Why in news?

• For the first time, DAC has cleared the procurement of 14 items worth Rs 380 crore from Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) start-ups and MSMEs. These items will be procured by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force.
• The iDEX was launched in 2018 with the objective of incorporating cutting-edge and disruptive technologies in the Armed Forces in a quick time-frame by emphasizing on the startup ecosystem and ensuring self-reliance and indigenization.
• iDEX is funded and managed by a “Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) formed as a “not for profit” company as per Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 for this purpose.
• To boost ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat; these proposals have been approved under ‘Buy (Indian IDDM- (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured))’ category part of the initial Defence Procurement Procedure-2016. The procedure was further updated in 2020.

About DAC

• It is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
• Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.

 Other Government initiatives for Arm procurement

• Indigenisation portal- SRIJAN to provide development support to MSMEs/Startups/Industry.
• Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
• Defence Investor Cell: To provide information including addressing queries related to investment opportunities, procedures and regulatory requirements.

Why in news?

• Every year, the Nation was observed on March 23^rd as Martyrs Day (Shaheed Diwas or Sarvodaya Day).
• The day was observed to pay tribute to the death anniversary of the freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru, who laid their lives for the freedom of India.
• Also, 30 January is observed as Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Diwas in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

History of the day

• On March 23, three heroes of our nation were hanged to death, namely Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar by the British.
• They sacrificed their lives for the welfare of our nation. These heroes fought for the welfare of people and sacrificed their lives for the same cause.
• For many young Indians, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev have become a source of inspiration. Even during British rule, their sacrifice urged many people to come forth and fight for their freedom. Therefore, in order to homage to the three of these revolutionaries, India has commemorated March 23 as Shaheed Diwas.
• They were hanged to death for assassinating John Saunders, a British police officer in 1928.
• They had mistook him for British police superintendent James Scott. It was Scott who had ordered lathi-charge, which eventually led to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.

Why in news?

• The 3rd edition of the joint training exercise named EX-DUSTLIK between the Indian army and Uzbekistan army begins at Yangiarik, Uzbekistan from 22 to 31 March 2022. The last edition of DUSTLIK was conducted in Ranikhet (Uttarakhand) in March 2021.
• The Indian contingent will be represented by the Grenadiers Regiment and will join the Uzbekistan Army contingent represented by troops of the North-Western Military District.

About the Exercise:

• The joint exercise would focus on Counter-Terrorism operations in semi-urban terrain under a United Nations Mandate.
• The training schedule will focus primarily on sharing of tactical level drills and learning of best practices from each other.
• The exercise aims at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between two armies.

Why in news?

• World Tuberculosis Day is observed every year on 24 March to create awareness among the public about the global epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) and efforts to eliminate the disease.
• The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.
• The theme of World TB Day 2022 – ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives.’–conveys the urgent need to invest resources to ramp up the fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

About Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects your lungs.
• The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.
• Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of your body, including your kidneys, spine or brain.
• When TB occurs outside your lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For example, tuberculosis of the spine can cause back pain, and tuberculosis in kidneys might cause blood in the

Why in news?

• Nagaland has created history by becoming the first State Assembly in the country to implement the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) programme to become completely paperless.
• The Nagaland Assembly Secretariat has attached a tablet or e-book on each table in the 60 members’ assembly amid the ongoing Budget session.

About the NeVA:

• NeVA is a work-flow system deployed on NIC Cloud, MeghRaj which helps the Chair of the House to conduct the proceedings of the House smoothly and to conduct Legislative Business of the House in a Paperless manner.
• NeVA is a device neutral and member-centric application created to equip them to handle diverse House Business smartly by putting entire information regarding member contact details, rules of procedure, list of business, notices, bulletins, bills, starred/unstarred questions and answers, papers laid, committee reports etc. in their handheld devices/ tablets and equip all Legislatures / Departments to handle it efficiently.

Why in news?

• United Nationshas recognised March 24 to be observed as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims every year.
• The day aims to pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives or lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all.
• This day is observed on 24th March every year to pay tribute to “Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero” as he was murdered on 24 March 1980.
• He was actively engaged in criticizing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.
• The day was proclaimed by the United Nations in December 2010,to say no to all forms of violence, injustice and oppression against humanity.

Why in news?

• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed the Memorandum of understanding with the tripartite partnership for One Health, bringing together the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), formally the Quadripartite partnership at its annual executive meeting held on 18 March 2022 at Nairobi, Kenya.
• The UNEP will offer the expertise required to tackle the ecological dimension of human and animal health.
• The Quadripartite alliance will now focus on a One Health Joint Plan of Action, which includes six action tracks. They are
• Enhancing countries’ capacity to strengthen health systems under a One Health approach.
• Reducing the risks from emerging or resurfacing zoonotic epidemics and pandemics.
• Controlling and eliminating endemic – zoonotic diseases, neglected tropical diseases and vector-borne diseases.
• Strengthening the assessment, management and communication of food safety risks.
• Curbing the silent pandemic of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Better integrating the environment into the One Health approach.

About One Health:

• The One Health approach aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, ecosystems and the wider environment.
• It mobilises multiple sectors, disciplines and communities to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems.
• It also addresses the collective need for clean energy, water and air, safe and nutritious food, action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development.

About United Nation Environment Program (UNEP)

• The United Nation Environment Program was established by Maurice Strong, its first director, after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm on 5th June 1972.
• Headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Why in news?

• Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for the continuation of National AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Control Programme (NACP) for 5 years from 1 April, 2021 to 31 March, 2026 with an outlay of Rs. 15,471.94 crore by approving phase-V of the programme.
• The Phase-IV (Extension) of National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) was concluded on 31 March, 2021.
• The NACP Phase-V will work towards the attainment of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3.3 of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 through a comprehensive package of prevention, detection and treatment services.

About National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP):

• It is a Central sector scheme which is completely funded by the Government of India.
• The national AIDS response was initiated by the Indian government in 1992 with the launch of the first phase of the NACP.
• Progress of NACP:
• India recorded annual new HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infections declined in cases by 48% against the global average of 31 % (the baseline year of 2010).
• Annual AIDS-related deaths have declined by 82 % against the global average of 42 % (the baseline year of 2010).
• HIV prevalence in India continues to be low with an adult HIV prevalence of 0.22%.

About Human Immunodeficiency Virus

• It is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. The untreated HIV can lead to AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency syndrome).

About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• These diseases are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Examples-Gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, Syphilis.

Why in news?

• Kerala became the first state in India to introduce carbon-neutral agricultural practices in select locations for better soil health.
• The Kerala Government in its Budget 2022-23, allocated ₹6 crore for introducing Carbon-neutral farming methods in the state.
• In the first phase, the Agriculture Department will implement the carbon-neutral farming in 13 farms including in tribal areas and steps were also taken to convert the State Seed Farm at Aluva to a carbon-neutral farm.
• In the second phase, model carbon-neutral farms will be developed in all the 140 Assembly constituencies.

About Carbon-Neutral Farming

• Carbon-neutral farming is the technique of decreasing carbon emissions and aid carbon storage in the soil, through techniques such as Integrated fanning methods, Crop rotation, Fertigation, Precision Farming methods, Shifting how the soil is irrigated, and restricting the haphazard use of Fertiliser application.

Why in news?

• Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become the all-time leading scorer (professional football) with 807 goals, after scoring 3 goals against Tottenham Hotspur during the English Premier League 2022. Previously the record was held by Austro-Czech Josef Bican who scored 805 goals from 1931 to 1955.
• Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 807 goals while playing for Lisbon (5), Manchester United (136), Real Madrid (450), Juventus (101) and the Portuguese national team (115).
• Brazilian strikers Pele and Romario de Souza Faria each have scored more than 1000 goals during their careers, but the statistics include goals in amateur, unofficial and friendly matches.