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

1st SCO Conference & Expo on Traditional Medicine

Context
The 1st SCO B2B Conference and Expo On Traditional Medicine was held in Guwahati, Assam.

Details

• The first of its kind Conference and Expo under the SCO initiative was inaugurated by Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping and Waterways at Guwahati, Assam. An incremental trade interest of more than Rs 590 cr. was created during the two days of multiple meetings between the buyers and sellers at the conference. 
  • The trade interest was received across product categories like Ayurvedic gels and oils, Ayurvedic Hair Remedy products, Ayurvedic home care and hygiene and veterinary products. As many as 9 Letter of Intents (LOIs) was received by the industry
• Under the aegis of the Ministry of Ayush, Invest India conducted B2B meetings with the support of Ayush Export Promotion Council (Ayushexil). Exhibitors, more than 56, who participated in the Expo and buyers from 19 countries discussed and expressed their interest in traditional medicine.
• The two day Conference and four day Expo provided a platform for regulators, industries and business leaders in all the SCO and partner countries to deliberate on various aspects of traditional medicine like education, skills, products, cosmetics and policies.
• On September 17, 2022 India assumed the presidency of Council of Heads of State for the year 2023 at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. India at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit at Samarkand took the initiative for a new SCO Expert Working Group on Traditional Medicine.
•  The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), also called Shanghai pact was established on 15th June 2001 in Shanghai, China.
  • It is an Eurasian political, economic and security alliance of eight member multilateral organisation.
  • The SCO includes 8 member states, 3 observers and 14 dialogue partners.
  • India was granted Observer Status at Astana Summit in 2005 and full member status in 2017 at SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Naval Commanders Conference , 2023

Context
Curtain Raiser- Naval Commanders Conference, 2023.

Details

• The Naval Commanders Conference serves as a platform for the officers to discuss important security issues at the military strategic level and interact with senior government functionaries.
• The first edition of the Naval Commanders Conference is scheduled to commence on March 6, 2023.
• The Union Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Navy Chief R. Hari. Kumar and other naval commanders will discuss future warfare – operations to logistics and the Agnipath Scheme on board – INS Vikrant (India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier) during the biannual naval commanders conference.
• The Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of Indian Army and Indian Air Forces would also interact with naval commanders on subsequent days to address the convergence of three services vis-a-vis common operational environment, and avenues of augmenting Tri-Service synergy and readiness towards the defence of the nation and India’s national interest.

International Maritime Exercise – Cutlass Express 23 (IMX/ CE-23)

Context 
INS Trikand participating in IMX/ CE-23.

Details

• IMX/ CE -23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world.
• This is the Indian navy’s maiden participation in IMX/ CE-23 and Indian warship,  INS Trikand is participating in the exercise. The exercise is being held in the Gulf region -February 26 – March 16, 2023.
  • INS Trikand is a frontline frigate equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors. It is a part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based in Mumbai.
  • It belongs to the Talwar class of guided missile frigates.
• The exercise is conducted by US led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 34 nation naval group. In November 2022, INS Trikand participated in the CMF led Operation Sea Sword 2.
• Participation in exercises like Sea Sword 2 and IMX/CE-23 enables the Indian Navy in strengthening relationships and  enhancing  interoperability and collective maritime capability with maritime partners in the IOR.

Millets Giveaway- Marketing Campaign

Context
A special marketing campaign – Millets Giveaway.

Details

• A special marketing campaign- Millets Giveaway is being undertaken by the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC), a Society promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI.
• The campaign aims to promote buying directly from Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) farmers, thereby supporting small and marginal farmers.
• The Giveaway campaign supports three areas-
  • Encourages the general public to buy directly from FPO farmers.
  • Buying millets via ONDC’s My Store Platform, buyers will get the experience how easy it is to use the platform.
  • 2023 being the year of millets International Year of Millets , the campaign will encourage and motivate people to adopt #Shri Ann.

National Waterways – 68

Context
The National waterways -68 has reduced the distance between Panjim to Vasco in Goa.

Details

• The construction of National Waterways -68 has reduced the distance between Panjim to Vasco in Goa by 9 km and the distance can be covered in just 20 minutes.
• Earlier, Panjim to Vasco distance was ~ 32 km and time required for travel was 45 minutes.
• The National Waterways-68 will provide relief to the people of the region and will also promote tourism.