1. India's first indigenously built Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus launched in Pune
Tags: National National News
Union Minister of State, Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on 21 August launched "India's first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell bus" in Pune.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The bus is developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and private firm KPIT Limited.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Hydrogen Vision' is crucial for India to ensure self-reliance.
PM's ‘Hydrogen Vision' means affordable and accessible clean energy, meeting climate change goals, and creating new entrepreneurs and jobs.
The central government is going to start operating hydrogen-powered buses on a pilot basis in the Leh region of Ladakh.
What is a hydrogen fuel cell ?
The hydrogen fuel cell uses hydrogen and atmospheric air to generate electricity, producing only heat and water in the process.
The hydrogen fuel cells on the bus combine hydrogen and oxygen atoms to generate electricity.
The two gases i.e. hydrogen and oxygen react in an electrochemical cell, similar to a conventional battery cell, to produce electricity, water, and a small amount of heat.
This electricity is used by electric motors to propel the vehicle.
Hydrogen fuel cells continue to produce electricity as long as there is a supply of hydrogen.
Like a conventional cell, a fuel cell consists of an anode (negative electrode) and a cathode (positive electrode) around an electrolyte.
Advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cell :
They produce no tailpipe emissions. They emit only water vapour and warm air.
'Tailpipe' emission standards specify the maximum amount of pollutants allowed in the exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine.
They are more efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles.
It is more practical than battery-powered electric vehicles.
Hydrogen can be refilled in a fuel cell vehicle within minutes.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles provide an excellent means to eliminate road emissions.
2. US announces 775 million dollars additional military assistance for Ukraine
Tags: International News
On August 19, the United States government announced additional military aid of up to $775 million for Ukraine.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This is the 19th Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package that the US Department of Defence has provided to Ukraine since August 2021.
The USA will provide Ukraine with ScanEagle surveillance drones, mine-resistant vehicles, anti-armor rounds and howitzers to help the Ukrainian military retaliate against Russian invaders.
The US sent eight HIMARS to Ukraine - which significantly strengthened Ukraine's defence against Russian weapons depots.
The US has promised to send four more HIMARS.
In the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the US is helping Ukraine's military by providing them with weapons to strengthen it.
The latest aid comes as Russia's attack on Ukraine turns six months old.
HIMARS — a key weapon against Russia :
The US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System is known as HIMARS.
The M142 HIMARS system (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a modernized, lighter and more agile wheel-mounted missile for US and allied forces.
The use of HIMARS has been effective in deterring Russian military positions.
It can hit targets up to 70 kilometres away.
Ukrainian troops can deploy this wheeled, high-tech lightweight rocket launcher outside the range of most Russian artillery.
US’ military aid to Ukraine :
This military assistance forms part of a long history of US support to Ukraine.
On 24 February this year, Moscow launched an invasion of Ukraine.
The United States has committed about $9.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
Since 2014, the United States has given Ukraine more than $11.8 billion in security aid.
3. India’s first electric double-decker bus unveiled in Mumbai
Tags: National National News
Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on 18 August unveiled India’s first electric double-decker air-conditioned bus in Mumbai.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) introduced the first of its newly acquired electric double-decker air-conditioned bus.
This electric double-decker bus will be the world's first - semi-low floor, air-conditioned, electric double-decker with wide doors on the rear overhang and a ladder at the rear.
The double-decker electric bus is manufactured by Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle arm of Ashok Leyland.
The company has signed a contract with BEST for the supply of 900 electric buses in various phases.
Of these, 50% buses are expected to arrive by March 2023 and the remaining 50 per cent after that.
This initiative upholds the vision of a self-reliant India and provides sustainable and cost-effective solutions.
Compared to a single-decker bus, the number of passengers sitting in it can be almost double.
4. 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Canada
Tags: International News
An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is participating in the 65th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA) in Halifax, Canada.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The conference is being held in Halifax, Canada from 20-26 August.
The delegation included Anurag Sharma, MP (Lok Sabha) and CPA executive committee member, Sunita Duggal, MP (Lok Sabha) and member of CWP steering committee, Neeraj Shekhar, MP (Rajya Sabha), Santosh Kumar, MP (Lok Sabha), Anubhav Mohanty, MP (Lok Sabha), Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu, MP (Rajya Sabha) and Utpal Kumar Singh, General Secretary, Lok Sabha.
The conference will also be attended by 23 Presiding Officers of India and 16 Secretaries of State Legislatures who are also members of the CPA.
Eight workshops on various topics will be organized during the conference.
The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will participate as a panellist in the Workshop ‘C’ titled “A People’s Parliament : Accessibility through Innovation”.
The Speaker will also interact with his counterparts from other Commonwealth countries to discuss matters of mutual interest and parliamentary cooperation.
About Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) :
The conference is the largest gathering of Commonwealth Parliamentarians who come together to discuss and debate major global political issues and developments.
Between 1948 and 1959, this conference was held biennially, since 1961 it has been held annually.
Due to COVID-19 global pandemic, the Conference has not been held since 2019.
The 64th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) was held in Uganda (2019).
Members of the Commonwealth of Nations :
The head of the Commonwealth is the Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II.
He received this title as a result of elections following the resignation of his father.
The title of head cannot be inherited, so the new head of the Commonwealth of Nations is elected by voting at each meeting.
The Commonwealth comprises 54 countries of the world in all 6 continents.
The members have a total population of 2.1 billion, which is about a third of the world's population.
Of its total population, 1.17 billion live in India.
After India, the next largest Commonwealth countries by population are Pakistan (176 million), Bangladesh (156 million), Nigeria (149 million).
The land area of the Commonwealth of Nations accounts for about 21% of the total world land area.
The largest Commonwealth nations by area are Canada, Australia and India.
5. India’s first portal on arrested narco offenders
Tags: National National News
India's first portal named 'NIDAAN', a first-of-its kind database on arrested narco offenders ' gets operational.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
About NIDAAN Portal :
NIDAAN or the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-offenders - has been developed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
It is part of the Narcotics Coordination Mechanism (NCORD) portal which was launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the National Conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security' in Chandigarh on July 30.
The platform gets its data from ICJS (Inter-operable Criminal Justice System) and e-Jail (a cloud-based application) repositories.
It is planned to be integrated with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) in future.
ICJS, an initiative of the Supreme Court's e-committee, was created to enable seamless transfer of data and information between various pillars of the criminal justice system such as courts, police, prisons and forensic science laboratories.
Significance of the Portal :
It is a one stop solution for all drug related data of offenders.
It will help the investigating agencies as an effective tool for linking together various aspects during investigation of drug cases.
This will enhance the capacity of all law enforcement agencies working against drug offences.
It hosts data about the accused who have been arrested for drug offences.
6. Government launches Online Marketplace feature "Aqua Bazar" in “Matsya Setu” app
Tags: National National News
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala launched the Online Market Place feature "Aqua Bazar" in the “Matsya Setu” mobile app on 19 August 22 during the 9th general body meeting of the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
What is Aqua Bazar App ?
The app is developed by the ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar.
It has been developed with funding from National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad through Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSY).
It will assist fish farmers and stakeholders in locating fish seeds, feed and medicines as well as essential services for the fisheries sector.
Farmers will also be able to list table-sized fish for sale.
It aims to connect all the stakeholders in the aquaculture sector.
National Fisheries Development Board :
It was established in 2006 as an autonomous body.
It works under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
It aims to increase fish production and productivity in the country and coordinate fisheries development in an integrated and holistic manner.
7. 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas to be held at Indore in January 2023
Tags: National National News
According to the External Affairs Ministry the 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2023 will be held at Indore in January next year.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Secretary, Consular, Passport and Visa Division, Ausaf Sayeed and Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains signed an MoU to host Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas :
On January 9, 1915, this day was chosen as Pravasi Bhartiya Divas to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa.
Mahatma Gandhi led India's freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
Celebration of Pravasi Diwas started in India in 2003.
In the year 2015 it was revised and it was decided to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas every two years.
The 16th Pravasi Divas Conference was held in New Delhi with the theme "Contribution to Self-reliant India".
This day marks the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of India.
8. China’s army to take part in Vostok-2022 exercise in Russia
Tags: Defence International News
The People's Liberation Army of China will participate in the strategic command and staff exercise Vostok-2022 in Russia from 1 - 5 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- India, Belarus, Tajikistan, Mongolia and other countries will also participate in the exercise.
The exercise will be held under the command of the chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, at 13 training grounds of the Eastern Military District.
During the exercise, the participating forces will practice measures to maintain military security in the eastern sector.
The exercise will contribute to "friendly cooperation between the armed forces of all countries".
It will advance the level of strategic dialogue by all parties and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats.
Last year, India participated in Exercise ZAPAD 2021 in Russia, in which 17 countries including China and Pakistan participated.
India’s Exercises with China & Russia :
China - Exercise Hand-in-Hand
Russia - Exercise Indra, Exercise TSENTR
9. China's funding for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor down 56%
Tags: International News
China's funding to Pakistan for the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) declined by about 56% in the first half of 2022.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Other countries such as Russia, Egypt and Sri Lanka saw a 100% drop of BRI engagement compared to 2021.
The project is running from Gwadar port in Pakistan to Kashgar city in Xinjiang, China.
The project is not running as per the initial promise due to lack of transparency, debt problem, poor management and corruption.
The project is facing local opposition and frequent attacks on the project and its personnel in Pakistan and other security challenges.
Apart from this, the deteriorating economic condition of Pakistan is also affecting the project.
According to reports, China has recently asked for its military presence in Pakistan to safeguard and look after the project.
China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project, on the other hand, is also facing global criticism for its inadequate transparency of loans.
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) :
It is a project connecting China's northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Gwadar Port in Pakistan's western province of Balochistan.
The length of this project is 3,000 km.
It is a bilateral project between Pakistan and China.
It aims to promote connectivity across Pakistan through a network of energy, industrial and other infrastructure development projects, highways, railways and pipelines.
It is a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
10. Draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 released for stakeholder consultation
Tags: National National News
To amend the British-era law for the port sector, the government has released the draft Indian Ports Bill, 2022 for stakeholder consultation.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- It has been drafted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to ports for prevention of pollution at ports and to ensure compliance of the country's obligation under maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party.
Measures for the protection of ports have also been mentioned in the bill.
This Bill 2022 will repeal and replace the existing Indian Ports Act, 1908.
The proposed bill will streamline the development of the maritime sector, while also promoting ease of doing business by defining unnecessary delays, disagreements and responsibilities.
Objectives of the bill :
To promote inter-state and Centre-State integrated planning through a purely advisory and recommendatory framework.
Ensuring prevention of pollution measures for all ports in India involving India's obligations under international treaties.
Addressing the gaps in the dispute resolution framework required for the growing port sector
Introducing transparency and collaboration in development and other aspects through the use of data.
To empower and establish State Maritime Boards for effective administration, control and management of non-major ports in India.
To provide an adjudicatory mechanism for redressal of port related disputes.
To set up a National Council to promote the structured growth and development of the port sector.
Ensuring optimum utilization of India's coastline.
Why was this bill brought ?
The Indian Ports Act, 1908 is over 110 years old.
It is now imperative that the law be amended to reflect the current framework, incorporate India's international obligations, address emerging environmental concerns and assist in the consultative development of the port sector in the national interest.
Importance of Ports in India :
India has 7,500 km of coastline, 14,500 km of potential navigable waterways and strategic bases on major international maritime trade routes.
About 95% of India's trade by volume and 65% by value is carried out through sea transport facilitated by ports.
Several port-led development initiatives have been identified and taken up under the aegis of the Sagarmala Project of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
