06 September 2019: PIB Summary & Analysis

Read the daily PIB update and stay up-to-date on current affairs for the UPSC exam.

September 6th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

Swachh Mahotsav 2019

Context:

The Swachh Mahotsav 2019 was held at New Delhi organised by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. The President gave away the Swachh Bharat Awards in various categories.

Swachh Bharat Awards 2019

• Best Swachh Iconic Place award: Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Swachh Award in Swachhta Action Plan category: Ministry of Railways
• Swachhta Pakhwada Award: Department of Defence
• PSU Category award for contribution to Swachh Bharat Kosh: Power Grid Corporation
• Award for Open Defecation Free (ODF) and Behavior Change: Gujarat and Sikkim
• Ganga Gram: Village Baghori in Uttarkashi
• Awards were also given to youngsters in the Swachh Bharat Summer Internship category.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas – 2019

Context:

The opening ceremony of Exercise Yudh Abhyas – 2019 was held at Joint Base Lewis MC Chord, Washington, USA.

About Exercise Yudh Abhyas:

• It is a joint military exercise between the Indian and US armies.
• The US contingent was represented by a company of 5-20 Infantry Battalion of the US Army while the Indian side was represented by the Assam Regiment.
• Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peacekeeping operations.
• This is the 15^th edition of the joint exercise.
• The first edition was in 2004 and the exercise is designed to augment cooperation between the two armies while sharing training, cultural exchanges, and building joint operating skills.

Meeting between Indian and South Korean Defence Ministers

Context:

Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh holds talks with Minister of National Defence of Republic of Korea, Mr. Jeong Kyeongdoo in Seoul, South Korea.

Details:

• The Defence Minister is on a 3-day visit to South Korea.
• During the talks, the two leaders comprehensively reviewed bilateral defence cooperation.
• They discussed the ongoing co-operation at Service-to-Service level and prospects for enhanced co-operation between defence industries of India and Korea.
• They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
• Two major agreements to promote defence educational exchanges and extend logistical support to each other’s Navies were signed.
• Rajnath Singh also visited the War Memorial to which he presented a copy of the citation received by the Indian 60th Para Field Hospital for its exceptional contributions during the Korean War.

28th Indo–Thai CORPAT

Context:

The 28th edition of the India -Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is being conducted from 05 – 15 September 2019 at Bangkok.

About the Indo – Thai CORPAT:

• It is a collaborating exercise between the Indian and the Thai navies.
• It is being conducted twice a year since 2003.
• This exercise reflects both forces’ shared commitment for the peaceful Indian Ocean and international maritime security and cooperation.
• Objectives of the Indo – Thai CORPAT are to ensure effective implementation of United Nations Conventions on Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) which specify regulations regarding
  • Protection and conservation of natural resources
  • Conservation of marine environment
  • Prevention and suppression of illegal, unregulated fishing activity/ drug trafficking/ piracy
  • Exchange of information in the prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration
  • Conduct of Search and Rescue operations at sea

14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

Context:

The 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is being held in New Delhi, India between 2^nd and 13^th September 2019.

Details:

• Over 3,000 participants from all over the world are expected to participate in COP14.
• The Parties to the Convention will agree on the actions each will take over the next two years and beyond to take planet earth on to a sustainable development path.
• Ministers from 196 countries, scientists and representatives of national and local governments, non-governmental organizations, city leaders, the private sector, industry experts, women, youth, journalists, faith and community groups will talk at the conference.
• UNCCD is the sole legally binding international agreement that links environment and development to sustainable land management.
  • It addresses specifically arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as drylands, home to some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples.
  • It was established in 1994 and entered into force in 1996.
  • It is one of the three Rio Conventions along with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
  • India became a signatory to UNCCD on 14th October 1994 and ratified it on 17th December 1996.
• The chief agendas for COP14 are reversing land degradation and its outcomes while accelerating positive achievements for people and for ecosystems with a view to delivering on the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals.

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September 6th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

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