National
Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge
⇒ The Department of Fisheries, Government of India in association with Startup India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry inaugurated the “Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge” on 13th January 2022.
- The result of the application will be announced on 31st May 2022.
The challenge has been launched with an objective to provide a platform to start-ups within the country to showcase their innovative solutions within the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector.
The following themes have been identified for submission of problem statements under the Fisheries Start-up Grand Challenge.
» Enhancing quality of production in fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Design and develop technology / solutions for enhancing the productivity so that the fishers & fish farmers can achieve better price realization
» Design and develop infrastructure solutions across the fisheries and aquaculture value chains
- Develop infrastructure and post-harvest management solutions that will enable fishers, fish farmers in creating value addition, value creation and value realization ensuring minimal wastage across the fisheries value chain
» Innovative branding and promotion for increasing consumption of fish and fish products
- Develop business solutions and outreach activities that will make fish and fish products easily accessible, acceptable and popular among the meat consuming population in the country
» Innovative solutions for combating environmental issues related to fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Develop sustainable solutions to reduce/stop soil erosion, siltation of the water bodies and develop eco-friendly solutions for costal fishers
Background:
- Globally, India accounts for more than 10% of the fish diversity and ranks 2nd in the world in total fish production.
- Currently, the aquaculture market is estimated to be $17 billion, wherein 92% of production output comprises fish.
- The Indian aquaculture market is expected to reach $19 billion by 2022 and double the production and exports in the next 5 years.
'16th Official Queen’s Baton Relay'
⇒ Ms. Vinisha Umashankar, a student innovator turned environmentalist from Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, was selected as a “changemaker” and Batonbearer for the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay held in India from 12-15 January 2022.
The young innovator and buddying environmentalist Ms. Vinisha has been an inspiration for many, and she also deserves to be chosen as a baton-bearer.
The 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay started at the Buckingham Palace in London on 7th October 2021 and is scheduled to conclude on 28th July 2022 at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games after travelling 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth for 294 days.
About Vinisha:
- Ms Vinisha Umashankar received the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards instituted by National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, for her mobile ironing cart, which uses solar panels to power a steam iron box.
- Vinisha turned out to be an inspiration for the world after her speech at the 26th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2021 at Glasgow, Scotland.
Student Hackathon on Smart Safe and Sustainable Mobility
⇒ As a part of ARAI Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav week from 10th to 16th January 2022, a student Hackathon on Smart Safe and Sustainable mobility has been hosted on ARAI-TechNovuus.
- It was e-inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar on 13 January 2022.
» The Hackathon will host 10 problem statements on the broad theme of Smart, Safe and Sustainable mobility solutions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
» A prize pool of Rs.10 lakh is proposed for the problem statements.
» To find solutions for the problems faced by the county is the way of building the nation. The youth should be motivated for thinking rapidly and innovatively and Hackathon will be helpful for this endeavor.
Important Day
74th Army Day
⇒ Indian Army celebrated its 74th Army Day 15 January 2022.
Theme:
The Indian Army’s theme for the year 2022, “In Stride with the Future”, is an acknowledgement of the increasingly critical role played by niche and disruptive technologies in modern warfare.
Every year, 15 January is commemorated as “Army Day” to remember the occasion when General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949. He became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of Independent India.
Sports
First-ever National Level Khelo India Women's Hockey League Under 21
⇒ Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur formally inaugurated the first-ever national level Khelo India Women’s Hockey League (Under 21) at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on 15 December 2022.
A total of 14 teams competed in the first phase of the tournament held from 15th to 21st December, 2021.
As many as 42 matches were played during the first phase, while the second and third phase will be held early next year. The second phase of the tournament will be held at the SAI Centre in Lucknow.
Key Points:
- It is being organized by the Sports Authority of India in collaboration with Hockey India.
- The league holds a cash prize of Rs 30 lakh for the winners, 15 lakh from MYAS and 15 lakh from Hockey India.
Conclusion:
The India Junior girls won all their six games and scored a total of 52 goals, conceding just twice in the tournament and topped seven-team Pool A with a total of 18 points. Deepika scored 16 of those 52 goals.
- India Junior Women’s Hockey team star Deepika became the top scorer in the first phase of the Khelo India Women’s Hockey League Under 21.