National
Launch of Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendra
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with beneficiaries of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra via video conferencing on 30 November 2023.
- The Prime Minister also launched Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendra.
- Shri Modi also launched the program to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the country from 10,000 to 25,000.
The Prime Minister announced both these initiatives, providing drones to women SHGs and increasing the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras from 10,000 to 25,000 during his Independence Day speech earlier this year. The program marks the fulfillment of these promises.
Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra:
» Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is being undertaken across the country with the aim of attaining saturation of flagship schemes of the government by ensuring that the benefits of these schemes reach all targeted beneficiaries in a time-bound manner.
Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendra:
» The Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri Mahila Kisan Drone Kendra.
- It will provide drones to women Self Help Groups (SHGs) so that they can use this technology for livelihood assistance.
- 15,000 drones will be provided to women SHGs in the course of the next three years.
- Women will also be provided the necessary training to fly and use drones. The initiative will encourage the use of technology in agriculture.
Jan Aushadi Kendra:
» Jan Aushadhi Kendra has been established to make medicines available at affordable prices. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India decided to allow 2000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to open Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country.
- During the program, the Prime Minister dedicated the landmark 10,000th Jan Aushadi Kendra at AIIMS, Deoghar.
- Further, the Prime Minister also launched the program to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the country from 10,000 to 25,000.
11 x ACTCM Barge Project's 3rd, 4th and 5th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barges
3rd ACTCM Barge, LSAM 17 (Yard 127):
» Third Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 17 (Yard 127) has been delivered to Indian Navy on 30 November 2023 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai for NAD (Karanja).
4th ACTCM Barge, LSAM 18 (Yard 128):
» The launch of ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 18’ (Yard 128), 4th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project, built for the Indian Navy, was undertaken on 28 February 2024.
5th ACTCM Barge, LSAM 19 (Yard 129):
» Fifth Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 19 (Yard 129) has been delivered to Indian Navy on 04 March 2024 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai for NAD (Karanja).
About Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge:
With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Key Points:
- Contract for construction and delivery of 11 x Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge was concluded with M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, an MSME, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India.
- The contract for building 11 X ACTCM Barge was signed between MoD and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on 05 March 2021.
- These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- These Barges are proud flag bearers of Make in India initiative of Government of India (GoI).
Use:
» The availability of ACTCM Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating embarkation and disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
Simultaneous launch of the first three ships of ASW SWC (CSL) Project 'Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol'
⇒ Mahe, Malvan and Mangrol, the first three ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (CSL) project being built by CSL, Kochi for the Indian Navy, were launched on 30 November 2023 at CSL, Kochi.
The Mahe class ASW Shallow Water Crafts have been named after ports of strategic importance along the coast of India, and will look to carry forward the glorious legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers which were their namesake.
Key Points:
- The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited on 30 April 2019.
- The Mahe class of ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.
- The ASW SWC ships are 78 m long and displacement is approx 900 tons, with a maximum speed of 25 knots.
» Simultaneous launch of three ships of the same class highlights our strides in indigenous shipbuilding, towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in 2024.
Ministry of Jal Shakti organises ‘Jal Itihas Utsav’
⇒ National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti organized ‘Jal Itihas Utsav’ at Shamsi Talab, Jahaz Mahal situated in Mehrauli, Delhi on December 1, 2023.
Objective:
‘Jal Itihas Utsav’ organized to raise public consciousness about safeguarding water heritage sites, creating a sense of ownership among the masses as well as promote tourism and restoration of such heritage structures.
Key Points:
» This grand event marked the culmination of “Water Heritage Fortnight”. It was celebrated at 75 ‘Natural Water Heritage Structures’ in various districts across the nation from 15th November, 2023 to 30th November, 2023.
» The event also marked the successful completion of the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ 2023 nationwide campaign.
- The purpose of this event was to highlight the centrality of water bodies as cherished spaces for community connect.
- The Ministry of Jal Shakti has successfully implemented the ‘Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain’ 2023 (JSA: CTR-2023) throughout the country with the theme “Source Sustainability for Drinking Water”.
Important Day
Nagaland Statehood Day 2023
⇒ Nagaland celebrated its 61th statehood day on 01 December 2023.
About Nagaland:
- Nagaland is one of the eight north eastern states and is located on India’s farthest east side.
- It was formally inaugurated on December 01, 1963 as the 16th state of the Indian Union.
- The State of Nagaland Act, 1962 was enacted by the Parliament to grant statehood to Nagaland.
59th BSF Raising Day
⇒ India celebrated 59th BSF Raising Day on 1st December 2023.
» Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah addressed the 59th Raising Day ceremony of Border Security Force (BSF) as the chief guest in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand 01 December 2023.
- Shri Amit Shah also released BSF’s the annual magazine ‘Borderman’.
About BSF:
- The Border Security Force (BSF) is the first line of defence of India.
- It was on December 1, 1965 that the first sector of the Punjab Frontier of the BSF was raised with its headquarters in Jalandhar. The Western Frontier initially comprised of Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat and with its headquarters at Jalandhar.
- Initially in 1965, BSF was raised with 25 Bns and with the passage of time, was expanded as per the requirement of nation to fight against militancy in Punjab, J&K, North east region etc.
- At present BSF is holding 192 (including 03 NDRF) Bns and 07 BSF Arty Regiments guarding International Border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.