Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) Signs Agreements with MSMEs
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre`s (BARC) Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) signed agreements with MSMEs for the development of emerging technology into marketable products. The agreements were made to mark the BARC`s opening of the AIC, which aims to speed up the transition of products from research labs to markets.
Key Points
- The incubation agreements are signed specifically for technologies aligned with India’s global commitments of achieving Net Zero (carbon neutrality) such as access to safe drinking water, and growth of potential import substitutes for advanced and affordable healthcare in the country.
- The technologies include Alkaline Water Electrolyser for Green Hydrogen production, DC Accelerator for Wastewater Treatment, novel Gamma Monitoring, and X-Band LINAC-based X-ray source for radiotherapy machines.
The launch of AIC-BARC was announced in the 2020 Budget Speech of the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and will complement the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative of the government. Moreover, the incubation centre will help promote start-ups and other emerging businesses and create new employment opportunities for people.
AIC-BARC is introduced as one of the three projects for self-reliance of DAE and is established under the aegis of Atal Innovation Mission, a flagship initiative of the union government to create and promote the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
As per the framework of AIC-BARC, the scientists of BARC will mentor the incubatee industries for further improvisation and development of market-ready products with the help of DAE technologies. For development work, incubatee industries will be able to access advanced laboratories at BARC.
About Atal Incubation Centre (AIC):
To create an ever-evolving ecosystem of start-ups and entrepreneurs, AIM has been establishing world-class incubators called Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) at universities, institutions, and corporates among others. These Centres aim to foster and support world-class innovation and dynamic entrepreneurs who want to build scalable and sustainable enterprises.
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Piyush Goel Launched Right to Repair Portal for Consumers
The right to repair webpage, an NTH mobile app, and new National Consumer Helpline offices were were introduced by Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal at the nation`s capital. The Consumer Affairs Department and IIT (BHU), Varanasi also signed a memorandum of cooperation and started a programme to strengthen the capacity of consumer commissioners.
These initiatives were launched on the occasion of the National Consumer Day. The theme was “Effective disposal of cases in consumer commission”. Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs Sadhvi Niranjan Jyothi was also present at the event.
In July 2022 the Department of Consumer Affairs had set up a committee headed by the Additional Secretary Nidhi Khare to develop a comprehensive framework on `Right to Repair`.
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President Murmu Laid Foundation Stone for PRASHAD Project for Two Temples in Telangana.
Smt. Droupadi Murmu has laid the foundation stone of the project ‘Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Bhadrachalam Group of Temples` at Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamivari Devasthanam, Bhadrachalam in Telangana.
At the Rudreshwara Temple in Telangana, the President of India lay the cornerstone for a different project titled "Development of Pilgrimage and Heritage Infrastructure of UNESCO World Heritage Site." These initiatives have received approval under the PRASAD Scheme of India`s Ministry of Tourism.
Key Points
- President Droupadi Murmu informed that the famous temples of Telangana are visited by lakhs of pilgrims, and they form the major components of domestic and foreign tourists.
- Tourism increases the livelihood opportunities and income of the people.
- The President appreciated the Ministry of Tourism for boosting spiritual and cultural tourism by developing pilgrimage sites under the ‘PRASHAD’ scheme.
- The PRASHAD scheme was launched in 2014-15 and aims to provide Integrated infrastructure development to pilgrimage and heritage tourism destinations in India.
- Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamivari Devasthanam is said to be more than 350 years old and is closely associated with Ramayana.
- The project ‘Development of Pilgrimage Facilities at Bhadrachalam Group of Temples’ has been approved by the Ministry of Tourism at an estimated cost of Rs 41.38 crores.