Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 06 August 2024 | Download PDF

• Preamble of the Constitution dropped from select new NCERT textbooks.

About Preamble of the Constitution:

• • The Preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purposes and principles of the document.
  • Adoption: Adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.
• Key Components:

• • • Sovereign: India is independent and free from external control.
    • Socialist: Emphasizes social and economic equality.
    • Secular: No state religion; all religions are treated equally.
    • Democratic: Government by the people through elected representatives.
    • Republic: The head of state is elected, not a hereditary monarch.
• Objectives:

• • • Justice: Social, economic, and political justice for all citizens.
    • Liberty: Freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship.
    • Equality: Equal status and opportunities for all individuals.
    • Fraternity: Promoting a sense of brotherhood, unity, and integrity of the nation.
• Amendments: The Preamble has been amended only once by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, which added the terms “Socialist” and “Secular” and changed “Unity of the Nation” to “Unity and Integrity of the Nation.”

• In an innovative study of glioblastoma, scientists used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to reprogram cancer cells into dendritic cells (DCs). 
• These reprogrammed DCs can identify cancer cells and direct other immune cells to kill them.

About Glioblastoma:

• Glioblastoma is a type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the brain or spinal cord.
• Cause:
  • Caused by DNA mutations leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
  • The underlying causes of these genetic mutations are largely unknown.
• Characteristics:
  • Glioblastoma tumors create their own blood supply, aiding their growth.
  • Tumors easily invade and destroy normal brain tissue.
  • It grows quickly and can invade healthy tissue.
• Demographics:
  • Can occur at any age but is more common in older adults.
  • Accounts for almost half of all cancerous brain tumors in adults.

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has approved the production of 200 Astra air-to-air missiles by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for its Su-30 and LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.

About Astra Missile:

• Astra is a Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft. 
• It is indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The missile was built to engage and destroy aerial targets, which have high maneuverability and supersonic speed.
• The missile is capable of advanced air combat, which allows it to engage in multiple high-performance targets.

• Lyme disease is a major public health concern in the US, affecting around 476,000 individuals annually.

About Lyme disease:

• Cause: Vector-borne infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
• Transmission:
  • Primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (deer ticks).
  • Not spread between humans, from pets to humans, or through air, food, water, lice, mosquitoes, fleas, and flies.
• Geographic Prevalence:
  • Common in wooded and grassy areas worldwide, particularly during warmer months.
  • Most commonly reported in North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia.

• India has committed $85 million over ten years (2022–2032) to support the programming of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre.

About WHO GCTM:

• Establishment and Inauguration:
  • WHO GCTM is a knowledge centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
  • It is the first global outpost centre for traditional medicine, established under the Ministry of AYUSH.
• Primary Objective:
  • Harness the potential of traditional medicine globally through modern science and technology.
  • Improve the overall health of communities worldwide.
• Guiding Principle: Respect for local heritages, resources, and rights.

• Odisha has effectively utilized around 95% of the central funds allocated under the Smart Cities Mission, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. 
• Data revealed that the total cost of 107 projects sanctioned for Bhubaneswar and Rourkela was about Rs 3,589 crore. 
• Of these, 104 projects have already been completed at an investment of Rs 3,426.64 crore.

About:

• • The Smart Cities Mission was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 25, 2015. 
  • This visionary project aims to revolutionize urban living in India by focusing on three key areas:
• Providing core infrastructure
• Creating a clean and sustainable environment
• Ensuring a decent quality of life for citizens

• • The Government of India announced a significant extension to one of its flagship urban development initiatives. 
  • The Smart Cities Mission, originally set to conclude on June 30, 2024, will now continue until March 31, 2025. 
  • Uttar Pradesh leads with 13 smart cities, followed closely by Tamil Nadu with 12, and Maharashtra with 10. 
• Odisha has two cities : Bhubaneshwar , Raurkela

• The Biju Janata Dal has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government for overlooking the demand to waive the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Kendu Leaf.
• The imposition of an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on this product has raised significant concerns and led to demands for its waiver.

Kendu Leaf:

• Kendu leaf, also known as tendu leaf, is a crucial non-wood forest product primarily used for wrapping bidis (local cigarettes). 
• It’s often referred to as the “green gold” of Odisha, where it’s a major source of livelihood for tribal communities.
• Key characteristics: Its unique aroma, hygroscopic nature, thinness, pliability, slow burning, and resistance to fungus make it ideal for bidi making.
• Production: India is the primary producer, with Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha being the top states
• Importance: Beyond its economic value, the leaf has traditional medicinal uses. However, there are concerns about the working conditions of those involved in its collection and processing.

Read about GST

• The highest number of children who lost a single parent to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country are from Odisha.
• This was followed by Maharashtra which accounted for 27,302 such children and Uttar Pradesh with 19,437 kids. 
• As per the Baal Swaraj portal data, 1,82,671 children lost a single parent due to Covid in the country.

Baal Swaraj portal data:

• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) for tracking and monitoring children in need of care and protection. 
• It primarily focuses on two key areas:
  • COVID Care: Tracks children who have lost one or both parents due to COVID-19 or other reasons after March 2020.
  • Children in Street Situations (CISS): Monitors the rescue and rehabilitation process of children living on the streets.

• In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Odisha Police has introduced a groundbreaking e-module for efficiently managing its arms, ammunition, and munitions inventory. 
• This web-based software eliminates the need for physical documentation and streamlines the process of tracking stock, requirements, and usage across all police districts in the state.

Key benefits of the e-module:

• Real-time monitoring of arms and ammunition levels
• Efficient management of requirements and usage
• Tracking ammunition used during fire exchanges
• Recording information about lost weapons and weapon lifespan
• This innovative step by Odisha Police is expected to enhance security and accountability in arms management

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