Shri Nitin Gadkari approves Draft GSR Notification to introduce Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program)

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has approved the Draft GSR Notification to introduce Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), wherein automobiles in India shall be accorded Star Ratings based upon their performance in Crash Tests.

Why is it in news?

In a series of tweets he said Bharat-NCAP will serve as a consumer-centric platform allowing customers to opt for safer cars based upon their star-ratings, while promoting a healthy competition among OEMs in India to manufacture safer vehicles.

Highlights

·       The Minister said Star Rating of Indian Cars based on Crash Tests is extremely crucial not only to ensure structural and passenger safety in cars, but to also increase the export-worthiness of Indian automobiles. He said the testing protocol of Bharat NCAP shall be aligned with Global Crash Test Protocols factoring in the existing Indian regulations, allowing OEMs to get their vehicles tested at India’s own  in-house testing facilities.

·       Shri Gadkari said Bharat NCAP will prove to be a critical instrument in making our automobile  industry Aatmanirbhar with the mission of making India the Number 1 automobile hub in the world.

Union Health Minister on Three-Days tour to Puducherry and Chennai from 24th-26th June 2022

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will review status and progress of Health and Fertiliser Ministries programmes

Union Health Minister to lay foundation stone of International Centre of Excellence for training in Medical Entomology (VCRC) and inaugurate International School of Public Health, JIPMER

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will also lay foundation stone of New Technology Centre, CIPET

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Puducherry and Chennai from 24^th June till 26^th June 2022. With the aim of collaborative participation and focussed implementation of programs and initiatives, Union Health Minister’s visit underscores the efforts of enduring, resilient and sustainable health system strengthening through holistic approach.

Union Health Minister in Puducherry

In an effort to further strengthen the health system in the state, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Puducherry on 24th June 2022. At Puducherry, Union Health Minister will lay the foundation stone of International Centre of Excellence for training in Medical Entomology (VCRC) in presence of Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister & Health Minister, Puducherry. Thereafter, he will visit the state-of-art facilities at VCRC and interact with students and faculty members, which will be followed by a presentation by Director, VCRC.

At Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Dr. Mandaviya will inaugurate International School of Public Healthand interact with students and faculties.

In a joint meeting, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will review the activities of Health Ministry and Fertiliser Ministry. He is also scheduled to visit Health & Wellness Centre, Kilputhupatu and review E-Consultancy & E-Sanjeevani.

Union Health Minister in Chennai

During the Chennai visit, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Tamil Nadu Govt. Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Ommandurar from where he will virtually lay the foundation stone of CGHS Wellness Centre & Lab in Avadi. Dr. Mandaviya will hold a meeting with the Mission Director of e National Health Mission (NHM) in the State followed by a review and presentation on Good Practices of NHM. 

In a bid to further promote R&D in the field of Petrochemicals in order to develop new technology, applications & handholding of entrepreneurs by technology transfer, Intellectual Property (IP) and knowledge base, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will lay the foundation stone of New Technology Centre at Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Guindy followed by visit of facilities at CIPET. He is also scheduled to visit facilities of Madras Fertilizer Limited (MFL), Manali, and Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Ltd., TNMSC, Drug Warehouse, Anna Nagar.

Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile successfully flight-tested by DRDO & Indian Navy off Odisha coast

Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight-tested by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy from an Indian Naval Ship at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on June 24, 2022. The VL-SRSAM, a ship borne weapon system, is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.

Why is it in news?

The launch of the system was conducted against a high speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged. The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters were monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. The test launch was monitored by senior officials from DRDO & the Indian Navy.

Highlights

·       Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and the industry for the successful flight-test and stated that the system has added an armour that will further enhance defence capability of Indian Naval ships against aerial threats.   

·       Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar appreciated the Indian Navy & DRDO for the successful flight test of the VL-SRSAM and said that the development of this indigenous missile system will further strengthen the defensive capabilities of the Indian Navy.

·       Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy complimented the teams involved in the successful flight test. He said, the test has proved the integration of indigenous weapon system onboard Indian Naval Ships. He added that it will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy and is another milestone towards Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.