Haryana becomes first state in India to have 100% electrified railway network

Why In News

·         The railway network in the state of Haryana in India was completely electrified by Indian Railways, making it the first state in the country to achieve 100% electrification of its railway network.

Key Points

·         In March 2023, the railway network in the state of Haryana in India was completely electrified by Indian Railways, making it the first state in the country to achieve 100% electrification of its railway network.

·         The existing Broad Gauge network of Haryana is 1,701 Route kilometre, which is now 100% electrified, resulting in saving on account of reduced line haul cost (about 2.5 times lower), heavier haulage capacity, increased sectional capacity, reduced operating & maintenance cost of electric loco, energy efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil, saving of foreign exchange.

·         Further, new Broad Gauge network shall be sanctioned along with electrification, in sync with Railways’ policy of 100% electrified network.

·         Indian Railways: 100% electrification of its broad-gauge routes by December 2023:

·         As per the latest updates, the Broad Gauge routes of seven zonal railways in India have achieved the 100% electrification target.

·         These railways are East Coast Railway (ECoR), North Central Railway (NCR), North Eastern Railway (NER), Eastern Railway (ER), South Eastern Railway (SER), West Central Railway (WCR), and Central Railway (CR).

·         This achievement is a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation in the country.

·         The Indian Railways has set a target to achieve 100% electrification of its broad-gauge routes by December 2023, and this milestone achieved by these seven zonal railways is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Indian-origin robotics engineer to head NASA’s newly-established Moon to Mars Programme

Why In News

·         Amit Kshatriya, an Indian-American engineer with expertise in software and robotics, has been appointed as the inaugural head of NASA's newly-established Moon to Mars Programme.

Key Points

·         Amit Kshatriya, an Indian-American engineer with expertise in software and robotics, has been appointed as the inaugural head of NASA‘s newly-established Moon to Mars Programme. This programme has been created to establish a long-term presence on the Moon, which is crucial for preparing for future missions to Mars. Kshatriya will serve as NASA’s first head of the office, with immediate effect.

·         He will immediately assume the role of leading the office, which will oversee the agency’s human exploration activities on the Moon and Mars. As the head of the office, Kshatriya will be responsible for planning and executing human missions to these celestial bodies for the betterment of humanity.

·         Kshatriya has previously served as the director of the Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems programs, where he provided leadership and integration. He has also been involved in various Artemis Campaign Development Division initiatives that aim to support NASA’s Moon to Mars objectives.

·         Prior to his current appointment, Kshatriya held the position of acting deputy associate administrator for the Common Exploration Systems Development Division. Kshatriya’s career in the space program began in 2003, where he worked as a software engineer, robotics engineer, and spacecraft operator primarily focused on the robotic assembly of the International Space Station.

About the Moon to Mars Programme 

·         The newly-established Moon to Mars Programme Office has been created to assist NASA in achieving its ambitious goal of landing humans on Mars and conducting exploration missions on the Moon.

·         In accordance with the 2022 NASA Authorisation Act, the office is responsible for critical hardware development, mission integration, and risk management functions that support the agency’s exploration approach.

·         This approach is based on using Artemis missions to the Moon as a means of unlocking new scientific discoveries and preparing for future human missions to Mars, as stated in the press release.

RBI Foundation Day 2023 observed on 1st April

Why In News

·         The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Central Office of the RBI, initially set up in Kolkata,

Key Points

·         The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Central Office of the RBI, initially set up in Kolkata, was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. Sir Osborne Smith the first Governor of the Bank. The Bank was constituted as a shareholders’ bank.

·         The RBI is the central bank of India and is responsible for regulating the country’s monetary and credit system. It is also responsible for issuing currency and managing the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

·         The RBI works closely with the government of India to formulate and implement monetary and fiscal policies that promote economic growth and stability. It was set up as a private shareholder’s bank with a capital of Rs. 5 crores.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) performs various functions, some of which are as follows:

·         Formulating and implementing monetary policy: The RBI is responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policy in India, with the aim of maintaining price stability while ensuring adequate credit flow to the productive sectors of the economy.

·         Regulating and supervising banks and financial institutions: The RBI regulates and supervises banks and financial institutions in India to ensure their stability and soundness.

·         Issuing and managing currency: The RBI is responsible for the issuance and management of currency in India.

·         Managing foreign exchange reserves: The RBI manages India’s foreign exchange reserves and intervenes in the foreign exchange market to maintain stability in the value of the rupee.

·         Acting as a banker to the government: The RBI acts as a banker and advisor to the central and state governments in India, managing their accounts and providing them with credit and other banking services.

·         Conducting research and analysis: The RBI conducts research and analysis on various aspects of the economy, including banking and financial systems, monetary policy, and economic development.

Finland Becomes 31st NATO Member After Turkey’s Approval

Why In News

·         Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has announced that Finland has become the 31st member of the alliance, thanks to Turkey's unanimous vote.

Key Points

·         Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has announced that Finland has become the 31st member of the alliance, thanks to Turkey’s unanimous vote. Despite Russia’s opposition to Finland’s membership, Turkey’s approval has allowed the extension of NATO.

·         Finland shares a long border of over 1,300 kilometers with Russia, and its decision to join NATO was prompted by security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Sweden’s application to join NATO has been declined by Turkey and Hungary.

·         Finland’s membership in NATO has been a topic of discussion for many years, with some arguing that it would help to strengthen Finland’s defense capabilities, while others have expressed concerns about potential tensions with neighboring Russia. With Finland’s membership, NATO now includes most of the countries in Europe and North America.

What is NATO and its History?

·         NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is an intergovernmental military alliance established in 1949. It was formed as a collective defense pact between North American and European nations to deter Soviet expansion and protect member states from potential Soviet aggression during the Cold War.

·         The founding members of NATO were the United States, Canada, and ten European nations including Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Since then, the alliance has expanded to include 31 member countries.

·         The organization operates on the principle of collective defense, with members agreeing to mutual defense in response to an attack by an external party. NATO also engages in crisis management, conflict prevention, and peacekeeping operations around the world.

To become a member of NATO, a country must meet the following criteria:

·         Political and economic stability: The country must have a stable democratic government, a functioning market economy, and a proven record of respecting human rights and the rule of law.

·         Military readiness: The country must have a capable and well-trained military that can contribute to the collective defense of the alliance. This includes a commitment to investing in defense and maintaining modern equipment.

·         Commitment to collective defense: The country must be willing and able to contribute to the collective defense of the alliance, including by supporting other member countries in times of need.

·         Compatibility with NATO values: The country must share the values of the alliance, including a commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law.

·         Geographic proximity: While not an official requirement, NATO tends to give preference to countries that are in close geographic proximity to existing members, as this makes it easier to coordinate and deploy forces in times of crisis.