IASbhai DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB : 26th DECEMBER
Page Contents:
Earliest Sanskrit inscription
HEADLINES:
Earliest Sanskrit inscription in South India found in A.P.
WHY IN NEWS:
Saptamatrika cult evidence dates back to 207 A.D. in Satavahana king Vijaya’s era
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 1:Historical Findings:Inscriptions
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS note down the important findings and its significance with respect to kingdom . Coins of Satavahanas and social life becomes very important for Prelims this year !
For MAINS pen this down ! Oldest inscription FOUND 🙂
ISSUE:
The inscription on Saptamatrikas discovered by the ASI near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh
Saptamatrika
Saptamatrikas are a group of seven female deities worshipped in Hinduism as personifying the energy of their respective consorts.
The inscription is in Sanskrit and in Brahmi characters and was issued by Satavahana king Vijaya in 207 A.D.
The inscription was first copied and studied and it transpired that it records:
- the construction of a prasada (temple)
- a mandapa and
- consecration of images on the southern side of the temple by a person named Kartika for the merit of the king at the temple of Bhagavathi (Goddess) Saktimatruka (Saptamatrika) at Tambrape;
- Tambrape being the ancient name of Chebrolou
He said there are references of Saptamatrika worship in the early Kadamba copper plates and the early Chalukyas and Eastern Chalukya copper plates.
TheNew Discovery:
The new discovery predates them by almost 200 years.
He pointed out that according to Matsya Purana, Vijaya is the 28th king of the Satavahana dynasty and ruled for 6 years.
OLDEST INSCRIPTION IN INDIA ?
So far the Nagarjunakonda inscription of Ikshavaku king Ehavala Chantamula issued in his 11th regnal year corresponding to the[wc_highlight color=”yellow” class=””]4th century A.D. was considered the earliest Sanskrit inscription[/wc_highlight] in South India, he added.
IASbhai WINDUP:
Calling for conservation and preservation of the pillar given its historical importance, he pointed out that there were many such ancient monuments and structures across the country that lacked protection but could contain a treasure trove of information.
SOURCES: THE HINDU
Cancer: Burden across India
HEADLINES:
Study warns of growing cancer burden across India
WHY IN NEWS:
Fastest epidemiological (relating to the branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases).transition recorded in Kerala, lowest in U.P.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Diseases
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS understand cancers history with respect to this report
For MAINS key findings will better suggest some awesome measures to tackle Cancer in rich and poor states of India.
ISSUE:
KEY FINDINGS:
The country’s cancer burden will continue to increase as a result of the ongoing ageing of India and improving access to cancer diagnostics in rural India.
Cancer-like diseases were documented since antiquity, recording of cancer in India began in the 19th century when the Western practices of biopsy and pathological examination came to India during the colonial British regime.
Cancer is primarily a disease of older people, hence, as life expectancy went up, cancer incidences too went up.
Maximum increases will occur in the most populous and least developed States, where the facilities for cancer diagnostics and treatment are inadequate.
The present study offers lessons for planning cancer care in States as well as other countries experiencing epidemiological transition.
IASbhai WINDUP:
Kerala vs U.P.
A direct comparison of the demographic and social variables, available health care facilities and leading causes of mortality in these two States shows how the low incidences of infectious diseases in Kerala has given rise to more cancer compared to U.P., which is still battling high mortality from communicable diseases.
Report finds that there is :
- decline of cancers caused by infections, such as cervical, stomach, and penile cancer,
- An increase in cancers associated with energy intake, physical activity imbalance and ageing, such as breast, colorectal and prostate cancers.
Cancer transitions can influence the requirements for site-specialized cancer surgeons, the study says. For example Kerala will need more breast oncologists and U.P. will need more gynecological oncologists.
Out-of-pocket expenditure is three times higher for private inpatient cancer care in India. [wc_highlight color=”yellow” class=””]Approximately 40% of cancer costs are met through borrowing and contributions from friends and relatives.[/wc_highlight]
SOURCES: THE HINDU
Massive locust invasion
HEADLINES:
Massive locust invasion threatens Gujarat farmers
WHY IN NEWS:
The authorities have stepped in to combat the voracious invasion.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3:Invasive Species : Biodiversity
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS LWO is very important.
For MAINS understand the geographical crisis of this issue.
ISSUE:
Insect Menace:
- “It’s a massive issue in Banaskantha, Patan, Kutch and parts of Sabarkantha and Mehsana.
- “government also explored the possibility of sprinkling pesticides and chemicals through choppers in affected areas.”
Pesticides sprayed
- The State administration along with the central teams has launched huge pesticide-spraying operation to kill the insects.
- According to the Agriculture Ministry’s Locust Warning Organisation (LWO), locusts are flying in from Pakistan’s Sindh province and spreading in villages in Rajasthan and Gujarat where south western monsoon was prolonged this year.
Locust Warning Organization (LWO)
Objectives:
- To monitor, forewarn and control locust in Scheduled Desert Area (SDA) being International obligation and commitment.
- To conduct research on locust and grasshoppers.
- Liaison and coordination with National and International Organizations.
- Human resource development through training and demonstration for staff of Locust Warning Organization (LWO), State officials, BSF personnel and Farmers.
- To maintain control potential
- In India, the scheme Locust Control and Research (LC&R) is responsible for control of Desert Locust and is being implemented through Organisation known as “Locust Warning Organisation (LWO)” established in 1939 and later amalgamated with the Directorate of Plant Protection Quarantine and Storage in 1946.
- Locust Warning organization (LWO) is responsible to monitor and control the locust situation in Scheduled Desert Area (SDA) mainly in the States of Rajasthan and Gujarat while partly in the States of Punjab and Haryana. by way of intensive survey , surveillance, monitoring and control operations where required.
IASbhai WINDUP:
The government has now assured farmers that the administration will carry out a survey to assess the damages and will accordingly compensate farmers. However, farmers feel that the government’s efforts are too little, too late.
SOURCES: THE HINDU
Atal Jal
HEADLINES:
PM Modi launches scheme for groundwater conservation
WHY IN NEWS:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the world’s longest mountain tunnel and launched a groundwater conservation mission after Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the latter’s 95th birth anniversary.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2:3:Schemes
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS features of this scheme are very important.
For MAINS keep an eye on strategic importance of the passes.
ISSUE:
Atal tunnel
Atal tunnel, an underground passage of strategic importance beneath Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh cuts the road distance between Leh in the Union territory of Ladakh and Himachal’s Manali by 46 hours and reduces travel time between Leh and Manali by five hours. It will increase the country’s all-weather access to Leh, Ladakh, Kargil and other remote parts of Jammu Kashmir.
Construction:
The decision to construct a strategic tunnel below Rohtang Pass was taken on June 3, 2000. The 8.8-km-long tunnel is the world’s longest, and located above an altitude of 3,000 meters took over 19 years to complete. The tunnel will facilitate the quicker movement of material and manpower across destinations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL)
Atal Bhujal Yojana will be known by its shorthand Atal Jal, which Modi announced, is a centrally sponsored project to improve groundwater levels in seven critically water-depleted states.
These are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Atal Jal Yojana is an important step in the direction of fulfilling the Jal Jeevan mission of water for all by 2024.
The government has identified 1,592 blocks in 256 districts that face a menacing water shortage.
The Atal Bhujal Yojana approved by the Cabinet on the outlay of 6,000 crores to be implemented over a period of five years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
The total outlay, 50% in the form of a World Bank loan by the Centre.
The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from budgetary support.
IASbhai WINDUP:
ATAL JAL has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory groundwater management and bringing about behavioral changes at the community level for sustainable groundwater resource management in seven States
SOURCES: THE HINDU
Typhoon Phanfone: Philippines
HEADLINES:
Typhoon Phanfone batters Philippines, thousands hit
WHY IN NEWS:
Tropical storm blacks out many cities and towns, say officials
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 1:Tropical Cyclones : Hurricanes
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS go through tropical cyclones ; G C Leong can come handy and remember the keyfact here .
For MAINS formation of tropical and temperate cyclones should be revised once .
ISSUE:
Typhoon Phanfone
Typhoon Phanfone, known locally as Typhoon Ursula
The storm brought winds of up to 200 km/h (125mp/h), heavy rain and widespread flooding.
At the height of the festive season on Wednesday, tens of thousands were stranded at shuttered ports or evacuation centres, while the rest of the region’s population cowered in rain-soaked homes.
Though weaker, Phanfone was tracking a similar path to Super Typhoon Haiyan.
Tropical Cyclone
- Cyclone is the formation of a very low-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it.
- Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the development of cyclones.
- Cyclones are called ‘Hurricanes’ in the North Atlantic and Eastern Pacific, ‘Typhoons’ in South-East Asia and China and ‘Tropical Cyclones’ in the South-West Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.
IASbhai WINDUP:
Confused between Cyclone / Typhoon / Hurricane ?
SOURCES: THE HINDU
“Eat Right Mela”
HEADLINES:
Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates 2nd Edition of “Eat Right Mela”
WHY IN NEWS:
“Right diet will help to reduce disease burden in India”
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2:3:Governance : Public Health
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS just go through the key facts here.
ISSUE:
KEYFACTS :
AIM : “Let the ‘Eat Right Melas’ be part of public gatherings like local melas, community programs etc., so that the citizens would learn about health and nutrition benefits of different types of food, dietary advice by experts, engage in dialogues and conversations with food visionaries and experts, relish the delicious street food, live demonstration of food recipes and have fun and entertainment.
INITIATIVE By : ‘Eat Right India’ started by: FSSAI is a timely initiative”.
- 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.
At the event Dr Harsh Vardhan also launched NetSCoFAN (Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition),
NetSCoFAN
AIM :
A network of research & academic institutions working in the area of food & nutrition along with the NetSCoFAN directory, covering detailed information of various heads/Directors and lead scientists of lead and associated partnering institutions.
COMPOSITION :
- The NetSCoFAN would comprise of eight groups of institutions working in different areas viz. biological, chemical, nutrition & labelling, food of animal origin, food of plant origin, water & beverages, food testing, and safer & sustainable packaging.
- FSSAI has identified eight Nodal Institutions who would develop a ‘Ready Reckoner’ that will have 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 database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities.
IASbhai WINDUP:
“The need for identify research gaps in respective areas and collect, collate and develop database on food safety issues for risk assessment activities, will be addressed by NetSCoFAN (Network for Scientific Co-operation for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition)
“The right kind of diet will help to reduce the disease burden in the country”.
SOURCES: PIB
Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019
HEADLINES:
WCD Ministry Invites Applications for Nari Shakti Puraskar 2019
WHY IN NEWS:
7th January 2020 Last Date for Submission of Applications
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 1:Women empowerment : Awards
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS aim of this award stand little important .
ISSUE:
KEY FACTS :
AIM : The National Award is given annually to individuals, groups, institutions in recognition of their exceptional work towards the cause of women empowerment, especially for vulnerable and marginalized women.
IASbhai WINDUP:
The Ministry of Women and Child Developmentis the nodal Ministry for the welfare of women and has been celebrating International Women’s Day every year by felicitating eminent organisations and institutions for the distinguished services rendered by them in the field of women empowerment with the Nari Shakti Puraskar.
SOURCES: THE HINDU
