07 May 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. DTechCon 2023 (World Congress of ‘Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics’, 2023)
2. 64th Raising Day of BRO
3. Women Officers of TA to be posted along LOC

1. DTechCon 2023 (World Congress of ‘Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics’, 2023)

Syllabus – GS2, Health: Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to health.

Prelims – DTechCon, 2023

Context – The three day World Congress of Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, 2023

About DTechCon-

• DTechCon (World Congress of Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics) is a global conference dedicated to the latest developments in the field of technology and therapeutics. 
• Additionally workshops and hands-on training are provided for deep understanding of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring. Futuristic topics like stem cell therapy, gene therapy, 4 D bioprinting, artificial pancreas etc. are also part of the conference.
• This conference also provides networking opportunities for various startups and industry partners and healthcare professionals.

Details –

• Addressing the 3-day World Congress of ‘Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, 2023  the Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is ready to lead technology driven diabetes care. The minister said that India is being looked up to by the rest of the world in the field of healthcare after successfully handling the covid-pandemic.
• The launch of Startup India Scheme in 2016 gave a quantum jump to the number of startups and today there are over 90,000 startups and more than 100 unicorns in the country. India holds rank 3 in the startup ecosystem of the world.
• The launch of the ‘National Quantum Mission’ will give a boost to the medical diagnosis and treatment in the country.
• India is in the frontline of diabetes research in the world and the country is working to prevent diabetes that will lead to nation building as India is having 70% of its population below the age of 40 and the youth of today are going to be the prime citizens of India@2047.

2. 64th Raising Day of BRO

Syllabus -GS3, Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims – Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

Context – BRO celebrated its 64th Raising Day on 7th May, 2023.

Details –

• On the occasion of the 64th raising day of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on May 7, the organisation concluded the “Ekta Evam Shradhanjali Abhiyan” multi-modal expedition. The expedition consisted of motorbikes and cars that started from the North East and Northern parts of the country. 
  • The expedition began on 10th April, 2023 and the teams collected soil, water, and saplings from 108 remote border locations and planted them at BRO Alma Mater, BRO School, and Centre in Pune. Union Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt, flagged in the Expedition teams at Pune on May 7. He also planted a Rudraksha tree in Karmayogi Udyan in Pune.
• The main function ‘Chief Engineers and Equipment Management Conference’ was organised at BRO School & Centre in Pune, which was graced by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhat. 
• BRO- centric software, as a part of ‘Digital India Initiative’ was launched on the occasion to automate various aspects of functioning of the BRO for smoother and faster output.

About BRO-

• BRO, the leading road construction agency in India, executes road construction and maintenance works along the borders  primarily to meet the strategic requirements of the Armed Forces.
• The BRO has constructed over 61,000 kms of roads, over 900 Bridges, four Tunnels and 19 airfields under challenging conditions along India’s borders and in friendly foreign countries, including Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
• The organisation is known for its engineering marvels such as the Atal Tunnel at Rohtang, which is the World’s Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 feet, the world’s highest motorable road over Umling La at 19024 ft, and maintaining 10 out of the 13 highest passes in the world.
• In 2022-23, the BRO completed 103 infrastructure projects, the most by the organisation in a single year. These include construction of Shyok Bridge in Eastern Ladakh and Steel Arch Siyom Bridge of Load Class 70 in Arunachal Pradesh on Along-Yingkiong Road. 

3. Women Officers of TA to be posted along LOC

Syllabus – GS2, Gender: Issues related to gender.

Prelims – Territorial Army

Context – The Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh approved a historic change where the women officers of the Territorial Army will now be allowed to be posted with engineer regiments along the Line of Control.

Details –

• It was in 2019 that the Territorial Army commenced commissioning women officers in ecological task force units, TA oil sector units and TA railway engineering regiment. 
• Women Officers of the TA will now be posted with Engineer Regiments of the Territorial Army serving along the Line of Control and as staff officers at TA Group Headquarters/ Directorate General of Territorial Army at New Delhi, as per organisational requirement.
•  The progressive policy measure is aimed at enhancing the scope of employment of women officers as well as meeting their professional aspirations. 
• The Territorial Army is based on a Citizen Soldiers’ army concept and officers undergo Annual Training on basic military skills while remaining gainfully employed in civilian life.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

May 7th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here