DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Nov. 17, 2024

LAUNCHING OF 25T BOLLARD PULL TUG

Tags: Defence

LAUNCHING OF 25T BOLLARD PULL TUG 

Why in news?

• The contract for construction and delivery of six 25T BP Tugs was concluded with M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (M/s TRSL), in consonance with ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of the Government of India. 

What is Bollard pull Tug?

• Bollard pull is a measurement of a ship's towing power, or the force it exerts on a bollard while at zero speed. 
• It's a common way to measure the performance of tugs, which are ships that assist other ship.

Important points:

• The Tugs are being built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). M/s TRSL, Kolkata has commenced the delivery of these Tugs progressively for operations by the Indian Navy. 
• These Tugs will be operated by the Indian Navy at the Andaman and Nicobar Command and Eastern Naval Command.
• These Tugs will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2025.

Significance:

• The 25T BP Tugs will provide assistance to Naval ships and submarines during berthing, un-berthing, turning and manoeuvring in confined waters thereby aiding operations of the IN platforms directly. 
• The Tugs will alsoprovide afloat firefighting supportto platforms alongside and at anchorage besides having the capability to conduct limited Search and Rescue Operations.

"Grand Commander of the Order of Niger”

Tags: Awards

"Grand Commander of the Order of Niger”

Why in news?

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conferred with the national award - “Grand Commander of the Order of Niger”

About "Grand Commander of the Order of Niger”:

•  This is the2nd-highest national award,the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
• In a ceremony at the State House, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred the national award - "Grand Commander of the Order of Niger” on Prime Minister for his statesmanship and stellar contribution to fostering India-Nigeria ties
• The award citation notes that under Prime Minister’s visionary leadership, India has been positioned as a global powerhouse, and his transformative governance has fostered unity, peace and shared prosperity for all.
• India’s Prime Minister became the 2nd foreign dignitary to receive the distinction after Queen Elizabeth,who was conferred the award in 1969. 

About Nigeria:

• It is often called the "Giant of Africa" and is the most populous country in Africa.
• It is the largest economy and  have the richest oil resource of the African continent
• It is bordered byNiger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. 
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New genus of freshwater fish registered from Western Ghats

Tags: Environment

New genus of freshwater fish registered from Western Ghats

Why  in the news?

• A new genus of freshwater fish from the Western Ghats  ‘Koima’  has been described by researchers in India. 

Significance:

• The finding is especially significant as new species are continuously discovered across the globe but the addition of a new genus in the nomenclature is comparably a rare event. 
• The fish named Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis are nowrenamed as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis  a small, elongated bottom-dwelling freshwater fish used for dietary and ornamental purposes.
• Both species are endemic to the Western Ghats and found in the tributaries of the Cauvery river.
• The scientists picked specimens from theKunthi (Bharathapuzha Basin), Bhavani, Moyar, Kabini and Pambar rivers in the Cauvery basin of the Western Ghats range.
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ndia’s first long-range hypersonic missile

Tags: Defence

India’s first long-range hypersonic missile 

Why in news?

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-trial of India’s first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha late on November 16, 2024. 

About Hypersonic missiles:

• Hypersonic missiles combinespeeds of over five times the speed of sound with significant manoeuvrability during flight.
• Their manoeuvrability enables them to change trajectory during flight, making their flight-path and target difficult to predict.
• They fly at lower altitudes than ballistic missiles, which means that they may be harder to track at long distances with some surface-based sensors, such as certain radar.
• There aretwo main types of hypersonic missile: hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) and hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs).

Developed by:

• This missile has been indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile complex, Hyderabad along with various other DRDO laboratories and Industry Partners. 
• This hypersonic missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 kms for the Armed Forces.

About DRDO:

• DRDO is the R&D wing of Ministry of Defence, Govt of India,with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence technologies and a mission to achieve self-reliance in critical defence technologies and systems.
• DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO)
• "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam"—the source of strength is science-drives the nation in peace and war.