Connect to Current -Daily Current Capsules 27th February 2019

Defence Twin Success for Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile

Relevance IN – Prelims ( about QRSAM)

What’s the NEWS

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully

test fired indigenously developed Quick Reach Surface-to-Air missiles

(QRSAM) from ITRChandipur, off the Odisha Coast

The two missiles were tested for different altitude and conditions. The

test flights successfully demonstrated the robust Control, Aerodynamics,

Propulsion, Structural performance and high manoeuvring capabilities

thus proving the design configuration.

Radars, Electro Optical Systems, Telemetry and other stations have

tracked the Missiles and monitored through the entire flights.

Know! about QRSAM

The indigenously developed state-of-the-art QRSAM will significantly

boost the defence capabilities of our armed forces.

The DRDO in June and July of 2017 successfully carried out two

development trials of the missile with an aerial target from Odisha.

The missile, which has a strike range of 25 to 30 km, is capable of

engaging multiple targets. The missile have radars with search on move

capability. The project was sanctioned by the govt in July 2014.

India-Bangladesh Joint Military Exercise Sampriti - 2019

Relevance IN – Prelims ( about Sampriti) + Mains (GS II – bilateral relations)

What’s the NEWS

As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint

military exercise Sampriti-2019 will be conducted at Tangail, Bangladesh

from 02 March to 15 March 2019.

Know! more about the exercise

Exercise Sampriti-2019 is an important bilateral defence cooperation

endeavour between India and Bangladesh and this will be the eighth

edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.

The exercise is aimed to strengthen and broaden the aspects of

interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and Bangladesh

Armies.

The exercise will involve tactical level operations in a counter insurgency

and counter terrorism environment under the UN mandate.

Social Justice Global initiative ‘World Class’

What’s the NEWS

Deloitte has announced the launch of its global initiative ‘WorldClass’ in

India for the empowerment of women.

Know! about World Class Initiative

The initiative aims to support 10 million girls and women by 2030

through education and skills development by align with organisations

such as Katha and Pratham in India.

World Class programme in India will focus on improving girls retention

rate in school, higher educational outcomes, and skills development for

women to access employment.

This programme aims to give a boost to women education since almost

40 per cent of girls aged 15-18 years drop out of school and college,

and only 26 per cent of women are employed.

Through the World Class Initiative in India Deloitte aims to fuel India’s

growth story by aiding India to encash its demographic dividend.

Globally, the World Class initiative seeks to prepare 50 million people by

2030, to be better equipped for the future of work, in-line with the United

Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Infrastructure Development

Civil Aviation Ministry organising ‘Aviation Conclave 2019’ with theme

of “Flying for All”

Relevance IN – Prelims ( about the conclave ) + Mains ( infrastructure

development – airports + investment models

What’s the NEWS

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in association with Airports Authority of

India, AAICLAS and Confederation of Indian Industry, is organizing

the Aviation Conclave 2019 with an overarching theme of “Flying for

All” in New Delhi

Know! more about the conclave

The upcoming Aviation Conclave would deliberate upon taking the

Government’s agenda to bring new aviation business to India, in

particular, drones systems, manufacturing of aircraft in India, financing

and leasing of aircraft from India by Indian and foreign airlines,

transforming Indian airports into next-gen aviation hubs, and unleashing

the air cargo potential by integrating every village of India in global value

chains.

This Conclave is about the future of Indian aviation – it bringing together

industry leaders, government and regulators for setting the tone and

propelling us to realize our Vision-2040

Over 30 industry leaders will discuss and deliberate across 5-key

sessions covering the Drone-Ecosystem Policy Roadmap, Roadmap

for Manufacturing Aircraft and associated equipment, including

Regional Transport Aircraft, in India, the Project Rupee Raftaar- Aircraft

Financing and Leasing from India, the National Air Cargo Policy, and

the Mission to transform Indian Airports into Next-Gen Aviation Hubs.

Indian civil aviation industry is undergoing an unprecedented era of

expansion, driven by factors such as low-cost carriers (LCCs), modern

airports, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in domestic airlines, advanced

information technology (IT) interventions and strong focus on regional

connectivity.

Science & Technology Foundation day of Department of Biotechnology

Relevance IN – Prelims( about the announcements) + Mains (GS III awareness

in the field of bio technology)

What’s the NEWS

Department of Biotechnology in the Ministry of Science and Technology,

Government of India, celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day with the theme

as "Celebrating Biotechnology: Building Indian as an Innovation

Nation".

On the occasion Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Harsh

Vardhan gave away the Biotechnology Research Innovation

and Technology Excellence (BRITE) awards.

Announcement of key missions at the foundation day ceremony

Atal JaiAnusandhan Biotech Mission - Undertaking Nationally Relevant

Technology Innovation (UNaTI), which is expected to transform Health,

Agriculture and Energy sectors during the next 5 years.

This mission includes GARBH-ini - A Mission to promote Maternal and

Child Health and develop prediction tools for pre-term berth,

IndCEPI - A Mission to develop affordable vaccines for endemic

diseases, Development of Biofortified and Protein Rich wheat -

contributing to POSHAN Abhiyan,

Mission on Anti Microbial Resistance for Affordable Diagnostics and

Therapeutics and Clean Energy Mission - Innovative Technology

interventions for Swachh Bharat.

Health and Family Welfare Global health leaders adopt ‘Delhi Declaration’ on digital health

Relevance IN – Prelims( about the partnership and Delhi declaration ) + Mains

(GS II issues relating to development and management of social sectors relating

to health )

Know! about the 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit

As part of the high-level summit, the ministers and delegation also

adopted the Delhi Declaration on digital health for sustainable

development, which called for WHO’s leadership in digital health and

for it to establish a specific mechanism to centrally coordinate digital

health to assist its Member States.

The global intergovernmental meeting on digital health is being hosted

by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfarein collaboration

with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Digital Health

Partnership (GDHP).

The declaration marks India’s commitment in maximizing the digital

health investments to ensure UHC and realize Ayushman Bharat”.

Digital technologies are not just the latest trend – they are a vital tool for

strengthening primary care, achieving universal health coverage, and

achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Telemedicine, remote care and mobile health are helping us transform

health by delivering care in people’s homes, instead of in hospitals and

clinics

Factoids Prime Minister Modi to inaugurate National War Memorial

Relevance IN – prelims( about the memorial)

Know! more about the memorial

-The memorial is spread over an area of approximately 40 acres and the

memorial honours the fallen soldiers after Independence.

-The memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely ‘Amar Chakra,

Veerta Chakra, ‘Tyag Chakra’ and ‘Rakshak Chakra’.

-The memorial includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame and six bronze

murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy in

Veerta Chakra gallery.

-16 walls have been constructed in the Tyag Chakra for paying homage to the

25,942 battle casualties and their names have been inscribed on granite tablets

arranged in a circular pattern, symbolizing the ancient Indian war

formation ‘Chakravyuh’.

-The National War Memorial pays tribute to soldiers who laid down their lives

defending the nation during the India-China war in 1962, Indo-Pak wars in

1947, 1965 and 1971, Indian Peace Keeping Force Operations in Srilanka

and in the Kargil conflict of 1999.

-After the inauguration of the National War Memorial by the Prime Minister

Rose petals were showered by IAF helicopters. a fly-past in ‘Missing Man’

formation was also part of the event

-The National War Memorial will be the place for wreath laying for all

designated events.

The flame at the Amar Jawan Jyoti will continue to be there to epitomise what

we have since 1971 (Indo-Pak war)

-India Gate was constructed by the British in 1931 to honour the sacrifices of

the 83,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in World War 1 and the

Anglo-Afghan war.

-The Amar Jawan Jyoti consisting of the eternal flame, the rifle and the helmet,

was built under its arch for the soldiers who died in the 1971 India-Pakistan

war.

Prelims Practise Question

Consider the following statements

1. The indigenously developed state-of-the-art QRSAM has a strike range

of 25 to 30 km, is capable of engaging multiple targets and the missiles

have radars with search on move capability.

2. A joint military exercise Sampriti-2019 will be conducted in March is an

important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and

Bhutan and this will be the eighth edition of the exercise which is hosted

alternately by both countries.

Find the correct statement from the option given below

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both

d. none

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