Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 31 May 2024 | Download PDF

• India emphasized its commitment to proactive actions for women, children, and adolescent health and well-being at the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

Key points:

• Date and Venue: Held from 21 to 30 May 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Participants: Attended by delegations from all WHO Member States, health ministers, and other senior health officials.
• Theme: Focused on “Health for All: Protect Everyone”.
• Agenda:
  • Global health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
  • Health workforce issues.
  • Non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
  • Mental health and substance use.
• Key Discussions:
  • Strengthening health systems.
  • Financing for health.
  • Improving access to medicines and vaccines.
  • Addressing health inequities.
• Resolutions and Decisions:
  • Adoption of resolutions on primary health care.
  • Strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.
  • Global strategies on digital health.

• The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Ayush, launched “PRAGATI-2024” (Pharma Research in AyurGyan And Techno Innovation).

About PRAGATI-2024:

• Full Name: Pharma Research in AyurGyan And Techno Innovation (PRAGATI-2024)
• Objective: To explore research opportunities and foster collaboration between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and the Ayurveda drug industry.
• Focus Areas:
  • Advanced research in Ayurveda
  • Development of new Ayurvedic drugs
  • Innovation in Ayurvedic drug manufacturing processes
• Key Participants:
  • Researchers from CCRAS
  • Industry experts from the Ayurveda drug sector
  • Academic institutions specializing in Ayurvedic studies

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Common Service Centre eGovernance Services India Limited have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 
• This MoU aims to create a synergy between the Common Service Centre (CSC) SPV and the MEA to provide eMigrate services through CSCs across the country.

About eMigrate project:

• The project aims to assist blue-collar workers going to Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries by making the emigration process seamless and online. 
• It addresses issues faced by migrant workers and brings foreign employers, registered recruitment agents, and insurance companies onto a common platform to promote safe and legal migration.
• Under this MoU, the eMigrate Portal of MEA will be integrated with the CSC’s portal to provide the following eMigrate services to citizens through CSCs:
  • Facilitate registration of applicants on the eMigrate portal.
  • Assist with uploading and processing required documents on the eMigrate portal.
  • Support booking medical and other services required by migrant workers or applicants registered on the eMigrate portal.
  • Create awareness about eMigrate services across India.

• India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity warning for a vulnerability in Google Chrome for desktops. 
• This vulnerability affects both Windows and Mac users and can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on targeted systems.

About CERT-In:

• Establishment: CERT-In was established in 2004.
• Objective: Its primary objective is to enhance the security of India’s communications and information infrastructure.
• Function: Acts as the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents.
• Responsibilities:
  • Incident Response: Handles and coordinates responses to cybersecurity incidents.
  • Alerts and Advisories: Issues alerts and advisories on latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
  • Awareness: Conducts training and awareness programs on cybersecurity.
  • Collaboration: Works in collaboration with various stakeholders, including government departments, private sectors, and international agencies.
  • Research and Development: Engages in research to develop tools and techniques for enhancing cybersecurity.
• Legislation: Operates under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
• Services: Provides services such as early warning, vulnerability handling, incident response, and security quality management services.

• The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the RudraM-II missile from the Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.

About RudraM-II missile:

• Type: Air-to-surface missile
• Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• Purpose: Designed for precision strikes against enemy targets
• Range: Capable of engaging targets at around 350 km

• The Defence Ministry announced the successful test-firing of the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from an Indian Air Force Su-30 MK-I fighter jet off the coast of Odisha.

Key points:

• The test, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved all trial objectives. 
• It validated the missile’s propulsion system, control, and guidance algorithm.

About:

• RudraM-II is an indigenously developed solid-propelled air-launched missile system designed to neutralize various types of enemy assets. 
• It incorporates several state-of-the-art indigenous technologies developed by various DRDO laboratories.

• The Centre has appointed Saurabh Garg, a 1991-batch Odisha cadre IAS officer, as Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), with a one-year extension beyond his superannuation in July this year.

Key points:

• Currently serving as Secretary of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Garg will also discharge the function of Secretary of the National Statistical Commission.
• Garg has previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment in Odisha. 
• In Odisha, he focused on digitalizing agriculture and developing a direct income transfer scheme for farmers called KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation). 
• He also played a key role in establishing the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), improving Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies, formulating the initial framework for digital payments, revamping gold sector policies, and leading negotiations for Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.

• Odisha has made significant strides in tobacco control, earning the World No Tobacco Day Award from the WHO for the South-East Asian region.

Key points:

• Odisha has implemented various initiatives to reduce tobacco usage, including a ban on tobacco-related products at Puri’s Jagannath Temple and a comprehensive search for contraband items at Jharpada jail. 
• The Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 2023 achieved national acclaim, marking 54 Panchayats as tobacco-free, with ongoing efforts in 114 more Gram Panchayats. 

South-East Asia Region Winners:

• Ministry of Railways, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• Odisha State Tobacco Control Cell, Republic of India
• Dr Widyastuti Soerojo, Health Policy Forum, Republic of Indonesia
• Thailand Youth Institute, Kingdom of Thailand
• Alcohol and Drug Information Centre, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

• Tidal waves in Kendrapara, Odisha, have emerged as a significant threat to the region’s coastal villages, endangering lives and properties.

Tidal Waves:

• • Tidal waves, also known as tsunamis, are large ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. 
  • These waves can travel across entire ocean basins and reach coastal areas with devastating force.
  • In addition to seismic activity, tidal waves can also be caused by landslides, meteorite impacts, or even volcanic collapses. 
  • When these events displace a large volume of water, it sets off a series of waves that can travel long distances.
• Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to tidal waves. 

• The impact of a tsunami is often exacerbated by the shallowness of coastal waters, which causes the wave to increase in height as it approaches the shore.
• To mitigate the impact of tidal waves, early warning systems have been implemented in many coastal regions. 
• These systems use a network of buoys and sensors to detect changes in sea level and provide advance ‘

warning to at-risk communities.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again commended the efforts of Swachh Bharat crusader Kamala Moharana, a 65-year-old from Kendrapara district in Odisha.

About:

• Moharana gained national attention when PM Modi praised the efforts of her Women’s Self Help Group, Ama Dakhyata, on his Man Ki Baat program in 2016.
• The group, founded by Moharana, specializes in crafting various items like baskets, pen stands, and mobile phone stands from plastic waste, providing a source of income for its 40 to 50 female members and promoting cleanliness in the village of Khairabad.
• Her dedication to cleanliness and sustainable practices serves as an inspiration for many, including the Prime Minister.

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