National
Three day Kisan Mela in Anand
⇒ Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR Dr. Himanshu Pathak inaugurated the Kisan Mela on 22nd January 2024 in Anand, Gujarat.
Organized by:
ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (ICAR-DMAPR), Anand, Gujarat organized a 3-Day KISAN MELA, Herbal Expo, Farmers Training cum Exposure visit during January 22-24, 2024.
Highlights:
- During the Kisan Mela, two MoUs were signed with M/s Vasu Research Centre and Healthcare, Vadodara and a tripartite MoU with St. Xaviers College (SXCA)-Loyola Centre of Research and Development–Xavier Research Foundation (LCRD-XRF), Ahmedabad were signed.
- A total of 30 exhibition stalls from ICAR institutes, SAUs, KVK and herbal industries exhibited in this kisan mela for three days i.e 22-24, January, 2024.
- During this 3-Day Mela more than 2000 farmers of which half were woman farmers participated. More than 500 school children also visited the Kisan Mela.
- Three best stall Awards were also given out of 30 stalls.
- Training programmes on different aspects of production, protection, improvement, conservation and post-harvest management in MAPs were also conducted during the mela.
- An exposure visit was also arranged for the farmers on 24th January where live cultivation and conservation of MAPs were shown.
- Farmers from states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Bihar, Jharkhand and Gujarat participated in the Mela.
- A special event of Drone demonstration was also organized for the benefit of the farmers.
- In the event, three farmers one each from Maharashtra, Bihar and Gujarat were felicitated.
- There were about 5000 visitors during the 3-Day mela.
LSAM 19 (Yard 129), 5th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project
⇒ The launch of ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 19 (Yard 129)’, 5th Barge of 11 x ACTCM Barge Project, was undertaken on 24 January 2024 at M/s Suryadipta Project Pvt Ltd (Launch site of M/s SPPL).
- It has been built by MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane for the Indian Navy.
Key Points:
- The contract for building 11 X ACTCM Barge was signed between MoD and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on 05 March 2021.
- The availability of these Barges would 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.
- These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping.
- The model testing of the Barge during design stage was undertaken at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam.
- These Barges are proud flag bearers of Make in India initiative of Government of India (GoI).
International
Exercise Desert Knight 2024
⇒ The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with French Air and Space Force (FASF) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force on 23 January 2024.
Participation:
» French participation included the Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi Role Tanker Transport, while the UAE Air Force fielded the F-16.
- These aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE.
» The IAF contingent comprised of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J and Air to Air Refueller aircraft.
- The exercise in Indian FIR was conducted over the Arabian Sea, with IAF aircraft operating from bases within India.
Focus:
The main focus of Exercise Desert Knight was on enhancing synergy and interoperability between the three Air Forces.
Key Points:
- The interactions during the exercise facilitated the exchange of operational knowledge, experiences and best practices amongst the participants.
- Such exercises are indicative of the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, apart from showcasing the prowess of the IAF.
Important Day
Foundation Day of Uttar Pradesh
⇒ Uttar Pradesh celebrates its Foundation Day on January 24 every year. This day is known as Uttar Pradesh Diwas.
History:
- The United Province was renamed Uttar Pradesh on January 24, 1950.
- The Uttar Pradesh government declared January 24 as Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day in May 2017. UP Foundation Day was proposed by the governor Ram Naik.
- Uttar Pradesh has been a land of pilgrimage for millions with civilizational cities like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Vrindavan, Prayagraj, and Sarnath.