Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 25 October 2023 | Download PDF

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi  met Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji.
• 25th round of discussions was held recently (previous round was held in 2016)
• Beijing pushes for diplomatic ties with Thimphu
• Both sides want a deal on demarcating the boundaries “soon”.

Impact on India

• Any deal between China and Bhutan that accedes to a “swap arrangement” between areas to the north (Jamparlung and Pasamlung valleys) with Doklam to the west would be of concern to India, given the proximity to India’s narrow “Siliguri corridor” that connects the northeastern States with the rest of India.

The Centre has asked all departments to deploy officers to showcase its achievements across the country down to the village level, through a roadshow titled Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra

Key points

• The yatra will publicize the government’s welfare schemes across the country and is targeted at the “lower middle class”. 
• It is scheduled from November 20 to January 26.

• Over the years, the SIM card has shrunk from the SIM to the mini SIM to the micro SIM to the nano SIM. 
• The latest on this path is the eSIM, with specifications defined by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Association

Key points

• ‘SIM’ stands for ‘subscriber identification module’. 
• Specifically, it is an integrated circuit, or a microchip, that identifies the subscriber on a given network.
• In the eSIM paradigm, the SIM software is loaded on to a UICC that is permanently installed in the mobile equipment in the factory itself, that it can’t be removed. (This is called the eUICC.)

Advantages of eSim

•  It is considered to be environmentally friendlier than a physical SIM: its reprogrammability means no need for more plastic and metal for a new SIM. 
• If a malicious person gains access to your phone, they won’t be able to separately access the SIM application nor be able to duplicate it.

Disadvantages of eSim

• In some countries, including the U.S., eSIMs can be programmed by subscribers themselves. But this process might be difficult for those with low digital literacy, such as the elderly. 
• An eSIM can in theory allow network operators to track subscribers’ data, including inside apps on the device, especially in the absence of data privacy laws.

The Centre is all set to roll out “DNA and face-matching” systems at 1,300 police stations across the country.

Key points

• It will be implemented under the Criminal Procedure Identification Act which was passed last year.
• The law enables police and Central investigating agencies to collect, store, and analyse physical and biological samples, including retina and iris scan of arrested persons. 
• NCRB is to prepare the SOPs

• NCRB was set-up in 1986 to function as a repository of information on crime and criminals to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.
• It was recommended by Tandon Committee, National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task force (1985).
• NCRB is entrusted with the responsibility for monitoring, coordinating, and implementing the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) project.
• It is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Its publications include:

1. Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India
2. Prison Statistics India
3. Fingerprints in India
4. Report on missing women and children in India

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recommended the use of quick response (QR) codes on food products for accessibility by persons with visual disabilities
• This would ensure access to safe food for all, including those with special needs.

About FSSAI

• It is a statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).
• FSS Act, of 2006 consolidated various acts & orders that had earlier handled food-related issues in various Ministries and Departments.
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Sri Lanka waived visa fee for Indians and tourists from six other countries, as part of its efforts to boost tourist arrivals and help rebuild the island nation’s battered economy

Key points

• India has remained Sri Lanka’s top source market for many years. This year, over 2 lakh Indian tourists — constituting 20 % of the total tourist arrivals — have visited the island nation until September 2023.
• The Cabinet announced implementation of a pilot project to issue free tourist visas to tourists from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan until March 31, 2024.

An enclosure for hoolock gibbons at Nandankanan Zoological Park (NZP) in the capital city was thrown open for visitors.

About Nandankanan Zoological Park

• It is situated near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. 
• It was inaugurated in 1960.
• It is the first zoo in India to become a member of the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).
• It is recognized as a leading zoo for the breeding of the Indian pangolin and white tiger.
• Leopards, mouse deer, lions, ratel and vultures are also bred here.
• It was the world’s first captive crocodile breeding centre, where gharials were bred in captivity in 1980.
• The State Botanical Garden of Nandankanan is one of the pioneering plant conservation and nature education centers of Odisha.

• It is the only ape found in India.
• It is native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India, Myanmar, and Southwest China.
• Gibbons, the smallest and fastest of all apes, live in tropical and subtropical forests in the southeastern part of Asia.
• The Hoolock gibbon, unique to India’s northeast, is one of 20 species of gibbons on Earth.
• It is categorised into Western Hoolock Gibbon(Endangered) and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon(Vulnerable).
• Like all apes, they are extremely intelligent, with distinct personalities and strong family bonds.

The state government has decided to adopt a district-wise energy transition strategy to reduce carbon footprint.

Key points

• This is being done because Odisha’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are the second highest in the country next to Chhattisgarh 
• It is expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of six per cent.
• The district-wise energy transition plan will be prepared for energy-intensive districts like Keonjhar, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and Jajpur.

The programme has not only had a significant impact on the living standard of farmers, increase in production and crop yield in the project areas has also added to the state’s gross domestic product.

About Programme

• It was launched in 2011-12.
• The Parbati Giri Mega Lift irrigation scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the state government 
• It is aimed at providing assured irrigation to 5.12 lakh hectares of agriculture highland areas through 378 projects by 2025-26. 

IFI Foundation and its Partners held a state-level media workshop in Bhubaneswar on ‘Prevention and Management of Stroke’ in the run-up to World Stroke Day 2023.

About World Stroke Day 2023.

• It is held on 29 October every year.
• It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about strokes—those sudden attacks that can affect the brain.
• The theme for World Stroke Day 2023 is ‘Together we are #Greater Than Stroke.’ 
• World Stroke Day 2020 Theme: “Use Heart To Beat Cardiovascular Disease”
• World Stroke Day 2019 Theme: “Life After Stroke”

As part of a capacity building programme for implementation of the Odisha government’s MUKTA scheme, the training of Master Trainers started in Bhubaneswar.

About Scheme

• The Mukhyamantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan Yojana’s (MUKTA) main goal is to lower unemployment. 
• It was introduced in 2020.
• The programme offers migrant workers and the urban poor employment options.
• Activities like stormwater drainage, rainwater harvesting, green cover, increased sanitation, creation of community centers, etc will be taken up under this scheme. 
• The State Government will fund this scheme from its own budget.

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Adda247.