Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Current Affairs- April 23, 2023
INDIA
- Ministry of Jal Shakti has conducted the first-ever census of water bodies across the nation.
- The 12-day Pushkaralu festival celebrated by Telugus started in Varanasi; pilgrims worship the Ganga and their ancestors.
- India conducts successful trial of BMD interceptor missile.
- Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates one of its kind Future of Work exhibition under G20 Education Working Group (EdWG) meeting.
- National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts, IIT – Discovery Campus was inaugurated at Chennai.
- Vice-President visits Kaithal, Haryana to attend State-level programme on Dhanna Bhagat’s birth anniversary.
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
- ‘El Nino to be moderate and its impact on monsoon will be minimal’: IMD.
- India becomes the first country in the world to have annual remittances from abroad crossing the USD 100-billion mark.
- CBIC: Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL) for payment of custom duty has been accepted by people.
WORLD
- U.S. and British forces evacuated embassy staff and their families from battle-torn Sudan.
- Azerbaijan sets up first checkpoint on key route to its rival country Armenia
- Past 8 years ‘warmest on record’: New UN climate report.
SPORTS
- ‘Khelo India initiative’ of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports completes five years.
- Asian Champions Trophy 2023: Pakistan, China confirm participation in the Hockey Tournament.
- 21-year-old beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-4 in Stuttgart Open final for her second successful title defence this year.
Current Affairs-April 24, 2023
INDIA
- Union Health, Family Welfare Ministry organizes Asia Pacific Leaders’ Conclave on Malaria Elimination in New Delhi.
- Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will inaugurate the ‘Mehngai Rahat Camp’, to provide relief to people from rising prices.
- Prime Minister Modi to attend National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations in Madhya Pradesh.
- India’s first water metro will be launched in Kerala’s Kochi district.
- Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh witnessed the second Cheetah death, in a month.
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
- India reaches 38th spot on World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index.
- Centre launched over 250 network towers to provide 4G mobile connectivity in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Per capita income gap between Karnataka’s richest, poorest districts widens.
WORLD
- Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called for dissolving Parliament as Election approaches.
- Russia announced the expulsion of over 20 German diplomats as a retaliatory measure for expulsion of Russian embassy staff from Berlin.
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has addressed the India-Guyana Business Round Table.
- U.K. tests new emergency alert system on millions of phones.
SPORTS
- K.L. Rahul becomes fastest Indian to 7,000 runs in T20 cricket.
- Barcelona Open: Carlos Alcaraz clinches title with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
- Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara joined Donald Bradman, after a set of gates were named in their honour at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Current Affairs- April 25, 2023
INDIA
- India launches ‘Operation Kaveri’ to bring back citizens stranded in Sudan.
- DRDO and Indian Navy successfully conduct trial of BMD Interceptor from naval platform.
- Supreme Court: ‘Governors should return Bills they do not agree to as soon as possible and not sit over them’.
- Vibrant Villages plan to be merged with Prime Minister’s Gati Shakti mega project.
- Labour and Employment Minister Bhupender Yadav launches new features on eShram portal.
- PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Express and other development projects in Kerala.
ECONOMY & CORPORATE
- OPEC’s share of India’s oil imports fell in 2022-23 to the lowest in at least 22 years.
- India is considering linking its power grid to those of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates through undersea cables.
- LVMH becomes first European firm to cross market capitalization (m-cap) of USD 500 billion.
WORLD
- Japan’s Health Ministry approves country’s first abortion pill.
- Australia’s new Defence Strategic Review was launched by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
- World Malaria Day: India registers over 85 per cent decline in malaria cases from 2015 to 2022.
- Bangladesh officially unveiled its Indo-Pacific Outlook (IPO) outlining four guiding principles and 15 objectives.
- Md. Sahabuddin takes oath as the 22nd President of Bangladesh.
- International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace was observed on April 24.
SPORTS
- Archery World Cup: India end campaign with two golds and one silver and bronze medal each at Turkiye’s Antalya.
World Book Day
orld Book Day is a yearly celebration observed on April 23rd globally to promote the love for reading, writing, publishing, and copyright. It is an initiative to create awareness of the importance of education and literacy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organized the first World Book Day in 1995, chosen to coincide with the death anniversary of notable writers William Shakespeare, Garcilaso de la Vega, and Miguel de Cervantes.
Significance of World Book Day
The significance of World Book Day lies in its promotion of the importance of education and literacy. Reading is an essential skill needed by people from all walks of life, and books are a vital source of knowledge. World Book Day also focuses on publishing and copyright issues that are prevalent in the digital age. With the rise of e-books and piracy, the publishing industry faces significant challenges. World Book Day helps raise awareness of these issues and promotes the protection of intellectual property rights.
The Theme for World Book Day 2023
The theme for World Book Day 2023 is ‘Indigenous Languages.’ The theme is focused on promoting the diversity of native languages in a country. This theme highlights the importance of preserving cultural and linguistic heritage.
Books and the Past and Future
Books serve as a connection between the past and the future, a pathway that links various generations and cultures. They provide a window into different times and worlds, connecting people across continents and ages. UNESCO recognizes the importance of books and authors and stands for creativity, diversity, and equal access to knowledge.
Celebrating Books and Authors
To sustain the momentum of World Book Day’s festivities, UNESCO and global organizations that represent the primary sectors of the book industry, namely publishers, booksellers, and libraries, pick the World Book Capital for a year. World Book Day is a worldwide celebration of books and authors that brings together numerous individuals and groups, including authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, private and public institutions, humanitarian NGOs, and the media. It has become a platform to rally together millions of people worldwide to celebrate books and authors, and promote the enjoyment of reading.
What are Heat Domes?
Heat domes are high-pressure systems that result in extremely hot and dry weather conditions, causing a variety of impacts on human health, the environment, and society. As the frequency and intensity of heat domes increase, understanding their causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies becomes crucial.
What is a Heat Dome?
A heat dome is a type of high-pressure system that occurs when a large area of high pressure in the upper atmosphere traps hot air near the surface of the earth. This results in a dome-like shape of high pressure that prevents the hot air from rising and cooling, leading to persistent hot and dry weather conditions.
How Can Heat Domes Impact Human Health?
Heat domes can have severe impacts on human health. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Heat domes can also aggravate pre-existing health conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, and increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related injuries, particularly among vulnerable populations such as elderly individuals, children, people with pre-existing health conditions, construction workers, farmers, and those living in poverty.
Contributing Factors to the Increased Frequency and Intensity of Heat Domes
Several factors contribute to the increased frequency and intensity of heat domes. Climate change is a significant factor, as rising global temperatures alter weather patterns and create favorable conditions for the formation of heat domes. Melting icebergs and loss of Arctic sea ice also contribute to drier conditions, reducing the moderating effect of the ocean on temperature extremes. Changes in weather patterns, such as the slowing down of atmospheric circulation, can result in prolonged periods of stagnant weather conditions, leading to the formation of heat domes.
Impacts of Heat Domes on the Environment
Heat domes can have severe impacts on the environment. The persistent hot and dry conditions associated with heat domes can lead to droughts, exacerbate wildfires, and damage infrastructure such as roads and buildings. Drier conditions can also have long-term impacts on ecosystems, including changes in plant and animal populations, and disruptions to agricultural production.
Formation of Heat Domes
Heat domes form when a large area of high pressure occurs in the upper atmosphere, causing air to sink and warm as it descends towards the surface. This sinking air creates a dome-like shape of high pressure that traps hot air near the surface, preventing it from rising and cooling. Other factors that contribute to the formation of heat domes include less reflection of sunlight due to changes in atmospheric conditions and dry air.
Can Heat Domes be Completely Prevented?
Heat domes are a natural weather phenomenon, and it is not possible to completely prevent their occurrence. However, the impacts of heat domes can be mitigated through various strategies.
Mitigation Strategies for Heat Domes
Mitigating the impacts of heat domes requires a multi-pronged approach. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change is critical in addressing the root causes of heat domes. Improving energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels can help mitigate the impacts of heat domes. Urban planning strategies, such as planting trees and implementing cooling measures, can help reduce the urban heat island effect, which exacerbates the impacts of heat domes in urban areas. Additionally, implementing early warning systems, providing access to cooling centers, and educating vulnerable populations on heat-related risks and preventive measures can also help mitigate the impacts of heat domes on human health.
World Health Day 2023 | 5 Careers in Health and Wellness to Ensure ‘Health for All’
Every year on 7 April, World Health Day is celebrated with a different theme each time. The theme for the year 2023 is “Health For All”. This year it also marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948.
As the theme for this year highlights - the focus is greatly on public health. If it weren’t for the number of people who enter into public health professions, the world wouldn’t have witnessed the massive improvement in the quality of lifestyle we experience these days. From sanitary health to mental health, each and every area has seen major transformations in terms of quality of life.
As we celebrate World Health day, let’s take a look at some popular health and wellness careers:
1. Medical Researcher
These specialists conduct and analyse/diagnose various diseases, health issues and develop treatment and methods to cure or prevent those diseases.
How to become a Medical Researcher:
- Get a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.
- Clear the relevant Entrance Examinations
- Pursue a PhD or opt for a dual-degree programme to learn the required clinical and research skills
- Apply for the role of researcher
2. Rehabilitation Counsellor
Mental Health has always been of great concern. Whether it is in the case of people requiring support to deal with mental health issues, or people requiring support when they are the victims of trauma caused by political or natural causes. Rehabilitation Counselling is one of the fast-growing Counselling Specialties in India, showing the advances that we have made in the field.
How to become a Rehabilitation Counsellor:
- Get a BA/BSc with your preferable specialisation(s) in Psychology, Counselling etc.
- Complete an MA/MSc in the relevant area
- Upskill further with a PG Diploma in various specialisations can definitely give a boost to your career
- Pursue PhD in your area of branches of rehabilitation to get into research related careers
- Apply for Rehabilitation Counsellor in Nursing homes, disability centres, residential care settings and the like
3. NGO Worker
Working for a social cause can prove to be a rewarding career for many. It allows you to make a living while improving the world around you. If you're passionate about health and wellness as a social cause, working for an NGO or other nonprofit organisation that works in the area of public health might prove to be an ideal career.
How to pursue a career in an NGO
- Complete your education in the area of public health that you are intersted in.
- Be sure to volunteer for the cause much before you have completed the course as this arms you with valuable experience.
- Working with NGOs will also open up employment opportunities over time.
4. Nutritionist
Dieticians and nutritionists are professionals who cater to their patients’ and clients’ nutritional and health needs. If this is an area that interests you, it could be a rewarding career with exceptional opportunities.
How to become a Nutritionist
- Get a bachelor’s course (BSc) in food and nutrition
- Complete an MSc in Food and Nutrition with specialisations like therapeutic nutrition, public health nutrition or food science from a recognised university.
- Get professional experience by completing internships or volunteering
- Apply for the role of Dietician and/or Nutritionist at hospitals, clinical laboratories, wellness startups, government agencies working for public health departments and the like.
5. Nurse & Nursing Assistant
A nurse plays a huge part in a patient's recovery and also assists doctors and surgeons. Nurses serve to care for people who are suffering from disabilities, accidents, or diseases etc. and are usually the primary caregivers in many circumstances.
How to become a Nurse
- Complete your 10+2 with core subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Biology with a minimum of 50% aggregate.
- Prepare for the Bachelor degree entrance examination and enrol in a BSc Nursing course.
- Complete the requisite training before you apply for a position at hospitals, nursing homes, public health centres, old age homes, etc.
- Complete a Master’s degree to grow further in your career.
Source: The Telegraph India, 7/04/23
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