Daily News Analysis : 1 July 2024

Mini Ratna status granted to CEL

The Central Electronics Limited (CEL) was recently granted Mini Ratna status on its Golden Jubilee celebrations. It is a government of India enterprise under Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. The major aim of the PSU is to achieve excellence in technology and manufacture with emphasis on indigenous technology. 

Key Points: 

A) CEL has transformed from a loss-making PSU to a dividend paying PSU and this is the 3rd consecutive year that CEL has paid dividends, that too at increasing rate, to the Government of India. 
B) CEL plays a crucial role in advancing indigenous technologies and manufacturing capabilities, as evidenced by its significant contributions in Defence, Railway, Security, Surveillance, and Solar energy sectors.
C) CEL’s impressive performance is evident in its turnover, net worth, reserves, net profit, and other key financial indicators.

GSAT 20 to be launched aboard Falcon 9 rocket

The Largest satellite of ISRO GSAT 20 will become the first satellite to be launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in August, 2024. GSAT 20 is a communication satellite owned and operated by ISROs commercial arm New Space India Limited (NSIL). It will be launched by Falcon 9 rocket because India’s Indigenous heavy rocket, Launch Vehicle Mark 3 lacks the capability to lift such a heavy satellite. 

Key Points:

A) The two-stage SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, about 70 metres in length, has had 358 launches till date with a high success rate.
B) The satellite made by ISRO has 32 spot beams and it has been made to cover all of India but with a special emphasis on providing connectivity for Northeastern India.
 

Hydrothermal Vents discovered at depths of 3000 metres off Svalbard

The first field of Hydrothermal Vents was discovered at the depths of 3000 metres during a 2022 Expedition of the MARIA S MERIAN. It was discovered on the 500 km long Knipovich Ridge off the coast of Svalbard. Svalbard is an Archipelago located in the Arctic Ocean and it is the northernmost place in the world with a permanent population. Hydrothermal Vents can be defined as seeps on the seafloor from which hot liquid escapes. 

Key Points: 

A) Professor Dr. Gerhard Pohlmann, from the Center for Marine Environmental Science and Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bremen, published his findings in the journal Scientific Reports.
B) The ridge in the triangle formed by Greenland, Norway and Svalbard on the border of the North American and European plates.
C) The published research is part of the Bremen group of excellence “Seabed-Earth Unknown Interface”, which studies complex coastal processes and their impact on global climate.

OGTT test to be replaced by HbA1c test

The Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGTT) which is used to determine if a pregnant woman has developed gestational diabetes is to be replaced by HbA1c test as per recommendations of researchers from India, London and Africa. OGTT tests measure how well the body can process large amounts of sugar and HbA1C test is a type of blood test that shows your average blood sugar level. 

Key Points:

A) In a paper published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the authors argue that HbA1c provides an easy screening for gestational diabetes, allowing people at risk to receive early intervention and reducing OGTT requirements.
B) The researchers used results from STRiDE, a prospective study involving seven centers in southern India and seven centers in western Kenya. Participants included people from the UK PRiDE group.

Panama Islanders ro relocate due to Climate Change

Due to concerns over rising Sea levels, around 300 families were relocated off the island of Gardi Sugdub in Panama’s Guna Yala province. Gardiner Sugdub Island is a part of San Blas Archipelago and is home to 1200 indigenous Guna People. It is located in the Caribbean sea which is Atlantic Oceans 2nd largest marginal sea positioned between North and South America. The global sea level has ascended approximately 21-24 centimetres since 1880.

Key Points:

A) Gardi Sugdub is home to nearly 1,300 members of the Guna community, an indigenous population settled in autonomous regions of Panama and a few villages in Colombia.
B) Panama is situated in the Caribbean, where sea level rise currently averages around 3 to 4 millimetres per year, according to a 2023 report by Science News. 
C) With soaring global temperatures, it is expected to hit 1 centimetre per year or more by the end of 2100.
 

Krishi Katha Platform01 JUL 2024

Krishi Katha Platform was launched recently by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. A web portal for faster settlement of interest subvention claims was also launched alongside Krishi Katha Platform. The major objective of the Krishi Katha Platform is to provide a comprehensive and immersive storytelling space where narratives of India’s Agricultural community can be shared and celebrated. 

Key Points:

A) Investments worth Rs 72,000 crore have been mobilised, with Rs 43,000 crore already sanctioned for 67,871 projects under the AIF to date.
B) The newly-launched automation of credit claims will ensure settlement of claims within a day, which otherwise took months for manual settlement.
C) The portal will be used by banks, the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) of DA&FW, and Nabard.
 

Sangyaan Application launched by Indian Railways01 JUL 2024

The Director General of Railway Police Force Shri Manoj Yadava recently launched the “Sangyaan ” application aimed at educating and Empowering RPF personnels. The application is designed and developed by the tech team of RPF and it will provide in-depth information on three new Criminal Acts.

Key Points:

A) With the app, users can directly compare specific sections of the new and old laws, helping in identifying and understanding the changes and continuities in the legal framework.
B) An in-depth analysis is conducted on the crucial segments of the BNSS and BNS, with a specific emphasis on their suitability for field operations from different provisions and procedural viewpoints.
C) It features user-friendly navigation, a searchable database and offline access, making it a practical tool for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest legal developments in India.

[Image Source: India Today]

Vikram Misri appointed as Foreign Secretary

The Union Government of India has recently appointed Vikram Misri as India’s new foreign secretary. He will be replacing Vinay Mohan Kwatra from July 15, 2024. Vikram Misri is an IFS Officer from 1989 batch and has previously served as private secretaries to three Prime Minister’s namely Narendra Modi, Manmohan Singh and Inder Kumar Gujral. He is known for his expertise in China.

Key Points:

A) Misri completed his early education in Gwalior and went on to pursue an undergraduate degree in history from Hindu College, Delhi University.
B) Misri served as India’s ambassador to China from 2019-2021 before he was appointed the deputy NSA.
C) He was appointed to the National Security Council Secretariat in January 2022.

Global Liveability Index of EIU

The Economist Intelligence Unit has recently released the Global Liveability Index 2024. It is an annual report aimed to show how comfortable or liveable a city is. The report analyses 173 cities globally based on 30 indicators. Vienna in Austria has been named as the best place to live in the world. 

Key Points:

A) The EIU index ranks 173 cities worldwide on five metrics: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
B) It is primarily targeted at governments, businesses and financial firms that are contemplating global expansions, worker relocations or market entry strategies.
C) Adelaide’s 11th-placed ranking is an improvement on its 12th-placed finish in 2023 and 30th-place finish in 2022.

India ends World Cup drought by winning T20 World Cup 2024

In a nail biting final of the T20 World Cup 2024 held between India and South Africa at Barbados, India emerged victorious ending a 13 year drought of World Cup. India won the world cup beating South Africa by 7 runs. Virat kohli scored precious 76 runs in the match thereby becoming the man of the match whereas Jasprit Bumrah was named as the Player of the Tournament. 

Key Points:

A) India won the T20 world cup for the first time in 17 years, won the world cup again after 13 years and made a triumphant return to the podium after 11 years by winning the ICC trophy after beating South Africa in a thrilling competition.
B) The prize money won by India amounted to approximately Rs 19.95 crore, which is equivalent to around USD 2.45 million.