GS- 3rd Paper
Topic- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Global Bio-India Summit, 2019
Context
India’s first largest biotechnology conference Global Bio-India Summit, 2019 concludes
About
The Global Bio-India 2019, one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate held for the first time in India at New Delhi.
The DBT, Ministry of Science & Technology, along with its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) organized this event.
It is noteworthy to point that Biotechnology is recognized as the key driver for contributing to India’s USD 5Tn economy target and is identified as one of the thrust areas for driving GDP growth of our country.
Objectives of the Summit
Objectives
- Bio – Partnering, Policy Discussions, CEO’s plans for India & asks from India
- Showcase and identify key biotechnological innovations, products, services, technologies from national and international companies, start-ups and research institutes
- Identify funding and collaboration opportunities for research and development
- Explore licensing options for existing products
- Attracting major contract projects from international companies as well as major global venture funding into India
- Opportunity for Indian State Governments to attract foreign investment into their respective States
- Connect Indian Biotech ecosystem with international ecosystem
- Facilitate interactions of research institutions with the industry
Significance
- Biotech is identified as one of the key sectors in Make in India 2.0.
- The event is planned to bring in stakeholders of 30 countries together.
- Biotechnology and its contributions are important for India in achieving its 5 trillion USD target.
- Biotechnology is also one of the thrust areas for driving GDP growth of the country.
- The Summit assumes significanceas it is one of the largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate to be held in India for the first time.
Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
About
- BIRAC is a not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise, set up by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
- It is an Interface Agency to strengthen and empower the emerging Biotech enterprise to undertake strategic research and innovation, addressing nationally relevant product development needs.
- BIRAC is an industry-academia interface and implements its mandate through a wide range of impact initiatives.
- It provides access to risk capital through targeted funding, technology transfer, IP management and handholding schemes that help bring innovation excellence to the biotech firms and make them globally competitive.
- BIRAC has initiated partnerships with several national and global partners to collaborate and deliver the salient features of its mandate.
Key Strategies
- Foster innovation and entrepreneurship
- Promote affordable innovation in key social sectors
- Empowerment of start-ups & small and medium enterprises
- Contribute through partners for capability enhancement and diffusion of innovation
- Enable commercialization of discovery
- Ensure global competitiveness of Indian enterprises
GS- 3rd Paper
Topic- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
National Cadet Corps (NCC)
Context
NCC celebrates its 71st Raising Day
About
- The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world, is celebrating its 71stRaising Day.
- The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of Armed Forces with its Headquarters at New Delhi, Delhi, India.
- National Cadet Corps is a Tri-Services Organization, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Wing, engaged in grooming the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens.
- The National Cadet Corps in India is a voluntary organization which recruits cadets from high schools, higher secondary, colleges and universities all over India.
- The Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and parades.
Inauguration of NCC
- NCC (National Cadets Corps) was firstly started in 1666 in Germany.
- In India the first Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was raising the first NCC unit at Delhi on November 1948.
- NCC was created under the act of Indian Defence Act 1917.
- It was considered as successor of the University officers Training Corps (UOTC) established in 1942.
Aims of NCC
- The ‘Aims’ of the NCC laid out in 1988 have stood the test of time and continue to meet the requirements expected of it in the current socio–economic scenario of the country.
- The NCC aims at developing character, comradeship, discipline, a secular outlook, the spirit of adventure and ideals of selfless service amongst young citizens.
- Further, it aims at creating a pool of organized, trained and motivated youth with leadership qualities in all walks of life, who will serve the Nation regardless of which career they choose.
- To Provide a Suitable Environment to Motivate the Youth to Take Up a Career in the Armed Forces.
- The NCC also provides an environment conducive to motivating young Indians to join the armed forces.
GS- 2nd Paper
Topic- Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
One Stop Centre Scheme
Context
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up One Stop Centres (OSC).
About
- Government formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up One Stop Centre (OSC).
- It is a sub – scheme of Umbrella Scheme for National Mission for Empowerment of women including Indira Gandhi Mattritav Sahyaog Yojana.
- Popularly known as Sakhi, the scheme is being implemented since 1st April 2015.
- These Centres are being established across the country to provide integrated support and assistance under one roof to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces in phased manner.
- The OSC will support all women including girls below 18 years of age affected by violence, irrespective of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation or marital status.
The objectives of the Scheme-
- To provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof.
- To facilitate immediate, emergency and non – emergency access to a range of services including medical, legal, psychological and counselling support under one roof to fight against any forms of violence against women.
Services offered in OSCs
- Emergency response and rescue services.
- Medical assistance.
- Assistance to women in lodging the FIR.
- Psycho- social support and counselling.
- Legal aid and counselling.
- Video conferencing facility.
Implementing Agency
State Government/ UT Administration.
Funds
- The Scheme will be funded through Nirbhaya Fund .
- The Central Government will provide 100% financial assistance to the State Government /UT Administrations under the Scheme.
For Prelims
‘Destination North East’ festival
Highlights
- ‘Destination North East’ festival began in Varanasi.
- It will offer an opportunity for the fusion of the two rich cultures of Ganga and Brahmaputra.
- The festival represented by Varanasi and North East respectively.
- The festival is being organised by the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
