1 Dec 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. ALH Mk Ⅲ Squadron
2. Intra Nasal COVID Vaccine, BBV154
3. Hornbill Festival

1. ALH Mk Ⅲ Squadron

Syllabus – GS3, Science and Technology; Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Prelims – Advanced Light Helicopter Mk Ⅲ squadron, 840 Sqn (CG).

Context – Indian Coast Guard commissions Advanced Light Helicopter Mk Ⅲ squadron.

Details – 

• An Indian Coast Guard ALH Mk Ⅲ squadron was commissioned by DG Shri V.S Pathania at ICG Air Station, Chennai.
• It is a big leap towards self-realisation in the field of helicopter manufacturing in tune with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The commissioning of the ALH Mk Ⅲ Squadron will give a major boost to the abilities of the Indian Coast guard in the security-sensitive waters of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. 
• The ALH Mk-III helicopters are indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It features state-of-the-art equipment including advanced RADAR, shakti engines, a full glass cockpit, electro-optical sensors, a high-intensity searchlight, an automatic identification system, an advanced communication system as well as a search and rescue homer.
• The aircraft has the ability to switch roles from an offensive platform with a heavy machine gun to that of a benign one carrying a Medical Intensive Care Unit to help with the transportation of critically ill patients.
• A total of 16 ALH Mk Ⅲ aircraft have been inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner and four of these aircraft are positioned in Chennai.

Also read: HAL Light Combat Helicopter

2. Intra Nasal COVID Vaccine, BBV154

Syllabus – GS3, Science and Technology – developments and their applications

Prelims – BBV154 intra-nasal vaccine, BRIC.

Context – World’s first nasal vaccine for COVID developed by India got approval from the CDSCO – Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation for restricted use in emergency situations in the age group of 18 and above.

Details –

• The world’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID is developed by BBIL (Bharat Biotech International Limited). The product development and clinical trials were funded by the DBT (Department of Biotechnology), GoI & BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council)  under the Mission COVID Suraksha Program. 
• This intra-nasal vaccine received approval under restricted use in emergency situations for ages 18 and above for primary 2 dose schedule, homologous booster doses.
• BBV154 intranasal vaccine is a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre-fusion stabilised spike protein. It has been specifically formulated to allow intranasal delivery through nasal drops. Phases I, II and III clinical trials have shown successful results.
• The intranasal vaccine is expected to make mass COVID-19 immunisation easier and cost-effective in low- and middle-income countries. The vaccine is stable at 2-8 degrees C, which means easy storage and distribution.

BRIC (Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council) –

• In another historic and path-breaking decision, Dr. Jitendra Singh approved the subsuming of 14 autonomous institutions of the DBT to create one Apex Autonomous Body – Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) for achieving centralised and unified governance to maximise the impact of biotech research.
• This is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”.
• The aim to create BRIC is to enhance the scientific character and science outcomes at the institutes by building research synergies, new education programs in line with National Education Policy, improving human resource structures across cadres and effective management and monetization of assets emanating from the research being carried out.

3. Hornbill Festival

Syllabus – GS1, Indian Heritage and Culture – Festivals 

Prelims – Hornbill Festival, 23rd edition.

Context – The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the 23rd edition of the Hornbill Festival.

Details –

• Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the Hornbill festival at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama near the state capital of Nagaland, Kohima and declared the ‘festival of festivals’ open.

About Hornbill Festival –

• Organised by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, the festival showcases a melange of cultural displays under one roof. This festival usually takes place between the 1st and 10th of December every year in Kohima.
• The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich cultural heritage of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions. 
• The festival is named after the Hornbill, the globally respected bird which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.

Read more about the Hornbill festival in the link – Hornbill Festival.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

December 1st, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here