20 May 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. SOP issued for implementation of ‘Rice Fortification’
2. Nechiphu Tunnel
3. World Metrology Day 2022
4. National Innovation Foundation (NIF)
5. World Economic Forum (WEF)

1. SOP issued for implementation of ‘Rice Fortification’

Syllabus: GS II, Health; Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Prelims: Fortification of Rice

Mains: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued to maintain the desired quality of Rice Fortification

Context

The Department of Food and Public Distribution has formulated a Standard Operating Procedure for the smooth implementation of the Fortified Rice Distribution programme.

Details

• As per the announced schedule, the distribution of fortified rice to the Integrated Child Development Services, midday meals, public distribution system and other nutrition and welfare schemes and programmes will be completed by 2024.
• The Department of Food and Public Distribution is working to ensure the implementation of the Rice Fortification Programme.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is also playing a key role in the implementation of the programme.

Fortification of Rice

• Fortification is the process of adding essential micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals to food to improve its nutritional quality and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health. Know what is biofortification in the link.
• Rice fortification is a process of adding micronutrients such as Iron, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12, which is an effective and cost-efficient complementary way to address the problems of anaemia.

Know more about the Fortification of Rice.

2. Nechiphu Tunnel

Syllabus: GS III, Infrastructure: Roads

Prelims: About Nechiphu Tunnel

Context

Border Road Organisation (BRO) conducted a final breakthrough blast which marks the successful completion of excavation work of the Nechiphu Tunnel.

Nechiphu Tunnel

• The Nechiphu Tunnel is being constructed on the Balipara-Chariduar-Tawang (BCT) Road in the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh
• The Nechiphu Tunnel is a unique 500-metre-long D-shaped, single tube double lane tunnel built at an altitude of 5,700 feet.
• The tunnel has been equipped with modern lighting and safety facilities. 
• The tunnel is constructed to detour extreme foggy conditions prevailing around Nechiphu Pass which have affected general traffic and military convoys. 
• The tunnel boasts of having state-of-the-art electro-mechanical systems such as fire fighting devices, auto illumination systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controlled monitoring systems. 
• It is also provided with raised footpaths for safer pedestrian movement.
• It is being constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
• The BRO has successfully completed the construction of High Altitude and Mountainous tunnels in recent few years such as the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang in Himachal Pradesh and the Chamba Tunnel in Uttarakhand.

3. World Metrology Day 2022

Syllabus: GS III, Science and Technology – developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Prelims: About World Metrology Day 2022 and CSIR-National Physical Laboratory

Context

World Metrology Day 2022 was celebrated at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory.

World Metrology Day 2022

• World Metrology Day is celebrated annually on May 20th.  
• World Metrology Day celebrates the signing of “The Metre Convention” on 20 May 1875 by the representatives of about seventeen countries.
• The Convention has provided a platform for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications.
• The World Metrology Day project is realized jointly by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).
• The theme for World Metrology Day 2022 is “Metrology in the Digital Era”.

CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL)

• The National Physical Laboratory was conceptualized by the governing body of CSIR and the foundation stone was laid in January 1947.
• CSIR-NPL is situated in New Delhi.
• CSIR-NPL is a premier laboratory with the responsibility of the dissemination of measurements to the needs of the country.
• The CSIR-NPL is the custodian of national measurement standards through the Weights & Measures Act 1956 and provides traceability to International System (SI) units in India.
  • Thus NPL has the statutory obligation to realize, establish, maintain, reproduce and update the national standards of measurement and calibration facilities for different parameters.
• CSIR-NPL currently maintains six out of seven SI base units. They are;
  • Metre (distance), kilogram (weight), second (time), kelvin (temperature), ampere (electric current), candela (light). 
  • R&D is underway to realise and establish the seventh SI base unit of mole or mol (chemical amount).

4. National Innovation Foundation (NIF)

Syllabus: GS III, Science and Technology; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology

Prelims: National Innovation Foundation (NIF)

Context

A start-up incubated by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) won the Amazon Smbhav ’22 award.

National Innovation Foundation (NIF)

• The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) was established in 2000 with the support of the Department of Science and Technology.
• NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology that helps the industries with respect to energy needs, cost reduction, and environmental protection.
• It is set up to strengthen technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. 
• Mission: to help India become a creative and knowledge-based society by expanding policy and institutional space for grassroots technological innovators.

5. World Economic Forum (WEF)

Syllabus: GS II, International Relations; Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. 

Prelims: About World Economic Forum (WEF)

Context

A World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting is taking place in Davos from 23-25 May 2022.

World Economic Forum (WEF)

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
• WEF was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit organisation.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• WEF engages leading political, business, cultural and other key individuals in society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
• The forum believes that progress takes place by collaborating with people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

Know more about the World Economic Forum (WEF)

Read previous PIB here.

May 20th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here