Prelim Bits 01-07-2019

Group of Twenty (G20)

The 14^th edition of the G-20 Summit is currently underway in Japan’s Osaka.
G20 is a global forum comprised of twenty of the world’s largest economies.
It focuses on addressing global economic challenges.
Its membership includes 19 countries and European Union.

The members are divided into 5 groups, consisting of a maximum of four states for choosing the President:

In addition to the member countries Spain is a permanent guest and always participates in the G20 summits. Every year, the host country also chooses other guests.

G20 was conceived in 1999, while the repercussions of the Asian financial crisis of 1997 still lasted.
In a G7 meeting, it was decided to expand the group and make it more representative in order to generate policies that have an impact in the economy.
So a new forum of finance ministers and presidents of Central Banks, which would later become the G20.
With the global financial crisis of 2008, the G20 became the main instrument and thereafter, Presidents and Heads of State joined the G20.
The group does not have permanent offices or employees.
The President is chosen by a rotation system amongst the member countries.

Finance Channel - It covers meetings between finance ministers and central bank presidents.
The Sherpas Channel - It covers non-financial issues, such as political commitment, the fight against corruption, development, gender equality, trade and energy.

Civil societies through, Affinity groups participate in the G20 that seeks to enrich submit.

The key regional organizations like ASEAN, African Union, OECD, ILO are usually invited to participate and are represented by the country that holds the presidency.
In the recent submit in Osaka, India held talks with member countries to address the Trade and Security issues.

INS Shivalik and INS Sindhukirti

These are the Indian Navy’s indigenously conceived design and constructed frontline stealth frigate.
INS Shivalik is the Shivalik-class advanced, stealth-minded, guided-missile frigate warship.
It is the first stealth warship built by India at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai s part of the Indian Navy's Project 17.
It is equipped with a wide range of electronics and sensors.
In addition, it uses HUMSA (hull-mounted sonar array), ATAS/Thales Sintra towed array systems.
It is equipped with a mix of Russian, Indian and Western weapon systems.
It also has improved stealth and land attacking features over the preceding Talwar-class frigates.
It is the first Indian navy ship to use the CODOG (COmbined Diesel Or Gas) propulsion system.
INS Sindhukirti is the seventh Sindhughosh-class, diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy, built at the Admiralty Shipyard and Sevmash in the Soviet Union.
It is among the oldest operational submarines in the Navy.
It has been virtually rebuilt with modern sensors weapons and systems which make it "a hole in the water" for the Navy.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese Encephalitis has been recently reported in Assam.
It is a mosquito-borne viral infection.
It is a flavivirus family related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses.
It is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Asia.

It will not spread from one person to another.
There is no cure for the disease. Treatment is focused on relieving severe clinical signs and supporting the patient to overcome the infection.
Most JEV infections have mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms.
Approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness. The incubation period is between 4-14 days.
Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent JE.
‘SA 14-14-2’ vaccine become the most widely used vaccine in endemic countries, and it was prequalified by WHO.
Since the recent outbreak in Assam, all 27 districts of Assam were covered under the JE vaccination campaign for those aged between 1 to 15 years.
Migratory birds along with pigs in the community play an important role in the transmission of JE from one area to another.

Source: Indian Express, PIB