National
Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI unveils Manthan
⇒ The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India; entrusted with the vision to enable and empower all spheres of science and technology within the country, announced the launch of the Manthan platform.
Aim:
It aims to promote collaboration at scale between industry and the scientific research and development ecosystem to help meet India’s sustainability goals in alignment with the UN defined Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) charter.
The launch commemorates India’s 75 years of independence – Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and presents an opportunity to bring national and global communities closer to India’s technology revolution.
Key Points:
» Led by the Office of PSA, Manthan can potentially change the landscape of science and technology-based social impact innovation and solutions in India.
» The platform will facilitate knowledge transfers and interactions through Information Exchange Sessions, Exhibitions, and Events to develop a framework for future science, innovation, and technology-led growth.
» Powered by NSEIT, this platform will empower to scale up the interactions among stakeholders, facilitate research and innovation, and share challenges in various emerging technologies and scientific interventions, including those that make a Social Impact.
- NSEIT Limited is a global technology enterprise, focused on delivering excellence in complex digital environments primarily in banking, insurance, capital market ecosystem, EdTech, and online examination space.
7500 Sq Ft Tricolour displayed at Dal Lake
⇒ The Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India (North), Institute of Hotel Management Srinagar and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling in a joint effort displayed a 7500 Sq Ft Indian Tricolour at the bank of Dal Lake, Srinagar.
- This was as part of celebrating 75 years of Independence and Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
» The Flag itself was weighing 80-85 kg with supporting elements. Since, the Flag is so huge in size, it was made in three panels.
Key Points:
- It is pertinent to mention that Team HMI had displayed the same Flag first time in Sikkim Himalayas in April 2021 and subsequently, at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata on 15th Aug 21 and at Statue of Unity, Gujarat on 31 Oct 2021.
- Thereafter, the Flag was displayed at Antarctica, setting the World Record of Largest National Flag of any country displayed for the first time in Antarctica.
- Now, in line with Govt of India’s Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and also Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav, the Flag was displayed in Srinagar.
- The Flag, before arrival in Srinagar, was displayed in Darjeeling on 08 Aug 2022 on the occasion of 80 Years of QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT.
Dedication of the HCSL to the Nation
⇒ Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways & AYUSH dedicated the newly built State-of-the-Art ship building facility of Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited at Nazirgunge, Howrah, West Bengal to the nation on 16 August 2022.
The Rs 180 Crore facility, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Ltd, a PSE under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways was dedicated to the nation by the Union Minister of PSW and AYUSH.
About Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL):
- HCSL was set up reviving the two-century old HDPEL ship building yard at Nazirgunge.
- HCSL is equipped with sophisticated equipment, experienced workforce as well as QA/QC, NDT and Fire & Safety Systems.
- HCSL has obtained IMS Certification (ISO 9001-2015 – Quality Certification, ISO 14001-2015 – Environment Safety & ISO 45001-2018 – Health and Safety Certification).
- The facility is strategically located with both slipway launching (upto 80 Mtrs) and side launching facilities (upto 110 Mtr) as well as outfitting jetties.
Objective:
- HCSL aims to position itself as a lead player in inland waterway vessel construction in the country.
- It will serve the inland water transport sector by construction of inland water vessels for transport of men & material along & across the National Waterways, mainly Ganga (NW1) & Brahmaputra (NW2).
- HCSL will also aid in the indigenous construction of green vessels including Hybrid and Pure electric operated vessels, non-conventional fuels and fuel cells technology operated vessels, coastal and inland river vessels, river cruise vessels, river container vessels, LNG and Methanol fuel vessels and barges.
- HCSL can provide comprehensive support to clients by not only constructing technologically advanced vessels, but also by providing life cycle support for maintenance and upkeep of the vessels.
International
Joint Exercise Al NAJAH-IV
⇒ The 4th Edition of India Oman Joint Military Exercise ‘AL NAJAH-IV’ between contingents of Indian Army and the Royal Army of Oman was conducted at the Foreign Training Node of Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan) from 01 to 13 August 2022.
Contingent:
The Indian contingent was from 18th Battalion of Mechanised Infantry Regiment and the Royal Army of Oman contingent was represented by Sultan of Oman Parachute Regiment.
Aim:
The aim of the exercise was to achieve inter-operability and to acquaint each other with operational procedures and combat drills in a Counter Terrorism environment under United Nations mandate. Both the armies were able to achieve the stated objectives.
The exercise was conducted in three phases.
- The first phase was orientation & familiarisation with weapon,equipment and tactical drills of each other by the participating contingents.
- The second phase was combat conditioning,formulation of joint drills and putting them into practise.
- The last phase was a 48 hours validation exercise of key drills and concepts learnt during the first two phases.
Key Points:
- Both the contingents jointly took part in the validation exercise which included establishment of Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon and Search Operations, Heliborne insertion,Room Intervention drills and effective employment of ICV in Counter Terrorism environment.
- The exercise also included effective employment of indigenous Advance Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv’, drones and various new generation technologies.
- Overall, the exercise was a resounding success. The two armies shared valuable combat experience with respect to Counter Terrorist, Regional Security and Peace Keeping Operations in an international environment.
- It was another significant milestone achieved in ensuring interoperability between the two armies, strengthening the cordial relations between the two countries and another step forward towards ensuring global security.
» The previous edition of Ex AL NAJAH IV was organised at Muscat from 12 to 25 March 2019.