Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the objective of CUReD) + Mains ( GS II government policies and interventions)
What's the NEWS

• The Minister of Science & Technology, launched a website that gives comprehensive information about the numerous COVID-19 clinical trials that CSIR is engaged in partnership with Industry, other government departments and ministries.

• CSIR Ushered Repurposed Drugs, the website provides information about the drugs, diagnostics and devices including the current stage of the trials, partnering institutions and their role in the trials and other details.
• CSIR is exploring multiple combination clinical trials of anti-virals with host-directed therapies for the potential treatment of COVID-19.
• CSIR is also working with the Ministry of AYUSH for clinical trials of AYUSH drugs and has undertaken safety & efficacy trials of AYUSH prophylactics and therapeutics based on individual plant-based compounds and in combination.
• Five clinical trials involving Withaniasomnifera, Tinosporacordifolia + Piper longum(in combination), Glycyrrhizaglabra, Tinosporacordifolia & Adhatodavasica (individually and in combination) and AYUSH-64 formulation are undergoing safety and efficacy trials.
• A key clinical trial of CSIR is the Sepsivac (Mw) against COVID -19 in partnership with Cadila.

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the role of VTS + VTMS) + Mains ( GS III Infrastructure development + indigenisation of technology )
What's the NEWS

• Minister of State for Shipping e-launched the development of Indigenous Software solution for Vessel traffic services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS)
• Ministry of Shipping has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 10 Crore to IIT, Chennai for development of indigenous VTS software.

Know! about VTS and VTMS software

• VTS and VTMS is a software which determines vessel positions, position of other traffic or meteorological hazard warnings and extensive management of traffic within a port or waterway.
• Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation and protection of the marine environment, adjacent shore areas, work sites and offshore installations from possible adverse effects of maritime traffic.
• Vessels Traffic Management Systems are installed in some of the busiest waters in the world, and are making valuable contribution to safer navigation, more efficient traffic flow, and protection of the environment.
• VTMS is mandatory under IMO Convention SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea).
• The VTMS traffic image is compiled and collected by means of advanced sensors such as radar, AIS, direction finding, CCTV and VHF or other co-operative systems and services.
• A modern VTMS integrates all of the information into a single operator working environment for ease of use and in order to allow for effective traffic organization and communication.
• Presently, India has approximately 15 VTS systems operational along the Indian Coast and there is no uniformity of VTS software as each system has its own VTS software.
• Development of the indigenous VTS software will reduce the expenditure of foreign exchange on this issue and also minimize the dependence on foreign support for VTS software.
• Implementation of National Maritime Domain Awareness programme of Indian Navy and NCVTS by DGLL - a real time, interactive aids to navigation system for coastal shipping shall become feasible with Indian VTS software at low cost.

Know! about SOLAS

• Safety Of Life At Sea", an international maritime treaty, also known as SOLAS Convention or International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which establishes the least safety measures in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships.
• The current version of SOLAS is the 1974 version, known as SOLAS 1974, which came into force on 25 May 1980.
• It includes a number of regulations under different SOLAS chapters, which deals with safety precautions and safety procedures starting from the construction of the ship to real emergency like - "Abandon Ship".

Know! about IMO

• The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping.
• The IMO was established following agreement at a UN conference held in Geneva in 1948 and the IMO came into existence ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959.
• Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IMO currently has 174 member states and three associate members.
• The IMO's primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping.
• IMO is governed by an assembly of members and is financially administered by a council of members elected from the assembly.

Science & Technology
The 6^th India International Science Festival
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about IISF 2020)
What's the NEWS

• The 6th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2020 will be held from 22^nd to 25^th December, 2020.
  
• IISF 2020 will be organized at virtual platform
• CSIR will spearhead the IISF 2020 with support of all other concerned ministries and departments.

Know! all about IISF

• IISF is an annual event organised jointly by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (Vibha).
• The first and second IISF were held in New Delhi, the third in Chennai, the fourth in Lucknow, and the fifth IISF was held in Kolkata.
• IISF is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India's scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad.
• IISF 2020 expects participation of large number of scientist and institutions from India and abroad as well as young people. Several events are expected to be lined up on various themes before and during IISF 2020.

Know! about VIBHA

• Vijnana Bharati or VIBHA, previously known as Swadeshi Science Movement, is a non-profit organisation in India that popularises ancient sciences such as Ayurveda, Siddha medicine, and Vastuvidya.
• It was founded by Prof. K.I. Vasu of the Indian Institute of Science.
• Swadeshi Science Movement was founded in 1982 at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, by Prof. K.I Vasu. in 1991 it was renamed as Vijnana Bharati.
• VIBHA currently has 20,000 members, and units in 23 states in India.

Health and Family Welfare
Evidence-based Impact of National Deworming Day in India

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about NDD and STH + role of. NCDC) + Mains ( GS II Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
What's the NEWS

• To evaluate the impact of the consistently implemented high coverage NDD programme, the Health Ministry recently initiated follow-up prevalence surveys led by NCDC and partners.
• The follow-up surveys are completed in 14 States. All 14 States have shown reduction in worm prevalence in the STH follow up prevalence survey as compared to the baseline prevalence survey

Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH)

• Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases (STH), also known as parasitic intestinal worm infection, is a significant public health concern mostly in low resource settings.
• These are known to have detrimental effects on children's physical growth and well being and can cause anemia and under-nutrition.
• Regular deworming as advised by the World Health Organization eliminates worm infestation among children and adolescents living in areas with high STH burden, thereby contributing to achieve better nutrition and health.

National Deworming Day (NDD)

• Since its launch in 2015, the National Deworming Day (NDD), a flagship program of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,, is implemented as a biannual single day programme implemented through the platforms of schools and anganwadis.
• Albendazole tablet, approved by World Health Organization (WHO), is used for treatment of intestinal worms in children and adolescents as part of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programmes globally.
• As per WHO Report on STH published in 2012, in India there were an estimated 64% children in the age group (1-14 years) at risk of STH.

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

• To assess the exact burden of STH in India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appointed the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the nodal agency to coordinate and conduct nationwide baseline STH mapping.
• In collaboration with partners and government agencies, NCDC completed the baseline STH mapping across the country by the end of 2016.

Know! more about NDD

• Implementation of NDD is led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education and technical assistance from WHO and the technical partners.
• Frontline health workers are trained to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines while administering Albendazole tablets to children and adolescents (1-19 years) during home visits or through staggered Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHSND) based model between August and October 2020.

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