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Daily Current Capsules - 09th November 2019

DEFENCE
ReSAREX- 19
Coast Guard conducts two-day rescue exercise off Goa shore

Relevance IN - Prelims (about ReSAREX 19) + Mains (GS III security challenges and their management in border areas)
What's the NEWS
  • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) tested its efficiency and preparedness during the Regional Level Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise 2019 (ReSAREX- 19) conducted off Goa coast
Know! more about ReSAREX 19
  • The two-day event, organised by the Coast Guard District Headquarters-11 (Goa), comprised a search and rescue workshop and table top exercise on Tuesday, followed by a search and rescue exercise at sea
  • Maritime search and rescue remains a challenge with increase in maritime and fishing activities, further complicated by frequent cyclones
  • Maritime search and rescue services need to respond to every situation with utmost alacrity, displaying professional acumen and exercising full coordination with other support agencies,
  • The workshop also assumes significance in the wake of the recent search and rescue operations carried out during cyclones Kyaar and Maha
Know! about Indian Coast Guard
  • The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is an armed force that protects India's maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
  • The Indian Coast Guard was formally established on 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India as an independent Armed force of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
  • The Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces.
Prelims Factoids
IIT Madras launches India's first standing wheelchair

Relevance IN - Prelims (about Arise)
What's the NEWS
  • A ‘standing wheelchair' called ‘Arise', was developed at the TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras four months ago.
Know! more about Arise
  • The wheel chair, indigenously-designed at IIT-M in collaboration with Phoenix Medical Systems, with the support of the UK-based Wellcome Trust, is priced at about Rs.15,000.
  • Using Arise, a person with a disability can shift from a standing position to a sitting position and vice versa, independently or with assistance.
Health Reforms
FSSAI releases draft regulations
Relevance IN - Prelims (about 'Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019'. + Mains (GS II issues relating to development and management of social sectors/services relating to health and education)

What's the NEWS
  • Food regulator FSSAI issued draft regulations proposing a ban on sale as well as advertisements of junk foods in school canteens and within 50 metres around school campuses as part of its objective to ensure safe and wholesome food for children.
  • The Food and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought comments from stakeholders within 30 days on its draft regulations titled 'Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019'.
Know! more about the draft regulations
  • Foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) cannot be sold to school children in school canteens or mess premises or hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus
  • The food business operators (FBOs) manufacturing HFSS food products would be barred from advertising such foods in school premises or within 50 meters of the school campus,
  • The school authority itself or food business operators (FBOs) contracted by it and FBOs contracted by Department of School Education for operation of the mid-day meal scheme will have to "obtain a registration or license" as applicable and comply with the requirements of sanitary and hygienic practices specified under the food safety law.
  • The FSSAI has proposed that school authorities will have to adopt a comprehensive programme for promoting safe food and healthy diets among school children.
  • The school campus should be converted into 'Eat Right School' focusing safe and healthy food, local and seasonal food and no food waste as per the specified benchmarks.
  • Encourage school authorities to promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)
  • The school authorities would have to ensure that FBOs supplying prepared meals in the premises are on the basis of general guidance provided in the regulation and as per the direction issued by the Food Authority or the Commissioners of Food safety.
  • Nutrionists, dietitians must be engaged by the school administration to assist in the preparation of menu for the children, periodically.
  • The FSSAI proposes creation of a sub-committee by the State Level Advisory Committee to monitor the implementation of this regulations and to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to school children.
Economic Development
India retains third spot in global unicorn list
Relevance IN - Prelims (about the report on Indian tech start up) + Mains (GS III Economic development)
What's the NEWS
  • India continues to reinforce its position as the third largest startup ecosystem across the world, as it added over 1,300 start-ups in 2019, taking the total number to 8,900-9,300 in the last five years, according to the report 'Indian Tech Startup Ecosystem - Leading Tech in the 20s' by Nasscom.
  • India also witnessed the addition of 7 unicorns in 2019 till August, taking the
Know! more about the report
  • In the 4th edition of a new NASSCOM-Zinnov report titled "Indian Start-up Ecosystem : Approaching Escape Velocity," India has been ranked the 3rd biggest startup hub in the world
Multiple factors made India a leader of growth in the tech startup sector. Here are some highlights from the report:
  • The number of advanced technology start-ups increased by 50% from 2017, with Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and IoT witnessing the fastest adoption.
  • The start-up ecosystem is becoming more global - Indian start-ups (both B2B and B2C) are expanding to other markets, and global giants are gravitating towards India.
  • More Tier 2/Tier 3 cities are emerging as start-up hubs, and more experienced professionals are taking entrepreneurial route.
Namma Bengaluru is the biggest startup hub
  • According to the report, Bangalore is now one of the fastest growing tech startup hubs. A total of 1,200 tech-startups were added to the list in 2018, alone! Today, the city boasts of 7,200- 7,700 registered startups.
  • Bangalore, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai are the top three cities in India that have seen tremendous growth in Startups.
  • Unicorn Company - A unicorn is a privately held startup company valued at over $1 billion.


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