Author: Explains

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- [op-ed snap] Rhetoric and reality: on the UNHRC and human rights

United Nations Human Rights Commission

1. The UNHRC was established in 2006, as part of the UN’s reform process, replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
2. Council members are elected by the General Assembly with three-year terms, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
3. The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland
4. The members of the General Assembly elect the members who occupy the UNHRC’s 47 seats. The term of each seat is three years, and no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms
5. The General Assembly can suspend the rights and privileges of any Council member that it decides has persistently committed gross and systematic violations of human rights during its term of membership
6. The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities

B2B #2: From news- India, South Korea agree on framework to improve trade

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

1. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a free trade agreement between India and South Korea
2. The agreement was signed on August 7, 2009
3. The agreement was aimed at easing restrictions on foreign direct investments and provide better access for the Indian service industry in South Korea

B2B #3: From news- [op-ed snap] Rhetoric and reality: on the UNHRC and human rights

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

1. It is an autonomous body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
2. The FSSAI has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 which is a consolidating statute related to food safety and regulation in India.
3. FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety.
4. The FSSAI is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

B2B #4: From news- Rajya Sabha members can use all 22 scheduled languages

Eighth Schedule of the Constitution

1. The Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India lists the official languages of the Republic of India
2. The Government of India is under an obligation to take measures for the development of these languages, such that “they grow rapidly in richness and become effective means of communicating modern knowledge”
3. In addition, a candidate appearing in an examination conducted for public service is entitled to use any of these languages as the medium in which he or she answers the paper
4. The 22 languages which are listed in the Eighth Schedule are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : Advance Area Defence (AAD) interceptor missile

Defence Forces : Army

Module Type : Missiles

Brief Intro : 1.Advanced Air Defence (AAD) is an anti-ballistic missile designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles in the endo-atmosphere at an altitude of 30 km (19 mi). 2.AAD is a single-stage, solid-fuelled missile. 3.Guidance is similar to that of Prithvi Air Defence (PAD): it has an inertial navigation system, midcourse updates from ground based radar and active radar homing in the terminal phase

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name : World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)

Objective : To encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world

Members : 186 of the UN member states as well as the Cook Islands, Holy See and Niue are members of WIPO

Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland

Year Founded : 1967

Name : Forest Carbon Partnership Facility(FCPF)

Objective : 4 objectives To assist countries in their REDD+ efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance in building their capacity to benefit from possible future systems of positive incentives for REDD+. To pilot a performance-based payment system for REDD+ activities, with a view to ensuring equitable benefit sharing and promoting future large-scale positive incentives for REDD+. Within the approach to REDD+, to test ways to sustain or enhance livelihoods of local communities and to conserve biodiversity. To disseminate broadly the knowledge gained in the development of the Facility and the implementation of Readiness Preparation Proposals (RPPs) and Emission Reductions Programs (ERPs).

Here are  Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- Fish samples in Chennai test positive for formalin

Formalin

1. Formalin is 30-45% aqueous solution of Formaldehyde with water.
2. Formaldehyde is a simple chemical compound made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon.
3. All life forms – bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans – naturally produce formaldehyde as part of cell metabolism.
4. Formaldehyde is perhaps best known for its preservative and anti-bacterial properties, but formaldehyde-based chemistry is used to make a wide range of value-added products.
5. Formalin causes irritation in the eyes, throat, skin and stomach. In the long run, continued exposure causes harm to the kidneys, liver and can even cause cancers.
6. In the fishing industry, formalin or formaldehyde is sprayed on the fish or injected into the fish or the fish is dipped into the solution. This helps keep the fish fresh for a longer time.

B2B #2: From news- National Testing Agency to conduct NET, NEET, JEE (Mains) exams

National Testing Agency

1. It is a agency which will conduct examinations for higher and secondary education
2. Its main purpose is to bring reforms in the education system
3. Establishment of NTA will free CBSE, AICTE and other agencies from conducting various exams and enable them to focus on their core areas and work on improving the quality of education
4. Initially, the CBSE staff will be deployed in this department and but later on the specialised people will be hired in the NTA

Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Mission Madhumeha

Objectives : Effective management of Diabetes through Ayurveda.

Salient Features : 1. It was Launched on National Ayurvedic Day .

2.The Mission will be implemented throughout the country through a specially designed National Treatment Protocol.

3.The guidelines in the protocol will be sent to various state governments, which will further circulate them across various medical institutions.

4.The Madhumeha Assessment Tool (MAT) based on Ayurvedic philosophy has also been developed for the self-assessment of the people with regards to possibilities of diabetes.

5. The government is set to launch a mobile app which will suggest Ayurvedic medicines for diabetic patients.

6.The app will be meant for use by both practitioners of Ayurveda as well patients.

7.It will help in identifying the type of diabetes a patient is suffering from as well as recommend which Ayurvedic medicines can be administered to a patient.

8.The app is based on a set of guidelines issued by AYUSH.

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of AYUSH