DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 October 2021
Prime Minister POSHAN Scheme
- Union Cabinet has approved the Prime Minister POSHAN scheme or PM-POSHAN for providing one hot cooked meal in Government and Government-aided schools.
- The scheme will replace the existing national programme for mid-day meal in schools or Mid-day Meal Scheme.
- It has been launched for an initial period of five years (2021-22 to 2025-26).
- The scheme covers about 11.80 crore children studying in 11.20 lakh schools across the country. During 2020-21, the Government of India invested more than ₹ 24,400 crores in the scheme, including a cost of about ₹ 11,500 crores on foodgrains.
- The government has planned to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the scheme.
- The scheme is proposed to be extended to students studying in pre-primary or Bal Vatikas of Government and Government-aided primary schools in addition to all the 11.80 crore children from elementary classes.
- Under the scheme, the concept of TithiBhojan will also be encouraged extensively. Tithi Bhojan is a community participation programme in which people provide special food to children on special occasions/festivals.
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari takes over as Indian Air Force chief
- Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari took over as the Chief of the Air Staff at a ceremony at Air Headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday. An alumnus of NDA, the Chief of Air Staff was commissioned in December 1982 in the fighter stream of the IAF. He has flown more than 3,800 hours on multiple fighter and trainer aircraft.
- During his career spanning almost four decades, he has handled many significant command and staff appointments. He has commanded a MiG-29 Squadron, two Air Force Stations and Western Air Command. He is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal.
Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0
- SBM-U 2.0 envisions to make all cities ‘Garbage Free’ and ensure grey and black water management in all cities other than those covered under AMRUT, make all urban local bodies as ODF+ and those with a population of less than 1 lakh as ODF++, thereby achieving the vision of safe sanitation in urban areas. The Mission will focus on source segregation of solid waste, utilizing the principles of 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), scientific processing of all types of municipal solid waste and remediation of legacy dumpsites for effective solid waste management. The outlay of SBM-U 2.0 is around ₹1.41 lakh crore.
- AMRUT 2.0 aims to provide 100% coverage of water supply to all households in around 4,700 urban local bodies by providing about 2.68 crore tap connections and 100% coverage of sewerage and septage in 500 AMRUT cities by providing around 2.64 crore sewer/ septage connections, which will benefit more than 10.5 crore people in urban areas. AMRUT 2.0 will adopt the principles of circular economy and promote conservation and rejuvenation of surface and groundwater bodies. The Mission will promote data led governance in water management and Technology Sub-Mission to leverage latest global technologies and skills. ‘Pey Jal Sarvekshan’ will be conducted to promote progressive competition among cities. The outlay of AMRUT 2.0 is around ₹2.87 lakh crore.
- SBM-U and AMRUT have contributed significantly to improve urban landscape during the last seven years. The two flagship Missions have augmented the capacity to deliver basic services of water supply and sanitation to the citizens. Swachhta has become a Jan Andolan today. All urban local bodies have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) and 70% solid waste is being scientifically processed now. AMRUT has been ensuring water security by adding 1.1 crore household water tap connections and 85 lakh sewer connections, thus benefiting more than 4 crore people.
“जनCARE”: A program to Spur a Startup Culture in India
- To ensure Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the government is taking initiatives and setting targets to build a vast network of infrastructure to move from Import Centric India to Make in India. The Healthcare sector in India has witnessed tremendous growth over the years that has provided access to facilities as well as generated employment opportunities in the country. To further enhance India’s Bio-Economy, Union Minister for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh launched a program titled “जनCARE” which is aimed to identify 75 Start-Up innovations in Telemedicine, Digital Health, mHealth with BIG Data, AI, Blockchain and other technologies.
- The Amrit Grand Challenge Program is a clarion call for Young Startups and entrepreneurs to come up with innovative ideas and solutions in order to cater to and bridge India’s healthcare challenges. These75 best-chosen startups under this platform will serve as an asset for the country in the coming 25 years, according to Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
DigiSaksham: To Train Unemployed Youth
- In association with Microsoft, the Centre initially is to impart free training to 3 lakh youth in digital skills and advanced computing.
- The Union Labour Ministry and Microsoft India have jointly launched here on Thursday a digital skilled platform – DigiSaksham – to enhance youth employability. According to the Centre, the platform will impart digital skills to youth that are required in an increasingly technology-driven era.
PM inaugurates CIPET : Institute of Petrochemicals Technology, Jaipur
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) in Rajasthan’s Jaipur district.
- He also laid the foundation stone for four medical colleges in Banswara, Sirohi, Hanumangarh and Dausa districts of Rajasthan.
- According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, these medical colleges have been sanctioned under the centrally sponsored scheme for “the establishment of new medical colleges attached with district/ referral hospitals”.
- “Preference to set up medical colleges is given to underserved, backward and aspirational districts. Under three phases of the Scheme, 157 new medical colleges have been approved across the nation,” the statement said.
- Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla were also present on the occasion.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- The Midday meal scheme was launched in
- 1990
- 1992
- 1995
- 1998
ANSWER: B
- Global Nutrition Report is released by
- World Bank
- UNICEF
- WHO
- IMF
ANSWER: C
- Global Hunger Index is released by
- Welthungerhilfe
- World Hunger Aid
- Concern Worldwide
- All the Above
ANSWER: D
- Midday meal scheme worked under the aegis of
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Ministry of Women & Child Development
- Ministry of Home Affairs
ANSWER: A
- Air chief marshal is a _____ air officer rank
- four-star
- five-star
- three-star
- two-star
ANSWER: A
- ______ is the Current Admiral of Indian Navy
- Karambir Singh
- R K S Bhadauria
- General Bipin Rawat
- V.R. Chaudhari
ANSWER: A
- Swachh Bharat mission was launched in
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
ANSWER: A
- GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) Scheme was launched
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
ANSWER: D
- GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) Scheme was launched by the
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Ministry of Rural Development
- Jal Shakti Ministry
- Ministry of Animal Husbandry
ANSWER: C
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation was launched in
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- ANSWER: B
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