GS- 2nd Paper
Topic- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
‘TB Harega Desh Jeetega’ Campaign
Context
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare today launched the new TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign, along with the National TB Prevalence Survey.
About TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign
- TB Harega Desh Jeetega’ is a nationwide campaign to spread disease awareness about TB and encourage people with TB symptoms to seek medical attention and remain adherent to treatment.
The campaign has three pillars –
- Clinical approach,
- Public health component
- Active community participation.
- There are some other supporting aspects of the campaign including – patient support, private sector engagement, political and administrative commitment at all levels.
- The government will ensure that all patients, at private or public hospitals, receive free-of-cost and high-quality TB care.
- United Nations has marked 2030 as a global target to eliminate TB worldwide.
- The Government of India has made 2025 as its target to eliminate tuberculosis from the country.
Objectives of the Campgain
- The new TB campaign aims to improve and expand the reach of TB care services across the country, by 2022.
- This includes preventive and promotive approaches, and proposes potentially transformative interventions.
Concerns
- In the past few years, there have been several important policy initiatives, resulting in an increase in the number of cases reported to the government.
- In 2018, 21.5 lakh TB cases were reported to the government, compared to 18 lakhs in 2017, an increase of 17% in one year.
- Moreover, notifications from private sector health care providers reached 5.4 lakhs, an increase of 40%, contributing to 25% of all TB notifications.
Government’s initiative
- The Government of India has also partnered with the Global Fund to launch JEET (Joint Effort for Elimination of TB), a private sector engagement program operating in 45 cities across the country.
- In the last year, with domestic resources, the Govt. of India through the NHM has also approved additional 120 cities across 19 states.
Nikshay Poshan Yojana
- Government launched the Nikshay Poshan Yojana In April 2018.
- It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme to provide nutritional support to TB patients.
- Under the scheme, TB patients have been receiving 500 per month for the entire duration of treatment.
- Since its inception, a total amount of Rs. 427crore has been paid to over 26 lakhs beneficiaries through direct transfers to their bank accounts.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
National Water Mission
Context
National water mission awards- 2019 presented by Union Minister for Jal Shakti.
About National Water Mission
- The National Water Mission (NWM) is one the eight missions of the Government of India which was launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) for combating the threats of global warming.
Key features of NWM
The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) describes the features of National Water Mission as under:
- Review of National Water Policy
- Research and studies on all aspects related to impact of climate change on water resources including quality aspects of water resources
- Expeditious implementation of water resources projects particularly the multipurpose projects with carry over storages
- Promotion of traditional system of water conservation
- Intensive programme for ground water recharge in over-exploited areas
- Incentivize for recycling of water including wastewater
- Planning on the principle of integrated water resources development and management
- Ensuring convergence among various water resources programmes
- Intensive capacity building and awareness programme including those for Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies and youths
- Sensitization of elected representatives of over exploited area on dimensions of the problem and to orient investment under NREGA towards water conservation.
Objective of National Water Mission
- Studies on management of surface water resources,
- Management and regulation of ground water resources,
- Upgrading storage structures for fresh and drainage system for wastewater,
- Conservation of wetland, and
- Development of desalination technologies etc. required to be considered while preparing the comprehensive document for the National Water Mission.
Goals of NWM
The National Water Mission under the National Action Plan for Climate Change envisages the following five goals-
- Goal 1: Comprehensive water data base in public domain and assessment of the impact of climate change on water resource,
- Goal 2: Promotion of citizen and state actions for water conservation, augmentation and preservation
- Goal 3: Focused attention to vulnerable areas including over-exploited areas
- Goal 4: Increasing water use efficiency by 20%
- Goal 5: Promotion of basin level integrated water resources management
National Water Mission Awards, 2019
- NWM, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has initiated the ‘National Water Mission Awards’.
- It recognizes excellence in water conservation, efficient water use and sustainable water management practices.
- The awards are given in ten categories defined under five goals of NWM.
For Prelims-
Global Goal Keeper Award
Context
Global Goalkeepers Goals Award 2019 conferred to Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
Highlights
- Indian PM receives ‘Global Goal Keeper Award’ for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
- Prime Minister dedicated the award to those Indians who transformed the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan into a mass movement and made it a part of their daily lives.
- Global Goalkeepers Goals Awards are given by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The third annual Goalkeepers event is being hosted in New York City on September 24 and 25.
- This year, Goalkeepers will focus on the challenge of fighting global inequality to ensure no one is left behind.
- These Awards tell the extraordinary stories of remarkable individuals taking action to bring the Global Goals to life and help achieve them by 2030.
Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Varaha’
Context
Raksha Mantri commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Varaha’; to further strengthen coastal security.
Highlights
- Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Varaha’ was commissioned in Chennai.
- It is built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
- ICGS Varahat is fitted with advanced technology navigation and communication equipment, sensor and machinery.
- ICGS ‘Varaha’ is capable of operating the indigenously-developed Advanced Light Helicopter by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The ship is well equipped with high speed boats, medical facilities and modern surveillance systems.
- It has been designed to attain maximum speed of 26 knots and has endurance of 5,000 nautical miles.
- It will also be capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spill at sea.
Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)
- The vision of SAGAR is enunciated by PM Modi in 2015 with a focus on blue economy.
- SAGAR is a maritime initiative which gives priority to Indian Ocean region for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of India in Indian Ocean region.
- It is in line with the principles of Indian Ocean Rim Association.
- SAGAR seeks trust and transparency; respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries; sensitivity to each other`s interests; peaceful resolution of maritime issues; and increase in maritime cooperation in Indian ocean region.
- SAGAR seeks to enhance the capacities to safeguard land and maritime territories & interests.
- It also focuses on deepening economic and security cooperation in the littoral, action to deal with natural disasters and maritime threats like piracy, terrorism.
Sardar Patel National Unity Award
Context
Government of India has instituted ‘Sardar Patel National Unity Award’ – Highest Civilian Award for contribution to Unity and Integrity of India.
Highlights
- Government of India has instituted the highest civilian award in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India, in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- The award will be announced on the occasion of the National Unity Day, i.e. the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st October.
- The Award shall be conferred by the President in a presentation ceremony along with the Padma award presentation ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Objective
- The Award seeks to recognize notable and inspiring contributions to promote the cause of national unity and integrity and to reinforce the value of a strong and united India.
Award Committee
- An Award Committee would be constituted by the Prime Minister as Chairperson.
Members include-
- Cabinet Secretary,
- Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister,
- Secretary to the President,
- Home Secretary as Members
- Three-four eminent persons selected by the Prime Minister.
About award
- No monetary grant or cash award would be attached to this Award.
- Not more than three Awards would be given in a year.
- It would not be conferred posthumously except in very rare and highly deserving cases.
Eligibility
- Any Indian national or institution or organization based in India would be able to nominate an individual for consideration for this Award.
- Individuals may also nominate themselves. State Governments, UT Administrations and Ministries of Government of India may also send nominations.
- All citizens, without distinction of religion, race caste, gender, place of birth, age or occupation, would be eligible for the Award.
