Farmers protests continue, Corona updates, festivals, aahar Kranti, MSP, tap connections

13 April 2021

• PM greets all Indians on multiple festivals

  PM greeted Indians on Navratri, Baisakhi, Ugadi, Cheti Chand, Gudi Padwa, Nav Samvatsar and Navreh today. He hopes that these festivals will bring the country together and bring happiness and prosperity to the country.

• 40 lakh doses administered over last 24 hours

  As India enters into 3rd day of Tika Utsav and 88th day of vaccinations, 40 lakh doses have been administered across India in last 24 hours. India is way ahead of other countries in terms of vaccinations with the closest competitor USA, still way behind.

• 'Aahaar Kranti' to be launched in India

  India has enough food to feed its population and there is no shortage of nutrition rich food. However, there are numerous malnutrition cases all over India. The reason for this is unbalanced diet. People suffering from malnutrition need to eat enough fruits and vegetables to keep them healthy. Nutritional awareness must be brought to all sections of the society. The problem of malnutrition is to be fought at the same levels as polio. Hence the 'Aahaar Kranti' with the motto of "Uttam Aahar Uttam Vichaar" is to be launched to fight the menace of malnutrition.

• Jammu & Kashmir to provide tap connections to 100% rural areas

  Srinagar is one of the districts in J&K with tap connections in 100% rural areas. Now J&K is planning to provide tap connections to 100% rural areas in all of its districts. Water quality is an issue in summers in J&K hence cheap  water testing kits are being provided so that the communities can guard themselves from poor quality water.

• Crops procurement under MSP ongoing in India

  More than 5700 Crore Rupees have been spent by the Indian government procuring wheat under MSP from northern states. Over 105 Lakh farmers have benefitted from the MSP procurement of Paddy in the country.

• Farmers protests to progress through Baisakhi day

  Baisakhi is a popular festival across northern India. The protesting farmers have wished the country on Baisakhi, however they have not stopped protesting even through Baisakhi today, blaming the government for ruining their day.

• Aqua farming issues due to lack of access to market

  Aqua farmers on Indian shores are exploited, often having to sell their catch at low rates. There are often middlemen and competition with well-established aqua farmers. The problems that the buyers or exporters face is in terms of quality and they are not able to trace where what they have bought comes from. To solve this problem an new platform e-SANTA has been launched which will connect these fishermen directly to the buyer and the exporters will buy their goods from registered fishermen.

• PM pays tribute on Jallianwala anniversary

  Every 13th April we are reminded of the brutal and ruthless massacre of civilians gathered for a peaceful meeting at the Jallianwala Bagh. This day is remembered by all Indians to be reminded of the sacrifices that the earlier generations made to bring us to where we are today.

• Funding for another COVID-19 vaccine approved in India

  A Pune based biotech company has developed a new vaccine to fight COVID-19. Indian government has decided to fund the clinical study on this vaccine, to make sure that it is fit for the purpose.

• An example of Public Private partnership

  AIM (Atal Innovative mission) of NITI Ayog is collaborating with Bayer, a German multinational company on agriculture and health sectors. This partnership has come into existence to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, to benefit the society.

• Average monsoon rain predicted for India this year

  Skymet weather has predicted that there will be average rainfall during monsoons this year allowing good conditions for farming and excellent harvest. The state-run agencies will provide their predictions for monsoons later.