President of India Inaugurates Constitution day Celebrations

        Highlights:

• President said that the Constitution is the modern scripture of independent India. It is our suprema lex. It is more than just a collection of articles and clauses. For us Indians it is an inspirational and living document, an ideal of the society we are and the even better society we are striving to be.
• Costitutional fathers allowed for flexibility in amending the Constitution and were accommodative of various streams of thought. Above all, they trusted the wisdom of future generations to expand the frontiers of freedom and liberty, justice and fraternity, fairness and equality.
• They trusted future generations to not just amend the Constitution’s text, but to constructively re-imagine and re-interpret it for changing times. If we continue to be true to this spirit, the Constitution can serve India for all times to come.
• People of India are the ultimate custodians of the Constitution. The Constitution empowers the citizen, but the citizen too empowers the Constitution – by following it, by adhering to it, by protecting it, and by persevering to make it more meaningful with words and deeds. The Constitution is nobody’s preserve – and it is everybody’s preserve.
• Perhaps the most moving word in the Constitution is “justice”. “Justice” is a single word. “Justice” is a complex and liberating expression. And “justice” is both the means and the goal of our constitutional and nation-building process. Justice must also be seen in a wider context – in terms of society’s evolution and its changing beliefs, lifestyles and technologies.

             For instance: idea of social justice too has expanded to encompass modern civic parameters – such as clean air; less polluted cities and towns, rivers and water bodies;           sanitary and hygienic living conditions; and green and eco-friendly growth and development.

• These are all implications of environmental and climate justice, within the framework of social justice. If a child suffers from asthma due to air pollution it would be considered a gap in providing social justice.
• Social justice remains a touchstone of our nation building: it implies the removal of societal imbalances and the harmonisation of rival claims and needs of different communities and groups. Social justice is about providing equal opportunities.

Epashuhaat

         About Epashuhaat:

• The portal was launched on November 26, 2016. It is a part of government’s ‘National Mission on Bovine Productivity’ for which Rs 825 crore of funds have been allocated.
• e - Pashu Haat is a web portal launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, under the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF) to boost dairy productivity in India by organizing the livestock market.
• The portal allows farmers and entrepreneurs find information about bovine animals, buy or sell livestock, frozen semen and embryos. It also helps them to check information on feed and fodder and manage the transportation of animals once a purchase is made.
• A multi-channel communication system, via, video, email, SMS, audio and chat is available to let interested stakeholders, including buyers and sellers communicate..

         Services:

           There is a host of services on sale. Interested buyers can apply for them after a successful online payment. List of services is as follows:

• Training
• Animal Certificates Services
• Certification Verification Services
• Nutritional advisory service
• Good care practice
• Health Card Services
• Fodder Services
• SMS reminder services
• Disease Screening and Testing
• Mail reminder services.

Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign $200 Million Loan to improve State Highways in Bihar

        Importance of ADB loan to Infrastructure:

• Loan will complement the efforts of the Government of Bihar to upgrade all State Highways to meet the minimum two-lane standard with better surfaces and improved road safety leading to improved connectivity.
• The New Loan will continue ADB's support in the development of the road sector in Bihar. The improved roads under the Project will contribute to savings in vehicle operating cost and travel time, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve road safety.
• The Project will also establish a State-level Road Research Institute to improve technical and management capacity of the Road Agency Staff.

         About ADB:

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established in 1966, which is headquartered in the Manila, Philippines. The company also maintains field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• The bank admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and non-regional developed countries.
• ADB now has 67 members, of  which 48 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 from outside.
• The ADB was modeled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting system where votes are distributed in proportion with members' capital subscriptions. 
• The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) enrolls about 300 students annually in academic institutions located in 10 countries within the Region.
• Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.
• ADB is an official United Nations Observer but not a member.

        Aim of ADB:

• As of 31 December 2016, Japan and United States hold the largest proportion of shares at 15.607%. China holds 6.444%, India holds 6.331%, and Australia holds 5.786%. The ADB defines itself as a social development organization that is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
• This is carried out through investments – in the form of loans, grants and information sharing – in infrastructure, health care services, financial and public administration systems, helping nations prepare for the impact of climate change or better manage their natural resources, as well as other areas

Paisa – "Portal for Affordable Credit & Interest Subvention Access” Launched Under Day-NULM

        Highlights of Paisa:

• The web platform has been designed and developed by Allahabad Bank which is the Nodal bank.
• PAiSA is an effort by the government to connect directly with the beneficiaries, ensuring that there is greater transparency and efficiency in delivery of services.
• DBT of subvention on monthly basis under DAY-NULM will give the necessary financial support to small entrepreneurs in a timely manner”.
• All 35 states / UTs & all scheduled commercial banks, RRBs and Cooperative Banks are expected to be on board the PAiSA portal the year end.

Aadi Mahotsav

        Highlights:

• This year, more than 600 tribal artisans from 23 states, 80 tribal chefs hailing from 20 States besides 14 cultural troupes comprising more than 200 artists are taking part in the Mahotsav.
• The highlights of the tribal festival being live demo for making Mahua based drink; Imli candy and chutney; making of Lac bangles; Demo for 4 different school of painting i.e. Warli, Pithora, Gond and Saura; showcasing tribal textiles and tribal accessories.

        About Aadi Mahotsav:

• Aadi Mahotsav The name Aadi Mahotsav suggests that  the ‘adi’ factor is important about them. 
• The adivasi way of life is guided by primal truths, eternal values and natural simplicity. The greatness of tribes lies in the way they have managed to retain primal skills, the natural simplicity. ‎
• This quality gives their arts and crafts a timeless appeal. So, this festival seeks to channelize and promote their natural skills and provide then source of income.
• The Government has formed the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) for achieving this. TRIFED is working in this direction and now has embraced e-commerce and digital platforms to take the business forward.

        Background:

          In India, tribes constitute over 8% of country’s population which corresponds to over 10 crore Indians. The national object of inclusive development includes the                      development of tribes as an important component. Even Constitution enjoins upon Government the responsibility of addressing the special needs of tribals.