Current Affairs Questions

Explanation :

• Also known as Sahar, Sehariya, or Sahariya, these  are an ethnic group in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
• They are mainly found in the districts of Morena, Sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha and Gunadistricts of Madhya Pradesh and Baran district of Rajasthan.
• They speak a Munda language that belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family.
• The Sahariya community considers every adult member part of a governing council which is headed by a Patel. A patel's appointment is based on heredity criteria but found to be unfit or unsuitable is basis for removal.
• The tribe is classified asone of the 75 scheduled tribes in the country classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups(earlier known as primitive tribal groups).

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups(PVTGS)

• They are the marginalized section of the Scheduled tribes of India. PVTG is not a Constitutional category, nor are these constitutionally recognized communities.
• It is a government of India classification created with the purpose of enabling improvement in the conditions of certain communities with particularly low development
• The criteria for identifying Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups are:
• Pre-agricultural level of technology
• Low level of literacy
• Economic backwardness
• A declining or stagnant population.

Explanation :

• On 25^th September, 2019, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister launched the new TB Harega Desh Jeetega campaign, along with the National TB Prevalence Survey.
• Under this, new pivotal initiatives to diagnose, treat and prevent TB will be introduced, which will help in achieving the target of a TB-free India by 2025, much ahead of the global target of 2030.
• The campaign is built on three strong pillars -clinical approach, public health component and active community participation.
• Other supporting elements of the campaign comprise private sector engagement, patient support, and political and administrative commitment at all levels.
• In April 2018, the government launched the Nikshay Poshan Yojana, a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme to provide nutritional support to TB

Tuberculosis (TB)

• It is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.
• It is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.

Explanation :

• On 24^th Sptember, 2019, the Mangalyaan mission, which was initially meant to last six months, completed five years of orbiting Mars
• Mangalyaan is India's first endeavour to cross the Earth's orbit successfully.
• It was launched on board of PSLV C25 rocket from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on November 5, 2013 with aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scans its atmosphere for methane.
• It had entered Mar’s orbit on September 24, 2014, in its first attempt.
• It made India the first Asian nation and the fourth space agency in the world to reach Mars, after Roscosmos (Russia), NASA (USA) and the European Space Agency.

Explanation :

• The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018seeks to cthat evade prosecution by remaining outside the jurisdiction of Indian courts.
• Eonomic offences with a value of more than Rs 100 crores, which are listed in the schedule of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, come under the purview of this law.
• Enforcement Directorate (under Ministry of Finance) will be investigative agency under the Act.

Explanation :

• The Special Expenditure Observers are appointed in the exercise of the powers conferred on ECI under Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• They are required to <strongstyle="color: #073c75;">watch the conduct of Elections with special emphasis on controlling the abuse of money power, in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer.
• They supervise and monitor the work being done by the electoral machinery based on intelligence inputs and complaints received through C-VIGIL, Voter Helpline 1950 against all persons/entities trying to induce voters by distributing cash, liquor & freebies etc. in order to vitiate the poll process.

Article 324

• It empowers the Election Commission of India to issue rules and guidelines for conducting elections of Parliament, President, Vice President and State Legislature Assemblies in the country.

Explanation :

• The PGS is an internationally applicable organic quality assurance system, implemented and controlled by the committed organic farmer-producers through active participation, along with the consumers, in the process based on verifiable trust.
• Four pillars of PGS: The government’s 2015 PGS manual underlines that the system in India is based on -participatory approach, a shared vision, transparency and trust.
• The PGS Organic India Council was set up after a consultation process in 2006. It functioned as an informal coalition of Voluntary Organizations or NGOs committed to the promotion of organic food production for domestic consumption in India, with export not being a priority at all.
• In April 2011, it was formally registered as a society in Goa as Participatory Guarantee Systems Organic Council (PGSOC).

Explanation :

• Taking into account that congenital and hereditary genetic diseases are becoming a significant health burden in India, and realizing the need for adequate and effective genetic testing and counselling services, Department of Biotechnology along with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfarehas started the UMMID Initiative which is designed on the concept of Prevention is better than Cure.

Aim

• To establish NIDAN Kendras to provide counselling, prenatal testing and diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary care in Government Hospitals wherein the influx of patients is more.
• To produce skilled clinicians in Human Genetics.
• To undertake screening of pregnant women and new born babies for inherited genetic diseases in hospitals at aspirational districts.
• As a part of this initiative, in the first phase, five NIDAN Kendrashave been established to provide comprehensive clinical care.

Explanation :

• LadakhiShondol dance has created history yet again by breaking into the Guinness book of world records as the largest Ladakhidance.
• The dance was gracefully performed by about 408 women artists in traditional dresses on the occasion of the Annual Naropa Festivalwhich was held near the Hemis Monastery.
• It is known as the ‘royal dance of Ladakh’. It is famous dance which was earlier used to be performed by artists for King of Ladakh on special occasion.

Naropa Festival

• The 4 day-long festival was held from 16 September to 20 September 2019 near the Hemis Monastery, Ladakh.
• The festival is celebrated every 12^thyear of the Tibetan calendar. It is also known as the KumbhMela of the Himalayas.
• It aims to celebrate the life of Buddhist philosopher and scholar Naropa.

Explanation :

• The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-2018 was approved in December 2018.
• It is based on the recommendations of Shailesh Nayak Committee, formed in 2014.
• The coastal areas have been classified into four categories—CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III and CRZ-IV, which aimed at restricting establishment of industries in these areas.
• CRZ-I: includes ecologically sensitive areas, where no construction is allowed except activities for atomic power plants, defense.
• CRZ-II:It includes designated urban areas that are substantially built up. Construction activities are allowed on the landward side only.
• CRZ-III: Rural and urban areas which fall outside CRZ-I and CRZ-II are covered under CRZ-III. Only agriculture-related activities and public facilities are permitted in this zone.
• CRZ-IV: Aquatic areas up to territorial limits are notified under CRZ-IV.Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.

Explanation :

• Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was passed on August 21, 1972, but was later implemented on September 9, 1972.
• Objectives:
• Prohibition of hunting
• Establishment of protected areas
• Protection and management of wildlife habitats
• Regulation and control of trade in parts and products derived from wildlife
• Management of zoos
• WLPA prohibits the injuring, destroying and removing any part of a wild animal’s body.In the case of wild birds and reptiles, the act also forbids disturbing or damaging their eggs.
• It is also against taxidermy, which is the preservation of a dead wild animal as a trophy, or in the form of rugs, preserved skins, antlers, horns, eggs, teeth, and nails.
• Schedule VI contains the medicinal plants, which are prohibited from cultivation and planting.