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By admin: May 11, 2023

National Technology Day-11 May

Tags: Important Days

National Technology Day is celebrated every year on 11 May.

An overview of the news

  • On this day, various government organizations, institutes, schools and colleges organize events to honor the scientists of India and their achievements.

  • India is one of the fastest growing developing countries in the world, and much of the credit goes to technological advancements.

  • In the 21st century, scientists and engineers are leading the country on the path of development.

  • India has made significant progress in science and research in the last three decades.

  • India's science and technology has improved the country's position on global forums.

  • For 2023, the theme is 'School to Startups-Igniting Young Minds to innovate.

Background of the day 

  • Under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India conducted a series of five nuclear bomb tests at Pokhran in May 1998.

  • After the success of Pokhran-II, the government declared May 11 as National Technology Day in 1998.

  • In doing so, India became the sixth country to join the 'nuclear club'.

  • The test was led by the late APJ Abdul Kalam, an aerospace scientist who became the eleventh President of India.

  • On the same day in 1998, India test-fired its first indigenous aircraft Hansa-3 which took off in Bengaluru.

  • On that day, the surface-to-air missile Trishulwas also successfully test fired.

  • With many technological advancements in a single day, the Government of India announced the celebration of May 11 as National Technology Day.

  • The first nuclear test was conducted in May 1974.

  • The day was first officially celebrated on 11 May 1999.

Significance of the day

  • It reminds people of the scientific achievements of the country.

  • It is a day to honour all those who have contributed to the advancement of science.

  • It honours the hard work and efforts of all those who have contributed to the technological progress of our country.

Exercise Ajeya Warrior-23

Tags: Defence International News

The 7th editionof the joint military exercise “AJEYA WARRIOR-23” between India and the United Kingdom was conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom from 27 April to 11 May 2023. 

An overview of the news

  • Indian Army soldiers chanted 'Bajrang Bali Ki Jai' along with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' during the 7th edition of Ajeya Warrior-23.

  • Army soldiers were seen shouting these slogans loudly with guns in their hands.

  • The exercise is part of an initiative to develop interoperability and share expertise with friendly foreign nations.

  • Military forces of both countries participate in thisjoint military exercise.

About Exercise Ajay Warrior 2023

  • It is a bilateral training exercise between the armies of India and UK.

  • The exercise saw the participation of an infantry company from India and a unit of similar strength from the British Army.

  • The armies of both countries practiced each other's weapons, battle tactics, equipment and procedures to conduct joint military operations under difficult conditions.

  • In addition, expert academic discussions were also held on several topics of common interest such as joint weapon concepts, operation logistics, experience sharing of joint forces, etc.

Aim of the exercise 

  • It aims to improve interoperability between the two forces while working in accordance with the mandate of the United Nations.

  • Its objective is to provide training to soldiers of both countries in counter-terrorist operations.

Atanu, Mehuli re-included in TOPS

Tags: Sports Person in news Sports News

Olympian and World Championship silver medallist archer Atanu Das has been reincluded in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) following his impressive performances at the domestic circuit and the Archery World Cup in Antalya this year.

An overview of the news

  • Atanu, who shot 673 to finish fourth in the men's recurve individual rankings, is returning to international outdoor competition after almost one-and-a-half years.

  • The other big name to feature in TOPS is rifle shooter Mehuli Ghosh, who won the 10m air rifle event at the National Shooting Trials this year.

  • Apart from this, 15-year-old Tilottama Sen has also been included.

  • Tilottama Sen had earlier this year won a bronze medal in the 10m air rifle event at the Cairo World Cup, her debut in the senior circuit.

  • A total of 27 new names were added to the TOPS Core and Development lists, taking the total number of TOPS athletes to 270 (101 in Core, 269 in Development).

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) 

  • It was created in July 2014 under the auspices of the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) with the objective of identifying and preparing potential medal prospects for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

  • It is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

  • The idea of the scheme is to look to the future and fund a developmental group of athletes who have the potential to bring medals to the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028.

Indian Council of Medical Research and Ministry of AYUSH signed MoU

Tags: Science and Technology National News

Indian Council of Medical Research and AYUSH Ministry on 11 May signed an MOU for collaborative and cooperative momentum on health research in the field of Integrated Medicine.

An overview of the news

  • The MoU was signed by Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH and Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary DHR & DG, ICMR in the presence of Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare.

  • The MoU envisages collaboration in areas of convergence and synergy between the two organizations to strengthen integrated health research and research capacity.

  • The MoU also envisages exploring the possibility with the Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR to work on public health research initiatives to address diseases of national importance.

  • A Joint Working Group will be formed between the Ministry of AYUSH and ICMR which will meet quarterly to explore other areas of collaboration and work on deliverables.

  • Both the institutes will formulate and implement joint research projects and programmes.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

  • It is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world headquartered in New Delhi for the coordination and promotion of biomedical research.

  • It works under the Department of Health Services (DHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

  • It was established in 1911 as Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA).  

  • Later in 1949 its name was changed to ICMR.

Anti-Dumping Duty on Imported Optical Fiber from China, Korea, Indonesia

Tags: Economy/Finance National News

DGTR, an arm of the Ministry of Commerce, has recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports of a certain type of optical fiber from China, Korea and Indonesia to protect the domestic industry from cheap inbound shipments.

An overview of the news

  • The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended the duty after examination on dumped imports of 'Dispersion Unshifted Single-Mode Optical Fiber' from these countries.

  • The product is mainly applied to high-data rate, long distance and access network transportation.

  • Birla Furukawa Fiber Optics Pvt Ltd had asked on behalf of the domestic industry to initiate an anti-dumping investigation on this product.

Why was it recommended to impose an anti-dumping duty?

  • The DGTR in its findings found that the domestic industry has suffered material injury due to the dumped imports.

  • DGTR said in a notification that the presence of dumped imports in the Indian market has forced the applicant to sell the product at prices below the cost of sales, causing losses and adversely affecting the profitability standards of the domestic industry.

  • Therefore, the authority has recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty to protect the domestic industry from injury.

What is Dumping?

  • According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), if a company exports a product at a price lower than the price it normally charges on its own home market, it is said to be “dumping” the product. 

  • This is done by companies to grab market share in other countries from the local companies.

What is Anti- Dumping? 

  • Anti-dumping duties are taxes imposed on imported goods to compensate for the difference between their export price and their normal value.

  • It is imposed to protect producers of competing products in the importing country from harm.

IIT Madras researchers partner for development of materials and micro-device processing techniques

Tags: Science and Technology National News

IIT Madras researchers have partnered withDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to develop sensor technology for underwater communications, which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Navy.

An overview of the news

  • 'Piezoelectric MEMS technology' is needed to develop high-performance thin films and to convert 'piezo-thin films' into future naval sensors and devices for underwater applications.

  • Piezo thin film is an important component of piezo MEMS devices and is considered for acoustics and vibration-sensing applications.

  • The installation of state-of-the-art Piezo MEMS technology enables India to advance defense efficiency and allows the nation to execute strategic operations of critical applications.

  • The large area piezo thin film and MEMS process technology will support the ongoing/future technologies for DRDO's next generation sonar program for the Indian Navy.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

  • It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

  • It is working on several cutting-edge military technology areas, including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communications

  • DRDO's first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo.

  • Since inception, DRDO has made several breakthroughs in developing key systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems

  • It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.

  • It was set up in 1958.

  • Headquarters - New Delhi

  • Chairman - Samir V Kamat

Lionel Messi wins Laureus sportsman of the year

Tags: Sports Awards

Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messiwas named Laureus Sportsman of the Year at an award ceremony in Paris on 8 May.

An overview of the news

  • Messi also received an award on behalf of the Argentina men's soccer team, who were named the World Team of the Year following their victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

  • Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi, 35, had previously won the award once in 2020, sharing it with Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.

  • Messi became the first athlete to receive both the World Sportsman of the Year award and the World Team of the Year award in the same year.

  • Sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Prycebagged the top women's honour after an outstanding 2022, which included winning the 100m gold at the World Athletics Championships.

  • Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, who won the2022 U S Open and rose to number one in the ATP rankings, was named the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year.

  • Christian Eriksen, who recovered from the cardiac arrest received theLaureus World Comeback of the Year Award.

Laureus World Sports Awards

  • The nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

  • The award was instituted in the year 2000 and is presented annually.

Awards List

  • World Sportsman of the Year Award: Lionel Messi

  • World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

  • World Team of the Year Award: Argentina Men's Football Team

  • World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz

  • World Comeback of the Year Award: Christian Eriksen

  • World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Catherine Debrunner

  • World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award:Eileen Gu

  • Laureus Sport for Good Award:TeamUp

Pakistan and China agree to extend CPEC to Afghanistan

Tags: International News

Pakistan, China and Afghanistan have agreed to forge closer economic ties by extending the Beijing-backed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan to fully exploit the country's potential as a hub of regional connectivity.

An overview of the news

  • Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang and Taliban-appointed Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaki held the 5th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Talks.

  • The ministers held in-depth talks on various issues and agreed on good neighbourhood, mutual trust, security cooperation, counter terrorism, connectivity and trade and investment.

  • The three countries reiterated their resolve to fully utilize the potential of Afghanistan as a hub of regional connectivity

  • The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to further trilateral cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)" and to jointly extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan.

About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

  • Launched in 2015, CPEC is the flagship project of the multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

  • It aims to increase Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.

  • The3,000 km long China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) comprises highways, railways and pipelines.

  • The CPEC aims to eventually link the city of Gwadar in southwest Pakistan with Xinjiang, the northwestern region of China, through a vast network of highways and railways.

  • The proposed project will be financed by heavily subsidized loans.

  • India has objected to the CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

PM Modi lay foundation stone of scientific projects worth over Rs 5,800 cr

Tags: National Science and Technology National News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation several scientific projects worth over Rs 5,800 crore on the occasion of National Technology Day in New Delhi on May 11.

An overview of the news

  • The Prime Minister inaugurated an event to mark the day.

  • This year, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has received special attention in the celebration of National Technology Day.

  • The AIM Pavilion will showcase a range of innovative projects and provide an opportunity to the visitors to witness live tinkering sessions, engage in tinkering activities and witness outstanding innovations and products by startups.

  • During the event, the Prime Minister also inaugurated an exposhowcasing the scientific and technological advancements made in India in the recent past.

  • Prime Minister Modi also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion.

The projects whose foundation stone was laid by the PM

  • Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory - India (LIGO-India), Hingoli. 

  • Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jatni in Odisha. 

  • Platinum Jubilee Block of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

About LIGO-India Project

  • It will be an advanced gravitational-wave observatory located in Maharashtra, India, as part of a worldwide network.

  • It is envisaged as a collaborative project between a consortium of Indian research institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the United States of America as well as its international partners.

  • It will be built by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Science Foundation, US, along with several national and international research and educational institutions.

  • It was given "in-principle" approval by the Union Cabinet in February 2016 with the objective of providing wider opportunities to Indian youth to pursue research careers in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.

Parminder Chopra, first woman to lead India’s largest NBFC

Tags: Person in news

Parminder Chopra will become the first woman Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited, the largest NBFC in India.

An overview of the news

  • The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) recommended the name of Parminder Chopra as the next CMD of PFC.

  • She has been with the company since 2005 and has been serving as Director (Finance) and CFO as well as a member of the Board of Directors since 2020.

  • He holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and is a qualified cost accountant and MBA and has over 35 years of experience in the power sector including National Hydroelectric Power Corporation of India and Power Grid Corporation of India.

  • In her new role as CMD, Parminder Chopra will be responsible for strategic initiatives at PFC and lead its growth trajectory.

'Buddham Saranam Gacchami' exhibition

Tags: National National News

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi inaugurated the exhibition "Buddham Sharanam Gachhami" at the National Gallery of Modern Arts, New Delhi on 11 May.

An overview of the news

  • Held in the week following Buddha Purnima, the exhibition was based on the life of Lord Buddha and showcased the journey of Buddhist art and culture around the world.

  • The artistic works on display offer a glimpse into the history and philosophy of Buddhism.

  • Missions of several countries were represented at the event through their Heads of Missions and representatives during the event.

  • The exhibition also displayed paintings from countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar and showed how Buddhism spread in different countries.

  • Renowned Indian artistNandlal Bosedepicted the life and teachings of the Buddha and his path of spirituality through line drawings.

Participating countries

  • Most of the countries participated in the inauguration, including Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, South Korea, Thailand, Bhutan etc.

  • Ambassadors of countries like Denmark, Greece, Luxembourg, Jamaica, Portugal, Georgia, Iceland, Ecuador, Syria, Peru and senior diplomats from many other countries also participated in the exhibition.

Purpose of the Exhibition

  • The aim of the exhibition is to convey the spirituality of the art and its elements related to Buddhism and the universal values of wisdom, compassion and peace.

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