1. 26 % of world's population does not have safe drinking water: UNESCO report
Tags: Reports
According to a report published by UNESCO at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York, 26 percent of the world's population does not have access to safe drinking water.
An overview of the news
As per the report, 46 per cent of the population does not have access to safely managed sanitation.
According to the report, two to three billion people experience water scarcity for at least one month per year, which poses serious risks to livelihoods, especially food security and access to electricity.
The global urban population facing water scarcity will double from 930 million in 2016 to 1.7 to 2.4 billion in 2050.
The report states that the increasing incidence of extreme and prolonged drought is affecting ecosystems, causing severe consequences for plant and animal life.
There is an urgent need to establish strong international mechanisms to prevent the global water crisis from spiraling out of control.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization)
It is a specialized agency of the United Nations.
It was established on 16 November 1945.
Headquarters: Paris, France
UNESCO members - 193 countries
UNESCO Head - Audrey Azoulay
2. World Happiness Report 2023
Recently the 11th edition of the World Happiness Report, 2023 was released by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
An overview of the news
The report says that between 2020 and 2022, the world will see a 'significant' increase in resilience.
Two significant events affected the world during this period – the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the report, during this time of crisis, global citizens became increasingly philanthropic and built stronger social ties.
There are 25 percent more "charitable acts" worldwide in 2022 than before the pandemic.
Key Highlight of the report
Top Performing Countries
Finland continues to be the happiest country around the world for the sixth consecutive year.
Denmark is at number two, followed by Iceland at number three.
Worst Performing Countries
Afghanistan is ranked as the unhappiest nation, followed by Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe respectively.
India’s Performance
India ranks 126 out of 136 countries, making it one of the least happy countries in the world.
In 2022, India was ranked 136 out of 146 countries.
India's neighbors ranked Sri Lanka (63), China (74) and Pakistan (108), among others.
About World Happiness Report
It has been published annually since 2012 by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
The ranking uses key factors to measure happiness - real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
The report ranks global happiness based on survey data from people in more than 150 countries.
3. QS World University Rankings : IIT Bombay ranks first in country in Engineering and Technology
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has been ranked 1st in India and 47th globally in engineering and technology by the QS World University Rankings for 2023.
India in Ranking
IIT Bombay scored 80.4 out of 100.
The institute is ranked in 4 out of 5 broad subject areas, which include Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences & Management and Arts & Humanities.
The institute has been ranked (51-100) for Art and Design, 66th for Computer Science & Information Technology, 51-100 for Civil & Structural Engineering, 77th for Chemical Engineering, 54th for Electrical & Electronics Engineering, 68th for Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering, and 37th for Minerals & Mining.
Global Ranking
Globally, US institutions lead in 32 disciplines.
Harvard Universityis the best-performing institution, ranking first in 14 subjects, two more than last year.
4. Women and Men in India 2022 report
Tags: Reports
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the “Women and Men in India 2022” report on 15 March.
Findings of the Report
Sex Ratio
The sex ratio at birth increased by three points from 904 in 2017-19 to 907 in 2018-20.
India's sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) is expected to be 952 by 2036, up from 943 in 2011.
Population Growth
Population growth, which fell from 2.2% in 1971 to 1.1% in 2021, is projected to decline to 0.58% in 2036.
Labor force Participation
India's labor force participation rate for those over the age of 15 has been increasing since 2017–2018. Although women are far behind men.
In 2021-22, the rate was 77.2 for men and 32.8 for women, with no improvement in this disparity.
Age of Sex Structure
India's age and sex composition is expected to see a decline in the population under the age of 15 and an increase in the population over the age of 60 by 2036.
Fertility Rate
The fertility rates for the age groups 20-24 years and 25-29 years declined from 135.4 and 166.0 to 113.6 and 139.6, respectively, between 2016 and 2020.
This is likely due to economic independence from getting a proper education and securing a job.
The same indicator for the 35-39 year age group increased from 32.7 in 2016 to 35.6 in 2020.
5. Lowest literacy rate in India found in Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan: Ministry of Education
Tags: Reports
According to the Ministry of Education, Bihar has the lowest literacy rate in India at 61.8%, while Kerala has the highest at 94%.
An Overview of the News
Apart from Bihar, other states with low literacy rates are Arunachal Pradesh at 65.3% and Rajasthan at 66.1%, while Lakshadweep with 91.85% and Mizoram with 91.33% follow Kerala.
The literacy rate in rural India is 67.77%, while the literacy rate in urban areas is 84.11%.
About Saakshar Bharat Scheme
Saakshar Bharat Yojana was implemented in rural areas of 404 districts of 26 states and one union territory to improve the adult literacy rate. The program targets areas with a female literacy rate of 50% or less as per the 2001 census.
The objective of the plan was to raise the country's overall literacy rate to 80% and reduce the gender gap to 10% by the end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan. The program was extended till March 31, 2018.
The objective of the Samagra Shiksha scheme is to provide universal access and retention in education, bridge gender and social category gaps, and enhance learning levels from pre-school to senior secondary level.
The Central Government assists the States and Union Territories in implementing the Samagra Shiksha Yojana as a programme.
6. World's eighth most polluted country according to Swiss firm IQAir report: India
Swiss firm IQAir Report has released its 'World Air Quality Report', according to which India has moved up to the eighth position in the list of world's most polluted countries in 2022 as compared to fifth position last year.
An Overview of the News
According to this report, 39 of the world's 50 most polluted cities are in India.
The top 10 most polluted countries include Chad, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kuwait, India, Egypt and Tajikistan.
According to it, the transport sector is responsible for 20-35% of PM 2.5 pollution in India.
Lahore in Pakistan and Hotan in China are the two most polluted cities in the world, followed by Bhiwadi in Rajasthan at the third place and Delhi at the fourth place.
India has been placed at the eighth position in the latest report with PM2.5 level at 53.3.
According to this report, India and Pakistan have the worst air quality in the Central and South Asian region. About 60% of the population lives in areas where the concentration of PM2.5 particles is seven times higher than the WHO recommended levels.
The report concludes that globally, one in 10 people live in an area where air pollution is a health risk.
About Air Pollution
Air pollution can have significant impacts on both human health and the environment.
The effects of air pollution vary depending on the type and concentration of pollutants, as well as the duration and frequency of exposure.
On human health, air pollution can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer.
It can also lead to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and premature death.
The elderly, children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution.
Air pollution also affects the environment, contributing to climate change and damaging ecosystems.
Acid rain, for example, can harm forests, lakes, and aquatic life. Ground-level ozone, which is formed by the reaction of pollutants in the atmosphere, can damage crops and reduce agricultural yields.
Air pollution can also contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse effect.
7. India world's largest arms importer: SIPRI report 2023
Tags: Reports International News
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According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's (SIPRI) 2023 report, India will become the world's leading arms importer in 2022.
News Overview
According to this report, between the years 2013-17 and 2018-22, India's arms imports have decreased by 11 percent.
According to the report's findings, over the past five years, the US had the world's largest military expenditure, accounting for 40% of the global share, followed by Russia (16%), and France (11%).
About SIPRI
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is a global non-profit research institute.
SIPRI focuses on resolving conflicts, controlling arms and promoting disarmament.
The institute provides data, analysis and advice regarding armed conflicts, military expenditure and the arms trade.
Establishment - 6 May 1966
Founders - Tage Erlander, Alva Myrdal
Chairman - Stefan Lofven
Director - Dan Smith
Headquarter - Solna
8. Globally, just 1 in 4 children covered by social protection: UN report
Tags: Reports
According to the United Nations (UN) report, only 26.4 percent of children aged 0-15 yearsare protected by social protection, the remaining 73.6 percent have to live in poverty, exclusion and multidimensional deprivation.
Key findings of the report
2.4 billion children in the world need adequate social protection.
About 1.77 billion children aged 0-18 years do not have access to household cash benefits, a fundamental pillar of the social protection system.
One billion children live in multidimensional poverty without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation or clean water.
Children with disabilities or children living with a family member with disabilities are more vulnerable to poverty.
Social protection policies are powerful tools for reducing poverty for children and their families.
Social protection can also protect children from other greater risks such as child labor and forced labor.
India in the report
The report states that 31 states in India have implemented the national 'PM Cares for Children' scheme.
So far only 4,302 children have received assistance from the scheme.
9. Mumbai's famous "vada pav" ranked 13th in the list of best sandwiches in the world
Mumbai's famous street food "vada pav" has been ranked number 13 on a list of the top 50 best rated sandwiches in the world.
An overview of the news
The list is published by TasteAtlas, a Croatian-based food travel guide website.
Turkey's tombik sandwich tops the list. Second is Peru's Butifara Sandwich and Argentina's De Lomo Sandwich is third.
About 'Vada Pav'
Vada pav street food is said to have originated from a street vendor named Ashok Vaidya, who operated near Dadar railway station in the 1960s and 1970s.
Ashoka thought of a way to satisfy the hunger of the starving workers, and concluded that the ideal dish should be portable, inexpensive, and easy to prepare.
Ashok made Vada Pav and its popularity skyrocketed.
Traditionally vada pav is made of spiced mashed potatoes, deep fried in chickpea batter and pav, which is also known as white bread roll.
10. Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021
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India's overall QI system ranking stood at 10th position in the recently released Global Quality Infrastructure Index (GQII) 2021.
An overview of the news:
India's national accreditation system under the Quality Council of India (QCI) has been ranked 5th.
While it has been ranked 9th in the standardisation system and 21st in the world in the metrology system (under NPL-CSIR).
The GQII lists 184 countries in the world based on the Quality of Infrastructure (QI).
Ranking of other countries:
Germany has topped the list.
It was followed by China, USA, UK, Japan and France at the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth places respectively.
Quality Council of India (QCI):
The Quality Council of India (QCI) was established in 1996 as a national body for accreditation.
QCI is a non-profit organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of the year 1860.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Jakshay Shah
General Secretary - Dr. Ravi P. Singh
