Tag: science and technology current affairs

Assam Current Affairs – January 16-18, 2024

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 16-18, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 16-18, 2024)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

Current Affairs Assamexam

January 16-18, 2024 

Assam Govt Unveils Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

The Assam government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) to empower rural women entrepreneurs.

About Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

  • The scheme is designed to foster the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups, transforming them into “rural micro-entrepreneurs” with a target annual income of Rs 1 lakh per member.
  • To qualify for the grant, women from the general and other backward caste (OBC) categories must have no more than three children. 
  • However, specific exemptions are made for women from the Moran, Muttock, and tea-tribe communities, who can apply with four or fewer children. 
  • For women belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) categories, the eligibility criteria dictate that they should have no more than four children.
  • If beneficiaries have daughters, they must be enrolled in school. For girls not attending school, a signed commitment for future enrollment is necessary. 
  • Beneficiaries need to ensure that the trees planted under the government’s tree plantation campaign, Amrit Brikshya Andolan, are thriving.

Assam Baibhav Award 

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi will be honored with Assam’s highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav’. The decision to confer this year’s award upon Ranjan Gogoi reflects the state government’s acknowledgment of his exceptional service and achievements.

This marks the third year of the Assam Baibhav awards, with the inaugural award presented to business magnate Ratan Tata in the first year, followed by journalist Tapan Saikia in the second year. 

About ‘Assam Baibhav’ Awards

  • It is one of the highest civilian awards given by the state of Assam. As an award, Gogoi will be given a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. 
  • Ranjan Gogoi held the office of the 46th Chief Justice of India. 
  • During his tenure, the Supreme Court had given a historic verdict on the decade-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

Assam Saurav Award 2023: 

This award will be given to four personalities. 

  1. Mainly among these Hima Das – Athletics 
  2. Dr. Kishan Chand Nauriyal: Art and Culture 
  3. Elvis Ali Hazarika: Swimming and 
  4. Nadiram Deuri: Tiwa Dance 

This award will include a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh. 

Assam Gaurav Award 2023: 

This year 17 personalities will be given the ‘Assam Gaurav’ award. 

  1. Ranjit Gogoi (Folk and Bihu dance exponent) 
  2. Parvati Barua (animal protection activities) 
  3. Debojit Chiangmai (sound engineer) 
  4. Drono Bhuyan (Oja Pali) 
  5. Neelam Dutta (Organic Farming) 
  6. Anupam Deka (industrialist) 
  7. Soumyadeep Dutta (Wildlife Conservation) 
  8. Basant Chiring Phukan (Mushroom Cultivation) 
  9. Manendra Deka (Handicraft) 
  10. Meenakshi Chetia (Social Service) 
  11. Pakhila Lekhtepi (Karbi Lok) 
  12. Tenzing Bodosa (Elephant Friendly Tea Garden) 
  13. Nirmal De (mat) 
  14. Jessin Kumbang Pao (weaving) 
  15. Mary Hassa (social services) 
  16. Upendra Rabha (black rice cultivation) and 
  17. Rahul Gupta (Hydroponic Farming). 

Assam Gaurav Award winners will be given a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.

Indian Army launched Operation Sarvashakti

The Indian Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, deploying forces on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to target terrorists who have carried out a series of attacks on troops in the area.

About Operation Sarvashakti

  • Recent years have witnessed three major terrorist attacks in the area, resulting in the loss of 20 soldiers.
  • Operation Sarvashakti is an initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range. 
  • As part of the operation at least three brigades of additional troops are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps formations in order to increase the density of troops.
  • It is similar to Operation Sarpvinash. 
  • In 2003, Indian forces launched Operation Sarpvinash to flush out terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range, especially in the Hilkaka area in Poonch. 
  • The operation flushed out terrorists and brought peace to the area that lasted until 2017-18, even as terrorist incidents continued to take place in the valley.

The deposits raised under the framework are covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023

Surat and Indore have been jointly recognized as the cleanest cities in India at the Union Urban Affairs Ministry’s annual Clean City Awards 2023. Indore achieved the top rank for the seventh consecutive time.

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred the Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 

The theme for the year 2023 was -“Waste to Wealth”. 

The theme for the Cleanliness Survey 2024 is “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”

The President launched the Swachh Survekshan 2023 dashboard, emphasizing the importance of everyone’s contribution to and participation in the survey.

Key Points

  • In the category of cities with a population of less than 1 lakh, Sasvad, Patan and Lonavala secured the top three spots. 
  • Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was adjudged the Cleanest Cantonment Board. 
  • Varanasi and Prayagraj won the top two awards amongst the Cleanest Ganga Towns. 
  • Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh won the top three awards for Best Performing State.
  • Chandigarh walked away with the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher, acknowledging initiatives that prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of sanitation workers.  

About Swachh Survekshan Awards

  • It was launched in 2016, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission initiated by the Government of India to promote cleanliness and sanitation in urban areas. 
  • The annual survey ranks cities based on various sanitation parameters like door-to-door waste collection, waste treatment, public toilet management, citizen participation, and innovation in sanitation practices.
  • Winning cities and states receive recognition and financial incentives, aiming to motivate them to maintain and improve their sanitation standards.

NHAI Introduces ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ Initiative

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative that aims to discourage user behavior of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.

About the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative:

  • The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas. 
  • The new arrangement Of ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ has also been introduced to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
  •  The initiative encourages FASTag users to complete ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) process of their latest FASTag by updating KYC as per RBI guidelines.
  • FASTags with valid balance but with incomplete KYC will get deactivated/blacklisted by banks post 31st January 2024.
  • NHAI has taken this initiative after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate. 
  • The ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative will help to make toll operations more efficient and ensure seamless & comfortable journeys for the National Highway users.

About FASTag

  • FASTag is a device that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable toll payments while the vehicle is in motion. 
  • It is essentially an RFID passive tag on the vehicle’s windscreen linked to a customer’s prepaid or savings/current account. 
  • It allows customers to drive through toll plazas without stopping for toll payments. 
  • The toll fee is deducted from the customer’s linked account. 
  • It is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)State’s Startup Ranking 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report. Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the best-performing states in the Startup Ranking for 2022.

Categories and Participation 

A total of 33 states and union territories actively participated in the evaluation, categorized under five distinct groups – best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems. The rankings serve as a testament to the varied and evolving nature of the startup ecosystem in different regions of the country.

About State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report

Category A States (Population more than 1 crore)

  • Best performing states: Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala 
  • Top performing states: Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Orissa and Maharashtra
  • Leading states: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Andhra Pradesh 
  • States with Ambitious Leadership: Bihar and Haryana 
  • States developing emerging startup ecosystems: Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir 

Category B States (Population less than 1 crore)

  • Best performer: Himachal Pradesh 
  • Top Performer: Arunachal Pradesh Meghalaya 
  • Leader: Goa, Manipur and Tripura 
  • Aspiring leader:  Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Nagaland
  • Emerging Ecosystems: Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, Ladakh Mizoram, Puducherry and Sikkim

MeitY Secretary Launches India’s First Graphene Centre and IoT CoE in Kerala

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Secretary S Krishnan inaugurated the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors in Kerala.

About India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG): India’s first Graphene Center

  • Digital University Kerala (DUK) (formerly IIITMK) and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET)-Thrissur are the technical partners for setting up these centers at Makers Village Kochi. 
  • The complete full-fledged facility for R&D, incubation, innovation, skilling, capacity building, testing & certification shall be established at these centers by the experts of these agencies.
  • The creation of a complete eco-system for start-ups in the area of IoT Sensors and Graphene & 2D Materials are the main objectives for setting up these centers in the country. 
  • The complete solution with material to product/system development shall be provided at these centers in the respective areas. 

Indian Army Develops Encrypted Mobile Ecosystem “SAMBHAV”

Indian Army develops end-to-end encrypted mobile ecosystem SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version). SAMBHAV’ has been developed in collaboration with leading national centers of excellence from academia and industry.

About SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version)

  • SAMBHAV is an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem developed by the Indian Army. 
  • It operates on 5G technology and aims to provide secure communication and instant connectivity. 
  • It aims to address the information security challenges faced by the Indian Army.
  • Command Cyber Operations Support Wings enhance cyber capabilities at operational and tactical levels. 
  • SAMBHAV addresses the vulnerability of mobile networks to eavesdropping, offering end-to-end security. 

Command Cyber Operations Support Wing (CCOSW)

  • The Command Cyber Operations Support Wing (CCOSW) is being established which increases cyber security capability. 
  • The CCOSWs are specialized units of the Indian Army that assist formations in carrying out mandated cyber security functions. 
  • According to a report, six CCOSWs are being established for all commands. Additionally, specialized training will be provided to personnel involved in this initiative.

Assam Current Affairs – January 13-15, 2024

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 13-15, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 13-15, 2024)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

Current Affairs Assamexam

January 13-15, 2024 

Buffalo Fights Revived in Assam 

The Assam Government revived the traditional buffalo fight (Moh-Juj) after nine years.

About Moh Juj:  A Traditional Buffalo Fight in Assam

  • The riverside town of Ahatguri has hosted buffalo fight tournaments as part of Magh Bihu since 1972. But these large-scale events were stopped after the 2014 prohibition.
  • In May 2022 there was a major development – a Supreme Court bench upheld amendments to animal cruelty legislation by certain states. 
  • This allowed the resumption of specific bull-taming sports and related rural events. 
  • Following this, in October 2022, the Assam Government assured the Gauhati High Court that it would formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to regulate traditional practices like buffalo fights. 
  • Subsequently, in December 2023, the Assam cabinet formally approved the revival of buffalo fights under strict rules and protocols. 
  • This nod from the state government paved the way for restarting this cultural event in a regulated manner after years of prohibition. 

Seven products from Odisha Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

Recently, seven products from Odisha, ranging from the Similipal Kai chutney made with red weaver ants to the embroidered Kapdaganda shawl, have bagged the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Lanjia Saura Painting

  • Lanjia Saurpa Painting is one of the oldest tribal art forms.
  • It is also known as Idital. The artworks are famous for their beauty, aesthetics, ritualistic association and iconography. 
  • It belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG largely residing in the Rayagada district. 
  • These paintings are in the form of exterior murals painted on the mud walls of homes.

About Kapdaganda Shawl 

  • It is woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria Kondh tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. 
  • The shawl reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs. 
  • The shawl is worn by both men and women and the Dongrias gift it to their family members as a token of love and affection.

Koraput Kala Jeera Rice 

  • Famous for its aroma, taste, texture and nutritional value. 
  • As the rice grains resemble cumin seeds, it is also called Kala Jeera. 
  • Its consumption helps in increasing haemoglobin levels and improves metabolism in the body. 

Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal 

  • It is known for its prickly thorns on the stems and the whole plant. The green and round fruits contain more seeds as compared to other genotypes. 
  • It is famous for its unique taste and relatively short quick cooking time. 
  • The plants are resistant to major insects and can be grown with minimal pesticide. 

Odisha Khajuri Guda (Jaggery) 

  • It is a natural sweetener extracted from date palm trees and has its origin in the Gajapati district. 
  • Traditionally, the jaggery is prepared in a trapezoidal form called ‘Patali Gur’ and is organic by nature. 
  • It is dark brown and has a unique taste. 

Dhenkanal Magji 

  • It is a type of sweet made from cheese from buffalo milk, with distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, taste, flavour, shape, and size. 
  • It also has unique nutritional values that distinguish it from other cheese-brd sweets.

SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) Scheme

Recently, the State Bank of India (SBI) launched the SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) to mobilize funds to support environment friendly initiatives and projects.

About SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit (SGRTD) Scheme

  • The SGRTD is a deposit scheme that aims to raise funds for environmentally-friendly initiatives and projects.
  • The scheme is open to NRIs, non-individuals, and resident individuals.
  • It offers investors the flexibility to choose from three distinct tenors: 1,111 days, 1,777 days, and 2,222 days.
  • Pre-mature withdrawals are allowed under the scheme. 
  • Loan/ overdraft facility will be available against the deposit. 
  • Senior Citizens/ Staff/ Staff Senior Citizens are eligible for an additional interest rate over the applicable rate for the public. 
  • The benefit of additional interest shall not be available to NRI Senior Citizens/NRI Staff.

About Green Deposit

A Green deposit is an interest-bearing deposit, received by the regulated entities (RE) for a fixed period, the proceeds of which are earmarked for being allocated towards green finance. 

The deposits raised under the framework are covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

IUCN Assessment of the Himalayan Wolf

The Himalayan Wolf has been assessed for the first time on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and categorised as ‘Vulnerable’.

 

About Himalayan Wolf

  • The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas.
  • The Himalayan wolf resides on the Tibetan Plateau in China, particularly in Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, and western Sichuan provinces.
  • It is a subspecies of the gray wolf found in the Himalayan region, spanning areas such as Nepal, India, and the Tibetan Plateau.
  • Himalayan wolf has now  been categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List

Reason for the declining population of Himalayan Wolf 

  • Hybridization Threats: Increasing populations of feral dogs in regions like Ladakh and Spiti pose a threat of hybridization. 
  • Illegal Hunting: The Himalayan Wolf is hunted illegally for its fur and body parts, contributing to its declining numbers.
  • Conflict with Livestock: Livestock depredation conflicts are significant, exacerbated by habitat modification and depletion of wild prey.
  • Habitat Destruction: The IUCN Red List Assessment has highlighted an ongoing reduction in the area, extent, and quality of habitat for Himalayan wolves.

Measures should be taken to enhance the protection of Himalayan wolves

  • Securing and restoring healthy wild prey populations and landscapes and setting aside wildlife habitat refuges. 
  • Enhancing livestock guarding methods, including predator-proof corral pens, sustainable herding practices, and holistic management practices.
  • Management of feral dog populations.
  • Trans-boundary efforts in conservation of the species in range countries through research and monitoring.

Pench Tiger Reserve Becomes India’s first Dark Sky Park

The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been marked as India’s first Dark Sky Park and the fifth Dark Sky Park in Asia for protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution. The certification was given by the International Dark-Sky Association, a global dark-sky movement to promote astronomy.

About India’s First Dark Sky Park: 

  • Dark Sky Place certification focuses on lighting policy, dark sky-friendly retrofits, outreach and education, and monitoring the night sky. 
  • The reserve’s certification recognizes its commitment to protecting the night sky, reducing light pollution, and creating an ideal environment for astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers.
  • This designation positions PTR as a sanctuary where tourists can witness celestial spectacles, shielded from the intrusion of artificial light pollution.

About Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR)

  • The Reserve is named after the Pench River, which flows from north to south through the Reserve.
  • It is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary.
  • The reserve is famous for large herds of Chital, Sambar, Nilgai, Gaur (Indian Bison), and wild boar.
  • It was declared a sanctuary in 1965, raised to the status of national park in 1975.

The Rural Development Ministry and State Bank of India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to help rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

The Ministry of Rural Development and State Bank of India signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate Enterprise Financing for rural Self-Help Group (SHG) women.

Key Points

  • State Bank of India introduced Svyam Siddha, a financial product tailored for SHG women entrepreneurs, offering loans up to Rs 5 lakhs. 
  • This initiative is uniquely designed to alleviate the challenges associated with extensive documentation requirements for bank loan applications and reduce the Turn Around Time (TAT). 
  • The requirement of burdensome documents like quotations and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) has been dispensed with, allowing an easy application process where a simple loan application with KYC details can be submitted at local SBI bank branches. 
  • DAY-NRLM will facilitate the loan application process and oversee loan repayment through its dedicated field cadre.
  • A training toolkit package was also launched to promote access to formal finance by SHG women entrepreneurs, marking a significant milestone in DAY-NRLM’s commitment to empowering communities and advancing financial inclusion at the grassroots level. 
  • The toolkit covers crucial topics like fundamentals of banking, concepts on financial statements, working capital calculation etc. The key modules of this toolkit have been converted into animated videos for self-capacity building of entrepreneurs. This will facilitate access to formal finance for its SHGs women entrepreneurs.

‘Sinomicrurus Gorei’ a new species of coral snake was discovered in Mizoram

Researchers from Mizoram University’s zoology department have discovered a new species of coral snake in the state. It has been named Sinomicrurus gorei after British India doctor Gore.

This newly discovered coral snake species is locally recognised as “Rul Thi Hna” due to its striking resemblance to Thi Hna, a traditional amber necklace in the Mizo culture.

It has unique patterns and different scales, hemipenis, DNA, and skull.

In Mizoram, Sinomicrurus macclellandi is primarily found in hilly or elevated areas, while Sinomicrurus gorei is found in both low-lying and hilly areas.

Green Fuels Alliance India

Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) is an alliance between Denmark and India to boost collaborative efforts in the sustainable energy solutions sector.

The initiative is part of the Green Strategic Partnership signed in 2020 between India and Denmark.

Key Points

  • This strategic alliance, led by the Danish Embassy and the Consulate General of Denmark in India, aims to boost collaborative efforts in the sustainable energy solutions sector and advance the joint global goal towards carbon neutrality.
  • The initiative aims to advance the green fuels sector, including green hydrogen, through innovation and partnerships.
  • It promotes sustainable energy growth in India by establishing an ecosystem that encourages collaboration among businesses, government entities, research institutions, and financial stakeholders.
  • The alliance is significant in its potential contribution to global decarbonization efforts.

 

Assam Current Affairs – January 10-12, 2024

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 10-12, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 10-12, 2024)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

Current Affairs Assamexam

January 10-12, 2024 

Chandubi festival

The 14th Chandubi Festival was recently held near the Chandubi Lake in Assam’s Kamrup district from January 1 to January 5.

About Chandubi festival

  • It is an annual five-day celebration that takes place at Chandubi Lake in Assam’s Kamrup district.
  • Chandubi Lake is a natural lake that was formed due to massive landslides during the 1897 Assam earthquake, blocking the flow of the Chandubi River.
  • The festival’s main goal is to encourage eco-tourism and protect the lake, which has been losing water. 
  • Preserving the lake and helping the tribes like Rabhas, Garos, Gorkhas, and tea tribes are reasons for holding the festival. 
  • The festival is deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the region, celebrating the diversity, customs, and traditions of the local communities. 
  • It represents the confluence of various indigenous tribes and communities, each contributing their unique rituals, arts, crafts, and cultural practices. 
  • The festival features a rich tapestry of cultural performances including traditional dances like Bihu, Sattriya, and tribal dances, showcasing the vibrant folk culture of Assam.

National Sports Awards 2023

The national sports awards are given annually to recognize and reward excellence in sports, highlight extraordinary performance at the national and international competitive events, encourage sportsmanship and promote nation-building by creating a sense of national pride and unity in a country as diverse as India. 

The awards are administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.

The six categories of the National Sports Awards are: 

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: 

  • It is considered India’s highest sporting honour, the Khel Ratna was established in 1991-92.
  • The award is named after the Indian hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand.
  • The award is given for outstanding performances in sports spanning over a period of four years and the Khel Ratna winners receive a medallion, certificate and a cash prize. 
  • Legendary sports figures like MC Mary Kom, S. MirabaiChanu, PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Vijender Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli amongst others have received this highest sporting honour in the past.
  • In 2023, Chirag Shetty and Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy (badminton) were awarded with Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Arjuna Award

It is awarded for consistent good performance over a period of four years. The winners of the Arjuna Award receive a statuette of Arjuna, a certificate and a cash prize.

Dronacharya Award: It was instituted in 1985, is India’s highest sports honour for coaches. It is awarded to individuals for producing medal winners at prestigious international events. Awardees receive a bronze statue of Dronacharya, a certificate and a cash prize.

Ganesh Prabhakaran (mallakhamb), Mahavir Saini (para athletics), Lalit Kumar (wrestling), RB Ramesh (chess), Shivendra Singh (hockey) were awarded with Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games 2023. 

Major Dhyan Chand Award: This award represents India’s highest honour for lifetime achievements in sports. Presented for good performance and contributing towards the promotion of sports in an individual capacity since 2002, the winners get a Dhyan Chand statuette, a certificate and a cash prize. 

Manjusha Kanwar (badminton), Vineet Kumar Sharma (hockey), Kavitha Selvaraj (kabaddi) were awarded with Dhyan Chand Lifetime Award 2023

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA): It was instituted in 1956–1957. It is given to an institution or university for top performance in inter-university tournaments over the last one year. 

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (winner), Lovely Professional University, Punjab (1st runners-up), Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (2nd runners-up).

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar:

Instituted in 2009.

Awarded to organisations or corporates (both private and public) and individuals for playing a role in the area of sports promotion and development over the last three years. 

In 2023, JAIN (Deemed-to-be-University), Odisha Mining Corporation Limited won this award.

DRDO conducts successful flight-test of New Generation Akash missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. 

The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at  very low altitude. 

During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. It has validated the functioning of the complete weapon system consisting of the missile with indigenously developed Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar and Command, Control & Communication system.

About AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile

  • It is a new generation state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile (SAM) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to destroy high manoeuvring low radar cross section agile aerial threats. 
  • It has been indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO and produced by defence public sector units along with other industries. 
  • Multiple advanced versions of the missile are under development by the team.

Global Risks Report 2024

The World Economic Forum recently released the Global Risks Report 2024. 

Key Highlights of the Report

  • Various global events in 2023, including lethal conflicts, Extreme Weather Conditions, and societal discontent, have contributed to a predominantly negative outlook. 
  • Misinformation and disinformation are listed as the most severe risks over the next two years, highlighting how rapid advances in technology also are creating new problems or making existing ones worse.
  • A persistent cost-of-living crisis may lead to uncertainties in the global economic stability.
  • Inflation and economic downturn have emerged noteworthy top risks.
  • The risk of interstate armed conflict is the immediate concern. The ongoing conflicts, coupled with underlying geopolitical tensions pose the risk of conflict contagion. 
  • In the absence of secure livelihood options, individuals may be prone to crime, militarization, or radicalization. 
  • The countries with a history of conflict or vulnerability to climate change may face growing isolation from investment, technologies and job opportunities. There is continued dominance of environmental risks in the World. 
  • Extreme weather events, critical shifts in Earth systems, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, natural resource shortages, and pollution emerge as severe risks over the next decade.

Global Risks Report 2024: Key Recommendation 

  • To mitigate the risks of AI-enabled misinformation campaigns, the report suggests: Increasing societal resilience through renewed focus on critical thinking, media literacy, and civic responsibility education Governments collaborating with tech firms to promote information integrity while respecting digital rights Fostering international cooperation for early identification and containment of misinformation campaigns
  • Policymakers need to balance measures to control inflation with targeted relief for vulnerable groups to maintain social cohesion, as per the WEF.
  • Urgent climate mitigation and adaptation efforts are essential to prevent catastrophic outcomes, the WEF stresses. Similarly, reversing nature loss through conservation and restoration initiatives is vital for our collective future.
  • The collective actions of individual citizens, companies and countries may seem insignificant on their own, but at critical mass they can move the needle on global risk reduction. 

ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024

The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare launched Anubhav Portal in 2015, for sharing experiences of retiring/retired Central Government employees while working with the Government. It is envisaged that this culture of leaving notes by retirees will become the foundation stone of good governance and administrative reforms in future.

About ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024

  • The scheme aims to create a database of significant suggestions and work experiences. 
  • It channels the human resource of retiring employees for nation building and also enables Ministries/ Departments to take crucial steps while considering useful and replicable suggestions.
  • To participate in the scheme, retiring Central Government employees/pensioners are required to submit their Anubhav write ups, 8 months prior to retirement and up to 1 year after their retirement. 
  • Thereafter, the write-ups will be published after assessment by concerned Ministries/Departments. The published write-ups will be shortlisted for Anubhav Awards and Jury Certificates. 
  • The last date for submission under ANUBHAV Awards Scheme 2024 is 31.3.2024. 
  • To encourage broader participation in the Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2024, the DOPPW has undertaken an Outreach Campaign to reach out to every pensioner to submit his ANUBHAV experience. 
  • As of now, 54 ANUBHAV Awards have been conferred since the inception of the scheme.

Ujjain Unveils India’s First Hygienic Food Street ‘Prasadam’

Union Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav jointly inaugurated the country’s first Healthy and Hygienic Food Street (Prasadam) at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, Ujjain.

Key Points

  • It is in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’. 
  • The initiative aims to connect people in every corner of the country with pure and safe local and traditional food. 
  • The ‘Prasadam’ initiative aims to enhance Ujjain’s tourism attraction and preserve its culinary heritage while also playing a role in promoting economic development.
  • The newly launched food street is designed to provide various facilities including a kids’ play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences and seating spaces. 
  • In addition to enhancing Ujjain’s tourism appeal and preserving its culinary traditions, “Prasadam” will also contribute to economic growth and community engagement.

Indian Navy gets first India-made long endurance Drishti 10 Starliner drone 

The Indian Navy has recently received its first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone, the Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

About Drishti 10 Starliner unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

  • It is developed by Adani Defence and Aerospace with technology transfer from Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems.
  • It is India’s first indigenous medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone. 70% of the drone is made using indigenous components.
  • With an endurance of 36 hours and the ability to carry a payload of 450 kg, the drone is well-equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
  • It is a variant of Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 Starliner drones.

Divyakriti Singh Becomes 1st Indian Woman Arjuna Awardee for Equestrian Sports

Divyakriti Singh has been conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award for Equestrian Sports, making her the first woman from Rajasthan to achieve this honour.

Divyakriti Singh’s remarkable journey in the equestrian world reached new heights with the Arjuna Award, recognizing her outstanding contribution to the sport. 

She underwent three years of training in Germany at the Hof Kasselman dressage yard in Hagen. She secured an Individual Silver and two Bronze medals at the International Dressage Competition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Assam Current Affairs – January 07-09, 2024

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 07-09, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the January 07-09, 2024)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

Current Affairs Assamexam

January 07-09, 2024 

Aditya-L1 successfully placed in a Halo Orbit around L1 Point

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved a significant milestone by placing the Aditya-L1 spacecraft in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1).

About Aditya-L1

  • Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space mission to observe the Sun, was launched in September 2023, using a PSLV-C57 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
  • Aditya-L1 is in a periodic halo orbit around L1, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth. 
  • The satellite carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and the outermost layer of the Sun (corona) using electromagnetic and particle detectors.
  • With a mission life of five years, Aditya-L1 aims to study the sun’s photosphere, chromosphere, and corona, along with in-situ studies of particles and fields at L1. 

Lagrange Point

  • Lagrange Points are positions in space where a small object can maintain its position relative to two larger bodies due to the gravitational balance.
  • Spacecraft leverage these points to minimize fuel consumption and allow spacecraft to maintain their position efficiently.

Ministry of Education launches PRERANA program

The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India has launched ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning program’, aiming to offer a meaningful, unique, and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.

About PRERANA program

  • Prerana is a week-long residential program for selected students of Class IX to XII. 
  • It is an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.
  • A batch of 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) will attend the program, every week from various parts of the country. 
  • It will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, district Mehsana, Gujarat.
  • The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in nine value based themes: Swabhiman and Vinay, Shaurya and Sahas, Parishram and Samarpan, Karuna and Sewa, Vividhta and Ekta, Satyanishtha and Shuchita, Navachar and Jigyasa, Shraddha aur Vishwas, and Swatantrata and Kartavya. 
  • The program based on the above themes will inspire the youth and foster respect for Bharat’s unity in diversity, embodying the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and will contribute by making the youth of today, a flame holder for Viksit Bharat. 
  • The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands-on interesting learning activities.

Rejupave Technology

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has utilised road construction technology i.e. Rejupave technology to construct parts of the world’s highest Sela Road Tunnel and the LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY) road near the China border in Arunachal Pradesh.

About the Rejupave Technology

  • It is developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
  • Rejupave asphalt modifier is a bio-oil-based product that lowers the heating requirement of bituminous mixes besides preserving the bituminous mix’s temperature during transit.
  • It is beneficial in constructing high-altitude bituminous roads at low and sub-zero temperature conditions.
  • It brings down the temperature of bituminous mixes by 30 to 40 degrees Celsius with negligible heat loss in the bituminous mix during transit.

Raghuram Iyer’s extensive experience in sports management and administration, particularly his previous roles as CEO of Indian Premier League teams Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, has been recognized as making him an ideal candidate for this position.

India will host the 46th Session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

This will be the first instance for India to chair the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024.

About the World Heritage Committee: 

  • It is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 
  • The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. 
  • It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. 
  • It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Structure:
  • The World Heritage Committee is composed of representatives from 21 member states, elected by the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention.
  • According to the World Heritage Convention, a Committee member’s term of office is for six years.

World’s First Functional Semiconductor Made From Graphene

Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have successfully developed the world’s first functional semiconductor composed of graphene.

About Graphene 

  • Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the building-block of Graphite.
  • It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
  • It is almost perfectly transparent, as it absorbs only 2% of light.
  • It is impermeable to gases, even those as light as hydrogen and helium. 
  • It can be used to enhance the strength of other materials. 
  • It is a great material for making heat-spreading solutions, such as heat sinks or heat dissipation films. 
  • This could be useful in both microelectronics and in larger applications, for example, thermal foils for mobile devices. 
  • It also has an extremely high surface-area-to-volume ratio. 

This makes graphene a very promising material for use in batteries and supercapacitors.

Graphene may enable batteries and supercapacitors (and even fuel cells) that can store more energy and charge faster, too.

India Signs Bilateral Hajj Agreement 2024

The Indian government has recently signed a Bilateral Haj Agreement 2024 with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), marking a significant development in the facilitation of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

A total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims from India has been finalised for Haj 2024 with 1,40,020 seats being reserved for pilgrims to proceed through Hajj Committee of India and 35,005 pilgrims would be permitted to proceed through Haj Group Operators.

Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the sacred city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia,  the holiest city for Muslims.

It takes place during Dhu’al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar, and is performed over five to six days. 

The pilgrims wear simple white garments (Ihram) to symbolize equality and purity.

The first meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council held in Kolkata 

The first meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) concluded on January 8, 2024 in Kolkata to strengthen the inland water transport system in the country. It was organized by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for inland waterways under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.

Key Points

  • The agenda of the first IWDC meeting had sessions centered around fairway development, enhancing cargo and passenger transport in IWT, potential of river cruise tourism to boost economic activity, sustainability practices in terms of non-fossil fuel-based vessel operations among others. 
  • One of the key highlights of the meeting was the launch of Harit Nauka- Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels and River Cruise Tourism Roadmap, 2047.
  • The agenda also includes promoting eco-friendly vessels for passenger transportation, exploring economic advantages in river cruise tourism, and advocating for sustainable practices in inland waterways development.
  • The River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047 focuses on four vital pillars, including Infrastructure, Integration, Accessibility, and Policy for promoting river cruise tourism.
  •  As a part of the roadmap, over 30 possible routes and tourist circuits along inland waterways have been identified for further development.
  • MoPSW stressed upon the importance of State-level institutional structure and rules in ensuring that the planning and development of the state’s inland waterway ecosystem accounts for its unique characteristics and requirements.

Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day is an annual event celebrated every year on 9th  January to honor the Indian diaspora and the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the country’s development.

About Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas or NRI Day is celebrated to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915.
  • It was first celebrated in 2003. It was an annual event earlier, but in 2015, the government revised its format to celebrate PBD once every two years.
  • It has become a platform to connect the Indian diaspora with their roots and encourage their continued engagement with India’s progress. 
  • It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India. 
  • Till date, 17 conventions have been held. The last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated in the Indore of Madhya Pradesh in 2023 with the  theme “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.”

Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 352: January 2024, Week 4

Posted on by admin

Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 352: January 2024, Week 4

(Daily and Monthly Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz & MCQ for APSC Exams and various Assam exams)

Assam Current Affairs Quiz Home Page

Current Affairs Assam Quiz - Assam exam

Q1. India’s first Girls’ Military School inaugurated in

  1. Vrindaban
  2. Bhopal
  3. Guwahati 
  4. Shillong

Vrindaban

India’s first Girls’ Military School inaugurated in Vrindavan, Mathura. The Samvid Gurukulam Girls Military School, located within the Vatsalya Gram campus and established by Sadhvi Ritambhara, aims to provide education and training to female students. 

This initiative marks a significant step in extending military education traditionally reserved for male students in India to female students as well.

 

Q2. Vijay Raghavan Committee, recently seen in news is related to

  1. To provide free electricity to 1 lakh households.
  2. To make provisions for rural panchayats.
  3. To review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation
  4. Frame guidelines to tackle the sensitive and far-reaching problems of cybercrimes

To review the functioning of the Defence Research and Development Organisation

Q3. Exercise Cyclone was held between the Indian special forces and which of the following countries?

  1. Myanmar
  2. Sri Lanka
  3. Egypt
  4. Indonesia

Egypt

The 2nd edition of Exercise CYCLONE, a joint special forces drill between India and Egypt, is taking place in Anshas, Egypt. 

Indian Army contingent, consisting of 25 personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) with the Egyptian contingent represented by the Egyptian Commando Squadron and Egyptian Airborne Platoon.

The exercise focuses on enhancing bilateral military cooperation and understanding operating procedures in desert terrain under UN Charter Chapter VII. It involves three phases, including Military Exhibitions, IED training, and Joint Tactical Exercises, fostering stronger ties between the two friendly nations.

 

Q4.The ‘Operation Sarvashakti’, recently seen in news is related to

  1. Operation by the IAF to evacuate Indian citizens from Ukraine.
  2. An initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range
  3. Operation by the Indian Navy to evacuate Indian citizens and foreign nationals from Sudan during the 2023 Sudan conflict.
  4. Repatriate Indian citizens from overseas during the COVID-19 pandemic

An initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range

Q5. ‘Hatti community has been granted Scheduled Tribe status by which state government recently?

  1. Madhya Pradesh
  2. Haryana
  3. Manipur
  4. Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh

The Hattis are a close-knit community that got their name from their tradition of selling homegrown vegetables, crops, meat, wool, etc. at small markets called ‘haat’ in towns. They follow a Rigid Caste System. 

The Hattis are governed by a traditional council called Khumbli, which like the Khaps of Haryana, decide community matters. 

The Khumbli’s power has remained unchallenged despite the establishment of the Panchayati Raj System. 

Q6. What is the name of India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine?

  1. Havisure
  2. Rotavac
  3. Comvac
  4. Indirab

Havisure

  • Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), has launched India’s first domestically developed Hepatitis A vaccine, named ‘Havisure.’
  • It is a two-dose vaccine.The first dose given to those above 12 months of age and the second dose is administered at least six months later. 
  • The vaccine is advised for routine immunization in children and individuals at risk due to exposure or travel to regions with high hepatitis A prevalence. 
  • Individuals with occupational infection risks and those suffering from chronic liver diseases can also receive Hepatitis A vaccination.

Q7. Which among the following institutions has been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award-2024 in the ‘Institutional Category’?

  1. Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM)
  2. 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh
  3. Disaster Mitigation & Management Centre, Uttarakhand
  4. Lunglei Fire Station (LFS), Mizoram

60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh

    • 60 Parachute Field Hospitals of Uttar Pradesh have been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Disaster Management Award for the year 2024 for their excellent work in the field of disaster management. 
    • Under this award, the winning organization in the institutional category is awarded a cash prize of Rs 51 lakh and a certificate. In case of an individual, Rs 5 lakh in cash and a certificate is provided.

Q8. Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is related to

  1. Rooftop solar panels
  2. Cultivation of Honey
  3. Child Health
  4. Cultivation of Sunflower

Rooftop solar panels

  • Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme, under which rooftop solar panels will be installed on more than 1 crore houses, with the help of which people will get a clean source of energy. 
  • The objective of this scheme is to include poor and middle class persons under the rooftop solar program and also to bring self-reliance in the energy sector.

Q9. Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’, is conducted between which two countries?

  1. India and Turkey
  2. India and Indonesia
  3. India and Saudi Arabia
  4. India and Kazakhstan

India and Saudi Arabia

  • The first joint military exercise between India and Saudi Arabia, “SADA TANSEEQ”, took place from January 29 to February 10, 2024. 
  • The exercise was held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. 
  • The exercise aims to improve synergy, interoperability by sharing best practices between the two countries’ armies.
  • The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain. 
  • It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both sides.

Q10. Which state’s products Adi Kekir and Wancho wooden craft have recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag status?

  1. Assam
  2. Himachal Pradesh
  3. Goa
  4. Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

  • Recently, three items of Arunachal Pradesh have received the prestigious Geographical Indication tag, officials said on Wednesday. These are Adi kekir (ginger), Handmade carpets by Tibetan settlers and Wooden items made by the Wancho community.

Q11. Who was the President of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly?

  1. Judge Nawaf Salam
  2. H.E. Dennis Francis
  3. Mr. Peter Thomson
  4. Ajay Banga

H.E. Dennis Francis

Q12. International Purple Fest 2024 was organised in 

  1. Punjab
  2. Assam 
  3. Goa
  4. Uttarakhand

Goa

International Purple Fest 2024 was organised in Goa. The objective of this festival is to showcase the talents of persons with disabilities through attractive performances in music, dance and entertainment. 

An extraordinary moment of the inauguration ceremony was the presentation of Purple named ‘Dhumal’. In this, performances will be given by disabled people from different areas of Goa as well as respected composers of the Indian music industry. Thus, events are primarily a symbol of inclusivity and unity. 

Q13. A book named “Gandhi A Life in Three Campaigns” is authored by

  1. Chetan Bhagat
  2. Aravind Adiga
  3. M.J. Akbar
  4. Vivek Singh

M.J. Akbar

Q14. Which country has been selected to host the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee?

  1. Japan
  2. India
  3. Russia
  4. Kazakistan 
India

India is set to chair the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and host its 46th session in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024.

Q15.  ‘Polygonum Chaturbhunjam’ recently seen in the news, belongs to which of the following species?

  1. Fungi
  2. Plants
  3. Fishes 
  4. Reptile
Plants

A new plant species named Polygonum Chaturbhujanum has been discovered at Gol Pahadi island in the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra. It is an herb.

Additionally, the survey revealed the presence of six plant species endemic to India within the Pench Tiger Reserve, namely Aegineta indica, Boerhavia crispa, Habenaria gibsonii var foetida, Iphigenia pallida, Petalidium barlerioides, and Barleria gibsonii.

Go to Current Affairs Quiz Home Page

Important Inventions and Discoveries – ADRE 2023 Exam Notes

Posted on by admin

Important Inventions and Discoveries – ADRE 2023 Exam Notes

General Knowledge (GK) is an important section for Assam Direct Recruitment ADRE 2023. Science and Technology is a part of GK section.

List of some of Important Inventions and Discoveries:

Invention/Discovery

Name of the Inventor

Year of Invention

Automatic Calculator

Wilhelm Schickard

1623

Air Conditioner

Willis Carrier

1902

Anemometer

Leon Battista Alberti

1450

Animation

J. Stuart Blackton

—

Atom Bomb

Julius Robert Oppenheimer

1945

Aspirin

Dr. Felix Hoffman

1899

Airplane

Wilber and Orville Wright

1903

Adhesive tape

Richard G. Drew

1923

Bifocal Lens

Benjamin Franklin

1779

Barometer

Evangelista Torricelli

1643

Barbed Wire

Joseph F. Glidden

1873

Blood Group

Karl Lansdsteiner

1900s

Ball Point Pen

John Loud

—

Bicycle Tyres

John Boyd Dunlop

1888

Pedal Driven Bicycle

Kirkpatrick Macmillan

1839

Celluloid

Alexander Parkes

1861

Chloroform

Sir James Young Simpson

—

Cine Camera

Wm. Friese-Greene

1889

Circulation of blood

William Harvey

1628

Clock Mechanical

Hsing and Ling-Tsan

1725

Diesel Engine

Rudolf Diesel

1892

Centigrade Scale

Anders Celsius

1742

Chlorine

Carl Wilhelm Scheele

1774

Dynamite

Alfred B. Nobel

1867

Diesel Engine

Rudolf Diesel

1895

Electric stove/cooker

William S. Hadaway

1896

Electroscope

William Gilbert

1600s

Electric Fan

Schuyler Wheeler

1882

Electric Battery

Volta

1800

Elevator

Elisha G. Otis

1852

Electric Motor (DC)

Thomas Davenport

1873

Electromagnet

William Sturgeon

1824

Fountain Pen

Petrache Poenaru

1827

Fluorine

André-Marie Ampère

1810

Gramophone

Thomas Edison

1878

Hydrogen

Henry Cavendish

1766

Helicopter

Igor Sikorsky

1939

Hovercraft

Christopher Cockerell

1959

Hot Air Balloon

Josef & Etienne Montgolfier

1783

Helium

Jules Janssen

1868

Insulin

Sir Frederick Banting

1923

Jet Engine

Hans Von Ohain

1936

Lightning Conductor

Benjamin Franklin

1752

Locomotive

George Stephenson

1804

Laser

Theodore Maiman

1960

Light Bulb

Thomas Edison

1854

Motorcycle

Gottlieb Daimler

1885

Microscope

Zacharis Janssen

1590

Microphone

Alexander Graham Bell

1876

Machine Gun

Richard Gatling

1861

Neon Lamp

Georges Claude

1915

Oxygen

Joseph Priestley

1774

Ozone

Christian Schonbein

1839

Piano

Bartolomeo Cristofori

1700

Printing Press

Johannes Gutenberg

1440

Parachute

Louis-Sebastien Lenormand

1783

Polio Vaccine

Jonas Edward Salk

–

Periodic Table

Dmitri Mendeleev

1869

Penicillin

Alexander Fleming

1928

Pacemaker

Rune Elmqvist

1952

Petrol for Motor Car

Karl Benz

1885

Refrigerator

William Cullen

1748

Radium

Marie & Pierre Curie

1898

Rubber (vulcanized)

Charles Goodyear

1841

Rocket Engine

Robert H. Goddard

1926

Radio

Guglielmo Marconi

1894

Richter Scale

Charles Richter

1935

Ship (Turbine)

Charles Parsons

1894

Steam Ship

Robert Fulton

1807

Steam Boat

Robert Fulton

1786

Submarine

Cornelis Drebbel

1620

Stethoscope

Rene Laennec

1816

Saxophone

Adolphe Sax

1846

Sewing Machine

Elias Howe

1846

Steam-Powered Airship

Henri Giffard

1852

Soft Contact lenses

Otto Wichterle

1961

Synthesizer

Dr. Robert Arthur Moog

1964

Thermometer

Galileo

1593

Theory of Evolution

Charles Darwin

1858

Typewriter

Christopher Latham Sholes

—

Transistors

John Bardeen, William Shockley & Walter Brattain

1948

Telephone

Graham Bell

1874

Valve. Radio

Sir J.A Fleming

1904

Vacuum Cleaner

Hubert Cecil Booth

1901

Vitamin A

Frederick Gowland Hpokins

1912

Vitamin B

Christiaan Eijkman

1897

Vitamin C

Albert Szent-Gyorgi

–

Vitamin K

Henrik Dam

1929

Vitamin E

Herbert McLean Evans & Katherine Scott Bishop

 

Windshield wipers

Mary Anderson

1903

World Wide Web

Tim Berners Lee with Robert Cailliau 

1989

X-ray

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

1895

Xerox Machine

Chester Carlson

1928
ADRE 2023 Test Series Assamexam

Assam Current Affairs – November 25-27, 2022

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 25-27, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 25-27, 2022)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

November 25-27, 2022

Assam Cabinet approves Rs 500 crore for building 2,000 Anganwadi centres

The Assam Cabinet approved Rs 500 crore to construct 2,000 new Anganwadi centres across the state in order to improve childcare services.

The cost of each Anganwadi centre will be Rs 25 lakh, and the total cost of all the centres will be Rs 500 crore.

The Assam Cabinet, which held a special sitting at New Delhi, sanctioned Rs 332.59 crore for building a trumpet interchange at Gauripur in North Guwahati to connect NH-17 with the under-construction six-lane road of the bridge on the Brahmaputra. 

To boost the handloom sector, administrative approval was granted to start up the College of Sericulture at Titabar in Jorhat. An amount of Rs 22.14 crore has been approved to set up the institution.

India celebrates 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan

The 3-day long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Ahom commander Lachit Barphukan began in New Delhi. 

Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the exhibition on the occasion highlighting the life and achievement of the Ahom dynasty and Lachit Barphukan among others.

About Lachit Barphukan

  • Lachit Barphukan was born on November 24, 1622, was a commander and Bophukan in the Ahom Kingdom.
  • He is remembered throughout the country for his foresight and outstanding leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat.
  • He was an excellent military leader who was given administrative, judicial, and military duties as one of the five Borphukans of the Ahom kingdom by king Charadhwaj Singha. 
  • He has long been a symbol of the Assamese people’s courage, bravery, and intelligence.

Manipur celebrates Sangai Festival 

Manipur Sangai Festival is organized every year to showcase the uniqueness of Manipur. The festival helps in promoting Manipur as a world-class tourism destination.

The festival is named after the state animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur.

The festival is being organized from November 21 to 30.The 10-day festival promotes the northeastern state’s tourism sector. 

This festival showcases the tourism potential of the state in the areas of arts and culture, handloom, handicraft, indigenous sports, cuisine, music, adventure sports etc.

The Sangai Festival was held at Sangai Ethnic Park located at Moirang Khunou of Bishnupur district. The festival is being celebrated across 13 venues in six districts of Manipur. The theme of the festival is the ‘festival of oneness’.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards announced

The Sangeet Natak Akademi has announced the list of 10 Akademi fellows and 128 artists who will receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award For the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. 

The awards are given in the categories of music, dance, theatre, other traditional arts and puppetry, and for contribution/scholarship in performing arts.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi has also announced the names of 102 artists for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.These artists are below the age of 40 years. 

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar identifies and encourages outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and gives them national recognition so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields. 

The North-eastern States of the country have also been adequately represented with 19 artists from the North-east selected for the Award  from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and  Tripura.

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar carries a purse money of Rs. 25,000/- . The Yuva Puraskar will be presented at a special ceremony by the Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi.

About Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 

  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on practicing artists. 
  • The awards are given in the categories of music, dance, theatre, other traditional arts and puppetry, and for contribution/scholarship in performing arts.
  • The Akademi Awards carries purse money of Rs. 1.00 lakh, a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram. 

Khalid Jawed’s ‘The Paradise of Food’ won the 2022 JCB Prize for Literature

Author Khalid Jawed’s “The Paradise of Food”,  won the fifth JCB Prize for Literature.The book has been translated by Baran Farooqi from Urdu. 

Khalid Jawed’s book ‘The Paradise of Food’ which was originally published as ‘Ne’mat Khana’ 2014, is the fourth translation to win the award and the first work in Urdu. 

The book tells the story of a middle-class joint Muslim family over a span of fifty years where the narrator struggles to find a place for himself, at odds in his home and the world outside.

Urdu writer Khalid Jawed received the prize money of Rs. 25 lakh along with a trophy- a sculpture by Delhi artist duo Thukral and Tagra, “Mirror Melting”. Baroon Farooqi also received an additional Rs. 10 lakh for the award.

The shortlisted books, which only included translation, also featured the International Booker-winning Novel ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Geetanjali Shree and Imaan by Manoranjan Byapari. 

It was also the first time that the titles in Hindi and Nepali made it to the shortlist of the Literary Award. 

The shortlist also included the debut books- Song of the Soil by Chuden Kabimo and ‘Valli’ by Sheela Tomy and each of the shortlisted authors also received Rs. 1 lakh, and the translators Rs. 50,000.

India’s first privately-built rocket Vikram-S has been successfully launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre

ISRO has successfully launched the country’s first private rocket, Vikram-S suborbital vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The launch vehicle, Vikram-S (VKS), developed by aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace is the first-ever launch of a privately developed and built rocket in India.

Vikram launch vehicle consists of the Vikram II and Vikram III series. The Vikram-S launch vehicle can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site. 

VKS is a single-stage solid fuelled rocket,  built using advanced technologies including carbon composite structures and 3D-printed components.

Skyroot launched its maiden rocket under the launch mission, ‘PRARAMBH’, which was unveiled by ISRO Chairman, Dr. S. Somanath in Bangalore in November 2022.

Skyroot’s launch vehicles are named ‘Vikram’ as a tribute to the founder of the Indian space programme and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai.

Network Readiness Index 2022

India has improved its position by six slots and is now placed at 61st rank as per the Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022). 

The report is prepared by a US-based Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research and educational institute.

Key Points

  • The NRI 2022 report ranks a total of 131 economies based on their performances in four different pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact.
  • India has not only improved its ranking in the Network Readiness Index 2022 but has also improved its score from 49.74 in 2021 to 51.19 in 2022. 
  • As per the Network Readiness Index 2022, India secured 1st rank in “AI talent concentration”. second in ‘Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country,’ third in ‘Annual investment in telecommunication services,’ fourth in ‘ICT Services exports,’ fifth in ‘FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions,’ and sixth in ‘AI scientific publications.’
  • India is ranked out of 36 in the group of lower-middle-income countries after Ukraine and Indonesia. 4. Notably, the country has a score higher than the income group average in all the pillars and sub-pillars.
  • The United States tops the list followed by Singapore and Sweden. 

Assam Current Affairs – November 22-24, 2022

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 22-24, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 22-24, 2022)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

November 22-24, 2022

Usha Mangeshkar will be conferred with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award

Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi will present Bishwaratna  Dr. Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award to renowned singer Usha Mangeshkar.

Usha Mangeshkar was chosen for her contributions to the music industries of Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Assamese.

The award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh, an angavastra, a commendation and a collection of books.

A committee is set up by the Assam Sahitya Sabha to carry out the selection process for the award. Notably, the Asam Sahitya Sabha has been presenting this award in collaboration with Numaligarh Refinery Limited since 2013. 

Lubna Marium, a renowned Bangladeshi dancer, art director, researcher, and cultural activist, received the first Dr Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award.

Kokrajhar wins National e-Governance Award

Assam’s Kokrajhar district received a national award for successfully implementing an e-governance project for an effective service delivery system. 

The initiative ‘Infrastructure Snapshot Kokrajhar’ won the award for e-Governance for 2021-2022 under the category ‘Excellence in District Level Initiative in e-Governance’. 

The award was given by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions of the Government of India.

The ‘Infrastructure Snapshot Kokrajhar’ app is a convergence application developed specifically for grievance redressal, supervision and monitoring.

The app was conceptualised by deputy commissioner of Kokrajhar, Varnali Deka, as a 24×7 configurable mobile based application for effective monitoring of all government schemes and public institutions with both offline and online status update facility.

Purnima Devi Barman honoured with the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award 2022

Assam’s Purnima Devi Barman is one of the five ‘Champions of the Earth’ for this year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced.

Dr Purnima Devi has won the award this year in the ‘Entrepreneurial Vision’ category, for her trail-blazing work in protecting the greater adjutant stork, called ‘hargila’ in Assamese. 

Hargilas are five-foot-tall birds that dwell in wetlands in some parts of southeast Asia including India and Cambodia..

Purnima Devi Barman is a wildlife biologist who won the award along with four others from different countries for their transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. 

She dedicated the award to Mother Earth and all the mothers of the planet as the best education begins at home on the mother’s lap.

The other recipients include Lebanon’s environmental enterprise Arceniel, Peru’s Constantino (Tino) Aucca Chuta for pioneering a community reforestation model driven by a local community. Sir Partha Dasgupta of the UK in the Science and Innovation Category. Cameroon’s Cecile Bibian Ndjebet for advocating the rights of women in Africa to secure land tenure.

About the award

  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established Champions of the Earth in 2005 as an annual awards programme to recognize outstanding environmental leaders from the public and private sectors, and from civil society.
  • It is an annual award accorded for transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. 
  • In 2017, the program was expanded to include Young Champions of the Earth.

Two new dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice has been developed

Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) successfully tested two new dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice i.e., Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652 in Uttar Pradesh . 

About Kalanamak rice

  • Kalanamak is a traditional variety of paddy with black husk and strong fragrance. 
  • It is considered a gift from Lord Buddha to the people of Sravasti when he visited the region after enlightenment. 
  • It is grown in 11 districts of the Terai region of northeastern Uttar Pradesh and in Nepal.
  • It is grown mainly without using fertilizer or pesticide residues, making it perfect for crop production.
  • It is protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag system.
  • It has been awarded under ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) scheme as an ODOP product of Siddharthnagar which is an aspirational district located in Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh.

Russia  becomes India’s biggest supplier of fertilizers 

Russia has become India’s biggest fertilizer supplier in the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year, overtaking China. 

Key Points

  • Russian exporters reportedly grabbed a 21% share of the Indian fertilizer market in the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year.
  • Russian exports reportedly surged 371%, to a record 2.15 million tons from April to October. 
  • In monetary terms, India’s imports over this period increased by 765%, to $1.6 billion. 
  • Russia’s share of Indian fertilizer imports was hovering around 6% during the last fiscal year, while China’s stood at 24%. 
  • In the first half of 2022-23, China’s exports to India halved to 1.78 million tons amid growing Russian supplies.

Arittapatti Village in Madurai notified as Tamil Nadu’s first biodiversity heritage site

The Tamil Nadu Government issued a notification declaring Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage site the first biodiversity heritage site in the State. The declaration was made under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Key Points

  • The state government notified 193.215 hectares of area spread across Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district as ‘Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site’. 
  • Arittapatti village, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three flagship raptor species – Laggar Falcon , Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle.
  • It also has Indian pangolin, python, and slender loris. 
  • The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs that serve as a watershed, charging ‘72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams.’
  • The Anaikondan Lake, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century is one among them.
  • Several megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds add to the historical significance of the region.

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2021

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India announced “Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award” (TNNAA) for the year 2021.

The award is given in four categories which are Land Adventure, Water Adventure, Air Adventure, and Life Time Achievement.

Key Points

  • Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards are given every year to recognize the achievements of persons in the field of adventure.
  • The award aims to encourage young people to develop the spirit of endurance, risk-taking, cooperative teamwork, and quick, ready, and effective reflexes in challenging situations.
  • Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs. 15 lakh each.
  • This year, the National Selection Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary (Youth Affairs). 
  • Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following: 
  1. Ms. Naina Dhakad  in the Land Adventure category.  
  2. Shri Shubham Dhananjay Vanmali in the Water Adventure category. 
  3. Group     Captain      Kunwar     Bhawani Singh Samyal  in the Life Time Achievement category. 

Assam Current Affairs – November 04-06, 2022

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 04-06, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 04-06, 2022)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

November 04-06, 2022

Government of Assam is planning to transform the Assam Medical College (AMC) in Dibrugarh into a state-of-the-art research institute

The government of Assam is planning to transform the Assam Medical College (AMC) in Dibrugarh into a state-of-the-art research institute for dealing with new age ailments. 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said this while attending the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Assam Medical College (AMC) in Dibrugarh.

He asked the medical college authority to coordinate the partnership between the state government and IIT Guwahati for high-end medical research.

Hailing the medical college administration for maintaining its rich legacy in medical education and treatment, he asked the college management to initiate its growth and development in sync with its green milieu.

For construction of teachers’ quarters and students’ hostels the Assam government will give Rs 300 crore to Assam Medical College (AMC). 

Chief Minister of Meghalaya launches “Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme”

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad K Sangma has recently launched “Citizen Engagement and Communication Programme” at Tura, West Garo Hills district, in Meghalaya.

Launching the programme, the Meghalaya Government has initiated various welfare programs and the information should be disseminated for the larger benefit of the public.

Key Points

  • This program aims at grassroots penetration of all schemes so that governance is improved in all aspects. 
  • The program will create much-needed awareness amongst the masses so that people will have the right information to avail benefits of the schemes being launched by the Government. 
  • Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma encouraged the team to sensitize themselves so that they can in turn sensitize the public regarding all the available schemes.

SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy Rocket

SpaceX launched the Falcon Heavy rocket into a geosynchronous Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, US. 

SpaceX claims Falcon Heavy to be the most powerful rocket in the world. 

Key Points

  • The rocket is carrying satellites to space for the U.S. military in a mission named as US Space Force (USSF)-44. 
  • The rocket has a height of 70 m, a width of 12.2 m and a mass of 1,420,788 kg.
  • It has a lifting capacity of around 64 metric tonnes into orbit, which can lift more than twice the payload of the next closest operational vehicle, the Delta IV Heavy. 
  • Falcon Heavy has 27 Merlin engines which together generate more than five million pounds of thrust at lift-off, equalling around eighteen 747 aircraft at full power.
  • Merlin is a family of rocket engines developed by SpaceX for use on its Falcon 1, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles.
  • Merlin engines use RP-1 and liquid oxygen as rocket propellants in a gas-generator power cycle. These engines were designed for recovery and reuse.

‘Niveshak Didi’ – India’s first floating Financial Literacy Camp

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) has recently conducted India’s First Floating Financial Literacy Camp with an initiative called ‘Niveshak Didi’ in Srinagar,Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

  • The Floating Financial Literacy Camp was conducted among the local residents around the world-famous Dal lake of Srinagar.
  • The Niveshak Didi held the Financial Literacy session in the local Kashmiri language from Shikara itself. 
  • The session in the camp covered topics ranging from banking and financial products, the significance of joining the mainstream financial services offered by the regulated entities, and the protection against various types of risks involved with the investments.

About Niveshak Didi initiative 

  • “Niveshak Didi” initiative is implemented based on the concept of “by the women, for the women”. 
  • It is launched by IPPB, in collaboration with Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the aegis of Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

World’s first Vedic clock  will be installed in Ujjain 

Madhya Pradesh education minister Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stone of the world’s first Vedic Clock at the 300-year-old Jiwaji Observatory in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. 

Key Points

  • The ‘Vedic Clock’ will be constructed at Jantar Mantar Government Jiwaji Observatory at a cost of Rs 1.62 cr. 
  • This clock will be fixed on the basis of the principles of Vedic time calculation in which the 24 hours of the day are divided into Muhurats.
  • The Vedic clock will be synced with the position of the Sun.
  • The application of the Vedic Clock will be used for moon position, festival, auspicious time, birth anniversary, fast, festival major holidays, celestial planets etc.
  • The citizens will be able to access the Vedic clock through their smartphone, computers, TVs and other electronic gadgets. 

Assam Current Affairs – October 25-27, 2022

Posted on by admin

Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – October 25-27, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the October 25-27, 2022)

Go To Assam Current Affairs                      Go To Assam Current Affairs Quiz

Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4 

October 25-27, 2022

Government of India approved the establishment of Terai Elephant Reserve in Uttar Pradesh

The Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has given its approval to establish the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) in Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points

  • Terai Elephant Reserve (TER), which covers 3,049 sq km including Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve located in Lakhimpur and Pilibhit districts.
  • It will be the 33rd elephant reserve to be set up in India.
  • This reserve will be developed in the joint forest areas of Dudhwa and Piliphit tiger reserve and will cover the conservation of four wild species including tiger, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and one-horned rhinoceros.
  • The establishment of this reserve will help to conserve the trans-boundary migration of elephant populations and will also help to protect the neighbouring villages in the Indo-Nepal border area of Uttar Pradesh.
  • The government will provide all financial and technical assistance under project Elephant, which will help in handling human-elephant conflicts.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has included Myanmar on the list of high-risk countries 

The Financial Action Task Force(FATF) has included Myanmar on the list of high-risk countries called as ‘Black List’ and has called on members to apply enhanced due diligence to business relations and transactions in Myanmar.

Myanmar was added to the FATF list of high-risk nations for its failure to mark strategic deficiencies as committed by it in February 2020.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran was put on blacklist by the anti-terror financing and anti-money laundering watchdog earlier in february in 2020.

Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

  • The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering and to maintain certain interest. 
  • The body checks the progress in implementing its recommendations through “peer reviews” of member nations.
  • It aims to set standards and boost the effective implementation of regulatory, legal, and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other threats related to the integrity of the International financial system.
  • It is a “policy-making body” that works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in these areas.
  • The Grey List includes countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering and the Black List includes Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) that support terror funding and money laundering activities.

Indian, US Militaries Conduct ‘Tiger Triumph’ Exercise

The Indian and US militaries carried out a three-day joint humanitarian assistance exercise in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The 2022 edition of the Tiger Triumph exercise is the second joint exercise between India and the US to coordinate disaster relief in the region. The first exercise took place over the course of nine days in November 2019.

Key Points

  • Tiger Triumph exercise is a comprehensive endeavor of the Indian and US military and diplomatic representatives to provide coordinated disaster relief to a third country hit by a super-cyclone. 
  • Its objective was to streamline diplomatic, operational, and logistical coordination between the two countries while responding to disasters. 
  • This exercise sought to improve interoperability between India and the US and create a multinational command and control model for humanitarian assistance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 
  • It is the first tri-services exercise between the US and India.
  • Tiger Triumph marked the third time in 2022 that Indian and US militaries have worked together in Vishakhapatnam.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) launches LVM3 M2

Indian Space Research Organisation’s Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) mission will launch 36 OneWeb Gen-1 satellites, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

Key Points

  • LVM3 is the dedicated commercial satellite mission of New Space India Limited (NISL), a central public sector enterprise under the Department of Space. This is the first LVM3 dedicated commercial launch on demand through NSIL.
  • The 43.5 metre LVM3 weighing around 644 tonnes carried 36 satellites weighing 5,796 kg or about 5.7 tonne. 
  • The LVM3 was conceived primarily for launching geo-stationary satellites with a payload capacity of 4T, which can be used for launching 6T payloads for LEO. 
  • This is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons on its sides and core stage comprising L110 liquid stage and C25 cryogenic stage.
  • With this launch, LVM3 has made its entry into the global commercial launch service market.