DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Jan. 14, 2025

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addresses the 150th Foundation Day celebrations of India Meteorological Department

Tags: Environment

Why in the news?

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in celebrations of 150th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department (IMD) today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Important points:

• Prime Ministerlaunched ‘Mission Mausam’ with the goal of making our country a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation.
• The Mission aims to achieve this by developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satellites, and high-performance computers. 
• It will also focus on improving the understanding of weather and climate processes, provide air quality data that will help strategize weather management and intervention in the long run.
• Prime Minister also released the IMD Vision-2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation. It includes plans for weather forecasting, weather management, and climate change mitigation.
• PM unveils a commemorative postage stamp and coin on the occasion.
• To celebrate 150th Foundation Day of IMD, a series of events, activities and workshops have been organised to showcase IMD's achievements during the past 150 years, its role in making India climate-resilient, and demonstrate the role played by government institutions in providing various weather and climate services. 

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal launches National Turmeric Board

Tags: National

Why in the news?

• Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush  inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in New Delhi.

Important points:

• Shri Goyal announced Shri Palle Ganga Reddy as its first Chairperson.
•  The headquarters of the Board has been set up at Nizamabad.
• India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world.  India has more than 62% share of world trade. During 2023-24, 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and turmeric products valued at 226.5 million USD was exported.

Objectives:

• The National Turmeric Board will focus on the overall development and growth of the turmeric sector in the country.
• The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership, augment efforts and facilitate coordination with other Government Departments/Agencies in matters pertaining to the turmeric sector and facilitate growth and development of the Turmeric sector in the country. 
•  It will help bring focus to efforts of tapping the vast potential that exists for increasing trade of turmeric and its products, especially in view of the health and wellness benefits of turmeric.
• National Turmeric Board will help boost their incomes and also give impetus to increase production especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana where there is a lot of potential

C-DOT and IIT Delhi sign agreement for “Building Blocks

Tags: National

Why in the news?

• The premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has signed anagreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) for the development of "Building Blocks for THz Communication Front Ends"for 6G.

Important points:

• The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G Call for proposal of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. 
• This call for proposal is for accelerated research on developing 6G Eco-system, as part of the the Bharat 6G vision to design, develop and deploy 6G network technologies that provide ubiquitous intelligent and secure connectivity for high quality living experience.

Objectives of the project:

• The aim of this project is the development of basic devices and components which are essential for THz systems envisaged for 6G communications, as well as other THz systems such as military communications and material characterization. 
• With the recent program on setting up of chip fabrication facilities in India, this project is being initiated to develop some of the core components at IIT Delhi facilities, in association with SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research) Kolkata. 
• This work will seamlessly lead to the fabrication of THz components at the production level. C-DOT is the implementing agency for this project.
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V. Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief.

Tags: Science and Technology

Why in the news?

• V. Narayanan assumes charge as new ISRO chief, succeeding S. Somanath.

Key points:

• V. Narayanan appointed as ISRO Chairman, leading India’s space missions with groundbreaking contributions and innovative propulsion systems.
• V. Narayanan has assumed charge as the chairman of ISRO, replacing S. Somanath.

EASTERN NAVAL COMMAND FLAGS OFF ‘DARE SQUARE’ MOTORCYCLE EXPEDITION

Tags:

Why in the news?

• Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command flagged off a Motorcycle Expedition 'Dare Square' on 13 Jan 25 from Visakhapatnam to Ayodhya. 

 Important Points:

• The rally is being conducted by INS Ranvijay in association with M/s Bajaj Pulsar. 

• The rally will traverse through Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh States and culminate at the Dogra Regimental Centre, Ayodhya.

• The initiative, which is being undertaken in celebration of the ship's 37th Anniversary, fosters strong affiliation with the Indian Army’s Dogra Regiment, reflecting the spirit of jointmanship.

• The expedition also aims to act upon the Chief of the Naval Staff's message of 'Mental Health and Wellness', encouraging individuals to prioritise emotional well-being and resilience.

•  The rally will showcase India's proud maritime heritage through awareness drives at schools and colleges, towards broadening the young minds.