National
Tamil Nadu Government change the nomenclature of a few departments in the Secretariat
⇒The Tamil Nadu government on 07 June 2021 issued a G.O. to amend the Tamil Nadu Business Rules, 1978 to change the nomenclature of a few departments in the Secretariat.
Changed Names of Departments, as per the G.O. issued:
- Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department would be known as Human Resources Management Department.
- Agriculture Department would be renamed Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department.
- Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries Department would be known as Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department.
- The term ‘Climate Change’ has been included in the Department to be called Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department.
- As for labour, the revised name is Labour Welfare and Skill Development Department.
- Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme Department would be known as Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department.
Advanced Light Helicopters inducted at Naval Air Station, INS Dega
⇒ The induction ceremony of ‘322 Dega Flight’ was held at Naval Air Station, INS Dega on 07 June 2021, in which three indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk III helicopters were included. These helicopters are built by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
With the induction of these Maritime Reconnaissance and Coastal Security (MRCS) helicopters, the Eastern Naval Command got a major boost towards enhancing the capabilities of the force, in pursuit of the maritime interests of the nation.
Environmental-friendly process to provide excellent corrosion resistance
⇒ High-strength aluminium (Al) alloys are extensively used in aerospace, textile, and automotive applications. Aerospace components made out of aluminium alloys include landing gear, wing spar etc. These parts often need resistance against wear, corrosion damages, and enhanced fatigue life. The widely used technique for aluminium alloys to improve corrosion resistance is called hard anodizing (HA) process. It involves sulphuric/oxalic based electrolytes, which emits not only toxic fumes but are also hazardous to handle during processing.
In order to cater to the growing demand for cleaner industrial processes, Indian Scientists have developed an environmental-friendly process, which can provide excellent corrosion resistance to the high-strength aluminium (Al) alloys extensively used in aerospace, textile, and automotive applications.
MAO Process:
The environmental-friendly process to provide excellent corrosion resistance is called micro-arc oxidation (MAO). MAO is a high-voltage driven anodic-oxidation process, which through an electrochemical method, produces an oxide film on a metallic substrates.
It has been developed at International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of the Department of Science and Technology.
The ARCI team has further designed and developed a duplex treatment of shot peening. Shot peening is a process used to modify the mechanical properties of metals and alloys. After that MAO coating is done on them. The process enhances the life of aerospace Al alloys.
This work has been recently published in the ‘International Journal of Fatigue’.
SDG India Index and Dashboard 2020–21
⇒ The third edition of the SDG India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog on 3rd June 2021.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Dr Rajiv Kumar launched the report titled, ‘SDG India Index and Dashboard 2020–21: Partnerships in the Decade of Action’. The report was designed and developed by NITI Aayog.
Read More About 3rd Edition of the SDG India Index and Dashboard 2020-21
International
Secretary-General of the United Nations
⇒ The UN Security Council on 08 June 2021 recommended Secretary General Antonio Guterres for a second five-year term as chief of the world organisation. The second term of the Secretary General will begin on January 1, 2022.
Guterres, the ninth Secretary-General of the United Nations, took oath of office on January 1, 2017 and his first term ends on December 31 this year.
Important Days
World Oceans Day 2021
⇒ World Oceans Day is celebrated globally on 8 June every year. It reminds every one of the major role the oceans have in everyday life.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, develop a worldwide movement of citizens for the ocean, and mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for the sustainable management of the world’s oceans.
Theme:
The theme of World Oceans Day 2021 is ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods‘.
This year’s theme is especially relevant in the lead-up to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which will run from 2021 to 2030.
The Decade will strengthen international cooperation to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society.