Bharat Climate Forum

Context: The Bharat Climate Forum was recently launched to position India as a global leader in clean tech manufacturing.

About Bharat Climate Forum

• It is a national platform which is dedicated to unifying stakeholders from policy, industry, finance, and research to accelerate cleantech manufacturing in India.
• Hosted By: The Centre for Indigenous Economic Understanding (CIEU) and Dalberg Advisors
• Supported By: The Forum is supported by key institutions, including the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), NITI Aayog, and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• Aim: To position India as a global leader in clean tech manufacturing, fostering self-reliance towards a journey for a Net-Zero and Viksit Bharat.
• Theme: The forum will focus on six foundational themes that are critical to driving India’s net-zero ambitions
  • Clean energy generation and storage
  • Manufacturing for Net-Zero
  • E-mobility and green transportation
  • Climate finance and investment mobilization
  • Industrial decarbonization and clean energy transition
  • Building partnerships for climate action and leadership

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Drishti 10 Starliner

Context: A Drishti 10 Starliner drone, developed by Adani Defence and Aerospace, crashed off the Porbandar coast, Gujarat.

About Drishti 10 starliner

• The Drishti 10 Starliner is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). 
• Developed by: Adani Defence and Aerospace in collaboration with the Israeli firm Elbit Systems. 
• commonly known as Hermes 900,
• The drone is a MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance). 
• Indigenous Content: Approximately 70% of the drone is made in India.
• Payload Capacity: Can carry a payload of up to 450 kg

Features

• Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): The drone is designed for advanced ISR operations.
• Over-the-Horizon Capabilities: Provides persistent surveillance over large maritime territories.

Odisha: 34th State to Implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Context: Recently, The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA) to implement Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the state.

About AB PM-JAY Implementation in Odisha

• Convergence with GJAY: PM-JAY will be integrated with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in Odisha.  
• Coverage:
  • Financial: Provides a cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per annum, with an additional Rs 5 lakh for women members.  
  • Population: Approximately 1.03 crore families will be covered, with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union Government.  

Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)

• Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
• Launched on: 23rd September 2018
• Objective: To provide Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure affordable healthcare for all.
• Components of Ayushman Bharat
  • Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): Provide primary healthcare services such as prevention, promotion, and ambulatory care.
  • Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY): Offers secondary and tertiary care hospitalization benefits to eligible families.
• Key Features of PM-JAY
  • World’s largest health assurance scheme.
  • Health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year.
    • Provides additional Rs 5 lakh for women members.
  • Targets 10.74 crore families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries), forming the bottom 40% of the Indian population.
  • No cap on family size or age of family members.
  • Covers pre-existing diseases from the first day of enrollment.

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Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan Project

Context: The Defence Minister launched the ‘Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan’ on January 15 to mark the 77th Army Day.

About The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan

• It is an initiative of the Indian Army to boost “battlefield tourism” alongside the forward sites across the country’s borders which have witnessed some military action in the past.
• Sites: The Army has shortlisted 77 sites with most of sites falling along India’s borders with China and Pakistan including,
  • Ladakh: Galwan, Doklam, Dras, Kargil, Siachen base camp
  • Rajasthan: Longewala, Thar Desert
  • Arunachal Pradesh: Bum La and Kibithu
  • Sikkim: Nathu La 
• Ministry: The Defence Ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.
  • The sites will also be highlighted by the Tourism Ministry as part of the Incredible India campaign.
• Aim: It aims to educate the public about the nation’s military history
  • To promote the development of the Border Regions focusing on the pillars of, infrastructure, communication, tourism and education.

About Battlefield Tourism

• Battlefield tourism is the practice of visiting war-related sites for historical study or sightseeing.
  • These sites include battlefields, cemeteries, memorials, and museums.
• Aim: Battlefield Tourism is a way to learn about history and experience the emotional impact of the conflict.
• Notable Examples: 
  • Gettysburg Battlefield and Pentagon in the United States, The Kargil War Memorial in India and sites of the World War II (Gallipoli, Pearl Harbor, and Omaha Beach)

National Turmeric Board

Context: The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has recently inaugurated the National Turmeric Board (NTB) 

About the National Turmeric Board

• Objective: The National Turmeric Board will focus on the overall development and growth of the turmeric sector in the country.
• Headquarters: Nizamabad, Telangana
• Representatives: The Board will consist of representatives from,
  • Central Ministries: Ministry of AYUSH, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Department of Commerce
  • States: Representatives from Maharashtra, Telangana and Meghalaya (Lakadong Turmeric)
    • States will be represented on the Board by rotation.
  • Others: Exporters, Producers Bodies and Farmers from various States
• Significance: 
  • The central government will allocate special funds in the budget to the NTB
  • A price stabilization fund will be set up 
  • Crop Insurance will be ensured in the event of crop loss due to natural calamities
• Functions: 
  • To promote research and development of new turmeric products
  • To provide value addition of turmeric related products for marketing abroad.
  • To create awareness on the essential and medical properties of turmeric
  • To find ways to increase its yield and boost logistics and supply chain to foster trade into newer markets
  • To ensure quality and safety standards of turmeric production and exports

About Turmeric

• Botanical Name: Curcuma longa 
• Family: Turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. 
• Native: It is a perennial, rhizomatous, herbaceous plant native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
• In India: 
  • India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of turmeric with over 30 varieties of turmeric being produced 
  • States: Turmeric is grown in close to 20 states in India with,
    • Maharashtra being the largest producer and Telangana has the highest acreage in cultivation. 
  • Production: India produced 10.74 lakh tonnes or over 70% of global turmeric on an area of 3.05 lakh hectare
  • Exports: During 2023-24, 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at $226.5 million was exported constituting more than 62% share of world trade.

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Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)

Context: The government has recently reconstituted the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).

About Atomic Energy Commission

• Establishment: The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was first established in August 1948 within the Department of Scientific Research.
• The AEC was founded under the leadership of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, a key figure in India’s atomic energy program.
• Later, it was brought under the jurisdiction of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Composition of AEC
  • Total Members: The Atomic Energy Commission has 13 members, including ex-officio members and experts in various fields.
  • Ex-Officio Members: The commission has 6 ex-officio members, including key government officials from departments such as Atomic Energy, National Security, and Finance.
  • Ex-Officio Chairman: The Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Atomic Energy serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the commission. 
• Function
• • The AEC is responsible for formulating policies for the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
  • Its primary role is to oversee and guide the development and expansion of India’s atomic energy program.
• The AEC oversees five major research centres:
  • Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
  • Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore.
  • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
  • Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.
  • Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad.

About Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

• Establishment: The DAE was set up on August 3, 1954, under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order.
• Mandate:
  • The DAE is tasked with planning and implementing measures for the expansion of atomic energy in India.
  • It is also responsible for formulating policies related to atomic energy.

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