New Combination Drug Therapy for Eradication of Tuberculosis: Nikshay Mitra
- According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, the number of people suffering from tuberculosis in India has decreased by 17.7 percent from 2015 to 2023.
- It was also noted that the number of people suffering from tuberculosis worldwide has decreased by 8.3 percent.
- The Central Government is implementing various initiatives to improve the National Tuberculosis Eradication Programme.
- In this regard, Nikshay Advance and a new combination drug treatment for TB eradication have recently been introduced to ensure the necessary nutrition for TB patients.
- While the international target has been set to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030, the central government has planned to eradicate tuberculosis in India by 2025.
Winter Session of Parliament:
- “Session of the Parliament of India” means the period during which both the Houses of the Parliament of India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) meet for the conduct of parliamentary business.
- These sessions of the Indian Parliament provide a platform for elected representatives to debate, discuss and enact laws that shape the governance and development of the country.
- Sessions of the Parliament of India are governed by the Constitution of India and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- The President shall from time to time call each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit.
- The maximum interval between two sittings of Parliament shall not exceed six months.
- Therefore, Parliament should meet at least twice a year.
- The President may from time to time adjourn the House or Houses and dissolve the House of Commons i.e. the Lok Sabha.
- As per convention, normally, the Parliament of India has three sessions in a year – Budget Session, Monsoon Session and Winter Session.
- The primary purpose of the winter session is to transact legislative business and prioritize urgent matters and bills.
- The winter session is usually held from November to December.
Indo-US Joint Military Exercise: ‘Vajra Prahar’
- 15th Indo-US joint special forces exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ began in Idaho, USA.
- Joint exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’ will be held from November 2 to 22 at the Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho, USA.
- The 14th edition of the exercise was held in Umroi district of Meghalaya in December last year.
- The objective of the exercise is to promote bilateral military cooperation, enhance partnership and mutual exchanges.
- The exercise will help improve joint special forces operations and combined capabilities in harsh environments including deserts.
- This is the second joint exercise between Indo-US forces this year.
- Earlier, a joint exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ was held in Rajasthan last September.
India’s first space environment research project:
- ISRO’s space environment research program was launched at Leh in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- India’s first space environment research project was launched in Leh region of Ladakh by a joint effort of ISRO, IIT Mumbai, University of Ladakh, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Corporation, Human Space Mission Center and Aaka Space Studio.
- The project will help simulate life on planets beyond Earth and overcome the challenges of setting up base stations there.
Free Medical Insurance Scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat Scheme’:
- Launched as a free health insurance scheme for all the poor in India, the ‘Ayushman Bharat Scheme’ has now been expanded to provide free health insurance to all senior citizens aged 70 and above.
- About 4.5 crore families comprising of six crore senior citizens will get Rs. 5 lakh will get free medical insurance benefit.
- Everyone above the age of 70 years is eligible to get the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana irrespective of their economic and social background.
- A person who has completed 70 years of age as per the date of birth mentioned in the Aadhaar card can apply for the benefits under this scheme.
- Private health insurance holders can also get benefit under this scheme.
Hydroponic farming:
- Hydroponics is a cultivation method that involves growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution instead of traditional soil.
- Hydroponics or hydroponic agriculture is the technique of growing plants in a nutrient medium of water without the presence of soil.
- Visual examples of hydroponic agriculture can be seen in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Floating Gardens of China.
- In this type of agriculture, plant roots may or may not be supported by internal media.
- Perlite, gravel, rock wood, coir, vermiculite, sand and pumice are some examples of substrates used in hydroponic farming.
- Tomatoes, strawberries and spinach are the most common examples of hydroponically grown plants.
November 1: World Vegetarian Day
- Every year on November 1, World Vegetarian Day is observed to raise awareness about the benefits of vegetarianism and vegetarianism in general.
November 1: Karnataka was formed
- Rajyotsava Day also known as Karnataka Day is celebrated on 1st November every year.
- On November 1, 1956, all the Kannada-speaking regions of South India were united to form the state of Karnataka.
November 1: Haryana Day
- Haryana Day, celebrated on November 1, marks the formation of the Indian state of Haryana in 1966.
November 1: Tamil Nadu State Formation Day
- November 01 is observed as State Reorganization Day.
- On 01 November 1956, linguistic state reorganization took place in India.
November 2: International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.
- The day focuses on addressing the urgent need to protect journalists and bring those who harm them to justice.
- The day is observed to honour those who have lost their lives fighting for the right to freedom of expression and to bring out the truth.
From October 28 to November 03:
- Anti Corruption Awareness Week
November 3: World Jellyfish Day
- World Jellyfish Day falls in spring in the Southern Hemisphere, as this is the season when jellyfish begin to colonize the shores of the Northern Hemisphere.
Important Facts:
- The 67th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference will be held in Sydney, Australia from November 5 to 8.
- India’s share of global petroleum and sugar exports has increased in five years, with India’s share of petroleum exports in 2018 being 6.45 percent.
- The Winter Session of Parliament will begin on November 25 and end on December 20.
- Pollution in Delhi has seen toxic foam in the Yamuna River for the past few weeks, caused by industrial effluents.
- Rajesh Kumar Singh took over as the Defence Secretary.
- India’s fourth embassy is set to open in Brisbane, Australia.
- Pakistan test-fired SH-15 and 155mm howitzer models developed under Chinese supervision along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Chief Minister M. K. Stalin is going to inaugurate the new IT building in Coimbatore at a cost of Rs 114.16 crore on November 5.
- A limestone dating back thousands of years was discovered near Arimalam in Pudukkottai district.
- An inscription belonging to the Chola period has been found near Tirukkattupalli, Thanjavur district.
- The U-19 World Boxing Championships were held in Colorado, USA and India won the U-19 World Boxing Championship with 4 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze medals.
- India’s Mansi won a bronze medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Albania.