National
Launch of ‘Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels’ for the first time in India
⇒ Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs addressed the historic occasion of the launch of ‘Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels’ produced by IndianOil for the first time in India on 26 October 2023.
He said that the Launch of Reference Fuels produced by IndianOil’s Paradip & Panipat Refineries, utilizing the intellectual talent available at IndianOil’s Research & Development Centre, is a dynamic achievement”.
About Reference Fuels:
» IndianOil has successfully commenced the production of Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels for the first time in India.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited has established facilities for production of Reference Gasoline Fuels (E-5, E-10 and E-20) at its Paradip Refinery and Reference Diesel Fuel (B-7) at its Panipat Refinery.
- Specification requirements of Reference Fuels are more stringent than commercial gasoline and diesel. The demand of Reference Fuels in India is currently met by importing from other countries.
- IndianOil’s teams of Refineries and R&D have strived hard to achieve this feat in the shortest possible time. To meet the International standards, these products had passed through three layer of certification viz., Refinery lab, IOCL R&D Centre and an internationally reputed third party lab.
- The indigenously developed product by IndianOil meets Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) specifications, substitutes imports, and is available at better price with reduced lead time.
- These indigenously developed products will lead to import substitution at better price and minimum lead time for the Vehicle manufacturers. Reference Gasoline fuels will be available in E0, E5, E10, E20, E85, E100 from Flagship Paradip Refinery. Reference diesel fuel shall be available in B7 grade from Panipat Refinery.
- The indigenous development of this product is in-line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Use:
- Reference fuels (Gasoline and Diesel) are premium high-value products, used for calibration and testing of vehicles by Auto OEMs and organizations involved in testing and certification in the automotive field.
- These fuels are used for calibration and testing of vehicle by Automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology) and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India).
9th Divya Kala Mela 2023
⇒ The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) regularly organizes Divya Kala Mela unique event showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country.
To continue the efforts of empowering Divyang Entrepreneurs Divya Kala Mela was organized from 27th October – 5th November, 2023 at HMT Ground Jalahalli Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The event presented an enthralling experience to the visitors, as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern states were seen together.
- Around 100 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from about 20 states/UTs showcased their products and skills in Bengaluru.
- There were Products in the following broad categories: Home Décor and lifestyle, Clothing, Stationery and eco-friendly products, packaged food and organic products, Toys and gifts, Personal Accessories – Jewellery, Clutch Bags Paintings etc.
- The 10 Days ‘Divya Kala Mela’ witnessed a series of cultural activities, including performances by Divyangjan artists and well-known professionals. Visitors also enjoyed their favourite foods from various regions of the country at the event.
- This was an opportunity for all to go ‘vocal for local’.
About Divya Kala Mela:
» This is a unique initiative of DEPwD towards the economic empowerment of PwD/Divyangjan. The Divya Kala Mela presents a bigger platform for marketing and showcasing the products and skills of Divyangjan (PwD).
- The Divya Kala Mela, Bengaluru was the 9th one in series starting from 2022 (i) Delhi, December 2022, (ii) Mumbai, February 2023, (iii) Bhopal, March 2023, (iv) Guwahati, May 2023 (V) Indore, June 2023 (Vi) Jaipur 29th June to 5th July, 2023 (vii) Varanasi, 15th – 24th September, 2023(viii) Secunderabad, Hyderabad 6th – 15th October, 2023 (ix) Bengaluru, Karnataka 27th October – 5th November, 2023.
International
EU and India Carry Out Maiden Joint Naval Exercise
⇒ India and EU ships conducted joint activities in the Gulf of Guinea, in an effort to reinforce naval maritime security cooperation in support of the region.
The European Union (EU) and India conducted their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on 24 October 2023.
- The exercise followed the third meeting of the EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue on 5 October 2023 in Brussels.
Participation:
During the exercise, Indian Navy’s INS Sumedha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, was joined by three EU Member States’ ships in the Gulf of Guinea: Italian Navy Ship ITS Foscari, French Navy Ship FS Ventôse, and Spanish Navy Ship Tornado.
- The four ships practiced a series of tactical manoeuvers in international waters off the coast of Ghana, including a boarding exercise, a flying exercise using the helicopters embarked on French Ship Ventôse and Indian Naval Ship Sumedha, and transfer of personnel between ships.
Knowledge sharing session:
» This exercise was followed by a knowledge sharing session in Accra, Ghana which built on the joint experience at sea to improve operational know-how.
- The session also helped deepen ties between Ghanaian officials and representatives of the Indian, EU and EU Member States missions to Ghana.
- These activities underlined the shared commitment of India and the EU to supporting coastal States and the Yaoundé Architecture in ensuring maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
- They reflected the breadth and dynamism of EU-India cooperation on maritime security, and signalled the common determination to uphold the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Important Day
International Dwarfism Awareness Day 2023
⇒ International Dwarfism Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 25 October.
- The day spreads awareness for achondroplasia, a bone growth disorder that causes dwarfism.
Background:
- Every year since 2012, International Dwarfism Awareness Day celebrates little people on 25 October, the birthday of Billy Barty, the founder of Little People of America (LPA).
- On this day we remember the little people also called dwarfs. Dwarfism is short stature that results from a genetic or medical condition. It is generally defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches (147 centimetres).
- The most well-known among these is Achondroplasia.
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment observed the World Dwarfism Day, through the institutions associated with it by conducting various activities like Awareness Programmes, Interview sessions, poster making, Webinars and Panel Discussion across the country.