Published on: September 18, 2024

Snippets : 16-18 SEPTEMBER 2024

Snippets : 16-18 SEPTEMBER 2024

  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced 56 projects worth Rs 12,692 crore, including 46 projects valued at Rs 11,770 crore specifically for the Kalyana Karnataka region. Key initiatives include the creation of a separate secretariat for the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), with an annual allocation of Rs 5,000 crore from the state. The state also plans to urge the central government for an additional Rs 5,000 crore. Projects include regular drinking water supply in Bidar and Kalaburagi districts, upgrading Bidar and Raichur to municipal corporations, filling 17,439 vacant posts, renovating historical monuments, and setting up 45 primary health centres and 31 community health centres. A committee led by economist Govindaraj will study regional imbalances.
  • National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) – located in Bengaluru, expanding beyond accreditation, is launching social responsibility programs through accredited Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to enhance academic performance, employability, and career prospects, while promoting well-being. Key activities include skill training, sports coaching, cultural and STEM education camps, employability training for students, and youth cultural camps. Additionally, NAAC is accrediting yoga courses for global recognition, furthering holistic development and career readiness across India.
  • The Government of India has launched the Smart Precision Horticulture Programme under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) with a budget of Rs 6,000 crore, aiming to boost precision farming across 15,000 acres over five years, benefiting 60,000 farmers. The programme integrates AI, drones, IoT, and data analytics to optimize resource use, improve yields, and mitigate climate risks. Financial support through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) provides 3% interest subvention on loans for purchasing smart farming tools. The initiative includes international collaborations, expanding 32 Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to 100, and establishing 22 Precision Farming Development Centres (PFDCs) for localized technology adaptation. Additionally, states/UTs are receiving funds for AI projects in agriculture under the National e-Governance Plan.
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is launching BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry), a digital platform to centralize and streamline India’s startup ecosystem. BHASKAR will offer resources, tools, and personalized IDs to startups, investors, mentors, and service providers, fostering networking, collaboration, and efficient decision-making. With enhanced discoverability features and global branding, the platform aims to promote India as a global innovation hub, aligning with the government’s vision to transform the country into a leader in entrepreneurship and economic growth.
  • India successfully test-fired the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM) on consecutive days from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, by DRDO and the Indian Navy. The missile intercepted high-speed, low-altitude aerial targets, simulating sea-skimming threats, which are difficult to defend against due to their low altitude. VLSRSAM is equipped with advanced guidance systems for enhanced precision and agility and incorporates cutting-edge technology for rapid response to aerial threats. These successful tests strengthen India’s indigenous defence capabilities, boosting self-reliance and enhancing the Indian Navy’s air defence systems.
  • Indian Railways renamed the Vande Metro as ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail,’ designed to connect urban centers with peripheral towns, covering 360 km between Bhuj and Ahmedabad in about six hours. The train can seat 1,150 passengers and features inclusivity options like Divyangjan-friendly toilets and a fully sealed flexible gangway. It boasts rapid acceleration and deceleration, eliminating turnaround time with driving cabins at both ends. The train has 12 air-conditioned coaches, automatic sliding doors, modular interiors, continuous LED lighting, vacuum toilets, and panoramic windows, along with safety systems such as KAVACH, smoke/fire detection, and emergency lights.
  • India’s first home-grown All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), developed by A-Thon in collaboration with the AI and Robotics Technology Park (Artpark) at IISc, was showcased at the International Autoshow 2024. This ATV, designed for diverse agricultural applications, underscores India’s focus on autonomous farming technology. Artpark, supported by the Department of Science and Technology and the Government of Karnataka, aims to address job market shifts due to AI and robotics. The showcased Ashva 4×4 targets large farms in challenging conditions, while a 6×6 autonomous vehicle, Adbhut, features advanced technology for data collection and potential adventure sports use. These innovations are expected to improve farming efficiency and create up to three times more rural jobs by enhancing crop management and driving labor demand in related sectors.
  • Operation Sadbhav: India rapidly deployed urgent relief supplies to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, totaling 55 tons of aid, including food, medicine, water purification items, and shelter materials, in response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi, which killed over 210 people and caused massive floods across the three countries, with the Indian Navy’s swift response demonstrating its commitment to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
  • Ace Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra, after finishing as the runner-up in the Diamond League Final in Brussels with an agonizing difference of 1 cm to the champion Anderson Peters, finished his successful year with 7/7 top-three finishes.
  • Rajbhasha Kirti Award to Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
  • Iran has successfully launched its research satellite, Chamran-1, into space recently.
  • The Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) will host the second edition of the eARTh event, an initiative launched in 2023 to use art for climate action. The event, held at the Bangalore International Centre, brings together artists, environmentalists, and policymakers to explore how art can inspire sustainability. The eARTh Climate Fellows, mentored through a nine-month fellowship, will display their art, with a performance by the Vasu Dixit Collective. CSTEP is partnering with Slam Out Loud, a non-profit that empowers children through art, to guide attendees in creating climate-focused art.
  • The BBMP is set to launch a new mobile app called ‘Shwana’ to enhance accountability and transparency in its Animal Birth Control (ABC) and Anti-Rabies Vaccination (ARV) programmes. After successful trial runs, the app is ready for rollout, offering improved tracking features compared to the private app currently in use. The app will record all ABC and ARV procedures with photos, accessible to officials for real-time monitoring. Integrated with CCTV cameras at BBMP shelters, it ensures close supervision. Over 13,390 dogs have undergone ABC, and 43,656 dogs have been vaccinated in 2024-25. Public can report stray dog issues via helpline.
  • Karnataka is taking a major step to promote science and technology among its people, especially the younger generation. The state government has formed a nine-member advisory committee, headed by Ekroop Caur, to boost the appeal of science centers and planetariums across the state. This committee comprises renowned experts like Dr. Jahnavi Phalkey and Pramod Galgali, who will provide insights on popularizing science and familiarizing people with the latest developments in science and technology
  • India defeated hosts China 1-0 in the final, securing their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title – Hockey , with defender Jugraj Singh scoring the winning goal in the 51st minute, capping off an unbeaten tournament run, and earning a record-extending fifth title, with Hockey India rewarding the team with Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each support staff member.
  • Researchers recently discovered a new species of parasitoid wasp named Syntretus perlmani that matures inside living adult fruit flies before bursting out, much like a scene from the Alien films.
  • A rainwater harvesting project, undertaken by the Koduvayur grama panchayat, led to an unusually large number of megalithic urn burials on top of a hill in the Kollengode range of Nenmara forest division in Kerala.
  • On September 15, Karnataka formed a historic 2,500-km-long human chain to celebrate the International Day of Democracy, highlighting equality, unity, fraternity, and participative governance. This day, established by the UN General Assembly in 2007, is observed globally to emphasize democracy’s significance and requires active engagement from global organizations, nations, and civil society. The 2024 theme focuses on Artificial Intelligence for good governance. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), founded in 1889, promotes parliamentary diplomacy, with 179 member parliaments advocating for representative democracy under the slogan “For democracy. For everyone.”