‘Hack The Crisis-India’ Hackathon: To find solutions to overcome COVID-19
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health
In News:
Minister of State Human Resource Development (HRD) recently launched Hack the Crisis – India.
Key takeaways:
It is an Online Hackathon to find working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic.
The winning ideas from few top participating teams, as implementable solutions on corona crisis, are expected to help India and global citizens.
It is a part of global initiative.
It is being organised by ‘Hack A Cause – India’ and ‘FICCI Ladies Organization Pune’.
This hackathon is supported by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) developed by DRDO
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology
In News:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a bio suit to keep the medical, paramedical and other personnel, who engaged in combating COVID-19, safe from the deadly virus.
It has also developed technologies for sanitising areas of different sizes.
Key takeaways:
DRDO has developed this Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) having specific type of fabricwith coating.
It has prepared a special sealant as an alternative to seam sealing tape based on the sealant used in submarine applications.
For sanitising small area, Portable Backpack Area Sanitisation Equipment has been developed.
Trolley Mounted Large Area Sanitisation Equipment is developed for sanitising large areas.
Important value additions:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
It is an agency of the Government of India, charged with the military’s research and development, headquartered in New Delhi.
Funds allocated to State Disaster Risk Management Fund
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Disaster management; GS-II – Centre – State Relations
In News:
Union Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the release of ₹11,092 crore under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF) to all the States to take measures for containment of COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds were allocated to the States on the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission.
It was also reiterated to the State Chief Secretaries to ensure that exceptions with regard to farming operations, be allowed under the 21-day lockdown while maintaining Social Distancing.
Important value additions:
State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRF)
It is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters to meet expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims.
Centre contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States and Union Territories and 90% for special category States (North East States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir).
Air quality improves due to lockdown
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment
In News:
The ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has pushed pollution levels in Delhi to a 5-year low.
Across India, the number of cities that recorded ‘good’ on the air quality indexjumped from 6 to 30 within a fortnight, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
Key takeaways:
Level of particulate matter, PM 2.5 – the most dangerous pollutant – also reduced.
Overall, up to 44% reduction in PM10 levels was observed in Delhi.
Important value additions:
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
It is a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Mo.E.F.C).
It was established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1974.
It is also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
It Co-ordinates the activities of the State Pollution Control Boards by providing technical assistance and guidance and also resolves disputes among them.
It is the apex organisation in country in the field of pollution control.
Air Quality Index (AQI)
The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality.
It tells how clean or polluted the air is.
The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health Concern.
Research studies have attributed the key sources of PM2.5 in summer to be: dust and construction activities (35%), transport sector (20%) and industry (20%).
Miscellaneous
‘CARUNA’ initiative formed by Central Civil Services officers
Associations representing officers of Central Civil Services, including IAS and IPS officers, have formed an initiative called ‘Caruna’ to support and supplement the government’s efforts in fighting coronavirus.
The acronym ‘Caruna’ stands for Civil Services Associations Reach to Support in Natural Disasters.
It represents a collaborative platform by civil servants, industry leaders, NGO professionals and IT professionals and many others.
Operation Sanjeevani: IAF airlifts essential medicines to Maldives
An Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J transport aircraft delivered essential medicines and hospital consumables to Maldives under Operation Sanjeevani.
This is the first such assistance by India in fight against COVID.
(MAINS FOCUS)
INTERNATIONAL
Topic: General Studies 2:
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
Post COVID-19 world
With COVID-19 pandemic spreading to nearly 180 countries and impacting the global economy by bringing it to near standstill, the world order post the crisis could see few changes.
Let us have a look at them.
Political
Increasing political and policy uncertainties where Nations start erecting barriers
US power would shift from one of assertion to neutrality in global affairs.
Acceleration of retreat of US global leadership (reflected in US-Taliban deal)
Russia dominance will increase as it is currently more economically and politically stable and an important power broker in West Asia
Asymmetric capabilities of China and Russia will be further strengthened
Strengthening of China and Russia axis –will have direct impact on the liberal international order
Increasing influence of China & Russia will be a boost to authoritarian regimes and authoritarian trends.
Economical
China would cease to be the world’s biggest exporter of manufactured goods
With no country in a position to replace China, situation will precipitate a further economic downturn internationally.
A global recession would be inevitable with vicious downward cycle of decreased demand, closure of firms and reduced income
Industries will face newer challenges such as having to adjust to a shift from cost efficiencies to innovation and policy uncertainties
Social
Psychological issues caused due to extended lockdown – ‘epidemic of despair’ – resulting in anxiety, mental problems, depression, alcoholism and suicides
Inequality further entrenches – those without high levels of skills could see job losses due to depressed economic activity & increased labour competition
Digital authoritarianism – China’s model of AI-powered facial recognition surveillance system could be duplicated in other countries for social management
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can cause the next big human catastrophe
Do You Know?
In terms of GDP in PPP, China is the largest economy with GDP of $25.27 trillion (2019) in comparison to U.S. GDP (PPP) at $21.44 trillion
The cost of the lockdown in India is pegged at around $120 billion or 4% of GDP
CII has estimated that India would require up to six months – after the COVID-19 epidemic is over – to restore normalcy and business continuity.
Connecting the dots:
Multilateralism post COVID-19 pandemic
Article 360 of Indian Constitution – Provisions and Utility
EDUCATION/ TECHNOLOGY
Topic: General Studies 2
:Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education
COVID-19: Online schooling: Possibilities and concerns
The lockdown imposed by authorities in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the learning curve of millions of children in India (& across world). This has led to renewal of interest on online learning
Do you know how Technology is aiding the three aspects of schooling?
Information –Google has revolutionised access to information
Interaction – free apps (like Google class rooms, Zoom, Skype, Electa) and customised learning management systems has enabled teacher-student interactions to continue even during these times of lockdown
Self-study – Students now have access to various sources for self-study Ex: Swayam Prabha by GoI, National Digital Library (even IASBaba for UPSC-CSE preparation)
Concerns w.r.t Online Schooling
Job Losses: There is a fear that school managements would use online learning system in downsizing the number of teachers once the Corona-scene is over
Digital Infrastructure: Teachers need to be provided with laptops/tablets and a steady internet connection for such exercises
Digital Capabilities: Teachers should also be equipped with basic operating skills in computers and good typing speed
Integration with Learning: Online schooling process can become ineffective if technological process is not integrated with learning. Thus any online schooling needs to have proper schedule, Lessons, notes, interactions and online tests
Digital Access: School children (especially in rural areas) don’t usually have phones, social media accounts or even e-mail IDs and thus require parental guidance.
Way Forward
Technology should be used to improve the conversation between teachers and students, not to abandon it altogether
Technology has to be seen as an aid to schooling, not a substitute to it
