1. 'Har Ghar Jal' Program highlights significant impact on Public Health - WHO report
Tags: Reports National News
A recently released report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the significant impacts of the 'Har Ghar Jal' program on public health and economic savings.
An overview of the news
Dr Richard Johnston and Dr Sophie Boisson of the WHO South East Asia presented the report titled ‘Health impact of Jal Jeevan Mission’.
Highlight of the report
The report pointed out that nearly four lakh diarrheal deaths could be prevented by ensuring safely managed drinking water for all households in the country.
Nearly 14 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) related to these diseases could be prevented.
This achievement alone will result in estimated cost savings of up to US$101 billion.
This report focuses on diarrheal diseases as water-borne diseases are a major reason for this.
The report shows that in 2018, 36 per cent of India's total population did not have access to improved drinking water sources in their premises.
Direct use of unsafe drinking water has serious health and social consequences.
The analysis indicates that in 2019, unsafe drinking water, along with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, contributed to 1.4 million deaths and 74 million DALYs globally.
'Har Ghar Jal' Program
Launched - By Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019
Implementation - By the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti
Aims - To provide every rural household with affordable and regular access to an adequate supply of safe drinking water through taps.
SDG 6.1 - Ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water
Achievement - 5 states (Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab) and 3 union territories (Puducherry, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli) have reported 100% tap water coverage.
2. World Migratory Bird Day - 13 May
Tags: Important Days
World Migratory Bird Day 2023 was observed on 13 May this year with an aim to focus on the conservation of migratory birds.
An overview of the news
Migratory birds are those birds that migrate to other parts of the world other than their native places to escape the winter season.
Migratory birds travel thousands of miles each year, often facing numerous challenges such as habitat loss, climate change, and illegal hunting along their journey.
Many migratory bird species are declining in population, and their disappearance can have significant ecological and economic consequences.
World Migratory Bird Day aims to promote international cooperation to conserve migratory birds and their habitats through awareness-raising, education, and conservation actions.
Individuals can contribute to the conservation of migratory birds by taking simple actions such as reducing their use of plastic, supporting bird-friendly policies and practices, and reporting any illegal activities related to migratory birds.
Through collective efforts, we can help ensure the survival and well-being of migratory birds, which play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and sustaining biodiversity.
Theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2023 is ‘Water and its importance for migratory birds’.
Background of the day
The day was first initiated in 2006 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
Since its inception, World Migratory Bird Day has grown to become a global event celebrated in over 100 countries, involving various organizations, governments, and individuals.
3. MRF emerges as ‘second strongest tyre brand in the world’
Tags: National News
MRF Ltd has emerged as thesecond-strongest tyre brand in the world according to the latest report by Brand Finance on the 'Most Valuable and Strongest Tyre Brands' in the world.
An overview of the news
MRF has scored high in almost all parameters and is also recognized as the second fastest growing tire brand in the world.
It has scored 83.2 out of 100 in brand strength and has been awarded AAA- brand rating.
MRF scored high in the Sustainability Perception Value and is the only Indian tire manufacturer to feature in the top 10.
Brand Finance's annual report on the Most Valuable and Strongest Automobile, Auto Component, Tire and Mobility 2023 analyzes the value of brands across these industries.
Brand value is understood as the net economic benefit that a brand owner would gain by licensing it on the open market.
A brand's strength is assessed through a balanced scorecard of factors such as marketing investment, stakeholder equity and business performance.
About MRF Ltd
MRF (Madras Rubber Factory) is India’s No.1 tyre manufacturing company.
It was started in 1946 by K M Mammen Mappillai as a small toy balloon unit.
In November 1960 it ventured into manufacturing of tyres.
The company entered into a technical collaboration with Tire & Rubber company, USA.
Currently MRF exports tyres to over 65 countries including America, Europe, Middle East, Japan, and the Pacific region.
It has overseas offices in Dubai, Vietnam and Australia.
4. Tibet least free country in Freedom in the World Index 2023
Tags: INDEX
Global watchdog Freedom House has released its 'Freedom in the World Index' for 2023, ranking Tibet as the "world's least free country" along with South Sudan and Syria.
An Overview of the News:
This is the third annual report after the 2021 and 2022 Freedom House reports. According to the report, both Chinese and Tibetans living in Tibet lack basic rights.
According to the report, the Chinese authorities are very harsh in suppressing any sign of discontent among Tibetans.
A number of issues relating to the human rights of the Tibetan people require serious and urgent attention from the international community.
Every move by the Communist Party of China (CPC) to sinicize Tibet is being closely watched by the rest of the world.
People living in Tibet are not even getting basic human rights.
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights raised the issue of serious human rights violations in Tibet in its third Periodic Review Report.
The Communist Party of China (CPC) is forcefully destroying Buddhism and culture in Tibet for complete Sinicization.
Tibetan children have been completely cut off from Buddhist teachings. Along with this, hatred against Buddhism and culture is being created in children through school education.
Tibetan religious leaders are being persecuted in the name of re-education.
The Freedom House report compared the atrocities in Tibet to the atrocities committed on Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province.
5. India ranks 13th in Global Terrorism Index and Afghanistan tops
Tags: INDEX
According to the 10th Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report, Afghanistan has remained the most affected country by terrorism for the fourth consecutive year while India is ranked 13th in this index.
An Overview of the News
The GTI report lists India among countries with a "high" impact of terrorism.
According to the report, India is among the 25 worst terrorism affected countries in the world.
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has been listed as the 12th deadliest terrorist group in the GTI reportfor the year 2022.
The report surveyed 120 countries, of which 56 did not choose war and terror as the biggest threat to their daily security.
The Global Terrorism Index is prepared by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
The Global Terrorism Index ranks 163 countries on four indicators over five years and has four factors - the number of deaths caused by terrorists per year, the number of terrorist incidents per year, the number of injuries caused by terrorists per year, and Total property damage caused by terrorism per year.
GTI is a report based on data collected from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD).
The GTD is collected by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland.
6. India ranks 42 in 55 countries on International IP Index
Tags: INDEX
India has been ranked 42 out of 55 countries in the latest International IP Index report by the US Chamber of Commerce.
An overview of the news
The United States ranks first in the 2023 index, followed by the UK and France.
According to the report, India's size and economic influence is growing on the world stage.
India is poised to become a leader for emerging markets seeking to transform their economies through IP-driven innovation.
India has taken steps to improve enforcement against copyright-infringement and provides a best-in-class framework to promote better understanding and use of IP assets.
Creating a new model to address long-standing flaws in the IP framework will be critical to India's continued economic growth, according to the report.
Continued strong crackdown on copyright piracy through issuance of "dynamic" injunction orders, improved crackdown on online trademark infringement and damages, and generous R&D and IP-based tax incentives are some of India's strong points.
India's Weaknesses
One of India's key areas of weakness is the 2021 dissolution of the IP Appellate Board.
Limited framework for protection of biopharmaceutical IP rights and patentability requirements that are outside international standards are other weaknesses in India.
About International Intellectual Property Index
It is an annual report compiled by the US Chambers of Commerce.
It evaluates the protection of IP rights in the world's 55 major economies, which represent approximately 90% of global GDP.
The report covers topics ranging from patent and copyright laws to the potential for monetizing IP assets and the ratification of international agreements.
The index aims to help guide nations towards a brighter economic future marked by greater innovation, creativity and competitiveness.
Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights are the rights given to persons/companies over the creations of their minds.
They usually give the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creation for a certain period of time.
For e.g. Development of a new software or discovery of new medicine.
7. India's GDP estimated to be 5.8% in UN report 'Global Economic Situation and Prospects-2023'
Tags: National Economy/Finance
In the last week of January 2023, the United Nations has projected India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be 5.8 percent in FY 2023 in the report 'Global Economic Situation and Prospects-2023'. This is slightly lower than the 6.4 percent projected in 2022.
An overview of the news:
According to the United Nations, the main reason for the decrease in India's GDP growth rate is high interest rate, investment due to global economic slowdown, pressure on exports etc.
Whereas, the United Nations has projected India's economic growth to remain "strong" while the outlook for other South Asian countries is "more challenging".
The report attributed this to the situation arising out of the covid epidemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, due to which a food and energy crisis has arisen and a significant increase in inflation is being seen.
Report in Global Perspective:
The UN report states that global output growth is projected to decline from an estimated 3% in 2022 to 1.9% in 2023, the lowest in recent decades.
The United Nations estimates that global growth in 2022 was 3 percent. The report forecasts global trade to grow at 0.4 percent and the world economy at 1.9 percent in 2023.
Report prepared by:
The report has been prepared by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the Regional Economic Commissions for Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, and Western Asia.
8. Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum begins at Davos in Switzerland
Tags: Summits International News
The five-day annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) begins on 16 January 2023 in Davos, Switzerland. It is the 53rd edition of the World Economic Forum which will be organised till 20 January 2023.
An Overview of the news
The theme of the meeting of the 53rd edition of the World Economic Forum is 'Cooperation in a Fragmented World'.
The main topics of discussion in the meeting are likely to be discussed like the Ukraine crisis, global inflation, climate change etc.
Prominent global leaders participating in the meeting
Global leaders attending the meeting include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, South African President Cyril M. Ramaphosa, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yol, Swiss President Alain Berset and Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin etc. are the main ones.
Representation of India in the meeting
Many Indian leaders are participating in the World Economic Forum meeting. Apart from Chief Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnav, Mansukh Mandaviya, Smriti Irani and RK Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is also participating in these.
Prominent business tycoons like Gautam Adani, Sanjiv Bajaj, Kumar Mangalam Birla, N Chandrasekaran, Nadir Godrej, Sajjan Jindal, Sunil Mittal, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Nandan Nilekani, Adar Poonawalla, Rishad Premji attended the meeting.
World Economic Forum (WEF)
WEF is a Swiss non-profit organisation.
Establishment: 1971
Headquarters: Cologny (Switzerland).
Founder and Executive Chairman: Klaus Schwab.
Chairperson: Borge Brende
Major reports published by WEF
Global Gender Gap Report
Global Risk Report
Global Travel and Tourism Report
Energy Transition Index (ETI)
Global Competitiveness Report
9. India will become third largest economy by 2035 : CEBR
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), a British consultancy, has said India will become the third largest economy by 2035 from the current fifth spot.
Important facts
According to the report India will become the third economic superpower by 2037 and a $10-trillion economy by 2035.
The report says that the world is heading towards recession.
However, over the next five years, the annual rate of India's GDP growth is expected to average 6.4%, after which it is expected to grow at average 6.5% in the subsequent nine years.
This growth trajectory will see India rise from fifth place on the World Economic League Table in 2022 to third in the global rankings by 2037.
According to the report, the pandemic had a devastating impact and India had the third highest death rate globally, yet the economy improved.
According to the report, by 2037, world GDP will double as developing economies catch up with the rich.
The changing balance of power will see East Asia and the Pacific region account for more than a third of global output by 2037, while Europe's share will drop to less than a fifth.
The global economy is set to surpass $100 trillion for the first time in 2022 but will stall in 2023 as policy makers continue their battle against rising prices.
About Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)
It was formerly called the Bureau of Business Research.
It is an economic policy and forecasting research centre and is headquartered in the USA.
CBER research encompasses health care, regional economies, public finance, energy sector studies and transportation.
10. India to become 3rd largest Economy in the world by 2037; CEBR
Tags: Reports Economy/Finance
The United Kingdom based economics consultancy firm Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has predicted that India will become the third-largest economy by 2037.
Its annual report titled ‘World Economic League Table’ tracks macroeconomic developments globally and countrywise. It presents forecasts for 191 countries of the world.
According to the 14th edition of the report released on 26 December 2022, it says that in the next five years India's annual economic growth is expected to average 6.4%. After that, the growth is expected to average 6.5% in the subsequent nine years.
It expects the Indian economy to grow by 6.8% in 2022-23.
The reported growth trajectory will see India rise from fifth place on the World Economic League Table’ in 2022 to third in the global rankings by 2037 after China and the United States of America.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is expected to become the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2027-28. According to the SBI EcoWrap report India is likely to become the 3rd largest economy in 2029.
According to the IMF India is likely to overtake Great Britain and become the 5th largest economy in 2022-23 after the United States, China, Japan and Germany.
