1. National Science Centre organizes Innovation Festival
Tags: Festivals National News
The two-day National Science Center Innovation Festival event was inaugurated in New Delhi on 25 March.
An overview of the news
The festival was inaugurated by Prof. Balram Bhargava (Chief Guest) President, NASI, Former Secretary, Department of Health Research, Govt of India.
The closing ceremony on March 26, 2023 was presided over by Dr. Debashish Mohanty, Director, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi.
It aims to foster a passion and aptitude for science and technology and provide a unique platform to innovative and creative innovators.
The Innovation Festival consisted of Innovation Fair, Creative Robo Design, Innovative Challenges for families, Family Science Quiz, Popular Science lecture, Workshop on Intellectual Property Right and Idea Contest.
The festival provides an opportunity to the people to showcase their innovative works and the products made by them in the past.
It is a platform for innovators to showcase their creative work and interact with others from different fields.
2. Ministry of Defence inks Rs 3,700 crore contracts with BEL
Tags: Defence National News
To enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Defense Ministry on March 23 signed two separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore.
An overview of the news
The first contract, worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radar (MPR) 'Arudhra' to the IAF.
The second contract, at a total cost of about Rs 950 crore, pertains to 'Radar Warning Receivers' (RWR).
Both the projects are under the indigenously designed, developed and manufactured-IDMM category.
The radar has been designed and developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and will be manufactured by BEL.
The RWR has been designed to also enhance the capabilities of Su-30 MKI aircraft.
About Arudhra Radar
This 4D radar is capable of automatic detection and tracking of slow moving aerial targets ranging from fighter jets.
The system has an instrumented range of 400 km.
It is capable of detecting RCS targets with a range of 300 km with altitudes ranging from 100 m to 30 km.
The radar operates in either Staring or Rotation mode.
3. India participates in the 2nd Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) negotiating
Tags: International News
An inter-ministerial delegation from India led by the Department of Commerce participated in the 2nd Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Negotiations Round from March 13-19, 2023 in Bali, Indonesia.
An overview of the news
Negotiators from 13 other countries, including, the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam also participated in the Bali negotiating round.
During the Bali Round, discussions covered all the four pillars of the IPEF.
India participated in the discussions related to Pillars II to IV.
The first IPEF round was held in Brisbane, Australia on December 10-15, 2022 and the Special Negotiations round in New Delhi on February 8-11, 2023.
About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
In May 2022, the United States launched IPEF.
It has 14 member states - Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.
The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 percent of global GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.
It has four pillars -Trade (Pillar I), Supply Chains (Pillar II), Clean Economy (Pillar III), and Fair Economy (Taxation & Anticorruption) - (Pillar IV).
Aims
To bring together its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance economic cooperation.
4. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 36th Board Meeting of Stop TB Partnership
Tags: National National News
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 36th Board Meeting of the Stop TB Partnership in New Delhi on 25 March.
An overview of the news
India has identified 3 important health priorities under the G20 Presidency.
All of these focus on universal health coverage and are relevant to the response to TB elimination.
A lot of extraordinary work is being done on the ground through innovations in TB case finding, mathematical modelling, digital interventions and surveillance.
Efforts are being made to bring innovative strategies like Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which will be a unique campaign of its kind in the world.
He pointed out that the TB vaccine is needed urgently for which its fast-track development is important.
About Stop TB Partnership
Stop TB Partnership was founded in 2001.
This is a United Nations-hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB.
It aims to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem.
Secretariat - Geneva, Switzerland.
5. Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 36th Board Meeting of Stop TB Partnership
Tags: National National News
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 36th Board Meeting of the Stop TB Partnership in New Delhi on 25 March.
An overview of the news
India has identified 3 important health priorities under the G20 Presidency.
All of these focus on universal health coverage and are relevant to the response to TB elimination.
A lot of extraordinary work is being done on the ground through innovations in TB case finding, mathematical modelling, digital interventions and surveillance.
Efforts are being made to bring innovative strategies like Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which will be a unique campaign of its kind in the world.
He pointed out that the TB vaccine is needed urgently for which its fast-track development is important.
About Stop TB Partnership
Stop TB Partnership was founded in 2001.
This is a United Nations-hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB.
It aims to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem.
Secretariat - Geneva, Switzerland.
6. Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates real-time performance monitoring dashboard 'Sagar Manthan'
Tags: National News
The real-time performance monitoring dashboard of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), known as 'Sagar Manthan' was recently inaugurated by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal.
An Overview of the News
'Sagar Manthan' is a digital platform designed to hold all the integrated data related to the Ministry and other subsidiaries.
This is a step towards digitization and transparency in the maritime transport sector.
The platform was developed internally under the guidance of Sudhanshu Pant, Secretary, MoPSW and was efficiently completed in less than 1.5 months.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways showcased its commitment to promote the growth of India's maritime transport sector by launching the 'Sagar Manthan' dashboard.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)
It is a department of the Government of India and is responsible for the development and regulation of ports, shipping and inland waterways.
It was earlier known as the Ministry of Shipping and was renamed in November 2020.
MoPSW develops and maintains ports, promotes coastal shipping and modernizes inland waterways.
It implements measures to improve safety and security at ports and on ships.
It is headed by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) and works closely with other government departments and private sector companies.
7. Indian Army and Air Force conduct 'Vayu Prahar' exercise in Eastern Sector
Tags: Defence National News
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The Indian Army and Air Force conducted a 96-hour multi-domain air and land exercise named 'Vayu Prahar' in the eastern sector.
An Overview of the News
The exercise took place in the second week of March amid the ongoing standoff between India and China on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Its main objective was to draw up plans that could coordinate multi-domain operations and enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Army and Air Force in the eastern sector.
The exercise involved the use of various combat assets including fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters and ground forces.
The Indian Army and Air Force jointly executed complex operational scenarios during the exercise, which included deployment of troops and equipment, air strikes and air-to-ground warfare operations.
The exercise was conducted to test the readiness and interoperability of the Indian Army and Air Force in a joint operational environment.
About Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)
Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) is a military strategy that involves coordination of activities in various domains such as air, land, sea, cyber and space.
It aims to achieve convergent results by synchronising and integrating capabilities across various branches of the military.
MDO emphasises the importance of information sharing, communication, and cooperation between the various branches of the military.
MDO involves the use of advanced technologies and systems to facilitate joint operations across various domains.
About Vayu Prahar Exercise
Exercise Vayu Prahar is a joint military exercise conducted by the Indian Army and Air Force and aims to enhance coordination and rehearsal between various agencies for rapid mobilisation, transport and deployment of forces.
Its scope is to test the readiness and interoperability of the Indian Armed Forces in a joint operational environment, to prepare them to respond effectively to any potential threat or security challenge in the region.
About Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs)
Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) in India are military airstrips primarily used by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army for tactical or logistical purposes.
They are located in remote and high altitude areas near the borders with China and Pakistan.
ALGs are simple, single runway strips used for safe landing and take-off points for military aircraft.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is responsible for undertaking contingency operations in these high altitude areas.
8. Cabinet approves 4% hike in dearness allowance to central government employees
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The cabinet has announced a 4% increase in dearness allowance for central government employees and pensioners.
An Overview of the News
With a four per cent increase in DA, the total DA becomes 42 per cent of the basic pay.
The increase in dearness allowance will benefit over 47 lakh central government employees and over 69 lakh pensioners.
The Union Cabinet has approved the release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from January 1, 2023.
The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be more than Rs 12 thousand 815 crore per annum.
The increase in Dearness Allowance is as per the approved formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
About Dearness Allowance (DA)
Dearness Allowance (DA) is compensation given to employees to offset the effects of inflation and is calculated as a percentage of an employee's basic salary.
The rate of inflation varies depending on the location, job profile and policies of the organisation.
Dearness Allowance is revised from time to time to keep it relevant and effective.
It aims to provide relief to the employees who are struggling to face the rising cost of living, maintain their standard of living and meet the day to day expenses.
DA is paid in addition to basic pay and is subject to income tax.
9. Amit Shah inaugurated Vedic Heritage portal
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Vedic Heritage Portal on 23 March 2023 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.
About Vedic Heritage portal
The portal aims to communicate message enshrined in the Vedas.
It will help common people to have a general understanding about the Vedas.
The portal will be a one-stop solution for the user, who would like to search any information regarding the Vedic heritage.
The audio visual recording of four vedas have been uploaded on the Vedic Heritage portal.
The portal has over 18 thousand mantras of the four vedas with a duration of over 550 hours.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)
It was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
It is a center for research, academic pursuit, and dissemination in the field of the arts.
10. Amit Shah inaugurated Vedic Heritage portal
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Vedic Heritage Portal on 23 March 2023 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.
About Vedic Heritage portal
The portal aims to communicate message enshrined in the Vedas.
It will help common people to have a general understanding about the Vedas.
The portal will be a one-stop solution for the user, who would like to search any information regarding the Vedic heritage.
The audio visual recording of four vedas have been uploaded on the Vedic Heritage portal.
The portal has over 18 thousand mantras of the four vedas with a duration of over 550 hours.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)
It was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
It is a center for research, academic pursuit, and dissemination in the field of the arts.
