19 October 2018: UPSC Exam PIB Summary & Analysis

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

12th ASEM Summit

Context:

• The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu addressing the Summit said that building the future together is the need of the hour and promoting Inclusive growth and Sustainable Connectivity should be the priority.
• The theme of ASEM 12 Summit is “Global Partners for Global Challenges”. 

Highlights of the Summit: 

• The ASEM summit will bring together:
  • heads of state or government of 51 European and Asian countries
  • representatives of the European Union
  • the Secretary General of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

• Leaders will seek to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two continents on a wide range of areas, including:
  • trade & investment
  • connectivity
  • sustainable development and climate
  • security challenges such as terrorism, non-proliferation, cyber-security, irregular migration.

Highlights of the Vice President’s Speech:

• 2030 Sustainable Development Goals has been mapped to India’s developmental programmes and schemes.
• India’s development architecture is under pinned by ‘Collective Efforts for Inclusive Development’.
• India would be showcasing its rich cultural heritage through the unique fusion of Indian classical dance Kathakali narrating the story of Spanish “Don Quixote” as a part of the ASEM culture festival.
• Peace is a prerequisite for progress. If there is tension at the border, there will be no attention in the nation. Let’s work together to eliminate terror from the globe. 

75th Year of Establishment of Azad Hind Government

• The Prime Minister of India, Shri  Narendra Modi, would be hoisting the National flag and unveiling the plaque to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of Azad Hind Government on 21st October, 2018, at the Red Fort, Delhi.

About:

• 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.
• 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.

Carnot Prize

• Recognising the pathbreaking transformations in India’s energy, the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design is awarding its fourth annual Carnot Prize to Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways & Coal and former Minister of Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Government of India.

About:

• The Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.
• The most prestigious award in the energy sector, Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot who recognised that the power of the steam engine would “produce a great revolution”in human development.
• Mark Alan Hughes, founding faculty director, Kleinman Center, commended India’s electrification drive – “Providing power to the world’s energy poor turns on the lights—and also empowers education, sanitation, and health care. It closes the gap between the haves and have nots.”

Indian Initiatives:

• In the last four years, energy efficiency has become a people’s movement in India, making the Government’s UJALA scheme the world’s largest LED distribution programme, and along with private sector participation, 130 crore LED bulbs have been distributed, making India brighter and cleaner.
• It is a matter of immense pride for India that in several newly electrified villages, the first consumers of electricity are using LED bulbs and rooftop solar panels, realising India’s vision of sustainable, universal, and affordable energy access.

To ace UPSC current affairs section, read more PIB articles here.

Also See: