30 October 2014

Gender equality still a far cry in India

Indian women still face some of the world’s worst inequality in access to health care, education and work, despite years of rapid economic growth, according to a survey of 142 nations released on Tuesday.
The annual Gender Gap Index by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum showed India falling to 114th place, after being ranked 101st out of 136 countries surveyed last year. That puts India below other fast-developing nations including China, ranked 87th, and Brazil at 71.
Nordic nations led the world in promoting equality of the sexes, as they have for many years, with Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark occupying the top five spots.
The United States climbed three places to 20th, thanks to a narrowing wage gap and more women occupying political offices.
“Achieving gender equality is obviously necessary for economic reasons. Only those economies who have full access to all their talent will remain competitive and will prosper,” Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman, said in a statement.
Yemen, Pakistan and Chad remained at the bottom of the index, which ranks countries based on government statistics in four categories- health and survival, access to education, economic opportunity and political participation. India ranked an impressive 15th for female political participation, given a large number of women holding public office. But it was among the bottom 20 in terms of income, literacy, work force participation and infant survival.

  • India falls from 101 to 114 in annual Gender Gap Index
  • Inequality exists in access to health care, education and work
  • Surprisingly, nation ranks 15th in female political participation
  • Right at the bottom in income, literacy, work force participation
  • India, which ranks low on narrowing the gender gap in education, health and equal pay for equal work, has, however, taken a high position on the political empowerment sub-index, shows the annual gender survey of the World Economic Forum.
    Placing India at 114 out of 142 countries vis-à-vis removing gender-based disparities, the survey puts the country at number 15 on the scorecard for political empowerment. India also tops the list of countries on the years with woman head of state (over the past 50 years). While it fell 13 places to 114th slot, politically it is ranked higher than the United States and the United Kingdom. It ranks 111 on the list of countries which have women in Parliament and 107 on the list of countries with women ministers.
    “India experienced a drop [in absolute and relative value] on the health and survival sub-index compared with 2006, mainly due to a decrease in the female-to-male sex ratio at birth. In 2014, it also performed below average on the Economic Participation and Opportunity and Educational Attainment sub-indexes,” the report says.
    On economic participation and opportunity, India ranks 134, while on educational attainment it ranks 126. But on the health and survival parameter India’s rank is among the lowest at 142.
    Owing to its low sex ratio at birth India slumps to 114th position overall, which makes it the lowest-ranked BRICS nation and one of the few countries where female labour force participation is shrinking, the report states.
    Pointing out that it will take 81 years for gender parity at the workplace, the report shows Nordic nations dominate the Global Gender Gap Index in 2014; Nicaragua, Rwanda and the Philippines all make the top 10.
    The index was first introduced by the World Economic Forum in 2006 as a framework for capturing the magnitude of gender-based disparities and tracking their progress. The index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education and health criteria.
    The report says on average, in 2014, over 96 per cent of the gap in health outcomes, 94 per cent of the gap in educational attainment, 60 per cent of the gap in economic participation and 21 per cent of the gap in political empowerment has been closed. No country in the world has achieved gender equality.

    Bangalore Railway Station Becomes the First Station in the Country to Have Wifi Facility

    Bangalore Railway Station Becomes the First Station in the Country to Have Wifi Facility
    The Indian Railways has successfully implemented Wi-Fi facility in Bangalore City Railway station for providing high speed internet to the passengers. “RailWire” - the retail Broadband distribution model of RailTel Corporation of India Ltd, a PSU of the Ministry of Railways, is the powering engine for distributing internet bandwidth through WiFi. The facility at Bangalore is taken up as a pilot project. The Minister of Railways Shri D.V.Sadananda Gowda recently inaugurated the facility and dedicated the service for passengers. This service will be great help for the commuters at Bangalore City Railway station to stay connected and surf internet on the go. With the implementation of this service, Bangalore railway station becomes the first station in the country to have WiFi facility for passengers.

    RailTel has been mandated by Railways to provide Wi-Fi facility at A1 & A category stations and Bangalore is the first such stations being taken up this facility by RailTel as a pilot. The facility has been created by RailTel with a Gigabit Ethernet network using Optic Fibre in a ring. 17 such GE switches deliver to 46 Nos of Wireless Access Points (AP), which are commissioned strategically at all 10 Platforms including concourse area. OFC cable has been laid in all the platforms at Bangalore City Station, including FOB & Subway.

    Wi-Fi facility shall be available to the passengers on their Mobile Phones free of charges initially for a period of 30 minutes. For usage beyond 30 minutes, the user may purchase scratch cards, which will be made available at the WiFi Help Desk. These are priced at Rs.25 for 30 minutes and Rs.35 for 1 Hour and are valid through 24 hours.Additional browsing time can also be purchased on-line using Credit/Debit cards.

    RailTel Corporation a "Mini Ratna (Category-I)" PSU is the largest neutral telecom services providers in the country owning a Pan-India optic fiber network covering all important towns & cities of the country and several rural areas covering 70% of India’s population. RailTel is in the forefront in providing nationwide Broadband Telecom & Multimedia Network in all parts of the country in addition to modernization of Train operations and administration network systems for Indian Railways. With its Pan India high capacity network, RailTel is working towards creating a knowledge society at various fronts and has been selected for implementation of various.

    “TB-Mission 2020”

    Dr Harsh Vardhan announces India’s “TB-Mission 2020”

    At Barcelona meet: “I am in a hurry, want intensity with accountability”
    Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, today outlined the broad contours of India’s new thrust against tuberculosis (TB), and stressed that he is determined to take the country substantially down the road to elimination of the disease by 2020.

    Delivering the keynote address at the World Health Organisation’s Global TB Symposium –titled “Moving out of the box to end global TB epidemic: with post-2015 strategy” – the Minister said, “I am a man in a hurry. While I am all for having a long-term perspective, I am not interested in something that may or may not be achieved in 2035 or 2050.”

    Dr Harsh Vardhan announced that under the evolving “TB-Mission 2020” he had instructed India’s anti-TB mission officials to work hard to achieve considerable success over the next five years. In his view, a distant target date would not demand of his team the kind of accountability that would be naturally ensured if the objective is brought forward.

    Already, the government has put TB control measures in top gear. From the traditionally passive approach, India has gone into “intensive mission mode” which is playing out at the most micro levels with the involvement of local self-government bodies and voluntary sector activists.

    The “Standards for TB Care in India” which have been developed are not minimum standards but a composite of the best possible diagnosis strategies using high-sensitive tools, universal drug susceptibility testing, quality-assured drugs and improved regimens.

    Dr Harsh Vardhan said that India is also in the process of ensuring free diagnosis and treatment to all TB patients irrespective of the provider –government or private hospital. Steps are underway to ensure that patients are provided with nutrition support and relevant financial enablers.

    “Drastic reduction demands we take bold steps –catching the bull by the horn. We have already taken regulatory steps like banning commercial serology for TB diagnosis, bringing anti-TB drugs under a separate schedule of the national law on drugs to prevent misuse and mandatory notification whenever a new TB case is detected,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

    Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme, and Dr Jose Louise Castro, Director of the International Union against TB and Lung Diseases, shared the podium with Dr Harsh Vardhan.

    He made a ringing appeal to the world body to recognise TB as not just a medical but development issue.

    “TB is the by-product of poverty,” Dr Harsh Vardhan pointed out. “I strongly believe TB control should be taken up by all as a development issue. The responsibility of TB control needs to move from doctors to medical administrators and politicians. That I wear all these hats is pure coincidence and, indeed, an opportunity to lessen the suffering of mankind.”

    Later, Dr Harsh Vardhan was joined by the Health Minister of South Africa, Mr Aaron Motsoaledi, in addressing delegates to the 45th Union World Conference on Lung Health. Mr Motsoaledi holds the chair of the “Stop TB Initiative”. The Ministers also had a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the conference.

    Addressing the experts, he said that solutions to lung health challenges faced by countries should be found by involving all stakeholders –from health care professionals and policy makers to the people and communities they serve. “That is why we are intent on developing a large social movement over health”, Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

    The Indian and South African Ministers also jointly chaired a meeting of technical experts from BRICS countries. It was decided that TB control would dominate the agenda of the upcoming meeting of BRICS Health Ministers in December 2014.

    First Indegenously Developed Diagnostic Test Kit for Intestinal Disorder “Celiac Disease”


    As a part of the recent initiative to expand the activities of Department of Science & Technology into the health sector, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh yesterday launched an indigenously developed, cost-effective diagnostic test kit, the first of its kind in India, for the autoimmune “Celiac disease”, which is a lifelong intestinal disorder manifesting as intolerance to certain foods such as wheat, barley, etc. with symptoms like recurring abdominal pain, diarrhoea and weight loss.

    This launch comes close on the heels of the Department of Science & Technology launching a cost-effective injectable Polio vaccine and ROTA virus vaccine about two months ago. The diagnostic kit has been developed by Department of Biotechnology in the Union Ministry of Science & Technology through a project sponsored by it with the involvement of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and an industrial partner, M/s. J. Mitra & Co. The diagnostic assay test, through this method, will be affordable, rapid, sensitive and more specific, allowing prompt therapeutic interventions.

    While congratulating his department for adding a new milestone within a short period of five months, Dr Jitendra Singh said, at the time of taking over as Minister for Science & Technology, he had professed to make science a medium of social transformation in India through cost-effective means and today`s launch was a step forward in that direction.

    Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Indian profile of most of the diseases is different from the rest of the world and requires exclusively different management, partly because of the different Indian phenotype or genetic makeup and partly because of the tropical dimensions of the disease. This, he said, applies to a variety of diseases including autoimmune disorders like Celiac disease, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Osteoporosis and host of other associated disorders.

    Moreover, in the backdrop of India`s socio-economic conditions, Dr Jitendra Singh said, expensive treatment of longstanding diseases poses a huge financial burden and especially autoimmune disorders occurring at young age also take a toll of the vital productive years, thus depriving the nation of its immense youth power, particularly at a time when more than 65% of India’s population is below the age of 35 years. 

    India favours ban on e-cigarettes



    Dr Harsh Vardhan outlines proactive measures against tobacco use
    Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, is in favour of a complete ban on e-cigarettes and all products described as “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)”.

    In his clearest message yet on the controversy over the safety of ENDS, Dr Harsh Vardhan ruled out their acceptability in the light of research findings by experts which have held that they are no less unsafe than the “real thing”.

    The Minister, who was addressing global tobacco control experts at the 45th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday, said that e-cigarettes and similar products push children towards the tobacco habit eventually via nicotine dependence.

    “In our national consultation it has been shown that children and other non-smokers tend to develop nicotine addiction at a rate greater than situations where ENDS did not exist. And after that the slide to tobacco is practically inevitable,” he said.

    Dr Harsh Vardhan, who is credited with writing the first ever anti-smoking consumption law in the country –The Delhi Prohibition of Smoking and Non-Smokers’ Health Protection Act, 1996 – received a rousing reception at the meeting. The Union is a 94-year-old forum dealing with lung diseases, TB and tobacco issues.

    He however pointed out that banning ENDS should not be an end in itself. “The success of a ban strategy will depend on how we agree to control illicit trade and cross border sales of such products. The use of the Internet for this trade should also be curbed.”

    India is home to 275 million tobacco users. The use of smokeless tobacco has become a major public health menace, which, if not checked in time with strong measures, could become a national threat. The aggressive marketing strategies marked by attractive packaging, flavouring and price-cuts represent a major challenge for the government.

    Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “I am sure all experts present here are aware of the power of the tobacco industry. India is committed to taking proactive measures to counter the challenges they throw up.”

    In this context, he mentioned India’s recent climbing to the first position among countries notifying mandatory printing of warnings on the largest surface area of packages containing cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. The new rules demand pictorial health warnings on 85 percent on both sides of tobacco packs.

    The government’s clamping of the highest ever rates of taxes and reduction of duty free allowance on all tobacco products has in fact become a test case of State intervention. Delegates here greeted Dr Harsh Vardhan’s advocacy behind this Union Budget announcement and sought his advice on similar proposals considered in other countries.

    Dr Harsh Vardhan said that he had a definite road map for the future. This includes institutionalising a 24-hour telephone helpline (to be called “Quitline”) to counsel tobacco users who are fighting the habit. Also on the anvil are five tobacco testing laboratories at the national and regional levels, setting up 27 new state tobacco control cells during the present financial year and Amendments to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 to ensure better implementation and enforcement. 

    Acquisition of a Polar Research Vessel


    The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the acquisition of Polar Research Vessel (Ice-breaker, Research cum Supply Vessel) by the Ministry of Earth Sciences at a total cost of Rs. 1051.13 crore within a period of 34 months.

    The Ministry of Earth Sciences felt necessary to have the country`s own polar research vessel considering the need to sustain two Indian research bases in Antarctica (Maitri and Bharti); dovetailing research initiatives in the Southern Ocean domain with those in the proximal regions of the Antarctic continent; widen the thrust on Arctic research disciplines undertaken through Indian Station Himadri, and to provide a suitable research platform for other tropical sea programmes. Such a vessel, it is envisaged, can not only perform dual functions, research and logistics, in the polar region but can also serve as a research platform for scientists to undertake scientific research in the ocean realm including the Southern Ocean. In the context of India having expanded its scientific presence to the Arctic as well and the country`s growing strategic interests in the polar and ocean domain, a polar research vessel would certainly serve as the perfect vehicle for building up on India’s sustained presence and increased visibility in the ocean sector.

    Background:

    Indian Antarctic expeditions have been undertaken every year onboard ice-class vessels/ice-breakers chartered from the international market. These vessels have largely been cargo ships capable of transporting men and material and unable to serve as a research platform. With increased demand for cargo vessels and their dwindling availability, the charter charges of these vessels have been escalating over the years.

    The First Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica was launched in 1981. From 2004, India embarked on its scientific endeavors in the Southern Ocean realm. In addition, since 2007, Indian scientists have had a sustained presence in the Arctic. With India`s entry into the Arctic Council as an Observer along with China, Singapore, Japan and South Korea, it has become strategically important to have increased visibility in the Arctic too. This will facilitate India to assume a lead role among Asian nations active in the polar regions. 

    28 October 2014

    Govt chalks out plans for massive solar power push Targets 100,000 Mw in 5 years; Modi wants action plan prepared by November first week

    India is about to witness a massive scaling up of capacity to 100,000 Mw, with Prime Minister asking the (MNRE) to prepare an action plan by November first week.

    Aiming to reach this target in five years, before the next general elections, the government is expediting the work by directing states to identify suitable locations across terrains - deserts, wastelands, national highways, river banks and even over canals (as was done in Gujarat).

    With Modi at the helm, as the chief minister of Gujarat, the state had become one of the largest contributors in the cumulative renewable energy mix of the country. At 900 Mw, Gujarat is still the largest contributor to the country's total installed solar power capacity of 2,600 Mw.

    The Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto has also promised a considerable push to clean energy.

    The target is five times the target designated under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), one of the key programmes of the earlier United Progressive Alliance government. Large solar projects similar to coal-based ultra mega power projects, solar parks, micro grids and solar rooftops - all would be a part of the project.

    recently announced a draft proposal on bidding for solar projects worth 3,000 Mw - double the original target in JNNSM.

    Officials said the total projected amount for this mega plan is Rs 1,00,000 crore for five years, with the per year amount falling to Rs 20,000 crore in two-three years when the price of solar power inches towards grid parity.

    "The cost of gas-based power plants has gone up and with coal looking at fresh auctions; thermal power prices would also go up. The current price of solar power production is Rs 6.5 crore per Mw. So, with a viability gap funding (VGF) support of Rs 1 crore per Mw, solar is looking at parity with coal very soon," said a senior government official.

    The government, though, would look at all possible models - VGF, power bundling, state support - according to size and type of project.

    The average cost of setting up a coal-based power plant is about Rs 3.5-4 crore per Mw and a gas-based plant Rs 5.5 crore per Mw.

    MNRE is also setting up a single-window clearance agency to promote investment in solar power. "We have written to major banks in the country to increase their credit limit for the solar power sector. Also, multilateral agencies are also on board to design an investment road map for the 100,000 Mw target," said a senior MNRE official.

    MNRE has joined hands with PwC to prepare a report on the execution of the programme, which is likely to be presented to the clean energy enthusiast prime minister by November 4 or 5.

    Government officials said agencies such as ADB, KfW, World Bank and US Exim Bank are already a part of the action plan.

    Following the directions from the Minister of State for Coal, Power and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, the ministry of new and renewable energy is also approaching top 500 private companies and 50 public sector companies, to sign commitment for developing solar power and set a trend for the sector.
    PM'S SOLAR PLAN
    • Ministry of new and renewable energy ready to present action plan to PM in November
       
    • Target is five times the target designated under the United Progressive Alliance's flagship Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
       
    • Top 500 private companies and 50 PSUs to sign green commitment
       
    • Bank, financial institutions, multilateral agencies also on board
       
    • States to identify suitable land and project
       
    • Centre to assist with finance, clearance

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