What is the News? A fact-finding team of civil society activists has found serious issues with the Pilot Scheme on Fortification of Rice. About Fortification of Rice Programme Recently, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the supply of fortified rice throughout the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) under the following schemes… Continue reading Fortified rice: Surveyors find that consumers fear traces of ‘plastic rice’
Author: Abdul
Drought In Numbers, 2022: Desertification: ‘Droughts reduced India’s GDP by up to 5% in 20 years’
What is the News? The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD) has released the Drought In Numbers, 2022 Report to mark Drought Day. What are the key findings of the report? Global findings Droughts represent 15% of natural disasters but took the largest human toll, approximately 650,000 deaths from 1970-2019. Since 2000, the number and… Continue reading Drought In Numbers, 2022: Desertification: ‘Droughts reduced India’s GDP by up to 5% in 20 years’
Union Environment Minister delivers the National Statement at the 15th Session of the Conference of Parties of UNCCD
What is the News? The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change addressed the fifteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Côte d’Ivoire. What is the UNCCD Conference of the Parties(COP)? The UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP) was established by the… Continue reading Union Environment Minister delivers the National Statement at the 15th Session of the Conference of Parties of UNCCD
What is tomato flu? Who does it affect?
What is the News? Tamil Nadu has ramped up surveillance at its borders in the wake of “tomato flu” cases being detected in Kerala. What is Tomato Flu? Tomato Flu got its name from the tomato-shaped blisters it causes on the body. Vulnerable Population: The flu is affecting children below the age of five in… Continue reading What is tomato flu? Who does it affect?
Supreme Court puts colonial sedition law on hold
What is the News? The Supreme Court has suspended pending criminal trials and court proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) of the Indian Penal Code while allowing the Union of India to reconsider the British-era law. What is Sedition Law? Click Here to read about it What was the issue about? Several Petitions were filed in… Continue reading Supreme Court puts colonial sedition law on hold
Corals and sea anemones turn sunscreen into toxins – understanding how could help save coral reefs
What is the News? Researchers have identified a mechanism by which oxybenzone – a common sunscreen component – may be hastening the demise of reefs. What is Oxybenzone? Oxybenzone is the sun-blocking agent in many sun creams. Its chemical structure causes it to absorb UV rays, preventing damage to skin cells. But it has attracted… Continue reading Corals and sea anemones turn sunscreen into toxins – understanding how could help save coral reefs
SC seeks Centre, State governments’ reply on making ‘physical literacy’ a fundamental right
What is the News? The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and States to respond to a report recommending sports to be expressly made a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Note: The report was submitted by the court’s amicus curiae (friend of the court). What was the case about? A Public Interest… Continue reading SC seeks Centre, State governments’ reply on making ‘physical literacy’ a fundamental right
89% children between 6-23 months don’t get adequate diet: NFHS
What is the News? The National Family Health Survey(NFHS-5) has released data on the gap in Child Nutrition. What does NFHS say about Child Nutrition? Minimum Acceptable Diet: Around 89% of children between the formative ages of 6-23 months do not receive a “minimum acceptable diet’’. This is only marginally better than the 90.4% recorded… Continue reading 89% children between 6-23 months don’t get adequate diet: NFHS
Union Minister launches NITI Aayog’s Experience Studio on Drones
What is the News? The Union Minister of Civil Aviation has launched NITI Aayog’s Experience Studio on Drones. What is NITI Aayog Experience Studio on Drones? Purpose: To help promote various applications of drone technology to public and private stakeholders as well as help them fast-track adoption of drone technology within their organizations and aid… Continue reading Union Minister launches NITI Aayog’s Experience Studio on Drones
New low-cost iron aluminide coatings can increase corrosion resistance in harsh media to four times of mild steel
What is the News? Scientists have developed low-cost iron-based intermetallic powders that can be used as a corrosion-resistant coating for materials exposed to harsher environments like high temperature in thermal power plants where oxidation, corrosion and wear and tear takes place simultaneously. Background Wear and corrosion cause major damage to materials that are exposed to… Continue reading New low-cost iron aluminide coatings can increase corrosion resistance in harsh media to four times of mild steel
