Jharkhand launches schemes for job creation
Context :
Recently, Jharkhand launched three employment schemes — Birsa Harit Gram Yojana (BHGY), Neelambar Pitambar JAL Sammridhi Yojana (NPJSY) and Veer Sahid Poto Ho Khel Vikas Scheme (VSPHKVS) — to create wage employment for workers in rural areas.
Highlights :
- These three schemes have been devised in convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
- Issue: According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CIME) data, the State is reeling under severe joblessness with unemployment rate pegged at 47.1% — double that of the national average (23.5%).
- The arrival of an estimated 5 lakh to 6 lakh stranded migrant workers (due to Covid-19 lockdown) from other states is likely to worsen the situation.
- Through MGNREGA and these special schemes the state government plans to create 30 crore person days and provide wage employment to the rural people in the coming 5 years.
Birsa Harit Gram Yojana (BHGY) :
- The BHGY is envisaged at bringing over two lakh acres of unused government fallow land under the afforestation programme.
- About five lakh families will be provided 100 fruit-bearing plants.
- The initial plantation, maintenance, land work and afforestation will be taken up through MGNREGA.
- Each family is estimated to receive an annual income of ₹50,000 from fruit harvest after three years while the ownership of land will remain with the government.
Neelambar Pitambar Jal Sammridhi Yojna (NPJSY) :
- Under this, the government is aiming at creating agro-water storage units by arresting rainwater and runaway groundwater.
- Nearly 5 lakh acre of cultivable land can be irrigated through the initiative.
- An estimated 10 crore person days will be generated through the scheme in the next 4-5 years.
World Asthma Day
Context :
World Asthma Day is celebrated on 5 May 2020. The day aims to raise awareness, care, and support for those affected by asthma. The primary focus of the day is to support the person with asthma, family, friends, and caregivers. Every year the day is observed on the first Tuesday of May month.
Theme :
The theme of the 2020 World Asthma Day is “Enough Asthma Deaths.” The day is not actively promoted this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It also aims to raise awareness and the struggles of people suffering from asthma.
History :
World Asthma Day is annually organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). The day was aimed to increase awareness about chronic respiratory disease asthma, its precautions, prevention, and care around the world. GINA works with health care groups and asthma educators to reduce asthma “prevalence, morbidity, and mortality”. It also aims to improve the lives of people suffering from asthma.
Virtual NAM Summit
Context :
The virtual Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Contact Group Summit on “United against Covid-19” through video conferencing was held recently.
- The meeting was convened at the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, in his capacity as chair of the Non Aligned Movement.
- Moreover 30 Heads of State and other leaders had joined the Summit. The Summit was also addressed by the UN General Assembly president and World Health Organisation (WHO) chief.
- It was the first time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a NAM Summit since he assumed the office in 2014.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to skip the NAM Summit in 2016 and in 2019.
Key Points :
- Adoption of the Declaration:
- The Summit adopted a Declaration underlining the importance of international solidarity in the fight against Covid-19.
- Creation of Task Force:
- It also announced the creation of a ‘Task Force’ to identify needs and requirements of member States.
- A common database reflecting counties’ basic medical, social and humanitarian needs in the fight against Covid-19 will be created.
India’s Role in Fight Against Covid-19 :
- India is regarded as the pharmacy of the world especially for affordable medicines.
- Despite its own needs during Covid-19 pandemic, it has ensured supply of medicines to 123 partner countries including 59 NAM members.
- India is also active in global efforts to develop remedies and vaccines for Covid-19.
Source : economics times
International Firefighters Day
context :
International Firefighters Day is observed on 4 May. The day aims to remember those firefighters who have died while serving the community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of all.
History :
Firefighters’ Day was initiated after the tragic death of 5 firefighters’ in 1999 during a bushfire at Linton in Victoria, Australia when they were on a rescue mission. They died due to the sudden change in the direction of the wind. Soon after that tragic event, a firefighter named JJ Edmondson sent an email to his colleagues calling for an international holiday that would honour the sacrifices and triumphs of firefighters everywhere. On 4 May 1999, people all over the world celebrated the first International Firefighters Day.
The Ribbon :
The most unique and significant symbols of International Firefighters Day is the red and blue ribbon. The ribbon is 5 cm long and 1 cm wide, with the two separate colors conjoined at the top. The red and blue colour was chosen as red stood for the element of fire and blue represents the element of water. Coincidently, red and blue are also the colors recognized worldwide to signify emergency services.