Today's Brief 20-21/08/2024

YouTube Hindi : https://youtu.be/558knwc0kbo?si=dTy9n21RyTjMXJx4

Youtube English : https://youtu.be/vzWIiXcCmZM?si=v3z8LFnaJ1uxUe9J

1. Microplastic Contamination:

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched an innovative project to tackle the growing concern of microplastic contamination in food on August 18, 2024, in New Delhi.

Recognising microplastic pollution as an emerging threat that requires immediate attention, the project - “Micro-and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: Establishing Validated Methodologies and Understanding the Prevalence in Different Food Matrices” – was started in March this year to develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nano-plastics in various food products, as well as assess their prevalence and exposure levels in India.

The primary objectives of the project include developing standard protocols for micro/nano-plastic analysis, conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generating critical data on microplastic exposure levels among consumers.

This study is being implemented in collaboration with leading research institutions across the country, including the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi), and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani).

In a recent report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted the presence of microplastics in common food items such as sugar and salt

. While the report underscores the global prevalence of microplastics, it also emphasizes the need for more robust data to fully understand the implications for human health and safety, particularly in the Indian context.

The findings from this project will not only inform regulatory actions but also contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination, making Indian research an integral part of the global effort to combat this environmental challenges

2.BHAVISHYA: To overcome the problems of delay & clerical errors in processing the pension cases, as well as financial loss and harassment to the pensioners, the DOPPW introduced, a unique innovative centralized pension processing software called ‘Bhavishya’ for all central government Ministries/Departments.

Following are the Best practices of Bhavishya:

Auto Registration of Retirees: the ‘Bhavishya’ software was integrated with payroll package and would auto fill of basic data of the retiring employees and provide the necessary MIS to the various departments as well as to the DOPPW the number of employees due to retire in the next 15 months.

Self Registration of all the stakeholders i.e. DDO/HOO/PAO etc.

Self-filling of pension form(s) by retiree.

Strict timelines:The software has laid down strict timelines for various stages of pension processing across all stakeholders involved. The process starts online 15 months prior to retirement and the pensioner has to fill up a single form once. The system on its own keeps throwing up alerts to the pensioner as well as to the stakeholder for meeting out the deadlines prescribed for various stages.

Transparency and Accountability:There is complete transparency and accountability in processing of a pension case and due to this system, it becomes very easy to identify the delay points if any, and fix responsibility.

Automatic Calculation of all the Retirement Benefits:The automatic pension calculation cutting across all Ministries/Departments is accurate since it removes manual intervention and reduce the grievances.

Real time updates via email/SMS alerts:The system is capable of giving real time updates via email/SMS alerts for every action due and performed relating to pension processing of central civil retirees up to the stage of first credit of pension in their respective bank’s accounts.

e-PPO: The ‘Bhavishya’ has also been integrated with the PFMS module of CGA and due to this it has now become possible to issue electronic PPOs (e-PPO). The e-PPO is transmitted by the concerned Ministry/Department’s PAO to CPAO from where it goes to the Bank. The paying branch can view e-PPO online.

3.RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das ranked top central banker for second year in a row:

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has received an “A+” rating in the Global Finance Central Banker Report Cards for the second consecutive year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Governor Das for achieving the highest rating among central bank chiefs.

The annual assessment, conducted by Global Finance magazine, evaluates the performance of central bank governors from nearly 100 key economic regions worldwide.

4.The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world.

Located in Enerhodar, Ukraine, it has been a significant focal point during the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The plant began operations in the mid-1980s, with the first reactor going online in 1985.

Reactors: It has six VVER-1000 pressurized light water reactors, each with a capacity of 1,000 MW, making its total capacity 6,000 MW.

The plant is owned and operated by Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy company.

5.Hema Committee Report: The report exposes widespread sexual misconduct and gender discrimination in Kerala's Malayalam film industry.

The report faced nearly five years of delays before being released in a heavily redacted form, with about 60 pages removed to protect individual privacy.

The report indicates the presence of a criminal mafia involving top actors, directors, and producers who dominate the industry.Despite the report’s findings, both the previous and current Left Democratic Front (LDF) governments delayed the release and have not taken decisive action against the perpetrators.

The report's release faced legal hurdles, including a temporary stay by the Kerala High Court and objections from individuals concerned about privacy.

Women in Cinema Collective (WCC)The WCC has been advocating for justice and reform in the industry, report and related events highlight the need for significant reforms and accountability to protect women's rights in the film industry.

Places in News

Ukraine: Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and strategic geopolitical significance. It is the second-largest country in Europe by area, after Russia, and has a population of approximately 41 million people as of 2023.

Geography

• Location: Ukraine is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the southwest. It also has coastlines along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the south.

• Major Cities: The capital and largest city is Kyiv, a historic and cultural center. Other significant cities include Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, and Lviv.

• Landscape: The country features a diverse landscape that includes fertile plains (known as the steppes), plateaus, and mountainous regions such as the Carpathian Mountains in the west. The Crimean Peninsula in the south is known for its scenic coastline and mild climate.

History

• Early History: Ukraine has a complex history that dates back to ancient times, including the establishment of the Kyivan Rus' in the 9th century, which is considered a foundational state for both Ukrainian and Russian identities.

• Modern Era: Throughout history, Ukraine has been influenced and controlled by various powers, including the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Russian Empire.

• 20th Century: Ukraine became a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922 and endured significant hardships, including the Holodomor famine in the 1930s and extensive devastation during World War II.

• Independence: Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991, leading to the establishment of a sovereign democratic nation.

Poland:

Poland is a country located in Central Europe, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and strategic location at the crossroads of Eastern and Western Europe. It has played a significant role in European history and continues to be an influential member of the European Union and NATO.

Geography

• Location: Poland is bordered by Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and Lithuania and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to the northeast. It also has a northern coastline along the Baltic Sea.

• Major Cities: The capital and largest city is Warsaw. Other significant cities include Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań, and Gdańsk.

• Landscape: Poland's terrain is mostly flat, with a mix of forests, rivers, and lakes. The Carpathian Mountains and the Sudetes form natural borders in the south, while the Masurian Lake District in the northeast is known for its picturesque lakes and forests.

History

• Early History: Poland's history dates back over a thousand years, with the formation of the Polish state in the 10th century under the Piast dynasty.

• Golden Age: During the 16th century, Poland, in union with Lithuania, became one of the largest and most powerful states in Europe, known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

• Partitions: In the late 18th century, Poland was partitioned by its neighbors—Russia, Prussia, and Austria—leading to its disappearance from the map of Europe for 123 years.

• Independence and World Wars: Poland regained independence in 1918 after World War I, only to be invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939, leading to immense suffering during World War II, including the Holocaust and the Warsaw Uprising.

• Post-War Era: After the war, Poland became a socialist state within the Eastern Bloc under Soviet influence. The Solidarity movement in the 1980s, led by figures like Lech Wałęsa, played a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.

Refrence:

PIB , The Hindu , IE , AIR