DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 16, 2024

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju Launches Online Portal for Jiyo Parsi Scheme

Tags: National News

Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, launched the Jiyo Parsi scheme Portal on August 13, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Dignitaries present included George Kurian (Minister of State for Ministry of Minority Affairs), Iqbal Singh Lalpura (Chairman NVM), and Kersi Kaikhushroo Deboo (Vice-Chairperson, National Commission for Minorities).

Portal Features

• The portal allows Parsi couples to apply online, track their application status, and receive financial assistance via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

• Aims to facilitate greater accessibility and ease for Parsi couples to benefit from the scheme.

Scheme Objectives and Impact

• The Jiyo Parsi scheme aims to reverse the decline in Parsi population through structured interventions and scientific protocols.

• It provides financial support for medical treatments, childcare, and assistance for elderly dependents.

• Over 400 Parsi children have benefited from the scheme since its inception.

Demographic Overview of India

• 1951: 361 million

• 1961: 439 million (+21.6%)

• 1971: 548 million (+24.8%)

• 1981: 683 million (+24.7%)

• 1991: 846 million (+23.9%)

• 2001: 1.03 billion (+21.5%)

• 2011: 1.21 billion (+17.7%)

• Census Facts:

  • First complete census: 1881

  • Post-independence responsibility: Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India

  • 2021 census postponed due to COVID-19

  • 2011 Census: 68.84% rural, 31.16% urban; Literacy: 74.04% (male: 82.14%, female: 65.46%)

US Navy Unveils AIM-174B Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile

Tags: International News

The U.S. Navy has introduced the AIM-174B, an advanced long-range air-to-air missile, to bolster its aerial capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region amid rising tensions with China.

An Overview of the News

• This missile aims to replace the retired AIM-54 Phoenix and provide carrier-based fighters like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets with enhanced long-range engagement capabilities.

Key Features:

• Development: The AIM-174B was unveiled and flew for the first time in 2024.

• Performance: It can achieve speeds of Mach 3.5 and has a maximum range of about 300 kilometers, surpassing the AIM-120 AMRAAM in range.

• Technology:

  • Utilizes an active radar homing seeker, based on the AIM-120 AMRAAM.

  • Expected to be integrated with the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) system, collaborating with platforms such as the E-2D Hawkeye, F-35 fighters, and AEGIS combat systems.

India's Air-to-Air Missile

• Astra: India's first BVR missile with a range of 80-110 km and Mach 4.5+ speed, using active radar for guidance.

• MICA: Versatile short to medium range missile (500 m-80 km) with Mach 4 speed, employing both infrared and radar guidance.

• R-73: Short-range missile with a 30 km range and Mach 2.5 speed, featuring high maneuverability and infrared guidance.

• R-77 (RVV-AE): Medium-range missile with an 80 km range and Mach 4.5 speed, using active radar for high-speed aerial combat.

• Python-5: Advanced short-range missile (20 km) with Mach 4 speed and infrared guidance, known for its agility.

• Novator K-100: Ultra-long range missile (300-400 km) with Mach 3.3 speed and passive radar guidance, aimed at high-value targets.

• Derby: BVR missile with a 50 km range, Mach 4 speed, and active radar guidance, used for interception and air superiority.

• Meteor: Future BVR missile with over 100 km range, Mach 4+ speed, and active radar guidance, featuring advanced ramjet propulsion.

28th COCSSO Conference Held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi

Tags: Summits

The 28th Conference of Central and State Statistical Organizations (COCSSO) was organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi, from 12th to 13th August 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Rao Inderjit Singh, MoSPI, inaugurated the conference.

• The conference's theme was "Use of Data for Decision Making: Strengthening State Statistical Systems."

• It served as a platform for Central and State Statistical Organizations to discuss and coordinate efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Indian Statistical System through collaboration.

• During the conference, MoSPI released the 25th issue of its annual publication, "Women and Men in India, 2023."

About MoSPI

• It was established as an independent ministry in 1999.

• This establishment followed the merger of the Department of Statistics and the Department of Programme Implementation.

• Rao Inderjit Singh serves as the Minister of State (MoS) for MoSPI.

• He represents the Gurugram constituency in Haryana.

MoPNG Approves ONGC’s Rs 10,501 Cr Capital Boost

Tags: Economy/Finance

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) has approved ONGC's investment of up to Rs 10,501 crore in Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Petro additions Limited (OPaL), Vadodara, Gujarat.

An Overview of the News

• OPaL is a joint venture between ONGC, Gas Authority of India (GAIL), and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Limited (GSPC).

• The approval includes:

  • Conversion of Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs) worth Rs 7,778 crore.

  • A balance payment of Rs 86 crore related to share warrants.

  • Total financial approval amounts to Rs 18,365 crore.

Impact of Investment

• The investment will increase ONGC's equity stake in OPaL from 49.36% to 95.69%, making OPaL a subsidiary of ONGC.

• The government has allocated 50% of the annual gas production from ONGC's new wells or up to 3.2 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters per Day (MMSCMD) of domestic natural gas to OPaL.

Three New Indian Ocean Structures Named Ashoka, Chandragupt, and Kalpataru

Tags: National News

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO have named three underwater geographical structures in the Indian Ocean: Ashoka Seamount, Chandragupt Ridge and Kalpataru Ridge

An Overview of the News

• These names were proposed by India to IHO and IOC.

• Ashoka Seamount and Chandragupt Ridge are named after the Mauryan dynasty rulers Ashoka and Chandragupta Maurya, respectively.

• The structures were discovered by oceanographers from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa.

• They were found along the Southwest Indian Ridge area of the Indian Ocean during the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme.

About IHO:

• Established in 1921 as an intergovernmental organization.

• Secretary-General: Dr. Mathias Jonas (Germany)

• Secretariat: Monaco

• Member states: 100 (including India)

New Three-Edible Bug Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Tags: State News

A team of entomologists discovered three new species of edible stink bugs in Arunachal Pradesh.

An Overview of the News

• These bugs belong to the genus Coridius within the family Dinidoridae (Hemiptera).

• The new species are named Coridius adii, Coridius insperatus, and Coridius esculentus.

• The findings were published in the peer-reviewed open-access journal PLOS One.

Research Team and Support:

• The research team included Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan (Team Lead), Swapnil Boyane, Sandeep Sen, Nikhil U. Joshi, and Pavan Kumar Thunga from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, and Hemant Ghate from Modern College of Arts Commerce and Science, Pune.

• The study was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), as part of the project titled "Bio-resource and Sustainable Livelihoods in North-East India."

About the Genus Coridius:

• Coridius is economically important, as species of this genus are consumed by Indigenous people in northeast India.

• These bugs are relatively large, ranging from 15 mm to 25 mm in size, and primarily feed on plant sap.

• Entomophagy (eating insects) is a long-standing tradition in Northeast India.

Details of Each Species:

• Coridius adii:

  • Named after the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, who consume it as food.

  • Characterized by a pale brown to dark brown color with irregular yellow patches on its upper body.

• Coridius insperatus:

  • Unique features include 4-segmented antennae and a copper-colored back.

  • Differentiates from similar bugs which have 5-segmented antennae and are dark brown, yellow, or black on top.

  • Consumed by the Nyishi and Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.

  • Sold in the Nirjuli local market in Itanagar during the winter season (October-January).

• Coridius esculentus:

  • Considered a delicacy among ethnic communities.

  • Consumption has neurotoxic effects, causing photophobia (sensitivity to light).

  • The metathoracic glands of these bugs may secrete chemicals responsible for this intoxication.

ISRO Successfully Launches Earth Observation Satellite EOS-08

Tags: Science and Technology

ISRO successfully launched the latest Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-08, using the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

An Overview of the News

• India’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D3) successfully launched, carrying the Earth Observation Satellite-08 (EOS-08), which weighs 175.5 kg.

• Along with EOS-08, the SSLV-D3 also deployed a small satellite named SR-0, developed by the Chennai-based start-up Space Rickshaw.

• Rocket Specifications: The SSLV, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has a carrying capacity of 500 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It is designed to meet the growing demand for smaller satellites.

• Mission Objectives: The mission aims to complete the SSLV Development Project and support operational missions by Indian industry and NewSpace India Ltd.

About ISRO

• Established on August 15, 1969

• National space agency of India

• Launches space rockets from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• Headquarters located in Bengaluru. 

• Current Chairman: S Somnath