1. Breakthrough Nutraceutical ‘AKTOCYTE’ by the Department of Atomic Energy Set to Transform Cancer Care
Topic: GS3 – Health sector. This topic is not much relevant in the context of Mains but more for prelims perspective.
Context:
Scientists from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and M/s. IDRS Labs Pvt. Ltd. Bengaluru collaborated to develop AKTOCYTE tablets for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Key Collaborators: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Tata Memorial Hospital, and Advanced Centre for Training Research and Education in Cancer joined forces with IDRS Labs to minimize side effects of radiotherapy.
Targeted Results: AKTOCYTE tablets showed remarkable results, particularly in pelvic cancer patients experiencing radiotherapy-induced Cystitis (Blood in urine).
Extraordinary Recovery: Patients treated with AKTOCYTE tablets demonstrated extraordinary recovery, reducing the need for surgical removal of the urinary bladder.
Multi-functional Design: The tablets are designed as an adjuvant to cancer radiotherapy, regenerative nutraceutical, immunomodulator, and antioxidant, representing a significant advancement in cancer care.
Regulatory Approval: AKTOCYTE tablets received approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), ensuring safety and compliance, and providing confidence in efficacy and quality.
Pelvic Cancer Success: Notably effective in pelvic cancer patients, AKTOCYTE tablets showcased significant recovery, eliminating the necessity for surgical interventions.
Versatile Applications: AKTOCYTE serves as more than a supplement, functioning as an adjuvant to cancer radiotherapy, a regenerative nutraceutical, an immunomodulator, and an antioxidant.
Market Availability: Anticipated to launch in January 2024, AKTOCYTE tablets are expected to revolutionize cancer treatment protocols.
Institutional Collaboration: The collaboration between DAE institutions and the industry was pivotal in achieving this breakthrough, representing the convergence of scientific innovation and practical solutions for cancer care.
Central and State Governments collaborate for quality higher education, with scholarships and reservations, including two Central Tribal Universities for tribal populations.
Concurrent Responsibility: Education falls under the concurrent list, and both Central and State Governments initiate various measures for ensuring quality higher education in the country.
Central Educational Institutions: Numerous institutions are under the purview of the Ministry of Education, including 47 Central Universities, 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 25 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and 7 Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs).
Government Initiatives: To encourage access to higher education, the government has implemented various scholarships and fellowship programs specifically for tribal students.
Reservation Policies: Scheduled Tribe students benefit from reservations in admissions to all Central Educational Institutions, following the existing Reservation Policy of the Government of India.
Central Tribal Universities: There are two Central Tribal Universities – Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Amarkantak and Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh in Vizianagram. These institutions primarily focus on providing higher education and research facilities to the tribal population of the country.
3. VIBRANT VILLAGES PROGRAMME
Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives.
Context:
The government approves ₹4800 crore Vibrant Villages Programme for comprehensive development in northern border areas, focusing on livelihoods and tourism.
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): Approved as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a ₹4800 crore financial outlay for FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Geographical Focus: Targets 46 blocks in 19 districts along the northern border in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and UT of Ladakh.
Objective: Comprehensive development of selected villages to enhance the quality of life, aiming to counter outmigration.
Interventions: Focus on livelihood opportunities through agriculture, horticulture, tourism, cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, cooperative societies, road connectivity, housing, energy, telecom connectivity, and financial inclusion.
Tourism Development: Includes infrastructure enhancement, community-managed home stays, local fairs, eco-tourism, agro-tourism, wellness, wildlife, spiritual, and adventure tourism.
Outcome-Oriented: Conceived as an outcome-oriented program with indicators at three levels – village, household, and individual beneficiary.
4. ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAY YOJANA
Topic: GS2 – Government initiatives
Context:
Department of Social Justice implements Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), part of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana, providing grant-in-aid to NGOs for Senior Citizens’ Homes.
Program Name: Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), a component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY).
Implementation: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment oversees IPSrC, providing grant-in-aid to NGOs for Senior Citizens’ Homes, Continuous Care Homes, etc.
Facilities Offered: Grant supports shelter, nutrition, medicare, and entertainment for indigent senior citizens, with no provision for construction.
NGO Support: New Senior Citizens’ Homes run by NGOs included for grant-in-aid based on requests from states and union territories, designated as Gap Districts.
Funding Details: State/Union Territory-wise grant-in-aid released to NGOs and beneficiaries under IPSrC from 2020-21 onwards.
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU 18-Oct -2023 1. This year’s ‘Ayurveda Day’ to be organized on the theme of ‘Ayurveda for One Health’ and celebrated 100 countries across the globe. Topic: GS3 – Health sector Context: Ayurveda Day celebrated internationally in around 100 countries with the theme ‘Ayurveda for One Health’ on November 11, 2023. The main…
1. INDIAN AIR FORCE EX PITCH BLACK 2024 AT DARWIN, AUSTRALIA (Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2032522 ) Topic: GS2 – International Relations Context Exercise Pitch Black 2024, hosted by the RAAF from 12 July to 02 August, is a large-scale multinational air force exercise with 20 countries participating, including India’s IAF, focusing on night-time flying and international…
PIB Summary for UPSC 25-January -2024 1.Cabinet approves signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Oman on cooperation in the field of Information Technology. Topic: GS3 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations Relevance for UPSC: Enhances bilateral ties – India-Oman MoU in IT fosters cooperation, technology sharing, and employment opportunities. Context: The Union…
1. DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE AND ROBUST AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY (Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2080202®=3&lang=1 ) Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Agriculture Context The Indian government promotes agricultural innovation and infrastructure through various initiatives. These initiatives focus on boosting agri-startups, modernizing post-harvest processes, and supporting sustainable agriculture. They enhance rural industrialization, reduce losses, and align with global sustainability…
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU 1-November -2023 1. All states’ integration was assigned to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel except Jammu and Kashmir – Vice President Topic: GS2 – Indian polity Context: Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary and acknowledged his significant role in successfully integrating all states into India,…
PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU 19-August -2023 Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,The PIB ( Press Information Bureau ) Facebook-f Twitter Youtube 1. Livestock Sector is consistently growing at a high Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.67% during 2014-15 to 2021-22 Topic: GS3 – animal husbandry, Context: Upadhyaya emphasized that the livestock sector has been consistently…
