12 Sep 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights
2. World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day
3. iGOT Karmayogi Platform

1. Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights

Syllabus: GS-2, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population

Prelims: Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights

Context:

President Ms Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the world’s first Global Symposium on Farmers’ Rights.

Details:

• The Symposium is being organised by the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (International Treaty) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome and hosted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in collaboration with Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Authority, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).
• The event is being held from September 12th to 15th.
• Scientists and stakeholders from about 59 countries will deliberate during the sessions on how to recognize and reward the enormous contribution that local and indigenous communities and farmers of all regions of the world have made to the conservation and development of plant genetic resources (PGR).
• Food systems across the world depend on seeds. New varieties of crops and planting materials drive agricultural production, self-sufficiency and food security.
• Plant genetic resources are the key to facing the challenges of malnutrition, climate change and enhanced productivity.

2. World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day

Syllabus: GS-2, Health

Prelims: World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Context:

World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day is observed on 7 September every year.

About World Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Day:

• The day has been observed since 2014 to raise awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
• The theme for 2023 is ‘Breaking Barriers’.

About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy:

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact.
• It is one of four conditions called dystrophinopathies. 
  • The other three are Becker Muscular dystrophy (BMD, a mild form of DMD); an intermediate clinical presentation between DMD and BMD; and DMD-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (heart disease) with little or no clinical skeletal, or voluntary, muscle disease.
• DMD symptom onset is usually between ages 2 and 3. The disease chiefly affects boys, but in rare cases, it can affect girls.
• Muscle weakness is the principal symptom of DMD.
• The affected child might have difficulty jumping, running, and walking. 
• Other symptoms include enlargement of the calves, a waddling gait, and lumbar lordosis (an inward curve of the spine). 
• It can affect the heart and respiratory muscles at a later stage.
• The condition was first described by French neurologist Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne in the 1860s.

DMD in India

• This rare and incurable genetic disorder has over 5 lakh cases in India.
• The current treatment options available are minimal and very expensive with costs going up to Rs 2 – 3 crore per child per year. This makes them out of reach for most people.
• Until recently, boys with DMD usually did not survive much beyond their teen years. However, with advances in cardiac and respiratory care, life expectancy is increasing.
• Scientists in India are working on more affordable treatment options.

3. iGOT Karmayogi Platform

Syllabus: GS-2, Governance

Prelims: iGOT Karmayogi Platform

Context:

The Aspirational Blocks Programme Module is live on the iGOT Karmayogi Platform.

Details:

• iGOT Karmayogi Bharat has launched a new curated collection dedicated to the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
• iGOT Karmayogi is the capacity development ecosystem for government officials, managed by Karmayogi Bharat SPV, in partnership with NITI Aayog.
• NITI Aayog launched the Aspirational Blocks Programme, building on the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme.
• The new module seeks to build functional, domain and behavioural competencies of 5000 Block-level officials across 500 identified Blocks by acquainting learners with subjects crucial for performing their duties and responsibilities effectively.
• Ten new courses included are on topics such as time management, communication for citizen centricity, leadership, operation module on Mission LiFE, SDGs, problem-solving and decision making, etc.
• iGOT Karmayogi is a comprehensive online portal to guide government officials in their capacity-building journey. Read more on the iGOT Karmayogi platform in the link.

Read the previous PIB articles here.