PIB Analysis : 27th and 28thAugust 2022

PIB Analysis for UPSC CSE

Topics Covered

1. Representative List of intangible cultural Heritage of humanity
2. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
3. Facts for Prelims

1 . Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

PIB Release : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854898

Context: Ministry of Culture celebrated the successful inscription of ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021.

About Representative List of intangible cultural Heritage of Humanity

• The term ‘cultural heritage’ has changed content considerably in recent decades, partially owing to the instruments developed by UNESCO. Cultural heritage does not end at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and skills to produce traditional crafts.
• While fragile, intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of growing globalization. An understanding of the intangible cultural heritage of different communities helps with intercultural dialogue, and encourages mutual respect for other ways of life.
• The importance of intangible cultural heritage is not the cultural manifestation itself but rather the wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted through it from one generation to the next. The social and economic value of this transmission of knowledge is relevant for minority groups and for mainstream social groups within a State, and is as important for developing States as for developed ones.

Intangible cultural heritage is:

• Traditional, contemporary and living at the same time: intangible cultural heritage does not only represent inherited traditions from the past but also contemporary rural and urban practices in which diverse cultural groups take part;
• Inclusive: we may share expressions of intangible cultural heritage that are similar to those practised by others. Whether they are from the neighbouring village, from a city on the opposite side of the world, or have been adapted by peoples who have migrated and settled in a different region, they all are intangible cultural heritage: they have been passed from one generation to another, have evolved in response to their environments and they contribute to giving us a sense of identity and continuity, providing a link from our past, through the present, and into our future. Intangible cultural heritage does not give rise to questions of whether or not certain practices are specific to a culture. It contributes to social cohesion, encouraging a sense of identity and responsibility which helps individuals to feel part of one or different communities and to feel part of society at large;
• Representative: intangible cultural heritage is not merely valued as a cultural good, on a comparative basis, for its exclusivity or its exceptional value. It thrives on its basis in communities and depends on those whose knowledge of traditions, skills and customs are passed on to the rest of the community, from generation to generation, or to other communities;
• Community-based: intangible cultural heritage can only be heritage when it is recognized as such by the communities, groups or individuals that create, maintain and transmit it – without their recognition, nobody else can decide for them that a given expression or practice is their heritage.

Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

• UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.
• This list is published by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, the members of which are elected by State Parties meeting in a General Assembly.
• The list was established in 2008 when the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage took effect.

Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

2 . Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana

PIB Release : – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854909

Context: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – National Mission for Financial Inclusion, completed eight years of successful implementation

Pradhan Mantri Jan dhan yojana:

• PMJDY was announced by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on 15^th August 2014.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services, namely, Banking/ Savings & Deposit Accounts, Remittance, Credit, Insurance, Pension in an affordable manner.             
• Objectives:                                   
  • Ensure access of financial products & services at an affordable cost                             
  • Use of technology to lower cost & widen reach         
• Basic tenets of the scheme                                  
  • Banking the unbanked – Opening of basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance & zero charges                           
  • Securing the unsecured – Issuance of Indigenous Debit cards for cash withdrawals & payments at merchant locations, with free accident insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh                        
  • Funding the unfunded – Other financial products like micro-insurance, overdraft for consumption, micro-pension & micro-credit              

Achievements under PMJDY so far:           

• In August’22, out of total 46.25 crore PMJDY accounts, 37.57 crore (81.2%) are operative. Only 8.2% PMJDY accounts are zero balance accounts.
• Total deposit balances under PMJDY Accounts stand at Rs. 1,73,954 crore.
• Average deposit per account is Rs. 3,761. Avg. Deposit per account has increased over 2.9 times over Aug’15
• Total RuPay cards issued to PMJDY accountholders: 31.94 crore

3 . Facts for Prelims

India GI Fair – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854760

• The first editions of India GI Fair, was held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.
• India’s finest GI-tagged products were displayed at the event which allowed people to get a glimpse of products that have become pride of regions of their origin.
• The GI fair’s aim is to connect invaluable native products to connoisseurs and clientele of the global market. The event showcased the collective intellectual heritage and ethos of GI-tagged products.
• GI is basically a sign. It is used on products that have a specific geographical origin.
•  Such products are invaluable treasures of the region and build confidence to buy them.

INS Sumedha – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854878

• INS Sumedha is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations.
• She is part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

Recognition of Prior Learning Programme – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1854848

• Recognition of Prior Learning is a process used to evaluate a person’s existing skill sets, knowledge and experience gained either by working on-the-job or learning over the years.
• Under this programme, the workers will be upskilled in multiple trades across construction, electrical, plumbing, pottery, handicrafts and more.
• The first phase of the programme will focus on upskilling 25,000 people in multiple job sectors, by November 2022, while 5,000 people will be upskilled through the entrepreneurship program in the second phase and 45,000 people will be upskilled in the third phase.
• A mandatory orientation of 12 hours is provided to all beneficiaries comprising domain-specific training, familiarization with process of assessment, and orientation on tech-based soft skills and entrepreneurship, under the initiative.