National
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi commissioned the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on September 02, 2022.
During the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled the new Naval Ensign (Nishaan), doing away with the colonial past and befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage. He dedicated the new ensign to Chhatrapati Shivaji.
With the commissioning, India has entered into a select band of Nations having niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier and real testimony to the Nation’s resolve for self-reliance and ‘Make in India’.
About INS Vikrant:
Designed by:
INS Vikrant is designed by Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways.
Key Points:
- Vikrant has been built with state of the art automation features and is the largest ship ever built in maritime history of India.
- The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is named after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which had played a vital role in the 1971 war.
- The 262.5 m long and 61.6 m wide Vikrant displaces approx 43,000 T, having a maximum designed speed of 28 Knots with endurance of 7,500 Nautical Miles.
- The ship has around 2,200 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1,600 including women officers and sailors.
- The carrier is designed with a very high degree of automation for machinery operations, ship navigation and survivability.
- The ship is capable of operating air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
- Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as Short Take Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR), INS Vikrant is equipped with a ski-jump for launching aircraft, and a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.
- The country’s steelmaking giant, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna PSU, has supplied the entire DMR grade specialty steel for the nation’s first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant.
- These DMR grade plates have been developed by SAIL in collaboration with Indian Navy and DMRL. The DMR plates of Grade 249 A were used for the hull and vessel interiors and Grade 249 B for the flight deck of this warship.
New Ensign of Navy:
Resonant to the ongoing national endeavour to move away from colonial past, need was felt to transition to a new design that drew inspiration from our history.
- The White Ensign identified nation-wide with the Navy, now comprises of two main constituents – the National Flag in the upper left canton, and a Navy Blue – Gold octagon at the centre of the fly side (away from the staff).
- The Octagon is with twin golden octagonal borders encompassing the golden National Emblem (Lion Capital of Ashoka – underscribed with ‘Satyamev Jayate’ in blue Devnagri script) resting atop an anchor; and superimposed on a shield.
- Below the shield, within the octagon, in a golden bordered ribbon, on a Navy Blue background, is inscribed the motto of the Indian Navy ‘Sam No Varunah’ in golden Devnagriscript.
- The design encompassed within the octagon has been taken from the Indian Naval crest, wherein the fouled anchor, which is also associated with colonial legacy, has been replaced with a clear anchor underscoring the steadfastness of the Indian Navy.
Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK)
⇒ The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, has taken a unique initiative to support the research efforts of bright young minds of the Country by developing the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken (SPARK) for Ayurveda (BAMS) students studying in recognised Ayurveda colleges.
Shri Pramod Kumar Pathak, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and Vaidya Jayant Yeshwant Deopujari, Chairman, National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) launched the fellowship scheme and the application portal.
About SPARK:
- The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has initiated the “STUDENTSHIP PROGRAM FOR AYURVEDA RESEARCH KEN (SPARK) in order to promote interest and aptitude for research among ayurveda undergraduates.
- The main objective of this program is to provide an opportunity to undergraduate Ayurveda students to familiarize themselves with research methodology and techniques by being associated for a short duration with their seniors on ongoing research program or by undertaking independent projects.
- The value of the studentship will be Rs 25,000/- per month for two months duration (Total Rs 50,000/- only) and is meant to be a stipend for the student. This is paid only after completion of research and approval of final report.
- Costs of research must be borne by Institution/Medical College where research is conducted.
International
Biennial Exercise Pitch Black 2022
⇒ An Indian Air Force contingent participated in Exercise Pitch Black 2022, held at Darwin, Australia from 19 August to 08 September 2022.
Host:
The Biennial Exercise Pitch Black 2022 was hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at its Darwin Air Base. It was focused on Large Force Employment warfare.
Key Points:
- The IAF contingent, led by Group Captain YPS Negi, comprised over 100 air warriors.
- Spanning over a duration of three weeks, the exercise saw the participation of 17 Air Forces and over 2500 military personnel.
- The IAF contingent included four Su-30 MKI & two C-17 aircraft.
- The participating forces took part in various multi-aircraft combat drills by day & night, simulating complex aerial scenarios, involving large formations.
Significance:
- The exercise provided an opportunity for the air forces to share best practices and experiences.
- The event witnessed a collaborative spirit that has led to a better understanding of each other’s capabilities & a bonhomie that will lead to enduring ties between the participating nations.
» This year’s exercise involved 17 nations, including Australia.
- Participating nations included Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, UK and the USA.
- Significantly, Exercise Pitch Black 2022 marked the first-time aircraft from Germany, Japan and the Republic of Korea participated.
» The last edition was conducted in 2018. The 2020 edition of the exercise was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sports
FINA World Junior Swimming Championships 2022
⇒ Apeksha Fernandes, the first Indian woman to reach the final of the World Junior Swimming Championships, finished eighth in the 200m women’s butterfly summit clash in Lima, Peru.
Key Points:
- The 17-year-old clocked 2:19.14 to finish last in the eight-swimmer final on 31 August 2022.
- In the heats, Fernandes had rewritten her own ‘Best Indian Time’ of 2:18.18 to qualify for the final, the first Indian woman to do so in the world meet.
- She is now the first and only Indian woman swimmer to compete in a final of the World Championships.
- Her previous best was 2:18.39 set in June which is awaiting ratification by the Swimming Federation of India.
Other results:
Vedaant Madhavan was disqualified due to a false start in the men’s 200m freestyle event heats while Sambhavv Rama Rao failed to qualify for the final, finishing 27th overall with a time of 1:55.71.
About 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships 2022:
The 8th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships 2022 was held from 30 August to 04 September, 2022 in Peru, Lima. The venue for the competition was the VIDENA Aquatic Center.