypox Disease’ issued by the Center states that human-to-human transmission occurs through respiratory droplets.

Dahi-Handi’ – Maharashtra’s Official Sport

Like Kho-Kho and Kabaddi, Dahi Handi has now been given the status of a game in Maharashtra. It will be considered as a type of adventure sports.

Highlights:

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde told in the Vidhan Sabha that Govindas who join Dahi Handi will be given benefits of government schemes, 5 percent reservation in government jobs.

Govindas will now also be given insurance protection. If there is an accident while playing Dahi Handi and any Govinda dies in such a situation, then an amount of Rs 10 lakh will be given to the family members of the concerned Govinda as help.

In case of serious injury like if any Govinda loses both eyes or both legs or both hands or any two important parts of the body, then an amount of 7 and a half lakh rupees will be given to him as help from the state government.

In such an accident, if any Govind loses an arm or a leg or any part of the body, then in such a situation, an amount of 5 lakh rupees will be given to him as help.

What is Dahi Handi?

Dahi Handi is celebrated on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birth of lord Krishna. The Dahi Handi (earthen pots filled with yogurt) is part of the Janmashtami festival where young participants called ‘Govindas’, dressed in colorful clothes, make a human pyramid to reach the pot hung mid-air, and break it.

The tradition of Dahi Handi, which started in Mumbai in 1907, is believed to have been going on for the last 104 years in Ghansoli village near Navi Mumbai. Dahi Handi was first started here in 1907 on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami.

Dahi Handi festival held every year in Mayanagari is celebrated all over the world. Not only the country but people from abroad also come here to see the Dahi Handi festival. Some circles also give a reward of crores for breaking the handi.

VINBAX 2022 -Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise

The third edition of Ex VINBAX 2022 was held between 1st August and 20th August, 2022 in Chandimandir. Over a period of three weeks, the soldiers of the two armies rubbed shoulders with each other learning from each other and sharing best practices.

Highlights of EX VINBAX 2022:

This exercise is a sequel to previously conducted bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2019 and a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Vietnam.

Both the countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Defence cooperation is a significant pillar of this partnership.

Vietnam is also an important partner in Act East policy of India as well as Indo-Pacific vision.

Theme of Ex VINBAX – 2022:

Ex VINBAX 2022 will be held under the theme- “employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team under United Nations Contingent for Peacekeeping Operations”.

India has a rich heritage of locating troops in United Nations missions. It has best capabilities to impart United Nations peace operations training, including its best practices and hands to train prospective United Nations peacekeepers at operational, tactical, & strategic levels.

The Ex VINBAX – 2022 will help in strengthening mutual confidence and interoperability. It will also help in sharing best practices between Armies of both the countries, as a field training exercise with enhanced scope. Exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops Indian and Vietnamese contingent to learn social and cultural heritage of both the countries. Indian Army will be represented by troops from 105 Engineer Regiment. Exercise will assess the standards achieved by contingents of both the countries. It will also execute technical military operations in UN missions as well.

World Humanitarian Day (WHD)

World Humanitarian Day was observed on August 19, 2021. Every year, WHD is celebrated under a specific theme. According to the United Nations, the theme for this year is ”to show the importance, effectiveness, and positive impact of humanitarian work”.

Key points:

This day focuses on boosting up the global action in order to combat climate change and stand in solidarity with the vulnerable populations.

On the occasion, the United Nations has urged the people, especially social media users, to mark the day by showing their solidarity for vulnerable populations.

UN urged social media user to run, ride, swim, walk and do any activity of their choice for 100 minutes in between August 16 to August 31.

UN further asked the users to tell the leaders across world that they expect developed countries to deliver on their pledge of $100 billion in order to do climate mitigation and adaptation across developing countries.

About World Humanitarian Day:

It is an international day which is observed to recognize humanitarian personnel and those who lost their lives while working for humanitarian causes. United Nations General Assembly designated this day as part of a Swedish-sponsored GA Resolution A/63/L.49 that seeks to Strengthen the Coordination of Emergency Assistance of the United Nations. Every year, the day is observed on August 19. August 19 is the day on which Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello and his 21 colleagues were killed in a bombing event at UN Headquarters in Baghdad.

Significance of the day:

The day is observed to honour all those who chose a difficult life to serve, despite the odds and those who are trapped in challenging circumstances worldwide. It pays tribute to humanitarian workers who were killed and injured. On the day, all aid and health workers are honoured who continue to provide life-saving support and protection to needy people.

Jharkhand : Block chain-based Seed distribution

In a significant development to revolutionize agriculture in the country Jharkhand government and global blockchain technology company, SettleMint jointly announced the successful launch of seed distribution to farmers based on blockchain technology.

Highlights:

The move is aimed at reducing pilferage and getting rid of spurious seeds that the farmers receive under various government schemes including the seed exchange scheme.

At present, more than 3 lakh farmers are registered on the platform, and so far 30,000 quintals of seeds have been distributed. More than 300 seed varieties of over 30 crops have been distributed at subsidized rates during both Kharif and Rabi seasons.

In this type of system each farmer is registered on the blockchain-based platform along with their Aadhaar number and mobile number and information on seed distribution is updated on the system after the farmers enter the OTP they receive.

What is Block Chain System ?

Block chain system has been started by the Agriculture Department to give the benefits of the schemes to the farmers of the state in the right way.

In this technique middlemen can never come between the department and the farmer. In this system a chain has been made between the seed company and the farmers. In this, when the seed company sends seeds to the farmers of the state, then there is an online entry.

Along with this, when and in what way the seed released from the company has reached which farmer, its tracking is done. All the information remains online until the seed reaches the Lampus or Pax. Along with this, even when the seeds are distributed to the farmers, it is also tracked.

Advantage of Block Chain System:

Block chain system is better because through this, the complete information of the farmer who is taking benefit is with the department. Through this, the department can know that if the farmer has been given the benefit of the scheme, then which variety seeds have been given to him. Farmers have also got information in this regard that they will get the benefit of that scheme. Through this technology, monitoring of distribution of seeds has become easy.

Exercise Pitch Black 2022

Exercise Pitch Black is scheduled to be organised between 19 Aug 22 to 08 Sep 22. This is a biennial, multi-national exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Highlights:

Almost 2,500 personnel from over 17 countries and 100 aircraft will engage in both Offensive Counter Air (OCA) and Defensive Counter Air (DCA) combat drills.

Australia is the host, and others attending include India, Germany, France, UAE, Malaysia, the US, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, the Philippines, Thailand, Canada, and the Netherlands.

The last edition was conducted in 2018. The 2020 edition of the exercise was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s exercise will see the participation of over 100 aircraft and 2500 military personnel from various air forces.

Where is Pitch Black conducted?

It is conducted on Royal Australian Air Force’s Bradshaw Field Training Area and Delamere Air Weapons Range — one of the largest training airspaces in the world. Usually the drills are out of RAAF’s Base Darwin and Base Tindal, this year Base Amberley will also be used.

Exercise Pitch Black:

In the 1980s, this first started in Australia’s Northern Territories between different RAAF units. Australia has been inviting international partners since then to practice new doctrines, combat and most importantly interoperability.

India in the exercise:

In 2018, India participated in the exercise for the first time. Around 131 aircraft were involved and more than 4,000 personnel participated in the exercise. This also included Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Indonesia, Thailand, US, Malaysia.

India’s first electric double-decker bus ‘Switch EiV 22’

Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari recently launched India’s first AC double-decker electric bus named ‘Switch EiV 22’ developed by Ashok Leyland in Mumbai.

About the Bus:

The bus can gain a 100km of range with just a 45min charge, while a full charge takes 80 minutes and has a Nickel, Manganese and Cobalt (NMC) battery that comes with an 8-year warranty.

The ‘Switch EiV 22’ can ferry nearly twice the number of seated passengers as compared to a single-decker bus, with just 18% increase in kerb weight (without the passengers).

The electric bus has contemporary styling with feel-good interiors and exteriors. With wide front and rear doors, two staircases and an emergency door, the bus boats of the latest safety standards.

This electric double decker serves as an ideal solution for urban commuting, as they occupy less road, terminal and depot floor space per seated passenger.

Target:

Ashok Leyland plans to deliver 200 air-conditioned units to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), starting from December.

Way Forward:

In India, electric buses in future will have a big leap in mass public transport. It would support the government initiative of reducing fuel import bill. Besides, it will help to curb air pollution as these buses have zero tailpipe emissions and lower noise pollution.

35% of pollution in the country is due to diesel and petrol. So it is high time for India to start using alternative fuels like electricity, ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, bio-CNG, bio-LNG and green hydrogen for automobile sector”.

US Military package to Ukraine

The United States has announced a USD 775m military aid package in line with its promise to provide all possible help to Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia war. This assistance will include “additional arms, munitions, and equipment”.

Highlights:

USD 775 million aid package will include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs with mine-clearing rollers, and 2,000 anti-armor rounds that can help Ukraine troops move forward in the south and east, where Russian forces have placed mines.

The aid package also includes 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 javelin missiles and an undisclosed number of high-speed, anti-radiation or HARM missiles that target radar systems.

Also US is sending 40 heavily armored MaxxPro mine-resistant vehicles, originally developed for U.S. forces in Iraq during the height of the fighting there when roadside bombs were taking a heavy toll on U.S. forces.

This latest aid comes as Russia’s war on Ukraine is about to reach the six-month mark. It brings the total US military aid to Ukraine to about $10.6 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration. It is the 19th time the Pentagon has provided equipment from Defense Department stocks to Ukraine since August 2021.

Government launched Aqua Bazaar feature of Matsya Setu App

To protect the interests of fish farmers and to benefit them from new technologies Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, launched the Online Market Place feature “Aqua Bazar” in the “MatsyaSetu” mobile app.

Features of Aqua Bazar:

The app was developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, with the funding support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

This online marketplace will help the fish farmers and stakeholders to source the inputs such as fish seeds, feed, medicines, etc., and services required for fish culture as well as farmers can also list their table-size fish for sale.

It aims to connect all stakeholders in the aquaculture sector.

Through this platform, any registered vendor can list their input materials. Every listing will contain detailed information about the product, price, available quantity, supply area, etc. along with the seller’s contact details.

It also allows the fish farmers to list their grown table-size fish/fish seeds for sale with an option to indicate the date of availability along with the price offer. Interested fish buyers will contact the farmers and offer their prices.

About Matsya Setu App:

Matsya Setu app was developed by ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar.

Funding support was provided by National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad.

This app comprises of species-wise or subject-wise self-learning online course modules.

On the app, renowned aquaculture experts will explain basic concepts and practical demonstrations regarding breeding, seed production and grow-out culture of commercially important fishes such as carp, murrel, catfish, scampi, ornamental fish and pearl farming.

NASA’s Moon landing sites for Artemis III mission

NASA is in full preparation to send its astronauts to moon again. Ths US space agency is currently focusing on the launch of its Artemis I rocket which is scheduled to be launched on August 29, 2022. This rocket is moved to the launch pad for final preparation.

Highlights:

Amid all these happenings, NASA has now identified multiple potential landing sites for Artemis III, which will be the first mission to bring crew to the lunar surface, including the first woman to set foot on the Moon.

The agency has identified 13 candidate landing regions near the Lunar South Pole. All 13 regions contain sites that provide continuous access to sunlight throughout a 6.5-day period which is the plan duration of the Artemis-III surface mission.

The 13 locations, each about 15 by 15 kilometers, are located within six degrees of latitude of the south pole. They are named: Faustini Rim A, Peak Near Shackleton, Connecting Ridge, Connecting Ridge Extension, de Gerlache Rim 1, de Gerlache Rim 2, de Gerlache-Kocher Massif, Haworth, Malapert Massif, Leibnitz Beta Plateau, Nobile Rim 1, Nobile Rim 2, Amundsen Rim. 

According to NASA each of these regions is located within six degrees of latitude of the lunar South Pole, and collectively contain diverse geologic features.

Artemis Programme:

Artemis Programme is an international human space flight programme funded by the US Government.

The main objective of the programme is to launch a manned mission to the south pole region of the moon by 2024.

The programme is predominantly carried out by NASA. The other international partners in the programme are JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Italian Space Agency, UK Space Agency, UAE space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Australian Space Agency, State Space Agency of Ukraine, Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.

The total cost of the programme is estimated to be 35 billion USD.

The programme is to be implemented in three parts. They are Artemis I, Artemis II and Artemis III.

PM Narendra Modi to be awarded prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Award 2023

The Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust (Hind Swaraj Sangh) would confer the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2023 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pune on August 1, 2023.

Reason: This award recognizes PM Modi's supreme leadership under which India has climbed the ladder of progress

It is presented annually on the occasion of Lokmanya Tilak's death anniversary.

Other awardees: Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sharad Pawar, Cyrus Poonawalla, and Manmohan Singh. 

J&K Bank wins award for Best Performance in CASA

Jammu & Kashmir Bank has been felicitated for the Best Performance in CASA-India (1st Runner up in Small Bank Category) at ICC Emerging Asia Banking Conclave & Awards 2022.

The event was participated by banks from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka & Myanmar.

The function was organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Goa.

Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group headquartered in Calcutta.

India poised to become world’s 2nd-largest economy by 2075: Goldman Sachs

According to the Investment Bank Goldman Sachs, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest economy by 2075.

As per the report, India would cross Japan, Germany, and the US With a population of 1.4 billion people.

India’s GDP is estimated to expand remarkably, reaching 52.5 trillion dollars surpassing the US GDP projection.

The labour force participation set to make India the second-largest economy in the world by 2075.

L&T and Spain's Navantia sign agreement for submarine project

L&T has signed a teaming agreement with Spanish-based Navantia for the submission of a techno-commercial bid for the Indian Navy’s prestigious P75 (India) submarine program.

P75 (India) Submarine Project is expected to be valued at €4.8 billion.

Navantia would carry out the design of P75(I) submarines based on its S80 class of submarines.

The first S80 class submarine was launched in 2021 and is undergoing sea trials prior to its delivery to Spanish Navy. 

India overtakes China as most attractive emerging market for investing

According to a study by Invesco Global Sovereign Asset Management, India has overtaken China to become the most attractive emerging market for investing in sovereign wealth funds this year.

Reason: This is due to its solid demographics, political stability, and proactive regulation. 

Positives for the nation also include the rapidly expanding demography, strong regulatory actions, and a welcoming climate for sovereign investors.

World Population Day 2023: 11 July

World Population Day is observed every year on July 11 in order to raise awareness about global population issues, including population control.

2023 theme: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. 

It was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1989, after the day the world approximately reached a population of five billion, which was observed on 11 July 1987.

MoHUA conducts SBM-U 2.0 Planning & Implementation Review-cum-Workshop

The Housing Ministry organized a review-cum-workshop to evaluate and accelerate the planning and implementation of the SBM-Urban 2.0.

PM Modi launched the 2.0 versions of SBM-U and AMRUT on October 1, 2021.

SBM-U 2.0: Achieving 100% waste segregation in all households and premises and 100% door-to-door collection of segregated waste from each. 

AMRUT 2.0: To provide complete coverage of water supply to all households and sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities. 

Gujarat CM launches pilot project of ‘Antyodaya Shramik Suraksha Yojana’

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel launched the Antyodaya Shram Suraksha Accident Insurance Scheme from Kheda

All those registered under the e-Shram portal from Nadiad will benefit from the scheme.

It is being implemented through the Indian Postal Department, the IPPB, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Under this scheme, insurance with a premium of Rs. 289 and Rs. 499 per year will be a big support to workers in the event of death or partial disability.

OCA elects Sheikh Talal as the new President

Kuwait’s Sheikh Talal Fahad Al Ahmad Al Sabah has been elected as the new President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

He replaced his older brother Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who led the OCA for 30 years until 2021.

The OCA was founded in 1982 by his father Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who led it until 1990.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is a governing body of sports in Asia, currently with 45 member National Olympic Committees.

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance wins Insurer Innovation Award 2023

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance has won the Insurer Innovation Award 2023 for the APAC region at the 8th World Digital Insurance Awards, hosted by TDI - The Digital Insurer.

Recognition: Bajaj Allianz Life's ground-breaking WhatsApp Conversational Platform - empowering customers to digitally services their policies seamlessly. 

The award entries were shortlisted by industry experts and the winner was selected by the community through pre-voting and live event voting.