Facts in News
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e-Sanjeevani Platform
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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.
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/B8niIxgO6XShi1w_UfyycqxdW24BG52JabQyEMIAfqr2Ta0_TfSsDdHtkwdJeSJeUBGdaDSKzRNK7NNhnxEeMGgBmlQaLwNHTRiC-Dpy2mO9kYKwvqVmbMyi-oVLCb6BulwlLKVw)
Image Courtesy: The Times of India
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Red-Eared Turtle
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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.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tOiUG2ORLWIKNw0j_H_AmMJWCgkEWpv_aKHPd3dZzk8UfncAHEBsnZM0hAnlom9ugkFQEcTa8vBQ9auoHq0pxcyRGlTyvXXX8CQqCDE7IRhTsxXGTkz8XWmJOF4t8H4PAuQRShpy)
Image Courtesy: Scitech daily
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Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
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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.
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Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs)
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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.
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Ocean Rewilding
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- 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).
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Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
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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.
![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/r-eUs6T64yX3wzN0vu734osQ_QCYc_h1GGrhRRb5O-LpbhfSlug6eNCKXYrUeAKdHVL2Uh8DNNajgPFmFoV_M-I-pfF7mRC2Hg0JW153Xfhdl9SDltO92iF8PvgOtFsQmr5f6Kvc)
Image Courtesy: Utkal Today
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Malerkotla
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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).
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Independent Director
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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.
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