Daily Currentaffairs: 20 Sept 2020

Tables of contents

1. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA) 

2.Gilgit-Baltistan to be a Full-fledged Province

3.Measurement of Mount Everest

4.AICTE-SPICES

5. Sputnik V Vaccine to India 

6.Danaid Eggfly

7.SoS Safety App for Women

8.Biotech-KISAN programme

9.ICT Grand Challenge

10. Blue Flag Certification 

11.Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)

1.Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA) 

Recently, the U.S. is keen that India should sign the last foundational agreement, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA), at the next India-U.S. 2+2 ministerial dialogue.

Background

• India has signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2016.

• The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed in 2002.

• While LEMOA has since been operationalised, COMCASA is at advanced stages of being operationalised.

About Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA)

• It will allow India to use US expertise on geospatial intelligence and to enhance military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons like cruise, ballistic missiles and drones.

• BECA is the last of the four “foundational” agreements that underpin deepening defense cooperation between the two countries.

• It is an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the US.

The COMCASA allows the US to transfer communication equipment to India which facilitates secure transmission of data and real-time information between the armed forces of the two countries.

 

The LEMOA allows Indian and US defence forces to use each other’s facilities and establish procedures of easier access to supplies and services required by them.

Source: The Hindu

2.Gilgit-Baltistan to be a Full-fledged Province

Recently, Pakistan has decided to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan’s status to that of a full-fledged province.

Implications of Gilgit-Baltistan as a Full-fledged Province

• Gilgit-Baltistan would be given adequate representation on all constitutional bodies, including the National Assembly and the Senate.

• The work on the Moqpondass Special Economic Zone would begin under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Views of India on Gilgit-Baltistan as a Full-fledged Province

• India has clearly conveyed to Pakistan that the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country.

• India has said the Government of Pakistan or its judiciary has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it.

• India completely rejects such actions and continued attempts to bring material changes in Pakistan occupied areas of the Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

 

It connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan with China’s Xinjiang province.

 

It is the flagship project of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

 

It is a collection of infrastructure and other projects under construction throughout Pakistan since 2013.

Source: The Hindu

3.Measurement of Mount Everest

Recently, China and Nepal together, has decided to re-measure the elevation of the world’s highest mountain i.e. Mount Everest.

About Mount Everest

• Mount Everest or Sagarmatha is the earth’s highest mountain above sea level.

• It is located in the Himalayas between China and Nepal.

• Its current official elevation is 8,848m which places it more than 200m above the world’s second-highest mountain i.e. K2.

• The mountain gets its English name from Sir George Everest, a colonial-era geographer who served as the Surveyor General of India in the mid-19th century.

• It was first scaled in 1953 by the Indian-Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary.

Why Height of Mount Everest is being measured again?

• The current official height of Mount Everest has been widely accepted since 1956, when the figure was measured by the Survey of India.

• The height of the summit is known to change because of tectonic activity such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

• There is an ongoing debate on whether the height should be based on the highest rock point or the highest snow point.

• A team from Nepal completed its task of measuring the summit in 2019 and China carried out its expedition in May 2020.

  • China using the Yellow sea and Nepal using a point close to the Bay of Bengal coast as reference for sea level.

Mount Everest's first survey

• The mission to measure the world’s highest peak was taken up in 1847, and culminated with the finding of a team led by Andrew Waugh of the Royal Surveyor General of India.

• The team discovered that ‘Peak 15’ (Mt Everest was referred to then) was the highest mountain, contrary to the then prevailing belief that Mt Kanchenjunga (8,582 m) was the highest peak in the world.

Source: The Indian Express

4.AICTE-SPICES

Recently, the Ministry of Education presented first ever AICTE Visvesvarya Best Teacher Awards 2020 and launched the scheme called AICTE-SPICES (Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students).

About AICTE-SPICES

• It aims to provide financial support to institutions for developing students club for well-rounded development of students by promoting their interests, creativity and ethics.

• It is aimed to promote healthy co-curricular activity amongst the students for their all-round development.

• Its objective is to energize and position students club/ Chapters/ Societies as facilitating entity for pursuit of individual interests, creative work, showcasing talent, networking and teamwork opportunities etc.

• The eligibility under the AICTE-SPICES are:

• • AICTE approved institutes with minimum 5 years of existence.

  • Only one proposal per institute for a club (with minimum student members 50) will be admissible. Institute may choose its best performing club for applying under the scheme for the grant.

  • The institute must commit a contribution of minimum Rs. 1 Lakh to the club. Contributions over and above Rs. 1 Lakh from institution to club will get weightage for consideration.

  • Coordinator must be full-time regular faculty with at least 10-year experience in teaching/industry.

  • Institute should also identify a Co-coordinator who must be a faculty with at least 5 year of experience in teaching/industry.

  • Experience and inclination of organizing events/ co-curriculum activities are desirable for coordinator and co-coordinator.

Source: PIB

5.Sputnik V Vaccine to India 

Recently, the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is piloting Russia’s Sputnik V candidate vaccine has partnered with the Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to supply 100 million doses of the vaccine.

About Sputnik V Vaccine

• Russia has named its first approved coronavirus vaccine 'Sputnik V' for the foreign markets.

• It is a reference to the world's first satellite Sputnik.

• It was developed by the Moscow-based Gamaleya Institute, using funding from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

• It is based on well-studied human adenoviral vector platform with proven safety.

• It was registered by the Ministry of Health of Russia and became the world’s first registered vaccine.

Significance of Agreement on Sputnik V Vaccine to India

• Phase 1 and 2 results of vaccine trials have shown promise and RDIF will be conducting Phase 3 trials in India to meet the requirements of the Indian regulators.

• The agreement does not include the manufacturing of the vaccine in India.

• The agreement constitutes the second major international deal for supplying a potential vaccine after the agreement between British company AstraZeneca and the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII).

• The agreement between RDIF and Dr Reddy’s reflects the growing awareness of countries and organisations to have a diversified anti-COVID vaccine portfolio.

Adenovirus Vector Vaccine

 

Adenoviruses are one of the most genetically diverse DNA viruses and cause non-life-threatening infections in the ocular, respiratory, or gastrointestinal epithelium.

 

Adenoviruses (Ads) are non-enveloped, icosahedral DNA viruses with virion size ranges between 70 and 90 nm.

 

Adenoviruses are grouped under the family Adenoviridae, which is divided into five genera i.e. Mastadenovirus, Aviadenovirus, Siadenovirus, Atadenovirus, and Ichtadenovirus.

 

Adenovirus-based vectors offer several advantages over other viral vectors such as:

 

broad range of tissue tropism,

 

well-characterized genome,

 

ease of genetic manipulation including acceptance of large transgene DNA insertions,

 

inherent adjuvant properties,

 

ability to induce robust transgene-specific T cell and antibody responses,

 

non-replicative nature in host, and

 

ease of production at large scale

Source: The Hindu

6.Danaid Eggfly

Recently, the Danaid Eggfly was being observed under the Cornell University initiative of monitoring rare sightings of birds.

About Danaid Eggfly

• It belongs to the largest family of butterflies, Nymphalidae.

• • The butterflies in this family are also called Brush-footed Butterflies, where the forelegs (first pair of legs) are reduced in size and covered with long hair, much like brushes.

• It is an inhabitant of open country with moderate rainfall.

• They are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia.

• It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972.

• It is categorised as 'Not Evaluated' under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

• The females of Danaid Eggfly mimic (in appearance) the similar-sized Plain Tiger, which is a toxic butterfly with the toxic Milkweed as its host plant.

• The Danaid Eggfly (Hypolimnas misippus) has an evolutionary adaptation. 

Source: The Hindu

7.SoS Safety App for Women

Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the SoS Safety App for Women.

About SoS Safety App for Women

• It is a 112 India Mobile App through which the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) can be accessed.

  • The government has launched 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), which provides for a single number (112) based assistance in emergencies to women in distress.

  • ERSS is designed to address all emergency signals received from citizens through voice call, SMS, e-mail, panic SOS signal, ERSS web portal etc.

• The automated facility being setup in the capital cities of all States and UTs, called Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

  • It will handle all the emergency signals and provide assistance available to the people in distress within the best possible time with the help of Police, Fire & Rescue, Health services etc.

Source: PIB

8.Biotech-KISAN programme

Recently, the Ministry of Science & Technology has provided that Rs. 310 crores has been invested for supporting the use of Biotechnology in agriculture including organic farming through Biotech-KISAN programme.

About Biotech-KISAN program

• The Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) programme focuses on taking innovative technologies to the farmers.

• It is a farmer centric scheme for farmers by the Ministry of Science & Technology, developed by and with farmers.

• It is a Pan-India program, following a hub-and spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers and empowers women.

• It has unique a feature to identify and promote local farm leadership in both genders.

• A total of eight Biotech-KISAN Hubs in different Agro-climatic Zones have been supported.

• It is being implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with the following objectives:

  • Linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local farmer and provide solutions to those problems.

  • The working together, in close conjunction, of scientists and farmers is the only way to improve the working conditions of small and marginal farmers.

  • Work with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmer for better agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices.

• ABF Biotech-KISAN Hub is a new programme funded by Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under Biotech-KISAN programme that empowers farmers through science.

  • Agri Biotech Foundation (ABF) is an autonomous academic institute engaged in research, extension, human resource development and public engagement.

  • It is a registered society under Andhra Pradesh Societies Act which was established in 2007.

Source: PIB

9.ICT Grand Challenge

Recently, the ICT Grand Challenge was launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

About ICT Grand Challenge

• It is launched by National Jal Jeevan Mission in partnership with Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).

• It is launched as a pilot programme in 100 villages.

• It aims to create innovative, modular, and cost-effective solution to develop a ‘Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System’ to be deployed at the village level.

• The ICT grand challenge will be inviting proposal from Indian Tech start-ups, MSMEs, Indian Companies and Indian LLPs.

• It will harness the vibrant IoT eco-systems of India for creating smart rural water supply eco-system.

• It will provide opportunity to work for cause of Jal Jeevan Mission and to assure potable water supply through Functional Household Tap Connections to every rural household.

• It will provide support at ideation Stage, prototype development stage and deployment stage.

Source: PIB

10. Blue Flag Certification 

Recently, on the eve of International Coastal Clean-Up Day, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recommended for the first time eight beaches of India for the Blue flag certification.

About Blue Flag Certification

The Certification is accorded by an international agency “Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark” based on 33 stringent criteria in four major heads i.e.

• • Environmental Education and Information,

  • Bathing Water Quality,

  • Environment Management and Conservation and

  • Safety and Services in the beaches.

• The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an Eco-tourism model endeavoring to provide to the tourists/beach goers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.

• It is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label.

• Chandrabhaga beach located on the Konark coast of Odisha is the first beach in the country to receive 'Blue Flag Certification'.

Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services (BEAMS)

 

India launched its own eco-label BEAMS by e-hoisting the flag simultaneously at all the eight beaches.

 

BEAMS is launched under its ICZM (Integrated Coastal Zone Management) project.

 

BEAMS is one of the several other projects of ICZM that the central government is undertaking for sustainable development of coastal regions

 

The eight beaches recommended under the BEAMS are Shivrajpur in Gujarat, Ghoghla in Daman and Diu, Kasarkod and Padubidri in Karnataka, Kappad in Kerala, Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh, Golden in Odisha and Radhanagar in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

The primary objectives of BEAMS are:

 

abate pollution in coastal waters;

 

promote sustainable development of beach facilities;

 

protect and conserve coastal ecosystems and natural resources; and

 

seriously challenge local authorities and stakeholders to strive and maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and safety for beachgoers.

Source: PIB

11.Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has provided information regarding the implementation of Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS).

About Integrated Management of Public Distribution System (IM-PDS)

• It is launched by the Department of Food & Public Distribution to sustain the reforms brought in by the ongoing scheme of ‘End to End Computerization of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Operations’.

• It is to be implemented in all the states and union territories.

• Its objective is to introduce nation-wide portability of ration cards under National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA) through 'One Nation One Ration Card' plan.

• Its aim is to enable migrant beneficiaries to lift their entitled quota of foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country.

Source: PIB

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