28 Oct 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. WHO Global TB Report 2022
2. 1st ASEAN-India Start-up Festival 2022
3. Saras Food Festival-2022
4. Exercise GARUDA - VII
5. Exercise Simbex - 2022

1. WHO Global TB Report 2022

Syllabus – GS 2, Social Justice.

Prelims: Global TB report 2022

Mains: Issues relating to Health; TB in India, measures by the government to eradicate TB.

Context: The Global TB Report 2022 was released by the World Health Organization on October 27, 2022.

Details:

• The Report studies the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment, and burden of disease for TB across the world.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare responded to the report by clarifying that India has performed much better on the major metrics in comparison to other nations. 
• TB incidence in India during 2021 was 210 per 100,000 population in contrast to the baseline year of 2015 when the TB incidence was 256 per 100,000 population. This implies that there has been a decrease of 18%. It should be noted that it is 7 percentage points better than the global average of 11%. 
• India is placed at the 36th position on the basis of incidence rates (from largest to smallest incidence numbers).
• Though the pandemic hampered TB Programmes in all other countries, India performed quite well with critical interventions in 2020 and 2021. For instance, the National TB Elimination Programme notified nearly 21.4 lakh TB cases, which is 18% higher than in 2020. 
• Measures taken by the Government of India in this direction:
  • The compulsory notification policy ensures all TB cases are reported to the government.
  • Intensified door-to-door Active Case Finding drives to screen, find and detect patients and arrest further transmission.
  • India has established approximately 4,760 indigenously developed molecular diagnostic facilities reaching every district in India.
  • India also provided cash transfers of INR 670 crores during 2020 and 2021 to TB patients through a Direct Benefit Transfer. 
  • A first-of-its-kind initiative, Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was launched in September 2022 to provide additional nutritional support to patients undergoing TB treatment. Under this initiative community consisting of individuals and organizations can make contributions.
• The WHO Report also highlights the critical role of nutrition, particularly undernutrition in the development of TB disease. In this respect, Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana, a government of India initiative has also proved beneficial for TB patients.

For more information on Tuberculosis, read here: Tuberculosis (TB) – Definition, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

2. 1st ASEAN-India Start-up Festival 2022

Syllabus – GS 2, International Relations.

Prelims: ASEAN-India Startup Festival.

Mains: Regional and Global groupings and agreements involving India and affecting India’s interest.

Context: First ASEAN India startup festival was inaugurated in Indonesia.

Details:

• First ASEAN-India Start-up Festival (AISF) was inaugurated in October 2022 in Bogor, Indonesia.
• The successful hosting of the First AISF will bolster ASEAN-India cooperation and further accelerate the startup economy.
• It was highlighted that ASEAN has a good and vibrant startup ecosystem. It welcomed 25 new unicorns in just one year, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• It is part of the overall ASEAN-India Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation program between the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (Government of India). It is supported under the ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) of the Government of India which is jointly contributed by the Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The four-day festival will comprise various events like meetings, seminars, talk shows, exhibitions, etc which will strengthen collaboration and cooperation in science, technology, and innovation.

3. Saras Food Festival-2022

Syllabus – GS 2, Indian Polity.

Prelims: Saras Food Festival 2022.

Mains: Government policies and interventions.

Context: Saras food festival 2022 is being organized in New Delhi.

Details:

• The Saras Food Festival 2022 has been organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development from 28th October to 10th November 2022 in New Delhi.
• It is a unique example of women’s empowerment, as women from various self-help groups, formed under the flagship program National Rural Livelihoods Mission are participating in this festival. 
• The festival will give women an opportunity to showcase their food-making skills and introduce people to the food culture from different parts of our country. The cuisine which is displayed includes Bajra Roti, Kair Sagari, Gatte ki Sabzi from Rajasthan, Hilsa Fish Curry from West Bengal, Litti Chokha from Bihar, Sarso da Saag and Makke ki Roti from Punjab, etc.
• The e-commerce portal was also launched for better and more efficient marketing of the Saras products prepared by women of self-help groups (SHGs).
• The Ministry of Rural Development will establish and promote Saras stalls by women SHGs in all State capitals, major cities, metros, railway stations, and airports to expand the marketing reach.

4. Exercise GARUDA – VII

Syllabus – GS 3, Security.

Prelims: Exercise Garuda – VII.

Mains: Security challenges and their management in border areas.

Context: A bilateral exercise – Garuda VII is being organized from 26 October to 12 November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.

Details:

• Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF) are participating in the seventh edition of bilateral exercise Garuda at Air Force Station Jodhpur. 
• The joint exercise, Garuda VII will provide a platform for both countries to strengthen their operational capability and interoperability and share the best practices.
• It will also bolster professional interaction, exchange of experiences, and enhancement of operational knowledge.
• The first, third, and fifth editions were conducted in India in the years 2003, 2006, and 2014 at Air Force Stations Gwalior, Kalaikunda, and Jodhpur, respectively. While the second, fourth, and sixth editions were conducted in France in the years 2005, 2010, and 2019.
• FASF is participating in the exercise with 4 Rafale fighter aircraft, one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, and a contingent of 220 personnel. The IAF will participate with Su-30 MKI, Rafale, LCA Tejas, Jaguar fighter aircraft, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), and Mi-17 helicopters. 

5. Exercise Simbex – 2022

Syllabus – GS 3, Security.

Prelims: Exercise Simbex – 2022.

Mains: Security challenges and their management in border areas.

Context: Indian Navy is hosting the 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) from 26 to 30 October 2022 at Visakhapatnam.

Details:

• SIMBEX exercises began in the year 1994. They were initially called Exercise Lion King. 
• The maritime exercise between India and Singapore exemplifies the high level of cooperation between the two in the maritime domain. 
• Furthermore, it highlights the commitment and contribution of the two countries in enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Over the period of two decades, the scope and complexity of the exercise have expanded considerably and comprises advanced naval drills covering a wide spectrum of maritime operations. 
• The exercise is being conducted in two phases –
  • Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam.
  • Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal.

Read more on Ex SIMBEX in the linked article.

October 28th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here

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