Uttarakhand Affairs
Star cricketer Pant made brand ambassador of Ukhand
The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appointed wicket keeper of Indian cricketer team Rishabh Pant as the brand ambassador of the state for promoting Sports and general Health. Dhami took to Twitter and shared the news of appointing Pant as the ‘State Brand Ambassador’ with the aim of encouraging the youth of the state towards sports and public health.
Pant was born on October 4, 1997 in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. He is primarily known for his swashbuckling batting and wicket-keeping skills. Currently Pant is in South Africa for a three-match test series which will begin from December 26.
National and International Affairs
Agni P: India test fires new-gen nuclear capable ballistic missile
The DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni P.
Agni P was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha.
Trajectory and parameters of the missile was tracked and monitored by several telemetry, electro-optical stations, radar, and down range ships positioned along eastern coast.
Agni P followed textbook trajectory and met all the objectives of mission with high level of accuracy.
Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile, having a dual redundant and guidance system. It is a medium-range ballistic missile, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as the successor of Agni-I and Agni-II missiles. It is the sixth missile in Agni (missile) series of ballistic missile. The missile can be either transported on train or stored in canister
DRDO demonstrates controlled aerial delivery system
The DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated the Controlled Aerial Delivery System on December 19, 2021.
Flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System was demonstrated by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE).
The System was of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500).
Demonstration of the flight was part of series of activities that were organised to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m.
This system was para-dropped from AN32 aircraft. After that, it was steered to the predesignated landing point in autonomous mode.
The CADS-500 is used to deliver payload precisely up to 500 kgs at predetermined location. It makes use of manoeuvrable capabilities of Ram Air Parachute (RAP) to conduct such activities. It also uses Global Positioning System to get the coordinates and altitude & heading sensors to get heading information during its flight. The CADS, comprising of electronics unit, autonomously steers path of flight through waypoint towards target location by operating controls.
NITI Aayog- UN WFP agreement to diversify Food Basket
and United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) have agreed to diversify the food basket. Both the organisation signed a Statement of Intent on December 20, 2021.
PARTNERSHIP between NITI Aayog and UN WFP focuses to mainstream the Millets and support India in taking a lead internationally in knowledge exchange amid the recognition of 2023 as an International Year of Millets.
This partnership also aims to build resilient livelihoods for small-farmers and adaptation capacities towards <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change as well as transforming food systems.
The Statement of Intent focuses on strategic and technical collaboration between both the parties, in order to strengthen climate resilient <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture for enhanced food & Nutrition security across India.
Government of India had observed 2018 as a year of millets, to encourage and promote the millet production. GoI also spearheaded the resolution of UNGA, for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.
Significance of the decision
The decision to end censorship is being interpreted as UAEs effort to become competitive in the Gulf region and appear broad-minded & liberal to foreigners. This step is significant for country, as it tries to diversify its economy by attracting foreign and reducing dependence on oil.
UAE announces to End Censorship in Cinematic releases
United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced to end the censorship in cinematic releases.
UAE administration decided to end censorship, in a bid to attract foreigners.
As per latest announcement, government will not cut sensitive scenes which offend the Islamic sentiments.
Administration have also introduced a new above 21 years of age category for viewers.
Now, movies will be screened in cinemas as per their international version and their Classification will be given on the basis of standards of media content in UAE.
Features of UNSC Resolution on Afghan Assistance
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed a resolution on December 22, 2021, allowing for sanctions exemptions against the Taliban.
Highlights:
The exemptions are intended to make humanitarian aid delivery to Afghanistan easier.
It covers urgent humanitarian assistance and other activities in Afghanistan to meet basic human needs.
It will primarily benefit low-income or at-risk populations, as well as alleviate human suffering in other ways.
Among the Services and activities provided are:
Assistance with finding a Home and settling in
Food safety is important.
Support for Education and livelihood
Energy and Water Sanitation, as well as Health, Nutrition, and Hygiene, including COVID-related assistance.