15 March 2023
By GyanOk

Daily Current Affairs Notes for 15 March 2023

World Consumer rights Day 2023 observed on March 15th globally

Every year on March 15, the International Consumer Rights Day is observed with the goal of promoting consumer protection and increasing global knowledge of consumer rights.

World Consumer rights Day 2023

Annually, on March 15th, the International Consumer Rights Day is commemorated with the objective of advocating for consumer protection and enhancing global awareness of consumer rights. The occasion also serves as a platform to highlight worldwide market imbalances. The yearly event fosters collaboration among the global consumer movement, enabling consumers across the globe to promote their fundamental rights, demand their safeguarding and adherence, and speak out against unjust trade practices.

World Consumer rights Day 2023: Theme

The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is "Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions," which seeks to promote consumer awareness and responsibility in driving a swift shift to renewable energy. The focus is on enabling consumers to take control of their energy choices and advocating for a cleaner and more sustainable future.

World Consumer rights Day 2023: Significance

The primary objective of International Consumer Rights Day is to safeguard consumers from any unjust treatment or exploitation in the marketplace that could jeopardize their rights. It aims to empower consumers with the knowledge of their rights and how to assert them in their daily lives.

World Consumer rights Day: History

March 15, 1983, marked the inaugural celebration of International Consumer Rights Day, inspired by the address delivered by US President John F. Kennedy to the US Congress on the same day in 1962. In his speech, he highlighted the significance of consumer rights, becoming the first head of state to do so and making history. Every year on this day, various organizations, such as Consumer International, observe the event by arranging events and launching campaigns to protect consumer rights.

Consumer rights in India:

On December 9, 1986, the Indian Parliament passed the Consumer Protection Act, which bestowed greater authority upon customers. The act primarily focuses on establishing consumer councils, forums, and appellate courts to address and resolve consumer grievances.

The act embeds the following rights:

Right to be heard at an appropriate forum
Right to seek redressal in case of unfair trade practices
Right to consumer education
Right to goods and services at competitive prices
Right to be informed about the quality, potency, purity, standard and price of goods and services
Right to be protected against wrong marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to the life and property

What is Jago Grahak Jago?

Launched in 2005 by the Government of India's Ministry of Consumer and Public Distribution, Jago Grahak Jago is a consumer awareness program aimed at educating consumers about their rights. The initiative falls under the purview of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Main Features of the Jago Grahak Jago programme

Media advertisements.
Video campaigns.
Printings.
Posters.
Audio campaigns.

H3N2 Influenza: Signs and symptoms of severe illness to watch out for

According to the WHO, H3N2 is a variant of the common flu. Seasonal influenza is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate in all parts of the world, says WHO.

WHO classifies H3N2 as a strain of the common flu, which is a seasonal respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses present worldwide. These viruses are categorized into different subtypes, with subtypes A (H1N1) and A (H3N2) currently circulating among humans, according to WHO.

The H3N2 Influenza: Signs and symptoms:

Experts caution that the current wave of fever, cough, runny nose, and body ache affecting most parts of the country is not the seasonal flu, though it presents flu-like symptoms. Although influenza is typical during the transition from very cold to warm weather, the ongoing situation is distinct, with many people experiencing these symptoms.

Common symptoms of H3N2 influenza:

The flu symptoms caused by H3N2 are similar to symptoms caused by other seasonal influenza viruses. Symptoms typically appear suddenly and can include:

cough
runny or congested nose
sore throat
headache
body aches and pains
fever
chills
fatigue
diarrhea
vomiting

How does H3N2 Influenza spread:

WHO highlights that seasonal influenza can easily spread, especially in crowded places, with the virus disseminating when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets containing the virus from the nose or mouth are dispersed in the air and may affect individuals within a meter's range or those in close proximity.

Diagnosis of H3N2:

The flu shares certain symptoms with other respiratory illnesses like the common cold, making it difficult to differentiate between them solely based on physical symptoms.

A medical professional can carry out a lab test to verify if you have contracted the flu or another illness. Nevertheless, if you display flu-like symptoms within the typical flu season (October to May), healthcare providers may diagnose you with the flu without the requirement of a lab test.

Vaccine for H3N2:

The yearly flu vaccine guards against three or four strains of flu, called trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines, correspondingly. The trivalent vaccine comprises an H1N1, H3N2, and an influenza B strain, while the quadrivalent vaccine includes an additional influenza B strain.

LIC appoints Tablesh Pandey and M Jagannath as new MDs

Tablesh Pandey and M. Jagannath have been appointed as the managing directors of the Life Insurance Company (LIC).

The Life Insurance Company (LIC) has designated Tablesh Pandey and M. Jagannath as its managing directors. Tablesh Pandey is scheduled to assume the role on April 1, 2023, while M. Jagannath will commence working on March 13, 2023. This week, Raj Kumar and BC Patnaik resigned as two of the four existing managing directors at LIC.

Having joined LIC in 1988 as a Direct Recruit Officer, M. Jagannath possesses extensive marketing experience and has occupied several prominent positions while successfully managing sizable teams. He also served as the Chief Executive Officer and Management Director of LIC (Lanka) Ltd. in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for four years between 2009 and 2013. Tablesh Pandey is the current executive director of the insurance company.

Recently, For a period of three months beginning March 14, the Center has chosen Siddhartha Mohanty as the interim chairman of the Life Insurance Company of India (LIC).