[Newsbits] 16.12.2024-13.01.2025: INROAD Project, Bima Sakhi Yojana & more
The Indian Navy will commission its new survey ship, INS Nirdeshak, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, boosting maritime capabilities. Designed for hydrographic and oceanographic surveys, it measures 110 meters in length, weighs 3,800 tons, and operates with twin diesel engines. Built by GRSE, over 80% of its components are Indian-made, reflecting self-reliance. INS Nirdeshak is the second ship under the Survey Vessel (Large) Project, ensuring enhanced sea-floor mapping and navigation. With 25-day endurance and 18+ knots speed, it fortifies India’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region while supporting strategic and cooperative marine efforts.
ISRO successfully conducted a sea-level test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. The CE20 powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and has been critical in six previous missions. This milestone prepares the engine for the upgraded 20-tonne thrust level, supporting the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and heavier payloads in the future. ISRO overcame challenges of flow separation using an innovative Nozzle Protection System, simplifying testing and reducing costs. The engine’s restart capability in a vacuum was also validated, marking progress for India's advanced space exploration.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has set up four SAMARTH (Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub) Centres in Pune, Delhi, and Bengaluru to boost Industry 4.0 adoption in the capital goods sector. These include the C4i4 Lab, IITD-AIA Foundation, I-4.0 India at IISc, and CMTI Bengaluru, offering training, consultancy, and technology solutions. Notable achievements include 100+ Digital Maturity Assessments, development of 14 smart solutions, and training 5,000 professionals. The centres focus on IoT, data analytics, and software development, supporting MSMEs and startups. However, no financial assistance is provided under this initiative.
The Malwa Canal project, proposed by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, aims to construct a 150-km canal starting from Harike headworks on the Sutlej River to irrigate 200,000 acres in southern Punjab at an estimated cost of ₹2,300 crore. The first major irrigation initiative since Independence, it faces criticism for environmental concerns, including the removal of 1.3 lakh trees, affecting 49.2 hectares of forest land. While enhancing agricultural productivity, it has raised debates over biodiversity loss and technical feasibility. Opposition groups and environmentalists demand further review as regulatory bodies like the Forest Department assess its impact.
The FAO highlights a global salinity crisis affecting 1.4 billion hectares of land, reducing soil fertility and threatening food security. Salt-affected soils, comprising 10.7% of Earth’s land, lower crop yields by up to 70%, particularly for rice and beans. Ten countries account for 70% of these soils, with Australia leading, while India has 6.72 million hectares affected. Causes include poor irrigation, climate change, and deforestation. The FAO recommends solutions like mulching, crop rotation, salt-tolerant crops, and bioremediation. Legal frameworks and sustainable practices are critical to countering this issue, as discussed in the International Soil and Water Forum.
India’s data centre industry is poised for a transformative phase, with investments projected to exceed 0 billion by 2027. From 2019 to 2024, billion was invested, driven by government incentives and global interest. Mumbai and Chennai dominate capacity, hosting 49% of the country's 1,255 MW total. Growth is fueled by technology, banking, media, and the rise of generative AI, with a 28% annual growth rate expected until 2030. Policies in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu classify data centres as essential services, supporting infrastructure development. The sector is vital for digital infrastructure, contributing an estimated 0 billion to India’s economy by 2030.
Taste Atlas has released its Top 10 Best Food Cities for 2024-25, showcasing global culinary excellence. Italian cities dominate the rankings, with Naples securing the top spot for its Pizza Margherita. Mumbai represents India at fifth place, recognized for its iconic Vada Pav and vibrant street food culture. Other top cities include Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Paris, Vienna, Turin, and Osaka. Additionally, Indian cities like Amritsar (43rd), New Delhi (45th), and Hyderabad (50th) were acknowledged for their unique dishes. The rankings highlight the significance of diverse cuisines in shaping food tourism and global cultural exchange.
Launched in February 2024, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to provide solar energy to one crore households by March 2027. With a ₹75,021 crore budget, the scheme has achieved 6.85 lakh rooftop solar installations within a year, targeting 1.45 crore registrations. Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh lead in installations. Offering up to 40% subsidy, it reduces electricity costs, boosts household income, and generates jobs, potentially saving ₹75,000 crore annually. Key stakeholders include REC, DISCOMs, and Panchayats, promoting solar adoption across urban and rural India while driving the nation toward sustainable energy goals.
The RBI has launched initiatives to address unclaimed deposits, which include savings, current accounts, and term deposits inactive for over ten years. Unclaimed deposits surged from ₹62,224.89 crore (2022-23) to ₹78,212.53 crore (2023-24). Measures like the UDGAM Portal (search tool for deposits) and the 100 Days 100 Pays campaign (district-focused claim resolution) expedite settlements. New rules for inactive accounts require annual reviews and customer notifications. The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 introduces up to four nominees for accounts. These steps aim to reduce unclaimed funds while enhancing depositor awareness and access.
Italy granted citizenship to Argentina’s President Javier Milei based on his Italian ancestry, sparking controversy over its citizenship policies. Critics argue that granting citizenship based on distant heritage discriminates against children of immigrants born in Italy. While Italy’s laws allow citizenship by descent, they do not automatically confer it to those born in Italy. Liberal groups call for reforms, but the Italian government, led by PM Giorgia Meloni, opposes changes. Milei and Meloni discussed enhancing bilateral relations through a 2025-2030 Action Plan, focusing on judicial, security, and economic collaboration, particularly in energy and high-value industries.
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