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’:
CBD oil
What is CBD oil?
Which organ is affected by the CBD?
Where is CBD oil used?
How is CBD oil legal in India?