Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 17 October 2024 | Download PDF

• World Food Day 2024 is being observed on October 16, 2024. 
• This day is celebrated globally to raise awareness about hunger, food security, and agricultural development. 
• It was established by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1979.

About World Food Day 2024:

• World Food Day 2024: Focus on ensuring food security in India is critical.
• Theme: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future” emphasizes actionable steps to improve food distribution, innovation in agriculture, and sustainable practices.
• Challenges in India: Despite agricultural strength, India struggles with providing nutritious and affordable food, especially to vulnerable populations.
• Global Context: Nearly 2.8 billion people globally cannot afford a healthy diet, according to the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2023, highlighting the urgency for better systems.

• Recently, the Union Ministers of External Affairs and Labour & Employment jointly launched the updated e-Migrate portal and mobile app.

About e-Migrate Portal:

• An online platform launched by the Government of India to manage and facilitate the migration of Indian workers seeking employment abroad.
• Objective: Provides a safe, transparent framework for migrant workers, offering services such as information access, documentation, helpline support, and awareness campaigns.
• Key Features:
  • 24/7 multilingual helpline support: Ensures timely redressal of issues, particularly for workers in the Gulf region.
  • Integration with Digilocker: Enables secure and paperless document submission.
  • Common Service Centres (CSCs): Expands immigration services to rural areas in local languages, increasing accessibility.
  • Job marketplace: Offers a one-stop platform for overseas employment opportunities.
• Global Alignment: Promotes safe and legal mobility in line with UN SDG 10 (orderly and responsible migration).

• Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand is shrinking annually due to the effects of climate change.

About Roopkund Lake:

• Also known as the “Lake of Skeletons,” located in Uttarakhand, India.
• Altitude: Situated at 16,500 feet above sea level at the base of Mt. Trishul in the Garhwal Himalayas.
• Mystery: Known for numerous human skeletons, some with preserved flesh, visible when snow melts.
• Historical Significance: The skeletons are believed to date back to around the 9th century AD.
• Theories on Cause of Death: Various theories exist about the cause, with suggestions of a catastrophic event like hailstorms.
• 2019 Study Findings: A study by Indian, US, and German scientists revealed that the individuals were genetically diverse and died over a span of up to 1,000 years, rather than in a single event.

• Nihon Hidankyo, the organization has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024.

About Nobel Peace Prize for 2024: 

• Hibakusha: Japanese term for survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Atomic Bombings:
  • August 6, 1945: “Little Boy” bomb dropped on Hiroshima by the US.
  • August 9, 1945: “Fat Man” bomb dropped on Nagasaki by the US.
• Niju Hibakusha: Term for double survivors (more than 160 people) who were present at both Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
• Discrimination: Despite government support, hibakusha and their descendants face discrimination in Japan due to misconceptions about radiation effects being hereditary or contagious.

• The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad has recently issued extensive advisories regarding swell waves for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, and certain coastal areas.

About Swell Waves:

• Swells are long-wavelength surface gravity waves on the sea, formed by distant storms rather than local winds.
• During such storms, huge energy is transferred from the air into the water, creating high waves that travel thousands of kilometers from the storm center to the shore.
• Wavelength: Typically, wavelengths may not exceed 150 meters, but in severe storms, swells over 700 meters can occur.
• Warning Systems in India: The Swell Surge Forecast System, launched by INCOIS in 2020, provides seven-day advance warnings to coastal areas in India.

• The Orissa High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take immediate steps to remove the encroachments and restore the Khandagiri caves to their original state. 

About:

• Khandagiri Caves are a group of 15 rock-cut caves located on the Khandagiri Hill in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. 
• They are part of the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves complex, which is considered one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in Eastern India.   
• The caves were primarily built during the reign of King Kharavela (1st century BCE) as residential blocks for Jain monks.

• Thousands of Asha workers across Malkangiri and Koraput districts demand the regularization of their jobs under National Health Mission, minimum monthly salary of Rs 18,000, pension of Rs 5,000 per month and benefit of Rs 5 lakh for retired staff among others.

Key Points:

• Asha workers, or Accredited Social Health Activists, are female community health volunteers in India. 
• They play a crucial role in providing primary healthcare services to rural and remote areas.
• Asha workers are often the first point of contact for healthcare in rural areas.

About:

• The National Health Mission (NHM) is a flagship health program of the Government of India, launched in 2005. 
• It aims to improve the health status of the people of India, especially those living in rural areas and those belonging to vulnerable groups.

• Chilika Lake, India’s largest brackish lagoon, transforms into a vibrant bird sanctuary during the winter months. 
• Migratory birds, mostly from beyond the Himalayas in Northern Eurasia, the Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal and the remote areas of Russia and neighbouring countries have started arriving in Chilika before the onset of winter by flying thousands of miles. 
• The scenic beauty of Chilika has been magnified due to the arrival of the winged guests. 

Refer to Addapedia notes for detailed info on Chilika Lake

• The Odisha government has announced plans to establish a Law Revision Commission. 
• They also plan to bring the required amendments in the Right To Information Act enacted in 2005,
• Aim is to review and update the state’s legal framework to ensure it aligns with contemporary needs and best practices. 
• The commission will analyze existing laws, identify outdated or inefficient provisions, and recommend necessary amendments or reforms. 
• This initiative aims to streamline the legal system, enhance access to justice, and promote good governance in Odisha.

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