DST INSPIRE develops nanomaterials with energy storage application and optical sensors for water pollution control
Context :
A team from INSPIRE, under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, develops nanomaterials based supercapacitors to achieve high energy density and power density of supercapacitors.
Feature of nanomaterials based supercapacitors :
The supercapacitors will help meet the energy demand due to the growth of the human population and technological advancement that poses a great challenge for human society. The high energy density of supercapacitors suggests that constant current can be withdrawn for longer duration without recharging. With this feature, the automobiles can run longer distances without charging. Supercapacitors can be an alternative for such purposes.
Highlights :
- The team aims to develop novel nanostructures of carbon and metal dichalcogenides semiconductors for photodetection and Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).
- The carbon and metal dichalcogenides (MoS2, MoSe2, etc.) nanomaterials based supercapacitors have the ability to achieve high energy density and power density of supercapacitors.
- The development of energy and optoelectronics devices paves the way for the development of cost-effective and efficient devices, which can be used for energy storage applications.
- The SERS can help detect harmful molecules present in water at ultra-low concentrations.
- The novel nanostructures of carbon will make way for materials that can be used as advanced photodetectors and also be used as optical sensors for water pollution control.
World Athletics Day
Context :
World Athletics Day is celebrated on 7 May. The date of observation is subjected to change as International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) decides the date every year, but the month remains the same which is May. The day aims to boost participation in athletics among youngsters.
Aim :
World Athletics Day falls under the social responsibility project of IAAF ‘Athletics for a Better World.’ The day is observed to make people aware of the various health issues and to promote physical fitness. The day also aims to establish a link between the youth, sport, and environmental conservation.
History :
World Athletics Day was celebrated for the first time in the year 1996. The observation of the day was initiated by Primo Nebiolo, the then-president of IAAF. Several competitions take place on the day with the most common types are track and field, road running, race walking and cross country running, etc.
World Athletics :
World Athletics was formerly known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation. It was formed on 17 July 1912. The headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden. It governs the sport of athletics, covering track and field, road running, racewalking, mountain running and ultrarunning, and cross country running.
Vesak day
Context :
Vesak’, the Day of the Full Moon is observed in the month of May by the United Nations on 7 May 2020. The day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Death of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, all of which is said to have taken place on the same day.
Gautam Buddha :
The birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha is celebrated as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti across the world. According to the Hindu calendar, the day falls on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (April/May). In 2020, the Buddha Purnima is celebrated on 7 May.
In Theravada Buddhism, the day is observed as the day when Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama and attained Nirvana (salvation) under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, Bihar and his death anniversary. The Vesak full moon day is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. On this day, several Buddhists go to the pagodas to pour water at the foot of the sacred tree in remembrance of the Buddha’s Enlightenment.
Buddha Purnima is a major festival celebrated with great pomp and fervour in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka (where it is called Vesak), Burma, Thailand, Tibet, China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
History :
In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) internationally recognized the Day of Vesak.
Fall in Treatment Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Context :
According to recent data provided by the National Health Authority (NHA), the number of treatments for non-Covid procedures by both private and government facilities across the country dropped by over 20% between February, 2020 and April, 2020.
Highlights :
- The Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown have adversely affected the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’s (AB-PMJAY) ability to cater to critical patients below the poverty line.
Cardiology treatments offered under AB-PMJAY declined by 45%.- General Surgeries’ declined by 23%.
- Procedures related to gynaecology and obstetrics declined by 25%.
- The only category of treatment that showed an increase was ‘General Medicine’.
- The treatments available under AB-PMJAY can be accessed at several private care hospitals. However, because of lockdown, private hospitals across the country are largely shut down.
- The government itself is encouraging people with ‘non-critical’ illness to access hospitals via telemedicine or only partake of essential treatments (dialysis or non-elective surgeries) at hospitals.
- Moreover, with several reports of Covid-19 infections in healthcare workers and doctors across private and public hospitals, the number of visits to hospitals in general saw a decline.
The Saras Collection
Context :
The Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portalat Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi.
Highlights :
- It is a unique initiative of GeM and the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development.
- The Saras collection showcases daily utility products made by rural self-help groups. It aims to provide market in rural areas with access to Central and State Government buyers.
- Under the initiative, sellers from Self Help Group will be able to list their products in 5 product categories, namely (i) handicrafts, (ii) handloom and textiles, (iii) office accessories, (iv) grocery and pantry, and (v) personal care and hygiene.