12 Feb 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Statue of Equality
2. MAROON BERET CEREMONIAL PARADE
3. LCA TEJAS
4. SMILE Scheme
5. Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

1. Statue of Equality

Syllabus: GS I, Indian Heritage and Culture, Significant personalities.

Prelims: Statue of Equality

Mains: Contributions of Shri Ramanujacharya towards promoting equality and harmony

Context

The Vice President of India visits the Statue of Equality, and calls for imbibing Acharya Ramanuja’s teachings for a ‘New India’.

Significance of Ramanuja’s teachings

• Sri Ramanujacharya promoted the idea of equality before God and engendered many social reforms in his time.
• Sri Ramanujacharya’s teachings of ‘equality for all, the welfare of all’ has become the guiding light in the process to build a ‘New India’.
• He put in significant efforts to end the disparities of caste, class and gender, his philosophy of Vishistadwaita argued that there is “no room for discriminating against people based on caste and community.”
• Sri Ramanujacharya, through his message of bhakti and love, unified Indian society and nation.
• The Vice President added that schemes of the government such as the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, rural sanitation and other initiatives are inspired by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas‘ which resonates with Sri Ramanujacharya’s teachings.

To read more about Statue of Unity and Sri Ramanujacharya – PIB summary 05 Feb 2022

2. MAROON BERET CEREMONIAL PARADE

Syllabus:  GS III, Security, Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims: Facts about Maroon Berets

Context

To mark the successful completion of training for Air Force Special Forces Operatives of Garud Force, the Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade was held.

Maroon Berets

• The maroon beret is a military beret and has been an international symbol of elite airborne forces since it was chosen for British airborne forces in World War II.
• These are the Parachute Regiment soldiers set up before independence and participated in the Second World War. 
• They are known as “Maroon Berets” because of their characteristic maroon caps.
• Indian Army: All para qualified personnel in an airborne formation wear the maroon beret along with the Parachute Regiment and the President’s Bodyguard, a ceremonial guard unit with their operational role as the pathfinder company of the parachute brigade.
• Indian Navy: The MARCOS (Marine Commandos) of the Indian Navy are all para qualified and wear the maroon beret. 
• Indian Air Force: The Indian Air Force’s special operations force and Garud Commando Force wear the maroon beret.
• The Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade is a moment of pride and achievement for the soldiers, marking the culmination of their training and transformation of ‘Young Special Forces Operators’ joining the elite force. 

3. LCA TEJAS

Syllabus: GS III, Achievements of Indians in science & technology

Prelims: LCA Tejas

Context

LCA TEJAS to participate in the Singapore Airshow  -2022.

Know more about LCA Tejas Mk-1A

Details

• The Tejas aircraft will be displaying low-level aerobatics displaying its superior handling characteristics and maneuverability. 
• The participation of the Indian Air Force in the Air Show provides India with the opportunity to showcase the Tejas aircraft and to interact with counterparts from the Royal Singapore Air Force and other participating contingents.
• In the past, the Indian Air Force had participated in similar Air Shows like LIMA-2019 in Malaysia and Dubai Air Show-2021 to exhibit indigenous aircraft and its formations.

4. SMILE Scheme

Syllabus: GS II, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre 

Prelims: SMILE Scheme

Mains: Significance of SMILE Scheme in alleviating the lives of Transgenders and people engaged in the act of begging

Context

The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launched the Central Sector scheme “SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”.

SMILE Scheme

• This is an umbrella scheme, to provide comprehensive welfare and rehabilitation to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging.
• The two sub-schemes of SMILE include,
  • Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons.

• • • It provides Scholarships for Transgender Students studying in IX and till post-graduation. 
    • It has provisions for Skill Development and Livelihood under the PM-DAKSH scheme. 
    • Through Composite Medical Health, it provides a comprehensive package in convergence with PM-JAY supporting Gender-Reaffirmation surgeries through selected hospitals. 
    • The Provision of Transgender Protection Cell in each state will monitor cases of offences and ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of offences. 
    • The National Portal & Helpline will provide necessary information and solutions to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging when needed.
  • Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging.
    • Will focus on Survey and identification, Mobilisation, Rescue/ Shelter Home and Comprehensive resettlement of people engaged in the act of begging.
• The scheme aims at achieving social security through multiple dimensions of identity, medical care, education, occupational opportunities and shelter. 
• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has allocated Rs. 365 Crore for the scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

To read more about the – SMILE Scheme

5. Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

Syllabus: GS II, Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre.

Prelims: Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

Mains: Important schemes for senior citizens and Divyangjan (People with disabilities)

Context

The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry launched ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir’ and ‘An Integrated Mobile Service Delivery Van’ for Divyangjan and Senior Citizens.

Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

• It is a program that will be organized to distribute aids and assistive devices to Physically Disabled persons under ADIP Scheme and Senior citizens under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana
• The program will be organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), which is a public sector enterprise under the DEPwD.
• The Union Minister will also launch ‘An Integrated Mobile Service Delivery Van’ which has been developed by ALIMCO to provide “After-Sale Service”.
  • It has also undertaken an awareness campaign on the use of Aids and Assistive devices and offers repairs, correction, adjustment and fitting of Prosthetics and orthotics devices.

Read previous PIB here.

February 12th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here