31 Aug 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. International Solar Alliance Updates
2. Rashtriya Poshan Maah
3. Sree Narayana Guru
4. World Sanskrit Day

1. International Solar Alliance Updates

Syllabus: GS-2, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

Prelims: International Solar Alliance

Context:

Union Power and NRE Minister and International Solar Alliance President inaugurates Nine Solar Demonstration Projects in Uganda, Comoros and Mali.

Details:

• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) hosted its 5th regional meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
• 36 countries are participating in the event.
• The current ISA President is the Union Power and NRE Minister Shri R.K. Singh.
• Shri Singh virtually inaugurated a total of nine solar power demonstration projects in the Republic of Uganda, the Union of Comoros and the Republic of Mali. Four of these projects are in Uganda, two in Comoros and three in Mali.
• The projects include the solarization of healthcare centres and schools in these countries.
• Among the ISA initiatives catering to the needs of the African region, the Global Solar Facility lays a foundation for boosting innovative solar technologies through private investment in Africa.

2. Rashtriya Poshan Maah

Syllabus: GS-2, Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Prelims: Rashtriya Poshan Maah

Context:

The sixth Rashtriya Poshan Maah being held in September 2023.

Rashtriya Poshan Maah:

• Mission Poshan 2.0 (Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0) has been launched as an integrated nutrition support program to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with a focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to diseases. (POSHAN – PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition)
• The focal point of Poshan Maah 2023 is to cultivate widespread awareness concerning critical human life stages: pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. 
• The aim is to foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centred on “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India).
• The month-long event will include nationwide efforts to enhance ground-level nutritional awareness through campaigns focusing on key themes around Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding. 
• Activities like Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition) aim to instil a spirit of healthy competition for nutrition and overall well-being.
• Other initiatives include Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition as well as Education), Improving Nutrition through Mission LiFE, Tribal-Focused Nutrition Sensitization, and addressing Anaemia through Test, Treat, Talk.

3. Sree Narayana Guru

Syllabus: GS-1, History, Indian Society

Prelims: Sree Narayana Guru

Context:

Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi.

Know more about the life and contributions of Sree Narayana Guru in the linked article.

4. World Sanskrit Day

Syllabus: GS-1, Art & Culture

Prelims: World Sanskrit Day

Context:

World Sanskrit Day is observed on the Purnima tithi of the Shravana month. It coincides with the festival of Raksha Bandhan. 

About World Sanskrit Day:

• On this day, various seminars, lectures and meetings are organized with the purpose of promoting this old and ancient language around the world. Many scholars actively participate in these events.
• Events are held to spread awareness about this language and promote it.
• The first Sanskrit Diwas was celebrated in 1969, with the theme “Sanskrit: The Language of Knowledge”. It was instituted by the Indian Government.
• The day was supposed to be a tribute to the work of the renowned Sanskrit scholar Paṇini and his legacy.

Read more on World Sanskrit Day in the linked article.

Read the previous PIB articles here.