Union Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Nepal in the field of Biodiversity Conservation
Why
is it in news?
The Union Cabinet
chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of
the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change regarding signing of an
MoU on Biodiversity Conservation with the Government of Nepal.
Highlights
• It aims to enhance
cooperation and coordination in the fields of forest, wildlife, environment,
biodiversity conservation and climate change, including the re-opening of
corridors and interconnected areas between the two countries and sharing of
knowledge and best practices; and have to strengthen.
• The MoU will promote mutual cooperation between
the two sides in the fields of forest, wildlife, environment, biodiversity
conservation and climate change, including revamping corridors and
interconnected areas and sharing of knowledge and best practices. will help.
Construction of first warship bottom structure of ASW SWC project commences at CSL, Kochi
Why
is it in news?
Recently, the work on
the construction of the lower structure of the first warship (BY-523 MHA) of
the Anti-Submarine Shallow Craft-ASW SWC project at CSL, Kochi was started on
30 August 2022. It was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, CWP-&A.
CMD CSL Mr. Madhu S. Nair, Commodore V. Ganapathy, WPS (Cochin), CSL, and other
senior officers of CSL and Indian Navy were present on the occasion.
Highlights
• Vice Admiral Kiran
Deshmukh, CWP-A, on the occasion lauded the efforts of CSL to achieve this
milestone despite the constraints of COVID and the consequent lockdown. He said
that this is a remarkable achievement of the shipyard. He appreciated all the workers
working in the factory.
• The Vice Admiral said
that the construction of these ships would greatly strengthen the spirit of
'Self-reliant India' and commitment to 'Make in India'. The Chief Guest said
that the beginning of the construction of the lower structure of the ship is a
major activity in the process of shipbuilding and from here the work of piling
up the various sections to make the ship as a whole starts.
• CWP-&A further
stated that these ship-like platforms will perform above sea surface
surveillance in coastal areas to detect and neutralize underwater threats.
• CMD, CSL during his
address said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic there were many challenges in
carrying out this complex shipbuilding project, but despite all that the
shipyard continued to build ships through innovative solutions. He thanked the
Indian Navy for its full support. Reiterating the commitment, he said that the
shipyard is determined to hand over quality ships to the Navy on time.
PM inaugurates Atal Bridge in Ahmedabad
Why
is it in news?
Recently, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the iconic 'Atal Bridge' over the Sabarmati
River in Ahmedabad city of Gujarat. Its name was declared as Atal Bridge on 25
December on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee.
Atal
Bridge
• This bridge is built
on the Sabarmati River on the banks of the Sabarmati Riverfront which flows
through the city of Ahmedabad.
• Equipped with
attractive design and LED lights, this bridge is about 300 meters long and 14
meters wide.
• 2,600 metric tons of
steel pipe has been used in the construction of this bridge and the railing is
made of glass and steel.
• The bridge will
provide connectivity to various public spaces, from multi-level car parking and
plazas on the East and West Bank to the proposed Arts, Cultural and Exhibition
Center between the Flower Park on the East Bank and the Event Grounds on the
West Bank.
• Apart from
pedestrians, cyclists can also use this bridge to cross the river.
• The total cost of
construction of this bridge is Rs 74.29 crore.
International day for people of African descent
Why
is it in news?
The United Nations is
observing International Day for People of African Origin on August 31, 2022.
Background
The United Nations
General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing an International Day for
People of African Origin in December 2020. UNGA established this day with the
aim of promoting greater recognition and respect for the diverse heritage,
culture and contribution of people of African descent towards the development
of society. The day also seeks to promote respect for their human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
Highlights
• 20 years after the
Durban Declaration and Program of Action, the day is significant in light of
the growing momentum towards ending racism.
• In addition, in Latin
America, there are approximately 134 million people of African heritage and
they suffer from poverty, lack of access to basic services and inequality. The
overall poverty rate in Brazil is 11.5% while the poverty rate among people of
African descent is 25.5%.
• The United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) has approved a resolution on 2 August 2021 to establish
a Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. This forum was established in
the backdrop of concern over slavery.
• The document deeply
regrets the human suffering caused by slavery. It recognized that the slave
trade and slavery were crimes against humanity.
• The new forum will
have 10 members, 5 of whom will be elected by the General Assembly from all
regions and 5 will be appointed by the Human Rights Council in consultation
with regional groups as well as organizations of people of African descent.
Neeraj Chopra wins Lausanne Diamond League tournament
Why
is it in news?
Olympic gold medalist
Neeraj Chopra recently won the Lausanne Diamond League with a best throw of
89.08m. He became the first Indian to win the Diamond League title. Before
Chopra, discus thrower Vikas Gowda is the only Indian to finish in the top
three in the Diamond League.
Highlights
• Notably, his throw of
89.08m was the third best effort of his career, followed by his second throw of
85.18m.
• In this event, Tokyo
Olympic silver medalist Jakob Wadlejsch finished second with his best throw of
85.88 metres. Curtis Thompson of the United States finished third with a best
throw of 83.72 metres.
• Notably, he is an
Indian track and field athlete competing in the javelin throw event. He is the
first track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for India. He won a
gold medal for India while performing brilliantly in the Tokyo Olympics, it was
India's only gold medal in this Olympics.
• He was inducted as a
Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army in
2016. He made his debut at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Asian
Games, where he was the inaugural flag bearer. He won gold medals in both the
games.