PIB Summary- 27th February, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Bir Chilarai

Context: PM remembers Bir Chilarai on his Jayanti.

Details

• Bir Chilarai (1510 – 1571 CE) was a brave warrior and general of the Assamese Koch royal dynasty.
• He was the younger brother of Nara Narayan, the king of the Kamata Kingdom.
• The birth anniversary of Mahabir Chilaray is organised by the Government of Assam annually since 2005.
• He played a big role in the expansion of his brother’s empire.

National Bamboo Mission

Context: National Bamboo Mission organized a National Conference on Opportunities and Challenges for Bamboo in India.
The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare implemented the centrally Sponsored scheme, to harness the potential of the bamboo crop.

Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission
The National Bamboo Mission was implemented with the following objectives:

• Enhance the yields with improved and new varieties.
• In the potential areas, increase the coverage area for bamboo.
• Promotion and marketing of bamboo and handicrafts made of bamboo.
• Establish coordination and cooperation among stakeholders for the development of the bamboo sector.
• Promote, develop, and disseminate technologies through a perfect blend of modern scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom.
• Generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled labourers, especially unemployed youths.

The NBM has now been extended till 2019-20. This extended mission aims at ensuring the holistic development of the Bamboo Sector. It aims at establishing an effective linkage between the industry and the producer. Approval has been granted by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to set up an executive committee for the enlisting the guidelines of the National Bamboo Mission, including the norms for different interventions at certain intervals according to the needs and recommendations of the states, with the Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Ministry’s approval.

Initiatives under the National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
The National Bamboo Mission was developed to promote the holistic growth of bamboo through the adoption of the area-based regionally differentiated strategy. It also aimed at increasing the bamboo cultivation in an area. Under the NBM, several steps were taken to increase the availability of quality planting material. This initiative was taken through setting up of new nurseries and strengthening of the existing ones. The National Bamboo Mission is also taking steps for strengthening the marketing of bamboo products, especially those of handicraft items.

Benefits of National Bamboo Mission

• The scheme would, directly and indirectly, benefit the farmers, local artisans, and associated people engaged in the bamboo sector, inclusive of the associated industries.
• The scheme proposes to bring about one lakh hectares under plantation. Thereby benefiting close to one lakh farmers directly, in terms of the plantation.
• The scheme would help in cutting down on the import of bamboo products and in enhancing the income of the farmers.
• It creates a complete value chain for the growth of the bamboo sector.

Home Secretary Level Talks between India and Bangladesh

Context: 19th Home Secretary Level Talks between India and Bangladesh.

Details

• The 19th Home Secretary Level Talks (HSLT) between India and Bangladesh were held virtually in the backdrop of ‘MujibBarsho’and 50 years of Bangladesh Liberation War and establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. 
• Both sides discussed the early completion of pending fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) as agreed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries.
• Both sides reaffirmed not to allow the territory of either country to be used for any activity inimical to each other’s interests.
• Both sides reviewed the entire gamut of security and border-related cooperation and agreed to work closely to fulfill the shared vision of the leadership of the two countries.