National
Vindhyagiri (Y - 3024), a Project 17A Frigate
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu launched the Vindhyagiri, the sixth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A, on 17 August 2023 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Limited, Kolkata, West Bengal. Vindhyagiri was descended into the waters of river Hoogly.
- Vindhyagiri was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Limited (GRSE).
About Vindhyagiri:
- Vindhyagiri, named after the mountain range in Karnataka, is the sixth ship of the Project 17A Frigates.
- These warships are follow-ons of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
- ‘Vindhyagiri’, a technologically advanced Frigate, pays a befitting tribute to the distinguished service of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri, the Leander Class ASW Frigate.
The old Vindhyagiriin its nearly 31 years of service from 08 July 1981 to 11 June 2012, had witnessed various challenging operations and multinational exercises. The newly christened Vindhyagiri stands as a symbol of India’s determination to embrace its rich naval heritage while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities.
Under the Project 17A program, a total of four ships by M/s MDL and three ships byM/s GRSE are under construction. The project’s first five ships have been launched by MDL & GRSE, between 2019-2022.
- Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, the pioneer organisation for all warship design activities.
- Aligning with the country’s resolute commitment to ‘AatmaNirbharta’, a substantial 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The launch of Vindhyagiri is an apt testament to the incredible progress our Nation has made in building a self-reliant naval force.
President of India launches 'My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal' Campaign
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu launched ‘My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal’ Campaign under the ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’, organized by Brahma Kumaris at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata on August 17, 2023.
President Smt Murmu said “I appreciate Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya for starting the special project ‘My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal’ under ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’. I appreciate Governor Bose for promoting this programme”.
76 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces & CAPF personnel
⇒ President Smt Droupadi Murmu has approved 76 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day 2023.
Key Points:
- These include four Kirti Chakra (posthumous), 11 Shaurya Chakras, including five posthumous, two Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 52 Sena Medals (Gallantry), three Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) and four Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
- The President has also approved 30 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army, including to Army dog Madhu (Posthumous), and one to Air Force personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations. The operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Casualty Evacuation, Operation Mount Chomo, Operation Pangsau Pass, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Orchid, Operation Kalisham Valley, Rescue Operation and Operation Evacuation.
List of Gallantry awards approved by the President (Official Link)
President's Tatrakshak Medal & Tatrakshak Medals
⇒ President Smt Droupadi Murmu has approved one President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) and five Tatrakshak Medals (TM) to the Indian Coast Guard personnel for their act of conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty and distinguished/meritorious service on the occasion of Independence Day 2023.
Following is the list of the personnel:
President’s Tatrakshak Medal (Distinguished Service)
- IG Manoj Vasant Baadkar, TM (0173-Q)
Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry)
- Comdt (JG) Anurag Shukla (0853-M)
- Sultan Singh, P/Nvk(P), 12405-T
Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service)
- DIG Manoj Bhatia (0323-J)
- DIG KR Deepak Kumar (0434-L)
- Deobrat Kumar Mishra, P/Adh(RP), 00486-L
These awards are given to the personnel of the Indian Coast Guard on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence Day every year since January 26, 1990.
Graphene-Aurora Program
⇒ Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma launched the ‘Graphene-Aurora program’ at a function in Maker Village Kochi, Kerala on 14 August 2023.
Key Points:
- The program shall be implemented by Digital University Kerala with joint funding from Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India and Government of Kerala and Industry partners, with the total budget outlay of Rs 94.85 Crore; wherein, Carborundum Pvt Limited joined as one of the main industry partners.
- Along with the startup products developed, the technologies and products also developed at research and development centers like India Innovation Centre Graphene (IICG), setup at Makers village, Kochi shall be considered for commercialization.
Death
Telugu, Sanskrit scholar, Shri Kandlakunta Alaha Singaracharyulu
⇒ Telugu, Sanskrit scholar, Shri Kandlakunta Alaha Singaracharyulu passed away in Hyderabad on 13 August 2023. He was 93.
- During his long career, he wrote more than 15 books on Telugu and Sanskrit languages including translations, grammar, speeches and other texts apart from his biography “Adhyapakudi Atmakatha” (A teacher’s biography).
- He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2021 for his contributions to the field of Sanskrit literature and education.