15 Nov 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas
2. Exercise SITMEX-21
3. Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

1. Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas

Context:

The government has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’.

Details:

• The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Memorial Udyan cum Freedom Fighter Museum at Ranchi, Jharkhand.
• The government also instituted the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ to commemorate the achievements and contributions of the various tribal freedom fighters from India.
  • This day will be observed on November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

Check the links in the table below for related articles:

Schemes launched on the occasion for the Janjatiya community:

• Ration Aapke Gram: It is a door-to-door ration delivery scheme under which ration will be provided to the tribal community at the village level at a reasonable price. The people can avoid going to the Panchayat HQ to get their rations.
• Madhya Pradesh Sickle Cell Mission: ‘Madhya Pradesh Sickle Cell (Hemoglobinopathy) Mission’ aims at spreading awareness among people about genetic disorders such as Sickle Cell Anaemia. The initiative aims at screening and managing patients suffering from sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. Genetic counselling cards were given to beneficiaries under the scheme.
• PM also laid the foundation of 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.

Sickle Cell Anaemia:

• Sickle cell anaemia is a common genetic blood illness that affects a person’s normal development.
• It can become fatal if not diagnosed early.
• Aside from stunting a person’s natural growth, it causes extreme pain crises, acute chest syndrome, high-grade fever, and periodic swelling in various body parts.
• It is a genetic disorder.
• Madhya Pradesh has the highest burden of sickle cell anaemia in India.
• Note:- Hemoglobinopathy is a group of genetically inherited disorders in which the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood – haemoglobin is shaped differently (mostly elongated like a sickle) instead of normal, round or disc shape. This group of disorders includes haemoglobin C disease, haemoglobin S-C disease, sickle cell anaemia, and thalassemia.

2. Exercise SITMEX-21

Context:

Indian Navy participates in India, Singapore and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise ‘SITMEX’.

Details:

• This is the third edition of Ex SITMEX.
• It is being held in the Andaman Sea.
• From the Indian Navy, INS Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette is participating.
• It is being hosted by Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
• SITMEX is being conducted annually since 2019 with an aim to enhance mutual inter-operability and imbibing best practices between the Indian Navy (IN), Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and RTN.
• The maiden edition of SITMEX was hosted by India off Port Blair in September 2019.

Read more about SITMEX in the linked article.

3. Scientific Expedition to Antarctica

Context:

India launched the 41^st scientific expedition to Antarctica.

Details:

• The first batch comprising 23 scientists and support staff has reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri.
• The 41st expedition has two major programs.
• The first program encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station.
  • This will help explore the link between India and Antarctica in the past.
• The second program involves reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling of 500 meters of ice core near Maitri.
  • It will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, westerly winds, sea-ice and greenhouse gases from a single climate archive for the past 10,000 years.
• The ice core drilling will be done in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute.
• In addition to accomplishing scientific programs, it will replenish the annual supplies of food, fuel, provisions, and spares for operations and maintenance of life support systems at Maitri and Bharati.
• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) manages the entire Indian Antarctic Program. Know more about NCPOR and the Antarctic program in the given link.

Read previous PIB here.

November 15th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here