ENLIGHTENED MINDS_Inspiring Excellence

  National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-20 Key findings: As per the phase-I of the survey, several states across the country have reversed course and recorded worsening levels of child malnutrition despite dramatic improvements in sanitation and better access to fuel and drinking water  It marks a shift since the last NFHS in 2015-16. The NFHS 2019-20 data of first phase pertains to 17 states  including Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal and five Union Territories (including J&K)  The survey captures the state of health in these states before the Covid pandemic Phase 2 of the survey , which will cover other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, was delayed due to the pandemic and its results are expected to be made available in May 2021. Meagre improvements:  The new survey shows that several states have either witnessed meagre improvements or sustained reversals on child (under 5 years of age) malnutrition parameters such as c hild stunting; child wasting;

    Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India In 2020, the NITI Aayog signed a Letter of Agreement with the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada to develop a working paper on a Vision for Public Health Surveillance in India by 2035 NITI Aayog released a white paper: Vision 2035: Public Health Surveillance in India with the vision: To make India’s public health surveillance system more responsive  and  predictive  to enhance preparedness for action at all levels. Citizen-friendly public health surveillance  systems will ensure individual privacy and confidentiality, enabled with a client feedback mechanism. Improved data-sharing mechanism  between Centre and states for better disease detection, prevention, and control. India aims to  provide regional and global leadership in managing events that constitute a public health emergency  of international concern. What is a white paper report? A white paper is an in-depth report or guide about a specific topic and the problems that

  Climate change and its impact on water cycle What is water stress? The water stress refers to a  twofold situation: when the demand for water exceeds the current available resource; when the poor quality of water restricts its use. It frequently occurs in areas with low rainfall and high population density or in areas where agricultural or industrial activities are intense. Even where sufficient long-term freshwater resources exist, seasonal or annual variations in the availability of freshwater may at times cause stress. Water stress causes deterioration of fresh water resources in terms of quantity (aquifer over exploitation, dry rivers, etc.) and quality (eutrophication, organic matter pollution, saline intrusion, etc.). Such deterioration can result in health problems and have a negative influence on ecosystems. The industries are also concerned, for the availability of water proves to be crucial within the industrial process, especially for water-intensive industries. Water scar

  Prime minister employment generation programme (PMEGP) About the scheme: It is a  central sector credit linked subsidy scheme  being implemented by the Ministry of MSME since 2008-09. It  assists first generation entrepreneurs for setting up micro enterprises  across the country. The entire process of application and fund flow right from receipt of application to sanction and release of loan by banks to the applicants has been made online through only  one Government portal run by Khadi and Village Industries Commission.  The whole process is  totally free of cost. No private agency, middlemen or franchise is engaged or authorized for promoting and sanctioning PMEGP projects or providing any financial assistance under PMEGP scheme

  Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) L iquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been converted to a liquid form  for the ease and safety of natural gas transport .  Natural gas is cooled to  approximately -260˚ F , creating a  clear, colorless, and non-toxic  liquid that can be transported from areas with a large supply of natural gas to areas that demand more natural gas. It is more cost effective as far as large volume of transportation to long distances is concerned. Natural Gas supply sources in India: Domestic Gas Sources: The domestic gas in the country is being supplied from the oil & gas fields located at western and southeastern areas viz. Hazira basin, Mumbai offshore & KG basin as well as North East Region (Assam & Tripura).  Import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): In order to meet the gas demand, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is imported through Open General License (OGL) in the country and it is imported by the gas marketer under various Long Term, Medium Term