Prelim Bits 19-12-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

National Culture Fund

National Culture Fund (NCF) Received Rs. 3.70 Crore from Non-Government Sources during Last Five Years (2018-19 to 2022-23).

• Set up in – 1996, a trust under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890.
• Aim – To mobilize extra resources through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) towards promoting, protecting & preserving India’s Cultural Heritage (Tangible & Intangible).
• It is managed by a Council and an Executive Committee.
• Council – It has the power to decide on relevant polices which has a maximum strength of 24 including the Chairman.
• It is chaired by the Hon'ble Minister of Culture and has 19 members from various fields.
• Executive Committee – It will actualize the policies and it is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Culture.
• Project Implementation committee (PIC) – Representatives from the Donor, Implementer and NCF.
• The accounts are audited by the CAG of India annually.
• Fund usage
  • To train a cadre of specialists and cultural administrators
  • To document cultural expressions and forms
  • To undertake research, innovations and experiments in arts
  • To create of institutions such as galleries and museums
  • To promote international cultural cooperation
• The donations to NCF will be eligible for tax benefit under the Income Tax Act.
• Beneficiaries – Any State Government or voluntary organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 (21 of 1860) or registered as a Public Trust at least for the last 2 years.
• Individuals are not entitled to financial assistance under this.

References

1. PIB| Funding to NCF
2. NCF| National Culture Fund

Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)

Recently, India’s 1^st winter scientific expedition to the Arctic has been flagged off from the MoES headquarters in New Delhi.

• It is a Central Sector umbrella scheme.
• Implemented by – Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa.
• Objectives – To promote long-term scientific programmes in the polar region and the surrounding oceans that have potential societal, strategic and global relevance.
• To plan, coordinate and implement the annual expeditions.
• To establish polar research and logistic facilities in the country and to maintain Indian research bases at Antarctica, Arctic and Himalaya.

4 sub-schemes under PACER

• Indian Antarctic Program – It was conceived in 1981 initiated under the Department of Ocean Development (DOD) attached to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
• 3 permanent Indian research bases, Dakshin Gangotri-1983, Maitri-1988 and Bharati-2012 have been built.
• Indian Arctic Program – Its foundation was laid in 2007 and it established its Arctic research station, Himadri in 2008.
• Its research includes atmospheric, biological, marine and glaciological studies.
• Indian Scientific Expeditions to the Southern Ocean (ISESO) – It was initiated to pursue multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional research activities addressing key scientific components like
• Air-sea interactions, lower atmospheric processes, hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry, biodiversity, etc.
• Cryosphere and Climate – It was initiated during 12th 5-year plan that have enhanced our understanding of the Antarctic cryosphere and the climate variability.

References

1. PIB| India’s maiden winter scientific Arctic expedition
2. MoES| PACER

Noma

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has added the health challenge noma to its official list of neglected tropical diseases (NTD).

• It is a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face.
• Origin - Greek word “nomē”, meaning ‘to devour’, as noma eats away facial tissue and bones if not treated early.
• It is also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis.
• Susceptible population – Children aged 2-6 years old.
• Spread – In developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

WHO website lists the ‘latest’ estimates 140,000 cases per year and a prevalence of 770,000 cases. However, the data dates back to 1998.

• Risk factors - Poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, infections, and extreme poverty.
• While it is not contagious, it prefers to attack when the body’s defences are weak.
• Symptoms – It begins with gum inflammation and leads to facial disfigurement, spasm of the jaw muscles, oral incontinence and speech problems.
• Oral contamination by – Bacteroidaceae and a consortium of other microorganisms
• Higher mortality rate – Approximately 90% as many children are not given care or brought for care in time.
• Prevention and treatment – Its spread can be slowed with basic hygiene, measles vaccination, antibiotics, rehydration, correction of electrolytic imbalances and nutritional rehabilitation.
• Significance of NTD status – It will amplify global awareness, catalyse research, stimulate funding, and boost efforts to control the disease through multisectoral and multi-pronged approaches.

Noma is also called as ‘Face of poverty’ as effective drugs like sulfonamides and penicillin and adequate surgical treatment for the effects remain inaccessible for many due to extreme poverty.

References

Down To Earth| Inclusion of Noma in Neglected Tropical Disease list

Migration and Development Brief

The latest Migration and Development Brief reveals a continuing growth in remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2023, albeit at a slower pace compared to previous years.

• The brief is a biannual report.
• Prepared by – The Migration and Remittances Unit, Development Economics (DEC).
• Released by – World Bank.
• Objectives – To provide the information about migration and remittance flows and related policies over the past 6 months and to provide medium-term projections of remittance flows to developing countries.

Key findings of the report

• Remittances – It grew by an estimated 3.8% in 2023, reaching a total of USD669 billion in LMICs.
• A 7.2% increase in South Asia with notable contribution by India.
• A decline for the 2^nd consecutive year in Middle East and North Africa, driven by a sharp drop in flows to Egypt.
• A decrease of 1.4% after a significant gain in 2022 in Europe and Central Asia.
• India – It remained as the largest recipient with an estimated USD125 billion in 2023.

The top 5 remittance recipient countries include India, Mexico, China, Philippines, and Egypt.

• Resilient labour markets in advanced economies and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries supported migrants' ability to send money home.
• There is a potential risk of a decline in real income for migrants in 2024 due to global inflation and low growth prospects.
• Banks continue to be the costliest channel for sending remittances, with an average cost of 12.1%.
• Recommendation – To leverage remittances for development finance, particularly through diaspora bonds to tap into diaspora savings held in foreign destinations.
• It emphasized on the need for inclusive labour markets and social protection policies to sustain remittance flows.

References

1. The Hindu Business Line| Findings of Remittance flows
2. World Bank| Migration and Development Brief