UPSC EXAM QUIZ 22.08.2024

Explanation:

• Recently on 12 August 2024, the 10th edition of the joint military exercise Mitra Shakti between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army started at the Sri Lankan Army Training School, Maduru Oya.
• This joint military exercise is being conducted from 12 to 25 August 2024. This is the 10th edition of the Mitra Shakti military exercise. Its last edition was held in November 2023 in Pune city of India.
• In this, 106 soldiers of Rajputana Rifles are participating from India, while soldiers of Gajaba Regiment are participating from the Sri Lankan Army.

India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise Mitra Shakti

• “Mitra Shakti” is an important military exercise aimed at strengthening bilateral military cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
• This exercise started in the year 2012 and is held every year, with India and Sri Lanka hosting it alternately.
• The conduct of joint military exercise Mitra Shakti is based on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban environments, thereby enhancing the tactical capabilities of the armies of both countries and strengthening defence cooperation.

Explanation:

• Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have jointly launched the project titled Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW).
• It will help create awareness and share technical know-how and knowledge about the best labour standards.

ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) Project

• It is a commitment by governments, employers' and workers' organisations to uphold basic human values that are vital to our social and economic lives.
• The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW) was adopted in 1998 and amended in 2022.
• Increasing concerns about the social impact of globalisation led the members of the ILO to recognize four categories of labour standards, expressed in eight conventions.
• In 2022, four categories were amended to become five categories with the addition of the occupation of safety and health conventions, expressed in ten conventions.

Explanation:

• Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh launched the 'Chief Minister Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana'. The objective of this scheme is to provide nutritious food to the children of government schools.
• This scheme was launched by Chief Minister Sukhu in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh on 17 August 2024.

Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana

• The Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana is only for government school children.
• Students from nursery to class eight will be provided boiled eggs or fruits once a week. The fresh fruits will be sourced from local markets based on the preferences of the children,
• The scheme will complement the existing mid-day meal scheme and provide nutritious food to children in government schools.
• It will cover 15,181 government schools and 5,34,293 students in the state.
• The state government has allocated Rs.12.75 crore for the 'Mukhyamantri Bal Poshtik Aahar Yojana' for 2024-25.

Explanation:

• Central Government launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System.
• The National Pest Surveillance System is a digital initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
• It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide timely pest management advice to farmers across the country.
• It aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on pesticide retailers and promote scientific approach to pest control.
• It consists of a mobile app and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for all farmers.
• It will benefit farmers as it provides quick solutions for pest attacks and crop diseases.
• It will improve productivity by reducing crop losses.
• It is an important step towards modernizing agriculture in India, enhancing food security and supporting sustainable farming practices.

Explanation:

• India has agreed to purchase an additional 251 MW of electricity from Nepal, bringing its total import to 941 MW.
• External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishnakar announced the new electricity deal with Nepal after meeting the visiting Nepalese Foreign Minister, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, in New Delhi on 19 August 2024.
• The Nepalese foreign minister, Dr Arzu Rana Deuba, is on a five-day official visit to India from 18 to 22 August 2024.
• The Nepalese foreign minister's visit comes after the K P Sharma Oli government was sworn in in Nepal in July 2024.
• In a sign of improving ties between the two countries, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Nepal on 11 and 12 August 2024, and the Nepalese Prime Minister attended the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 August 2024.