19 Jun 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Use of ICT in school education in India receives UNESCO’s recognition
2. Operation SANKALP
3. ESI Scheme

1. Use of ICT in school education in India receives UNESCO’s recognition

Syllabus: GS II, Education; Development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

Prelims: PM eVIDYA initiative and UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize

Context:

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) under a comprehensive initiative called PM eVIDYA by the Department of School education during the COVID-19 pandemic has won UNESCO’s recognition.

PM eVIDYA Initiative 

• The PM eVIDYA was started as a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan by the Ministry of Education in 2020.
• PM eVIDYA is also called a one Nation digital platform.
• The initiative combines all efforts related to digital/online education to enable multi-mode access for imparting education by using technology to reduce learning losses.

To know more about- PM eVIDYA Initiative 

King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize

• The King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education is a UNESCO prize that recognises innovative use of ICT in enhancing learning, teaching and overall education performance.
• This prize was established in 2005
• The prize is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Goal 4 on Education.
• The prize is funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain 
• The prize is conferred to two laureates every year.
• Each winner receives US$ 25,000, a medal and a diploma during a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

2. Operation SANKALP

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

Prelims: Operation Sankalp and INS Trikand

Mains:  Advantages of Mitticool Refrigerator

Context:

INS Trikand is currently deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as part of Operation Sankalp

Operation Sankalp

• The Indian Navy started ‘Operation Sankalp’ in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman as a move to ensure the safety and security of Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Operation Sankalp was initiated in June after there were explosions on board two oil tanker ships in the Gulf of Oman amid increased tensions between Iran and the U.S.
• Operation Sankalp is being implemented with close cooperation between the Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Shipping, and Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• During this operation, Indian Navy Armed Security Teams [IN-AST] are being embarked onboard Indian-flagged merchant vessels transiting the area, based on their request.

INS Trikand

• INS Trikand is a Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy.

• INS Trikand was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia and was commissioned to Indian Navy service into 2013. 
• INS Trikand is a state-of-the-art guided missile stealth frigate.
• These ships use stealth technologies and a special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross section.

3. ESI Scheme

Syllabus: GS II, Social Justice; Welfare schemes

Prelims: About ESI Scheme and ESI Corporation

Context

ESI Corporation’s meeting.

EMPLOYEES’ STATE INSURANCE SCHEME OF INDIA (ESI) Scheme 

• The Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme is a comprehensive measure of Social Insurance embodied in the Employees’ State Insurance Act and it is designed with the objective of protecting ‘employees’ as defined in the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 
• The promulgation of Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (ESI Act), by the Parliament is said to be the first major legislation on social Security for workers in independent India.
• The ESI Scheme applies to factories and institutions involved in sectors like Road Transport, Hotels, Restaurants, Cinemas, Newspaper, Shops, and Educational/Medical wherein 10 or more persons are employed.
• The Act includes various health related issues that the workers are generally exposed to; such as sickness, maternity, temporary or permanent disability, occupational disease or death due to employment injury.
• The ESI Scheme is financed by contributions from employers and employees. 
• The ESI Scheme is based on the Gandhian principle of “contributions as per their ability and benefits as per the requirement”

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)

• Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is an autonomous and statutory body established by the ESI Act.
• ESIC works under the aegis of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
• The scheme was unveiled in Kanpur on 24th February 1952  which is regarded as the ESIC Day.
• ESIC is the only Social Security Organisation in India that covers most of the exigencies such as medical care for the worker, maternity, unemployment, work injury, death of worker, invalidity and widowhood. 
• ESIC can raise loans and take measures for discharging such loans with the prior sanction of the central government 
• ESIC can set up hospitals either independently or in collaboration with state governments or other private entities.

Read previous PIB here.

June 19th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here