25 July 2022 – Current Affairs

The first Har Ghar Jal certified district

Paper 3- Infrastructure

Why Should You Know?

Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur becomes first Certified ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district in Country

In details –

• Madhya Pradesh’s Burhanpur popularly known as the ‘Darwaza of Dakhin’, became the first Certified ‘Har Ghar Jal’ district in the Country.
• The only district in the country, people from each of 254 villages in Burhanpur have declared their villages as ‘Har Ghar Jal’ through a resolution passed by Gram Sabhas. Accordingly, it certifies that all people in the villages have access to safe drinking water through taps, ensuring that ‘No One is Left Out’.

Tap water reaches every home

• When Jal Jeevan Mission was launched on August 15, 2019, only 37,241 rural households (36.54%) out of a total of 1,01,905 households in Burhanpur had potable drinking water through tap connections.
• Now, within a span of 34 months, all the 1,01,905 rural households have access to potable drinking water through tap connections. Furthermore, all 640 schools, 547 anganwadi centres and 440 other public institutions have tap connections.
• The 440 public institutions include 167 Gram Panchayats, 50 healthcare centres, 109 community centres, 45 ashramshalas, 2 community toilets, and 67 other government offices. This became a possibility despite the various disruptions and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the consistent efforts by Panchayat representatives, Pani Samitis, and district officials of Burhanpur

What does the certificate indicate?

• The process of certification has been detailed out in the Margdarshika of Jal Jeevan Mission according to which the field engineer submitted a completion certificate regarding the water supply scheme to the Panchayat during the Gram Sabha meeting.
• The certificate confirms that every household is getting a regular supply of water of prescribed quality. Furthermore, it is also an indication of no leakages from the distribution pipeline in the village, and that all the roads dug up to lay the water pipeline was restored upon completion of the water supply works.
• Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC), responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of water supply infrastructure developed under the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ programme, has been formed in all 254 villages. Three States, namely Goa, Telangana, and Haryana, and three UTs – Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, and Puducherry have provided 100% tap water coverage.
• With the vision of ‘Har Ghar Jal’, the Government of India launched Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to supply adequate and safe drinking water through tap connections by 2024 to all rural households in India. Under this scheme, 55 litres of water per person is being provided to every rural household.

Flag Code of India

Paper 2 – Constitution

Why Should You Know?

Goverment modifies Flag Code of India to ease & promote ‘Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign’

In details –

·To commemorate 75 years of Independence, a nationwide campaign called ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is launched in which 20 crore houses and 100 crore people will hoist the national flag in homes between August 13 and 15.

·       To make things easy for the citizens, the central government has modified the Flag Code of India, 2002, to allow the tricolour to be displayed in the open and on individual houses/buildings “day and night.”

·       It is pertinent to note that before this modification, the flag could be hoisted only between sunrise and sunset.

Modification in the Flag Code

·Earlier this week, the amendment was made in the Flag Code of India, 2002 and its Clause (xii) of Para 2.2 of Part II has been revised as follows: “Where the flag is displayed in open or displayed on the house of a member of the public, it may be flown day and night.”

·       Whereas, the earlier provision stated, “Where the flag is displayed in open, it should, as far as possible, be flown from sunrise to sunset, irrespective of weather conditions.”

·       In December 2021, the Flag Code of India was modified, wherein, allowing the use of polyester apart from cotton, wool, silk and khadi for making hand-spun, hand-woven and machine-made flags.

What is Flag Code of India?

·       The Flag Code of India, 2002, includes an overarching set of instructions for the use, display and hoist of the National Flag in the country.

·       It brings together all laws, conventions, practices, and instructions for the display of the National Flag, as well as,  governs the display of the National Flag by private, public, and government institutions.

·       On January 26, 2002, the Flag Code of India came into effect. As per Clause 2.1 of the Flag Code of India, there shall be no restriction on the display of the National Flag by members of the general public, private organizations, educational institutions etc. consistent with the dignity and honour of the National Flag.

Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign

·       ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ – a nationwide campaign is in full swing to reach out to more than 20 crore houses, to mark 75 years of Independence.

·       Har Ghar Tiranga is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it, to strengthen the bond with our National Flag.

·       The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag.

India’s first passenger drone

Paper 3 – Science & Technology

Why Should You Know?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveils India’s first passenger drone Varun.

In details –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled Varun, India’s first passenger drone. The Prime Minister was there to address ‘Swavalamban’, a Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO) symposium organized at the Dr. Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi.

• The indigenously built pilotless drone has been designed for the Indian Navy. After thorough testing, the Indian Navy will use it on warships for the first time in war.

• After this it will be used to transport humans. Indigenous drone ‘Varun’ has been made by startup ‘Sagar Defence’.

• On the other hand, a person has to just sit in it and apart from that he has nothing to do. This drone will take him from one place to another on his own. It will be operated with the help of remote.

• Varun, India’s first drone that can carry a human payload, has a range of 25 km. This passenger drone can carry a payload of 130 kg and has a flight time of 25-33 minutes.

• Varun drone was prepared in two parts. The first -technology, which helps it in landing and takeoff on a moving warship, while the second – it has its own platform.

• The drone’s landing and take-off technology has been developed in collaboration with the Navy’s DSR and Varuna is currently being developed with NTDAC (Naval Technology Development Acceleration Cell).

Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022

Paper 2 – Constitution

Why Should You Know?

Recently on July 22,2022 Lok Sabha passes the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022

In details –

• On July 22, 2022 Lok Sabha passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 moved by Minister of Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh. The Bill aims at having India’s own national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment as also the dependent and associated ecosystem.

• The bill is in pursuant to India’s accession to Antarctic Treaty, the Protocol on Environment Protection (Madrid Protocol) to the Antarctic Treaty and to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

About the bill –

The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 was introduced in Lok Sabha on April 1, 2022.  The Bill seeks to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.  It also seeks to protect the Antarctic environment and regulate activities in the region.  Key features of the Bill include:

Applicability:

The provisions of the Bill will apply to any person, vessel or aircraft that is a part of an Indian expedition to Antarctica under a permit issued under the Bill.  Areas comprising of Antarctica include:

• the continent of Antarctica, including its ice-shelves, and all areas of the continental shelf adjacent to it, and

• all islands (including their ice-shelves), seas, and air space south of 60°S latitude.

Central committee:

The central government will establish a Committee on Antarctic Governance and Environmental Protection.

The Committee will be chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.  10 members, not below the rank of joint secretary, will be nominated from various Ministries and organisations such as defence, external affairs, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and National Security Council Secretariat.

In addition, two experts from Antarctic environment and geo-political fields will be nominated by the central government.

The functions of the Committee include –

• granting permits for various activities,

• implementing and ensuring compliance of relevant international laws for protection of Antarctic environment,

• obtaining and reviewing relevant information provided by parties to the Treaty, Convention, and Protocol, and

• negotiating fees/charges with other parties for activities in Antarctica.

Need for permit:

A permit by the Committee or written authorisation from another party to the Protocol (other than India) will be required for various activities such as:

• an Indian expedition to enter or remain in Antarctica,

• a person to enter or remain in an Indian station in Antarctica,

• a vessel or aircraft registered in India to enter or remain in Antarctica,

• a person or vessel to drill, dredge or excavate for mineral resources, or collect samples of mineral resources,

• activities which may harm native species, and

• waste disposal by a person, vessel or aircraft in Antarctica.

Before a permit is granted by the Committee, the applicant has to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the proposed activities.  Moreover, a permit must not be granted unless a waste management plan has been prepared for the expedition by the Committee.

Prohibited activities:

The Bill prohibits certain activities in Antarctica including:

• nuclear explosion or disposal of radioactive wastes,

• introduction of non-sterile soil, and

• discharge of garbage, plastic or other substance into the sea which is harmful to the marine environment.

Offences and penalties:

• The Bill specifies penalties for contravention of its provisions. For instance, conducting a nuclear explosion in Antarctica will be punishable with an imprisonment of 20 years which may extend to life imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs 50 crore.

• Drilling for mineral resources or introducing non-native animals or plants in Antarctica without a permit will be punishable with imprisonment up to seven years and a fine between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 50 lakh.

• The central government may notify one or more Sessions Courts to be the Designated Court under the Bill and specify its territorial jurisdiction to try offences punishable under the Bill.

Coastal Clean Up Campaign

Paper 3- Environment

Why Should You Know?

A countrywide coastal clean-up drive launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences from July 5, 2022

In details –

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today convened a meeting of Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from coastal states of the country to discuss the ongoing countrywide Coastal Clean Up Campaign launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences from 5th July, 2022.

• Among the Ministers, Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Jal Shakti Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, L. Murugan MoS attended meeting along with MPs from large number of coastal States.

• A brief presentation was also made. A mobile app “Eco Mitram” has been launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for the common people for voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity on the 17th September 2022. Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying our marine life.

• Dr Jitendra Singh informed the Central Ministers and MPs that 75 days long campaign launched from 5th to raise awareness about “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” will culminate on “International Coastal Clean-up Day” on 17th September 2022.

• He said, on 17th April, which incidentally is also birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated as “Sewa Diwas” in the country, a massive clean-up drive will be carried out at 75 beaches across the country with 75 volunteers for every kilometre of the coastline. He also added that this year’s event also coincides with the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in 75th year of the country’s independence.

• All the participants in the meeting supported the idea of Dr Jitendra Singh to achieve the target to remove 1,500 tonnes of garbage, mainly single use plastic from the sea coasts on 17th September by mobilising more than 75,000 people, students, civil society members and environment activists among others.

• The Ministers and the MPs pledged full support to the first-of-its-kind and longest running coastal clean-up campaign in the world and they also advised the Ministry of Earth Sciences to undertake a cycle rally, students rally by involving local NGOs.

• All the related agencies have come together to sensitise over 200 ports, fishing harbours and 6100 lighthouses about the ongoing coastal clean-up drive and they should pitch in a big way on 17th April to make the “International Coastal Clean-up Day” a grand success.

• Fish landing centres in all coastal areas in the country are being aligned with the coastal Swachhata drive. On 17 September, 75 fish landing centres will take part in the clean-up campaign by mobilising all resources.

• This campaign is being spearheaded by Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Indian Coast Guard, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Seema Jagran Manch, SFD, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), ParyavaranSanrakshanGatividhi (PSG), along with other social organizations and educational institutions.

International Coastal Clean-up Day

• The first International Coastal Cleanup Day was observed in 1986. The day aims to increase public awareness about the accumulation and negative impacts of litter in oceans, on coastlines and on beaches.

• The International Coastal Clean-up Day is observed on third Sunday of September, every year.

• In year 2022, this day will be observed on September 17.

• The day promises to bring purity and cleanliness to nature as a whole. It was started to raise awareness regarding growing pollution on various beaches across the world.

• Population growth and capitalism are the main factor of increasing pollution in the environment, specifically in the oceans.

Initiatives for Pregnant Women

Paper 2 – Health

Why Should You Know?

Government of India has several initiatives to provide financial and medical support to all pregnant women, lets know about it.

In details –

Government of India has several initiatives to provide financial and medical support to all pregnant women including women belonging to economically weaker sections during their pregnancy and delivery in Government hospitals. These include:

Janani Suraksha Yojana

·       Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme for promoting institutional delivery.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram

·       Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) entitles every pregnant woman to free delivery, including for caesarean section, in public health institutions along with the provision of free transport, diagnostics, medicines, other consumables, diet and blood.

Governments steps –

The Government of India has taken various steps to ensure assured availability of all facilities to pregnant women near their homes, especially at the time of delivery in the remote areas of the country including rural areas of Uttarakhand and Bundelkhand region.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Steps taken by Govt. of India to ensure assured availability of all facilities to pregnant women near their homes, especially at the time of delivery in the remote areas of the country are as follows:

Delivery Points –

Over 25,000 ‘Delivery Points’ across the country have been strengthened in terms of infrastructure, equipment, and trained manpower for provision of comprehensive RMNCAH+A services

MCH Wings –

Setting up of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Wings at high caseload facilities to improve the quality of care provided to mothers and children.

FRUs –

Functionalization of First Referral Units (FRUs) by ensuring manpower, blood storage units, referral linkages etc.

102 services –

Operationalisation of 102 services for pregnant women for providing free transport from home to facility, inter facility transfer in case of referral and drop back to home.

Birth Waiting Homes –

Birth Waiting Homes (BWH) have been established in remote and tribal areas to promote institutional delivery and improve access to healthcare facilities

Surakshit Matratva Ashwasan –

Surakshit Matratva Ashwasan (SUMAN) for providing assured, dignified, respectful and quality healthcare at no cost and zero tolerance for denial of services for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility to end all preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan –

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides pregnant women a fixed day, free of cost assured and quality Antenatal Care on the 9th day of every month.

Obstetric High Dependency Unit –

Obstetric High Dependency Unit (HDU) & Intensive care unit (ICU)- Setting up of Obstetric HDU/ICU in the high case load tertiary care facilities across country to handle complicated pregnancies.

LaQshya –

LaQshya (Labour room Quality improvement Initiative) to improve the quality of care in Labour room and Maternity operation theatres to ensure that pregnant women receive respectful and quality care during delivery and immediate post-partum.

VHSND –

Monthly Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) is an outreach activity for provision of maternal and child care including nutrition.

IEC –

Information, education and communication (IEC) to promote institutional deliveries.

Skilled birth attendance –

Birth Microplanning and Birth Preparedness by Skilled birth attendance (SBA) trained ANMs.

MCP Card and Safe Motherhood Booklet –

MCP Card and Safe Motherhood Booklet are distributed to the pregnant women for educating them on diet, rest, danger signs of pregnancy, benefit schemes and institutional deliveries.

Outreach camps –

Outreach camps are provisioned for improving the reach of health care services especially in tribal and hard to reach areas. This platform is used to increase the awareness for the Maternal & Child health services, community mobilization as well as to track high risk pregnancies.

Safety of Women Passengers in Trains

Paper 2 – Social Issues

Why Should You Know?

Recently In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha the the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw told about Safety of Women Passengers in Trains.

In details –

• ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and, as such, State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and maintaining law and order etc.

• on Railways through their law enforcement agencies viz. Government Railway Police (GRP)/District Police. However, Railway Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

Steps taken by RPF –

Further, the following steps are being taken by the Railways in coordination with GRP for safety and security of passengers including women passengers in trains:-

• On vulnerable and identified routes/sections, trains are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.

• Zonal railways have been instructed for deployment of proper combined strength of male & female RPF/RPSF personnel in train escort parties, to the extent possible.

• Under ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative, focused attention has been provided for safety and security of lady passengers travelling alone by trains for their entire journey i.e. from originating station to destination station.

• Railway Help Line number 139 is operational (24×7) over Indian Railways for security related assistance to passengers in distress.

• Drives are conducted against entry of male passengers into the compartments reserved for ladies.

• Through various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook etc., Railways are in regular touch with passengers including women to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.

• Frequent announcements are made through Public Address System to educate passengers to take precautions against theft, snatching, drugging etc.

• Surveillance is kept through CCTV cameras provided in 5882 coaches in trains for enhanced security of passengers.

• Emergency Talk Back System and Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Cameras have been provided in ladies compartments/coaches of all newly manufactured Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) and Air-conditioned rakes of Kolkata Metro. Flasher lights have also been provided in ladies coaches in EMU rakes in some zonal railways.

• State Level Security Committee of Railways (SLSCR) have been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/Commissioner of States/Union Territories for regular monitoring and review of security arrangements of the Railways.

• In compliance of orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court and as recommended by Committee of experts constituted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), instructions have been issued to provide a Medical Box containing life saving medicines, equipments, oxygen cylinder etc. at all Railway stations and passenger carrying trains.

• For immediate assistance including medical, passengers can make complaints on RailMadad Portal or through Helpline Number 139 (integrated with National Emergency No.112).

Aadi Krithigai festival

Paper 1 – Art & Culture

Why Should You Know?

On July 23, 2022 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted everyone on the special day of Aadi Krithigai.

In details –

• Aadi Krithigai festival is also referred to as Aadi Krittika, Kirthigai, Kritika and Krithika.

• Aadi Krithigai is a day auspicious for Lord Muruga and this day denotes the divinity between mother and child relationship.

• Aadi Krithigai in some regions is celebrated to symbolize the victory of good over evil when Murugan slew the demon Surapadman. After the annihilation of the demon, Muruga blessed devotees with boons.

• The festival, which falls in the month of Aadi, was celebrated on July 23 2022.

• Karthikeya or Muruga is the second son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. Interesting and inspiring are his birth and feats, which are elaborately described in the ‘Skanda Purana‘.

• Muruga in Tamil means beauty. Extolled as the epitome of beauty, valour and “Jnana” [Supreme Knowledge], Muruga is worshipped in several ways, through various rituals.

• In all Murugan temples, special poojas, abhishekams and yagams are conducted for Lord Muruga on Aadi Kirthigai day.

• Aadi is the divine month, this Tamil month of Aadi falls during the second half of the year known as Dakshinayanam when the Sun transits from the northern hemisphere to the Southern during July.

• The transition from the Southern to the Northern hemisphere in the month of January is known as Uthirayanam.

• According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Muruga was born as six different babies. And he was looked after by the six Krittika stars.

• Later, Lord Muruga was combined as a single baby with six heads by Goddess Parvati on Aadi Krithigai day.

• There are many variations to this legend. This is another reason for observing Aadi Krithigai.

• Aadi Krithigai and Thai Poosam are important festivals for Lord Subramaniya.

• For the Goddess Maariamman also the month of Aadi is very auspicious. Aadi Pooram and Aadi Peruku are very popular festivals in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu.

Tiruttani Murugan Temple – Aadi Krithigai

• The day is of great importance at the Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruttani in Tiruvallur district. The temple, one of the Arupadai Veedu shrines that are considered important for Muruga, attracts over 400,000 devotees on Aadi Krithigai day.

• devotees from these four districts are expected to participate in the celebrations in Tiruttani to fulfil their vows by carrying Kavadi, and climbing up the 365 steps of the hillock there.

• A three-day float festival is held on the occasion of Aadi Krithigai at the temple.

Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX)

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

A Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) was conducted between Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Indian Navy on 23 Jul 22 in Andaman Sea.

In details –

·       A Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) was conducted between Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and Indian Navy on 23 Jul 22 in Andaman Sea.

·       INS Sukanya, an offshore patrol vessel and JS Samidare, a Murasame class destroyer, undertook various exercises including seamanship activities, aircraft operations and tactical manoeuvres as part of the operational interaction.

·       The two countries have been carrying out regular exercises in IOR towards reinforcing maritime association.

·       The exercise were aimed at enhancing interoperability and streamlining seamanship and communication procedures.

·       This exercise is part of the ongoing efforts between the two navies towards ensuring safe and secure international shipping and trade in Indian Ocean Region.

India-Japan exercise –

• Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over years.

• India – Japan Maritime Bilateral Exercise, JIMEX, between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), which commenced in January 2012, has a special focus on maritime security cooperation. The last exercise was held in the Arabian Sea from October 6-8, 2021.

• Japan also participates in the annual Malabar Exercise, along with the navies of India and the US.

• In 2021, the multilateral maritime Exercise Malabar was held in two phases. The first Phase of the exercise was conducted in the Phillipines Sea in August and the second phase was conducted in the Bay of Bengal in October.

Monkeypox declared a ‘Global health emergency’

Paper 2 – Health

Why Should You Know?

Monkeypox declared ‘Global Health Emergency’ after 16,000 confirmed cases

In details –

• After confirming 16,000 cases of monkeypox, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern. For your information, let us tell you that the Kovid-19 epidemic and polio have already been declared as a global health emergency globally.

• In this regard, the head of the United Nations Health Agency, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a press conference on Sunday that monkeypox is an infection that is spreading rapidly around the world in ways about which we have very limited information. This condition meets the criteria of becoming a disaster under international health regulations.

• The Director General of the Health Organization, Dr Tedros, has to say about this that keeping all these reasons in mind, it has been decided to declare it a global health disaster. However, he has dismissed a committee of experts who could not come to a consensus on the matter. They indicated that the current risk of monkeypox is moderate in all regions globally, while the risk in Europe is high.

The disease has spread to 75 countries –

• Dr Tedros clarified that no consensus could be reached on monkeypox in the meeting of the emergency committee constituted under the International Health Rules on Thursday. According to the recent data released by the World Health Organization (WHO) about monkeypox, the disease has spread to 75 countries of the world so far. At the same time, due to this, the death of five people has been confirmed.

• According to Dr Tedros, even though this disease is being declared a public health disaster, but with the help of right strategies, its infection can be prevented. He has emphasized that with the help of the existing equipment we have at this time, we can prevent infection and control this disease.

• Monkeypox, a rare disease caused by a virus, usually spreads more in tropical rainfed areas. It includes the central and western regions of Africa. However, in the recent past, its infection has also been seen in other areas including India, Europe. So far, two cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the country. The first case of monkeypox in India was reported on July 12, 2022.

• Regarding this, the WHO says that monkeypox, which is a zoonotic disease, its symptoms usually last for 2 to 4 weeks, after which it gets better on its own. Although its infection can be fatal in some cases, but if we look at the ratio of its mortality rate in recent times, it is between 3 to 6 percent.