GS PAPER II NEWS
The State of the World’s Children 2021
Why in News
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- UNICEF’s Global Flagship Publication – “The current status of children around the world in 2021 to promote, protect and care for the mental health of children (“The State of the World’s Children 2021; On My Mind: Promoting, Protective and Caring for Children’s Mental Health”). This report details the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of children.
Key point
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- A new UNICEF report says that one out of seven 15- to 24-year-olds in India often feel depressed or uninterested in work.
- The report warns that the COVID pandemic can affect the mental health and well-being of children and young people for years.
- A survey conducted by UNICEF and Gallup on 20,000 children and adults in 21 countries in early 2021 found that youth in India avoid seeking support during times of mental stress.
- The ‘State of the World’s Children 2021’ report states, ‘Only 41 per cent of 15- to 24-year-olds in India said it is good to seek help for mental health problems, compared to an average of 83 per cent in 21 countries.’
- India is one of 21 countries where very few young people feel that people facing mental health problems should seek help from others.
- According to the report, UNICEF, which took a look at the mental health of children, adolescents and caregivers in the 21st century, said that the Kovid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of children.
- According to UNESCO data, more than 286 million children up to class 6 were out of school in India between 2020-2021. A UNICEF rapid assessment in 2021 found that only 60 percent could access digital classrooms. Due to which many could not continue their education.
GS PAPER III
Dust Control & Management Cells
Why in News
- Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) is taking steps to effectively tackle dust pollution emanating from roads, right of way and open areas spread across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Key Point
- The approach is to strategically strengthen the dust mitigation measures with innovative solutions to curb the dust pollution sources. To this end, directions have been issued by CAQM to all road owning/ maintaining/ road construction agencies of the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), Rajasthan, Haryana and GNCTD to set up Dust Control & Management Cells in their respective states.
- The Cell will regularly monitor the compliance of road dust control measures by the authorities concerned and will also keep track of the progress of measures undertaken. Apart from this, exhaustive reports prepared on a monthly basis by the cell will help in the fight against dust pollution more systematically.
- CAQM has formulated a 10-point dust monitoring parameter in this regard.This parameter involves a variety of measures that needs to be strictly adopted by the Dust Control & Management Cells. These measures include:
- Optimum utilization of road sweeping machines,
- Scientific disposal of dust collected in designated sites/ landfills,
- Water sprinkling to suppress dust especially after mechanized sweeping,
- Augmentation of mechanized sweeping and sprinkling capacity,
- Proper management of roads to ensure potholes-free roads,
- Laying or repairing roads in a manner which extensively supports mechanized sweeping,
- Conversion of non-paved roadsides into paved one or into a green area,
- Greening of central verges,
- Laying cemented roads over bituminous roads especially in industrial areas and,
- Identification of hotspots of road dust and target-specific implementation of road dust control measures.
Dust Control & Management Cells
- Following the directions of the Commission, various road owning/ maintenance agencies of State Governments of NCR and GNCTD have set up Dust Control & Management Cells. The state of Uttar Pradesh has set up 17 cells so far. Apart from this, 11 cells have been constituted by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and 8 cells by the Government of Rajasthan. Haryana has established 2 Dust Control & Management Cells and more are underway and being constituted.
Way Forward
- Ramping up the capacity of Dust Control & Management Cells will not only provide a sustainable solution to the persistent problem of road dust pollution but will also help in re-aligning strategies to initiate timely preventive and corrective measures. Further, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the State Pollution Control Boards (PCB)/ Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and other agencies concerned shall continue to monitor the compliance and enforce the dust mitigation measures.
GS PAPER III
‘JIMEX’
Why in News
The fifth edition of India – Japan Maritime Bilateral Exercise, JIMEX, between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), will be held in Arabian Sea from 06 to 08 October 2021.
Key Points
- JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with special focus on maritime security cooperation. The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in September 2020.
- Indigenously built Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer Kochi and Guided Missile Frigate Teg, under the command of Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, will represent the Indian Navy.
- The Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force will be represented by JMSDF ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Carrier and Murasame, a Guided Missile Destroyer, led by Rear Admiral IkeuchiIzuru, Commander Escort Flotila – 3 (CCF-3). In addition to ships, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, integral helicopters and MiG 29K fighter aircraft will also participate in the exercise.
- JIMEX-21 aims to develop common understanding of operational procedures and enhance inter-operability through conduct of a multitude of advanced exercises, across the entire spectrum of maritime operations. Multi-faceted tactical exercises involving weapon firings, cross-deck helicopter operations and complex surface, anti-submarine and air warfare drills will consolidate coordination developed by the two navies.
- Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over years. JIMEX-21 will further enhance the cooperation and mutual confidence between the two navies and fortify the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.
GS PAPER III
Scalable synthesis method developed of Nano-crystals
Why in News
- Indian researchers have developed a method that can help large scale synthesis of a special class of semiconductor nanocrystals.
About Research
These nanocrystals called two-dimensional layered perovskite and perovskite nanocrystals, which have bright emission colours and are not affected by or corroded by the environment, are useful for both high colour purity and low-cost solution processability.- Nanomaterials have unique properties compared to their bulk counterpart as they exhibit bright emission and are useful for light-emitting diodes (LED) apart from several other applications in our day-to-day life.
- However, large-scale syntheses of such materials are challenging as the reaction mechanism, and kinetics of large-scale syntheses are often different from small-scale syntheses.
- Such large scale synthesis methods are necessary for industrial applications.
- To this end, a group of researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous research institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have synthesized two-dimensional layered perovskite and perovskite nanocrystals by a method called sonochemical process that is often used for large scale synthesis.
- This process utilizes the principles of sonochemistry to make molecules undergo a chemical reaction with the application of powerful ultrasound radiation. This work has been published in the ‘Journal of Physical Chemistry C’.
- The team tracked how these nanomaterials grow during the reaction. They controlled reaction parameters, such as time and temperature, to tune the dimensionality of these nanomaterials and their emission colours.
- The researchers showed that at an early stage of reaction, two-dimensional layered perovskites form, and they get converted to perovskite nanocrystals controllably.
- They also demonstrated a white-light-emitting diode with the mixture of these perovskites. Further works are in progress by the CeNS team to increase the stability of these nanomaterials.
GS PAPER III
Uses of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Why in News
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- Ministry of Ayush has recently noticed safety concerns on use of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) that were published in social media and in some scientific journals.
Key point
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- This advisory is being issued to confirm that Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is safe to use but some similar looking plants like Tinospora crispa may be harmful.
- Guduchi is a popularly known herb, familiar as Giloy and is being used in therapeutics since long in AYUSH systems.
- There are good number of studies published in peer reviewed indexed Journals to substantiate safety and efficacy of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). Its hepato-protective properties are also well established.
- Guduchi is known for its immense therapeutic applications and the practices are regulated in accordance with various applicable provisions.
- It is observed that different species of Tinospora are available and only Tinospora cordifolia should be used in therapeutics, whereas similar looking species like Tinospora crispa may manifest adverse effects.
- Thus, it is reiterated that Guduchi is a safe and effective Ayurveda medicine, however it is advisable to use it in consultation with a qualified, registered Ayush physician.
Pharmacovigilance
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- Ministry of Ayush has a well-established system of Pharmacovigilance (for reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions from Ayush medication), with its network spreading across all over India. If any suspected adverse event occurs after intake of Ayush medicine it may be reported to the nearby Pharmacovigilance centre through an Ayush physician. Further it is advised to take Ayush medicine and treatment under supervision and consultation of a registered Ayush physician only.
Below is the information about these plant species
| Plant part | Tinospora cordifolia | Tinospora crispa |
| Stem |
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| Leaves |
groovy notch at the base |
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| Petals |
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| Drupes (Bunch of fruit) |
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| Photograph of the plant |  |
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