GS-2 Paper
Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
National Health Mission (NHM)
Context
The Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Progress under National Health Mission (NHM) and Decisions of the Empowered Programme Committee and Mission Steering Group of the NHM.
Key features of NHM Progress
- There has been acceleration in decline of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) and the IMR since the launch of the NRHM/NHM.
- At the current rate of decline, India should able to reach its SDG target (MMR-70, U5MR-25) much before the due year i.e. 2030.
- Malaria cases have declined by 49.09% and 50.52% in 2013 respectively compared to 2017.
- Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has been significantly strengthened and intensified.
- Amongst the new vaccines, Tetanus and adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine replaced Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine under universal immunization programme in 2018 to ensure Diphtheria immunity among adults.
- In 2018, Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive was conducted in 17 additional States, thereby covering 30.50 Crores children till March 2019.
- During 2018-19, Rotavirus vaccine (RVV) was introduced in additional two States. Till today, all the States/UTs are covered with RVV.
- During 2018-19, Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine (PCV) was expanded to MP, Haryana and the remaining districts of Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- The routine and recurring incentives of ASHAs got increased from 1000 per month to 2000 per month.
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) Abhiyaan was launched under POSHAN Abhiyaan in April 2018.
- Home Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) programme was introduced under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
- The scheme for awarding States/UTs/Districts for achieving disease free status in TB/Leprosy/Malaria/Kala-Azar/Lymphatic-Filariasis/Cataract was approved.
- National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme was approved for prevention, management and treatment of Hepatitis to A, B, C and E and rollout was initiated. This would benefit an estimated 5 crore patients of Hepatitis.
About NHM
- National Health Mission (NHM) was launched by the government of India in 2013.
- It subsumes the National Rural Health Missionand the National Urban Health Mission.
- It was further extended in March 2018, to continue till March 2020.
- The main programmatic components include Health System Strengthening in rural and urban areas for – Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A), and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.
- The NHM envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable & quality health care services that are accountable and responsive to people’s needs.
The NHM have six components-
- National Rural Health mission ( now calledNRHM- RCH flexipool)
- National Urban Health Mission flexipool for population above 50000.
- Flexible poll for communicable diseases.
- Flexible poll for non- communicable diseases including injury and trauma.
- Infrastructure maintenance.
- Family welfare central sector component.
GS- 3rd Paper
Topic- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Gagan Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information (GEMINI)
Context
Government today launched the GEMINI device for seamless and effective dissemination of emergency information and communication on disaster warnings, Potential Fishing Zones (PFZ) and Ocean States Forecasts (OSF) to fishermen.
About GEMINI
- The satellite based communication is the solution for the dissemination of such emergency information.
- GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) satellite system is being utilized by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) with Airports Authority of India (AAI) to transmit the PFZ, OSF and disaster warnings to fishermen.
- The GAGAN system is consisting of three geosynchronous satellites (GSAT-8, GSAT-10 and GSAT-15).
- GAGAN foot-print covers the entire Indian Ocean round the clock.
- To receive the messages transmitted through the GAGAN satellites, INCOIS together with AAI developed a low-cost GAGAN system-enabled GEMINI (GAGAN Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information) device.
- It is electronically designed and manufactured by a private industry M/S Acord, Bangalore under Make in India Program.
- The GEMINI device receives and transfers the data received from GAGAN satellite/s to a mobile through Bluetooth communication.
- A mobile application developed by INCOIS decodes and displays the information in nine regional languages.
Benefits of GEMINI
- While PFZ Advisories provide information on the probable locations on fish aggregation in the seas, OSF provide the accurate state of the ocean.
- Ocean State Forecasts include the forecasts on winds, waves, ocean currents, water temperature, etc. at every 6 hrs on daily basis for next 5 days.
- It helps fishermen in maximizing their earnings, ensuring safety and in planning of fishing activities.
GS-2 Paper
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme (PMILP)- ‘DHRUV’
Context
Union HRD Minister launched the Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme- ‘DHRUV’ from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters at Bengaluru,
About PMILP
- Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme is being started to identify and encourage talented children to enrich their skills and knowledge.
Objective
- The objective of the Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme (PMILP) would be to allow talented students to realize their full potential and contribute to society.
- In centres of excellence across the country, gifted children will be mentored and nurtured by renowned experts in different areas, so that they can reach their full potential.
- It is expected that many of the students selected will reach the highest levels in their chosen fields and bring laurels to their community, State and Nation.
Key features of PMILP
- The programme will be called DHRUV (after the Pole Star) and every student to be called ‘DHRUV TARA’.
- The students will thus both shine through their achievements and light a path for others to follow.
- It will cover two areas e. Science and Performing Arts.
- There will be 60 students in all, 30 from each area.
- The 60 students come from across the country.
- The students will be broadly from classes 9 to 12, from all schools including government and private.
- This is only the first phase of the programme which will be expanded gradually to other fields like creative writing etc.
For Prelims-
India International Cooperatives Trade Fair (IICTF)
Context
First ever ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’ to be held with the aim at achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income.
Highlights
- The first ever ‘India International Cooperatives Trade Fair’(IICTF) is going to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
- IICTF is aimed at furthering Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government’s vision and goal of doubling farmers’ income by promoting cooperative-to-cooperative trade within India & abroad.
- To promote exports of key agriculture commodities and products leading to enhanced rural and farm prosperity.
- IICTF also offers a huge opportunity for the industry and business houses from India and abroad to build alliances, business networking, product sourcing.
- The Fair is jointly organised by NCDC in association with the Bangkok based international organization (NEDAC).
Yuva Sahakar Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme 2019
- National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has formulated Yuva Sahakar Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme 2019.
- The Scheme has an annual outlay of 100 crores.
- The Scheme is liberal to cooperatives in the North Eastern Region, cooperatives registered and operating in Aspirational Districts as identified by NITI Aayog, cooperatives with 100 % women/SC/ST/ PwD members.
