user6's blog

(The Gist of PIB) BEE Notifies New Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners  [JANUARY-2020]

(The Gist of PIB) BEE Notifies New Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners

 [JANUARY-2020]

BEE Notifies New Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners

  • The Central Government in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has notified new energy performance standards for Room Air Conditioner (RACs) on 30th October 2019.
  • The 240C default setting has been made mandatory from Jan 1, 2020 for all room air conditioners covered under the ambit of BEE star-labelling program vide this notification.
  • Additionally, the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) as per the new standards will range from (3.30 – 5.00) for split and (2.70 – 3.50) for window air conditioners, which will be applicable from 1st January 2021 onwards.

Key highlights:

  • BEE launched the voluntary star labelling program for fixed-speed room air conditioners (RACs) in 2006, and this program became mandatory on 12th January 2009.
  • Thereafter, in 2015, voluntary star labelling program for inverter room air conditioners was launched and which was made mandatory with effect from 1st January 2018. The BEE star labelling program for Room Air Conditioners now covers both fixed and inverter RAC up to a cooling capacity of 10,465 watts (2.97 TR).
  • Continual enhancement in performance levels has resulted in substantial energy efficiency improvement of about 43% in the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for split units, which are the most popular RACs sold in the market.
  • ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy efficiency ratio) is the energy performance index used for Room Air Conditioners (RACs) and its assessment is based on the bin hours defined in ISO 16358.

About BEE

  • BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. It is assisted in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
  • BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the energy conservation act.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) 2nd edition of Eat Right Mela  [JANUARY-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) 2nd edition of Eat Right Mela

 [JANUARY-2019]

2nd edition of Eat Right Mela

  • Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare while inaugurating the second edition of the ‘Eat Right Mela.
  • He stressed the importance of having a Jan Andolan, a peoples’ movement, encouraging people to have healthier diets which will help in the reduction of the disease burden in the country.

Key highlights about the program:

  • Union minister stated that the Eat Right Mela of FSSAI is a commendable effort and outreach activity for citizens to nudge them towards eating right.
  • The citizens would learn about health and nutrition benefits of different types of food
  • Get dietary advice by experts,
  • To engage in dialogues and conversations with food visionaries and experts,
  • To relish the delicious street food,
  • To live demonstrations of food recipes and have fun and entertainment.
  • The Union Minister launched ‘The PURPLE Book’ a handbook on diets for diseases.
  • The book provides general guidelines for hospitals on suitable diets for common medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, gut disorders and so on in a simple format and has been developed and vetted by experts in the field of food and nutrition.
  • This book is available for free download on www.fssai.gov.in.

NetSCoFAN initiative:

  • Union health minister launched NetSCoFAN (Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition), a network of research and academic institutions working in the area of food and nutrition along with the NetSCoFAN directory, covering detailed information of various heads/Directors and lead scientists of lead and associated partnering institutions.
  • The NetSCoFAN would comprise of eight groups of institutions working in different areas viz. biological, chemical, nutrition and labeling, food of animal origin, food of plant origin, water and beverages, food testing, and safer and sustainable packaging.
  • FSSAI has identified eight Nodal Institutions who would develop a ‘Ready Reckoner’ that will have the inventory of all research work, experts and institutions and would carry out and facilitate research, survey, and related activities.
  • It would identify research gaps in respective areas and collect, collate and develop a database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(GIST OF YOJANA) Role of Community Radio in Disaster Management and Climate-change Communication [JANUARY-2020]

(GIST OF YOJANA) Role of Community Radio in Disaster Management and Climate-change

Communication [JANUARY-2020]

Role of Community Radio in Disaster Management and Climate-change Communication

Introduction:

  • Community Radio in India Community Radio provides an opportunity to the community to speak about issues concerning their lives.

Background:

  • In December 2002, the Government released a policy that allowed well established educational institutions to set up Community Radio Stations. In order to promote development and social change, the Government in November 2006 implemented new Community Radio Guidelines permitting non-profit organizations to own and operate community radio stations. With the new policy in place, it opened doors for community radio as a platform for development, social change, and voice of the community in concern.
  • At present, 276 functional Community Radio Stations are operating in India. Out of these 276 stations, 129 are run by educational institutions, 132 by community-based organisations, and 15 by Krishi Vigyan Kendra/State Agriculture Institutions.
  • At present there are 78 coastal districts in the country. However, all coastal districts do not have operational community radio stations. There are 51 operational community radio stations in 26 districts. Community radios are also prominently being used in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Philippines for rural development. They are equally popular in Canada, America, Australia, and South Africa.

Community Radio is useful in:

  • Speaking to communities in local languages using terms and phrases that are easily and locally understood;
  • Providing two-way interactive social learning through listening clubs, call-in shows, and other forms of exchange;
  • Communicating local knowledge, needs, and demands beyond the community to inform policy, research, and other communities;
  • Providing the only media available to communities that have little or no access to other methods of conveying information and knowledge;
  • Bringing together people from frequently disconnected stakeholder groups such as livelihoods, community leaders, organisations and governance.

Community Radio and Disaster Management:

  • The presence of community radio in every phase of a disaster- disaster mitigation, preparation, early warning, response, recovery and revitalisation, is essential for the exchange and sharing of information and dialogue among residents as well as the enhancement of the community's capability and of self-governance ability.
  • Stories about climate and environmental change appear in the form of documentaries, interactive talk shows, drama and music, etc. helping communities to learn more about these impacts and share their experiences of responding to them.
  • Most initiatives linking community radio and climate change are currently focusing on delivering information and messages to listeners about short- and medium term forecasts for farmers, alerts for extreme weather events, and messaging to discourage practices which degrades environmental assets.
  • While these remain important messages for communicating local climate change adaptation, community radio has the potential to do much more by strengthening community voices and providing an accessible space for knowledge sharing between communities. Thus, the sense of empowerment that people and communities can feel by engaging in this way can help to build local, institutional, and organizational capacity.

Scope:

  • Community radio can play a crucial role in disaster management via assisting the community in three stages:

Pre-Disaster:

  • In the pre-disaster stage, community radio stations can provide guidance regarding its preparedness. Information regarding gathering locations and safety shelters can be disseminated.
  • Programmes regarding sanitation measures and first aid practices can be broadcast. Also, safety drills can be organised, educating people about emergency plans and responses. Another important task is broadcasting warning signals in case there is a calamity foreseen or likely to occur.
  • Community radio holds such potential since it can reach areas and people that cannot be reached by other forms of communication. It breaks the barriers of literacy and economic status in bringing people together in times of disaster.
  • While television networks break down almost instantly in face of natural disasters, radio carries with it the potential for continued functioning in such times. It can foster community's awareness on the current situation in other places hit by disaster; announce forecasts, and warnings issued by the meteorological department and provide updates on the status of relief and rehabilitation operations.

During Disaster:

  • At the time of a disaster, most forms of communication are disrupted barring radio signals. Community radio can help the community link with the relief agencies and Government control room. Two prime advantages of community radio are that they focus on the affected communities and the content is delivered in the local language. This can help in disseminating rescue operation information by location-specific stations. Also, since the information is in the local language/dialect it helps avoid any miscommunication.
  • Information and announcements regarding vulnerable areas which require immediate evacuation can be broadcasted and the community members can be guided to safety shelters where they can access aid and rescue facilities. Locals can call in and provide first hand information regarding the on goings in the affected areas.

Post Disaster:

  • This is a very crucial phase as during rehabilitation the community requires maximum support. Having a medium of communication in their own language or dialect can help in strengthening the morale of the community. Post-trauma counseling and updates on relief and aid can be a part of the content being broadcasted.
  • Guidelines regarding disposal of wastage, restoration of safe water supply and basic sanitation can be provided. Community radio provides an indigenous solution to a problem that is being faced at a large scale in the country these days. It can be an important component of rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.
  • The need is to build the capacity of operating personnel of community radio and equip them to handle and disseminate disaster-related information in an optimal manner. In this manner, the local community itself can be enabled through infrastructure and training to make use of community radio approach.

Training Community Radio Staff in Disaster Management:

  • For effective utilisation of community radio in disaster management, it is essential that the staff members should be trained in a specific and well-defined manner on disaster prevention, mitigation, and management communication.
  • Several Government departments/Ministries at central and state level working on climate change and disaster management can join hands together to use this platform.

Conclusion:

  • Rural areas are constantly faced with natural calamities given the environmental change. During forest fires in summer, landslides in monsoon, etc. these communities constantly struggle and their isolated situation doesn't help the cause.
  • Community radio has the power to organise and provide information and connect these communities to the much needed aid and relief. Also since the content is in the local dialect It can help curb miscommunication and misinformation in times of panic. Several initiatives and innovations are happening in the community radio front but they can serve their purpose best if integrated together.

UPSC Pre General Studies Study Material

Complete Study Material For UPSC, IAS Exams

This is Only Sample Material, To Get Full Materials Buy The Gist 1 Year Subscription - "Only PDF" Click Here

Click Here to Download More Free Sample Material

Gist of The Hindu: January 2020

Gist of The Hindu: January 2020

India aims to completely eradicate AIDS before 2030

  • Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said the government is making all out efforts to completely eradicate HIV AIDS in the country before 2030.
  • He said, India has successfully eliminated polio well before the target eight years-ago. The Minister was speaking at a function to observe the World HIV AIDS day in New Delhi today. He also said, attempts should be made to make the country free from TB before 2025.
  • He said, 18 ministries are working for the elimination of various diseases. Stating that voluntary blood donation is the best tribute to humanity, the Minister asked the people to donate blood saying that regular blood donation can prevent heart diseases. 'Communities make the difference' is the theme of this year's World HIV AIDS day.
  • As per the latest estimate of 2017, there are around 21 lakh 40 thousand people living with HIV in the country. The government is implementing the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) as a hundred per cent Central Sector Scheme for prevention and control of AIDS.
  • NACP response to HIV epidemic comprise a comprehensive three-pronged strategy of prevention, testing and treatment.The Government has also developed a seven-year National Strategic Plan from 2017 to 2024 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

BSF brings in new technology to guard Indo-Pak border

  • Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai today said the Government is committed to equipping the forces with the latest equipment and technology. He was addressing the 55th Raising Day event of the force at a BSF camp in New Delhi today.
  • Mr.Rai said that citizens of India feel safe because of the BSF jawans' promptness on the world's most sensitive international borders. He further said that efforts are being made to infiltrate and smuggle, by the country's enemies, but BSF jawans are thwarting the attempts with their promptness.
  • Speaking at the function, BSF, Director General, V K Johri, said the BSF is working on technological solutions to combat the threat of drones along the India-Pakistan International Border.
  • Mr.Johari also said that force has expanded its strategic capabilities by using new technology and intelligence to guard the over 6,386 km long borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
  • He said, the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and the International Border along Punjab have become operationally sensitive in recent times. He added that anti-India forces are continuously trying to infiltrate across the border, and the BSF is at all times to thwart these bids.
  • AIR correspondent reports that the BSF is primarily tasked with guarding the India and Pakistan borders, apart from rendering a variety of roles in internal security.

Centre to bring out permanent solution to curb stubble burning

  • The Centre is formulating a scheme to find a permanent solution to the practice stubble burning by farmers and has constituted a committee to come out with a report on the matter in a month or two, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare ParshottamRupala said in RajyaSabha.
  • The MoS said that the new committee will come out with a new scheme within one or two months.He said in some states farmers burn stubble for sowing the next crop and the government is planning to educate them about diversification of crops.
  • Besides, the government has given machines worth Rs 1,151 crore to farmers for managing stubble besides creating awareness.A total of 55,000 machines were provided to three states, he said, and added that Delhi is not managing it well.
  • The Minister said that paddy stubble burning is mainly practised in the Indo-Gangetic plains in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to clear the fields for rabi crop sowing.
  • Apart from the loss of nutrients, some soil nutrients, some soil properties like soil temperature, pH, moisture, available phosphorus and soil organic matter, which also govern microbial population of soil, are greatly affected due to stubble burning, he said.

Global companies agree to shift base from China to India

  • Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman on Saturday said about 12 global companies have evinced interest to shift their base from China to India, taking advantage of the competitive tax rate of 15 per cent announced recently.
  • In a biggest reduction in 28 years, the government in September reduced corporate tax rate by almost 10 percentage points in a bid to give a boost to the sagging economy.
  • Base corporate tax for existing companies has been reduced to 22 percent from 30 per cent, and for new manufacturing firms incorporated after October 1, 2019 and starting operation before March 31, 2023, it was slashed to 15 per cent from 25 per cent.
  • The finance ministry in September set up a task force headed by Economic Affairs Secretary to prepare a road map for the "national infrastructure pipeline" from 2019-20 to 2024-25 under aRs 100 lakh crore infra plan. The task force expected to cover greenfield and brownfield projects costing above Rs 100 crore each.
  • As regards the rationalisation of the taxation, she said, "We are having a good conversation with all the states and want to make sure that those essential items may be put to the lowest if not exempt, but for the rest of them, we are trying to rationalize".

India-Japan expand cooperation,condemn terrorism

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Japan's Minister of Defence Kono Taro and Foreign Affairs Minister MotegiToshimitsu for the first India-Japan 22 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. In a joint statement, the ministers affirmed that the dialogue will further enhance the strategic depth of bilateral security and defence cooperation.
  • They condemned in the strongest terms the growing threat of terrorism, and acknowledged that it constituted a major threat to peace and security in the region. The Ministers called upon all countries to take resolute action in rooting out terrorist safe havens and infrastructure.
  • They underlined the need for all countries to ensure that all territory under their control is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries in any manner.
  • They noted in this context the threat posed to regional security by terrorist networks operating out of Pakistan and called upon it to take resolute and irreversible action against them and fully comply with international commitments including to FATF.
  • Acknowledging emerging security challenges, the Ministers reiterated their commitment to advancing bilateral security cooperation based on the 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation and the 2009 Action Plan to advance Security Cooperation.

Iraqi legislators accept PM’s resignation amid protests

  • Iraqi protesters set fire to the entrance of a shrine in the southern holy city of Najaf today and security forces fired tear gas to disperse them.
  • The incident took place during one of the bloodiest weeks of Iraq’s anti-government unrest, which erupted last month.
  • Meanwhile, Iraqi legislators have approved Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's resignation during a parliament session held in capital Baghdad. On Friday, an embattled Abdul Mahdi formally submitted his offer to step down following the killing of around 50 demonstrators by the security forces in Baghdad and Iraq's mainly Shia southern cities of Nazriya and Najaf.
  • Referring to Article 76 of the country's constitution, Speaker Mohammad al-Halbusi today said President Barham Salih will now ask the largest political bloc in parliament to nominate the next prime minister.

India- Srilanka joint military exercise to begin at Pune

  • The seventh edition of exercise MITRA SHAKTI aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational efficiency amongst the armies of India and Sri Lanka commenced today at Aundh Military Station, Pune.
  • Defence Ministry said, the objective of the exercise is to build and promote positive relations between armies of both the countries through focus on sub unit level training on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural environment.
  • The joint training exercise also signifies the strength of India-Sri Lanka relations in the field of military cooperation and engagement.
  • The exercise is designed for incorporating the current dynamics of United Nations peacekeeping operations through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.

South Asian games begin at Kathmandu

  • 13th South Asian Games have formally begun in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
  • President of Nepal Bidya Devi Bhandari declared games open in a glittering ceremony at DasarathaRangshala in Kathmandu this evening.
  • Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Chairman of National Assembly Ganesh Timilsina, Deputy Prime Minister IshworPokharel, Ministers from South Asian countries and a large number of other dignitaries also graced the opening ceremony. Over 2700 athletes from seven South Asian Countries participated in the march past.
  • During the 10 days biggest sporting event of South Asia, 2715 athletes compete for 1119 medals including 319 Gold in 26 game categories. India is represented by 487 athletes. The closing ceremony will be held on 10th December.

Parliament to discuss on crimes against women

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the government is ready for a discussion in LokSabha on the issue of crime against women and willing to explore stringent provisions in laws to check incidents like the Hyderabad rape and murder case.
  • Responding to a discussion during Zero Hour in the wake of the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad, Singh said he was falling short of words to condemn the heinous crime.
  • As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Om Birla said he would allow members to raise the "serious issue" in Zero Hour.
  • Uttam Kumar Reddy (Cong) raised the issue of the rape and murder of the 26-year-old veterinarian and slammed the Telangana Home Minister for his purported "insensitive" remarks.
  • He also slammed the state police for initially delaying to lodge a case.T R Baalu (DMK) raised the issue of sexual assault of a school girl in Coimbatore.Saugat Roy (TMC) said rape convicts should be hanged.
  • PinakiMisra (BJD) questioned the delay in executing the death sentence awarded to convicts in the "Nirbhaya" gang-rape case.He said laws and establishment on fast track courts will not make a differences till the time the death sentences are not executed.
  • On November 29, four men, aged between 20 and 24, were arrested on charges of raping and killing the young woman veterinarian in Hyderabad

Nationwide vaccination to be conducted under Mission Indradhanush 2.0

  • Centre is launching a nationwide vaccination drive to prevent eight diseases under Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 across the country today.
  • The government's flagship scheme is aimed at immunizing children under the age of 2 years and pregnant women against eight vaccine preventable diseases.
  • The IMI covers vaccines for diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, measles, meningitis and Hepatitis B. Vaccines for Japanese encephalitis and haemophilus influenzae are also being provided in selected areas.
  • The IMI 2.0 aims to achieve targets of full immunization coverage in 272 districts spread over 27 States. The IMI 2.0 will be carried out between December 2019 and March 2020.
  • The campaign will be carried out in 260 development blocks of 43 districts of the state including the capital Bhopal and Indore. In addition , the mission will be running in four-phases in the state. Children will be vaccinated under the National Mission Indradhanush in the months of January , February and March next year.
  • Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Tulsiram inaugurated this campaign in Indore district. The Project Officers of the District Urban Development Agency has been made the nodal officer for the successful operation of the mission.

Steel imports have increased over a period of 5 years claims govt.

  • Government today said the import of steel has increased during the last few years.
  • Replying to questions in the LokSabha, Steel Minister DharmendraPradhan, however, said domestic production has consistently increased regardless of such imports. Mr Pradhan said, in the current year, the country is a net exporter.
  • He said, to counter import of cheap steel, anti-dumping duties have been imposed on various grades of steel which were dumped into the country.
  • Mr Pradhan further said, import of steel grades which are not manufactured in adequate quantities in the country is essential for supporting the manufacturing sector.
  • The Minister informed the House that the total number of steel plants in the country is 977. He said, work is currently going on in NMDC steel plant in Nagarnar, Chattisgarh, which is a Greenfield project.
  • In reply to another question, the Minister said, the production of iron ore in the country is sufficient to meet the current demand by the domestic steel industry. Mr Pradhan said, the supply of iron ore during last year 2018-19 was 207 metric tonne against its demand of 189 metric tonne.

Centre plans listing of single-use plastics

  • The Centre is likely to identify as many as eight articles as ‘single-use plastic’ items that will be discontinued on a priority basis, including plastic cutlery, plastic bags and certain Styrofoam items.
  • Defining single-use plastic is the first step in the direction of doing away with such products in India by 2022, as called for by Prime Minister NarendraModi during his Independence Day address.
  • While many states have banned plastic, there are wide variations in implementation and the range of products covered.After consulting stakeholders, the environment ministry is close to announcing a clear and uniform definition of single-use plastic.
  • The idea is to completely phase out single-use plastic where it is replaceable with environment friendly alternatives and to bring in a robust segregation, collection and disposal mechanism for single-use plastic.
  • The ministry wrote to the states in September asking them to curb production of plastic bags, irrespective of thickness and size, and Styrofoam (thermocol) cutlery and to encourage manufacturers and consumers to shift to other environmentally friendly material.
  • Every village will be asked to start waste segregation. They will send plastic waste to block-level units that will convert the aggregated waste into bales, shred them and transport them to aggregators for recycling to build in a sustainable mechanism.

This is Only Sample Material, To Get Full Materials Buy The Gist 1 Year Subscription - "Only PDF" Click Here

Click Here to Download More Free Sample Material 

(The Gist of Science Reporter) Space Exploration  [JANUARY-2020]

(The Gist of Science Reporter) Space Exploration

 [JANUARY-2020]

Space Exploration

First-ever Image of a Black Hole Captured

  • A group of global astronomers led by Harvard scientists captured the first ever image of a black hole, so deep and dense that even light cannot escape it.
  • The lopsided ring of the light image surrounds a dark circle deep in the heart-core of a galaxy known as Messier 87 (M87).
  • M87 is considered to be one of the giant galaxies in the constellation Virgo.
  • According to the team of astronomers, the shape of the shadow is circular —a beautiful depiction of a black hole in the centre of M87 with no sign of deviations in general relativity.
  • An international network of radio telescopes called the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) was used in the study.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) All India Oriental Conference  [JANUARY-2020]

(The Gist of PIB) All India Oriental Conference

 [JANUARY-2020]

All India Oriental Conference

  • The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated the 50th session of All India Oriental Conference in Nagpur.

About:

  • The All India Oriental Conference (AIOC) was founded in 1918 by the founders of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) with a pan Indian dialogue of Indological scholars in view.
  • The AIOC is a biennial Conference.
  • The sessions have taken their occasions in all parts and in the cities most renowned as the centres for Sanskrit studies and Oriental Study in general, in India.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of Kurukshetra) ROLE OF ANGANWADI WORKERS AND ASHAS IN CURBING MALNUTRITION [JANUARY-2020]

(The Gist of Kurukshetra) ROLE OF ANGANWADI WORKERS AND ASHAS IN CURBING

MALNUTRITION  [JANUARY-2020]

ROLE OF ANGANWADI WORKERS AND ASHAS IN CURBING MALNUTRITION

Introduction:

India persistently faces high levels of maternal and child under-nutrition as well as anaemia, characterized by an inter-generational cycle that is compounded by multiple deprivations caused by poverty, social exclusion and deeply entrenched gender discrimination. Decreasing child mortality and improving maternal health depend on reducing malnutrition which is directly or indirectly responsible for 35 percent of deaths among children under five.

Under-nutrition in infants and children is further categorized as Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM).

  • Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) refers to very low weight for height (< 3z scores of the median), visible severe wasting, or the presence of nutritional oedema.
  • Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) is defined as a weight-for-age between -3 and -2 z-scores below the median. It can be due to a low weight for height (wasting) or a low height-for-age (stunting) or to a combination of both. Similarly, moderate wasting refers to weight-for-height between -3 and -2 z-scores while moderate stunting refers to height-for age between -3 and -2 z-scores.

Causes of Malnutrition:

  • Malnutrition is a complex multidimensional issue. It is caused due to a number of generic factors such as poverty, inadequate food consumption (due to poor availability/access), inequitable food distribution, poor maternal nutrition, sub-optimal infant feeding and child care practices, inequity/gender imbalances, poor sanitary and environmental conditions, and restricted access to quality health care, education and social safety-net services/facilities.
  • Further, various economic, environmental, geographical, agricultural, cultural, health and governance issues complement the general factors in causing under-nutrition in children.

Nutrition/Health Interventions:

  • For eradicating malnutrition in the country, the direct targeted interventions include schemes/programmes like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), POSHAN Abhiyaan, National Health Mission (NHM), Mid-Day Meal Scheme and Scheme for Adolescent Girls, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
  • In addition, various indirect multi-sectoral interventions/schemes having potential to address one or the other aspect related to nutrition include Swachh Bharat Mission (Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation/DW&S), Public Distribution System/PDS (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution/CAF&PD), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme/MGNREGS (Ministry of Rural Development/MoRD), Drinking Water & Toilets (Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Urban Development via the Urban Local Bodies).

Role of Anganwadi Workers and ASHAs:

  • Anganwadi Workers and the ASHA workers are the grassroots level functionaries under the umbrella ICDS Scheme and the National Health Mission respectively.
  • Both these functionaries being closely connected with the rural and urban poor families, play a pivotal role in addressing their nutrition and health related problems/issues.

Roles and Responsibilities of Anganwadi Workers:

Under the ICDS Scheme, Anganwadi Services were launched in 1975 as a pilot project covering 33 blocks in the country; its objectives are:

  • To improve nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;
  • To lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;
  • To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropouts;
  • To achieve effective coordination of policies and implementation strategies among the various departments for promoting child development; and
  • To enhance the capability of the mothers to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of their children through proper nutrition and health education.

Package of services under the ICDS scheme:

  1. Supplementary nutrition
  2. Pre-school non-formal education
  3. Nutrition & health education
  4. Immunization
  5. Health check-up
  6. Referral services

Out of the six, three health related services viz., immunization, health check-up and referral services are provided by NRHM & Public Health Infrastructure. This convergence is facilitated by the grassroot level functionaries i.e. AWWs (Anganwadi Services Scheme) and the ANMs/ASHA Workers (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) through:

  • Observance of monthly Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) at AWCs- immunization, ANC/PNC etc.;
  • Referral of sick/malnourished children by AWWs to health facilities and the ANMs;
  • Biannual rounds of Vitamin A supplementation (in several States);
  • Use of joint Mother Child Protection (MCP) cards by ANM and AWWs;
  • Participation at the Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC) meetings;
  • Monthly meetings by ANM and AWW at the sub-centre level; and joint training conducted by NRHM.

Roles and Responsibilities of Anganwadi Workers:

  • To elicit community support and participation in running the programme.
  • To weigh each child every month and plotting it on the growth card; maintain the child cards (for children below 6 years) to be examined by the visiting medical/para-medical personnel; and using the referral cards for referring mothers/children to the sub-centre/PHC etc.
  • To carry out, annually, a quick survey of all the families in their respective area of work with particular attention to the mothers and children.
  • To organise non-formal pre-school activities for children aged 3-6 years and to help in designing/making toys out of indigenous resources.
  • To organise supplementary nutrition feeding for infants/children (below 6 years) as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers via planning of menu based on locally available food/local recipes.
  • To provide health/nutrition education along with counselling on breastfeeding as well as infant/young child feeding practices to the mothers. Further, anganwadi workers being rather close to the local community can motivate the married women for adopting family planning practices/birth control measures.
  • To help and coordinate the health centre visits of pregnant women/nursing mothers for registering their child's birth and reporting the same to the village level functionary notified as Registrar of Births.
  • To conduct home visits for educating the parents, especially the mothers, for enabling them to play an effective role in their child's growth and development with particular emphasis on that of the newborn child.
  • To assist the PHC staff in effective implementation of the programme's health component viz. immunization, health checkups and ante-natal/postnatal check-ups etc.
  • To assist the ANMs in the administration of IFA tablets (for anaemia control) and vitamin A doses (for preventing VAD) to the beneficiaries.
  • To share the health-related information with the ANM.
  • To support in organizing Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) drives.
  • To inform the ANM regarding any emergency cases like diarrhoea, cholera etc.
  • To guide ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists under NRHM) in the delivery of healthcare services and maintaining the records.
  • Anganwadi Workers can act as depot holders for RCH Kit/contraceptives and disposable delivery kits, though the actual responsibility lies with the ANMs or ASHAs except that for over-the counter drugs.
  • To assist in implementing Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) and motivate/educate the adolescent girls, their parents and community as a whole by organizing social awareness programmes/campaigns etc. Also, to assist in implementing the Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) and maintaining the records.
  • During home visits, to identify disability among children and referring them immediately to the nearest PHC or District Disability Rehabilitation Centre.
  • To inform the Supervisors/CDPO regarding any village level developments requiring their attention and intervention, particularly for the coordinating arrangements with different departments.
  • To maintain liaison with other institutions (eg. Mahila Mandals) and to involve school teachers (women only) and primary/middle school girl students of the village, where necessary.

Roles and Responsibilities of ASHA Workers:

  • ASHA workers are expected to elicit community participation in public health programmes in the village. She is the first person to be called for any health-related needs of the deprived sections of the population, especially women and children, who find it difficult to access healthcare services. ASHAs are the community-level health activist for creating awareness on health and its social determinants as well as for mobilizing the community towards local health planning and increased utilization/accountability of the existing health services.
  • They are promoters of good health practices. In addition, they provide a minimum package of appropriate and feasible curative care or arrange for timely referrals.
  • They generate community awareness concerning the various determinants of health such as nutrition, basic sanitation & hygienic practices and healthy living/working conditions, as well as regarding the existing healthcare services and the importance of timely utilisation of health & family welfare services.
  • They counsel women on birth preparedness, importance of safe delivery, breastfeeding & complementary feeding, appropriate care of the young child, immunization, contraception and prevention of common infections including reproductive tract infections/sexually transmitted infections (RTIs/STIs).
  • They mobilise the community and facilitate their accessing health/health related services such as immunisation, antenatal/postnatal check-ups(ANC/PNC), supplementary nutrition, sanitation and other governmental services available at the anganwadi/sub-centre/primary health centres.
  • They act as depot holders for essential provisions like Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), Iron Folic Acid tablets (IFA), chloroquine, Disposable Delivery Kits (DDK), oral contraceptive pills & condoms, etc.
  • Since ASHAs cannot function without adequate institutional support at the village level, women's committees (self-help groups/women's health committees), village health & sanitation committee (Gram Panchayat), peripheral health workers especially ANMs and Anganwadi workers, and the ASHA trainers (for periodic in-service training) provide them the needed support.
  • Recently, Home-Based-Care for Young Children (HBYC) has been initiated to extend the community-based-care by ASHA workers with particular focus on nutrition counselling, improved child rearing practices and breastfeeding promotion etc.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(GIST OF YOJANA) India at UNFCCC COP 25 [JANUARY-2020]

(GIST OF YOJANA)  India at UNFCCC COP 25

[JANUARY-2020]

India at UNFCCC COP 25

Introduction:

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Information & Broadcasting and Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Shri Prakash Javadekar delivered India’s Statement at the 25th session of Conference of Parties under the UN framework convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 25), in Madrid, Spain on 10 December, 2019.

Following is the Statement (Excerpts):

  • The Government of Spain for hosting COP 25.
  • India has reduced emissions intensity of GDP by 21 percent and is on track to achieve the goal of 35% emissions reduction as promised in Paris.
  • Prime Minister Modi announced 175 GigaWatts targets for renewable under the Paris Agreement. We have already achieved 83 Giga Watts. The Prime Minister has subsequently increased the target to 450 Giga Watts at the recent UN Climate Action Summit.
  • To simultaneously progress on solar, biomass and wind energy. We have put carbon tax on coal production at the rate of Dollars 6 per tonne. Even with 36 parties represented in Parliament, we could achieve this unanimously.
  • The headline is that a commercial flight was operated on 100 percent biofuel and we are targeting blending of 20% ethanol in petrol by 2030.
  • We have leapfrogged from Bharat Standard IV to Bharat Standard VI for vehicle emission norms and from 1 April, 2020, vehicles will be BS VI compliant.
  • 360 million LED bulbs have been fitted in homes, and 10 million conventional street lights have been replaced with LED lights. There is also a strong push for use of e-vehicles by introducing multiple policy interventions and incentives.
  • We have provided 80 million LPG gas connections replacing conventional firewood cooking stoves. Our cooling action plan and adaptation plan are working well and will achieve our targets.
  • We have promised the creation of additional carbon sinks of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon equivalent through increasing green cover. In the last five years, our green cover has increased by 15,000 sq. km. We are undertaking special projects like urban forests, school nursery, agroforestry, water and fodder augmentation in the forest area.
  • India prioritises adaptation as an integral part of climate actions. Therefore, India will be investing about 50 million dollars in water conservation. India has taken up a target for restoration of 26 million of degraded land by 2030 during the 14th COP of UN Convention to Combat Desertification in Delhi. This is one of the largest programs in the world to ensure carbon sink in land resources.
  • 100% neem coating of urea fertilizer is appreciated by the world and 170 million soil health cards are taking care of the soil health, thus creating more carbon sinks.
  • Internationally, we launched the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure which is a partnership to support countries through knowledge exchange and provide technical support on developing disaster and climate resilient infrastructure.
  • Only 6 countries are on track to meet their NDCs announced in Paris.
  • Sustainable lifestyle is a part of the ethos of India. It is time for reflection and assessment as we near the end of Pre-2020 period. It is time to look in the mirror. Has the developed world delivered on its promises? Unfortunately, annexed countries have not met their Kyoto Protocol targets.
  • Neither their NDCs reflect ambitions nor have they shown willingness to enhance their commitments. I propose that we have three more years to fulfill pre-2020 commitments till the global stocktake takes place for bridging emission gaps.

Important issue of finance:

  • Developed world promised 1 trillion dollar in the last 10 years, and not even 2 percent has materialised. It has to be public finance and there should be no double accounting.
  • The world that benefited from carbon emissions that made them developed, must repay. Technology development and transfer at affordable costs is crucial for developing countries. If we are dealing with a disaster, nobody should profit from it. So, my proposal is to have more joint research and collaboration, grant finance made available for meeting the targets.
  • COP 25 is an important step in our collective journey towards a clean, green and healthy planet.
  • Market and non-market mechanisms play an important role. We expect that guidelines for Article 6 will ensure transition of Clean Development Mechanism under Kyoto Protocol and provide the incentives and positive signals to private sector, which had invested in it.
  • We also urge support for the vulnerable communities worldwide with a strong Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage with provision for financial support.

Conclusion:

  • This is the time for ownership and this is the time for responsible action. India has and will continue to do its bit – expecting commensurate multilateral action with developed countries taking the lead.

UPSC Pre General Studies Study Material

Complete Study Material For UPSC, IAS Exams

This is Only Sample Material, To Get Full Materials Buy The Gist 1 Year Subscription - "Only PDF" Click Here

Click Here to Download More Free Sample Material

(The Gist of PIB) IFFI 2019 [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) IFFI 2019

[DECEMBER-2019]

IFFI 2019

  • The Golden Jubilee edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Panaji, Goa. Actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth inaugurated the IFFI 2019.

Key highlights:

  • The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia.
  • It is Held annually, currently in the state of Goa. Since 2004, starting from the 35th edition, the International Film Festival of India, became globally competitive, and moved to its permanent venue Goa, and is being held during the months of November and December of each year.
  • The festival is conducted jointly by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Directorate of Film Festivals and the Government of Goa.
  • During the festival, ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, instituted by the International Council for Film and Television, Paris and UNESCO will be given to a film that portrays the Gandhian values of peace and harmony.
  • At the end of the festival, Golden peacock award will be awarded to the best film.
  • Actor Rajnikanth received the ICON of the Golden Jubilee Award at IFFI 2019. IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award, the festival’s highest honour, was presented to French actor Isabelle Huppert.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Recycling of Ships Bill [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Recycling of Ships Bill

[DECEMBER-2019]

Recycling of Ships Bill

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for enactment of Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 and accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.

Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019:

  • The Government of India has decided to enact Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019, to provide for the regulation of recycling of ships by setting certain international standards and laying down the statutory mechanism for enforcement of such standards.
  • The proposed Bill restricts and prohibits the use or installation of hazardous material, which applies irrespective of whether a ship is meant for recycling or not. Ships shall be recycled only in authorized ship recycling facilities.
  • It has also been decided to accede to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009.
  • When the Hong Kong Convention comes into force, its provisions will be implemented under the provisions of the Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019 and rules and regulations framed there under.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Global Bio-India Summit 2019 [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Global Bio-India Summit 2019

[DECEMBER-2019]

Global Bio-India Summit 2019

  • India’s first largest biotechnology conference – the Global Bio-India (GBI) Summit, 2019 concluded in New Delhi.

Key highlights:

  • The three-day event was organized by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India along with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
  • The Department plans to turn the GBI into an annual event with support from all stakeholders.
  • The Summit provided an opportunity to showcase the potential of India’s biotech sector to the international community, identify, create opportunities and deliberate on the key challenges in the areas of Bio-pharma, Bio-Agri, Bio-Industrial, Bio-Energy and Bio-Services and allied sectors.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) DPIIT [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) DPIIT

[DECEMBER-2019]

DPIIT

  • Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has set up a Development Council for Bicycle for vision planning in design, engineering and manufacturing of lighter, smarter, value added, safe and faster premium bicycles which are comparable with global standards for exports and domestic market.
  • A Twenty-three-member Council will be headed by Secretary DPIIT. The constitution of the Council is for a period of two years. Joint Secretary, Light Engineering Industry Division in DPIIT will be Member-Secretary.

Key highlights:

  • The Council will stimulate value chain and fuel accelerated demand growth of Make-in-India through the following activities:
  • To improve competitiveness and level of services.
  • To transform Indian bicycle technology and its value chain.
  • To ensure development of holistic ecosystem through close, coordinated and continuous stakeholder persuasion.
  • To undertake all possible measures for leveraging bicycle demand, it may inter-alia include ensuring enabling (safe and segregated) cycling infrastructure and operations.
  • To enhance export competitiveness of bicycle through support of schemes and favourable trade policies.
  • To popularize the incredible benefits of cycling through the campaigns piloted by the concerned Ministries/ Departments of Government of India such as Ministry of Health (health benefits), Ministry of Environment and Forest (air/ noise pollution free benefits), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (energy saving benefits), Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (decongestion benefits).
  • Development of medium and small industries to usher in a new mind-set through innovative schemes in a structured and synergistic way.
  • Development of skilled human resources development for bicycle manufacturing and repair shops.
  • To identify and study best international practices and successful story to adopt for bicycle manufacturing, recycling and infrastructure development in India.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Conference of Governors [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Conference of Governors

[DECEMBER-2019]

Conference of Governors

  • The 50th Conference of Governors concluded at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Key highlights:

  • The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, presided over a two-day Conference of Governors and Lt. Governors of all States and Union Territories on November 23 and 24, 2019 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • This was the 50th such Conference to be held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
  • The first Conference was organised in 1949.
  • The two-day Conference discussed important thematic issues like tribal issues, reforms in agriculture, Jal Jeevan Mission, new education policy for higher education and governance for ease of living.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) 8th International Tourism Mart [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) 8th International Tourism Mart

[DECEMBER-2019]

8th International Tourism Mart

  • The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in association with the North Eastern States is organising the 8th “International Tourism Mart” (ITM) at Imphal, Manipur from 23 November to 25 November, 2019.

Key highlights:

  • This is the 8th International Tourism Mart (ITM) and an annual event organised in the North Eastern region with the objective of highlighting the tourism potential of the region in the domestic and international markets.
  • It brings together the tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the 8 North Eastern States. The event has been planned to facilitate interaction between buyers, sellers, media, Government agencies and other stakeholders.
  • The ITMs are organised in the North Eastern States on rotation basis. Manipur is hosting this mart for the second time. The earlier editions of this mart have been held in Guwahati, Tawang, Shillong, Gangtok, Agartala.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) NSS 75TH Round [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) NSS 75TH Round

[DECEMBER-2019]

NSS 75TH Round

  • National Statistical Office (NSO) has conducted a survey on Household Social Consumption: Education as part of 75th round of National Sample Survey (NSS). Some important findings of the survey are given below.

Key highlights:

  • Literacy rate among persons of age 7 years and above was 77.7%. It was 73.5% in rural and 87.7% in the urban areas.
  • Nearly 10.6 % of the persons of age 15 years and above in India had completed level of education graduate and above. This was 5.7% in rural and 21.7% in urban areas.
  • Among persons of age 3 to 35 years, 13.6% never enrolled,5% ever enrolled but currently not attending while 43.9% were currently attending.
  • Net Attendance Ratio (NAR) at primary level was 86.1%. The figure was 72.2% at ‘upper primary / middle level’ and 89.0% at ‘primary and upper primary /middle level’
  • Nearly 96.1% of the students were pursuing general courses and 3.9% were pursuing technical/professional courses.
  • Among students pursuing general courses, nearly 55.8% were male students and 44.2% were female students.
  • Among students pursuing technical/professional courses, nearly 65.2% were male students and 34.8% were female students.
  • Nearly 57.0% of the students in rural and 23.4% in urban areas received free education.
  • Nearly 15.7% of the students in rural and 9.1% in urban areas received scholarship/ stipend/ reimbursement.
  • Nearly 4.4% of the rural households and 23.4% of the urban households had a computer. Nearly 14.9% of the rural households and 42.0% of the urban households had internet facility.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Nishank [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Nishank

[DECEMBER-2019]

Nishank

  • Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched the kartavya.ugc.ac.in portal on the occasion of ‘Constitution Day’ today, as a part of year long Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan being observed throughout the country.

Key highlights:

  • The portal will be used primarily for holding monthly essay competitions for students as well as other activities like quizzes, debates, poster making etc pertaining to Nagrik Kartavya Paalan Abhiyan.
  • On the occasion of the 70th year of the adoption of the Indian Constitution, it has been decided by the Government to run a Nagrik Kartavya Palan Abhiyan from 26th November 2019 to 26th November 2020, to create mass awareness about the Fundamental Duties as enshrined in Constitution.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Yuwaah Youth Skilling Initiative  [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Yuwaah Youth Skilling Initiative

 [DECEMBER-2019]

Yuwaah Youth Skilling Initiative

  • UNICEF has launched ‘YuWaah’ Generation Unlimited in India on 1.11.2019.

Key highlights:

• According to UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, called You Wash in India, is a multi-stakeholder alliance which aims to facilitate youth to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work.
• The target age group of YuWaah includes adolescent girls and boys.
• Its key mission is to promote access to foundational, transferable and 21st century skills for youth inside and outside formal education systems, which includes defining foundational skills, life skills and flexible learning and identifying and scaling impactful delivery models.
• YuWaah intends to create platforms to guide youth to market opportunities (career guidance, mentorship, internships, apprenticeships) and facilitate integration of career guidance in school education.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) PSLV-C47 successfully launches Cartosat-3 and 13  [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) PSLV-C47 successfully launches Cartosat-3 and 13

 [DECEMBER-2019]

PSLV-C47 successfully launches Cartosat-3 and 13

  • India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its forty ninth flight (PSLV-C47), successfully launched Cartosat-3 and 13 commercial nanosatellites from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the 21st flight of PSLV in ‘XL’ configuration (with 6 solid strap-on motors).

Key highlights:

  • Cartosat-3 satellite is a third generation agile advanced satellite having high resolution imaging capability. The mission life of the Cartosat-3 is 5 years.
  • This is the 9th satellite of Cartosat series developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • One of Cartosat-3’s cameras offers a ground resolution of 25 cm. Currently, WorldView-3, a satellite owned by U.S. company Maxar, has the best ground resolution of 31 cm. An existing policy allows only government and government authorised agencies to access ISRO’s high-resolution imageries below a resolution of 1 m.
  • At 1,625 kg, Cartosat-3 is unusually heavy and more than double the mass of the previous eight in its class.
  • Cartosat-3 will address the increased user’s demands for large scale urban planning, rural resource and infrastructure development, coastal land use and land cover, etc.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Popularize AYUSH System  [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Popularize AYUSH System

 [DECEMBER-2019]

Popularize AYUSH System

  • People across the country are following traditional Indian medical systems of AYUSH.
  • According to the data available, 17,73,75,226 Patients visited Government Health Care Facilities under AYUSH in OPD and 19,57,921 were admitted as inpatients in 2017-18.

The measures taken by the Ministry of AYUSH for further propagating the natural medical systems are:

  • The Ministry of AYUSH regularly observes days dedicated to AYUSH Systems of Medicine Viz. International Day of Yoga, Ayurveda Day, Unani Day, Siddha Day, Naturopathy Day, Homoeopathy Day etc. to create awareness about the benefits of the respective AYUSH system of medicine including natural medical systems.
  • A Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of Information Education and Communication (IEC) in AYUSH has been devised by the Ministry of AYUSH for this purpose. Under this Scheme, the Ministry of AYUSH takes up initiatives to create awareness about and to promote AYUSH systems of medicine including natural medical systems. These initiatives include organizing Arogya Fairs, Melas, Conferences, Exhibitions, Seminars, Workshops, Symposium, Yoga Fests and Ayurveda Parcs. The IEC Scheme also supports undertaking publicity campaigns through electronic media, print media and social media amongst the citizens in the country.
  • Ministry of AYUSH has established five Research Councils namely CCRAS, CCRUM, CCRS, CCRH and CCRYN for Research in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy respectively.

These research councils apart from engaging in clinical/ field research also undertake the following activities: –

  • Running Mobile health programme catering to backward regions and SC/ST communities
  • Undertaking health awareness campaigns.
  • Piloting Innovations like telemedicine with the help of common service centres. Ministry of AYUSH has already established advanced research institutes in Indian medical systems through Research Councils
  • Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) has 21 Research Centres in different States/UTs for advance research in Homoeopathy.
  • Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) is carrying out its research activities through its 30 Institutes/Centres/Units located all over India and also through collaborative studies with various Universities, Hospitals and Institutes. The research activities of the Council include Medicinal Plant Research (Medico-Ethno Botanical Survey, Pharmacognosy and Tissue Culture), Drug Standardization, Pharmacological Research, Clinical Research, Literary Research and Documentation and Tribal Health Care Research Programme.
  • Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) had initiated steps to establish advanced research in Siddha medical systems through IMR and EMR projects. Clinical research, Epidemiological research, Drug research, Literary and fundamental research, and Medicinal plants research are being carried out in these units. Totally there are 25 ongoing IMR projects and 8 completed IMR projects of CCRS.
  • CCRS is equipped with state of the art infrastructure with sophisticated instruments in the following departments: Department of Clinical Research, Department of Biochemistry, Department of Pathology, Radiology, Department of Chemistry, Department of Pharmacognosy etc.,
  • CCRS had published 32 books publications and 456 scientific research articles in various indexed international / national peer reviewed journals.
  • CCRS had signed MoU with reputed institutions / organizations for initiating collaborative research works.
  • Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM) has also carried out Advance Research on various diseases in collaboration with other renowned academic/scientific institutes.
  • CCRUM is also authenticating raw drugs as well as compound formulations by implementing Pharmacognostical methods viz., Macroscopy, Microscopy and Powder Microscopy; Physico-chemical methods and instrumental such as TLC fingerprint.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

(The Gist of PIB) Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts  [DECEMBER-2019]

(The Gist of PIB) Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts

 [DECEMBER-2019]

Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts

  • The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs announced that Notification for mandatory Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Artefacts across the nation will be issued on 15th January, 2020 giving one year time period for implementation.

Key highlights:

  • The BIS (Bureau of Indian standards) Act 2016 has enabling provisions under Section 14 & Section 16 for making hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts mandatory by the Central Government.
  • This will make it compulsory for all the jewellers selling gold jewellery and artefacts to register with BIS and sell only hallmarked Gold jewellery and artefacts.
  • The draft Quality Control Order for mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts has been hosted on WTO website on 10th October 2019 for comments for a period of 60 days.
  • As on 31st October 2019 there are 877 Assaying and hallmarking centres spread in 234 district locations across the country and so far 26,019 jewellers have taken BIS registration.

Study Material for UPSC General Studies Pre Cum Mains

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - user6's blog