Daily Current Affairs 30 September 2021

Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched the Seed Capital Module

Why in News

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, in association with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the PMFME Scheme, launched the Seed Capital Module for seed capital assistance to members of urban Self Help Groups (SHGs) working in the food processing sector in India.

Key Points:

Seed Capital Module was launched on Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) MIS Portal.
Urban SHGs can avail Rs.40,000 Seed Capital through the DAY-NULM MIS Portal.

About Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme:

The PMFME Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector and provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain.

Other Schemes Related to SHGs:

North East Rural Livelihood Project
Mahila e-haat
Women Entrepreneurship Platform
Government e-marketplace
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana

Source: PIB

Successful Maiden Flight Test of Akash Prime Missile

Why in News

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden flight test of the new version of Akash Missile — Akash Prime from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
In January 2021, the DRDO conducted the successful maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile.

Key Points

About Akash Prime Missile:

In comparison to the existing Akash System, Akash Prime is equipped with an indigenous active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker for improved accuracy.
Other improvements also ensure more reliable performance under low temperature environments at higher altitudes.

About Akash Missile:

The development of the Akash surface to air missile (SAM) was started by the DRDO as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).
The Akash missiles have been developed by DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.

About Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP):

It was an Indian Ministry of Defence programme for the research and development of the comprehensive range of missiles.
It was managed by the DRDO and Ordnance Factories Board in partnership.
It started in 1982–83 under the leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The missiles developed under the programme:

Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile: Agni
Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile: Prithvi
Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile: Trishul
Medium-range surface-to-air missile: Akash
Third generation anti-tank missile: Nag

Source: Indian Express

Aapda Mitra Scheme

Why in News

The central government released the training manual of Aapda Mitra Scheme and Common Alerting Protocol.
The government is working on a programme to have disaster management volunteers (Aapda Mitra) in 350 districts of the country.

Key Points

About Aapda Mitra Scheme:

It is a programme to identify suitable individuals in disaster-prone regions who can be trained to be first responders in times of disasters.
It has been implemented on an experimental basis in 30 flood-prone districts of 25 states.
Work has been done to prepare 5,500 Aapda Mitras and Aapda Sakhis for flood protection.

About National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP):

In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the NDMP.
The plan is subsequently designed under the SENDAI Disaster Risk Reduction Framework and covers all aspects of minimizing risk and loss of life and property.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the implementing agency.

Other Disaster Related Initiatives:

In India:

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
National Disaster Response Fund
Disaster Management Act, 2005

Global:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030

Source: Indian Express

Country’s first Pan-India helpline for senior citizens: Elder Line (Toll Free No- 14567)

Why in News

Country’s first Pan-India toll-free helpline – 14567 -- called ‘Elder Line’ for senior citizens, was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Key Points

About Elder Line:

It provides free information and guidance on pension issues, legal issues, extends emotional support, and even intervenes on field in cases of abuse, and rescues homeless elderly.
Tata Trusts and NSE Foundation, as technical partners, are jointly supporting the Ministry in operationalizing the Elder Line.

Note: According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India, India will have over 319 million elderly by 2050 compared to the 120 million now.

Other Initiatives Related to Elderly:

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
Integrated Programme for Older Persons
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana
Vayoshreshtha Samman
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007
SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative

Source: The Hindu

“Amrit Grand Challenge Program” titled “जनCARE”

Why in News

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh launched the “Amrit Grand Challenge Program” titled “जनCARE” to identify 75 Start-Up Innovations in Telemedicine, Digital Health, mHealth with BIG Data, AI, BlockChain and other technologies.

Key Points

The 75 Best Chosen Startups will be an asset for India to lead the country in the next 25 years, during the celebrations of Centenary of India’s Independence.
It is all the more imperative for Young Startups and entrepreneurs to come out with Innovative Ideas and Solutions for India’s healthcare challenges.

Source: PIB

Sojat Mehndi from Rajasthan gets GI tag

Why in News

Sojat Mehndi from Rajasthan has received the geographical indication (GI) tag.

Key Points

Sojat Mehndi originates from mehndi leaves grown in Sojat.
It is naturally cultivated by rainwater for getting high lawsone content in mehndi leaves.
Sojat tehsil of the Pali district in Rajasthan has several natural factors such as geological structure, topography and drainage system, climate and soil that make it suitable for the crop.

Source: Outlook

Chennai’s MGR Railway Station gets powered by solar energy

Why in News

Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central (DRM) or Chennai Central railway station, under the South Central Railway (SCR) gets powered by Solar Energy.

Key Points

The Chennai Central railway station has become the first Indian Railway station that meets the 100% day energy requirement target by solar panels installed on the platform shelters of the station.
The station has installed a solar power capacity of 1.5 MW.
SCR is the first of many Indian Railway zones that has adopted the concept of ‘Energy Neutral’ railway stations.

Source: newsonair

Lewis Hamilton becomes first F1 driver in history to record 100 victories

British Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) became the first Formula-One (F1) driver ever to reach 100 wins after he finished first at Russian Grand Prix 2021.
With the win, Hamilton became the only driver to win in the triple digits, with former Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher the closest at 91 race wins.

Source: newsonair

Amitav Ghosh’s ‘Jungle Nama’ released as audiobook

Amitav Ghosh’s “Jungle Nama” has now been released as an audiobook with music and voice of US-based Ali Sethi.
It is the verse adaptation of an episode from the legend of Bon Bibi, a tale popular in the villages of the Sundarbans.
Source: Indian Express

Cyclonic Storm ‘Gulab’

Why in News

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh after the Cyclonic Storm ‘Gulab’ made landfall over Northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal.

Key Points

Cyclone Gulab was named by Pakistan. The word “Gulab” refers to Rose in English.
The name Gulab is from the list of cyclone names that is maintained by the World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (WMO/ESCAP) Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC).

Source: ndtv