National
Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru on 11 November 2022.
- The Prime Minister also inspected the facilities at the experience centre and took a walkthrough of Terminal 2 of the Kempegowda International Airport.
Background:
- Terminal 2 of Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is built at a cost of around Rs 5000 crores. The terminal will double the passenger handling capacity of the airport to 5-6 crore passengers per annum, from the current capacity of about 2.5 crores.
- Terminal 2 is designed as a tribute to the Garden city of Bengaluru and the passenger experience is meant to be a “walk in the garden”.
- Passengers will travel through 10,000+ square metres of green walls, hanging gardens and outdoor gardens. The Airport has already established a benchmark in sustainability with 100% usage of renewable energy across the campus. Terminal 2 has been created with sustainability principles woven into the design.
- Based on the sustainability initiatives, Terminal 2 will be the largest terminal in the world to be pre-certified platinum rating by US GBC (green building council) prior to commencing operations.
- The theme of ‘Naurasa’ unites all the commissioned artworks for Terminal 2. The artworks reflect the heritage and culture of Karnataka as well as the broader Indian ethos.
- Overall, the design and architecture of Terminal 2 have been influenced by four guiding principles: Terminal in a garden, sustainability, technology and art & culture.
PM flags off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi flagged off Vande Bharat Express and Bharat Gaurav Kashi Darshan Train at KSR Railway Station, Bengaluru on 11 November 2022.
» The Prime Minister arrived at the flag-off area on Platform no 7 of Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna (KSR) Railway Station and gave the green signal to Chennai-Mysuru Vande Bharat Express.
- This will be the fifth Vande Bharat Express train in the country and the first such train in South India.
» This was followed by the Prime Minister arriving at the flag-off area on Platform no 8 and giving the green signal to the Bharat Gaurav Kashi Yatra train.
- Karnataka is the first state to take up this train under the Bharat Gaurav scheme in which the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways are working together to send pilgrims from Karnataka to Kashi.
- The pilgrims will be provided comfortable stay and guidance for visiting Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj.
Vande Bharat Express:
- The Vande Bharat Express 2.0 offers a myriad of superior and aircraft-like travelling experiences.
- It is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features including an indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System – KAVACH.
- Vande Bharat 2.0 will be equipped with more advancements and improved features such as reaching a speed of 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 52 seconds, and a maximum speed of up to 180 kilometres per hour.
- The improved Vande Bharat Express will weigh 392 tons when compared to the previous version of 430 tons. It will also have a Wi-Fi content on-demand facility.
- Every coach is equipped with 32” screens providing passenger information and infotainment compared to 24” in the previous version. Vande Bharat Express is also going to be environmentally friendly as the ACs will be 15 per cent more energy efficient. With dust-free clean air cooling of the traction motor, travel will become more comfortable. The side recliner seat facility which was provided only to Executive Class passengers earlier will now be made available for all classes.
- Executive Coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats. In the new design of Vande Bharat Express, a photo-catalytic ultraviolet air purification system is installed in the Roof-Mounted Package Unit (RMPU) for air purification.
- As recommended by Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, this system is designed and installed on both ends of RMPU to filter and clean the air free from germs, bacteria, viruses etc. coming through fresh air and return air.
Bharat Gaurav Trains:
- Indian Railways launched the operation of the theme-based Bharat Gaurav train in the month of November 2021.
- The objective of this theme is to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world, through Bharat Gaurav Trains.
- This scheme also aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals of the tourism sector to run theme-based trains to tap the vast tourism potential of India.
50th Chief Justice of India
⇒ Dr Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India on November 9, 2022.
Key Points:
- He was administered the oath of office by President Droupadi Murmu at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice DY Chandrachud was sworn in as the 50th Chief Justice of India.
- The newly appointed CJI will have a tenure till November 10, 2024.
Justice Chandrachud succeeded Chief Justice UU Lalit who retired on November 9.
International
World Travel Market (WTM) 2022
⇒ Ministry of Tourism, Government of India participated in World Travel Market (WTM) 2022 from 7th to 9th November, 2022 in London which was one of the largest international travel exhibitions.
India participated in WTM 2022 to showcase itself as a preferred destination for tourism. India’s participation at WTM was significant to step up recovery of Inbound tourism to pre-pandemic level.
Theme:
The theme of World Travel Market (WTM) 2022 exhibition was ‘The Future of Travel Starts Now’.
Participation:
A total of 16 stakeholders, including from State Governments, other Central Ministries, Confederation of Indian Industry as the industry partner, DMCs, tour operators, hoteliers, travel agents, online travel agents, facilitators of medical value travel participated as co-exhibitors in the India Pavilion.
- The Ministry of Tourism took a space of 650 sq. mtr., over 20 participants around Indian Pavilion participated in the Exhibition.
Key Points:
- After the inauguration the Indian delegation and participants went around the Indian Pavilion and booths of various participating states and other stakeholders.
- During the day, Incredible India organized various Cultural Performances,Yoga Sessions, Heena and of course BollywoodDance Performance.
- Mr. Arvind Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, GoI attended the session on “Growing Consumer Demand for Responsible Tourism” held at Future Stage and “Preparing for the next crisis: Reaching for long term sustainability” held at Sustainability Stage, WTM venue.
- The objective was to showcase the diverse tourism products and services including Medical Value travel, luxury trains and the gamut of tourism products to the international business community.
- India’s focus on sustainable tourism, digitalization of tourism sector and development of tourism MSMEs highlighted at World Travel Market 2022 in London.
- The Ministry of Tourism is aiming to develop the tourism sector especially in the aftermath of COVID Pandemic to new heights and accelerating the transition to achieve sustainable development targets of 2030.