Bihar

• 08 Aug 2023

Water Resources Minister inaugurated 'Anti Erosion Schemes'

Why in News?

• According to the information received from the media on August 7, 2023, Bihar's Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha has launched the scheme 'Anti Erosion Schemes' at Sangam Dham Trimuhani in Katihar district and Lavani in Darbhanga district at a cost of six crore rupees in Jeebach-Kamala River.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, the Water Resources Minister said that this anti-erosion work would greatly benefit the people of the area. Had this plan not been completed, many houses in this village could have been submerged in the river during the time of flood.
• He said that the state government is running several schemes to get rid of the people from floods and drought. Under this, for the first time, through the Western Kosi Canal Scheme, irrigation facilities have been started for the people of Manigachi and Benipur with canal water.
• Work is also being done by the Water Resources Department to solve the problems like sliding down the water level. The work of bringing water into the river and reviving the dead Kamla River is going on. This will maintain the water level.
• It is known that floods come from Nepal in Bihar. If the dam would have been built in Nepal, Bihar would have got rid of floods permanently, as well as electricity would have been produced, for this a treaty has also been signed between the two countries.

Indo Japan Center of excellence (CoE)

Why in News?

• Indo-Japan Center of Excellence (CoE) inaugurated by Prof. T.N. Singh, Director, IIT Patna and Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on August 6, 2023, on 15^th Foundation Day of IIT Patna, Bihar.

Key Points:

• Indo-Japan CoE (Nihon no Hako) will help to institutionalize and promote MSMEs. This center will reduce the distance between innovation, technology, trade-business, agricultural enterprise, and education between Bihar and Japan.
• IIT Patna Director Prof. T.N. Singh said that this center will become a meeting place of manpower of Bihar and technology of Japan. Japan is the world leader in technology and innovation. Institutes of Bihar will sign MoU with Japan for development in the academic field.
• A hub will be created to promote cooperation and exchange of knowledge with educational institutions. There is immense potential of MSMEs in Bihar. The entrepreneurs here would like to set up MSMEs. The Government and entrepreneurs of Japan will make them available through the Technical Cooperation Center.
• Bihar has immense possibilities in agriculture, education, small industries, dairy etc. Bihar will be developed as an investment hub for Japan.
• The Indo-Japan CoE (Nihon no Hako) will help enhance institutional cooperation at the institutional and SME levels. With this, there will be cooperation in the government, institutions, business of India and Japan.
• Representatives from Japan who reached on this occasion said that the people of both the countries have historical friendly relations and they respect each other, but language has become a wall between the two countries. To overcome this, a Japanese language training program is being started by IIT Patna and Masayume India.
• The JLPT will operate under the Ministry of Education (Mombusho), Japan, in accordance with the rules for testing Japanese language skills. The first batch will start on 17^th August. Government-accredited Japanese language instructors will train the students. Detailed information related to this will be uploaded soon on the website of IIT Patna (https://www.Aiitp.ac.in/).
• Main objectives of setting up CoE:
• Educational institutions for cooperation in the academic field and creation of hubs to promote exchange of knowledge.
• To develop Bihar as an investment hub for Japan.
• Presenting Japan as a good option for the youth migrating from Bihar for jobs.
• Promotion of new startups, incubation, new research, cooperatives, joint ventures, etc.
• Regarding the launch of the CoE, Prof. (Dr.) T.N. Singh, Director, IIT Patna, said that such relations between two countries create new opportunities for the exchange of technology and knowledge. Establishment of CoE also gives rise to new employment opportunities, which is very important for the development of India.
• It is known that relations between Bihar and Japan have been very strong in terms of cultural & religious tourism. By increasing cooperation in technical and academic fields, we are further deepening old relations. The touch of the soil of Bodh Gaya is considered the biggest achievement of life in our culture.