Daily Current Affairs 16 January 2024 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 16 January 2024 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

India International Science Festival 2023

Source: PIB
GS III: Science and Technology

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About India International Science Festival 2023

Why in the News?

The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023 is set to begin.

News in Brief

• On 18th January 2024, thirteen events are planned.
• Science Media Communication Cell (SMCC) at CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication & Policy Research (NIScPR) is coordinating and facilitating the media publicity of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2023.
• The key objective of the SMCC is to disseminate and showcase R&D breakthroughs and scientific achievements of India on various platforms of media.
• This time, 22 countries are also participating at IISF 2023.

About India International Science Festival 2023

The central theme of IISF 2023 is Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal.

• The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India is organizing the 9th edition of IISF and its autonomous organization National Innovation Foundation-India is the coordination and implementation body of IISF 2023.
• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) institutes Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) – Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) located in Faridabad (Haryana) is the host institute of the grand event.
• This science festival aims to celebrate the achievements of India in the frontier areas of science and technology.
• The festival also aims to acknowledge the achievements of science enthusiasts inculcate scientific temper among young students and spread the same among Indian citizens.
• This has been organised since 2015 and the IISF 2023 is the ninth edition of the series.

MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application

Source: PIB
GS II: Governance

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. About MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application
3. MPLAD Scheme

Why in the News?

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Rao Inderjit Singh launched the MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application

News in Brief

• The launching event was attended by various dignitaries, including the Chief Statistician of India-cum-Secretary, Additional Secretary, and other senior officers of the Ministry, as well as senior officials of SBI and TCS.

About MPLADS e-SAKSHI Mobile Application

• The launching of e-SAKSHI mobile application for Members of Parliament (MPs) under the MPLAD scheme will bring forth a myriad of benefits, revolutionizing the way they engage with and manage development projects in their constituencies.
• The mobile app would offer convenience and accessibility, allowing MPs to propose, track, and oversee the projects at their fingertips.
• This real-time access enhances decision-making processes, enabling swift responses to emerging needs or issues.
• The application will streamline the communication between MPs and relevant authorities, facilitating a more efficient exchange of information.
• The mobile app will promote transparency by providing MPs with instant updates on the status and progress of their proposed projects.
• This transparency not only fosters accountability but also instils public trust in the allocation and utilization of MPLADS funds.
• Furthermore, the mobile application has features for budget management, ensuring MPs can monitor expenditures.

MPLAD Scheme

• The objective of MPLAD Scheme is to enable the Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend works of a developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs.
• The revised set of guidelines aims to broaden the scope of the Scheme to enable the MPs to recommend the developmental works as per the changing needs of the community; with an emphasis on improving the functioning, implementation and monitoring of the MPLAD scheme.

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Prelims

Thiruvalluvar Day

News: Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi paid tributes to Saint Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day.

• Today 16-January-2026 celebrate Thiruvalluvar Day.
  • Celebrated either on the 15th or 16th of January in the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Commemorating the great Tamil sage whose profound wisdom in the Thirukkural guides us in several aspects of life.
• His timeless teachings inspire society to focus on virtue and integrity, fostering a world of harmony and understanding.
• Thiruvalluvar lived in the 4th century BCE.
• Thiruvalluvar was chosen as the Tamil language’s greatest historical figure.
• Thiruvalluvar year is an officially recognised calendar that will have an additional 31 years as compared to the Georgian calendar.

Trade Connect ePlatform

News: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles announced the initiation of work on Trade Connect ePlatform.

• It is an intermediary platform.
• It provides the facility to connect Indian exporters and entrepreneurs with various stakeholders in international trade will commence shortly.
• ePlatform is expected to provide facilitation for new and aspiring exporters, information on various regulations to access markets, sectors, and export trends, easy access to benefits under Free Trade Agreements, access to sector-specific events along with a facility to address trade-related queries to officials in Government of India and associated entities to get expert advice.
• The platform is likely to be ready in a 3-4 month time period.

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