Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Findings
India emerged as the world's top arms importer from 2019 to 2023, marking a 4.7% increase compared to the period from 2014 to 2018, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Key Highlights
The USA ranked as the largest arms exporter, with France surpassing Russia as the second-largest exporter for the first time. The USA saw a 17% increase in arms exports, while Russia experienced a decline of over half in its exports. India remained the leading arms importer globally, with Russia being its primary supplier, accounting for 36% of its arms imports. However, Russia's share decreased to less than 50% for the first time in six decades. Ukraine emerged as the largest arms importer in Europe from 2019 to 2023. Nine out of the top ten arms importers were located in Asia and the Middle East.
About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
Founded in 1966, SIPRI is an independent international institute and a global think tank headquartered in Solna, Sweden. It provides data, analysis, and recommendations on armed conflicts, military spending, arms trade, disarmament, and arms control. SIPRI's research, based on open sources, targets decision-makers, researchers, media, and the public to promote an understanding of conditions for peaceful conflict resolution and sustainable peace.
National Action Plan For Prevention And Control Of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE)
The Union Health Ministry launched the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Snakebite Envenoming (NAP-SE) with the goal of reducing snakebite deaths by 50% by 2030 through a 'One Health' Approach.
The plan includes
- Introducing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials such as booklets, posters, and videos for snakebite awareness.
- Establishing a Snakebite Helpline in five pilot States.
- Launching the National Rabies Control Programme Website.
- Integrating the National One Health Programme for Zoonoses into the Integrated Health Initiative Platform.
Snakebite envenoming poses a significant health challenge in India, causing approximately 50,000 deaths annually. NAP-SE aims to decrease mortality and complications from snakebites through a comprehensive approach involving healthcare, wildlife, tribal, and animal health sectors. Key strategic actions include strengthening anti-venom availability, enhancing surveillance and emergency care, and fostering inter-sectoral coordination.
Calling Name Presentation (CNAP)
CNAP, also known as Calling Name Presentation, is a proposed Caller ID service by TRAI designed to reduce spam and Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC). The objective is to display the caller's name when receiving a call, similar to services like Truecaller. Unlike crowd-sourced services, CNAP will rely on verified information from Customer Application Forms (CAFs) filled by subscribers. TRAI recommends telecom providers to maintain a database linking phone numbers with customer names from CAFs. This initiative has sparked privacy concerns among industry players, with suggestions for opt-in mechanisms and limitations to protect user privacy. Unlike Truecaller, CNAP's database will be based on verified information, potentially providing more accurate caller identification.
National Curriculum For Early Childhood Care And Education (ECCE)
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children aged three to six years, along with a National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation (NFECS) for children from birth to three years.
Key Points of the ECCE and NFECS
Objective: Empower caregivers and Anganwadi Workers for holistic early stimulation and enhance the quality of early childhood care and education at Anganwadi Centres.
- Aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 (NCF-FS).
- Developmental domains covered include physical, cognitive, language, socio-emotional, cultural/aesthetic, and positive habits.
- Activities are organized month-wise and age-based, fostering 36 weeks of active learning, 8 weeks of reinforcement, and 4 weeks of initiation.
- Focus areas include screening, inclusion, referrals for Divyang children, community engagement, and providing gentle and supportive direction for positive behavior and development in children.
Both documents have been prepared by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) and will be integrated into the Poshan Tracker. NIPCCD will lead the training of Anganwadi functionaries on the new Curriculum and Framework.
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