Congo Fever Alert in Maharashtra raised

In news:

There might be a possible spread of the Congo fever in the Maharashtra districtof Palghar.

Important value additions:

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF)

Cause: It is caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family.

Transmission: It is transmitted through bite of Hyalomma tick, an external parasite, living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds etc.

Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected persons.

Virus can lead to epidemics, with a high case fatality ratio (10-40%).

CCHF is endemic in all of Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and in Asia.

Symptoms: Fever, bodyache, dizziness, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light).

Treatment: (1) The antiviral drug ribavirin has been used to treat CCHF infection with apparent benefit; (2) There are no vaccines widely available for human or animal use.

EPFO’s New Facility on UMANG App started

In news:

Recently, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has started a facility on the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) App which enables members of the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995 to apply online for Scheme Certificates.

Key takeaways:

Scheme Certificate is issued to members who withdraw their Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contribution but wish to retain their membership with EPFO, to avail pension benefits on the attainment of retirement age.

Members become eligible for pension only if they have been, cumulatively, a member of the EPS, 1995 for at least 10 years.

Upon joining a new job, Scheme Certificate ensures that previous pensionable service is added to pensionable service rendered with the new employer

It is also useful for family members to avail family pension

UMANG App:

It is a unified, secure, multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-lingual, multi-service mobile app.

Developed by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD)

Objective: To drive mobile governance under Digital India.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO):

It is a government organisation that manages the provident fund and pension accounts for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.

It implements the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

Administered by: Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Ambedkar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission launched

In news:

The Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission under Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (SCs) was recently launched.

Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice

Objective: To promote innovation and enterprise among SC students studying in higher educational institutions.

Key takeaways:

Under the initiative, 1,000 SC youth will be identified in the next four years with start-up ideas through the Technology Business Incubators in various higher educational institutions.

They will be funded 30 lakh rupees in three years as equity funding to translate their start-up ideas into commercial ventures.

Successful ventures would further qualify for venture funding of up to five Crore rupees from the Venture Capital Fund for SCs.

Venture Capital Fund for SCs:

Launched by: The Social Justice Ministry

Year: 2014-15

Aim: To develop entrepreneurship amongst the SC and Divyang youth and to enable them to become job-givers.

Objective: To provide concessional finance to the entities of the SC entrepreneurs.

Under this fund, 117 companies promoted by SC entrepreneurs have been sanctioned financial assistance to set up business ventures.

PM Modi to inaugurate Summit RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020’ on October 5

In News:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate mega virtual summit on Artificial Intelligence RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020’.

Details:

According to an official release from PMO, the mega virtual summit will be organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog on October 5-9, 2020.

The release also informed that PM Narendra Modi plans on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) for inclusive development, representing India’s ‘AI for ALL’ strategy in the spirit for Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas.

About ‘RAISE 2020’:

RAISE 2020 (Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020) will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and charts a course for using AI for inclusion, social transformation, and empowerment in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and smart mobility among other sectors.

Significance of RAISE 2020 for India:

The mega virtual summit is part of the Indian government’s continuing support to the tech entrepreneurs and startups by providing recognition, exposure, and guidance.

As per the PMO release, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in the development of artificial intelligence as it is home to the world’s third-largest ecosystem, robust and ubiquitous digital infrastructure, elite science and technology institutions like IITs, and millions of newly-minted STEM graduates every year.

Industry analysts have also predicted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could add up to $957 billion to India’s economy by 2035.

Sessions during mega virtual summit ‘RAISE 2020’:

• Delegates and experts in policy, research, and innovation on artificial intelligence will join from across the globe in RAISE 2020.
• The virtual summit RAISE 2020 will discuss the cross-sector subjects like ‘Inclusive AI’, ‘Leveraging AI for Pandemic preparedness’, ‘The Impetus that Innovation Places on Digitisation’, ‘Partnerships for Successful Innovation’.
• The mega summit will also feature some of the most exciting startups who have been working in Artificial Intelligence-related fields.
• Startups that will be chosen through AI Solution Challenge will showcase their solutions in the AI Startup Pitchfest which is on October 6, 2020.

CBD oil

What is CBD oil?

1. It is an extract from the cannabis plant and the main active substances in it are Cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
2. The high caused by consumption of Cannabis is because of THC and not by CBD.
3. CBD oil is made by extracting CBD from the Cannabis plant and diluting it with other oils such as coconut or hemp seed oil.

Which organ is affected by the CBD?

1. It has effects on the brain, and prevents the breakdown of a chemical that aggravates pain and affects mood and mental function.
2. It also reduces psychotropic symptoms such as schizophrenia as well as epilepsy.

Where is CBD oil used?

1. CBD is extracted from marijuana plants either as oil or powder and mixed into creams or gels that can be taken orally or rubbed on the skin.
2. CBD applied on the skin is found to help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis.
3. It is also found to inhibit inflammatory and neuropathic pain associated with cancer.
4. The US-based National Cancer Institute found that CBD may help alleviate side effects of cancer treatment.

How is CBD oil legal in India?

1. The Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances act, 1985 prohibits the recreational use of Cannabis.
2. The act does not apply to the leaves and seeds of Cannabis plants. As the CBD is extracted from the leaves of the Cannabis, technically it is not illegal.
3. Also, CBD oil manufactured under a licence issued by the drugs and cosmetics act 1940 can be used legally.