Facts in News

February 22, 2021

189

Facts in News
WCCB receives Asia Environmental Enforcement Award-2020	The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has received the 5th Asia Environmental Enforcement Award-2020 awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). WCCB has won the award in the ‘innovation category’ for its contribution against transboundary international crimes. WCCB also won the same award in 2018 in the same category. About Asia Environmental Enforcement Award Given by UNEP in collaboration with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, CITES, INTERPOL and World Customs Organisation. Recognises efforts to curb crimes against the environment like illegal trade in wildlife and plastic waste. About WCCB Established in 2007 as Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau. Under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Headquarters: New Delhi Initiated Operation WILDNET-II It warned off potential traders and brought in offenders by synchronising efforts of various stakeholders. Social media and online trade portals were also included. It resulted in seizing a range of Wildlife Commodities and Wildlife Species like Pangolins, Rhino horn, Falcons, Sea Fans, Coral, Antlers, Parakeets, Turtles and Civet Cats.
‘Footwear Sizing System’	CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) will lead a pan India 3D feet scanning survey. It will be used to define Indian footwear size standards. It will be included by shoe manufacturers in their size charts. supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Union Ministry of Commerce Benefits: remove some of the confusion involved in buying shoes of ‘EU’, ‘UK’ or ‘US’ sizes. India is the second largest footwear producing country after China. India manufactures all kinds of footwear. The share of men’s footwear is the largest at about 58 per cent, Women’s footwear accounts for 30 per cent, Children’s for 9 per cent, and others for 3 percent of the footwear.
Carbon Watch	It is India’s first app to assess one’s carbon footprint. It has been launched by Chandigarh but can be accessed by all. It asks the user to feed certain data in 4 parts: Water: inform about the consumption of Water Energy: Data regarding monthly electricity units consumed and solar energy consumed Waste Generation: Amount of waste produced by individual and family is to be inputted Transport (Vehicular movement): Mode of transport like bicycle, two-wheeler or four-wheeler, etc will be asked Based on data, carbon footprint is automatically calculated. The application will also provide information such as the national and world average of the emission, and the individual’s level of emission generation.
Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES)	Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) including Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a group of clinically similar neurologic manifestations caused by several different viruses, bacteria, fungus, parasites, spirochetes, chemicals/ toxins etc. Symptoms- It is characterized as acute-onset of fever and a change in mental status (mental confusion, disorientation, delirium, or coma) and/or new onset of seizures in a person of any age at any time of the year. Affects- The disease most commonly affects children and young adults and can lead to considerable morbidity and mortality. Treatment – The first treatment plan for this viral infection is hydration and increasing the glucose levels in the body. Steps -Govt. of India, as part of the National Programme for Prevention & Control of JE/AES, follows a multi-pronged strategy encompassing Preventive (sanitation, safe drinking water, improvement in nutrition etc.) Case management (capacity building of medical and para-medical staff referral etc.). Rehabilitation (physical and social rehabilitation of disabled children).
Ayesha Aziz Women pilot	Ayesha Aziz, a 25-year-old from Kashmir has become the youngest female pilot in the country. In 2011, she became the youngest student pilot to get a license at the age of 16. In 2017, she graduated in aviation from the Bombay Flying Club (BFC) and obtained a commercial license. She also underwent an astronaut training program at the NASA-Huntsville Space Centre She was given the First Ladies’ Award by the President of India in 2018 and figured among the country’s top 100 women achievers. She now flies GoAir planes and is emerging as a role model among women in the Kashmir valley, who too are eager to break the social barriers of a conservative society to join professions otherwise dominated by men.
Sant Ravidas	President Kovind addressed ‘Shri Guru Ravidas Vishva Mahapeeth Rashtriya Adhiveshan in Delhi Shri Guru Ravidas He was born in the Harijan caste during the fifteenth century at Kanshi (Banaras) in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. His mother’s name was Kalsa Devi Ji and his father’s name was Baba Santokh Dass Ji. He was a great Saint, philosopher, poet, social reformer, and follower of God. He is considered as a spiritual Guru of Meera Bai who was the queen of Chittoor and daughter of one of the famous kings in Rajasthan naming Rao Dudaji. Contributions and Teachings – He had envisaged a society that is based on equality and free from any kind of discrimination. He gave it the name ‘Be-gampura’ – the city where there is no place for any kind of grief or fear. He was one of the most famous and leading stars of the nirguna sampradaya (sant parampara) and was one of the prominent leaders of the North Indian Bhakti movement. There are 41 verses of Guru Ravidass Ji in the Sikh Holy Book, Guru Granth Sahib which was compiled by Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. India’s constitutional values of social justice, freedom, equality and fraternity are in line with Guru Ravidas’s philosophy of life. The Chief Architect of our Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar embodied the Constitutional principles around the values expressed by Guru Ravidasji. Sant Ravidas Jayanti – It is celebrated every year on Magh Purnima on the full moon day of Magh month with great enthusiasm and happiness all over India.