Published on: July 22, 2024

Snippets : 22 JULY 2024

Snippets : 22 JULY 2024

  • India aims to transform into a global electronics manufacturing hub by FY 2030 with a target manufacturing value of $500 billion, creating 6 million jobs, and boosting exports to $240 billion. The current market size is $155 billion, with a 4% global market share and a focus on assembly. Future projections under a business-as-usual scenario estimate manufacturing value at $278 billion with 3.4 million jobs. Strategic recommendations include expanding production into wearables and automotive electronics, providing fiscal support, developing infrastructure, enhancing workforce skills, and facilitating technology transfer.
  • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to enhance the role of academia in standard formulation by establishing a BIS Standardisation Chair Professor at IISc, training future professionals on the importance of standards, involving academia in national and international standardisation efforts, providing infrastructure support for research and development, and establishing centres of excellence, all formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on July 3, as part of BIS’ broader engagement with leading academic and research institutions.
  • Indian Railways to equip Garib Rath trains with newly designed AC Economy coaches. Existing conventional coaches to be replaced with Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rakes. New rakes with upgraded amenities to be put into service this month. AC Economy class fare set 8-10% lower than AC-3 fare. Current Garib Rath trains include Third AC, Second AC, and Chair Cars. New rakes will have 20 LHB coaches, including 18 Third AC Economy coaches and 2 Generator Motor cars.Garib Rath trains were introduced by former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in 2005.
  • American Xander Schauffele won the British Open, claiming his second major championship with a final round of 65 at Royal Troon, finishing at nine-under par, two shots ahead of Justin Rose and Billy Horschel. He became the first golfer to win two majors in a single season since 2018. India’s Shubhankar Sharma finished tied for 19th with a final round of 72, giving him a good send-off for the Paris Olympic Games.
  • Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti won doubles final of the €651,865 ATP tennis tournament on clay in Gstaad, Switzerland
  • Zebra mussels, an invasive species first discovered in the Colorado River, are fingernail-sized mollusks with a distinct ‘D’ shaped shell and black zigzag stripes. Native to the Caspian and Black Seas, they spread to North America via ship ballast water in the late 1980s. Known for their rapid reproduction, releasing up to one million eggs per breeding season, they disrupt aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting native species and clogging water infrastructure. Their short lifespan of 2-5 years and ability to attach to various surfaces cause significant ecological and commercial damage.
  • Scientists recently discovered another intermediate-mass black hole at the centre of a star cluster in the Milky Way, which is close to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (SgrA*)
  • The Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) has successfully developed domestically-produced fused silica radomes for missiles. A radome is a protective cover for radar or antenna systems, shielding them from environmental conditions while allowing electromagnetic signals to pass through unhindered. Radomes can be made from rigid materials or flexible fabrics and come in various shapes to suit different applications. They ensure the performance of antennas by minimizing environmental impacts, securing electronic equipment, and preventing collisions with nearby objects. This advancement enhances both the durability and functionality of missile systems
  • Researchers of the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) of Christ College, Irinjalakuda, have reported two species of flower flies for the first time from Kerala. Mesembrius bengalensis and M. quadrivittatus have been discovered from the Kole wetlands and Vilagan Kunnu hillocks of Thrissur district by Athul Sankar C., a research scholar at SERL; Bijoy C., Assistant Professor, Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda; and Shaji E.M., Associate Professor, K.K.T.M Government College, Pullut
  • The Centre plans to raise the upper limit of short-term crop loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Launched in 2006-07, MISS is a 100% Central Sector Scheme providing concessional short-term agricultural loans through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). Farmers can currently borrow up to Rs 3 lakh at a benchmark rate of 9%, with a 2% interest subvention from the Centre reducing the effective rate to 7%, and an additional 3% discount for prompt repayment lowering it to 4% annually. The scheme is managed by RBI and NABARD.
  • The Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board has accorded approval to declare Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary, on the outskirts of Bhopal, as the eighth tiger reserve of MP
  • On July 22, 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag, marking a key moment in India’s transition to independence
  • Remnants of an ancient Buddhist settlement were unearthed in Rajaghatta, near Bengaluru, two decades ago, revealing structures and artifacts from a Mahayana Buddhist monastery. The Maha Bodhi Society (MBS) is urging state and central bodies to protect the site and resume excavations, emphasizing the need for collaboration with ASI and initial experts. Artifacts found include votive stupas, a seated Buddha medallion, a terracotta flower, prayer wheel hubs, and a Ganesha figurine. Some artifacts are housed at the University of Mysuru. Despite farming and road challenges, MBS stresses the site’s archaeological importance and advocates for its development as a heritage site for responsible tourism.
  • The Karnataka State Pulses Development Board is expanding its ‘Bhima Pulse’ tur dal operations by establishing processing units in Kalaburagi, targeting the sale of 900 metric tonnes nationwide this year. Last year, only 18 tonnes were sold. The new infrastructure aims to protect farmers from price fluctuations and middlemen, with pricing set at Rs 200 per kg, cheaper than private brands. This initiative will provide fair prices and immediate payments to farmers, eliminating middlemen costs. Tur dal cultivation in Kalaburagi has significantly increased, with a production target of 5.5 lakh MT. Future plans include processing one MT per hour and leveraging farmer producer organizations for crop purchases.
  • A recent study by Ensuring Social Protection evaluated 315 anganwadis across five districts in Karnataka: Bengaluru Urban, Haveri, Raichur, Uttara Kannada, and Vijayapura. Key findings revealed that only 46% of anganwadis had functional toilets with water supply, while 33% lacked functional toilets altogether. Only 18.7% had functional water filters for drinking water. Bengaluru Urban and Uttara Kannada showed better infrastructure, whereas Vijayapura lagged significantly. The study also assessed supplementary programs and found significant infrastructure deficiencies impacting child welfare. Recommendations include upgrading infrastructure, providing targeted support to under-resourced districts, and enhancing monitoring.
  • Rare photographs of the Mashco Piro, the largest uncontacted Indigenous tribe in the Peruvian Amazon with over 750 members, have been published. They live in the Madre de Dios Region, near the borders of Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia, having retreated during the Amazon Rubber Boom in the late 1800s. Currently residing along the Las Piedras River in the Alto Purús National Park, they move to rainforest huts during the rainy season. The tribe speaks a Piro dialect and wears minimal traditional clothing. They are medium in stature, with athletic builds and straight black hair. The men use bows, arrows, and spears for hunting. The Peruvian government restricts contact to protect them from diseases.
  • The International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) was inaugurated by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in Rajkot. It aims to serve as a collaborative platform for policymakers, administrators, and auditors, enhancing auditors’ independence, financial performance assessment, and service delivery. As a centre of excellence, it focuses on capacity building, developing standards for local government audits, improving data reporting, and providing training programs. iCAL emphasizes the role of local governments in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering grassroots engagement and enhancing citizen accountability.
  • The National District Mineral Foundation Portal, recently launched by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, serves as a centralized platform providing comprehensive information on 645 District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) across India. It aims to enhance transparency and oversight by offering dynamic analytics and tracking project developments and utilizations. The portal also functions as a repository of best practices for effective implementation. DMFs, established under the MMDR Amendment Act 2015, are non-profit bodies aimed at benefiting persons and areas affected by mining, funded by contributions from mineral concession holders and regulated by state governments.
  • Armenia’s interest in India’s Pralay missile presents an opportunity for India to enhance its standing as a missile exporter. The Pralay, a surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of 150-500 km, features inertial guidance with terminal DSMAC, a radio frequency seeker, and a fused silica RADOME. Comparatively, Israel’s LORA has a 400 km range and 10 m CEP with GPS and TV guidance. The Pralay shares similarities with Russia’s Iskander-M, including a quasi-ballistic trajectory and a CEP of around 10 m. It also has terminal maneuvering capabilities, solid propellant, weighs 5 tons, and can carry various warheads while maintaining a reduced radar signature