29 March 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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

March 29^th 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

ECI collaborates with Indian Railways

Context :

• ECI has collaborated with Indian Railways for Voter Awareness Campaign.
• Four long-distance Trains will carry voter awareness messages.

Details :

• As part of the Voter Awareness campaign for the Lok Sabha Election 2019, Election Commission of India and Indian Railways have come together to utilize four long-distance Trains to carry voter awareness and motivational messages.
• The Train displays important contact details for the citizens including the Voter Helpline number and the National Voters’  Services Portal besides motivational messages urging them to Vote.
• Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, and Director SVEEP, Election Commission of India and Divisional Railway Manager, Northern Railway, flagged off Kerala Express at New Delhi Railway Station.
• Kerala express will be flagged off by respective State Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers at the State and District HQs as it traverses across the route.
• As the trains travel across the country, citizens will be encouraged to click a photograph with the train and upload it on social media, for further spreading the message.
• Indian Railways has one of the largest railway networks in the world. As per the report submitted by the Ministry of Railways, on an average, Indian Railways carry 22.24 million passengers and 3.04 million tonnes of freight each day. This widespread network ensures that communication on this platform has a wide reach in urban as well as rural segments.
• The trains have been selected on the longest North-South route and East-West route and cover 19 States in all.

Five varieties of Indian coffee got GI Certification

Context :

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has recently awarded Geographical Indication (GI) to five varieties of Indian coffee.

Details:

The five varieties of Indian coffee got GI Certification. They are :

• • Coorg Arabica coffee : Coorg Arabica coffee it is grown specifically in the region of Kodagu district in Karnataka.
  • Wayanad Robusta coffee : Wayanad Robusta coffee is grown specifically in the region of Wayanad district which is situated on the eastern portion of Kerala.
  • Chikmagalur Arabica coffee : Chikmagalur Arabica coffee is grown specifically in the region of Chikmagalur district and it is situated in the Deccan plateau, belongs to the Malnad region of Karnataka.
  • Araku Valley Arabica coffee : Araku Valley Arabica coffee can be described as coffee from the hilly tracks of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha region at an elevation of 900-1100 Mt MSL. The coffee produce of Araku, by the tribals, follows an organic approach in which they emphasise management practices involving substantial use of organic manures, green manuring and organic pest management practices.
  • Bababudangiris Arabica coffee : Bababudangiris Arabica coffee is grown specifically in the birthplace of coffee in India and the region is situated in the central portion of Chikmagalur district. Selectively hand-picked and processed by natural fermentation, the cup exhibits full body, acidity, mild flavour and striking aroma with a note of chocolate. This coffee is also called high grown coffee which slowly ripens in the mild climate and thereby the bean acquires a special taste and aroma.

• Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee, a unique specialty coffee from India, was given GI certification earlier.

• In India, coffee is cultivated in about 4.54 lakh hectares by 3.66 lakh coffee farmers of which 98% are small farmers. Coffee cultivation is mainly done in the Southern States of India:

• Karnataka – 54%
• Kerala – 19%
• Tamil Nadu – 8%
• Coffee is also grown in non-traditional areas like Andhra Pradesh and Odisha (17.2%) and North East States (1.8%).
• The recognition and protection that comes with GI certification will allow the coffee producers of India to invest in maintaining the specific qualities of the coffee grown in that particular region. It will also enhance the visibility of Indian coffee in the world and allow growers to get the maximum price for their premium coffee.

Also Read: