Published on: August 5, 2024
Snippets : 5 AUGUST 2024
Snippets : 5 AUGUST 2024
- Book Brahma Sahitya Puraskara, a literary award, will be presented annually during the Book Brahma Literature Festival (Aug 9-11, 2024) to honor writers in Indian languages who have made significant contributions to Indian literature. The award includes Rs 3,00,000, a citation plaque, and a book bouquet. It is organized by Book Brahma, Bengaluru-based digital media house
- Sara Abraham, a pioneering figure in contemporary Indian Art, passed away in Chennai, leaving behind a legacy as a collector, promoter, and discoverer of Indian Art, with her journey, “Kala Yatra”, showcasing the country’s manifold artistic variety
- The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has successfully demonstrated and trialed the Typhoon-K, a Russian-made Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, at its Transport Battalion in Chandigarh, showcasing its capabilities for safe transportation of troops and military cargo in high-risk areas
- Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) was conducted between India and Russia in St. Petersburg on the occasion of the 328th Russian Navy Day
- The Great Four-Ring (Ypthima cantliei) butterfly, a species last seen in 1957, has been rediscovered after 61 years in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, India, highlighting the park’s unique biodiversity and significance as a habitat for rare and endangered species
- The Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) measures wet or dry conditions based on long-term precipitation records, with negative values indicating drought and positive values indicating wet conditions, and can be calculated for various timescales ranging from 1 to 72 months.
- Victoria, Australia has reported 71 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, including one fatality, a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria found in natural and man-made water systems, transmitted through inhalation of contaminated aerosols, and treatable but without a available vaccine.
- The Supreme Court ruled on the Delhi L-G’s power to nominate aldermen. The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 grants the L-G the authority to nominate 10 aldermen. Aldermen are crucial for the functioning of the MCD, including participation in Standing Committee elections. The MCD Structure includes Wards Committees and a Standing Committee, both of which require alderman participation. Article 239AA of the Constitution establishes the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Council of Ministers, and L-G roles.The court relied on the Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2023) case in its decision.
- The Food and Consumer Affairs Minister launched Version 4.0 of the Price Monitoring System (PMS) Mobile App on August 1, 2024. The app now monitors 38 commodities, including 16 new items. The new items include Bajra, Jowar, Ragi, Suji, Maida, Besan, Ghee, and others. The monitoring network covers 550 centers across 34 States/UTs. It covers about 31% of CPI weights, up from 26.5% previously. The app has helped in recent decline in pulse prices by up to 4% in major mandis.
- The Kerala government has requested the Centre to declare the Wayanad landslides a national disaster. There is no official category of “national disasters” in India. Disasters are defined under the 2005 Disaster Management Act as catastrophes resulting in substantial loss of life or property damage. The state government is primarily responsible for rescue, relief, and rehabilitation during natural disasters. The Centre provides assistance through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF). The Disaster Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs provides support and monitors fund utilization. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex body for disaster management in India. The NDMA lays down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management.
- The Indian Army erected a 190-foot Bailey bridge in Wayanad to facilitate movement of heavy machinery and ambulances. A Bailey bridge is a type of modular bridge with pre-built parts for quick assembly. It originated during World War 2 and was invented by Donald Coleman Bailey. The bridge was first used by Allied armies in Italy and northwest Europe in 1943-45. It was praised by British Field Marshal Lord Bernard Law Montgomery as crucial to winning the war. The bridge works by using pre-fabricated parts, including light steel panels and pins for guardrails. It has advantages such as quick assembly and disassembly, and no heavy installation equipment needed. The Bailey bridge has been used in various Indian contexts, including the 1971 war with Pakistan and in Uttarakhand after flash floods.
- India has committed $85 million to support the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre over 10 years. The centre aims to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine and provide data and evidence on policies, practices, products, and public use. The commitment is part of a $250 million investment by India in 2022 and supports the centre’s workplan, interim premises, and new building. The centre enhances WHO’s capacities on traditional medicine, promotes global collaboration, and is included in WHO’s Investment Round (2025-2028). The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre is located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, and was founded in April 2022. The centre’s primary objectives include harnessing the potential of traditional medicine, enhancing global community health, and building policies and standards.
