National Science Day
Context :
National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated on 28 February in India. The day is celebrated every year to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by the Indian physicist Sir CV Raman.
Aim :
The main objective of the day is to raise awareness to people about the importance of science in daily life. The day aims to encourage people by popularizing Science and Technology.
Theme :
The theme of 2020 National Science Day is ‘Women in Science’.
Events :
- Various activities such as debates, science exhibitions, speeches, quiz competitions, lectures, etc. are organized in all the schools, colleges, universities and other academic institutions across the country.
- On this, President Ram Nath Kovind will confer awards to women scientists for their research achievements at a function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- 5 Indian women scientists are to be awarded under SERB Women excellence awards and National Award for Young Woman Showing Excellence.
Sir CV Raman :
Sir CV Raman was born on 7 November 1888, at Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu. In 1904, he obtained a B.Sc degree from the University of Madras and won the gold medal in Physics. In 1907, he got his Master’s degree at the University of Madras.
He worked at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata from 1907 to 1933. He did various research on various topics in Physics. On 28 February 1928, Raman and Indian physicist KS Krishnan led an experiment on the scattering of light.
In 1930, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. He then discovered the Raman effect. Raman Effect explains the effect on the scattering of light as it passes through different materials. Raman established the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. Raman passed away on 21 November 1970.
Artificial Intelligence Modules in Indian schools
Context :
To empower the youngest minds of the country with the latest technologies, NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)today launched an AI based Module rolled out for students in Indian schools.
Objective :
The AI-Base Module has been introduced with an objective for students to leverage the full potential of AIM’s Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) and further empowers them to innovate and create valuable solutions benefiting societies at large. The module contains activities, videos and experiments that enable students to work through and learn the various concepts of AI.
Highlights :
- The Artificial Intelligence module is to be implemented in 5,000 Atal Tinkering labs and this is to empower 2.5 million students.
- NITI Aayog believes that India shall add 1.3% of its GDP if machine learning and Artificial Intelligence are developed.
- This will create the right foundations for students, especially the K-12 segment, to onboard onto future technologies and prepare them fully for the digital and AI era.
- The hands-on AI module has been designed considering academic, co-scholastic and other ATL programs at school and is formulated to encourage young students to contribute to the journey of nation building.
- The module will be a catalyst for the youth to explore, ideate and learn the latest technologies and build a generation of innovators at the grassroot level.
Significance :
It is expected that the global Artificial Market is likely to grow to the range of 15 to 15.5 trillion USD by 2030. Of this India is to certainly contribute 1 trillion USD. Therefore, its is important to prepare work power to sustain the growth of the field. If Indian work power is not being prepared to fill the future requirement, the spaces will be occupied by foreign nationals. This will create unemployment amongst Indian citizens and also push Indian economy backwards.
India ranks 77th on sustainability, 131st in child flourishing index rankings
Context :
WHO, Lancet and UNICEF together released a report titled “A Future for the World’s Children”. According to the report, a new Global index has been included in comparing performance of child nutrition, education and sustainability.
- The report says that India has improved in health and sanitation. However, it has to increase its spending on Health.
- Around 180 countries were compared in the report. The parameters of comparison included child survival, child wellbeing, health and education, sustainability, child nutrition.
Key Findings :
- Because of stunting and poverty, around 250 million children in low- and middle-income countries are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential.
- The children in countries such as Republic of Korea and Netherlands have best chances of survival.
- On the other hand, Chad, Niger, Somalia and Mali were the least performers and face very bad odds.
- The report has named USA, Saudi Arabia and Australia as the top 10 highest emitters.
- Norway, Netherlands and Republic of Korea emit 210% more than the target set by them towards the per capita target of 2030.
Major Issues :
- According to the report, the poorest countries have to do more to support their children health and ability.
- They have to spend lots towards their children health in order to provide them healthy lives.
- This disproportionately is affected by the carbon emissions from rich countries.
- The current scenario is capable of crating devastating health consequences such as malaria, malnutrition and Dengue.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana: 32 projects sanctioned
Context :
The Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee chaired by the Minister of Food Processing sanctioned 32 projects under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
Objective :
The main objective of this Scheme is creation of processing and preservation capacities and modernisation/ expansion of existing food processing units with a view to increasing the level of processing, value addition leading to reduction of wastage.
The processing activities undertaken by the individual units covers a wide range of post-harvest processes resulting in value addition and/or enhancing shelf life with specialized facilities required for preservation of perishables.
Key Findings :
- The Scheme was launched in 2016 for a period of 4 years, that is, till 2020. The GoI had allocated Rs 6,000 crores for the scheme.
- The projects sanctioned have the capacity to create 15,000 employment opportunities.
- The projects aim at increasing the shelf life of agricultural produce and provide steady revenue for the farmers.
- The PMKSY has seven component schemes viz; Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Creation/Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, and Human Resources and Institutions.