National
Offshore Security Exercise, ‘Prasthan’
⇒ An offshore security exercise, code-named ‘Prasthan’ was conducted in the Offshore Development Area (ODA) off Mumbai on 16th November 2021, under the aegis of Headquarters, Western Naval Command. This exercise is conducted every six months.
- The exercise was conducted on the MHN platform of ONGC located about 94 nm west of Mumbai.
- This exercise is an important element of ensuring offshore security.
Aim:
It aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders, in refining SOPs and response-actions to a variety of contingencies in the Offshore Development Areas (ODAs).
Maritime stakeholders include Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, ONGC, Port Trust, Customs, State fisheries department and Marine Police.
Contingencies such as terrorist intrusion, bomb explosion, major fire, oil spill, man overboard, casualty evacuation, loss of control of vessel and mass evacuation were exercised.
Winners of National Short Films competition
⇒ Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitated the winners of National Short Films competition on ODF Plus/ Swachhata Filmon ka Amrit Mahotsav held in 2021 at an event organized by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Winners:
- Shri Somnath Bag from West Bengal was awarded First prize for his film on Biogas/Gobardhan.
- Shri Lumlang Warjri of Meghalaya was felicitated with Second Prize for his film on Biodegradable Waste Management theme.
About:
- DDWS under Phase 2 of SBMG launched the National Level Short Films Competition ‘Swachhata Filmon ka Amrit Mahotsava’ on April 16, 2021 for promoting mass awareness on ODF Plus components aiming at accelerating the momentum for achieving ODF Plus goals.
- The National Level Short Films Competition was launched as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) celebrations.
- The competition concluded on 31st August, 2021 and received over 4000 entries from across the country.
Chiefs of two key Central Armed Police Forces
⇒ The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the appointment of chiefs of two key Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
CISF DG:
Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, Shri Sheel Vardhan Singh, IPS has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
- He has been appointed till August 31, 2023 i.e. date of his superannuation or till further orders whichever is earlier.
NDRF DG:
National Police Academy Director, Atul Karwal, IPS has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
- He has been appointed for a period of two years from the date of joining the post or till further orders, whichever is earlier.
Book ‘Srimadramayanam’
⇒ The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released the book ‘Srimadramayanam’ written by Shri Sasi Kiran in Hyderabad.
The Vice President hailed Ramayana as a timeless epic that highlighted performing one’s duty is as important as asserting one’s rights.
International
2020-21 Green Solutions Award
⇒ Suhasini Ayer, architect from Auroville was presented with the 2020-21 Green Solutions Award during the COP26 summit, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
- Ayer received the award for the Humanscapes Habitat project of creating an affordable and sustainable housing hub in the universal township.
- The project got the award in the Sustainable Construction category at the climate summit.
About:
» The Green Solutions Awards 2020-2021 is an international competition run by the Construction21 network, a collaborative and networking platform for stakeholders interested in sustainability, that spotlights exemplary solutions integrated into buildings, districts and infrastructures contributing to the fight against climate change.
» Humanscapes Habitat was an applied research and demonstration project of Sustainable and Integrated Urban Living for benchmarking in habitat as a course correction for a sustainable and harmonious mode of development.
Sexiest Man Alive in 2021
⇒ People magazine has named Paul Rudd the Sexiest Man Alive in 2021. Rudd, known for his starring roles in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” films, “This is 40” and “Clueless”.
CEO of Myntra
⇒ Walmart-owned online fashion retailer Myntra has appointed Nandita Sinha as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from January 1, 2022.