Daily Current Affairs for State Exams: 16 December 2021

Daily Current Affairs 16/12/2021

Climate Change makes children vulnerable to infectious diseases: Study

Why in News

A new study conducted by researchers from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) shows that climate change is making children vulnerable to infectious diseases.
The research has been recently published in a reputed international journal, ‘Science of the Total Environment’.

Key Points

Scientists found climate parameters accounted for 9-18 percent of the total infectious disease cases among children.
The study was conducted among 461 children under 16-years-of-age in Varanasi.
Climate change driven by anthropogenic activities may challenge the gains in public health over the past many years, particularly in a country like India that ranks high in the list of climate-vulnerable countries in the world.
Maximum temperature and humidity (absolute/relative) are important climate drivers.
Upper respiratory tract infection (mostly cold and flu) and gastrointestinal infections (mainly diarrhea) constitute 78% of the disease burden.
Socio-economic conditions and child anthropometry modified the climate-disease association with a high proportion of children found suffering from stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions.

Note:

The study comes in the backdrop of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report earlier this year, which said that Earth will hit the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius warming in two decades.
The report said that for 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming, there will be increased heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons.
At 2 degrees Celsius of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health.

Source: India Today

Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme

Why in News

Recently, NEDFi announced the Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme for the Artisans under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

Key Points

With the objective to develop the petty artisans of the North Eastern Region by providing financial assistance in the form of term loan for income generating activities for setting up / expansion / modernization / working capital requirement and other activities related to the sector, NEDFi has introduced Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme to the grass root Artisans of the region.
During the launching ceremony, a total of 17 artisans have been provided with credit assistance of Rs.1 lakh per artisan.
The credit facility is collateral free and carries a subsidized interest rate of 6% p.a., which is repayable in 24 months.
For regular repayment, an incentive of 1% on the interest rate is provided, which will be refunded to the artisans on successful repayment of loans.

About North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi):

NEDFi, a premier financial institution in the North-Eastern Region with its head office at Dispur, Guwahati and branch offices all across North-Eastern Region has completed an eventful twenty-six years since its establishment in 1995.
Over the years, the Corporation has provided loans to over 7500 projects and taken up several development initiatives through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in the eight states of North-East India.

Source: PIB

Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System

Why in News

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed the Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System which was successfully launched from Wheeler Island in Odisha.

Key Points

The system is a next generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system.
The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo.
This canister-based missile system consists of advanced technologies two stage solid propulsion, electro-mechanical actuators and precision inertial navigation. The missile is launched from a ground mobile launcher and it can cover a range of distances.

Note:

A major breakthrough for stand-off capability in anti-submarine warfare:

Project 75 is a programme by the Indian Navy that entails building 6 Scorpene-Class attack submarines (Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vagir, Vela and Vagsheer).
Project 28, approved in 2003, is a class of anti- submarine warship corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy. It includes INS Kamorta, INS Kiltan, INS Kadmatt and INS Kavaratti.

Source: PIB

DRDO & IAF successfully flight-test indigenous Stand-Off Anti-Tank (SANT) Missile

Why in News

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed Helicopter launched Stand-Off Anti-Tank (SANT) Missile from Pokhran ranges.

Key Points

The release mechanism, advanced guidance and tracking algorithms, all avionics with integrated software, performed satisfactorily and tracking systems monitored all mission events.
The SANT missile has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO labs and participation from industries.
This is the third in the series of indigenous stand-off weapons to be tested in recent times after Long Range Bomb and Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) for strengthening the arsenal of IAF.
The indigenous development of various configurations for different applications with advanced technologies is a firm march towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

Source: India Today

India International Science Festival (IISF) 2021

Why in News

The 7^th edition of the India International Science festival (IISF) 2021 was held from December 10 to 13, 2021 at Panaji, Goa.
It was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh.

Key Points

The theme of IISF 2021 was ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – celebrating Creativity, Science, Technology and Innovation for a prosperous India.
IISF 2021 provided a platform to young students, scientists and technocrats from across India for exchange of knowledge and ideas and also supported flagship programmes like ‘Swach Bharat Abhiyan’, Swasth Bharat Abhiyan ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, ‘Smart Villages’, ‘Smart Cities’ ‘ NamamiGange’, ‘Unnath Bharat Abhiyan’ initiated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last seven years.

About India International Science festival (IISF):

It is a joint program of the Ministry of Science & Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) a swadeshi movement of Bharat.
The first program of IISF was held in 2015 and the sixth edition of this annual event was organised in 2020.
The main purpose of IISF is to celebrate science along with people in India and across the globe.

Source: PIB

UN appoints President Joe Biden advisor Catherine Russell to head UNICEF

Why in News

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Catherine Russell, an assistant to U.S. President Joe Biden, as the next head of UNICEF.

Key Points

Russell also heads the White House Office of Presidential Personnel and served as the State Department’s Ambassador-at-large for global women’s issues from 2013 to 2017.
She will succeed Henrietta Fore, who resigned in July 2021 because of a family health issue.

About UNICEF:

UNICEF, also known as the United Nations Children's Fund, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
The agency is among the most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations in the world, with a presence in 192 countries and territories.
Headquarters: New York, United States
Founded: 11 December 1946

Source: The Hindu

HUL CMD Sanjiv Mehta to become FICCI president

Why in News

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Sanjiv Mehta will become the president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) after the association concludes its 94th annual general meeting on December 18, 2021.

Key Points

Sanjiv Mehta, who is currently holding the position of senior vice president of FICCI, will succeed Uday Shankar, the current president of the association.

About Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI):

FICCI is a non-governmental trade association and advocacy group based in India.
It was established in 1927, on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi by Indian businessman G.D. Birla and Purshottamdas Thakurdas.

Source: HT

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launches first edition of Khelo India Women’s U-21 Hockey League

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launched the first edition of Khelo India Women’s Hockey League U-21 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
A total of 14 teams across different States will participate in the league from 15th to 21st of this month.

Note: A total of 148 athletes, including 20 new inductees have been identified for support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for 2024 Paris Games.

Source: newsonair

Group Captain Varun Singh, the sole survivor of the IAF chopper crash, passes away

Group Captain Varun Singh, who was rescued after the helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 12 others on December 8, passed away.
He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra on this year’s Independence Day for saving his LCA Tejas fighter aircraft during an aerial emergency in 2020.

Source: HT