04 Mar 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

March 4th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM to receive CERAWeek Award
2. Bao-dhaan
3. Indian Special Forces
4. QS World University Rankings
5. CSIR Floriculture Mission
6. Chabahar Day

1. PM to receive CERAWeek Award

Context:

PM Narendra Modi will receive the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award.

About the Award:

• Instituted in 2016, the CERAWeek Global Energy and Environment Leadership Award recognizes the commitment of leadership on the future of global energy & environment and for offering solutions and policies for energy access, affordability & environmental stewardship.
• CERA: Cambridge Energy Research Associates Week

About CERAWeek

• CERAWeek was founded in 1983 by Dr. Daniel Yergin.
• It has been organized in Houston in March every year since 1983 and is considered the world’s premier annual energy platform.

2. Bao-dhaan

Context:

First export consignments of ‘red rice’ from Assam to the USA flagged off.

Details:

• This development is a big boost to India’s rice exports potential.
• Bao-dhaan is the name of the ‘red rice’ variety that is grown in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without the use of any chemical fertilizer.
• It is iron-rich and is an integral part of Assamese cuisine.

3. Indian Special Forces

Context:

Turkmenistan Special Forces commence Combat Free Fall Training at Indian Special Forces Training School.

Details:

• Turkmenistan’s paratroopers will be trained in ‘Combat Free Fall’ as a precursor to a series of customised courses which will assist in their capability enhancement.
• The Special Forces Training School (SFTS) is responsible for providing training to the Indian Army’s Special Forces. It is located in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh.

Special Forces of India:

• India has several special forces (SF) units.
• The three branches of the Indian Armed Forces have separate special forces units, viz. the Para SF of the Indian Army, the MARCOS of the Indian Navy and the Garud Commando Force of the Indian Air Force.
• There are other special forces which are not controlled by the military but operate under civilian organisations such as the Home ministry’s National Security Guard.
• Para SF:
  • The Indian Army’s wing of Special Force commandos called Para SF was created in 1966 during the Indo-Pakistan War (1965).
  • They came in existence under a maverick military endeavour undertaken by Major Megh Singh who constituted a small group of lethal soldiers to operate behind enemy lines and thwart enemy defences.
  • The team was initially called the ‘Meghdoot Force’ owing to the ad-hoc nature of the operation under Major Megh Singh.
  • This group was disbanded and joined the Parachute Regiment, which became the first special operations unit.
  • The Para SF has participated in many combat operations including Operation Bluestar, conflict in the Maldives and the 1999 Kargil War.
  • Para SF is considered one of the oldest special forces of India having real combat experience.
• MARCOS:
  • The Marine Commandos (MARCOS) is an elite force within the Indian Navy who are trained to perform missions on all terrains.
  • Formerly known as Indian Marine Special Force, the group is said to be particularly specialised in maritime operations.
  • With a strength around 2000, most of their operations remain classified.
  • Among the known active combat involvements, the group has participated in Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka-LTTE conflict), Operation Black Tornado (2008 Mumbai Terror Attacks) and the 1999 Kargil War.

4. QS World University Rankings

Context:

Union Education Minister addresses at the Unveiling of QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.

Details:

• Twelve Indian institutions have secured a spot in the top-100 positions in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
• The 12 institutions are IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, IISC Bangalore, IIT Guwahati, IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, JNU, Anna University, University of Delhi, and O.P Jindal University.
• Three Indian Institutes of Technology have entered the group of the top-100 engineering institutes with IIT Bombay grabbing the top position in the Engineering and Technology category.
• IIT Bombay has secured the 49th position, IIT Delhi is at 54th spot, and IIT Madras is at 94th in the same category. MIT, USA has continued to remain in the top position.

About QS World University Rankings:

• The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 cover a total of 51 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas.
• These rankings are compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject.
• Research citations, along with the results of major global surveys of employers and academics are used to rank universities.

5. CSIR Floriculture Mission

Context:

Union Minister launches CSIR Floriculture Mission.

About CSIR Floriculture Mission:

• Under this mission, the available knowledgebase in CSIR Institutes will be utilized and leveraged to help Indian farmers and industry re-position itself to meet the import requirements.
• The mission has been approved for implementation in 21 States and Union Territories.
• It is being implemented in collaboration with the following organisations:
  • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Directorate of Floriculture
  • Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
  • Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce
  • Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED)
  • Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), Kannauj, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
  • Universities
• The CSIR Floriculture Mission is expected to create opportunity for entrepreneurship development in floriculture.
• The infusion of latest technologies in the field of floriculture can be successfully led by CSIR.
• The mission will focus on commercial floral crops, seasonal/annual crops, wild ornaments and  cultivation of flower crops for honey bee rearing. Some of the popular crops include Gladiolus, Canna, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera, Lilium, Marigold, Rose, Tuberose, etc.

Background:

• The Indian floriculture market was worth Rs 15700 cr in 2018. The market is projected to reach Rs 47200 cr by 2024 during 2019-24.
• Floriculture has the potential to provide employment to a large number of people through nursery raising, floriculture farming, entrepreneurship development for nursery trade, value addition and export.
• Despite the fact that India has diverse agro-climatic and edaphic conditions, and rich plant diversity, it shares only 0.6 % of the global floriculture market.
• At least 1200 million USD worth of floriculture products are being imported by India every year from different countries.

6. Chabahar Day

Context:

Maritime India Summit-2021 celebrates ‘Chabahar Day’.

Details:

• Chabahar Day was commemorated on the side lines of the second edition of International Maritime Summit-2021 in the virtual format.
• Ministries from Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan participated in the event.
• The Chabahar Port is a key pillar of India’s Indo-Pacific vision –– to connect Eurasia with the Indian Ocean Region. The Port will also be part of INSTC network connecting Mumbai with Russia via Iran.

Read more on the Chabahar Port in the linked article.

Read previous PIB here.

March 4th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here