National
C-295 Aircraft Manufacturing Facility in Vadodara
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the C-295 Aircraft Manufacturing Facility in Vadodara, Gujarat on 30 October 2022.
- He also visited an exhibition showcasing technological and manufacturing strides in the aerospace industry under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Key Points:
- The C-295 Aircraft Manufacturing Facility will be the first aircraft manufacturing facility in the private sector in the country.
- This facility will be utilised for manufacturing 40 C-295 aircrafts for the Indian Air Force, through collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus Defence and Space, Spain.
- This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.
- The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore.
- The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well.
- The facility will be a key step towards achieving Aatmanirbharta in the Defence sector, and will also help unlock the potential of the private players in the sector.
Aircraft capability:
- The C-295 is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.
- Robust and reliable, it is a versatile and efficient tactical transport aircraft which can perform a number of different missions.
- The aircraft, with a flight endurance of up to 11 hours, can carry out multi-role operations under all weather conditions.
- It can routinely operate day as well as night combat missions from desert to maritime environments.
- It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.
Railway projects worth over Rs 2900 crore in Asarva, Ahmedabad
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation, two railway projects worth over Rs 2900 crores at Asarva, Ahmedabad on 31 October 2022.
About Project:
- These projects include the Ahmedabad (Asarva)-Himmatnagar-Udaipur Gauge Converted Line and Lunidhar-Jetalsar Gauge Converted Line.
- The Prime Minister also flagged off new trains between Bhavnagar-Jetalsar and Asarva-Udaipur.
Key Points:
» With a view to having a uni-gauge rail system across the country, Railways is converting the existing non-broad gauge railway lines to broad gauge.
» The Ahmedabad (Asarva)-Himmatnagar-Udaipur Gauge Converted Line is around 300 Km long.
- It will improve connectivity and prove beneficial for tourists, traders, manufacturing units and industries in the region, which will in turn boost employment opportunities and help in the socioeconomic development of the region.
» The 58 Km long Lunidhar-Jetalsar Gauge Converted Line will provide a shorter route for Pipavav Port and Bhavnagar from Veraval and Porbandar.
- The project will enhance freight carrying capacity on this section, thus decongesting the busy Kanalus – Rajkot – Viramgam route.
- It will now facilitate seamless connectivity to Gir sanctuary, Somnath temple, Diu and Girnar hills as well, thus boosting tourism in the region.
Foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 8000 crores in Tharad
» The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 8000 crores in Tharad, Banaskantha in Gujarat on 31 October 2022.
About Projects:
- Several projects related to water supply whose foundation stone was laid include the Kasara to Dantiwada Pipeline from the main Narmada Canal costing over Rs 1560 crores.
- The project will augment the water supply and prove beneficial for farmers of the region.
- The Prime Minister also announced several projects including the strengthening of the Sujlam Suflam Canal, the extension of the Modhera-Moti Dau pipeline to Mukteshwar Dam-Karmavat Lake, and lift irrigation scheme for 11 villages of Santalpur Taluka, among others.
Sports
‘Football4Schools’ initiative in India
⇒ Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, on behalf of the Ministry of Education signed an MoU in Mumbai on 30 October 2022 with FIFA and All India Football Federation for the ‘Football4Schools’ initiative in India.
» Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan said that sports has been given a place of pride in NEP 2020 and the Football 4 Schools program espouses the spirit of NEP2020.
- The Football4Schools program uses it as a positive tool to inspire children and ensure their holistic development.
- ‘Football4Schools’ aims to empower 25 million young boys and girls in India through sports-integrated learning.
Benefits of Football for Schools Programme:
- Empower learners (boys and girls) with valuable life skills and competencies
- Empower and provide coach-educators with the training to deliver sport and life-skills activities
- Build the capacity of stakeholders (Schools, Member Associations and public authorities) to deliver training in life skills through football
- Strengthen the cooperation between governments and participating schools to enable partnerships, alliances and intersectoral collaboration.