National
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates Integrated Simulator Complex ‘Dhruv’ in Kochi
⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) ‘Dhruv’ at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on June 21, 2023.
- The ISC ‘Dhruv’ hosts modern state-of-the-art indigenously-built simulators which will significantly enhance practical training in the Indian Navy.
- These simulators are envisaged to give real-time experience on navigation, fleet operations and Naval tactics. These simulators will also be utilised for training of personnel from friendly countries.
Simulators:
» Amongst the many simulators envisaged in the complex, the Raksha Mantri visited Multi-Station Handling Simulator (MSSHS), Air Direction and Helicopter Control Simulator (ADHCS) and Astronavigation Dome.
- The Ship Handling Simulators produced by ARI Pvt Ltd, New Delhi have been exported to 18 countries.
- The Astronavigation Dome developed by Infovision Technologies Pvt Ltd is the first-of-its-kind in the Indian Navy.
» The ADHCS – developed by Institute for Systems Studies and Analysis, a DRDO laboratory – would be able to provide real-time operational environment scenario to trainees.
- These technologically advanced simulators are indicative of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and promise great defence export potential for the nation.
- Some of the other indigenously developed simulators in the Complex include Combat Management System and Maritime Domain Awareness Lab.
India’s first Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine
⇒ Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched the India’s first Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine, “GEMCOVAC® -OM” on 24 June 2023.
- The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced that the Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine has got a nod from the office of the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
- The Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine has been developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. and supported under the Mission COVID Suraksha, implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Key Points:
- GEMCOVAC®-OM is an Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova in collaboration with DBT.
- Like the prototype vaccine, GEMCOVAC®-OM is a thermostable vaccine, which does not require ultra-cold chain infrastructure used for other approved mRNA-based vaccines, making it easy for deployment pan India.
- It is delivered intra-dermally using a needle-free injection device system. When administered intradermally in participants as a booster, it generated significantly higher immune responses.
- The clinical outcome demonstrates the need for variant-specific vaccines for desired immune response.
International
G20 Tourism Ministers' Meeting
⇒ The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting was held in Goa from June 21 to 22, 2023 under India’s G20 Presidency.
- The G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting was held after the successful conclusion of the 4th Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting on June 20, 2023.
- The G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting which aimed to strengthen economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and promote sustainable development of the region.
Prior to the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Goa, four Tourism Working Group meetings have been held. The details of which are as follows:
TWG five interconnected priority areas:
Under G20 India, the TWG is working on five interconnected priority areas. These priorities are key building blocks for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector and achieving the targets for 2030 SDGs.
Day 1:
» The first day of the Tourism Ministers’ meeting began with a yoga session. This was followed by a video message during the inaugural session by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
On the first day – June 21, 2023, a thematic discussion on the ‘Public Private Dialogue: Importance of Travel and Tourism to the G20 Economies’ was co-organized by the Ministry of Tourism in association with World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
- The Dialogue was an opportunity for participants to share their priorities and concerns and identify opportunities for mutual support and greater public-private partnership.
- The discussions in this session were aligned and provided a private sector perspective on the 5 priority areas set out for the G20 tourism track.
» Lastly, the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting, chaired by Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy welcomed the outcome documents.
» The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting endorsed the Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
- GOA Roadmap for Tourism’ is aimed at providing national governments in the G20 countries and beyond, as well as other tourism players with voluntary tools and recommendations to leverage the sector’s capability to progress the SDGs.
- The roadmap also highlights the need to sensitize the consumer side as well as on responsible consumption.
- The approach of the GOA Roadmap focusses on promoting visitors’-led actions for Travel for LiFE in line with the Lifestyle for Environment movement launched by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.
Important Day
World Hydrography Day 2023
⇒ World Hydrography Day is celebrated every year on 21 June.
- World Hydrography Day is designed to raise awareness about hydrography and how it plays a role in improved knowledge of the seas and oceans.
- The World Hydrography Day (WHD) was celebrated by the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department on 21 Jun 23.
Theme:
The theme for World Hydrography Day 2023 was “Hydrography – Underpinning the Digital Twin of the Ocean”, in keeping with development of virtual representation.
History:
- World Hydrography Day is an important occasion officially recognised and implemented by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).
- The International Hydrographic Bureau was founded in 1921 with the goal of providing a forum to states and governments to confer on issues such as safe navigation, technical standards, and the conservation of the maritime environment. The name was changed to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in 1970.
- In 2005, IHO proposed the idea of World Hydrography Day to commemorate the work of hydrographers around the world.
- The United Nations General Assembly accepted the proposal in resolution A/RES/60/30 Oceans and the law of the sea and June 21, the anniversary of the founding of the International Hydrographic Organization was chosen to mark the World Hydrography Day.
- The first international commemoration of World Hydrography Day started in 2006.