WHY IN THE NEWS?

India is to get its sixth Covid-19 vaccine soon as drug firm Zydus Cadila’s needle-free Covid-19 vaccine called ‘ZyCoV-D’ is all set to get emergency use authorisation (EUA) approval.

About:

• Presently, the Indian government has authorised five vaccines for Covid-19 namely, Covaxin, Covishield, Sputnik V, Moderna’s vaccine, and J&J’s single-dose vaccine.
• Zydus Cadila applied for emergency use authorisation (EUA) with the Indian drug regulator for its three-dose COVID-19 vaccine and has planned to manufacture 10-12 crore doses annually.
• The company conducted the largest clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine in India at over 50 centres.
• For the first time, this vaccine was tested in the adolescent population aged 12-18 years age group in India.
• Around 1,000 subjects were enrolled under this age group.
• The vaccine was found to be safe and very well tolerated.

Who will authorise the vaccine in India?

The company applied for emergency use authorisation (EUA) with the office of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for plasmid DNA vaccine called ZyCoV-D..

New Facility for manufacturing

A new facility to manufacture ZyCov-D was set up at July end to produce vaccine at scale. Zydus Cadila has invested Rs 400 crore to Rs 500 crore to develop this vaccine.

Efficacy of the vaccine

In the interim analysis, Zydus Cadila is found to be 66.6 percent efficient for symptomatic RT-PCR positive cases. No moderate case of COVID-19 disease was observed after administering third dose. It suggests, 100 percent efficacy against moderate disease. Further, no severe cases or deaths due to occurred after second dose of this vaccine

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in a study found that, mixed Covid immunisation routine, with a dose of Covishield followed by one of Covaxin, is safe and produces a better immune response as compared to the uniform two doses of any of the two vaccines.

About:

• Study titled ‘Serendipitous Covid-19 Vaccine-Mix in Uttar Pradesh, India: Safety and Immunogenicity Assessment of a Heterologous Regime’ was led by ICMR scientist Rajni Kant.
• These findings had an important implication for Covid-19 vaccination programme wherein heterologous immunisation would open way for induction of improved and better protection against variant strains of SARS-CoV-2.
• These mixed regimens of the vaccine will also help in overcoming the challenges of shortfall of particular vaccines and remove hesitancy associated with vaccines in people’s mind.
• However, to prove these findings, a multicentre random clinical trial is needed to be carried out.
• Study also found that, no major systemic adverse events were reported. Furthermore, reactogenicity profile of participants of heterologous group (mixed vaccine) was comparable to homologous groups.

How study was conducted?

ICMR Study followed 18 Uttar Pradesh residents who inadvertently received mixed doses, when vaccination plan was expanded. It also followed 40 recipients each of Covishield and Covaxin. However, the sample size of 18 participants was small. Therefore, a larger trial was needed to corroborate findings of the study.

WHO on mixed doses

Chief scientists of World Health Organization had recently advised individuals against mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines from different manufacturers and said that, such decisions should be left to public health authorities. In June 2021, WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on vaccines however noted that, Pfizer Inc vaccine could be used as second dose following the initial dose of AstraZeneca, if the latter is not available. But final words on mixed doses is yet to come from WHO.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Delhi’s first “Animal DNA Laboratory” was set up at Forensic Science Laboratory in Rohini. Wildlife forensics is a new field of a criminal investigation.

About:

Earlier, animal samples used to be sent to other States with animal DNA testing facilities to test results. Sometimes, this process delayed investigations. The animal DNA lab also procured two machines namely, automate DNA extraction instrument and Real-Time PCR instrument which is based on mitochondrial DNA technology.

How this DNA lab will help the police?

The animal DNA laboratory will be used by Delhi Police for timely disposal of cases of cow slaughter, illegal trade of animals and other such animal-related cases. Forensic lab analyses evidence from any part of the animal, such as blood and tissue samples, hair, teeth, carcasses and bones contents. Laboratory will be used to examine and identify the animal species of meat products, frozen meatpacking, slaughter cases etc.

How DNA samples are used?

Experts analyse DNA to provide information regarding the identity of sample. DNA tests will be used for identification and characterisation of relationships between animals. It will also evaluate two different samples in order to determine if the animals are originated from same individual.

Challenge before forensic scientist

Primary challenge that any forensic scientist witness is identification of a particular species from crime scene evidence. It gets difficult for scientist to distinguish if piece of flesh is found at crime scene is from a protected animal or if it from non-protected animal. New DNA lab will address this challenge.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the second edition of the government’s free LPG connection scheme called Ujjwala.

About:
The second edition of the scheme would be launched from poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on August 10.

• First version of the scheme was launched in 2016 from Uttar Pradesh ahead of 2017 Assembly elections.
• Launch of Ujjwala-2 scheme will be marked by handing over of one crore additional LPG connection by Prime Minister through video conferencing at Mahoba district in Uttar Pradesh.

How Ujjwala-2 is different than Ujjwala-1?

Ujjwala-2 is the updated version of Ujjwala-1 that provided free LPG connections to 8 crore women beneficiaries. Apart from a deposit-free LPG connection, Ujjwala-2 will provide the first refill and a hotplate free of cost to beneficiaries. Further, the enrolment procedure under second edition of the scheme has been eased. Minimum paperwork will be required for enrolment.

About Ujjwala-2 scheme

Under the Ujjawala-2 scheme, migrants will not be required to submit ration cards or address proof to get the LPG cylinders. A self-declaration would be used as “family declaration” and as “proof of address.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

PMUY scheme was launched in 2016 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The scheme was originally launched to distribute 50 million LPG connections to women below poverty line. Later it was expanded to provide LPG connections to eight crore women by March 2020. This target of providing LPG connections to eight crore women was achieved in September 2019, seven months prior to the target date. Recently in Union Budget 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced to extend the benefits under the scheme to additional one crore beneficiaries.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Neeraj Chopra, a 23-year-old javelin thrower, created history on August 7, 2021 by winning Gold Medal in men’s javelin throw final at Tokyo Olympics 2020. This was the first time, he participated in the Games.

About:

• He became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold after Abhinav Bindra. At his calmest best, he hurled the javelin 87.58m to script history for India.
• He ended India’s 121-year wait for an athletics medal.
• No Indian had won a medal in athletics since 1920 when India started taking part in the Olympics in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.
• Neeraj dedicated his gold medal to Milkha Singh and PT Usha and other Indian athletes who came closer to winning Olympic medal.

How he won?

Neeraj Chopra threw the javelin at 87.03m in his first throw. He bettered the throw with 87.58m but couldn’t go any further. He could manage four legitimate throws of 87.03m, 87.58m, 76.79m and 84.24. Though, Fourth and fifth throws were disqualified.

India’s 1st medal at Olympics

International Olympic Committee credits Norman Pritchard’s 200m and 200m hurdles silver medals in 1900 Paris Olympics to India. However, various researches and records of the IAAF (now World Athletics) shows that, he had competed for Great Britain. Pritchard was not an Indian and India first participated in Olympic under a national Olympic body in 1920.

Who is Neeraj Chopra?

He is an Indian track and field athlete competing in javelin throw. He has become the first track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for India and second Olympic athletics to win for India after Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals at 1900 Summer Olympics for India. He was inducted as Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in Rajputana Rifles of Indian Army in 2016. He made his debut at 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Asian Games, where he was the opening flag-bearer. In both the games, he won gold medals.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force which guards the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along the India-China border has commissioned its first two women officers in combat after they completed their training here.

Women in ITBP:

• The ITBP started recruiting women combat officers in its cadre in 2016 through an all-India examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). 
• Before this, it had combat women only in the constabulary ranks.
• These women officers recruited will now be posted across ITBP formations in the country, including along the LAC with China and the anti-Naxal operations theatre in Chhattisgarh.

About ITBP:

• Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF) is a Central Armed Police Force(CAPF) functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 
• Origin: ITBP was initially raised in 1962 under the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Act, 1949 in the backdrop of 1962 during the India-China War 
• However, in 1992, parliament enacted the ITBPF Act and the rules were framed in 1994.
• Mandate: ITBP is India’s primary border patrol organization for its border with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. It is also deployed for Anti Naxal Operations and other internal security duties.
• Moreover, ITBP personnel have also been deployed abroad in UN peacekeeping missions.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

India will be calling for bids for the largest global tender for a 13 gigawatt-hours (GWh) grid-scale battery storage system in Ladakh Region.

What are Battery Storage Systems?

• Battery storage systems are devices that enable energy from renewables like solar and wind to be stored and then released when customers need power most.
• Lithium-ion batteries which are used in mobile phones and electric cars are currently the dominant storage technology.

What is the need for a large scale Battery Storage Project in Ladakh?

• The Government of India has planned to build 10GW of large green energy capacity projects in the Ladakh region, comprising both solar and wind projects.
• These large battery storage projects will be used to store the electricity generated to supply to the rest of the country through a transmission link.

Importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems for India:

• According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India’s power requirement would be 817GW by 2030. More than half of this would be clean energy. 
• This huge injection of electricity in the grid from sources such as solar and wind requires a storage mechanism that can help balance the national electricity grid. 
• Hence, it is estimated that there will be a need for a 27GW grid-scale battery energy storage system by 2030 with four hours of storage.
  • One GWh (1,000-MWh) of battery capacity is sufficient to power 1 million homes for an hour and around 30,000 electric cars.

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has informed Rajya Sabha about National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA).

About NICRA:

• National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is a network project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched in February 2011. 
• Aim: The project aims to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture to climate change and climate vulnerability through strategic research and technology demonstration. 
• The research on adaptation and mitigation covers crops, livestock, fisheries and natural resource management.

Objectives of NICRA:

• To enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, livestock and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through the development and application of improved production and risk management technologies.
• To demonstrate site specific technology packages on farmers’ fields for adapting to current climate risks
• To enhance the capacity building of scientists and other stakeholders in climate resilient agricultural research and its application.

Components: The Project is composed of Four Components:

• Strategic research on adaptation and mitigation
• Technology demonstration on farmers fields to cope with current climate variability
• Sponsored and competitive research grants to fill critical research gaps
• Capacity building of different stakeholders

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started its celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of Independence of India.

About:

• To mark this momentous occasion, BRO will organise nationwide welfare and patriotic activities and events.
• Event also comprises of 75 medical camps, plantation drives across 75 locations and 75 School Samvad in order to motivate children through interactions & lectures.
• Main event will be unfurling of National Flag on August 15 (Independence Day) at 75 Highest Passes of India.

Award presented by BRO

BRO recently facilitated the Gallantry Award Winners and War Heroes on August 07, 2021 at Pipalkoti & Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand and Chandmari in Sikkim. The ceremony was organised by Project Hirak of BRO at Pithoragarh. On the occasion, tokens of appreciation were awarded to next of kin of Shaurya Chakra awardees namely, EEM Prem Singh, Naik Chandra Singh, Driver Ram Singh and DME Damar Bahadur. At a separate ceremony at Pipalkoti, Project Shivalik by BRO felicitated next of kin of Major Preetam Singh Kunwar.

Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav

It is a series of events, organised by Government of India to commemorate 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence. Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari. ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ was launched 75 weeks before August 15, 2020. The event will continue till August 15, 2023.

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

BRO is a road construction executive force of India, providing support to Indian Armed Forces. BRO is a part of Indian Armed Forces that develops and maintains road networks across border areas and friendly neighbours of India. It carries infrastructure operations across 19 states and three union territories as well as neighboring countries like Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.

Frog enthusiast in Kerala has constructed two ponds at Windermere Estate to restore the habitat for the Anaimalai flying frog.

About Anaimalai flying frog:

• Anaimalai flying frog (Racophorus pseudomalabaricus) is also known as the False Malabar Gliding Frog.
• The frog is endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats.
• Characteristics of the Anaimalai flying frog.

The frog is usually larger than bush frogs.

• Bush Frog is a species of Frog belonging to the family Rhacophoridae.

• The female can grow up to three inches. Mating takes place usually between June and October during the rainy season.
• The female creates foam nests on leaves, into which the eggs are laid and the male fertilises them.
• The outer layer of foam protects the eggs from bacteria, predators and weather changes.
• When the eggs hatch, the nest disintegrates and tadpoles drop into the water body below.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Threats:

• This species is known from at least two protected areas, Indra Gandhi National Park and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
• Outside the protected areas, it is threatened habitat loss caused by the conversion of forests to other uses as well as by timber extraction.