Daily Current Affairs for 21st Sept 2021

GS PAPER II NEWS

Global Innovation Index-2021

Why in News

• • India has moved up 2 places to 46th position in the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s Global Innovation Index 2021 rankings.

About Global Innovation Index (GII) Ranking

• • India has been steadily improving its ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) over the years.
  • India has moved from 81 in 2015 to 46 in 2021 in this ranking.
  • Innovation has been at the forefront of our fight against the unprecedented crisis caused by the COVID pandemic, and will be instrumental in propelling the country on the path of development and self-reliance, as enshrined in the Prime Minister’s call for a self-reliant India.
  • NITI Aayog is working tirelessly to ensure convergence of national efforts to bring innovation in policy leadership in various areas, such as electric vehicles, biotechnology, nanotechnology, space, alternative energy sources etc.
  • The latest edition of India Innovation Index, released by NITI Aayog last year, has been widely accepted as a major step towards decentralization of innovation across all states of India.
  • There has been a constant emphasis on monitoring and evaluation of India’s position in global rankings by NITI Aayog, which includes GII.
  • As we move towards saving lives and livelihoods and shaping the national economic growth trajectory, GII-2021 is an important reference point for all countries to assess their innovation capabilities and readiness which will go a long way in promoting economic recovery.

Objective

• • This report will help the governments of countries around the world to increase their innovation.
  • Its basic objective is to incorporate new ideas and technologies into social and economic challenges and changes.
  • Governments consider the GII report as a way to improve their policies, which helps in changing the current situation.
  • The World Intellectual Property Organization said that this ranking is a testament to the great work done by government and private research institutions and a better startup ecosystem.
  • Scientific departments like Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Department of Space have played an important role in strengthening India’s National Innovation Ecosystem.

Confederation of Indian Industry

• • Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is also leading India’s journey towards an innovation driven economy.
• Top 10 Countries in Global Innovation Index 2021 Ranking

Global innovation index

• • The Global Innovation Index was launched in 2007 with the aim of finding ways to better explain the richness of innovation in society.
  • The Global Innovation Index is published annually by Cornell University, INSEAD Business School and the World Intellectual Property Organization of the United Nations.
  • Under this index, the economies of all the countries of the world are ranked on the basis of innovation potential and results.

Conclusion

• • The GII ranking has consistently improved due to the vast knowledge capital, vibrant start-up ecosystem and the amazing work done by public and private research organizations. Department of Atomic Energy; Department of Science and Technology; Scientific departments like Department of Biotechnology and Department of Space have played a vital role in enriching the national innovation ecosystem.

GS PAPER II

‘Samudra Shakti’

• Why in News
  • Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmat arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia on 18 September 2021 to participate in the third edition of the bilateral exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’, an exercise with the Indonesian Navy from 20 September to 22 September 2021 in the area of ​​the Sunda Strait. Were determined.
• Main point
  • The participating Indian Navy ships Shivalik and Kadmat are the latest indigenously designed and built Multi-Role Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti-Submarine Corvette respectively, and are part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.
  • Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I is also participating in the exercise.
  • KRI Bang Tomo, KRI Malahati and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft CN-235 are representing the Indonesian Navy.

Objective

• • The aim of the exercise is to enhance mutual understanding and interoperability in maritime operations between the two navies and to strengthen bilateral ties.
  • The exercise will also provide a suitable platform to share best practices and develop a common understanding of maritime security operations.

Background

• • In pursuance of India’s Act East policy, Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ was conceived as a bilateral IN-IDN exercise in 2018.
  • The exercise has advanced significantly in terms of exercise complexity over the last two editions and includes conducting complex maritime missions including Military Interdiction Operations (MIO), Cross Deck Landings, Air Defense Serials, Practice Weapon Firing, Replenishment Approaches and Tactical Maneuvers shall include.
  • Under the existing policies, the third edition of Exercise Samudra Shakti is being conducted in a COVID safe environment and seeks to strengthen maritime cooperation between the two navies and forge stronger bonds of friendship across the Indo-Pacific.

GS PAPER II

Peaceful Mission – 2021″

Why in News

• • The 6th edition of the joint military exercise of SCO member countries organized by Russia, “Peace Mission 2021” began today in Orenburg, south-western Russia.

Main point

• • An Indian Army contingent consisting of a combined force of 200 personnel from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force is participating in the exercise.
  • Exercise Peaceful Mission 2021 is based on joint counter-terrorist operations at operational and tactical level in urban environment in which the army and air forces of all SCO member countries are participating.
  • Soldiers will share and rehearse tactical drills over the next few days, which will culminate in a final validation exercise where soldiers from all armies and air forces will jointly practice controlled and simulated real-war conditions.

Objective

• • The aim of the exercise is to foster closer ties among SCO members and enhance the capabilities of military personnel to command multinational troops.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization

• • The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a permanent intergovernmental international organization.
  • It was established on June 15, 2001 in Shanghai. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Charter was signed in 2002 and came into force in 2003.
  • This Charter is a constitutional document which outlines its structure and major activities along with the goals and principles of the organization.
  • Russian and Chinese are the official languages ​​of the SCO.
  • Before the establishment of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the organization named ‘Shanghai-5’.
  • In the year 1996, ‘Shanghai-5’ was formed from a series of demilitarization talks, which four former Soviet republics had with China for stability on the borders.
  • After the entry of Uzbekistan into the organization in the year 2001, ‘Shanghai-5’ was renamed as SCO.
  • In the year 2017, India and Pakistan got the status of its member.
  • Currently its member countries include Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.

GS PAPER III

State Food Security Index (SFSI)

Why in News

• • In an effort to motivate states to work towards ensuring safe food for citizens, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has commissioned the Food Safety and Safety Standards Authority of India to measure the performance of states on five parameters of food safety. (FSSAI) released the third State Food Security Index (SFSI).

Main point

• • The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare felicitated nine major states/UTs for their impressive performance based on the rankings for the year 2020-21.
  • Gujarat topped the list of major states this year, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  • Among smaller states, Goa topped the list, followed by Meghalaya and Manipur.
  • Among the Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and New Delhi secured the top positions.

Five standards of food safety

• Food Safety
• HR and Institutional Statistics
• Food Testing Facility
• Training and Capacity Building
• Consumer Empowerment

GS PAPER III

Serotype-2 dengue

• Why in News
  • The Center had convened a high-level meeting on September 18, 2021 to discuss the emerging challenge of serotype-2 dengue cases.

Suggestion

• • The Health Secretary suggested that the state take steps such as early detection of dengue cases, adequate stocking of testing kits, medicines and larvicides, operation of fever helpline.
  • States were also urged to take prompt public health actions such as fever surveys, vector control, contact tracing, alerting blood banks to maintain adequate stocks of blood and blood components, especially platelets. Deploy response teams.
  • States have also been requested to launch helplines, information campaigns about dengue symptoms and methods of vector control and reduction in the source of transmission of the disease at homes.
• Which states are reporting serotype-2 dengue cases?
  • Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are among the 11 states reporting cases of serotype-2 dengue in India.

What is serotype-2 dengue?

• • Dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV 2) is the most common serotype of the disease and has the highest percentage of severe dengue cases compared to other types of disease.
  • According to various studies, dengue serotype-2 (DEN-2) has the potential to cause dengue hemorrhagic fever, a very severe form of dengue.
  • Serotype 2 dengue in Cuba caused the first dengue hemorrhagic fever epidemic in the year 1981, infecting hundreds of thousands of people, including children and adults, and nearly 24,000 cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever

• • Dengue hemorrhagic fever can result in a sudden drop in blood pressure and severe bleeding, which can lead to shock or death in some unfortunate cases.
  • Dengue hemorrhagic fever is characterized by high fever, damage to the lymphatic system, circulatory system failure, liver enlargement, bleeding from the nose or under the skin, and internal bleeding and is characterized by symptoms such as chills, clammy skin, low blood pressure, restlessness and weak pulse can.

Daegu

• • Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease, mainly transmitted by the female mosquito Aedes aegypti.
  • India sees an increase in dengue cases every year during the monsoon season, as stagnant water and humid temperatures encourage mosquito breeding.
  • Dengue virus has four closely related serotypes – DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4.
  • Symptoms of Dengue: High fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, joint pain, pain behind the eyes and rash.