24 May 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

May 24th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Cyclonic Storm ‘Yaas’
2. Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery in India
3. Technology Development Board (TDB)
4. India and Israel
5. Shahi Litchi

1. Cyclonic Storm ‘Yaas’

Context:

Yaas very likely to intensify into a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’.

Know more about Cyclone Yaas in the link.

2. Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery in India

Context:

Hallmarking of gold Jewellery to begin from 15th June.

Details:

• Mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery/artefacts was to be implemented from 15^th Jan 2020 but was extended to 1^st June 2021 to clear old stock of non-hallmarked jewellery.
• In view of the Covid pandemic, this date has been extended further to 15^th June.
• Mandatory hallmarking will make jewellers selling gold jewellery and artefacts register with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and sell only hallmarked gold jewellery & artefacts.
• The purpose of making hallmarking mandatory is to ensure that consumers are not cheated while buying gold ornaments and get the purity as marked on the ornaments.
• This will enhance the credibility of the product and help to develop India as a leading gold market centre in the world.
• According to World Gold Council, India has around 4 lakh jewellers, out of this only 35879 have been BIS certified.

3. Technology Development Board (TDB)

Context:

Recycling carbon technology by Bangalore start-up received TDB National Award 2021.

Details:

• The award was given to the start-up for developing a commercial solution for the conversion of CO₂ to chemicals and fuels.
• Breathe Applied Sciences, a start-up incubated at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of CO₂to methanol and other chemicals.
• The development is significant because the solutions help in the conversion of anthropogenic CO₂ generated from various sources including coal and natural gas power generation sectors, steel industry, cement industry, and chemical industries.
• The has the potential to develop a complete solution for the environmental issues due to global warming.
• The start-up has received funding from the DST Nano Mission.

About Technology Development Board:

• The Technology Development Board is a statutory body instituted by the GOI in 1996.
• Its chief goal is to promote the development and commercialization of indigenous technology and adaptation of imported technology for wider application.
• The Board plays a pro-active role by encouraging enterprises to take up technology oriented products.
• It also provides equity capital or loans to industrial concerns and financial assistance to research and development institutions.
• It plays a big role in facilitating interaction between the industry, scientists, technocrats and specialists.
• The Secretary, Dept of Science & Technology is the ex-officio chairperson of the TDB.
• There are six other ex-officio members who are secretaries of various related departments within the government. There are four other private members also.

4. India and Israel

Context:

India and Israel signed a three-year work program for cooperation in agriculture.

Details:

• India and Israel are implementing the “Indo-Israel Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence” and “Indo-Israel Villages of Excellence”.
• Indo-Israel Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence:
  • The Agriculture Ministry, GOI and Mashav (Israel’s agency for International Development Cooperation) are leading Israel’s largest G2G cooperation, with 29 operational Centres of Excellence (COEs) across India in 12 States.
  • They are implementing Advanced-Intensive agriculture farms with Israeli Agro-Technology tailored to local conditions.
  • The Centres of Excellence generate knowledge, demonstrate best practices and train farmers.
• Indo-Israel Villages of Excellence:
  • The program is aimed at creating a model ecosystem in agriculture across eight states, alongside 13 Centers of Excellence within 75 villages.
  • The program will promote the increase of net income and better the livelihood of the individual farmer, transforming traditional farms into modern-intensive farms based on Indo-Israel Agriculture Action Plan standards.

Also read: Indo-Israel Relations

5. Shahi Litchi

Context:

First consignment of GI certified Shahi Litchi from Bihar exported to the U.K.

Shahi Litchi:

• Shahi litchi was the fourth agricultural product to get GI certification from Bihar in 2018, after Jardalu mango, Katarni rice and Magahi paan.
  • GI registration for Shahi Litchi is held with the Muzaffarpur-based Litchi Growers Association of Bihar.
• Muzzafarpur, Vaishali, Samastipur, Champaran, Begusarai districts and adjoining areas of Bihar have favourable climate for growing Shahi Litchi.
• This variety of litchi is juicier and pulpier than the other varieties found in the rest of the country.
• In Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga and nearby areas, the conditions are ideal for litchi cultivation, because of humid conditions and alluvial soil.
• Litchi cultivation in India was initially introduced in Bengal after which it spread to other regions including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
• India is the second-largest producer of litchi in the world and Bihar is the leading state for litchi production in the country.

Also read: List of Geographical Indications [GI Tags] in India

Read previous PIB here.

May 24th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here