Daily Current Capsules
28th December 2022

Dhanu Yatra

 

 

What's the NEWS

• The Prime Minister has greeted everyone as Dhanu Yatra begins. The vibrant Dhanu Yatra is associated with the culture of Odisha.

 

Know! about Dhanu Yatra

• It is an annual drama-based open air theatrical performance celebrated in Bargarh, Odisha.
• Spread across a 8 km radius area around the Bargarh municipality, it is world's largest open air theater, one that finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.
• It is based on mythological story of Krishna (locally known as Krushna), and his demon uncle Kansa.
• Originating in Bargarh, in the present day play, the enactments of the play are being performed in many other places in Western Odisha.
• The major one of these is the original one at Bargarh. It is about the episode of Krishna and Balaram's visit to Mathura to witness the Dhanu ceremony organized by their (maternal) uncle Kansa.
• The department of Culture of the Government of India has accorded National Festival status to Dhanu Yatra on November 2014.

 

Delimitation of Assembly & Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Assam

 

What's the NEWS

• The Election Commission of India has been requested by the Ministry of Law & Justice to conduct the delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in the State of Assam
• Under the provisions of Delimitation Act, 1972, the last delimitation of constituencies in the State of Assam was done on the basis of census figures, 1971 by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976.
• The delimitation exercise of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Assam will be conducted as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• ECI has directed the State Government of Assam to issue complete ban on creation of new administrative units w.e.f. 1st January, 2023 till the completion of delimitation exercise in the State.
• As mandated under Article 170 of the Constitution, census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in the State.

 

 

• Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be provided as per Articles 330 & 332 of the Constitution of India.
• The Commission will design and finalize its own guidelines & methodology for the purpose of delimiting the constituencies.
• Once a draft proposal of delimitation of constituencies in the State of Assam is finalized by the Commission, it shall be published in the Central and State Gazettes for inviting suggestions/objections from the general public.

Know! more about Delimitation Commission

• The Delimitation Commission is a high-level body set up by an act of the Parliament.
• It is appointed by the country's President.
• It works in tandem with the Election Commission of India.

Members

• A retired judge of the Supreme Court
• The Chief Election Commissioner
• State Election Commissioners (of the respective states)

 

Inactivated low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) vaccine for chickens

What's the NEWS

• ‘Inactivated low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) vaccine for chickens', developed by the scientists of ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal was transferred to private firms
• ICAR-NIHSAD scientists developed the first indigenous vaccine for H9N2 virus
• The vaccine will meet the standard of the market both in India and abroad.
• The vaccine will contribute significantly to increasing the income of poultry farmers by reducing the economic loss due to the disease.

 

Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI)

• Low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) of subtype H9N2 is a subtype of influenza A viruses that circulate among different bird species and possess a public health concern because of its zoonotic potential
• Low pathogenic avian influenza viruses cause either no signs of disease or mild disease in chickens/poultry (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production).
• Most avian influenza A viruses are low pathogenic and cause few signs of disease in infected wild birds
• H9N2 is the most common subtype of influenza viruses in Chinese chickens and thus causes great economic loss for the poultry industry, even under the long-term vaccination programs.
• The H9N2 influenza virus can be transmitted by air droplet, dust, feed, or water.

ICAR-NIHSAD

• The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research is a premier institute of India for research on exotic and emerging pathogens of animals.
• NIHSAD came into existence on 8th Aug., 2014 as an independent institute under ICAR from its original status as High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL), a regional station of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar.

Bird flu / H5N1/ Avian influenza

• Strains of the influenza virus that primarily infect birds, but can also infect humans.
• It is a variety of influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds.
• This type of flu is most often contracted by contact with sick birds. It can also be passed from person to person.
• Symptoms begin within two to eight days and can seem like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur.
• The disease can carry a high mortality in humans. Some antiviral drugs, if taken within two days of symptoms, may help.
• Out of the three types of influenza viruses (A, B, and C), influenza A virus is a zoonotic infection

Inactivated vaccine

• An inactivated vaccine (or killed vaccine) is a vaccine consisting of virus particles, bacteria, or other pathogens that have been grown in culture and then killed to destroy disease-producing capacity.
• In contrast, live vaccines use pathogens that are still alive (but are almost always attenuated, that is, weakened).
• Pathogens for inactivated vaccines are grown under controlled conditions and are killed as a means to reduce infectivity and thus prevent infection from the vaccine.

 

Three essential Constitution (ST) Order Amendment Bills passed in the Parliament during the Winter Session

 

What's the NEWS

• Three essential Constitution (ST) Order Amendment Bills have been passed in the Parliament during the Winter Session.

 

Parliament has passed

• Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 for Uttar Pradesh
• Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 for Tamil Nadu
• Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2022 for Karnataka

Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 for Tamil Nadu

• After the passing of this Bill in the Parliament, the Bill will include the Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran communities in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Tamil Nadu.

 

Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2022 for Karnataka

• After passing of this Bill in the Parliament, the Bill will include Betta-Kuruba as a synonym for the Kadu Kuruba community in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka.

 

Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022 for Uttar Pradesh

• The Bill will include the transfer of Gond community from list of SCs to STs and inclusion of Dhuria, Nayak, Ojha, Pathari and Rajgond in the list of STs of Uttar Pradesh in the four districts of Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Chandauli and Bhadohi.

 

India, ADB sign $125 million loan to improve Urban Services in Tamil Nadu

What's the NEWS

• The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a $125 million loan to develop climate-resilient sewage collection and treatment, and drainage and water supply systems in three cities in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• The financing is the third and the last tranche of the $500 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the Program approved by ADB in 2018 to build priority water supply, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure in strategic industrial corridors across 10 cities in the state.
• The tranche 3 loan covers Coimbatore, Madurai, and Thoothukudi.

 

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• It is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966
• HQ - Manila, Philippines.
• The bank also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• The bank admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP, formerly the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East or ECAFE) and non-regional developed countries.
• From 31 members at its establishment, ADB now has 68 members.
• ADB is an official United Nations Observer.
• Japan and the United States each holds the largest proportion of shares at 15.571%.
• China holds 6.429%, India holds 6.317%, and Australia holds 5.773%.

 

 

Amrit Bharat Station scheme

 

What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Railways has formulated a new policy for modernization of stations named "Amrit Bharat Station" scheme.
• Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long term vision.
• It is based on Master Planning for long term and implementation of the elements of Master Plan as per the needs and patronage of the station.

Broad objectives:

• The scheme aims at preparation of Master Plans of the Railway stations and implementation of the Master Plan in phases to enhance the facilities including and beyond the Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) and aiming for creation of Roof Plazas and city centres at the station in long run.
• The scheme shall aim to meet the needs of the stakeholders, station usage studies as far as possible based on availability of funds and inter-se priority.
• The scheme shall cater for introduction of new amenities as well as upgradation and replacement of existing amenities.
• This scheme will also cover the stations where detailed techno-economic feasibility studies have been conducted or are being conducted but the work for construction of Roof Plazas has not been taken up yet, ensuring the phasing of Master Plan being suitably implemented and relocation of structures and utilities being given more emphasis in the phasing plans.

 

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