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By admin: Jan. 27, 2025

Winners of Avinya’25 And Vasudha Startup Challenges Announced At “Energize India” Conclave

Tags: Awards

Why in the news?

• Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, today announced the winners of two prestigious startup challenges – Avinya’25 and Vasudha – at a special ceremony held at ONGC headquarters.

Important points:

• The announcement came at the conclusion of “Energize India: Catalyzing Growth Through Startup Innovation”, a high-powered conclave that brought together energy sector veterans, investors, and innovators.
• The winners of Avinya’25, India’s premier energy startup competition, was UrjanovaC Pvt Ltd. The runners up were Breathe ESG Private Limited, AgriVijay, Apeiro Energy and UGreen Technology.
• For Vasudha,the global startup challenge in upstream oil and gas sector, the winner was Latin Energy Partners Inc., Paraguay and the runner up was Ultrasound Process Consulting LLC, USA
• The winners of the Hackathon were also announced with IIT (ISM) – Dhanbad emerging as the winner and IIT-Guwahati as the runner up.
• The day-long “Energize India” conclave featured thought-provoking panel discussions on identifying opportunities in the energy sector, leveraging emerging technologies, and accessing capital for energy startups. 
• Industry leaders shared insights on how startups can contribute to India’s energy transition while maintaining the delicate balance between security, accessibility, affordability, and sustainability.
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Tripura becomes first North East State to sign MoU with Bhashini for Multi-lingual Governance

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• The Government of Tripura, has signed a MOU agreement with Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, under the esteem guidance of Hon'ble Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha.

Important point:

• Bhashini is a revolutionary initiative under the Digital India program, to ensure seamless communication and internet accessibility for all Citizens in 22 Indian languages. With Voice as a medium, Bhashini aims to bridge digital as well as the literacy divides.
• The workshop outlined Bhashini's vision for Digital Inclusivity, showcasing its software capabilities such as real-time translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and voice-to-voice translation between Indian Regional Languages and English. 
• It highlighted the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) for high accuracy translations and emphasized the State's, DIBD’s roles and responsibilities in the mission. 
• Bhashini can integrate with existing systems like the CM Helpline, eVidhan, Kisan Sahayata App and e-Districts to enable multilingual communication. 
• It can enhance local governance through apps like Amar Sarkar and improve education with multilingual technologies.
• Bhashini can also support the CCTNS Platform by translating FIRs and enabling voice-based data entry. 
• Bhashini would reduce the digital divide by easing access to Internet in regional and local languages of Tripura.
• Tripura proudly stands as the first north-eastern state, the first in eastern India, and the eighth state in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bhashini. 

President approves conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2024

Tags: Awards

Why in the news?

• The President of India has approved the conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards – 2024 on 49 persons which includes Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 17, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 09 and Jeevan Raksha Padak to 23 persons. Six awardees are posthumous.  

About Jeevan Raksha Padak :

• Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards are given to a person for meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person.  
• The award is given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak. 
•  Persons of all walks of life are eligible for these awards.  The award can also be conferred posthumously.
• The decoration of the award consists of a Medal, Certificate signed by the Union Home Minister and lump sum Monetary Allowance.
•  It is presented to the awardees by the respective Union Ministries/Organizations/State Government to which the awardee belongs.  

Pralay missile

Tags: Defence

why in the news?

• India'sPralay missile debuts on R-Day, closing gap with China, Pakistan

Impotant points:

• The Pralay missile, India’s first indigenously developed tactical quasi-ballistic missile, was showcased for the first time at the Republic Day parade on Sunday at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. 
• Alongside the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Pralay is expected to play a key role in India’s planned Rocket Force. 
• It is reportedly comparable to China’s Dong Feng 12 and Russia’s Iskander missile, the latter having been used in the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
• Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile can carry both conventional and nuclear warhead

What are the range and payload specifications of the Pralay missile?

• ThePralay missile is a short-range, surface-to-surface weapon with a payload capacity ranging from 500 to 1,000 kg. It boasts an operational range of 150 to 500 kilometres.
• Developed as a canisterised system, the Pralay missile was specifically designed to meet the Indian Army's requirements for a tactical conventional missile suitable for battlefield use. It is reportedly capable of carrying various warheads, including high-explosive preformed fragmentation, penetration-cum-blast, and runway denial penetration submunitions.
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