DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Jan. 6, 2025

Two Fast Patrol Vessels constructed by GSL for Indian Coast Guard launched

Tags: Defence

Why in the news?

• Two Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) - Amulya and Akshay - indigenously designed and constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) were launched in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar in Goa.

Important points:

• The two FPVs are the third and fourth vessels of the fleet of eight FPVs being constructed by GSL for ICG, underscoring the shipyard’s pivotal role in realising the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence production.  

• The first two FPVs of the same series - Adamya and Akshar – were launched in October 2024. The contract was concluded in March 2022 for Rs 473 crore. With over 60% indigenous content, these state-of-the-art FPVs are designed in-house by GSL to meet ICG’s specific operational needs.

• With a length of 52 meters and a displacement of 320 tonnes, these vessels will strengthen ICG in protecting offshore assets and island territories. 

• For the first time inGSL’s history, the vessels are being launched simultaneously using the shipyard’s state-of-the-art ship-lift system, a transformative feat that underscores GSL’s modernisation efforts.

• This is the first time in India that a Fast Patrol Vessel is being built with a controllable pitch propeller. 

Objectives:

• Its primary role will be fisheries protection and monitoring island territories, exclusively economic zones and coastal patrol. 

• Vessels shall also perform anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and search & rescue operations.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, will launch BHARATPOL portal

Tags: Government Schemes

Why in the news?

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation,Shri Amit Shah will launch BHARATPOL portal developed by central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi on 07th January, 2025 in Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.

Important points:

• Through the BHARATPOL portal, the country's law enforcement agencies will be able to access real-time information.

• This portal will streamline all requests for international assistance through INTERPOL, including the issuance of Red Notices and other color-coded INTERPOL notices.

• The BHARATPOL portal will become a transformative tool for field-level police officers, enhancing their efficiency in dealing with crimes and security challenges.

• By providing easy and faster access to international assistance, BHARATPOL will strengthen India's efforts to combat international crimes.

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Nascent galaxy discovered in formation at the end of the longest tidal tail of NGC 3785 galaxy

Tags: Science and Technology

Why in the news?

• About 430 million light years from Earth, in the Leo constellation,a new ultra-diffuse galaxy has been discovered to be under formation at the end of the tidal tail, a long, thin stream of stars and interstellar gas, of galaxy NGC 3785. 

Key points:

• The NGC 3785 galaxy is known to possess the longest tidal tail discovered so far. 

• The tail extends from the galaxy and is formed due to gravitational forces ("tidal forces") when two galaxies interact closely, essentially pulling material away from each other during a close encounter or merger process.

• This discovery highlights the fascinating process of galaxy interaction and how it can create new, faint, and diffuse structures.

• "The tidal tail offers a glimpse into how galaxies like ultra-diffuse ones, with very low surface brightness, come into being."

• The new discovery promises to advance our understanding of low surface brightness features, which are often missed by traditional surveys due to their faintness.

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Launches India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster

Tags: Government Schemes

Why in the news?

• The Union Minister, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and DairyingShri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh inaugurated and laid the foundation for 50 key projects worth Rs. 50 crores under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) covering all North East Region States Except Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram,  in Guwahati, Assam.

Important points:

• To continue the efforts for sustainable development of fisheries in the North Eastern Region, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh  notified and launched the Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim.

•  This is the First of Its Kind in India, for development of organic fisheries and aquaculture in the State of Sikkim under the PMMSY, at North Eastern Region State Meet Guwahati, Assam marking a significant step towards sustainable development of the fisheries in the State. 

• National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development(NABARD) is a key stakeholder in developing the fisheries and aquaculture organic cluster in Sikkim. 

 About the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):

• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), a scheme to bring about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of fisheries sector in India, implemented by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in all the States and Union Territories (UTs) inter-alia provides adoption of a cluster-based approach to enhance the competitiveness of the fisheries sector, facilitate economies of scale, generate higher incomes, accelerate the growth and expansion of fisheries and aquaculture in an organized manner.