National
Sharmistha Mukherjee's book ‘Pranab My Father: A Daughter Remembers’
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi was presented a copy of Pranab My Father: A Daughter Remembers’ by Ms Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of the former President on 15 January 2024.
In her book, Ms Sharmishtha has recalled several incidents and her memories with the former president. Sharmistha’s book, based on her father’s diaries, is as much a fond memoir of a daughter as a deep dive into the politics of our times where, occasionally, trivia dribbles into the pages alongside fascinating details about crucial events.
PM dedicates infrastructure projects to the nation in Kochi, Kerala
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated three major infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 4,000s crore in Kochi, Kerala on 17 January 2024.
The projects being inaugurated include New Dry Dock (NDD) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of CSL, and LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Puthuvypeen, Kochi. These major infrastructure projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to transform India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sector, and build capacity and self-sufficiency in it.
Details of the Projects:
» The New Dry Dock, built at a cost of about Rs 1,800 crores at the existing premises of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, is a flagship project reflecting New India’s engineering prowess.
- This one-of-a-kind 310-meter-long stepped dry dock, with a width of 75/60 meters, depth of 13 meters and a draught of up to 9.5 metres, is one of the largest marine infrastructures in the region.
- The New Dry Dock project features heavy ground loading which will position India with advanced capabilities to handle strategic assets like future aircraft carriers up to 70,000T displacement as well as large commercial vessels, thus eliminating India’s dependency on foreign nations for emergency national requirements.
» The International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) project, built at a cost of about Rs 970 crores has a ship lift system with a capacity of 6000T, a transfer system, six workstations and a berth of approximately 1,400 metres which can accommodate 7 vessels of 130-metre length simultaneously.
- The ISRF will modernise and expand the existing ship repair capabilities of CSL and will be a step towards transforming Kochi into a global ship repair hub.
» The Indian Oil’s LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, Kochi, built at the cost of about Rs 1,236 crores boasts state-of-the-art facilities.
- With a 15400 MT storage capacity, the terminal will ensure a steady supply of LPG for millions of households and businesses in the region.
- This project will further strengthen India’s efforts towards ensuring accessible & affordable energy for all.
International
India Signs Agreement for Lithium Exploration & Mining Project in Argentina
⇒ Ministry of Mines, Government of India has achieved a significant milestone with the signing of an agreement between Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and the state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina CATAMARCA MINERA Y ENERGÉTICA SOCIEDAD DEL ESTADO (CAMYEN SE) at Catamarca, Argentina on 15th January, 2024.
Key Points:
- This is the first ever lithium exploration and mining project by a Government Company of India.
- KABIL will start exploration and development of 5 lithium brine blocks viz 1. Cortadera-I, 2. Cortadera-VII, 3. Cortadera-VIII, 4. Cateo-2022-01810132 and 5. Cortadera-VI covering an area of about 15,703 Hectare, located in the Catamarca province of Argentina.
- KABIL is also preparing to set up a branch office at Catamarca, Argentina. The project cost is about 200 crores.
» With this Agreement, KABIL has obtained Exploration and Exclusivity Right for 5 blocksto evaluate, prospect and explore and subsequent to existence/discovery of lithium mineral, exploitation right for commercial production.
- This will not only boost it’s quest for sourcing lithium for India but will also help in bringing in technical & operational experience for Brine type lithium exploration, exploitation and extraction.
Other Points:
- Argentina is the part of “Lithium Triangle” along with Chile and Bolivia with more than half of world’s total lithium resources and having the distinction of having 2nd largest lithium resources, 3rd largest lithium reserves and 4th largest production in world.
Important Day
76th Army Day 2024
⇒ A military and combat display ‘Shaurya Sandhya’ was organised at Lucknow Cantonment in Uttar Pradesh, as part of the 76th Army Day celebrations on January 15, 2024.
About Army Day:
- The Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to commemorate the achievements of the first Commander in Chief of the Indian Army General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa.
- On this day in 1949, Gen Cariappa, who led Indian forces to victory in the 1947 war, took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Independent India.
Death
Renowned Poet, Munawwar Rana
⇒ Renowned poet Munawwar Rana passed away in Lucknow on January 14, 2024. He was 71.
About Munawwar Rana:
- Munawwar published several ghazals with a distinct style of writing. Most of his shers (couplets) have “mother” as the centre point of his love.
- He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his poem Shahdaba in Urdu literature. After about a year he returned the award.