• 13 Dec 2024

10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo

Why in News? 

Recently, the 10^th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC 2024) and Arogya Expo were inaugurated in Dehradun. It's a pivotal juncture where various streams of ideologies, cultures, and innovations converge. 

 Key Points 

• Launch of "Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan": 
  • On the occasion of the 9^th Ayurveda Day (29 October 2024), the Union Ayush Minister launched the nationwide campaign "Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan". 
  • The objective is to assess the Prakriti of over 1 crore individuals using Ayurveda principles. 
    • Citizens are encouraged to actively participate and contribute to this monumental initiative. 
• Ayush Grid and Global Investment: 
  • The Ayush Grid is a project by the Ministry of Ayush to digitize the Ayush sector and promote traditional healthcare systems. 
  • Its benefits include revolutionizing healthcare with innovations, enhancing effectiveness, safety, and affordability. 
  • Over 1.3 billion dollars of investment is in the pipeline from global partners to support Ayurveda-related initiatives. 
• WAC 2024: 
  • Organised by the World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF), an initiative of Vijnana Bharati. 
  • More than 5500 Indian delegates and over 350 delegates from 54 countries registered for the event. 
  • The event features over 150 scientific sessions and 13 associate events, including plenary discussions. 
  • The theme is  "Digital Health: An Ayurveda Perspective" which focuses on leveraging modern technologies to advance Ayurveda. 
  • Deliberations on: 
    • Enhancing healthcare delivery through digital tools. 
    • Redefining research methodologies. 
    • Integrating Ayurveda into the global health landscape. 
• Role of the Ministry of Ayush: 
  • The Ministry of Ayush is instrumental in organising the World Ayurveda Congress, showcasing India's commitment to promoting Ayurveda globally. 
  • Contributions: 
    • Advancing Ayurveda knowledge, research, and practices through international collaborations. 
    • Engaging experts, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss Ayurveda’s global relevance and future growth. 
• Significance of WAC 2024: 
  • Celebrates Ayurveda's rich heritage and envisions its future in the global healthcare system. 
  • Bridges traditional wisdom with modern technology, ensuring Ayurveda thrives as a sustainable and holistic healthcare system. 
  • The WAC 2024 is a milestone event in positioning Ayurveda as a transformative force in global healthcare. 

 The World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF) 

• It is an organization that promotes Ayurveda globally and supports research, health programs, and other activities related to Ayurveda. 
• It is an initiative of Vijnana Bharati that was founded in 2011. The WAF's objectives include:  
  • Supporting research  
  • Supporting health programs through camps, clinics, and sanatoriums  
  • Organizing seminars, exhibitions, and study groups  
  • Providing leadership in policy and planning for Ayurveda 
• The WAF organizes the World Ayurveda Congress (WAC), which is an event that features scientific sessions, health ministers' conclaves, and other activities.  
  • The WAC aims to discuss how Ayurveda can address various health challenges. 

Water Causing Cancer in Bihar’s Gangetic Plains

Why in News? 

• Recently, a study by scientists from Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna revealed that Manganese (Mn) contamination of water is causing cancer in the Gangetic plains of Bihar. 

 Key Points 

• Rise in Cancer Cases in Bihar 
  • Significant increase in cancer cases in Bihar over the last few decades. 
  • Multiple contributors to cancer, with manganese toxicity highlighted as a trace element influencing carcinogenesis. 
• Study Findings: 
  • Sample Size: Blood samples from 1,146 cancer patients across Patna, Vaishali, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Siwan, and Saran. 
  • Gender Distribution: 67% females, 33% males, aged 2-92 years. 
  • Cancer Types: 
    • Breast Cancer: 33.25% 
    • Hepatobiliary and Gastrointestinal Cancer: 26.96% 
    • Cervical Cancer: 5.58% 
    • Other Cancers (Oral, Nasal, etc.): 34.78% 
  • Cancer Classification: 
    • Carcinoma: 84.8% 
    • Leukemia: 9.86% 
    • Lymphoma: 3% 
    • Sarcoma: 2.27% 
  • Observation: 
    • Blood samples from cancer patients revealed Mn contamination, with levels reaching up to 6,022 µg/L in severe cases. 
    • Elevated Mn levels in household hand pump water showed a strong correlation with Mn in patients' blood. 
• Manganese in Hand Pump Water: 
  • 84.8% of samples were within Bureau of Indian standards (BIS) mandated limits (100 µg/L). 
  • 15.2% of samples exceeded permissible levels, with some above 400 µg/L. 
• Geospatial Analysis: 
  • High Mn levels found in the Middle Gangetic Plain and southwestern- northeastern Bihar. 
  • Geo-mapping highlights correlation between Mn concentrations in water and cancer incidence. 
• Toxicity of Manganese: 
  • Manganese is critical for body homeostasis but toxic in excess. 
  • Sources of Exposure can be from sedimentary or igneous rock deposits, Industrial pollution, etc. 
  • First Case in India was documented in 1957 among miners in Maharashtra, movement. 
  • Other Affected Areas reported in West Bengal, Karnataka, and globally in countries like Nigeria, Bangladesh, and China. 

 Heavy Metal Pollution 

• Heavy Metals: 
  • Heavy metals may be defined as elements with an atomic number larger than 20 and an atomic density greater than 5 g cm-3 that must possess metal-like characteristics. Example: arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, uranium etc. 
• Heavy Metal Pollution: 
  • Heavy metal pollution has been caused in our rivers, soils, and environment as a result of rapidly growing agriculture and metal industries, improper waste management, heavy use of fertilizers, and pesticides. 
  • Agricultural and industrial operations, landfilling, mining, and transportation are the primary sources of heavy metals in groundwater. 
  • Through the agricultural water runoff heavy metals reach upto river. 
  • Discharge of wastewater from industries (like the tannery industry which is a big source of chromium heavy metals) directly into river bodies intensified the severity of the heavy metal pollution. 
  • Heavy metals have the property of long persistent in plants, animals and the environment.with symptoms including weakness, emotional instability, and difficulty with 

Increase of Female Labour Force Participation Rate

Why in News? 

• Recently, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) reported that the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) increased in almost all states in India between 2017-18 and 2022-23, with rural areas experiencing larger gains than urban areas. 

 Key Points 

• Key Findings on Female LFPR: 
  • Regional Variations: 
    • Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana consistently reported very low female LFPR. 
    • Despite being among the richest states, Punjab and Haryana have low female LFPR, while Bihar, the poorest state, also lags. 
  • Growth: 
    • In Rural areas Female LFPR rose to 41.5% from 24.6% during 2017-18 to 2022-23. 
    • In Urban areas Female LFPR increased to 25.4% from 20.4% during the same period. 
    • Overall Trend is that growth remained consistent even after excluding unpaid family workers or household helpers. 
• Other Trends: 
  • Marital Status: 
    • Married men exhibit higher LFPR across states and age groups. 
    • Marriage significantly reduces female LFPR, especially in urban areas. 
  • Age Dynamics: 
    • Female LFPR forms a bell curve, peaking at ages 30-40 and declining sharply after. 
    • Male LFPR remains nearly 100% between ages 30-50 and declines gradually thereafter. 
  • State-wise Observations: 
    • Northern States: Punjab and Haryana recorded low female LFPR. 
    • Eastern States: Rural Bihar had the lowest LFPR but showed improvement, particularly among married women. 
    • Northeastern States: Rural areas showed progress, with Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh leading. 
• Impact of Government Schemes: 
  • Mudra Loans 
  • Drone Didi Scheme 
  • Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana 
    • These schemes emphasize women-led development, reflecting the government’s intention to promote female participation in the workforce. 
• The rise in female LFPR, especially in rural areas, underscores a notable shift in employment trends. Further analysis and government support will be essential to sustain and amplify this growth. 

 Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) 

• It is an non-constitutional, non-statutory, independent body constituted to give advice on economic and related issues to the Government of India, specifically to the Prime Minister. 
• The council serves to highlight key economic issues to the government of India from a neutral viewpoint. 
  • It advises the Prime Minister on economic issues like inflation, microfinance, and industrial output. 
• For administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes, the NITI Aayog serves as the Nodal Agency for the EAC-PM. 
• Periodic Reports: 
  • Annual Economic Outlook. 
  • Review of the Economy. 

Maoists Encounter in Chhattisgarh

Why in News? 

Recently, Seven Maoists were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Abujhmad forests along the Dantewada-Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh. 

 Key Points 

• Major Anti-Maoist Operation: 
  • Forces Involved: The operation was executed by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Kondagaon, Bastar, Narayanpur, and Dantewada, along with the State’s Special Task Force (STF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). 
  • Focus Area: The operation targeted Abujhmad, a dense forested region covering Bijapur, Dantewada, and Narayanpur districts, known for Maoist activity. 
    • In October 2024, Abujhmad witnessed the largest-ever encounter in Chhattisgarh’s history, resulting in the deaths of 38 Maoists. 
  • Recovered Items: A large cache of weapons and daily-use items was seized, while no casualties were reported among the security forces. 
  • Yearly Progress: Police records show that since 13th December 2023, 217 Maoists have been killed in Bastar, nearly half in Abujhmad under the Maad Bachao Aandolan (Save Maad Campaign). 

 District Reserve Guard (DRG) 

• The District Reserve Guard (DRG) is a specialized police unit in Chhattisgarh, established in 2008 to combat Maoist violence. 
• It consists of specially trained personnel operating in affected districts, conducting anti-Maoist operations, search and seizure, and gathering intelligence. 
• The DRG collaborates with other security forces, like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), to counter the Maoist insurgency.