IASbaba Press Information Bureau 15th – 21st

October, 2018

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Prelims Orinted News

DHARMA GUARDIAN-2018: Indo-Japan Joint Exercise to promote Military cooperation

Police Commemoration Day: October 21; observed every year in memory of the policemen killed at Hot Springs in Ladakh by Chinese troops on this date in 1959.

Commemoration of ’75th Year of Establishment of Azad Hind Government’ at Red Fort, Delhi:

• The Azad Hind Government, founded on 21st October, 1943 was inspired by Neta ji Subhash Chandra Bose who was the leader of Azad Hind Government and also the Head of State of this Provisional Indian Government-in-exile.
• It was a part of the freedom movement, originating in 1940s outside India with a purpose of allying with Axis powers to free India from British rule.
• The existence of the Azad Hind Government gave a greater legitimacy to the independence struggle against the British.
• Pertinently, the role of Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA) had been crucial in bequeathing a much needed impetus to India’s struggle for Independence.

OneerTM – Affordable Water Disinfection System: Developed by CSIR, it is useful for continuous treatment of water and eliminates all disease causing pathogens such as virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and cyst to provide safe drinking water to domestic and communities settings as per National and International standards prescribed for potable water (BIS, WHO etc.).

• Will provide access to safe and clean drinking water at a cost of just 2 Paise
• Maintenance and membrane free

The technology will be helpful especially for rural people since it can be solar powered and this development is in line with the ‘Make in India’ Mission

Currently, a large proportion of India’s rural community is consuming water that does not meet the WHO drinking water quality standards. According to the World Health Organization, “access to safe drinking-water is essential to health, a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection”.

Mahila Kisan Diwas: Celebrated on 15th October

• The government has allocated more than 30% funds for women under various major schemes, programs and development related activities in order to bring women in the agriculture mainstream.
• About 18% of the agricultural households in India are led by women. In addition to agriculture, women have been making exceptional contribution in horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, beekeeping etc. – the participation of women is 75% in the production of major crops, 79% in horticulture, 51% in post-harvest work and 95% in animal husbandry and fisheries.
• A National Gender Resource Centre in Agriculture, set up in the Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, has developed a women sensitization module to bring about change in the mindset and behaviour of male program operators.
• Special importance is being given to the role of women in achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
• Government’s revised ATMA scheme is providing support to the Food Security Groups of the farmers to ensure food security at the domestic and community levels. Under this, the Women’s Food Security Groups are being given financial assistance at the rate of 2 groups / per block and at the rate of Rs 10,000 per group / per year.

Launch of Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi:

• The System is designed to predict extreme air pollution events and give alerts to take necessary steps as per Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Government of India.
• The air pollution system has been developed jointly by the scientists at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, India Meteorological Department and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
• The warning system consists of
  • Real time observations of air quality over Delhi region and details about natural aerosols like dust (from dust storms) and particulate matter using different satellite data sets
  • Predictions of air pollutants from two different air quality prediction systems based on state-of-the-art atmospheric chemistry transport models and
  • Warning Messages and Alerts and Bulletins.

NOTE:

The POCSO Act does not provide for any period of limitation for reporting the child sexual offences. Now any victim, at any age, can complain the sexual abuse faced by him/her as a child.

• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides protection to all children under the age of 18 years from the offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography.
• It is a gender neutral Act which has been enacted to strengthen the legal provisions for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

Quotes

Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu

Peace is the prerequisite for Progress and India is on rise and entire world is looking at us.

The history of mankind seems to be a ceaseless struggle between the forces of war and peace, between evil and goodness, between violence and non-violence, between tolerance and hatred, between understanding and misunderstanding, between isolationism and inclusion and between conflict and coexistence. It is a continuous struggle and the State has a major role in it along with other bodies like the United Nations.

The welfare and development of the people and the reduction in inequalities and discontent can potentially lead to a more harmonious, peaceful and less insecure society. So, what we should be addressing are the potential triggers that make our society an insecure place.

We are living in a world that is torn by violent thoughts, violent emotions and violent actions. To ensure security, we need to have a multi-pronged approach. Extremism, terrorism, communalism, violence against women and numerous other forms of violent behaviour need a concerted approach.

Education with values of empathy, compassion, tolerance and goodness embedded in the curriculum can prevent conflict and irrational violence. Community education, inter-faith understanding and evolution of societal norms that encourage harmony and zero tolerance towards violence of all kinds can provide the foundation for a secure society.

We have been facing the problems of insurgency, left wing extremism and attempts by certain fissiparous forces to weaken the unity and integrity of the country. There is no place for violence in a democracy and India is a mature parliamentary democracy and the ballot has proved to be far more powerful than the bullet.

The National Security Strategy aims at creating conditions to effectively pursue its development agenda while keeping the costs of security optimal and affordable. Our strategic security direction should encompass the following components, he said:

• Maintaining a deterrent capability to safeguard National Interests
• Ensuring security of national territory, maritime region, including our trade routes, air space and cyber space
• Maintaining a secure internal environment to guard against threats to our unity and development
• Strengthening and Expanding ‘‘Constructive Engagement’’ with Nations to promote regional and global peace as also international stability.