Current Affairs Quick Gyan
INDIAN AFFAIRS
1. Solar power project starts at Bengaluru airport
In an initiative to harness renewable energy, a 3.5 MW solar power project was inaugurated at the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) airport in Bengaluru. The project is reportedly spread over 23 acres of land with around 12,985 solar modules. Notably, HAL is aimed at establishing 50 MW of renewable energy in the next two years.
2. DRDO successfully flight tests Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon
The Defence and Research Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully flight tested the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft. SAAW, an indigenously designed and developed 120 kg. class smart weapon, developed by DRDO, is capable of engaging ground targets with high precision up to a range of 100 kms.
SAAW, an indigenously designed and developed 120 kg. class smart weapon, developed by DRDO, is capable of engaging ground targets with high precision up to a range of 100 kms
3. PM Modi lays foundation stone of ₹3,600 cr Shivaji memorial
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone for the grand memorial of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the metro rail projects in Mumbai and Pune.
The main feature of the Shivaji memorial, slated to cost Rs 3,600 crore, will be a 192-metre-tall statue of the iconic Maratha king. The site is a rocky outcrop, roughly 1.5 km from the Raj Bhavan shore. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently said the ‘Shiv Smarak’ will not only be the tallest memorial in the country, but in the entire world.
4. Govt clears acquisition of weapons system worth over ₹7k cr
The government of India gave the go ahead to the IAF to purchase one more C17 heavy transport aircraft and also gave the nod to the Coast Guard’s proposal to acquire six multi-mission maritime aircraft for Rs 5,500 crore. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minster Manohar Parrikar, also reviewed the working of the DRDO besides giving the go ahead for the procurement of 1,500 indigenously designed and developed Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare protection system for the infantry combat vehicle for Rs 1,265 crore.
Another proposal of the army and the IAF for the procurement of 55 low level light weight radar was also cleared by the DAC for Rs 419 crore.
5. Google to launch online safety campaign for consumers in India
In a bid to raise awareness about online safety, Google India has partnered Ministry of Consumer Affairs for rolling out a nationwide ‘Digitally Safe Consumer’ campaign. Google, along with Department of Consumer Affairs, will undertake a year-long campaign focussed on building capacities of consumer organisations, personnel of Consumer Affairs department and counsellors of National Consumer Helpline on Internet safety and related issues.
This initiative will add to Google’s existing campaigns guiding users to navigate the web and manage their digital lives safely and leverage the web to the fullest.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
6. India, Kazakhstan ink protocol to enhance bilateral ties
India and Kazakhstan have inked a new protocol to take bilateral ties, especially in trade and economic relations, forward. The protocol was signed after both sides participated in the fifth Kazakh-Indian Joint Working Group on trade and economic cooperation.
Both countries discussed prospects for further cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, investment promotion, development of industry, transport and logistics, tourism, pharmaceuticals, agriculture.. etc.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
7. Scientists use ‘pregnancy fluid’ to strengthen weak bones
Researchers have collected stem cells from human amniotic fluid – the protective fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus – and used them to treat mice with brittle bone disease. The treatment resulted in 79 percent fewer fractures by actively increasing the strength, plasticity, and structure of the animals’ bones.
The disease is similar to osteoporosis – a common problem, especially for older women, where the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue – so it’s a good model for age-related bone degradation.
SPORTS
8. India wins third straight U-19 Asia Cup
India, coached by the batting legend Rahul Dravid, defeated Sri Lanka by 34 runs in the finals of U-19 Asia Cup. Chasing a 274-run target, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 239 in 48.4 overs. With the victory, India completed a hat-trick of Asia Cup titles as they had won the previous one in UAE (2014) and shared the inaugural tournament with Pakistan in Malaysia (2012).
OBITUARY
9. Veteran Actor Chetan Ramarao passed away
Veteran Kannada actor Chetan Ramarao died in Mysuru. The 76-year old actor had been suffering from an ailment for a while and passed away at a private hospital in the city. He leaves behind his wife and three daughters. Ramarao had acted in more than 350 films in his career spanning almost five decades. He has acted in films featuring several leading actors including Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish.
