4th September 2019 Prelims News Notes for UPSC/IAS Exam

AH-64E Apache helicopters

It is the only available combat helicopter with a spectrum of capabilities for virtually any mission requirement. For the AH-64E, this includes greater thrust and lift, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding…It is uniquely suited to meet the commander’s needs, including reconnaissance, security, peacekeeping operations, and lethal attack — in both land and littoral environments — all without reconfiguration.
The helicopters are equipped with hellfire missiles and rockets, with one helicopter having the capacity to carry 8 such missiles.
It also has a canon gun with 1,200 rounds of firing capacity at a time along with which two missile pods carrying 19 missiles each can be fixed. The attack helicopter can also be used for reconnaissance.
The helicopters weigh 6,838 kilograms and span 17.15 feet.
The aircraft can transmit and receive battlefield pictures to and from the weapon systems through data networking, making it a lethal acquisition. These helicopters will provide a significant edge in any future joint operations in support of land forces.
The aerospace major said the AH-64E has the latest technology insertions, maintaining its standing as the world’s best attack helicopter

National Food Security Act

The Act provides for coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized food grains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.
The eligible persons will be entitled to receive 5 Kgs of food grains per person per month at subsidised prices of Rs. 3/2/1 per Kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains.
The existing Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, will continue to receive 35 Kgs of food grains per household per month.
The Act also has a special focus on the nutritional support to women and children. Besides meal to pregnant women and lactating mothers during pregnancy and six months after the child birth, such women will also be entitled to receive maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.
Children up to 14 years of age will be entitled to nutritious meals as per the prescribed nutritional standards.
In case of non-supply of entitled food grains or meals, the beneficiaries will receive food security allowance.
The Act also contains provisions for setting up of grievance redressal mechanism at the District and State levels.
Separate provisions have also been made in the Act for ensuring transparency and accountability.

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders that are related to the heart and blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction(commonly known as a heart attack).
Other CVDs include stroke, heart failure, hypertensive heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease , valvular heart disease, carditis, aortic aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, thromboembolic disease, and venous thrombosis.
There are many risk factors for heart diseases: age, sex, tobacco use, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, genetic predisposition and family history of cardiovascular disease, raised blood pressure (hypertension), raised blood sugar (diabetes mellitus), raised blood cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), undiagnosed celiac disease, psychosocial factors, poverty and low educational status, and air pollution.

Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963

The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 is an international treaty that defines a framework for consular relations between independent countries.
The Vienna Convention consists of 79 articles, most of which provide for the operation of consulates; outline the functions of consular agents; and address the privileges and immunities granted to consular officials when posted to a foreign country.
A few other articles specify consular officials’ duties when citizens of their country face difficulties in a foreign nation. Of particular interest for the right of individuals is article 36, providing for certain obligations for competent authorities in the case of an arrest or detention of a foreign national, in order to guarantee the inalienable right to counsel and due process through consular notification and effective access to consular protection.

Liquefied natural gas

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, at about -260° Fahrenheit, for shipping and storage.
The volume of natural gas in its liquid state is about 600 times smaller than its volume in its gaseous state. In its compact liquid form, natural gas can be shipped in special tankers to terminals around the world.
At these terminals, the LNG is returned to its gaseous state and transported by pipeline to distribution companies, industrial consumers, and power plants.
It is a cryogenic liquid that is odourless by nature, and is clear, non-corrosive and non-toxic.

Features

Gross Capital Formation

Gross Capital Formation is percentage of accumulation of capital investment to the GDP of a country during an accounting period.

Symbolically it is:

GCF= (Capital Investment÷GDP)*100

Growing GCF is a good sign of a developing economy.
Higher the capital formation, higher the level of national income to be produced.
We can see capital formation in terms of acquiring new equipment, new technology, investment in infrastructure, investment in research and development (R&D) etc.

Eco tourism

Eco tourism means preserving travel to natural areas to appreciate the cultural and natural history of the environment, taking care, not to disturb the integrity of the ecosystem, while creating economic opportunities that make conservation and protection of natural resources advantageous for local people.
The potential of ecotourism as a strategy for sustainable development was recognized during the Earth Summit in 1992, when sustainable tourism was considered as an environment friendly economic activity.

Features

It can provide vitally needed income to poor communities, giving them an economic stake in protecting the environment.
It led to change in the tourist perceptions, increased environmental awareness and desire to explore natural environments. Eco tourism may foster cultural exchanges between people- leading to greater understanding.
India, the land of varied geography offers several tourist destinations that not just de-stress but also rejuvenate you.