Manthan Platform

Why is it in news?

Recently, the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India (Government of India) announced the launch of the Manthan platform. The vision has been assigned to enable and empower the sectors.

Introduction

The Manthan platform is unique and will provide the necessary foundation to transform our country through innovative ideas, inventive minds and public-private-academic collaborations to achieve our sustainability goals.

Highlights

The launch of the 'Manthan' platform also celebrates 75 years of India's independence and provides an opportunity to bring Indian and world communities closer to India's technology revolution.

It is an attempt to expand the government's efforts to build and nurture industry participation in R&D.

It is also a testimony to the government's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

It is operated by NSEIT and is headed by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.

The platform will help enhance interaction among stakeholders, share challenges in emerging technologies and scientific interventions, and facilitate research and innovation.

It will also provide the necessary hub to transform India through innovative ideas, public-private-academic collaborations aimed at achieving India's sustainable goals.

It is operated by NSEIT and is headed by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.

The platform will help enhance interaction among stakeholders, share challenges in emerging technologies and scientific interventions, and facilitate research and innovation.

It will also provide the necessary hub to transform India through innovative ideas, public-private-academic collaborations aimed at achieving India's sustainable goals.

It will facilitate knowledge transfer and interaction through information exchange sessions, events and exhibitions to develop a framework for future science, technology and innovation-led development.

'Golden Joint' of Chenab Railway Bridge inaugurated

Why is it in news?

Recently the 'Golden Joint' of Chenab Railway Bridge was inaugurated. It was decorated with the national flag to celebrate the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav". It is the highest railway bridge in the world. It is located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Introduction

• The Chenab River is formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi in the Upper Himalayas of Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. In its upper reaches it is also known as Chandrabhaga.

• It is a tributary of the Indus River. It flows through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan.

Highlights

• Both ends of this bridge are connected with the help of High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG) bolts. It is marked as the 'Golden Joint'.

• The bridge comprises 93 deck sections. The weight of each section is 85 tons.

• It is a part of the 272 km long railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley.

• This rail link project is known as 'Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link Project'.

• It has used about 30,350 tonnes of steel, including 10,620 tonnes in the construction of the mammoth arch and 14,500 tonnes in the construction of the bridge deck.

• It has been constructed near Kauri village upstream of Salal Dam.

• This bridge is important, as the Indian Railways is the first to build a bridge over a transition curve and a longitudinal slope.

• Bridges are usually built on straight or curved platforms of the same radius. Keeping the height in mind, sophisticated automatic signaling systems have been installed at both the ends.

• This system will not allow trains to cross the bridge in case the wind speed reaches 90 kmph.

PM Modi announces 'Panch Prana' target for next 25 years

Why is it in news?

• Recently, PM Narendra Modi has given 5 vows to the country from the Red Fort on the historic occasion of 75th anniversary of independence.

• He said that in the next 25 years, when the country will complete 100 years of its independence, we have to fulfill these resolutions.

• He said that I think for the coming 25 years we have to focus our resolutions on 5 bases.

• We will have to fulfill the dreams of freedom lovers in 2047, when we will have 100 years of independence with those Pancha Prana.

Highlights

• Developed India's standards include- Swachhta Abhiyan, Vaccination, Electricity Connection, Open Defecation Free, Solar Energy for Developed India.

• The new National Education Policy is an example of "liberation from the idea of ​​slavery".

• India First, gender equality and respect for women are symbols of unity and solidarity in the country.

• India will progress by fulfilling duties like saving electricity, chemical-free farming and making full use of available water in the fields.

• The five resolutions that the Prime Minister asked people to take include;

• Move forward with the big resolve of Developed India

• Eliminate all traces of slavery

• Be proud of India's heritage

• Strength of Unity

• Duties of citizens including PM and CM.

• According to PM Modi, these five resolutions will be important for a developed country when the country completes 100 years of independence in 2047.

• The PM's dream of 'Vishwaguru Bharat' is also included in these five resolutions. PM Modi wants to make India "Vishwaguru" on completion of 100 years of independence.

Why is it in news?

Recently President Draupadi Murmu approved around 107 gallantry awards for Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). It consists of 3 Kirti Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras. Apart from this, 81 Sena Medals, 1 Navy Medal and 2 Sena Medals were also announced.

Highlights

• All gallantry awards were given for conducting anti-terrorism and anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Kirti Chakra was posthumously awarded to Constable Sudip Sarkar and BSF Sub-Inspector Paotinsat Gitte for their bravery off the battlefield.

• To recognize his significant contribution in military operations such as Operation Tirket and Operation Snow Leopard, 40 Mention-in-Dispatches for the Indian Army, one for the Indian Air Force and the other for Army Dog Axle (posthumous) also approved by the President.

• Naik Devendra Pratap Singh was awarded the Kirti Chakra from the Army for his courage and dedication in eliminating the two hardcore terrorists in Pulwama.

• Shaurya Chakra was awarded to 8 Army personnel including two posthumously. It was also presented to a personnel of the Indian Navy.

• Out of the 8 Shaurya Chakra winners, 2 are from the Para Special Forces while the rest are from the Rashtriya Rifles in the Kashmir Valley.

India and Japan partnership on climate change

Why is it in news?

Recently the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has partnered with the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Program on Climate Change (UNDP). He has launched an initiative to accelerate climate action in 10 states and union territories in India.

Highlights

This initiative will support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to achieve net-zero emissions. The initiative will also ensure climate-resilient development.

The initiative will be launched in collaboration with IMD in the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Following its launch, India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) has been approved by the Cabinet, which will be sent to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

They will promote climate mitigation by placing clean energy infrastructure and low-emission technologies in critical sectors such as health, transportation, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and agriculture.