National
India's First 3D Printed Post Office
⇒ Union Minister for Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the India’s first 3D printed Post Office at Cambridge Layout in east Bengaluru on August 18, 2023.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has called the 3D printed post office is a testament to our nation’s innovation and progress.
Key Points:
- The 3D printed Post Office was originally scheduled to be ready in 45 days but the work was completed in 43 days.
- This is the first commercial building to have used 3D printing technology. It has a built-up area of 1,000 square feet. The overall cost was under Rs 25 lakh.
3D-printing technology:
- 3D-printing technology requires minimal manual intervention and utilises computer-controlled processes to create three-dimensional shapes during building construction.
- 3D printing in construction employs robotic systems to place construction materials in layers, forming walls, floors, and roofs.
- In construction 3D printing, materials are layered sequentially through computer-controlled processes to craft three-dimensional shapes.
- To create a structure, the 3D printer follows dimensions from a software program and constructs the design on a platform. Various materials, such as cement, plastic, or liquid metals, can be used to build the structure.
Other constructions using 3D-printing technology:
- Last year, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati had constructed a 3D-printed sentry post for the Indian Army as part of an indigenous research and development initiative.
- In April 2021, Union minister Nirmala Sitaraman inaugurated India’s first 3D-printed home in Chennai, created by the tech startup Tvasta and located within the IIT-Madras campus.
- Moreover, the world’s first 3D-printed Hindu temple is currently under construction in Telangana. The temple located near Siddipet will cover an area of 3,800 square feet. Apsuja Infratech, Hyderabad-based company, is working on the temple in collaboration with Simpliforge Creations, a 3D-printed construction firm.
25th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award
⇒ Former vice president M Hamid Ansari conferred the 25th Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award for 2020-21 on Banasthali Vidyapith, a residential institution for women in Rajasthan on 20 August 2023.
- The award was handed over to Siddhartha Shastri of the institution by former Vice President M Hamid Ansari.
- It was presented on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
About Award:
- The award, instituted in 1992 to mark the golden jubilee of the ‘Quit India Movement’, is given to an individual or institution for special contribution towards peace, communal harmony and national unity.
- Every year this award is given to those who have devoted their lives to understanding and promoting social harmony.
- This award constitutes a citation and cash Prize of Rs 10 Lakh.
Launch of 2nd Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, YARD 76 (LSAM 8)
⇒ Second MCA Barge, Yard 76 (LSAM 8) was launched by Cmde G Ravi, Warship Production Superintendent (Visakhapatnam) on 18 August 2023 at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (launch site of M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd).
With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence.
Key Points:
- Contract for construction of 08 x MCA Barge was concluded with M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, a MSME, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India.
- This Barge is being built with a service life of 30 years.
- The availability of MCA Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
International
One Earth One Health Advantage Healthcare India event
⇒ The Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya delivered keynote address at One Earth One Health Advantage Healthcare India event at Gandhinagar on 17 August 2023.
The Health Minister also launched the ‘The Advantage Health Care India – One Stop Digital Portal For Patient’ and ‘Workforce Mobility’.
- He said “the launch of these two portals is not just a milestone for India, but a significant step towards fulfilling our global responsibilities.
- India has always been at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Through these portals, we are offering a tangible solution to some of the most, pressing challenges in healthcare.
Background:
- The G20 Health Ministers’ meeting under G20 India Presidency was held August 17–19 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Besides the G20 Deputies Meeting on August 17 and G20 Health Minister’s Meeting on August 18-19, there were four side events including One Earth One Health Advantage Health Care – India 2023; WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit; India MedTech Expo 2023; and ‘Sustain, Accelerate and Innovate to End TB in South-East Asia Region’ conference.
Important day
Sadbhavana Diwas 2023
⇒ ‘Sadbhavana Diwas’ is celebrated every year on 20 August in India.
- Sadbhavana Pledge taking was organised in all Government Offices on 18th August, 2023.
This Diwas is observed to promote National Integration and Communal Harmony among people of all religions, languages and regions. The idea behind the observance of this Day is to shun violence and to uphold goodwill among the people.
Background:
- The birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on August 20 is observed as Sadbhaavna Diwas (or Harmony Day) every year.
- Indian politician, Rajiv Gandhi served as the 6th Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989.
- Sadbhavana Diwas, a day dedicated to promoting national integration and peace among various communities in honour of Rajiv Gandhi’s memory.
- August 20, 2023 marked the 79th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who remains the youngest Prime Minister of India to date.
- A year after Rajiv Gandhi’s death, in 1992, the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award was instituted by the All India Congress Committee of the Indian National Congress in memory of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.