Prime Minister presents BHISHM Cubes to Ukraine

The gesture underscores India’s continued commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Project BHISHM

1) Project BHISHM, which stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri, is a revolutionary initiative that aims to bolster medical readiness and response capabilities.

2) It involves the deployment of mobile hospitals known as Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube-BHISHM.

3) The portable hospital ‘Project BHISHMA,’ includes: Fully equipped operation theatre, Mini-ICUs and ventilators, Blood-testing equipment and X-ray machine, Cooking station for self-sufficiency and Capabilities to handle various injuries, including bullet, burn, head, spinal, and chest injuries, fractures, and major bleeding.

Benefits of the initiative:

• This project will effectively bridge the crucial time gap from primary care to definitive care, potentially saving numerous lives in the golden hour of emergencies.
• These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios.

Aarogya Maitri Health Cube:

It is the world’s first portable hospital.

Design:

• The ‘Aarogya Maitri Cube Cage’ includes three frames, each accommodating 12 mini-cubes.
• The cage can fit in 36 mini-cubes, including almost everything that can be packed for survival for a period of 48 hours for 100 survivors.
• The design allows joining two cages–master cube one and master cube two, including 72 cubes in total–with damage control capabilities for 200 survivors.
• Mini cubes are durable and waterproof and are designed to open “in different configurations”.
• These cubes are light and portable and can be carried by a single person–a messenger bag, as a strolley or as a briefcase–or even transported through a drone. 
• The cubes can handle several severe injuries, including 40 bullet injuries, 25 major bleeds, 25 major burns, around 10 head injuries, long limb fractures, spinal injuries, chest injuries, and spinal fractures.
• The structure will also contain a tablet-based application which can operate all 72 cubes.
• The system alsointegrates AI and data analytics.

TRAI releases Telecommunication Tariff draft amendment order on regulatory framework for PM-WANI scheme

Key Points of TRAI''s Draft Telecommunication Tariff (70th Amendment) Order, 2024:

• Objective: Address high costs hindering PM-WANI scheme expansion.
• Background: NDCP 2018 and Bharat 6G Vision target 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022; current numbers are low.
• Issue: High costs of backhaul internet (ILL) for PDOs, compared to affordable FTTH broadband.
• Proposal: Align tariff for PM-WANI PDOs with retail FTTH broadband rates.
• Consultation: Comments by 6th September 2024; counter-comments by 13th September 2024.

PM WANI

• The Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) is a government initiative launched in December 2020 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• It establishes a framework for setting up a vast network of Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the country, particularly in underserved rural areas. This initiative aligns with the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 (NDCP)''s goal of creating a robust digital infrastructure.

Benefits of PM-WANI

Affordable Connectivity

• Reduced Reliance on Expensive Data Packs: PM-WANI provides public Wi-Fi hotspots, particularly in rural areas where mobile data plans can be costly. This allows users to access the internet without incurring high charges, especially for occasional use.
• Pay-Per-Use Model for Rural PDOs: The scheme allows for setting up PDOs (Public Data Offices) in rural areas. These PDOs offer Wi-Fi at minimal charges, following a pay-per-use model. This caters to users who might not need a full-fledged data plan but require occasional internet access.

Digital Inclusion

• Bridging the Digital Divide: A significant portion of India''s population, particularly in rural regions, lacks access to reliable internet. PM-WANI hotspots bridge this gap by offering internet connectivity in public places like railway stations and through PDOs. This enables them to access government services, educational resources, and online opportunities.
• Improved Access to Information & Services: With PM-WANI, people can access information and services online, regardless of their socioeconomic background. This empowers them to participate in the digital economy, avail of government schemes, and stay informed.

Empowerment of Citizens

• Entrepreneurship Opportunities: PM-WANI allows individuals to become PDO operators, setting up Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas. This creates income-generation opportunities and promotes local entrepreneurship.
• Enhanced Skill Development & Education: Increased internet access empowers citizens to access online educational resources and skill development programs. This fosters personal and professional growth, improving employability and career prospects.

Potential Challenges and Way Forward

Cybersecurity: 

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating users about safe browsing practices and the importance of strong passwords can minimize vulnerabilities.
• Promoting VPN Use: Encouraging users to employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) when accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi can provide an additional layer of security.
• Network Security Measures: Implementing strong encryption protocols and user authentication mechanisms on PM-WANI hotspots can further enhance security.

Sustainability of PDOs: 

• Microloans or Subsidies: Government or financial institutions could offer financial assistance to help PDOs with initial setup costs and infrastructure investment.
• Value-Added Services: PDOs could explore offering additional services like basic printing or device charging for a small fee to supplement their income.

IEC Campaign on PM-JANMAN mission, to raise awareness and ensure 100% saturation of Government Schemes in PVTG majority tribal areas

This campaign is an effort aimed at saturating PVTG families with key individual entitlements and the disseminate information about the PM-JANMAN interventions for providing PVTG habitations with basic facilities, so as to enable these tribal communities to be aware about the Central and State schemes and the benefits thereunder.

PM-JANMAN

About:

• PM-JANMAN, launched on 15^thNovember 2023, on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, focuses on 11 critical interventions through 9 ministries to improve the socio-economic welfare of PVTGs.
• PM-JANMAN comprises Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to improve the socio-economic conditions of PVTGs.
• The scheme has a total outlay of Rs 24,104 crore to be spent over a three-year period, of which nearly 80% is only for the construction of houses and roads.
• An allocation of Rs 15,000 crore has been made for the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) to implement the housing component of PM-JANMAN.

Main targets of the scheme:

• To provide 4.90 lakh pucca homes at a cost of Rs 2.39 lakh per house.
• Construction of 8,000 kilometres of roads at a cost of Rs 1 crore per kilometre.
• Piped water supply for all Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) habitations.
• Community water supply in 2,500 villages/habitations with a population of less than 20 households.
• A thousand mobile medical units with medicine cost for 10 districts at Rs 33.88 lakh per mobile medical unit.
• Last-mile electricity connection for 57,000 households.

Challenges in implementation of the scheme

• Data inaccuracy-There is lack of current data on PVTGs, as no census since 1951 has accounted for them separately.
• Lack of transparency- The current project is going ahead with the baseline surveys but the results are not made public.
• Lack of accountability- The scheme involves multiple ministries, this may lead to issue of overlapping or conflicting mandate, gaps in service delivery etc.,
• Loss of cultural heritage-The scheme provides education, health, skill development etc., this may result in loss of their intellectual and cultural heritage, and reduce their resilience and adaptability.
• Lack of autonomy- Mobile connectivity, Anganwadi centres and Bandhan Vikas Kendra may bring the PVTGs under the purview of state and market forces and compromise their sovereignty and rights.

Way Forward

• Implement a standardised data collection methodology to ensure data accuracy.
• Implement streamlined processes to expedite data collection and project execution without compromising quality.
• Engage tribal communities in the scheme''s planning and execution to enhance inclusivity and effectiveness.
• Invest in infrastructure and communication networks in tribal regions to facilitate data collection and scheme implementation.
• Develop adaptive strategies to account for dynamic population movements among tribal groups and ensure comprehensive coverage of eligible beneficiaries.
• Provide training and capacity-building programs for stakeholders involved in data collection and scheme implementation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

• In 1973, the Dhebar Commission established Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a distinct category, encompassing tribal communities characterized by a declining or stagnant population, the use of pre-agrarian technology, economic backwardness, and low literacy.
• These groups are identified as less developed among the tribal communities.
• In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs. They reside in remote and inaccessible areas, facing challenges due to poor infrastructure and administrative support.
• There are 75 PVTG communities spread across 18 States and Union Territories in India.

FSSAI urges states to establish inter-ministerial committee to focus on reducing pesticide use

Addressing the 44th meeting of the Central Advisory Committee, CEO, FSSAI, G. Kamala Vardhana Rao said, this initiative is aimed at ensuring agricultural practices remain safe and sustainable.

Pesticides

• Pesticide is any chemical or biological substance intended to prevent, destroy or control damage from pests which has both agricultural and non-agricultural uses.
• They also pose serious risks to human health and the environment, especially when they are misused, overused, or sold illegally.

Status of Pesticides in India

• Stats of Pesticides Use: According to FAO, India used over 61,000 tonnes of pesticides in 2020, which is relatively lower than that of Brazil, China, and Argentina.
• Currently, 104 pesticides are being manufactured in India among 293 registered pesticides.
• Fourth Largest Producer: India is the fourth largest producer of pesticides in the world. The Indian pesticides market was worth Rs 197 billion in 2018according to a report by the database Research and Markets.
• Major Exporting Destinations: USA, Japan, China, and Brazil.
• Exported Agrochemical: The most prominent agrochemicals exported include Mancozeb, Acephate, Chlorpyrifos, Cypermethrin, and Profenos.
• States Consuming Most Pesticides: Maharashtra has consumed the most chemical pesticides in India in the past five years at 61, 138 tonnes, followed by UP and Punjab.

Concerns regarding uses of Pesticides

Harmful Effects on Farmers:

• Experts believe that chronic low-level pesticide exposure is associated with a broad range of nervous system symptomssuch as headache, fatigue, dizziness, tension, anger, depression, and impaired memory, Parkinson''s disease, and Alzheimer''s disease, among others.

Harmful Effect on Consumers:

• Pesticides go up the food chain by working their way through the environment and into the soil or the water systems after which they are taken by aquatic animals or plants and ultimately humans. This process is called Biomagnification.

Harmful Effect on Agriculture:

• Continued use of pesticides for decades has contributed significantly to the current ecological, economic and existential crisis of the Indian agriculture sector.

Regulatory Issues:

• Although agriculture is a state subject, education, and research related to insecticides are governed by the Insecticides Act, 1968, which is a central act. Therefore, state governments do not have a direct role in amending this act.
• It is due to this that an estimated 104 pesticides that are still produced/ used in India, have been banned in two or more countries in the world.
• In 2021, non-profit Pesticide Action Network (PAN) International released a list of highly hazardous pesticides, of which over 100 pesticidesare currently approved for use in India.

Way Forward

Regulatory Reforms:

• Strictly enforce regulations to curb the illegal sale and misuse of pesticides.
• Implement penalties for those found violating pesticide usage guidelines.

Government Support:

• Provide financial support to farmers to help them adopt safer and more sustainable agricultural practices.
• This could includesubsidies for organic farming, integrated pest management, or the purchase of safer pesticides.

Community Awareness Programs:

• Conduct awareness campaigns at the community level to educate people about the risks associated with pesticide use.
• Involve local communities in monitoring and reporting cases of misuse or poisoning.

Regulations of Pesticides in India

• Pesticides are regulated in India through the Insecticides Act 1968 and Insecticides Rules 1971.
• Insecticides Act, of 1968: It was brought with a view of regulating the import, manufacturing, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides and pesticides to prevent the risk to human beings and animals.
• The experiences in administering this act over the last five decades have exposed certain gaps.
• In this context, the Union Cabinet approved the Pesticides Management Bill, 2020.

India-Ukraine Joint Statement on the Visit of Prime Minister of India to Ukraine

Key Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi''s Visit to Ukraine

Political Relations

• Historic Visit: First visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established in 1992.
• Strategic Partnership: Leaders expressed mutual interest in elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.
• Commitment to Diplomacy: Both sides reaffirmed commitment to international law, territorial integrity, and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Peace and Security

• Peace Framework: Joint Communiqué on Peace Framework endorsed as a basis for dialogue and diplomacy.
• Global Food Security: Emphasis on uninterrupted supply of agricultural products and support for humanitarian grain initiatives.
• International Participation: India’s participation in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine welcomed, with a call for continued high-level engagement.

Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation

• Economic Partnership: Emphasis on restoring and expanding bilateral trade and investment; importance of the Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) highlighted.
• Pharmaceutical Cooperation: Reaffirmed commitment to market access and joint ventures in pharmaceuticals; MoU signed for drug control.
• Scientific Collaboration: Encouragement of joint research and technological cooperation, including in ICT, AI, and green energy.

Defence Cooperation

• Defence Ties: Agreement to strengthen defence cooperation through joint collaborations and partnerships; 2nd meeting of the Indian-Ukrainian Joint Working Group on Military-Technical Cooperation planned.

Cultural and People-to-People Ties

• Cultural Exchange: Conclusion of the bilateral Programme of Cultural Cooperation; exploration of opening branches of higher education institutions.
• Support for Indian Nationals: Gratitude expressed for Ukrainian support in evacuating Indian students; call for easier visa facilities for Indian nationals.

Joint Statements and Future Directions

• Counter-Terrorism: Unwavering condemnation of terrorism and extremism; call for enhanced cooperation based on international law.
• UN Security Council Reform: Support for comprehensive reform and India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Anticipation of Ukraine joining the ISA.

Challenges in India-Ukraine Relations

• Declining bilateral Trade-The volume of India-Ukraine trade has dropped from $3.39 billion in 2021-22 to $0.71 billion in 2023-24, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine Crisis.
• Impact on India’s import-The decline in trade has impacted India’s import of agricultural, machine-building and military goods from Ukraine. For ex- Impact on the supply chain of sunflower oil, has led to rising inflation in the country.
• India’s relation with Russia-India’s continued engagement with Russia, and its decision to avoid all public criticism of Moscow, has led to a little dampening of the spirit of India-Ukraine geopolitical cooperation.
• Ukraine’s criticism of India’s Policies in the past-Ukraine’s criticism of India’s Nuclear Test and India’s Kashmir policy has also been an irritant in India’s full steamed engagement with Ukraine.

Way Forward

• Tightrope Diplomatic Balancing Act- India must continue to diplomatically balance its relations with Russia and Ukraine, and with China and the US. India should not let its engagement with Ukraine change its equations with Russia, as Russia’s engagement with China does not impact its relationship with India.
• Take centre stage for delivering peace- India should take centre stage as a peaceable yet principled global player, and take the lead in negotiations of the Ukrainian peace formula. This will help in restoring the global food supply chains and prevent millions of starvation related deaths in the World.
• Demonstrate new definition of non-alignment- India must demonstrate the changed definition of non-alignment in India’s foreign policy by deepening its relationship with Ukraine while maintaining its close cooperation with Russia. Non-Alignment’s definition in Indian foreign policy has changed from maintaining equal distance from all countries to maintain close ties with all countries.