INS TARKASH
Paper 2- International Relations
Why Should You Know?
INS Tarkash made a port call at Port Gentil, Gabon
In details –
- INS Tarkash made a port call at Port Gentil, Gabon as part of her ongoing deployment in the Gulf of Guinea for anti-piracy patrol. This marks the first visit by any Indian Naval Ship to Gabon.
- During her stay in harbour, the ship and her crew will participate in official and professional interactions as well as sports fixtures.
- Her professional interactions will include discussions and drills on fire fighting and damage control, medical and casualty evacuation issues, and diving operations.
- There will also be familiarisation visits. In addition, yoga sessions and social interactions are also planned.
About INS Tarkash
- INS Tarkash (F50) is the second Talwar-class frigate constructed for the Indian Navy.
- It is part of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy.
- These are modified Krivak III-class frigates built by Russia.
- It was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
- It was commissioned to Navy service on 9 November 2012 at Kaliningrad and joined the Western Naval Command on 27 December 2012.
- These ships use stealth technologies and a special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross section.
- Much of the equipment on the ship is Russian-made, but a significant number of systems of Indian origin have also been incorporated.
About Talwar-class frigates
- The Talwar-class frigates is also known as Project 11356 are a class of stealth guided missile frigates designed and built by Russia for the Indian Navy.
- The Talwar-class guided missile frigates are the improved versions of the Krivak III-class (Project 1135) frigates used by the Russian Coast Guard.
- The design has been further developed as the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate for the Russian Navy. Six ships were built in two batches between 1999 and 2013.
- Designed by Severnoye Design Bureau, the first batch of ships were built by Baltic Shipyard and the second batch by Yantar Shipyard.
- Preceded by the Brahmaputra-class frigates, the Talwar-class frigates are said to have semi-stealth features and better armament.
- The Indian Navy currently has six of these ships and 4 more are under construction including 2 in an Indian shipyard, for which Goa shipyard was selected.
- The first frigate, INS Talwar was delivered in May 2002. The second, INS Trishul, was delivered in November 2002 and the third, INS Tabar, in May 2003. The other frigates are INS Teg(2012) , INS Tarkash(2012), INS Trikand(2013).
National Expo on alternatives to SUP’s
Paper 3 – Economy
Why Should You Know?
The National Expo on alternatives to banned single use plastics items and Conference of Startups -2022 was inaugurated in Chennai.
In details
- In one of the first initiatives to promote eco-alternatives to banned single use plastics and innovation and startup ecosystem in the country, the National Expo on alternatives to banned single use plastics items and Conference of Startups -2022, was inaugurated On September 26, 2022 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, in the presence of Shri Siva V Meyyanathan, Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Government of Tamil Nadu.
- The Expo and Startup Conference have been jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Government of Tamil Nadu.
- More than 150 manufacturers of eco-alternatives from across the country are participating in the Expo. The Eco-alternatives included items made from natural fibers such as coir, bagasse, rice and wheat bran, plant and agricultural residue, banana and areca leaves, jute and cloth.
- The National Expo is open to the public, school and college students, entrepreneurs, and manufacturersof eco alternatives to banned single use plastic items.
- The Expo and Conference of Startups will spread mass awareness on the availability of eco-alternatives and provide a platform for startups for scaling up their solutions.
- Representatives from State Governments, State Pollution Control Boards,concerned central Ministries, financial institutions and banks are participating in the Expo.
About Conference –
- Along with the Expo, A Conference of Startups working in the area of alternatives to single use plastics and air quality management has also been organized along with the Expo.
- The Conference of Startups will provide a platform for exchange views amongst innovators and institutions, and Government Departments supporting startup ecosystems in the country. Thematic sessions on marine plastic litter – issues, challenges and way forward and manufacturing of eco-alternatives have also been organized.
- Notebly India took a defining step in addressing the challenge by banning identified single use plastic items, which had high littering potential and low utility, from 1st July 2022. Awareness of the alternatives to banned single use plastic items and their availability is the key to the success of the ban.
Arogya Manthan 2022
Paper 2 – Health
Why Should You Know?
On September 26, 2022 The Union Health Minister in Government of India, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched Arogya Manthan 2022 event.
In details –
- On September 26,2022 the Arogya Manthan 2022 event was officially launched by the Union Health Minister in Government of India, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to commemorate four years since the launch of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and one year since the launch of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
- This two-day Arogya Manthan 2022 event covered a total of 12 sessions.
- Day one of Arogya Manthan 2022 covered a number of sessions on topics like Universal Health Coverage in India, Promoting Interoperability in Digital Health, Improving PM-JAY Efficiency, Adoption of Digital Health, Health Technology Assessment for Evidence-Informed PM-JAY Decisions, and Privacy and Security Issues Related to Digital Health.
- The second day of Arogya Manthan 2022 had panel discussions with eminent thought leaders from relevant public and private sector organizations. The sessions covered best practices & learnings from the states, digitization of health insurance in India, international best practices in digital health and way forwards sessions to deliberate and collaborate for drawing the future roadmap of the two schemes, AB PM-JAY and ABDM.
Ayushman Utkrishtata Puraskaar
- Union Health Minister awarded the Ayushman Utkrishtata Puraskaar (Ayushman Excellence Awards) 2022 to felicitate the
- Top Performing State/UT – Andhra Pradesh
- Top Performing District – Parvathipuram Manyam, Andhra Pradesh
- Top Performing Government Facility-District Hospital Dharwad, Karnataka
- Best Performing States – Kerala, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Manipur, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh
- Best Performing UTs- Chandigarh, J&K, and PMAMs (Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras) under the AB PM-JAY and ABDM.
- The winners of ABDM Hackathon Series Round 1 – Bajaj Finserv Health – Team Excalibur) were also awarded at the ceremony.
“One Week One Lab” campaign
Paper 3 – Science & Tech
Why Should You Know?
Recently Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced One Week One Lab theme-based campaign to showcase technological breakthroughs & innovations.
In details
- On September 26, 2022 the Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has announced One Week One Lab theme-based campaign to showcase the technological breakthroughs and innovations.
- The campaign will be held in each of the 37 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR laboratories and institutes spread across the country.
- Addressing the first-ever CSIR Leadership Meet in New Delhi, Dr Singh said, the legacy of CSIR is built on the cumulative contribution of its several national laboratories and institutes.
- The Minister said, CSIR breakthroughs in areas like Drone, Heliborne technology, state of the art Sewage cleaning machines has opened up huge opportunities for developing meaningful and equal stake partnership among Research, Academia and Industry.
What is CSIR?
- The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), known for its cutting edge R&D knowledge base in diverse S&T areas, is a contemporary R&D organization.
- It was established in the year 1942
- CSIR is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and is registered as an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- CSIR has a dynamic network of 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes, and five units with a pan-India presence.
- CSIR’s R&D expertise and experience are embodied in about 3460 active scientists supported by about 4350 scientific and technical personnel as of June 2021.
- CSIR covers a wide spectrum of science and technology – from oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology.
- It provides significant technological intervention in many areas concerning societal efforts, which include environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors. Further, CSIR’s role in S&T human resource development is noteworthy.
Vision
- “Pursue science which strives for global impact, technology that enables innovation – driven industry and nurture trans-disciplinary leadership thereby catalyzing inclusive economic development for the people of India”.
JALDOOT App
Paper 3- Infrastructure
Why Should You Know?
Recently, the Ministry of Rural Development launched the Jaldoot App nationally.
In details
- Ministry of Rural Development has developed “JALDOOT App” that will be used across the country to capture the water level of selected wells in a village.
- Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh will launch the “JALDOOT App” at a function in New Delhi On 27 September 2022.
About the App
- The Jaldoot app will enable Gram Rojgar Sahayak (GRS) to measure the water level of selected wells twice a year (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon).
- In every village, adequate number of measurement locations (2-3) shall need to be selected. These will be representative of the ground water level in that village.
- The app will facilitate panchayats with robust data, which can be further used for better planning of works.
- The ground water data could be utilised as part of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and Mahatma Gandhi NREGA planning exercises. Further, the data can also be used for different kinds of research and other purposes.
Why it needed?
- Notebly The country has taken many steps for improvement of water management both in the rural and urban areas, through watershed development, afforestation, water body development and renovation, rainwater harvesting and so on.
- However, withdrawal of ground water, as also utilization of surface water sources has reached critical levels in many parts of the country, resulting in significant depletion of water levels causing distress to the community, including farmers.
- Therefore measurement and observation of the levels of water tables across the country has become necessary.
World Tourism Day
Paper 3- Tourism
Why Should You Know?
World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27.
In details
- World Tourism Day is widely celebrated across the world as a remembrance to the important role played by tourism in enhancing socio-cultural value, generating employment, running economy of a country.
- September 27 is celebrated as World Tourism Day all over the world, which aims to promote tourism.
- World Tourism Day was started by the World Tourism Organization in the year 1970.
- World Tourism Day was celebrated for the first time on September 27, 1980. Since then, World Tourism Day is celebrated every year on September 27.
- It is noteworthy that in October 1997 , the 12th UNWTO General Assembly decided in Turkey, Istanbul, that each year one country of the organization would be appointed as an affiliate to celebrate World Tourism Day.
- The United Nations General Assembly decides the theme of World Tourism Day every year.
- The theme of this year is ” Rethinking Tourism”. The aim is to rethink tourism for development, including through education and jobs, and tourism’s impact on the planet and opportunities to grow more sustainably.
- This year the official World Tourism Day celebration is being held in Bali, Indonesia.
Objective
- Tourism increases employment rapidly and therefore, this day is celebrated on a large scale to bring awareness about tourism among the people through World Tourism Day and to promote more and more tourism.
- Through this day, tourists from india and abroad are attracted towards it. It also aims to rapidly increase employment for people through tourism.
- When people go to visit a place, they stay there, roam in new places, shop and enjoy a variety of food. This increases the income of those doing business there and also creates employment opportunities.
Antyodaya Diwas
Paper 1 – Social Issues
Why Should You Know?
Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated every year on September 25 in India. It is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
In details
- September 25 is celebrated as Antyodaya Diwas across the country to commemorate the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was an thinker, historian and political activist.
- Antyodaya means uplifting the weaker sections of the society. Blood donation camps, seminars and conferences are organized in the country on this occasion.
- It is noteworthy that ‘Antyodaya Diwas’ was announced by the Government of India on September 25, 2014 on the occasion of the 98th birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
- It was Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya who gave the slogan of Antyodaya. Antyodaya means the rise or development of economically weaker and backward class people till the last end of the society.
About Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya –
- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was born in 1916 in Nagla Chandrabhan village, now known as Deendayal Dham, near Farah town in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.
- His father, Bhagwati Prasad Upadhyay, was an astrologer, while his mother was a homemaker.
- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya lost his parents at an early age and was raised by his maternal uncle. He attended high school in Sikar. Considered a meritorious student, the Maharaja of Sikar presented Upadhyay with a gold medal, ₹250 for books and a monthly scholarship of ₹10.
- After passing his intermediate examination at Pilani, Upadhyay moved to Kanpur to pursue Bachelor of Arts (BA) and joined Sanatan Dharma College and graduated in 1939.
- He then joined St John’s College in Agra to pursue a master’s course in English but could not appear for the exam due to issues in his family.
- Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was a famous political personality and thinker. He was the coordinator and leader of the Jan Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Party originated from the Jana Sangh.
- He was critical of both communism and capitalism. He supported a unified humanity, including ethics in politics and a human-centered approach in economics. He supported indigenous and small scale industrialization.
- He was a supporter of nationalist thought, he believed that it was not appropriate for India to follow western ideology with eyes closed. He founded Rashtra Dharma Prakashan and the monthly magazine Rashtra Dharma.
- Later, he started the weekly magazine Panchjanya and the daily magazine Swadesh. He composed a play called Chandragupta Maurya in Hindi. Apart from this, he also wrote a biography of Shankaracharya.
- Pandit Upadhyaya died under mysterious circumstances in February 1968 . His body was found near Mughalsarai Junction railway station in Uttar Pradesh.
- In 2020 the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unveiled a 63-feet tall statue of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya while inaugurating the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre at Padav on the Varanasi-Chandauli border.
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)
Paper 3 – Economy
Why Should You Know?
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), which was launched under Startup India initiative, has committed Rs. 7,385 crore to 88 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) as of 24th September 2022.
In details
- Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), launched under Startup India initiative in 2016 by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has committed Rs. 7,385 crore to 88 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) as of 24th September 2022.
- These AIFs in turn have invested Rs. 11,206 crore in 720 startups. FFS has been playing a monumental role in mobilizing domestic capital in Indian startup ecosystem.
What is FFS?
- FFS was announced with a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore. The corpus is to be built up over 14th and 15th Finance Commission Cycles (FY 2016-2020 and FY 2021-2025) through budgetary support by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
- Under FFS, support is extended to SEBI registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in startups.
- FFS has not only made capital available for startups at early stage, seed stage and growth stage but also played a catalytic role in terms of facilitating raising of domestic capital, reducing dependence on foreign capital and encouraging home grown and new venture capital funds.
- Collectively, the AIFs supported by FFS have a target corpus of over Rs. 48,000 crore. Among the prominent AIFs of leading startup investment firms supported under FFS are Chiratae Ventures, India Quotient, Blume Ventures, IvyCap, Waterbridge, Omnivore, Aavishkaar, JM Financial, Fireside Ventures, and more.
Contribution –
- The amount committed under FFS has seen a notable growth over the years recording a CAGR of over 21% in since the launch of the Scheme.
- Furthermore, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) which is responsible for operationalising the Scheme has undertaken a series of reforms recently to expedite the drawdowns to enable AIFs assisted under FFS to avail accelerated drawdowns.
- This has created a positive impact and have resulted in year on year (Q1 FY 2021-22 vis-à-vis Q1 FY 2022-23) surge of 100% in the amount of drawdowns.
- FFS has helped anchor 67 AIFs out of 88 AIFs supported and 38 of these are first time fund managers which is line with FFS’s core objective of anchoring venture capital investments for Indian startups.
- Investments into eligible startups is approximately 3.7 times of FFS disbursements which is well above the minimum stipulated 2 times under the Scheme. Performing startups supported through FFS are showing valuation increase by more than 10 times with number of them even achieving unicorn status (valuation of over USD 1 billion).
- Dunzo, CureFit, FreshToHome, Jumbotail, Unacademy, Uniphore, Vogo, Zostel,Zetwerk etc., are some of the notable startups funded through FFS.The returns generated from the success of these startups and innovation created will remain within the country and facilitate generation of employment and creation of wealth.
Special Aviation Fuel – AVGas 100 LL
Paper 3 – Energy Resources
Why Should You Know?
Recently introduced special aviation fuel for piston engined aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles – AVGas 100 LL
In details –
- On September 26, 2022 the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Hardeep Singh Puri addressed a program organized to mark the launch of AVGas 100 LL.
- Minister of State for Civil Aviation & Road Transport & Highways General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd) were also present.
- The event was organized by Indian Oil at Hindon Air Force Station. It was attended by senior officers of the Indian Air Force, senior officers from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Civil Aviation and officials from the flying training academies.
- It is noteworthy that AVGas 100L piston engine is a specialized aviation fuel for aircraft and unmanned vehicles. Presently India is importing this product from European countries.
- Highlighting the importance of launch of indigenous AV GAS 100 LL, the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas mentioned that the launch of indigenous AV GAS 100 LL is important to serve the needs of a thriving aviation industry with increase in footfall on airports, rise in number of aircrafts and Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in trainee aircrafts for pilot training in future.
- As the demand for air transport in India is expected to increase manifolds in the future, there is going to be a huge demand for trained pilots also. And for this, the number of FTOs is also expected to increase significantly, he added.
About AVGAS 100 LL
- Principal grade of Aviation Gasoline, AVGAS 100 LL is designed for use in turbo charged reciprocating piston engines aircrafts, mainly used by FTOs and defence forces for training pilots.
- AV GAS 100 LL produced by IndianOil’s flagship refinery at Vadodara has been tested and certified by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the statutory body of the Government of India to regulate civil aviation in India. It is a higher-octane Aviation fuel meeting the product specifications with superior performance quality standards, as compared to imported grades.
- The indigenous availability of AV GAS 100 LL will help reduce dependence on imports and address the associated logistical challenges. Country will be able to save precious foreign exchange with the inhouse availability of this product.
- This will also benefit more than 35 FTOs across India. With the domestic availability of this product, Ministry of Civil Aviation is considering opening more training institutes in the country. Seeing the increase in aviation traffic, requirement of trained Pilots is expected to increase.
Aatma Nirbhar Bharat
- At present AVGAS 100 LL is completely imported product. The domestic production of AVGAS 100 LL produced by Indian Oil at its Gujarat Refinery will make flying training more affordable in India.
- This product which fuels the aircraft operated by FTOs and Defense forces, is being imported for decades by India. Indian Oil’s R&D, Refineries and Marketing teams have achieved this feat of indigenous production and have offered price advantage to the industry.
INS Sunayna
Paper 2 – International Relations
Why Should You Know?
INS Sunayna entered Port Victoria Seychelles on 24 Sep 22 to participate in the annual training exercise
In details
- INS Sunayna entered Port Victoria Seychelles on 24 Sep 22 to participate in the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
- This not only reinforces Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region but also marks the maiden participation of an Indian Navy ship in CMF exercise.
- The ship is scheduled to participate as associate partner in the capacity building exercises being conducted by CMF.
- The joint training exercise is being attended by representative delegations from USA, Italy, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and ship participation from UK, Spain & India.
- During her port call, professional interactions with participating nations are planned.
About INS Sunayna
- INS Sunayna is the second Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, designed and constructed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited.
- It is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets and escort duties.
- The keel laying of the ship was done on 25 September 2007, it was launched on 14 November 2009,
- It was delivered to the navy for sea trials on 3 September 2013, and got commissioned into active service on 15 October 2013 at Kochi, her home port.