30 November 2019: PIB Summary & Analysis

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November 30th, 2019 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. First-Ever National Startup Awards 2020
2. First India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting
3. 10th Indian Organ Donation Day
4. Forensic Sciences sector in India
5. Conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ in Jammu
6. Compulsory implementation of FASTag

First-Ever National Startup Awards 2020

Context

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has announced the institution of the first-ever National Startup Awards.

About National Startup Awards 2020

• The National Startup Awards seek to recognize and reward outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers that are building innovative products or solutions and scalable enterprises, with high potential of employment generation or wealth creation, demonstrating measurable social impact.
• The measure of success will not only be the financial gains for the investors but also the contribution to the social good.
• The Awards will recognize exceptional startups across various categories that are
  • Providing innovative solutions to solve real problems and challenges for India,
  • Developing innovative technologies, products and solutions from India to the world,
  • Building businesses that are scalable, sustainable and responsible and delivering measurable developmental gains.
• The National Startup Awards will also reward exceptional Incubators and Accelerators as key building blocks of a robust startup ecosystem.
• The awards for startups will be given in 35 areas, classified into 12 broad sectors like agriculture, education, enterprise technology, energy, finance, food, health, Industry 4.0, space, security, tourism, and urban services.
• In addition, there are three special awards for startups from educational institutions, making an impact in rural areas and women entrepreneurs.

First India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting

Context

Defence Minister of India and External Affairs Minister of India met Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of Defense of Japan in New Delhi for the first India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting.

Takeaways of the meet

• The Ministers affirmed that this dialogue will further enhance the strategic depth of bilateral security and defence cooperation.
• The Ministers noted with satisfaction that since last year India and Japan have initiated bilateral exercises between all three components of their defence forces.
• The Ministers also concurred to proceed with coordination for the first India-Japan joint fighter aircraft exercise in Japan.
• The Ministers welcomed the significant progress made in the negotiations of Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) since the announcement to commence the negotiations in October 2018.
  • Acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), will allow the Indian military and the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) to use each other’s bases for logistical support.
  • It will enhance the strategic depth of bilateral security and defence cooperation.
  • The ACSA would permit the Indian Navy (IN) access to a Japanese base in Djibouti, while the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) would be permitted to use India’s military installations on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located in the Indian Ocean, which lie near the Malacca Straits, next to other naval facilities.
• Acknowledging the importance of ensuring maritime safety in achieving a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific, the Ministers expressed their intention to further promote cooperation in the field of capacity building in maritime security and Maritime Domain Awareness including through cooperation with other countries.

To read about Strategic Importance of Indo Pacific: Click Here

• Recalling the Japan-India-US Summit Meetings in 2018 and 2019, the Ministers acknowledged the trilateral cooperation with the US.
• The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at trilateral cooperation represented by the “MALABAR 2019”, mine-countermeasures exercise (MINEX) and “Cope India 2018” in which Japan participated as an observer in 2018.
• The Ministers had a frank and fruitful exchange of views on the regional issues of mutual interests particularly on the security situation in the Indo-Pacific.

10th Indian Organ Donation Day

Context

Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare presided over the 10th Indian Organ Donation Day.

Significance

• India performs the second largest number of transplants in the world, next only to USA as per data available on the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation
• Despite the achievement of being second to USA in the number of transplants, there is a huge gap still exists between those requiring transplants and the actual number of organs available for transplant from deceased donors.
• Government of India has set up the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), for carrying out the activities for the promotion of organ donation from deceased persons, putting systems in place for organ donation and transplantation and training the needed manpower etc.

To read more about organ donation: Click Here

National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO)

• NOTTO is performing the functions of the National Human Organs & Tissues Removal and Storage Network as specified by the Act.
• Networking among hospitals and tissue banks is set up through NOTTO at national level / ROTTO at regional level / SOTTO at State level for procurement and sharing of organs obtained from the deceased donors and allocation of procured organs is done by the SOTTOs, ROTTOs & NOTTO.
• The networking of the transplant and / or retrieval hospitals has been done to ensure that any organ which is donated does not get wasted.

Forensic Sciences sector in India

Background

As part of several initiatives of the Government to facilitate more efficient and scientific investigation in serious and heinous crimes, Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to enhance the capacity of six Central Forensic Science Laboratories under the Directorate of Forensic Science Services in the area of forensic psychology involving external experts.

Steps taken by Government to strengthen the sector

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been executed
  • Between the Directorate of Forensic Science Services, New Delhi and Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Gujarat Forensic Science University (GFSU).
  • to jointly carry out research activities in the area of Forensic Psychology, neuro-psychological and psycho-social genesis of criminal behaviour and related matters, with exchange of technology.
  • This MoU is expected to enhance the partnership between academicians and practitioners and give a fillip to capacity building for forensic investigation as also cutting-edge research in the sector.
• Forensic psychology is one of the emerging areas of forensic science in India.
  • It primarily involves the use of applied clinical psychology (including cognitive psychology, social psychology etc.) in criminal justice.
  • This information is critical to formulating policies for prevention and reduction of crimes in the country, as well as in administration and management of prisons, jails, rehabilitation centers etc.

Conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ in Jammu

Context

The Union Minister of State (PP), inaugurates conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ with focus on Jal Shakti and Disaster Management in Jammu.

About the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative:

• This initiative was launched in October 2016 to promote engagement amongst the people of different States/UTs so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India.

Objectives of the EBSB initiative:

• To celebrate the Unity in Diversity of our nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our country
• To promote the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States
• To showcase the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity
• To establish long-term engagements and
• To create an environment that promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences.

Compulsory implementation of FASTag

Context

• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to postpone the date of compulsory implementation of FASTags on National Highway Toll Plazas.

FASTag

• FASTag is device that employs Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from prepaid or savings account linked to it. It is affixed on the windscreen of the vehicle and enables the commuter to drive through toll plazas, without stopping for cash transactions.

Benefits of these measures:

• These measures will eventually help NHAI cater to its commitment of providing a safe, smooth and seamless journey to commuters on National Highways.
• The enhanced adoption of FASTag program will increase user convenience by offering seamless toll-fee payments at Plazas and thus help save time, money and fuel.
• The online payments will improve the transparency of toll transactions, reduce revenue leakages, and improve overall efficiency and commercial competitiveness.
• Indian Highways Management Company Ltd. (IHMCL) is also striving for the vision of One Nation – One Tag by aligning with various State Authorities/SPV to ensure that FASTag becomes the preferred digital payment instrument at State/Municipal Plazas.

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