National
Indigenously-developed smart anti-airfield weapon
⇒ Two flight tests of indigenously-developed smart anti-airfield weapon have been carried out jointly by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF).
The two different configurations based on satellite navigation and electro optical sensors have been successfully tested.
The weapon was launched by an IAF aircraft from Chandan ranges at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on October 28, 2021 and November 03, 2021.
About Weapon:
- The electro optic sensor has been developed indigenously.
- Electro optical seeker-based flight test of this class of bomb has been conducted for the first time in the country.
- Electro optical configuration of the system is equipped with Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker technology enhancing the precision strike capability of the weapon.
- The system is designed for a maximum range 100 kilometres.
Designed and developed by:
Smart anti airfield weapon has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in coordination with other DRDO Laboratories and extensive support from IAF.
Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command
⇒ Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command on 04 November 2021.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1987, Admiral Swaminathan is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare.
3rd edition of Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) – 2021
⇒ The third edition of Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) – 2021 was hosted by the Indian Navy from 07 to 09 November 2021 under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa.
Theme:
The theme for this year’s edition of GMC was “Maritime Security and Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies”, which was derived keeping in mind the necessity of ‘winning everyday peace’ in the maritime domain.
Participants:
At the GMC 2021, Indian Navy hosted Chiefs of Navies/ Heads of Maritime Forces from 12 Indian Ocean Region countries comprising Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
During GMC 21:
- A ‘Make in India’ Defence and Shipyard Pavilion was inaugurated by the Chief of the Naval Staff, wherein DPSUs/ private shipyards viz M/s MDL, GSL, L&T and Chowgule Global, Goa, showcased their shipbuilding capabilities.
- The Conclave also saw declaration of ‘Common Maritime Priorities’, which had been identified during the Goa Maritime Symposium 21, earlier this year.
- With the culmination GMC 21, all Nations agreed to endeavour, to work together on the deliverables and take forward further constructive activities in the future editions.
About GMC:
The GMC is Indian Navy’s Outreach Initiative providing a multinational platform to harness the collective wisdom of practitioners of maritime security and the academia towards garnering outcome oriented maritime thought.
International
8th India-Sweden Innovation Day Meet
⇒ Union Minister of State (I/C) Science & Technology; Minister of State (I/C) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh delivered the inaugural address at the 8th India-Sweden Innovation Day meet on 26 October 2021 in New Delhi.
Theme:
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh addressed on the theme of ‘Accelerating India Sweden Green Transition’.
Addressing the India-Sweden Innovation meet:
Dr Jitendra Singh said that India and Sweden cooperation in Energy Sector will go a long way in achieving the ultimate goal of fossil fuel free economy.
Srinagar joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network
⇒ Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was among 49 cities worldwide to join the UNESCO creative cities network (UCCN) on 08 November 2021.
The 49 cities were added to the network of 246 cities following their designation by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, in recognition of “their commitment to placing culture and creativity at the heart of their development and to sharing knowledge and good practices”.
The network now numbers 295 cities reaching 90 countries that invest in culture and creativity – crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music – to advance sustainable urban development.
- Mumbai and Hyderabad are already in the network, listed in October 2019.