PIB Summary- 8th October, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

Context
World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is celebrated annually on October 8th. The event, organized by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, in association with Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited, brought together hydrogen experts from the industry, academia and government.

About World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day

• World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is a global initiative aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source, along with the versatile technology of fuel cells. 
• This day serves as a platform to acknowledge the potential of hydrogen and fuel cells in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, energy security, and environmental sustainability.

Details

• The R&D Roadmap for the National Green Hydrogen Mission was unveiled by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. 
• The roadmap, which provides for a budget of Rs. 400 crores, seeks to provide guidance for developing a vibrant research and development ecosystem which can help commercialize Green Hydrogen and contribute to India’s ambitious climate and energy goals. 
• It focuses on developing new materials, technologies, and infrastructure to improve the efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of green hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. 
• The R&D program will also prioritize safety and address technical barriers and challenges in developing a hydrogen economy.

PATA and India to jointly promote Travel for LiFE in Asia-Pacific region

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India hosted the 46th edition of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart 2023 in New Delhi.

Details

• The Ministry of Tourism will set up a PATA desk to strengthen engagement with PATA on Travel for LiFE and other areas of cooperation in the tourism sector. This is the first major international partnership for the Travel for Life program after its global launch on September 27, 2023, World Tourism Day. 
• The Ministry of Tourism is already working with UNEP and UNWTO on strengthening the TFL program.
• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), has committed to work with India to expand the Travel for LiFE initiative across the Asia Pacific region.
• PATA mart is one of the major international trade exhibitions catering to the tourism sector and it serves as a platform for trade interactions between global buyers and sellers.
• The Travel for LiFE initiative was showcased by the Ministry across all the events and it generated huge interest from the international travel trade community.
• New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 during the G20 summit under India’s Presidency noted the launch of “Travel for LiFE” and supported the development of smart destinations that are responsible and sustainable. Travel for LiFE, a sectoral programme initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, aligns with the philosophy of the Mission LiFE.
• Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) was formally launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in October 2022. It is a global mass movement led by India urging individuals and communities to act for the protection of the environment against the effects of climate change.