National
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visits Bhimavaram
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh on 4th July, 2022.
PM in Bhimavaram:
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebration of legendary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh. Prime Minister also unveiled a 30-feet tall bronze statue of Alluri Sitarama Raju.
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Government is committed to giving due recognition to the contribution of freedom fighters and making people across the country aware of them. As part of the endeavour, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebration of the legendary freedom fighter, Alluri Sitarama Raju.
About Alluri Sitarama Raju:
» Born on 4th July 1897, Alluri Sitarama Raju is remembered for his fight against the British, in order to safeguard the interests of the tribal communities in the Eastern Ghats region.
- He had led the Rampa rebellion, which was launched in 1922. He is referred to as “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of the Jungles) by the local people.
Digital India Week 2022, a Digital Expo – Digital Mela
⇒ The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Digital India Week 2022, a Digital Expo – Digital Mela at Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 04 July 2022.
Organized by:
It was organized by the Ministry of Electronics and information Technology (MeitY).
Theme:
The theme of the Digital Mela was ‘Digital India: Catalyzing New India’s Techade’ a digital transformation journey for showcasing India’s Technological prowess to the world.
» The Digital India Week was held from July 4 to July 6, 2022 to showcase the digital initiatives that have been undertaken for enhancing e-Gov and digital solutions.
Indian Naval Air Squadron 324 was commissioned
⇒ Indian Naval Air Squadron 324 was commissioned into the Indian Navy at an impressive Commissioning Ceremony held at INS Dega, Visakhapatnam on 04 July 2022.
The unit is the first Naval Squadron on the Eastern Seaboard operating the indigenously designed and built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III (MR) helicopters.
Name of INAS 324:
» INAS 324 has been named “KESTRELS” which are birds of prey and have good sensory capabilities symbolising the envisaged role of the Aircraft and the Air Squadron.
- The Insignia of the Squadron depicts a ‘KESTREL’ searching over vast blue and white sea waves, which signifies the integral Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) role of the Squadron.
Key Points:
- ALH MK III helicopters are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment which includes modern surveillance radar and electro-optical sensors.
- Induction of these flying machines is, in pursuance of the GOI initiative of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, as they have been developed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- In addition to their primarily roles of MR and SAR, these helicopters can also be deployed for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations as well as Special Operations with Marine Commandos.
- The helicopter also has an airborne Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) for use in the Air Ambulance role to facilitate the medical evacuation of critically ill patients.
International
2022 UN Ocean Conference
⇒ The 2022 UN Ocean Conference took place in Lisbon, Portugal from 27 June to 1 July 2022.
Co-host:
The 2022 UN Ocean Conference was co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal.
Theme:
The overarching theme of the 2022 UN Ocean Conference was “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: stocktaking, partnerships and solutions”.
- Goal 14 calls for Conservation and Sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
- More than 130 countries participated in the UN Ocean Conference.
» The 2022 UN Ocean Conference was a unique opportunity to boost collective efforts and find science-based solutions to effectively address the challenges that the ocean is now facing.
- The science is clear: the ocean — critical to combatting climate change, boosting economic growth and reducing biodiversity loss — is seriously degraded, and if present trends continue, there will be catastrophic consequences for the planet.
Participation of India:
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 participated in the 2022 UN Ocean Conference.
- Delivering the India statement at the UN Ocean Conference, India’s Minister for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all efforts are going on to achieve the 30×30 target in a mission mode as per the COP resolutions.
- India assured the world community that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi it is committed to protect at least 30 % of “our” lands, waters and oceans, and thus adhere to its commitment of 30X30 by 2030.
- Dr Jitendra Singh informed the UN Delegates that India is committed to the “Coastal Clean Seas Campaign” and will soon achieve complete ban on single use plastics.
» Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Energy and Water resources of Republic of Tajikistan Mr Daler Juma Shofaqir on the side-lines of the UN Ocean Conference.
- Both the Ministers discussed water resources research, with special focus on Glacier monitoring and understanding, Non-conventional Energy, etc.
- Tajikistan Minister requested India to support global water action and climate resistance on Water for sustainable Development.
» Union Miniter Dr Jitendra Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Climate and Environment of Norway Mr Espen Barth Eide on the side-lines of the UN Ocean Conference.
- The meeting comes close on the heels of the 5th India-Norway Task Force meet in New Delhi last week on Blue Economy between Norwegian Ambassador to India, Hans Jacob Frydenlund and the Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences Secretary Dr M Ravichandran.
- The Task Force Meet agreed on new projects and a roadmap for connecting ocean industries on both sides. Both the Countries agreed to explore more cooperation on Green Maritime, Sustainable Ocean Management, Deep Ocean Technology and Offshore Wind.