Published on: November 4, 2024
Snippets : 4 NOVEMBER 2024
Snippets : 4 NOVEMBER 2024
- The production of key spice crops—cardamom, ginger, and pepper—in Karnataka has been severely affected by heavy rains from July to August, leaving many farmers facing significant losses. Pepper, cultivated on 2,22,394 hectares, has seen a drastic reduction in expected yield to only 25% of normal levels. Despite this, projected production for 2023-24 is slightly higher at 89,000 tonnes compared to the previous year’s 80,805 tonnes. Cardamom, grown over 25,135 hectares and typically harvested from late August to November, is expected to see a 50% production decline due to premature ripening and size reduction caused by excessive rainfall. Ginger, cultivated over 40,000 hectares, is forecasted to experience a 30-40% production drop, with crop losses exacerbated by diseases like koleroga (rotting disease). The heavy rains also caused premature ripening and quality degradation in cardamom, hindered the drying process of both cardamom and ginger, and affected the blooming period for pepper, resulting in fewer peppercorns. Consequently, farmers faced additional harvesting difficulties due to prolonged rain and continuous wet conditions.
- A report titled “Implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: Where Do We Stand” reveals critical insights and concerns about education in the region, with a literacy rate of only 63.71%, much lower than the state average of 75.36%. Compiled by the Right to Education (RTE) Cell and Council for Social Development (CSD), the report highlights alarming trends such as 115 government schools with zero student enrollment and 11.65% of schools functioning with just one teacher. Systemic issues include insufficient investment, high teacher vacancies, and the increased closure of low-enrollment government schools, which has led to more students attending private schools. Many marginalized students are dropping out due to the lack of accessible public schools. Additional concerns include Karnataka’s low compliance with national education norms, a limited budget for education, and the recent introduction of board exams for classes 5 and 9, which critics argue contradicts the RTE provisions. Furthermore, Karnataka has the highest number of teacher vacancies in India, with 141,358 positions unfilled. Quality of education is compromised due to inadequate teacher professional development, overreliance on online resources, and severe understaffing in academic support institutions. The report recommends adopting open-source digital technologies, as used in Kerala, to improve teacher training and uphold the right to quality education for all children.
- The National Achievement Survey (NAS), India’s comprehensive tool for evaluating student learning, has been renamed PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. Scheduled for December 4, 2024, this annual survey aims to assess educational progress nationwide. PARAKH targets students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 from government, government-aided, and private schools, evaluating them across subjects like Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and “The World Around Us” using multiple-choice questions. It collects both performance and contextual data through Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) technology to streamline analysis. Unlike previous surveys, PARAKH focuses on a system-level evaluation aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, assessing schools based on foundational, preparatory, and middle education stages. By generating report cards at national, state, and district levels, PARAKH offers insights that help shape educational reforms. Managed by the National Assessment Center within NCERT and under the Ministry of Education, PARAKH also aligns with international standards, like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), to benchmark India’s educational progress globally.
- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched the “First in the World Challenge” to promote pioneering research among Indian scientists, aiming to address complex global health issues with ideas that have not been explored worldwide. This initiative encourages Indian researchers to develop breakthrough health technologies, including vaccines for emerging diseases, novel drugs, and innovative diagnostic tools, with a strict focus on completely original and untested ideas. Projects funded by this challenge must have substantial potential for global health impact and are intended to be “high risk, high reward”—acknowledging that while some ideas may not succeed, those that do could revolutionize health and biomedical sciences. Through this program, ICMR seeks to establish Indian science at the forefront of international health solutions, fostering future advancements that offer transformative health benefits.
- India has been included in the Steering Committee of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP), represented by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED). ARIN-AP is a collaborative, multi-agency network aimed at depriving criminals of their illicit profits by facilitating cross-border cooperation in asset tracing, freezing, and confiscation within the Asia-Pacific region. Comprising various law enforcement agencies dedicated to combating financial crimes, ARIN-AP serves as a central hub for professionals working on crime proceeds, promoting coordinated asset recovery efforts. The network currently includes 28 member jurisdictions and nine observers and operates informally within the broader Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (CARIN), which encompasses over 100 jurisdictions globally. As India’s nodal agency within ARIN-AP, the ED plays a critical role in decision-making and coordination, helping to enhance cross-border asset tracing, improve intelligence exchange, and strengthen the CARIN network.
- Parthavi Grewal, Vanshika Goswami and Hemant Sangwan won gold at inaugural U-19 World Championships organised by World Boxing in Colorado, USA.
- A team of Indian botanists has identified a new leafless orchid species, Gastrodia lohitensis, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district.
- Recently, the Indian Army contingent departed for the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR.
- The 8th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) recently highlighted India’s progress in animal health, thanks to the committee’s efforts since its establishment in 2021 . As the think tank for the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), ECAH brings together experts from various fields to provide evidence-based insights and policy recommendations on national health programs, emerging disease threats, and regulatory frameworks for veterinary products. Chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, and vice-chaired by the Secretary of DAHD, the committee includes members from prominent organizations such as CDSCO, DBT, ICAR, ICMR, IVRI, and VCI. ECAH’s focus is on creating resilient, farmer-centric animal health systems, streamlining regulatory approvals, driving innovative practices, and assessing emerging disease threats to ensure the long-term success of India’s livestock sector. By acting as a think tank, ECAH provides critical inputs on animal health programs, protects public and animal health, and supports initiatives to promote innovative practices in the Indian animal health sector.
- The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia to take part in Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 which will be conducted from the 1st to 12th of November 2024.
- The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released the operational guidelines for the “NAMO DRONE DIDI” Central Sector Scheme, aiming to empower 14,500 selected Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing them with drones from 2024-25 to 2025-26 for rental services to farmers, primarily for applying liquid fertilizers and pesticides. The “NAMO DRONE DIDI” scheme, overseen by an Empowered Committee and implemented by a dedicated team led by the Additional Secretary of Rural Development, provides significant support to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by offering 80% financial assistance (up to ₹8 lakhs) for purchasing drones, with the remaining amount accessible through loans from the National Agriculture Infra Financing Facility at a 3% interest subvention. This initiative includes a 15-day training program on drone piloting and agricultural applications and is implemented by Lead Fertilizer Companies at the state level. An IT-based Drone Portal ensures effective monitoring and fund management, with the goal of creating sustainable business opportunities and additional income streams for SHGs, thereby enhancing their livelihoods.
