1

Inclusive Schools for Children with Disabilities

|

Why in news ?

Developing inclusive and accessible schools will aid in challenging the perceptions about children with disabilities and actualise the zero-rejection policy in schools.

What is the picture of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in India?

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines living with a disability as having long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinders one’s participation in society on an equal basis with others.

  • PwD – As per Census 2011, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) comprise around 2.21% of the total population in India.
  • The proportion of males with disabilities is higher than the woman with disabilities.
  • CWD – As per Census 2011, Children with Disabilities (CWD) comprise 1.7% of the total child population in India.
  • They are faced with physical, institutional, socioeconomic and communication barriers from an early age.
  • A UNESCO 2019 report mentioned that more than 70% of five-year-olds with disabilities in India have never attended any educational institution.

disabilty

What are the barriers to accessibility?

Barriers to accessibility

  • Inaccessible school buses
  • Inaccessible facilities in schools (drinking water facilities, canteens and toilets)
  • Inappropriate infrastructure in classrooms (uncomfortable seating, slippery flooring and low illumination)
  • Misinformed attitudes and perceptions among parents, teachers, staff, and communities
  • Lack of inclusive technologies and learning practices
  • Inadequate funding for the construction of inclusive infrastructure

Need to remove the barriers

  • Developing inclusive and accessible schools will be a big step towards
    • Challenging perceptions and the associated discrimination about CWD
    • Actualising the zero-rejection policy in schools

What efforts were taken by the government to promote inclusiveness?

  • Article 21A of the Constitution outlines the fundamental right to education.
  • The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 outlines the right to have free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years.
  • The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, which adopted a ‘zero rejection policy’, emphasises that every child with special needs is provided meaningful and quality education.
  • India has also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
  • The government launched the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) in 2015 that aims at achieving universal accessibility for all citizens and creating an enabling and barrier-free environment.
  • The government has also been supportive of the principle of Leave No One Behind (LNOB), which is the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

What lies ahead?

  • Creating an enabling environment – A multi-pronged participatory approach is needed to provide an enabling environment for the empowerment of children with disabilities. This includes
    • Awareness and sensitisation programmes for children, parents, and caregivers
    • Training trainers for upskilling of school faculty and special educators
    • Providing access to updated teaching toolkits and materials
    • Technical training for local government departments
    • Co-learning platform for knowledge-sharing
  • Providing infrastructure services – The following principles must be embedded for providing infrastructure services in schools. It  includes
    • Equitability
    • Usability and durability
    • Affordability
    • Cultural adaptability
    • Aesthetic appeal


India Egypt Relations

|

Why in news ?

  • President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is on a State visit to India from 24-26 January 2023.
  • President Sisi, who is on his second State Visit to India, will also be the Chief Guest on India’s 74th Republic Day.
    • This is for the first time that President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day.
    • A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade.

India – Egypt Bilateral Relation: in brief

  • India and Egypt enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties.
  • India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
  • Egypt has also been invited as a ‘Guest Country’ during India’s Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23.

Trade relation

  • Bilateral trade between India and Egypt achieved a record high of USD 7.26 billion in FY 2021-22.
    • The trade was fairly balanced, with USD 3.74 billion Indian exports to Egypt and USD 3.52 billion imports from Egypt to India.
  • More than 50 Indian companies have invested around USD 3.15 billion in diverse sectors of Egyptian economy, including chemicals, energy, textile, garment, agri-business, retail, etc.

Defence cooperation

  • In October 2021, Desert Warrior exercise was conducted as the first-ever joint tactical exercise by the air force of the two countries.
    • The more recent exercise between the special forces is another indication of the growing willingness to work together.
  • The Egyptians have also shown some interest in India’s Tejas fighter jets and Dhruv light attack helicopters.

Cooperation during Covid-19 & Russia – Ukraine war

  • When India was hit hard by the second wave of COVID-19, Egypt responded by dispatching three plane loads of medical supplies and providing 300,000 doses of Remdesivir in May 2021.
  • India reciprocated a year later when Egypt, the world’s largest importer of wheat, was facing a dire situation following the abrupt halt in wheat shipments from Ukraine following the war.
    • In May last year, India — which had put a ban on sale of wheat — allowed export of 61,000 tonnes to Egypt.

News Summary

  • Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations this year, reached India.
  • During the visit, both sides will sign several MoUs and discuss taking ties forward on strategic issues, defence, trade, agriculture and renewable energy.

What is the significance of the Republic Day invite?

  • An invitation to be the Republic Day chief guest is highly symbolic from the Indian government’s perspective.
  • The choice of chief guest every year is dictated by a number of reasons — strategic and diplomatic, business interests, and international geo-politics.

Why Egypt has been chosen this year?

  • Push to engage the Global South
    • The invitation to Mr. Sisi is also being seen as part of the government’s push to engage the Global South.
  • Rekindling of the principles of non-alignment
    • This invitation is also seen as an attempt to rekindle the principles of non-alignment that have come back to the fore during Russia – Ukraine war.
  • Strategic weight of Egypt
    • With a population of almost 110 million, Egypt is situated at a location that straddles Africa and Asia.
    • It has a standing army that is the largest in the region, a capital that hosts the League of Arab States and a diplomatic presence that punches above its weight in global affairs.
    • India is keen on further expanding its ties with Egypt, a key player in the politics of both the Arab world as well as Africa.
  • Economic importance of Egypt
    • Egypt has boosted its attractiveness through a series of free trade agreements that span Africa (ACFTA; AGADIR; COMESA), Europe (EFTA), Latin America (MERCOSUR) and the Arab world (GAFTA).
    • It is also seen as a major gateway to markets in Africa and Europe.
  • Egypt’s plans to develop the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) into a global manufacturing hub
    • The ambitious plans to develop the Suez Canal Economic Zone into a global manufacturing hub are now gathering critical mass.
    • SCZONE sits astride both banks of the Suez Canal, a strategic waterway that connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea to provide the shortest link between European and Asian markets.
      • Almost, 20 percent of global container trade takes place through this canal.
    • China, as usual, has been the first to take advantage of the opportunities presented by SCZONE.
      • China views SCZONE as a vital part of its Belt & Road and Maritime Silk Road projects.
    • A deeper economic engagement with Egypt therefore acquires an additional strategic imperative.
  • Resetting India’s ties with Muslim-majority countries
    • India’s ties with Muslim-majority countries were tested following controversial remarks made by then spokesperson of ruling party in June 2022.
    • Egypt was one of the few countries from the Arab world which did not react officially to the controversial remarks.

Conclusion

  • There are clear indications that India and Egypt may finally be moving towards achieving some of the potential in bilateral ties that has remained unfulfilled for the last four decades.


Doomsday clock

|

 

Atomic scientists reset the “Doomsday Clock” recently, moving its hands to 90 seconds to midnight – closer than ever before to the threat of annihilation.

About Doomsday clock:

What is it ? 

  • It is a symbolic timepiece showing how close the world is to ending.
  • The hands of the clock are moved closer to or further away from midnight based on the scientists’ reading of existential threats at a particular time.

Purpose:

    • It warns how many metaphorical “minutes to midnight” humanity has left.
    • It is intended to warn the public and inspire action.

How is the clock set? 

  • A Chicago-based non-profit organization called the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists updates the time annually based on information regarding catastrophic risks to the planet and humanity

Origin and History:

    • The clock was created in 1947 by a group of atomic scientists, including Albert Einstein, who had worked on the Manhattan Project to develop the world’s first nuclear weapons during World War Two.
    • When it was created in 1947, the placement of the Doomsday Clock was based on the threat posed by nuclear weapons.
    • In 2007, the Bulletin began including catastrophic disruptions from climate change in its hand-setting deliberations.
    • The furthest the clock has been set was 17 minutes to midnight, in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

What time is it now ?

    • At 90 seconds to midnight, the “Doomsday Clock” is now the closest it has ever been to midnight.
    • It is the first time it has moved since it was set at 100 seconds to midnight in 2020.
    • Its setting reflects the revived fears of a nuclear war due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.


Molecular clouds

|

An international team of astronomers have recently announced the discovery of different ices in the darkest and coldest regions of a molecular cloud measured to date

Why in News?

  • The Researchers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to prove that even complex prebiotic molecules, which are precursors to the building blocks of life, can be formed in the depths of cold, dark molecular clouds.

About Molecular clouds

  • What is it? It is an interstellar cloud of gas and dust in which molecules can form, the most common of which is hydrogen (H2). These clouds have very low temperatures of just 10 to 30 kelvin.
  • The size of these clouds can be from a few light years up to 600 light years. Their total mass can reach several million solar masses.
  • Molecular clouds with dimensions of more than about 15 light years are also called giant molecular clouds.
  • The central regions of these clouds are completely hidden from view by dust. We are able to look into the core of these clouds using radio or infrared wavelengths.
  • They are the raw material of stars and planets. These clouds do not last for a very long time.
  • After the new stars are born, their solar winds blow away the remaining gas and dust. Only a fraction, about 10%, of the original material of the molecular cloud gets locked up in stars and planets.

 What is a dark nebula (or dark cloud)?

  • It is a very dense part of a bigger molecular cloud.
  • The light extinction is caused by the high density and the presence of interstellar dust in these clouds.
  • These are the regions where new stars are forming. They mainly consist of hydrogen and dust particles which are needed to form new star systems with stars and planets.

What is a Solar Mass?

  • A solar mass is the mass of the sun.
  • It is 989 x 10^30 kilograms — about 333,000 Earths.


Light Tank Zorawar

|

According to a recent report, DRDO-L&T developed Zorawar Light Tank that is under fabrication and will be “rolled out” soon.

Why in News?

  • The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Defence Ministry recently accorded the approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for purchasing 354 of these tanks through Make in India

About Light Tank Zorawar:

  • It is an indigenously designed and developed Light Tank.
  • Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Limited.
  • Features:
  • It is designed to operate in varying terrain from high altitude areas and marginal terrains to island territories.
  • It will be highly transportable for rapid deployment to meet any operational situation.
  • It will be equipped with all the modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Drone Integration, a high degree of situational awareness, and amphibious operation capability.
  • It will weigh less than 25 tonnes with a high power-to-weight ratio as well as superior firepower and protection.

 Who was Zorawar?

  • He was a military general — Zorawar Singh Kahluria, and had served under Jammu’s Raja Gulab Singh in the 19th Century.
  • He is honoured for his conquests in the Himalayas including Ladakh, Tibet, Baltistan and Skardu.


Tethered Drones

|

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) today sought technical and commercial bids to add to the Army robotic mules, jetpack suits and tethered drones that will look across the Himalayas.

About Tethered Drones:

  • A tethered drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle tethered to the ground.
  • It consists of a base station on the ground and the drone, which is connected to the station through the tether (cable).
  • The drone can be operated remotely to perform specific tasks.

Advantages:

    • Tethered UAVs are perfect for data capture and telemetry due to the reliability of tethered connections.
    • Tethered drones dramatically reduce technical and human error crashes in flight.
    • Tethered drones provide a secure line of communication between the ground station and the aircraft.
    • It also does not require GPS navigation.
    • Many tethered drones have longer flight times compared to free-flying, battery-operated drones.
    • Due to the restricted movement of a tethered drone, the operator does not need piloting skills and can mainly focus on their tasks.


Inner Core of the Earth

|

A recent study says that the inner core of Earth seems to have stopped spinning in the same direction as the rest of the planet.

About the Inner core of the Earth:

  • It is the innermost layer of the Earth.

Structure:

    • It is a solid metallic ball made mainly of iron.
    • The inner core is solid due to the pressure caused by the weight put on it by the Earth’s other top layers.
    • It is distinct from the outer core, which is a liquid.

Radius:

    • The inner core has an average radius of 1220 km.
    • The boundary between the inner and outer cores is located at approximately 5150 km below the surface of the Earth.
    • This boundary is called the Lehman Seismic Discontinuity.
  • Temperature: Inner core temperatures reach extraordinary levels, estimated to be between 7,200–8,500ºF (4,000–4,700ºC).

Properties:

    • It is predicted to have very high thermal and electrical conductivity.
    • The inner core generates its own magnetic field and spins a bit faster than the rest of the planet.

 What are the three layers of Earth?

  • The earth is made up of three different layers: the crust, the mantle and the core.
    • The crust: This is the outside layer of the earth and is made of solid rock, mostly basalt and granite.
    • The mantle: It lies below the crust and is up to 2900 km thick. It consists of hot, dense, iron and magnesium-rich solid rock.
    • The core: It is the center of the earth and is made up of two parts: the liquid outer core and solid inner core. The outer core is made of nickel, iron and molten rock.


Olive Ridley turtle

|

Recently, Hundreds of Olive Ridley turtles were found dead in their breeding grounds between Kakinada and Antarvedi in the Godavari region of India’s east coast.

About Olive Ridley turtle

  • The Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
  • They are best known for their unique mass nesting called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
  • They are carnivores and get their name from their olive-colored carapace, which is heart-shaped and rounded.
  • Habitat:
    • They are mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans.
    • Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world’s largest rookery (a colony of breeding animals) of sea turtles.
  • Conservation status
    • IUCN Red List:Vulnerable
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
    • CITES Appendix I

 

The initiative was taken to protect the Olive Ridley turtle

  • Operation Olivia: Every year, the Indian Coast Guard’s “Operation Olivia”, initiated in the early 1980s, helps protect Olive Ridley turtles as they congregate along the Odisha coast for breeding and nesting from November to December.


Green comet

|

Astronomers recently spotted a comet using the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) in the US, which is appearing near earth after nearly 50,000 years.

What are Green comets ?

  • Comets are frozen rocky or gas-filled objects that are remnants of the formation of the solar system.
  • The solid portions of a comet which is mostly water ice with embedded dust particles.
  • When near the sun, the icy cometary surfaces vaporise and emit large amounts of gas and dust, resulting in a massive atmosphere and tails.
  • The fluorescence of these gases, and especially the reflection of sunlight from the minute dust particles in the comet’s atmosphere and tail, is what gives these objects their visual impact.
  • Just like other bodies in space, comets also have orbits. They are sometimes pulled in close to the sun because of the sun’s gravity acting on them.
  • The orbit indicates this comet comes from the edge of our solar system, a distant reservoir of comets we call the Oort cloud.
  • The Oort cloud is thought to be a big, spherical region of outer space enveloping our sun, consisting of innumerable small objects, such as comets and asteroids.

What is the reason for the Green colour ?

  • Laboratory research has linked this green-like aura to a reactive molecule called dicarbon, which emits green light as sunlight decays it.


National Voters’ Day

|

The Election Commission of India is celebrating the 13th National Voters’ Day on 25th January 2023.

About National Voters’ Day

  • National Voters’ Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year since 2011, all across the country to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, i.e. 25th January 1950.
  • The main purpose of the celebration is to create electoral awareness amongst citizens and encourage them to participate in the electoral process.
  • Dedicated to the voters of the country, National Voters’ Day is also used to facilitate the enrolment of voters, especially the newly eligible young voters.
  • The theme for 2023: Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure.


BharOS

|

BharOS, the indigenous mobile operating system wants to cater to the approximately 100 crore mobile phone users in India.

  • BharOS is an indigenous mobile operating system (OS), like Android or iOS.
  • It is developed by JandK Operations Private Limited, a non-profit organization incubated at IIT Madras and funded by the Department of Science and Technology.
  • BharOS is meant to be a contribution towards the idea of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by creating a secure OS environment for India-based users.

Features of BharOS

  • BharOS appears to be more specialised with greater focus on app customisation and is still in limited use at the moment.
  • BharOS is an AOSP (Android Open Source Project) based operating system with no Google apps or services.
  • BharOS would offer Native Over The Air (NOTA) updates and No Default Apps (NDA) setting.
  • This features a minimalistic home screen with the Indian flag, a list of app categories, and selected apps which had passed the OS’ trust and security standards.
  • BharOS will use Private App Store Services (PASS) system, which will examine and curate the apps that are safe for the users.
  • These systems help smartphone users interact with their device and access its features, while ensuring safety.
  • Present status – The current version of BharOS comes with third-party apps like DuckDuckGo and Signal as default browsers and messaging apps.
  • The OS can be installed on commercial off-the-shelf handsets.
  • It will be collaborated with smartphone manufacturers in the future to launch cell phones with BharOS.
NOTA updates – security updates and bug fixes will be automatically installed rather than users having to check for updates and implementing them on their own

NDA setting – users do not have to keep or use pre-installed apps in this mobile operating system.


Ocean Heat Content

|

For the fourth year in a row, the world’s oceans recorded extreme heating in 2022 on account of anthropological activities.

  • Ocean Heat Content (OHC) is the amount of energy absorbed by and stored in the oceans.
  • OHC is measured in joules, the unit of energy.
  • When sunlight reaches the earth, oceans absorb this energy and store it as heat.
  • While the heat is first absorbed at the surface of the water body, some of it is eventually disbursed throughout.
  • Water also has a higher heat capacity than air, which means that water heats up slower than air and can store much larger amounts of heat.

More than 90% of the excess heat accumulated in the earth’s climate is deposited in the oceans.

  • Climate change and OHC – OHC is an important indicator of climate change.
  • An increase in greenhouse gas emissions traps more energy from the sun in the atmosphere.
  • Rising ocean temperatures strengthen the exchange of energy from oceans to the atmosphere by increasing the evaporation of water and thus the quantity of atmospheric moisture.
  • This leads to changes in global precipitation patterns as well as temperatures.
  • Stratification and salinity-contrast index, along with OHC, are important elements in quantifying climate change.
  • Stratification – Vertical stratification happens when there is change in the density of water due to temperature and salinity changes in oceans.
  • This stratification hinders water mixing and consequently the exchange of heat, carbon, oxygen and so on between layers.
  • Salinity-contrast Index – Defined as the difference between the salinity averaged over climatologically high-salinity and low-salinity regions.
  • Salinity-contrast index, an indicator of a change in the water cycle, reached its highest level on record in 2022.
  • Salinity determines water density, which drives the circulation of water in oceans.


Women Get Command Roles in The Indian Army

|

Why in News?

Recently, in a significant development the Indian Army cleared the 108 women officers eligible to command units and troops in their respective arms and services for the first time.

  • This would be a major step forward in terms of gender equality.
  • This decision will also encourage more women to join the Indian Army and will help to promote diversity and inclusivity within the organization.

What did the Supreme Court Order in 2020?

  • In 2019, the Army changed its rules allowing Short Service Commission (SSC) officers women officers to opt for permanent commission who would have otherwise retired after 14 years of service.
  • However, this was not retrospective, and applied only to the batches of women officers starting their career in the Army in 2020.
  • With the landmark Supreme Court judgment of 2020, permanent commission was granted to women officers with retrospective effect.
    • This opened the doors for their further growth and promotions in the Army, which has been of late opening leadership and higher management courses for women.

Why did their Colonel Promotions Come so Late?

  • An officer in the Army is promoted to the rank of Colonel only after serving between 16 and 18 years, based on certain criteria such as annual confidential reports and various courses.
  • Women officers who were inducted into the Army were inducted as SSC officers in 1992 and in the years after did not have the choice to opt for permanent commission.
  • JAG and Army Education Corps were exceptions, where a permanent commission was opened for them in 2008.
  • For other arms and services, women could not become permanent cadres, and had to retire much before they completed the service period that is mandatory to become a Colonel.

What Does Commanding a Unit Mean?

  • Once promoted to the rank of Colonel, an officer is eligible to command troops dire
  • The position of Colonel is considered a coveted appointment because it is a high-ranking position within the military, but it also allows the officer to interact directly with troops on the ground.
  • This interaction allows the Colonel to have a more hands-on approach to leadership and decision making, which is a unique opportunity not found in higher-ranking positions like Brigadier or Major General.

What are the different Army Domains where Women are not Allowed to Work?

  • Women are still not eligible in core combat arms such as Infantry, Mechanized Infantry and Armored Corps as Army is not open to women fighting wars at the borders as foot soldiers. Much of this resistance stems from past instances of male soldiers being taken as prisoners of war and tortured by the enemy.
  • However, the Army has recently decided to open the Corps of Artillery, a combat support arm, to women.

What About the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF)?

  • Women officers have been inducted into all branches of the Navy, and they will be eligible for permanent commission in the future.
  • Women officers can command shore-based units and, as they join the service and become eligible for permanent commission, they would be able to command ships and air squadrons.
  • The IAF has opened all branches for women officers, including the fighter stream and the new weapon systems branch.
  • As they are granted permanent commission based on eligibility and vacancies, they will be eligible to command units in the future.

Which Other Armies Allow Women to hold Command Positions?

  • All major countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and Israel, allow women to hold command positions within their national armed forces. This includes positions such as officers and non-commissioned officers, as well as roles in combat units and special forces.


Trans Fat

|

According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO), five billion people globally are exposed to harmful trans fat, which is increasing their heart disease and death risk.

About Trans fat

  • Trans fat, or trans-fatty acids, are unsaturated fatty acidsthat come from either natural or industrial sources.
    • Naturally-occurring trans-fat comes from ruminants (cows and sheep).
    • Industrially-produced trans-fat is formed in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to vegetable oil converting the liquid into a solid, resulting in “partially hydrogenated” oil (PHO).
  • Partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) are solid at room temperature and prolong the shelf life of products. They are primarily used for deep frying and as an ingredient in baked goods.

 

What are the Initiatives taken to reduce trans-fat intake?

  • National Level: Foods Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) launched a “Trans Fat-Free”logo for voluntary labelling to promote TFA-free products.
  • Global Level: World Health Organisation launched a REPLACE campaign in 2018 for global-level elimination of trans-fats in industrially produced edible oils by 2023.


Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system

|

An agreement was signed recently between DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory and Naval Group France to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for the integration of the indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system in the Kalvari class submarines.

About:

There are two types of submarines:

  • Conventional or Diesel-electric submarine: They need atmospheric oxygen to run the diesel generator which in turn charges the batteries.
  • Nuclear Submarine: It is a submarine powered by a nuclear reactor, but not necessarily nuclear-armed. They have considerable performance advantages over conventional submarines.

What is an AIP?

  • With the emergence of submarines, there was a problem finding satisfactory forms of propulsion underwater.
  • AIP is mostly implemented as an auxiliary source, with the traditional diesel engine handling surface propulsion. Most of these systems generate electricity, which in turn drives an electric motor for propulsion or recharges the boat’s batteries.
  • AIP allows longer submergence than a conventionally propelled submarine. A typical conventional power plant provides 3 megawatts maximum, and an AIP source around 10 per cent of that. A nuclear submarine’s propulsion plant is much greater than 20 megawatts.

Key features of AIP system:

  • It allows the submarines to stay for longer hours in water. The submarines need to come to the surface of the water to charge their batteries. This is reduced by AIP System.
  • It decreases the noise levels made by the submarines. This makes it hard to detect the submarines.

 Types of AIP:

  • Open-cycle systems
  • Closed-cycle diesel engines
  • Closed-cycle steam turbines
  • Stirling cycle engines
  • Fuel cells

DRDO is using the fuel cells-based AIP System. It is unique as the hydrogen is generated onboard. The plant was operated in endurance mode and max power mode as per the user requirements. The system is being developed by Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) of DRDO.



Eravikulam National Park

|

Eravikulam National Park (ENP), a natural habitat for the endangered Nilgiri tahr, reported two tahr births recently.

About Eravikulam National Park:

  • Location: Idukki District, Kerala
  • Area: 97 sq. Km
  • It was declared as a National Park in 1978.
  • This is also the land of “Neelakurinji”, the flower that blooms once in twelve years.
  • The highest peak south of the Himalayas – The Anamudi (2695 meters) is situated in this park.
  • Topography: The major part of the park is covered with rolling grasslands, but several patches of shola forests are also found in the upper part of the valley.

Flora:

  • Important flora includes Actinodaphne bourdilloni, Microtropis ramiflora, Pittosporum tetraspermium, Eupatorium adenophorum, Strobilanthus Kunthianus (Neela Kurinji)
  • The shola grasslands are exceptionally rich in balsams and orchids including the long thought extinct variety Brachycorythis wightii.

Fauna:

  • 29 Species of mammals are found here of which 5 are endemic to the Western Ghats.
  • The Nilgiri Tahr, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Nilgiri Langur, Tiger, Leopard, Giant Squirrel and wild dog are common.
  • Half the world population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr lives here.
  • 140 species of birds of which 10 are unique to the Western Ghats.
  • The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world is seen in this Park.
  • More than 100 varieties of butterflies and 20 species of amphibians are also seen here.

Nilgiri Tahr:

  • It is a sure-footed ungulate that is endemic to the southern part of Western Ghats.
  • Scientific name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius
  • It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
  • Conservation Status:
    • IUCN: “Endangered”
    • Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972 : Schedule 1


SAFAR system

|

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital was recorded 381 recently, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and the air quality remained in the ‘very poor category’.

About SAFAR system:

  • It stands for System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research.
  • SAFAR is an air quality monitoring system. It was introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to provide location specific information on air quality in near real time and its forecast upto 3 days in India.
  • It is developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, along with India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
  • Objective: To increase awareness among the general public regarding the air quality changes in their city well in advance so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up for betterment of air quality and related health issues.
  • The World Meteorological Organization has recognised SAFAR as a prototype activity on the basis of the high quality control and standards maintained in its implementation.

How is the Air Quality Index (AQI) calculated in India?

  • AQI is calculated based on the average concentration of a particular pollutant measured over a standard time interval (24 hours for most pollutants, 8 hours for carbon monoxide and ozone).
  • Eight individual pollutants are monitored for the calculation of AQI in India. These are PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ground-level ozone, ammonia, and lead.
  • To calculate AQI, data for a minimum of three pollutants must be present, of which one should be either PM10 or PM2.5.


H1B and L1 Visas

|

 

Thousands of Indian IT professionals who have lost their jobs due to the recent layoffs in the United States (US) are now struggling to find new employment within the stipulated period under their work visas.

About H1B Visa:

  • It is a multiple entry non-immigrant visa which allows foreign workers employed by US companies to work in the United States.
  • The workers under H1B visas should be engaged in specialised occupations such as science, medicine, engineering and mathematics.
  • H1B applicants must have at least a US bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  • Generally this visa is granted for a period of three years and can be extended for an additional three years for special circumstances.
  • H-1B visa requires the employer to apply on the person’s behalf.
  • Holders of H1B visas can sell or buy property and invest in the stock market in the United States.

About L1 Visa:

  • L1 Visa is an Intra-Company Transferee Visa.
  • It allows large multinationals (need not be a US company) – with operations across various countries – to shift employees in specialized positions on a temporary basis to the US.
  • There are two types of L1 visas – L1A and L1B.
  • Managers and executives come under the category of L1As while L1Bs encompass workers with specialized knowledge.
  • There is no education requirement for the L1 visa.
  • L-1A visa holders are allowed a maximum stay of seven years in the U.S while s L-1B visa holders are allowed a maximum stay of five years.


Param Vir Chakra

|

The Prime Minister recently named the 21 largest unnamed islands of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.

About Param Vir Chakra:

  • It is India’s highest military decoration awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
  • The Param Vir Chakra was introduced on January 26, 1950, on the first Republic Day with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947.
  • Literally, Param Vir Chakra means ‘Wheel (or Cross) of the Ultimate Brave’.
  • It can be awarded posthumously.
  • It is similar to the British Victoria Cross, US Medal of Honor, or French Legion of Honor or Russian Cross of St. George.
  • Design:
  • The medal was designed by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar.
  • The medal is cast in bronze and circular in shape.
  • In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra, flanked by the sword of Shivaji.
  • On its reverse, it shall have embossed Param Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English. The fitting will be swivel mounting.
  • The decoration is suspended from a straight swiveling suspension bar, and is held by a 32 mm purple ribbon.
  • First winner: Major Somanth Sharma, from the Kumaon regiment.
  • Till now, only 21 people had been given the Param Vir Chakra award of which 14 are posthumous.

Gallantry Awards:

  • They have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces and civilians.
  • They are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
  • India’s Gallantry Awards in the order of precedence:
  • Param Vir Chakra
  • Ashoka Chakra
  • Mahavir Chakra
  • Kirti Chakra
  • Vir Chakra
  • Shaurya Chakra.


Chestnut-winged cuckoo

|

Chestnut-winged cuckoo was recently being sighted in newer spots around the Chennai city while it makes its way down the Coromandel Coast towards its wintering habitats further south and in Sri Lanka.

About Chestnut-winged cuckoo:

  • Scientific Name: Clamator coromandus
  • The chestnut-winged cuckoo is a small bird, measuring 35 to 45 cm in length and weighing 60 to 90 grams.
  • Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southeast China, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, , Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.
  • Habitat : Includes tropical and temperate deciduous/evergreen forests.
  • They are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.
  • They are mostly migratory and breed during summer in north India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southeast China, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
  • They winter in south India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands (India), Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.
  • IUCN Status: “Least Concern”