GS- 3rd Paper
Topic- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Bluetongue sandwich ELISA (sELISA) and the JE lgM ELISA kit
Context
Two diagnostic kits developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
About
Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, developed two diagnostic kits developed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izzatnagar, Bareilly.
The Bluetongue sandwich ELISA (sELISA) and the Japanese Encephalitis lgM ELISA kit for the control of Swine and Detection of Antigen.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE) ELISA Kit (IgM)
- (JE) ELISA Kit (IgM) is for the control of Swine flu.
- The JE is a re-emerging viral zoonotic disease leading to death of children every year in the country.
- The kit developed by the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
- It is really helpful for assessing the active infection of JE virus in the swine population which predicts the outbreak of JE in the humans.
- As compared to the commercial kit available in the market at a price of Rs. 52,000; the ICAR-IVRI developed is available for the farmers at a minimal price of Rs. 5,000 only.
Bluetongue: Sandwich ELISA
- Sandwich ELISA kit is for detection of Antigen.
- The Bluetongue (BT) virus is an insect-transmitted viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants that includes the camelid species.
- The disease is widespread among the sheep, goats, cattle, buffaloes and camels in the country.
- With the help of the Kit, the Bluetongue Virus can be controlled with the vaccination of susceptible animals, vector control and quarantine of infected animals with the good management practices.
- Apart from the vaccination, the early diagnosis and isolation of the infected animals are one of the commonly suggested preventive methods for controlling the spreading of the disease.
Indian Veterinary Research Institute
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) is located at Izatnagar, Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh state.
- It is India’s premier advanced research facility in the field of veterinary medicine and allied branches.
- It has regional campuses at Mukteshwar, Bangalore, Palampur, Bhopal, Kolkata and Srinagar.
- Formerly known as Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory, it was renamed in 1925 as Imperial Veterinary Research Institute.
- The name of the Institute was changed following independence to Indian Veterinary Research Institute.
- Administrative control of the Institute is currently under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.
- The Ministry of Education, Govt. of India on the recommendation of University Grants Commission conferred the status of the Deemed to be University.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous organization.
- It works under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
- It was formerly known as Imperial Council of Agricultural Research.
- It was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 in pursuance of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
- It is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.
- The ICAR has its headquarters at New Delhi.
- The Council is the apex body for co-ordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries and animal sciences in the entire country.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
World Coffee Conference (WCC) & Expo 2020
Context
Crowd Source Ideas for Innovative WCC & Expo 2020: Commerce & Industry Minister
About WCC 2020
- The 5thWorld Coffee Conference (WCC)& Expo to be held in Bengaluru from September 7-12, 2020.
- This is the first time that the World Coffee Conference and Expo will be held in Asia.
- WCC is the flagship event of the global coffee sector with participation from over eighty five countries & growing by the year.
Unique Features – World Coffee Conference 2020
- The International Coffee Organization (ICO) comprising its member countries meets twice a year for official meetings and once every four years it also conducts its official meetings in conjunction with World Coffee Conference in a member country.
- A Unique Platform connecting the 78 Member Countries attended by over 200 representatives nominated by member countries to attend ICC meetings.
- Over 1200 attendees from across continents which includes cross section of Coffee fraternity from Crop to Cup.
- The event facilitates Country to Country, Region-to-Region ,Business to Business and Buyer-Seller Dialogue.
Why WCC 2020 in India?
- India is the 5th largest export and producer in the coffee in the world and is emerging as the major coffee consuming country.
- The Government of India has also a strong focus on increasing coffee plantation. The global community also desires to connect with coffee growers in India and Asia.
- WCC 2020 offers an opportunity to explore India and Asia to the global coffee community.
- Bengaluru is the coffee capital of India and produces nearly 70% of India’s coffee.
Theme of WCC 2020
- The proposed theme of WCC 2020 is “sustainably through consumption “.
- Because the world coffee production is increasing and having a negative impact on coffee prices, this can be offset by increasing consumption, therefore consumption is the key to sustainability.
The International Coffee Organization (ICO)
- The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental organization for coffee.
- It brings together exporting and importing Governments to tackle the challenges facing the world coffee sector through international cooperation.
- Its Member Governments represent 98% of world coffee production and 67% of world consumption.
- The ICO was set up in London in 1963 under the auspices of the United Nations because of the great economic importance of coffee.
- It administers the International Coffee Agreement (ICA), an important instrument for development
For Prelims-
‘Dilli Series’ Sea Power Seminar – 2019
Context
‘Dilli Series’ Sea Power Seminar – 2019 to be conducted at Indian Naval Academy.
Highlights
- Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala will host the prestigious Dilli Series Sea Power Seminar on 17th and 18th of October 2019.
- The theme for this year’s seminar is “Role of Sea Power in Shaping of Nations”.
- The seminar will be covered under three sub – themes–
- Sea Power Vs Land Power – A Historical Perspective,
- Sea Power and Geo Economics
- Centrality of Sea Power to Global Politics.
- The seminar, named after the historic Mount Dilli located within the INA, with considerable historical importance, has witnessed five earlier editions conducted to date.
- The annual Dilli seminar helps young officers and cadets to keep an eye on developments in the maritime domain whilst simultaneously laying a strong foundation of history.
National Security Guard (NSG)
Context
35th Raising Day Ceremony of National Security Guard (NSG)was held at NSG HQ in Manesar, Gurugram.
Highlights
- Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah presided over as Chief Guest on the 35th Raising Day Ceremony of National Security Guard (NSG), at NSG HQ in Manesar, Gurugram.
- The National Security Guard (NSG) is a counter terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- It was raised in 15th October1984, following Operation Blue Star, Akshardham Temple attack and the assassination of Indira Gandhi, “for combating terrorist activities with a view to protect states against internal disturbances”.
- It is not categorised under the uniform nomenclature of Central Armed Police Forces.
- It has a special forces mandate, and its core operational capability is provided by the Special Action Group (SAG) which is drawn from the Indian Army.
- The Special Rangers Group (SRG), the police component of NSG, which also handles VIP security, is composed of personnel on deputation from other Central Armed Police Forces and State Police Forces.
- The NSG personnel are often referred to in the media as Black Cats because of the black outfit and black cat insignia worn on their uniform.
