News In Short 26-12-2024

PM-ABHIM scheme

Syllabus :GS 2/Governance 

In News

The Delhi High Court directed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the implementation of the PM-ABHIM.

About Pradhan Mantri – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM):

• It was launched on 25th October 2021 with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 Crore.
  • To be implemented over five years (2021-2026).
• It includes both Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) and Central Sector (CS) components.
• It focuses on improving health systems at primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels, and preparing for future pandemics.
• Objectives  :Aims to strengthen public health infrastructure, surveillance, and health research across urban and rural areas.
• Key Measures under PM-ABHIM: Support for States/UTs to build Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM) in rural and urban areas.
  • Strengthening of Block Public Health Units and Integrated District Public Health Labs.
  • Development of Critical Care Hospital Blocks.
  • Enhancing surveillance, health emergency response, research, and pandemic preparedness.
  • One Health approach to manage infectious diseases in humans and animals.

Source  :TH 

Lion-tailed macaque

Syllabus :GS 3/Species 

In News 

A recent study highlights the growing threat to the lion-tailed macaque due to increased human-wildlife interactions.

Lion-tailed macaque(Macaca silenu)

• It is a member of the silenus group.
• It is  known for its adaptability to human-altered environments.
• Habitat : Mainly arboreal, this species prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest
• Distribution :  It  is endemic to the Western Ghats hill ranges in southwestern India.
  • It can be found in  states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. 
• Threats  :Its population faces threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and human encroachment.
• Protection status  : It is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List and protected under Appendix I of CITES. 

Source :TH

Correlation Between Mitochondrial DNA and Biological Aging

Syllabus: Science and Technology

Context

• Researchers have found that deletion mutations and aberrant expression of mtDNA correlated with biological aging in humans, offering potential to delay mitochondrial decline.

What are mitochondria?

• Mitochondria are cellular powerhouses responsible for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) synthesis, the energy currency of cells.
  • mtDNA encodes only a small subset of proteins required for mitochondrial function. 
  • And their dysfunction plays a key role in aging.
    • Age-related deletion mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) contribute to a decline in mitochondrial function, particularly in muscle cells.
• Many more mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome, and enter the mitochondria after they are made in the part of the cell lying outside the mitochondrion and the nucleus (i.e. the cytoplasm).
  • Individuals inherit their mitochondria only via the mother’s egg. 

Loss of Muscle Mass

• As we age, we lose bits of our genome in tissues such as the skeletal muscle and the brain. 
• These losses, called deletion mutations, gradually erode the function of a cell component called the mitochondrion.
• Muscle cells lacking a sufficient number of functional mitochondria to support their contractile function die and this causes a loss of muscle mass.

Source: TH

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Jallikattu

Syllabus: GS1/ Culture

Context

• The State government of Tamil Nadu has issued an elaborate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed to ensure the safe conduct of Jallikattu events in 2025.

Key Highlights 

• Jallikattu events must comply with the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules, 2017.
  • Permission should only be given for events conducted in designated areas as notified by the government.
• The revenue department must inspect the venue for adequate space and safety, including closing nearby wells within a 5 km radius.

Jallikattu 

• Meaning: The term ‘jallikattu,’ comes from Tamil terms ‘salli kaasu’ which means coins, and kattu which means package tied to the horns of bulls as prize money.
  • It is usually held during the Pongal season.
• It is a sport where men compete against each other to hold on to the humps of agitated bulls that are released into an open arena. 
• Historical linkages: Jallikattu is a dated tradition. An ancient reference to bull taming is found in a seal discovered at Mohenjo-daro, which is dated between 2,500 BC and 1,800 BC. 
  • The sport was called Yeru thazhuval or “embracing the bull”.

Constitutional Safeguards and Legislation in India  – According to Article 48A, it is the responsibility of the State to improve the strength of animals and safeguard the wildlife of the country. – According to Article 51A(g), it is the Fundamental Duty of every citizen to protect and improve forests and wildlife and to have compassion for all living creatures.  – Parliament enacted the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act), 1960. – The Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972 aims to preserve the wildlife species of both fauna and flora and establishes reserved places for their survival.

Source: TH

The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

• According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the real effective exchange rate (REER) index of the rupee touched a record 108.14 in November, strengthening by 4.5% during this calendar year.

About The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)

• The REER compares a nation’s currency value against the weighted average of the currencies of its major trading partners.
• It is an indicator of the international competitiveness of a nation in comparison with its trade partners.
• An increasing REER indicates that a country is losing its competitive edge.
• Unlike the nominal exchange rate, which only reflects currency value, the REER adjusts for inflation (domestic and foreign) to compare relative price levels.

Significance:

• Appreciation: A higher REER indicates that a country’s currency has appreciated in real terms, making its exports more expensive and imports cheaper. This can reduce export competitiveness.
• Depreciation: A lower REER suggests that the currency has depreciated in real terms, improving export competitiveness and making imports more expensive.

Source: IE

Veer Bal Diwas

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the Veer Baal Diwas celebrations in New Delhi, where Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) awardees were honoured.

About the Veer Bal Diwas

• Translated as ‘Day of Brave Children,’ Veer Bal Diwas is observed annually on December 26. First observed in 2022, it commemorates the martyrdom of the younger sons of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh—Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (9) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (7).
• The two young boys were bricked alive on December 26, 1705, on the orders of the Nawab of Sirhind Wazir Khan since they refused to give up their religion. 
• After the brick wall fell, Khan ordered the executioners to slit the throats of both the young princes.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP)

• It is awarded annually to children in the age group of 5-18 years for their exceptional abilities and outstanding achievements in seven categories: Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports.
• This award is the highest civilian honor for children in India. Each awardee of PMRBP is given a medal, certificate and a citation booklet.

Source: IE

Good Governance Day

Syllabus: GS1-History and GS2-Goverance

Context

• Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25 to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

About: Good Governance Day

• The day was first celebrated in 2014 and is also known as Sushasan Diwas.
• This day aims to promote awareness among citizens about government accountability and administration while also instilling “good governance” as a practice for Indian civil servants.
• The theme for the 2024 Good Governance Day is “India’s Path to a Viksit Bharat: Empowering Citizens through Good Governance and Digitalisation.”

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• Born: December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
• Early involvement in politics: Joined the Quit India Movement in 1942 during his student days.
• Prime Ministerial terms: Served three times as India’s Prime Minister — briefly in 1996, for 13 months in 1998-1999, and full-time from 1999 to 2004.
• First non-Congress leader: Became the first non-Congress leader to complete a full term as Prime Minister.
• Transformational initiatives: Introduced major programs like Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and National Rural Health Program.
• Nuclear achievement: Oversaw India’s declaration as a full-fledged nuclear state.
• UN General Assembly: First Indian leader to address the UN General Assembly in Hindi.
• Bharat Ratna: Awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 2015.

Source: IE

Boxing Day

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• The Boxing Day Test is being held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), featuring India and Australia. 

About

• Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated the day after Christmas Day.
  • In the United Kingdom, as well as a number of other countries like Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada—Boxing Day is a public holiday that became official in 1871. 
• Origin: The term “Boxing Day” was first recorded in 1833, but the official origin of the name has never been determined.
  • It is associated with the tradition of giving to the less fortunate. 
  • It was believed that on this day, employers would give gifts, known as “Christmas boxes,” to their servants.
  • The servants worked on Christmas Day and would have the next day off to go visit their own families.
• Boxing Day has recently become synonymous with watching sports. 
  • A number of leagues in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland hold football and rugby matches, while Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are known for cricket matches on Boxing Day. 

Source: IE