• According to a newly released report by the WHO, 10.3 million cases of measles were reported globally last year, an increase of 20 percent from 2022.

Key Points:

• • It is a highly contagious and serious airborne disease.
  • It is caused by a virus in the paramyxovirus family, and is normally passed through direct contact and the air.
  • The virus infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing severe disease, complications and even death.
  • Symptoms : The first sign of measles is usually high fever, beginning about 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus and lasting four to seven days.
  • Unvaccinated young children and pregnant persons are at highest risk of severe measles complications.
  • Treatment: No specific antiviral treatment exists for measles.
• Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI):

• • M&RI is a partnership formed in 2001 of the American Red Cross, CDC, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO).
  • It is committed to achieving the Global Vaccine Action Plan goal of measles and rubella elimination in at least five WHO regions by 2020.

• The 19th G20 Summit 2024, officially known as the Summit Rio 2024, held on November 18 and 19, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Key Points:

• Brazil holds the G20 Summit 2024 presidency, marking its first time hosting the event. 
• The theme for the G20 Summit 2024 is “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”
• The G20 Presidency sets the agenda for one year and hosts the Summit, with two parallel tracks: the Finance Track and the Sherpa Track. The Finance Track is led by Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, while Sherpas, personal emissaries of the Leaders, lead the Sherpa Track. 
• The G20 (Group of Twenty) comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States) and two regional bodies: the European Union and the African Union (as of 2024). 
• The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population. 
• It was established in 1999, its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable development by facilitating dialogue among major economies. 
• Founding Members: The G20 founding members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, European Union, and the African Union.

• The Centre’s air pollution control panel for Delhi-NCR recently directed state governments in the region to implement the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Key Points:

• • GRAP is a framework designed to combat air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.
  • It was introduced as an emergency response mechanism, and its implementation is triggered when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches “poor” levels.
  • GRAP is particularly important during the winter months when air quality tends to plummet. 
  • The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas oversees the implementation of GRAP.
  • It collaborates with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
  • The CAQM has constituted a sub-committee for the operationalization of the GRAP.
• Different stages of GRAP: GRAP consists of four stages, each with targeted actions to be taken by the necessary authorities and agencies. These are the following:

• • Stage I: “Poor” air quality (Delhi AQI: 201-300)
  • Stage II: “Very Poor” air quality (Delhi AQI: 301-400)
  • Stage III: “Severe” air quality (Delhi AQI: 401-450)
  • Stage IV: “Severe+” air quality (Delhi AQI > 450)

What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?

• AQI is issued by government agencies to gauge air pollution levels and communicate risks to the public.
• It indicates how air pollution can affect health, with higher AQI values indicating more severe health concerns.
• According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between 0 and 50 is “Good”, 51 and 100 “Satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “Moderate”, 201 and 300 “Poor”, 301 and 400 “Very Poor”, 401 and 450 “Severe” and over 450 as “Severe +”.

• Approximately 6.5 lakh applications have been received for the pilot phase of the PM’s Internship Scheme.

Key Points:

• • It will enhance youth employability in India by offering them hands-on exposure to real-world business environments.
  • The scheme represents a transformative opportunity to bridge the skills gap and drive sustainable growth in India.
  • Aim: The scheme aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth over five years, in the top 500 companies.
  • The pilot project will be implemented through an online portal managed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
• Internship period: One year
• Benefits of the scheme

• • • It will provide on-job training to youth and an exposure to real-life work environments. 
    • The scheme will also benefit the industry by creating a pipeline of skilled, work-ready youth who can be employed post-internship both in large as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.
• Who is eligible for the scheme?

• • Candidates aged between 21 and 24 years who are not engaged in full-time employment are eligible for the one-year internship programme.
  • Internships are available to those who have passed class 10 or higher.
  • Individuals from families with government jobs are excluded
  • It is not open to post-graduates.
  • A candidate who graduated from premier institutes such as IIT, IIM, or IISER, and those who have CA, or CMA qualification would not be eligible to apply for this internship.
  • Anyone from a household that includes a person who earned an income of ₹8 lakh or more in 2023-24, will not be eligible.

• DIPAM has released updated capital restructuring guidelines for CPSEs.

Key Points:

• • The Department of Disinvestment was one of the Departments under the Ministry of Finance. 
  • It was renamed as Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) from 14th April, 2016.
• Functions: 

• • • It deals with all matters relating to the sale of Central Government equity through offer for sale or private placement or any other mode in the erstwhile Central Public Sector Undertakings. 
    • It also deals with all matters relating to the management of Central Government investments in equity including disinvestment of equity in Central Public Sector Undertakings.
• The Four major areas of its work related to

• • Strategic Disinvestment,
  • Minority Stake Sales,
  • Asset Monetisation and
  • Capital Restructuring.

• The central government has initiated an assessment of the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), a scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to develop villages across India.
• Seven villages in Odisha have been included in this review.
• The selected villages in Odisha are located in Angul, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Bhadrak, Khurda, Nabarangpur, and Nayagarh districts. 
• The assessment will continue until November 27th, 2024.

About:

• The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) is a rural development program launched by the Government of India in 2014. 
• It aims to develop model villages across India by empowering local communities and leveraging existing government schemes.   

Key objectives of SAGY:

• Holistic Development: To ensure comprehensive development of villages, including physical, social, and economic aspects.   
• Community Empowerment: To empower local communities to take ownership of their development and participate actively in decision-making processes.   
• Convergence of Schemes: To leverage various government schemes and programs to achieve maximum impact.   
• Sustainable Development: To promote sustainable practices and environmental conservation.

• Ten districts in Odisha have the highest number of applications pending when it comes to generating unique disability identity (UDID) cards for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
• The districts are Cuttack, Balasore, Bhadrak, Balangir, Ganjam, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Nayagarh, Nuapada and Rayagada. 
• Around 1.33 lakh applications are pending across the state and the majority are from these districts

About:

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is implementing the ‘Unique ID for Persons with Disabilities’ project to create a national database for PwDs and issue UDID cards to each person with disabilities.
• The card delivers government benefits and travel concessions, to the person with disabilities.
• Disability certificates issued only through the UDID portal by competent medical authorities are accepted throughout the state. 
• Disability certificates issued in favor of PwDs in manual mode are no longer accepted.

• The Ayush ministry’s ‘Swarna Prashan’ scheme has been expanded to Rayagada district in Odisha.
• This initiative, in collaboration with Vedanta Aluminium, aims to improve the health and well-being of over 6,400 students across 15 government schools in both Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. 
• The program is designed to enhance children’s immunity, cognitive function, and overall physical development through regular Ayurvedic treatments.

About:

• Swarna Prashan is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves administering a unique formulation to children. This formulation typically includes gold bhasma (a purified form of gold), honey, and ghee. 
• It is believed to enhance a child’s overall health, immunity, cognitive abilities, and physical development.   

Benefits of Swarna Prashan:

• Boosts Immunity: It strengthens the immune system, making children less susceptible to common illnesses.   
• Enhances Cognitive Function: It improves memory, concentration, and learning abilities.   
• Promotes Physical Growth: It supports healthy growth and development.   
• Aids Digestion: It aids in proper digestion and absorption of nutrients.   

• The Union Government has formed a high-level committee to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, the first Chief Minister of Odisha. 
• The committee, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, comprises 23 members, including retired administrators, eminent literary figures, and politicians

About:

• Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, popularly known as “Utkal Keshari” (Lion of Odisha), was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and politician. 
• He played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and the formation of the state of Odisha.

Key Contributions:

• Freedom Fighter: Mahatab actively participated in the Indian independence movement, including the Quit India Movement.
• First Chief Minister of Odisha: He served as the first Chief Minister of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and again from 1956 to 1961.
• State Formation: Mahatab played a pivotal role in the formation of the state of Odisha, integrating various princely states into a unified entity.
• Development Initiatives: He initiated several development projects, including the Hirakud Dam project, a significant hydroelectric power project.
• Social Reformer: Mahatab was a strong advocate for social reforms, particularly in the areas of education and women’s empowerment.

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