Bihar Affairs
Child sex ratio declines in Bihar
While the country celebratedNational Girl Child Day with the aim to create awareness about the rights of girl child and inequalities they face, there are several sectors in which much has to be done for giving equal rights to them.
Be it selection of sex during pregnancy or giving them Education or suffering sexual violence, female children are still suppressed. For instance, the state witnessed a decline in the sex ratio of the children born in the last five years from 934 in National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) to 908 in NFHS-5.
Though the overall female Population was more than of males, thesex ratio in Biharwitnessed a declining trend, contrary to the national Average where it increased from 919 in NFHS-4 to 929 in NFHS-5.
Though there has been a decline in such cases, compared to the earlier data, it’s is still more in the state than the national average. For instance, 14.2% of young Women aged 18 to 29 years inBiharexperienced sexual violence by the age of 18. This Percentage came down to 8.3% in NFHS-5. However, the national data states that 1.5% of women in the same age group had experienced sexual violence both in NFHS-4 and NFHS-5.
Even in the cases of violence, though an improvement has been reported when compared to the previous years’ data, a lot more is needed to be done. For instance, the number of married women in the age of 18 to 49 years experiencing spouse’s violence has come down in Bihar from while 43.7% to 40% in NFHS-5.
National and International Affairs
The Indian Army and theJapanese Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF ) are participating in the ongoing bilateral training exercise, Exercise Dharma Guardian-2023 scheduled at Camp Imazu in Shiga province, Japan. The contingent of theIndian Armyarrived in Japan and the opening ceremony of the fourth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian was held atAibano Field Firing Range. Notably, this is the first time ever that the DG series of exercises is being organised in Japan.
The warriors, participating in the annual exercise, will share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance interoperability in planning and execution.
It will further enhance the level of DEFENCE co-operation between the Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces, enhancing the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Notably, Exercise Dharma Guardian-2023, which has been organised in line with several other military training exercises undertaken by India with various countries, is crucial and significant in terms of the security challenges faced by both nations against the backdrop of the current global situation. The Exercise Dharma Guardian-2023 is an annual exercise that takes place between the soldiers of both countries.
Aquifer mapping to end by March: Min
Aquifer mapping of the country would be completed by March this year, an exercise that will help various states gauge availability of ground water and its recharge potential.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha recently, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu said out of the total geographical area of around 33 lakh sq km of the entire country, around 25 lakh sq km of mappable area has been identified.
The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has taken up the Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme since 2012 under the scheme of Ground Water Management and Regulation. The programme is aimed at delineating aquifer disposition and their characterisation for preparation of aquifer or area specific ground water management plans with community participation.
The management plans are shared with respective state governments for taking appropriate measures or implementation. Aquifer mapping is a scientific process, wherein different analyses are applied to characterise the quantity, quality and sustainability of groundwater in aquifers.
Ministry launches nationwide drive to end filariasis disease
The Union Health Ministry launched a nationwide mass drug administration (MDA) campaign aimed at ending filariasis disease transmission through door-to-door administration of anti-filarial drugs, especially in 10 affected states including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
The launch came a month after the programme received resounding support from Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to eliminate filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target.
India has ramped up efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), a vector-borne disease caused by culex mosquitoes that leads to disabilities, well ahead of the global targets to safeguard communities from disabilities, as well as from social and economic insecurity.
The Centre has already unveiled a renewed five-pronged strategy for the elimination of LF, a statement from the Ministry said.
UIDAI Launched New AI Chatbot Aadhaar Mitra in India
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently launched a chatbot to help people get an answer to their queries related to the Aadhaar card. It is called Aadhaar Mitra. The /Machine Learning (AI/ML)-a based chatbot can answer queries related to Aadhaar enrolment number, PVC Card order status, and complaint status, among other things. It is available in both English and Hindi languages
Aadhaar Chatbot is well-trained to answer queries on Aadhaar-related topics, provide information about Locate Aadhaar Center, Check Aadhaar Enrolment/ Update status, Check PVC Card Order status, file a Complaint, Check Complaint status, Locate Enrolment Center, and Book an Appointment.
South Africa declares State of Disaster over electricity crisis
In order to speed up the governments reaction to an ongoing Energy Crisis, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed a state of Disaster. He also promised to designate a minister in his office who will concentrate on increasing the supply of power.
Since 2008, the nation has struggled with electricity shortages that have reached historic heights, resulting in rolling blackouts every day of this year.