HARYANA
Sex ratio up by nine points in one year in Haryana
The Centre’s flagship programme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao has been successfully implemented in Haryana. According to data provided by the directorate general of health services (DGHS), Panchkula, sex ratio at birth or SRB index increased by nine points in 2019 as against the previous year.
Since the launch of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in 2015, the state, which has been notorious for its skewed sex ratio, has earned 47 points. In 2015, the state SRB was 876, it rose to 900 in 2016 and 914 in 2017. The figure was repeated in 2018. In 2019, SRB rose to 923 of the state average. The figure rose in all districts except Sirsa and Sonipat. SRB in Sirsa slipped by 18 points to settle at 917 this year. In 2018, it was 935.
Worst performing districts in 2019 include Bhiwani at 894 points, Karnal at 908 points and Gurugram at 910 points. Jatland districts of Rohtak and Sonipat secured 17th position at 911 while Jhajjar got 914 points. Bhiwani is among the last in the rung with 894 points.
Of the 5,18,725 births registered in the state in 2019, there were 2,48,950 girls and 2,69,775 boys. Health officials attribute the rise in SRB to strict compliance of PC-PNDT Act by the government.
INTERNATIONAL
India ranks second as the most promising source of disruptive technology
According to KPMG’s “2020 Global Technology Industry Innovation Survey” report, India shared the second position with China as the most promising source of disruptive technology in the world. The report was topped by the United States as the most promising market for developing disruptive technologies.
The report ranked countries that are committed to setting up strong innovation ecosystems.
In terms of the world cities, it highlighted that Silicon Valley/San Francisco would be leading technology innovation hubs over the next four years. Under this category, Bengaluru entered the top 10 list and ranked ninth. Mumbai was ranked 16th.
NATIONAL
India ranked second as the better-performing countries in the API list
The international animal welfare charity, World Animal Protection, released the global Animal Protection Index 2020. India has ranked second as the better-performing countries in the Animal Protection Index (API).
The aim of API is to showcase where countries are doing well, where they fall short on animal welfare policy and legislation, in order to take steps to improve.
The index ranks countries from A, being the highest score, to G, being the weakest score.
India secured a ‘C’ ranking in the index, along with countries like Spain, New Zealand, Mexico, and France.
India has strong laws on the protection of animals, and the welfare of dairy animals is yet to part of any such law. This index highlighted the work that still needs to done to protect every animal.
New research reveals poor animal welfare practices will provide a perfect breeding ground for viruses to mutate and spread while trading.
World Animal Protection assessed the animal welfare policies and legislation of 50 countries.
The report highlighted the lack of adequate animal welfare laws.
The index is aimed to help countries to put in place good animal welfare practices such as keeping animals clean, healthy, and with sufficient space to exhibit natural behaviours.