Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 15th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) scheme worth over Rs 18,000 crore to more than 8 crore farmers on November 15, 2023.

About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN):

• The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
• Under the scheme, income support of Rs. 6,000 per year in three equal installments is provided to all land-holding farmer families, providing them with socio-economic security.
• The amount is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries without any involvement of intermediaries, making it one of the largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes in the world.
• So far, more than Rs. 2.42 lakh crore have been disbursed to over 11 crore farmers.
• As per the study by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), PM-KISAN had numerous benefits for the farmers and agriculture sector.
• It addresses the liquidity constraints of farming households, enabling essential input procurement.
• The scheme boosts modern cultivar adoption through Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
• The cash transfer to farmers increases their total net income and enhances their risk-taking capacity, leading to productive investments.
• PM-KISAN has empowered the farmers by boosting agriculture investments, easing credit constraints, and spurring rural economic growth.
• Consequently, farmers have been able to invest in their farms, including purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and necessary equipment, leading to increased agricultural production and improved crop yields.

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second Voice of Global South Summit on November 17. This will be the second Voice of Global South Summit in less than a year hosted by India.

About ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ 2023:

• India is hosting the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’ 2023 in virtual format.
• The theme of the inaugural Leaders’ Session is "Together, for Everyone’s Growth, with Everyone’s Trust” and that of the Concluding Leaders’ Session is "Global South: Together for One Future”.
• The Summit will focus on sharing with the countries of the Global South, the key outcomes achieved in various G20 meetings over the course of India’s Presidency.
• The Summit will serve as a platform to discuss ways to sustain the momentum generated toward the common aspiration of a more inclusive, representative, and progressive world order.

What is the Voice of Global South Summit?

• Voice of Global South Summit has been India's endeavor to provide a common platform to deliberate on the concerns, interests, and priorities that affect the developing countries and also to exchange ideas and solutions, and most importantly, to unite in voice and purpose in addressing the concerns and priorities.
• The initiative is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayaas, and is underpinned by India’s philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
• India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs generated from partner countries in the Voice of Global South Summit deliberations receive due cognizance globally.

What is Global South?

• he term ‘Global South’ began by loosely referring to those countries that were left out of the industrialization era.
• These countries had a conflict of ideology with the capitalist and communist countries, accentuated by the Cold War.
• It includes countries that are in Asia, Africa, and South America.
• ‘Global South’ is just the opposite of ‘Global North’, defined essentially by an economic division between the rich and poorer countries.

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the programme "Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra" across the country on November 15 to promote the Centre’s welfare schemes.

On the occasion of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (15th Nov), marking the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra from Khunti, Jharkhand. 

About Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:

• The central idea of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is to publicise schemes, to get data on those who have benefitted from these schemes, and to mark those who are eligible but haven't got the schemes yet.
• It aims to cover over 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats and over 3,600 urban local bodies by January 25, 2024, touching every district of the country.
• Its focus will be on reaching out to people and creating awareness about the benefits of welfare schemes like sanitation facilities, essential financial services, electricity connections, access to LPG cylinders, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, clean drinking water, etc.
• Five specially designed IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) Vans has been flagged off marking the launch of the massive outreach programme of the government.
• The IEC Vans have been branded and customised to enable dissemination of information through audio visuals, brochures, pamphlets, booklets, and flagship standees in Hindi and state languages showcasing the major schemes, highlights and their achievements at the national, state and district level.
• The schemes being publicised include Ayushman Bharat, PMJAY, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission, PM Awas Yojana (Rural), PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Vishwakarma, PM Kisan Saman, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), PM Poshan Abhiyan, Har Ghar Jal - Jal Jeevan Mission, Survey of villages and mapping with improvised technology in village areas (SVAMITVA), Jan Dhan Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, PM PRANAM, Nano Fertiliser.
• Since schemes are aimed at tribals, specific concerns of tribal areas such as the Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, Enrolment in Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Scholarship Schemes, Forest Right Titles, Individual and Community Land, Van Dhan Vikas Kendra, Organising Self Help Groups are also being addressed.
• The officers in charge will make sure that they reach out to the tribals and give out information about schemes meant for them.

Why in the News?

The 9th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 will be held at Faridabad, Haryana from January 17th-20th, 2024.

About the India International Science Festival (IISF):

• The India International Science Festival (IISF) is an annual science festival organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Earth Science, and Vijnana Bharati in India.
• The festival aims to promote science and technology in India and to showcase the latest advancements in these fields.
• The IISF has been held every year since 2007.
• The festival typically lasts for four days and features a variety of events, including exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and competitions.
• The exhibitions feature displays of scientific and technological innovations from India and around the world.
• The seminars and workshops provide opportunities for scientists and technologists to share their knowledge with the public.
• The competitions encourage students to participate in science and technology.
• The IISF is a major event in the Indian scientific community and has been praised for its role in promoting science education and public awareness of science.
• The festival has also been successful in attracting international participation, with scientists and technologists from around the world attending the event.
• The 2022 IISF was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, from January 21 to 24.

India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023:

• It will be held at the Campus of Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) of the Department of Biotechnology in Faridabad.
• Theme: 'Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal'.
• IISF 2023 will have a total of 17 themes to showcase scientific achievements, offering diverse benefits to participants and the general public.

Why in the News?

India, the US, and 12 other members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) on Wednesday entered into a supply chain resilience agreement that aims to cut dependence on China and help shift manufacturing of crucial goods to member nations.

About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):

• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is an economic initiative launched by U.S. President Joe Biden in Tokyo on May 23, 2022.
• The framework aims to strengthen economic cooperation among countries in the Indo-Pacific region, which is home to over 40% of the world's population and generates nearly 60% of global GDP.
• Except Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, other Southeast Asian nations are a part of the IPEF.
• It has currently 14 members including Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
• The IPEF has four pillars:
• Trade;
• supply chains;
• clean energy, decarbonisation and infrastructure;
• tax and anti-corruption.
• IPEF Significance: The IPEF is a significant development in the Indo-Pacific region.
• It is the first major economic initiative launched by the United States in the region since the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations collapsed in 2017.
• The IPEF is also unique in that it is open to all countries in the Indo-Pacific region, regardless of their economic development level.
• India and IPEF: India has been actively involved in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) since its launch in May 2022.
• The country has joined three of the four pillars of the framework: supply chains, clean energy, and fair economy.
• However, India has not yet joined the trade pillar, which is the most sensitive and contentious pillar of the framework.
• There are a number of reasons why India has been hesitant to join the trade pillar.
• One concern is that the pillar could lead to tariff cuts on agricultural products, which would harm Indian farmers.
• India is also concerned about the potential for the trade pillar to lead to increased data flows, which could raise privacy concerns.