National
PM releases commemorative stamp and coin to mark 150th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada Ji
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, addressed the program marking the 150th anniversary of Srila Prabhupada ji at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan on 08 February 2024.
- The Prime Minister paid floral tribute to the statue of Acharya Srila Prabhupada and released a commemorative stamp and a ₹150 coin in his honour.
About Acharaya Srila Prabhupada:
- Acharaya Srila Prabhupada was the founder of Gaudiya Mission, who played a pivotal role in preserving and spreading the fundamental tenets of Vaishnava faith.
- Gaudiya Mission has played a significant role in propagating the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the rich spiritual heritage of Vaishnavism across the world, making it the centre of the Hare Krishna Movement.
India's First Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility
⇒ A crucial step in the country’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat has been achieved with India’s first Hypervelocity Expansion Tunnel Test Facility successfully established and tested by Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK).
- This is a major achievement that puts India amongst a handful of countries with this advanced hypersonic testing capability.
Key Points:
- The development of the facility was supported by the Fund for Improvement in S&T Infrastructure (FIST) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) with a sum of Rs 4.5 Crores in 2018.
- The facility was developed by the Hypersonic Experimental Aerodynamics Laboratory at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Kanpur and is capable of generating flight speeds between 3-10 km/s, simulating the hypersonic condition.
- Named S2, it was indigenously designed and developed and is a valuable test facility for ongoing missions of ISRO and DRDO including Gaganyaan, RLV and hypersonic cruise missiles.
- The facility consists of 4 major sections–free piston driver, compression tube, shock /acceleration tube and test section with high vacuum system for generating and sustaining the hypersonic flow.
- The complete instrumentation of the facility; pressure sensors and associated equipment/instruments for acquiring and processing the data and the vacuum system with test section and associated instrumentation was acquired through the DST- FIST program.
- Hypersonic research activities are fast growing in India and the implementation of Hypersonic Test Facility in India will enable more aerospace engineers and researchers to pursue hypersonic research.
- The research activities and data generated in the facility will serve as an input for optimization of existing vehicles as well as futuristic defense and Space Missions.
» Establishment of such facility will position India globally for advanced experimental hypersonic research.
Union Agriculture Minister unveils LMS, Krishi Rakshak Portal, Helpline (KRPH) – 14447, and SARTHI Portal
⇒ Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda launched the centralized “Kisan Rakshak Helpline 14447 and Portal”, Agri-Insurance Sandbox Framework Platform SARTHI and Learning Management System (LMS) Platform for the farming community under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) in Delhi on 08 February 2024.
Kisan Rakshak Helpline and Portal:
- Since its inception in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) has been a safety net for farmers in India, protecting them from the unpredictability of nature through crop insurance.
- It became crucial for the scheme to ensure farmers could navigate the claim process, submit grievances, seek information on their queries and obtain timely assistance without difficulty.
- To address these challenges and ensure prompt support for farmers, the Government has introduced the Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH) 14447.
- This platform provides multilingual support, enabling transparent communication and real-time resolution of grievances related to compensation delays and insurance queries.
- By streamlining processes and offering accessible assistance, KRPH underscores the Government’s steadfast commitment to the welfare and prosperity of the farming community.
Learning Management System (LMS) Platform:
- The Learning Management System (LMS) has been developed in collaboration with the National E-Governance Division (NeGD).
- Its primary goal is to provide stakeholders, including farmers, insurance companies, Government officials, state Government representatives, and participants in the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), with the essential skills and knowledge needed for efficient crop insurance and agricultural credit.
- The LMS will facilitate training and knowledge sharing through interactive modules, personalized training programs, and accessible resources.
- Stakeholders can deepen their understanding of agricultural practices, crop insurance protocols, and financial mechanisms.
SARTHI:
- While crop insurance has been a primary product for farmers, the Government has also extended insurance to the entire agricultural community through other products.
- Recognizing the multifaceted risks faced by farmers beyond crop losses, the comprehensive digital insurance platform SARTHI was launched in collaboration with UNDP India.
- SARTHI extends coverage to health, life, home, shop, agriculture implements, motor, and parametric products.
- This ambitious endeavour, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, not only aims to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods but also to fortify the resilience of the agricultural sector as a whole.
- With 56 crore applications already enrolled under PMFBY, SARTHI marks a significant advancement beyond traditional crop insurance, offering a diverse array of products tailored to farmers’ needs.
- By expanding insurance coverage to include vital assets like tractor machinery, SARTHI empowers farmers to comprehensively mitigate risks, securing their livelihoods and fostering long-term sustainability in agriculture.
» The launch of the LMS, KRPH – 14447, and SARTHI represents the latest milestone in the Ministry of Agriculture’s ongoing transformative journey in Indian agriculture.