Prelim Bits 03-05-2019

SDG India Index

SDG India Index is a single measurable Index to map the progress of States & UTs towards 2030 SDGs.
The index is released by NITI Aayog, it is developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
NITI Aayog has the twin mandate to oversee the implementation of SDGs in the country, and also promote Competitive and Cooperative Federalism among States and UTs.
The SDG India Index tracks the progress of all States and UTs on 62 Priority Indicators selected by NITI Aayog, which in turn is guided by MoSPI’s National Indicator Framework.
Through which a composite score was computed between the range of 0-100 for each State and UT based on their aggregate performance across 13 SDGs, which indicates the average performance of State/UT towards achieving 13 SDGs & their respective targets.
If a State/UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies that it has achieved the 2030 national targets.
The higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance to the target achieved.
Classification Criteria based on SDG India Index Score is as follows:

UN-SDGs

United Nations Sustainable Goals (SDGs) are ambitious global development goals that address key aspects of universal wellbeing across different socio-economic, cultural, geographical divisions and integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions of development.
There are 17 SDG in total.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Initiative

WASH is a partnership for the goals initiative of United Nation Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG).
The core activity of WASH emphasizes the teaching of basic sanitation and hygiene to communities and school children with a particular focus on girls' education and gender equality, as a necessary complement to the success of water and sanitation infrastructure projects.
The WASH Partnership supports coalition-building among multi-stakeholders at the national and grassroots level.

Denisovans

The Denisovans are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans in the genus Homo.
This human species is genetically distinct from Neanderthals and modern humans but shared a common origin with Neanderthals.
Denisovans lived among and interbred with the ancestors of some modern humans.
Contrary to popular belief that high altitude regions were inhabited only by modern humans dating back to less than 40,000 years, recent findings prove that Denisovans lived in the Tibetan Plateau at an altitude of 3,280 meters much earlier 1,60,000 years ago.
Previous genetic studies have found that modern humans living in the Tibetan Plateau carried a special gene variant EPAS1 that allowed them to cope with low oxygen (hypoxia) environments typical of high altitude.
Recent researches have found this gene variant in Denisovans.

Vedanta Desikan

Vedanta Desikan (1268–1369) was one of the most prominent preceptors in the Srivaishnava tradition, born in Tamil Nadu.
He had authored literary works in Sanskrit, Tamil, Prakrit and Manipravalam.
His ‘Subhashita Neevi’ contains a fund of moral and ethical advice which is relevant and practical.
Desikan’s talent as a military strategist came to the fore during the repeated invasions of the holy city of Srirangam by the forces of the Delhi Sultanate in 1327.
On the occasion of the 750th anniversary of Vedanta Desika, Indian postal department unveiled a stamp to commemorate the great philosopher's life and highly valued works.

Sri Vaishnava philosophy

Sri Vaishnava philosophy was initially propounded by that Saint Ramanuja and got a much wider audience with Vedanta Desikann’s writings and preaching.
One of the essential features of this philosophy was the aspect of inclusion.
Anyone, irrespective of caste and creed could join the Sri Vaishnava fold.
This is a truly democratizing movement that obliterated caste distinctions.

PM-STIAC

Prime Minister’s Science Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) is an overarching body for assessment, creation and implementation of major scientific, technology and innovation interventions for India.
Principal Scientific Advisor’s Office will oversee the implementation of such interventions by concerned S&T Departments and Agencies and other government Ministries.

Recently PM-STIAC has approved to set up Centre of Excellence for Waste to Wealth Technologies in New Delhi.
The centre will implement sustainable, scientific and technological solutions for waste management, through validation and deployment of available technologies for transformation of waste to wealth.

Source: PIB, the Hindu, Business Line