26 February 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

Read the daily PIB update and stay up-to-date on current affairs for the UPSC exam

Benchmarks for Training in Yoga

Context:

Ministry of AYUSH and WHO are jointly organizing a Working Group Meeting for reviewing the WHO document “Benchmarks for Training in Yoga”.

Details of the meeting:

• The meeting is coordinated by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). WHO is developing Benchmarks Document for Training in Yoga as part of its global strategy to strengthen the quality, safety and effectiveness of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.
• Development of this benchmarks document is included in the Project Collaboration Agreement signed between World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of AYUSH on Cooperation in the field of Traditional and Complementary Medicine under WHO strategy covering the period 2014-2023.

Objectives:

• The specific objectives of the meeting are to discuss the challenges in training of Yoga, to review & discuss the scope and structure of the working draft document, to review and discuss the contents of the working draft document, to identify the type, scope and criteria of information/data that are further required, and to discuss the working procedure and time frame for further development of the document.
• This benchmarks document will be used in evaluating Yoga therapy, identifying trends in utilization, developing payment structures for service models, establishing regulatory framework for Yoga practice.

Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023:

• World Health Organization (WHO) has been launched Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023 to help health care leaders to develop solution that contribute to a broader vision of improved health and patient autonomy.
• The strategy has two key goals: to support Member States in harnessing the potential contribution of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) to health, wellness and people-centered health care and to promote the safe and effective use of T&CM through the regulation of products, practice and practitioners.
• These goals will be reached by implementing three strategic objectives are  1) Building the knowledge base and formulating nation’s policies; 2) Strengthening safety, quality and effectiveness through regulation; and 3) Promoting universal health systems.

‘Aviation Conclave 2019’

Context:

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in association with Airports Authority of India, AAICLAS and Confederation of Indian Industry, is organizing the Aviation Conclave 2019 with an overarching theme of “Flying for All”

Details of the conclave:

• Over 30 industry leaders will discuss and deliberate across 5-key sessions covering the Drone-Ecosystem Policy Roadmap, Roadmap for Manufacturing Aircraft and associated equipment, including Regional Transport Aircraft, in India, the Project Rupee Raftaar- Aircraft Financing and Leasing from India, the National Air Cargo Policy, and the Mission to transform Indian Airports into Next-Gen Aviation Hubs. 

Quick Reach Surface-to-Air missiles

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired indigenously developed Quick Reach Surface-to-Air missiles (QRSAM) from ITR Chandipur
• The test flights successfully demonstrated the robust Control, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structural performance and high manoeuvring capabilities thus proving the design configuration.

Sampriti – 2019 

Context:

As part of the on-going India Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military exercise Sampriti-2019 will be conducted at Tangail, Bangladesh.

Details:

• Exercise Sampriti-2019 is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and this will be the eighth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.
• The exercise is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh Armies.  The exercise will involve tactical level operations in a counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment under the UN mandate.
• In addition to understanding each other in tactical level operations, emphasis will also be laid for greater cultural understanding to strengthen military trust and cooperation between the two nations.

‘Delhi Declaration’ on digital health

• This Delhi Declaration on digital health was adopted at the concluding session of the ‘4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit.
• Delhi Declaration on digital health for sustainable development, which called for WHO’s leadership in digital health and for it to establish a specific mechanism to centrally coordinate digital health to assist its Member States.

For more details related to Global digital health partnership summit: https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-pib-summary-analysis-feb25-2019

National e-Governance Awards, 2019

Context:

With a view to recognize and promote Excellence in the implementation of e-Governance initiatives, the Government of India presents National Awards on e-Governance.

Details:

• The Awards will be given in 6 categories to recognize achievements in the area of e-Governance.
• This initiative also seeks to disseminate knowledge on effective methods of designing and implementing sustainable e-Governance initiatives, to encourage innovations in successful e-Governance solutions and to exchange experiences in solving problems, mitigating risks, resolving issues and planning for success.
• The National e-Governance Award recognizes some of the best Government to Government (G to G), Government to Citizen (G to C), Government to Business (G to B) initiatives taken by government departments. It also recognizes initiatives in Start ups, Academic Research Institutions as well as initiatives in adopting emerging technologies.

The six categories under which Awards will be presented are as follows:-

1. Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering for Digital Transformation.
2. Excellence in providing Citizen-Centric Delivery.
3. Excellence in District level Initiative in e-Governance (i) North-East States + Hilly States (ii) UTs (including Delhi) (iii) Other States.
4. Outstanding research on Citizen Centric Services by Academic/Research Institutions.
5. Innovative Use of ICT in e-Governance solutions by Start ups [Start up as defined by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Government of India]
6. Excellence in Adopting Emerging Technologies.

Key missions launched on foundation day of Department of Biotechnology

Context:

Department of Biotechnology in the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day 

Theme:  “Celebrating Biotechnology: Building Indian as an Innovation Nation”.

Missions launched:

• The Minister announced key missions at the foundation day ceremony including Atal JaiAnusandhan Biotech Mission – Undertaking Nationally Relevant Technology Innovation (UNaTI), which is expected to transform Health, Agriculture and Energy sectors during the next 5 years. This mission includes 

1. GARBH-ini– A Mission to promote Maternal and Child Health and develop prediction tools for pre-term berth, 
2. IndCEPI– A Mission to develop affordable vaccines for endemic diseases, Development of Biofortified and Protein Rich wheat – contributing to POSHAN Abhiyan,
3. Mission on Anti Microbial Resistance for Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics and 
4. Clean Energy Mission– Innovative Technology interventions for Swachh Bharat.

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