Human Development Index

Why in News

India was ranked 129 out of 189 countries on the 2019 Human Development Index (HDI) improving from the 130^th position in 2018.

• HDI is part of the Human Development Report that is published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• The other indices that form the part of the 2019 Report are:
  
  • Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI),
  • Gender Development Index (GDI),
  • Gender Inequality Index (GII) and
  • Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
• The focus of the 2019 Report is on ‘Inequality in Human Development’.

Human Development Index

• HDI emphasizes that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not economic growth alone.
• HDI measures average achievement of a country in three basic dimensions of human development:
  
  • A long and healthy life,
  • Access to knowledge, and
  • A decent standard of living.
• Top Performers in 2019
  
  • Norway, Switzerland, Ireland occupied the top three positions in that order.
  • Germany is placed fourth along with Hong Kong, and Australia secured the fifth rank on the global ranking.
• India’s Neighbours
  
  • Sri Lanka (71) and China (85) were higher up the rank scale.
  • Bhutan (134), Bangladesh (135), Myanmar (145), Nepal (147), Pakistan (152) and Afghanistan (170) were ranked lower on the list.
• Region Wise Performance
  
  • South Asia was the fastest growing region in human development progress witnessing a 46% growth over 1990-2018, followed by East Asia and the Pacific at 43%.
• India’s Performance
  
  • India’s HDI value increased by 50% (from 0.431 to 0.647), which places it above the average for other South Asian countries (0.642).
  • In India, between 1990 and 2018, life expectancy at birth increased by 11.6 years, mean years of schooling increased by 3.5 years and expected years of schooling increased by 4.7 years. Per capita incomes rose by over 250%.

Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index

• The IHDI indicates percentage loss in HDI due to inequality.
• India’s position worsened by one position to 130 (as compared to the HDI Index 2019- 129) with a score of 0.477. Although, the IHDI score has improved from 0.468 in 2018.

Gender Development Index

• GDI measures disparities on the HDI by gender.
• India is only marginally better than the South Asian average on the Gender Development Index (0.829 vs 0.828).

Gender Inequality Index

• GII presents a composite measure of gender inequality using three dimensions:
  
  • Reproductive health,
  • Empowerment and
  • The labour market.
• In GII, India is at 122 out of 162 countries. Neighbours China (39), Sri Lanka (86), Bhutan (99), Myanmar (106) were placed above India.
• The report noted that group-based inequalities persist, especially affecting women and girls and no place in the world has gender equality.
• The report notes that the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030 as per the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG -5). It forecasts that it may take 202 years to close the gender gap in economic opportunity.
• The report presents a new “social norms index” indicating how prejudices and social beliefs obstruct gender equality, which shows that only 14% of women and 10% of men worldwide have no gender bias.
• The report highlights that new forms of inequalities will manifest in future through climate change and technological transformation which have the potential to deepen existing social and economic fault lines.

Multidimensional Poverty Index

• MPI captures the multiple deprivations that people in developing countries face in their health, education and standard of living.
• India accounts for 28% of the 1.3 billion multidimensional poor.

Source: TH

International Human Rights Day

Why in News

The International Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10^th December. The day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1948.

• The theme for 2019 is “Youth Standing up for Human Rights”.
  
  • The campaign, #StandUp4HumanRights has also been launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), to encourage, galvanise, and showcase how youth all over the world stand up for rights.
• Human rights are at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as in the absence of human dignity, sustainable development cannot be achieved.
  
  • Human Rights are driven by progress on all SDGs, and the SDGs are driven by advancements on human rights.
• India has enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 to ensure the protection of human rights. Recently, several amendments were made to the Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 through Protection of Human Right (Amendment) Bill, 2019. These are:
  
  • Eligibility: Not only a person who has been Chief Justice of India but also a person who has been a judge of the Supreme Court is also made eligible to be appointed as Chairperson of the Commission in addition to the person who has been the Chief Justice of India.
  • Strength: It increases the members of the Commission from two to three of which, one shall be a woman.
  • Members of National Commission: Apart from Chairperson of four National Commissions (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Women and Minorities), it also intends to include Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes, Chairperson of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as deemed members of the Commission.
  • Tenure: The amendment reduces the term of the Chairperson and Members of the Commission and the State Commissions from five to three years and shall be eligible for re-appointment.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights was proclaimed under UNGA resolution 217 A in Paris. It set out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
• It states that ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’
• It entitles everyone to all the rights and freedoms and prohibits slavery and slave trade in all forms.
• Other rights recognized under the declaration are right to a nationality, right against arbitrary arrest, detention or exile, the right to seek asylum from prosecution, the right to freedom of movement and residence, etc.
• The Universal Declaration is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for countries. However, it is an expression of the fundamental values which are shared by all members of the International community.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights.
• It was established in 1993 and is a part of the United Nations Secretariat.
• OHCHR is headquartered in Geneva.
• UN Human Rights plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the three interconnected pillars of the United Nations – peace and security, human rights and development.
• It also provides assistance in the form of technical expertise and capacity development in order to support the implementation of international human rights standards on the ground.

Source: UN

Typbar TCV Vaccine

Why in News

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has developed a typhoid vaccine (Typbar TCV) which has better efficacy than the previously used vaccinations in preventing typhoid fever.

• Typbar TCV is a type of conjugate vaccine which has already been pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (WHO-SAGE).
• Currently, two typhoid vaccines viz. Polysaccharide Typhoid Vaccine and Live, Weakened Typhoid Vaccine are used in India. However, their efficacy is lower than the conjugate vaccine as they offer 60-70% protection, unlike the conjugate vaccine which confers nearly 82% protection.

Typbar TCV

• It is a type of conjugate vaccine. Conjugate vaccines are made using a combination of two different components. In Typbar TCV, an antigen is chemically linked to a carrier protein to create more powerful combined immune response.
  
  • The conjugate vaccine can be given to babies as young as six months, while the other two typhoid vaccines — polysaccharide typhoid vaccine and live, weakened typhoid vaccine cannot be given to children below two years of age.
• Its single dose is effective in preventing typhoid in children aged 9 months to 16 years. It confers protection two-three weeks after the administration.
• Typhoid bacteria can be treated with antibiotics but the microbes have developed resistance against multiple antibiotics.
  
  • Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) typhoid outbreaks have been found in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
• Typbar TCV is the world’s first clinically proven conjugate Typhoid vaccine.
  
  • Bharat Biotech has been supplying the typhoid conjugate vaccine to Pakistan since 2017. Pakistan is also the first country to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine as part of its national immunisation programme.

Typhoid

• Typhoid fever is caused by the highly contagious Salmonella Typhi bacteria. The bacteria spread through contaminated food or water.
• Symptoms are prolonged fever, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, and constipation or sometimes diarrhoea.
  
  • These are often non-specific and clinically non-distinguishable from other febrile illnesses.
• Clinical severity varies and severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death.
• According to the WHO, a large proportion of severe typhoid fever cases occur in children aged below two years.

Source: TH

Green Activists Oppose Coastal Highway

Why in News

Green Nobel Prize winner Prafulla Samantara with other green activists has opposed the 415-km-long coastal highway from Digha in West Bengal to Gopalpur in south Odisha proposed by the Central and State governments.

• The proposed highway will pass through Chilika lake, Bhitarkanika and related eco-sensitive areas.
  
  • The project will destroy more than 33% of the natural mangrove forests in these areas and may lead to increased sea erosion.

Green Nobel Prize

• The Goldman Environmental Prize (also known as Green Nobel Prize) recognizes individuals for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk.
• It is awarded annually by Goldman Environmental Foundation since 1990.
• It honours people from the world’s six continental regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Islands & Island Nations, North America, and South & Central America.
• The Goldman Prize views “grassroots” leaders as those involved in local efforts, where positive change is created through community or citizen participation in the issues that affect them.
• Goldman Prize recipients are usually people from isolated villages or inner cities who choose to take great personal risks to safeguard the environment.
• The winners are announced on Earth Day which is observed on 22^nd April every year.
• So far, five Indians have received the Goldman Environmental Prize. They are:
  
  • Prafulla Samantara (2017): Campaign against drilling and mining in Niyamgiri Hills, Odisha.
  • Ramesh Agrawal (2014): Protested coal mining in Chhattisgarh.
  • Rashida Bee & Champa Devi Shukla (2004): Union Carbide gas leak (Bhopal) related environmental justice.
  • MC Mehta (1996): Industrial pollution fouling the Ganges and eroding the Taj Mahal.
  • Medha Patkar (1992): Narmada Bachao Andolan.

Source:TH

World Heritage Week 2019

Why in News

The World Heritage Week is celebrated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) every year from November 19 to November 25.

• In India, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) celebrates it.

Key Points

• Its objective is to make people aware of the rich heritage and also strive for its preservation.
• The Archaeological Survey of India and several other museums organise programs highlighting the significance of ancient monuments and their preservation.
  
  • Various programs related to historical structures, tour places and cultural and traditional heritage of the country were initiated to celebrate the week.
  • Several schools and colleges celebrated it by organising quiz and painting competitions.
• The heritage sites celebrating the week include Qutub Minar, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Delhi Red Fort, Delhi Darwaza, Bhadra Gate among others.
• There are 38 UNESCO World Heritage sites in India which include 30 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed site.
  
  • Jaipur is the latest addition to the list of UNESCO cultural heritage sites.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

• It was founded in 1945 to develop the “intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind” as a means of building lasting peace.
• It is located in Paris, France.

Archaeological Survey of India

• ASI is the premier organization for the archaeological research, scientific analysis, excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and preservation of protected monuments.
• It is an attached office under the Department of Culture, Ministry of Culture.
• ASI was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI.

Source: IE

White Island

Why in News

A volcanic eruption took place at White Island in New Zealand.

• White Island is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano which has been built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 1,50,000 years.
• About 70% of the volcano lies under the sea and the Island forms the tip of the volcano.
• The volcano is located in the Bay of Plenty, about 48km (29 miles) from the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.
• Including its underwater base, White Island is the largest volcanic structure in New Zealand.
• The island became a private scenic reserve in 1953.
• The island is also known by name Whakaari.

Source: TH

Volcker Rule

Why in News

Recently, Paul Volcker, former Federal Reserve chairman who helped in tackling U.S. inflation in the 1980s and inspired Wall Street reforms in the wake of the global financial crisis, passed away.

• To help the U.S. economy in recovering from the 2008 crisis, he proposed the Volcker rule that restricted banks from making high-risk investments with depositors' cash.
• The Rule prohibits banking entities from:
  • engaging in short-term proprietary trading of securities, derivatives, commodity futures and options on these instruments for their own account. Proprietary trading is when a firm invests its own money with the aim of a direct own profit 
  • owning, sponsoring, or having certain relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds, referred to as ‘covered funds’.

Source: BS