Current affairs 18 August 2023

Maharashtra scored top position in fiscal health report.

• Based on the FY23 revised budget estimates Maharashtra secured the top position as the best state in overall fiscal health in a report conducted by a foreign brokerage firm.
• Chhattisgarh, one of the poorest states in the country, is in 2nd position followed by Telangana, while the bottom 3 are Bengal, Punjab, and Kerala.
• The report, penned by Kaushik Das, chief economist at the Deutsche Bank, was conducted to survey the fiscal health of 17 major states across the country.

ADB approves USD 40.5 mln loan for childhood development in Meghalaya.

• The Asian Development Bank has approved a USD 40.5 million loan for integrated early childhood development and maternal mental health in Meghalaya.
• The Meghalaya government is contributing USD 15.27 million to the project.
• Aims: To improve access to nurturing care, including a component of maternal mental health care to enable the inclusion of fathers in caregiving. Objective: To strengthen home-based childcare and center-based childcare through daycare centers.

Indian wrestler Mohit Kumar becomes Under 20 World Champion 2023.

• Indian wrestler Mohit Kumar has become the Under 20 World Championship 2023 in the men’s 61 Kg Freestyle category by defeating Russia's Eldar Akhmadudinovin in Jordan.
• He is the fourth male wrestler from India to earn a gold medal in the U20 World Championships, following Palwinder Cheema in 2001, Ramesh Kumar in 2001.
• Jaideep won the bronze in the 74kg category.
• Sagar Jaglan won the silver medal 79 kg category while Deepak Chahal won the bronze medal in 97 kg category.

WHO to organize first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine.

• The Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization would organize a first-of-its-kind global summit on Traditional Medicine (GCTM) from the 17th of August 2023 in Gandhi Nagar.
• The WHO GCTM is a knowledge center for traditional medicine.
• The summit will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all.

Goa govt launches "Gramin Mitra" scheme to promote digital empowerment.

• Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the flagship scheme Gramin Mitra in August 2023.
• Objective: To provide doorstep delivery of government services across the state and promote digital empowerment in rural areas.
• Aims: To empower rural communities with access to information and opportunities that can transform their lives and drive socio-economic growth.
• The program will help us accelerate the delivery of e-governance services to rural areas across the state.