PERIYAR IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS 3- NOVEMBER-2017
GS2 Topic: Issues relating to
Health, Education, Human Resources
President inaugurates 21st World Congress of Mental Health, calls
for fighting stigma
World Congress of Mental Health is taking place in India
for the first time.
Issues:
§ Our National Mental Health Survey 2016 found that close to 14 per
cent of India’s population required active mental health interventions. About
two per cent suffered from severe mental disorders.
§ Biggest obstacle that mental health patients have to encounter is
stigma and denial. This leads to the issue being ignored or simply not
discussed.
§ A second biggest obstacle is that of human resources.There are
only about five thousand psychiatrists and less than two thousand clinical
psychologists in our country.
GS2 Topic: Important
International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
7th Asian Energy Ministers’ Round Table organised by International
Energy Forum (IEF) in Bangkok
India is the current Chair of the IEF
Highlights:
§ How to overcome market and policy hurdles.
§ Importance of a flexible, transparent and non-discriminatory
global LNG trading regime which would expedite ushering in the golden age of
gas.
§ Need to move to a gas based economy and the avenues for FDI in
building infrastructure for gas including LNG terminals, pipelines, CGD etc.
India’s unprecedented leap of 30 places in the ease of doing
business and also how PM Ujjwala Scheme can be a model to be adopted in
developing countries of Asia and Africa was also highlighted in the meet
International Energy Forum (IEF):
IEF is the largest inter-governmental organisation in the field of
oil and gas comprising 72 member countries, accounting for 90% of global supply
and demand of oil and gas. Members include developing, developed, OPEC,
Non-OPEC and G20 countries. 18 of the G20 countries are members of IEF.
Source: pib
GS3 Topic: Food processing and related industries in India- scope and
significance
World Food India 2017
Highlights:
§ It is a three-day event, which is organised by the Food Processing
Industries Ministry, will see investors, manufacturers, producers, food
processors, policy makers and organisations from all over the world.
§ The event aims to facilitate participation between domestic and
international businesses
§ This is the first time that India is hosting such an event for the
food processing sector.
§ Over 800 kg khichdi will be prepared live on November 4 at
the World Food India event in a bid to create world record and popularise it as
brand India food globally.
World Food India:
World Food India aims to transform food economy and realize the
vision of doubling of farmers’ income by establishing India as a preferred
investment destination and sourcing hub for the global food processing
industry.
Significance:
§ India has geared up for a revolution in the food processing sector
and it was clear that the global companies were eagerly looking towards India
for collaboration.
§ World Food India platform will strengthen India’s position as a
global food factory and is a positive step towards making the country food
secure.
§ India is expected to attract an investment of $10 billion in food
processing sector and generate one million jobs in the next three years.
Various schemes and programs initiated by the Government to
achieve the target of Doubling of Farmers’ Income by 2022:
1. Special focus on irrigation with sufficient budget, with the aim
of “Per Drop More Crop”.
2. Provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of
each field.
3. Large investments in Warehousing and Cold Chains to prevent
post-harvest crop losses.
4. Promotion of value addition through food processing.
5. Creation of a National Farm Market, removing distortions and
e-platform across 585 Stations.
6. Introduction of a New Crop Insurance Scheme to mitigate risks at
an affordable cost.
7. Promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping, and
fisheries.
Source: times now, pib
GS3 Topic: Ecology and Environment
Blackbuck conservation reserve to come up in U.P.
A wildlife conservation reserve dedicated exclusively to the
blackbuck is coming up over 126 hectares in the trans-Yamuna region of
Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Context:
§ The State cabinet has approved a Blackbuck Conservation Reserve in
the Meja forest division that is known for its rocky, undulating and arid
terrain.
§ The area has more than 200 species of birds and herbivores like
blackbucks and bluebull, and carnivores like jackals and striped hyena.
§ There are a few national parks and sanctuaries inhabited by
blackbuck in the country, like the Velavadar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat and
the Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karnataka. However, there are not many
conservation reserves exclusively dedicated to the antelope.
Blackbuck:
§ Blackbucks, known for their majestic spiral horns and coat colour
contrasts, are found in grasslands and open forests.
§ They once ruled the open savannahs of north and central India, but
are now restricted to just a few patches and habitats, primarily due to human
population growth, ecosystem degradation and hunting.
Significance:
§ The conservation of blackbuck can be done in an effective way.
§ It will also create awareness about biodiversity conservation and
provide opportunities for people’s participation.
§ Eco-tourism will be encouraged and locals will get opportunities
for employment.
Source: the hindu
GS3 Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
India offers to share real-time maritime data
India has made an offer to share intelligence of maritime
movements in the Indian Ocean in real-time with 10 Indian Ocean littoral
States.
Key points:
§ 10 Indian Ocean littoral States to benefit from initiative
§ The information to be shared includes movement of commercial
traffic as well as intelligence.
§ The information sharing is not so much for conventional military
purposes but to deal with non-traditional threats arising at sea
§ This comes even as India gears up to counter China’s increased
presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC):
The Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) was inaugurated at the Tarang
Auditorium of INS Mandovi, Goa. The conclave was aimed at “Addressing
Regional Maritime Challenges” wherein the deliberations were focused on
emerging maritime threats and force structuring, maritime domain awareness,
maritime security architecture, and maritime security challenges in the Indian
Ocean Region(IOR).
Significance of GMC:
§ GMC aims to bring together like minded nations to evolve and
formulate collective responses to emerging challenges in the maritime domain.
§ It would also provide an opportunity to communicate our viewpoints
in a forthright manner and collectively shape a favourable maritime environment
for all countries in the region.
§ Political and economic interactions between the stake holders in
the IOR has great impact on regional dynamics in international geo-politics.
Source: the hindu
GS3 Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc
PowerGrid completes extending grid connectivity to Leh-Ladakh
region
Highlights:
§ This is the first time in the country that any 220kV voltage level
substation is built at such a high altitude of over 11,500 feet.
§ It is a prestigious project of Indian government to extend grid
connectivity to difficult geographical areas of Leh- Ladhakh Region in Jammu
and Kashmir.
§ Implementation of Srinagar-Leh Transmission System has been
entrusted to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
§ The commissioning of these elements will facilitate delivery of
power from the Nimmo Bazgo Hydro-electric power stations in Leh/Ladhakh Region,
with reliability.
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), is an Indian
state-owned electric utility company headquartered in Gurugram, India.
POWERGRID transmits about 50% of the total power generated in India on its
transmission network.
§ A “Navaratna” Central Public Sector Enterprise.
§ India’s largest Electric Power Transmission Utility
§ Third Largest Public Sector Enterprise in terms of Gross Block
Source: pib
GS3 Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
PAN Indian Army Release of Integrated Quarter Master Package
(IQMP) Software Application
Integrated Quarter Master Package (IQMP):
§ IQMP is web based software developed by Army Software Development
Centre in association with M/s TCS Ltd.
§ The application automates various logistics related functions of
an Army Unit. The application will replace numerous legacy applications such as
‘Vastra’ and ‘Quarter Master Package’.
§ The application can be dynamically configured to meet the specific
requirements of various types of Army units and is capable of sharing
information and data with other software applications in the domain of
logistics management.
Significance:
§ The software has been developed with the aim of bringing speed,
accuracy and transparency in handling logistics aspects in the unit.
§ It will also play an important role in achieving automation of
Indian Army and prove to be a significant milestone towards ‘Digital Army’ in
consonance with the ‘Digital India initiative’ of the government.
Source: pib
GS3 Topic: Indian Economy and
issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development
and employment.
Etikoppaka toys get GI tag, artisans cheer
Background:
The Etikoppaka toys are not only popular in Andhra Pradesh but
also gained their popularity all over the country and abroad over the years.
But this art form suffered a setback in the last decade. The exports to the US
and Europe, which were to the tune of Rs 50 to 80 lakh per annum, were stopped
in 2007 when the importers insisted on GI certification and heavy metal
analysis, both not in the hands of the villagers.
Key Points:
§ Etikoppaka toys, popularly known as Lakkapidathalu, finally
received Geographical Indication by the Registration of Geographical
Indication.
§ The artisans are yet to get heavy metal analysis certificate for
exporting to the US and European countries.
§ Facing a new threat from dumping of identical Chinese wooden toys
into the markets
§ Getting little help from the government, the artisans are now
looking for online trading agencies to sell their products.
Geographical Indications(GI):
Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of
industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a
country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin
of that product. Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and
distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in
that defined geographical locality, region or country.
Source: hans india
GS3 Topic: Infrastructure:
Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc
INDIA SET TO BECOME AN AVIATION HUB: VICE PRESIDENT
India will soon emerge as an aviation hub not only in terms of
increased air connectivity but also in terms of Maintenance, Repair and
Overhaul (MRO) facilities and setting up of ancillary units.
Positive trends seen:
§ India is witnessing a high-growth trajectory and set to become the
third-largest aviation market in the world in terms of passengers by 2026
§ With increasing disposable incomes and a burgeoning middle class,
air travel will witness further spurt in the years ahead.
§ Government’s Udan scheme seeks in promoting regional connectivity
by serving the un-served and under-served airports.
§ Connecting Tier-II cities, pilgrim towns and historic places with
the wider air routes is important for boosting tourism and business travel.
Source: pib
Facts for Prelims:
§ A FASTag is a device that employs radio frequency
identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the
prepaid or savings account linked to it. it will be mandatory from December 01
for all new four-wheelers to have FASTag devices fixed on the front windscreens
by automobile manufacturers or authorised dealers.
§ The Border Roads Organisation has constructed the world’s
highest motorable road in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The
86-km-long road passing through Umlingla Top is at a height of over 19,300
feet.
§ A 14 days joint training exercise ‘PRABAL DOSTYK 2017’ between
the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army commenced at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
Remedies:
§ We need to talk about mental health issues and treat ailments such
as depression and stress as diseases that can be cured
§ India’s National Mental Health Programme is building 22 centres of
excellence in the field of mental health. In parallel, the District Mental
Health Programme has already covered 517 of the approximately 650 districts in
India. It is taking the conversation about mental health to the grassroots of
our society.
§ To spread awareness, it is important to build partnerships between
the public and private sectors and between the government and civil society
organisations.
§ It would also be valuable to stitch together community support
networks.
§ The World Congress will also have sessions on yoga, meditation and
traditional approaches to mental health. It will tap into our wealth of
traditional knowledge and link it’s learning to modern research on mental
health. This will promote a holistic approach to mental health-care and can
combine the best of different fields of practice.
§ Information Technology and telemedicine are also coming of aid.
Such technologies are linking doctors and counsellors in cities to mental
health patients in rural areas. As Internet penetration expands in our country,
this holds much potential.
Source: pib
Comments
Post a Comment