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IEA’S report “the future of rail”
Context:
Minister of Railways launched the report “The Future of Rail” of International Energy Agency (IEA)
Details of the report:
- “The Future of Rail” the first-of-a-kind report analyses the current and future importance of rail around the world through the perspective of its energy and environmental implications.
- The report reviews the impact of existing plans and regulations on the future of rail, and explores the key policies that could help to realise an enhanced future rail.
About IEA:
- IEA is an inter-governmental organization established in 1974 as per framework of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
- It was established in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis after the OPEC cartel had shocked the world with a steep increase in oil prices. Presently it has 30 member countries including India and 8 association countries.
- It is headquartered in Paris, France. Its prime focus is on the “3Es” of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development and environmental protection.
National Salt Satyagraha Memorial in Dandi, Gujarat Dedicated to the Nation
Context:
Prime Minister dedicated the National Salt Satyagraha Memorial at Dandi in Navsari district, Gujarat to the nation on Mahatma Gandhi’s death anniversary.
Details:
- At the memorial site, PM also unveiled statues of Mahatma Gandhi and 80 Satyagrahis who had marched with him during the historic Dandi Salt March in 1930 to make salt from sea water against the British law.
- The memorial also has 24-narrative murals depicting various events and stories from the historic 1930 Salt March.
- Solar trees are installed to meet the energy requirements of the memorial complex.
About Dandi March:
- The Salt March began on March 12, 1930 and continued till April 6, 1930. It was a 24-day non-violent march led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- During that time, the British had prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt. Indians were also forced to buy the staple diet ingredient from the British, who, not only exercised monopoly over its manufacture and sale but also levied a heavy salt tax. The Salt March was a collective beginning of a mass resistance movement against the British tyranny.
- Upon reaching the seashore in Dandi, Mahatma Gandhi broke the law by producing illegal salt. This later turned into a mass civil disobedience movement throughout India as millions broke salt laws by either making salt or buying illegal salt.
Regional Testing Laboratory of CPRI at Nashik
Context:
Union Minister of State (IC) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India laid the foundation stone of Regional testing laboratory of Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) at Nashik, Maharashtra
Importance of the laboratory:
- Manufacturers in the western region will be greatly benefited as they can test their products close to their manufacturing units.
- This would reduce the turnaround time and overhead cost.
- This shall help the power utilities in the country to install reliable and quality equipment in the power system network.
About CPRI:
- To cater to the testing needs, CPRI, Autonomous body under Ministry of Power, Govt of India serves as an Independent third party testing laboratory.
- CPRI has been serving for the past five decades in the field of Testing and Certification, Research, Consultancy, Third Party Inspection services, Training & Vendor Analysis.
Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania Awards 4th Annual Carnot Prize
Context:
The Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Design formally presented the fourth annual Carnot Prize to Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways & Coal and former Minister of Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Government of India.
The award recognises the path breaking transformations in India’s energy sector. Especially, India’s “solid footing to reach a 40% renewable mix by 2030”
About the Carnot Prize:
- The Carnot Prize is the Kleinman Center’s annual recognition of distinguished contributions to energy policy through scholarship or practice.
- The most prestigious award in the energy sector, Carnot Prize is named after French physicist Nicolas Sadi Carnot who recognised that the power of the steam engine would “produce a great revolution”in human development.
- The Carnot Prize is intended to honour those leading revolutions in energy policy to further progress and prosperity.
To ace UPSC current affairs section, read more PIB articles here.
Also see:
| India becomes an associate member of International Energy Agency |
| Reports Published by International Organizations for UPSC |
| Organization For Economic Cooperation And Development |
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