Current Affair 1:

Ashwagandha in India

 

News:

In Ayurveda, the dried roots of Ashwagandha are used in preparation of Ayurvedic formulations.

Ashwagandha use is described primarily for its root in national pharmacopeias, such as the United States Pharmacopeia, the British Pharmacopoeia, the Indian Pharmacopoeia, the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, and reference works like the World Health Organization monograph.

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India defines that Ashwagandha consists of dried mature roots of Withania somnjfera. All these systems use roots of the Withania somnjfera as useful part in different single and compound classical formulations. As such, the use of leaves of Withania somnifera has not been reported in classical texts No substantial evidence and literature is available to endorse the efficacy of crude drug extract of Withania somnfera leaves.

Alkaloids and withanolides, two biologically active phytoconstituents besides minor are present in different parts of ashwagahdha. The alkaloidal content of the root varies between 0.13-0.31 percent. Alkaloids are present in the roots but withanolides have been reported from leaves and roots.

India is the top producer, exporter of Ashwagandha.

According to the Ayush ministry, Neemuch and Rajasthan's Nagaur district are the top producers of ashwagandha in India, although it is also grown in states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Black soil is best for ashwagandha.

 

Current Affair 2:

Vibrant Villages Programme

 

The Union Budget 2022-23 has announced that villages on the northern border will be covered under the new Vibrant Villages Programme.

Government has approved Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for comprehensive development of 2967 villages in 46 blocks of 19 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and UT of Ladakh on northern border. Vibrant Village Programme will not cover border areas of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Current Affair 3:

United Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

 

The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) was established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution.

The Commission acts as the principal policymaking body of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.

ECOSOC provided for the CCPCJ's mandates and priorities, which include improving international action to combat national and transnational crime and the efficiency and fairness of criminal justice administration systems.

The CCPCJ also offers Member States a forum for exchanging expertise, experience and information in order to develop national and international strategies, and to identify priorities for combating crime.

In 2006 the General Assembly adopted resolution which further expanded the mandates of the CCPCJ to enable it to function as a governing body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and to approve the budget of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund.

The CCPCJ has 40 member States that are elected by ECOSOC and is chaired by a Bureau, including one member per Regional Group. Currently, India is a member of CCPCJ:

Current Affair 4:

Pipe Composting

 

News:

Assam Promotes Pipe Composting: A Unique Way of Converting Biodegradable Waste into Manure in Two Months.

Pipe composting technology is a method of converting organic waste into compost using PVC pipes 8 - 10 inches in diameter and 1.25 metres in length.

1. The pipes are placed vertically keeping them 25-30 cm inside the ground.
2. Only degradable waste can be disposed of into the pipes including leftover food, fruit and vegetable peels, flowers, dung, agricultural waste, etc.
3. Once in two weeks a little cow dung and dry leaves are mixed with water and poured inside to accelerate the growth of the worms.
4. This should remain closed so that rainwater does not enter the pipes. 
5. Compost manure can be removed by lifting the pipe after 2 months.

Some of the benefits of pipe composting are –

1. it converts biodegradable waste into manure within a short time without harming the environment
2. it helps maintain a clean and hygienic environment on the school campus
3. it is odourless and fly-proof and
4. it is space efficient. 

Moreover, the system is sustainable as the same pipes can be used over and over again.  Further, it provides an opportunity for students to learn about the science and ecology of decomposition, the role of microorganisms and invertebrates, and the importance of waste management and sustainability.

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