- World Food Day
The issue in news
The Prime Minister of India released a commemorative coin of Rs. 75 denomination to mark the 75 Anniversary of the FAO.
Main points
World Food Day:
- World Food Day is observed on October 16 every year to tackle global hunger and strive to eradicate hunger across the world. It is celebrated to commemorate the establishment of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on 16 October 1945.
- It emphasises on the Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) i.e. Zero Hunger.
- Theme for 2020: “Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together.”
- FAO has helped to increase agricultural production and eradicate hunger all over the world, including India and has played an important role in increasing nutrition.
- 2020’s Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme is also a major achievement for the FAO as the programme was started by FAO.
- FAO has kept a close watch over India’s fight against malnutrition in the past decades. FAO also supported India’s proposal to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This will encourage the intake of nutritious food, increase their availability further and benefit small and medium farmers who mostly grow coarse grains on their land where there is a problem of water and the land is not so fertile and therefore will have an impact on mortality.
- TRANS FAT
The issue in news
Recently, the Union Health Minister stated that the aim of the government is to make India Trans Fat free by 2022, a year ahead of target set by World Health Organization.
Main points
- Trans fats, or trans-fatty acids, are a form of unsaturated fat. They come in both natural and artificial forms.
- Natural, or ruminant, trans fats occur in the meat and dairy from ruminant animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats. They form naturally when bacteria in these animals’ stomachs digest grass.
- However, artificial trans fats — otherwise known as industrial trans fats or partially hydrogenated fats — are hazardous to your health. These fats occur when vegetable oils are chemically altered to stay solid at room temperature, which gives them a much longer shelf life.
- Artificial trans fats may increase your risk of heart disease. In 2018 the World Health Organization launched a plan to eliminate trans-fat from the global food supply.
- First ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State: Goa
The issue in news
Goa recently become the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ State in the country.
Main points
- The state of Goa recently succeeded in providing 100% Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) in the rural areas covering 30 lakh rural households.
- Goa prepared the State’s Annual Action Plan (AAP) and utilized the benefits of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
- The State also utilized the programmes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), 15 Finance Commission for rural local bodies, etc. for strengthening of drinking water sources, water supply, grey water (any domestic wastewater excluding sewage) treatment & re-use and operation & maintenance.
Jal Jeevan Mission
- The aim of Jal Jeevan Mission is to ensure HarGharJal (piped water supply) to all rural households by 2024 New Ministry-“Jal Shakti Mantralaya” to manage water resources and water supply in an integrated and holistic manner with the State Governments.
- It will focus on integrated demand and supply side management of water at the local level, including creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse in agriculture.
- The Jal Jeevan Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across the country.
- Ministry: Jal Shakti Mantralaya(integrating the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation)
- Implementing Agency:Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry
Features:
- It will focus on integrated demand and supply-side management of water at the local level.
- It will implement source sustainability measures recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting.
- It will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across India.
Finance:
- The project is estimated to cost Rs 3.60 lakh crore, with the Union government and non-Northeast and non-Himalayan states sharing the expenses 50:50.
- In the case of N-E and Himalayan states, the funding pattern will be 90:10.
- In Union Territories, the Centre will bear the full cost of the programme
Way Forward
- Having achieved universal access, the State now plans for a sensor-based service delivery monitoring system so as to monitor the functionality of water supply i.e. potable water in adequate quantity and of prescribed quality.
- Goa’s achievement is an example for other States to emulate and ensure every rural home gets tap connection.
- Especially in these times of Covid-19 pandemic, it is all the more imperative to have assured safe water supply within households.
- This silent revolution happening in rural India in terms of household tap water connections is a work in progress for a ‘New India’.
- KALA SANSKRITI VIKAS YOJANA’ (KSVY)
The issue in news
Culture Ministry has issued guidelines for holding cultural events in Virtual mode under various scheme components of Central Sector Scheme ‘Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana’ (KSVY).
Main points
- The guidelines will enable artists to avail benefits under these schemes in virtual mode also and will ensure continued financial assistance to tide over the present crisis.
- Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana (KSVY) is an umbrella scheme under Ministry of Culture for the promotion of art and culture in the country.
- KSVY has the following sub-schemes through which financial assistance is provided to cultural organizations:
- Scheme of Financial Assistance for Promotion of Art and Culture.
- Scheme of Financial Assistance for Creation of Cultural Infrastructure.
- Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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