Facts in News

Facts in News

e-Sanjeevani Platform

It is reported that around 50 lakhs of people in the country benefited from the e-Sanjeevani portal.

• Launched in: 2019
• Administered by: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Developed by: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Mohali.
  • C-DAC is the premier R&D organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) 
  • Aim: Carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics, and associated areas.

eSanjeevani

• It is a doctor to doctor telemedicine system, which is implemented under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWCs) program.
• AB-HWCs is considered to be the platform for the delivery of an expanded range of primary health care services closer to the communities.
• Aim: Connect all 1,50,000 HWCs using the hub-and-spoke model by December 2022.
  • In the hub-and-spoke model, the organization arranges service delivery assets into a network consisting of an anchor establishment (hub) that offers a full array of services.
  • This is complemented by secondary establishments (spokes) which offer more limited service arrays, routing patients needing more intensive services to the hub for treatment
• Till now, it has been implemented in 22 states.

Image Courtesy: The Times of India

Red-Eared Turtle

Recently, the Red-eared Turtle is found in the Kalathode canal, Kerala, which is threatening to invade the natural water bodies across the Northeast.

Key points

• Type: Semi Aquatic turtle
• Native Areas: United States and Northern Mexico.
• Family: Emydidae
• The red-eared slider derives its name from red stripes around the body part and it uses ears to slide quickly off any surface into the water.
• According to IUCN, it is the most invasive turtle and also the most commonly traded species of turtle in the world.
• This turtle is an extremely popular pet due to its small size, easy maintenance, and relatively low cost. 
• But on the flip side, they grow fast and virtually leave nothing for the native species to eat.
• As they eat plants and animals, they can finish off a wide range of aquatic species, including fish and rare frogs.

Image Courtesy: Scitech daily

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

The MHA declares a person eligibles for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) who:

• Was a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950; or
• Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or
• Is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria.

Non-eligibility 

• The provisions are mentioned in Section 7A of the OCI card rules.
• An applicant is not eligible for the OCI card if he, his parents, or grandparents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Key Points

• The Indian Constitution mentions Citizenship in Part II from Articles 5 to 11.
• OCI was introduced by the central government in 2005. 
• The Government of India via Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2015 merged the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) category with the OCI category in 2015.
• Benefits:
  • Can enter India multiple times, 
  • Acquire multipurpose lifelong visa to visit India, 
  • Exemption from registering with Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
  • If an individual gets registered as an OCI for a period of 5 years, then he/she is eligible to apply for Indian citizenship.
  • At Indian international airports, the OCI cardholders are provided with special immigration counters.
  • The OCI cardholders can open special bank accounts in India.
  • They can buy non-farm property (except agricultural or farmland) and exercise ownership rights.
  • They can also apply for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.
• Limitations

• The OCI cardholders can’t cast their votes in any election in India.
• They are not eligible for a government job.
• With prior approval of the government, they cannot travel to restricted areas.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs)

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) have joined hands to curb the menace of COVID-19.

• The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) are also called Janaushadhi Kendras.
• These centers were set up across the country under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) to provide generic drugs.
  • Generic drugs are marketed under a non-proprietary or approved name rather than a brand name. 
  • These are equally effective and inexpensive compared to their counterparts.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

• Launched by: Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2008 under the name Jan Aushadhi Campaign, which was revamped as PMBJP in 2015-16.
• Aim
  • This scheme will extend the coverage and usage of quality generic medicines, reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines and redefine the unit cost of treatment per person.
  • Create awareness among the masses about generic medicines through education and publicity.

Ocean Rewilding

• The concept of Ocean Rewilding is related to restoring the natural state of the water bodies e.g; oceans, seas, etc.
  • Under this process, plant and animal life in the oceans and allowing them to grow without human interference. 
• Aim: To restore the coastal fish population, tidal marshes, mangroves, and seagrasses, etc.
  • The species will be provided protections against damaging activities such as trawling and dredging from marine sediments
• Need:
  • Today the oceans have lost their capabilities to store blue carbon. 
  • Blue carbon is the term for carbon captured by the coastal systems and oceans. 
  • It is higher than that captured by the land. 
• Till now, the Ocean Rewilding project was initiated by France (2012), United Kingdom (2020).

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Recently, some tribals belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Odisha got infected by COVID-19.

• The Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) comprise 8.6% of the total population of India.
  • They are more vulnerable among the other tribal groups in India. 
• Background:
  • In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups. 
  • In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.
  • In 1975 the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups. 
  • In 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.
• The scheme for the Development of PVTGs scheme was initiated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2019.
  • Under this scheme, 75 PVTGs for their comprehensive socio-economic development.
  • The state governments submit Conservation-cum-Development (CCD) plans on the basis of their requirement.
  • Fully funded by the central government.

Characteristics

• Mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change, etc.
• Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha.

Image Courtesy: Utkal Today

Malerkotla

Recently, the Punjab Government has declared Malerkotla as the 23rd district of the state.

• It is adjoining Amargarh and Ahmedgarh districts.

Historical Background

• It was a Muslim majority state was established in 1454 A.D. by Sheikh Sadruddin-i-Jahan from Afghanistan.
  • Afterwards, rule by Sherwani descendants
• The state acceded to the union of India in 1947 and was merged with other nearby princely states to create the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU).

Independent Director

Recently, Wipro appointed Tulsi Naidu to its Board as Independent Director.

Key Points

• An independent director is a non-executive director of a company.
  • A person can be appointed as an alternate director. 
• Role and Duties
  • Improve corporate credibility and governance standards.
  • Ensure better governance by actively involving in various committees set up by the company.
• Term: Maximum term of 5 years, and not more than 2 consecutive terms. 
  • He or she shall be re-appointed only by special resolution by the company.
• Appointment: 
  • The vacant position shall be filled in the very next Board Meeting or within 3 months of such vacancy, whichever is later.
  • A person must be an independent director in not more than seven listed companies at a time.
  • An independent director shall not retire by rotation.