National
Launch of ‘DSC A 20 (YARD 325)’ First Ship of 05 x Diving Support Craft (DSC) Project
⇒ ‘DSC A 20’ (Yard 325), the first ship of Five (05) Diving Support Craft (DSC) project, was launched on 31 August 2023 at Titagarh, Kolkata (WB) onto Hooghly River.
Built by:
‘DSC A 20’ (Yard 325) is being built by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL), Kolkata (formerly known as M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd) for Indian Navy.
- Contract for building five (05) Diving Support Craft (DSC) was signed between MoD and M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL), Kolkata on 12 February 2021.
- These ships are designed to undertake operational/ training diving operations in harbours and coastal waters.
- They are 30 m long catamaran hull ships, with a displacement of approx 300 tons.
- All five (05) DSC are anticipated to be delivered to Indian Navy in FY 2024-25.
- Keel of the 5th and last Diving Support Craft (DSC), i.e. DSC A 24, was also laid along with launch of 1st DSC by the Chief Guest, VAdm Sanjay Mahindru, DCNS, signifying the simultaneous construction of all five DSC for Indian Navy.
Other Points:
- DSC are being fitted with state-of-the-art diving equipment and tools for performing diving operations.
- These ships are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- The hydrodynamic analysis/ model testing of the ships during design stage were undertaken at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
- With most of main and auxiliary equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these ships are proud flag bearers of Make in India and Make for the World initiatives of Government of India (GoI)/ Ministry of the Defence (MoD).
Inauguration of Utkela Airport
⇒ Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia along with Gen. Vijay Kumar Singh (Rtd.) MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation inaugurated Utkela Airport and a direct flight between Utkela and Bhubaneshwar on 31 August 2023.
About Utkela Airport:
- Utkela airport is owned by the Government of Odisha.
- It has been developed as a regional airport under the UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India at a cost of Rs 31.07 Cr.
- Utkela airport has a runway of length 917 meters (2,995 ft.) with a width of 30 meters.
- With the addition of Utkela Airport, Odisha will now have five airports.
State level program of Brahma Kumaris “The Year of Positive Change”
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced the state level launch of the theme of the year “The Year of Positive Change” of Brahma Kumaris at Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vishwavidyalaya in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on August 31, 2023.
- The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu laid foundation stone for “Divine Light House” of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Dasabatia, Tamando on July 27, 2023.
- President launched its theme of the year “The Year of Positive Change” for conducting seminars and conferences.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya is not just an organization, but also a social and spiritual campaign run by women.
Commandant, Army Hospital (Research & Referral)
⇒ Lieutenant General Ajith Nilakantan has assumed the appointment of Commandant, Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in New Delhi on 01 September 2023.
Prior to assuming the present appointment, he held the post of Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces).
About Lieutenant General Ajith Nilakantan:
- An alumnus of Trivandrum Medical College, the General Officer was commissioned into Army Medical Corps on 16 April 1987.
- For his meritorious service, he was awarded with General Officer Commanding in Chief Commendation in 2013 and Chief of Army Staff Commendation in 2014.
Important Day
World Sanskrit Day 2023
⇒ To honor one of the world’s oldest known languages, World Sanskrit Day is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Shravan or Sawan month.
- World Sanskrit Day 2023, which is also known as World Sanskrit Diwas, was observed on August 31.
The celebration of the day aims at the awareness and promotion of Sanskrit language. Moreover, the celebrations also reflect the sanctity and divinity of the language, which is also considered as Dev Vani (language of the gods).
History:
- The Ministry of Education, Government of India declared World Sanskrit Day on the occasion of Shravan Purnima in 1969. The day was supposed to be a tribute to the work of the renowned Sanskrit scholar Paṇini and his legacy.
- This is why, annually World Sanskrit Day is observed on the birth anniversary of Panini, whose contribution to the evolution of the language stands significant and unmatched till date.
- Sanskrit has also been used to write some crucial scriptures in Hinduism like Vedas, Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita. Many believe that Sanskrit was created and passed on by Lord Brahma to rishis.
- The importance of Sanskrit for other languages can also be understood from the words derived from it. Even in widely spoken English, many common words have their roots directly or indirectly in Sanskrit.