Current Context : PM Modi to visit US from September 21 to 23; take part in Quad Summit, address ‘Summit of Future’ at UNGA.

ABOUT SUMMIT OF THE FUTURE

• It is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.
• It serves as a moment to mend eroded trust and demonstrate that international cooperation can effectively tackle current challenges as well as those that have emerged in recent years or may yet be over the horizon.
• The high-level event will bring together UN Member States, UN agencies, non- governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academic institutions, the private sector, and youth under the theme, ‘Summit of the Future: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’.
• Aim : to build upon the Sustainable development Goal (SDG) Summit and deliver an action-oriented Pact for the Future to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
• This will be achieved through an action-oriented outcome document called the Pact for the Future.
• The Pact will be negotiated, and endorsed by countries in the lead-up to and during the Summit in September 2024.
• UN Member States have agreed the Summit of the Future is centered around five key targets:
  • Reaffirm the UN Charter.
  • Reinvigorate multilateralism.
  • Boost implementation of existing commitments. o Agree on solutions to new challenges.

Restore trust.

Current Context : After a long gap of 18 years, the Nilgiri hills are once again painted blue with the blooming of Neelakurinji flowers (Strobilanthes kunthianus).

ABOUT NEELKURUNJI

• Neelkurunji, scientifically known as Strobilanthes kunthiana, is a flowering plant native to the Western Ghats of India, particularly found in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Neelkurunji is a herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 1 meter tall. It has long, narrow leaves and produces striking blue or purple flowers.
• Blooming Cycle: One of its most unique features is its synchronized flowering cycle, which occurs once every 12 years. When it blooms, the landscape is transformed into a vibrant sea of blue.
• It typically grows in hilly regions, often found at altitudes of 1,200 to 2,500 meters. Neelkurunji thrives in montane forests and grasslands. The seeds mature ten months after flowering.
• Tourism: The flowering events attract tourists and nature enthusiasts, contributing to ecotourism in the Western Ghats.

Current Context :  Himachal Pradesh has been awarded the prestigious “Highest Achiever State in Overall Hydropower Capacity” at the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo.

Presented by : Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, at the expo held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT FOR HYDROPOWER:

• The government has laid a special focus on harnessing hydropower and renewable energy.
• A 32 MW Pekhubela solar power plant has been made operational in a record time span of six months and two more solar power projects.
• 10 MW in Kutlehar and 5 MW at Bhanjal, were also coming up and would be dedicated to the people soon.

Current Context : Union Ministry of Agriculture is planning a Smart Precision Horticulture Programme under the existing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme.

• Central government will invest Rs 6,000 crore in smart farming by using smart technology such as Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, drones and data analytics.
• Aim : to boost production through maximal use of resources while minimising environmental impact.
• It will cover 15,000 acres of land in five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29 and is expected to benefit about 60,000 farmers.
• The Centre has also set up 22 Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs) across the country to test new technologies and modify them according to local needs.

Current Context : The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (Incois) has launched the integrated ocean energy atlas.

• The atlas encompasses marine meteorological energy sources like solar and wind, and hydrological energy forms such as waves, tides, currents, ocean thermal, and salinity gradients.
• It includes detailed annual, monthly, and daily estimates of these ocean energy components, which can be accessed via a WebGIS interface at a five-km grid resolution.
• The Atlas identifies areas with high potential for energy generation and will serve as a reference for policymakers, industry and researchers for harnessing the rich energy resources available in the Indian EEZ.
• INCOIS has estimated integrated ocean energy of ~ 9.2 lakh TWh per annum within the EEZ of India.

Current Context : Iran successfully launched its Chamran-1 research satellite into orbit, utilising the Qaem-100 rocket developed by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

ABOUT CHAMRAN-1 SATELLITE

• It is an Iranian research satellite.
• Weight : 60 kg (132 pounds)
• Launched by the Qaem-100 satellite carrier, was put into a 550-kilometer (340-mile) orbit
• Mission : to test hardware and software systems for demonstrating orbital maneuvering technology in height and phase.
• Designed and manufactured by Iranian engineers at Iran Electronics Industries (SAIran), a defense ministry subsidiary, in collaboration with the Aerospace Research Institute and several private firms.

Current Context : The Government of India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance to countries affected by Typhoon Yagi.

• Under Operation Sadbhav, India has extended assistance to the Government of Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos to provide relief to the affected communities impacted by the natural disaster.
• The Operation is being carried by the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, with INS Satpura and IAF jets carrying out the relief operation.

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE INCLUDE :

• 10 tons of aid that includes dry ration, clothing and medicines left for
• 35 tons of aid comprising of water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns were dispatched to
• 10 tons of aid consiting of genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags were sent off to

Current Context : Union Minister for MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi inaugurated the Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) setup at Leh.

ABOUT CREATE:

• It will enhance local productivity, product quality, economic potential and improve livelihoods for the local communities.
• CREATE will provide a Pashmina Wool Roving Facility,
  • Training for development of production facility for Essential Oil Extraction from Roses and other flowers,
  • Training for development of production facility for Bioprocessing of available fruits and other raw materials.

Current Context : R. Ravindra, has been appointed as the country’s next envoy to Iceland.

• Ravindra is an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1999 batch.
• Currently he is serving as the Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in New York.

Current Context : The MVA-BN vaccine, manufactured by the Danish pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic A/S, has been added to the list of prequalified vaccines against monkeypox by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

• The MVA-BN vaccine can be administered in people over 18-years of age as a 2-dose injection given 4 weeks apart.

ABOUT WHO VACCINE PREQUALIFICATION (PQ)

• Established in 1987, the WHO Vaccine Prequalification (PQ) program was designed to ensure the quality of vaccines procured through United Nations purchasing agencies.
• Prequalification List : The WHO maintains a list of prequalified vaccines that have demonstrated positive results following a thorough evaluation of data, sample testing, and inspections of manufacturing facilities.
• The authority to approve vaccines and their manufacturing sites lies with the National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs).

ABOUT MPOX (MONKEYPOX):

It is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

• First Human case recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
• Types (Clades):
  • Central African Clade (Clade I)
  • West African Clade (Clade II)

• Symptoms : Skin Rash/Mucosal Lesions: Rash can develop into fluid-filled bumps that crust over.
• Systemic Symptoms: Fever, Headache, Muscle Aches, Back Pain, Low Energy, Swollen Lymph Nodes and generally last 2-4 weeks.
• Transmission
• Human-to-Human Transmission:
  • Direct contact with body fluids or lesions of infected individuals.
  • Prolonged face-to-face contact, including sexual contact.
  • Indirect contact with contaminated clothing or bedding.

TREATMENT

• Specific Treatments:No specific antiviral treatments are available for monkeypox.

Management: Early and supportive care to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.