Country Programme Advisory Committee

• Country Programme Advisory Committee aims to coordinate and review the progress on initiatives under Country Strategic Plan.
• Secretary to the department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is the chairman of the committee.
• The committee meets at least annually and Joint Secretaries of concerned Ministries and NITI Aayog are its members.
• The CSP 2023-27 focuses on four strategic outcomes:
  • Improving national food-based social protection systems.
  • Increasing consumption of diverse, nutritious, and fortified foods.
  • Enhancing social and financial mobility of women.
  • Strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods and food systems.
• It will continue to address national priorities in food and nutrition security through capacity strengthening for stakeholders and technical support for the strengthening of national social protection programmes and government schemes.
• United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP):
• United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies.
• As the world’s largest humanitarian organization, WFP uses food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability and prosperity.
• WFP is present in over 120 countries and territories.
• WFP is a first responder to emergencies caused by conflict, climate shocks, pandemics and other disasters.
• They provide food, cash and other assistance to millions of people left in urgent need and at risk of going hungry.
• There's a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DA&FW and UN WFP to address food security and nutrition priorities in India.

Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

The Bihar government has recently authorised the killing of Nilgai (blue bulls) and wild boars with the assistance of 13 professional shooters to address crop damage caused by these animals.

• Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) evolved in penninsular India during the Tertiary geological period, where they are also currently found.
• Nilgai antelopes live in dry areas with a variety of land types.
• They range from grassy, steppe woodlands, to hillsides. In India, they occur in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains southward to Mysore.
• Nilgai antelope are among the largest of the Asian antelopes.
• The nilgai is only moderately gregarious.
• As per the existing provisions of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, the 'mukhiya' has been appointed as the nodal authority to identify and allow the killing of Nilgai (blue bulls) and wild boars.
• Local mukhiya (village heads) can authorise the killing of blue bulls and wild boars by hired shooters. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Besides causing crop damage, encounters with Nilgai also lead to road accidents, resulting in human casualties and loss of property.

Rabies

A recent case in Kerala, India highlights the ongoing threat Rabies remains a significant public health challenge with a nearly 100% fatality rate once symptoms develop.

• Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic, viral disease affecting the central nervous system.
• It can affect both domestic and wild animals.
• It is present on all continents except Antarctica, with over 95% of human deaths occurring in Asia and Africa.
• Rabies is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) that predominantly affects already marginalized, poor and vulnerable populations.
• Bhutan becomes first country to sterilise all stray dogs after 14-year-long project.
• Symptoms – The incubation period is typically 2–3 months.
• Initial symptoms of rabies include generic signs like fever, pain and unusual or unexplained tingling, pricking, or burning sensations at the wound site.
• Transmission – People are usually infected following a deep bite or scratch from an animal with rabies, which is, in 99% of the cases, a dog.
• Transmission can also occur if saliva of infected animals comes into direct contact with mucosa (e.g. eyes or mouth) or fresh skin wounds.
• Prevention – Vaccinating dogs, including puppies, is the most cost-effective strategy for preventing rabies in people because it stops the transmission at its source.
• There are 2 forms of rabies that includes:
  1. Furious rabies
  2. Paralytic rabies
• Furious rabies results in hyperactivity, excitable behaviour, hallucinations, lack of coordination, hydrophobia (fear of water) and aerophobia (fear of drafts or of fresh air).
• Death occurs after a few days due to cardio-respiratory arrest.
• Paralytic rabies accounts for about 20% of the total number of human cases and runs a less dramatic and usually longer course than the furious form.
• Rabies is included in WHO’s 2021–2030 Roadmap for the global control of neglected tropical diseases, which sets regional, progressive targets for the elimination of targeted diseases.
• Bhutan is first country to sterilise all stray dogs after 14-year-long project.
• World Rabies Day is observed on September 28th to commemorate the death of Louis Pasteur.
• Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine in the 1880s and successful treatment of Joseph Meister in 1885 marked a turning point led to the establishment of the Pasteur Institute in 1888.
• Modern Prevention and Treatment – Use of rabies immunoglobulin (Rabies Ig) and vaccines for post-exposure prophylaxis Different treatment protocols for various exposure categories.
• Rabies Ig is specifically used for category 3 bites, which involve severe exposure such as transdermal bites or scratches and provides immediate protection by supplying ready-made antibodies
• One Health Approach – Emphasizes collaboration among veterinary, medical, and environmental sectors Local bodies play a crucial role in animal control efforts
• Future Goals – Aim for zero rabies deaths by 2030 Need for robust surveillance mechanisms and coordination among various government sectors.

World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA)

The Department of Communications (DoT) has recently launched Outreach to Students and Academia for WTSA2024.

• World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) serves as the governing conference of the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Standardisation Sector (ITU-T).
• The WTSA is a quadrennial event. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The WTSA 2024 is being held for the first time in ITU’s history of 150 yrs in India from 14th-24th October 2024.
• It will be attended by world leader and experts of Telecom field from 190+ countries.
• WTSA-2024 is an opportunity for India to influence the global telecom agenda as we prepare for advancements like 6G and beyond.
• This event plays a pivotal role in setting global telecommunication standards, making India’s hosting of the WTSA a significant milestone.
• International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – Is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs).
• The Organization is made up of a membership of 194 ?Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with regional offices on every continent.
• ITU is the oldest agency in the UN family connecting the world since the dawn of the telegraph in 1865.?

G-4 Countries

• The Group of Four (G4) countries are:
  • India
  • Brazil
  • Germany
  • Japan
• G4 are seeking permanent membership and reform of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
• Other plurilateral groupings, such as the L69 and C-10 also echoed these calls.
• The G4 Ministers reiterated the need for an increase in both permanent and non-permanent categories of UNSC membership, to enhance the participation of developing countries.
• The group highlighted the need for better representation for regions such as Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean in permanent and non-permanent categories.
• L69 group – It was formed in 2007 to “achieve comprehensive reform of the Security Council and, ultimately, strengthen multilateralism”.
• The grouping include countries from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific (Small Island Developing States).
• African Union’s Committee of 10 (C-10) – It was created during a meeting of Ministers and Governors in Tunis in November 2008.
• The members of the C-10 are:
  • Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria,
  • South Africa, Tanzania, the Central Bank of West African States (CBWAS) and the Central Bank of Central African States (CBCAS).