GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 2
Topic: Women
Women can propel the country towards second Green Revolution and change the landscape of the development if they get opportunities and facilities: Shri Radha Mohan Singh
Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas-2017
Highlights:
- Government is giving preference to women under various policies such as organic farming, self-employment scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, etc.
- Women can propel the country towards second Green Revolution and they can change the landscape of the development if they get opportunities and facilities. Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry had decided to observe October 15 every year as Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas.
- And this decision was inspired by the celebration of October 15 as International Women’s Day by the United Nations Organization.
- Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister said that under the current scenario, women’s contribution to the prevention of climate change and management of natural resources cannot be denied.
- They play multi-dimensional roles in agriculture. They are contributing in every field of agriculture – from sowing to planting, drainage, irrigation, fertilizer, plant protection, harvesting, weeding, and storage. Apart from this, they are active in other activities like cattle management, fodder collection, milk and allied activities related to agriculture such as beekeeping, mushroom production, suction farming, goat rearing, poultry, etc.
- Within the agricultural sector, the wage workers working on the basis of socio-economic status and regional factors, working in their own land, and also in the management of various aspects of agricultural production, women play important roles through labour supervision and participation in post-harvest operations.
- According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, women’s contribution to Indian agriculture is about 32 percent, while in some states (such as Hills, Northeast, and Kerala) contribution of women to agriculture and rural economy is more than men. Women are involved in 48 percent agriculture-related employment whereas 7.5 crore women are playing a significant role in milk production and livestock management.
- To strengthen women’s participating in agriculture and allied activities and to improve their access to land, loans and other facilities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has policy provisions like joint leasing for both domestic and agricultural land under National Policy for Farmers.
- The aim of the Ministry is to increase agricultural production and productivity and make policies for the welfare of the farmers by ensuring that women contribute effectively in agricultural production and productivity and get better livelihood opportunities.
- Therefore, proper structural, functional and institutional measures are being promoted to empower women, to build their abilities and to increase their access to input technology and other agricultural resources and various initiatives have been taken in this regard.
- Apart from this, at least 30% of the funds are being earmarked for women under various schemes/programs and development related activities.
- To ensure various beneficiary-oriented programs/schemes reach them, the emphasis is on the formation of women self-help groups (SHGs) to connect them with micro-credit through activities like capacity building and giving them access to information and to encourage their participation in planning and decision-making process.
- The Ministry is also making pro-women and women supporting measures.
GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 3
Topic: Environment
“Run for Clean air Campaign Harbinger of Positive Energy”: Union Environment minister
Highlights:
- Encouraging the children to spread the message of ‘Clean Air’ throughout the nation, that the “Run for Clean Air” campaign is the harbinger of positive energy for Clean Air.
- With Deepawali festivities in the air, scientists have been asked to develop Zero-pollution fire-crackers that do not cause health hazards to children.
- The ill-effects of pollution cause the maximum problems for children.
- Combating pollution and protecting the environment can be effectively done through small steps by each and every citizen of the nation.
- The Minister emphasised that Clean Air is crucial for the children of future generations.
- The Clean Air Campaign has been launched to create a mass movement to reduce air pollution.
- Swachh and Swasth Bharat cannot be achieved without Swachh Hawa.
- The idea behind the Campaign is to entrust a sense of responsibility among people, so that they consider clean air as a collective responsibility.
- The campaign organised today by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is an extension of the ‘Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali Campaign’.
- Environment-friendly slogans on banners dotted the India Gate lawns.
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