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.