Daily Current Affairs : 24-Mar-2020
Major Topics Covered :
NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION
FDI RELAXATION IN DEFENCE SECTOR
COVID ACTION PLATFORM (CAP)
ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA
HYDROXY-CHLOROQUINE
YAKSHAGANA
SC GOES DIGITAL
NATIONAL SUPERCOMPUTING MISSION
Why in news?
The mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India.
Highlights:
The National Super Computing Mission is steered jointly by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
The target of the mission was set to establish a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022.
This network of Supercomputers envisaging a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs)
The first supercomputer assembled indigenously, called Param Shivay, was installed in IIT (BHU). Similar systems Param Shakti and Param Brahma were installed at IIT-Kharagpur and IISER, Pune.
Source : PIB
FDI RELAXATION IN DEFENCE SECTOR
Why in news?
The FDI norms for the defence sector was explained by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Rewati Raman Singh in Rajya Sabha.
Highlights:
In May 2001, the Defence Industry sector, which was hitherto reserved for the public sector, was opened upto 100% for Indian private sector participation, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) upto 26% both subject to licensing.
Further, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has allowed FDI under automatic route upto 49% and above 49% through government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.
Further, FDI in defence industry sector is subject to industrial license under Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and manufacturing of small arms and ammunition under the Arms Act, 1959
Source : PIB
COVID ACTION PLATFORM (CAP)
Why in news?
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has invited India to join its COVID Action Platform (CAP) launched earlier this month, with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Highlights:
The spread of COVID-19 demands global cooperation among governments, international organizations and the business community. This multi-stakeholder cooperation is at the centre of the World Economic Forum’s mission as the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
Three priority areas –
Galvanize the global business community for collective action
Protect people’s livelihoods and facilitate business continuity
Mobilize cooperation and business support for the COVID-19 response
Source : Business Line
ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA
Why in news?
Struggling to cope with the declining water table due to overexploitation of groundwater, Haryana is set to implement the Atal Bhujal Yojana
Highlights:
Atal Bhujal Yojana has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory groundwater management and bringing about behavioral changes at the community level for sustainable groundwater resource management in seven States, viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Implementation of the scheme is expected to benefit nearly 8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts in these States.
It will promote panchayat led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management.
Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crore to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25), 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central Government. The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support. The entire World Bank’s loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the States as Grants.
To incentivise gram panchayats to perform better in water management a provision has been made in the Atal Jal Yojana, in which better performing gram panchayats, will be given more allocation.
Source : Tribune
HYDROXY-CHLOROQUINE
Why in news?
Amid rising coronavirus cases in the country, the national task force for COVID-19 constituted by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended hydroxy-chloroquine as a preventive medication for high-risk population.
Highlights:
It should be given to high risk population—asymptomatic healthcare workers involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 and asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases.
The protocol recommended by the National Task Force has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) for restricted use in emergency situations.
Hydroxy-chloroquine is found to be effective against coronavirus in laboratory studies and in-vivo studies. Its use in prophylaxis is derived from the available evidence of benefit as treatment and supported by preclinical data
The drug is not recommended for prophylaxis in children under 15 years of age.
Prophylaxis means the treatment given or action taken to prevent disease.
Source : Tribune
YAKSHAGANA
Why in news?
More than 900 Yakshagana scripts, including the ones printed in 1905 and 1907, have now been digitised and made available online for free, thanks to the voluntary community effort by some Yakshagana lovers who did it under the banner Yakshavahini, a registered trust.
Highlights:
Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka.
It combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.
It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during the period of the Bhakti movement.
Yakshagaana is based on mythological stories and Puranas. The most popular episodes are from the Mahabharata i.e. Draupadi swayamvar, Subhadra vivah, Abhimanyu vadh, Karna-Arjun yuddh and from Ramayana i.e. Raajyaabhishek, Lav-kush Yuddh, Baali-Sugreeva yuddha and Panchavati.
Source : Hindu and CCRT
SC GOES DIGITAL
Why in news?
The Supreme Court on Monday decided to further restrict its functioning on account of the COVID-19 scare and resort to the digital mode to maintain social distancing and prevent spread of infection. The court premises would be completely shutdown.
Highlights:
Only extremely urgent cases would be taken up by a Bench(es) through a video app.
The Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde used its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to lift the limitation period for all cases across tribunals and courts in the country until further notice.
The app is called Vidyo.
A one-page synopsis of these cases can be sent to the apex court registry via an email id - mention.sc@sci.nic.in. The registry would then forward the mail to the judges on the slotted Bench.
Once the case is approved for urgent hearing, it would be listed for the next day. The lawyer concerned would be mailed a video link and he or she can use it to present his case via videoconferencing at an allotted time.
The link would lapse automatically by default shortly after the hearing.
Source : Hindu
As a responsible citizen and institute, we will be publishing the myths around COVID-19 along with the facts so as to ensure transparency of information reaches all the readers and thus they can be better equipped to protect themselves. It is our humble request to all the readers that please “Stay Indoor and Stay Safe”. Also, educate people you know through phone to not venture out of their houses in these testing times.