PIB Summary- 20th March, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

REACHOUT scheme

Why in News?
Recently, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences said that an umbrella scheme Research, Education and Training Outreach (REACHOUT) is being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for capacity building.

About REACHOUT scheme

• R&D in Earth System Science (RDESS)
• International Training Centre for Operational Oceanography (ITCOocean)
• Program for Development of Skilled manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK)

Some key points about the REACHOUT scheme include

• The scheme is implemented for the entire country, not on a State/UT-wise basis.
• The main objectives of the sub-schemes are
  • To support R&D activities in Earth System Science,
  • Develop collaborations with international organizations for knowledge transfer,
  • Develop skilled manpower in Earth Sciences.
• R&D activities are focused on different components of Earth System Science that are theme and need-based, helping to attain national goals set up for MoES.
• Collaboration with international organizations allows for the mutual transfer of advanced knowledge in science and technology in Earth Sciences and provides services to developing countries.
• Skilled manpower in Earth Sciences is developed with the support of academic institutions in India and abroad.

Poshan Pakhwada

Why in News?
The Ministry of Women and Child Development will celebrate the fifth Poshan Pakhwada from 20th March 2022 to 3rd April 2023 with various activities nationwide.

Poshan Pakhwada

• The Poshan Pakhwada is an annual event in India aimed at raising awareness about the importance of nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits through Jan Andolan and Jan Bhagidari.
• The theme for thi

Here are some key points about the event:

• The focus of this year’s Poshan Pakhwada is to popularize ‘Shree Anna’- the mother of all grains, as a valuable asset to address malnutrition, given that 2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets.
• The activities during the Poshan Pakhwada will include drives to link millet-based foods with supplementary nutrition, home visits, diet consultation camps, and other initiatives to promote the nutritional benefits of millets.
• The event will also feature the Swasth Balak Spardha, a competition for recognizing and celebrating healthy children based on defined criteria to promote good nutrition and well-being.
• Another focus of the Poshan Pakhwada will be to increase awareness and popularize Saksham Anganwadis, which are upgraded facilities for improving nutrition delivery and early childhood care and education.
• The Poshan Pakhwada is being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and is aimed at supporting the national goals of promoting nutrition and healthy eating habits across the country.

About Poshan Abhiyaan

• The term ‘POSHAN’ in the name of the programme stands for ‘Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition’.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan launched in 2018 aims at improving the nutritional status of Children from 0-6 years, Adolescent Girls, Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers.
• According to ‘Mission 25 by 2020’, the National Nutrition Mission aims to achieve a reduction in stunting from 38.4% to 25% by 2022.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on convergence among partner Ministries leveraging technology and Jan Andolan among other things, to address issue of malnutrition comprehensively.