Kerala Affairs
Sex change surgeries on rise in Kerala, reveals data
More sex reassignmentsurgeries(SRS) in the state are performed for male-to-female transition than for female-to-male transition, according to data from the social department on the number oftransgenderpeople who received financial assistance after the surgeries. The data also show that the number of such surgeries has been rising over the years.
While only 19 transgender people, including 11 trans Women, received the assistance in 2018-19, the number of beneficiaries rose to 83, including 41 trans women, in 2021-22 so far. Of the total of 191 transgender people who received the assistance from 2018, 127 are trans women and 64, trans men.
The department gives a reimbursement of Rs 2.5 lakh for trans women and Rs 5 lakh for trans men after the surgery. Those in the transgender community said the number of people going for female-to-male transition is fewer due to the surgical complexities involved and fear of rejection from family and abuse on the streets.
National and International Affairs
Indian To Join Phase II Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar
India is set to join the second Phase of the Multilateral Maritime Exercise with Japan, Australia and the United States.
Highlights:
The Quadrilateral exercise begins on 12 October in the Bay Of Bengal and ends on 15 October.
The exercise will build synergic coordination between the nations and enhance interoperability.
The Exercise focuses on advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, seamanship evolutions, and weapon firings.
What started as an annual bilateral naval exercise between India and the US in 1992, Malabar comprises a series of exercises with increasing scope and complexity over the years.
Coal Crisis in India
The thermal Plants in India face a shortage of coal stocks which might lead to a power crisis.
Highlights
There are 135 thermal power plants used to generate power using coal. One hundred six of them have a minimal to a critical number of stocks which might last for 6 to 7 days.
Three in Punjab, Thirteen in Mumbai and four in Kerala are shut down due to coal shortage.
The Coal Ministry and Union Power Minister have assured that low inventory doesnt mean power generation would stop because coal stock is continuously replenished.
PM Gati Shakthi’ Masterplan Launched By PM
Prime Minister Modi On 13 October will launch the ‘Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakthi’ Masterplan.
Highlights:
Gati Shakti scheme was announced by PM Modi on Independence Day, 2021.
This Masterplan will bring together 16 Ministries and seven core sectors on a single platform to Combine project planning across stakeholder ministries for avoiding duplication, plug gaps and facilitate clearances at the right time.
Gati Shakti Platform
Gati Shakti platform was launched to provide data immediately. It will provide for greater coordination between ministries.
India-Croatia to research In Traditional Medicine Systems
India and Croatia signed an MoU to research and developed Indian traditional medicine systems and promote Ayurveda in Europe.
Highlights:
The Croatian government is aiming to package Ayurveda and from India, alongside its tourism.
One of the goals of MoU is to connect European members for a more extensive offer of Health and tourism products.
The Ministry of Ayush has signed an agreement with the Croatia Heal Ministry for educational collaboration within the Indian traditional medicine system to implement the plan.
MoU was signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and Croatias Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster.
Under the agreement, both the countries would commence academic activities in Ayurveda in correlation with the identified institutions.
Right To Clean Environment Recognized By UN
In a Unanimous vote, United Nations Human Rights Council declared a clean, healthy & sustainable Environment as a universal right On 8 October.
Highlights:
The right would be first recognized 70 years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948 by the UN General Assembly.
The Right was first started in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration.
The resolution was followed by a campaign led by 13000 civil Society organizations & indigenous peoples groups, 90,000 children, private sector stakeholders and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
UN resolution
This resolution highlights the Rights to life, and security of human rights defenders working in environmental matters. They are referred to as environmental human rights defenders.
The resolution also called on nations to expand their facilities to improve the environment.
The right was passed by 43-0. Four member states, i.e. India, China, Japan and Russia, were refused.