PIB Summary- 5th December, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

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Recently, India has been unanimously elected as a member representing the Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting at Food and Agriculture organization (FAO) headquarters at Rome.

Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)

• The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is an international food standards organization established in May 1963, jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Its primary objective is to safeguard consumer health and promote equitable practices in food trade on a global scale.
• The Agreement on Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) within the World Trade Organization (WTO) recognizes Codex standards, guidelines, and recommendations as the reference standards for international trade and resolving trade disputes.
• Currently, the Codex Alimentarius Commission comprises 189 members, including 188 Member Countries and 1 Member Organization, which is the European Union.
• India has been a member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission since 1964.

Codex Standards

• Codex standards encompass essential guidelines related to various aspects of food safety and quality.
• These core Codex texts cover areas such as hygienic practices, labeling, contaminants, additives, inspection and certification procedures, nutrition, and residues of veterinary drugs and pesticides.
• They are applied horizontally to a wide range of food products and categories.
• In addition to these core standards, Codex also develops commodity standards tailored to specific food products, and there is an increasing focus on developing standards for broader food groups.
• Regional Coordinating Committees develop standards applicable to their respective regions to ensure that regional needs and conditions are addressed within the Codex framework.

Dr Rajendra Prasad Birth Anniversary

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President of India Pays Homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his Birth Anniversary.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji: A Distinguished Indian Freedom Fighter and Statesman

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji was a prominent Indian independence activist, lawyer, scholar, and the first President of India, serving from 1950 to 1962.
• He held the distinction of being the first President of independent India, serving two terms in office from 1952 to 1962.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji was deeply influenced by the principles and beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi and became an ardent supporter of Gandhi’s ideology and philosophy.
• In 1906, he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Bihari Students Conference, which took place at the Patna College hall.
• His official association with the Indian National Congress began in 1911 when he joined during the party’s annual session held in Calcutta.
• Professionally, he was a lawyer and his legal expertise was accompanied by his leadership in the Indian freedom struggle. He willingly left his legal practice to join the freedom movement led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji endured multiple imprisonments at the hands of the British colonial rulers. He was incarcerated in 1931 for his active participation in the Salt Satyagraha Movement and again in 1942 as a prominent member of the Quit India Movement.
• He passed away on February 28, 1963, after battling illness for six months. During his final days, he resided at Sadaqat Ashram in Patna.
• In recognition of his exceptional contributions to India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Ji was honored with the Bharat Ratna, the highest national award.

Books Authored by Dr. Rajendra Prasad

• Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminiscences
• Satyagraha at Champaran
• Atmakatha (Autobiography)
• Division of India
• Since Independence