National
India's first indigenously developed nuclear power plant unit in Gujarat
⇒ In a significant development, India’s first indigenously developed nuclear power plant unit in Gujarat has started operations at full capacity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted- ‘India achieves another milestone. The first largest indigenous 700 MWe Kakrapar Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 in Gujarat starts operations at full capacity.’
Key Points:
- The Kakrapar Unit-3 is an expansion of the existing nuclear power plant, which already had two operational units, KAPS-1 and KAPS-2, each with a capacity of around 220 MWe (megawatts electrical).
- The third unit is larger and more advanced compared to the first two.
- Another unit (KAPP 4) has also been constructed and operation here is expected to begin by March 2024.
- Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited or NPCIL operates the nuclear plants in the country.
- As per NPCIL website, KAPP-3 and 4 are India’s first pair of indigenously designed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 700 MW unit size with enhanced safety features. Unit-3 has started Commercial Operation from June 30, 2023.
6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah
⇒ The Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrated the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah throughout September 2023.
- This year, the objective was to comprehensively tackle malnutrition through a life-cycle approach, the cornerstone of Mission Poshan 2.0.
- Anchored in this approach, the focal point of Poshan Maah 2023 was to cultivate widespread awareness concerning critical human life stages: pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
- The aim was to foster nutritional understanding across India through a theme centered on “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India).
Activities:
- This month-long event witnessed concentrated efforts nationwide to enhance ground-level nutritional awareness through campaigns focusing on key themes around Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding.
- Activities such as Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition) were aimed at creating a sense of healthy competition for nutrition and overall well-being.
- Other initiatives include Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition as well as Education), Improving Nutrition through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), Tribal-Focused Nutrition Sensitization, and addressing Anemia through Test, Treat, Talk.
- Additionally, the Jan Andolan movement under Poshan Maah served as an extended platform for united celebration under the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign, commemorating the nation’s journey of freedom and progress.
- Outreach programs, identification drives, camps, and home visits were conducted at the village, block, and district levels, engaging diverse segments of the community to spread awareness about holistic nutrition.
- Encouraging nutrition-seeking behaviour at both the individual and community levels stands as a pivotal component in realizing the goals of the Abhiyaan. This objective continues to be pursued through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
To achieve this objective, Rashtriya Poshan Maah was celebrated in collaboration with all stakeholders from the 1st to the 30th of September.
- Through an array of diverse activities, the aim of the Poshan Maah 2023 was to amplify community involvement on a large scale, harnessing the potential of Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies to fulfil Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of a Suposhit Bharat in the Amrit Kaal.
Background:
- The Government of India’s flagship initiative, POSHAN Abhiyaan, has been instrumental in advancing nutritional outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under 6 years of age in a comprehensive manner.
- Launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister, POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition) Abhiyaan operates in mission mode to combat the challenge of malnutrition.
- During the 15th Financial Commission period, Poshan Abhiyaan, the Anganwadi Services Scheme and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls were aligned under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2 to launch an integrated nutrition support programme aimed at strengthening content, delivery, outreach, and outcomes.
- The focus remains on cultivating practices that foster health, wellness, and immunity against diseases and malnutrition.
- Since the inception of the Abhiyaan, five successful Poshan Maah events have been held across the country, with enthusiastic participation from States/UTs as well as convergent Ministries and Departments.
- Over 600 million activities have been carried out as part of Jan Andolan under Poshan Pakhwadas (March) and Poshan Maahs (September) each year.
Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel (AOP)
⇒ Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor took over as Air Officer-in-Charge Personnel (AOP) on 01 September 2023.
- Prior to his present appointment, he was Senior Air Staff Officer at HQ Central Air Command, Prayagraj.
About Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor:
- An alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, the Air Marshal was commissioned in the fighter stream of Flying Branch of the Indian Air Force on 06 December 1986.
- In recognition for his meritorious services, he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 by the Hon’ble President of India.
International
Nine Solar Demonstration Projects in Uganda, Comoros and Mali
⇒ The International Solar Alliance (ISA) hosted its 5th regional meeting in Kigali, Rwanda on August 31, 2023, supported by the Government of Rwanda, with 36 countries and Ministers of 15 countries participating.
- At the meeting, the President, International Solar Alliance and Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri RK Singh joined the meeting virtually from New Delhi.
- Shri RK Singh inaugurated a total of nine solar power demonstration projects in the Republic of Uganda, the Union of Comoros and the Republic of Mali.
Four of these projects are in Uganda, two in Comoros and three in Mali.
- Through grants given by the International Solar Alliance, solarization of a rural healthcare centre and three primary schools, with a capacity of 8.5 kilo-watt peak and a 17.2 kilo-watt hour battery storage system, has been commissioned in Uganda at a cost of USD 48,835.
- Similarly in Comoros, solarization of two rural healthcare centres in Banguoikouni and Ivembeni, with a capacity of 15 kilo-watt peak and a 33 kilo-watt hour battery storage system, has been completed at a total cost of USD 49,999.
- Solarization of three rural healthcare centres in Koula, Sinzani, and Doumba, of the Republic of Mali, with a capacity of 13 kilo-watt peak and a 43 kilo-watt hour battery storage, has been done at a total cost of USD 49,995.
» None of these areas had energy access before.
20 companies from 10 African nations win ISA’s SolarX StartUp Challenge
» The ISA felicitated the winners of its SolarX StartUp Challenge. Launched specifically for Africa, this initiative aimed to promote entrepreneurship and advance clean energy in African ISA Member Countries.
- After a rigorous selection process from April to June 2023, 20 companies from 10 African nations were declared winners. Notably, seven of these start-ups are led by woman entrepreneurs.
- Maximum number of winning companies (4) belong to Kenya, and Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda have 3 winning companies each.
The 182 applications had come from 28 countries, namely Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, India, Israel, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – a testament to the potential of addressing the pressing challenges of the solar sector.