National
India’s First Indian Air Force Heritage Centre in Chandigarh
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre in Chandigarh on May 08, 2023.
The heritage centre has been set up under a memorandum of understanding between the Union Territory (UT) administration and the IAF signed last year. It will be maintained by the UT administration, while the weapons and equipment have been put up by the IAF.
Key Points:
- The Centre, an embodiment of IAF’s rich history and legacy, houses a collection of artefacts, murals and 3D dioramas, showcasing the evolution of the force since its inception. It displays the heroic deeds of the IAF and the country’s technological progress in aircraft/equipment.
- The centre, spread over 17,000 square feet on Madhya Marg in Sector 18, depicts the IAF’s role in various wars, including in 1965, 1971 and the Kargil War, besides the Balakot airstrike through murals and memorabilia.
- The centre has eight attractions, including aircraft models and weapon displays. One of the highlights of the Centre is the array of simulators that allows visitors to replicate the thrill of flying iconic aircraft in the IAF’s inventory and gives them a chance to get a taste of what it feels to be a pilot.
'YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent Hunt
⇒ With an aim to promote Indian music at the grassroots level on a national scale by identifying and recognising the new and young talent in various singing genres, MyGov in collaboration with Ministry of Culture launched a YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent Hunt on May 10, 2023.
- The initial submission for the competition was open for a period of one and half month.
Singing Talent Hunt is a unique opportunity for citizens across India to display their singing talent and skills and to gain national recognition.
The participants participated in the YUVA PRATIBHA – Singing Talent Hunt and gave melodic voice in the various genres:
- Folk Songs
- Patriotic Songs
- Contemporary Songs
International
Direct Shipping Service between Tuticorin to Maldives
⇒ Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur flagged off the vessel ‘M V MSS Galena’ from VO Chidambaranar Port, as the Direct Shipping Service between Tuticorin to Maldives on 05 May 2023.
Key Points:
- The vessel ‘M.V. MSS Galena’, a vessel with carrying capacity of 421 TEUs of containers & provision to carry bulk cargo, deployed by Shipping Corporation of India, arrived at PSA SICAL Container Terminal on 04 May 2023.
- It was loaded with 270 TEUs of containers at PSA SICAL Container Terminal. The rotation of this shipping service is Tuticorin – Male – Tuticorin, and is scheduled to make 3 calls a month.
» Earlier the bulk cargo bound to Maldives from Tuticorin were sent through barges & sail ships and the containers bound to Maldives are routed through Colombo.
- A service between Tuticorin – Kochi – Kulhudhuffushi – Male was operated by SCI. Vessel ‘MCP Linz’ with a capacity of 200 TEUs of containers and 3000 Tonnes of general cargo was launched on 21 September 2020. The Contract concluded on 28 August 2022.
Important Day
64th Raising Day of Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
⇒ Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 64th Raising Day on May 07, 2023 at all its detachments across the country.
Key Points:
» BRO-centric software, developed as part of ‘Digital India’ initiative, were also launched on the occasion.
- These software – Recruitment Management System, Electronic Measurement Book & Work Management System – have been developed to automate various aspects of functioning of the BRO for smoother & faster output and increased transparency.
» In addition, an MoU was signed between the BRO and GRSE for construction of indigenous Class 70R Double Lane Modular Bridges. These bridges will help in bolstering the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces.
About BRO:
The BRO was formed on 7 May 1960 to secure India’s borders and develop infrastructure in remote areas of the north and north-east states of the country.
Death
Renowned Bengali Author, Shri Samaresh Majumdar
⇒ Sahitya Akademi Award winning Bengali Writer Shri Samreash Majumdar passed away in Kolkata on May 8, 2023. He was 81.
About Majumdar:
- Shri Majumdar is widely remembered for his trilogy — ‘Uttaradhikar’, ‘Kalbela’ and ‘Kalpurush’ — encircling the story of three generations in the backdrop of the Naxalite movement in West Bengal.
- Majumdar was best known for his Animesh series of novels, the second of which (Kalbela) won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1984.