26-27.12.21

Fourth Health Index Released by NITI Aayog

by

The released its fourth Health Index on 27 December.

Highlights:

The 2019-20 reference year was used in the fourth round of the Index.

This report was written by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with technical assistance from the World Bank.

Kerala has emerged as the top performer among larger states in terms of overall health performance, according to the NITI Aayog’s health index. Uttar Pradesh, on the other hand, has been ranked last.

In terms of incremental performance, however, Uttar Pradesh came out on top because it had the largest incremental change in the reference year 2019-20 compared to the Base Year 2018-19.

On health-related parameters, Tamil Nadu came in second place, while Telangana came in third.

Government and private schools with about 100 to 200 students will be turned intoCovidvaccination centres for children in Assam as the state health department is gearing up to vaccinate children between 15 and 18 years of age from January 3.The department informed that in a meeting chaired by Union health secretary, Rajesh Bhusan, with states and a succeeding meeting chaired here by state health minister Keshab Mahanta on Tuesday, it has been decided to use only Covaxin to inoculate the children. School dropouts are likely to be taken to other vaccination centres.

by

Assam has set an estimated target of inoculating 18.25 lakh children though it may take a few days before the vaccination drive gains momentum. On January 3, it may be an inaugural event. Health department officials said over 13 lakh Covaxin doses are in stock in the state.

Govt reviews logistics at vax sites for 15 to 18 age grp

by

Health authorities on Monday reviewed the arrangements at vaccination sites, manpower requirement and vaccine stock for immunisation of the 15 to 18 age group precaution dose for the 60+ with comorbidities condition, healthcare and frontline workers.

The government will come out with modalities on ways to identify 15 to 18 age group beneficiaries soon. The vaccination of 15 to 18 will start from January 3 while the precaution dose will kick off from January 10.

As the vaccination drive is currently going on, there wont be much additional exercise for the inoculation of the 15 to 18 age group. The sites will remain the same. There may be some increase in manpower deployment. We are yet to decide whether to take Class X identity card or Aadhar card as proof. We may receive a circular on this from the Centre, said BijayPanigrahi, director, family welfare.

KS Sethumadhavan Passed Away

by

KS Sethumadhavan, a legendary Malayalam filmmaker, has died at the age of 90.

Highlights:

K. S. Sethumadhavan passed away on 24 December at the age of 90.

K. S. Sethumadhavan was born on May 29, 1927, in Palghat, Madras Presidency, British India, to Subrahmanyam and Lakshmiyamma.

He is the youngest of four siblings, with three sisters and one brother. He grew up in the Nadu towns of Palakkad and North Arcot.

He earned his biology degree from Government Victoria College in Palakkad. He got his start in the film Industry as K. Ramnath’s assistant director.

During his career, he directed over 60 films in five languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Odayil Ninnu, Anubhavangal Palichakal, Oppol, Aranazhikaneeram, Achanum Bappayum, and other popular films were directed by him.

He has won a total of ten Awards“>National Film Awards and nine Kerala State Awards.

Education for tribespeople: Launchpad for for marginalized in Kerala

by

While the passing year had seen the pandemic impacting the tribal communities disproportionately in their pursuit to access Education, there has also been a rare silver lining scripted by a collective of adivasi and dalit youths.

Adishakthi Summer Schoolhas helped over 250 tribal youths from remote hamlets across the state gain admission to colleges this year alone by providing end-to-end supportfrom starting an admission help desk to holding orientation classes and extending accommodation facilities.
More significantly, with the handholding coming from student members of the collective themselves who had been mentored through the programme in previous years, an increasing number of tribal students has taken admissions to new generation and job-oriented courses, breaking free from the traditional practice of opting mostly for humanities courses.

Karnatakas electric vehicle hub dream yet to become reality

by

:Karnatakawas one of the pioneers in the country to launch an electric vehicle (EV) policy in 2017, but failed to capitalise on the momentum and catch up with states like Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.

Considered the future of the automobile Industry, almost all states are now looking for ways to attract Investment in the sector. But having had a poor track record with at least two major EV automobile companies one Indian and the other international Karnataka is struggling to revive its investor-friendly image.

Industry department sources said the government has been making amends by way of reformulating and redrawing laws which will help industries come to Karnataka.

The government is looking to set up an EV hub in four revenue divisions one each in Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mysuru, andTumakurudistricts.

Hyderabad firm snaps up 10 acres land for record Rs 235 crore

by

A 10-acre parcel of prime land in Hyderabads north-western residential hub ofKukatpallyhas been picked up by Hyderabad-based realtor Ashoka Builders India Pvt Ltd (ASBL) for Rs 235 crore.

ASBL had emerged as the highest bidder for the land parcel which is learnt to have been owned by Godrej group flagship Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co Ltd.

Ashoka Builders plans a mixed-use development, including a premium residential development and a Grade A commercial space by June 2025 on the newly acquired parcel of land.

Andhra University starts digitisation of palm-leaf manuscripts

by

Andhra Universityhas launched the digitisation process ofpalm-leafmanuscripts at its Dr VS Krishna Library on Monday. Speaking on this occasion, vice-chancellor Prof PVGD Prasad Reddy said the process will not only help in their preservation, but also in transferring the ocean of knowledge from thesemanuscriptsto the future generations. Andhra University selected an expert team for this initiative. We are also planning to make these manuscripts available for the public through Andhra University website, said Prof Reddy. According to the officials, the university has about 2,663 palm leaf manuscripts written in five languages.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Andhra University, organised a webinar on Caste census among BC communities in India: Strategies for inclusive development on Monday. Officer on special dutyProf V Krishna Mohansaid the BCs are lagging behind socially, economically and politically.

Goa can become hub for marine sci-tech activities: Dharmendra Pradhan

by

Within a short span of time since its establishment, theIndian Institute of Technology(IIT), Goa, has made considerable strides in the field of research, Union Education ministerDharmendra Pradhansaid on Monday, virtually presiding overIIT Goas first ever convocation ceremony. Altogether, 185 students from the 2020 and the 2021 batches of the institute were conferred with their degrees together at the ceremony.

Being located in Goa and having signed an MoU with a French body for research in marine science, IIT Goa is well-positioned to become a hub for activities in the field of marine Science and Technology.

Within two years of the IITs inception, research programmes in engineering, sciences and humanities leading to the award of PhD degrees were introduced at IIT Goa in 2018.

Maharashtra assembly passes bill to amend Public Universities Act amid uproar

by

The state legislative assembly on Tuesday cleared theMaharashtra Public Universities(Third Amendment) Act, 2021, which proposes to appoint the minister of higher and technical Education as pro-chancellor and introduces changes in the process for vice-chancellor appointment.

As per the amendment, the selection committee will recommend five names for the post of vice-chancellor of which the will shortlist two and send them to the governor, who is also the chancellor of universities. The governor has to select one of the two names within 30 days. If the state does not approve any of the persons recommended, it may call for a fresh list either from the same committee or after constitution of a new one. Similarly, three names will be shortlisted by the state for the post of pro-chancellor and will be sent to the governor for his selection.

The bill gives wide-ranging powers to the pro chancellor, from chairing the varsityssenateto presiding over the convocation ceremony in the chancellors absence. It also empowers the state to nominate members on thesenate management council. The bill makes way for constitution of the board of preservation and promotion of Marathi language and literature and the board of equal opportunity. A post of the director for the board of preservation and promotion of Marathi language and literature will also be created.