Daily News Analysis: 21 November 2024

State of the World’s Children 2024 (SOWC-2024) Report

UNICEF’s “State of the World’s Children 2024” report focuses on three megatrends shaping children’s futures: demographic shifts, climate crises, and disruptive technologies. The report emphasizes the need for proactive measures to secure children’s rights and well-being globally.

Key Findings

• Climate Vulnerabilities: Nearly 1 billion children live in high-risk climate zones. By the 2050s, children will face increased exposure to heatwaves (8x), floods (3.1x), and wildfires (1.7x).
• Child Survival: Global newborn survival rates exceed 98%, while life expectancy is projected to rise to 81 years for girls and 76 years for boys.
• Digital Divide: While internet access exceeds 95% in high-income countries, it remains at just 26% in low-income nations, exacerbating inequalities.
• India-Specific Insights: By 2050, India will host the largest child population (350 million). Indian children face significant risks from extreme weather and air pollution.
• UNICEF advocates for investments in education, climate resilience, and digital inclusion while emphasizing child-centric policies to address these challenges.

India-CARICOM Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the second India-CARICOM Summit in Guyana, marking a historic engagement with Caribbean nations after over five decades. The summit focused on strengthening ties through seven key pillars forming the acronym “CARICOM.”

Seven Key Pillars

1. Capacity Building: Scholarships and technology centers to enhance skills.
2. Agriculture & Food Security: Promoting millet cultivation and agricultural technology.
3. Renewable Energy & Climate Action: Collaboration on solar energy and disaster resilience.
4. Innovation & Technology: Extending India’s digital payment systems like UPI.
5. Cricket & Culture: Empowering women through cricket scholarships.
6. Ocean Economy: Developing marine resources and enhancing connectivity.
7. Medicine & Healthcare: Affordable healthcare solutions under India’s Janaushadhi scheme.

This summit aligns with India’s commitment to the Global South, addressing shared concerns like climate change and economic development.

Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to Guyana

PM Modi’s visit to Guyana marked a historic milestone as he became the first Indian head of state to visit in over 50 years. Key outcomes include:

• Signing of 10 MoUs covering hydrocarbons, agriculture, digital payments, and defense cooperation.
• Recognition of PM Modi with Guyana’s highest national award, “The Order of Excellence.”
• Strengthening cultural ties through initiatives like the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.

Role of Urbanization in Boosting Skills and Employment

India is rapidly urbanizing, with projections indicating that half of its population will reside in urban areas by 2050. Cities are hubs for innovation, higher wages, and diverse job opportunities.

Opportunities

• Urban centers foster skill development through education institutes and training programs.
• They support entrepreneurship with better infrastructure and financial access.
• Digital advancements in cities drive job creation in IT and e-commerce sectors.

Challenges

• Unplanned urbanization leads to inadequate infrastructure and slum proliferation.
• Migrants often lack skills suited for urban jobs, leading to underemployment.
• Environmental stress from urban centers contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

Government Initiatives

Programs like Skill India Mission, Smart Cities Mission, and Digital India aim to address these challenges by promoting sustainable urban development.

India’s Undertrial Prisoners

India’s prisons are overcrowded at an occupancy rate of 131%, with undertrials constituting nearly 76% of inmates. Many undertrials remain incarcerated due to prolonged legal procedures or inability to afford bail.

Key Data

• Overcrowding is most severe in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• Vulnerable groups like women and marginalized communities face disproportionate hardships.

Reforms

The Supreme Court has directed expedited release for eligible undertrials under Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Additionally:

• Fast-track courts are being established for pending cases.
• Legal aid services are being enhanced for timely trials.

Disparities in the Quality of Packaged Food

A report by Access to Nutrition Initiative highlights disparities in packaged food quality between low-income and high-income countries.

Key Findings

• Healthier food options are less accessible in low-income countries.
• Only 30% of companies price healthier products affordably for lower-income consumers.

India Context

India faces a dual burden of malnutrition and rising non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy diets. Front-of-pack labeling regulations remain stalled despite their potential impact on consumer awareness.

News in Short

1. Cloud Seeding: Delhi explores cloud seeding as a solution to tackle severe air pollution by inducing artificial rain using substances like silver iodide.
2. Nafithromycin: India launches its first indigenous antibiotic targeting multi-drug-resistant bacteria.
3. Measles Outbreaks: Rising measles cases highlight gaps in vaccination coverage across regions.
4. Sesame Disease Microbe Identified: A new microbe causing sesame crop diseases has been discovered by Indian scientists.
5. D’Cunha Committee: A committee has been formed to recommend reforms for India’s food safety standards.
6. 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab: Celebrations honor the contributions of Odisha’s first Chief Minister.
7. Private Space Sector Growth: Private players are increasingly participating in ground segments of India’s space missions.
8. Saint Francis Xavier Feast Day: Goa prepares for celebrations honoring its patron saint on December 3.
9. HIV Genome Detection Innovation: Indian researchers develop fluorogenic tests tailored for precise HIV genome detection.