SAMPLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM (SRS) BULLETIN
Context :
The Registrar General of India released its Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin based on data collected for 2018.
Infant mortality rate (IMR) has improved very marginally from 33 per 1,000 live births in 2017 to 32 in 2018.
Report Highlights :
- The report stated that Madhya Pradesh has the worst IMR in the country at 48 and Nagaland stands the best at 4. In 2017, Madhya Pradesh’s IMR stood at 47.
- Among large states, Kerala has performed best with an IMR in single digits at 7. Also, only Kerala state has now achieved the United Nations’ sustainable development goal in this regard.
- The report stated that the largest decline in IMR has been registered by Mizoram, with a decline from 15 to 5. Undivided Jammu and Kashmir has shown a decline and is at 22, well below the national average of 32.
- Child and infant mortality stands as a massive problem in India despite improvements over the years. In 2018, an estimated 8,82,000 children under the age of 5 died in India.
- Registrar General of India also released data for death and birth rates. India’s birth rate stood at 20. The death rate was 6.2. Chhattisgarh has the highest death rate in the country at 8 whereas Delhi has the lowest at 3.
- Birth rate in India has declined from 36 in 1971 to 20 now. The death rate in 1971 was 14.9.
Note :
Mortality rate (or death rate) is a measure of the number of deaths in a particular population, scaled to the size of that population, per unit of time.
Centre launched Mission Sagar for assistance to Indian Ocean nations amid COVID-19 crisis
Context :
Government of India launched “Mission Sagar” on 10 May.
The aim is to provide assistance to Indian Ocean Region Nations amid the coronavirus crisis. The operation is being progressed in coordination with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The mission is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR.
Mission Sagar :
- The mission is a part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Under the mission, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros, to provide Food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams.
- The Ship will deliver consignments of COVID related essential medicines including Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets, to Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and about 600 tonnes of food items to the Maldives.
SAGAR Vision:
In 2015, GoI introduced its vision of the Indian Ocean called Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). The aim is to seek economic and security cooperation with India’s neighbours, especially maritime neighbours, under the vision. Under this vision, India would cooperate on the exchange of information, the building of infrastructure, coastal surveillance, and strengthening mutual capabilities with its neighbour countries.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Context :
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his 154th birth anniversary.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a great social reformer and educationist who provided exemplary leadership to India’s freedom movement.
About Gopal Krishna Gokhale :
- Birth: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9 May 1866 in Kotluk village in present-day Maharashtra (then part of the Bombay Presidency) in a Brahmin family.
- Ideology:
- Gokhale worked towards social empowerment, expansion of education , struggle for freedom in India for three decades and rejected the use of reactionary or revolutionary ways.
- Role in Colonial Legislatures:
- Between 1899 and 1902, he was a member of the Bombay Legislative Council followed by work at the Imperial Legislative Council from 1902 till his death (1915).
- At the Imperial legislature, Gokhale played a key role in framing the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909.
- Role in INC:
- He was associated with the Moderate Group of Indian National Congress (joined in 1889).
- He became president of INC in 1905 in Banaras session.
- This was the time when bitter differences had arisen between his group of ‘Moderates’ and the ‘Extremists’ led by Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak among others. The two factions split at the Surat session of 1907.
- Despite the ideological difference, in 1907, he intensely campaigned for the release of Lala Lajpat Rai, who was imprisoned that year by the British at Mandalay in present-day Myanmar.
- Related Societies and Other Works:
- He established the Servants of India Society in 1905 for the expansion of Indian education.
- He was also associated with the Sarvajanik sabha journal started by Govind Ranade.
- In 1908, Gokhale founded the Ranade Institute of Economics.
- He started english weekly newspaper, The Hitavada (The people’s paper).
National Technology Day
Context :
National Technology Day is observed on 11 May. The day highlights the importance of science in daily life. It also encourages youngsters to get into the field for their career options.
Events :
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology (DBT) is conducting a session on YouTube. Digital Conference will focus on RE-START ‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology And Research Translations.’ It will focus on rebooting the economy through Science and Technology.
The conference aims to bring together Scientists, Technocrats, Diplomats, World Health Organization (WHO) officials and dignitaries from national and international Industries, Research Institutions, and Academic Institutions.
History :
The observance of the National Technology Day was coined by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day has been designated to commemorate the major technological breakthroughs, achievements, and contributions of Indian scientists and engineers.
On 11 May 1998, India tested the nuclear tests at Pokhran. Also, on that day India conducted its nuclear missile Shakti, also known as Operation Shakti. The day aims to recognize the country’s technological advancements.
RBI’s Gold Reserve Increased
Context :
According to the Report on Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves , the Reserve Bank of India’s total holdings of gold reached 653.01 tonnes in the financial year 2019-20.
The Reserve Bank of India publishes half-yearly reports on management of foreign exchange reserves as part of its efforts towards enhanced transparency and levels of disclosure.
Highlights :
- The RBI’s total gold reserves were 612.56 tonnes in the preceding fiscal ended March 2019.
- The addition of 40.45 tonnes of gold has raised the value of gold reserves to $30.57 billion by March 2020 from $23.07 billion in March 2019.
- The share of gold in the total foreign exchange (forex) reserves rose from about 5.59% as of March 2019 to about 6.40% by March 2020.
- India’s Forex Reserve include: Foreign Currency Assets, Gold reserves, Special Drawing Rights and Reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Around 360.71 tonnes of gold is held overseas in safe custody with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements, while the remaining gold is held domestically.
- The gold reserves will help the central banks around the globe to focus on the measures needed to contain the economic impact of Covid-19.
- Gains or losses on valuation of foreign currency assets and gold due to movements in the exchange rates and/or price of gold are booked under a balance sheet head named the Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA).