Daily Current Affairs 09 March 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 09 March 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

IndiaAI Mission

Source: Hindustan Times
GS III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About IndiaAI Mission

Why in the News?

The government announced the national-level IndiaAI Mission. the mission will bolster India’s global leadership in AI, foster technological self-reliance, ensure ethical and responsible AI deployment, and democratize the benefits of AI across all strata of society.

News in Brief

• The project marks a ‘significant step’ towards bolstering the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) system, the Ministry of Electronics and IT said in a statement.
• AI is going to be a kinetic enabler for India’s digital economy.
• India is going to fully exploit the power of AI for the benefit of its citizens and for the expansion of its economy.
• The mission will catalyse India’s AI ecosystem and position it as a force shaping the future of AI for India and for the world.

About IndiaAI Mission

• Cabinet has approved an allocation of over Rs 10,300 crore for the IndiaAI Mission.
• Implementation Agency: IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).
• It is marking a significant step towards bolstering India’s AI ecosystem.
• Substantial financial infusion, slated over the next five years, is poised to catalyse various components of the IndiaAI Mission, including pivotal initiatives/components like
  • IndiaAI Compute Capacity
  • IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC): Leading academic institution
  • IndiaAI Datasets Platform
  • IndiaAI Application Development Initiative
  • IndiaAI FutureSkills
  • IndiaAI Startup Financing
  • Safe & Trusted AI.
• Aim of this financial outlay:
  • To ensure a structured implementation of the IndiaAI Mission through a public-private partnership model aimed at nurturing India’s AI innovation ecosystem.
• A cornerstone of this effort is the IndiaAI Compute Capacity, envisioned to erect a cutting-edge, scalable AI computing infrastructure by deploying over 10,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) through strategic public-private collaborations.
• The proposal also includes funding provisions for industry-led AI projects aimed at fostering social impact and propelling innovation and entrepreneurship.

Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

Source: The Hindu
GS II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

Why in the News?

An academic paper published by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) has cautioned the Centre against a complete switch to natural farming, because it can hamper national food production.

News in Brief

• The paper was titled ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Implications for Sustainability, Profitability, and Food Security’.
• It was carried out by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
• Due to the possibility that it might reduce the country’s food output, it advised the government against making the whole transition to natural farming.
• There was a stark difference between the two ZBNF tests carried out by different scientific organizations.
• It includes the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), the Institute for Development Studies Andhra Pradesh (IDSAP), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research (IIFSR).

About Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)

What is Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)?

• Zero Budget Natural Farming is a chemical-free agricultural technique based on age-old Indian customs.
• This will bring down the cost of production to almost zero.
• It was developed in 1990s and promoted by agriculturist Subhash Palekar, who developed it in the mid-1990s as an alternative to the Green Revolution’s methods.
• All agricultural inputs are prepared by the farmer from his farm, no inputs are purchased from the market.

Objective

• To encourage natural farming methods that are climate-tolerant and kind to the environment to boost the land’s fertility.
• To lower cultivation costs through integrated, sustainable, and low-irrigation organic farming practices, allowing farmers to earn more money per unit of land.
• Production of wholesome, chemical-free food for the well-being and health of people.safeguarding the environment and biodiversity.
• Fostering the growth of farmers as groups or clusters to enable them to produce, process, and advance.
• To turn farmers into businesses through direct marketing and national market connections.

What are the benefits?

• A subsidy of 50% is provided to farmers to buy the farming items.
• 50% of the total cost of available other waste material or a maximum of Rs.600/- per farmer will be given as a subsidy by DBT.
• Training & Farmers Tours and Gram Panchayat level Training.

Measles and Rubella Champion Award

Source: PIB
GS II: Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Measles and Rubella Partnership
3. About Measles and Rubella
4. Measles and Rubella Vaccination in India

Why in the News?

India receives ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award for Exemplary Efforts in Measles and Rubella Disease Prevention.

News in Brief

• In recognition of the country’s tireless efforts to combat Measles and Rubella, India has received the prestigious Measles and Rubella Champion Award by The Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C. USA.
• Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Washington D.C. received the award on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• This accolade celebrates India’s unwavering commitment to public health and its outstanding leadership in curbing the spread of these infectious diseases among children.
• It further recognizes India’s regional leadership to the measles & rubella elimination programme.

Measles and Rubella Partnership

• Comprises a multi-agency planning committee, including the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO, all dedicated to reducing global measles deaths and preventing rubella illness.
• M&RP aims to achieve a world without measles and rubella.
• Various support to countries
  • To raise coverage of measles, rubella and other vaccines
  • Fund, plan, implement and monitor quality supplementary campaigns
  • Investigate outbreaks and provide technical and financial support for effective outbreak response, propose and participate in solutions to strengthen immunization delivery
  • Support a global laboratory network for measles and rubella
• The partnership has supported 88 countries to deliver more than 3.86 billion doses of measles vaccine since 2001.
• The partnership helped to raise measles vaccination coverage to 83% globally and reduced measles deaths by 82%.
• The partnership has invested more than US $1.2 billion in measles and rubella control activities.

About Measles and Rubella

Rubella isn’t the same as measles, but the two illnesses share some signs and symptoms, such as the red rash.

About Measles

• Measles, caused by the measles virus (MeV), is a highly contagious viral infection primarily affecting children.
• It spreads through respiratory droplets, making it one of the most infectious diseases known.
• Measles can lead to severe complications and even death, particularly in children under five years of age or those with compromised immune systems.

Key Facts

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), before widespread vaccination, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide.
• In 2019, there were an estimated 207,500 measles deaths globally, primarily among children under the age of five.
• Vaccination efforts have significantly reduced measles-related mortality.
• Since 2000, measles vaccination has prevented nearly 25.5 million deaths worldwide.
• In 2019, the Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced one of the world’s largest measles outbreaks, with over 300,000 reported cases and over 6,000 deaths.

About Rubella

• Rubella, also known as German measles, is a contagious viral infection caused by the rubella virus (RV).
• While often milder than measles, rubella can pose serious risks to pregnant women, as it can lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in their babies.
• CRS can result in severe birth defects, including deafness, blindness, heart defects, and intellectual disabilities.

Key Facts

• Rubella is characterized by a mild fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes, which typically last about two to three days.
• The most significant concern with rubella is its potential impact on pregnant women.
• If a woman contracts rubella during early pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, there’s a high risk of transmitting the virus to the fetus, leading to CRS.
• Rubella vaccination has been highly effective in reducing the incidence of rubella and CRS.
• Vaccination efforts have led to a significant decline in rubella cases and CRS worldwide.

Measles and Rubella Vaccination in India

• The Measles-rubella (MR) vaccine used in the immunization programmes is a live attenuated vaccine and is safe and effective.
• Measles vaccines are available either as single antigen vaccines or in combination with either rubella (MR) or mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines and with mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccines.
• When MR / MMR / MMRV vaccines are used, the protective immune response to each of the components remains unchanged.
• All children in the target age group are vaccinated irrespective of previous immunization status or history of measles/rubella disease.
• The first dose is given to children between 9 and 12 months of age and a
  second dose is given at 16-24 months of age

Vaccination Status

• India has vaccinated over 348 million children between 2017 and March 2023.
• Measles cases dropped by 62% between 2017 and 2021, from 10.4 to 4 cases per million population.
• Rubella cases decreased by 48%, from 2.3 to 1.2 cases per million population.
• The Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 (IMI 5.0) campaign with a special focus on the improvement of Measles and Rubella vaccination coverage concluded all three rounds on 14 October 2023.

Anthropocene

Source: PIB
GS III: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Anthropocene

Why in the News?

A committee of roughly two dozen scholars has, by a large majority, voted down a proposal to declare the start of the Anthropocene.

News in Brief

• By geologists’ current timeline of Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history, our world right now is in the Holocene, which began 11,700 years ago with the most recent retreat of the great glaciers.
• Amending the chronology to say we had moved on to the Anthropocene would represent an acknowledgement that recent, human-induced changes to geological conditions had been profound enough to bring the Holocene to a close.

About Anthropocene

• The Anthropocene is a term used to describe the current geological epoch, during which human activities have had a significant impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems.
• The term “Anthropocene” is derived from “anthropo-“, meaning human, and “-cene”, denoting a geological period.
• It signifies the profound influence of human activities on the Earth’s natural systems, including climate, biodiversity, and geology.

Key Facts

• The concept of the Anthropocene was first proposed in the early 2000s by Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen and ecologist Eugene Stoermer.
• While the start date of the Anthropocene is still debated among scientists.
• Some propose that it began with the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century due to significant increases in human population, industrialization, and resource consumption.
• Human activities have led to unprecedented changes in the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and biodiversity.
• These changes include rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, deforestation, habitat destruction, species extinctions, and pollution.
• The Anthropocene is characterized by the dominance of human impacts on the Earth’s systems, surpassing natural forces as the primary drivers of global change.
• Scientists have identified various markers of the Anthropocene in the geological record, including radioactive isotopes from nuclear weapons testing, plastic pollution, and widespread changes to sedimentation patterns.

Conclusion

• The Anthropocene presents both challenges and opportunities for humanity.
• It underscores the urgent need for concerted global action to mitigate environmental degradation, adapt to the changes already underway, and transition to more sustainable ways of living.
• This requires cooperation across national boundaries, innovative technological solutions, sustainable resource management practices, and changes in individual and societal behaviours.
• By acknowledging our role in shaping the Anthropocene, we can work towards a more harmonious relationship with the Earth and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign

Source: PIB
GS II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign

Why in the News?

To commemorate the 75th Year of India as a Republic, Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign Event will be held.

News in Brief

• It was decided to organize Regional/State level programs and at regular intervals throughout the year.
• The wave of awareness and enthusiasm reaches and penetrates every nook and corner of society.
• It is envisaged that the event would witness the presence of different dignitaries and public figures to further highlight the goals and objectives.
• The event will witness the official launch of the program “Nyaya Sahayak” in 500 Aspirational blocks in India.

About Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman Campaign

• Implemented by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Samman’ campaign, emphasizing its goal to sensitize citizens about the Constitution, legal rights and duties.
• This initiative aims to empower citizens to contribute meaningfully to building a developed India by 2047.

Sabko Nyay – Har Ghar Nyaya

• Aims to connect the villagers through the Village Level Entrepreneurs of the Common Service Centers and encourage them to read the Sabko Nyay pledge.
• Nyaya Sahayaks will spearhead awareness about the various citizen-centric legal services to the masses, at their doorsteps across aspirational blocks and districts.

Nav Bharat Nav Sankalp

• Aims to encourage the masses to embrace the resolutions of Panch Pran by reading the Panch Pran Pledge.
• Panch Pran Rangotsav (Poster Making competition)The citizens would get the opportunity to showcase their talent and creativity by participating in Panch Pran Rangotsav.
• Panch Pran Anubhav Reel/Video making competition, citizens will also get the chance to test their knowledge of the Constitution engagingly.

Vidhi Jagriti Abhiyan

• Aims to involve the students to carry the message of Panch Pran in the villages adopted by the Law colleges, under the Pro Bono Club scheme.
• It aims to disseminate legal information on the rights responsibilities and entitlements in a very engaging, entertaining and memorable way.
• It also aims to touch the vulnerable sections of society through Gram Vidhi Chetna, Vanchit Varg Samman and Nari Bhagidari initiatives.

Nyaya Setu

• The transformative step aimed to extend and expand the reach of legal services to the last mile.
• It will provide a unified legal interface for legal information, legal advice and assistance and thus enable a more inclusive and just society.

Jan Sewa Janta ke Dwar (Public Service at the Doorsteps of the People)

• The essence of our commitment to the delivery of citizen-centric services to the citizens and inclusive development and empowerment.
• Several stalls will be set up by citizen-centric departments besides the stalls of the Department of Justice to enable citizens to avail all the services in one place.
• This is an initiative undertaken with active collaboration with District administration.

Poshan Pakhwada 2024

Source: PIB
GS II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Poshan Pakhwada 2024
3. About Poshan Abhayan

Why in the News?

Poshan Pakhwada 2024 is going to be organized from 9th March to 23rd March 2024.

News in Brief

• In the last Poshan Pakhwada held in March-April 2023, more than 4 crore sensitization activities were reported which focused around themes of promotion and popularization of Shree Anna / Millets for nutritional wellbeing, celebration of Swasth Balak Spardha (SBS), and popularizing Saksham Anganwadis.
• The theme of this year’s Poshan Pakhwada 2023 was Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India.
• So far, through 5 Poshan Pakhwada and 6 Poshan Maah, more than 90 crore sensitization activities have been reported by the States/ UTs, and partner Ministries/ Departments.

Poshan Pakhwada 2024

• Through Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari, the Poshan Pakhwada seeks to encourage healthy eating habits and increase awareness of the value of nutrition.

The focus of mass sensitization and community activities would be around the following main themes:

• Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB)- towards better Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)
•  Tribal, Traditional, Regional & Local dietary practices focused on sensitization around nutrition
•  Health of Pregnant Women & Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices

Other Activities

• Improving nutrition through Mission LiFE (with activities around Water Conservation through Rainwater Harvesting(RWH) at AWCs), Adopting Sustainable Food Systems by promoting Millet & Poshan Vatikas, and Adopting Healthy Lifestyles through Ayush practices.
• Focused activities around Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) and Diarrhea management
• Test, Treat, Talk Anemia
• Swasth Balak Spardha(SBS) to promote regular growth measurement of enrolled children at AWCs and a variety of other general sensitization activities that States/ UTs and partner Ministries/ Departments have been conducting since the inception of Poshan Abhiyaan.

About Poshan Abhayan

• Poshan Abhayaan, launched by the Prime Minister of India on 8th March 2018.
• Poshan Abhayan has played a pivotal role in guaranteeing public engagement and elevating the conversation surrounding nutrition.
• The goal of Poshan Abhiyan was to enhance nutritional results on all fronts.
• Achieving the intended objectives of a Kuposhan-mukt Bharat requires significant behavioural change on both the individual and communal levels.

International Women’s Day Celebrated

Source: PIB
GS I:  Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About International Women’s Day
3. Origins, Evolution and Modern Observance of International Women’s Day
4. Major Schemes for Women Empowerment in India

Why in the News?

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th.

News in Brief

• The day raises awareness of several issues, including violence and abuse against women, women’s reproductive rights, gender equality and women’s achievements in various fields.
• International Women’s Day is not only a day to celebrate the achievements of women but also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality worldwide.
• It is a time to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead in ensuring that women and girls everywhere can live free from discrimination and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

About International Women’s Day

• International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide.
• It also serves as a call to action for gender equality and the advancement of women’s rights.
• This day has been observed since the early 1900s and has grown into a global movement advocating for women’s empowerment and gender parity.

Key Facts

• Origins: The roots of International Women’s Day can be traced back to the early 20th-century women’s labour movement in North America and Europe.
• Official Recognition: The United Nations officially recognized International Women’s Day in 1977, marking it as a day of celebration and activism.
• Theme: Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated with a specific theme that highlights various aspects of gender equality and women’s rights.
  • Theme for International Women’s Day Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.
• Global Impact: IWD is celebrated in many countries around the world, with events ranging from rallies and marches to conferences and cultural performances.
• Progress and Challenges: While significant progress has been made in advancing women’s rights, gender inequality and discrimination persist in many parts of the world.

Origins, Evolution and Modern Observance of International Women’s Day

• Early 20th Century: The early 20th century witnessed significant social and political changes, including the rise of labor movements and calls for women’s suffrage.
• First Celebrations: The first National Women’s Day was observed in the United States on February 28, 1909, organized by the Socialist Party of America to honor a garment workers’ strike in New York.
• International Women’s Conference: In 1910, at the International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen, Denmark, Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and advocate for women’s rights, proposed the idea of an annual International Women’s Day to promote equal rights, including suffrage, for women around the world. The proposal was met with unanimous approval.

Early Observances:

• First International Women’s Day: On March 19, 1911, International Women’s Day was celebrated for the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. Over a million people attended rallies and demonstrations to demand women’s rights, including suffrage, the right to work, and an end to discrimination.
• Continued Growth: International Women’s Day quickly gained momentum, with observances spreading to other countries across Europe and beyond.

Evolution:

• Suffrage Movement: In the years leading up to World War I, International Women’s Day became closely associated with the suffrage movement, as women around the world fought for the right to vote.
• Post-World War I: After World War I, International Women’s Day took on new significance as women continued to advocate for their rights, including equal pay and improved working conditions.
• United Nations Recognition: In 1977, the United Nations officially recognized March 8th as International Women’s Day, marking it as a day to celebrate women’s achievements and promote gender equality.

Modern Observance:

• Global Celebration: Today, International Women’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world, with events ranging from rallies and marches to conferences, panel discussions, and cultural performances.
• 1996 Theme Adoption: The UN adopted an official theme for IWD for the first time, continuing this tradition annually.Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated with a specific theme that highlights various aspects of women’s rights and empowerment. Recent themes have focused on issues such as gender equality in the workplace, ending violence against women, and promoting women’s leadership.
• Call to Action: International Women’s Day serves as a call to action for gender equality and the advancement of women’s rights. It is a time to reflect on progress made and to renew efforts to address ongoing challenges and inequalities.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 5 specifically focuses on achieving women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Major Schemes for Women Empowerment in India

One Stop Centre and Universalization of Women Helplines

• The Ministry of WCD is administering two schemes from the Nirbhaya Fund namely One Stop Centre and Universalization of Women Helplines.
• The One Stop Centres (OSCs), popularly known as Sakhi Centres.
• It aims to facilitate women affected by violence (including domestic violence) with a range of integrated services under one roof such as Police facilitation, medical aid, legal aid and legal counselling, psycho-social counselling, temporary shelter etc.
• The Women Helpline (WHL) Scheme provides 24-hour emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence, both in public and private spaces by linking them with appropriate authorities such as Police, One Stop Centre, Hospital, Legal Services etc. 

Swadhar Greh Scheme

• The Swadhar Greh Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for women who are victims of difficult circumstances and in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they can lead their lives with dignity.

Ujjawala Scheme

• The Ujjawala Scheme is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the Prevention of trafficking and for the Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

Working Women Hostel

• Working Women Hostel Scheme is implemented by the Government with the objective to providing safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women, with daycare facilities for their children, wherever possible, in urban, semi-urban, or even rural areas where employment opportunities for women exist.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao(BBBP)

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao(BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of empowerment of girls and women over a life cycle continuum.
• The objectives of the scheme are, to prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination, to ensure the survival and protection of the girl child and to ensure the education and participation of the girl child.

Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)

• The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme was approved in November 2017 as a centrally sponsored scheme to empower rural women through community participation.
• The aim is to facilitate inter-sectoral convergence of schemes and programs meant for women.
• The scheme is implemented through State Governments and UT Administrations with a cost-sharing ratio of 60:40 between Centre and States except for North East & Special Category States where the funding ratio is 90:10.
• For Union Territories, 100% central funding is provided.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a Centrally Sponsored Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme, for implementation across the country with effect from 01.01.2017.
• The maternity benefit under PMMVY is available to all Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM), excluding PW&LM who are in regular employment with the Central Government or the State Governments or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or those who receive similar benefits under any law for the time being in force, for first living child of family.
• Under the scheme, Rs.5,000/- are provided to the eligible beneficiary in three instalments during pregnancy and lactation in response to the individual fulfilling certain nutrition and health-seeking conditions.
• The eligible beneficiary also receives the remaining cash incentive as per approved norms towards maternity benefits under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) after institutional delivery so that on average, a woman gets Rs.6,000/-.

Mahila E-Haat

• To facilitate entrepreneurship opportunities online for women.
• To educate women on various aspects of online selling and help them establish their venture.

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