Comprehensive Current Affairs Summary – October 3, 2024

Key Highlights

• 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): A decade of the Swachh Bharat Mission since its launch in 2014, with continued efforts in sanitation and open defecation elimination.
• Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework (PPER): A new framework recommended by NITI Aayog to manage future pandemics, focusing on governance, data, research, and public-private partnerships.
• Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): The first state chapter launched in Telangana to promote women entrepreneurs, offering mentorship, financing, and market linkages.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Temple Management: Mumbai introduces India’s first temple management diploma program, aimed at improving the administration of religious institutions.
• Swallowtail Butterflies in Assam: Overexploitation of medicinal host plants is endangering swallowtail butterflies in Assam's citrus belt.
• Isostatic Rebound and Mount Everest: A new study reveals that Mount Everest has been growing due to isostatic rebound effects, with an upward shift of up to 50 meters over 89,000 years.
  

  1. 10 Years of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
     On October 2, 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) to eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation across India. Managed by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the mission has had significant success in transforming hygiene practices in rural and urban areas.

  2. Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework (PPER)
     In light of the lessons from Covid-19, NITI Aayog’s expert group has recommended the formation of the Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Framework (PPER). This framework is built on four pillars:

     • Governance and finance
     • Data management and surveillance
     • Research, manufacturing, and capacity building
     • Partnerships and community engagement

  3. State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)
     NITI Aayog has launched its first State Chapter of the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) in Telangana, in collaboration with WE Hub and the Telangana government. With over 30,000 women entrepreneurs and 400 mentors, the platform is set to empower women with digital skills, financial services, and business networks.

  4. Postgraduate Diploma in Temple Management
     Mumbai introduces India’s first postgraduate diploma program in Temple Management. This course will train individuals to effectively manage religious institutions, focusing on the administration and preservation of temples, addressing the growing need for professional management in this sector.

  5. Swallowtail Butterflies and Medicinal Plant Overexploitation
     A recent study highlights the threat to swallowtail butterflies in Assam, often referred to as the “citrus belt of the world.” The overexploitation of 25 medicinal plant species has endangered the butterflies, which rely on these plants for their habitats.

  6. Isostatic Rebound and Mount Everest’s Growth
     Research suggests that the erosion of the Arun River has caused Mount Everest to rise by 15-50 meters over the last 89,000 years. The isostatic rebound effect, where landmasses rise after the weight of ice sheets is removed, is contributing to the slow upward growth of the peak.

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