World rare disease day
Context :
World rare disease day is observed on 28/29 (last day of) February. The day aims to raise awareness for the millions of people who are impacted by a rare disease. It aims to educate people about rare diseases and their impacts.
Theme :
The theme of the day is “Reframe Rare”. The theme encourages everyone to take steps to clarify many of the misconceptions that can make people with rare diseases feel isolated and affect the quality of care and support they receive. The Slogan for 2020 is “Rare is Many. Rare is Strong. Rare is Proud.”
Rare disease :
Any disease that affects fewer than 200,000 people is considered a rare disease in the United States. This definition is derived from the Orphan Drug Act of 1983. There are more than 7,000 rare diseases that affect 25-30 million Americans. 1 in 20 people are dealing with a rare disease. These people struggle to receive a proper diagnosis, find information and get treatment.
History :
The World rare disease day was first launched by the European Organization for Rare Disorders (EURORDIS) and its Council of National Alliances on 29 February 2008, a rare date that comes only once in four years. Since then the day is observed on the last day of February. In 2009. the US joined with EURORIDS. By 2017, over 94 countries joined the alliance.
The official sponsor of the day is the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) in the United States and EURORDIS. The sponsors organize the official international campaign.
PM to launch 10,000 Farmers Producer Organisations
Context :
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to launch 10,000 Farmers Producer Organisations (FPO) across the country at Chitrakoot on 29 February 2020. The event aims to mark the first anniversary of PM-KISAN, which transformed the lives of crores of farmers in the last one year.
FPOs :
- FPOs will help in the collectivization of small, marginal and landless farmers in order to give them the collective strength to deal with such issues.
- FPO members will manage their activities together in the organization to get better input, access to technology, finance, and the market for faster enhancement of their income.
Background :
Around 86% of farmers in India are small and marginal with average land holdings in the country being less than 1.1 hectares. These farmers face several challenges including access to technology, quality seed, fertilizers and pesticides including requisite finances, during the agriculture production phase. They also face tremendous challenges in marketing their products due to a lack of economic strength.
Cabinet approved occupancy rights to Scheduled Tribes of Lakshadweep
Context :
The Union Cabinet approved the amendment of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands Land Revenue and Tenancy Regulation, 1965. The amendment will confer occupancy rights to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in the union territory (UT).
Amendment Provision :
- Lakshadweep island mostly comprises the ST population and they did not have occupancy rights.
- The amendment will give them occupancy rights. It will support the tribal community.
- The amendment is a part of the good governance initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Background :
As per the 2011 census, the ST distribution is high in the State of Mizoram and UT Lakshadweep. Also, it stated that Punjab and Haryana had 0%. The report stated that Lakshadweep has 11,574 households, a population of 64,473 of which 33,123 are males, and 31,350 are females.
Sri Lanka to withdraw from UNHRC resolution on war crimes
Context :
Sri Lanka formally announced the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that it was withdrawing from the UN resolution on post-war accountability and reconciliation. The announcement was made by the Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena in Geneva.
Highlights :
- Sri Lanka announced its withdrawal from co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 on Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in the country.
- Sri Lanka will still be committed to achieving “sustainable peace and reconciliation”, through a process designed and executed domestically.
- The country cannot pull out of the resolution until 2021 as the former President Maithripala Sirisena co-sponsored the resolution. The resolution aimed to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights in the country.
Background :
In 2015, Sri Lanka co-sponsored the UNHRC resolution, 30/1, making commitments to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. The commitments were reaffirmed in two further UNHRC resolutions in 2017 and 2019. Sri Lanka was committed to establishing a judicial mechanism with a special counsel to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law. Close to 5 years later, Sri Lanka has not yet established the mechanism.
Morarji Desai
Context :
Government of India paid tribute to former PM Morarji Desai on his 124th birth anniversary on 29 February. President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and State leaders paid tribute the late former PM. His birth anniversary is celebrated every four years.
Morarji Desai :
Morarji Desai was born in Bulsar district of Gujarat on 29 February 1896. He graduated from the Wilson Civil Service of the then Bombay Province in 1918. He served as a Deputy Collector for 12 years. In 1937, he became Minister for Revenue, Agriculture, Forest and Co-operatives in the Ministry headed by Shri B.G. Kher in the then Bombay Province. In 1946, he became the Minister for Home and Revenue in Bombay. Desai served as the Prime Minister between March 1977 and July 1979 succeeding Indira Gandhi. He died on 10 April 1995. He strictly followed Mahatma Gandhi’s principles.
Source : pib
1000 springs initiative
Context :
Launched recently.
About 1000 springs initiative :
It is an online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas with the hydrological and chemical properties of the springs mentioned.
Aim :
To improve access to safe and adequate water for the tribal communities living in difficult and inaccessible part of rural areas in the country. It is an integrated solution around natural springs.
Key features :
It includes the provision of infrastructure for piped water supply for drinking; provision of water for irrigation; community-led total sanitation initiatives; and provision for water for backyard nutrition gardens, generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the tribal people.
Implementation :
Under this initiative, more than 70 young tribal youths from the rural belt of three districts of Odisha namely, Kalahandi, Khandamal and Gajapati have been trained as barefoot hydro geologists by combining traditional and scientific knowledge for identification and mapping of springs, and undertaking rejuvenation and protection measures in their habitations.
What are Springs :
Springs are natural sources of groundwater discharge and have been used extensively in the mountainous regions across the world.
Sources: pib