National
Launch of 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Bhishm
⇒ Cmde S Sreekumar, Warship Production Superintendent (Kolkata) launched the 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Bhishm at M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (M/s TRSL), Kolkata on 14 January 2024.
Key Points:
- This Tug is a proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Govt of India.
- Contract for construction and delivery of six 25T BP Tugs was concluded with M/s TRSL, Kolkata in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India.
- These Tugs are being built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- The availability of Tugs will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating assistance to Naval ships and submarines during berthing and un-berthing, turning and manoeuvring in confined waters.
- The Tugs will also provide afloat firefighting assistance to ships alongside, at anchorage and will also have capability to conduct limited Search and Rescue Operations.
India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road Section
⇒ Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI AAYOG inaugurated India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road section on NH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway on 13 January 2024.
Dr Saraswat said that the Steel Slag Road Technology, developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) is transforming the waste of steel industries into wealth and is helping the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to build stronger and ecofriendly national highways in the country.
Key Points:
- JSW Steel, under the CSIR-CRRI technological guidance, has constructed the 1 km long four lane steel slag road section on Indapur-Panvel Section of NH-66 Mumbai-Goa.
- For construction of this road around 80,000 tons of CONARC Steel slag were converted as processed steel slag aggregates at JSW Steel Dolvi, Raigad plant.
- The processed steel slag aggregates are superior to natural aggregates in terms of various mechanical properties and utilized for steel slag road construction in all layers of the road in place of natural aggregates.
- The road has bituminous and cement concrete steel slag road section at same location in RHS and LHS carriageways.
- On this road section, the processed steel slag aggregates and slag cement have been utilized for construction of the cement concrete road in all layers.
Sports
Beach Games 2024, Diu
⇒ The Beach Games 2024, the first multi-sports beach games in India, organized at the pristine blue flag certified Ghoghla Beach in Diu.
Key Points:
» Sporting excellence took centre stage from January 4-11, 2024 as 1404 athletes, all under the age of 21, from 28 states and Union Territories, supported by 205 match officials, participated in a diverse range of disciplines.
- The games were structured into 2 sessions each day.
- The debut of Beach Boxing added an extra layer of excitement, captivating both participants and spectators.
Medal Winners:
- The Game concluded with landlocked Madhya Pradesh emerging overall champion, topping the medal tally with a total of 18 medals, including an impressive haul of 7 golds.
- Maharashtra won 14 medals including 3 gold, while Tamil Nadu, Uttarkhand and hosts Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Diu & Daman secured 12 medals each.
- Assam won 8 medals, out of which 5 were Gold.
- In a thrilling turn of events, Lakshadweep secured the gold medal in Beach Soccer, marking a historic achievement for the pristine island territory. They beat Maharashtra 5-4 in the well contested final.
Important Day
8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day 2024
⇒ The 8th Armed Forces Veterans’ Day was celebrated on January 14, 2024 at multiple locations pan India to pay respects to the ex-servicemen for their selfless duty & sacrifices and reinforce solidarity towards the Next of Kin of these bravehearts.
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh led the celebrations by addressing a Veterans’ Rally at Air Force Station, Kanpur.
History:
- The Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on 14th January every year as it was on this day in 1953 that the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who led the forces to victory in the 1947 war, formally retired from the Service.
- The day was first celebrated in 2016 and it is commemorated every year since by hosting such interactive events in the honour of the Ex-Servicemen.