Daily Current Affairs for State Exams 31 May 2023

दैनिक करंट अफेयर्स 31 मई 2023

Important News: International

UAE Unveils Ambitious Space Mission to Explore Main Asteroid Belt

Why in news: The mission will consist of a six-year development phase for the spacecraft, followed by a seven-year journey beyond Mars to reach the main asteroid belt. The MBR Explorer will conduct close flybys of seven asteroids in the belt, aiming to conduct unique observations and gather valuable data.

1. In a groundbreaking announcement, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has revealed its plans to embark on a pioneering space mission to explore the main asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter.
2. The ambitious endeavor, named MBR Explorer, is expected to launch in March 2028, marking a significant milestone in the UAE's space exploration program.
3. The UAE, renowned for its remarkable achievements in space research, intends to send the MBR Explorer on a remarkable journey covering a staggering distance of 5 billion kilometers. The mission's primary objective is to unravel the mysteries surrounding the formation of our solar system and to unearth potential clues to the origins of life that may be concealed within the asteroid belt.
4. The multi-faceted expedition aims not only to investigate the potential utilization of water-rich asteroids as a valuable resource but also to assess the presence of volatile and organic compounds within the asteroid belt. Such compounds are the fundamental components of life as we know it and could unlock crucial insights into our own planet's origins. Furthermore, the mission's findings may open up possibilities for future resource extraction from asteroids.
5. The UAE made history by becoming the first Arab country and only the second nation ever to achieve a successful entry into Mars' orbit on its inaugural attempt with the Hope probe earlier this year.
6. The Hope probe has already commenced its mission of providing a comprehensive understanding of the Martian atmosphere and its layers, providing vital data to answer critical questions about the planet's climate and composition.With the MBR Explorer mission, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and scientific discovery.

(SOURCE – HINDUSTAN TIMES)

World Health Assembly adopts resolution to prevent drowning

Why in news: Member states of the World Health Assembly (WHA) agreed to establish an alliance to prevent drowning worldwide during the 76th meeting of the WHA May 29, 2023. This is the first alliance to address global public health concerns on the issue until 2029.

1. A resolution sponsored by the Governments of Bangladesh and Ireland invited the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate action on drowning prevention within the United Nations system and among relevant UN entities.
2. The 194 members of the WHA agreed to set up a Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention and prepare a global status report to assess the impact of drowning worldwide. The status report will inform policymakers of critical information to guide them.
3. The resolution asked member states to study national drowning scenarios within each country and implement policies and programmes to reduce risks.
4. Subsequently, reporting on achievements of the global alliance and intersections with broader agendas, including the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, should also be included in 2029.
5. The official global estimate of 235,000 deaths per annum excludes drownings attributable to flood-related climatic events and water transport incidents, resulting in a significant underrepresentation of drowning deaths

 (SOURCE – THE HINDU)

Important News: National

Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana top states in Covid year, Delhi worst UT: Health index

Why in news: The annual health index, which measures the performance of states and UTs on a “weighted composite score incorporating 24 health performance indicators”, was launched by the NITI Aayog in 2017.

 a.The annual health index, which measures the performance of states and UTs on a “weighted composite score incorporating 24 health performance indicators”, was launched by the NITI Aayog in 2017. The Aayog brings out the index in collaboration with the Union Health Ministry and World Bank.

b. The three southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana emerged as the top performers among the ‘larger states’ in the NITI Aayog’s annual ‘health index’ for the Covid year of 2020-21. While Tripura was the best among the ‘smaller states’, Delhi ranked at the bottom of the Union territories’ list.

c.The health index assesses states and UTs on two parameters – incremental performance (year-on-year progress) and overall performance. The states and UTs — categorised separately as ‘larger states’, ‘smaller states’ and UTs — are then ranked based on their scores.

d. It is a weighted composite index based on 24 indicators grouped under the domains of ‘health outcomes’, ‘governance and information’, and ‘key inputs/ processes’. Each domain has been assigned weight based on its importance with higher score for outcome indicators.

e.The ‘health outcomes’ include indicators like neonatal mortality rate, total fertility rate, sex ratio at birth, immunisation coverage, proportion of institutional deliveries, total case notification rate of tuberculosis, and proportion of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.

(SOURCE – INDIAN EXPRESS)

Important News: States

Maharashtra farmers to get Rs 6,000 a year under new scheme

Why in news: The Cabinet approved the establishment of a Maize Research Center at Mauje Kotnandra and Doifoda in Sillod.

1. The scheme, Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana under which more than one crore farmers in the state will be paid 6,000 rupees annually.
2. The amount was in addition to Rs 6,000 paid to farmers in installments per year by the Centre under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The money will be deposited in the bank accounts of farmers in three instalments of ₹ 2,000 during April to July, August to November and December to March.
3. To promote natural farming in the state, the decision to extend the Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Natural Farming Mission and to extend the scope across the state was also taken in the Cabinet meeting.
4. The cabinet also approved another proposal where farmers can avail of crop insurance by paying only one rupee towards premium while rest of the amount will be paid by the government.
5. The decision to implement all inclusive crop insurance scheme in the state was taken in the cabinet meeting.
6. The scheme will be implemented through a tender process for a period of three years from Kharif and Rabi seasons 2023-24 to 2025-26.

 (SOURCE – NEWS ON AIR)

Mahakumbh 2025: Digital Kumbh Museum on the anvil

Why in news: ‘Digital Kumbh Museum’ will be erected at a cost of 60 crore. It will not only showcase the culture of the country and state, but it will also provide insights into the mythical and historical significance of the Kumbh Mela.

1.The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, is making enormous preparations for ‘Mahakumbh 2025,’ which would be hosted at Prayagraj’s City of Sangam. The Tourism Department is working on improving tourism destinations and beautifying temples, in addition to providing public amenities for the ‘Mahakumbh 2025.’

2.Digital Kumbh Museum will give visitors with a modern Kumbh experience by providing amenities like Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC), along with audio-video rooms.

3.It will also have spiritual-themed galleries such as the Spiritual and Kumbh Mela Interpretation Gallery, Samudra Manthan Gallery and Akhada Gallery.

4.The museum will have a food plaza and a souvenir store, where visitors may buy Kumbh Mela-related books and merchandise. There will also be a Cultural Haat (Akshayavat), a museum, gallery, and theatre (Amrit Kalash), and a guest house.

5.The ‘sangam’ river would be presented in the entry lobby via digital projection, according to the proposed concept of the Digital Kumbh Museum.

(SOURCE – HINDUSTAN TIMES)

Important News: Sports

IPL Orange Cap Winner 2023 “Shubman Gill”

Why in news:  IPL Orange Cap Winner 2023: Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap in IPL 2023.

1. Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap in IPL 2023 with 890 runs in 17 matches.
2. He scored 4 fifties and 3 centuries. Gill was in top form throughout the tournament, scoring runs at a strike rate of 157.80. He was particularly impressive in the second half of the tournament, scoring 600 runs in his last 8 matches.
3. The Orange Cap in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is awarded to the player who scores the most runs in a season. The player who holds the Orange Cap at the end of the season is awarded the cap.
4. The Orange Cap is a prestigious award, and is seen as a mark of excellence for batsmen in the IPL. The Orange Cap was first awarded in the 2008 season, and has been won by 12 different batsmen since then.
5. The most successful batsman in Orange Cap history is David Warner, who has won the award three times. Other multiple winners include Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli, who have each won the award twice.

 (SOURCE – TIMES OF INDIA)

Important News: Days

World No Tobacco Day 2023

Why in news: This year the theme for World No Tobacco Day is “We need food, not tobacco”. The 2023 global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops.

1.The World No Tobacco Day is celebrated every year on May 31. This day is observed as an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco use and to have policies to reduce tobacco consumption.

2.This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations.

3.This year No Tobacco global campaign aims to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops.

4.It will also aim to expose the tobacco industry’s efforts to interfere with attempts to substitute tobacco growing with sustainable crops, thereby contributing to the global food crisis.

 (SOURCE – NEWS18)

World Multiple Sclerosis Day

Why in news: The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India is the nodal body to look after all the development agenda of Persons with Disabilities of the country.

1. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS , the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body.
2. With the vision to create awareness about Multiple Sclerosis among the masses, the Department observed World Multiple Sclerosis Day on 30th May 2023, through the institutions associated with it by conducting various events at more than 40 places across India.
3. The theme for World MS Day 2020-2023 is ‘connections’. The MS Connections campaign is all about building community connection, self-connection and connections to quality care.
4. The campaign tagline is ‘I Connect, We Connect’ and the campaign hashtag is MS Connections. MS Connections challenges social barriers that leave people affected by MS feeling lonely and socially isolated. It is an opportunity to advocate for better services, celebrate support networks and champion self-care.

 (SOURCE –NEWS ON AIR)