National
Sarva Dawa Sevan or Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to Eliminate LF
⇒ Union Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Shri Rajesh Bhushan launched a nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign aimed at ending disease transmission through the door-to-door administration of anti-filarial drugs, especially in 10 filaria affected states.
- This launch comes a month after the program received resounding support from the Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to eliminate Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target.
- High-burden districts in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh jointly launched the campaign on 10 February 2023.
Innovative best practices and work plans were shown at the event by the Bihar.
Bihar has ramped up efforts towards a successful MDA by appealing to the community and beneficiaries to come forward and enthusiastically participate in the rounds. Engagement of celebrity Manoj Bajpai and Khan sir who have a huge fan base on social media has been roped in for the MDA campaign.
India has ramped up efforts in eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis a Vector Borne Disease caused by Culex mosquitoes which causes disability well ahead of global targets to safeguard communities from disability, social and economic insecurity.
Government of India has already unveiled a renewed five-pronged strategy for elimination of LF as shown in the figure below.
Launch of First ACTCM Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15)
⇒ Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 125 (LSAM 15) was launched by Capt Prashant Saxena, AWPS (Mbi) on 10 February 2023 at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane.
With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence.
Constructed by:
Contract for construction of 11 x ACTCM Barge was concluded with M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, an MSME, in consonance with “AatmaNirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India. This Barge is being built with a service life of 30 years.
Benefits:
The availability of ACTCM Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
International
1st Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) Meeting
⇒ The 1st meeting of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) marked the beginning of constructive discussions within G20 countries for a sustainable future, led by India’s G20 Presidency.
The three-day meeting of the ECSWG from February 09-11, 2023 in Bengaluru was led by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.
The discussions revolved around the following three key priorities as identified by the G20 Indian Presidency.
- Arresting Land Degradation
- Accelerating Ecosystem Restoration and Enriching Biodiversity
- Promoting a Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy and Encouraging Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
Day 1:
» The deliberations of the ECSWG under the G20 Sherpa Track commenced with the 1st meeting of the Working Group on February 09 at Bengaluru.
- There was a discussion on how the theme of the India Presidency – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future, is championing a fundamental mindset shift from a sense of ownership of natural resources towards trusteeship, sustainable lifestyles, inclusion and universal oneness.
- The first session of the three-day event concluded on a hopeful note to create a rich dialogue among all the delegates to shape a future where the world lives in harmony with nature.
Day 2:
» The second day started with an inaugural address by Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Puri.
The discussions during the first half of the second day revolved around methods to restore land-based ecosystems affected by anthropogenic causes and enhancement of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
In the second half, discussions were held on the creation of circular economies in various sectors, including steel and bio-waste, and the role of extended producer’s responsibility in the creation of a circular economy.
- The idea of a G20 industry coalition for resource efficiency and the circular economy was also tabled. The sessions saw the enthusiastic participation of delegates from all countries.
Day 3:
» The third and last day commenced with the session focusing on the ‘Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy’ theme.
- The Oceans and Blue Economy discussions covered a range of issues, including marine litter, conservation and enhancement of coastal and marine ecosystems, and marine spatial planning, over three meetings and one side event.
- The focus of discussions was on the problem of marine plastic litter and its adverse impacts.
- The Indian Presidency presented the inception report of the technical study on ‘Accelerating the transition to Sustainable & Climate Resilient Blue Economy’ that would cover all G20 countries and provide inputs for the development of high-level principles on ‘Sustainable and Climate Resilient Blue Economy’.
- It was also mentioned that Indian Presidency will publish the Fifth Report on actions against marine plastic litter under the G20 Framework for Marine Plastic Litter, in collaboration with Japan.
Concluding session – Forward agenda:
- Towards the concluding session, it was highlighted that the Indian Presidency plans to convene an Ocean 20 dialogue to facilitate detailed discussion on important aspects of the Blue Economy.
The 1st G20 ECSWG meeting concluded in Bengaluru on a positive note. All the G20 countries expressed interest and commitment to constructively work towards the objective of the three priority areas.
11th meeting of India-Mongolia Joint Working Group
⇒ The 11th meeting of India-Mongolia Joint Working Group was held on 10th February 2023 in New Delhi.
Discussion:
- Both sides reviewed the progress on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives and identified means to further enhance the existing areas of cooperation and articulated steps in this direction.
- During the meeting, both the sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defense cooperation between the two countries despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19 pandemic.
Background:
- It may be recalled that India established diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955.
- The Indian Resident Mission in Ulaanbaatar was opened in 1971.
- This relationship was upgraded to “strategic partnership” in 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mongolia and declared it as an essential component of ‘Act East Policy’.