26 Nov 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Constitution Day
2. Van Dhan Yojana
3. International Tourism Mart
4. SWADESH
5. Ex SHAKTI - 2021
6. BRICS STI
7. Antibacterial Fabric
8. PM Gati Shakti
9. The STEM Conference

1. Constitution Day

Context: In order to commemorate the day of adoption of the Indian Constitution, the Prime Minister inaugurated the celebration of the 72nd Constitution Day that involved a series of events in the Parliament and Vigyan Bhawan.

Turning the pages of history:

• Every 26th day of November takes us back to the year 1949 when the Constituent Assembly adopted, enacted and gave to the entire nation the Indian Constitution.
• The entire process of framing the Constitution took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days.

The Constituent Assembly:

• In 1934 M.N Roy proposed the idea to set up a constituent assembly followed by which the Indian National Congress aimed at framing of the Constitution by the Constituent Assembly.
• In 1938 Jawaharlal Nehru declared the need to frame the Constitution of free India.
• In the August Offer of 1940 the British Government accepted the demand for the Indian Constitution.
• Under the Cabinet Mission Plan, the Constituent Assembly was set up in 1946.
• The assembly was composed of important committees such as Major committees , Minor committees and the Drafting committee.

The Drafting Committee:

• This was the committee responsible for preparing the draft of the Indian Constitution
• It was open to the suggestions of the other committees.
• In February 1948, the first draft of the Constitution was ready and left to the people of India to suggest amendments. People of India were given eight months to decide.
• The final draft was introduced into the Constituent Assembly by Dr. B R Ambedkar in November 1948 and underwent three readings followed by which the Constitution was adopted and enacted on the 26th of November 1949. 

Where is the Original Constitution?

• There are three original copies of the Constitution preserved in the central library of the Parliament.
• The original Constitution is a 251-page manuscript consisting of sheets of parchment paper.
• A helium-filled case is used to preserve the original Constitution. Helium gas is inert and non-reactive. Therefore it doesn’t allow any pollutants or microorganisms to spoil the original document.

Celebration of Constitution Day:

• The decision of the Government to declare 26th of November as ‘Constitution Day’ was notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2015.
• This day is also known as National Law Day.
• Therefore, it is the moral duty of every citizen to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution, the document of faith and aspirations that enjoys special legal sanctity.

Read more on Constitution Day in the link.

The components of the Indian Constitution:

Check the table below for important articles related to the Indian Constitution:

2. Van Dhan Yojana

Context: Nagaland has set an exemplary roadmap of tribal entrepreneurship that determined how cluster development can bring value addition and generate income.

About Cluster Development:

• The Cluster Development Programme in horticulture is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare with an objective to enhance the export of horticulture produce.
  • Horticulture is the branch of plant agriculture that involves garden crops, fruits and vegetables.
• This programme also aims at improving productivity, post-harvest management, logistics and marketing.
• These clusters will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) introduced by TRIFED in association with state departments.
• The Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission is the nodal agency for honey production in the state and implements the cluster programmes within the purview of PMVDY.
• The Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters will be functional throughout the year as the nodal agency is trying to include other minor forest produce (MFP) like hill broom, oyster mushroom, ginger and nut gall.
• TRIFED has enabled the mechanism for marketing of MFP through MSP and also developed a value chain for the minor forest produce.
• This showed positive results with the increase in the procurement boosting the tribal start-ups and generating employment for tribal gatherers and forest dwellers.

   Also Read: Van Dhan Yojana

Minor Forest Produce:

• The Forest Rights Act of 2006 defines MFP as all the non-timber forest produce having plant origin and includes bamboo, brushwood, stumps, canes, tusser, cocoon, honey, wax, lac, tendu/kendu leaves, medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tuber.
• The categorization of bamboo and cane under trees was changed by amending the Indian Forest Act of 1927.
• The transit permit of MFP will be provided by the committee set up by the Gram Sabhas or persons authorized by the Gram Sabha.

3. International Tourism Mart

Context: The International Tourism Mart is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Tourism. This three-day event was the 9th edition of the event ever since its inception in the year 2013.

Important Highlights:

• This will make the tourism potential of the region prominent and bring into the spotlight domestic tourism.
• For the first time, the International Tourism Mart is hosted by Nagaland.
• This event occurs in the NorthEast region on a rotation basis. Earlier this event was held at Guwahati, Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), Shillong, Gangtok, Agartala and Imphal.
• A delegation of students from various parts of the country will be engaged in a study tour under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• There will be 300 delegates comprising government officials, industry stakeholders and local participants.
• The visitors will get an opportunity to cherish the cultural heritage of North East India.

Objectives of the Event:

• To discuss the way forward for tourism in the region
• To enhance cultural ties with the Northeast region and improve connectivity
• Promote the natural beauty of the region through tourism

4. SWADESH

Context: SWADESH is the world’s first multimodal brain imaging data and analytics developed by DBT – National Brain Research Centre. It was inaugurated as a unique brain initiative that emphasized neuroimaging, neurochemical and neuropsychological data and analytics that are made accessible to the researchers to treat brain disorders.

Important Facts:

• This has been designed for the Indian population and to provide them with big data architecture for various diseases under one platform.
• SWADESH is facilitated by JAVA based programs and Python. Java is the most commonly used programming language that is used in big data and android development and it is also used in mobile computing, desktop computing and gaming.
• It has a powerful storage system that offers quality control, data analysis reports and data backups.
• It has data on healthy old people, healthy young people and patients with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Parkinson’s disease.
• DBT-NBRC has been successful in the development of research tools through SWADESH.

Important Tools of SWADESH

• GAURI system – uses an adaptive pattern of recognition and learning schemes for better diagnosis and consists of MRI modalities and neuropsychological batteries.
• NINS-STAT – An automated highly advanced statistical test selection which can be useful for clinical research.
• KALPANA – It is an integrative package for visualization and quantitative analysis of data.
• PRATEEK – Allows multimodal neuroimaging data analysis.
• Stimulus Timing Integrated Module – It is a multipurpose design system for MRI related purposes, mapping brain activity and clinical evaluation of brain disorders.
• BHARAT – It is a big data analytical model for early diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.

About DBT:

• The Department of Biotechnology operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology that aims to promote and improve the research and development in the field of biotechnology that has its wide application in agriculture, healthcare, animal sciences, environment and industry.

About NBRC:

• The National Brain Research Centre is the only institution in the country that is dedicated to neuroscience research.
• The institution includes scientists and students from diverse disciplines like biology, computer science, mathematics, engineering working together to establish a clear understanding of the brain.

5. Ex SHAKTI – 2021

Context: The 6th edition of the biennial Indo-France military exercise was carried out under the title Ex-SHAKTI.

About the Exercise:

• The exercise was preceded by joint military training, execution of combat power in a counter-insurgency environment.
• The Indian army was represented by the Gorkha rifles.
• This gave an opportunity to both contingents to get trained in a counter-terrorism environment.
• It was conducted in two phases that consisted of combat conditioning and tactical training of counter-terrorism operations.
• Besides, there were cultural and sports activities that enhanced the friendship between the military personnel of India and France.

Know more about Ex Shakti in the link.

Aim of the Exercise:

• Both the militaries had a clear objective of ensuring a terrorism free world.
• To promote military diplomacy between the participating countries.
• To strengthen their defence cooperation, France has emerged as one among India’s top strategic partners.

The three biennial exercises of India and France:

• Exercise Garuda – India-France Air forces
• Exercise Varuna – India-France Naval forces
• Exercise Shakti – India-France Military forces

6. BRICS STI

Context: In order to increase cooperation in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation, India requested the BRICS countries to come forward and collaborate. This was the 9th BRICS science and technology ministers meeting chaired by India’s Minister for Science and Technology.

Aim of the meeting:

• To innovate and make innovation cost-effective, affordable, accessible, sustainable and scalable
• Offer scientific solutions to the upcoming challenges
• To increase preparedness and response to pandemic like situation

Important Highlights:

• The year 2021 marks the completion of 15 years of BRICS cooperation and the overall theme adopted was ‘BRICS@15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for continuity, consolidation and consensus’.
• India has prepared the Innovation Cooperation Action Plan 2021-24 with support from BRICS countries.
• This action plan consists of new initiatives that will not only benefit the citizens but will expand to the BRICS nations.

7. Antibacterial Fabric

Context: An antibacterial fabric has been developed by the Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute in Jaipur under Khadi and Village Industries Commission.

About the Antibacterial fabric:

• Antibacterial agents extracted from cow dung have been used in the fabric and result in the prevention of bacterial growth in the fabric.
• These fabrics can be used in hospitals and other medical facilities.
• The plastic mixed handmade paper and the Khadi Prakritik Paint are innovative products that will ensure employment opportunities in the villages.
• Khadi Prakritik Paint is eco-friendly and cost-effective whereas the handmade plastic units will facilitate the clearance of plastic waste.
• To scale the handmade plastic units, paper industries will be set up creating employment opportunities that will strengthen the rural economy.

8. PM Gati Shakti

Context: A zonal conference on PM Gati Shakti was organised by Deendayal Port Trust that operates under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Important Facts:

• PM Gati Shakti is a dynamic vision that establishes a master plan on multi-modal connectivity that offers a digital platform and brings together 16 ministries and institutions to work out a plan for the implementation of infrastructure projects.
• This intends to associate with ongoing schemes such as Bharatmala, Sagarmala and inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN.
• In order to promote business and create a competitive ambience, connectivity projects in textile clusters, industrial corridors, fishing clusters, electronic parks, agri zones, defence corridors and economic hubs will be covered under this scheme.
• The zonal conference emphasized on the extension of the PM GatiShakti scheme to the panchayat level to build a holistic network of progress.

To read more about the PM Gati Shakti, follow the link: PM Gati Shakti

9. The STEM Conference

Context: The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) conference was organized by the Department of Science and Technology, GOI in collaboration with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Israel to discuss the importance of women’s participation in the STEM programmes.

Objective:

• The conference intended to establish a flexible working environment for women along with the need for socio-cultural changes.
• To achieve gender parity in the field of STEM.

About STEM:

• The idea to promote STEM education in India has been supported by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication along with the Department of Science and Technology, GOI.
• It is a curriculum that promotes the idea of educating students in disciplines such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
• This aims at establishing a robust platform for innovation for the next generation.
• According to a report of the National Science Foundation, most of the jobs will demand skills in maths and science subjects. It is necessary to boost the skill upgradation for employment and initiatives like STEM plays an exemplary role towards such skill development.

Read previous PIB here.

November 26th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here