PIB 5th June 2021

COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR)

Focus: GS III- Science and Technology

Why in news?

Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Society through video conference.

• The Prime Minister lauded the scientists for the scale and speed at which the vaccines were made within a year, to save humanity from the pandemic. 

About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Nodal: Ministry of Science & Technology

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is the largest research and development (R&D) organisation in India and it operates as an autonomous body through the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• CSIR has a pan-India presence and has a dynamic network of 38 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes and 5 units.
• Located: New Delhi

Organisation Structure

• President: Prime Minister of India (Ex-officio)
• Vice President: Union Minister of Science and Technology (Ex-officio)
• Member terms are are of three years.

Objectives

• Promotion, guidance and coordination of scientific and industrial research in India including the institution and the financing of specific researchers.
• Establishment and assistance to special institutions or departments of existing institutions for the scientific study of problems affecting particular industries and trade.
• Establishment and award of research studentships and fellowships.
• Utilization of the results of the research conducted under the auspices of the Council towards the development of industries in the country.
• Payment of a share of royalties arising out of the development of the results of research to those who are considered as having contributed towards the pursuit of such research.
• Establishment, maintenance and management of laboratories, workshops, institutes and organisations to further scientific and industrial research.
• Collection and dissemination of information in regard not only to research but to industrial matters generally.
• Publication of scientific papers and a journal of industrial research and development.

BRICS & TRADITIONAL MEDICINE

Focus: GS II- International Groupings

Why in news?

Ministry of AYUSH organized a Webinar on Harmonization of Regulation of Standardization of Traditional Medicinal Products of Brics Countries under India’s BRICS Chairship of 2021recently. 

About BRICS

• BRICS is an informal group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (joined in 2010).
• The BRICS leaders’ summit is convened annually.
• BRICS does not exist in form of organization, but it is an annual summit between the supreme leaders of five nations.
• The Chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
• Together, BRICS accounts for about 42% of the world’s population and about 23% of the global GDP (Gross Domestic Product), and 17% of the world trade, making it a critical economic engine.
• The five nations account for 50 per cent of the world economic growth, 27% of the world area and 13.24% of World Bank voting power. 
• Pitted as a counterweight to G7, the combine of developed economies, BRICS represents the world’s top emerging economies and claims to serve as a bridge between the developed and developing world.

Traditional Medicine:

The traditional Indian system of medicine, which comprises of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), is a perennially neglected alternative medicine sector. It played an important role against the imperialistic British reign by the cultural nationalistic reassertion but is losing its significance in modern times.

Ayurveda:

• The Ayurvedic System of Medicine evolved nearly 5000 years ago (3000 BC).
• The word Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life’ and employs treatment modalities, such as purification, palliation, prescription of various diets, exercises and the avoidance of disease causing factors.
• The Ayurvedic medicine, though practiced for a wide range of health needs, is more commonly used for preventive and health and immunity boosting activities.

Yoga & Naturopathy:

• The concepts and practices of Yoga are reported to have originated in India.
• Yoga is now being adapted to correct lifestyle by cultivating a rational, positive and spiritual attitude towards all life situations.
• The United Nations (UN) has designated 21st June as ‘International Yoga Day’.
• Naturopathy or the naturopathic medicine is a drugless’ non- invasive system of medicine imparting treatments with natural elements based on the theories of vitality, toxemia and the self-healing capacity of the body, as well as the principles of healthy living.
• The common naturopathy modalities include counselling, diet and fasting therapy, mud therapy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, magnet therapy and yoga therapy.

Unani Medicine:

• Unani Medicine originated in the Arab world, though over a period of time it imbibed some concepts from other contemporary systems of medicines in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Persia, India, China and other Middle East Countries.
• Unani medicine treats a patient with diet, pharmacotherapy, exercise, massages and surgery.

Siddha:

• This system has originated in India and is amongst the oldest systems of medicine in the country.
• It takes into account the patient, his/her surroundings, age, sex, race, habitat, diet, appetite, physical condition etc. to arrive at the diagnosis.
• Siddha System uses minerals, metals and alloys and drugs and inorganic compounds to treat the patients.
• Unlike most T&CM, this system is largely therapeutic in nature.
• Siddha literature is in Tamil and it is practiced largely in Tamil speaking part of India.

Homeopathy:

• The word ‘Homeopathy’ is derived from the Greek words, ‘Homois’ meaning ‘similar’ and ‘pathos’ means ‘suffering’.
• It originated in Germany and was introduced in India around 1810-1839.
• It uses highly individualized remedies selected to address specific symptoms or symptom profiles.
• It is practiced in many countries and in India, where it is the second most popular system of medicine.

Sowa-Rigpa:

• The word combination means the ‘science of healing’ and is considered one of the oldest living and well-documented medical traditions of the world.
• It originated from Tibet and is widely practiced in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia and Russia.

DEFENCE ACQUISITION COUNCIL (DAC) 

Focus: GS 3: Internal Security Challenges

Why in News?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved proposals concerning Capital Acquisitions of various equipment for modernisation and operational needs of the Armed Forces.

About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• The Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body in the Defence Ministry for deciding on new policies and capital acquisitions for the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Indian Coast Guard.
• The Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Council.
• It was formed, after the Group of Ministers recommendations on ‘Reforming the National Security System’, in 2001, post Kargil War (1999).
• The objective of the Defence Acquisition Council is to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources.
• There are eight public sector undertakings (PSUs) under the Department of Defence Production and Supplies. 
• The focus was on ‘Make in India’ initiative i.e. on indigenous design, development and manufacturing of weapons and equipment.
• The weapons and equipment’s approved under Defence Acquisition Council are Thermal Imaging Night Sights for Assault Rifles, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF),P8I long range patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy, Twin Engine Heavy Helicopters (TEHH) for the Indian Coast Guard etc.,

The composition of the DAC is as follows;-

• Defence Minister: Chairman
• Minister of State for Defence: Member
• Chief of Army Staff: Member
• Chief of Naval Staff: Member
• Chief of Air Staff: Member
• Defence Secretary: Member
• Secretary Defence Research & Development: Member
• Secretary Defence Production: Member
• Chief of Integrated Staff Committees HQ IDS: Member
• Director General (Acquisition): Member
• Dy. Chief of Integrated Defence: Staff Member Secretary

Functions of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• In-principle approval of 15 Year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan for Defence Forces;
• Accord of Acceptance of Necessity to acquisition proposals;
• Categorization of the acquisition proposals relating to ‘Buy’, ‘Buy & Make’ and ‘Make’;
• Issues relating to Single vendor clearance;
• Decision regarding ‘offset’ provisions in respect of acquisition proposals above Rs. 300 crores;
• Decisions regarding Transfer of Technology under ‘Buy & Make’ category of acquisition proposals; and
• Field Trial evaluation.

SAGE (SENIORCARE AGEING GROWTH ENGINE) INITIATIVE; SAGE PORTAL

Focus: GS II- Government

Why in news?

The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, launched the SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative and SAGE portal to support India’s elderly persons.

About the portal:

• The SAGE portal will be a “one-stop access” of elderly care products and services by credible start-ups.
• The SAGE portal will be opened for applications from 5th June, 2021 onwards.
• The start-ups selected under SAGE will be those which will provide new innovative products and services to elderly persons in various areas like health, travel, finance, legal ,housing, food among others.
• The SAGE portal has been prepared and finalised in record time by Mr. Chandrasekhar Buddha, CEO, NEAT, M/o Education along with Dr. Elengovan, Assistant Innovation Director, M/o Education.
• The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will act as a facilitator for this scheme.
  • A fund of uptoRs.1 crore as one-time equity will be granted to each selected start-up.
  • An amount of Rs 100 crore has been assigned for the promotion of the silver economy.
  • An allocation of Rs 25 crores has been made for the SAGE project in the current financial year i.e 2021-22.