April 5th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Chenab Bridge 2. Babu Jagjivan Ram 3. International Virtual Election Visitors Programme (IVEP) 2021 4. MoU between Spices Board and UNDP 5. Increase in FDI inflows 6. E9 Initiative 7. 58th National Maritime Day-2021
Context:
PM lauded the completion of arch closure of the Chenab Bridge.
What is the Chenab Bridge?
- It is a bridge currently under construction in Jammu & Kashmir over the River Chenab.
- It will be the world’s highest railway bridge once completed.
Read more about the Chenab Bridge in the link.
Context:
PM paid tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his Jayanti.
To know more about Babu Jagjivan Ram, check This Day in History dated April 5.
3. International Virtual Election Visitors Programme (IVEP) 2021
Context:
The Election Commission of India hosted the International Virtual Election Visitors Programme (IVEP) 2021.
About IVEP:
- The programme was hosted by the ECI for the election management bodies of 26 other countries and three international organisations.
- IEVP 2021 provided the participants an overview of the large canvas of Indian electoral process, the new initiatives taken by ECI on voter facilitation, transparency and accessibility of electoral system, ECI’s response to the changing needs of training and capacity building and the new formats necessitated by COVID-19 and provide insights into the elections in the states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
4. MoU between Spices Board and UNDP
Context:
Spices Board India and UNDP India’s Accelerator Lab sign MoU to develop blockchain-powered traceability Interface for Indian spices.
Details:
- The MoU is aimed at building a blockchain based traceability interface for Indian spices to enhance transparency in supply chain and trade.
- Blockchain is a decentralized process of recording transactions on an open and shared electronic ledger.
- This allows for ease and transparency in data management across a complex network, including farmers, brokers, distributors, processors, retailers, regulators, and consumers, thus simplifying the supply chain.
- It will allow farmers just as all other members of the supply chain to access the information which further makes the entire supply chain more efficient and equitable.
- UNDP and Spices Board India are working towards integrating the Blockchain Traceability Interface with the e-Spice Bazaar portal developed by Spices Board India for connecting spices farmers with markets.
- The project will be piloted with over 3,000 farmers engaged in chilli and turmeric farming in select districts of Andhra Pradesh.
- This traceability interface is expected to enhance consumer confidence and facilitate sourcing of spices for exports as well as for local value addition and use.
Background:
- India is the largest exporter, producer and consumer of spices in the world.
- India’s spices export crossed a milestone of USD 3 billion during 2019-20.
To know more about Spices Board, check PIB dated Jan 22, 2021.
Context:
Government measured increased FDI inflows into the country.
Details:
- India has attracted a total FDI inflow of US$ 72.12 billion during April to January, 2021.
- It is the highest ever for the first ten months of a financial year and 15% higher as compared to the first ten months of 2019-20 (US$ 62.72 billion).
- The trends show that the FDI equity inflow grew by 28% in the first ten months of F.Y. 2020-21 (US$ 54.18 billion) compared to the year ago period (US$ 42.34 billion).
- In terms of top investor countries, Singapore is at the apex with 30.28% of the total FDI equity inflow followed by the U.S.A (24.28%) and the UAE (7.31%) for the first ten months of the current financial year 2020-21.
- Japan has been leading the list of investor countries to invest in India with 29.09% of the total FDI equity inflows during January, 2021, followed by Singapore (25.46%) and the U.S.A. (12.06%).
- The top sector in this regard for the first ten months of FY 2020-21 is computer software and hardware, followed by construction (infrastructure) activities and services sector.
Context:
India to join eight other countries to accelerate digital learning.
About E9 Initiative:
- Nine countries including India, China and Brazil will explore possibility of co-creating and scaling up digital learning to achieve UN sustainable goal on quality education.
- Called E9 initiative, the consultation is the “first of a three-phased process to co-create an initiative on digital learning and skills, targeting marginalised children and youth, especially girls. The initiative aims to accelerate recovery and advance the Sustainable Development Goal 4 agenda by driving rapid change in education systems.”
- The E9 countries are India, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan.
- The countries together will drive change in support to teachers; investment in skills; and narrowing of the digital divide.
- This Consultation will highlight progress, share lessons and explore opportunities for collaboration and scale-up to expand digital learning and skills.
- This is being done in the wake of the COVID pandemic which saw a huge disruption in learning and as per the UNESCO, offers an opportunity to enhance interconnected and digitised economies.
- Note:- The E9 is a forum of nine countries, which was formed to achieve the goals of UNESCO’s Education For All (EFA) initiative.
- E-9 Initiative was launched in 1993 at the EFA Summit in New Delhi, India.
- E-9 Initiative has become a forum for the countries to discuss their experiences related to education, exchange best practices, and monitor EFA-related progress.
7. 58th National Maritime Day-2021
Context:
5th April is celebrated as the National Maritime Day.
About National Maritime Day:
- India celebrates National Maritime Day on April 5 every year to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first Indian flag merchant vessel ‘S.S.LOYALTY’ from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919.
- A day dedicated to Indian seafarers, the National Maritime Day is an opportunity to say “Thank You” to the navy men in the country who work round the clock to ensure seamless transportation of essential goods.
- Amid the pandemic, the seafarers risked their lives and brought back thousands of Indians who were stranded in other countries due to the coronavirus-forced lockdown.
Read previous PIB here.
April 5th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here
| Related Links | |||
| UPSC Mains Exam | Government Exams | ||
| NCERT Notes | Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) | ||
| UNESCO | Sustainable Development Goals | ||
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