Daily Currentaffairs: 01 Oct 2020

Tables of contents

1.Safe Motherhood Assurance (SUMAN) Initiative

2.iDEX4Fauji Initiative 

3.Cat Que Virus

4. Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD)

5. Branded Royal 

6.Advanced Towed Array Gun System (ATAGS)

1.Safe Motherhood Assurance (SUMAN) Initiative

Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare participated in the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) ‘Accountability Breakfast’ and lauded the efforts of Safe Motherhood Assurance (SUMAN) initiative launched in 2019.

About Safe Motherhood Assurance (SUMAN) initiative

• It is an initiative of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare popularly known as Surakshit Matritva Aashwashan (SUMAN).

• It focuses on assured delivery of maternal and newborn healthcare services encompassing wider access to free and quality services.

• It is aimed at zero tolerance for denial of services, assured management of complications along with respect for women’s autonomy, dignity, feelings, choices and preferences, etc.

• All Pregnant Women/Newborns visiting public health facilities are entitled to free services provided under the SUMAN initiative.

Source: PIB

2.iDEX4Fauji Initiative

Recently, the Union Minister of Defence has launched the iDEX4Fauji Initiative during the launch of Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC-4).

About iDEX4Fauji Initiative

• It is a first of its kind initiative which is launched to support innovations identified by members of the Indian Armed Forces.

• It will bolster frugal innovation ideas from soldiers/ field formations. 

• It will allow our Faujis to become part of the innovation process and get recognised and rewarded.

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Initiative

 

It was launched in 2018 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

 

It aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace.

 

iDEX will be funded and managed by a ‘Defence Innovation Organization (DIO)’ which has been formed as a ‘not for profit’ company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.

 

iDEX will function as the executive arm of DIO, carrying out all the required activities while DIO will provide high level policy guidance to iDEX.

Source: PIB

3.Cat Que Virus

Recently, a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research which noted the presence of antibodies against the Cat Que virus (CQV) in two human serum samples.

About Cat Que Virus

• The presence of the Cat Que virus (CQV) has been largely reported in Culex mosquitoes in China and in pigs in Vietnam.

• The domestic pigs are considered to be the primary mammalian hosts for Cat Que Virus.

• The CQV belongs to the Simbu serogroup and infects both humans and economically important livestock species.

• The virus was first isolated in 2004 from mosquitoes during surveillance of arbovirus activity in acute pediatric encephalitis in northern Vietnam.

• The availability of vector, primary mammalian host (swine) and confirmation of CQV from jungle myna signifies the potential of the Orthobunyavirus as a public health pathogen in India.

• It is one of the arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) which may cause febrile illnesses, meningitis, and paediatric encephalitis among humans.

Source: The Indian Express

4. Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD)

Recently, India’s sandalwood trees are facing a serious threat with the return of the destructive Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD).

About Sandalwood Spike Disease (SSD)

• It is an infectious disease characterised by chlorosis, a reduction in leaf size, and shortened internodes, causing leaves to become crowded on twigs with a “bushy” appearance.

• In 1917, Coleman said that SSD can be transmitted through grafting, and later added that haustorial connection of infected plants to a healthy host can be a possible means of SSD transmission.

• SSD can be transmitted by insect vectors such as Moonia albimaculata, leafhopper Jassus indicus and Nephotettix virescens.

• In 1969, a breakthrough was achieved by three independent research groups that confirmed the causal agent of SSD to be a phytoplasma.

  • Phytoplasmas are obligate bacterial parasites of plant phloem tissue and of the insect vectors that are involved in their plant-to-plant transmission.

• The disease was first reported in Kodagu in 1899.

• The most effective methods to eliminate SSD from sandalwood tissue are likely to be the use of tissue culture to create disease-free superior genotypes.

• Phytoplasma-induced disease can be controlled by proper management of insect vectors, removal of infected plants from the field and of the application of plant growth-promoting microbes that not only enhance nutrient levels but also provide protection against microbial and insect vectors.

• There is no specific method to control the disease.

Source: The Hindu

5. Branded Royal 

Recently, the Branded Royal, which had not been spotted in the Nilgiris for over 130 years, was documented along the Kotagiri slopes.

About Branded Royal

• The Branded Royal (Tajuria melastigma) is a rare butterfly of lycaenid species.

• It was last recorded in the Nilgiris in 1888 by G.F. Hampson and there is only one other record in Tamil Nadu.

• It is found in the Indo-Malayan realm i.e. in India, Assam, Burma and Thailand.

• The Branded Royal is very rarely seen in India, with only four or five records in existence i.e. in the Nilgiris, Dindigul and two in Kerala and Karnataka.

• It is legally protected in India under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Source: The Hindu

6.Advanced Towed Array Gun System (ATAGS)

 Recently, a committee has been set up consisting of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists, Army representatives and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) officials to determine the cause of accident of the Advanced Towed Array Gun System (ATAGS).

About Advanced Towed Array Gun System (ATAGS)

• It is an indigenous heavy artillery gun developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Bharat Forge of Kalyani Group and Tata Power SED.

• It is a large calibre Gun system with the capability to program and fire future Long Range Guided Munitions (LRGM) to achieve precision and deep strike.

• It is a towed 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer deployed in the Indian Army.

• The significant features of ATAGS include an all-electric drive, high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communications system and an automated command and control system.

Source: The Hindu

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