Girish Chandra Murmu, who serves as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), has been re-elected as the External Auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO) for another four-year term, effective from 2024 to 2027. The re-election took place at the 76th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva.
This is Murmu’s second significant international audit assignment this year; he was earlier selected as the External Auditor for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in March 2023. Notably, the CAG of India also holds the position of External Auditor for other international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The re-election of the CAG as the WHO External Auditor emphasizes India’s strong presence and influence in international audit and governance bodies. As an External Auditor of the WHO, his role encompasses conducting independent audits and offering assurance on the financial statements, compliance with regulations, effectiveness of operations, and risk management within the organization.
China’s Civilian Space Travel: First Civilian Astronaut Launched
In a significant achievement, China’s space program successfully launched the Shenzhou 16 spacecraft, carrying three astronauts using a Long March 2F rocket. This mission is noteworthy as it involves the country’s first-ever civilian astronaut scaling space.
China, aiming to narrow down its gap with the United States and Russia, has invested heavily in its space program, which is under military command. Gui Haichao, a payload expert from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the civilian astronaut in space, will be responsible for managing space science experimental payloads.
China plans to set up a lunar base and organize a lunar mission involving crew members by 2029, while the Tiangong space station will conduct scientific experiments and test new technologies.
Promotion of Unani Medicine: Major Financial Boost from Union Ministry of Minority Affairs
In a bid to support the research and development of Unani medicine, the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has allocated funds worth Rs 45.34 crore. The Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) will receive Rs 35.52 crore, and the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bengaluru, will benefit from an allocation of Rs 9.81 crore for enhancing Unani facilities in various cities including Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, Silchar, and Bengaluru.
These funds are disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, a centrally sponsored scheme that promotes the advancement and accessibility of Unani medicine to the public. Unani medicine, which enhances the body’s self-healing power, is one of India’s prevalent alternative treatment strategies, alongside Ayurveda and homeopathy.
Chilika Lake Records Increased Bird Migration Despite Soaring Temperatures
Chilika Lake in Odisha, deemed as Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, witnessed a higher influx of migratory birds this summer as against previous years, despite temperatures soaring between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius.
Areas within the Tangi range recorded the highest sightings of bird species, followed by other regions such as Balugaon, Satapada, Chilika, and Rambha. The grey-headed swamphen or purple swamphen emerged as the most frequently sighted species, followed by Asian Openbilled-stork, whiskered tern, little cormorant, and little egret.
Improved habitat conditions, availability of food, and deconstruction of prawn enclosures in the lake have contributed to the increased migration of birds. These migratory birds, primarily hailing from beyond the Himalayas in northern Eurasia, the Caspian region, Siberia, Kazakhstan, Lake Baikal, and remote areas of Russia and its neighbouring countries, visit Chilika every winter. Interestingly, some of these migratory birds chose to stay back even in the sweltering heat, instead of returning to their native places.
Last Modified: February 20, 2024