CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Overview of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030:
  • The Sendai Framework represents a pivotal agreement in the post-2015 development landscape, offering member states actionable measures to safeguard developmental progress against disaster risks. It was formally adopted by UN member states at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan, on March 18, 2015. This framework succeeds the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015.
• The key objectives of the Sendai Framework include:
  • Aiming for a significant reduction in disaster risk and losses related to lives, livelihoods, health, and the economic, physical, social, cultural, and environmental assets of individuals, businesses, communities, and nations.
  • Emphasizing that while the primary responsibility for reducing disaster risk lies with the state, this duty should also involve local governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
• Four Core Priorities:
  • Understanding disaster risk
  • Strengthening disaster risk governance
  • Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience
  • Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and promoting "Building Back Better" in recovery and reconstruction
• Key Targets:
  • Achieve a substantial decrease in global disaster mortality.
  • Significantly lower the number of individuals affected by disasters worldwide.
  • Minimize direct economic losses from disasters relative to global GDP.
  • Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and interruptions of essential services.
  • Increase the number of countries with effective national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
  • Strengthen international cooperation for developing countries in disaster risk reduction.
  • Improve access to multi-hazard early warning systems and comprehensive disaster risk information for communities.
  • The Sendai Framework expands its scope to include technological hazards alongside natural disasters, marking an important shift from the Hyogo Framework for Action. This includes addressing chemical, industrial, radiological, nuclear, biological, and other hazards.
  • It aligns with other key 2030 Agenda initiatives, such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, and the New Urban Agenda, all of which contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is responsible for facilitating the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Sendai Framework.

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• The "First in the World Challenge," inspired by the achievements of Chandrayaan-3, is a transformative initiative launched by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to drive the development of innovative health technologies.
• This initiative seeks to cultivate original, forward-thinking ideas that generate new knowledge and lead to the discovery and development of unprecedented health technologies, including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other interventions that have not been previously conceived, tested, or implemented anywhere in the world.
• As a high-risk, high-reward program, it offers funding for projects at various stages, ranging from proof-of-concept to prototype development and final product realization. Proposals must showcase ambitious research ideas that promise significant impact and, if successful, aim for groundbreaking biomedical and technological innovations that can improve health outcomes on a global scale.
• Proposals focused on incremental advancements or process innovations will not be eligible for funding under this initiative. Submissions can be made by individual researchers or collaborative teams, whether from a single institution or multiple institutions.
• Each team must appoint a Principal Investigator who will oversee the project's technical, administrative, and financial responsibilities.

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• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder. Individuals with OSA experience repeated interruptions in their breathing during sleep. This condition occurs when an obstruction in the airway prevents airflow through the windpipe, leading to pauses in breathing.
• These blockages can cause blood oxygen levels to decrease, triggering a survival reflex in the brain that momentarily awakens the individual to resume breathing. This cycle can occur numerous times throughout the night, disrupting sleep despite its role in ensuring oxygen intake.
• When breathing is diminished, it is referred to as hypopnea; when it ceases entirely, it is termed apnea. Snoring is one of the most prominent symptoms of OSA. While anyone can develop OSA, it is most commonly observed in middle-aged and older adults.
• OSA can have serious effects on cardiovascular health, mental well-being, overall quality of life, and driving safety.
• Treatment Options:
  • Various treatments are available for OSA. One common approach involves the use of a device that provides positive pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. Another option is a custom mouthpiece designed to reposition the lower jaw to maintain an open airway. In some cases, surgical intervention may also be considered.

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• The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established in 1969 by the Government of India to enhance and support research in the social sciences across the nation. Its formation was based on the recommendations of the Prof. V. K. R. V. Rao Committee.
• ICSSR operates as an autonomous organization under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
• Functions:
  • The council provides funding for a range of activities, including research projects, fellowships, international collaborations, capacity-building initiatives, surveys, and publications, all aimed at advancing social science research in India.
  • In addition, ICSSR has developed the ICSSR Data Service, which acts as a national data service to foster a robust research environment by facilitating the sharing and reuse of data within the social science community in India.

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• Gastrodia lohitensis is a leafless orchid species found in bamboo thickets around Tezu, named after the Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Characteristics:
  • This orchid exhibits remarkable adaptations, enabling it to thrive without sunlight by deriving nutrients from fungi present in decomposing leaf litter. Growing to a height of 50-110 cm, Gastrodia lohitensis is distinguished by a pair of linear calli and ridges on its flower lip, which differentiates it from related species found in Southeast Asia. It is specifically adapted to grow in dense, shaded bamboo canopies, highlighting its narrow ecological niche.
• Threats:
  • With a limited distribution in the region, the orchid faces threats from local land use practices, such as bamboo harvesting and agricultural activities. Conservationists emphasize that the survival of this rare species is closely tied to the protection of its delicate habitat within the biodiverse landscape of Arunachal Pradesh.