04 June 2022 – Current Affairs

Puneet Sagar Campaign

(Paper 3 : Environment, Pollution)

Why in News?

Puneet Sagar Abhiyan run by NCC is going to be concluded on 5th June 2022, let’s know about it

Key Points –

• NCC has launched the latest phase of its nationwide flagship campaign ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ on 30 May 2022 and it will continue till 5th June 2022, the World Environment Day.
• About 74,000 cadets from 10 States and 4 Union Territories will participate in the campaign during this phase. The NCC cadets shall also be joined in by NCC Alumni, locals and tourists in several places across the country.
• The waste collected during the campaign will be disposed of in an environment friendly manner in cooperation with Government/Private agencies.
• It is noteworthy Puneet Sagar Abhiyan was launched by NCC to clean Sea Shores/Beaches and other water bodies including rivers & lakes, of plastic & other waste and increase awareness amongst the local population about importance of keeping the beaches and river fronts clean.
• The purpose of the Abhiyan is to educate locals and sensitise them about ‘Swachh Bharat’.
• The campaign has continued unabated with full fervour since its launch in December 2021. Drawing, poster making, essay writing, poetry, article writing, debate, etc are also being conducted at various locations during the campaign.

Source – PIB

Integration of e-Sanjeevani Telemedicine Service

(Paper 2 Health)

Why in News?

Recently Government of India’s free telemedicine service- ‘e Sanjeevani’ has been integrated with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) of NHA.

Key Points –

• The National Health Authority (NHA) announces the successful integration of eSanjeevani with its flagship scheme – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
• This integration allows the existing users of eSanjeevani, the telemedicine service of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to easily create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and use it to link and manage their existing health records like prescriptions, lab reports, etc.
• The users would also be able to share their health records with doctors on eSanjeevani which will help in better clinical decision making and ensuring the continuum of care.
• It is noteworthy that eSanjeevani service is available in two variants –
• The first one is eSanjeevani Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC) – the Doctor-to-Doctor telemedicine service through which the beneficiaries visiting a HWC can virtually connect to doctors/ specialists in the Hub that could be at tertiary healthcare facility/hospital/medical college. This enables the government to provide general and specialised health services in rural areas and isolated communities.
• The second variant, eSanjeevani OPD is serving patients across the country, connecting them directly to doctors from the comforts of their homes. Both versions – eSanjeevani AB-HWC and eSanjeevani OPD have been integrated with ABDM platform.
• The eSanjeevani telemedicine platform now joins other 40 digital health applications that have completed their ABDM integration. Together, these health tech services are building a robust, inter-operable and inclusive digital health ecosystem for the country. More info on ABDM integrated apps here: https://abdm.gov.in/our-partners.

Significance of integration –

• ABDM aims to build digital highways to bridge the gaps in existing digital health solutions and stakeholders in India.
• The integration of eSanjeevani with ABDM is one such example where the 22 crore ABHA holders can link and store their health records created via eSanjeevani directly in the health lockers of their choice.
• The users can also share their previously linked health records with the doctors on eSanjeevani making the entire consultation process paper-less.

What is e-Sanjeevani?

• E-Sanjeevani is an internet-based telemedicine solution platform.
• Through this, any person sitting at home through the internet on mobile can consult the doctor online about any kind of illness and get his treatment done.
• E-Sanjeevani provides two types of tele-medicine consultancy. In this, one consultancy is with the doctor and the other patient with the doctor.
• E-Sanjeevani extends the reach of special health services to the masses in rural areas and isolated communities.
• The e-Sanjivani aims to justify health services by reducing the digital divide, addressing issues related to unequal distribution and lack of infrastructure, as well as human resources, besides enhancing the quality of medical services.

Source – PIB

Sagarmala Young Professional Scheme

(Paper 2 Education, Human Resources Subjects)

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has started the Sagarmala Young Professional Scheme for the appointment of young professionals, let’s know about it.

Key Points –

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has formulated scheme to engage talented, forward-thinking and dynamic young professionals in various divisions of the Ministry.
• This scheme focuses on active on-the-ground learning for young professionals. The professionals will have the opportunity to learn about the functioning of the government as well as developmental policy concerns.
• Professionals will be required to deliver high-quality inputs in areas such as infrastructure, data analysis, project management, start-up, innovation, skill development, digital transformation and the environment, among others, in order to meet Ministry’s needs.
• Initially, more than 25 young professionals will be hired under this scheme. Professionals will be required to have qualification in B.E/ B.Tech, B. Planning and/or MBA or equivalent degree in relevant subject/ field and minimum three year of relevant work experience.
• Professionals in Accountancy, Finance, Legal, Statistics, Economics/Commerce, Data Analytics will also be engaged based on requirement of the Ministry. The initial period of engagement shall be 2 years  which can be extended to additional 2 years on the basis of performance
• The advertisement inviting application will be posted on Web-Portal of the Ministry and National Career Service Portal of Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Significance of the Scheme –

• The scheme will foster active involvement of young people in decision-making. It will also raise awareness about maritime sector among youth.
• This will further contribute to social wellness at an individual level, by boosting self-esteem and a sense of empowerment, and bring about crucial benefits for societies such as an enhanced awareness for common concerns and a joint resolve to identify solutions that work in the long term.

Source – PIB

Khelo India Youth Games 2021

(Paper 2 Health, Education, Human Resources)

Why in News?

Khelo India Youth Games 2021 is being inaugurated by the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on 4th June 2022.

Key Points –

• Khelo India Youth Games-2021 is being organized jointly by the State Government and Sports Authority of India (SAI), Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from June 4 to 13, 2022.
• Union Minister of Home Affairs Shri Amit Shah will be the chief guest at the launch of the Khelo India Youth Games 2021 in Panchkula, Haryana, on June 4, 2022.
• it is noteworthy that This is the fourth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games – the biggest nationwide grassroots level sports competition in India, started by the Central Government in 2018.
• Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik will also grace the opening ceremony. Besides them, other dignitaries from Haryana including the State Sports Minister Shri Sandeep Singh will also grace the event.
• Overall, as many as 4,700 athletes, including 2,262 girls, will be vying in 25 sports for 269 gold, 269 silver and 358 bronze medals from the games, which will start on 4th June and will go on until June 13.
• KIYG 2021 will see participation from 37 States and Union Territories of India. This will be held over 5 cities (Panchkula, Shahbad, Ambala, Chandigarh and Delhi).
• The games will feature a total of 25 sports, including 5 indigenous games of India – Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Gatka, Mallakhamba and Yogasana.
• It is noteworthy that Unlike the previous editions, where the Khelo India Youth Games were held in two age categories, this one will only have Under-18 players competing for the honours.
• Hosts Haryana have fielded a 396-member contingent, the largest at KIYG 2021, and will compete in every sport. Two-time KIYG champions Maharashtra, meanwhile, are sending a 318-strong contingent and will be competing in 23 of the 25 events in Haryana.
• Haryana, who have produced multiple Olympics, Paralympics and Asian Games medallists, had clinched the inaugural Khelo India School Games in 2018 to annex the mantle as the number one sporting state.
• The very next year (2019), Maharashtra, making the most of their home advantage, shot to the top of the table in the event that was renamed as Youth Games. They cornered a whopping 85 gold medals to Haryana’s 62 to emerge as the new champions in Pune. Maharashtra reinforced their supremacy in the next edition in Guwahati too, garnering a total of 78 gold medals.

About The Khelo India Youth Game –

• Khelo India Youth Games are also organized by the Government of India to promote the skills of the students in sports.
• The Khelo India Youth Games were started in the year 2018 by the then Sports Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
• The first game of khelo india youth game was played in Delhi on 31 january 2018 at indira gandhi statium. After that, the second game of the Khelo India Youth Game was played in Pune, Maharashtra on 9 January 2019 and the third game was played in Guwahati on 20 January 2019.
• Khelo India Youth Games aims to promote sports in school colleges. For that, financial assistance is also provided to the players for 8 years by the government. So that they can prepare well for the national games.
• Those youths – boys / girls who are interested in sports, but are not able to participate in sports. Khelo India Youth Game has been started for them. Even after being interested in sports, they are not able to make their career in games.

Source – PIB

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

(Paper 2 Health, Education, Human Resources)

Why in News?

Nominations are being made by the Central Government for tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2021, let us know what is this Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award?

Key Points –

• The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, confers the National Adventure Award for Adventure, called “Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award” (TNNAA).
• The award is given to recognize the achievements of those associated with the field of adventure and to encourage them to develop a spirit of  endurance, risk-taking, working together in a group and taking quick,  prompt and effective steps in challenging situations.
• The winners are presented with arjuna awards by the government of India. The prize includes a bronze statue, a certificate, a silk tie/tie. The sari is accompanied by a blazer and  a prize money of Rs 15 lakh.

The award is awarded in the following four categories:

1. Land Adventure (adventure on land),
2. Water (Sea) Adventure (Adventure in water),
3. Air Adventure (Adventure in the Air) and
4. Life time achievement for adventure activities on land, C. and air (land, water and air).
5. It may be mentioned that the award considers the achievements of  the last 3 years for  3 categories namely Land Adventure, Water (C) Adventure, Air Adventure  and achievement of the entire career for the Life Time Achievement Award.
6. Nominations for TNNAA 2021 are being invited through the https://awards.gov.in portal from May 18, 2022 to June 16, 2022. Anyone who has excelled and has outstanding leadership qualities, a sense of adventure discipline and continuous achievement in a particular field of adventure i.e. land, air or water (sea), can apply for the award through the above portal before the last date i.e. June 16, 2022.

Who was Tenzing Norgay?

• Tenzing Norgay, known as ‘Sherpa Tenzing’, was the first Indian to climb mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.
• He had the first success in climbing the summit of the 8,848-meter-high mountain Everest on March 29, 1953, along with New Zealand’s famous mountaineer Edmund Hillary.

Source – PIB

Barcodes and Radio-frequency identification tags

(Paper 3 Science Technology)

Why in News?

Baggage tags equipped with radio-frequency identification will soon be available at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Let us know How is RFID different from a barcode?

Key Points –

• Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify various tagged objects.
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless tracking method that uses tags and readers to track objects.
• Transponder, receiver, and transmitter are the three components of an RFID system.
• The RFID reader continually sends radio waves of a specific frequency in RFID system. If the object to which the RFID tag is attached is within the range of the radio waves, it provides feedback to the RFID reader, which then identifies the object based on the feedback.

Types of RFID-

• Passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags are the three types of RFID tags that are commercially available.
• There is no power supply for passive tags. They acquire their power from the readers’ incoming radio waves.
• Semi-passive tags comprise an internal circuit with a power source, but rely on the radio waves received from the reader to transmit the response.
• The internal circuit of active tags is powered by a power source.
• Passive RFID tags do not have a battery and are powered by the reader.
• Batteries are being used to power active RFID tags. It also utilises its own power supply to send the response to the reader.
• The Low Frequency, High Frequency, and Ultra-High Frequency bands are used by RFID systems.

What is a barcode?

• A barcode is a printed series of parallel bars or lines of varying width used for entering data into a computer system.
• The bars are black on a white background and vary in width and quantity depending on the application. The bars represent the binary digits zero and one, which represent the digits zero to nine processed by a digital computer.
• These barcodes are scanned using special optical scanners known as barcode readers, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
• The majority of these codes use only two different widths of bars, however some use four. The numbers that make up a barcode are also printed at the bottom. One of the most well-known examples of a barcode is the QR code.

RFID Vs barcodes

• RFID uses radio waves to communicate data from RFID chips to readers that do not require line of sight in order to obtain the data, whereas barcodes use light to read the black-and-white pattern printed on the sticky tag. An RFID tag can communicate with a powered reader even when the tag is not powered.
• When printed on paper or sticky labels, barcodes are more susceptible to wear and breakage, which can affect their readability. RFID tags, on the other hand, are sometimes placed in plastic labels or into the object itself, making them more durable than barcodes.
• In contrast to barcode scanners, RFID scanners can process dozens of tags in a single second. Also, barcodes are simple and easy to copy or counterfeit, whereas RFID is more complicated and difficult to replicate or counterfeit.
• Unlike barcodes, which must in line of sight, RFID tags need not be.
• Also, RFID tags are expensive compared to barcodes.

Source – Indian Express

Direct-to-mobile broadcasting technology

(Paper 3 Science Technology)

Why in News?

The government of India is exploring the feasibility of a technology that allows to broadcast video and other forms of multimedia content directly to mobile phones, without needing an active internet connection. This technology is called ‘direct-to-mobile’ (D2M) broadcasting.

Key Points –

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and India’s public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati are exploring the feasibility of a technology that allows to broadcast video and other forms of multimedia content directly to mobile phones, without needing an active internet connection.
• The technology, called ‘direct-to-mobile’ (D2M) broadcasting, promises to improve consumption of broadband and utilisation of spectrum.

What is direct-to-mobile broadcasting?

• The technology is based on the convergence of broadband and broadcast, using which mobile phones can receive terrestrial digital TV.
• It would be similar to how people listen to FM radio on their phones, where a receiver within the phone can tap into radio frequencies. Using D2M, multimedia content can also be beamed to phones directly.
• The idea behind the technology is that it can possibly be used to directly broadcast content related to citizen-centric information and can be further used to counter fake news, issue emergency alerts and offer assistance in disaster management, among other things.
• Apart from that, it can be used to broadcast live news, sports etc. on mobile phones. More so, the content should stream without any buffering whatsoever while not consuming any internet data.

Impacts –

• For consumers, a technology like this would mean that they would be able to access multimedia content from Video on Demand (VoD) or Over The Top (OTT) content platforms without having to exhaust their mobile data, and more importantly, at a nominal rate. The technology will also allow people from rural areas, with limited or no internet access, to watch video content.
• For businesses, one of the key benefits of the technology is that it can enable telecom service providers to offload video traffic from their mobile network onto the broadcast network, thus helping them to decongest valuable mobile spectrum. This will also improve usage of mobile spectrum and free up bandwidth which will help reduce call drops, increase data speeds etc.

Government efforts for D2M technology –

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set up a committee to study the feasibility of a spectrum band for offering broadcast services directly to users’ smartphones.
• “Band 526-582 MHz is envisaged to work in coordination with both mobile and broadcast services. DoT has set up a committee to study this band. At the moment, this band is used by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting across the country for TV transmitters.
• Public service broadcaster Prasar Bharati had last year announced a collaboration with IIT Kanpur to test the feasibility of the technology.

Challenges –

• While still at a nascent stage, bringing key stakeholders like mobile operators onboard will be the “biggest challenge” in launching D2M technology on a wide scale.
• a mass roll out of the technology will entail changes in infrastructure and some regulatory changes.

Source – Indian Express

largest plant in the world

(Paper 3 Environment)

Why in News?

The world’s largest plant has recently been discovered off the West Coast of Australia: a seagrass 180 km in length.

Key Points –

• The ribbon weed, or Posidonia australis, has been discovered in Shark Bay by a group of researchers from Flinders University and The University of Western Australia.
• These researchers have also found that the plant is 4,500 years old, is sterile, has double the number of chromosomes than other similar plants, and has managed to survive the volatile atmosphere of the shallow Shark Bay.
• The ribbon weed covers an area of 20,000 hectares. The second largest plant, is the clonal colony of a quaking Aspen tree in Utah, which covers 43.6 hectares. The largest tree in India, the Great Banyan in Howrah’s Botanical Garden, covers 1.41 hectares.
• According to researchers Sometime in the Harappan era, a plant took root in the Shark Bay. Then it kept spreading through its rhizomes, overcoming everything in its way, and here we are today.
• Ribbon weed rhizomes can usually grow to around 35cm per year, which is how the scientists arrived at its lifespan of 4,5000 years.
• The researchers found that the ribbon weed cannot spread its seeds, something that helps plants overcome environmental threats. Also, Shark Bay sees fluctuations in temperature and salinity and gets a lot of light, conditions challenging for any plant.
• Yet the ribbon weed has managed to survive, and a part of the reason may be that it is a polyploid – instead of taking half-half genome from both parents, it took 100 per cent, something not unheard of in plants. Therefore, this ribbon weed has twice the number of chromosomes other plants of the same variety have.
• According to researchers Polyploid plants often reside in places with extreme environmental conditions, are often sterile, but can continue to grow if left undisturbed, and this giant seagrass has done just that.
• Because seagrass performs a vital role in the environment, and if some of it is hardy, it is good news for everyone in a world threatened by climate change.
• In India, seagrass is found in many coastal areas, most notably in Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait. Apart from being home to a variety of small organisms, seagrass trap sediments and prevent water from getting muddy, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and prevent coastal erosion.

Source – Indian Express

Eco-Sensitive Zones

(Paper 3 Environment)

Why in News?

Recently Supreme Court orders to keep 1km eco-sensitive zone around protected

Forests.

Key Points –

• The Supreme Court on June 3, 2022 directed that every protected forest should have a 1km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) where no development projects will be allowed.
• A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and Aniruddha Bose held that mining should not be allowed in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and stressed that activities currently going on within ESZ limits can continue only with the permission of the chief conservator of forests of the state concerned.
• This order will be applicable across the country and impact the state.
• Environment Ministry guidelines show that the purpose of declaring ESZs around national parks, forests and sanctuaries is to create some kind of a “shock absorber” for the protected areas.
• These zones would act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to those involving lesser protection.
• The judgment observed that the government should not confine its role to that of a “facilitator” of economic activities for the “immediate upliftment of the fortunes of the State”.
• In a series of directions, the court held that in case any national park or protected forest already has a buffer zone extending beyond one km, that would prevail.
• In case the question of the extent of buffer zone was pending a statutory decision, then the court’s direction to maintain the one-km safety zone would be applicable until a final decision is arrived. The court directed that “mining within the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries shall not be permitted”.
• It is noteworthy that ESZ is notified under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Source – The Hindu

71% of Indians are out of reach of Healthy diet

(Paper 2)

Why in News?

Recently, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and down to earth released the new report “State of India’s Environment 2022: In Figures” gave information that 71% of Indians are out of reach of a healthy diet.

Key Points –

• Even after  so much awareness is being created about the health of the people  in the country, the healthy diet  is out of the reach of 71 per cent of the population in the country, while the figure is 42 per cent globally.
• This information has been revealed in the new report “State of India’s Environment 2022:  In Figures” released yesterday at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth.
• The data shared in the report has revealed that 17 lakh people are losing their lives every year due to dietary hazards and weight-related diseases in the country. The diseases attributed in the report included respiratory diseases, diabetes, cancer, stroke and heart disease, etc.
• At the same time,  if we talk about the lack of nutritious food, then they include the lack of fruits, vegetables,  whole grains, etc.,  while the increasing intake of process meats, red meat, and sugar-rich beverages has been cited as the cause of these diseases. At the same time, if you look at the weight, it has included increasing weight, obesity and malnutrition.
• According to the report, the diet of an average Indian lacks enough fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains.
• It has also come to the fore that the practices and systems associated with these food items are also having an impact on the environment. It is learnt that while milk production is responsible for a large part of the emissions and land use associated with agriculture. At the same time, fresh water is being used on a large scale for grain production and due to this, harmful elements like nitrogen and phosphorus are being released into the atmosphere.
• The CSE in its report has also mentioned the inflation in the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI). Significantly, in the last one year, it has registered a growth of 327 per cent. At the same time, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which also includes the CFPI,  has seen an increase of 84 per cent.
• According to the report, despite a little progress, even today, the diet that most of the people get in the country is not nutritious. At the same time, it is putting a lot of pressure on the environment. However, if you look at the nutritional status, the level of malnutrition in the country is much higher.
• If this continues, then health, the environment and the economy may have to pay a heavy price for it. At the same time, if you look at the global food system, it is far behind achieving the global goals set for both the environment and health.

Source – Down to Earth