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India to participate in Vostok-2022 military exercise

India to participate in Vostok-2022 military exercise

 

Why is it in news?

According to the Ministry of Defense of China, the People's Liberation Army of China will participate in the "Vostok-2022 Strategic Command and Staff Exercise". Armies of India, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Belarus will also participate in the exercise.

 

Introduction

China and Russia have strengthened their diplomatic relations since the establishment of the Russian Federation in 1991. The land boundary between the two countries was determined in 1991. They signed the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation in 2001. The treaty was recently renewed in June 2021. The two countries share close military, economic and political ties as well as support each other on many global issues.

 

Highlights

• Vostok 2022 Strategic Command and Staff Exercise will be conducted from August 30 to September 5, 2022.

• It will be conducted at 13 training facilities in the Eastern Military District under the direction of Valery Gerasimov.

• Chinese military participation in Vostok 2022 is in no way linked to the current international and regional situation. However, the main objective of its participation is to strengthen practical and cordial relations with the armies of other participating countries, to boost its capability against various security threats and to raise its bar for strategic coordination.

• The participating troops will rehearse maintaining military security in the Eastern Sector.


Mandla becomes India's first 'functionally literate' district

Why is it in news?

Recently the tribal dominated Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh has become the first "functionally literate" district in India. During the 2011 survey, the literacy rate in Mandla district was 68%. Another 2020 report highlighted that, in this district, more than 2.25 lakh people were not literate, most of them tribals from forest areas.

 

Introduction

Functional literacy includes reading and writing skills that are essential for managing daily living and employment tasks. Such tasks require reading skills beyond the basic level. A person is said to be functionally literate when he is able to write his name, count and read and write in Hindi or in a language other than the dominant language.

 

Highlights

• The tribals were often complaining to the authorities about the money fraud they were facing. The main reason for this was that the tribals were not functionally literate.

• A big campaign was launched on Independence Day 2020 in collaboration with the Department of School Education, Anganwadi and Social Workers, Department of Women and Child Development to educate women and senior citizens, to make people functionally literate.

• With this campaign, the entire district has turned into a functionally literate district within two years.

• Mandla is the first district in India to reach this point, where everyone is able to write, read and count their names.v


Moscow Conference on International Security 2022 heldv

Why is it in news?

The Moscow Conference on International Security was held from August 15 to August 17, 2022. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the virtual plenary session on 16 August.

 

Highlights

• The Defense Minister in his address emphasized on comprehensive reforms in the structure of the United Nations.

• He said that the worrying shortfall in the UN system highlights its structural inadequacies.

• The reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is based on India's call for multilateralism. He said that, in order to provide leadership around the world, the UNSC should be transformed into a more representative organization for developing countries.

• He also highlighted the possible geopolitical fault-line in the maritime domain, particularly in East Asia.

• With regard to the Indo-Pacific region, he said that India, being a central country to the Indian Ocean, is committed to a free, open, inclusive and secure Indo-Pacific region.

• The Moscow Conference on International Security-2022 was attended by defense ministers of various countries, military sector experts and key stakeholders. This conference on International Security is organized with the aim of sharing practical ideas and finding solutions on global security issues.

• The conference also gives Defense Ministers an opportunity to engage with their counterparts on security issues.

 


William Ruto elected new President of Kenya

Why is it in news?

• William Ruto will now represent the largest economy of East Africa, Ruto was the Vice President of the country from the year 2013, Rigathi Gchagua was elected the new Vice President of the country, it is worth mentioning that President Uhuru Kenyatta remained in power for a decade, and completed his term.

• William Ruto has defeated his arch-rival and Kenyan political stalwart Raila Odinga in the recently concluded presidential election, he won this election by a very small margin, he got 50.05% of the total votes in this election.

• William Ruto will now represent the largest economy of East Africa, Ruto was the Vice President of the country from the year 2013, Rigathi Gchagua was elected the new Vice President of the country, it is worth mentioning that President Uhuru Kenyatta remained in power for a decade, and completed his term .

• William Ruto has defeated his arch-rival and Kenyan political stalwart Raila Odinga in the recently concluded presidential election, he won this election by a very small margin, he got 50.05% of the total votes in this election.

 

The Political Journey of William Ruto

• Ruto, who began his political career as a church leadership at the University of Nairobi, campaigned for former President Daniel Arap Moi in 1992. He considered Daniel Arap Moi as his political mentor, and was greatly influenced by him, he belongs to a very simple family.

• In the year 1997, he first started with victory from the parliamentary seat of Eldoret North constituency, gradually his popularity increased and in the year 2002 he was re-elected as a Member of Parliament. Ruto was elected Vice President of the country in the year 2013.

 

Ruto made important promises to the country

• Has promised to free the country from the politics of dynasty or familyism. Those who have dominated Kenya's political scene, such as Odinga and Kenyatta. Odinga's father was the country's former Vice President and outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta's father, Jomo Kenyatta, was the country's first President in 1963.

• Economic issues such as rising food and fuel prices, government debt, unemployment and widespread corruption in Kenya emerged prominently in the election. To deal with these challenges, Ruto has presented its ideas and roadmap to the country.

• The situation arising out of the Russia-Ukraine war and the problem of unemployment in the country and bringing the country's economy back on track will be a major challenge for Ruto.


Indian Army's increased strength

Why is it in news?

• Defense Minister Rajnath Singh handed over indigenously developed equipment and technology to the Indian Army in New Delhi. These include the Future Infantry Soldier as a System (F-INSAS), new generation anti-personnel mine 'Nipun' (Nipun), advanced capability automated communication systems, upgraded site systems for tanks and advanced thermal imagers. Also, he handed over state-of-the-art High Mobility Infantry Protected Vehicles and Assault Boats through virtual means, with the help of which, soldiers deployed on the border will be able to respond appropriately to any challenge.

• Speaking on the occasion, Engineer-in-Chief, Indian Army, Lt Gen Harpal Singh said that important decisions have been taken by the government to promote Make in India in defence.

• He said, "Various policy decisions have been taken by the Government of India to help promote indigenization of weapon systems for the Armed Forces. In this direction, the Army has introduced several new equipment including mines, personal weapons and infantry combat vehicles. have been included.

 

Highlights

It is worth mentioning that in line with Prime Minister Modi's vision for the modernization of the armed forces, under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan', jointly organized by the Indian Army in collaboration with Defense Public Sector Undertakings, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Industry. These tools/systems have been developed.

 

Highlights of the equipment and systems handed over to the Indian Army:

Anti-personnel mine Nipun

• There is a new Indian mine named 'Nipun' which has been developed with the efforts of Ordnance Research & Development Establishment, Pune and Indian Industry.

• It will further strengthen the security of soldiers on the borders. This mine is more powerful and effective than the existing anti-personnel mine.

 

Future Infantry Soldier/ (F-INSAS)

• The Future Infantry Soldier is being equipped with three primary sub systems. The first sub system is a state-of-the-art assault rifle with day and night holographic and reflex sight.

• In addition to the primary weapon system, soldiers will also be provided with a multi-mode hand grenade, indigenously procured along with a multipurpose knife.

 

Upgraded Radio Relay (Frequency Hopping)

• In challenging border areas where no lines or other modes of communication are available, the radio relay system will enable soldiers to operate their communication equipment and radio sets more efficiently in those areas.

• This frequency hopping technology is an advanced system with high efficiency. It has been developed by Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore.

 

Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle (Medium)

• The second vehicle will be the Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle (Medium) along with the Infantry Mobility Protected Vehicle to enhance the mobility of Indian troops in difficult areas like Eastern Ladakh. This will facilitate quick deployment of troops. These vehicles have been procured from Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

• Taking forward the 'Digital India' mission on this special occasion, Raksha Mantri also launched 198 video modules which refer to the basis of latest construction techniques, sustainable technologies, new trends in infrastructure development.

• In this program, in addition to the Defense Minister, Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt, Chiefs of the three Services, DRDO Chairman Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy and other senior army officers were present.