UNGA ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY, COOPERATION TO FIGHT COVID-19
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, International Relations, Prelims Why in news? The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by 188 nations including India, on COVID-19, calling for intensified international cooperation to defeat the pandemic that is causing severe disruption to societies and economies. The resolution titled Global solidarity to fight the coronavirus […]
QUESTIONS OVER FOREIGN DONATIONS FOR PM-CARES
Why in news? The government has sent conflicting signals over the question of foreign donations to the new Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund, better known as PM-CARES. Details of the Concerns Initially, Indian ambassadors were directed to mobilise donations from abroad, with SWIFT code details made available in order to […]
LIFE TURNS TURTLE FOR MSMEs AS LOCKDOWN CHOKES
Focus: GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? The lockdown ordered to stem the spread of COVID-19 has swept over millions of small and medium enterprises in tier-2 and -3 cities and across. Details Moving people and machines to facilitate work- from-home (WFH) options became a daunting task for many, as per industry executives of some […]
LOCKDOWN LIFTS DELHI’S AIR QUALITY TO A 5-YEAR HIGH
Why in news? The ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has pushed pollution levels in Delhi to a 5-year low and, across India, the number of cities that recorded ‘good’ on the air quality index jumped from 6 — on March 16 — to 30 as on March 29, according to data from the Central […]
SC CALLS FOR QUICK END TO KERALA-KARNATAKA BORDER ROW
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 3rd April 2020, urged Karnataka and Kerala to amicably resolve their issues concerning a border blockade that has choked the free flow of vehicles carrying essential items and patients in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Background Karnataka, which imposed the blockade, justified that its border was sealed […]
DRDO DEVELOPS BIO SUIT, SEALANT FOR SAFETY GEAR
Why in news? In a major breakthrough, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a special sealant as an alternative to seam sealing tape which is critical in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A bio suit was also developed to keep medical and other personnel engaged in combating COVID-19 safe from the deadly virus, […]
TABLIGHI JAMAAT EXPLAINED: ON A MISSION TO ‘PURIFY’ ISLAM
Why in news? The Tablighi Jamaat, a little known Islamic organisation, has been at the centre of a controversy after dozens of people who attended a religious congregation the group held at its headquarters in Delhi in March tested positive for COVID-19. At least 2,000 people, both from across the country and foreign nations such […]
DOCTORS WARY OF BCG VACCINE STUDY
Why in news? Doctors and scientists in India have expressed caution on a study, which argues that countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from coronavirus (COVID-19). What the Study showed? Note: The study, that hasn’t been peer-reviewed, but is available for public scrutiny. The Study argues […]
KARNATAKA MOVES SC AGAINST KERALA HC ORDER TO LIFT BORDER CURBS
Why in news? Karnataka on 2nd April 2020 challenged in the Supreme Court a Kerala High Court order on April 1 to remove the road blockade at the inter-State border to facilitate flow of vehicles carrying essential items and patients in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Karnataka’s Petition The border had been sealed to […]
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
The Indian Telegraph Act, 1883 is the enabling legislation in India which gov e Indian Constitution. History of the Telegraph Act The Indian Telegraph Act, passed in 1883, was intended to give the Central Government power to establish telegraphers the use of wired and wireless telegraphy, telephones, teletype, radio communications and digital data communications. It […]