Important Facts for Prelims (2 August 2018) | 02 Aug 2018

Agricultural Scientists' Recruitment Board

  • It was set up by the government in November 1973, as an independent recruitment agency following the recommendations of the Gajendragadkar Committee.
  • It functions as an independent recruitment agency in recruitment to various scientific positions in Agricultural Research Service and Research Management Positions of ICAR/DARE.
  • For the purpose of autonomy, secrecy, accountability and efficient functioning, the government has decided to de-link ASRB from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). It will be attached with Deptt. of Agricultural Research & Education (DARE) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.
  • Agricultural Scientists' Recruitment Board (ASRB) is a now 4-member body comprising of one Chairperson and three Members.

Indian-Origin Mathematician Wins Fields Medal

  • Akshay Venkatesh, a renowned Indian-Australian mathematician, is one of four winners of mathematics’ prestigious Fields Medal, known as the Nobel prize for math.
  • He was awarded for his profound contributions to an exceptionally broad range of subjects in mathematics and his strikingly far-reaching conjectures.
  • The other three winners are Caucher Birkar, Peter Scholze, Bonn and Alessio Figalli.

NOTE: Fields Medals

  • The Fields medals are awarded by the International Mathematical Union every four years to the most promising mathematicians under the age of 40.
  • International Mathematical Union is an international non-governmental and non-profit scientific organization, with the purpose of promoting international cooperation in mathematics.
  • The prize was inaugurated in 1932 at the request of Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields.
  • Each winner receives a 15,000 Canadian-dollar cash prize.

Karkidaka Vavu Bali

  • Karkidaka Vavu Bali is a ritual performed by Hindus in Kerala to honour their dead ancestors. It is observed every year on Amavasya or no moon days.
  • Karkidakam (July to August) is the last month of the Malayalam calendar.
  • This ceremony, called the Vavubali, is said to free the departed from their earthly shackles and ensure their safe passage in the afterlife.

GI Logo, Tagline Launched

  • The Government of India launched a logo and tagline for Geographical Indications (GI) to increase awareness about intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the country.
  • A GI product is primarily an agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicraft and industrial goods) originating from a definite geographical territory.
  • Such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.
  • Under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
  • India, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 with effect from September 2003.

Mission Solar Charkha

  • On the occasion of UN SME Day (June 27, 2018), the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched the Mission Solar Charkha.
  • The mission will oversee the implementation of 50 Solar Charkha Clusters across the country with a budget of Rs.550 crore for the year 2018-19 and 2019-20.
  • The Solar Charkha Mission will entail a subsidy of Rs 550 crore in the initial two years for 50 clusters and every cluster will employ 400 to 2000 artisans. and contribute to the green economy.
  • Solar Charkha Units have been classified as village industries and is expected to generate direct employment to nearly one lakh persons and contribute to the green economy.

Power Tex India

  • The Government is implementing Power Tex India, a comprehensive scheme for powerloom sector development.
  • India is the largest producer of cotton in the world and the second largest exporter of textiles in the world.
  • Under the scheme, to improve quality and productivity, existing plain powerlooms are upgraded to semi-automatic and shuttleless looms, by providing financial assistance to powerloom units.
  • The comprehensive scheme has the following components:
    • In-situ Upgradation of Plain powerlooms
    • Group Workshed Scheme (GWS)
    • Yarn Bank Scheme
    • Common Facility Centre (CFC)
    • Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme for Powerloom Weavers
    • Solar Energy Scheme for powerlooms
    • Facilitation, IT, Awareness, Market Development and Publicity for Powerloom Schemes
    • Tex Venture Capital Fund
    • Grant-in-Aid and Modernisation & Upgradation of Powerloom Service Centres (PSCs)