UPSC NEWS DIARY FOR TODAY (20 August, 2022) | DAY LONG CURRENT AFFAIRS DIGEST FOR UPSC

”UPSC News Diary For Today” is every day published in the evening between 6-7 PM and contains all current affairs articles from the day on a single platform. ”UPSC News Diary For Today” covers various topics from UPSC Syllabus and is very helpful and time managing for UPSC Aspirants. The framing of this daily current affairs compilation article is easy to read and understandable also.

In the ”UPSC News Diary For Today” article, we focus on both UPSC Preliminary and Mains exam-oriented current affairs & prepare a gist of daily important news articles from leading National Newspapers, PIB, and other various official sources.

Aranmula Vallasadhya

Aranmula Vallasadhya: Why in News?

Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya, the annual ritualistic mass feast, was held in full religious fervour at the Sree Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula on Thursday.

Aranmula Vallasadhya: Key Points

• Aranmula Vallasadhya is a ritual offering to the deity Lord Parthasarathy in which the oarsmen of the snake boats are offered a feast.
• On Ashtami Rohini Vallasadya, the annual ritualistic mass feast is held in full religious fervour at the Sree Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula.
• Snakeboat parade: A ceremonial parade of the Palliyodams is also held in the Pampa as a prelude to the mega feast.
• Keeping with the tradition, a team of devotees from Chenappadi village in Kottayam provided specially prepared curd for the feast.
• With over 70 dishes it is probably one of the largest vegetarian feasts in India.

Ocean Diversity Pact!

Ocean Diversity Pact: Why in News?

A delegation from India and other member countries of the United Nations are in New York to deliberate on a one-of-its-kind agreement to conserve marine biodiversity in the high seas, namely the oceans that extend beyond countries’ territorial waters.

Schemes for Anganwadi Workers

Schemes for Anganwadi Workers- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges- Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Schemes for Anganwadi Workers- Context

• Recently, parliamentarians across party lines supported an increase in salary of anganwadi workers and helpers who play a crucial role in the development of children at the grassroots level.

Schemes for Anganwadi Workers- Key Benefits of Anganwadi Workers

• Fixed Honorarium: The AWWs and AWHs are paid fixed honorarium per month as decided by the Government from time to time.
  • The Government has enhanced the honorarium w.e.f. 01.10.2018 to AWWs from ₹ 3,000/- to ₹ 4,500/- per month;
  • AWWs at mini-AWCs from ₹ 2,250/- to ₹ 3,500/- per month;
  • AWHs from ₹ 1,500/- to ₹ 2,250/- per month; and introduced performance linked incentive of ₹ 250/- per month to AWHs and @ ₹ 500/- per month to AWWs.
• Monetary Incentives by Concerned States: Most of the States/UTs are also giving monetary incentives to these workers out of their own resources.
• Leave: AWWs/AWHs are allowed paid absence of 180 days of maternity leave and 20 days annual leave.
• Award: In order to motivate AWWs/and give recognition to good voluntary work, a Scheme of Award for AWWs has been introduced, both at the National and State level.
  • The Award comprises Rs.50,000/- cash and a Citation to AWW and Rs.40,000/- to AWHs.
• Uniform: Government has made a provision for a set of two Uniform (saree/suit per annum @ Rs.500/- each).
• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) Insurance Scheme for Health Care Workers fighting COVID-19 with personal accident cover of Rs. 50 Lakh: It has also been extended to Anganwadi Workers/Helpers-
  • Who may have been in direct contact and care of COVID-19 patients and may be at risk of being impacted by this, subject to fulfillment of the certain conditions.

Schemes for Anganwadi Workers- Benefits under POSHAN Abhiyaan

• Technological Empowerment: Under POSHAN Abhiyan, Anganwadi workers have been given smartphones for efficient service delivery.
• Digitization of Records: The mobile application of POSHAN Abhiyaan digitizes and automates physical registers used by Aanganwadi workers.
  • This saves the time of AWWs and AWHs, and improves the quality of their work while simultaneously allowing them real-time monitoring.

PM POSHAN Scheme- Key Features

• Centrally supported hot meal programs in Government and Government-aided schools, covering 11.8 crore children, will be supplemented with nutritional elements in identified aspirational districts and areas with high anaemia.
  • The scheme is proposed to be extended to pre-primary children.
• The PM POSHAN Scheme provides for-
  • Social audit,
  • Creation of school nutritional gardens to source fresh produce,
  • Involvement of farmer-producer organizations as providers, and
  • Lays emphasis on local food traditions.

POSHAN 2.0 scheme

West Nile virus

West Nile virus- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to- Health.

West Nile Virus in News

• Recently, the New York City Health Department announced that the West Nile virus had been detected in two people, one in Brooklyn and another in Queens, as well as in a “record number” of infected mosquitoes throughout the city.
• A total of 54 cases and four deaths have been reported throughout the country this year, according to the health department’s announcement.

PolioVirus: Polio found in London, New York and Jerusalem

Key Facts about West Nile virus

• About: The West Nile virus is spread through a bite from an infected mosquito and can infect humans, birds and other mammals.
• Host and Carrier: Birds are the main host of the virus and mosquitoes become infected by biting birds, according to the CDC.
  • West Nile virus cannot be spread from person to person through casual contact.
• Symptoms: Most people who are infected by West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms or may experience mild to moderate illness.
  • According to CDC, about 1 in 5 develop a fever, along with other symptoms like headaches, body aches, joint pains, diarrhea, vomiting or a rash.
  • About 1 in 150 people infected develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system.
  • Symptoms include high fever, headaches, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, vision loss or paralysis.
• Diagnosis: A blood test can be conducted to determine a West Nile infection.
• Treatment: There are no vaccines or medicines that specifically treat West Nile virus infections.
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to help with some symptoms and hospitalization may be necessary for more severe cases.
• Recovery: Recovery from a severe case of West Nile can take anywhere from several weeks to months, but central nervous system damage can be permanent.

West Nile Virus- Measures to Reduce Infections

• Using Insect Repellents: The New York City Health Department suggests using approved insect repellents that contain picaridin, which can be applied directly on skin and clothing.
• Limiting Outdoor Activities: Mosquitoes are most active from April to October, so limiting outdoor activities during those seasons particularly at dawn and dusk can also reduce the risk of contracting the virus.
  • When outdoors, wear protective clothing during the evenings.
  • During the day, avoid dark-colored clothing, shaded areas where mosquitoes lay eggs, and any perfumes, colognes and scented body lotions.
• Eliminating Mosquito Breeding Areas: People and government officials must actively eliminate mosquito breeding areas such as areas with standing water where they can breed.

WHO Declares Monkeypox a Public Health Emergency

International Transport Forum (ITF)

International Transport Forum (ITF)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: International Relations– Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

International Transport Forum (ITF) in News

• Recently, the Union Cabinet was apprised of the signing of Contract between the OECD, France on behalf of the International Transport Forum (ITF) and the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), India.

About India- ITF Transport Contract

• About: Contract was signed on 6^th July 2022 to support the International Transport Forum (ITF) activities on the Indian Transport Sector.
• Significance: The activities to be carried out under this Contract will lead to:
  • New scientific results;
  • New policy insights;
  • Capacity building through increase scientific interaction
  • Identification of technology options for decarbonization of transport sector in India.

International Transport Forum (ITF)

• About: The International Transport Forum at the OECD is an intergovernmental organisation which acts as a think tank for transport policy and organises the Annual Summit of transport ministers.
  • ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. The ITF is administratively integrated with the OECD, yet politically autonomous.
• Secretariat: The International Transport Forum’s secretariatis based at the OECD in Paris (France).
• Members: The International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD is an intergovernmental organisation with 64 member countries.
• Mandate: International Transport Forum (ITF) aims to foster a deeper understanding of the role of transport in economic growth, environmental sustainability and social inclusion and to raise the public profile of transport policy.
• Administrative Structure: The Forum is administratively integrated into the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), but it is politically independent, and many of its member countries are not OECD members.

International Transport Forum (ITF)- Key Role

• The International Transport Forum (ITF) organises global dialogue for better transport.
• International Transport Forum (ITF) acts as a platform for discussion and pre-negotiation of policy issues across all transport modes.
• International Transport Forum (ITF) analyse trends, share knowledge and promote exchange among transport decision-makers and civil society.
• The ITF’s Annual Summit is the world’s largest gathering of transport ministers and the leading global platform for dialogue on transport policy.

Other India-ITF collaboration- DTEE Project

• About: Decarbonizing Transport in Emerging Economies’ (DTEE) project was jointly launched in India in 2020 by NITI Aayog and the International Transport Forum (ITF) of OECD.
• Significance: The ambitious five-year project will help India develop a pathway towards a low-carbon transport system through the development of modelling tools and policy scenarios.
  • Decarbonization of the transport sector would create a cleaner, healthier and more affordable future for everyone.
  • The DTEE project would help India translate its climate ambitions into actions.

Forum for Decarbonizing Transport Project

Sutr Santati Exhibition

Sutr Santati Exhibition- Relevance for UPSC Exam

• GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges
  • Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Sutr Santati Exhibition in News

• Recently, Ministry of Culture and the National Museum in collaboration with Abheraj Baldota Foundation organized an exhibition ‘Sutr Santati’.
• ‘Sutr Santati’ Exhibition is celebrating 75 years of India’s birth as an independent nation, by bringing together diverse textile traditions of the country.

What is meeting of Sutr Santati?

• Sutr Santati literally means the continuity of yarn.
• As a title to the exhibition, it is a metaphor for ongoing dialogues in Indian culture and society, which shape its evolution, bridging the past with the future.

Sutr Santati Exhibition 2022

• About: ‘Sutr Santati’ is an exhibition to bring together diverse textile traditions of the country.
  • Sutr Santati Exhibition 2022 is being organised as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM).
• Organizing Ministry: Sutr Santati Exhibition 2022 is being organized Ministry of Culture and the National Museum in collaboration with Abheraj Baldota Foundation.
• Location & Duration: The Sutr Santati exhibition will continue till 20th September, 2022  in New Delhi.
• Objective: The Sutr Santati exhibition’s curatorial vision seeks to promote the ideals of organic and slow consumerism in defining a nation such as India’s self-worth, and the inherent collective, collaborative efforts which are required to push towards such goals.
• Key Events:
  • On display are more than 100 textiles by 75 prominent artisans, craftspeople, designers, and artists.
  • On view are textiles created with processes of hand weaving, embroidery, resist-dyeing, printing, painting and appliqué, among other forms of yarn and fabric manipulation.
  • The fibres employed in these commissions range from local varieties such as Kandu and Kala cotton, mulberry and wild silks, camel and sheep wool, goat and yak hair.
• Participation: Artisans, Organizations / NGOs, Participating fashion & textile designers, couturiers and multidisciplinary artists, Textile revivalists, and Textile artists are participating in the Sutr Santati Exhibition 2022.

Key Facts about Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM)

• About: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements.
  • Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is an embodiment of all that is progressive about India’s socio-cultural, political, and economic identity.
• Celebrating People of India: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey.
  • People of India also hold within them the power and potential to enable the Prime Minister’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Beginning of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: The official journey of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” commenced on 12th March 2021 which starts a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of Independence.
• Categorize: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is envisioned to be celebrated in five categories –
  • Freedom Struggle,
  • Idea @75,
  • Achievements @75,
  • Action @75 and
  • Resolve @75

National Technical Textile Mission

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