07.04.25 Daily [Telangana] TSPSC Current Affairs

World Health Day Observed Annually: Celebrated every April 7th to raise global awareness about critical health issues.

Marks WHO’s Founding: Commemorates the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) on April 7, 1948. Celebrations began in 1950.

Focus on a Specific Theme: Each year highlights a particular health topic to encourage collective action from governments, organizations, and individuals.

2025 Theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”: A year-long campaign dedicated to maternal and newborn health.

Maternal and Newborn Health Focus: Aims to reduce preventable deaths and improve the long-term health and well-being of women and newborns through intensified governmental and healthcare initiatives.

Priority on Health: Reflects growing global awareness of diseases, mental health, and preventive care, amplified by the pandemic.

WHO’s Role: Highlights WHO’s function as a UN agency focused on global public health, operating independently to address health challenges.

Past Themes: Earlier focus areas included “My Health, My Right” (2024), “Health for All” (2023), “Our Planet, Our Health” (2022), “Health Equity” (2021), and “Support nurses and midwives” (2020).

Significance: Mobilizes support for global health challenges and promotes awareness through events and education.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction: A recent international study (SOUL trial) demonstrated that oral semaglutide reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 14% in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Semaglutide Mechanism: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) that mimics a natural hormone to regulate blood sugar and appetite.

Semaglutide Uses: It is used to treat type 2 diabetes and aid weight loss in overweight or obese individuals, alongside diet and exercise.

Forms of Semaglutide: Available in injectable and oral tablet forms (Rybelsus).

SOUL Trial Details: The SOUL trial was a phase three, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study involving 9,650 participants worldwide, including 788 in India.

India’s Diabetes and Obesity Crisis: India has over 100 million people living with diabetes, with nearly 23% of women and 22.1% of men being overweight.

Expert Opinion: Oral semaglutide enhances existing care standards for managing both type 2 diabetes and CVD.

Combination Therapy: Combining oral semaglutide with SGLT2i treatments is safe and can provide a more comprehensive approach to managing type 2 diabetes.

Developed by: Novo Nordisk

First Photographic Evidence: The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department (HPFD) captured the first-ever photographic evidence of the Woolly Flying Squirrel in Miyar Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district. This is significant because it confirms the species’ presence in the area.

Rare and Elusive Species: The Woolly Flying Squirrel, also known as the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel, is one of the rarest and least known mammals in Asia. This sighting highlights the importance of conservation efforts for such elusive creatures.

Endemic to Northwestern Himalayas: The squirrel is endemic to the northwestern Himalayas. The photographic evidence reinforces the understanding of its limited geographic range.

Rediscovery After Presumed Extinction: Believed to be extinct for nearly 70 years, it was rediscovered in 1994. This makes any sighting particularly noteworthy for conservation and research purposes.

Endangered Status: Classified as ‘Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List. This emphasizes the urgent need for conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat.

Habitat: Lives in a fragmented habitat within a limited area of dry conifer woodland. The photographic evidence can aid in studying and protecting its specific habitat requirements.

Unique Features: Characterized by elastic membranes for gliding, a dense coat of silky hairs, and distinct coloration. These features contribute to the squirrel’s unique identity and are important for identification.

Growing Role: Global South emerging as credible peacemaker, exemplified by Riyadh-brokered truces and potential UN-backed missions offering neutral alternatives.

Neutral Mediator: Global South’s non-alignment allows engagement with conflicting parties, like India’s stance on Russia-Ukraine.

Peacekeeping Contributor: Significant troop contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, fostering stability in conflict zones (e.g., India in Congo).

Diplomatic Convenor: Platforms like BRICS provide forums for dialogue and de-escalation, independent of Western influence.

Moral Voice: Shared colonial history lends legitimacy to advocate for sovereignty, equity, and non-intervention.

Inclusive Peacebuilding: Promotion of gender-balanced initiatives contributes to sustainable peace, demonstrated by India’s all-women police unit in Liberia.

Fragile Ceasefires: Success depends on pre-existing and enforceable ceasefires.

Boundary Ambiguity: Contested borders hinder deployment and risk renewed conflict.

UN Mandate Dependence: Requires UN Security Council backing for legitimacy, challenging due to polarization.

Western Assistance: Reliance on Western logistics and finance complicates claims of independence.

Capacity Constraints: Coordination, training, funding, and rapid deployment remain challenges.

Opportunity for India: Ukraine conflict presents a chance for India to demonstrate leadership, translate neutrality into action.

European Challenges: European-led peacekeeping faces Russian opposition and public resistance.

Global South Credibility: Neutrality allows for trust from both sides, injecting fairness.

UGC Notifies Foreign Qualification Equivalence Regulations 2025: Aims to provide a transparent, structured, and standardised process for recognizing foreign academic qualifications. Finalized after public feedback on the 2023 draft.

Alignment with NEP 2020: Supports the internationalisation of Indian higher education and integration of international/returning Indian students.

UGC to Issue Equivalence Certificates: The UGC will now issue certificates for foreign qualifications, replacing the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Equivalence Certificate Definition: Official document certifying a foreign qualification’s equivalence to an Indian qualification.

Scope of Regulations: Valid for academic institutions under UGC for higher education, research, and employment (where UGC-recognized qualifications are essential). Excludes medicine, pharmacy, nursing, law, architecture, etc., which are regulated by respective statutory councils. Applies to online/distance learning.

Conditions for Equivalence: Foreign institution must be recognised in its home country; entry requirements must be similar to Indian programs; student must meet foreign institution standards.

Process: Online portal for applications, reviewed by expert committee, decision communicated within 15 days. Appeals process available.

Why the Change: To formalise and streamline the qualification recognition process, enhance transparency, and align with global best practices.

UGC’s Role: Statutory body under the Ministry of Education, responsible for coordinating, determining, and maintaining standards of higher education in India. Allocates grants to recognized universities and colleges.

Impact: Structured procedure for evaluating foreign credentials to seamlessly integrate into India’s higher education system or workforce.

Rediscovery: Long-snouted Vine Snake (Ahaetulla longirostris) rediscovered in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh.

First in UP: This marks the first documented sighting of the species in Uttar Pradesh.

Second in India: Only the second recorded instance of the snake in India. The first instance was in Bihar and Odisha.

Location of Discovery: Palia Kheri division during a rhino release operation. The snake emerged from a termite mound.

Identification: Identified by field biologist Vipin Kapoor Sainy and a team of researchers.

Previous Range: Commonly found in Southeast Asia.

Significance: Highlights Dudhwa Tiger Reserve’s ecological richness and the importance of habitat conservation and sustained research. Even termite mounds play a crucial role.

Species Info: Belongs to the Colubridae family (mostly non-venomous). Bright green or brown, slender body with a long snout. Arboreal and mildly venomous (not dangerous to humans).

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve: Located on the Indo-Nepal border. Includes Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. Lies within the Tarai-Bhabar zone of the Upper Gangetic Plains.

Officials’ Remarks: Authorities hailed the discovery as a testament to the reserve’s ecological richness and wildlife conservation.