Daily Current Affairs | March 14 2025 |

1) Northeast to be Next Saffron Hub

• Union Government said that Mission Saffron initiative will make Northeast India, the next saffron hub after Jammu and Kashmir’s Pampore.

• Mission Saffron Initiative which since 2021 has expanded saffron cultivation across Sikkim, Arunachal, and Meghalaya, has further plans to extend to Nagaland & Manipur.

Mission Saffron

• A government initiative, launched in 2021, to expand saffron cultivation beyond Jammu & Kashmir, focusing on the Northeast region.

• Implementing Agency - North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

• Objectives - Boost saffron production in Northeast India, Enhance farmers' income by diversifying high-value crops, Promote Agri-tech solutions for better yield and sustainability.

2) NECTAR to Lead Agri-Tech Revolution

• Union Government has recently laid foundation stone for the new permanent campus of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) in Shillong, Meghalaya.

• NECTAR is actively working to resolve last-mile challenges in technology application and diffusion.

About NECTAR

• It is an autonomous body under Department of Science & Technology (DST) that focuses on technological applications for the development of Northeast India.

• It was established in 2014 with its headquarters in Shillong.

• Objectives - Tech interventions for socio-economic development of Northeast; Bridge the gap between research institutions and grassroots; Fostering self-reliance & innovation in Northeast; and sustainable agriculture.

Initiatives Taken by NECTAR

• Saffron - Promotion of saffron cultivation in the Northeast in the lines of Lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir.

• SWAMITVA - Drone technology for land mapping under the ‘Swamitva’ program.

• High Value Crops - Initiatives for advancements in bamboo and honey production.

• Connectivity & Infrastructure - The Northeast, which once struggled with connectivity, now boasts robust infrastructure, making economic growth and scientific advancement possible.

3) Hantavirus Infection

• Betsy Arakawa, wife of Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, died from a respiratory illness linked to hantavirus, a rare disease transmitted by infected rodents.

• Health experts warn that hantavirus can cause flu-like symptoms after exposure to rodent droppings, and in severe cases, it may develop into Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a life-threatening lung condition.

About Hantavirus

• First identified in 1993, hantaviruses cause severe respiratory infections (Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome) and Kidney disease (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome).

• Transmission - Contact with droppings, urine, saliva of rodents. No human to human transmission confirmed.

• Symptoms - Initially flu like symptoms, but can escalate to severe respiratory distress, internal bleeding, kidney failure.

Prevention and Cure

• Preventive Care :

  • Rodent Control - Sealing homes, avoiding direct rodent contact, and proper sanitation reduce risk.

  • High Risk Populations - Farmers, construction workers, and individuals in rodent-prone areas should exercise caution.

• Curative Care - No care available, only supportive care

  • Oxygen Therapy & Ventilation - Used for patients with severe respiratory distress.

  • Early Detection is Critical - Prompt medical intervention improves survival chances.

4) South-East Asia Surveillance Network

• India has proposed the creation of a South-East Asia Network of transboundary collaborative surveillance, which will help enhance multi-source surveillance to strengthen the response to health emergencies in the region.

• The proposal will be discussed with 11 member countries of WHO South-East Asia Region (SEARO).

Need for This

• Climate Change & Emerging Diseases: Rising vector-borne due to climate change necessitate better monitoring and prediction models.

• Cross-Border Health Risks: Frequent disease outbreaks such as Dengue, Nipah, and Zoonotic infections demand collaborative health security frameworks.

• AMR Monitoring: Anti-microbial Resistance is a rising threat that requires genomic surveillance.

• Vision for this Surveillance Network :

  • Regional Health Security and Cross-Border Collaboration.

  • Integrated Surveillance System.

  • Capacity Building & Innovation.

  • Follow One-Health Approach.

WHO SEARO

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has six regional offices: Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific.

• Countries in the SEARO region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

• WHO SEARO Headquarters: The WHO South-East Asia Regional Office is based in New Delhi, India.

• WHO SEARO's Role: The WHO SEARO plays a crucial role in addressing health challenges and promoting health in the South-East Asia region.

5) Issues of ASHA Workers

• It has been more than a month since the Accredited Social Health Activists (popularly known as ASHA workers) in Kerala started their long-drawn strike.

• Issues raised by them - right to fair wages, proper working conditions and social security.

• ASHA workers belong to the category of ‘Scheme Workers’ who are not recognised as ‘Workers’ in India’s legal framework.

ASHA Workers

• Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are those workers who serve as a link between public health system and grassroots communities.

• ASHA was established in 2005 under National Rural Health Mission (NRLM), now National Health Mission (NHM).

• There are over 10 lakh ASHA workers across India, which serve as the first point of contact for basic healthcare in rural areas.

Issues faced by ASHA Workers

• Low & Irregular Payments: ASHA workers receive ₹5,000–₹15,000 per month, with only a fixed honorarium and incentives per task.

• No Fixed Salary: Unlike other government health workers, ASHAs are not classified as employees, denying them minimum wages, pensions, and social security benefits.

• Inconsistent State Payments: Honorariums vary by state, leading to disparities in earnings and frequent delayed payments.

• No Job Security: Despite being the backbone of rural healthcare, ASHAs lack formal employment status.

Issues faced by ASHA Workers

• Anganwadi Workers -

  • The Anganwadi worker is a functionary of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in charge of managing the Anganwadi.

  • Anganwadi is a type of child and mother care centre that was established as a part of the ICDS.

• Auxillary Nurse Midwife -

  • Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) is a female health worker based at a health sub-centre or Primary health centre.

  • This cadre was created in the 1950s to help the Government focus on basic maternal health including midwifery and child health.