As you are aware, in all competitive exams, the “Daily Current Affairs Section” holds significant importance in determining the cutoff scores. Therefore, if you excel in this section, you will have a better chance of achieving higher marks in these exams and securing a spot on the merit list.
Addapedia Odisha – Daily Current Affairs -20 August 2024
National and International News |
Green Tug Transition Program |
Why in the news?
- The Union Minister of Port Shipping and Waterways recently launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP).
About Green Tug Transition Program:
- Launch Date: GTTP (Green Tug Transition Programme) was launched on May 22, 2023, under the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ initiative.
- Objective: To phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in Indian Major Ports and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable alternative fuels.
- Nodal Agency: National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping (NCoEGPS) will act as the nodal entity for the programme.
- Long-term Vision: India aims to become a ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030 with the launch of GTTP.
- Technology: ‘Green Hybrid Tugs’ will be powered by Green Hybrid Propulsion systems, which will eventually transition to non-fossil fuel solutions like Methanol, Ammonia, and Hydrogen.
|
Aarogya Maitri Health Cube |
Why in the news?
- The Indian Army and Air Force recently conducted a first-of-its-kind paradrop of the Aarogya Maitri Health Cube, the world’s first indigenously-made portable hospital, at an elevation of 15,000 feet.
About Aarogya Maitri Health Cube:
- World’s First Portable Hospital:
- Designed indigenously under Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri).
- Includes essential medical equipment and supplies such as a mini-ICU, operation theatre, X-ray machine, blood test equipment, cooking station, food, water, and a power generator.
- Aarogya Maitri Cube Cage Design:
- Total of 36 mini-cubes in a single cage, providing survival supplies for 48 hours for 100 survivors.
- Two cages can be joined (master cube one and master cube two) to include 72 cubes in total, capable of assisting 200 survivors.
|
Gross Environment Product Index |
Why in the news?
- Uttarakhand has become the first state in India and the world to launch a Gross Environment Product Index, focusing not just on ecosystem services but also on ecosystem growth.
About Gross Environment Product Index:
- GEP Index: A novel, integrative metric designed to evaluate ecological development caused by human interventions.
- Constituents: The index is determined by the condition of four main environmental constituents:
- Air quality
- Water quality
- Number of trees planted in a year
- Measure of the area of organic soil
- Formula: GEP index = (Air-GEP index + Water-GEP index + Soil-GEP index + Forest-GEP index)
- Purpose: Provides quantifiable assessments of improvements in air, water, soil, and forest quality.
|
Hakki Pikki Tribe |
Why in the news?
- Members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community have successfully ventured into the hair oil industry as entrepreneurs.
About Hakki Pikki Tribe:
- Tribe Name: Hakki Pikki (Hakki means ‘bird’ and Pikki means ‘catchers’ in Kannada).
- Traditional Occupation: Semi-nomadic tribe, traditionally involved in bird catching and hunting.
- Location:
- Primarily reside in Karnataka.
- Also found in Western and Southern states of India, mostly near forest areas.
- Migration History: Migrated from Northern India, mainly from Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- Language:
- Speak an Indo-Aryan language called ‘Vaagri’ at home.
- Use Kannada for daily business interactions.
- Endangered Status: UNESCO has listed ‘Vaagri’ as one of the endangered languages.
|
National Coal Index (NCI) |
Why in the news?
- The National Coal Index (NCI) witnessed a significant decline of 3.48% in June 2024, dropping to 142.13 points provisionally, compared to 147.25 points in June 2023.
About National Coal Index (NCI):
- National Coal Index (NCI): A price index reflecting changes in coal prices each month relative to a fixed base year.
- Base Year: FY 2017-18.
- Purpose: To provide an index that accurately reflects the market price of coal.
- Release: Issued monthly by the Ministry of Coal.
- Exclusions: Washed coal and coal products are not included in the index
|
Odisha Specific News |
Santali Language |
Context:
- Ramjit Tudu, a techie from Odisha, is on a mission to revive the Santali language through digital innovation.
Santali Language:
- Santali is a prominent Austro-Asiatic language primarily spoken by the Santals, a tribal community residing in eastern India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Key Points:
- Language Family: Austro-Asiatic
- Script: Primarily written in Ol Chiki, an indigenous script developed specifically for Santali.
- It’s also written in Roman, Bengali, and Devanagari scripts.
- Geographical Distribution: Predominantly spoken in Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Tripura, and Mizoram.
- Also found in Nepal and Bangladesh.
- Status: Recognized as an official language in India.
|
Malaria surge in Odisha |
Context:
-
- Malaria cases in Odisha have surged by almost double in a month due to a delay in distributing long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs).
- The LLINs, procured with funds from the Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), were meant for high-burden districts.
- However, a government indecision on their distribution has hindered their supply.
- This delay is seen as a major factor contributing to the rise in malaria cases.
Malaria:
- Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite of the genus Plasmodium.
- It is transmitted to humans primarily through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes
- It’s prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions.
|
Odisha sees 11% increase in organ transplantation |
Context:
- Odisha has reported an 11% increase in organ transplantation in 2023 compared to the previous year.
- This positive trend is attributed to heightened awareness about organ donation and improved medical facilities.
- The state has also witnessed a significant 50% rise in cadaveric organ transplants.
- While the majority of transplants involve kidneys, there has been progress in liver transplants as well.
- This development underscores Odisha’s growing commitment to saving lives through organ donation.
|