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- Recently, the President of India witnessed a remarkable demonstration by the Indian Navy aboard the INS Vikrant, the nation’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier.
- Developed entirely in India, the INS Vikrant is a symbol of the nation's growing naval capabilities. Designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, this aircraft carrier significantly enhances India’s position as a "Blue Water Navy," underscoring its ability to project power and operate across the world’s oceans.
- With the induction of INS Vikrant, India joins an exclusive group of nations — the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and China — that have the technological expertise to design and manufacture their own aircraft carriers.
- Key Features:
- Displacement: 43,000 tonnes at full load
- Range: 8,600 nautical miles (13,890 km)
- Aircraft Capacity: The carrier can hold up to 30 aircraft, including fixed-wing fighter jets and rotary-wing aircraft like anti-submarine warfare helicopters and utility helicopters.
- Air Wing: INS Vikrant can operate a versatile air wing, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters, alongside indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Navy.
- Aircraft Launch and Recovery: Utilizing the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) method, INS Vikrant is equipped with a ski-jump for launching aircraft and three arrestor wires for safely recovering them.
- This state-of-the-art vessel marks a significant leap in India's naval power and its ability to safeguard maritime interests globally.
- Researchers have recently identified a mutant strain of cyanobacteria, which they’ve named Chonkus, and believe it could play a role in combating climate change.
- Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in all types of water bodies. These single-celled organisms thrive in a range of environments, from freshwater to brackish (a mix of salt and freshwater) to marine waters. They are photosynthetic, meaning they use sunlight to produce their own food.
- Under certain conditions, particularly in warm and nutrient-rich environments (high in phosphorus and nitrogen), cyanobacteria can proliferate rapidly, forming blooms that cover large areas of water surfaces. Such blooms are common in warm, slow-moving waters that receive an influx of nutrients from sources like agricultural runoff or wastewater discharges. While cyanobacteria blooms can occur year-round, they are most prevalent in late summer or early fall when environmental conditions are optimal.
- Key Facts About Chonkus:
- The Chonkus strain was discovered in the shallow, sunlit waters off the coast of Italy’s Vulcano Island, an area where volcanic gas-rich groundwater seeps into the sea.
- Unlike typical cyanobacteria, Chonkus has the remarkable ability to absorb significantly more carbon from the environment, making it a potential ally in the fight against climate change.
- This discovery is a promising step toward harnessing the power of nature to address global warming and the increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has stated in its confidential reports that major food delivery platforms in the country are violating India’s antitrust and competition laws by engaging in business practices that disproportionately benefit certain restaurants listed on their services.
- Established in March 2009 under the Competition Act, 2002, the CCI is a statutory body with the primary objective of fostering fair competition in the Indian economy. The Commission seeks to ensure a "level playing field" for producers and facilitate markets that work in the best interests of consumers.
- The key priorities of the CCI include eliminating practices that harm competition, promoting and safeguarding competition, protecting consumer interests, and ensuring free trade in Indian markets.
- Mandate:
- The Commission is responsible for enforcing provisions of the Competition Act, 2002, which:
- Prohibits anti-competitive agreements and the abuse of a dominant position by enterprises.
- Regulates mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that may have an adverse impact on market competition. M&A deals exceeding certain thresholds must receive clearance from the CCI.
- CCI also monitors the activities of large enterprises to ensure they do not misuse their dominant position by controlling supply chains, imposing high prices, or engaging in unethical practices that may harm emerging businesses.
- Composition:
- The CCI functions as a quasi-judicial body, comprising one chairperson and six other members, all of whom are appointed by the Central Government.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- By investigating and addressing anticompetitive practices, the CCI plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of India’s market ecosystem and ensuring consumer welfare.