08 Mar 2024: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre
2. India received the ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award
3. National Cooperative Database
4. Lakhpati Didi Scheme
5. Prelims Facts

1. Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre

Syllabus: GS-3, Agriculture

Prelims: Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre

Context:

Union Agriculture Minister inaugurated the Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre.

About the Agriculture Integrated Command and Control Centre:

• The centre was inaugurated to empower the farmers of the country by equipping them with information, services and facilities using digital technology.
• The objective of the initiative is to provide farmers with information about the reality in the farm and also to find out what are the real challenges our agriculture sector is facing. 
• With the availability of real-time data and its analysis, their problems can be resolved; capacity will be expanded and crops will be good, which will ultimately benefit the agriculture sector in the country. 
• The farmers will also be able to avail the benefits of the government schemes.

2. India received the ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award

Syllabus: GS-2, Health

Prelims/Mains: Measles, Rubella, Campaigns/measures to eradicate them

Context:

India received the ‘Measles and Rubella Champion’ Award for Exemplary Efforts in Measles and Rubella Disease Prevention.

Details:

• The award was given by the Measles and Rubella Partnership at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington D.C., USA.
  • The Measles and Rubella Partnership comprises a multi-agency planning committee, including the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, US CDC, UNF, UNICEF, and WHO, all dedicated to reducing global measles deaths and preventing rubella illness.

India’s campaign against measles and rubella:

• This award celebrates India’s unwavering commitment to public health and its outstanding leadership in curbing the spread of these infectious diseases among children. 
• It further recognizes India for providing regional leadership to the measles & rubella elimination programme by using ‘measles as a tracer’ to strengthen routine immunization under the country’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). 
• Despite facing numerous challenges, India has demonstrated remarkable progress in reducing measles and rubella cases and preventing outbreaks through a series of comprehensive interventions.

Read more about India’s Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign in the linked article.

3. National Cooperative Database

Syllabus: GS-3, Economy

Prelims: National Cooperative Database, National Cooperative Database 2023: A Report

Mains: Cooperative sector in India

Context:

Union Cooperation Minister inaugurated the National Cooperative Database and unveiled the National Cooperative Database 2023: A Report.

Details:

• The National Cooperative Database is a web-based digital dashboard wherein data of cooperative societies, including national/state federations, have been captured. It has collected or mapped information about 8 lakh cooperatives.
• The National Cooperative Database will serve as an invaluable resource for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders. 
• The authenticity of the data in this database and its regular updates are ensured through a comprehensive scientific system, the minister remarked.

Also read: Ministry of Cooperation

4. Lakhpati Didi Scheme

Syllabus: GS-2, Govt schemes

Prelims: Lakhpati Didi Scheme

About the Lakhpati Didi Scheme:

• The Lakhpati Didi Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The objective is to catalyze economic empowerment and financial independence among women in rural areas. 
• A Lakhpati Didi is a Self-Help Group member who earns an annual household income of Rupees One Lakh (₹1,00,000) or more. 
  • This income is calculated for at least four agricultural seasons and/or business cycles, with an average monthly income exceeding Rupees Ten Thousand (₹10,000), so that it is sustainable.
• They serve as an inspiration to the community, not solely for their income, but for their transformation journey through adopting sustainable livelihood practices (farm or non-farm or service), effectively managing resources, and achieving a decent standard of life.
• Launched in Dec 2023, the government aims to create three crore Lakhpati Didis in villages across India.
• The scheme offers loans to eligible women and conducts monthly camps to disburse loans, especially to those with lower incomes.
• Lakhpati Didi Scheme Major Benefits:
  • Women are connected with SHGs opening them up to training sessions on making LED lights, plumbing, repairing drones, etc.
  • Financial literacy workshops, credit facilities, insurance coverage, talent development, financial incentives, etc.

5. Prelims Facts

1. National Creators Award

• PM Shri Narendra Modi presented the first-ever National Creators Award at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The award is an effort to recognize excellence and impact across domains, including storytelling, social change advocacy, environmental sustainability, education, and gaming among others. 
• The award is envisioned as a launchpad for using creativity to drive positive change.
• More than 1.5 lakh nominations across 20 different categories were received for which about 10 lakh votes were cast for digital creators in various award categories. Following this, 23 winners, including three international creators, were decided. 
• The awards were given to digital creators across different categories.

2. International Women’s Day

• March 8 is observed as International Women’s Day every year.
• The theme for the 2024 International Women’s Day is Investing in women: Accelerate progress”.

Read more about International Women’s Day in the linked article.

Read previous PIB articles here.