National
Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference 2023
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi on 18th March, 2023.
- The Prime Minister also inaugurated and visited the Exhibition cum Buyer Seller Meet Pavilion.
- He also unveiled a Commemorative Stamp and Commemorative Coin (Rs 75) on the International Year of Millets (IYM) – 2023.
- This was followed by the Prime Minister digitally launching a compendium of Indian Millet (Shri Anna) startups and a book of millet (Shri Anna) standards.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM) on 5th March 2021. The proposal submitted by the Government of India was supported by 72 countries.
» India held the first Mega Global Event in the form Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in Delhi to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM).
Organized by:
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India organized the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference to stimulate the exports of millets from India and provide market linkage to the producers.
Participation:
» The conference was attended by Agriculture Ministers of various countries, international scientists, nutritionists, health experts, start-up leaders and other stakeholders.
- Around 100 Indian millet exhibitors from different parts of the country and around 100 international buyers from various countries like the USA, UAE, Kuwait, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Bhutan, Italy and Malaysia participated in the Conference.
Sessions:
» The two-day global conference had sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna) like promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders; millets’ value chain development; health and nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages; research and development etc.
» Ministerial Round Table of Millets was held post-inaugural session of the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference.
- Ministers from Guyana, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname & Zambia; Permanent Secretary, Agriculture of Gambia & Maldives and Director General, Millets Initiative, Nigeria participated in the meeting.
» Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) held symposium with technical sessions on promotion and awareness of Millets on the sidelines of Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference.
- During the thematic session on “Innovations and New Product Development – Industry’s Perspective”, experts from industry shared their views on the resurgence of millets through attractive products which are also accepted by consumers.
- The second day of the conference came to a close with the final session on “Millets: Prophylactic and Therapeutic Benefits”.
» The Conference organised by APEDA provided a platform for B2B meetings between International and National Buyers, Exporters, Progressive Growers, FPOs of millets to explore direct marketing and export opportunities for millets and its value-added products.
- This conference provided an excellent opportunity for trade and networking among the participants. The event generated a significant impact on the millet industry, further promoting its growth and development in the global market.
Other Points:
- India’s export of Millets is 64 million USD in the year 2021-22. There is an increase in export of Millets by 12.5 % during the period April-December 2023 as compared to the same period last year.
- The major importing countries were USA, Australia, Japan, Belgium etc in 2011-12 which had been shifted to Nepal (USD 6.09 million), UAE (USD 4.84 million) and Saudi Arabia (USD 3.84 million) in 2021-22.
24th Women and Men in India 2022 Report
» Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh released the 24th “Women and Men in India 2022” Report on 15 March 2023 in New Delhi.
The publication “Women and Men in India” is a comprehensive and insightful document that provides data on a wide range of topics such as education, health, employment, and political participation, among others.
Read More About Women and Men in India 2022 Report
International
2nd SCO Tourism Expert Working Group under India’s Presidency
⇒ The 2-day second meeting of the SCO Tourism Expert Working Group began in Kashi (Varanasi) on 14 March 2023.
India as the President of SCO for the year 2023, chaired the 2nd meeting of tourism Expert Working Group on 14-15 March 2023 in ‘Kashi’ (Varanasi).
- The meeting of 1st Expert Working Group under India’s SCO presidency was held on 31 January 2023.
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization comprising eight Member States China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, four Observer States and six “Dialogue Partners”
Discussion:
- The second meeting of EWG discussed the Joint Action Plan for implementing the Agreement between the Governments of the SCO Member States on the Development of Cooperation in Tourism.
- The Experts from all member countries of SCO prioritised various activities under areas of cooperation such as Promotion of the SCO tourism brand, Promotion of the cultural heritage of the SCO Member States in tourism, Sharing and Exchange of information and digital technology in tourism, Promotion of mutual cooperation in medical and health tourism, Improving the quality of services.
- This Action Plan prepared by Experts after thorough deliberations and inputs by all SCO member countries was finalised during the SCO Tourism Ministers Meeting (TMM).
- The Tourism Ministers Meeting was held on 17-18 March 2023 in Varanasi. TMM concluded the Working Group meetings on tourism track under India’s SCO presidency.
‘Kashi’ (Varanasi) where the tourism related meeting of the SCO countries were held under India’s presidency, has been designated as the first cultural capital of SCO region. This initiative is aimed to highlight and showcase the cultural wealth of SCO region and to recognize the value of culture as a resource for socio economic development for the region.
SCO Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (TMM) 2023
⇒ India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (TMM) on 17th -18th March 2023 in Kashi (Varanasi), which has been designated as the first cultural capital of the SCO.
- India is the current chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India chaired the Meeting of Heads of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tourism Administrations held in ‘Kashi’ (Varanasi) on 17th March 2023.
- The SCO Tourism Ministers finalised and approved the Joint Action Plan prepared for implementing the Agreement between the Governments of the SCO Member States on the Development of Cooperation in Tourism.
The approved Joint Action Plan has the following prioritised components –
- Promotion of the SCO tourism brand.
- Promotion of the cultural heritage of the SCO Member States in tourism.
- Sharing and Exchange of information and digital technologies in tourism.
- Promotion of mutual cooperation in medical and health tourism.
- Improving the quality of services.
Key Points:
- As per the agreed Joint Action Plan, the member countries will undertake various activities such as SCO tourism exhibition, SCO Food Festival, Webinar & Seminar on tourism, conference and expert session on promotion and development of tourism in the region.
- The meeting also adopted the Action Plan for “Year of Tourism Development in the SCO Space in 2023.” This document identified a list of activities and events to promote and showcase Tourism products of SCO member States.
» The next meeting of the SCO Heads of Tourism Administrations will be held in Kazakhstan in 2024.
About SCO:
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001.
- The SCO currently comprises of eight Member States (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), four Observer States interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia) and six “Dialogue Partners” (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey).
Important Day
National Vaccination Day 2023
⇒ National Vaccination Day is celebrated every year on 16 March in India. National Vaccination Day is also known as Immunization Day or Polio Ravivar.
- The Government of India observes 16 March as National Vaccination Day to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of frontline health care workers to ensure the vaccination of every child.
- The day is observed to promote vaccination campaigns and raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases.
Theme:
Every year, the day is celebrated under a specific theme. In 2022, the theme was, ‘Vaccines Work For Everyone’. However, the theme for this year is not announced yet.
Background:
- National Vaccination Day in India, was introduced as part of the National Polio Eradication Program (NPEP) launched in 1995. The NPEP aimed to eliminate polio from India by conducting mass vaccination campaigns and reaching every child under the age of five years.
- The first National Vaccination Day was observed on October 2, 1995, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. However, it was later shifted to March 16 every year to avoid conflicts with other health programs. The day was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Dr. Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine.
- Over the years, India has made remarkable progress in eliminating polio. The last case of wild poliovirus was reported in the country in January 2011, and the World Health Organization declared India a polio-free country in 27 March 2014. The success of the National Vaccination Day campaigns has played a significant role in achieving this milestone.