• UGI USER
  • Sep 12, 2023
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Preliminary Pointers.

Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Awards 2022 (GS-3)

News: The Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Awards for 2022 were announced after a two-year delay, honoring 12 scientists in seven categories.

  • All 12 Recent Winners Are Men Highlights a Gender Bias Issue Raises Questions About Award Processes.
  • Since 1958, Gender Disparity Persists, Only 19 Women Among 583 Awardees , Underlines Ongoing Gender Bias Trend
  • The Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Awards are prestigious annual awards in India that recognize outstanding contributions in the field of science and technology.
  • Named after Dr. Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar, the first Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), these awards are considered one of the highest honors for scientists in India.
  • They are given in7 scientific disciplines, including physics, biology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, chemistry, and earth sciences.
  • The winners are selected based on their research contributions and their impact on the scientific community.
  • These awards serve to encourage and celebrate excellence in scientific research in India.
  • ‘One Week-One Lab’ program initiative involves each CSIR laboratory presenting their unique ideas and technological advancements to the public for one week.
  • Intends to further contributions to the public through a ‘One Month One Theme’ campaign in the future.

Project Samudrayaan (GS-3)

News: Indian project “Samudrayaan” to deploy homegrown submersible “Matsya 6000” for ocean exploration at 6,000 meters.

  • Primary Objective – Ocean Resource Extraction and extraction of valuable ocean resources, including cobalt, nickel, and manganese, from depths of 6,000 meters.
  • Development Timeline – development of the indigenous submersible, Matsya 6000, has spanned nearly two years, positioning it for inaugural sea trials in early 2024 off the Chennai coast in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Significance- The project’s significance is amplified following the loss of the Titan submersible during an expedition to the Titanic wreckage in June 2023.
  • Alignment with Blue Economy Vision –Project Samudrayaan is part of the Deep Ocean Mission, aligning with India’s ‘Blue Economy’ vision.
  • Its aim is to responsibly harness ocean resources for economic growth, job creation, and the preservation of ocean ecosystem health.
  • Matsya 6000 boasts a unique design, featuring a spacious 2.1-meter diameter sphere capable of accommodating three occupants
  • Sphere is constructed from a robust 80mm-thick titanium alloy
  • Engineered specifically to withstand the tremendous pressure experienced at depths of 6,000 meters.
  • Capable of continuous functionality for 12 to 16 hours.
  • India’s successful development of Matsya 6000 elevates it to an esteemed group of nations, including the US, Russia, Japan, France, and China, known for their capabilities in manned submersible exploration.

India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue

News: The 12th Round of Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was held in New Delhi.

  • Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, led the Indian delegation, while Rt. Hon. Mr. Jeremy Hunt, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, U.K., led the U.K. delegation.
  • India and the UK affirmed their commitment to strengthen collaboration in Financial Services, focusing on financial inclusion and sustainable development. They discussed India’s efforts to promote financial services and investment in GIFT IFSC, with the UK’s support.
  • The dialogue aimed to enhance knowledge exchange, cooperation, and support in infrastructure development, FinTech partnerships, and sustainable finance to achieve long-term growth goals.
  • The countries announced the India-UK Infrastructure Finance Bridge to leverage expertise and investment for India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline.
  • The Joint Statement by the Union Finance Minister of India and the Chancellor of Exchequer of the United Kingdom marked the conclusion of the dialogue with focus to conclude FTA soon.
  • Representatives from various Indian ministries, regulatory bodies like RBI and SEBI, and International Financial Services Centres Authority, along with UK Treasury, Bank of England, and the Financial Conduct Authority, attended the meeting.
  • Ministers also participated in the India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP) meeting, discussing policy papers and ideas for deeper financial exchange and collaboration between the two countries. The meeting included key business leaders and financial regulators from India and the UK.

Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband connections in rural areas.

News: Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has launched a scheme to recognize Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for their exceptional efforts in expanding Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband connections in rural areas.

  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched a scheme to recognize outstanding Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the rural FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) sector.

Key Highlights of the Scheme

  • Under this initiative, DoT will acknowledge nine ISPs, categorized into A, B, and C, based on their highest net additions of rural FTTH connections within a year.

The recognition will include –

  1. Certificate
  2. The ISP’s name will be featured on the DoT website.
  • Recognition will be granted annually for net additions achieved from April to March, with the inaugural recognition period spanning from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.

The minimum net addition requirements for each category are as follows:

  1. Category A: ISPs must achieve a minimum of 50,000 net additions in rural FTTH connections.
  2. Category B: ISPs should attain a minimum of 10,000 net additions in rural FTTH connections.
  3. Category C: ISPs are expected to achieve a minimum of 2,000 net additions in rural FTTH connections.
  • This scheme underscores the Indian government’s dedication to improving digital access and connectivity in rural areas, with the aim of fostering socio-economic development and inclusive growth throughout the country.

Swami Vivekananda

News 130 year anniversary celebrated of Swami Vivekananda’s iconic speech at Chicago.

  • In 1893, Swami Vivekananda delivered a historic speech at the first Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago.
  • His speech focused on themes of tolerance, religious acceptance, and the necessity to eradicate fanaticism, issues that remain relevant today.
  • Swami Vivekananda introduced Hinduism to the Western world during his speech, highlighting its teachings of tolerance and universal acceptance.
  • He rejected the notion of religious supremacy and advocated for universal brotherhood.
  • His powerful speech received a two-minute standing ovation and established him as a prominent figure at the Parliament of World Religions, also elevating India’s status as the mother of religions.

Swami Vivekananda

  • Born as Narendra Nath Datta on January 12, 1863, Swami Vivekananda was a prominent monk and the chief disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
  • He is renowned for introducing Indian philosophies, particularly Vedanta and Yoga, to the Western world, playing a pivotal role in promoting interfaith understanding and bringing Hinduism to global prominence in the late 19th century.

About Vedanta

  • Vedanta, a philosophy based on the Upanishads and their interpretations, was central to Swami Vivekananda’s teachings.
  • It sought to explore the concept of ‘Brahman,’ representing the ultimate reality as outlined in the Upanishads.
  • Vedanta held the Veda as the ultimate source of knowledge, unquestionably authoritative.
  • It emphasized the path of knowledge (‘jnana’) over that of sacrifice (‘karma’).
  • The ultimate goal of this knowledge was ‘Moksha,’ signifying liberation from the cycle of birth and death (‘sansara’).
  • Swami Vivekananda’s core philosophical values encompassed these principles.

 

One week, one lab

News: Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology launched this campaign at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

 

About One Week One Lab campaign

  • The One Week One Lab campaign by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) aims to showcase India’s global excellence in technology, innovation, and startups.
  • CSIR’s 37 constituent laboratories across the country will participate in this campaign, highlighting their legacy, unique innovations, and technological advancements on a rotating weekly basis.
  • The campaign includes week-long events at each CSIR lab, such as industry and startup meetings, student and society engagement, and technology displays.
  • The focus extends to academia and skill development, allowing students to explore CSIR’s research activities and facilities, fostering connections and prospects.
  • Industries and MSMEs meetings aim to bridge the gap between science and industry, identifying opportunities for collaborative development of next-generation technologies and products.
  • The campaign promotes networks involving the government, academia, and industry for efficient technology deployment.

The organization’s structure (CSIR)

  • The organization’s structure includes the Prime Minister of India as the President (Ex-officio), the Union Minister of Science and Technology as Vice President (Ex-officio), and the Director-General as the head of the governing body, with additional ex-officio members like the finance secretary (expenditures).

 

Morocco Earthquake

News A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 hit the Marrakech and surrounding region in Morocco.

Details

  • The earthquake occurred approximately 72km (45 miles) southwest of Marrakesh.
  • Its epicenter was situated in the Ighil area, a mountainous rural community comprising small farming villages within Al-Haouz province, near the Oukaimeden ski resort in the Atlas Mountains.
  • The quake’s impact was widespread, affecting various regions including Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Azilal, Chichaoua, and Taroudant.
  • Coastal cities like Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, and Essaouira saw a surge of panicked residents flooding into the streets during the nighttime, fearing the structural integrity of their homes.
  • The tremors reached as far as Huelva and Jaen in southern Spain.

Geography of Morocco

Morocco is bordered by the following countries:

  • Algeria to the east and southeast.
  • Western Sahara to the south.
  • Mauritania to the southwest.
  • Spain (through the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla) to the north.
  • The Mediterranean Sea to the north and northwest.

Morocco also has a small coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

 

Virat Kholi

New: Virat Kholi Scores his 47th ODI century during India Vs Pakistan Match of Asia Cup.

Virat Kohli scored his 47th ODI century on September 11, 2023 against Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • He scored the century in 84 balls with the help of two sixes and six fours.
  • He reached the mark of 13,000 ODI runs in his 267th match and in his 267th innings.
  • This is Kohli’s fourth hundred in four innings in Colombo.
  • Virat Kohli is just 3 centuries away from breaking the record of the god of cricket ‘Sachin Tendulkar’.

Virat Kohli Awards

  • Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year): 2017, 2018
  • ICC ODI Player of the Year: 2012, 2017
  • ICC Test Team of the Year: 2017 (captain)
  • Padma Shri: 2017
  • ICC ODI Team of the Year: 2012, 2014, 2016 (captain), 2017 (captain)
  • Arjuna Award: 2013
  • Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna: 2018
  • Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Decade(2010-2020)

 

Virat Kohli’s Impressive Milestones

  • He’s the fastest Indian to achieve milestones like 1000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, and 10,000 runs in ODIs.
  • He’s the sole batsman in cricket history to maintain an average of over 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is simultaneously.
  • As the first Indian cricketer, he achieved the remarkable feat of scoring three consecutive centuries in ODIs.
  • Kohli is the quickest in the world to attain 15,000 international runs.
  • Kohli boasts an impressive 23,000 runs from 490 international matches with an average exceeding 50, a feat achieved by no other player.
  • He’s the first Indian cricketer to cross the 10,000-run mark in T20 matches.

US Vietnam Semiconductor deal

New: The United States and Vietnam have signed a deal related to semiconductor supply chains to boost semiconductor ecosystem capacity in Hanoi, with a focus on supporting the US industry.

  • The White House issued a statement highlighting Vietnam’s potential role in strengthening resilient semiconductor supply chains and expanding production capabilities with reliable partners, where reshoring to the United States isn’t feasible.
  • This aligns with the US CHIPS Act, which aims to enhance domestic manufacturing and industry development.
  • The newly-signed Memorandum of Cooperation on Semiconductor Supply Chains, Workforce, and Ecosystem Development formalizes the bilateral partnership between the US and Vietnam, emphasizing support for the US industry.
  • Both countries have also announced the initiation of workforce development initiatives in Vietnam. These initiatives involve collaborative efforts to establish hands-on teaching labs and training programs for semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging.
  • The US government is providing an initial seed funding of $2 million to launch these initiatives. Additional support is expected from the Government of Vietnam and the private sector.
  • Following his participation in the G20 Summit in India, the US President traveled to Vietnam and promptly held a press conference. During the conference, President Biden discussed China’s efforts to alter rules across various domains, including trade.

India’s G20 Presidency shifts focus from women’s development to women-led development

New: India’s G20 Presidency has shifted its focus from women’s development to women-led development, marking a historic achievement for gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women-led progress.

 

  • India’s G20 Presidency shifted focus to women-led development, a historic milestone for gender equality.
  • The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 includes the Chair’s Statement from the G20 Ministerial Conference for Women Empowerment.
  • Key areas of focus in the declaration are Economic and Social Empowerment, Bridging the Gender Digital Divide, Gender-Inclusive Climate Action, and Women’s Food Security.
  • G20 Leaders agreed to create a Working Group on women’s empowerment, supporting the G20 Women’s Ministerial.
  • This reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to gender equity, securing India’s place in the G20 Declaration.
  • The shift aligns with Modi’s vision of “Amritkaal,” celebrating women’s power across society and the economy.

Drone attack in Sudan

New: 43 people killed in drone attack on open market in south of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

  • The Sudan Doctors’ Union reported that more than 55 people were injured in an attack involving heavy deployment of paramilitary forces. The casualties were transported to Bashair University Hospital.
  • Sudan has experienced ongoing violence since mid-April, primarily involving clashes between the military, led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
  • The RSF accused the military’s air force of carrying out the attack on Sunday, but independent verification was not immediately possible.
  • The military denied targeting civilians and dismissed the RSF’s accusations as false and misleading.

Sudan

  • Geographically, Sudan is situated in northeastern Africa.
  • It shares its borders with Egypt to the north, the Red Sea, Eritrea, and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic and Chad to the west, and Libya to the northwest.
  • The capital city of Sudan is Khartoum. Sudan’s landscape is primarily characterized by vast plains and plateaus, which are drained by the Nile River and its tributaries.
  • The majority of Sudan’s population practices Islam, with Arabic as the predominant language. Many identify as “Arabs.”
  • Arabic serves as the primary language for a significant portion of the population and is widely used in government, commerce, and urban life across the nation.