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By admin: July 15, 2023

India's third moon mission Chandrayaan-3 successfully launched

Tags: Science and Technology

On 14 July 2023, India successfully launched Chandrayaan-3 with LVM3-M4 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.

An Overview of the news:

• With the success of ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission, India will be the fourth country after Russia (Soviet Union), America and China to have soft-landed on the Moon.
• ISRO launched Chandrayaan-1 in 2008. Chandrayaan-2 was launched in 2019. Chandrayaan-3 was launched from Sriharikota on 14 July 2023.

Propulsion Module, Lander and Rover of Chandrayaan-3:

• In Chandrayaan-2 where there were Orbiter, Lander and Rover. Whereas, Chandrayaan-3 has a propulsion module, lander and rover.
• The Lander + Rover of Chandrayaan-3 weighs about 250 kg more than the Lander + Rover of Chandrayaan-2.

How long will the missions last:

• While Chandrayaan-2 had a mission life of 7 years (estimated), Chandrayaan-3's propulsion module is designed to work for 3 to 6 months.
• Chandrayaan-3 will move towards the moon more quickly than Chandrayaan-2.
• 4 thrusters have been installed in the lander of Chandrayaan-3. After a journey of about 40 days, Chandrayaan-3 will reach the surface of the moon. Chandrayaan-2 took 42 days to reach the moon.

Mission Cost:

• The cost of launching this mission is Rs 615 crore. While it has cost Rs 500 crore to launch it.

Mission Objective:

• The Chandrayaan-3 mission aims to gather more information about the lunar surface. For this, four types of scientific instruments have been installed on the lander. Which mainly:
• 
  
  • Earthquakes on the moon
  • Surface thermal properties,
  • Variation in plasma near the surface,
  • Attempt to measure the exact distance between the Moon and the Earth,
  • Will study the chemical and mineralogical composition of the lunar surface.

Mission Landing:

• The on-board computer decides how the landing will take place. The computer automatically takes decisions by estimating the location, height, velocity etc. according to its sensors.

Achievement of Chandrayaan-2:

• Data from the orbiter attached to Chandrayaan-2 detected the presence of chromium, manganese and sodium for the first time through remote sensing. It will also provide more information about the magmatic evolution of the Moon.

Golden Peacock' Environment Management Award 2023 to Adani Transmission Limited

Tags: Awards

Indian company Adani Transmission Limited (ATL) has been awarded the 'Golden Peacock Environment Management Award' by the 'Institute of Directors' in the 'Power Transmission Sector'.

An Overview of the news:

• This year an assessment group comprising environment, health and safety, energy and climate change experts assessed more than 520 applications.
• These applications were approved by Justice M.N. The review was done by an eminent jury committee headed by Venkatachaliah.

Golden Peacock Environment Management Award:

• The award is given for reducing its ecological footprint through programs such as zero waste in landfills, single-use plastic free, water-positive operations, promoting renewable energy integration and implementation of best-in-class environmental management strategies.
• ATL was declared the 'Winner' by its B2C arm i.e. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited for its unique strategic initiative of increasing renewable energy in bulk power purchase for distribution in Mumbai region.
• Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been awarded the prestigious Golden Peacock Environment Management Award for the year 2021 in the steel sector by the Institute of Directors. SAIL has been the winner of this award for three consecutive years.

Managing Director and CEO of Adani Transmission Limited: Anil Sardana.

Third Sherpa G20 meeting begins in Hampi, Karnataka

Tags: Summits

The 3rd Sherpa meeting of G20 under the chairmanship of India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant began on 13 July 2023 in Hampi, Karnataka.

An Overview of the News

• The meeting will last for three days on the banks of the Tungabhadra river near Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• The main objective of the meeting is to collaborate on the drafting of the Leaders' Declaration, which will be adopted by the G20 leaders at the New Delhi Summit.

• Key issues on the agenda include green growth, climate finance, promoting eco-friendly lifestyles, inclusive and resilient growth, sustainable development goals, technological change, digital public infrastructure, multilateral institutions for the 21st century and women-led development Are.

• Over 120 delegates from G20 member states, invitees and international organisations, led by the G20 Sherpa of India, will participate in the talks to finalize the text representing the priorities of the presidency.

• Delegates will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating landscape of Hampi including its monuments, boulders and waterways, which were developed during the Vijayanagara Empire from 1336 to 1646 AD.

About Karnataka

• It is a state in southwest India and is bordered by Maharashtra to the north, Goa to the northwest, Andhra Pradesh to the east, Tamil Nadu to the southeast, and Kerala to the southwest.

• Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, is known as the "Silicon Valley of India" and is a major center of technology and innovation.

• Kannada is the official language of Karnataka.

Chief Minister - Siddaramaiah

Governor - Thawar Chand Gehlot

Official Animal - Indian Elephant

Official Bird - Indian Roller

Official Dance - Yakshagana

Official Song - Jaya Bharat Jananiya Tanujate

Tamil Nadu's Authoor betel leaves get Geographical Indication (GI) certificate

Tags: Environment

Authoor betel leaves from Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate by Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing Board and NABARD Madurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum.

An Overview of the News

• The Authoor Vattara Vetrilai Vivasayigal Sangam, a body representing growers of the Authoor betel leaf, has been awarded the GI certificate.

• This recognition as a Geographical Indication opens up new opportunities for the marketing of Authoor betel leaves.

• The certification allows author betel leaves to be marketed domestically and internationally, thereby increasing their reach in different markets.

• This recognition also highlights the marketing potential of Authoor betel leaves and paves the way for increased demand and popularity.

About the Authoor Betel leaves

• It is known for its spicy and pungent taste, and is especially used during special occasions such as temple festivals, housewarmings and weddings.

• This unique paan is exclusively found in the village of Authoor, located in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. The presence of the Thamirabarani river, which provides water for irrigation, contributes to its cultivation in local farms.

• Authoor betel leaves are cultivated in a vast area of about 500 acres, which includes areas like Mukkani, Athoor, Korkai, Sagunthalai, Vellakoil and other Mukkani villages. These leaves are characterised by their long petioles and are available in three different varieties: natukodi, karpoori and pachaikodi.

• The cultural importance of Authoor Betel leaves in Tamil culture is highlighted by their mention in the 13th century book 'The Travels of Marco Polo (The Venetian)'. Furthermore, their historical value and importance can be seen in various ancient stone inscriptions.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:

• It is a form of intellectual property right granted to products to indicate their origin from a specific geographical area.

• This certification is awarded to products that have unique properties or a reputation closely associated with that particular area.

• To be eligible for a GI tag, a product must have a distinctive mark that indicates its origin from a specific geographical area.

• The responsibility of granting GI tag in India rests with the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai.

Manoj Ahuja launched a new campaign called India for Banks under Agri Infra Fund

Tags: Government Schemes

Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Manoj Ahuja launched a new campaign called Bharat (Banks Heralding Accelerated Rural and Agricultural Transformation) for Banks under Agri Infra Fund.

An Overview of the News

• The campaign will run for a month from 15 July 2023 to 15 August 2023, with a target of raising Rs 7,200 crore.

• The launch event took place through a video conference, in which more than 100 banking officials including MDs/Chairmen, EDs, Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, NBFCs and select Co-operative Banks from public and private sectors participated.

• Joint Secretary Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Samuel Praveen Kumar highlighted the progress made under the Agri Infra Fund scheme which has seen construction of over 31,850 agriculture infrastructure projects in the country with a loan amount of Rs 24,750 crore. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs 42,000 crore.

About Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020.

• Its objective is to provide medium to long term debt financing for viable projects related to post-harvest management infrastructure and community farm assets.

• The scheme provides interest subvention and financial assistance.

• The scheme will be active for a total of 10 years from FY2020 to FY2032.

Benefits of Agriculture Infrastructure Fund:

• Interest Subvention: Interest subvention of 3% per annum will be available on all loans availed through this financing facility. This rebate is available for a maximum period of seven years and is applicable on loans up to a limit of Rs 2 crore.

• Credit Guarantee Coverage: Eligible borrowers can avail credit guarantee coverage under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) scheme. This coverage is provided for loans up to Rs.2 crore and for this coverage The fee is paid by the government.

• FPO: Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can avail credit guarantee coverage from the facility created under the FPO Promotion Scheme of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DACFW).

• Repayment Moratorium: Repayment moratorium may vary under this financing facility. The minimum moratorium period is 6 months and the maximum is 2 years.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates National Mega Conclave on FPO in Cooperative Sector

Tags: Government Schemes

The National Mega Conclave on Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) in the cooperative sector was inaugurated by the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.

An Overview of the News

• The event took place on July 14, 2023 in New Delhi.

• During the inauguration, Amit Shah released an action plan for the formation of 1,100 new FPOs by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

• The government aims to set up ten thousand FPOs by 2027 and Rs 6,900 crore has been allocated to achieve this target.

• The Ministry of Cooperatives works on the basis of the principle that those who work hard in the fields should get benefited by associating with Cooperative Mantra.

FPO:

• It is an organization formed by farmer-producers.

• Its primary objective is to support small farmers.

• It provides end-to-end services that cover almost every aspect of farming.

• These services include supply of inputs, offering technical support and facilitating processing and marketing.

• It aims to empower small farmers and enhance their overall farming operations.

India to open consulate in southern French city of Marseille

Tags: place in news

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on 14 July 2023 that India will open a consulate in the southern city of Marseille, France.

An Overview of the news:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian community at La Seine Musicale in Paris during his visit to France.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the highest French award 'Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour' by the President of the Republic of France, Emmanuel Macron on 13 July 2023.
• Prime Minister Modi is on an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13 to 15 July 2023. This is the sixth visit of Prime Minister Modi to France.
• The Prime Minister was the chief guest at the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July 2023, in which a contingent of the Indian Armed Forces from the three services also participated.
• This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership and the Prime Minister's visit will provide an opportunity to chart out a roadmap for the future of the partnership in various areas such as strategic, cultural, scientific, educational and economic cooperation.

France:

• Capital: Paris
• Currency: Euro
• President: Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister: Elizabeth Bourne