Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 19 June 2021

::NATIONAL::

Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways sign an MoU for Cooperation in Development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat
NMHC to be developed as world class historical site and an international tourist destination showcasing India’s rich maritime heritage.

The unique feature of NMHC is the recreation of ancient Lothal city, which is one of the prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization dating to 2400 BC.
Apart from that, the evolution of India’s Maritime Heritage during various eras would be exhibited through various galleries.
NMHC would have pavilion for each coastal states and union territories to showcase the artefacts/maritime heritage of the respective states and union territories.

Quality Council of India (QCI) launched Indian Certification of Medical Devices (ICMED) Plus Scheme with added features to the ICMED Scheme that has been launched for Certification of Medical Devices in 2016.
ICMED was aimed at enhancing patient safety, to provide enhanced consumer protection along with much needed product credentials to manufacturers for instilling confidence among buyers and users.
ICMED 13485 Plus has been designed to integrate the Quality Management System components and product related quality validation processes through witness testing of products with reference to the defined product standards and specifications.

A three-day virtual Conference of BRICS Network Universities on the theme of electric mobility was inaugurated at IIT Bombay today.
This conference is part of the engagements that India is hosting under the education stream during its Chairship of the 13th BRICS Summit this year.
BRICS Network University is a union of higher education institutions of the five BRICS member countries, formed with the objective of enhancing educational cooperation in general, and especially in the realm of research and innovation.
IIT Bombay is the lead institution of India for the BRICS Network University.

It is a mission by UNICEF in partnership with Ministry of Labour and Employment, India (MoLE).

1. Build pathways for 100 million young people to aspirational economic opportunities;

2. Facilitate 200 million young people to gain relevant skills for productive lives and the future of work; and

3. Partner with 300 million young people as changemakers and create spaces for developing their leadership.

MoLE may provide the necessary API interfaces to the YuWah to connect with the job seekers.

The Central Government today issued a notification amending the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 thereby providing a statutory mechanism for redressal of grievances/complaints of citizens relating to content broadcast by television channels in accordance with the provisions of the Cable Television Network Act, 1995.

At present, there is an institutional mechanism by way of an Inter-Ministerial Committee to address grievances of citizens relating to violation of the Programme/Advertising Codes under the Rules.
Similarly, various broadcasters have also developed their internal self-regulatory mechanism for addressing grievances. However, a need was felt to lay down a statutory mechanism for strengthening the grievance redressal structure.

The Cable Television Network Rules have been amended to provide for this statutory mechanism, which would be transparent and benefit the citizens.
At the same time, self-regulating bodies of broadcasters would be registered with the Central Government.
At present there are over 900 television channels which have been granted permission by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting all of which are required to comply with the Programme and Advertising Code laid down under the Cable Television Network Rules.

2-DG has been developed by the Institute ofNuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS).

The 2-DG anti-Covid drug is expected to reduce dependence on medical oxygen in Covid-19 infected patients.
The pseudo glucose molecule in the drug stops the virus in the tracts.Hence, it has been prescribed for Coronavirus Infected patients requiring critical medical oxygen.

Clinical trial data show that the molecule helps in faster recovery of patients hospitalized with
Covid-19, and reduces their dependence on supplemental oxygen.
The drug accumulates in virus-infected cells, and prevents the growth of the virus by stopping viral synthesis and energy production.
Its selective accumulation in virally-infected cells make this drug unique.
2-DG being a generic molecule and an analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in large quantities.
The drug is available in powder form in a sachet,and can be taken orally after dissolving in water.