27 December 2024: Daily Current Affairs Updates

Dr Manmohan Singh, GS-1 [Person in News] ▪️Why in the News: Manmohan Singh, the architect of opening India's economy to the world died in New Delhi recently.

‣ Introduction:

• Date of Birth: September 26, 1932

. Place of Birth: Punjab, India

• Early Education: Matriculation from Punjab University (1948)

> Higher Education: First Class Honours in Economics, University of Cambridge (1957) D.

Phil in Economics, Oxford University (1962)

• Notable Work:

• Book: India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth (1964)

• Academic Positions:

• Faculty at Punjab University and Delhi School of Economics

• Worked with the UNCTAD Secretariat

‣ Government Positions:

• Economic Advisor (Commerce Ministry)

• Chief Economic Advisor (Finance Ministry)

• Secretary (Ministry of Finance)

• Deputy Chairman (Planning Commission)

• Governor of Reserve Bank of India

• Advisor to the Prime Minister

• Chairman (University Grants Commission)

• Finance Minister (1991-1996), led India's economic reforms

Prime Ministership

• Duration: May 22, 2004 to May 22, 2014

Golden Visa programme; GS-2 (International Relations) ▪️Why in the news: Spain's Congress has approved the termination of the controversial Golden Visa program.

‣ Golden Visa Programme:

• The Golden Visa program is a residence-by-investment (RBI) scheme.

• It grants temporary residency to foreign nationals in return for significant investments in areas like real estate, business, or other sectors.

‣ Key Features:

• High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) often use these programs to relocate to favorable jurisdictions.

• The visa provides full legal residency rights, allowing holders to live, work, study, and access healthcare in the host country.

‣ Spain's Golden Visa Programme:

> About: Launched in 2013, this program enabled non-European Union citizens to acquire residency permits in Spain. The requirement was a minimum investment of €500,000 in Spanish real estate.

> Reasons for Termination:

• Housing Affordability: The government aimed to address escalating property prices, especially in major cities. Ensuring affordable housing for local citizens was a key concern.

• Misuse of the Program: Reports highlighted its use in activities like money laundering and tax evasion, prompting stricter regulations.

Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi Initiative; GS-2 (Governance) ▪️ Why in the news:

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology recently launched the 'Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi' initiative on Good Governance Day, celebrated to mark the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

‣ Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi Initiative: The initiative aims to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by utilizing innovative tools and capacity-building frameworks.

‣ Pilot States: It is being implemented in the states of Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.

• Technological Approach: The initiative makes use of e-learning platforms, Al-powered chatbots, and mobile applications to close knowledge gaps and improve service delivery.

‣ Alignment with Government Goals: This program supports the government's larger vision of decentralizing governance and encouraging participatory decision-making at the grassroots level.

‣ Expected Outcomes: The initiative is designed to create scalable models of citizen-centered governance, allowing PRIs to lead equitable and sustainable development in rural areas.

Marburg Virus Disease (MVD); GS-3 (Science and Technology) ▪️Why in the news: Rwanda and WHO declare end of Marburg outbreak after

no new cases were reported.

• About:

• MVD is a life-threatening hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus.

• Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for this disease.

> History and Origin:

• The disease was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany.

• It was named after an outbreak that occurred among laboratory workers exposed to infected green monkeys imported from Uganda.

‣ Transmission:

• The virus initially spreads to humans from fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

• Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or surfaces contaminated with these fluids.

‣ Symptoms:

• Early Stage: high fever, severe headache, and a general feeling of discomfort or malaise.

• Advanced Stage: Symptoms include severe bleeding, liver failure, multi-organ dysfunction, shock, and death, often within 8-9 days of symptom onset.

‣ Fatality Rate:

• The average fatality rate is about 50%, though it can vary between 24% and 88% depending on the virus strain and quality of medical care.

‣ Diagnosis:

• Diagnosis is confirmed using RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain

Reaction) tests.

• Virus isolation is another method but requires maximum biohazard containment due to the risks involved.

‣ Treatment:

• No specific cure is available for MVD.

• Supportive care, including rehydration, electrolyte balance, and symptom management, can improve survival rates.