WHY IN THE NEWS?

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the AYUSH ministry, has developed “Bal Raksha Kit” which is an immunity-boosting kit.

About:

• This kit was developed keeping the third wave of coronavirus disease in mind.
• This is an immunity booting kit, to protect children up to the age of 16 from covid-19 infection till the time a vaccine is developed for them.
• On the occasion of National Ayurveda Day on November 2, 2021. About 10,000 kits will be distributed free of cost.

Aim of the kit

This kit has been developed with the aim of amplifying the immunity of children in order to help them fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that causes covid-19 disease.

Significance of the kit

This kit is significant because no Covid-19 vaccine available for the children in India yet.

Ingredients of the kit

Bal Raksha kit contains a syrup made up of basil, giloy, liquorice, cinnamon and dry grapes, which are have amazing medicinal qualities. The kit also comprises of Annu oil, Sitopaladi and Chyawanprash. These products help in boosting the immunity level with regular consumption.

Who prepared it?

This kit has been developed under the strict guidelines of ministry of Ayush while it was manufactured by Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL) in Uttarakhand.

What other kit AIIA has developed?

Apart from Bal Raksha Kit, AIIA has previously developed ‘Swasthya Raksha Kit’, ‘Arogya Raksha Kit’ as well as ‘Ayu Raksha Kit’.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

India and Australia participated in the fourth iteration of the biennial maritime series called ‘AUSINDEX’ on September 30, 2021.

About:

• This exercise will allow the Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy in strengthening their “inter-operability” by sharing the best practices.
• It will also help in developing a ‘common understanding of procedures for maritime security operations.
• AUSINDEX Maritime exercises are conducted in India and Australia alternatively.
• The 4th edition is being conducted in the Northern Australia Exercise Area.
• In the fourth edition, surface units of both countries will be included.
• Units will exercise with HMAS Rankin, F-18 aircraft, Royal Australian Air Force P-8A, integral helicopters of Australian & Indian Navy and Collins Class Australian Submarine.
• This exercise is aligned to the 2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between both countries.

Significance of the exercise

AUSINDEX maritime exercise provides an opportunity to showcase the ability to conduct ‘high-end maritime warfare training’ with India. It also showcases a range of Australian Navy maritime capabilities.

Background

Indian and Australian Navy started conducting the bilateral maritime exercise called AUSUNDEX in 2015. Over the years, the exercise ‘AUSINDEX’ has grown in complexity. Its third edition was conducted in the Bay of Bengal in 2015. The exercises held in the Bay of Bengal, for the first time, included anti-submarine drills.

India-Australia Maritime Cooperation

India and Australia also conducted “Ex AUSTRA HIND” which is a bilateral Exercise between Armies of both the countries as well as “EX PITCH BLACK” which is a multilateral air combat training exercise of Australia.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

International Translation Day was observed on September 30, honouring the work of Language specialists who contributes significantly on developing international understanding.

About:

• The day is observed to mark the death of St. Jerome on September 30. He was a Bible translator, who is regarded as “patron saint of linguists”
• It is observed with the aim of raising awareness regarding the translation industry and languages which play a significant role in the growth of society.
• It also seeks to honour the efforts of language specialists.
• According to United Nations, this day provides chance to honour the work of language specialists, who significantly contributes towards developing international understanding, improving communication & cooperation among countries.

Theme of the day

The International Translation Day 2021 was observed under the theme “United in translation.”

Background

This day was started being observed in 1953. Since then, it is being organised by “International Federation of Translators (FIT)”.  First formal celebration of the day was observed in 1991. In mat 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) enacted the Resolution 71/288 regarding the importance of language experts in linking countries and encouraging peace, understanding, & advancement. UNGA designated September 30 as International Translation Day with the resolution 71/288.

Who was St. Jerome?

St. Jerome was an Italian priest, living in north-eastern region of the country. He is most renowned for his efforts of translating New Testament from its Greek manuscripts into Latin. He died on September 30, near Bethlehem

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• World Heart Day is celebrated on 29 September annually to draw people’s attention to heart illness and the range of associated health issues.
• The day which is celebrated annually creates awareness of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) including heart disease & stroke and highlights the preventive and control measures.
• The day was created by the World Heart Federation, to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke. This year, the theme of World Heart Day is “Use Heart to Connect”.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste is celebrated on September 29, 2020, to promote and implement global efforts to resolve the issue of food wastage.
• The United Nations General Assembly designated 29 September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste in 2019. The theme for 2021 is Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet.
• The main objective of this day is to take steps towards responsible consumption and production as well as zero hunger, along with working towards addressing the problem of climate change through sustainable food habits

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• Judima, homemade rice wine from Assam and Sojat Mehndi (Henna) from Rajasthan, has been awarded the geographical indication (GI) tag. A GI tag is awarded to products associated with a specific geographical origin.
• Award of a GI sign not only helps in tracing the origins of products but also helps in confirming authenticity and marketing of indigenous specialities.
• Judima is a local fermented drink made with rice, brewed by the Dimasa community in Assam.
• Sojat Mehndi, originating from Mehendi leaves grown in Sojat, is naturally cultivated using rainwater.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The government of India has started work for the development of ‘Parshuram Kund’, a Hindu pilgrimage site on the Brahmaputra plateau in the lower reaches of the Lohit river in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The project costing Rs 37.88 crore was sanctioned under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2014-15 with complete financial assistance by the Government of India.
• It was targeted to develop tourism infrastructure to harness pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic development.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• India has been elected as the external auditor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a prestigious institution that promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy, for a period of six years from 2022 to 2027 after beating Germany and the United Kingdom among other counties.
• India’s comptroller and auditor general GC Murmu was selected as the external auditor of IAEA and the ministry of external affairs (MEA).
• In the first round of voting for the post, Germany got 36 votes, India 30, the UK eight, Russia 11, Turkey 9, Egypt 20, Republic of Korea 2 and the Philippines 7 votes. The second round boiled down to the race between India and Germany with India managing to beat the European country.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh after the ‘Cyclone Gulab’ made landfall over Northwest and adjoining West-central Bay of Bengal.
• Cyclone Gulab was named by Pakistan. The word “Gulab” refers to Rose in English.  During the landfall, the wind speed could hover between 90 kmph and 100 kmph.
• 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).

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The crypto industry in India has the potential to add $184 billion of economic value, in the form of investments and cost savings, by 2030, according to a report from the country’s premier trade body for the tech industry.
• The report, entitled “Crypto Industry in India,” was published by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in conjunction with Binance-owned crypto exchange WazirX.
• The “CryptoTech” industry – companies involved in trading, payments, remittances, retail and more – is expected to reach a size of $241 million in India by 2030, and $2.3 billion globally by 2026. The industry currently employs 50,000 people in India, a number which NASSCOM expects to grow to over 800,000 by the end of the decade.