UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 23-07-2024

Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Khelo India Scheme

The Union government had promoted sports, including football, through two key schemes, Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Khelo India.

Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs)

• The Scheme is designed to provide financial and technical support to NSFs for the development of sports in the country.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Launched in- 2001
• Objectives- To enhance the quality of sports and achieve excellence at national and international levels.
  • To provide financial assistance to athletes for training, participation in competitions, and other requirements.
  • To improve sports infrastructure and facilities.
  • To support the development of coaching standards and training programs.
• Key Features- It Provide financial assistance and grants for various activities, including training camps, purchase of equipment, and participation in international competitions.
  • The scheme aims to enhance the bench strength of Indian athletes by implementing a robust talent identification and development system, striving for sporting excellence, and making India a sporting powerhouse.
  • It supports talent scouting and nurturing through scholarships and training programs.
  • It provides funding for anti-doping awareness and testing programs.

Khelo India

• It is a national program which aims to promote sports at the grassroots level.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Launched in- 2018.
• Aim- It aims to revive the sports culture by building a solid framework for all sports played in India and establishing our country as a sporting nation.
• It is a national scheme for the development of sports.
• It also targets at mainstreaming sports as a tool for national, economic, community and individual development.
• Sports disciplines- Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.
• Objectives of the Khelo India Scheme
  • Mass youth participation in annual sports competitions through a structured competition
  • Identification of sports talent
  • Nurturing and guidance of the talent through a new set or existing sports academies either by the Central Government, state government, or in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
  • Creation of sports infrastructure at district, mofussil, tehsil, state levels, etc

References

1. PIB | Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs)  
2. Khelo India | ABOUT KHELO INDIA

National Bioenergy Programme

The Union government has revised the financial assistance rates for Biomass Pellet manufacturing under the National Bioenergy Programme component.

• The programme endeavours to promote bioenergy as a sustainable and renewable energy source.
• Nodal Ministry- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Objective- To support the setting up Waste to Energy projects for the generation of Biogas/ BioCNG/ Power/ producer or syngas from urban, industrial, and agricultural wastes/residues.
• The program aims to establish Biomass Briquette/Pellet manufacturing plants and support non-bagasse biomass cogeneration projects in the country.
• Aim- To harness bioenergy for energy security, rural development, and environmental sustainability.
• It seeks to promote the use of biomass resources to generate energy, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change.
• Components
  • Waste to Energy Programme- This includes projects that generate energy from urban, industrial, and agricultural waste.
  • It encompasses technologies like biogas production, bio-CNG, and power generation from municipal solid waste.
  • Biogas Programme- This promotes the use of biogas for cooking, electricity generation, and as a vehicle fuel.
• Central Financial Assistance- The program provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to project developers and service charges to implementing/inspection agencies.
• The revision of CFA will enhance the utilization of Biomass in the Country including the utilization of Paddy Straw in States like Punajb, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh and would contribute to Air Quality Management by avoiding stubble burning.

References

1. PIB | National Bioenergy Programme
2. Vikaspedia | National Bioenergy Programme

Strain MCC0200

Scientists have discovered a new strain of lactic acid bacterium with potential for broader probiotic use through collaborative genome analysis.

Genome analysis, also known as genomic analysis, is the study of an organism's genome, or complete set of genetic information.

• Strain MCC0200 identified as Streptococcus Thermophilus, is a probiotic bacterium isolated from dairy products.

Recent Findings

• It demonstrates several health-promoting traits, such as surviving
  • Gastrointestinal transit,
  • Adhering to intestinal mucosa, and
  • Exhibiting antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolemic activities.
• Probiotic efficacy – It withstands the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and exhibits remarkable resilience against gastric juices and bile acids.
• Gut health- It can adhere to mucosal surfaces, crucial factor a in promoting gut health and immune function.
• Mitigating oxidative stress- Genome analysis reveals its ability to produce beneficial compounds like folate and bacteriocins, and enzymes that mitigate oxidative stress.
• Production of essential vitamins- It is considered to be a nutrient powerhouse including the production of essential vitamins like folate (vitamin B9).
• Cardiovascular benefits- MCC0200's cholesterol-lowering properties hold promise as a functional food ingredient with cardiovascular benefits.

Reference

PIB | Strain MCC0200

Food Safety in Schools

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) revised setting new hygiene standards for food preparation in Tamil Nadu schools, including creches.

• Kitchens covered- The code addresses school kitchens and centralized kitchens.
• This code currently excludes facilities for infants up to 22 months (about 2 years).
• Food handling- Measures for procurement, storage, preparation, and serving.
• Infrastructure- Required equipment and facilities in kitchens.
• Hygiene practices- Cleaning, pest control, and personal hygiene of food handlers.
• Testing- Meals should be tested every 6months for contaminants like e-coli and salmonella.
• BIS Certification- A checklist for certification will be prepared within 6 months based on state requirements.  
• The Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme and Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Nutritious Meal Programme are in place, with quality monitoring systems.

Reference

The Hindu | Food Safety in Schools

Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES)

The European Space Agency (ESA) will launch a mission to study the Apophis asteroid during its close pass by Earth in 2029.

• RAMSES is a planetary defense mission designed to enhance understanding and preparedness for potential asteroid impacts.
• Agency - European Space Agency (ESA).
• Objective- The primary goal of RAMSES is to study Apophis asteroid in detail to better predict its orbit and assess any potential threat it may pose.
• It aims to improve our ability to mitigate the risks associated with near-Earth objects (NEOs).
• Launch - Ramses needs to launch in April 2028 to allow for an arrival at Apophis in February 2029, 2 months before the close approach.
• Ramses will rendezvous with Apophis before it passes Earth and accompany the asteroid during the flyby to observe how it is warped and changed by our planet’s gravity.
• RAMSES will track Apophis with high precision to refine its orbital parameters and reduce uncertainty about its future trajectories.
• The mission will investigate the physical properties of Apophis, such as its size, shape, rotation, and surface composition.

Apophis

• Asteroid 99942 Apophis is a near-Earth object (NEO) estimated to be about 1,100 feet (340 meters) across.
• It is named for the demon serpent in Egyptian mythology.
• Apophis was identified in 2004 as one of the most hazardous asteroids that could impact Earth.
• It is a stony asteroid believed to consist mostly of silicate materials along with iron and nickel.
• It is expected to pass within 20,000 miles of Earth’s surface on April 13, 2029.

OSIRIS-Rex has been rebranded as OSIRIS-APEX is the first mission to probe the Apophis by NASA.

References

1. The Indian Express | Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety   
2. ESA | ESA facts