Facts in News

 

Facts in News

National AI Portal (INDIAai) (Government Scheme)

Recently, the first anniversary of the ‘National AI Portal’ has been celebrated.

National AI Portal (INDIAai)

  • A joint initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), National e-Governance Division (NeGD), and NASSCOM.
    • Launched in: 2020
  • Objective: It will create and nurture a unified AI ecosystem for driving excellence and leadership in India’s AI journey.

Artificial intelligence (AI) 

  • It refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. 
  • The term may also be applied to any machine that exhibits traits associated with a human mind such as learning and problem-solving.
  • Examples: Google Brain, Internet Marketing, Blue Brain Project.

Bhitarkanika  Protected Area (Environment and Ecology)

Recently, the cyclone ‘Yaas’ has affected the Bhitarkanika National Park.

Bhitarkanika National Park

  • Location: Kendrapara district in Odisha. 
  • Become Ramsar site in 2002 (the second site after Chilika Lake in Odisha). 
  • Rivers: Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, Pathsala. 
  • 2nd second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
  • Species: Estuarine Crocodile (the largest population in the Indian subcontinent), Indian python, king cobra, black ibis, etc.
  • The floral diversity in Bhitarkanika is the 2nd largest after Papua New Guinea.
  • It is the only major mangrove patch of the State of Odisha.
    • It is India’s second-largest mangrove forest after the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
    • Mangrove trees provide a formidable natural barrier against cyclones and storm surges and play an important part in stabilizing the shoreline.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Environment and Ecology)

Recently, a Eurasian Griffon Vulture was spotted in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra).

Key Points

  • Native Areas: Tibet, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Mongolia, and West China. 
    • In India, it can be mostly found in the Himalayas and the northern plains.
  • Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN)
  • Specifications: White head, very broad wings, and short tail feathers, white neck ruff, and yellow bill.
  • Food: Softer parts of carcasses, such as the muscles and viscera.
    • It is known for traveling long distances in search of food.

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

  • It is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
    • Sahyadri Range forms a common boundary between Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa.
  • The tiger reserve consists of Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • Consists of evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
  • It is the only tiger reserve of western Maharashtra and 4th tiger reserve of Maharashtra.
  • Declared as tiger reserve in 2008.

Kaleidoscope Effect (Science and Technology)

Recently, a Sun-halo was observed in Bengaluru (Karnataka).

  • A Sun Halo is a rare optical and atmospheric phenomenon known as Kaleidoscopic Effect (also known as “22-degree circular halo”).

Key Points

  • The kaleidoscope effect was seen due to the tilt of the ice crystals in the air and the altitude of the sun
  • The phenomenon is also reported when clouds, specifically of the Cirrus category which surround the sun, causing light to reflect into the seven colours. 

Mid-Day Meal Scheme (Government Scheme)

The centre has decided to give about ?100 each to children studying in Class 1 to Class 8 in government schools, who are beneficiaries of the Mid Day Meal scheme.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

  • Launched in: 1995
  • Administered by: Department of School Education and Literacy  (Ministry of Education)
  • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.
    • Centrally Sponsored Schemes are jointly funded by the Centre and states but implemented by state governments.
  • Under this scheme, free lunches have been provided to children studying in primary and upper primary classes of government schools (including madrasas, maqtabs, government-aided schools) on working days. 

Menstrual Hygiene Day (Health)

Every year Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on May 28.

Key Points

  • It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2014.
  • Objective: To highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management (MHM) at a global level.
  • Menstruation 
    • It is a natural and healthy biological process for women and is associated with the onset of puberty in girls.
  • Menstrual Hygiene Scheme
    • Launched in: 2011
    • Implemented by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
    • Objective: Promotion of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years in rural areas.
    • The scheme is covered under the National Health Mission.
    • The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been implementing this scheme for promotion of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years primarily in rural areas as part of the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram.

National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) (Infrastructure)

Recently, a company has announced to invest $500 billion into India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP).

National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)

  • To implement the project, the task force headed by Atanu Chakraborty (economic affairs secretary) submitted its report in May 2020.
    • Investment Needed: Rs. 111 lakh crore 
      • Cost Sharing: Centre (39 percent), States (40 percent), and Private Sector (21 percent).
    • Time period: 2019-2025
    • Objective: To build infrastructure projects and drive economic growth.
      • Energy, roads, railways, and urban projects are estimated to account for the bulk of projects (around 70%).
    • Measures: 
      • An aggressive push towards asset sales.
      • The monetization of infrastructure assets. 
      • Setting up development finance institutions.
      • Strengthening the municipal bond market.
    • Recommended committees to be set up:
      • Committee to monitor NIP progress and eliminate delays.
      • Steering Committee at each Infrastructure ministry level to follow up on the implementation process.
      • Steering Committee in DEA for raising financial resources for the NIP.
    • It also includes both greenfield and brownfield projects.

diABZI (Health)

Recently, some researchers found that the drug diABZI has been found highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19.

Key Points

  • diABZI is a newly-developed small-molecule STING agonist
  • The drug will activate the body’s innate immune response against the COVID-19.
  • The researchers found that diABZI potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 (targets epithelial cells in the respiratory tract) infection of diverse strains, including B.1.351.
    • It could also treat other respiratory coronaviruses.
  • The drug is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is tested under a clinical trial.

 

 

Other News of the Day

In News Recently, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on his 138th  birth anniversary. About Vinayak Damodar Savarkar  Early Life  He was born in a Hindu Marathi family in Nashik, Maharashtra on May 28, 1883.  He was nicknamed ‘Veer’ for his courage from an early age . He , popularly known as...
Read More

In News  Recently, the death anniversary of Begum Sultan Jahan was observed. Begum Sultan Jahan  She was a Philanthropist, Prolific writer, Feminist, Symbol of Women Empowerment.  Born in 1858, Begum Sultan Jahan ascended the throne in 1901.  She was the fourth female ruler of Bhopal. The last Begum of Bhopal was Begum Sultan Jahan.  She...
Read More

In News Odisha’s blackbuck population has doubled in the last six years, according to figures from the latest population census released recently by the Chief conservator of forest (wildlife). About  The census was carried out by the State forest department in February 2021. Blackbucks are confined to Balukhand-Konark coastal plain / wildlife sanctuary in Puri...
Read More

In News Germany for the first time has recognised that it committed genocide against the Herero and Nama people in present-day Namibia during its colonial rule over a century ago. Background Between 1884 and 1890, Germany formally colonised parts of present-day Namibia. Tensions quickly rose as local tribes saw the German settlers as a threat...
Read More

In News Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its annual report for 2020-21. Key Highlights Impact of Covid-19 Waves While the economy has not moderated to the extent during the first wave of Covid-19, the surrounding uncertainties can act as a deterrent in the immediate period. The onset of the second wave...
Read More

In News Recently, the US has informed Russia that it will not rejoin the Open Skies Treaty. Background The US, under Donald Trump's presidency, withdrew from the treaty in 2020. Russia showed disapproval and warned that it would erode global security by making it more difficult for governments to interpret the intentions of other nations,...
Read More