National
Significant Decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the significant decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20 on 30 November 2022.
As per the Special Bulletin on MMR released by the Registrar General of India (RGI), the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of India has improved further by a spectacular 6 points and now stands at 97/ lakh live births.
- The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths during a given time period per 100,000 live births.
As per the statistics derived from Sample Registration System (SRS):
The country has witnessed a progressive reduction in MMR from 130 in 2014-2016, 122 in 2015-17, 113 in 2016-18, 103 in 2017-19 and to 97 in 2018-20.
Progressive decline in the MMR ratio from 2013 -2020:
Key Points:
- Upon achieving this, India has accomplished the National Health Policy (NHP) target for MMR of less than 100/lakh live births and is on the right track to achieve the SDG target of MMR less than 70/ lakh live births by 2030.
- The outstanding progress made in terms of the number of states which have achieved Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target, the number has now risen from six to eight leading with Kerala (19); followed by Maharashtra (33), then Telangana (43) and Andhra Pradesh (45), subsequently Tamil Nadu (54), Jharkhand (56), Gujarat (57) and lastly Karnataka (69).
Background:
- Since 2014, under the National Health Mission (NHM), India has made a concerted effort to provide accessible quality maternal and newborn health services and minimize preventable maternal deaths.
- The National Health Mission has made significant investments to ensure provision of healthcare services, particularly for effective implementation of the maternal health programs to accomplish the specified MMR targets.
- Government schemes such as “Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram” and “Janani Suraksha Yojana” have been modified and upgraded to more assured and respectful service delivery initiatives like Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan’ (SUMAN). Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) is particularly lauded for its focus on identifying high-risk pregnancies and facilitating their appropriate management. This had a significant impact on mitigating preventable mortality.
- LaQshya and Midwifery initiatives concentrate on promoting quality care in a respectful and dignified manner ensuring choice of birthing to all pregnant women.
BIS signs MoU with top six engineering institutes of India
⇒ Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with top six engineering institutes of India for introducing Indian standards as an integral part of the curriculum.
Key Points:
- This is initiative is towards institutionalizing engagement of BIS with the eminent institutes for securing active participation of academia.
- The MoU was signed with Indian Institute of Technology BHU, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Indian Institute of Technology Madras and National Institute of Technology Trichy on 28 November 2022.
- The MoU was signed with six engineering institutes of India for establishment of ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at these institutes.
- The establishment will promote excellence and leadership in teaching and research & development in the field of Science and various disciplines in the respective institutes.
23rd Hornbill Festival 2022
⇒ The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 23rd edition of Hornbill Festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama near the state capital, Kohima on 01 December 2022.
The Vice President, sounded the Inauguration Gong along with the Governor & the Chief Minister of the Nagaland to declare the “Festival of Festivals” open.
» Hornbill Festival is an annual event, the 23rd Hornbill Festival 2022 was held from December 01-10, 2022.
About Hornbill Festival:
- A 21st century creation of Nagaland is the Hornbill festival, an event which is now getting known globally.
- Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, Nagaland, Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof.
- During Hornbill, which takes place from 1st December to 10th December, the entire Naga culture is showcased in full splendor in the Kisama village of Kohima district.
- The Hornbill Festival is a modern-day cultural extravaganza of all Naga tribes. The festival was conceptualized to showcase Naga culture, traditional and contemporary, in the spirit of unity in diversity.
- Nagaland is known as the land of festivals as each tribe celebrates its own festival with dedication and passion.
- The Hornbill Festival – also called the “Festival of Festivals”- is celebrated to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland.
Important Features:
- The festival is named after the hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes. The festival is called Hornbill, also known as Dhanesh bird.
- The week-long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display.
- Festival highlights include Traditional Naga Morungs, exhibition and sale of Arts and Crafts, Food Stalls, Herbal Medicine Stalls, Flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley – songs and dances, Fashion shows, Beauty Contest, Traditional Archery, Naga wrestling, Indigenous Games, and Musical concerts.
Naga Heritage Village:
- The Hornbill Festival is held at the heritage village of Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima.
- The nomenclature of KISAMA is derived from two villages namely, Kigwema (KI) and Phesama (SA) and MA which means Village, on whose land the Naga Heritage Village is established and commissioned by the State Government of Nagaland.
- The Heritage complex consists of a cluster of seventeen indigenously designed houses (also called Morung meaning Youth Dormitory), each representative of a different tribe.
- The Heritage Complex also houses a World War II Museum, Bamboo Heritage Hall, Bamboo Pavilion, Kids Carnival, Horti-Scape, Food Courts and Stadium for Live concerts, Naga Idol, Beauty Pageant, Fashion Shows, etc.
- The goal of creating the heritage village is the protection and preservation of the ethnic cultural heritage through a common management approach and comprehensive data base for the perpetuation of tourism promotion.
- Since its inception in the year 2000, it has brought about radical changes in the tourism scenario of the state.
Important Day
Nagaland Statehood Day 2022
⇒ Nagaland celebrated its 60th statehood day on 01 December 2022.
About Nagaland:
- Nagaland is one of the eight north eastern states and is located on India’s farthest east side.
- It was formally inaugurated on December 01, 1963 as the 16th state of the Indian Union.
- The State of Nagaland Act, 1962 was enacted by the Parliament to grant statehood to Nagaland.
- The state is bordered by Myanmar in the east, Arunachal Pradesh in the north, Assam in the west, and Manipur in the south.
- As per Census 2011, the literacy rate for Nagaland is 79.55%. The literacy rate for females and males are 76.11% and 82.75% respectively.
Area: 16,579 square kilometres (6,401 sq. mi)
Population: 1,980,602 per the 2011 Census of India
Tribes: Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Dimasa Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, Zeliang.