27 Feb 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. 14th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav
2. Fifth Jan Aushadhi Diwas
3. 5G Test bed for Start-Ups and MSMEs

1. 14th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav

Syllabus: GS 1, Indian Culture

Mains: Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav.

Prelims: 14th Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav.

Details:

• The fourteenth Rashtriya Sankriti Mahotsav was organized at Bikaner, Rajasthan. The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the event.
• She said that Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav promotes the art and culture of the country and also strengthens national unity. 
• It further provides opportunities for the people to know and understand their rich and prosperous culture.
• The role of technology in promoting art, tradition, and culture was also highlighted during the event.
• It was also urged that prominent personalities, scholars, art lovers, and artists should identify the talent of rural artists and encourage them.

Read more about the Mahotsav here: PIB Summary & Analysis for UPSC IAS Exam for 16th Feb 2023

2. Fifth Jan Aushadhi Diwas

Syllabus: GS 2, Polity and Governance.

Mains: Government policies and intervention.

Prelims: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana.

Context: Fifth Jan Aushadhi Diwas will be celebrated on 7th March.

Details:

• Fifth Jan Aushadi Diwas will be celebrated on 7th March 2023 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
• Different events will be organized in different cities from 1st to 7th March 2023 to raise awareness about the Jan Aushadhi Scheme and its benefits.
• It aims to promote the usage of generic medicines.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):

• PMBJP was launched in November 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• Its objective is to make quality generic medicines available to all at affordable prices.
• The number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) has reached around 9082 (on 31st January 2023). The government aims to increase it to 10000 by December 2023.
• PMBJP covers nearly 1759 drugs and 280 surgical instruments. Moreover, nutraceutical products such as protein powder, food supplements, protein bars, immunity bars, sanitisers, masks, glucometers, oximeters, etc have also been added to the scheme.
• It should be noted that the medicines covered under PMBJP are priced 50%-90% less than the branded prices.
• In the financial year 2022-23 (upto 15/2/23), the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) has made sales of approximately Rs. 1000 Crore.
  • PMBI is the implementing agency of PMBJP.
• The scheme has achieved tremendous growth in the last eight years and has drastically reduced the out-of-pocket expenditure of the lower- and middle-class sections of society.

For more information on PMBJP, read here: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)

3. 5G Test bed for Start-Ups and MSMEs

Syllabus: GS 3, Science and Technology.

Mains: 5G technology.

Prelims: 5G technology.

Details:

• Free-of-cost 5G test beds have been offered to recognized start-ups and MSMEs by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Ministry of Communications. The service is provided till January 2024.
• It aims to encourage the utilization of the Test Bed and give a fillip to the development of indigenous technologies/products in consonance with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
• In March 2018, DoT provided a financial grant (of around Rs.224 Crore) for the multi-institute collaborative project to establish an ‘Indigenous 5G Test Bed’ in India.
• The Indigenous 5G Test Bed was dedicated to the nation on 17th May 2022.
• The test bed is available at five locations – IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Kanpur, and IISc Bangalore. 
• It is a key milestone step for India to become self-reliant in the 5G technology domain. It provides the capability for testing and validation of 5G products.
• It will further aid startups and MSMEs to understand the working of 5G technologies and plan their future networks.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

February 27th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here