1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kutch Branch Canal at Narmada, Gujrat
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28 August inaugurated the 357.18-kilometer-long Kutch Branch Canal (KBC).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- KBC stretched from the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam in Narmada district 750 kilometres away, to the last of the villages of Gujarat’s Mandvi taluka, Mod Kuba.
The dam will help in providing irrigation facilities to Kutch and drinking water to all 948 villages and 10 towns of Kutch district.
The total length of the canal is about 357 km.
A part of the canal was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in 2017 and the remaining part has been inaugurated now.
Built at a cost of Rs 6493 crore, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) officials have claimed this dam as "the longest branch dam in the world".
About Sardar Sarovar Dam :
The foundation stone of the project was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 5 April, 1961.
It is a concrete gravity dam built on the Narmada river in Navagam near the town of Kevadiya, Narmada District, in the state of Gujarat.
It was built to provide water and electricity to the four Indian states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
It is located in Gujarat's Narmada district, on the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra.
It irrigates drought prone areas in Gujarat and arid regions of Barmer and Jalore districts of Rajasthan.
The dam also provides flood protection to 210 villages and Bharuch city.
Narmada River :
Narmada river is the largest west flowing river of the peninsular region.
It flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya Range on the north and the Satpura Range on the south.
It originates from the Maikalla range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
Major Tributaries of Narmada- Hiran, Orsang, the Barna and the Kolar.
2. Nirmala Sitharaman announces 'Millet Challenge' for startups
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on August 27 announced 'Millet Challenge' for startups engaged in coarse cereals.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Nirmala Sitharaman also announced Rs 25 crore funding for the University of Agricultural Sciences at Raichur, Karnataka under NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).
This amount will be used for value addition and capacity building to promote coarse cereals and for setting up of incubation centers for coarse cereals value chain and processing.
She attended the Millet conclave 2022 which was held at the agricultural university, Raichur, Karnataka.
What is the 'Millet Challenge' for startups ?
NITI Aayog will soon announce this challenge for startups related to coarse cereals.
In this, any startup providing solutions in innovative ways will be able to participate.
The names of the winners will be announced before December.
A basic grant of Rs 1 crore each will be given to three winners, Rs 20 lakh each to 15 selected candidates and Rs 10 lakh each to other 15 selected candidates.
The Union Finance Minister asked the major millet processing companies to focus on Karnataka to make the state a brand in this sector.
About Millets :
Millets are high nutrient cereal crops and are classified as small seeded grasses.
They include jowar (sorghum), ragi (finger millet), korra (foxtail millet), arke (kodo millet), sama (little millet), bajra (pearl millet), chena/barr (proso millet) and sanwa (barnyard millet).
India is one of the major producers of millets in the world with an estimated share of about 41% in the global production.
Major producers of millets are Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana.
Millet has been notified as a nutritional cereal by the government in April 2018.
They are a rich source of protein, fiber, minerals, iron, and calcium and have a low glycemic index.
The production of millets in India has increased by 16 % to 17.26 million tonnes (MT) in the 2019-20 crop year (July-June) from 14.5 MT in 2015-16.
In March 2021, India led a UN General Assembly resolution to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
India's proposal was supported by 72 countries.
India is the 5th largest exporter of Millets globally.
3. NASA postpones launch of Artemis 1 mission to Moon due to malfunctioning core stage engine
Tags: Science and Technology International News
NASA has postponed the launch of the Artemis 1 mission to the Moon on August 29 due to a faulty core stage engine.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The launch was postponed due to fuel leakage and engine problems.
- After many years of hard work, the US space agency was going to send its mission to the Moon.
- The mission is important because in view of its success, humans have to be sent to the moon in the future.
- Once launched, Artemis 1 will test the Orion spacecraft, which will orbit the Moon and one day take human crew members there.
- The cost of Artemis 1 is estimated at $4 billion.
What is Artemis 1?
- It is named after the mythical twin sister of Apollo, Artemis.
- This spacecraft is the world's most powerful rocket, capable of carrying more payloads into deep space than any other vehicle.
- The first flight of the new Space Launch System (SLS), Artemis 1 is a heavy-lift vehicle.
- Artemis 1 is an uncrewed mission.
- It will have three test dummies – Helga, Zohar and Moonikin Campos – equipped with sensors to measure vibrations, cosmic radiation and other conditions.
- During the six-week long mission, Artemis 1 and the capsule will cover a distance of about 65,000 km to the Moon.
Why was the launch postponed?
- The launch was postponed due to a fault in the RS-25 engine, which had to be mixed with liquid hydrogen and oxygen to condition it before launch.
- One of its engines was not bleeding as expected.
- The launch was postponed because the launch team was unable to resolve these issues.
- A crack was also visible on the side of the inner tank.
About Artemis 1 mission :
- For the first time in 50 years since the end of the Apollo program, the launch of Artemis 1 is an ambitious US mission to return astronauts to the surface of the Moon.
- The Artemis 1 launch will also be the first flight of NASA's 21st century moon-exploration program.
- With Artemis 1 on the surface of the Moon, NASA aims to demonstrate new technologies, business approaches and capabilities that are essential for future explorations, including Mars.
- The launch aims to further aid in the study of the Moon, its origin and history.
ISRO’s Moon Exploration Mission :
- Chandrayaan 1
- Chandrayaan-2
- The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently announced India's third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3, which will consist of a lander and a rover.
4. First convocation of National Forensic Science University
Tags: National National News
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended the first convocation of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar on 28 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- More than one thousand students were awarded master's degrees during the ceremony.
He also laid the foundation stone of the new southern campus of the university.
He also inaugurated the Training and Skill Development Centre, an International Guest House at NFSU and three Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security, DNA Forensics and Investigative and Forensic Psychology.
The three Centres of Excellence that have been set up will strengthen the students as well as the judicial system.
These three centres will become major centres of research and development as well as teaching, training and consultancy and India will be the centre of the world in forensic science research.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar :
The Gandhinagar campus is the first campus of the National Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It has the status of Institute of National Importance, the first and only university in the world dedicated to forensic science.
Gandhinagar Campus has the following Centres-
Center for International Relations Cyber Defence Center (CDC)
Cyber Defence Centre (CDC)
Center of Excellence for Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)
Ballistics Research & Testing Centre
International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics (ICHF)
Centre for Futuristic Defence Studies
Forensic Innovation Centre
Buddha Psychological Centre
5. First convocation of National Forensic Science University
Tags: National National News
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended the first convocation of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar on 28 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- More than one thousand students were awarded master's degrees during the ceremony.
He also laid the foundation stone of the new southern campus of the university.
He also inaugurated the Training and Skill Development Centre, an International Guest House at NFSU and three Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security, DNA Forensics and Investigative and Forensic Psychology.
The three Centres of Excellence that have been set up will strengthen the students as well as the judicial system.
These three centres will become major centres of research and development as well as teaching, training and consultancy and India will be the centre of the world in forensic science research.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
National Forensic Science University, Gandhinagar :
The Gandhinagar campus is the first campus of the National Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
It has the status of Institute of National Importance, the first and only university in the world dedicated to forensic science.
Gandhinagar Campus has the following Centres-
Center for International Relations Cyber Defence Center (CDC)
Cyber Defence Centre (CDC)
Center of Excellence for Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)
Ballistics Research & Testing Centre
International Centre for Humanitarian Forensics (ICHF)
Centre for Futuristic Defence Studies
Forensic Innovation Centre
Buddha Psychological Centre
6. Supertech's 40-storey Twin Tower in Noida demolished due to violation of construction laws
Tags: National National News
After a nine-year-long legal battle, the Supertech Twin Towers of Noida Sector-93 were turned into rubble on August 28.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- It is part of the Emerald Court project of Supertech Ltd. Several violations were found regarding the construction of the tower and hence they were demolished.
It is the tallest structure in India which is about 100 meters taller than Qutub Minar, comprises about 850 flats and is located in Sector 93A near the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.
Why were Noida’s Supertech twin towers demolished ?
In November 2004, the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) allotted a plot of land to Supertech in Sector 93A for the construction of a housing society, known as Emerald Court.
The building construction plan was approved in 2005 under the New Okhla Industrial Development Area Building Regulations and Directions, 1986.
The building plan allowed builders to construct a total of 14 towers with ten floors each within a height of 37 meters.
Following revised regulations in December 2006, a new and revised plan was approved, which now includes the construction of two additional floors for the towers and a shopping complex.
The authorities had now approved 16 towers and a shopping complex.
As of 2009, 14 towers had been built.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Court's Order :
In 2014, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the towers were illegal and ordered its demolition.
Challenging this order, Noida Authority and Supertech approached the Supreme Court.
On August 31, 2021, the apex court upheld the judgement of the Allahabad High Court and ordered the demolition of the buildings.
The Supreme Court found the construction of the twin towers to be a violation of the minimum distance requirement.
The court observed that the towers were constructed without complying with the building rules and fire safety norms.
7. Supertech's 40-storey Twin Tower in Noida demolished due to violation of construction laws
Tags: National National News
After a nine-year-long legal battle, the Supertech Twin Towers of Noida Sector-93 were turned into rubble on August 28.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- It is part of the Emerald Court project of Supertech Ltd. Several violations were found regarding the construction of the tower and hence they were demolished.
It is the tallest structure in India which is about 100 meters taller than Qutub Minar, comprises about 850 flats and is located in Sector 93A near the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway.
Why were Noida’s Supertech twin towers demolished ?
In November 2004, the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (Noida) allotted a plot of land to Supertech in Sector 93A for the construction of a housing society, known as Emerald Court.
The building construction plan was approved in 2005 under the New Okhla Industrial Development Area Building Regulations and Directions, 1986.
The building plan allowed builders to construct a total of 14 towers with ten floors each within a height of 37 meters.
Following revised regulations in December 2006, a new and revised plan was approved, which now includes the construction of two additional floors for the towers and a shopping complex.
The authorities had now approved 16 towers and a shopping complex.
As of 2009, 14 towers had been built.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Court's Order :
In 2014, the Allahabad High Court ruled that the towers were illegal and ordered its demolition.
Challenging this order, Noida Authority and Supertech approached the Supreme Court.
On August 31, 2021, the apex court upheld the judgement of the Allahabad High Court and ordered the demolition of the buildings.
The Supreme Court found the construction of the twin towers to be a violation of the minimum distance requirement.
The court observed that the towers were constructed without complying with the building rules and fire safety norms.
8. Africa adopt PEN-PLUS strategy against non-communicable diseases
Tags: International News
Recently Africa has adopted a new strategy called the Pen-Plus strategy to promote access to diagnosis, treatment and care of serious non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Pen-plus strategy :
It is a regional strategy to address serious non-communicable diseases in first-level referral health facilities.
The strategy aims to bridge the gap in access to care for patients with chronic and severe NCDs.
It urges countries to establish standardised programs to combat chronic and serious non-communicable diseases to ensure that essential medicines, technologies and diagnostics are available and accessible in district hospitals.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Non-Communicable Diseases :
Non-communicable diseases are medical conditions or diseases that are not spread by infectious agents.
Non-communicable diseases are also known as chronic diseases because they are long-lasting and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
NCDs include heart disease, cancer, diabetes, asthma etc.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), these cause 71% of deaths globally.
The proportion of mortality due to NCDs in the African region ranges between 27-88%.
Status of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India :
About 58 million people in India die from NCDs every year (WHO report, 2015) or in other words 1 in 4 Indians are at risk of dying from NCDs before they reach the age of 70.
Further it has been found that the duration of 'Disability-adjusted Life Years' (DALYs) due to NCDs has increased by 30% in the year 1990 to 55% in the year 2016 and the proportion of deaths due to it has also increased .
NCDs (for all types of deaths) increased from 37% in 1990 to 61% in 2016.
9. Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance
Tags: National National News
A gazette notification has been issued to declare Anang Tal, located near Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, National Capital Territory of Delhi, as a national monument.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Thousand years ago by Raja Anang Pal Tomar, the founder of Delhi, the mini lake was constructed, which is known as Anang Tal.
Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal had issued instructions to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to renovate this pool as well as declare it a national monument.
Anang Tal :
This lake is located in Mehrauli, Delhi, which was built by Tomar King Anangpal II in 1060 AD.
The millennium old Anang Tal marks the early days of Delhi.
Anang Tal has a strong connection with Rajasthan as Maharaja Anangpal is known as the maternal grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, whose fort Rai Pithora, is included in the list of ASI.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Anangpal II :
Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
The Tomar dynasty is one of the early mediaeval minor dynasties of northern India.
He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually came to be known as Delhi.
Evidence of the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of the Masjid Quwwat-ul-Islam adjacent to the Qutub Minar.
The study of several inscriptions and coins suggests that Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of Delhi and Haryana between the 8th-12th centuries.
He got the city built on the ruins and under his supervision got the construction of AnangTal Baoli and Lal Kot.
10. Anang Tal lake declared monument of national importance
Tags: National National News
A gazette notification has been issued to declare Anang Tal, located near Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, National Capital Territory of Delhi, as a national monument.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Thousand years ago by Raja Anang Pal Tomar, the founder of Delhi, the mini lake was constructed, which is known as Anang Tal.
Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghwal had issued instructions to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to renovate this pool as well as declare it a national monument.
Anang Tal :
This lake is located in Mehrauli, Delhi, which was built by Tomar King Anangpal II in 1060 AD.
The millennium old Anang Tal marks the early days of Delhi.
Anang Tal has a strong connection with Rajasthan as Maharaja Anangpal is known as the maternal grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan, whose fort Rai Pithora, is included in the list of ASI.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Anangpal II :
Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
The Tomar dynasty is one of the early mediaeval minor dynasties of northern India.
He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually came to be known as Delhi.
Evidence of the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of the Masjid Quwwat-ul-Islam adjacent to the Qutub Minar.
The study of several inscriptions and coins suggests that Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of Delhi and Haryana between the 8th-12th centuries.
He got the city built on the ruins and under his supervision got the construction of AnangTal Baoli and Lal Kot.
