UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 08-07-2020
iasparliament
July 08, 2020
Zardoszi, CAATSA, USA’s Withdrawal from WHO, Golden Birdwing, CogX Awards and etc.
UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 08-07-2020
Zardoszi
Zardozi work is a type of embroidery predominant in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
It is a type of heavy and elaborate metal embroidery on a silk, satin, or velvet fabric base.
It was patronized by the Mughals that involves weaving metallic threads.
Designs are often created using gold and silver threads and can incorporate pearls, beads, and precious stones.
However, in recent times craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and silk thread.
It is used as decoration for a wide range of applications, including clothes, household textiles, and animal trappings.
Historically, it was used to adorn the walls of royal tents, scabbards, wall hangings and the paraphernalia of regal elephants and horses.
CAATSA
Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), aims at taking punitive measures against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
It was passed in the backdrop of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.
It primarily deals with sanctions on the Russian oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions.
It empowers the US President to impose at least 5 of 12 listed sanctions enumerated in Section 235 on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.
If implemented stringently, it would impact Indian defence procurement from Russia.
It would also affect purchase of spares, components, raw materials and other assistance.
The bulk of India’s military equipment is of Soviet/Russian origin including the nuclear submarine
INS Chakra,
Kilo-class conventional submarine,
Supersonic Brahmos cruise missile,
MiG and Sukhoi fighters,
Mi helicopters,
Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
USA’s Withdrawal from WHO
USA administration has formally notified the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
Although the pullout won’t take effect until next year, meaning it could be rescinded under a new administration if circumstances change.
The measure has been taken after USA’s disappointment with WHO’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and accused of bowing to Chinese influence.
Under the terms of the withdrawal, the U.S. must meet its financial obligations to the WHO before it can be finalized.
The U.S., which is the agency’s largest donor and provides it with more than $400 million per year, currently owes the WHO some $200 million in current and past dues.
WHO
It is an UN agency responsible for global public health.
It was founded in 1948 and based in Geneva, Switzerland.
It aims to "promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable"
It involves in vaccination campaigns, health emergencies and supporting countries in primary care
Funded by a combination of members' fees based on wealth and population and voluntary contributions.
Golden Birdwing
A Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing is India’s largest butterfly with a wingspan of 194mm.
The hitherto largest Indian butterfly was Southern Birdwing, recorded by Brigadier Evans in 1932.
The female Golden Birdwing was recorded from Didihat in Uttarakhand, the largest male was from the Wankhar Butterfly Museum in Shillong.
The female of the species golden birdwing is marginally larger than Southern Birdwing (190mm).
But the male golden birdwing is much smaller (106 mm).
Wingspan of a butterfly is measured from the center of the thorax to the tip of the forewing apex and then double the result.
The smallest butterfly is the Quaker (Neopithecops zalmora) with a wingspan of 18 mm.
CogX Awards
CogX is a prestigious Global Leadership Summit and Festival of AI and Emerging Technology held annually in London.
The awards are given out to the best-of-the-best in AI and emerging technologies across the world.
MyGov is the world’s largest citizen engagement platform.
It facilitates two-ways communication between the Government and Citizen and facilitates participatory governance in India.
MyGov, JioHaptik Technologies Limited and WhatsApp team collaborated to develop AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk.
AI enabled MyGov Corona Helpdesk bagged two awards under categories of Best Innovation for Covid-19 - Society and People’s Choice Covid-19 Overall Winner.
