• Recent work by the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) has shown the potential of the quinoline derivatives to treat drug-resistant leishmaniasis or kala-azar (black fever).
• The quinoline derivative is a potent inhibitor of enzyme topoisomerase 1, which is essential for maintenance of DNA architecture in the parasites.
• Current annual estimates of kala-azar are about 1,00,000, with more than 95% of cases reported to WHO from India and other tropical countries.

About Kala azar

• Kala azar or leishmaniases is one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which is endemic in 76 countries, with approximately 200 million people at risk of infection.
• According to World Health Organization (WHO), Leishmania parasites are transmitted through the bites of infected female phlebotomine sandflies, which feed on blood to produce eggs.
• Some 70 animal species, including humans, have been found as natural reservoir hosts of Leishmania parasites.
• There are 3 main forms of leishmaniases – visceral (also known as kala-azar, which is and the most serious form of the disease), cutaneous (the most common where skin is affected), and mucocutaneous.
• In India, the four States endemic for kala-azar are: Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

• The Mandi district administration was taking a special initiative to provide health facilities to senior citizens and especially abled persons living in remote areas of the district on their doorstep.
• The initiative named Sahara will be launched by the district administration through Red Cross, Mandi.
• Under this initiative, a camp will be organised every month in remote areas of the district. In the camp, an ENT, an eye and other specialist doctors, besides a gynaecologist, will check the health of senior citizens.
• At the same time, the specially abled persons will also be examined so that they can be provided assistive devices by the administration.
• According to the 2011 census, the number of senior citizens in the district is more than 9 lakh.

• Vice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh assumed the position of Vice-Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) as part of a series of high-level changes in the Indian Navy.

• Odisha Day or Utkal Divas is a significant day which marks the formation of the state on April 1, 1936.
• This year, Odisha celebrated its 88th foundation day.

• Scientists in Australia have discovered evidence of a previously unknown ancient marsupial called Mukupirna fortidentata.
• This ancient species roamed the country around 25 million years ago.
• The Mukupirna fortidentata is thought to have weighed up to 50 kg, making it one of the largest marsupials alive at the time.
• It is believed to have consumed tough fruits and nuts. It is related to Mukupirna nambensis, another marsupial species.
• The mukupirnids seemed to have gone extinct sometime before the end of the late Oligocene (25-23 million years ago) during a period of changing climate as ancient forest regions in Australia’s centre became increasingly arid.

• World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2^nd.
• This day is dedicated to spreading awareness about autism, a neurological condition that manifests during early childhood.
• The theme for World Autism Awareness Day 2023 is “Transforming the narrative: Contributions at home, at work, in the arts, and in policymaking”.
• It is a common misconception that all autistic people have the same abilities and needs. Some people with autism are highly functioning and require minimal support, while others require life-long care and support.

About Autism

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of conditions associated with brain development.
• People with autism often have co-occurring conditions such as epilepsy, depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), difficulty sleeping, and self-injury.
• Intellectual capacity of autistic people are unique and distinctive, extending from intense impairment to superior levels.
• The term “Autism Spectrum” refers to a range of characteristics, including difficulties with communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors.

• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on heavy industry highlighted that Phase 2 of the FAME scheme to subsidize electric vehicles has achieved only 51.96 per cent of its target.
• It suggested an extension of the FAME II scheme that was to end in 2024.

Data

• Around 1.2 million EVs were registered in India in 2022-23 — 2.7 times of that registered in 2021-22, according to VAHAN.
• As a share of all the vehicle registrations, only 5.6 per cent were EVs in 2022-23.

About FAME

• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme was formulated by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries in 2015 to promote adoption of electric / hybrid vehicles in the country.
• At present, Phase-II of the scheme (FAME II) is being implemented for a period of five years from April 1, 2019 with a total budgetary support of Rs. 10,000 crore.
• Focused Areas: (i) Demand Creation, (ii) Technology Platform, (iii) Pilot Project and (iv) Charging Infrastructure.
• Market creation through demand incentives was aimed at incentivizing all vehicle segmentse. 2-Wheelers, 3-Wheelers Auto, Passenger 4-Wheeler vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles and Buses.
• Phase II: Incentives are applicable mainly to vehicles used for public transport or registered for commercial purposes.
• The benefits of incentives will be extended to vehicles fitted with advanced batteries like Lithium-Ion batteries.

• The 2nd edition of the joint military exercise “the Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX-2023)” concluded recently in
• A total of 25 nations of the African continent with 124 participants and Indian troops from the Sikh, Maratha and Mahar Regiments participated in the multinational exercise.
• The multinational military drill was aimed at promoting the idea of Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity (AMRUT) and focused on incorporating the current dynamics of UN Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF) through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercises.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• The Central Office of the RBI, initially set up in Kolkata, was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937.
• Sir Osborne Smith was the first Governor of the Bank. The Bank was constituted as a shareholders’ bank.
• The RBI is the central bank of India and is responsible for regulating the country’s monetary and credit system.

• Recently, Britain has decided to join Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
• Britain will be the first new member since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was created in 2018, and the first European country in the bloc.
• The bloc, which is home to 500 million people, will be worth 15% of global GDP once the UK joins.

 About CPTPP

• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership is an 11-nation Indo-Pacific free-trade bloc.
• Its members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.
• The agreement mandates the duty-free entry of commercial samples having almost negligible value and printed advertising material from the territory of a signatory party.
• It establishes clear rules that help create a consistent, transparent and fair environment to do business in CPTPP markets
• It eliminates tariffs and reduces barriers for 98% of exports to CPTPP member countries.