Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 16 July 2024 | Download PDF

• Google Fi Wireless has introduced a new security feature called ‘Number Lock.’ 
• This feature allows users to prevent SIM swapping, a growing cybersecurity threat, by taking control of their security.

About SIM Swapping Scam:

• A SIM swap scam occurs when a malicious actor convinces a mobile carrier to transfer a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card in the actor’s possession.
• This grants the actor access to the victim’s calls, texts, two-factor authentication codes, and potentially financial accounts linked to the number.
• Modus Operandi:
  • Information Gathering: Fraudsters obtain personal details such as phone numbers, bank account details, and addresses through phishing or vishing.
  • Visiting Retail Outlet:
    • Using the gathered information, fraudsters visit the mobile operator’s retail outlet, posing as the victim with forged ID proof.
    • They report a fake theft of the victim’s SIM card and/or mobile phone.
  • Obtaining Duplicate SIM:
    • By reporting the theft, fraudsters acquire a duplicate SIM.
    • Notably, they can obtain a duplicate SIM even if the original is still functional.
• No Direct Communication with Victims:
  • Unlike other scams, the SIM swap scam doesn’t require direct communication with victims.
  • Fraudsters may give missed calls to their victims, causing them to leave their phones and ignore the lost network connectivity.
• Control Over SIM:
  • Once the SIM is swapped, the fraudster gains control over the victim’s SIM.
  • All calls and messages are directed to the fraudster’s SIM.
• Access to Sensitive Information: With control of the SIM, fraudsters can obtain passwords and OTPs, allowing them to access the victim’s bank accounts and other sensitive information.

• The Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary in Telangana is being studied to potentially become the state’s first Ramsar site.

About Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: Medak district, Telangana.
• Original Purpose: Established as a crocodile sanctuary.
• Biodiversity:
  • Bird Species: Over 70 species, including waterbirds.
  • Vulnerable Species: Home to the mugger crocodile.
• Geographical Features:
  • River: Follows the course of river Manjeera, a tributary of Godavari.
  • Reservoir: Manjeera reservoir, man-made, supports irrigation and provides drinking water to Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
  • Islands: Contains nine small islands with extensive marshy fringes for nesting waterbirds and thick tree cover.
• Vegetation:
  • Type: Dry Savannah.
  • Flora: Includes Typha, Babool, Prosopis, Ipomoea, Acacia, Vallisneria, Eichhornia, and Reeds.
  • Aquatic Vegetation: Supports both submergent and emergent types.
• Fauna:
  • Reptiles: Mugger crocodile and freshwater turtles.
  • Aquatic Life: Prawns, molluscs, and fishes like catla, rohu, murrel, eel, karugu, and chidwa.
  • Mammals: Indian hare, wild boar, mongoose, and jackal.

• NITI Aayog has recently launched the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of the e-FAST India initiative.

About e-FAST India initiative:

• Objective: To decarbonize road-based freight transportation in India to meet the 2070 net zero commitments.
• Launch Date: September 2022.
• Goal: Transition towards cleaner and greener freight transportation.
• Platform Functions:
  • Facilitates national and international collaborations.
  • Supports ideation and development of scalable pilot programs.
  • Explores technology integration and associated research.
• Stakeholders: Includes government, Original Equipment Manufacturers, Logistics Service Providers, Shippers, and industry experts.

• Scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) have discovered new evidence highlighting the ancient connection between the Indian subcontinent and Antarctica.

About NGRI:

• Organization: National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), a constituent research laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Established: 1961.
• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Mission:
  • Conduct research in multidisciplinary areas of Earth’s complex structure and processes.
  • Focus on Earth’s interlinked subsystems.
• Mandate:
  • Conduct public-good science.
  • Enable informed decision-making for government agencies, public, and private sector stakeholders.
  • Promote sustainable use of geo-resources.
  • Improve preparedness and resilience to natural hazards.
• Research Themes:
  • Geodynamics
  • Earthquake Hazards
  • Natural Resources.

• NITI Aayog has recently launched the ‘NITI GearShift Challenge’ as part of the e-FAST India initiative.

About NITI GearShift Challenge:

• Launched by NITI in collaboration with:
  • IIM Bangalore
  • Smart Freight Centre India
  • CALSTART/Drive to Zero
  • WRI India
• Pioneering hackathon aimed at fostering innovative business models for zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in India.
• Addresses pressing economic and environmental challenges.
• NITI GearShift Challenge invites:
  • Students
  • Transport service practitioners
  • Academics
  • Researchers
• Focus on developing business models for:
  • Financial challenges
  • Technical challenges
  • Operational challenges

• Odisha’s overall SDG score increased from 61 in 2020-21 to 66 in 2023-24, transitioning from a performer to a front-runner.

Key improvements:

• The headcount ratio for multi-dimensional poverty in Odisha dropped significantly from 35.9% to 15.8%.

Enhanced SDG Performance:

• Leading Categories: The state has become a front-runner in several SDG categories:
  • No Poverty: Increased to 73 points.
  • Good Health and Well-being: Scored 73 points.
  • Clean Water and Sanitation: Achieved 88 points.
  • Affordable and Clean Energy: Recorded 84 points.
  • Responsible Consumption and Production: Reached 85 points.
  • Life on Land: Also scored 85 points.

Challenges and Areas of Concern

• Zero Hunger: Odisha remains in the aspirant category for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), with a low score of 45.
• Health Issues:
  • Anaemia in Pregnant Women: Increased from 47.6% to 61.8%.
  • Stunted Children: Rose from 29.1% to 31%.
  • Underweight Children: Slightly increased from 29.2% to 29.7%.
• Cognisable Crimes Against Children: Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), the rate of cognisable crimes against children increased from 49.9 to 57.2 per one lakh population.

About SDG India Index 2023-24:

• Release and Launch: Released by NITI Aayog.
• Purpose: Measures and tracks national progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for all States and UTs.
• Indicators: 113 indicators aligned with MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework (NIF).
• Scoring and Progress:
  • Scoring: 
    • Composite scores for States and UTs range between 0-100. 
    • Higher scores indicate greater progress.
  • National Progress: India’s composite score improved from 57 in 2018 to 66 in 2020-21, and 71 in 2023-24.
  • Significant Goals: Notable advancements in Goals 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 13 (Climate Action) which are in the ‘Front Runner’ category (score 65-99).

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to revitalize the Ayodhya Sarovar under a riverfront development project.

Key points:

• The Ayodhya Sarovar is an artificial lake formed by diverting water from the Mahanadi River, located near Sambalpur town.
• The project aims to transform the riverside into a globally recognized riverfront, enhancing the spiritual and natural appeal of the region.

Mahanadi River:

• The Mahanadi is a river in eastern India. The Mahanadi rises in the Satpura Range of central India and flows east to the Bay of Bengal.
• The Mahanadi drains most of the state of Chhattisgarh and much of Orissa and also Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
• Near the city of Sambalpur, a large dam – the Hirakud Dam – is built on the river.
• The Mahanadi rises in the Satpura Range of central India and It has a length of around 860 km.
• It flows east to the Bay of Bengal. The river drains in the state of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Orissa.
• The largest dam, the Hirakud Dam is built on the river

• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated Odisha’s first Kaushal Bhawan.

Key points:

• The Kaushal Bhawan aims to revolutionize the state’s hospitality sector by training youth under the motto ‘Atithi Devo Bhava.’
• Nine additional Kaushal Bhawans are planned to be established in phases. 
• The Kaushal Bhawan, spread over 35,000 sq ft within the WSC, will offer courses in front office associate, housekeeping services, F&B services, steward, and commis chef with the support of Tata Community Initiatives Trust. 
• Approximately 405 students will receive training over a 15-month period. Prestigious hotels like Taj, Mayfair, Ginger, Oberoi, Lemon Tree, ITC Hotels, and The Fern have been enlisted as placement partners.

• The Chief Minister launched the CM Aspire scheme, which promises a wealth of opportunities for the youth in government skilling institutions. 

About:

• The scheme includes employability skill training, the establishment of vibrant model career centres, research fellowships, overseas fellowships for meritorious youths, senior secondary certificates for ITI students, and the prestigious Mukhyamantri Dakshyta Puraskar. 
• Additionally, ten Biswakarma Centres will be set up to provide skill training in construction work.

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