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CURRENT AFFAIRS SEPT. (11-20), 2019

• Mapping of India

• A Memorial Pillar to Polish Refugees

• Lokayukta for Andhra Pradesh

• Code for Responsible Lending

• Trilateral Naval Exercise

• Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award 2019

• ASTRA Missile

• Specially Designated Global Terrorist

• Floor Space Index (FSI)

• Artificial Ripening of Fruits and Vegetables

• Banni Grasslands

• National Police University

• Maritime Communication Services

• Writing of Guru Nanak Dev

• Jan Soochna Portal

• Exercise HimVijay

• Community Radio Station

• UN Mission in Hodeidah

• Naval Variant of Tejas

• Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana

• Global Antimicrobial Resistance

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) at School Level

• Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile

• National Genomic Grid

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MAPPING OF INDIA

The Context: The Survey of India will for the first time rely on drones to map the country which is responsible for mapping and surveying the entire country.

Objective of the Survey

• To provide high resolution maps and data.

• To ensure the digitization of land tiles in villages.

• Around 75% of India’s geography will be covered.

About the Survey of India

• Oldest scientific department of the country.

• Headquartered in Dehradun.

• Works under the Department of Science and Technology.

A MEMORIAL PILLAR TO POLISH REFUGEES

The Context: A commemorative pillar in memory of Polish families and individuals who had made India their home during World War II was unveiled by deputy foreign minister of Polish Republic in Kolhapur Valivade Village.

Salient Features of the Event

• The delegation also comprised of survivor visited in Kolhapur to commemorate the 80th anniversary of their stay in India.

• A permanent museum dedicated to survivor who stayed in Valivade camp will also be built.

About Polish Refugees in India

• During 2nd World War, Poland was caught between Germany and Russia.

• Poland was dismembered by 1939 Nazi-Soviet Union Pact or ‘the Devil’s Alliance’.

• Thousands of Polish people were incarcerated in Soviet prisons who later made their way to Valivade Village in Kolhapur and Gujarat.

LOKAYUKTA FOR ANDHRA PRADESH

The Context: Justice P Lakkshmana Reddy was sworn-in as the first Lokayukta of Andhra Pradesh

Origin of Lokpal

• The genesis of Lokpal is traced to Sweden where Office of Ombudsman was established in 1809.

• Ombudsman loosely translates as citizen’s defender or representative of the people.

• Subsequently, New Zealand, Australia, UK established the office of Ombudsman to provide speedy delivery of services.

Chronology of Lokpal in India

• The term ‘Lokpal’ was coined by Dr. L. M Singhvi in 1963.

• The concept of constitutional ombudsman was first proposed in parliament by Law Minister Ashok Kumar Sen in the early 1960s.

• The first Jan Lokpal Bill was proposed by Shanti Bhusan in 1968.

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• Since then, several attempts were made to pass this landmark legislation until 2013 when it was passed by the parliament.

About Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013

About the Act

✓ Provides for Lokpal at the Union level and Lokayukta at state level. ✓ A statutory institution passed in 2013.

Composition of the Lokpal

✓ Multi-member body that consist of one chairperson and a maximum of 8 members.

✓ Chairperson should be either former Chief Justice of India or the former judge of the Supreme Court or an eminent person with impeccable integrity and having knowledge and expertise of minimum 25 years in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance etc.

✓ Out of the maximum eight members, half will be judicial members and minimum 50% of the members will from the SC/ST/OBC/ Minorities and women.

Tenure of the Lokpal

✓ The tenure of the Lokpal Chairman and members will be five years of till the age of 70 years.

Appointment of the Lokpal

✓ The members and Chairman of the Lokpal are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the selection committee which consist of:

• Prime Minister (Chairman)

• Speaker of the Lok Sabha

• Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha

• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by him

• One eminent Jurist ✓ For selecting the chairperson and the members, the selection committee

constitutes a search panel of at least eight persons.

Jurisdiction of the Lokpal

✓ The jurisdiction of the Lokpal includes Prime Minister, minister, members of Parliament, Groups A, B, C and D officers and official of Central Government.

✓ The Lokpal has jurisdiction on Prime Minister except on allegation of corruption relating to international relation, security, the public order, atomic energy and space.

✓ Anything uttered by the MPs and Ministers in parliament does not come under the purview of the Lokpal.

✓ It has power to superintendence over and to give direction to CBI. ✓ A CBI officer investigating the case referred by the Lokpal can’t be transferred

without the permission of the Lokpal.

CODE FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING

The Context: Microfinance Institutions Network and Sa-Dhan with FIDC (Finance Industry Development Council) have jointly launched the ‘Code for Responsible Lending’ for the micro credit industry.

About Sa-Dhan

• It is the RBI’s recognised self-regulatory orgnisation and industry association for the microfinance institutions.

About Code for Responsible Lending (CRL)

• A sector specific institution, especially focuses on microfinance.

• Prohibits more than three lenders from offering loans to single borrower and cap the size of

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total lending to Rs. 1 lakh per borrower.

• Collaboration with Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) make CRL more inclusive in its coverage.

• FIDC is the self-regulatory orgnisation for registered NBFCs.

• Currently, more than 90 entities have signed up for CRL as ‘responsible lenders’.

TRILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISE

The Context: The maiden Trilateral Naval Exercise involving Indian Navy, Singapore Navy and Royal Thailand Navy was conducted at Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Island).

About the Trilateral Naval Exercise

• This Trilateral Naval Exercise was announced by Prime Minister Modi during his address at Shangri-La dialogue.

• Malaysia has also shown interest in joining the exercise.

Objective of the Exercise

• To bolster maritime security among these three countries and contribute significantly towards enhancing the overall maritime security in the region.

• To counter aggressive posture of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean.

India’s Military Exercise with Singapore

Bold Kurushetra, Simbex

India’s Military Exercise with Thailand

Maitree Exercise

KALAM SMRITI INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD 2019

The Context: The Prime Minister of Bangladesh was conferred Dr Kalam Samriti International Excellence Award 2019 for vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia, free of tension, conflict and terrorism.

Relation between India and Bangladesh

• The relationship between both the countries is anchored in history, culture, language and shared values of secularism, democracy, and countless other commonalities between the two countries.

• India played instrumental roles in Bangladesh’s Independence.

• India was also the first country to recognise the Bangladesh as separate and independent state.

Bilateral Trade and Relation

• Bilateral relation between both the countries in trade has grown steadily in the last decade.

• India provides Bangladesh on all tariff lines except tobacco and alcohol under South Asian Free Trade Area since 2011.

About Shangri-La Dialogue

✓ Intergovernmental security forum orgnised annually by International Institute for Strategic Studies.

✓ Attended by defence ministers, military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific states.

✓ The forum gets its name from the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where it has been held since 2002.

✓ The summit aims to cultivate a sense of security in the region.

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• India is one of the largest investor in Bangladesh.

• The first nuclear plant is being built with the assistance of India and Russia.

• Bangladesh is the largest recipient of LOC (Line of Credit) funds from India till date.

• Bangladesh is the largest recipient of the Medical visa.

• India shares largest land boundary with Bangladesh (4000 km).

About Dr. Kalam Samriti International Excellence Award

• Instituted in 2015 in memory of former President of India Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalalm.

• Conferred every year to honour statesman or leaders who have shown excellence in respective fields to achieve best for their countries.

• Since 2015, Presidents of the Maldives, Ghana and Mauritius has also received the prestigious award.

ASTRA MISSILE

The Context: Indian Air Force and DRDO has successfully tested indigenous air-to-air missile (beyond-visual-range) from Su-30 MKI.

About ASTRA Missile

• All weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the DRDO.

• It is first air-to-air missile developed by India.

• Capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes (both short and long range).

Importance of the ASTRA

• Provides indigenous capability in air-to-air missile system.

• Promotes indigenous manufacturing in defence equipment as India is the second largest imported of defence equipment.

SPECIALLY DESIGNATED GLOBAL TERRORIST

The Context: The United State has designated the leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Mufti Noor Mehsud, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Criteria for Declaring Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)

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• Individual already taken part in terrorist activities or

• Believed to be potential threats by the office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury.

• The order is designated as an SDGT by the US under the provisions of Executive Order 13224 which was issued in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack.

Impact of Declaring Specially Designated Global Terrorist

• Freezing the transaction of the assets and prohibiting transaction with the proscribed person under the respective law.

• Individual acting as accessory to the proscribed person can also be designated as SDGTs.

FLOOR SPACE INDEX (FSI)

The Context: The Maharashtra Government has unveiled a slew of measures to boost the struggling realty sector in the state.

Key Changes Announced by the Maharashtra Government

• Offered significant reduction in builder’s fee for availing Floor Space Index for their projects.

• ‘Floor Space Index’ also known as ‘floor Area Ratio’ is the maximum area that can be constructed on a plot of land.

• The constructed area would include staircase and other basic structure.

• It is regulated by the municipal or local authorities of the respective state government.

• If a developer wants to build over and above the FSI limit, the authorities give permission to do so for an additional fee which is termed as ‘Premium FSI’.

• FSI is the most crucial among all the regulation in development planning.

• FSI limit helps regulate vertical building growth and living conditions while accommodating the burgeoning population.

Current Status of the Real Estate Sector in India

• As per the FICCI, since 2016, the Indian real estate sector has been going through a tumultuous time.

• The triple effect of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), demonetization and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) hit the industry one after the other, bringing it to a complete standstill for a while.

• Today, a recovery is being witnessed in the industry, with sales gradually picking up and prices stabilizing, the study titled Indian real estate:

Market Size of Real Estate Sector in India

• Expected to reach US$ 1 trillion by 2030.

• By 2025, it will contribute 13% of the country’s GDP.

• Emergence of nuclear families, rapid urbanization and rising household income are likely to remain the key drivers for growth in all sphere of real estate, including residential, commercial and retail.

• Rapid urbanization in the country is pushing the growth of real state.

Government of India Assistance to Real Estate Sector

• In August 2015, the government of India approved 100 Smart City Projects in India.

• The Government has also raised FDI limits for townships and settlements development projects to 100 per cent.

• Real estate projects within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are also permitted 100 per cent FDI.

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• The total number of houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) reached 69 million up to May 27,2019. 25. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Urban, 8.09 million houses have been sanctioned up to May27, 2019.

• The government has also released draft guidelines for investments by Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in non-residential segment.

ARTIFICIAL RIPENING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

The Context: There has been spurt in the ripening of fruits using the chemical products.

Artificial Ripening

• Most fruits produce a gaseous compound called ‘ethylene’ that starts the ripening process.

• These enzymes convert complex polysaccharides into simple sugars and make the skin of the fruits soft.

• In artificial ripening, this process is done using chemicals.

• Ethephon is the most common chemical used in artificial ripening.

• Another chemical that is regularly used is ‘Calcium Carbide’, which produces ‘acetylene’.

Drawbacks of Artificial Ripening

• Studies have shown that artificial ripening breaks down the organic composition of vitamins and other micronutrients.

• Besides, it changes only the skin colour, the fruit remains raw inside.

• Industrial grade calcium carbide often found contaminated with traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

• Calcium Carbide can also affect the neurological system.

• FSSAI has banned calcium carbide under the ‘prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954’.

About Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

• A statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Acts, 2006.

• Works under the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

• Responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.

BANNI GRASSLANDS

The Context: The world famous Banni Grassland in Kutch district in Gujarat is facing the issue of exotic species called Prosopis Juliflora.

About Banni Grassland

• Spread over 2,600 square kilometer in Kutch (Gujarat).

• Maldharis (Pastoral Community) is found in these grassland.

• Banni Grassland along with Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, both in Kutch, have been classified by Wildlife Institute of India as the last remaining habitats of the Cheetah in.

• Asiatic Cheetah is declared as extinct in India except a small number is found in Iran.

• In dark nights, an unexplained strange dancing light phenomenon known as Chir Batti is known to occur here in Banni Grassland.

Issue of Prosopis Juliflora

• To protect this region from salinity, the government dropped millions of exotic species called Prosopis Juliflora.

• Since then, Prosopis Juliflora has overtaken the native grasses in the area.

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• The native people called this tree ‘Ganda Babool’ because it does not let anything else grow.

• Despite planting these exotic trees, the salinity has also multiplies several times, and the Maldharis are faced with a perpetual fodder crisis.

• The area under the ‘Prosopis Juliflora’ was only 6% till 1997 but it increased to 54% in 2015.

• Generally, it gets about 400 mm of rainfall.

• In recent years, there has been dearth of rainfall and this exotic trees are exploiting the water which is exacerbating the situation.

Desertification in the Area

• Because of the drought, the area is witnessing the land degradation and desertification.

• Gujarat has lost more than 50% of its area to desertification.

• Sahajeevan, a non-profit orgnisation, is working along with the local communities to restore the Banni Grasslands.

NATIONAL POLICE UNIVERSITY

The Context: Union Ministry of Home Affairs has announced to set up a National Police University in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Objective of the National Police University

To provide dynamic, state-of-art learning and working environment for advancement and dissemination of education and research in policing science and related areas.

About National Police Academy

• Focus on advancement and dissemination of education, research and scholarships of highest quality in the domain of policing science, forensic science, cyber forensics, criminology, criminal justice, risk management and related areas.

• It will offer formal education programme in bachelors, masters and doctoral etc.

Police Force in India

History of Police Force in India

✓ The origin of modern police system can be traced back to British rule in India. ✓ Although there were similar administrative setup before the arrival of British

rule in India. ✓ Lord Cornwallis played an instrumental role in setting up the modern police

system in India. ✓ Since then, there has been little done to reform the system. ✓ While many states brought new legislation for police reform, it did little the

reform the colonial era system.

Current Challenges to

the Police Force in India

✓ In 1903 itself, Fraser commission criticized the policing system in India and said that it was not sync with the time.

✓ Currently, Police force is facing the acute shortage of personnel as more than 5 lakh sanctioned strength are vacant.

✓ India has 138 police personnel for per lakh people in contrast to the UN mandate of 222 police personnel for per lakh people.

✓ There is also the issue of shortage of modern weapon, infrastructure, accommodation etc.

✓ CAG audits have found shortages in weaponry with state police forces. For example, Rajasthan and West Bengal had shortages of 75% and 71% respectively in required weaponry with the state police.

✓ The Bureau of Police Research and Development has also noted a 30.5%

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deficiency in stock of required vehicles with the state forces. ✓ However, funds dedicated for modernisation of infrastructure are typically not

utilised fully. For example, in 2015-16, only 14% of such funds were used by the states.

✓ The training curriculum is still based on the British module although the British have evolved their training module in their country.

✓ Crime rate have drastically increased over the years. ✓ The lower ranks constitute more than 85% of police strength, yet they get little

chance to go beyond the Head Constable. ✓ Union and state government hardly spends around 3% of GDP.

Prakash Singh vs Union of

India

✓ In 1996, a petition was filed before the Supreme Court that raised various instances of abuse of power by the police, and alleged that police personnel perform their duties in a politically partisan manner.

✓ In 2006, the Supreme Court issued seven point directive to ensure the transparent functioning of the police department.

MARITIME COMMUNICATION SERVICES

The Context: The government of India has launched Maritime Cooperation Services to offer broadband service for the people who travels at sea. It also provides a web portal for reporting stolen mobile phones.

Key Features

• Nelco Ltd is now provide quality broadband services to maritime sector using USAT technology.

• The services will be provided through global partnership, infrastructure including transponder capacity on satellite of ISRO.

• VSAT technology offers a satellite internet connection globally.

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WRITING OF GURU NANAK DEV

The Context: UNESCO has decided to translate and publish an anthology of writing of Baba Guru Nanak Dev in many languages to commemorate his 550th birth anniversary.

Other Notable Publication

National Book Trust will publish Gurbani in different languages.

Salient Features

• Government of India is also holding a services of events and initiated many projects such as ✓ Kartarpur Corridor ✓ Development of Sultanpur Lodhi as a heritage town on smart city

principles ✓ Release of commemorative coins and postage stamps ✓ Setting up of a Centre of inter faith studies at Guru Nanak Dev

University.

About Guru Nanak Dev

• Born in Nankana Sahib neat Lahore in modern day Pakistan.

• Studied both Hinduism and Islam extensively.

• Despite having religious inclination, he rejected religious dogma.

• Most of the biographical accounts of Nanak’s life come from the Janamshakhi, written by Bhai Mani Singh.

• He taught that god was beyond religious dogma and external definition.

• He said that he would follow neither the Muslim or Hindu religion, but just God’s path.

• During his life time, he attracted followers from the Hindu, Muslim, and other religious traditions.

JAN SOOCHNA PORTAL

The Context: The Rajasthan government has launched ‘Jan Soochhna Portal’.

About the Portal

• Rajasthan became the first state in the country to provide information about a dozen department on single platform.

• Launched under Rajasthan Innovation Vision Caimpaign.

• Provides 23 types of information pertaining to 13 department on single platform

• The services will also be available to self-service ‘E-Mitra Plus’ kiosk.

• Inspired by the spirit of section 4 (2) of RTI Act which envisages to provide proactive disclosure of information.

History of RTI (Right to Information)

• In the life of Indian republic, the first political commitment for Right to Information came during the internal emergency imposed by Indra Gandhi government.

• Janta Party led by Morar ji Desai government promised in their election manifesto that they will ensure an open and transparent government.

• In 1986, the Supreme Court in the famous case of Mr. Kulwal vs Jaipur Municipal Corporation held that Freedom of speech and expression implies Right to Information.

• In 1989, the National Front Government renewed its commitment of Right to Information. It was an outcome of the people’s frustration over earlier government reluctance over sharing of information regarding the Bofors and other such scandals.

• Despite strong commitment, there was no headway regarding RTI as National Front

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Government collapsed.

• In 1994, Mazdoor Kisan Shakto Sanghathan started a grassroots campaign for Right to Information in Rajasthan.

• In 1997, Tamil Nadu became the first state to pass Right to Information Act.

• In 2000, Rajasthan also enacted a law on Right to Information.

• In pursuance with the commitment of the National Democratic Alliance, the government passed the Freedom of Information bill.

• Subsequently, the United Progressive alliance passed the Right to Information.

EXERCISE HIMVIJAY

The Context: Indian Armed Forces carried out an exercise codenamed HimVijay in Arunachal Pradesh, close to borders with China.

Significance of the Exercise

• To test the preparedness of the Armed Forces.

• For the first time, Integrated Battle Group were used in the exercise.

• Integrated Battle Group constitute the component of the all the armed forces (Indian Air force, Navy, Army).

COMMUNITY RADIO STATION

The Context: Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting has announced that 11 new Community Radio Stations will be set up across the country.

Regions where Community Radio Station will be setup

• Left Wing Extremism affected area.

• Aspirational Districts

• Coastal District

• Jammu and Kashmir

About Community Radio Stations

• Aims to enhance the last mile connectivity of the government.

• Plans are underway to ensure the expansion of radio network to each district.

• Covers small area of 10-15 kilometers radius, depending on geography of the area.

• Plays instrumental role in dissemination of agriculture-related information, government scheme for people’s welfare, weather forecast among others.

UN MISSION IN HODEIDAH

The Context: The Secretary-General of United Nation has appointed India’ Lieutenant General (Retired) as the head of UN mission in Hodeidah (Yemen).

About Hodeidah Agreement

• Besides leading the UN Mission in support of Hodeidah Agreement, Guha will also assume the chair of Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC).

• RCC is responsible for redeploying forces of Yemeni warring parties in accordance with their agreement.

Timeline of Yemen Civil War

• In 2011, Arab spring protests undermine President Saleh rule, leads to split in the army and provided fertile ground for al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula to seize swaths of territory in the east.

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• In 2012, President Saleh steps down in a political plan backed by Gulf States. Abd-Rabbu Mansour becomes interim president and oversees a “national dialogue” to draft a more inclusive, federal constitution.

• Saleh and his allies undermine the political transition.

• In 2014, Irani backed Houthis seize Sanna.

• Subsequently, Saudi Arabia along with his allies intervened to dislodge the Houthis government.

• United State and United Kingdom also supported their Sudi allies.

• The continuous civil war caused millions to face starvation.

• Despite UN warning, there was little changed on the ground.

• In recent months, the situation has become more chaotic and the Houthis are targeting the deep inside the Saudi Arabia.

NAVAL VARIANT OF TEJAS

The Context: The first ever arrested landing of naval variant of LCA Tejas multirole fighter was successfully executed at the Shore Based Test Facility in Goa.

Importance of Arrested Landing

Now, it can also be used on Aircraft Carrier (INS Vikramaditya).

About Arrested Landing

• An arresting landing is a mechanical process used to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands.

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• It is an essential component of naval aviation.

• Most commonly arrestor gear are CATOBAR and STOBAR.

MUKHYA MANTRI DAL POSHIT YOJANA

The Context: Uttarakhand government has launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana’ to provide different varieties of pulses at lower prices.

About Mukhya Mantri Dal Poshit Yojana

• Each eligible beneficiary and ration card holders will get 2kgs of pulses.

• It will help in achieving healthy India.

Pulse in India

• India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses in the world.

• Madhya Pradesh is the largest pulse producing state in India.

• Grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons.

• Gram is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40% in the total production.

• Per capita net availability of pulses in India has reduced from 51.1 gm/day to 41.9 gm/per day as against WHO recommendation of 80gm/day.

• This raises question about the nutritional aspects as pulses are considered to be ‘poor man’s protein.

• In addition to its nutritional advantage, pulses have low carbon and water footprint which make them an integral part of the sustainable farming system.

GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

The Context: India has joined Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development hub as a new member.

About Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development

• It is a global partnership that works to address challenges and improve coordination and coordination and collaboration in global AMR research and development.

• With inclusion of India, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development hub now has 16 countries.

• It is established in Germany.

About Anti-Microbial Resistance

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the ability of a microorganism (like bacteria, viruses, and some parasites) to stop an antimicrobial (such as antibiotics, antivirals and antimalarials) from working against it.

• As a result, standard treatments become ineffective, infections persist and may spread to others.

• As per UN report, every year 7, 00,000 people die each year due to drug-resistant disease.

• By 2050, this number could go up to 10 million.

Anti-biotic Usage in India

• India is the largest consumer of the anti-biotic.

• It is also excessively used in animals for various purpose.

• Excessive usage are leading to powerful mutation of the bacteria.

• As bacteria is becoming resistance to drug, which is leading to death.

• The world’s strongest anti-biotic ‘Colistin’ is also becoming ineffective in certain cases which

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is the last defense against any infection.

• If corrective measures are not taken, it will be impossible to treat infection in the future.

• European Union has banned the usage of anti-biotic on animals.

Action Taken by government of India to Combat Anti-Microbial Resistance

• The Health Ministry has banned usage and production of Colistin and its formulations for food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements after the recommendation of Drug Technical Advisory Body.

• The ban has been imposed under Drug and Cosmetic Act, 1940.

• The National Health Policy 2017 highlights the problem of antimicrobial resistance and calls for effective action to address it.

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has identified AMR as one of the top 10 priorities for the ministry ‘collaborative work with WHO.

• In 2012, India’s medical society adopted the Chennai Declaration, a set of national recommendation to promote antibiotic stewardship.

• India’s Red Line campaign demands that prescription-only antibiotic be marked with a red line, to discourage the over-the-counter sale of anti-biotic.

• The WHO has launched AWaRe (Access, Watch and Reserve) campaign to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance, adverse event and costs.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) AT SCHOOL LEVEL

The Context: Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has prepared a module to introduce study of Artificial Intelligence at the school level.

Advantage of AI at School Level

• The study of AI at school level is a big leap in country education system as it will help students to prepare themselves for future challenges.

• For this purpose, MHRD has collaborated with technology giant like intel.

Artificial Intelligence

About AI ✓ AI, also called machine intelligence is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans.

✓ Colloquially, the term ‘artificial intelligence’ is often used to describe machines that mimic “cognitive” function that is associated with human minds such as learning and problem solving.

✓ John McCarthy, who coined the term in 1956, defines it as "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines."

Fear of Introducing AI ✓ There is fear that AI will replace human and it will fewer jobs for people.

✓ As per World Development Report by World Bank, two-third of jobs in developing countries will be vulnerable to automation.

✓ As a result, it is argued that India, which has 65% of global IT off-shore work and 40 % of global business processing, will have 69% of its job in the formal employment automated by 2030.

About Vidya Dhan

An unique initiative in which a repository of content is prepared by teacher by uploading study material for student of class 6th-10th on an online platform called Diksha App.

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Advantage of AI ✓ It will add $1 trillion in India economy. ✓ World Economic Forum has called it ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’. ✓ It will provide new job opportunity new arena which was still

untapped such as big data analysis etc. ✓ Now, huge amount of work can be done easily and efficiently, ✓ More than 90% of workers are engaged in informal sector and it will

have little impact on automation because of exorbitant price of introducing such technology in such orgnisation.

Challenges in Introducing AI in India

✓ India has little over 50 full time AI researcher. ✓ Majority of population still not literate in digital technology which

stands at less than 10%. ✓ Two startups incubated at Indian Institute of Technology Madras have

joined hands with a mission to create one Lakh experts in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Deep Learning by the year 2020.

✓ GUVI, which offers a platform for students in Tier 2,3 cities to learn in vernacular languages, is now collaborating with One Fourth Labs, a startup founded by IIT Madras Faculty which offers advanced AI courses.

✓ Though IIT Hyderabad has launched B.tech in Artificial Intelligence, it will inadequate to meet the demand of the industry.

MAN PORTABLE ANTITANK GUIDED MISSILE

The Context: DRDO has successfully flight tested indigenously developed low weight, fire and forget Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile in ranges of Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.

About Man Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

• Third generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile.

• Derived from Nag ATGM, fire and forget missile.

• Incorporated with state-of-art infrared imaging seeker along with advanced avionics.

NATIONAL GENOMIC GRID

The Context: The government plans to set up a National Genomic Grid to take cancer research to the next level and make treatment viable for people of different segment of society.

About National Genomic Grid (Cancer)

• The National Genomic Grid for India-specific cancer research will collect samples from cancer patients from India to study genomic factors influencing cancer and identifying the right treatment modalities for Indian population.

• The grid to be formed will be in line with National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) set up at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras.

• The government plans to set up National Genomic Grid in same style as that of NCTB with pan-India collection centres by bringing all cancer treatment institutions on board.

• The grid will have four parts, with the country divided into east, west, north and south.

About Cancer

• Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue.

• Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body.

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• Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world.

• But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer screening and cancer treatment.