UPSC 2017-18: PIB Summary and Analysis Oct 28

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

• The RGM is a focused project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development, with an outlay of Rs 500 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan.
• During 2014-15 Rs 150.00 crores will be allocated for development, preservation and conservation of indigenous breeds.
• To undertake breed improvement Programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock.
• To enhance milk production and productivity of indigenous bovines.
• To upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi.
• To distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds for natural service.

Gokul Gram: 

• Under this component it is proposed to establish Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centers or Gokul Grams in the breeding tracts of indigenous breeds.
• Gokul Grams will be established in:
  • the native breeding tracts
  • Near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle.
• The Gokul Gram will be self-sustaining and will generate economic resources from sale of A2 milk, organic manure, vermi-composting, urine distillates, and production of electricity from bio gas for in house consumption and sale of animal products. The Gokul Gram will also function as state of the art in situ training centre for Farmers, Breeders and MAITRI’s.
• Each Gokul Gram will be set up by the EIA and function under the auspices of the SIA/ EIA or in a PPP mode.
• The Gokul Gram will maintain milch and unproductive animals in the ratio of 60:40 and will have the capacity to maintain about 1000 animals.
• Nutritional requirements of the animals will be provided in the Gokul Gram through in house fodder production.
• Disease free status of Gokul Gram will be maintained through regular screening of animals for important diseases like brucellosis, TB and JD.
• An inbuilt dispensary and AI centre will be an integral part of the Gokul Gram.

9th Nuclear Energy Conclave

• Hosted by Nuclear Asia and ROSATOM South Asia
• Organized by “India Energy Forum”
• For the last eight years this ANNUAL MEET has been discussing the issues impacting civil nuclear sector in-depth and highlighting the Roadmap for Future Development. Over the years, this has been one of the largest Annual Meet on Nuclear Energy sector.
• In line with present Govt’s emphasis on Power for All, the theme of the Conclave this year is “NUCLEAR POWER: GROWTH PROSPECTS”.
• In addition to deliberating on the theme, the Conclave would also focus on current issues like Strategy for Growth of Nuclear Power, approach to making India a global manufacturing hub, challenges associated with diverse technologies coming to India for rapid growth of Nuclear Power and industry perspective and preparedness to meet the capacity addition challenges.
• the organizers of the conference included in their Programme this year focused sessions on the application of nuclear energy for medical irradiation in patients

India and US Hold 11th Trade Policy Forum (TPF) Meeting in Washington D.C

• The Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Suresh Prabhu had productive discussions with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer
• The Minister for Commerce and Industry noted that the TPF serves as a robust platform that contributes towards promoting bilateral trade and investment between India and the US.

USA perspective

• On the United States concerns related to trade deficit with India, the Minister for Commerce and Industry pointed out that the issue of trade deficit should be viewed in the larger context of the growing economic and strategic partnership between the two countries

What does India say?

• Minister for Commerce and Industry strongly took up the Indian concern with regard to problems faced by Indian services companies in obtaining H-1B and L-1 visas.
• He requested the US to ease the movement of skilled professionals, which has over the years contributed towards making US companies more competitive. 
• He also took up the issue of mismatch between U.S. visa and U.S. social security regimes, wherein Indian professionals making social security contributions do not receive their due benefits upon their return to India. 
• While responding to U.S. concerns on price controls on medical devices, the Minister for Commerce and Industry mentioned about the need to bring about a balance between the demand for optimum medical facilities and affordable health care to its citizens.
  • India desires to address the concerns of providing affordable health care to its citizens and balancing it with the need to introduce high end technology.
• The Minister for Commerce and Industry also sought the support of the U.S. to India’s proposal on the Trade Facilitation in Services Agreement which has been tabled by India at the WTO.

At the conclusion of TPF, both Ministers decided that the two countries will continue to work towards building strong trade and investment ties to realize mutual gains from the partnership.

Shri Nitin Gadkari digitally flags off RORO Ship carrying trucks from Chennai Port to Mongla Port in Bangladesh

Background

• The Coastal Shipping Agreement between India and Bangladesh was signed during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in June 2015.
• Based on the agreement sea transportation from Indian ports to Bangladesh ports is being treated as coastal movement, making it eligible for 40% concession on vessel related and  cargo related charges. For coastal movement through RoRo vessels, 80% concession on vessel related and cargo related charges are applicable in Indian Ports.

Advantages

• Transport through the sea route will save about 15-20 days of travel time.
• For this trip alone that involves transport of 185 trucks, a total of about 3 lakh vehicle km of road travel will be saved as the land route is longer and much time is lost at the congested Petrapole-Benapole check point at the Indo- Bangladesh border.
• Besides saving time, coastal transport will also be more cost effective and environment friendly. The Minister called upon all automobile manufactures to use coastal shipping mode for transporting their vehicles.
• The ultimate objective is to save logistic costs and time of transportation and boosting trade by making Indian goods competitive in International markets.
• The fuel consumption at per tonne cargo is much lower via sea route, so transportation by sea will also reduce carbon footprints on the environment.
• Further, the modal shift to coastal shipping will save wear and tear of the new vehicles and also reduce traffic on congested roads.

President of India Addresses the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Sister Nivedita 

Sister Nivedita

• Born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble was a Scots-Irish social worker, author, teacher and a disciple of Swami Vivekananda.
• Sister Nivedita met Swami Vivekananda in 1895 in London and traveled to Calcutta
• Swami Vivekananda gave her the name Nivedita (meaning “Dedicated to God”) when he initiated her into the vow of Brahmacharya on 25 March 1898
• She wanted to educate those girls who were deprived of even basic education. During the plague epidemic in Calcutta in 1899 Nivedita nursed and took care of the poor patients.
• Nivedita made a series of diverse contributions to the national project: women’s education and empowerment, helping foster a sense of Indian nationalism, reviving some art forms, promoting science, propagating civic virtues and working on humanitarian relief during epidemics and famines. She was a true champion of India, its finest minds, its achievements and its culture.