Connect to Current -Daily Current Capsules - 08th April 2019

Social Services/Issues
World Health Day 2019

Relevance IN - Prelims( about World health day) + Mains ( GS II - issues relating to development and management of social sectors relating to health

Universal health coverage
• It is WHO's number one goal. Key to achieving it is ensuring that everyone can obtain the care they need, when they need it, right in the heart of the community.
• Progress is being made in countries in all regions of the world. But millions of people still have no access at all to health care. Millions more are forced to choose between health care and other daily expenses such as food, clothing and even a home.

• This is why WHO is focusing on universal health coverage for this year's World Health Day, on 7 April.
Know! more about World Health day
• Observed worldwide on the 7th of April with the theme "Universal health coverage". The theme Universal health coverage seeks to ensure that everyone can obtain the care they need, when they need it, right in the heart of the community.

• World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that even though progress is being made in countries in all regions of the world millions of people still have no access at all to health care and are forced to choose between health care and other daily expenses such as food, clothing and even a home.

• The theme Universal health coverage reminds world leaders that everyone should be able to access the health care they need, when and where they need it.

• The World Health Day is celebrated on April 7, 1948 to commemorate the establishment of WHO which came into being to address vital health care issues. WHO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Defence 
National Maritime Day 2019
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Maritime day)

What's the NEWS
• The National Maritime Day 2019 was observed on April 5, 2019. The theme of the National Maritime Day 2019 was "Indian Ocean - An Ocean of opportunity".

Know! more about National Maritime Day
• National Maritime Day (NMD) first observed on April 5, 1964, aims to spread awareness in supporting safe and environmentally sound commerce between the continents across the world.

• The World Maritime Day is celebrated on September 26 every year to highlight the importance of shipping, maritime security and environment.

Infrastructure Development
India could achieve high penetration of electric vehicles by 2030: Niti Aayog
India's Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future Opportunities
Relevance IN - Prelims( about electric mobility transformation and FAME scheme) + Mains ( GS III infrastructure development + environment conservation)

What's the NEWS
• NITI Aayog together with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) has released a report titled "India's Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future Opportunities".
Know! the highlights of the report

• India could achieve high penetration of electric vehicles (EV) by 2030 on the back of the success of FAME II and other measures

• The penetration of EV vehicles could reach around 80 per cent in case of two-wheelers and 30 per cent for private cars, the report -- India's Electric Mobility Transformation: Progress to Date and Future Opportunities -- by the Niti Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute.

• The report quantifies direct oil and carbon savings that vehicles incentivised under the FAME II would deliver.

• If FAME II and other measures in public and private space - are successful, India could realise EV sales penetration of 30 per cent of private cars, 70 per cent of commercial cars, 40 per cent of buses and 80 per cent of two and three-wheelers by 2030

• The report suggested that the government should focus on a phased manufacturing plan to promote EVs, provide fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for phased manufacturing of EVs and batteries

• The report also suggested different government departments consider a bouquet of potential policies, such as congestion pricing, ZEV credits, low emission/exclusion zones, parking policies, etc. to drive adoption of EVs.

Know! about FAME II scheme

• The FAME II scheme, which was notified by the union cabinet in February 2019, aims to further accelerate India's commitment to a clean mobility future, sees the electrification of transportation as a primary focus area, an official statement said

• FAME II intends to catalyze the market for faster adoption of EVs to ensure durable economic growth and global competitiveness for India's automotive industry, it added.

• RMI is an Indian and global non profit organisation focused on driving the efficient and restorative use of resources.

• The report analyses the opportunities for the automobile sector and government under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles II (FAME II) scheme.

 

 

Culture
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on occasion of various festivals across the country.
New Year in different Parts of the Country
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the new year celebration in different parts of the country)

Ugadi/Yugadi
• Ugadi in Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh falls in the Chaitra month and is celebrated by distributing jaggery and neem flowers which is symbolic to sharing both sweet and bitter experiences of life.
Gudi Padwa
• Gudi Padwa which falls in the Chaitra month of Hindu calendar is celebrated in the state of Maharashtra by hanging Gudi on the right side of the entrance of their house.
• Gudi is a bright yellow cloth tied to the tip of a long bamboo and copper pot placed in inverted on it along with a sugar garland.
Baisakhi
• Baisakhi is the Punjabi New Year celebrated in the month of April by performing their folk dance, Bhangra and Gidda and feasting.

Puthandu
• Puthandu is the Tamil New Year celebrated in the month of April by preparing Manga Pachadi a traditional food to ring in their new year.

Bohag Bihu
• Bohag Bihu is the Assamese New year celebrated by performing the folk dance Bihu and a grand buffet.
Pohela Boishakh
• Pohela Boishakh is the Bengali New Year celebrated with making many sweetmeats.

Bestu Varas
• Bestu Varas is celebrated in Gujarat on the day after Deepavali. Marwaris in Rajasthan also celebrate their new year during Deepavali.

Vishu
• Vishu is the Malayali New Year celebrated in the state of Kerala in the month of April.

Losoong
• Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year and falls in December at the end of harvesting. It is celebrated by performing Chham dance.

Navreh
• Navreh is the Kashmiri New Year celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra.

Cheti Chand
• Cheti Chand is the Sindhi new year celebrated on the second day of Chaitra month is to honour of the birth of Jhulelal

 

Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba

• This special festival of Manipur enhances the spirit of happiness and harmony in the society.

Infrastructure Development/Defence
Maitri Bridge
Indian Army Sets Record by Building Longest Bridge on Indus River in Leh Within 40 Days

Relevance IN - Prelims( about the bridge)

What's the NEWS

• Indian Army built the longest suspension bridge over Indus river in Leh in just 40 days and the bridge is named as Maitri Bridge.

Know! all about Maitri Bridge

• The bridge was constructed by the combat engineers of ‘Sahas aur Yogyata' regiment of ‘Fire and Fury Corps' of the Indian Army.

• The Indian Army has made a personal record after it completed construction of the longest suspension bridge over Indus river in Leh within a span of just 40 days.

• The 260-feet long cable-suspension bridge, named 'Maitri Bridge' was built by combat engineers of the 'Sahas aur Yogyata' regiment of the Indian Army's 'Fire and Fury Corps'. 500 tonnes of construction material were required for building it

• This cable suspension bridge is expected to give a major boost to connectivity in remote areas in Ladakh.

• The bridge is constructed using around 500 tonnes of bridge equipment and construction material.

• Maitri Bridge has been dedicated to the people of India to commemorate the 20th year of Kargil Vijay Divas.

• The bridge is part of the central government plans to all-weather road connectivity in the region.

International Organisations
David Malpass named new World Bank president
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about World bank ) + Mains ( GS II important international institutions)

What's the NEWS
• Senior US Treasury official unanimously chosen as the new President of the World Bank.

• The announcement came as expected just prior to next week's joint spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF.

• The selection was made by the World Bank's board of directors after an open and transparent nomination process in which citizens of all membership countries were potentially eligible.

The domination of US
• Though citizens from all member countries are considered eligible for the bank's top job, since its inception following the second World War, all of the bank's presidents have invariably been from the United States.

• Similarly, the top position at the bank's sister institution, the International Monetary Fund, has been held by European leaders.

Know! about David Malpass

• David Malpass is an American government official and economic analyst who currently serves as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs.

• During the 2016 US presidential election, Malpass served as an economic advisor to Donald Trump, and in 2017, he was nominated and confirmed as the undersecretary for international affairs in the United States Department of the Treasury.

• Malpass was recognised for his forecasts before the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and in the time period following the Great Recession.

• In February 2019, President Trump announced Malpass as the nominee for President of the World Bank.

What's the Controversy

• In recent years, the emerging market countries have challenged the unwritten arrangement on World Bank and IMF leadership, demanding a more open, merit-based selection process.

• Though the bank stressed that it now allows a more open process, very few non-American candidates in recent years have received little support from major bank shareholders.

Prelims Practise Questions

Consider the following statements regarding Maitri Bridge

1. Indian Army built the longest suspension bridge over Chenab river in Leh in just 40 days and the bridge is named as Maitri Bridge.

2. The bridge was constructed by the combat engineers of ‘Sahas aur Yogyata' regiment of ‘Fire and Fury Corps' of the Indian Army.

Find the correct statement from the option given below

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. None
d. All

 

 

Consider the following statements about the various festivals of Indian

1. Pohela Boishakh is the Kannada New Year celebrated with making many sweetmeats.

2. Bestu Varas is celebrated in Manipur on the day after Deepavali. Marwaris in Rajasthan also celebrate their new year during Deepavali.

3. Vishu is the Malayali New Year celebrated in the state of Kerala in the month of April.

4. Losoong is the Sikkimese New Year and falls in December at the end of harvesting. It is celebrated by performing Chham dance.

Find the correct statement from the option given below
a. 3 and 4
b. 1 and 4
c. 2 and 4
d. All

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