Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 10 August 2024 | Download PDF

• The Ministry of Textiles has enabled cotton ginners nationwide to produce the Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand, utilizing QR code certification technology according to established protocols.

About Kasturi Cotton Bharat:

• Initiative: Kasturi Cotton Bharat is an initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, Textile Trade Bodies, and Industry.
• Objective: Aims to create premium value for Indian cotton through traceability, certification, and branding as per benchmarked specifications.
• Formalization: The program was formalized with an MoU between the Cotton Corporation of India and the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council on 15 December 2022.
• Traceability and Certification:
  • QR-based certification technology is used at each stage of processing.
  • A Blockchain-based software platform provides end-to-end traceability and transaction certificates.
• Promotion: The Kasturi Cotton Bharat program is promoted at both national and international levels.

• The Minister of Cooperation recently informed the Rajya Sabha about the Nandini Sahakar Scheme.

About Nandini Sahakar Yojana:

• Objective: To assist women cooperatives in taking up business model-based activities under the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) framework.
• Framework:
  • Women-focused financial assistance, project formulation, hand-holding, and capacity development.
  • No minimum or maximum limit on financial assistance to projects by women cooperatives.
• Eligibility:
  • Any cooperative society in operation for at least three months is eligible to apply.
  • Women cooperatives must either be registered under any State/Central Act or have a minimum of 50% women as primary members.

• A state of emergency has been declared in Kursk due to a Ukrainian incursion into the Russian border region.

About Kursk:

• Location: Kursk is a city and administrative centre of Kursk oblast, situated in Russia.
• Geography: Located in the Black Earth territory, known for its fertile soil. 
• Historical Significance:
  • Kursk is one of the oldest cities in Russia, first mentioned in documents from 1032.
  • In World War II, Kursk was the site of the Battle of Kursk (July–August 1943), the largest tank battle in history, resulting in a decisive defeat for the Germans.

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently held an emergency meeting to address the surge in Monkeypox (Mpox) cases, particularly from Congo.

About Monkeypox (Mpox):

• Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
• The virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox.
• The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• The source of the disease remains unknown, despite its name “monkeypox.”
• Mostly found in Africa but has spread to other regions globally.

• Ground-level ozone surges in 10 major cities, presents a new urban crisis in India.

About Ground-level ozone:

• Ground-level ozone (O₃) is a harmful air pollutant and a key component of smog.
• Unlike the protective ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, ground-level ozone is a pollutant at the Earth’s surface.
• Formation:
  • Formed by chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) in the presence of sunlight.
  • Common sources of VOCs and NOₓ include vehicle emissions, industrial facilities, power plants, and chemical solvents.
• Health Impacts:
  • Exposure to ground-level ozone can cause respiratory issues such as coughing, throat irritation, and difficulty breathing.
  • It can aggravate asthma, reduce lung function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
  • Long-term exposure may lead to chronic respiratory diseases, decreased lung capacity, and increased mortality.
• Environmental Impacts:
  • Ground-level ozone damages crops, trees, and other vegetation by interfering with their ability to photosynthesize.
  • It reduces agricultural yields, harms forests, and decreases biodiversity.

Odisha Specific News

• Every year on August 9th, World Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the struggles faced by indigenous communities worldwide and to honor their unique cultures and contributions to society. 
• In Odisha, this day holds special significance as the state is home to a rich diversity of tribal communities.

Key points:

• The United Nations General Assembly designated August 9th as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in its resolution 49/214 of December 23, 1994.
• Odisha has over 62 recognized tribes and 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), thus making Odisha to be the state with highest PVTGs in India.
• These tribes, such as the Kondh, Santal, and Gond, have unique cultures, languages, and traditions.

Theme:

• The theme for 2024 is “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.” 
• This theme highlights the important role that indigenous women play in preserving and passing down their cultures and traditions to future generations.  

• A three-member committee has been formed by the Odisha government to investigate alleged irregularities and negligence within the ‘Startup Odisha’ initiative. 

Key Points:

• The committee is tasked with reviewing financial records, contracts, and other relevant documents to determine if any wrongdoing has occurred. 
• Their findings will be submitted to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department by August 21, 2024.

Startup Odisha Initiative:

• Startup Odisha is a state government initiative aimed at fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in the Indian state of Odisha. 
• It provides a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses.   

Key objectives of Startup Odisha include:

• Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship: Encouraging the development of innovative ideas and supporting startups in their early stages.   
• Providing financial assistance: Offering grants, subsidies, and funding opportunities to help startups grow and scale.   
• Mentorship and incubation: Providing mentorship, training, and incubation facilities to support startups in their development.   
• Facilitating networking and partnerships: Connecting startups with investors, mentors, and industry experts to foster collaboration and growth.

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved four new railway line projects for Odisha. 

The projects are: 

1. Gunupur-Therubali (73.62 km) in Rayagada district
2. Junagarh-Nabarangpur (116.1 km) in Kalahandi district
3. Sambalpur-Titlagarh (114.19 km) in Sambalpur district
4. Paradip-Barbil (161.57 km) in Jagatsinghpur and Keonjhar districts. 

• The total estimated cost of these projects is Rs. 15,524 crore. 
• The CCEA also approved 173.61-km-long Malkangiri-Panmdurangapuram (via Bhadrachalam) railway line to pass through Malkangiri, East Godavari and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
• These projects will help in the development of backward areas of Odisha and boost the economy.

• CSM Tech, a leading Odisha-based IT consulting company, is making significant strides in enhancing governance in Gambia. 
• Through a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, CSM Tech has been tasked with designing and implementing a comprehensive Human Resources Management Information System (HRMIS).  
  • This project, a component of the Gambia Fiscal Management Development Project (GFMDP), aims to:
  • Streamline HR processes
  • Enhance transparency
  • Support sustainable economic growth

Gambia:

• The Gambia is a small, narrow country located on the western coast of Africa. 
• It is bordered by Senegal on all sides except for its western coast on the Atlantic Ocean. 

Trade:

• India exports mainly manufactured goods to Gambia including rice, cotton, sugar, and pharmaceuticals.
• Gambia exports mainly agricultural products including cashew nuts, cotton, and fish.
• In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the value of trade between the two countries

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