Today's Brief 7-12/06/2024

1. UNESCO State Of Ocean Report 2024:  launched in June 2024, paints a picture of a global ocean under stress.

Here are some key points:

• Ocean Warming: The rate of warming has doubled in the last 20 years, with hotspots exceeding 2°C in certain regions.

• Sea Level Rise: Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, with ocean heat absorption being a major contributor.

• Declining Oxygen Levels: The ocean has lost 2% of its oxygen since the 1960s, impacting marine life, particularly in coastal areas.

• Ocean Acidification:  The ocean is absorbing a quarter of all fossil fuel emissions, which increases acidity and disrupts marine ecosystems

• Plastic: it has been estimatedthat there are over 170 trillion plastic particles floating inthe ocean, based on data from 11,777 stations, weighingbetween 1.1 and 4.9 million tonnes

The report emphasizes the need for improved data collection and research on these critical issues. It highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring systems and longer-term data sets to understand these trends and inform effective conservation efforts.

2.Tele-MANAS:  Making Mental Healthcare Accessible in India

Tele-MANAS, launched in October 2022, stands for Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States. It's a crucial initiative by India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to bridge the gap in mental healthcare access. 

Focus on Accessibility:

• 24/7 Toll-Free Helpline: You can reach out for help anytime by dialing 14416 or 1-800-891-4416. No need to worry about inconvenient timings.

• Multilingual Support: The service caters to diverse populations by offering consultations in over 20 languages. Choose your preferred language during the call.

• Prioritizing Underserved Areas: Tele-MANAS specifically targets those in remote locations or areas lacking mental health professionals. Distance won't be a barrier to seeking help.

Structure and Support:

• Two-Tier System: Tele-MANAS operates in a tiered structure:

• Tier 1: Comprises state-level Tele-MANAS cells staffed by trained counselors. They provide initial consultations, basic support, and referrals if needed.

• Tier 2: Connects callers requiring specialized care with mental health specialists like psychiatrists, psychologists, or psychiatric nurses. This tier leverages existing resources at District Mental Health Programs (DMHP) or Medical Colleges.

Seeking Help Through Tele-MANAS:

• Initial Call: Dial the helpline number and choose your preferred language. An Interactive Voice Response (IVRS) system might guide you initially.

• Counselor Consultation: A trained counselor will assess your concerns and offer initial support. This may involve basic counseling techniques, psychoeducation, or self-management strategies.

• Referral to Specialist: If deemed necessary, the counselor can refer you to a Tier 2 specialist for further evaluation and treatment. This might involve an audio-visual consultation through e-Sanjeevani or an in-person visit if needed.

Benefits of Tele-MANAS:

• Reduced Stigma: Tele-consulting can be more comfortable for some, promoting access to mental healthcare without the social stigma associated with traditional in-person settings.

• Early Intervention: Easier access to mental health professionals can lead to earlier identification and treatment of mental health concerns.

• Continuity of Care: Tele-MANAS facilitates follow-up consultations through phone or video calls, ensuring ongoing support and treatment adherence.

Overall, Tele-MANAS is a significant step towards making mental healthcare services readily available and accessible across India. If you're struggling with your mental well-being, Tele-MANAS can be your first point of contact for professional help and guidance.

3. Travel and Tourism Development Index In the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the top 10 economies are the United States, Spain, Japan, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Italy, and Switzerland. These nations excel due to favorable business conditions, strong transport and tourism infrastructure, and abundant natural and cultural resources.

Regional Performance and Global Recovery

West Asia has outpaced other regions with tourist arrivals surpassing 2019 levels by 20%, while Europe, Africa, and the Americas have rebounded to about 90% of their pre-pandemic figures. Historically, the travel and tourism sector contributed 10% of global GDP, and it's on a recovery path post-pandemic. International tourist arrivals are projected to reach 88% of 2019 levels in 2023, with expectations to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2024. However, recovery remains uneven, particularly in areas affected by conflicts and natural disasters such as forest fires.

Environmental Challenges

The travel and tourism sector faces significant threats from environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate-related extreme weather events, and pollution. In 2019, the sector accounted for 5.8% of global water use and 5-8% of global material extraction, highlighting the need for more sustainable practices.

India-Specific Findings

India's ranking dropped ten places to 39th in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index compared to 2019. With a score of 4.25 on a scale of 1 to 7, India lagged behind emerging-market peers such as China and Brazil. Among the world's top 10 economies, India saw the steepest decline in ranking, followed by the UK, which fell three places to seventh.

Despite high scores for price competitiveness and the availability of cultural and natural resources, India’s decline was attributed to inadequate healthcare access, poor tourism infrastructure, and a lack of skilled workers in the sector.

Challenges and Funding Issues

The 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index highlights issues such as poorly skilled human resources and inadequate hygiene, which hinder sector growth. Before the pandemic, India welcomed approximately 10.93 million international tourists in FY20. Government funding for overseas tourism promotion has consistently decreased, from ₹524 crore in 2021-22 to ₹341 crore in FY23, and further to ₹167 crore for FY24. Conversely, funding for developing pilgrimage destinations has significantly increased, rising by 66% from ₹150 crore in FY23 to ₹250 crore in FY24. There has been a notable decline in spending on promoting India abroad, with no current advertising or familiarization trips for tour operators and media. The allocation for overseas tourism promotion this fiscal year is just ₹3 crore. Additionally, in 2022, India closed all 20 of its tourism offices abroad, transferring responsibilities to local Indian embassies.

Suggestions for Improvement

To enhance its travel and tourism potential, India needs to revamp tourism policies, improve infrastructure, policy conditions, and sustainability. Embassies should prioritize tourism, and the Ministry of Tourism should focus on marketing India effectively.

Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)

To boost service exports, SEIS offers rewards (duty credit scrips) to service exporters. These scrips are transferable and can be used to pay certain central duties and taxes.

Streamlining regulations and incentivizing investment in the tourism sector can make India more attractive as a destination, as it currently lags in tourism policies, air transport, and service infrastructure. Enhancements to the SEIS could help small and medium companies in the travel industry expand through financial rewards based on net foreign exchange earnings. Encouraging private sector investment in promoting India through schemes like SEIS is also crucial.

4. Pooja Tomar is a pioneer in Indian mixed martial arts (MMA), making history as the first Indian woman to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Born in Budhana village, Uttar Pradesh, India (1993)

5. Aditya L1 satellite:  is India's first dedicated mission to study the Sun, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The mission aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun's outermost layers, providing valuable data that can help forecast space weather and its impact on Earth's environment.

Mission Objectives

1. Solar Corona Study: Aditya L1 will focus on studying the solar corona, the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, which is crucial for understanding solar wind and space weather phenomena.

2. Chromosphere and Photosphere Analysis: The mission will also investigate the lower layers of the Sun's atmosphere, including the chromosphere and photosphere.

3. Magnetic Field Studies: The satellite aims to map the magnetic field lines that extend from the Sun’s surface to its outer atmosphere, providing insights into solar magnetic storms.

4. Space Weather Forecasting: By studying solar activities such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), Aditya L1 will help improve space weather forecasting, which is vital for the protection of satellites and communication networks on Earth.

Key Instruments

1. Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC): This instrument will observe the corona and study the diagnostics of coronal and coronal loops plasma.

2. Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): SUIT will capture images of the solar photosphere and chromosphere in the ultraviolet spectrum.

3. Aditya Solar wind Particle EXperiment (ASPEX): ASPEX will measure the properties of solar wind particles.

4. Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA): PAPA will study the composition of solar wind and energetic particles.

5. High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS): HEL1OS will observe the dynamic events on the Sun like solar flares.

6. Magnetometer: This instrument will measure the interplanetary magnetic field at the Lagrangian point L1.

Lagrange Point L1

Aditya L1 will be positioned at the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This position is ideal for continuous observation of the Sun without any occultation or eclipses. The L1 point offers a stable vantage point to monitor the solar activities in real time.

Significance of the Mission

1. Scientific Advancements: Aditya L1 is expected to contribute significantly to the field of heliophysics by providing continuous data on solar activities.

2. Space Weather Prediction: Enhanced understanding of solar phenomena will improve the accuracy of space weather predictions, protecting technological assets like satellites and communication systems.

3. Technological Development: The mission demonstrates ISRO's growing capabilities in space research and technology, positioning India as a significant player in space science.

Conclusion

Aditya L1 marks a milestone in India’s space exploration efforts, with its dedicated focus on studying the Sun. The insights gained from this mission will not only advance our scientific knowledge but also have practical applications in safeguarding Earth's technological infrastructure from space weather impacts.

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