08 Nov 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Padma Awards
2. UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
3. Statement Delivered by Basic Group in Joint Stocktake Plenary at COP 26
4. Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme
5. Mentorship Programme for Young Innovators
6. Tele-Law on Wheels
7. Ganga Mashaal

1. Padma Awards

Context:

President presented the Padma Awards for the year 2020.

Know more about the Padma Awards and get the list of the winners in the linked article.

2. UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

Context:

Srinagar joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Details:

• Srinagar has joined UNESCO’s network of creative cities and has been designated as a creative city of craft and folk arts.
• Along with Srinagar, 49 cities have newly joined the Creative Cities Network in recognition of their commitment to placing culture and creativity at the heart of their development and to sharing knowledge and good practices.
• Other Indian cities that are in the network are:
  • Chennai and Varanasi – UNESCO cities of music
  • Jaipur – UNESCO city of crafts and folk arts
  • Mumbai – UNESCO city of film
  • Hyderabad – UNESCO city of gastronomy
• Currently, UCCN has 295 cities in 90 countries.
• By joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), cities commit to sharing their best practices and developing partnerships involving the public and private sectors as well as civil society in order to strengthen the creation, production, distribution and dissemination of cultural activities, goods and services.
• They also pledge to develop hubs of creativity and innovation and broaden opportunities for creators and professionals in the cultural sector.
• The UCCN was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

3. Statement Delivered by Basic Group in Joint Stocktake Plenary at COP 26

Context:

India delivered the BASIC group statement taking the floor on behalf of BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China).

Details:

• The statement said that BASIC countries support strong, credible domestic mitigation actions by developed country parties without undue reliance on cheap offsets to maintain their high carbon, unsustainable lifestyles.
• In this direction, BASIC nations support markets that are credible and have high environmental integrity and strong non-market approaches as well.
• It also said that the decisions of COP26 should remain within the confines of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement and be fully consistent with its guiding principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).

Also read: Paris Agreement

4. Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme

Context:

17 scientists from across India were awarded Swarnajayanti Fellowships.

About the Swarnajayanti Fellowship Scheme:

• It is a research fellowship in India awarded annually by the Department of Science and Technology (GOI) for notable and outstanding research by young scientists, applied or fundamental, in biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and physics.
• It was instituted in 1997.
• The selected scientists are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology.
• The award consists of a Fellowship of Rs 25000/- per month in addition to the salary drawn from the parent institute for a period of 5 years.
• The fellows’ projects may also be funded by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB).
• The duration of the fellowship will not exceed five years.

About Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB):

• It is a statutory body and is established through an Act of Parliament: SERB Act 2008, Government of India.
• The Organisation aims to uplift science and engineering in India, in a manner that it can contribute majorly in the economic growth of the country.
• It is the premier research funding agency in India.
• Its functions include:
  • Investigating and identifying the major areas of development and research
  • Maintaining a disciplinary link between academic institutions, research labs, and industries promoting Science and Technology
  • Monitoring the development and implementation of various research projects

5. Mentorship Programme for Young Innovators

Context:

Union Minister launched India’s first-ever Mentorship Programme for Young Innovators called the DBT-Star College Mentorship Programme.

About the DBT-Star College Mentorship Programme:

• The programme is basically meant to help in networking, hand-holding and outreach.
• The plan envisages organizing workshops, meetings per month; handhold at colleges particularly in the rural areas or lesser endowed areas and conducting outreach activities with government schools.
• The Star Status Colleges will help in incorporating the vision of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) towards strengthening UG Science Courses throughout the country by mentoring newer colleges through hand-holding and peer learning and bringing them under the aegis of the Star College Scheme.

About the Star College Scheme:

• The Star College Scheme was initiated by DBT in 2008 to support colleges and universities offering undergraduate education to improve science teaching across the country.
• This Scheme was launched for improving critical thinking and encouraging ‘hands on’ experimental science at the undergraduate level in basic science subjects.
• It also aimed at encouraging more students to pursue higher education in science.
• Through this scheme, the Department identifies colleges with potential for excellence and provides support for developing infrastructure for academics and laboratory activities.
• A total of 278 undergraduate colleges across India are currently being supported under the DBT Star College Scheme.

6. Tele-Law on Wheels

Context:

Department of Justice launched the “Tele-Law on Wheels” Campaign.

Details:

• It is a one-week-long campaign to empower people through pre-litigation advice for rightfully claiming their entitlements and for timely redressal of their difficulties.
• During the week, the Citizens’ Tele-Law Mobile App would also be launched.
  • This App would connect the beneficiaries directly with Panel Lawyers offering legal advice and consultation.

7. Ganga Mashaal

What is the Ganga Mashaal?

• The Mashaal (torch) will travel to a total of 23 stations along River Ganga which will help in sensitization of the local people and Namami Gange volunteers.
• The “Ganga Mashaal” has formally started its journey from Rishikesh and Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

Context:

• The 5th edition of ‘Ganga Utsav 2021 – The River Festival’ was held in New Delhi from 1st to 3rd November 2021.

Read previous PIB here.

November 8th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here