PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

19-Oct -2023

1. PM congratulates those honoured with the 69th National Film Awards.

Topic: GS1 – Government awards

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated recipients of the 69th National Film Awards.
• He specifically congratulated Waheeda Rehman for receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award.
• He acknowledged the outstanding contributions of all the awardees to Indian cinema.

More about National Film Awards:

• Inception: The National Film Awards were established in 1954.
• Purpose: They are presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
• Scope: The awards recognize excellence in Indian cinema, encompassing feature films, non-feature films, and various film-related categories.
• Annual Event: They are awarded annually to honor outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.
• Categories: The awards cover various categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and technical categories like Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and more.
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award: This is the highest honor of the National Film Awards and is presented for a lifetime’s contribution to Indian cinema.

Multiple-choice question:

What criterion must a film meet to be eligible for the National Film Awards in India?

Select the correct option from the following:

1. It must be produced by the government.
2. It should be released in a minimum of 100 theaters nationwide.
3. It must be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
4. It should have a duration of at least 2 hours.

Answer:  Option C – It must be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

 Explanation:

• To be eligible for the National Film Awards in India, a film must have been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), ensuring that it complies with the necessary regulations and standards for public exhibition.
• Some of the other criterion are – the film must be released in India in the previous calendar year, the film must be produced in India, the film must be in an Indian language etc.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1968826

2. India stands for International Space collaborations for the larger benefit of mankind: Dr Jitendra Singh

Topic: GS3 – Space collaboration

Context:

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to using Outer Space for peaceful purposes and keeping it free of conflict.
• India is a signatory to international space conventions, and Dr. Jitendra Singh urged all spacefaring nations, including China, to ensure that Outer Space remains weapon-free and conflict-free.
• He emphasized the importance of open dialogue, transparency, and collaboration among nations to maintain a secure and stable space environment.

Significance of international space collaborations:

• Scientific Advancement: International space collaborations allow for the pooling of scientific expertise and resources, leading to more significant scientific discoveries and advancements.
• Economic Benefits: Collaborations can reduce costs and share the financial burden of space exploration, making it more economically feasible for participating countries.
• Global Diplomacy: Collaborative space missions foster goodwill and cooperation between nations, contributing to peaceful international relations.
• Technological Innovation: Working together on space projects encourages the development of cutting-edge technologies and promotes innovation.
• Space Exploration: Collaborations enhance the capacity for human space exploration, including missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
• Shared Data: Collaborative efforts often involve the sharing of data and knowledge, benefiting all participating countries and the global scientific community.
• Space Safety: Cooperative efforts can address space debris, orbital congestion, and other safety concerns that affect all nations using space.

Need for conflict-free and weapon free-outer space:

• Preservation of Peace: An outer space free of weapons and conflict helps preserve global peace and stability. The militarization of space could lead to international tensions and conflicts.
• Avoiding Arms Race: The weaponization of space could trigger an arms race, with nations developing and deploying space-based weapons, creating a costly and dangerous competition.
• Ensuring Sustainable Space Exploration: A conflict-free space environment is essential for the sustainable exploration of space. Space should be a domain for peaceful scientific research, exploration, and cooperation.
• Preventing Space Debris: Space conflicts could generate space debris, which poses a severe threat to satellites, spacecraft, and space missions, further polluting space and making it dangerous for future missions.
• Protecting Space Assets: Many critical space assets, such as communication satellites, weather satellites, and GPS systems, are vital for daily life. A weaponized space could put these assets at risk.
• Minimizing Collateral Damage: Space-based weapons can have unintended consequences, potentially causing harm to Earth’s surface if they malfunction or are used in conflict.
• Global Security: A weapon-free space contributes to global security, ensuring that the advantages of space technology are harnessed for the benefit of all nations, rather than being used as tools of conflict.

Question:  Discuss the significance of maintaining a conflict-free and weapon-free outer space in the context of international peace, cooperation, and sustainable space exploration. What measures should be taken to ensure the preservation of outer space as a peaceful and shared domain?

Multiple-choice question:

What international treaty aims to establish outer space as a zone free of weapons and to prevent any potential conflict in space?

Select the correct option from the following:

1. Outer Space Peace Treaty (OSPT)
2. Space Arms Control Agreement (SACA)
3. Outer Space Treaty (OST)
4. Interstellar Disarmament Pact (IDP)

Answer:  Option C – Outer Space Treaty (OST)

Explanation: 

• The Outer Space Treaty (OST), adopted in 1967, is a key international treaty that aims to establish outer space as a zone free of nuclear weapons and other military activities.
• It promotes the peaceful use of outer space and prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space.
• While the other options may sound plausible, they do not represent the actual treaty that addresses this issue.

3. India is one of the fastest-growing economies with many investment opportunities especially in the food processing sector

Topic: GS3 – food processing sector.

Context:

• Union Minister Shri Prahlad Singh Patel highlighted India’s economic growth and investment opportunities in the food processing sector.

Some important data about food processing sector in India:

• India is the world’s second-largest producer of food, and the food processing sector is one of the most important sectors in the Indian economy.
• It accounts for 9.87% of the gross value added (GVA) in manufacturing and 1.69% of the total GVA in the country.
• The sector employs over 19 million people directly and indirectly.

Importance of food processing sector for Indian economy:

• Employment Generation: It is a major source of employment, especially in rural areas, contributing to income generation and reducing unemployment.
• Agricultural Growth: The sector provides a ready market for agricultural produce, encouraging farmers to diversify and increase crop yields.
• Increases farmers’ incomes: Food processing helps to increase farmers’ incomes by providing them with a better market for their produce
• Value Addition: Food processing adds value to raw agricultural produce, increasing its shelf life and making it suitable for domestic and international markets.
• Foreign Exchange Earnings: Exports of processed food products generate foreign exchange earnings for the country.
• Improved Food Security: Food processing helps reduce food wastage and ensures a steady supply of processed and packaged foods, contributing to food security.
• Enhanced Nutrition: Processing can improve the nutritional value of food products, making them more accessible to a wider population.

Challenges for the sector:

• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Inadequate cold storage, transportation, and warehousing facilities lead to post-harvest losses and affect the quality and safety of processed foods.
• Lack of Standardization: Inconsistent quality and safety standards can hinder trade and consumer trust in processed food products.
• Access to Finance: Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the sector struggle to access affordable financing for expansion and technology adoption.
• Inadequate Skill Development: A shortage of skilled labor and specialized training programs can limit the industry’s capacity for innovation and quality control.
• Supply Chain Inefficiencies: Complex and fragmented supply chains can result in inefficiencies and higher operational costs.
• Regulatory Hurdles: Complying with various food safety and quality regulations can be burdensome for businesses and may deter investment.
• Resource Management: Efficient utilization of resources, such as water and energy, is a concern for sustainable food processing.
• Market Access: Expanding into international markets is often complicated due to trade barriers, quality standards, and certification requirements.
• Food Safety Concerns: Ensuring food safety is critical, and any lapses can lead to consumer health risks and damage the reputation of the industry.

Way forward:

• Invest in Infrastructure: Develop and upgrade cold storage, transportation, and warehousing facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and improve supply chain efficiency.
• Standardization and Compliance: Strengthen and enforce consistent quality and safety standards, providing guidance and support for businesses to comply.
• Financial Support: Facilitate access to affordable financing options for SMEs and startups in the food processing sector to encourage investment and expansion.
• Skill Development: Establish training programs and skill development initiatives to create a skilled workforce capable of managing modern food processing techniques.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Streamline supply chains and foster collaboration among stakeholders to reduce inefficiencies and operational costs.
• Regulatory Reforms: Simplify and harmonize food safety and quality regulations to reduce compliance burdens on businesses.
• Research and Innovation: Encourage investment in research and development to drive innovation in product development, technology adoption, and packaging.
• Market Expansion: Support food processors in penetrating international markets by providing information on trade regulations, standards, and certification requirements.
• Technology Adoption: Encourage the adoption of advanced technologies, such as automation and digitalization, to improve production and operational efficiency.

Question: Examine the role of the food processing sector in the Indian economy. Discuss the key challenges faced by the sector and propose measures to promote food processing sector in India.

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