19 Apr 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

April 19th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
2. India and Germany sign agreement
3. Temples of Khajuraho
4. Prelims Facts

1. Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

Context:

Union Minister launched the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme.

Read more on the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme in the linked article.

2. India and Germany sign agreement

Context:

India and Germany sign agreement on ‘Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment’.

Details:

• The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), GOI and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH India on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
• This project is envisaged under the contours of the Joint Declaration of Intent regarding cooperation in the field of ‘Prevention of Marine Litter’ signed between the Republic of India and the Federal Republic of Germany in 2019.
• The project, aimed at enhancing practices to prevent plastic entering the marine environment, will be undertaken at the national level (at MoHUA), select states (Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and in the cities of Kanpur, Kochi and Port Blair for a period of three and a half years.

Background and significance:

• Marine litter threatens ecosystems and adversely affects fishery and tourism industries around the globe.
• In addition to negative economic impact, it affects public health with increased concerns about micro-plastic and risk of particles entering the food chain.
• In recent times, the level of plastic waste that has accumulated in our oceans and marine ecosystems through the increasing production and use of durable synthetic materials has alarmed the public and policy makers alike.
• It is estimated that 15-20% of all plastics are entering oceans via riverine ecosystems of which 90% are contributed by 10 of the world’s most polluting rivers.
  • Two of these river systems are located in India, namely Ganga and Brahmaputra.
• Whilst accurate data on plastic waste and marine litter in particular is largely unavailable for most parts of the country, this project will support the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban’s implementation with special focus on preventing plastic litter entering the rivers and water bodies at source.
• To this end, cities will be enabled to improve collection, segregation and marketing of plastic waste, to prevent plastic disposal to water bodies, and to improve handling of port and marine waste.
• This will be combined with data management and reporting systems, civil society involvement and increased cooperation with recyclers and the recycling industry through a digital platform.
• This is expected to foster improvements in segregation, collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste in municipalities, thereby establishing an efficient system, that ensures no waste finds its way into rivers or oceans.

3. Temples of Khajuraho

Context:

Ministry of Tourism organises webinar on “Khajuraho – Temples of Architectural Splendour” under Dekho Apna Desh.

About the Khajuraho Historical Temples:

• Khajuraho Temples were built between 950-1050 CE by the Chandela Dynasty.
• The temples are categorised into three groups that is Eastern, Western and Southern.
• These temples display intricate & exceptional carvings and astounding architectural skill which makes Khajuraho one of the most popular tourist destinations among domestic as well as international visitors.
• Some of the most prominent temples here are Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Brahma Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Devi Jagdamba Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Matangeshwar Temple and Parsvanath Temple.

Also read: Famous Temples in India – Important Temples for General Awareness

4. Prelims Facts

Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS)

• CLAWS is an independent think tank on strategic studies and land warfare in the Indian context.
• It is located in New Delhi.
• The mandate of CLAWS covers national security issues, conventional military operations and sub-conventional warfare.
• CLAWS disseminates the products of its research to its members, members of the armed forces, decision makers, members of the strategic community and interested civilians.
• It also seeks to contribute to developing a pro-active strategic culture for India.
• The objective of the organization is to convey policy recommendations based on interactions, consensus and research projects to policymakers and experts.
• It is affiliated with the Indian Army.
• CLAWS organises seminars and conferences, round-table discussions, workshops and guest lectures and undertakes research projects on national security related issues, especially those pertaining to land warfare.

ALH Mk III

• Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III is an indigenously-built multirole helicopter with Shakti engine manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• The Mk III version of the ALH has an all-glass cockpit with HAL’s Integrated Architecture Display System (IADS) and will be used for search and rescue special operations and coastal surveillance.
• The customized Mk-III is powered by “Shakti” (Safran Ardiden 1H1) engines.

Read previous PIB here.

April 19th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here