10 Feb 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

February 10th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. World Sustainable Development Summit 2021
2. World Pulses Day
3. TROPEX 21
4. Modernisation of Police Forces
5. Meri Saheli Initiative

1. World Sustainable Development Summit 2021

Context:

PM inaugurates World Sustainable Development Summit 2021.

About the Summit:

• The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
• Started in 2001, the Summit has become a focal point for leaders and stakeholders across the world to bridge thought and action for sustainable development.
• The Summit series has emerged as the premier international event on sustainability which focusses on the global future, but with an eye on the actions in the developing world which could bend our common future.
• The Summit series brings together governments, business leaders, academicians, climate scientists, youth, and the civil society in the fight against climate change.
• The WSDS 2021 is being held online with the theme, “Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for all”.

About TERI:

• TERI is a leading think tank dedicated to conducting research for the sustainable development of India and the Global South.
• TERI was established in 1974 as an information centre on energy issues. However, over the following decades, it made a mark as a research institute, whose policy and technology solutions transformed people’s lives and the environment.
• It is located in New Delhi.

2. World Pulses Day

Context:

February 10 is observed as World Pulses Day.

About World Pulses Day:

• The UN General Assembly in 2019 decided to dedicate a day to Pulses to increase awareness and access to pulses globally known as World Pulses Day.
• The World Pulses Day falls on February 10 every year and recognised pulses as a global food.
• On this Day, people make efforts in creating awareness about the importance of pulses in sustainable food production.
• World Pulses Day 2021 theme – #LovePulses

Significance of pulses:

• Pulses are important for a healthy diet.
• Pulses are rich in nutritional and protein values.
• Pulses, and legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans, soybeans, and peanuts) play an equally important role in health maintenance and overall improvement.
• Pulses also contribute majorly to achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development.
• Pulses and legume crops help in improving the feasibility of agricultural production systems.
• Pulses provide environmental benefits. The nitrogen-fixing properties of pulses improve soil fertility, which increases the productivity and fertility of the farmland.

3. TROPEX 21

Context:

TROPEX 21 which commenced in January is underway.

About TROPEX:

• TROPEX (Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise) is Indian Navy’s largest exercise.
• It sees participation from all operational units of the Navy including ships, submarines, aircraft as well as units of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard.
• The exercise is being conducted over a vast geographical expanse in the Indian Ocean Region including its adjunct waters and is aimed at testing combat readiness of the Navy in a complex multi-dimensional scenario set in the context of the current geo strategic environment.
• The Theatre Level exercise also aims to validate Navy’s offensive-defence capabilities, safeguard national interests in the maritime domain and promote stability and peace in the Indian Ocean Region.
• The month-long drill will witness distinct phases that will also test the Navy’s transition from peace time to hostilities.
  • In the first phase, the Indian Navy had conducted coastal defence exercise ‘Sea Vigil’ along the entire coastline and Island territories of India.
  • Exercise Sea Vigil was followed by a large-scale Tri-Service joint amphibious exercise AMPHEX-21, which was conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands.
  • The latest phase was the ‘Weapon Workup Phase’ which saw multiple ‘on-target’ ordnance deliveries including missiles, torpedoes and rockets from frontline warships, aircraft and submarines. It demonstrated the lethal firepower of the Indian Navy and reaffirmed the Navy’s capability to carry out long range maritime strikes in the Indian Ocean Region.

4. Modernisation of Police Forces

Context:

The Minister of State for Home Affairs gave information about the Modernisation of Police Forces Scheme in the Rajya Sabha.

Read more about the scheme in PIB dated Feb 23, 2020.

5. Meri Saheli Initiative

What is the Meri Saheli Initiative?

• Indian Railways has launched ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative for focused action on security of women with an objective to provide safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains.
• Under the initiative, a team of lady officer and staff have been formed. The team will visit all of the passenger coaches including ladies coaches to identify women passengers.
• Details of their journey including coach number & seat number will be noted down by the team, especially if a lady is travelling alone in the train.
• The passengers will be briefed about RPF Security Helpline No. 182, GRP Security Helpline No. 1512 and other precautions, for example, not to take food from strangers, buying food from IRCTC authorized stalls only & taking care of luggage.
• The team will also advise them to feel free to contact the train escort party and dial 182 in case of any emergency.
• The details of the passengers will be conveyed to en-route Divisions & Zones to meet the passengers at their convenience till they reach their final destination.
• At the end of the journey, a feedback will be collected from the lady passengers regarding their journey experience and safety measures taken.
• The ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative was started by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) as a pilot project in the South Eastern Railway in September 2020 and after getting positive response from women passengers, it was extended to all zones.
• Dedicated teams of lady RPF personnel have been formed across all zonal railways for its implementation.

Read previous PIB here.

February 10th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here