Daily Current Capsules

16,17,18 September 2023

Samudra Prahari

• The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, is currently on an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries from 11 Sep to 14 Oct 2023.
• This deployment is part of India’s ASEAN initiatives for Marine Pollution Response, showcasing the Pollution Response capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and its commitment to addressing marine pollution issues and enhancing capacity in the region.
• The ship is equipped with a Chetak Helicopter in Pollution Response configuration, enhancing its capabilities in this area.
• This initiative was announced by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh during the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting Plus meeting in Cambodia in November 2022.
• As part of an overseas exchange program, the ship has embarked 13 NCC cadets to participate in “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan,” an international outreach program focused on beach clean-ups and similar activities in coordination with partner nations.

Know! about Pollution Control Vessels 

The Samudra-class Pollution Control Vessel is a class of three vessels built by the ABG Shipyard in Gujarat for Indian Coast Guard.

1. Samudra Prahari
2. Samudra Paheredar
3. Samudra Pavak

Know! about Samudra Prahari

• It is an Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS)
• It is specially designed for pollution control.
• It is equipped with the most advanced pollution Response and Control equipment for mitigating oil spills in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
• It has tanks and inflatable barges for storage of oil spills.
• It is capable of unhindered oil recovery operations
• The vessel is designed to operate a twin-engine Advanced Light Helicopter and to operate and embark Chetak helicopter.

Know! about ASEAN

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional grouping that was established in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
• Founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
• Presently, ASEAN comprises 10 member states, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• Objective – It promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration between its members and other countries in Asia.
• Secretariat – ASEAN Secretariat is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Puneet Sagar Abhiyaan

• The NCC had, on December 01, 2021, launched ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’, a nationwide flagship campaign, to clean sea shores of plastic & other waste material, while raising awareness about the importance of cleanliness.

Source-

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958029

New Sainik Schools

• The Government of India has approved the initiative of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs/Private Schools/State Governments starting from Class 6^th onwards.
• Under this initiative, Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed by Sainik Schools Society with 19 New Sainik Schools located all over the country.
• The objectives behind setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools is to provide quality education to the students in tune with National Education Policy and give them better career opportunities, including joining the Armed Forces.
• These new Sainik Schools, besides their affiliation to respective education boards, will function under the aegis of Sainik Schools Society

Know! about Sainik Schools Society (SSS)

• It is a registered society under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 and manages Sainik Schools located in various parts of the country.
• These schools are involved in imparting quality education and training to Cadets to be a good citizen and prepare them to excel in all works of life.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1957912

World Ozone Day

Image source – https://www.sciencefacts.net/ozone-layer-depletion.html

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), celebrated the 29^th World Ozone Day
• World Ozone Day is celebrated on 16^th September each year to commemorate the signing of the Montreal Protocol, an international environmental treaty for phasing out of production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances, that came into force on this day in 1987.
• World Ozone Day is celebrated every year to spread awareness among people about the depletion of Ozone Layer and the measures taken/ to be taken to preserve it.
• The Ozone Cell, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has been celebrating the World Ozone Day since 1995 at the National and State levels.
• The theme for World Ozone Day 2023 is “Montreal Protocol: fixing the ozone layer and reducing climate change”.
• India has been proactive in the Montreal Protocol implementation and highlighted achievements of the country and the new initiatives being taken for preparing for implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for phase down of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Montreal Protocol: A Brief Background

• Ozone Layer exists in the Stratosphere, between 10 KM and 40 KM above the Earth’s surface and protects us from UV radiation from the Sun.
• Ozone formed in the stratosphere called stratospheric ozone or good Ozone.
• Without the Ozone layer, radiation from the sun would reach earth directly, having ill effects on human health, i.e., eye cataract, skin cancer, etc., and adverse impacts on agriculture, forestry and marine life.
• Manmade chemicals containing chlorine and bromine reach the stratosphere and undergo a complex series of catalytic reactions, leading to destruction of ozone.
• These chemicals are called Ozone Depleting Substances.
• The Vienna Convention, an international treaty on the protection of the Ozone Layer, came into force in 1985.
• Under this convention, the Montreal Protocol’s came into force in 1987 to repair the ozone layer to protect the earth’s Ozone Layer by phasing out production and consumption of Ozone Depleting Substances for end applications.
• The Montreal Protocol provides a set of practical, actionable tasks to phase out ozone-depleting substances. and is one of the most successful and effective environmental treaties ever negotiated and implemented,

India’s achievements in implementation of Montreal Protocol

• India, as a Party to the Montreal Protocol since June 1992, has been successfully implementing the Montreal Protocol and its ozone-depleting substances phase-out projects and activities in line with the phase-out schedule of the Protocol.
• India has phased out Chlorofluorocarbons, Carbon tetrachloride, Halons, Methyl Bromide, and Methyl  Chloroform for controlled uses as on 1 January 2010, in line with the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule.
• Currently, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are being phased out as per the accelerated schedule of the Montreal Protocol.

Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol

• The phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances led to the growth of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used as alternatives to the ODSs, particularly in the refrigeration and air- conditioning sector.
• While HFCs do not deplete the Ozone Layer, they have a high global warming potential ranging from 12 to 14000, which has an adverse impact on climate.
• The decision to add HFCs to the list of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol during 2016 led to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, under which all Parties shall gradually reduce the consumption and production of HFCs.
• As per the Kigali Amendment, India will complete its phase down of production and consumption of HFCs for controlled uses in 4 steps from 2032 onwards with cumulative reduction of 10% in 2032, 20% in 2037, 30% in 2042 and 85% in 2047.
• India has ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol during September 2021 National Strategy for phase down of HFCs in close cooperation with the industry stakeholders shall be developed by 2023.

India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)

• The MoEFCC has developed and launched the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) during March 2019
• The first of its kind in the world is to look for synergies in actions having the potential to provide socio-economic and environmental benefits related to reduced refrigerant use, climate change mitigation, and Sustainable Development Goals with a 20-year time horizon.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1957968

PM-VISHWAKARMA

• Prime Minister launched the Central Sector Scheme PM-VISHWAKARMA
• PM Vishwakarma will be fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crores.
• Under the scheme, the Vishwakarmas will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centres using the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal.
• They will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, toolkit incentive of ₹15,000, collateral-free credit support up to ₹1 lakh (first tranche) and ₹2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
• The Scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by Vishwakarmas working with their hands and tools.
• The prime focus of PM Vishwakarma is to improve the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that they are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.
• The scheme will provide support to artisans and craftspeople in rural and urban areas across India. Eighteen traditional crafts will be covered under PM Vishwakarma. These include (i) Carpenter; (ii) Boat Maker; (iii) Armourer; (iv) Blacksmith ; (v) Hammer and Tool Kit Maker; (vi) Locksmith; (vii) Goldsmith; (viii) Potter; (ix) Sculptor, Stone breaker; (x) Cobbler (Shoesmith/ Footwear artisan); (xi) Mason (Rajmistri); (xii) Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver; (xiii) Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional); (xiv) Barber; (xv) Garland maker; (xvi) Washerman; (xvii) Tailor; and (xviii) Fishing Net Maker.
• Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise is the nodal ministry of PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

Source

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958169

Naming of Udhampur Railway Station as Martyr Capt. Tushar Mahajan Railway Station

• Union Minister of State for PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh had personally taken up the issue of naming the Railway Station at Udhampur after the name of Martyr Capt. Tushar Mahajan in 2017 and also discussed the matter with the then Union Home Minister.
• It is pertinent to mention that Martyr Capt. Tushar Mahajan received Shaurya Chakra (posthumous) for sacrificing his life in a counter-terrorism operation.

Know! the procedure followed to change the name of a station

• Indian Railways did not change the name of the stations.
• Change of station names is entirely a state subject even though Railways belong to the Union government.
• The state governments send the request to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal ministry for these matters, which then accords its approval, keeping the Ministry of Railways in the loop.
• Usually, it is ensured that no other station with the new name proposed exists anywhere in India.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958041

Nationwide Jan Andolans

• Since the launch of POSHAN Abhiyaan in March 2018, the nation has embarked on nationwide Jan Andolans focused on nutrition for the very first time.
• These annual Jan Andolans under POSHAN Abhiyaan are carefully curated to promote behavioural changes, particularly as regards consumption of essential nutritious foods extending to the grassroots level.
• They are designed to target specific beneficiaries, namely, Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, Adolescent Girls, and Children up to 6 years of age.
• The Jan Andolans are celebrated twice annually, during Poshan Maah in September and Poshan Pakhwada in March-April.
• Currently, the nation is observing the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1957963

Marathwada Liberation Day

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended best wishes on Marathwada Liberation Day.
• Marathwada Liberation Day, also known as Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din, is celebrated in Maharashtra on 17 September annually.
• It marks the anniversary of Marathwada’s integration with India when the Indian military, liberated State of Hyderabad, and defeated the Nizam on 17 September 1948, 13 months after Indian independence.

Know! the History

• India gained independence from the British on 15 August 1947.
• After the partition, princely states were given the option to join either India or Pakistan.
• The ruler of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, decided to remain independent. His princely states were – the current Marathwada, Telangana and Kalyana-Karnataka regions
• This sparked a rebellion in the State.
• During the revolt Marathwada saw major uprisings against the Razakars
• Amidst the unrest the Indian government launched a military operation named Operation Polo which it termed a “police action”.
• The operation itself took five days, in which the Razakars were defeated and Hyderabad was annexed.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1957963

YashoBhoomi convention centre

• The Prime Minister dedicated Phase 1 of India International Convention and Expo Centre – ‘Yashobhoomi’ to the nation at Dwarka
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated the extension of Delhi Airport Metro Express line from Dwarka Sector 21 to a new metro station ‘Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25’ at Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25
• The Prime Minister of India dedicated Phase 1 of India International Convention and Expo Centre – ‘Yashobhoomi’ to the nation at Dwarka

Know! about Yashobhoomi 

• With a total project area of over 8.9 lakh square meters and a total built-up area of more than 1.8 lakh square meters,  ‘Yashobhoomi’  will find its place among the world’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities.
• Developed at a cost of around  Rs. 5400 crore, ‘Yashobhoomi’ boasts of a magnificent Convention Centre, multiple Exhibition halls and other facilities.
• The Convention Center, built across more than 73 thousand square meters of area, comprises 15 convention rooms including the Main Auditorium, the Grand ballroom and 13 meeting rooms with a total capacity of holding 11,000 delegates.
• ‘Yashobhoomi’ also offers one of the largest Exhibition halls in the world.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1957963

International Coastal Clean-up Day – 2023

• The Indian Coast Guard conducted International Coastal Clean-up Day – 2023 (ICC-2023) across all Coastal States and Union Territories on 16 Sep 2023.
• The International Coastal Clean-up day is held worldwide on the third Saturday of September every year under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) in the South Asian Region.
• The Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating this activity in India since 2006.
• This year, Maharashtra witnessed the highest participation of 11,425 volunteers followed by Tamil Nadu which had 5,166 volunteers. Nationwide, a total of 25,245 volunteers participated in the ICC-2023 campaign.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958261

Swachh Sagar Surkashit Sagar

• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) conducted mega citizen-led beach clean-up drives at 79 locations in 8 coastal states and 4 UTs of the country on 16 September 2023 that continued on 17 September 2023 to mark International Coastal Clean-up Day.
• The event was aimed to encourage citizens to clean up the coastal line and create awareness about preserving and protecting the oceans and waterways.
• It witnessed mass participation from government institutions, NGOs, students and youth, local dwellers, and the public.
• The 2033 Swachh Sagar Surkashit Sagar beach clean-up drives by five MoES institutes—Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), National Centre for Ocean and Polar Research (NCPOR), Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), and National Centre for Earth System Sciences (NCESS)— got associated many volunteers and NGOs making it a one-of-its-kind successful event.

International Coastal Clean-up Day

• The International Coastal Clean-up Day is observed annually worldwide on the third Saturday of September every year.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958261

India’s first dedicated OPD for Transgenders

• Dr. RML Hospital inaugurated India’s first dedicated OPD for Transgenders
• The initiative is started with understanding of the difficulties encountered by transgender community to access healthcare services, largely due to discomfort and the fear of discrimination and social apathy.

Source

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958261

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