Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) in India

In 1983-84, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) was made the nodal agency by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India, for planning, co-ordination, guidance and evaluation of Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP).

At the beginning of the Programme i.e. in 1984, about 40,000 GW cases were reported annually in 12,840 guinea worm endemic villages across 89 districts of the then endemic states, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The State of Tamil Nadu remained free from GW disease since 1982. The last case from Maharashtra occurred in 1992 and in 1994 in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat reported their last cases in 1990. The last guinea worm case was reported in July 1996 Jodhpur district of Rajasthan.

Top facts about RISAT-1, India’s own ‘spy satellite’

• India successfully launched its own ‘spy satellite’ RISAT-1 (Radar Imaging Satellite). It was powered by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C19) from Sriharikota at 5.47 on April 26, 2012.

• Weighing at 1858 Kg, RISAT-1 is the heaviest satellite ever launched by India.

• It was powered by a 321 tonne rocket, the most powerful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

• This is the third time that ISRO used a PSLV-XL (Extra Large) rocket. It was first used in October 2008 to put Chandrayaan-1 in orbit and again in July 2011 during the communication satellite GSAT-12 launch.

Tamil Nadu ICDS Recruitment 2012 of Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper

Tamil Nadu Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS), Chennai District invites applications from eligible candidates for the post of Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper.

Name of the Post	No of Posts	Age Limit	Pay Scale
Anganwadi Worker	105	25-35 years	Rs.2500-5000 Grade pay Rs. 500 & other allowances
Anganwadi Helper	152	20-40 years	Rs. 1300-3000 Grade Pay Rs. 300 & Other allowances

Educational Qualifications: Anganwadi Worker - 10th Pass (SSLC pass), Anganwadi Helper - To know to read and write.

How To Apply: Applications are invited from the local women resident for appointment. Last date for receipt of filled in applications in  respective Child Development Project Offices:08.06.2012.

Details: http://www.tn.gov.in/seithi_veliyeedu/pr21May12/pr210512_e_301.pdf

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) – Bangalore

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) located in Bangalore, is a multidisciplinary Institute for patient care and academic pursuit in the frontier area of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences. The Lunatic Asylum which came into being in the latter part of the 19th Century was renamed as Mental Hospital in 1925 by the erstwhile Government of Mysore.

General Knowledge and Current Affairs

• The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India, and was Established in 1954.

• 59th National Film Awards were presented on 3rd May 2012.

• Wall Street refers to the financial district of New York City.

• May 5 – World Athletics Day.

• Dr. M.S. Swaminathan and Dr. MP Singh are regarded as the pillars of India’s Green Revolution.

Akha – Ship of Hope

On the saporis or river islands of Assam that are inundated with floods every time the mighty Brahmaputra unleashes its fury, life is a constant struggle against disease and deprivation. Some 30 lakh people live in 2300 remote, floating villages on the Brahmaputra in Upper Assam. Here, there are no functional anganwadis, no health centres, no schools, no power, not even drinking water. Till recently, immunization, Antenatal Care (ANC), disease management, and treatment were all unheard of. Then in 2005 the Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research intervened. They partnered with NRHM (National Rural Health Mission),

Historical Background of CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union)

In 1917 the social democratic workers’ party (Bolsheviks) had 200000 members. The following year, Vladimir Lenin persuaded members to change the name of the organisation to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU). Traditionally, the Party Congress elected a 27 member Central Committee every year. Lenin decided this was too large to determine policy and in 1919 the party created a Politburo. This was made up of five members (increased to nine in 1925 and ten in 1930). Its first members were Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Lev Kamenev and Nikolai Krestinsky.