ODISHA

Odisha top-5 per capita capital spender on health

As per the RBI data analysis, Gujarat with a per capita capital outlay on health at Rs 303 topped the nation. Odisha with a per capita capital outlay of Rs 190 followed Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.

Significant here is all top per capita capital spenders, except Chhattisgarh, are developed States. Odisha is also ahead of other focus States like Bihar, UP, MP, Jharkhand and Rajasthan.

Moreover, by earmarking a total spending (revenue + capital) of 5.1 per cent of total budget on health in 2018-19, Odisha stayed above the average spending on health pegged at 4.8 per cent of 18 States in 2018-19.

The health centres in Odisha fared poor in having the basic infra.

Around 12 per cent Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the State have no water supply vis-a-vis none in Bihar. Over 8 per cent PHCs still don’t have electricity connections vis-a-vis none in Bihar.

Odisha’s only 15 per cent Community Health Centres (CHCs) have at least 30 beds vis –a-vis 100 per cent in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Telengana and Karnataka.

As per data available, when nationally on an average each rural hospital has 14 beds, each rural hospital in Odisha has on average around four beds. In urban hospitals, when on an average each hospital in Odisha has around 82 beds, the beds nationally per urban hospital are around 114.

While infant mortality in Odisha is still a concern, the surprising fact is only a paltry 7 per cent CHCs have functional stabilisation units for new born vis-a-vis of 48 per cent and 41 per cent in other focus States like Rajasthan and MP, respectively.

Similarly, a mere around 19 per cent CHCs in Odisha have functional x-ray machines vis-a-vis 100 per cent in Bihar.

Interestingly, the per capita revenue expenditure, including salary expenses on doctors, technicians etc, on health in Odisha in 2018-19 has been around Rs 1,074.

The notable fact here is in per capita revenue expenditure on health in 2018-19 Odisha is positioned at number-10 nationally and follows States like Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Assam, Telengana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

INTERNATIONAL

Indian Air Force Participates for the First Time in Exercise Pitch Black – 18

An Indian Air Force contingent comprising of four Su-30 MKI, 01 X C-130 and 01 X C-17 aircraft, landed at Darwin Air Force Base, Australia for the Exercise Pitch Black – 18.

This is the first time that an IAF contingent is participating in a multinational air exercise in Australia with Royal Australian Air Force.

This exercise involves over 100 aircraft from around the globe and will provide a unique opportunity to the air-warriors to operate in a dynamic warlike environment.

· New Zealand demands Australia to change its flag

As the Flag of New Zealand looks similar to that of Australia, Acting New Zealand PM Winston Petersis demanding Australia to change their flag.
Notably, the New Zealand flag was adopted 52 years before the Australian flag and was adopted in 1902, replacing the union jack. The Australian flag was adopted in 1954, after going through three previous iterations since 1901.
Both the Australian and New Zealand flags are based on the British blue ensign.

· Michael Ondaatje again named in Man Booker Prize list

Sri Lankan-born Canadian author Michael Ondaatjehas again made the Man Booker Prize list with his latest novel ”Warlight”, which tells the story of two orphans in London in the immediate aftermath of World War II.
Ondaatje’s “The English Patient,” which won the Booker in 1992, was named winner of the Golden Man Booker winner on July 8, a special award to mark the Booker’s 50th anniversary.
2018 Man Booker Prize includes six U.K. writers, three from the United States, and two each from Canada and Ireland.

· India signed 4 MoUs with Uganda, agreed 2 LOC worth nearly $200 million

As part of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Uganda, India and Uganda signed four agreements on

Defence cooperation,

Visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders,

Cultural exchange programme, and

Material testing laboratory.

The Indian government has also decided to gift a cancer therapy machineto the Uganda cancer institute in Kampala.
The Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial reception in Uganda’s Entebbe town.
He is on a three-nation tour to the African countries including Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.

NATIONAL

Swachh Survekshan Grameen launched in UP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra

The Swachh Survekshan Grameen 2018 (SSG 2018) announced by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on July 13^th, 2018, was launched by three States this week.

Under the SSG 2018, an independent survey agency will conduct the survey in all districts from 1st to 31st August 2018, and the results will be announced in the form of a ranking of all districts and States on the basis of quantitative and qualitative sanitation (Swachhata) parameters.

The top performing States and Districts are expected to be awarded on 2nd October 2018.

17 sites in the country to be developed as Iconic Tourist Sites

Ministry of Tourism has identified 17 sites in 12 clusters in the country for development under Iconic Tourist Sites Development Project, pursuant to Budget Announcements of 2018-19.

Following are the 17 sites: Uttar Pradesh- TajMahal & FatehpurSikri; Maharashtra- Ajanta & Ellora; Delhi- Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort & QutubMinar; Goa- Colva beach; Rajasthan- Amer Fort; Gujarat- Somnath & Dholavira; Madhya Pradesh- Khajuraho; Karnataka- Hampi; Tamil Nadu- Mahabalipuram; Assam- Kaziranga; Kerala- Kumarakom; Bihar- Mahabodhi.

The Ministry shall be developing the above sites in a holistic manner with focus on issues concerning connectivity to the destination, better facilities/experience for the tourists at the site, skill development, involvement of local community, promotion & branding and by bringing in private investment.

· Women and Child Development Ministry launches ‘Childline1098’ Contest

To mark World Day against Trafficking in Personson July 30, Women and Child Development Ministry has invited people to send logo and tagline for ‘Childline 1098‘, which is India’s first 24-hour, free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance.
At present, Childline 1098 is operational at 450 locations, including 76 key railway stations, across India.

· Nineteenth Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations began

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year for three days from 24th July – 26th July at the Drass War Memorialin Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate India’s emphatic victory against Pakistan.
Kargil war took place in May -July 1999 (2 months)
In India, the Kargil conflict is also referred to as ‘Operation Vijay‘ which was the name of the Indian operation to clear the Kargil sector.
The Kargil War memorial, built by the Indian Army, is located in Dras, in the foothills of the Tololing Hill.

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