6 August 2016

Union Government launches MAA, nation-wide breast feeding programme

The Union Government has launched MAA (Mothers’ Absolute Affection), a nation-wide breast feeding programme. It was launched by Union Health Minister & Family Welfare J P Nadda along with Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit who is brand ambassador of this campaign. 

Key Facts 

• MAA is an intensified programme of the Union Health Ministry that aims to enhance optimal breastfeeding practices in the country. 
• It seeks to create an enabling environment to ensure that mothers, husbands and families receive adequate information and support for promotion of breastfeeding. 
• It has been launched in an attempt to bring undiluted focus on promotion of breastfeeding and provision of counselling services for supporting breastfeeding through health systems. 
• The programme has been named ‘MAA’ to signify the support a lactating mother requires from family members and at health facilities to breastfeed successfully. 
• The chief components of the Programme are (i) Community awareness generation, (ii) Strengthening inter personal communication through ASHA, (iii) Skilled support for breastfeeding at Delivery points in Public health facilities, and (iv) Monitoring and Award/recognition. 
• The Union Health Ministry has allocated 30 crore rupees for the Programme and 4.3 lakh rupees for each district for implementing the various activities under MAA programme.

China successfully launches first satellite for mobile telecommunication

China has successfully launched the first satellite dubbed as The Tiantong-01 for mobile telecommunication. It was launched on-board of the Long March-3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre.

 Key Facts 

• The Tiantong-01 is the first satellite of China’s homemade satellite mobile telecom system. It is a key part of the country’s space information infrastructure. 
• It will operate in a geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and shall establish a mobile network with ground facilities, providing services for China, Middle East, Africa and other areas.
•  It is S-Band mobile communications satellite designed by China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and its ground service will be operated by China Telecom.
• Its mobile communication system application subsystem was developed by Henan Communication Technology Co. Ltd.

Maharashtra Govt. to provide as many as 1,200 wi-fi hotspots in Mumbai 

·        As part of transforming Mumbai into a Smart City, Maharashtra government will provide as many as 1,200 wi-fi hotspots in the megapolis.

·        Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Friday said this during a debate on issues related to urban development in the state Assembly.

·        He said that this was another important step after the CCTV project towards making Mumbai a Smart City.

·        Of the total of 1,200 hotspots, 500 will be operational in the first phase by November 2016.

·        Talking about other Mumbai-related issues, he said the municipal corporation will treat all the sewage water before it flows into the sea. Mr Fadnavis said that a project to generate electricity from the waste was being set up.

Olympics 2016 opens with a glittering ceremony in Rio De Janerio, with the theme Peace and Environment

·        The 31st Summer Olympic Games opened in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, a short while ago, with a low-tech but vibrant opening ceremony at the Maracana Stadium.

·        Acting Brazil President Michel Temer declared the Games open as fireworks lit up the night sky signalling the launch of the biggest sporting spectacle.

·        The Olympic torch is yet to be lit. Our correspondent reports that the ceremony witnessed the hosts unfurl a vision of its vast rainforest and the creative energy of its diverse population.