PIB Summary- 17th September, 2023 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Prime Minister expressed delight on Shantiniketan becoming part of UNESCO World Heritage List

Context
Santiniketan in West Bengal, known for its cultural and educational significance, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• The town is home to Visva-Bharati University, which was founded by Rabindranath Tagore.
• The recognition was announced during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• With its inclusion, Santiniketan becomes the 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and the third in West Bengal, after the Sundarbans National Park and the Darjeeling Mountain Railways.
• In its dossier submitted to UNESCO, India highlighted how Santiniketan is “directly and tangibly associated” with the life, works, and vision of Rabindranath Tagore and the pioneers of the Bengal School of Art. 
• India has committed to conserving and preserving the site, with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) responsible for protecting the 36-hectare nominated property. A buffer zone of 537 hectares surrounds the property, which the ASI regulates for any construction activities.

World Heritage Sites

• World Heritage Sites can be any place (an island, lake, forest, monument, desert, or building) recognized as having a particular cultural or physical significance by UNESCO. 
• The World Heritage Convention was formed in 1972 which led to the creation of the World Heritage Sites list.
• ICOMOS (The International Council on Monuments and Sites )and ICCROM (International Centre for the study of the preservation and restoration of cultural property)  for the cultural side and IUCN (International Union for conservation of nature) for the natural side act as advisories in evaluating the nominations for the World Heritage Sites list. 

Prime Minister launches ‘Vishwakarma’ Scheme for traditional artisans

Context
The Prime Minister launched the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana to support and empower traditional artisans and craftspeople in India. 

• The scheme aims to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of traditional crafts and assist artisans in transitioning to the formal economy and integrating them into global value chains by providing recognition, skill upgradation, toolkit incentives, collateral-free credit support, and marketing support to eligible beneficiaries.
• Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centers using a biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal. 
• They will receive recognition through a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, as well as skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training.
• Toolkit incentives of ₹15,000 will also be provided, along with collateral-free credit support up to ₹1 lakh (first tranche) and up to ₹2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%. Incentives for digital transactions and marketing support will also be provided.
• The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise is the nodal ministry for the scheme.