What is Trachoma?

26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

Overview:
Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that the
Government of India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem
becoming the third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this
milestone.

About Trachoma:

It is a bacterial infection that affects the eyes.

It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis.

How does it spread?

It is contagious; spreading through contact with the eyes, eyelids,
nose or throat secretions of infected people, if left untreated it
causes irreversible blindness.

It is found in communities who are living in poor environmental conditions.

WHO has termed Trachoma as a neglected tropical disease and its

estimation suggest that 150 million people worldwide are affected by
Trachoma and 6 million of them are blind or at risk of visually disabling
complications.

Initiatives of Government of India

The Government of India launched the National Trachoma Control
Program in 1963 and later on Trachoma control efforts were
integrated into India’s National Program for Control of Blindness
(NPCB).

As a result, in 2017, India was declared free from infective

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 Trachoma. However, surveillance continued for trachoma cases in
all the districts of India from 2019 onwards till 2024.

The National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT only) Survey was also

carried out in 200 endemic districts of the country under National
Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI)
from 2021-24, which was a mandate set by WHO in order to declare
that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem.

To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the

SAFE strategy.
The SAFE strategy includes: Surgery to treat the blinding stage
(trachomatous trichiasis); Antibiotics to clear the infection,
particularly the antibiotic azithromycin; Facial cleanliness and
Environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water
and sanitation.

The 17 other countries that have eliminated trachoma are: Benin, Cambodia,
China, Gambia, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic
Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi
Arabia, Togo and Vanuatu.

Q1: What are Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)?

These are a diverse group of tropical infections which are common in low-income
populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are
caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic
worms (helminths).

Source: WHO declares that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health
problem in 2024

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 Exercise Malabar
26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Defence & Security

Overview:
Recently, the naval fleet exercise Malabar-2024 was flagged off at the Eastern
Naval Command (ENC), Visakhapatnam.

About Exercise Malabar:

It was started in 1992 as a bilateral naval exercise between India and US

navy.

The first Malabar Exercise in the Bay of Bengal took place in 2007.

It was expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.

In 2020, the Australian Navy joined the Malabar Exercise, making it a

quadrilateral naval exercise.

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 It takes place annually in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Oceans
alternatively.

The exercise aims to strengthen cooperation and security in the Indo-

Pacific region.

Malabar 2024 will focus on a broad range of activities designed to enhance

cooperation and operational capabilities, including discussions on special
operations, surface, air, and anti-submarine warfare through a Subject
Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE).

Complex maritime operations such as anti-submarine warfare, surface

warfare, and air defense exercises will be conducted at sea, with an
emphasis on improving situational awareness in the maritime domain.

The exercise will feature participation of various Indian naval platforms,

including guided missile destroyers, multi-purpose frigates, submarines,
fighter aircraft and helicopters.

Q1: What is Anti-submarine warfare?

It includes a wide range of activities from placing and monitoring passive sensors
on the sea floor to actively hunting and, if necessary, destroying enemy
submarines with teams of submarines, surface ships, and aircraft.

Source: Exercise Malabar 2024 Launched In Visakhapatnam

Central Consumer Protection Authority

26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

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 26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Indian Economy

Overview:
Ola Electric, an electric two-wheeler manufacturer, recently received a show-
cause notice from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for
alleged violations of consumer rights, misleading advertisements, and unfair
trade practices.

About Central Consumer Protection Authority

(CCPA):

The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 was notified on August 9, 2019 and
came into force on July 20, 2020.

It replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Under the provisions of the Act, the CCPA was established in July 2020.

CCPA aims to protect the rights of consumers by cracking down on unfair

trade practices and false and misleading advertisements that are
detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers.

Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

CCPA is empowered to:

Protect, promote, and enforce the rights of consumers as a class,
and prevent violation of consumers rights under this Act.

Prevent unfair trade practices and ensure that no person engages

himself in unfair trade practices.

Ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any

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 goods or services which contravenes the provisions of this Act or
the rules or regulations made thereunder.

Ensure that no person takes part in the publication of any

advertisement which is false or misleading.

Composition:
It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other
commissioners as members — one of whom will deal with matters
relating to goods while the other will look into cases relating to
services.

Powers:
The CCPA can make interventions when necessary to prevent
consumer detriment arising from unfair trade practices and to
initiate class action, including enforcing recall, refund and return of
products.

The CCPA has an investigation wing, headed by a director-general,

which may conduct inquiry or investigation into consumer law
violations.

The CCPA has been granted wide powers to take suo-moto

actions, recall products, order reimbursement of the price of
goods/services, cancel licenses, and file class action suits, if a
consumer complaint affects more than one individual.

The CCPA has powers to pass orders of discontinuation of

practices that are unfair and prejudicial to consumers’ interests and
impose penalties in cases of false or misleading advertisements.

Q1: What Is Consumerism?

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 Consumerism is the idea that increasing the consumption of goods and services
purchased in the market is always a desirable goal, and that a person's well-being
and happiness depend fundamentally on obtaining consumer goods and material
possessions.

Source: Ola Electric receives show-cause notice from Central Consumer

Protection Authority

Halari donkey
26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

Overview:
The endangered Halari donkeys, native to the Halar region of Gujarat, are
considered to be intelligent animals which work closely with human beings.

About Halari donkey:

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 It is native to the Halar region of Gujarat especially found in the in the
semi-arid landscape of Jamnagar and Dwarka districts

Appearance: It is white in colour, and is larger and more resilient than

other donkey breeds.

They are social animals and form close bonds with people, supporting them
for transport needs.

Uses
The Bharwad and Rabari pastoralists are the main communities
which use this donkey as a pack animal to carry luggage during
migration with small ruminants.

The Kumbhar (potter) community also uses this animal for pottery
work in Dwarka in the Jamnagar region.

Halari donkey milk is known for its sweetness. Milk powder made
from it can fetch upwards of ₹7,000 a kg in the international market,
and is used for cosmetic purposes.

Conservation status: It is considered endangered; the surviving population

of the Halari donkey numbers fewer than 500.

Q1: Who are Rabari pastoralists?

The Rabaris are pastoralist nomadic communities scattered across the deserts of
western India. Traditionally, they earned their livelihood by grazing sheep, and
tending to herds of cattle and buffaloes.

Source: In Frames: Brains and brawn

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 Amangarh Tiger Reserve
26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Indian Geography

Overview:
The body of an eight-year-old tiger was found on the border of Amangarh
Tiger Reserve recently.

About Amangarh Tiger Reserve:

It is situated in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh.

It encompasses an area of approximately 9,500 hectares (equivalent to 95

square kilometres).

It lies adjacent to the Corbett Tiger Reserve, serving as a crucial corridor

for Asiatic Elephants, Tigers, and various other wildlife species.

It was originally part of the Jim Corbett National Park, and after the state of
Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh, Jim Corbett went to
Uttarakhand, and Amangarh remained in Uttar Pradesh.

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 Flora: The vegetation of the tiger reserve is a combination of grasslands,
wetlands, and dense forest.

Fauna:
Mammals: Tiger, Elephant, Swamp Deer, Sambar, Cheetal, Hog
Deer, Kakar, Langur, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Otter.

Birds: Hornbill, Red Jungle Fowl, Pea Fowl, Bengal Florican,

Fishing Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Osprey, Woodpeckers, Shama, Indian
Pitta, Paradise Flycatcher, Orioles, Emerald Dove.

Reptiles: Monitor Lizard, Turtles, Python, Gangetic Dolphin,

Mugger, Gharia, etc.

Q1: What is a Tiger Reserve?

Tiger Reserve is a legally declared protected area dedicated to the conservation of

striped big cats. A tiger reserve, on the other hand, could be a national park or
wildlife sanctuary. The Sariska Tiger Reserve, for example, is also a national park.

Source: Tiger found dead in Amangarh Tiger Reserve

Mount Dhaulagiri
26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

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 Overview:
Five Russian mountaineers recently lost their lives during an expedition on
Mount Dhaulagiri.

About Mount Dhaulagiri:

It is the seventh-highest mountain in the world.

It has an elevation of 8,167 meters (26,795 feet) above sea level.

It is located in the Dhaulagiri Himal Mountain range of west-central Nepal

and is part of the Himalayan Mountain range.

It is also one of the "eight-thousanders" — the fourteen mountains on

Earth that are more than 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) above sea level.

Dhaulagiri means "white mountain" in Sanskrit, and it is known for its

snowy peaks and glaciers.

It is the highest mountain located entirely within Nepal.

It extends about 120km from the Kaligandaki River to the Bheri River in the
west.

It is also the highest point of the Gandaki River Basin.

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 It is one of the most challenging mountains to climb due to its difficult
terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.
The first successful expedition to Mt. Dhaulagiri was led by the
Swiss climber, Max Eiselin, in 1960.

Q1: Which are the main tributaries of Gandaki river?

Major Tributaries are Daraudi, Seti, Madi, Marsyandi, and Budhi Gandaki.

Source: Fall claims lives of five Russian climbers on Nepal's Mount Dhaulagiri

Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary

26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Indian Geography

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 Overview:
Recently, the Bihar government announced that the Centre has given its nod
for a tiger reserve at the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary:

It is the largest sanctuary located in the Kaimur District of Bihar.

It is nestled in the Vindhayachal hill ranges.

Rivers: The Sanctuary forms a very important catchment to Kav, Sone and
Durgawati river systems with important tributaries.

It is connected with Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary of UP, which again

has links with Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve and Panna landscape in Madhya
Pradesh through stepping stone forests of Marihan, Sukrit, Chunar ranges
and wildlife sanctuaries of Ranipur (UP).

Vegetation: This region has a thick covering of mosaic prairie, tropical dry
deciduous backwoods, and swampy bogs.

Fauna: The main animals found are Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, Indian
boars, sloth bears, sambar deers, chitals, four-horned antelope and nilgais.

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 Flora: The plants found here include Salai (BoswelliaSerrata), Siddha,
Indian Rosewood (Sheesham), Jamun, Teak, Koraiya,Saal, and Jheengarare
some species of plant life.

Q1: What is Prairies?

These are enormous stretches of flat grassland with moderate temperatures,

moderate rainfall, and few trees. When people talk about the prairie, they are
usually referring to the golden, wheat-covered land in the middle of North
America.

Source: Bihar to develop Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as tiger reserve, gets Centre's
nod

MACE Observatory
26-08-2023 07:04 PM 1 min read

Prelims: Current Affairs & Events

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 Overview:
Recently, the MACE Observatory has been inaugurated by the Secretary DAE &
Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, at Hanle, Ladakh.

About MACE Observatory:

The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) Observatory is the

largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia.

Location: It is located at an altitude of ~4,300 m, at Hanle, Ladakh.

It is Asia’s Largest and World’s Highest Imaging Cherenkov Observatory.

The MACE project aims to foster international collaborations, advancing

India’s contributions to space research and bolstering India’s position in the
global scientific community.

It is indigenously built by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with

support from Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL), Hyderabad, and
other Indian industry partners.

It will help the scientific community enhance its understanding in the fields
of astrophysics, fundamental physics, and particle acceleration
mechanisms.

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 The MACE telescope will observe high-energy gamma rays, contributing
to global efforts to understand the most energetic phenomena in the
universe, such as supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts.

It plays a significant role not only in advancing scientific research but also
in supporting the socio-economic development of Ladakh.

Q1: What is Cherenkov radiation?

It is a form of energy that we can perceive as a blue glow emitted when the
electrically charged particles that compose atoms (i.e. electrons and protons) are
moving at speeds faster than that of light in a specific medium. It is named after
the 1958 Physics Nobel Prize laureate, Pavel Cherenkov, who shared the award
with Ilya Frank and Igor Tamm, for being the first to experimentally demonstrate
and explain this glow.

Source: DAE Inaugurates MACE, Asia’s Largest and World’s Highest Imaging
Cherenkov Observatory, at Hanle, Ladakh

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