Current Affairs – 10th Apr 2024

Articles Covered

  1. PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES A HOMOEOPATHY SYMPOSIUM ON WORLD HOMOEOPATHY DAY
  2. INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD
  3. Command Hospital, Pune becomes the first government hospital across the country to procure and conduct successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants
  4. Rhamphicarpa fistulosa
  5. Defence Secretary presides over first steel cutting of Fleet Support Ships for Indian Navy at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd in Visakhapatnam
  6. India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC)
  7. As abundant chital cost authorities dearly, a tiny Andaman Island struggles to keep up
  8. Hepatitis
  9. The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells
  10. Tons River
  11. Atomic clocks to ring in one nation-one time
  12. Jenu Kuruba Community
  13. India secures Sittwe Port agreement
  14. Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)
  15. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) conducts Pre-Cyclone Exercise for the season April-June 2024
  16. KABIL and CSIR-IMMT sign MoU for Technical and Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals

PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES A HOMOEOPATHY SYMPOSIUM ON WORLD HOMOEOPATHY DAY

  1. The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a two-day Homoeopathy Symposium, organized by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, in New Delhi today (April 10, 2024) on the occasion of the World Homoeopathy Day.

  1. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Homoeopathy has been adopted in many countries as a simple and accessible treatment method. All over the world, many institutions at international, national and local levels have been promoting Homoeopathy.
  2. She appreciated the Ministry of AYUSH, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, National Commission for Homoeopathy, National Institute of Homoeopathy and all such institutions of the Central Government for their contribution in the promotion of Homoeopathy in India.
  3. The President said that the importance of research is continuously increasing in the 21st Therefore, the theme of this Symposium ‘Empowering Research, Enhancing Proficiency’ is very relevant.
  4. She emphasized that research and proficiency will play an important role in further increasing the acceptance and popularity of Homoeopathy.
  5. The President said that many people share such experiences of a person who was disappointed after being treated with various methods and benefited from the miracle of Homoeopathy.
  6. But such experiences can be recognized in the scientific community only when presented with facts and analysis. Such factual analysis done on a large scale is called Authentic Medical Research.
  7. Encouraging scientific rigor will further increase people’s confidence in this medical system.
  8. The President said that only healthy people create a healthy society. A healthy nation is built on the foundation of a healthy society.
  9. She expressed that all healthcare professionals will make invaluable contribution in building a healthy, prosperous and developed India.

INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD

India’s Jagjit Pavadia was re-elected for a third term for five years from March 2025-2030 to the International Narcotics Control Board.

  • It was established in 1968 and is the independent and quasi-judicial monitoring body for the implementation of the United Nations international drug control conventions.
  • History
  • It was established by the Single Conventionon Narcotic Drugs of 1961 by merging two bodies: the Permanent Central Narcotics Board, created by the 1925 International Opium Convention; and the Drug Supervisory Body, created by the 1931 Convention for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs.

Members:

  1. It consists of 13 members who are elected by the Economic and Social Council and who serve in their capacity, not as government representatives.
  2. Three members with medical, pharmacological or pharmaceutical experience are elected from a list of persons nominated by the WHO and 10 members are elected from a list of persons nominated by Governments.
  • Mandate:INCB endeavours in cooperation with Governments, to ensure that adequate supplies of drugs are available for medical and scientific uses and that the diversion of drugs from licit sources to illicit channels does not occur.

It also monitors Governments’ control over chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs and assists them in preventing the diversion of those chemicals into illicit traffic.

Command Hospital, Pune becomes the first government hospital across the country to procure and conduct successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants

  1. Department of Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) at Command Hospital (Southern Command) in Pune has conducted two piezoelectric Bone Conduction Hearing Implants (BCI) in a 7-year-old male child suffering from congenital external and middle ear anomalies with severe degree of hearing loss and one adult with Single Sided Deafness (SSD), becoming the first government hospital across the country to procure and conduct the successful piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implants.
  2. The ENT department of Command Hospital (Southern Command) is a designated Neurotology centre of the AFMS. The dept. has been providing Implantable hearing solutions to dependent clientele for a number of years. Active piezoelectric bone conduction hearing implant system is an implantable medical electronic device for hearing impaired patients [conductive loss (including aural atresia), mixed hearing loss and single sided deafness]. The cost of the equipment has always been a concern, making its outreach limited.
  3. There are certain group of patients with conductive/ mixed hearing loss or patients with single sided deafness, who are not candidates for cochlear implantation and do not benefit with hearing aids or middle ear surgery. To reduce the associated disability, it is imperative to provide hearing augmentation for better academic outcome in children and social life in adults. Bone conduction implantation is the definitive hearing solutions in such groups of patients to rehabilitate them, and the Armed Forces Medical Services were quick to realise this.
  4. DG Armed Forces Medical Services Lt Gen Daljit Singh and DGMS (Army) Lt Gen Arindam Chatterjee have congratulated the Command Hospital (SC) and wished many more laurels to the institute.
  5. These patients were implanted successfully at Command Hospital (SC), Pune by Lt Col (Dr) Rahul Kurkure, Neurotologist and Implant Surgeon under the guidance of Col (Dr) Nitu Singh, Senior Advisor & HoD (ENT). The Command Hospital (SC), Pune is one of the premier institutes of AFMS, presently commanded by Maj Gen B Nambiar. The hospital was recently awarded with the most prestigious “Raksha Mantri” trophy as the best hospital in the entire AFMS.

Rhamphicarpa fistulosa

A new report showed that rice vampireweed (Rhamphicarpa fistulosa) in Africa affected more than 140,000 farm households and caused losses worth $82 million per year to the continent’s economy.

  1. It is a facultative, parasitic weed that grows on rice which is also known as rice vampire weed.
  2. It also affects sorghum and maize and, potentially, other cereal crops.
  3. The weed can germinate and grow independently, but significantly increases its reproductive output when parasitizing a suitable host.
  4. It is not controlled by fertilisers.
  5. It is found in at least 35 countries in Africa, with 28 of them home to rain fed lowland rice areas.
  6. Countries with the highest estimated infestation rates were Gambia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Togo and, to a lesser extent, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, Malawi and Tanzania.

parasitic plant

  1. It depends on other plants for part or all of their nutrition. They parasitize by making a xylem-to-xylem connection with the host plant using a specialized organ called haustorium.
  2. Through this connection the parasite extracts water, nutrients and metabolites and alters the plant growth regulators of the host, resulting in stunted growth and losses in reproductive output of the host plant.
  • Obligate parasite, also known as holoparasite, is an organism which fails to complete or continue its life cycle without a host.The presence of the host organism is essential for an obligate parasite for reproduction and survival.
  • The facultative parasite is a kind of parasite which is able to complete its life cycle even without a host organism. It can either live independently from the host or dependently with the host in contrast to an obligate parasite.

Defence Secretary presides over first steel cutting of Fleet Support Ships for Indian Navy at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd in Visakhapatnam

  1. Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane presided over the first steel cutting of the Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam on April 10, 2024. The FSS, under construction at HSL, is first-of-its-kind with displacement of 44,000 tons and will play a crucial role in replenishing the fleet at sea with fuel, water, ammunition, and stores, thereby extending the operational capabilities of the Navy and enhancing its strategic reach.

  1. The Defence Secretary also laid the foundation stone for augmentation of slipway and major infrastructure modernisation to enhance capacity and capability of the yard. The ongoing infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of a cutting-edge 300T Goliath crane and slipway upgrades, will further enhance HSL’s capacity to undertake FSS and future projects like the Landing Platform Dock, reinforcing its role in meeting the defence and commercial sector requirements under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
  2. In his address, Shri Giridhar Aramane termed HSL as an asset of the government. He stated that the present shipbuilding trend is showing an upcoming boom in orders from both defence and commercial sector and HSL should be geared up to take on any challenge.
  3. CMD, HSL Cmde Hemant Khatri (Retd) extended gratitude to the Defence Secretary for being a key in the revival of HSL. He underlined the importance of construction of FSS as it provides business to nearly 550 MSMEs in-and-around Visakhapatnam and employment opportunity to over 3,000 personnel.

India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC)

  • Recently, India-EU Trade & Technology Council has launched an Expression of Interest for Startups in Battery Recycling Technologies for Electric Vehicles.
  • Collaboration between India- EU: The European Union (EU) and India have issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for startups in Battery Recycling technology for Electric Vehicles (EVs) to foster collaboration between European and Indian Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in clean and green technology.
  • Aim of the Programme: This programme is part of the India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC), which aims to promote a sustainable agenda and strengthen commercial partnerships.
  1. First Trade and Technological Council:The EU-India Trade and Technology Council is the EU’s second bilateral forum and India’s first created with any partner. In June 2021, the European Union and the United States began a TTC.
  2. Aim: To establish a high-level coordination platform for solving critical issues at the convergence of trade, trusted technology, and security.
  3. Meetings of the Council: Ministerial meetings under the TTC are held annually to ensure regular high-level contact between India and the EU.
  4. These meetings are held to foster balanced participation and strengthen bilateral collaboration.
  5. Working Groups: The TTC is made up of three Working Groups (WGs) that report on roadmaps for future collaboration.
  6. The Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity: It will collaborate on topics of mutual interest, including digital connectivity, AI, 5G/6G, high performance and quantum computing, semiconductors, cloud systems, cybersecurity, digitalskills, and digital platforms.
  7. The Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies: It  will prioritize green technologies, including investment and standards, with a focus on research and innovation.
  8. WG for Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains: It will aim to strengthen supply chains and improve access to vital components, energy, and raw materials.
  9. It will also aim to overcome recognised trade impediments and global trade difficulties by encouraging cooperation in multilateral settings.

As abundant chital cost authorities dearly, a tiny Andaman Island struggles to keep up

The herbivore was brought to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for hunting in the early 1900s by the British

Introduced to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for game hunting in the early 1900s by the British, an herbivore that multiplied unchecked for years in the absence of large predators has become an expensive and an “invasive” problem for the Union Territory’s authorities.

For years, the chital (spotted deer) — the staple food for large predators in forests of mainland India — sustained themselves on local ground vegetation on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, which lies east of Port Blair and does not have any major residential enclaves. But now, with the nearly 500 chital having depleted much of the low-ground vegetation, the Andaman and Nicobar Forest Department has been spending Rs 15-20 lakh per month since the past few months to feed them on the island.

Recently, the Andaman and Nicobar Forest Department is considering moving about 500 Chital deer to a Biological Park in Port Blair.

  • Hunting of Chitals by Britishers: The British imported Chital (Spotted deer) to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the early 1900s for hunting.
  • Increase in Chital Population: The Chital multiplied in an uncontrolled habitat and, in the lack of strong predators, had become a headache for authorities.
  • Reason for relocation:To deal with the invasive species, the government has been looking for options, such as rehabilitating or relocating the chital.
  • Authority to Relocate: Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, a Chief Wildlife Warden may sanction relocation for scientific management.
  • The law requires that such translocations cause little pain to animals.

Chital (Spotted Deer):

  1. Native Species: The chital, also known as the spotted deer, chital deer, and axis deer, is a deer species indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.
  2. Origins: Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben
  3. Biological Features: It is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and antlers are exclusively found on males.
  4. Population Estimation: According to the IUCN, the Axis deer is found throughout its range, although no overall population estimate is given.
  5. However, the IUCN Red List classifies the Axis deer as Least Concern (LC).

Distribution of Chitals:

  1. Concentration of Population: The majority of the Axis deer population lives in India’s jungles.
  2. Major Areas of Distribution: They are mostly distributed in Sri Lanka and India, but they have also been introduced in the United States and Australia.
  3. Type of Habitation: They reside in deep forests and forested valleys, but they also favor wide grasslands, savannas, and plantations.

Ecological niche:

  1. Significance in the Ecosystem: These creatures play a vital role in the ecosystem that surrounds them. Furthermore, as herbivores, they can be considered primary consumers.
  2. Help in Maintaining Food Chain: On the other hand, they become food for local predators. Because Axis deer eat plants, they keep green plants under control in some forests.
  3. Impact of Chitals on the Ecosystem: Without deer in the environment, some plants may overpopulate, while the population of certain animal species that rely on deer for food may decline.

Hepatitis

According to the Global Hepatitis Report 2024 released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is one of the countries with the highest burden of viral hepatitis.

  • Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.
  • It can be an acute (short-term) infection or a chronic(long-term) infection.
  • There are different types of hepatitis, with different causes:
  1. Viral hepatitis: It is the most common type and caused by one of several hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E.
  2. Alcoholic hepatitis which is caused by heavy alcohol use.
  3. Toxic hepatitis can be caused by certain poisons, chemicals, medicines, or supplements.
  4. Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic type in which your body’s immune system attacks your liver. The cause is not known, but genetics and your environment may play a role.

Viral Hepatitis Spread

  1. Hepatitis A and E usually spread through contact with food or water that is contaminated with an infected person. You can also get hepatitis E by eating under cooked food.
  2. Hepatitis B, C, and D spread through contact with the blood of someone who has the disease.
  3. Hepatitis B and D may also spread through contact with other body fluids. This can happen in many ways, such as sharing drug needles or having unprotected sex.
  • Symptoms:Some people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. Common symptoms include: Fever, Fatigue, Loss of appetite, Nausea and/or vomiting etc.
  • Treatment:Treatment for hepatitis depends on which type you have and whether it is acute or chronic. Acute viral hepatitis often goes away on its own. There are different medicines to treat the different chronic types of hepatitis.

The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells

What is the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules? Why was it re-implemented after being ‘kept in abeyance’ for two years? How did China become a dominant player in the import of solar PV modules?

Recently, the government has imposed import restrictions to increase local sourcing of solar modules to support India’s renewables manufacturing ecosystem.

  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) re-implemented the ALMM list to promote domestic manufacturing capabilities and support India’s renewables ecosystem.
  1. Recent government orders on attempts to increase local sourcing of solar modules to support India’s renewables manufacturing ecosystem has been widely reported in the media as ‘import restrictions.
  2. This follows the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE), March 29 order to re-implement its 2021 notification of an ‘Approved List of Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic [PV] Modules’, also called the ALMM list.

ALMM

  1. The ALMM list stands for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules.
  2. The ALMM is a list of solar PV module manufacturers eligible for use in government projects, including those set up for electricity sale to central and state governments.
  3. It was initially introduced in 2021 but was kept in abeyance for the past financial year.

Import restrictions

  • It is a government-imposed regulation to control imports.

Types of import restrictions include:

  1. Tariffs
  2. Import quotas
  3. Restrictions on the amount of foreign currency available to cover imports
  4. Import deposits
  5. Import surcharges

The prohibition of various categories of import

Reason for Re-implementation of ALMM list

  1. Support Domestic Manufacturing:The ALMM list prioritizes domestically manufactured solar equipment for government projects.
  2. This aims to boost India’s renewable energy sector and reduce reliance on imports.
  3. Improved Production Capacity: The government believes domestic manufacturers have increased production capacity and can now compete with cheaper imports.
  4. This is also a major reason for justifying re-implementation of the ALMM list.
  5. Import Substitution: The focus is on import substitution for encouraging domestic manufacturing to meet local demand for solar equipment. However, imports have not been restricted entirely.

Statistics of India’s Solar Cell Imports

Import Reliance:

  • India heavily relies on imports to meet its demand for solar cells and modules.

Scope for solar in India

  1. India has an estimated solar power potential of 748.99 GW, indicating that the full potential of solar energy is yet to be harnessed.
  2. Contribution of Solar Power in 2024
  3. Renewable Energy Share: Solar power contributes to about one-third of all energy generated from renewables.
  4. It shows that India has more potential for solar energy which is not fully utilised.

Demand Growth and Economic Activity

  1. Fastest Rate of Demand Growth: India accounts for the fastest growth rate for electricity demand through 2026 among major economies.
  2. This is because of strong economic activity and expanding consumption of products to mitigate extreme weather.

Target for future

  1. Targeted Installed Capacity by 2030:
  2. India aims to achieve a remarkable 500 GW of installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
  3. China and Vietnam are the primary suppliers of these products.

Import Statistics:

  1. Over the past five years, India imported around $11.17 billion worth of these products.
  2. This amounts to around 0.4% of India’s total exports during the same period.

Dominance of China:

  • China supplies 53% of India’s solar cell imports and 63% of solar PV module imports.

Reasons for India to rely on Solar Cell Imports

  1. Dominant Manufacturing Capacity of China: China possesses over 80% of the manufacturing capacity across all stages of solar cell production (polysilicon, wafer, cell, and modules).
  2. In addition to the above, China has a well-established solar cell supply chain, with readily available raw materials, skilled labour, and efficient manufacturing processes.
  3. This allows them to produce and deliver solar cells quickly and reliably.
  4. Lower Manufacturing Capacity in India: India’s domestic manufacturing capacity is significantly lower compared to China, and it’s primarily focused on the final stage (modules) rather than the entire production process.
  5. Cost Competitiveness: China’s large-scale production (80% manufacturing capacity), lower cost, and supportive government role in prioritizing solar PV as a strategic sector make it able to provide solar cells at competitive prices.
  6. In China, electricity accounts for more than 40% of production costs for polysilicon and almost 20% for ingots and wafers.
  7. Limited Domestic Alternatives: Until recently, India lacked strong domestic alternatives to Chinese imports. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme aims to change this, but it will take time for domestic manufacturers to ramp up production and compete effectively.

India’s Policies to Reduce Reliance on China for Solar Cell Imports:

India has taken three significant steps to address its over-dependence on solar imports over the past five years.

  1. ALMM order: The process began with the introduction of the ALMM order in January 2019.
  2. The issue gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic due to severe global supply chain disruptions.
  3. PLI scheme:In response, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed the ₹19,500 crore PLI scheme in the Union Budget of 2022-23.
  4. Objective:To enhance domestic manufacturing across the entire solar supply chain, from polysilicon to solar modules.

Implementation of high import duties: Government imposed duties to encourage domestic production.

  1. 40% customs duty on solar PV modules
  2. 25% customs duty on solar PV cells (These duties were later reduced)
  3. These duties were later reduced as solar capacity additions slowed down.
  4. As per Reuters, it occurred because Some developers charged low tariffs to secure power purchase contracts, which increased cost pressure on projects with a capacity of about 30 GW.

Objectives of India’s Policies to Reduce solar cells imports

  1. Promote domestic manufacturing of solar equipment in India.
  2. Reduce dependence on imports, particularly from China.
  3. Make solar power generation more cost-competitive in the long run.

Tons River

  • It is the largest and most important tributary of the Yamuna.
  • It is one of the most perennial rivers emerging from the Himalayas.

Course:

  1. Tons River originates at a height of 6,315 metres from the Bandar punch Mountain in Uttarakhand.
  2. It flows through the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and touches Himachal Pradesh.
  3. Surging from that great height, the glacier-fed river’s course ends when it meets the YAMUNA river
  4. It joins Yamuna near Kalsi in the Dehradun district, Uttarakhand.
  5. It has a length of about 200 km.
  6. Along the way, the river cuts through deep gorges,tranquil valleys, and dense forests.
  • Tons, even being a tributary, contribute more water than Yamuna itself possesses at the point of meeting.
  • Tributaries: The Pabbar and Asan rivers are the main tributaries of the Tons River.
  • The Tons Valley is also culturally significant, inhabited by indigenous communities like the Jaunsari and Bhotiya tribes, who have their own unique traditions, dialects, and lifestyles.

major tributaries of the Yamuna River

  • The important tributaries of the Yamuna River are Tons, Chambal, Hindon, Betwa and Ken. Other small tributaries of the Yamuna River include the Giri, Sind, Uttangan, Sengar and the Rind.

Atomic clocks to ring in one nation-one time

India is deploying atomic clocks across the country to synchronize all digital devices based on Indian Standard Time, enhancing uniformity and national security.

  1. India’s ISRO will join an elite club of space agencies of The US, the UK, Japan, and Korea, which uses the Rubidium Atomic Clock in their own GPS Satellites.
  2. This clock was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to be used with the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), or NavIC, which was built after the American government refused GPS access to India during the Kargil War.
  3. Installation of Atomic Clock across the country is Exercised by :  National Physical Laboratory(NPL) under Ministry of Science & Technology & Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
  4. It will ensure ‘One Nation One Time’ by June 2024.

Types of Atomic Clock:

  • Cesium Atomic Clock, Hydrogen Maser atomic clock, Rubidium Gas cell atomic clock etc

Atomic Clocks in India:

  1. Currently Atomic Clocks are inFaridabad and Ahmedabad.
  2. CSIR-NPL, New Delhi maintains Indian Standard Time with caesium & hydrogen maser atomic clocks.
  3. They are now setting up atomic clocks in Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, and Hyderabad.

Cesium(55)& Rubidium(37)atoms

  1. They are very stable.
  2. They have a very specific frequency at which the electrons vibrate and this frequency is used as a basis for atomic clocks timekeeping.

Atomic Clock:

  1. An atomic clock is a type of clock that uses the vibrations of atoms to measure time.
  2. It combines a quartz crystal oscillator with an atom, usually caesium or hydrogen & rubidium, to measure time precisely.
  3. It measures time by tracking the resonant frequency (consistent frequency to maintain accurate time) of atoms used in the clock.
  4. Invented by Louise Essen in 1955.
  5. It is the most precise clock made that is true to a billionth of a second.
  6. It is more stable than conventional quartz clocks.

Working: 

  • To measure time using cesium atoms, an atomic clock uses a device called ‘microwave cavity’ The microwave cavity is a chamber that is filled with cesium vapor and a microwave signal is then sent to the cavity which causes the cesium atom to vibrate.
  • As the cesium atom vibrates it emits radiation at a very specific frequency. This frequency is then detected by a detector which compares it to a standard frequency; the difference between the two frequencies is used to adjust the clock time keeping.

Application of Atomic Clock: GPS systems, telecommunications networks, and scientific research etc

Indian Standard Time (IST):

  • Adopted on:September 1, 1947.
  • Feature: A single time zone covering the entire country. 
  • The calculation of IST is based on 82.5 degrees East longitude, situated close to Mirzapur (Allahabad, UP).
  • IST is set at 5.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

IRNSS/NAVIC:

  • ISRO has established a regional navigation satellite system called Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC); it was earlier known as Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
  • Objective: To meet the positioning, navigation and timing requirements of the nation.
  • Operation:NavIC is designed with a constellation of 7 satellites and a network of ground stations operating 24 x 7.
  • satellites of the constellation are placed in geostationary orbit, and 4satellites are placed in inclined geosynchronous orbit.

Reasons for India’s Development of Atomic Clocks

  1. Background for Initiative: The initiative commenced following the denial of Global Positioning System (GPS) information during the Kargil War.
  2. Independent timekeeping capabilities are deemed crucial for defense, cybersecurity, and online transactions.
  3. Technological Independence: India aims to reduce its dependence on foreign atomic clocks.The development of indigenous atomic clocks grants India complete control over its navigation systems.
  4. This control is essential for national security and to ensure technological autonomy.
  5. Enhanced Security Measures: Efforts are in progress to link atomic clocks via optical cables to fortify security against potential disruptions in emergencies or wartime scenarios.
  6. This initiative supplements satellite-based time dissemination.

use atomic clocks to navigate in space

  1. To Determine Spacecraft Distance: Navigators determine a spacecraft’s distance from Earth by transmitting a signal to it, which is then returned to Earth. The time taken for this round trip reveals the spacecraft’s distance, as the signal travels at the speed of light.
  2. To Calculate Trajectory: Navigators employ multiple signal transmissions and measurements over time to calculate a spacecraft’s trajectory.
  3. This process enables them to determine the spacecraft’s current location and predict its future path.
  4. Precision Time Resolution: Navigators require clocks with extremely high precision time resolution to determine spacecraft positions within a meter.
  5. These clocks can measure time in billionths of a second, ensuring accurate calculations.over extended periods such as days and weeks.

Jenu Kuruba Community

  1. Jenu in Kannada means honey and kuruba is the caste. As the name suggest Jenu Kurubas are honey gatherers.
  2. They are a traditional honey gathering tribe, and are among the original inhabitants of the forests of the Western Ghats that stretch over three states – Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  3. They live in small settlements called
  4. Occupation:The main occupation used to be food gathering in the forests, collection of minor forest produces in the forests, collection of minor forest produce including honey
  5. They practice shifting cultivation, leading to a nomadic lifestyle.
  6. Social life:People of this community live a semi-nomadic lifestyle which is not maintained by rulers, police, centralized visible forces or religious monasteries; but by the technique of its own discipline and diffused power.

The pattern is that it is maintained at each settlement level with a head-man (yajamana) and a ritual head / shaman (gudda).

Shifting cultivation: It is a type of farming in which farmers clear land by slashing vegetation and burning forests and woodlands to create clear land for agricultural purposes.

For decades, the indigenous Jenu Kuruba tribe residing in the forests of Western Ghats were denied their basic rights and cut off from opportunities for development.

India secures Sittwe Port agreement

India has recently secured rights to operate the Sittwe port in Myanmar after Chabahar Port in Iran.

Kaladan River

  1. It is a river in eastern Mizoram State of India
  2. It also flows through Chin and Rakhine State of western Myanmar.
  3. Other names: Beino, Bawinu and Kolodyne
  4. In India, the Kaladan River is called the Chhimtuipui River.
  5. It acts as the border between India and Burma (Myanmar) from 22° 47′ 10″ N, where the Tiau River joins it, to 22° 11′ 06″ N.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has given the green light to the proposal for India Ports Global (IPGL) to manage all operations at the port situated on the Kaladan River.

Sittwe Port agreement

  1. Port Name: Sittwe
  2. Location: Myanmar
  3. Operator: India Ports Global Limited (IPGL)
  4. Project Context: The Sittwe Port is part of the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.
  5. Objective:  To connect Kolkata, an eastern Indian seaport, with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar via sea routes.
  6. Additionally, it seeks to establish a connection from Sittwe Port to Paletwa in Myanmar using the Kaladan river waterway.
  7. Furthermore, it aims to link Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component.

India Ports Global (IPGL)

  1. IPGL is a company that is fully owned by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. IPGL is a partnership between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Deendayal Port Trust (formerly known as Kandla Port Trust).
  2. It was formed in January 2015 under the Companies Act, 2013, as directed by the Ministry of Shipping (MoS).
  3. Its purpose is to develop ports overseas.

The project’s primary goal is to provide an alternative shipping route for goods to the northeastern states.

Impact of approval of Sittwe agreement on Indian Economy

  • Reduced transportation costs and distance: Sittwe port would provide an alternative route for shipping goods to India’s northeastern states which will help significantly in reducing the distance and cost compared to the current route via Kolkata.
  • Enhanced connectivity: The Kaladan multi-modal project, of which Sittwe port is a part, creates a new route connecting eastern India to Myanmar and India’s northeast. This improves overall trade connectivity.
  • Reduced dependence on Siliguri Corridor: Sittwe port would lessen reliance on the Siliguri Corridor, famously known as the “chicken’s neck,”which is a narrow strip of land between Bhutan and Bangladesh.
  • Strategic significance: This initiative will Strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region, countering China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) influence in Myanmar.
  • It will help in improving maritime security and anti-piracy efforts.
  • Boost to North-East India:  Sittwe port will Provide a swifter and cheaper route for transporting essential goods and finished products to and from India’s northeastern states.
  • This can increase economic activity and trade in the region due to access to new markets.

Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC)

  1. It will provide a time-keeping benchmark for lunar spacecraft and satellites that require extreme precision for their missions.
  2. It will also synchronise the communication between satellites, astronauts, bases and the Earth.
  3. A unified time standard would be essential for coordinating operations, ensuring the reliability of transactions and managing the logistics of lunar commerce.

need of LTC

  1. As there is less gravity on the Moon, time ticks slightly faster there relative to the time on the Earth.
  2. In other words, for someone on the Moon, an Earth-based clock will appear to lose on average 58.7 microseconds per Earth Day with “additional periodic variations.
  3. It can create problems for situations such as a spacecraft seeking to dock on the Moon, data transferring at a specific time, communication, and navigation.

Earth’s time standard work

  • Most of the clocks and time zones of the world are based on Coordinated Universal Time(UTC) which is essentially an internationally agreed upon standard for world time.
  • It is set by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris, France.
  • It is tracked by a weighted average of more than 400 atomic clocks placed in different parts of the globe.
  1. Atomic clocks measure time in terms of the resonant frequencies — the natural frequency of an object where it tends to vibrate at a higher amplitude — of atoms such as cesium-133.
  2. In atomic time, a second is defined as the period in which a caesium atom vibrates 9,192,631,770 times. As the vibration rates at which atoms absorb energy are highly stable and ultra-accurate, atomic clocks make for an excellent device for gauging the passage of time.
  3. To obtain their local time, countries need to subtract or add a certain number of hours from UTC depending on how many time zones they are away from 0 degree longitude meridian, also known as the Greenwich meridian.
  4. If a country lies on the west of the Greenwich meridian, it has to subtractfrom the UTC, and if a country is located on the east of the meridian, it has to add.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) conducts Pre-Cyclone Exercise for the season April-June 2024

“India has one of the best early warning system and weather forecasting models” says DG IMD

  1. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) conducted Pre-Cyclone Exercise for the season April-June 2024 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, IMD today in Hybrid mode at Mausam Bhavan, New Delhi.
  2. The Exercise was a part of biennial exercise conducted Pre-cyclone Season And post-Cyclone season to take stock of preparedness of various stakeholders in disaster management. DG IMD said “India has one of the best early warning system and weather forecasting model”. He highlighted the achievements of IMD in the recent times in cyclone forecasting along with continued co-operation from National Disaster management authority, National Disaster response force and Indian armed forces such as Army, Navy Air force, Coast guard etc.
  3. Mohapatra informed that IMD has developed an indigenous ‘Decision Support System’ with an increased accuracy of more than 50% as compared to predictions in the last decade. He also shared that a Multimodal ensemble system in being deployed to continuous monitor the weather changes and accordingly issue location specific advisories. He also highlighted various mobile apps developed by IMD to issue warnings. He categorically mentioned that Application Programming Interface (API) are made available for other organizations to utilize. “We saw zero causalities during cyclone Biparjoy due to preparedness,” said DG IMD.
  4. During the meeting DG IMD informed that National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) developed a Web-based Dynamic Composite Risk Atlas (Web-DCRA) for location specific forecasting are made available to district disaster managers.
  5. As IMD is celebrating the 150thyear of its establishment and service to the nation, Dr. Mohapatra expressed his confidence that IMD is ready to scale new heights and reach out to each and every household with weather information at anytime and anywhere “HAR HAR MAUSAM and HAR GHAR MAUSAM” with state-of-art technology and collaboration of academia, R & D institutes, public private partnership and stakeholders.
  6. Mohsen Shahedi, DIG (Ops & Training) NDRF said that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are ready and continuously revisited along with feedback. He appreciated IMD efforts and expressed confidence that NDMA, NDRF and IMD will work co-operatively.
  7. R K Agarwal, (PA &AO), NCRMP also highlighted the success they achieved in theNational Cyclone Risk Mitigation project with co-operation from IMD.
    Participants from various disaster management agencies including representatives form Government of all Coastal states and union territories senior officials from Director General Shipping, Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships,   National Hydrographic office, Airport Authority of India, Port Authority, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of fisheries, Rural development , All India Radio, Doordarshan News and Press Information Bureau were also present for the exercise.

KABIL and CSIR-IMMT sign MoU for Technical and Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals

  1. Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) for Technical & Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals.
  2. The MoU was signed by Shri Sadashiv Samantaray, Director (Commercial), NALCO & CEO, KABIL and Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, in the presence of Shri Sridhar Patra, CMD, NALCO & Chairman, KABIL, at NALCO Corporate Office in Bhubaneswar, today.
  3. Under the MoU, KABIL will leverage the technical expertise and services of CSIR-IMMT to undertake various projects, including the design and analysis of metallurgical test work-plans, development and review of process flowsheets, and the selection of process technologies for mineral processing, beneficiation, and metal extraction. Furthermore, the agreement will also embark on joint research and facilitate the exchange of scientific information between the two entities.
  4. Expressing his happiness at being associated with CSIR-IMMT, Shri Sridhar Patra, CMD, NALCO & Chairman, KABIL, said that this collaboration will foster a thriving environment needed for exploration of critical minerals.  Advancing scientific research and technology development in the mineral and metallurgical sectors are essential to the growth and sustainability of the Indian mining industry and ultimately will play a pivotal role in meeting mineral security of the nation as well as domestic requirements, he said.
  • KABIL is a JV company of three Indian public sector undertakings – National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), under the aegis of Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
  • Mandate of KABIL is to identify, explore, acquire, develop, mine, process and procure critical and strategic minerals to ensure supply side assurance and mineral security of the nation for meeting domestic requirements and give a big push to Make in India initiative.
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