Rice blast disease in Wayanad
A fungal infection affecting paddy called Rice blast, is affecting farmers who had grown “Manuvarna rice”.
Important Points
- Manuvarna rice is a brand-new rice selection, that Kerala Agricultural College has launched across more than 250 acres in Wayanad district.
- This new brand rice was cultivated by president of Cheekkallur Padashekhara Samiti, Kesava Marar, on 70 acres of rented land after a study showed that this brand had given larger yields as compared to standard rice varieties.
The blast illness
The blast illness is caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae. It is non-systemic in motion. The spores of the fungus is expected to have been launched from hosts such as Echinochloa crusgalli and Purple nutsedge, which are abundantly current in paddy fields, bunds, as well as on sides of irrigation channel of affected space. It was probably resulted in an elevated focus of spores in the air.
Favourable conditions
Relative humidity of more than 93% and rainfall of around 5 mm per day are the favourable predisposing elements through mid tillering stage of the crop for blast illness.
Rice Blast Fungus
Rice Blast Fungus is also known as Magnaporthe grisea, rice rotten neck, blast of rice, rice seedling blight etc. It is a plant-pathogenic fungus and model organism, causing serious disease in rice. M. grisea comprises of a cryptic species complex containing two biological species which have clear genetic differences. Members of M. grisea complex can also infect other cereals like rye, wheat, barley, and pearl millet. The disease caused by the fungus is called blast disease or blight disease.
52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held from November 20 to November 28, 2021.
It will be held from November 20 to November 28, 2021.
Important Points
- Fifteen films including ‘Land of Dreams, directed by Shoja Azari and Charlotte directed by Simon Franco’ will vie for the top awards.
- IFFI will be hosted in Goa.
Golden Peacock award
The golden peacock award will be earmarked for best film at the IFFI. It comprises of a cash prize of Rs 40 lakh. Award will be shared equally by producer and director of the best film.
Silver Peacock award
Silver Peacock award will be given to Best director. It carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh.
The IFFI jury
IFFI jury comprises of renowned Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Banietemad, Sri Lankan filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara, British film producer Stephen Woolley, Indian producer-director Nila Madhab Panda and Colombian filmmaker Ciro Guerra.
International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
IFFI was founded in 1952. It is one of the most significant film festivals of Asia. The festival is held annually with the aim of providing a common platform for cinemas across the world to project excellence of film art. It contributes towards understanding & appreciation of film cultures of different nations with respect to their social and cultural ethos. It promotes friendship and cooperation among people worldwide.
Conduction of the Programme
IFFI is conducted jointly by the state government of Goa and Directorate of Film Festivals, working under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Norovirus confirmed in Wayanad, Kerala
First case of Norovirus was confirmed in Wayanad district of Kerala.
Important Points
- Norovirus is an animal-borne disease. It is transmitted through contaminated water and food.
- Following the confirmation of case, Health Minister Veena George issued guidelines and urged people to be vigilant for the same.
- People were directed to intensify preventive activities and to spread awareness regarding the disease.
Norovirus
Norovirus are a group of viruses, causing gastrointestinal illness. Virus causes inflammation in lining of the stomach & intestines, severe vomiting and diarrhoea. The virus does not significantly affect healthy people. However, it can seriously affect elderly, young children, and people with other comorbidities.
Spreading of the disease
The virus spreads very easily and quickly. It spread from infected people to others when direct contacts occur, as well as through contaminated foods & surfaces. It also spread through excrement and vomit of an infected individual. It can be spread for up to two days, after the onset of this disease. Such outbreaks occur often between November to April.
Symptoms
- Common symptoms of Norovirus include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, headache, nausea, and body aches.
- Acute vomiting and diarrhoea might lead to dehydration and other complications.
Guidelines
- According to guidelines, infected people should rest at home and drink ORS solution & boiled water.
- In a preventive move, people should take proper care of their personal hygiene as well as immediate environmental hygiene.
- People interacting with animals have been advised to pay special attention.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) programme launched in Karnataka
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) programme was launched in the state of Karnataka, on November 12, 2021.
Important Points
- PCV programme was launched under the universal immunisation programme on the occasion of ‘World Pneumonia Day’.
- It was launched with the aim of spreading awareness and reducing pneumonia induced mortality & morbidity among children.
- Programme was launched by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at KIMS, Hubballi on October 22, 2021.
Bacterial pneumonia
Pneumococcal is the name of group of diseases which are caused by bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main cause of bacterial pneumonia in children aged under five years. Young children, elderly, and those with suppressed immune system or those who are malnourished are at the increased risk of getting infected to pneumococcal disease.
Pneumonia disease in India
In India, there are an estimated 1.2 million children who die before completed the age 5 while 15.9% of deaths are the result of pneumonia.
Effectiveness of PCV
PCV is safe and effective measure to prevent pneumococcal disease. It reduces the incidence of meningitis, pneumonia, and other serious bacterial infections that are caused by pneumococcus. To cure the diseases, two primary doses are advised, one at six weeks and second at 14 weeks. Apart from that, a booster dose advised at nine months.
World Pneumonia Day
World Pneumonia Day is observed on November 12, annually. The day was established in 2009 by Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia.
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
UIP vaccination programme was launched in 1985 by Indian government. It became a part of Child Survival & Safe Motherhood Programme in 1992. This programme is currently one of the focus areas under National Rural Health Mission since 2005. It comprises of vaccination for 12 diseases namely, tuberculosis, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B, rubella, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and Pneumococcal diseases.
UN on Africa’s Sahel Crisis
On November 12, 2021, UN peacekeeping chief warned that crisis in Africa’s Sahel region is volatile because Insecurity & instability are undermining prospects for development and many lives are being lost every day because of terrorist attacks.
Important Points
- As per the chief, millions of people are displaced, children are not able to go to school, and primary health care is inaccessible for many amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
- He underlined the concerns while speaking at UN Security Council meeting on G5 Sahel force.
G5 Sahel force
G5 Sahel force was set up by five African nations namely, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Mauritania. The force was set up in 2017 for fighting the growing terrorist threat in vast Sahel region.
Importance
During the conference, Lacroix noted that, joint force is increasing its operational pace however, it faces enormous challenges like return of foreign fighters from conflict in Libya, political uncertainty, domestic challenges, and major shortfalls in equipment.
Reason for terrorism in Africa
According to UN experts, Africa became the region hardest hit by terrorism in first half of 2021 in the aftermath of increasing influence of Islamic State and al-Qaida extremist groups.
Sahel region
Sahel region of Africa is located between Sahara in the north and Sudanian savanna in the south. It is having a semi-arid climate and stretches across south-central latitudes of Northern Africa in between Atlantic Ocean and Red Sea. The region includes areas from west to east parts of northern Senegal, southern Mauritania, northern Burkina Faso, central Mali, extreme south of Algeria, extreme north of Nigeria, Niger, extreme north of Cameroon and Central African Republic, Central & southern Sudan, central Chad, extreme north of South Sudan, extreme north of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
