part 4

[Virtual Presenter] Key Indicators of N-H-A Estimates for India for 2021-22: Indicators 2014-15 2021-22 Share of G-H-E in Total G-D-P of the Country 1.13% 1.84% The Share of G-H-E in The 29% 48% The Share of G-H-E in G-G-E 3.94% 6.12% The share of S-S-E on healthcare, in The 5.7% 8.7% The share of G-H-E in per capita Rs 1108 Rs 3169 Other Key Estimates : i.The The in terms of per capita which indicates health expenditure per person in India at current prices has increased significantly by 87%, from Rs 3826 (in 2014-15) to Rs 6602 (in 2021-22). While, The including both current and capital expenditures incurred by government and private sources, was estimated to be over Rs 9 lakh crore, which is 3.83% of G-D-P for 2021-22. ii.As per the N-H-A estimates, the share of G-H-E in The has jumped by 68%, from 29% (in 2014-15) to 48% (in 2021-22). iii.The report highlighted that India’s current health expenditure which includes only recurrent expenditures for healthcare purposes, was nearly Rs 7.89 lakh crore. The contribution of the Union government and state governments in total current health expenditures was 15.94% and 21.77%, respectively. While, government hospitals and private hospitals contributed 18.99% and 26.96%, respectively of the current health expenditures. The share of households, including insurance contributions was the highest in total current health expenditure, which stood at nearly Rs 4 lakh crore, up 51% of current health expenditure. iv.Private Health Insurance expenditure, including the premiums households or employers pay is Rs 66975 crore, which accounts 7.40% of the The for 2021-22. Contribution of services in current health expenditure: Inpatient Curative care contributed 37.94% of the current health expenditure, followed by prescribed medicines (15.98%), outpatient curative care (15.30%), and preventive care (13.55%), among others. State Wise Contribution in THE: i.Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh (U-P---) and West Bengal (W-B---) were the top 3 states which have contributed maximum in the T-H-E-.ii.States that witnessed the highest O-O-P-E with respect to the government expenditure were UP (64%), followed by Kerala (59%) and WB (58%). About Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW): Union Minister– Jagat Prakash Nadda (Rajya Sabha – Gujarat) Union Minister of State (MoS) Anupriya Patel(Lok Sabha constituency Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, UP); Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao (Lok Sabha constituency Buldhana, Maharashtra) Report Errors in the P-D-F [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 42.

[Audio] Eight products used by Assam's Bodo Tribe Received GI tag The Geographical Indications (GI) Registry (Chennai, Tamil Nadu-TN) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade(DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry(MoCI) has granted the GI tag to 8 products from the Assam. The 8 new GI products include traditional food items and several unique varieties of rice beer reflecting the practices of the Bodo Tribe of Assam. 8 New GI Products from Assam: GI Product Goods type Jou Gwran Manufactured Goods Maibra Jou Bidwi Jou Gishi Napham – Fermented Fish Food Stuffs Ondla / Onla Agriculture Gwkha – Gwkhwi Narzi Aronai Textiles Details of the New GI Prodcts: i.The application for the GI tag for Jou Gwran; Maibra Jou Bidwi and Jou Gishi, the rice beer variants, were filed by the Bodo Traditional Brewers Association ii.The Bodo community views these drinks as a gift from Lord Shiva and often uses it for medicinal purposes. Jou Gwran– This boasts the highest alcohol content at around 16.11% among rice beers by Bodo community. Maibra Jou Bidwi– Also called 'Maibra Jwu Bidwi' or 'Maibra Zwu Bidwi', this drink is cherished as a welcome beverage, made by fermenting half-cooked rice with minimal water and adding 'amao' for yeast. Jou Gishi– It is another traditionally fermented rice-based alcoholic drink. iii.The Association of Traditional Food Products has secured the GI tag for Napham – Fermented Fish; Ondla / Onla; Gwkha – Gwkhwi; and Narzi. Napham– It is a fermented fish dish made anaerobically in a sealed container in a process that requires about two-three months. The Bodo people use various preservation methods, such as smoking, drying, salting, fermentation, and marination, particularly due to heavy rainfall and limited fish availability. Ondla– It is a rice powder curry flavoured with garlic, ginger, salt, and lkali. Gwkha– Also known as 'Gwka Gwkhi,' is a dish prepared for the Bwisagu festival, a springtime festival of the Bodo community that marks the beginning of the New Year. Narzi– It is a semi-fermented dish made with jute leaves (Corchorus capsularis), which is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 43.

[Audio] iii.The Association of Traditional Bodo Weavers has secured a GI tag for the Bodo Aronai, a small, beautiful cloth measuring 1.5 to 2.5 meters long and 0.5 meters wide. This traditional garment is often draped over the shoulder and is crafted by local artisans. Its vibrant designs, inspired by nature, include motifs of trees, flowers, birds, and mountains, highlighting the Bodo community's connection to their environment. Recent Related News: i.Guwahati (Assam) based North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) has secured Oeko-Tex certification directly from Germany for the Eri Silk of Assam. The Oeko-Tex certification standard 100 ensures textiles are tested for harmful substances and produced in eco-friendly conditions. ii.The Government of Assam has declared Kaji Nemu (Citrus Limon) as the State Fruit of Assam. The announcement was made by Assam's Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, following a Cabinet meeting. Kaji Nemu is also known as the "Queen of all citrus fruits" About Geographical Indications Registry (GIR): It is a part of Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). It administer the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registrationand Protection) Act, 1999. Headquarters– Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) BEL Secures MCA Approval to Set Up JV with Israel Aerospace Industries Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has received approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to establish a Joint Venture (JV) named "BEL IAI AeroSystems Private Limited" in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries Limited (IAI), Israel. BEL holds a 40% stake in the JV, while IAI owns the remaining 60%. The JV will operate both in India and Israel. The new entity marks a strategic development in BEL's aerospace and defense sector. Key Points: i.This new JV will provide repair and maintenance services for the Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) system used by India's defense forces, therefore, act as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for MRSAM product support. ii.The venture does not involve related party transactions with BEL's promoters, but it will be considered a related party to BEL once established. iii.Further regulatory approvals are required from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) (India) and the Committee of Ministries for Social & Economic Affairs (Israel). About Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL): BEL is a Navratna Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)– Manoj Jain Headquarters– Bengaluru, Karnataka Establishment– 1954 MP to Declare Ratapani WLS as 8th Tiger Reserve near Bhopal The State Wildlife Board (WLB) of Madhya Pradesh (MP) has accorded approval to declare {Ratapani Wildlife.

[Audio] In 2011, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had given in-principle approval to notify Ratapani WLS as a TR. Note: i.In 2023, Veerangana Durgavati TR was officially declared 7th TR in MP. ii.The other TRs in MP are Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura, Pench, Panna and Sanjay-Dubri. Key Points: i.The proposed TR will cover an area of 1,271.465 square kilometer (sq km) including both Ratapani WLS and Singhori WLS. ii.Out of total area, 763.812 sq km will be used as the core area for tigers, while the remaining 507.653 sq km will act as buffer zone to protect the wildlife. Ratapani WLS: i.At present, Ratapani WLS spans over an area of 823 sq km in Raisen and Sehore districts of MP. ii.According to the 2022 Tiger Census, Ratapani WLS has total 3,123 wild animals which include 56 tigers, and 70 leopards. iii.It houses the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage site Bhimbetka rock shelters, Ginnourgarh fort, Keri Mahadeo, Ratapani dam, among others. About Madhya Pradesh: Chief Minister (CM)- Mohan Yadav Governor- Mangubhai C. Patel Capital– Bhopal National Parks (NPs)– Bandhavgarh NP, Kanha NP Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Announced Establishment of 4 Thematic Hubs & Technical Groups for NQM On 30th September 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry for Science & Technology (MoS&T) announced the establishment of Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) and Technical Groups for National Quantum Mission (NQM) via video conferencing at a ceremony held in New Delhi, Delhi. It includes the establishment of 4 T-Hubs comprising 14 Technical Groups (17 Project Teams) across 17 states and 2 Union Territories (UTs) in India. These hubs will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between research and industry and will ensure that innovations developed in these hubs lead to tangible advancements in the marketplace. About T-Hubs: i.These hubs are based on a multi-disciplinary approach, which aims to bring together experts from various fields like: physics, computer science, engineering, and material science, thereby fostering collaborations with academia, industry, and government to drive holistic advancements in quantum technology. ii.These hubs will bring together a total of 152 researchers from 43 institutions which further include 31 institutes of national importance, 8 research laboratories, 1 university and 3 private institutes across India. iii.These hubs are expected to benefit sectors like: telecommunications, defence, sensing & metrology, and healthcare. iv.Each T-Hub will function under the Hub-Spoke-Spike model, supporting a cluster based network of research projects (Spokes) and individual research groups (Spikes). These central hubs will enhance coordination among research institutions, enabling them to pool resources and expertise. Institutes Involved in T-Hubs: Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 45.

[Audio] i.Thematic Hub for Quantum Computing: It will be based at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru in Karnataka. Institutions involved: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi; IIT Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh, UP); IIT Roorkee (Uttarakhand); IIT Bombay (Maharashtra); IIT Madras (Tamil Nadu, TN); IIT Ropar (Punjab); IIT Guwahati (Assam); IIT Patna (Bihar); Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Hyderabad (Telangana); The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) Chennai (TN); Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT) Noida (Uttar Pradesh, UP); Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS) Chennai (TN); Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) Bengaluru (Karnataka); IIT Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP); Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-TVM) (Kerala); IISER Pune (Maharashtra); Raman Research Institute (RRI) Bengaluru(Karnataka); National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) Bhubaneswar (Odisha); Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai (Maharashtra); TIFR Hyderabad (Telangana); and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Bengaluru (Karnataka). ii.Thematic Hub for Quantum Communication: It will be based at IIT Madras in TN. Institutions involved: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Ahmedabad (Gujarat); IIT Kanpur; IIT Delhi; ISRO Satellite Centre(now known as UR Rao Satellite Centre) in Bengaluru; IIT Roorkee; IIT Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir, J&K); IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh); IIT Kharagpur (West Bengal, WB); IIT Patna; IIT Hyderabad; IIT Indore; IIT Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh, AP); IIT Indore; SETS Chennai; C-DAC Bengaluru; IIT Indore; IISER-TVM; IISER Mohali (Punjab); Raman Research Institute (RRI) Bengaluru; IISER Bhopal (MP); Harish-Chandra Research Institute (HRI) Prayagraj (UP); Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) Thiruvananthapuram; C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram; IISc Bengaluru. iii.Thematic Hub for Quantum Sensing and Metrology: It will be based at IIT Bombay in Maharashtra. Institutions involved: IISc Bengaluru; IIT Madras; IIT Kanpur; IIT Delhi; IIT Gandhinagar (Gujarat); IIT Ropar; IISER Bhopal (MP); HRI Prayagraj (UP); Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) Kolkata (WB); BITS Goa; University of Hyderabad (Telangana); and SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) (Kolkata, WB); The Chatterjee Group Centres for Research and Education in Science and Technology (TCG CREST) Chennai(TN); TIFR Bombay; TIFR Hyderabad. iv.Thematic Hub for Quantum Materials and Devices: It will be based at IIT Delhi in Delhi. Institution involved: IIT Bombay; IIT Madras; IIT Kanpur; IIT Roorkee; IIT Kharagpur; IIT Bhubaneswar(Odisha) ; Solid State Physics Laboratory-Defence Research and Development Organisation (SSPL-DRDO) Delhi; IACS Kolkata and IISER Pune. National Quantum Mission: i.In 2023, the {Union.

[Audio] MoS&T launched Bharat Gen, World's 1st Government Funded Multi Modal Large Language Modal On 30th September 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry for Science & Technology (MoS&T) virtually launched 'Bharat Gen', an pioneering initiative in generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to revolutionalize public service delivery and boost citizen engagement. This initiative marks the world's 1st government-funded Multimodal Large Language Modal (LLM) project which aims to create efficient and inclusive AI in Indian languages. About Bharat Gen: i.It is led by IIT Bombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary CyberPhysical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the DST. ii.It will be implemented by the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) Foundation for Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Internet-for-Everything (IoE) at IIT Bombay in partnership with other prestigious academic institutes such as: International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad, IIT Mandi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore; and IIT Madras. iii.The initiative has outlined key milestones to be achieved up to July 2026, such as: extensive AI model development, experimentation, and setting the AI benchmarks customized to cater the needs of India. iv.It aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by creating foundational AI models specifically tailored for India. Key Features: i.The nature of foundational models of Bharat Gen are multilingual and multimodal. ii.Foundational models of Bharat Gen are open-source.It will address both text and speech, ensuring representation across India's diverse linguistic landscape. By using multilingual datasets, it will capture the nuances of Indian languages, which are often underrepresented in global AI models. iii.It has Bhartiya data set based building, and training features. iv.It is an open-source platform and development of an ecosystem of generative AI research in the country. About Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T): Union Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, J&K) Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attends 40th RPF Raising Day Parade at Nashik On 4th October 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways, attended the 40th Raising Day Parade of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at the Zonal Training Centre in Nashik, Maharashtra. As the Chief Guest, he honored 33 RPF personnel with Police Medals for Meritorious Service and Jeevan Raksha Medals for their courageous efforts in saving passengers' lives during 2023 and 2024. Key Points: i.The minister announced Rs 35 crore grant for upgrading and modernizing RPF Zonal Training Centres, focusing on facilities for women. ii.An additional Rs 5.5 crore was allocated for enhancing training infrastructure at the RPF Dog Squad Zonal Training Centre in Tamil Nadu (TN). iii.The launch of Hindi edition of the 'Sangyaan' mobile app was also made to improve communication within the force. iv.He also released Hindi version of reference books on three newly enacted criminal laws to enhance the legal knowledge of.

[Audio] ii.The RPF was established under the RPF Act of 1957, which was amended significantly by the Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Act in 1985, formalizing the creation of the RPF in 1985. 20th September 2024 marks the observance of the 40th Raising Day of RPF. iii.The RPF Raising Day Parade reaffirming their commitment to public service and fostering community spirit. Participants: Manoj Yadava, Director General RPF; Dharam Veer Meena, General Manager, Central Railway, Divisional Railway Manager, Bhusaval Division and other Senior Officers. About Railway Protection Force (RPF): RPF is an armed force under the Ministry of Railways. Director General– Manoj Yadava Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi DoT and TSPs Launch New System to Stop Fraudulent Calls The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) which operates under the Ministry of Communications(MoC) has teamed up with major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to launch a twotiered system to addressed the growing problem of telecom fraud, where scammers use tricks to manipulate Caller Line Identification (CLI) and commit financial scams. About two-tiered system System : i.The system is designed to identify and block incoming international calls that are disguised to show Indian mobile numbers. This mechanism is crucial in preventing scams before they reach consumer. ii.The DoT is working closely with TSPs to ensure that the technology used to block these calls is effective and widespread. This partnership aims to leverage the capabilities of multiple telecom operators to create a comprehensive defense against fraudulent calls iii. This system will be implemented in two stages – Initially, it will operate at the TSP level to block calls that are masked with the phone numbers of their own subscribers. In the second phase, it will function at a central level to prevent calls that use the numbers of subscribers from other TSPs. Note: As of now, all 4 TSPs have successfully implemented the system. About 1/3 of total spoofed calls at 4.5 million spoofed calls are being stopped from entering the Indian telecom network. iv.The DoT plans to run awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of misleading calls and how to identify them. By informing consumers, the DoT aims to reduce the likelihood of individuals falling victim to these scams Initiatives : Sanchar Saathi portal (www.sancharsaathi.gov.in) individuals can easily share their experiences and alert authorities about potential fraud, enhancing the system's effectiveness. Digital Intelligence Platform that enables information sharing between local authorities, central agencies, banks, telecom operators, and other stakeholders to prevent online scams. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) directed all telecom operators to enable AI/ML spam detection systems to curb unwanted calls and SMSes from unregistered telemarketers (UTM). Reason for Implementing the New System : i.There has been a big rise in fraudulent calls, with criminals using tricks to hide their real identities. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected].

[Audio] These scams often involve pretending to be officials from the government or banks, leading to large financial losses for victims ii.The DoT's main goal is to keep consumers safe. By stopping these misleading calls, the ministry wants to lessen the financial and emotional impact on people who might be targeted by scammers, encouraging them to use their phones without fear of scams. About Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Secretary– Niraj Mittal Headquarters- New Delhi, India Formed -1985 About Ministry of Communications & Information Technology Union Minister-Jyotiraditya Scindia (Constituency Guna, Madhya Pradesh) Minister of State (MoS)- Devusinh Chauhan (Constituency Kheda, Gujarat) Bihar gets green light for second tiger reserve in Kaimur The central government (CG) has approved the establishment of Bihar's second tiger reserve in the Kaimur district. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and a technical committee granted their approval during its 12th meeting. This approval is significant for wildlife conservation efforts, particularly in managing the rising tiger population that has exceeded the capacity of the existing Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in the West Champaran District, Bihar. Key Points: i The plan includes converting the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve, with potential relocation of some tigers from VTR to help maintain ecological balance and reduce overcrowding in the existing reserve. The VTR currently houses 54 tigers, surpassing the ideal limit of 45. ii.The Kaimur Tiger Reserve will include a buffer zone that surrounds Shergarh Fort, a popular tourist attraction, along with 58 nearby villages. These areas will not be part of the core tiger habitat due to concerns raised by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) regarding earlier proposals iii. The forest department has been working to convert the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) into a tiger reserve for several years. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS): i.The Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, covering about 1,134 square kilometers(km2), is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Bihar, with the highest green cover in the state at 34%. ii.It was established in 1979 and is home to various wildlife, including tigers. The sanctuary has seen signs of tiger activity, which led experts to propose its designation as a tiger reserve. About Bihar: Chief Minister (CM)- Nitish Kumar Governor- Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar Airports- Gaya International Airport, Lok Nayak Jayprakash Airport Regional Labour Institute-Chennai gets Accredited as "Uttam" by Capacity Building Commission The Regional Labour Institute(RLI)Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN) has been awarded with Accreditation (6890-n) by the Capacity Building Commission(CBC) under the National Standards for Civil Service Training Institutions (NSCSTI). It has received the Certificate of Accreditation with the grading of "Uttam". Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com.

[Audio] RLI Chennai has been awarded for rendering nesting services and maintaining high standards in the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Training field. The accreditation will pave the way to align its activities with the changes and advancements in the field of OSH in a collaborative and corroborative mode towards a sustainable future. i.RLI Chennai is a subordinate office of the Directorate General Factory Advice Service And Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), under the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE). ii.The Institute established in 1960 was formally inaugurated by then TN Chief Minister(CM) M. Bhakthavathchalam in 1963. iii.The Adyar-based institute caters to the OSH needs of the stakeholders from the Southern Region of India covering the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and UTs of Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. MoH&FW Increases Monthly Nutrition Support for TB patients to Rs 1000 On 7th October 2024, Union Minister Jagat Prakash (JP) Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) announced significant enhancements to nutritional support for Tuberculosis (TB). The initiatives aim to improve the health and recovery of TB patients and their household contacts. Key Initiatives: i.The Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) has increased monthly nutritional support from Rs. 500 per month/patient to Rs. 1,000/month/patient for TB patients throughout their treatment. ii.There will be introduction of Energy Dense Nutritional Supplementation (EDNS) for all patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 18.5 kilogram per meter square (kg/m^2) at the time of diagnosis. In this regard, TB patients will receive nutritional support totaling Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 annually under NPY. The enhancements will benefit approximately 25 lakh TB patients, including 12 lakh underweight individuals. iii.EDNS will be provided for the first two months of treatment to eligible patients. The initiative will incur an additional cost of Rs 1,040 crores, shared between the central and state governments at a 60:40 ratio. iv.The expansion of scope and coverage of Ni-kshay Mitra initiative will also be extended) to the family members (household contacts) of TB patients under Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PMTBMBA). They will get a food baskets for the improvement of their immunity. Key Points: i.Till date, Rs 3,202 crores have been disbursed to 1.13 crore beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under NPY. ii.India aims to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, ahead of the global 2030 target for sustainable development. iii.NPY is a financial support scheme by MoHFW for TB patients to buy food. It was launched in 2018. Union Health Minister JP Nadda Addressed 77th Session of Regional Committee of WHO South East Asia Region On 7th October 2024, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), addressed the 77th session of World Health Organisation (WHO) {Southeast.

[Audio] The session of WHO SEARO meeting included election of office bearers, establishment of a "Drafting Group for Resolutions and Decisions", adoption of "Special Procedures" to regulate the conduct of the session and adoption of the provisional Agenda. Key Dignitaries: Dr. Razia Pendse, Chef de Cabinet, WHO Headquarters; Representatives from member countries of SEARO (Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Timor Leste, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (South Korea)), Dr. Rodrigo Offrin, WHO Representative to India; Punita Salila Srivastava, Secretary, MoHFW; were present at the event. Key Highlights: i.During his inaugural address, Union Minister JP Nadda underscored that health system of India embraces a "whole of government" and "whole of society" approach to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with emphasis on strengthening primary healthcare and essential services. ii.He highlighted that the Government of India (GoI) launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, which is in line with its commitment to provide health cover for all. This initiative covers over 120 million (12 crore) families, providing an annual hospitalization benefit of USD 6,000 (Rs 5 lakh) per family. He further mentioned that GoI has recently expanded the scheme to all citizens aged 70 years and above, which will benefit around 45 million elderly population, by providing them free health insurance coverage. iii.While, recognizing the increasing public health challenges posed by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), he informed that India is implementing the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs since 2010 to address NCDs like: hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. So far, 753 NCD clinics, 356 Day Care Centers, and 6,238 Community Health Centers (CHCs) have been established to focus on preventive measures at an early stage. iv.He described India, as a lighthouse country in the digital health sector, is poised to share its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs), such as: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), e-Sanjeevani, Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), and SAKSHAM, by facilitating technical and financial support through the Global Initiative on Digital Health, a WHO managed network, launched during India's G20 Presidency in 2023. Key Progress Made by South-East Asian Countries in Health Sector: i.Bangladesh became the 1st country in SE Asian Region to eliminate Kala-Azar and was also validated for the eradication of lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem. ii.Thailand became one of the five countries to be validated for the elimination of transfat from its food supply. iii.Both the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Timor Leste were certified for the elimination of rubella and Bhutan is on progress, with interruption of rubella transmission for over 36 months. iv.India is all set to become the 20th to be validated for the elimination of trachoma; and Timor Leste will become the 21st country to be validated for the elimination.

[Audio] Union Minister JP Nadda Elected as the Chairperson of the 77th Session of WHO SEARO Committee Union Health Minister JP Nadda Elected as the Chairperson of the 77th Session of WHO SEARO Committee (RC77) in New Delhi, Delhi. About WHO SEARO: i.The 1st regional committee for South-East was constituted in 1948. ii.The committee comprises 11 member nations from South-East Asia region: Bangladesh, Bhutan Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. iii.The representatives of 11 member countries meets annually to discuss important public health challenges. About World Health Organisation (WHO): Director General (DG)- Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia- Saima Wazed Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland Established – 7th April, 1948 Interest Equalisation Scheme Extended for 3 Months; Capped at Rs 50 Lakh The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Interest Equalisation Scheme on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit for 3 more months till 31st December 2024 to promote India's outbound shipments. The scheme, which was previously extended till 30th September 2024, provided interest benefits to exporters. The scheme is fund-limited, and benefits to individual exporters were earlier capped at Rs 10 crore per annum per IEC (Import Export Code). Now the cap is Rs 50 lakh. i.The DGFT informed that fiscal benefits of each Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), on aggregate, will be restricted to Rs 50 lakh for 2024-25 till December 2024. ii.MSME manufacturer exporters who have already availed equalisation benefit of Rs 50 lakh or more till 2024-25 till 30th September 2024, will not be eligible for any further benefit in the extended period iii.This scheme was started on April 1, 2015 and was initially valid for 5 years up to March 31, 2020. It has been continued thereafter, including a one-year extension, and with further extensions and fund allocations. On 8th December 2023, the Union Cabinet approved an additional allocation of Rs 2,500 crore for the continuation of the scheme up to 30th June 2024. WHO declares that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024 The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the Government of India(GoI) has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. India received this honor at the 77th Regional Conference of World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia Region held in New Delhi. It has become the 3rd country in the South-East Asia Region after Nepal and Myanmar to secure this milestone. Besides, 19 other countries globally have also been successful in eliminating trachoma. These are Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Ghana, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia,.

[Audio] What is Trachoma? i.Trachoma is an eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection spreads from person to person through contaminated fingers, infected objects and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. ii.It can spread through environmental factors like poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water, and sanitation facilities. iii.Repeated infections in childhood lead to damaging of the inner side of the upper eyelids, resulting in inward turning of the eyelid margin, with the eyelashes touching the eyeball. This is a painful condition known as trachomatous trichiasis and if left untreated, it can result in visual impairment and blindness. Key Initiatives Taken by India : i.In 1963, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), GoI introduced a National Trachoma Control Program with support from WHO and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The community-based interventions to eliminate trachoma consisted of surgical treatment, topical antibiotic treatment, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, along with health education awareness to decrease transmission. ii.The National Program for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) was introduced in 1976 and the National Trachoma Control Program activities were integrated with activities of NPCBVI. iii.In 2005, trachoma caused 4% of all cases of blindness in India. By 2018, the prevalence of trachoma was down to 0.008%. iv.WHO SAFE(adoption of surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, environmental cleanliness etc.)strategy was carried out that included adoption of surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene, environmental cleanliness etc. As a result, in 2017, India was declared free frominfectious Trachoma. v.The National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT only) Survey was carried out in 200 endemic districts of the country under NPCBVI from 2021-24, which was made compulsory by WHO in order to declare that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem. Recent Related News : The Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy), Government of India (GoI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a donor agreement during an event in Geneva, Switzerland. This donor agreement is part of a USD250 million investment from India in support of the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in 2022 About World Health Organization (WHO): Director-General(DG) – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland Founded – 7 April 1948 Member countries – 194 member states Coal Production in India Grows 5.85% in FY 2024-25 The Ministry of Coal witnessed an increase in coal production during September 2024, achieving 68.94 Million Ton (MT). This is higher than the 2023 production of 67.26 MT for the same month(September 2023), reflecting a notable growth of 2.49%. The cumulative coal production (up to September 2024) has reached 453.01MT (Provisional) in the financial year 2024-2025 (FY 24-25) as compared to 427.97 MT during the same period in FY 23-24, with.

[Audio] The Cumulative Coal dispatch (up to September 2024) stood at 487.87 MT (Provisional) in FY 24-25, compared to 462.27 MT during the same period in FY 23-24, with a growth of 5.54%. ii.The upturn in offtake resulted in a comfortable coal stock position. The total coal stock at the Domestic Coal-Based (DCB) power plants as on 29th September 2024 has recorded remarkable growth reaching at 33.46 MT (provisional) as compared to 22.15 MT as on 29th September 2023, reflecting a growth of 51.07%. iii.The Ministry of Coal is focusing on enhancing coal production and optimising dispatch to meet India's increasing energy demands. The upward trajectory in both production and dispatch bolsters energy security and achieves self-sufficiency in the coal supply. PM Gati Shakti NMP Completed 3 Years of Transforming India's Infrastructure Landscape On 13th October 2024, PM Gati Shakti–National Master Plan (NMP) for multi-modal connectivity successfully completed 3 years of implementation and achieved significant milestones in transforming the country's infrastructure landscape. It was launched on 13th October, 2021 by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi(Delhi). It is being implemented by the Logistics division of Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I). About PM Gati Shakti NMP: i.It is a "Whole-of- Government " approach aimed to facilitate integrated planning of multimodal infrastructure through collaboration among the concerned ministries. It was launched with the budget outlay of Rs 100 lakh crore. ii.The initiative aims to ensure seamless and efficient connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services across different modes of transport, thereby improving last-mile connectivity and reducing travel time. iii.It was developed as a Digital Master Planning tool by Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) and was prepared in dynamic Geographic Information System (GIS) platform wherein data on specific action plan of all ministries/ departments have been incorporated within a comprehensive database. iv.It is mainly driven by 7 engines such as: roads, airports, mass transport, logistics infrastructure, railways, ports and waterways. Six Pillars of PM Gati Shakti NMP: i.Comprehensiveness: It will integrate all existing/ planned initiatives of various ministries like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry or land ports, among others. ii.Synchronization: It will provide visibility and coordination in planning and implementation of projects of individual departments or ministries. iii.Analytical: It will provide the whole data at one place with GIS based spatial planning and analytical tools. iv.Prioritization: It will enable different departments to prioritize their projects through cross-sectoral interactions. v.Dynamic: It will help different ministries and departments to identify the important interventions for enhancing and updating vi.Optimization: It will assist various ministries in planning for expansion of new projects following the identification of critical gaps. Key Targets to be achieved in 2025: i.The Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) aims to build 2 lakh kilometers (kms) long of National Highway (NH) in the country. {Report.