TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Navy Day 2. Project RE-HAB 3. The first National Energy Efficiency Innovations Awards 4. All India EdTech Challenge
1. Navy Day
Related to Various Security forces, GS III
Prelims: Important operations of the Indian Navy, Missiles and their features
Mains:Â Contribution of the Indian Navy in assuring Maritime Security
Context: In order to recognise the relentless commitment of the Indian Navy and extend warm greetings to the courageous personnel, every 4th day of December is celebrated as Navy Day.
Turning the Pages of History:
- This day stands with enormous significance as it witnessed India’s victory during Operation Trident in 1971. This was at the time of the India-Pakistan war.
- This included the deployment of missile boats that successfully fired the ships, oil installations and shore defence installations of Pakistan at Karachi.
- The fighter aircraft from the deck of INS Vikrant attacked the enemy harbours at Chittagong and Khulna and destroyed their vessels, defence facilities and installations. This resulted in the massive defeat of Pakistani forces in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).
- An anti-ship missile was employed for the first time during this operation.
- A guided missile that is designed to attack large vessels of the enemies during a naval operation which is accompanied by inertial guidance and radar system is known as anti-ship missile.
Therefore India’s oceanic space and maritime interests are being secured and protected due to the unswerving efforts of the defence forces. The courage and contribution of the Indian Navy stands second to none.Â
Read more about Maritime Security in the linked article.
Related to Environment, GS III
Prelims: Important facts about RE- HAB
Mains: Man – Animal conflict, Outcome of the project
Context: Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) replicated the project of Reducing Elephant – Human Attacks using Bees which is called as RE – HAB. This innovative project was carried out in Karnataka to prevent Human – Elephant conflict which raises a major concern towards the balance of ecology and economic activities.
About the Project:
- The project has been implemented in Assam by KVIC with the support of local forest departments at the Goalpara district which is surrounded by dense forest.
- A considerable area of Assam is infested with elephants and an estimated 332 human deaths due to elephant attacks have been reported.
- This project uses bee-fences to block the ways of elephants intruding in human territories.
Image Taken from The Indian Express
- Image depicting bee boxes fencing the human territories to prevent the entry of elephants.
- These fences are cost effective and scientifically designed.
- The boxes are connected to a string which makes the bees swarm the herd of elephants that intend to trespass the fence.
- This ensures crop safety as the cultivation of paddy, litchi and jackfruit attracts the elephants and they damage the crops and spread fear among farmers.
- The farmers have been trained and educated by KVIC to use the bee boxes
The Underlying Principle of Using Bees:
- It is scientifically observed that elephants are annoyed by honey bees.
- Elephants fear that the bees might harm the sensitive areas of their trunk and eyes.
- This prevents the elephant from intruding into the cultivable lands of the farmer and other territories of human settlement as they are annoyed by the collective buzz of the bees.
- In order to study the impact of bees on elephants, high resolution cameras have been placed at strategic locations in the village.
The Outcome:
- Project RE-HAB was launched in 11 locations of Kodagu district of Karnataka in March, 2021 KVIC.
- Within a period of six months there has been a remarkable reduction of Human- Elephant conflict upto 70%.
- It has reversed the loss of 2500 human lives recorded between 2015 to 20 as well as loss of 500 elephants in the given period of time.
- Besides, this project doesn’t risk the lives of elephants unlike the operations that use barbed fences and dig deep trenches which cost hundreds of crores of rupees.
Read more about Project RE – HAB in the linked article
3. The first National Energy Efficiency Innovations Awards
Related to Energy, GS III
Prelims: Facts about the Awards
Mains: Significance
Context: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, functioning under the Ministry of Power, offered recognition to industrial units, institutions and establishments who have worked towards reducing energy consumption by awarding them with the National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards along with the National Energy Conservation Award.
About the Award:
- The National Energy Efficiency Innovations Awards will be institutionalised on 14th of December which is celebrated as the National Energy Consumption Day.
- As a part of celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, these awards are conferred to the energy-intensive units of various sectors of the Indian economy for their significant achievements in reducing energy consumption.
- The applications for National Energy Consumption Awards include industries, transport sectors, construction sector and other institutions that are divided into 30 sectors.
- The new category of National Energy Efficiency Innovation Award (NEEIA) will be introduced in order to encourage and boost the technologies that are innovative towards energy storage and assures energy efficiency.
- This will motivate the industry to look for a sustainable solution for energy consumption and design research with intent of promoting innovations.
- The NEEIA will also include a category B for applications from students and research scholars to share their ideas of innovative technology to enhance energy efficiency. The various industry applicants will be included in the Category A.
Significance:
- Initiatives like the introduction of a new category of awards like NEEIA that include students act as a captivating step towards strengthening the major pillars of sustainability in the form of energy efficiency and an inclination towards Renewable energy for a low carbon future.
Read more about National Energy Conservation Awards in PIB dated Jan 11 2021
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Related to Technology part of GS III
Mains: The role of technology in education
Context: The Statement of Intent between NITI Aayog and Amazon Internet Services Private Limited has been extended to promote EdTech companies and startups with the help of a Master Class Series. This would function within the ambit of Atal Innovation Mission.
Read More about Atal Innovation Mission in the linked article
Image taken from Times of India
Read previous PIB here.
December 4th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here
| Related Links | |||
| Accessible India Campaign | Alternative Dispute Resolution | ||
| Project 75-India |
National Solar Mission | ||
| National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) | Atal Tinkering Labs | ||
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