Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 08 August 2024 | Download PDF

• A recent Indian study found that replacing sucrose (table sugar) with sucralose (an artificial sweetener) had no adverse effects on glucose or HbA1c levels and led to a slight improvement in body mass index (BMI).

About Sucralose:

• • Sucralose is a no-calorie sweetener used to reduce added sugar intake while still enjoying sweetness.
  • Sugar substitutes include low-calorie (e.g., aspartame) and no-calorie sweeteners (e.g., sucralose, monk fruit, stevia).
  • Sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than sugar.
  • It can be used as an ingredient in any food or beverage.
• Production of Sucralose:

• • • Sucralose is made from regular table sugar (sucrose).
    • Digestive Resistance: Sucralose’s structure prevents digestive enzymes from breaking it down, contributing to its safety.
  • Excretion:
    • Approximately 85% of consumed sucralose is not absorbed and is excreted unchanged in the feces.
    • About 15% is absorbed but is not metabolized for energy, hence sucralose provides no calories.
• Elimination: All absorbed sucralose is rapidly excreted in the urine.

• The Quality Council of India recently introduced the QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework to drive excellence in key sectors.

About QCI Surajya Recognition & Ranking Framework:

• Objective: Drive excellence among states to improve the quality of life of citizens and create a developed India by recognizing and rewarding states and organizations that excel in quality and innovation.
• Framework Categories:
  • Shiksha (Education)
  • Swasthya (Health)
  • Samriddhi (Prosperity)
  • Sushasan (Governance)
• Surajya Recognition: Acknowledges outstanding performance and commitment to quality by states and organizations in the four vital areas.

• Fintech companies aim to participate in the Indian central bank’s digital currency project, enabling users to transact in e-rupee through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

About e-rupee:

• Issuance and Launch:
  • Digital currency issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • Launched on a pilot basis in December 2022.
• Availability and Usage:
  • Offered by select public and private banks in major cities.
  • Usable for both person-to-person and person-to-merchant transactions.
• Purpose:
  • Provides an additional option for using money.
  • Entirely in electronic form, does not leave a computer network.
• Legal Tender:
  • Similar to banknotes issued by the RBI.
  • Can only be transacted online.
• Interest and Conversion:
  • Does not attract interest payments from the central bank.
  • Deposits in banks can be converted into digital rupees and vice versa.

• ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) is set to launch on August 15 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, via the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3.

About Earth Observation Satellite-8:

• Launch Vehicle: Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3
• Primary Objectives:
  • Design and develop a microsatellite.
  • Create payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus.
  • Incorporate new technologies for future operational satellites.
• Applications:
  • Satellite-based surveillance.
  • Disaster monitoring.
  • Environmental monitoring.
  • Fire detection.
  • Volcanic activity observation.
  • Industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.
• Mission Life: One year.

• SEBI stated in a recent circular that CEOs, Managing Directors (MDs), or equivalent officials of Asset Management Companies (AMCs) will be held accountable for implementing mechanisms to prevent potential market abuse.

About AMCs:

• Definition: A financial institution that pools funds from multiple investors to invest in various financial instruments (stocks, bonds, real estate) to generate returns in exchange for a fee.
• Types of AMCs:
  • Hedge Funds
  • Mutual Funds
  • Index Funds
  • Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
  • Private Equity Funds
  • Other Funds
• Role and Functions of AMCs:
  • Investment Decisions: Make decisions on investors’ behalf, manage assets in portfolios.
  • Portfolio Management: Choose suitable investments, help investors grow their money.
  • Professional Fund Managers: Appoint qualified fund managers with investment expertise.
  • Investment Strategies: Employ strategies and risk management techniques to manage portfolios and protect assets.
  • Support System: Have research analysts to assist fund managers.
• Regulation: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

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