04 May 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. India - Israel Relations: Science & Technology Cooperation
2. 1st cargo vessel to India-funded Myanmar port flagged off
3. Vaisakh Purnima
4. Food Street Project

1. India – Israel Relations: Science & Technology Cooperation

Syllabus – GS2, International Relations: Bilateral agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Prelims – India- Israel Relations.

Context – An MoU was signed between India & Israel on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation.

Details –

• An MoU was signed on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation was signed between the CSIR under the Ministry of Science and Technology, GoI and the Directorate of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), under the Ministry of Defence of the State of Israel (IMoD).
• The collaboration between the two countries shall cover some of the key industrial sectors including Healthcare; Civil, Infrastructure and Engineering; Aerospace and Electronics Instrumentation; Chemicals and Petrochemicals; Ecology, Environment, Earth and Ocean Sciences and Water; Sustainable Energy including Energy Devices; Mining, Minerals, Metals and Materials; Agriculture, Nutrition and Biotechnology. The project execution will be monitored by a Joint Steering Committee led by the heads of CSIR and DDR&D.
• It is anticipated that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen bilateral collaboration and promote both nations’ scientific and technological advancement.

Also read – India-Israel Relations.

2. 1st cargo vessel to India-funded Myanmar port flagged off

Syllabus – GS2, India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Prelims – Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP)

Context – Union Minister Shantanu Thakur flagged a cargo vessel from Kolkata connecting Sittwe port in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

Details –

• The Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur flagged off cargo vessel – MV-ITT LION (V-273) from Syama Prasad Mookerjee port, Kolkata as the inaugural shipment to operationalise the Sittwe port in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
• The port has been developed with Indian assistance as part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project.
• Sittwe Port has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a Multimodal Transit Transport Facility on the Kaladan River connecting the Sittwe Port in Myanmar with the state of Mizoram in India.
• The port will open up new opportunities for trade and transit from and to Myanmar, particularly the Rakhine State and further enhance trade and commerce between the two countries and the wider region.

3. Vaisakh Purnima

Syllabus – GS1, Culture: Festivals.

Prelims – Vaisakh Purnima.

Context – The Ministry of Culture and IBC will celebrate the auspicious day of Vaisakh Purnima on 5th May 2023.

Details –

• The Ministry of Culture along with the International Buddhist Confederation will celebrate the auspicious occasion of Vaisakh Purnima with reverence and piety on 5th May 2023.
• One of the most significant festivals on the Buddhist calendar is Buddha Purnima, also known as Vaisakh Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. In most countries in Southeast Asia, it celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death and is observed on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month (April/May). Millions of Buddhists around the world celebrate the festival, which is a time for prayer, meditation, and spiritual rebirth.
• Since 1999, it has also been recognised by the United Nations as the “UN Day of Vesak”.

4. Food Street Project

Syllabus – GS2, Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.

Prelims – Food Street Project -100 food streets in 100 districts, NHM

Context – Reviewing of Food Street Project – to develop 100 healthy and hygienic food streets across the country.

Details –

• The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the Food Street Project. The aim of the project is to encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members, thus reducing food-borne diseases and improving overall health.
• The initiative is being implemented through National Health Mission (NHM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with technical support from FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).
• Financial assistance of Rs 1 cr per food street/district will be given to States/UTs. The project envisages 100 such food streets in 100 districts across the country.
• The Ministry of Health has taken several measures to improve the hygiene and food safety standards protocol for food street hubs. 

Read the previous PIB articles here.

May 4th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here