BackNews In Numbers | 300 million children live in areas with high outdoor air pollution
In other news, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana topple Gujarat from its top position in Ease of Doing Business ranking, says the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
Premium
3
What is it? The number of Jammu and Kashmir schools that were set on fire in a span of 24 hours.
Why is it important? The Kashmir Valley has been shut down (including schools) since 8 July when militant Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter by the Indian security forces. Over 20 schools have been burnt in the last two months - at least one school has been burnt in each of the 10 districts in Kashmir. Education has suffered a setback in the Valley due to the unrest and the efforts to reopen schools have failed with the government and separatist groups blaming each other for playing politics over education.
Tell me more: Over 12 lakh students have been unable to go to schools for over four months, according to some officials.
200
What is it? The number of foreign fighter jets India is reportedly offering to buy if they are made within the country and with a local partner.
Why is it important? This is an effort to give a push to the Indian government’s ‘Make in India’ programme that is aimed at transforming the country into a global design and manufacturing hub. This comes after India signed a deal with France’s Dassault to buy 36 high-end planes (as against 126 as envisaged earlier). The country has 32 squadrons (each consisting of anywhere between 18-21 aircraft), which is less than the 42 it needs to protect its borders against China and Pakistan.
Tell me more: The number of jets India may look to procure could increase to 300, which could be worth between $13-15 billion—potentially one of the biggest military aircraft deals.
3
What is it? The number of senior group executives at Tata Sons who have reportedly resigned.
Why is it important? Indicates that the boardroom battle at India’s largest and among its oldest business conglomerates is not likely to end anytime soon. Last week saw the sudden ouster of former chairman of Tata Sons Cyrus Mistry at a boardroom meeting, followed by the leak of a letter written by Mistry to the board of Tata Sons that listed a number of allegations against the group, which the group has refuted. The issue, which has taken many by surprise, raises many questions including the reason behind Mistry’s ouster, ethical questions about group’s joint ventures with Air Asia and Singapore Airlines and the accounting practices at Tata Motors Finance.
Tell me more: These three senior group executives were members of an executive council set up by Mistry in April 2013 to provide operational and strategic support to him. They are N.S. Rajan group HR head; Madhu Kannan, group business development and public affairs head; and group strategy executive Nirmalya Kumar.
98.78
What is it? The score of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in Ease of Doing Business states rankings, done by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP)
Why is it important? The two southern states have displaced Gujarat from its top position. There has been an intense competition among different states to get better rankings not only because it could help the ruling parties politically but might also help in attracting new investments. The competition has been especially intense between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, since the bifurcation in 2014.
Tell me more: Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana are the other states among the top five in 2016 rankings, expected to be formally announced shortly. DIPP’s is not the only ranking of Indian states. Asian Competitiveness Institute released its own rankings in September, with Maharashtra getting the top slot.
300 million
What is it? The number of children living in areas with high outdoor air pollution, at least six times the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Why is it important? That is one in seven children worldwide, and nearly three-fourth of them live in South Asia. While pollution is bad for all human beings, children’s bodies are the most vulnerable. In 2012, 127,000 children aged under five were estimated to have been killed by outdoor air pollution, usually caused by burning of fossil fuels and waste, as well as by dust.
Tell me more: Indoor air pollution have caused deaths to even more people, killing 531,000 children aged under five in 2012, according WHO estimates. In all, air pollution killed 7 million people that year, WHO said.
howindialives.com is a search engine for public data
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
