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)