14 Dec 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Alternative Drug Targets in Malarial Parasite
2. Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars
3. National Fund to Control Drug Abuse
4. 6th India Water Impact Summit
5. Income limit fixed for EWS
6. Gita Jayanti

1. Alternative Drug Targets in Malarial Parasite

Related to Science and Technology – Development and their applications and effects in everyday life, GS III

Prelims: Malarial Parasite, Mitochondria

Mains: Significance of the study

Context: A Swarnajayanti fellow from CSIR – Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow along with her research group intended to identify proteins that influence the mitochondria of the malarial parasite and target those proteins with drugs.

Also Read about the National Strategic Plan for Elimination of Malaria.

About Malaria:

• Malaria is a detrimental illness caused by Plasmodium parasites which are transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Plasmodium vivax and falciparum are the two prevalent parasite species that lead to malarial infections.
• The World Malaria Report estimated 241 million cases of malaria in 2020 and the introduction of a new methodology to assess the spread in 32 countries in sub-Saharan Africa revealed a considerable increase in the malarial infection among African children.

What are mitochondria?

• Mitochondria can be defined as the cell organelles that act as the powerhouse of the cell by facilitating several biochemical high energy reactions.
• They have double membranes and consist of several enzymes that are essential for cellular respiration and metabolism of biomolecules.
• They generate the Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which is the energy currency of cells.
• Mitochondria have their own DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) which is inherited maternally.

Significance of the Study:

• A deep analysis of the influence of the structural and functional proteins that impact the mitochondria of the malarial parasite will provide a better understanding of how the parasite adapts to new environments and reverses drug-induced toxicity. 
• Drug resistance of such parasites results in recurrence of the infection by a revival of the parasites from the dormant stage after treatment. 
• Therefore it becomes essential that research must be carried out to target alternate sites of action for drugs.

Image source: www.indiatoday.in

2. Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars

Related to welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population, GS II

Prelims: About the Scheme 

Mains: Role of the scheme in the welfare of the vulnerable sections

Context: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has introduced a sub-scheme under the Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars called SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise).

Aim of the Scheme: 

• To provide rehabilitation for the welfare of the persons engaged in the act of begging
• Medical facilities
• Counselling
• Basic documentation
• Education
• Skill Development
• Economic linkages

Important Facts:

• The Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Beggars is a pilot project that is ongoing in 7 cities namely Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Nagpur and Patna. 
• This project involves the collaboration of State governments, Union Territories, Urban local bodies and Voluntary organizations.
• Such initiatives will be a boost towards holistic and inclusive growth for all.

3. National Fund to Control Drug Abuse

Related to health, GS II

Prelims: About the National Fund to Control Drug Abuse (NFCDA)

Mains: Initiatives of the government to control drug abuse

Context: The Central government has decided to implement the National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse in a more transparent and effective manner under the NDPS rules, 2006.

About the Fund: 

•  The NFCDA is managed by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance. 
• The Department of Revenue does not directly allocate any funds under NFCDA to state governments for the establishment of rehabilitation centres for the victims of drug abuse. 
• In case the state governments seek financial assistance under NFCDA, the Department of Revenue examines the authenticity of the cause and places it before the governing body of NFCDA and sanctions the fund with the approval of the Competent Authority. 

Objectives of the Fund:

• Combating illicit traffic in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances
• Prevent the abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances
• Identification, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts
• Educating people about drug abuse
• Ensuring the supply of drugs only if it is of medical necessity

Read more about Drug Abuse in India in the linked article.

4. 6th India Water Impact Summit

Related to Conservation, GS III

Prelims: About the Summit, Important river systems of India

Mains: Government intervention to conserve the river basins

Context: The 6th edition of the Water Impact Summit was conducted in the hybrid mode by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies in order to rejuvenate and maintain the river flow and ecology of river Ganga which is considered to be the lifeline of the country.

Theme of the Summit: The Water Impact Summit for 2021 is based on the theme River Resources Allocation – Planning and Management at the regional level.

About the Event:

• The Summit aimed at rejuvenating the rivers in India and came up with an institutional framework with a long term impact. In this regard, the MoU was signed between NMCG, Centre for Policy Research for a collaborative approach towards research and knowledge production to save the water resources.
• There was an emphasis on the region-specific levels of the Ganga basin such as the Upper, Middle, Lower and Deltaic regions of the river basin. Countries like Australia, Japan and the European Union and its member states participated to collaborate and develop sustainable policies and encourage the creation of a circular water economy through water recycling and water trading. 
• The Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies and the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy signed an MoU for sludge management framework. MoUs were also signed with Denmark and Hungary for the exchange of knowledge in the Ganga River Basin Restoration and Conservation Program.

Important Launches of the Event:

• The Uttarakhand River Atlas 
• Alakananda and Bhagirathi River Basin Atlas
• Samarth Ganga Report
• Yamuna Basin Atlas 
• Leather Trade Information Portal – To help tanneries to assess their environmental performance

5. Income limit fixed for EWS

Related to Social Justice, GS II

Prelims: About EWS, eligibility criteria

Mains: Significance of reservation under EWS

Context: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has declared that individuals who are not covered under the existing schemes of reservations for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and the socially and educationally backward classes with a family income below 8 lakhs per annum are to be identified as beneficiaries of reservation under EWS. 

Read more about Defining EWS in Perspective, Sansad TV.

6. Gita Jayanti

Related to Indian Culture, GS I

Context: The Prime Minister greeted the nation on the occasion of Gita Jayanti along with the launch of the e-book version of Chidbhavananda’s Bhagavad Gita and the release of manuscripts by various scholars.

About Gita Jayanti:

• The year 2021 marks the 5158th anniversary of the Bhagavad Gita which is regarded as the holy text of the Hindus. The 14th day of December this year falls on the Moksha Ekadashi and is believed to be the day when the sacred book was offered to Arjuna by Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
• Gita consists of a dialogue between Arjuna and Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra and imparts essential teachings that can be applied in our lives.
• There are 700 verses in the Gita and it houses a significant part of the Bhisma Parva of Mahabharata.
• This day is paid tribute by Dhyana (meditation) and Sankalpa (Resolution). 

Read previous PIB here.

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