UPSC QUIZ 07.12.2023

Explanation:

• A new strain of bacterial pneumonia, commonly called 'white lung syndrome', is causing concern in various countries, including China, Denmark, the US and the Netherlands.
• The disease, which mainly affects children aged three to eight years, is associated with lung damage that appears as white spots on X-rays.

Various respiratory diseases under ‘White Lung Syndrome’

The term ‘white lung syndrome’ covers a variety of respiratory conditions, including

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): A serious pulmonary condition that causes fluid to accumulate in the alveoli of the lungs, resulting in difficulty breathing. ARDS can be triggered by factors such as pneumonia, sepsis, and trauma.
• Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM): An uncommon disorder of the lungs marked by calcium deposits in the air sacs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain.
• Silicosis: A respiratory disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust, commonly found in materials such as sand and stone. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough and chest pain.

Explanation:

• Internet Governance Forum serves as a multi-stakeholder platform, which brings together representatives of various groups on an equal footing to deliberate on public policy issues related to the Internet.
• India Internet Governance Forum 2023 (IIGF -2023), following the success of its previous editions in 2021 and 2022, is scheduled to be held as a hybrid event on 5 December from 09:00 – 18:30 (IST).
• The third edition of IIGF-2023 revolves around the overarching theme of “Moving Forward – Calibrating Bharat’s Digital Agenda”.
• The event aims to discuss critical issues including building a secure, reliable and resilient cyberspace for India, enabling innovation for India's developmental goals, bridging divides and leadership for global digital governance and collaboration.

Explanation:

• On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honored Jyoti Sinha of Muzaffarpur, Bihar with the National Award 2023 for 'Best Divyangjan' at a grand ceremony in New Delhi.

Key Points

• It may be noted that on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, President Draupadi Murmu presented the National Award 2023 to 21 individuals and 9 institutions for their exemplary contribution in various fields for the empowerment of persons with disabilities in New Delhi.
• Jyoti Sinha from Bihar, suffering from 70% muscular dystrophy, has been honored with the National Award 2023 for Individual Excellence in the category of Best Disabled Person in the Field of Art and Culture for her excellent work in the field of Madhubani painting.
• It may be noted that in 1969, the Central Government had approved a scheme to confer National Awards on outstanding persons with disabilities as employers and employees. These awards have been instituted with the objective of focusing public attention on issues related to persons with disabilities and promoting their inclusion in the mainstream of society.

Explanation:

• 2023 World Malaria Report, recently released by the World Health Organization , sheds light on the alarming malaria situation in India and globally.
• The 2023 World Malaria Report reveals a global surge with an estimated 249 million cases in 2022, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
• Covid-19 disruptions, drug resistance, humanitarian crises, and climate change pose threats to the global malaria response.
• Twenty-nine countries accounted for 95% of malaria cases globally.
• Four countries, Nigeria (27%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (12%), Uganda (5%), and Mozambique (4%), accounted for almost half of all malaria cases globally.

Explanation:

• Forbes Asia’s 2023 Heroes of Philanthropy list honors 15 top philanthropists from the Asia-Pacific region.
• The 17th edition of Forbes Asia’s annual Heroes of Philanthropy list excludes corporate philanthropy.
• The unranked list includes privately held companies where the individual is a majority owner.
• The list honors individuals who donate from personal funds.
• The list includes DLF's KP Singh, Infosys' Nandan Nilekani, and Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath.
• KP Singh is chairman emeritus of DLF. In August, he sold his remaining stake in the Delhi-based property developer to fund philanthropic causes.
• Nandan Nilekani is the cofounder and chairman of Infosys. In June, he donated 3.2 billion rupees ($38 million) to his alma mater IIT Bombay to mark his 50-year association with the institute.
• Nilekani and his wife, Rohini, signed the Giving Pledge in 2017.
• Newcomers to the list include India’s youngest billionaire Nikhil Kamath.
• Nikhil Kamath is the cofounder and chief financial officer of Zerodha. He joined the Giving Pledge in June, becoming the country’s fourth signatory.