BIHAR
Population stabilisation: Bihar to overshoot target
Bihar is likely to overshoot the target of population stabilisation by over a decade-and-a-half, as it is to witness an increase in population from 10.4 crore in 2011 to 14.85 crore by 2036.
Going by the current rate, Bihar was expected to achieve the TFR (total fertility rate, which is the child bearing capacity of a woman) of 2.1 in 2039, against the deadline of 2025 as per the Mission Parivar Vikas of the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW).
While the state’s population was expected to increase by 42% between 2011 and 2036, its population density will increase from 1,106 to 1,578 people per square km during the same period.
The report said Bihar’s TFR, which is now 3.2, was expected to decline to 2.38 during 2031-35. A worrying fact was the central population panel’s projection that Bihar’s TFR will remain highest in the country, and it will be the single state with TFR more than 2 between 2031 and 2035. At the current rate, Bihar will achieve the TFR target of 2.1 only in the year 2039.
Another worrying fact is that Bihar, which is the youngest state, having current median age of 19.9 years, will remain so in 2036 too, despite the projected median age expected to be 28.1 years in 2036.
A positive indicator in population stabilisation, however, was that the proportion of population aged under-15 years was projected to decline from 40.2% to 27.7%.
The proportion of the middle age-group (15-59 years) and older ages (60 years and above) were also set to increase considerably. The number of older persons in the population was expected to increase from 65.6 lakh in 2011 to 1.6 crore in 2036 — an increase in their share to the total population from 6.3% to 10.9%. The proportion of population in the working age group 15-59 years was expected to rise from 61.7% in 2011 to 66.6% in 2036.
The youth population in the age-group 15-24 years was expected to increase from 1.8 crore in 2011 to 2.6 crore in 2031 and then decrease to 2.5 crore in 2036. Its proportion to total population was expected to fall from 17.9% in 2011 to 17% in 2036.
The male life expectancy at birth will improve gradually and reach up to 72.9 years in 2035. Similarly, female life expectancy at birth will reach 74.5 years. By 2035, Bihar will have more likelihood of longer life of females in comparison to male. It was estimated that in 2035, Bihar will be above the national average (71.2 years) in male life expectancy at birth and closer to the national average (74.7 years) in terms of female life expectancy at birth, the report said.The projected value of net migration rate (per 100) was expected to remain static — male -0.38 and female -0.28 — in 2035. This will make the state with the highest male migration and second highest female migration in the country in 2035.
Though Bihar would have 1.6% more urban population in 2035, the proportion of urban population will remain second last in the country.
INTERNATIONAL
International Tea Day 2019
The United Nations (UN) has declared May 21 as International Tea Day on the recommendations of India, however, this day is celebrated on December 15 Every Year.
The proposal was made by India at the International Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Intergovernmental Group meeting held in Milan 4 years ago.
The United Nations General Assembly has also recognized the tea’s medicinal properties as well as cultural importance.
The season of quality tea production starts in May only in most of the tea producing countries.
Bangladesh celebrated 49th Victory Day on 16 December
Bangladesh celebrated its 49th Victory Day on 16 December 2019. The event marks the day when Bangladesh attained liberation from Pakistan and became an independent nation in 1971. It became a nation under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On this day, President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War and placed wreaths at the National Mausoleum in Savar.
A Victory Day Parade by the armed forces of Bangladesh was held.
The second 2 plus 2 dialogue between India and the US to be held on 18 December
The second 2+2 dialogue between India and the US has been scheduled to be held on 18 December 2019 in Washington, the US. Both countries are expected to take stock of the entire range of strategic ties between the two countries. The information was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian side will be represented by Minister of external affairs S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh.
The first round of the meeting on the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi in September 2018. The dialogue focused on the need to uphold the peaceful resolution of territorial maritime disputes. It also aimed to promote market-based economics, fundamental rights, supporting good governance, and liberties and to prevent external economic coercion.
NATIONAL
Greta Thunberg was named as the 2019 Person of the Year by TIME magazine
The news magazine Time has named the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg in 2019 Person of the Year. She was named as she inspired millions of people in 150 countries to protest climate change. She has also delivered blunt and powerful speeches to leaders urging them to address the issue.
The 16-year-old is a Swedish environmental activist on climate change. In 2018, she became kn0own for her activism as she spent her school days outside the Swedish parliament to call for stronger action on global warming.
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December
Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December every year. The day aims to commemorate the victory of India over Pakistan in 1971. The day also a remembrance of the brave soldiers of India and Mukti Joddhas who sacrificed their lives for a noble cause.
o mark the day, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Vijay Smarak at Fort William the Head Quarters of Eastern Command in Kolkata, West Bengal.
India organizes an International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems
The International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems for BIMSTEC countries began on 11 December 2019. It will be held from 11-13 December in New Delhi. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary DARE.
It is organized by the Department of Agricultural Research & Education, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Cabinet approved the 2019 Aircraft Amendment Bill
The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the introduction of the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill amend the Aircraft Act, 1934 (XXII of 1934).
The bill will enhance the maximum limit of fine from the existing Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore.
It will include the regulation of all areas of air navigation to the Aircraft Act, 1934.
It will fulfill the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) by enabling the three regulatory bodies in the Civil Aviation sector in India to become more effective.
Rajya Sabha passed the 2019 International Financial Services Authority Bill
Rajya Sabha passed the International Financial Services Authority Bill, 2019. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on 11 December. It is expected that IFSCs will provide Indian companies easier access to global financial markets and also enable the development of financial markets in India.
The bill aims to set up world-class unified regulator for international financial services combining powers and functions of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) And Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
The authority comprises a chairperson and one member each nominated by the RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA.