Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 21 Jun 2023

NHAI's Knowledge Sharing Platform for Highway Development

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a 'Knowledge Sharing' platform on its website to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices in areas such as road design, construction, road safety, and environmental sustainability. The platform allows experts and citizens to share insights and upload video clips, PowerPoint presentations, and PDF files, which will be reviewed by NHAI officials for potential implementation.

This initiative aims to foster the holistic development of the National Highway infrastructure by encouraging the adoption of innovative practices and sustainable approaches, including the innovative use of recycled materials such as fly-ash and plastic waste. NHAI is also encouraging the use of Recycled Asphalt (RAP) and Recycled Aggregates (RA) in the National Highway construction to promote sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

With the integration of modern infrastructure elements like tunnels, bridges, wildlife corridors, and expressways, the platform seeks to engage a wider audience and promote collective efforts toward the nation's highway development goals.

World Sickle Cell Day 2023

Recently, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, observed on 19^th June, raises awareness about sickle cell disease (SCD) and its global impact.

The theme World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2023 is ‘Building and strengthening global sickle cell communities, formalizing newborn screening and knowing your sickle cell disease status’. The theme is about recognizing the first step to understanding the genotype in infants and adults in fighting sickle cell disease. It also urges the utilization of advanced technology to identify SCD status.

SCD is a chronic single-gene disorder characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, and chronic organ damage, resulting in a significant reduction in life expectancy. Common symptoms include chronic anemia leading to fatigue, weakness, and paleness, as well as painful episodes known as sickle cell crises that cause intense pain in various parts of the body. Delayed growth and puberty can also occur.

Treatment options for SCD include blood transfusions to relieve anemia and reduce pain crises, the use of medication such as hydroxyurea to decrease the frequency of painful episodes and prevent long-term complications, and potentially bone marrow or stem cell transplantation.

Read more: Sickle Cell Disease

Indigenous mRNA-Based Omicron-Specific Booster Vaccine

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in India has achieved a significant milestone in the fight against Covid-19 with the approval of an indigenous Omicron-specific mRNA-based booster vaccine known as GEMCOVAC®-OM.

Developed by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd using an indigenous platform technology and supported by the Mission Covid Suraksha initiative implemented by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), the vaccine has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Drug Control General of India (DCGI).

GEMCOVAC®-OM stands out for its thermostability, eliminating the need for ultra-cold chain infrastructure required by other approved mRNA-based vaccines. This feature ensures easier deployment across India.

mRNA vaccines work by using mRNA, or messenger RNA, which is the molecule that essentially puts DNA instructions into action. Inside a cell, mRNA is used as a template to build a protein. These vaccines teach cells how to make a protein that triggers an immune response inside our bodies which then produces antibodies (what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies).

'One Nation One Helpline' Initiative for Childline Services

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoW&CD) in India has undertaken a significant step by merging the successful Childline emergency counselling and distress helpline for children with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) number 112. The move aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of child helpline services by integrating them with other emergency services such as the police, fire, and ambulance departments.

This decision is part of the 'One Nation One Helpline' initiative introduced by the MoW&CD. Initially, the merger will be implemented in nine states and UTs, including Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Goa, Mizoram, Ladakh, Puducherry, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, with other regions to follow in a phased manner.

Previously, the Childline India Foundation (CIF) and its partner NGOs were responsible for operating the 24x7 helpline under the Child Protection Services scheme. However, the existing system lacked interoperability with other emergency services, resulting in delays during distress situations. Also, childline services were available in only 568 districts, leaving approximately 200 districts without coverage.

To automate and integrate the Childline 1098 service with ERSS 112, the Ministry has appointed the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) based in Kerala as the "total solution provider." This integration will enable the classification of incoming 1098 calls into emergency, non-emergency, and information categories.