In a unique twist of events, a woman in the United States delivered two sets of identical twins within a six-month period. These twins, referred scientifically as ‘MoMo’ or monoamniotic-monochorionic twins, are extremely rare and account for less than 1% of all U.S births. In MoMo pregnancy, the twins share one placenta, amniotic sac, and fluid but possess distinct umbilical cords. The reality, however, is that these cords often tangle within a single sac, leading to a high rate of stillbirths. Notably, identical twins result from a single fertilized egg getting split, meaning they must be of the same gender due to having the exact DNA.
Annual Observance of World Wildlife Day
Every year on the 3rd of March, since 2013, World Wildlife Day is celebrated globally. This year’s theme, ‘Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation,’ aimed at expanding into marine life and oceans conservation in collaboration with businesses and driving funding towards conservation activities. The selected date aligns with the day the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973. Celebrating its fiftieth birthday this year, CITES aims to ensure that the trading in wild animals and plants specimens doesn’t jeopardize the survival of these species.
India’s Commitment to CITES
Comprising of 184 parties, including India, the CITES Secretariat is overseen by UNEP and based in Geneva, Switzerland. In India, the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau under the Union Ministery of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, specifically deals with combatting organized wildlife crime in the country.
The SMART-PDS Initiative
According to the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, SMART-PDS is critical to implement as soon as possible. This initiative revolves around issuing smart ration cards to public distribution system beneficiaries. Upon presenting these ration cards at fair price shops, any family member can acquire rations.
Strengthening India’s PDS
The Government of India has launched significant initiatives to fortify the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the country. These include the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) implemented from April 2020 to December 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ plan was also launched to support the migrant population and promote nutrition security in the country by incorporating millets into the PDS.
Porter Prize 2023 awarded to Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry
Recognizing the government’s strategy in managing COVID-19, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry received the Porter Prize 2023. The award highlighted the involvement of various stakeholders, notably the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), and applauded India’s contribution to developing and manufacturing vaccines, with a total of over 2.5 billion doses delivered.
The ASHA Programme
Launched in 2005-06 as part of the National Rural Health Mission, the ASHA programme expanded into urban settings with the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission in 2013. The primary objective of this programme is to empower community members to take responsibility for their health, effectively facilitating them to become partners in health services.