Published on: September 6, 2024
Snippets : 5-6 SEPTEMBER 2024
Snippets : 5-6 SEPTEMBER 2024
- The Centre and the Tripura government signed a peace accord with two insurgent groups, National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF), in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Over 328 armed cadres from these groups will give up violence and join the mainstream. The government has approved a ₹250 crore package for tribal development in Tripura. The insurgent groups, after 35 years of conflict, have agreed to lay down arms and participate in the democratic process. This is the 12th peace agreement in the Northeast, helping over 10,000 insurgents reintegrate into society.
- The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has selected Reliance Industries Ltd. as the successful bidder under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) for 10 GWh Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) manufacturing with a maximum budgetary outlay of ₹3,620 crore was announced on January 24, 2024.
- Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a Bill raising the minimum marriageable age for women from 18 to 21 years. The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Himachal Pradesh Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed on the first day of the two-week monsoon session. It seeks to amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (2006 Act) to advance gender equality.
- A team of researchers has stumbled upon rare Arnoux’s Beaked Whales off the coast of Antarctica recently.
- Karnataka’s drugs control department has launched a real-time database to track stocks of Tapentadol, an addictive painkiller, to curb its misuse. Enforcement officers will update the portal daily with stock data from distributors, allowing them to monitor supply and demand between wholesalers and retailers. This system enables immediate action if discrepancies are found, aiming to deter chemists from facilitating misuse. Tapentadol misuse is significant, with many users injecting the oral drug to achieve a high, leading to addiction and a high incidence of Hepatitis C due to shared syringes. The initiative seeks to control the drug’s availability, discourage new users, and reduce addiction risks. Medical professionals note that while Tapentadol is used for chronic pain, it should be prescribed cautiously and regulated strictly. The move is expected to help authorities catch distributors enabling misuse and make the supply chain more accountable.
- Recently, a P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy has reached France to participate in ‘Exercise Varuna’ with the French Navy.
- National Award for e-Governance 2024 (Gold) – Poshan Tracker Initiative + Purpose: Identifies and addresses growth issues in children aged 0-6 years through real-time monitoring and WHO growth charts + Role of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs): Evaluate health status and implement interventions for deviations from expected growth + Technology: Utilizes ICT tools and Growth Measuring Devices (GMD) at Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) for accurate data collection + Impact: Enhances child health outcomes under Mission Poshan 2.0, benefiting millions of children in India.
- Recently, zoologists in Assam have added a species of spider Phrynarachne decipiens whose web mimics a bird’s excrement to India’s list of arachnids.
- Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh launched ‘VisioNxt’, India’s first fashion forecasting initiative. VisioNxt provides AI and EI-based trend insights to the fashion industry. The initiative aims to promote indigenous design and manufacturing. VisioNxt will foster healthy global competition and elevate Indian culture and design. The fashion industry will benefit from AI and EI-based trend insights. VisioNxt reduces dependence on global forecasting agencies and provides unique insights into Indian fashion consumers. The initiative combines artificial and human intelligence. VisioNxt offers trend insights, forecasting, consultancy services, academic courses, and workshops. The initiative empowers users to design consumer-focused collections for the diverse Indian market. VisioNxt positions India globally among countries that predict fashion trends
- To strengthen the bond between the civil society & the Armed Forces and motivate the youth towards nation building, an exhibition, ‘Sashakt Sena, Samriddh Bharat’ will be held at Morabadi Ground in Ranchi, Jharkhand
- 4th national conference on Bringing Evidence into Public Health Policy (EPHP) held virtually at IIM Bangalore with the theme “Health governance, policy, and institutional frameworks for just and sustainable health systems”
- Goa Challengers stunned Bengaluru Smashers 8-4 in the Ultimate Table Tennis semifinal, setting up a chance to break the record of no team winning two consecutive editions. The strategic decision to send captain Harmeet Desai in the second singles match proved pivotal, with Mihai Bobocica defeating the previously unbeaten Alvaro Robles, and Yangzi Liu extending the lead by beating Manika Batra. Despite losing the mixed doubles match, Harmeet’s win over Jeet Chandra secured Challengers’ place in the final.
- On September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, NIMHANS will inaugurate a new Suicide Prevention Centre aimed at tackling the rising suicide and self-harm rates in India. The centre will focus on improving mental health assessments and care for self-harm patients in general hospitals. It follows the Urban Self-Harm Study (USHAS), which has counseled over 7,000 individuals across multiple hospitals in Karnataka since 2022. Key objectives include better mental health assessments, reducing self-harm repetitions, and enhancing healthcare professionals’ skills. Supported by various institutions, the centre aims to create a sustainable, replicable suicide prevention framework.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in digital services. The stack includes Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS), hosted in NIC Data Centers; NBFLite for rapid prototyping and learning; and Praamaanik for verifying mobile app origins. The National Blockchain Framework (NBF) supports reliable digital platforms with smart contracts and security features, aiming to position India as a global blockchain leader. Applications include e-Stamps, judiciary management, IoT security, and agriculture produce tracking.
- The President of India recently unveiled the new flag and insignia of the Supreme Court at the National Conference of District Judiciary in New Delhi. The flag is blue and features the Ashoka Chakra, the Supreme Court Building, and the Constitution of India. The insignia includes the phrases “Supreme Court of India” and “Yato Dharmastato Jayah” in Devanagari script, meaning “Where there is Dharma, there is victory,” symbolizing the Court’s dedication to justice. Both the flag and insignia were designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged $51 billion to Africa under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Established in 2000, FOCAC formalizes the strategic partnership between China and African nations, meeting every three years. China-Africa relations have evolved from support for liberation movements in the 1950s to becoming Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner. With $282 billion in trade in 2023, China is a major player in African exports and imports. The Belt and Road Initiative has seen over $120 billion in investments, but there are criticisms of debt trap diplomacy. The 2024 FOCAC will focus on smaller, manageable projects and green technologies amidst China’s economic slowdown.
- India has become the world’s largest plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, which is three times more than other major polluters. Researchers using AI placed India at the top of the global plastic waste inventory, accounting for one-fifth of the global burden. India’s waste management faces challenges with dumpsites outnumbering sanitary landfills and official data likely overestimating coverage. Rural areas contribute significantly to plastic waste, with 53% of emissions from uncollected waste. Globally, 52.1 million metric tonnes of plastic waste are discharged annually, with a significant portion uncollected. Policy responses, including India’s single-use plastic ban, are essential but face ongoing challenges.
