Global Hunger Index 2019

#Global_Hunger_Index_2019

#India_ranked_102_outof_117_Countries

#By_Welthungerhilfe_and_Concern_Worldwide

#Global_Hunger_Index: The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. The GHI is calculated annually, and its results appear in a report issued in October each year. Created in 2006, the GHI was initially published by the US based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Germany based Welthungerhilfe. In 2007, the Irish NGO Concern Worldwide also became a co-publisher. 2018 onwards, the GHI is a joint project of Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide, with IFPRI stepping aside from its involvement in the report.

It values are determined by four parameter:

1.    UNDERNOURISHMENT: The share of the population that is undernourished (that is, whose caloric intake is insufficient);

2.    CHILD WASTING: The share of children under the age of five who are wasted (that is, who have low weight for their height, reflecting acute undernutrition);

3.    CHILD STUNTING: The share of children under the age of five who are stunted (that is, who have low height for their age, reflecting chronic undernutrition); and

4.    CHILD MORTALITY: The mortality rate of children under the age of five (in part, a reflection of the fatal mix of inadequate nutrition and unhealthy environments).

#Definations:

> Hunger is usually understood to refer to the distress associated with a lack of sufficient calories.

> Undernutrition goes beyond calories and signifies deficiencies in any or all of the following: energy, protein, and/ or essential vitamins and minerals. Undernutrition is the result of inadequate intake of food in terms of either quantity or quality, poor utilization of nutrients due to infections or other illnesses, or a combination of these factors.

> Malnutrition refers more broadly to both undernutrition (problems caused by deficiencies) and overnutrition (problems caused by unbalanced diets, such as consuming too many calories in relation to requirements with or without low intake of micronutrient-rich foods).

India's First Carbon Positive Village

Phayeng Village in Imphal West district of Manipur has become India’s first carbon-positive settlement. A village is given carbon-positive tag if it sequesters more carbon than it emits, slowing accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and mitigating effects of climate change. Phayeng Village is scheduled caste village of the Chakpa community. It is surrounded by three densely forested hillocks with fruit trees at centre and a stream.

National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) is a Central Sector Scheme launched un 2015-16 to support concrete adaptation activities which mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. It provides 100% funding to activities under it which are implemented in project mode. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) nodal implementation agency for these projects.

Kilogram has New defination

Background:   After 130 years The Definition of Kilogram has changed. On the day of “World Metrology Day” The General Conference on Weights and Measures organised by  “International Bureau of Weights and Measures” (BPIN) which was held at Paris, France adopt the resolution to redefined the Four out of Seven Base units such as Kilogram, Kelvin, Mole and Ampere. The proposal was agreed by 60 Countries to assure the future stability of the SI and open the opportunity for the use of new technologies, including quantum technologies, to implement the definitions. 

1. Why such changes needed ?

Ans: "Using the fundamental constants we observe in nature as a foundation for important concepts, such as mass and time, means that we have a stable foundation from which to advance our scientific understanding, develop new technologies and address some of society's greatest challenges," said Martin Milton, Director, International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). 

2. What will happen ?

Ans: The unit of Kilogram joined a bunch of other units such as second, metre, ampere, kelvin, mole and candela that will no longer be compared with physical objects as standards of reference. The change comes after nearly 130 years. In 1889 a platinum-iridium cylinder was used to define how much mass one kilogram represented. Now, a more abstract definition of the kilogram has been adopted in terms of fundamental constants, namely, the Planck’s constant H.

3. Historical Prospect:

The definition of the kilogram for more than 130 years old since 1889  the International Prototype of the Kilogram (IPK), also called “Le Grand K” a cylinder of a platinum alloy stored at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in France, will now be retired and It will be replaced by the Planck constant -- the fundamental constant of quantum physics. While the stability of the IPK could only be confirmed by comparisons with identical copies, a difficult and potentially inaccurate process, the Planck constant is ready for use everywhere and always. 

4. What is Kibble Balance and how it measure ?

Ans: Bryan Kibble at the U.K.’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL), who conceptualized it in 1975, the Kibble balance is an exquisitely accurate weighing machine. Like any balance, it is designed to equalize one force with another: In this case, the weight of a test mass is exactly offset by a force produced when an electrical current is run through a coil of wire immersed in a surrounding magnetic field. The surrounding field is provided by a large permanent magnet system or an electromagnet. The moveable coil, once electrified, becomes an electromagnet with a field strength proportional to the amount of current it conducts. When the coil's field interacts with the surrounding magnetic field, an upward force is exerted on the coil. The magnitude of that force is controlled by adjusting the current.

Flood of Assam and It's Solution

Gateway to the East "Assam"

Assam  is a state in north-eastern India, situated south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of 78,438 km² (30,285 sq mi). The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur to the east; Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to the west via the Siliguri Corridor, a 22 kilometres (14 mi) strip of land that connects the state to the rest of India.

Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk. The state has conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with the wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, tiger and various species of Asiatic birds, and provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant. The Assamese economy is aided by wildlife tourism to Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park, which are World Heritage Sites. Sal tree forests are found in the state which, as a result of abundant rainfall, look green all year round. Assam receives more rainfall than most parts of India; this rain feeds the Brahmaputra River, whose tributaries and oxbow lakes provide the region with a hydro-geomorphic environment.

The Mighty Brahmaputra: This is the world’s 6th largest river in terms of water resources carrying 629.05 km3/ year. The total length of the river is 2,906 km, with 918 km flowing through India, which includes 640 km flowing through Assam. It has 41 tributaries, with 26 flowing in the North bank and 15 in the South bank.

Immediate cause of floods: Heavy rains in Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan and Upper Assam have resulted in the Brahmaputra and its tributaries to flow above the danger mark. The excess water has broken embankments in many places causing severe floods along the route, especially in regions of Lower Assam. Between Brahmaputra valley and the North East Hills, the average rainfall during monsoons varies between 2,480 mm to 6,350 mm, respectively. Due to excess rainfall, water gushes towards lower parts of Assam. The problem is further compounded by human settlements along the river and its various tributaries, thereby restricting the flow to follow its natural spread in times of flood. The building of embankments along the Brahmaputra and its tributaries has only added to flooding waters breaking embankments. Drainage congestion due to building of railway bridges, roads and culverts have restricted the natural flow of waters, forcing it to back flow and break embankments in vulnerable areas. Lack of countryside drainage through construction of sluices at critical points have also added to drainage congestion.

#Major causes of flood and soil erosion:

Natural causes: Geology and Geomorphology of the region, Physiographic condition in the valley, Seismic activity, Excessive rainfall.

Man-made causes: Drainage congestion due to man-made embankments, Human encroachment of riverine areas.

Lack of Commitment and Vision: Assam Government in its Budget provisions for 2019-20 only allotted Rs 921 crore has been allocated for expenditure on minor irrigation and Rs 672 crore has been provided as capital outlay for flood control projects.

The Solution:

1. There has been excess emphasis for investing in structural solutions like building of embankments and little focus on natural flood control mechanisms based on local topography.

While people living along the rivers have traditionally developed their own means of surviving the raging waters, those living around the safer areas next to embankments have often been caught by surprise.

2. It is time for the government and related agencies to review the existing policy of building embankments without considering natural outlets for excess water to flow. This will work best when local people are made stakeholders in finding localized solutions based on local topography.

3. During floods, lack of clean drinking water is the biggest problem. Today, thanks to innovative science, there are several low-cost water filtration and purification technologies available, which people can deploy in times of floods. The government must spend more in creating awareness and making the same available at subsidized cost to people.

Let’s hope the government gives much attention to the problem and investment to ensure that in future Assam will be better prepared to meet the monsoons.

Japanese Encephalitis(JE), a life threatening disease

What is Japanese Encephalitis(JE):

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is the most important cause of viral encephalitis in entire Asia. It is a mosquito-borne flavi virus, and it belongs to the same genus as dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses. The first case of Japanese encephalitis viral disease (JE) was documented in 1871 in Japan.

Why we afraid of:

World Health Organisation report from 24 South-East Asia and Western Pacific countries have endemic JEV transmission, exposing more than 3 billion people to risks of infection. As per data of World Health Organisation it has 68,000 clinical cases every year. In India JE cases are currently being reported from Assam, Bihar, and Arunachal Pradesh.

What is the cause:

Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus, a flavivirus, is closely related to West Nile and St. Louis encephalitis viruses. JE virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Culex species mosquitoes, particularly “Culex tritaeniorhynchus”. Humans, once infected, do not develop sufficient viraemia to infect feeding mosquitoes. The virus exists in a transmission cycle between mosquitoes, pigs and/or water birds (enzootic cycle). The disease is predominantly found in rural and per urban settings, where humans live in closer proximity to these vertebrate hosts.

#What_are_the_symtoms:

Most JEV infections are mild (fever and headache) or without apparent symptoms, but approximately 1 in 250 infections results in severe clinical illness. The incubation period is between 4-14 days. In children, gastrointestinal pain and vomiting may be the dominant initial symptoms. Severe disease is characterized by rapid onset of high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, seizures, spastic paralysis and ultimately death. The case-fatality rate can be as high as 30% among those with disease symptoms. Of those who survive, 20%–30% suffer permanent intellectual, behavioural or neurological squeal such as paralysis, recurrent seizures or the inability to speak.

What is the cure:

There is no treatment or cure for Japanese encephalitis. Once a person has the disease, treatment can only relieve the symptoms. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and effective anti-viral drugs are available. Prevention is the best form of treatment for Japanese encephalitis. However Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent JE. WHO recommends that JE vaccination be integrated into national immunization schedules in all areas where JE disease is recognized as a public health issue. There are 4 main types of JE vaccines currently in use: inactivated mouse brain-derived vaccines, inactivated Vero cell-derived vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, and live recombinant (chimeric) vaccines.

Over the past years, the live attenuated SA14-14-2 vaccine manufactured in China has become the most widely used vaccine in endemic countries, and it was prequalified by WHO in October 2013. Cell-culture based inactivated vaccines and the live recombinant vaccine based on the yellow fever vaccine strain have also been licensed and WHO-prequalified. 

#What_are_the_immediate_measures_to_prevent:

1. Use a repellent containing 20%-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin on exposed skin. Re-apply according to manufacturer's directions.

2. Wear neutral-coloured (beige, light grey) clothing. If possible, wear long-sleeved, light-weight garments.

3. If available, pre-soak or spray outer layer clothing and gear with permethrin.

4. Get rid of water containers around dwellings and ensure that door and window screens work properly.

5. Apply sunscreen first followed by the repellent (preferably 20 minutes later).

6. Follow insect bite prevention measures.

Amazon Forest Fire (A Serious concern)

“There is sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed”... by MK Gandhi

#Few_Facts_about_Amazon:

1. The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Covering over 5.5 million square kilometres, it’s so big that the UK and Ireland would fit into it 17 times.

2.  The Amazon is found in South America, spanning across Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

3. Running through the north of the rainforest is the Amazon River — a network of many hundreds of waterways that stretches 6,840km. Although there is some debate, most scientists agree that the Amazon is the world’s second longest river after the River Nile.

4. In 2007, a man named Martin Strel swam the entire length of the Amazon river! To complete his splashing jungle journey, Martin powered through the water for up to ten hours a day for 66 days.

5. Around 400-500 indigenous Amerindian tribes call the Amazon rainforest home. It’s believed that about fifty of these tribes have never had contact with the outside world.

6. The Amazon has an incredibly rich ecosystem – there are around 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, 3,000 types of fish, 430 mammals and a whopping 2.5 million different insects.

7. The Amazon is home to a whole host of fascinating – and deadly! – creatures, including electric eels, flesh eating piranhas, poison dart frogs, jaguars and some seriously venomous snakes.

8. One fascinating fish found in the Amazon is the Pirarucu (also known as the arapaima or paiche). A menacing meat-eater, the pirarucu guzzles up other fish and can grow to nearly 3m long! And what makes it super deadly? It has teeth on the roof of its mouth and on its tongue.

9. This area of immense natural beauty is sometimes referred to as ‘the lungs of the Earth’. This is because the rich vegetation takes carbon dioxide out of the air, and releases oxygen back in. In fact, more than 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced by the Amazon.

10. Due to the thickness of the canopy (the top branches and leaves of the trees), the Amazon floor is in permanent darkness. In fact, it’s so thick that when it rains, it takes around ten minutes for the water to reach the ground.

#About_Amazon_Forest: The Amazon rainforest, also known in English as Amazonia or the Amazon Jungle, is a moist broadleaf forest in the Amazon biome that covers most of the Amazon basin of South America. This basin encompasses 7,000,000 km² (2,700,000 sq mi), of which 5,500,000 km² (2,100,000 sq mi) are covered by the rainforest. This region includes territory belonging to nine nations.

The majority of the forest is contained within Brazil, with 60% of the rainforest, followed by Peru with 13%, Colombia with 10%, and with minor amounts in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and France (French Guiana). Four nations have "Amazonas" as the name of one of their first-level administrative regions. The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests, and comprises the largest and most bio- diverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species.

#Why_this_Happen: Urbanisation & deforestation are the prime cause of destruction of forest area. The main sources of deforestation in the Amazon are human settlement and development of the land. In 2018, about 17% of the Amazon rainforest was already destroyed. The Present President Jair Balsonaro’s development programme without focus on the concern on environment will damage the Amazon Forest. Tropical rainforest waters are highly threatened today by hydroelectric projects, erosion from deforestation, over fishing, and poisoning from oil and chemical spills. The effects from the degradation of these waters are widespread, inflicting damage on the global economy, the environment, and local peoples.

#Key_Way_forward: Most of the Oxygen comes from the Earth oceans consist 50%. In Ocean, Oxygen is produced by different kinds of bacteria, algae, and plans(including trees) during Photosynthesis. A Tiny ocean plant called “Phytoplankton” plays a major role in releasing large scale of oxygen. So, shifting of mindset is very important and put much more emphasis on increasing marine life (Phytoplankton) as planting trees on land covers 25% of Earth Oxygen. On the other side, World organisation come up with an strong institutional law to protect the forest cover as it not only important for a country but for the existence of all living creatures on earth.

National Unity Day

#National Unity Day
#Birth_Anniversary_of_Sardar_Vallabhbhai_Patel

#The_Iron_Man_of_India

#First_Home_Minister_and_Deputy_Prime_Minister_of_India 

#Bharat_Ratna_awardee_in_1991

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

#Why_We_Celebrate: National Unity Day (or Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is the birthday (birth anniversary) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a famous personality for uniting India. This day was decided and introduced by the central government of India in New Delhi in 2014 in order to observe the birth anniversary of Patel every year as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. It aimed to pay tribute to him for his great efforts made to unite India.

#About_Sardar_Patel: Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), popularly known as Sardar Patel, was an Indian politician. He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. He acted as Home Minister during the political integration of India and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947.  He was appointed as the 49^th  President of Indian National Congress, organising the party for elections in 1934 and 1937 while promoting the Quit India Movement. His commitment to national integration in the newly independent country was total and uncompromising, earning him the sobriquet "Iron Man of India". He is also remembered as the "patron saint of India's civil servants" for having established the modern all-India services system. He is also called the "Unifier of India". The Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue, was dedicated to him on 31 October 2018 which is approximately 182 metres (597 ft) in height.