RAJASTHAN

• State touches rock bottom in NITI Aayog health index

• The state has secured an appalling last rank among 21 bigger states in the ‘performance in health outcomes’ category when NITI Aayog released the health index of the country.

• It has done slightly better and come 20th in the overall ranking for 2015-16 in the NITI Aayog and World Bank survey, ‘Healthy States Progressive India Report’.

• The ‘performance in health outcomes’ index covers state’s neo-natal mortality rate, total fertility rate, under-five mortality rate, sex ratio at birth, proportion of low birth weight among newborns, percentage of full immunization coverage, proportion of institutional deliveries, proportion of people living with HIV taking antiretroviral therapy, treatment success rate of new microbiologically confirmed TB cases.

• In all these health indicators, collectively, the state’s performance is the worst among 21 bigger states.

• However, the overall reference year (2015-16) performance ranking of the state remained unchanged in the second last position. The overall ranking was decided on three broad categories—health outcomes (indicator), governance and processes.

• While Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh are the top three ranking states in terms of annual incremental performance, Rajasthan’s incremental performance was just moderate and not enough to improve its ranking. In comparison to base year (2014-15), Rajasthan’s overall performance index score increased by 2 points from 35 to 37.

• The state’s incremental rank is 8th in the country. Since all the other states except UP already have much better scores than Rajasthan, the moderate incremental change (2 points) did not help the state in improving its ranking.

• With an addition of 17 more points, Rajasthan achieved the highest incremental change in this category. In key inputs/process domain, it has secured 10th rank among 21 bigger states.

INTERNATIONAL

·        Jacob Zuma Resigns As South Africa’s President

• South Africa’s embattled President Jacob Zuma. He announced the decision in a televised address to the nation after the ruling African National Congress (ANC)party threatened to eject him from office via a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
• The 75-year-old, who was the country’s President for the last 9 years, has been under increasing pressure to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC’s new leader. Mr. Zuma’s resignation followed weeks of intense public pressure to step down amid long-standing corruption allegations.

·        India to Host 8th Theatre Olympics

• In an effort to put India firmly among the top nations in the world theatre map, the country will play host to the 8th Theatre Olympics, the greatest carnival of the pianist.
• The 51-day theatreextravaganza which will be inaugurated at Red Fort will see 450 shows including 65 shows by international artists, 600 ambient performances, and 250 youth forum shows.

NATIONAL

• President inaugurates ‘Agricon 2018’ and ‘Agriexpo 2018’

• The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the international conference ‘Agricon 2018’ and ‘Agriexpo 2018’ at Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology (CSAUT), Kanpur on February 14, 2018.

• Speaking on the occasion, the President said that in a country as vast as India, problems of farmers in different regions are different.

• We will have to find solutions according to their needs. Water is a common concern.

• In this regard, the Government has promoted the concept of “per drop, more crop” and this message should reach every farmer in the country.

·        President hosts LPG Panchayat at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• President Ram Nath Kovind hosted an‘LPG Panchayat at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

  It was organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana (PMUY). 

• The LPG Panchayat aims to provide a platform for LPG consumers to interact with each other, promote mutual learning and share experiences.

• LPG Panchayat serves as an interactive platform for those who received LPG cylinders under MUY. One panchayat has around 100 LPG customers in nearby areas.

• The panchayats discuss issues such as safe practices, quality of service provided by distributors and availability of refill cylinders.

• India’s first radio festival held in Delhi.

• India’s first radio festival was held at the UNESCO House in New Delhi to mark World Radio Day (February 13). It was organised by International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) in partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The festival aimed to bring together radio professionals, podcasters and other digital audio programmers. It included discussions of expert panels, exhibition and live performances.  Its discussions were based on the theme for World Radio Day 2018 – Radio and Sports. It examined potential of sports as a platform for social change, ways to make it more creative and trace journey of music on radio.

• International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) – IAWRT is global organization of women in broadcasting industry. It was established in 1949 by professional women working in electronic and allied media. Its mission is to strengthen initiatives towards ensuring women’s views and values are integral part of programming and advance impact of women in media. It is in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

• Meghalaya Governor inaugurates India, Bangladesh ‘Friendship Gate’

• Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad has inaugurated the “Friendship Gate” constructed with an aim to have a Wagah-like beating retreat ceremony for the Indian and Bangladesh border guards.
• The Friendship Gate has been constructed near Integrated Check post, 90 km South of capital Shillong on border with Bangladesh.

·        West Bengal Becomes First State To Opt Out Of Modicare

• The West Bengal government already enrolled 50 lakh people under its own Swasthya Sathi programme, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced the decision to opt out of Centre’s ‘Modicare’ scheme.
• This makes West Bengal the first state to withdraw from the ambitious programme. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced the NHPS on February 1, making it the biggest global plan to provide quality health coverage to a population larger than the combined citizenry of the US, UK, Germany, and France.

·        BHEL Bags Rs 560 Crore Order From NTPC

• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)bagged an order worth Rs 560 crore from NTPC for setting up a system for emission control.
• BHEL has secured the order for “supply and installation of the flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systemfrom NTPC for 2×490 MW National Capital Power Station at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh.

·        Union Government Extends Anti-Narcotics Scheme For 3 More Years

• TheUnion Governmentextended the anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more years to combat illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance.
• The purpose of the scheme is to assist states and Union Territories, which are contributing in controlling the inter-state and cross-border drug trafficking.

·        Sports Ministry to introduce ranking system for national sports federations

• The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs is planning to introduce a ranking system for National Sports Federations (NSFs).
• This will be for the first time the Sports Ministry will have a system by which sports federations will be ranked or rated according to set parameters Key.
• The rankings will be based on federations’ administrative capability, transparency, talent-spotting ability, and medal count of athletes.
• The sports ministry will set up a committee for this purpose.