[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.

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 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.

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.

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.