1. IRDAI approves Narayana Health Insurance Limited:
- Narayana Health Insurance Limited, a subsidiary of Narayana Hrudayalaya Limited in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has obtained approval from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to operate independently as a health insurance company.
More on the Topic:
- The IRDAI granted a Certificate of Registration to Narayana Health Insurance Limited during its 124th meeting on December 28, 2023, allowing the company to conduct health insurance business in India. This marks the addition of a new Standalone Health Insurance Company (SAHI), bringing the total to six.
- The approval is the fifth granted by IRDAI in the calendar year 2023 for any line of insurance business.
- The license for Narayana Health Insurance Limited will be subject to annual renewal according to IRDAI (Registration of Indian Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2000.
- Narayana Health operates a network of 38 multi-specialty and super-specialty hospitals, heart centers, and primary care facilities across India, including an international hospital in the Cayman Islands.
- The healthcare group has received global recognition as the first in India and the sixth globally to secure an Enterprise Accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), covering eight individual hospitals within the Narayana Health group.
- Narayana Health was founded by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty in 2000, with headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
Establishment: Formed under the IRDA Act of 1999, IRDAI is an independent statutory body.
Supervision Role: It serves as the apex regulatory authority overseeing India’s insurance sector.
Objective: IRDAI aims to safeguard policyholders’ interests, promote industry growth, and ensure regulatory order.
Ministry: Under the Ministry of Finance, it operates independently.
Headquarters: Situated in Hyderabad.
Composition: Comprising a Chairman, five full-time members, and four part-time members, all appointed by the Government of India.
Functions: Registration and fair regulation of insurance companies, protection of policy holder`s.
2. New Butterfly Species in Western Ghats
Researchers from NCBS, Bengaluru, Karnataka, unveil the Cigaritis conjuncta, or Conjoined Silverline butterfly, in Bramhagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Kodagu district.
More on the topic:
- Named for the “conjoined” bands on its wings, a distinctive characteristic.
- It was published in ‘Zootaxa,’ an international journal on January 10, 2023.
- Cigaritis Conjuncta:
- Classification: Belongs to the butterfly family ‘Lycaenidae’ within the order Lepidoptera.
- Appearance:
- Males: Shiny blue wings with black edges.
- Females:Dark brown wings with orange-red patches.
- Both exhibit pale yellow coloring, silver lines, and conjoined bands.
- Habitat: Thrives in mid-elevation evergreen forests, actively seen on sunny days.
- The initial sighting of the butterflies occurred in the vicinity of Iruppu Falls within the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Kodagu in 2008. The species underwent a comprehensive study following the substantial observation of a significant population in Honey Valley, Kodagu, in 2021.
3. Karnataka HC on relocation of Medical College students
The Karnataka High Court has instructed the state government to relocate more than 250 students from G R Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre in Mangalore to other medical colleges due to the college’s de-recognition in its second year.
More on the topic:
- The court rejected the college’s claim that the National Medical Commission’s inspection during the Onam festival in 2022 was invalid, emphasizing that Onam is not a state holiday in Karnataka.
- The NMC had cited deficiencies in teaching staff, resident doctors, OPD attendance, and bed occupancy, leading to the rejection of permission renewal for the academic year 2022-23. The college’s exclusion from the list of colleges for admissions further complicated the situation.
National Medical Commission (NMC)
- Established through the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the National Medical Commission (NMC) is a parliamentary act.
- Serving as the premier regulator of medical education and practice in India, the NMC is dedicated to maintaining the utmost standards in healthcare education.
- With a commitment to ensuring the provision of high-quality medical education and training nationwide, the NMC plays a pivotal role in upholding excellence.
The NMC, India, has achieved the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Status for a period of 10 years, signifying the highest standards in medical education and accreditation.
4. DPIIT Ranks Karnataka as Best Performer in Startup Ecosystem Development
Karnataka, Gujarat, and Kerala have been recognized as the best performing states in developing startup ecosystems, according to the ranking by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
More on the topic:
- Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh are also acknowledged as best performers in nurturing startup environments.
- Maharashtra, Odisha, and Telangana are among the top-performing states and Union Territories (UTs) in the DPIIT’s startup ranking for 2022.
- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal released the rankings, which categorized 33 states and UTs under five groups: best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems.
- The rankings are based on the initiatives taken by each region to foster the startup ecosystem and support emerging entrepreneurs.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a government division operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- DPIIT is tasked with formulating and executing promotional and developmental measures to facilitate the expansion of the industrial sector in the country.
- While specific ministries handle various aspects of production, distribution, development, and planning in different sectors, DPIIT oversees the overall industrial strategy.
On January 27, 2019, the department underwent a name change from “Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion” to “Department of Industrial Policy & Information Technology.
Prelims Bites:
Soliga Tribe's Traditional Honey Collection
The Soliga tribe, residing in Karnataka’s Cauvery Basin, employs ancient honey collection methods using vines and bamboo ropes.
More on the topic:
- The honey collection techniques have been passed down through generations, showcasing the tribe’s commitment to ancient practices in the region.
- Yeravas in the Western Ghats: Another tribe, the Yeravas, residing in the Western Ghats, also relies on traditional honey collection methods. Both tribes have a history of thousands of years in the region.
- Significance of Honey in Diet: Honey collected from the Western Ghats holds significant importance in the diets of both tribes, contributing to their sustenance.
- “Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles”: The book “Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles” explores the reliance of these tribes on foraged foods, emphasizing the need to preserve traditional foraging knowledge.
- Community Bonds and Survival: Foraging practices not only ensure the survival of these tribes but also play a crucial role in strengthening community bonds. This fosters unity and coexistence among the tribes.
Passing on Essential Skills: Foraging practices serve as a means of passing on essential skills to the younger generation within the tribes, preserving their cultural and traditional knowledge.
Vadnagar, Gujarat
A collaborative study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) focused on Vadnagar, Gujarat.
More On the topic:
- Evidence of Cultural Continuity: The study uncovered substantial evidence challenging the prevailing notion of a “Dark Age” following the collapse of the Harappan civilization.
- Vadnagar in Gujarat: The research specifically centered on Vadnagar, Gujarat, and revealed signs of cultural continuity in the region despite the decline of the Harappan civilization.
- Challenge to Prevailing Notion: By providing evidence of ongoing cultural practices in Vadnagar, the study challenges the idea of a significant gap or decline in cultural activities during the post-Harappan period.
Significance of the Study: This research contributes to a reevaluation of historical narratives, suggesting that cultural practices persisted in certain regions even after the collapse of the Harappan civilization.
