1)RAISE 2020:
Context: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,’ a Mega Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog are organising the Mega Virtual Summit AI
- RAISE 2020 will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and chart a course for using AI for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment in areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility, among other sectors.
- At the RAISE 2020, delegates and experts in research, policy and innovation on Artificial Intelligence will join from across the globe.
- The summit will discuss cross-sector subjects like ‘Leveraging AI for Pandemic Preparedness’, ‘The Impetus that Innovation Places on Digitization’, ‘Inclusive AI’, ‘Partnerships for Successful Innovation’ etc.
- The RAISE 2020 Summit will also feature some of the most exciting startups working in Artificial Intelligence-related fields.
- Startups chosen through the AI Solution Challenge will showcase their solutions in the AI Startup Pitch fest scheduled on 6th Oct 2020.
- This is part of Government of India’s continuing support to tech entrepreneurs and startups by providing exposure, recognition and guidance.
- Home to the world’s third largest startup ecosystem, elite science and technology institutions like the IITs, robust and ubiquitous digital infrastructure, and millions of newly-minted STEM graduates every year, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in the development of artificial intelligence.
- Industry analysts predict that AI could add up to $957 billion to India’s economy by 2035.
- In the spirit of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas, Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi plans to leverage AI for inclusive development, representing the country’s ‘AI for All’ strategy.
- Directed by the Prime Minister’s vision, India will soon stand out in the international community not just as a leader in the Artificial Intelligence field, but also as a model to show the world how to responsibly direct AI for social empowerment.
- RAISE 2020 will facilitate an exchange of ideas to create mass awareness about the need to ethically develop and practice AI.
2) BreathPrint for detecting ulcer-causing gastric pathogen:
- Exhaled breath may help detect bacteria that infect the stomach, causing various forms of gastritis and eventually gastric cancer.
- Scientists have found a method for early diagnosis of bacteria that causes peptic ulcer, with the help of a biomarker called ‘BreathPrint’ found in the breath.
- Research team at S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, has recently spotted the new biomarker for diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori in semi-heavy water (HDO) in human exhaled breath.
- The team has used ‘study of different water molecular species in human breath, also called ‘Breathomics’ method to explore different water isotopes in human exhaled breath.
- Helicobacter pylori, a common infection which may turn serious if it is not treated early, is usually diagnosed by the traditional and invasive painful endoscopy and biopsy tests which are not suitable for early diagnosis and follow up.
- Our gastrointestinal (GI) track plays a crucial role in water metabolism in the body.
- Water exists in nature as four isotopes.
- It is believed that any kind of impaired or unusual water absorption in our GI track may be associated with various gastric disorders or abnormalities like ulcer, gastritis, erosions and inflammation. But so far there has been no clear experimental evidence to support this.
- Experiments by the team has shown direct evidence of unique isotope-specific water-metabolism in the human body in response to the individual’s water intake habit.
- They have shown that the different isotopes of exhaled water vapour are strongly linked with various gastric disorders during the process of human respiration.
- The team has already developed a patented ‘Pyro-Breath’ device for diagnosis of various gastric disorders and H. pylori infection, which are under the process of technology transfer.
3) Graduated Return to Play” (GRTP) for high-performance athletes:
Keeping the health and fitness of every athlete in mind, Sports Authority of India (SAI) has issued guidelines (SOP) for high-performance athletes who are training at SAI centres and tested positive for COVID 19 virus.
- Under the new guidelines, termed “Graduated Return to Play” (GRTP), all SAI officials and centres have been asked to monitor the progression of athletes who have tested positive for COVID-19 virus and are undergoing training in SAI facilities.
The SOP has been divided into three categories, based on COVID -19 cases. - Category One: COVID-19 Positive & Asymptomatic (mild localized symptoms that resolve within 10 days
- Category Two: COVID-19 Positive & Prolonged Course (Regional / systemic symptoms for more than 10 days) or severe symptoms that required hospitalization
- Category Three: COVID-19 Positive & Symptoms during GRTP progression (Post recovery complications)
The Medical and Paramedical Staff have been asked to monitor the progress of the athletes regularly and give advice to athletes and coaches for gradual resumption to training.
Athletes would be monitored before, during and after the exercise sessions and if any unwarranted symptoms are there it would be reported to the medical team for further assessment.
4) Swachh Bharat Awards- 2020:
Context: The Union Jal Shakti Minister presented the Swachh Bharat Awards, 2020 on October 2, 2020. The awards were presented under the cleanliness and drinking water categories.
Three categories of the awards were: Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shouchalaya, Gandagi Mukth Bharat and Samudayik Shouchalaya Abhiyan.
The winners under the subsequent categories were:
Samudayik Shouchalaya Category
- Gujarat won the first prize at state level.
- Chinnanur village of Tamil Nadu got the first prize a Gram Panchayat level
Samudayik Shouchalya category
- Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh came out to be best performing states.
Prayagraj and Bareilly were the best performing districts.
Gandagi Mukt Bharat Mission
- Telangana and Haryana got the first prize.
Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shauchalaya
This initiative involve clean beautiful toilet contest.
Under the initiative, toilets are decorated in order to pass show their significance.
Gandagi Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
- This national level campaign aims to clean all cities, urban and rural areas. This initiative spreads awareness among people on proper sanitation, hygiene, clean roads and streets.
Swachh Bharat Mission
- Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2014. Presently, Government of India is implementing Swachh Bharat Mission Phase II.
- Phase II of the mission focuses on open defecation free plus (ODF+). Phase II is being implemented between 2020-21 and 2024-25.
- The ODF+ primarily focus on greywater management, plastic waste management, faecal sludge management and biodegradable solid waste management.
- This phase also generate employment by involving infrastructure programmes for compost pits, waste stabilisation ponds, soak pits, material recovery facilities
5) IMediX-Telemedicine system:
Recently, the researchers at IIT Kharagpur department of Computer Science and Engineering have developed a telemedicine system called iMediX.
About iMediX -Telemedicine system
- The system integrates homecare with Healthcare services from the hospitals.
- The system facilitates critical health care support to the patients at their doorstep through remote consultation by a physician.
- The system is accessible by any standard internet browser and also from a mobile device.
6) AYUSH GRID Project:
Context: Recently, the ministry of AYUSH has endorsed the operational integration of AYUSH GRID project with the national digital Health Mission.
About AYUSH GRID project
- The project was initiated by the Ministry of AYUSH in 2018 for creating a comprehensive IT backbone for the entire sector.
- It is conceptualized for digitalization of the entire AYUSH sector.
- It is connecting all hospitals and laboratories so that case histories and observations can be collated to generate evidence about the efficacy of the traditional system of medicine including Ayurveda.
About national digital Health Mission:
- The NDHM is a complete digital health ecosystem. The digital platform will be launch with four key features – health ID, personal health records and digi doctor and health facility registry.
- At a later stage, include e- pharmacy and telemedicine services, regulatory guidelines for which are being formed.
7) Tribal entrepreneurship development programme:
Recently, the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs has launched the tribal entrepreneurship development programme.
About tribal entrepreneurship development programme:
- It is the joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and associated Chambers of Commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
- It is aimed at ensuring the quality of life to the last man in the line and strengthening tribal entrepreneurship.
- It would optimize the contribution of the tribal community to the growing economy of the country and support India’s vision of becoming “Atmanirbhar”.
About ASSOCHAM
- The associated Chambers of Commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM) is one of the apex trade associations of India.
- The organization represents the interest of trade and commerce in India, and acts as an interface between issues and initiatives.
- The goal of this organization is to promote both domestic and international trade, and reduce trade barriers while fostering conducive environment for the growth of trade and industry of India.
8) COTPA Act 2003:
After over a decade of the implementation of smoke-free rules (on October 2, 2008) that banned smoking in public places in the country, questions remain over the effectiveness of the law. There are many aspects that need to be Amended and strengthened.
- Section (4) of the cigarettes and other tobacco products (prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and Commerce production, supply and distribution) act COTPA 2003 prohibits smoking in all public places.
- ‘Public place’ is defined as any place to which the public has access, whether as of right or not. And includes all places visited by general public.
- Boards Containing the Warning,” no smoking area- smoking here is an offence”, has to be displayed prominently at the entrance of public places.
- What continues to remain a matter of concern is the fact that COTPA 2003, presently allows smoking in certain public places (restaurants, hotels and airport), in the form of designated smoking areas.
- We should look at abolishing all designated smoking areas in hotels and restaurants and even airports to ensure 100% smoking free environment since most of these designated smoking areas are rarely complaint as per COTPA requirements and are actually Putting our public at great health risk From exposure to second hand smoke.
- It added that the benefit of smoke-free policies would certainly protect non-smokers from the dangerous exposure to tobacco smoke called second-hand smoke.
- Designated smoking room has a Grave risk of spreading covid-19.
- Designated smoking area that are set up are non-compliant to law and seep the cigarette smoke to non-smoking or common area.
- The COTPA needs to be amended to not permit smoking on any premises, and make it completely smoke free in the best interest of Public Health