#PT2021 #MainsFodder
Chabahar-Zahedan Railway Line
News: Recently, Iran has conveyed to India a request for locomotives and signalling equipment for the Chabahar-Zahedan railway line.
Started In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed the trilateral agreement.
Agencies: State-owned Indian Railways Construction Ltd. (IRCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Iranian Rail Ministry.
Significance
The port can also act as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment.
Chabahar project and the International North South Transport Corridor will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.
A gateway to golden opportunities for trade by the three countries with other Central Asian countries.
Chabahar-Zahedan Railway Line
News: Recently, Iran has conveyed to India a request for locomotives and signalling equipment for the Chabahar-Zahedan railway line.
Started In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed the trilateral agreement.
Agencies: State-owned Indian Railways Construction Ltd. (IRCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Iranian Rail Ministry.
Significance
The port can also act as a counter to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment.
Chabahar project and the International North South Transport Corridor will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia.
A gateway to golden opportunities for trade by the three countries with other Central Asian countries.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Saffron Cultivation in Sikkim
News: Yangyang village of Sikkim produced its first crop of saffron recently.
- Implemented by the Northeast Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR), under Union ministry of science and technology
Purpose of the project
- Ending the monopoly of J&K on saffron cultivation
- Reduce prices of saffron
- Provide livelihood options to farmers and entrepreneurs in the Northeast.
- Reduce in import of saffron
- This region also has similar climatic conditions as J&K.
- Next project will be on hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
Saffron Cultivation in Sikkim
News: Yangyang village of Sikkim produced its first crop of saffron recently.
- Implemented by the Northeast Centre for Technology Application and Research (NECTAR), under Union ministry of science and technology
Purpose of the project
- Ending the monopoly of J&K on saffron cultivation
- Reduce prices of saffron
- Provide livelihood options to farmers and entrepreneurs in the Northeast.
- Reduce in import of saffron
- This region also has similar climatic conditions as J&K.
- Next project will be on hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
20th SCO Summit
News: The 20th summit of SCO Council of Heads of State was held recently via Video Conferencing.
Key points:
- Meeting was chaired by Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin.
- 1st SCO Summit held in Virtual Format
- Tajikistan’s chairmanship of SCO for 2021-22.
Topics of summit:
- Infrastructure& Connectivity development
- Responsible Global Governance
- Reformed Multiculturalism
- Organised crimes etc.
20th SCO Summit
News: The 20th summit of SCO Council of Heads of State was held recently via Video Conferencing.
Key points:
- Meeting was chaired by Russian President Mr. Vladimir Putin.
- 1st SCO Summit held in Virtual Format
- Tajikistan’s chairmanship of SCO for 2021-22.
Topics of summit:
- Infrastructure& Connectivity development
- Responsible Global Governance
- Reformed Multiculturalism
- Organised crimes etc.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Panna Biosphere Reserve(PBR)
News: UNESCO has included the PBR in its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Key points about PBR:
- Established in 1981
- Situated in Vindhya mountain range
- Famous for tigers &diamond mining
- Recognitions to PBR:
- 1994-22nd tiger reserve of India
- 2011- Notified as a Biosphere Reserve
- 2018-Increased in tigers numbers
Panna Biosphere Reserve(PBR)
News: UNESCO has included the PBR in its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Key points about PBR:
- Established in 1981
- Situated in Vindhya mountain range
- Famous for tigers &diamond mining
- Recognitions to PBR:
- 1994-22nd tiger reserve of India
- 2011- Notified as a Biosphere Reserve
- 2018-Increased in tigers numbers
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System
- Launched by DRDO
- Conducted at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off Odisha coast
- Canister-based system
Aim: Capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move
Functioning:
- Fully automated command and control system.
- 2 radars & one launcher
- Both radars have 360-degree coverage
- Single stage solid propelled missile
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System
- Launched by DRDO
- Conducted at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off Odisha coast
- Canister-based system
Aim: Capable of detecting and tracking targets on the move
Functioning:
- Fully automated command and control system.
- 2 radars & one launcher
- Both radars have 360-degree coverage
- Single stage solid propelled missile
#MainsFodder #PT2021
New Ramsar Sites
News: Lonar lake of Maharashtra and the Soor Sarovar of Agra have been declared Ramsar sites.
Lonar Lake:
- Meteor lake
- Highly saline and alkaline water
Soor Sarovar Lake:
- Situated in Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
- Alongside Yamuna river
Benefits:
- International prestige.
- Financial aid
- Expert advice on national and site-related problems.
New Ramsar Sites
News: Lonar lake of Maharashtra and the Soor Sarovar of Agra have been declared Ramsar sites.
Lonar Lake:
- Meteor lake
- Highly saline and alkaline water
Soor Sarovar Lake:
- Situated in Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
- Alongside Yamuna river
Benefits:
- International prestige.
- Financial aid
- Expert advice on national and site-related problems.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Geopark for Vishakhapatnam
- Effort by The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage for recognition of geopark.
- Erra Matti Dibbalu valuable assets of Vishakhapatnam.
Background: First reported by William King, deputy superintendent of Geological Survey of India in the year 1886.
Significance:
- Red Sand Dunes are invaluable inheritance
- Tourism
Note: India does not have any UNESCO Global geopark.
Geopark for Vishakhapatnam
- Effort by The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage for recognition of geopark.
- Erra Matti Dibbalu valuable assets of Vishakhapatnam.
Background: First reported by William King, deputy superintendent of Geological Survey of India in the year 1886.
Significance:
- Red Sand Dunes are invaluable inheritance
- Tourism
Note: India does not have any UNESCO Global geopark.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Set Up for TB 2020” Report
- By the Stop TB Partnership and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
- The current Pandemic aggravated the sufferings of TB patients.
- It presents data on 37 high-burden countries
4 key areas of national TB programmes (NTPs):
- Diagnosis
- Treatment (including models of care),
- Prevention
- Medicines procurement policies.
Set Up for TB 2020” Report
- By the Stop TB Partnership and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)
- The current Pandemic aggravated the sufferings of TB patients.
- It presents data on 37 high-burden countries
4 key areas of national TB programmes (NTPs):
- Diagnosis
- Treatment (including models of care),
- Prevention
- Medicines procurement policies.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Bengaluru Tech Summit
News: Recently inaugurated via video conference.
Aim: Addressing key challenges emerging in the post-pandemic world with focus on the impact of prominent technologies.
Theme: Next is Now.
Focus: It encourages disruptive technologies.
Examples: e-commerce, online news sites, and Global Positioning System
Bengaluru Tech Summit
News: Recently inaugurated via video conference.
Aim: Addressing key challenges emerging in the post-pandemic world with focus on the impact of prominent technologies.
Theme: Next is Now.
Focus: It encourages disruptive technologies.
Examples: e-commerce, online news sites, and Global Positioning System
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Supercomputer Param Siddhi
- It is India’s Artificial Intelligence supercomputer.
News: It ranked 63rd among top 500 most powerful non-distributed computer systems in the world.
- Developed by-Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Nodal Agency:National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) at Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.
Functions:
- High performance computing.
- Rpeak of 5.267 Petaflops and 4.6 Petaflops Rmax.
- Uses LINPACK Benchmark.
Supercomputer Param Siddhi
- It is India’s Artificial Intelligence supercomputer.
News: It ranked 63rd among top 500 most powerful non-distributed computer systems in the world.
- Developed by-Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Nodal Agency:National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) at Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.
Functions:
- High performance computing.
- Rpeak of 5.267 Petaflops and 4.6 Petaflops Rmax.
- Uses LINPACK Benchmark.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Delhi-Mumbail Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
News: Recently Rajasthan government has planned two special investment regions along DMIC.
DMIC:
- It is a part of National Industrial Corridor programme.
- First Industrial Corridor project
Sanctioned corpus of Rs. 20,084 crore.
- 11 Industrial Corridors Projects
- Will develop in four phases up to 2024-25
Significance:
- Create employment opportunities
- Create smart, sustainable industrial cities
- Create high speed, high capacity connectivity backbone
- Create investment destinations
- Socio-economic development
Delhi-Mumbail Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
News: Recently Rajasthan government has planned two special investment regions along DMIC.
DMIC:
- It is a part of National Industrial Corridor programme.
- First Industrial Corridor project
Sanctioned corpus of Rs. 20,084 crore.
- 11 Industrial Corridors Projects
- Will develop in four phases up to 2024-25
Significance:
- Create employment opportunities
- Create smart, sustainable industrial cities
- Create high speed, high capacity connectivity backbone
- Create investment destinations
- Socio-economic development
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Thailand and Singapore trilateral Naval exercise (SITMEX)
News: Recently, the second edition of the India, SITMEX-20 concluded in the Andaman Sea.
- Announced in 2018
- The first edition of SITMEX hosted by Indian Navy in 2019.
- Conducted annually.
Aim:
1.to strengthen mutual confidence and develop common understanding and procedures
2.To enhance the overall maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
2020 Edition: hosted by RSN (Singapore).
Thailand and Singapore trilateral Naval exercise (SITMEX)
News: Recently, the second edition of the India, SITMEX-20 concluded in the Andaman Sea.
- Announced in 2018
- The first edition of SITMEX hosted by Indian Navy in 2019.
- Conducted annually.
Aim:
1.to strengthen mutual confidence and develop common understanding and procedures
2.To enhance the overall maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
2020 Edition: hosted by RSN (Singapore).
#MainsFodder #PT2021
APEC Virtual Meet
In News: Virtual meeting of the 21-member APEC forum was held.
- Hosted by Malaysia.
Key Points
- Growth rate declined by 2.7% from 3.6% last year
- Replaced Bogor Goals
- Putrajya Vision 2014 adopted
Focus areas:
- Trade and investment
- Digital Economy and Technology
- Structural Reform
Economic and Technical Cooperation etc.
APEC Virtual Meet
In News: Virtual meeting of the 21-member APEC forum was held.
- Hosted by Malaysia.
Key Points
- Growth rate declined by 2.7% from 3.6% last year
- Replaced Bogor Goals
- Putrajya Vision 2014 adopted
Focus areas:
- Trade and investment
- Digital Economy and Technology
- Structural Reform
Economic and Technical Cooperation etc.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)
In News: 30th edition of CORPAT has been concluded in the Andaman Sea.
- Neval Exercise held twice annually
- Started since 2005
Aim:
- Keep Indian Ocean safe & Secure
- To ensure effective implementation of the UNCLOS.
Participants:
1. Indian Naval Ship (INS)
2.Karmuk and Thailand Frigate HTMS Kraburi
3. Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Other Military Exercises
- Exercise MAITREE (Army)
- Exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Force).
India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT)
In News: 30th edition of CORPAT has been concluded in the Andaman Sea.
- Neval Exercise held twice annually
- Started since 2005
Aim:
- Keep Indian Ocean safe & Secure
- To ensure effective implementation of the UNCLOS.
Participants:
1. Indian Naval Ship (INS)
2.Karmuk and Thailand Frigate HTMS Kraburi
3. Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Other Military Exercises
- Exercise MAITREE (Army)
- Exercise SIAM BHARAT (Air Force).
#2minRead #IR_InNews #Pre-cum-Mains
G-20 Summit 2020
In News: Recently held virtually, India called for a “New Global Index” for the post-Corona world.
- It is an Informal group of 19 countries and the EU with representatives of the IMF and WB.
New Global Index will be based on 4 pillars:
1.Talent
2.Technology
3.Transparency
4.Trusteeship towards the planet.
- 2020 hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Key topics discussed:
- Talent
- Technology
- Transparency
- Trusteeship
Future meetings
1. Italy in 2021
2.Indonesia in 2022
3.India in 2023
4.Brazil in 2024.
India's Initiatives for Lowering Emissions
- Infrastructure
- PushProducing Clean Energy
- International Solar Alliance (ISA).
- Combat Desertification
- Clean Air & Water
G-20 Summit 2020
In News: Recently held virtually, India called for a “New Global Index” for the post-Corona world.
- It is an Informal group of 19 countries and the EU with representatives of the IMF and WB.
New Global Index will be based on 4 pillars:
1.Talent
2.Technology
3.Transparency
4.Trusteeship towards the planet.
- 2020 hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Key topics discussed:
- Talent
- Technology
- Transparency
- Trusteeship
Future meetings
1. Italy in 2021
2.Indonesia in 2022
3.India in 2023
4.Brazil in 2024.
India's Initiatives for Lowering Emissions
- Infrastructure
- PushProducing Clean Energy
- International Solar Alliance (ISA).
- Combat Desertification
- Clean Air & Water
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Chang’e-5 spacecraft
- Launched by China
- Location: from Wenchang Space Launch Center (China)
- Aim: To bring back lunar rocks.
Named after the ancient Chinese goddess of the moon.
- Significance:
1. It would make China only the third country to have retrieved lunar samples.
2. Information of Moon’s origins.
3.Volcanic activity on its surface and its interior etc.
Chang’e-5 spacecraft
- Launched by China
- Location: from Wenchang Space Launch Center (China)
- Aim: To bring back lunar rocks.
Named after the ancient Chinese goddess of the moon.
- Significance:
1. It would make China only the third country to have retrieved lunar samples.
2. Information of Moon’s origins.
3.Volcanic activity on its surface and its interior etc.
#MainsFodder #PT2021
Desalination plant
In News: Recently, Maharashtra announced the setting up of a desalination plant in Mumbai.
Process: It turns salt water into water that is fit to drink
Focus: The plant will process 200 million litres of water daily (MLD)
Aim: help in overcoming the water shortage faced by Mumbai in summer.
Key points
- Maharashtra will be the fourth state to experiment this.
- Reverse osmosis technology will be used.
- Set up in sea water areas
Desalination plant
In News: Recently, Maharashtra announced the setting up of a desalination plant in Mumbai.
Process: It turns salt water into water that is fit to drink
Focus: The plant will process 200 million litres of water daily (MLD)
Aim: help in overcoming the water shortage faced by Mumbai in summer.
Key points
- Maharashtra will be the fourth state to experiment this.
- Reverse osmosis technology will be used.
- Set up in sea water areas
#2minRead #pre-cum-Mains
National Nutrition Mission
In News: The NITI Aayog has released “Accelerating Progress on Nutrition in India: What Will It Take”.
- 3rd progress report on the National Nutrition Mission
- Launched in 2018
- Aim: To improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- Supported by NITI Aayog
- Funds: 50% from World Bank (or multi-developer bank) & 50% from Centre.
Key points of Report:
- Takes stock of the roll-out status on the ground and implementation challenges
- Deepening poverty and hunger may delay due to pandemic
- Use of large-scale datasets
(These datasets are the NFHS-4 and Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey)
National Nutrition Mission
In News: The NITI Aayog has released “Accelerating Progress on Nutrition in India: What Will It Take”.
- 3rd progress report on the National Nutrition Mission
- Launched in 2018
- Aim: To improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
- Supported by NITI Aayog
- Funds: 50% from World Bank (or multi-developer bank) & 50% from Centre.
Key points of Report:
- Takes stock of the roll-out status on the ground and implementation challenges
- Deepening poverty and hunger may delay due to pandemic
- Use of large-scale datasets
(These datasets are the NFHS-4 and Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey)
#Mains Fodder#PT2021
Cyclone Nivar
In News: Recently, the tropical cyclone Nivar has made landfall along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.
- It is the fourth cyclone that has hit North Indian Ocean.
- Named Cyclone Nivar, based on the guidelines of the WMO.
- It has weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm.
Cyclone Nivar
In News: Recently, the tropical cyclone Nivar has made landfall along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.
- It is the fourth cyclone that has hit North Indian Ocean.
- Named Cyclone Nivar, based on the guidelines of the WMO.
- It has weakened from a very severe cyclonic storm to a severe cyclonic storm.