Today in History (August 14th, 1947)
August 14 was declared ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ in 2021 to acknowledge the pain endured by Indians due to the partition of India in 1947.
Summary of Today’s News
PM-Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA)
The PM-Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) is a centrally sponsored scheme initiated by the Government of India and executed through the Union Ministry of Education. The scheme is designed to collaborate with more than 300 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including state universities and affiliated colleges, to enhance the quality of education. The primary objectives of PM-USHA are to enhance access, equity, and quality in higher education by strategically developing higher education at the state level. This involves establishing new academic institutions, expanding and upgrading existing ones, fostering self-reliant institutions prioritizing quality education and research, and delivering education that aligns with student’s needs and the nation’s interests.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a UN agency dedicated to enhancing global reproductive and maternal health. It focuses on creating national healthcare strategies, expanding birth control access, and leading initiatives against child marriage, gender-based violence, and harmful practices. Operating in over 144 countries across four regions, it employs mostly field staff and is a founding member of the United Nations Development Group. Established in 1969 as the UN Fund for Population Activities and later renamed UN Population Fund in 1987, it retains the acronym UNFPA.
Herbicide Glyphosate
The Punjab State Government has warned pesticide sellers against selling and storing the cancer-linked herbicide glyphosate. Glyphosate is widely used in agriculture, non-agricultural settings, and genetically modified (GM) crops. Concerns arise from potential health impacts, including its classification as “probably carcinogenic” by IARC.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is the cancer-focused arm of the World Health Organization, established in 1965. Its mission is to foster global cooperation in cancer research. With 27 member countries, including India, it operates from its headquarters in Lyon, France.
