10 May 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. COP 15 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
2. Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK)
3. Revolt of 1857

1. COP 15 of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Syllabus: GS III, Environment, Conservation

Prelims: UNCCD

Mains: Roadmap to combat land degradation and the role of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Context: The Government of India has taken part in the Conference of Parties, the 15th meeting of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification which was held in Abidjan, Cote D Ivoire (Ivory Coast). 

Theme of COP 15: ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity’

COP 15 UNCCD: An Overview 

• This conference intended to bring together the leaders across governments, the private sector, civil society and other key stakeholders for the sustainable management of land to tackle the emerging issues of desertification. 
• This offered a platform to explore links between land and other sustainability issues involving Heads of States Summit, high-level roundtables and interactive dialogue sessions along with several essential events. 
• Drought, land restoration, land rights, gender equality and youth empowerment, constituted the focus of discussions in COP 15 of the UNCCD and are among the primary items on the Conference agenda. 
• This conference has considered the findings of the Global Land Outlook and provided a response to the interconnected challenges of land degradation, climate change and biodiversity loss as the world steps into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. 

India’s Role:

• India has always shown its active participation in international organisations that work towards issues related to the environment, climate change and other subjects of essence and addressed their causes with commitment and determination. 
• The COP 14 of the UNCCD was hosted by India in 2019 and India is currently presiding over the Conference of Parties. 
• In the 14th session, India committed to enhancing its total area that would be restored from land degradation status, from 21 million hectares to 26 hectares within 2030. 
• The Government of India conveyed that it continues to combat desertification with a major emphasis on land productivity and the adoption of a landscape restoration approach. 

Get a comprehensive understanding of UNCCD in the linked article.

2. Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK)

Syllabus: GS  II, Governance, Government Policies and Interventions for development in various sectors

Prelims: CoEK, KVIC

Mains: Discussing the scope and legacy of the Khadi industry in India

Context: In order to expand the legacy of Khadi, the first Centre of Excellence has been established in New Delhi.

About the Centre of Excellence for Khadi:

• This Centre is all set to make Khadi a universal, classic and value-driven brand. 
• The Centre aspires to design apparel and fashion accessories out of Khadi that appeal to the people of all generations. 
• The aspiration to travel with Khadi to newer places, the idea of a Centre of experimentation and innovation has been nurtured by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to address the needs of the Khadi Village and Industries Commission to empower Khadi institutions. 
• With a view to making Khadi trendier by diversifying its fabrics and clothing line and upskilling the Khadi Institutions to upgrade the quality standards, a Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) was established at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi.
• CoEK aims to introduce the latest designs and adopt processes of international standards to create new fabrics and clothing as per the needs of domestic and global buyers.
• The Centre of Excellence is on the verge of developing a knowledge portal for Khadi to promote the designs to all the Khadi institutions and the portal will also include information on silhouettes, weave, surface, textures, prints, closures, size chart, trims and finishes. 

3. Revolt of 1857

Syllabus: GS I, History, The freedom struggle – its various stages

Prelims: Facts related to the Revolt of 1857

Mains: Implications of the Great Revolt of 1857.

Context: The Prime Minister offered homage to the participants of the historic Revolt of 1857 for their indomitable courage and endeavour to free the nation from British rule. 

Highlights of 1857: 

• It is considered the first historic war of independence that ignited a sense of patriotism among Indians. 
• This was a landmark event that contributed to the weakening of colonial rule. 

Read more about the Revolt of 1857 in the link shared.

Read previous PIB here.

May 10th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here