Significant Decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20

Significant Decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) from 130 in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20

• 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.
• 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 of less than 70/ lakh live births by 2030.
• The outstanding progress made in terms of the number of states which have achieved the 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).
• 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. Lakshya and Midwifery initiatives concentrate on promoting quality care in a respectful and dignified manner ensuring the choice of birthing for all pregnant women.

Manipur’s Sangai Festival 2022 ended with exuberance

• The 11th edition of the Sangai Festival 2022, a 10-day long annual cultural-cum-tourism festival, started on November 21. This year, unlike the previous years, the festival in line with the theme ‘festival of oneness’ has been organised in 13 different venues across the state to showcase the best of the cultures and traditions of the people of the state. This is one of the most significant editions of the festival since its inception in 2010.
• Labelled as the grandest festival in the state, the Manipur Sangai Festival helps promote Manipur as a world-class tourism destination. The festival is named after the state animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur.

SC seeks the Centre’s response on evolving a programme to protect Great Indian Bustard

• The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the government’s response about evolving a “Project Great Indian Bustard” conservation programme like Project Tiger to bring attention to the peril faced by the critically endangered bird. 
• Project Tiger is touted by the government as one of the most successful conservation programmes for a single species in the world.
• In its order, the Special Bench, including Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, directed the Chief Secretaries of Gujarat and Rajasthan to undertake and complete a comprehensive exercise within four weeks to find out the total length of the transmission lines in question and the number of bird diverters required in the priority areas of the birds’ habitats.

160-­200 Mn Indians could be exposed to lethal heat waves annually: World Bank report

• From 2030, 160 million to 200 million people can be exposed to lethal heat waves in India every year. Nearly 34 million Indians will face job losses due to heat stress-related productivity decline. 
• By 2037, the demand for cooling is likely to be eight times more than the current level, the World Bank has said in a report. 
• In this scenario, it is imperative for India to deploy alternative and innovative energy-efficient technologies for keeping spaces cool.
• According to the report, “Climate investment opportunities in India’s cooling sector”, this could open an investment opportunity of $1.6 trillion by 2040, besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly and creating 3.7 million jobs.