16 August 2019: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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

August 16th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

The Vice President called on the government and civil society to work hand-in-hand to preserve India’s rich cultural heritage

Context:

The Vice President was addressing the gathering after inaugurating and dedicating to the nation ‘Shyamoli’.

Details:

• The Vice President emphasised on our duty and responsibility to protect every single monument and every single art form and pass it on to posterity so that they grow up in complete comprehension of India’s glorious history.
• He cautioned that we simply must not let our architectural gems lie buried under the weight of neglect and inertia.
• He applauded the Archaeological Survey of India for the great restoration work of Shyamoli carried out by them.

Shyamoli:

• ‘Shyamoli’ is an experimental mud-house built at Santiniketan in 1935.
• It is the heritage house of Rabindranath Tagore that house has been recently renovated by the Archaeological Survey of India as a deposit work and is a property of Visva-Bharati at present.
• Rabindranath, out of a traumatic and claustrophobic childhood-experience of his own education at school within the boundaries of four walls, set up a school for children at Santiniketan in 1901.
• He then built 5 new houses at the Northern corner of the Santiniketan ashram which is now known as Uttarayana and named them Konark, Udayan, Shyamali, Punascha and Udichi.
• History says that Shri. Rabindranath Tagore stayed in these houses at various points of time and took special interest in the planning of the houses according to his requirements.
• He hoped that Shyamali would encourage poverty-stricken families of rural Bengal to have earthen roofs instead of thatched roofs prone to be destroyed in fire. Large and empty earthen vessels were intentionally placed inside the thick mud walls and roof of one of the rooms of Shyamali for the purpose of introducing a natural cooling system.
• Rabindranath immortalised this house by publishing a book of Poems entitled ‘Shyamali’ in 1936.

Four New Products get GI Tag

Context:

The Geographical Indication (GI) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has recenly registered 4 new GIs.

Details:

• Latest additions to the List are:

1. Palani Panchamirtham from Palani Town in Tamil Nadu:
   • Palani Panchamirtham is an abishegaPrasadam and is one of the main offerings in the Abisegam of Lord Dhandayuthapani Swamy, the presiding deity of Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, situated in palani Hills, in Dindigul District.
   • It is a combination of five natural substances, namely, banana, jaggery sugar, cow ghee, honey and cardamom in a definite proportion.
   • It is prepared in a natural method without addition of any preservatives or artificial ingredients and is well known for its religious fervour and gaiety.
   • This is the first time a temple ‘prasadam’ from Tamil Nadu has been bestowed with the GI tag.

2. Tawlhlohpuan from Mizoram:
   • Tawlhlohpuan, a medium to heavy, compactly woven, good quality fabric from Mizoram.
   • It is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate hand-made designs.
   • Tawlhloh, in Mizo language, means ‘to stand firm or not to move backward’.
   • Tawlhlohpuan is produced throughout the state of Mizoram, Aizawl and Thenzawl town being the main centre of production.
   • It holds high significance in the Mizo society.
3. Mizo Puanchei from Mizoram:
   • Mizo Puanchei is a colourful Mizo shawl/textile, from Mizoram.
   • It is considered as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles.
   • It is an essential possession for every Mizo lady and an important marriage outfit in the state.
   • It is also the most commonly used costume in Mizo festive dances and official ceremonies.
   • The weavers insert the designs and motifs by using supplementary yarns while weaving.
4. Tirur Betel leaf from Kerala:
   • Tirur betel vine from Kerala, is mainly cultivated in Tirur, Tanur, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara block panchayaths of Malappuram District.
   • It is valued both for its mild stimulant action and medicinal properties.
   • It is commonly used for making pan masala for chewing, it has many medicinal, industrial and cultural usagesand is considered as a remedy for bad breath and digestive disorders.

Geographical Indication:

• GI is an indication used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• GI tag conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to its origin in that defined geographical locality.

Significance of GI Tag:

• GI products can benefit the rural economy in remote areas, by supplementing the incomes of artisans, farmers, weavers and craftsmen.
• India’s rural artisans possess unique skills and knowledge of traditional practices and methods, passed down from generation to generation, which need to be protected and promoted.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has taken several initiatives in this regard and is actively involved in promotion and marketing of GIs.

MCA amends provisions related to Differential Voting Rights under Companies Act

Context:

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has amended the provisions relating to issue of shares with Differential Voting Rights (DVRs) provisions under the Companies Act.

Differential Voting Rights:

• Promoters or founders who are instrumental in starting up a company often lose control of the firm when they dilute their stakes to raise multiple rounds of funding.
• DVRs do not follow the common rule of one share-one vote and enable promoters to retain control over the company even after many new investors come in, by allowing shares with superior voting rights or lower or fractional voting rights to public investors.
• Differential voting right(DVR) shares are same as ordinary equity shares except such stock does not dilute the promoters voting rights and makes it difficult for hostile takeovers.

Details: 

• Provisions relating to DVRs have been amended with the objective of enabling promoters of Indian companies to retain control of their companies, even as they raise equity capital from global investors in their pursuit for growth and creation of long-term value for shareholders,.
• The key change brought about through the amendments are:
  • Enhancement in the previously existing cap of 26% of the total post issue paid up equity share capital to a revised cap of 74% of total voting power in respect of shares with Differential Voting Rights of a company.
  • The removal of the earlier requirement of distributable profits for 3 years for a company to be eligible to issue shares with Differential Voting Rights.
• The time period within which Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) can be issued by Startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT) to promoters or Directors holding more than 10% of equity shares, has been enhanced from 5 years to 10 years from the date of their incorporation.
• The initiatives have been taken in response to requests from innovative tech companies & startups.
• The aim is to strengthen the hands of Indian companies and their promoters who have lately been identified by deep pocketed investors worldwide for acquisition of controlling stake in them to gain access to the cutting edge innovation and technology development.

MoD clarifies there is no proposal to privatise OFB

Context:

Rumours being spread that Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)is being privatised has resulted in its employees calling for a 30 days’ strike.

Details:

• Committee of senior officials of Ministry of Defenceled by Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production alongwith Chairman of OFB, explained to the employee organisations that there is no proposal to privatise OFB.
• The proposal under consideration of Government is to make it into Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), which is 100 per cent Government owned.
• It was also stated that corporatisation of OFB will bring OFB at par with other DPSUs of Ministry of Defence.  This is in the interest of OFB as it will provide operational freedom and flexibility to OFB which it presently lacks.

Ordnance Factory Board:

• Ordnance Factory Board(OFB) consisting of the Indian Ordnance Factories is a defense contractor owned by the Indian government.
• OFB comprises forty-one ordnance factories, nine training institutes, three regional marketing centres and four regional controllerates of safety which are spread all across the country.
• OFB is the world’s largest government-operated production organisation, and the oldest organisation run by the Government of India.
• It is often called the “Fourth Arm of Defence” and the “Force Behind the Armed Forces” of India.
• OFB is the 37th largest defence equipment manufacturer in the world, 2nd largest in Asia, and the largest in India.

Know India Programme for Young Overseas Indians

• Know India Programme of the Ministry of External Affairs is a three-week orientation programme.
• It was launched on 8 January 2014, on the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
• The purpose of the Know India Programme is to help Persons of Indian Origin youths familiarize with their roots and contemporary India and provide them an exposure to the country of their origin.
• It is conducted with a view to promoting awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, science & technology, communication & information Technology, culture.
• KIP aims at providing a unique forum for students & young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations & experiences and to develop closer bonds with contemporary India.
• From the year 2016, six KIPs a year are being organised.

Aadi Mahotsav ready for a start at Leh-Ladakh

Context:

Aadi Mahotsav (National Tribal Festival) is all set for a colourful start on 17^th August, 2019 in Leh-Ladakh.

Details:

• Aadi Mahotsav is a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India & Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
• The theme of the festival is : “A celebration of the spirit of Tribal Craft, Culture and Commerce”.
• The event will see around 160 Tribal artisans from more than 20 states across the country, actively participating and showcasing their masterpieces.
• The product range will comprise of Tribal Textiles from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal; Tribal Jewellery from Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and North East; Tribal Paintings like Gond art from Madhya Pradesh, Warli art from Maharashtra; Metal craft from Chhattisgarh; Black pottery from Manipur, and  Naturals and Organic products from Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Mahotsav will also cover to identify:

1. Food and Forest Produces, which can be processed, value added and marketed under the Van Dhan Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
2. Artisans and master craftsmen and women of Ladakh for empanelling them as suppliers of TRIBES India.

Showcasing Digital Skills of the Tribes:

• The Mahotsav apart from exotic handicrafts will also show case the electronic and digital skills of the tribals as a special attraction.
• In line with the national aspiration to go cashless, for the first time the tribal artisans will be accepting payment through major credit/debit cards for which Point of Sale (POS) machines are provided.
• The Mahotsav will display the rich digital commerce and e-commerce being promoted by Tribes India.
• TRIBES India proudly informs the signing of MOUs with Amazon, Snapdeal, Flipkart, PayTM and GEM, a Government of India Portal for e-commerce of the tribal products.
• TRIBES India has also has its own e-com portal tribesindia.com.

Ladakhi folk dances:

The troupes will perform

• Jabro Dance: a nomadic dance and song of people inhabiting eastern Ladakh.
• Spawo dance: a heroic song and dance associated with a legendary hero of Himalayan region called K’sar.

MoHUA’s One Day National Workshop Cum Exhibition on Sustainable Sanitation

Context:

• The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is organizing a one day national workshop cum exhibition.

Why is the workshop being organised?

• The workshop on sustainable sanitation is being organized in order to bring together relevant stakeholders to strategize on mitigating the risks associated with manual entry into sewers / septic tanks in a systematic manner, and help eliminate such incidents and fatalities.
• The workshop is being organized as part of the year long celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.
• The day long interaction among stakeholders is expected to culminate into a comprehensive roadmap for ensuring sustainable sanitation in urban areas.

Details:

• The focus of the workshop will be on discussing social and legal issues as well as technological and managerial interventions with regard to human entry into sewers and septic tanks.
• The workshop will showcase best practices on Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of sewerage system including mechanical cleaning of sewers, faecal sludge management with mechanical cleaning of septic tanks, co-treatment of septage, and showcase the latest equipment and machinery for cleaning of sewers and septic tanks in the exhibition.
• The roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Response Sanitation Unit (ERSU) – a proposed unit to systematise human entry into septic tanks in a professional, well trained, motivated and appropriately equipped manner will be discussed.
• Wastewater and stormwater management including rainwater harvesting in line with the Government’s focus on water conservation through the Jal Shakti Abhiyan will form an important agenda of discussion.
• The workshop will also see discussions and presentation of best practices on Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) based bio methanation under Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) and co­treatment of organic fraction of MSW with sludge.

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August 16th, 2019 PIB:-Download PDF Here

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