17 Feb 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
2. Exercise - Vayu Shakthi-24
3. Shri Karpoori Thakur
4. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).
5. Vision Viksit Bharat@2047
6. Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA)

1. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Syllabus: GS-3, Transport and marketing of agricultural produce

Prelims: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Mains: Transport and marketing of agricultural produce

Context: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) celebrated its 38th Foundation Day on February 13, 2024. APEDA has played a crucial role in facilitating the exponential growth of India’s agricultural exports over the years.

Key Achievements:

• From modest beginnings in FY 1987-88 with exports worth USD 0.6 billion, APEDA’s proactive interventions have propelled agricultural exports to USD 26.7 billion in FY 2022-23, representing a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12%.
• India’s total agricultural exports in FY 2022-23 reached USD 53.1 billion, with APEDA contributing 51% to India’s Agri-exports.
• India has expanded its fresh fruit export footprint to 111 countries, up from 102 destinations in the previous year.

• APEDA’s efforts have not only contributed to the growth of agricultural exports but have also diversified the export basket expanded export destinations and enhanced the global footprint of Indian agricultural products.
• The robust performance of key commodities like fresh fruits and Basmati rice reflects the enduring popularity and global demand for Indian agricultural products.
• As APEDA continues to spearhead initiatives to promote agricultural exports, India is poised to strengthen further its position as a key player in the global agricultural trade arena.

2. Exercise – Vayu Shakthi-24

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

Prelims: Bilateral Military Exercise.

Context: The Indian Air Force conducted Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 in Rajasthan, showcasing offensive capabilities with over 120 aircraft, demonstrating precision targeting and joint operations.

Details:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 at the Pokhran range near Jaisalmer, showcasing its offensive capabilities with a formidable display of firepower. 
• Over 120 aircraft participated, including fighters like Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and Tejas, which attacked simulated enemy targets with precision-guided munitions. 
• Combat support operations featured transport aircraft dropping supplies and Special Forces, while helicopters engaged ground targets. Indigenous systems like the Akash missile were also demonstrated. 
• Night events highlighted the capabilities of indigenous aircraft and strategic bombing by Jaguar and Su-30 MKI. 
• The exercise emphasized jointness and showcased the IAF’s offensive lethality and precision targeting capability, dropping approximately 50 tonnes of ordnance over a two-square-kilometer area.

3. Shri Karpoori Thakur

Context: The Prime Minister and Home Minister pay tributes to freedom fighter and leader of social change, Shri Karpoori Thakur on his birth anniversary.

Details:

• The Indian government announced Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, for the late Karpoori Thakur, former Chief Minister of Bihar.
• Thakur will be the 49th recipient and the 15th to be accorded posthumously, announced on the eve of his 100th birth anniversary.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Thakur’s commitment to social justice and empowerment, highlighting his efforts for the marginalized.
• Thakur, born in 1924, hailed from a backward community and dedicated his political career to uplift the oppressed and fight social discrimination.
• The government recognizes Thakur’s role as a symbol of democracy and social justice, honouring his lifelong dedication to the underprivileged.
• A commemorative coin of ₹100 denomination will be issued by the Finance Ministry on Thakur’s birth centenary, celebrating his legacy.

4. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Syllabus: GS-1, Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Prelims and Mains: Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Context: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) collaborated to organize a two-day national workshop in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The workshop was held under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Details:

• The workshop aimed to discuss emerging trends and opportunities in urban livelihoods, particularly focusing on empowering and building resilience for women in urban areas.
• Approximately 150 delegates from various parts of the country participated, including State Mission Directors, officials from MoHUA and Jharkhand state government, UNDP India representatives, sector experts, and stakeholders from research institutions, start-ups, philanthropies, and donor organizations.
• Panel discussions centred on strategies to promote women-led urban livelihoods, explore emerging sectors and enterprise types, and address issues like climate, services, retail, and manufacturing.
• Additional themes discussed included the Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) and the role of philanthropies in combating urban poverty through innovative financial investments.
• The workshop provided a platform for states to exchange best practices regarding women-led urban livelihoods, fostering peer learning and the replication of successful models across different states.

5. Vision Viksit Bharat@2047

Syllabus: GS-3, Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. 

Prelims and Mains: Vision Viksit Bharat@2047

Context: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Singh Thakur, virtually inaugurated the 4th edition of the IMC-YLF Youth Conclave.

Summary:

• ‘Vision Viksit Bharat@2047’ aims to position India as a superpower, with a focus on youth empowerment.
• It recognizes the pivotal role of youth as drivers of the country’s economy and urges them to be proactive, seize opportunities, and embrace new technologies for national development.
• India’s demographic dividend is highlighted, emphasizing the youth’s importance in shaping the nation’s future.
• The vision encourages innovation and disruption in various sectors such as housing, education, infrastructure, water, food, health, and entertainment.
• Government initiatives supporting startups and women empowerment are underscored, including the recognition of 17 thousand startups and the launch of the ‘My Yuva Bharat’ platform.
• India’s commitment to becoming a global content hub, leveraging its human resources and technical capabilities, is emphasized.
• The vision encompasses economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance, inviting youth to contribute ideas for its realization. 

6. Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA)

Syllabus: GS-3,  Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and 

developing new technology.

Prelims and Mains: Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA)

Context: ISRO Announces Young Scientist Programme 2024 (YUVIKA).

Details:

• ISRO announces the Young Scientist Programme (YUVIKA) aimed at school children with a keen interest in space science, technology, and applications.
• The program aims to impart basic knowledge about space-related topics and encourage students to pursue STEM-based research and careers.
• YUVIKA provides two weeks of classroom training, practical experiments, hands-on activities with CANSAT and robotic kits, interactions with ISRO scientists, and field visits.
• The program, previously conducted in 2019, 2022, and 2023, has seen significant participation from students across India, with registration numbers exceeding 1.25 lakhs for the 2023 edition.

Read previous PIB articles here.