#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.
#Mains Fodder#PT 2021
Land-attack version of the BrahMos
News: India has successfully test-fired a land-attack version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Features:
- Range 400 km
- Top-attack mode
- Speed 2.8 Mach
Significance:
- Display of India’s tactical cruise missile triad.
- Enhancing India’s capability of engaging enemy’s vitally important targets.
- Test fired a number of missiles
Land-attack version of the BrahMos
News: India has successfully test-fired a land-attack version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Features:
- Range 400 km
- Top-attack mode
- Speed 2.8 Mach
Significance:
- Display of India’s tactical cruise missile triad.
- Enhancing India’s capability of engaging enemy’s vitally important targets.
- Test fired a number of missiles
#2minRead #Pre-cum-Mains
PRAGATI Meeting
In News: Recently, the Prime Minister (PM) has chaired the 33rd PRAGATI meeting.
- Multimodal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
- Launched in 2015
- It is a three-tier system
1. PMO
2.Union Government Secretaries
3. Chief Secretaries of the States
Objective:
1. Grievance Redressal
2. Programme Implementation
3. Project Monitoring
Significance:
1. It promotes cooperative federalism
2. Bringing e-transparency and e-accountability.
3. Bring e-governance and good governance.
PRAGATI Meeting
In News: Recently, the Prime Minister (PM) has chaired the 33rd PRAGATI meeting.
- Multimodal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.
- Launched in 2015
- It is a three-tier system
1. PMO
2.Union Government Secretaries
3. Chief Secretaries of the States
Objective:
1. Grievance Redressal
2. Programme Implementation
3. Project Monitoring
Significance:
1. It promotes cooperative federalism
2. Bringing e-transparency and e-accountability.
3. Bring e-governance and good governance.