Prelim Bits 24-03-2018

N- TB App

N-TB is a mobile phone-based nutrition assessment and counseling application, was unveiled in the recently concluded TB summit.
N-TB is endorsed by the RNTCP and the World Health Organization (India).
The app, that is to be launched on World TB day (March 24), allows healthcare workers to calculate the right Body Mass Index and nutrition levels.
It is based on the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) released Guidance Document on nutritional care and support for patients with tuberculosis in India.
The Center for Nutrition Studies, Yenepoya University,Mangalore provided the content for the app and it was developed with technical support from McGill International TB Centre, Montreal.
The theme for this year World TB day is ‘Wanted: Leaders for TB-free world’.

National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP)

As per Global Burden of Disease Study, 2013 Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala Azar) was the second largest Neglected Tropical Diseases causing mortality.
NVBDCP, which is a part of the National Health Mission, plays a crucial role in the Kala azar elimination.
Kala-azar elimination project is being implemented in four endemic States namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Directorate of National Vector Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP) is the central nodal agency for the prevention and control of following vector borne diseases

It is one of the Technical Departments of Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family welfare.

State of Climate Report 2017

The report is released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The report said that weather and climate disasters cost countries about $320 billion last year.
It also observed major monsoon floods in the Indian subcontinent and severe droughts in parts of East Africa contributing to making 2017 the most expensive year on record.

The North Atlantic hurricane season was the costliest ever for the U.S.
While the hurricanes such as Irma, Harvey eradicated decades of development gains in small islands in the Caribbean, such as Dominica.
The report also noted that two significant cyclones in North Indian Ocean- Mora and Ockhi- caused potential damage.

UIDAI

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority established under the provisions of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.
It is under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Prior to its establishment as a statutory authority, UIDAI was functioning as an attached office of the then Planning Commission (now NITI Aayog).
UIDAI was created with the objective to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID), named as "Aadhaar", to all residents of India.
UIDAI is responsible for
Aadhaar enrolment and authentication, including operation and management of all stages of Aadhaar life cycle,
Developing the policy, procedure and system for issuing Aadhaar numbers to individuals and perform authentication
Ensuring the security of identity information and authentication records of individuals.
Aadhaar number is a 12-digit random number issued by the UIDAI to the residents of India after satisfying the verification process laid down by the Authority.

Okhala Bird Sanctuary

Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change laid the foundation Stone for Redevelopment and up gradation of Okhala Bird Sanctuary to mark the International Day of Forest.
It is situated at a point where river Yamuna enters in the state of utter Pradesh leaving the territory of Delhi.
Okhla Bird Sanctuary is one of the Important Bird Areas (IBA) of the country.
The bird species of thorny scrub, grassland and wetland are seen in the sanctuary due its unique positioning.

The wetland in the sanctuary was formed due to the creation of Okhala Barrage.
It is home to a large number of resident, as well as migratory birds like grey-headed fish eagle, Baikal teal, Baer’s pochard and Sarus crane.
The sanctuary, belonging to the State of Uttar Pradesh, has an area of 400 ha, out of which 120 ha falls within the National Capital Region of Delhi.

Research Centre Imarat (RCI)

The indigenous seeker technology in the recently tested BrahMos Missile was developed by the RCI.
RCI is situated in Hyderabad in the state of Telegana.
RCI has been considered as 'Avionics Hub' of DRDO.
It is one of the three DRDO Labs of 'Missile Complex'
RCI is a leading laboratory of Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) which is responsible for development of missile system
It is also responsible for design, development and participation in production of missile avionics like Inertial Navigation Systems, Control Systems, Imaging Infrared Seeker, Radio Frequency Seeker and Power Supply System.
Telemetry and Telecommand systems are also developed in RCI to evaluate missile performance during its development phase.
RCI focus is to design and develop world class, State-of-the-art missile technologies which will produce precise and reliable indigenous weapon systems to strengthen country’s Armed Forces.

Source: PIB, The Hindu, Bussinessline