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What is the news?
Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) celebrated its 34th Foundation Day. The theme of the Foundation day was: “Technology, Innovation and Economy for Atma Nirbhar Bharat”.
About TIFAC:
- It is an autonomous technology think tank under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology. It was set up in 1988.
- Mandate: TIFAC identifies the technological priorities of the future like cyber-physical systems, quantum computing, green chemistry and water.
- TIFAC launched 2 initiatives: 1) SAKSHAM Portal, 2) Seaweed Mission
SAKSHAM Portal:
- Need of the Portal: The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled the labour force to return to their native lands due to loss of jobs.
- Aim: It is a dynamic job portal for mapping the skills of Shramiks (labour) vis-à-vis requirements of the MSMEs across the country.
- Features of the Portal:
- This portal will facilitate placement of 10 lakh blue-collar jobs by directly connecting Shramiks with MSMEs.
- It will help eliminate middlemen/ labour contractors. It will also help in the identification of skill proficiency level and development of Skill Cards for Shramik.
- Likewise, it will also reduce the hardship of Shramiks(labour) in finding jobs in nearby MSMEs.
Seaweed Mission:
Click Here to Read about Seaweed
- Why was this mission launched? Out of the global seaweed production, China produces 57%, Indonesia 28%. Whereas, India is having a mere share of 0.01-0.02%.
- Purpose: Under the mission, TIFAC will demonstrate a model for commercial farming of seaweeds, and it’s processing for value addition. It will boost the national economy.
- Benefits of Cultivating Seaweed:
- It is estimated that if seaweed cultivation is done in 10 million hectares or 5% of the EEZ area of India, it can provide employment to 50 million people.
- Additional benefits of Seaweed cultivation;
- Improves national GDP;
- improves ocean productivity;
- Reduce algal blooms and sequester millions of tons of CO2;
- Create a healthier ocean and can also use to produce bioethanol.
Source: PIB
