PIB Summary- 26th January, 2022 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Gaganyaan

Why in News?

Dr S. Somanath, who has taken over as the new Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, and discussed the status of “Gaganyaan” as well as other Space missions lined up for the near future.

About Gaganyaan

• Under the Gaganyaan 3 flights will be sent into orbit of which two are unmanned flights and one is human spaceflight.
• The Gaganyaan system module, called the Orbital Module will have three Indian astronauts, including a woman.
• It will circle Earth at a low-earth-orbit at an altitude of 300-400 km from earth for 5-7 days.
• GSLV Mk III, also called the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3,) the three-stage heavy lift launch vehicle, will be used to launch Gaganyaan as it has the necessary payload capability.

Significance of the Gaganyaan Mission

• Gaganyaan will involve numerous agencies, laboratories, disciplines, industries and departments and help inspire youth along with enhancing science and technology levels.
• It will help in improvement of industrial growth and development of technology for social benefits.
• It will also help in improving international collaboration in the field of space technology.

National Voters’ Day

Why in News?

The Election Commission of India on January 25 celebrated National Voters’ Day to commemorate the date when it was established in 1950. 

Details:

• The theme for the 12th National Voters’ Day (NVD) to be celebrated on 25 January 2022 is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’.
• Vice President applauds ECI’s efforts for enhancing voter turnout.
• CEC reiterates ECI’s determination to make elections more inclusive, accessible and participative.
• ECI launches National Voter Awareness Contest- ‘My Vote is my Future- Power of One Vote’. 

About National Voter’s Day

• It also focuses on ECI’s commitment towards conducting elections safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year since 2011, all across the country to mark the foundation day of Election Commission of India, i.e. 25th January 1950.
• The main purpose of the NVD celebration is to encourage, facilitate and maximize enrolment, especially for the new voters.
• Dedicated to the voters of the country, the day is utilized to spread awareness among voters and for promoting informed participation in the electoral process.
• New voters are felicitated and handed over their Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in the NVD functions.
• ECI’s Web Radio ‘Hello Voters’ is an online digital radio service which will stream voter awareness programmes.
• It will be accessible through a link on the Election Commission of India website.
• The programming style of ‘Hello Voters’ has been envisaged to match that of the popular FM radio services.
• It will provide information and education on electoral processes through songs, drama, discussions, spots, stories of elections, etc. in Hindi, English and regional languages from all over the country.

About Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP)

• It is the flagship program of the Election Commission of India for voter education, spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India.
• Since 2009, it has been working towards preparing India’s electors and equipping them with basic knowledge related to the electoral process.
• SVEEP is designed according to the socio-economic, cultural and demographic profile of the state as well as the history of electoral participation in previous rounds of elections and learning there of.

Padma Awards

Why in News?

This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 

The Padma Awards

• The Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day (26th January).
• There are 3 Padma Awards:
  (i) Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service),
  (ii) Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and
  (iii) Padma Shri (distinguished service).
• The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
• The Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
• The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.

Is it a title?

• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.
• Article 18 clause 1- Abolishes titles and makes four provisions in that regard: It prohibits the state from conferring any title (except a military or academic distinction) on anybody, whether a citizen or a foreigner.

Bharat Ratna

• Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country.
• Bharat Ratna is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
  (i) Recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
  (ii) Only 3 Bharat Ratna Awards can be given in a year.

Therefore:

• Bharat Ratna- 1st degree of honour
• Padma Vibhushan- 2nd degree of honour
• Padma Bhushan- 3rd degree of honour
• Padma Shri- 4th degree of honour

National Tourism Day

Details:

• National Tourism Day is celebrated on January 25 every year across the country.
• This day is observed by the government to encourage tourism and explain the essential role of tourism in the growth of the country.
• This year, the main event by the Union Govt. is being organized at Telangana’s Pochampally  village, a weavers’ hamlet known for its famous hand-woven Ikat saris.
• Pochampally was selected as one of the best tourism villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in November 2021.
• This year’s theme for National Tourism Day is ‘Rural and Community Centric Tourism’.