Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 22 June 2024 | Download PDF

• INS Sunayna, on a long-range deployment to the South West Indian Ocean Region (IOR), arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius on June 20, 2024. 

About:

• INS Sunayna, a Saryu class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), was commissioned in 2013 at Kochi. 
• It is the second ship of the Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) class.
• INS Sunayna operates under the Southern Naval Command and was constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited.

INS Sunayna is versatile in its operational roles, capable of:

• Fleet support operations
• Coastal and offshore patrolling
• Ocean surveillance
• Monitoring Sea Lines of Communications and offshore assets
• Escort duties

Significance:

• INS Sunayna significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s operational reach and capability, ensuring maritime security and safeguarding national interests in the region.

Saryu Class Vessels:

• Other vessels in the Saryu class include INS Sumitra and INS Sumedha.

• Every year on June 21st, the world celebrates World Hydrography Day, organized by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO). 
• This significant day aims to raise awareness about the field of hydrography and its essential role in understanding our seas and oceans.

Theme for 2024:

• The theme for World Hydrography Day 2024 is “Hydrographic Information – Enhancing Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in Marine Activities.” 
• This theme highlights the evolving nature of navigation, including advancements in e-navigation, autonomous shipping, and efforts to reduce emissions.

India’s Contribution to Hydrography:

Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD)

• Operating under the Indian Navy, the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) is the primary agency responsible for conducting hydrographic surveys and publishing nautical charts.

Key Achievements:

• Published over 650 electronic and paper navigation charts.
• Distributed 650,000 Electronic Navigational Charts last year.
• Earned revenue of nearly 800 million rupees.

NAVAREA VIII Coordinator:

As the NAVAREA VIII coordinator, the INHD covers 26 million square kilometers of the Indian Ocean. It disseminates crucial navigation safety information through the “India WINS” web portal, which has:

• Surpassed 3.5 million views since December 2022.
• An average of 3,500 daily visitors.
• Training and International Cooperation

National Institute of Hydrography (NIH):

Located in Goa, the National Institute of Hydrography (NIH) is India’s premier hydrography training center. It has:

• Trained over 800 trainees from 41 countries.
• Accreditation from the IHO for Cat A and Cat B certificates.

International Collaboration:

Aligned with India’s SAGAR initiative, the Indian Navy has engaged in international collaboration by:

• Conducting joint surveys covering 89,000 square kilometers over the last five years.
• Producing 96 charts in cooperation with friendly foreign nations.
• Assisting in capacity building and knowledge sharing.

• According to the Global Energy Transition Index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on 19 June 2024, India has been ranked 63rd out of 120 countries, improving three ranks from last year’s 67th position. 
• Sweden has again topped the Index, reflecting its continued leadership in energy transition. 
• The WEF highlighted India’s significant advancements in energy equity, security, and sustainability.

About:

• The Global Energy Transition Index, published annually by the WEF in association with Accenture, evaluates nations’ progress and preparedness in building an equitable, secure, and sustainable energy future. 
• It tracks government policies and their effectiveness in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, promoting non-fossil-based power sources, and enhancing energy efficiency.

European nations dominate the 2024 Index’s top ranks:

• Sweden
• Denmark
• Finland
• Switzerland
• France

China is ranked 20th, while India stands at 63rd.

World Economic Forum:

• Founded in 1971 by German economist Klaus Schwab, the WEF is a non-profit international organization headquartered in Cologny, Switzerland. 
• It aims to foster collaboration between global stakeholders to address common challenges. 
• The WEF publishes several influential reports, including the Global Gender Gap Report, Global Competitiveness Report, Global Travel and Tourism Report, and Global IT Report.

• The Hemis Festival in Ladakh, also known as Hemis Tsechu, is celebrated annually on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month Tse-Chu. 
• This two-day festival commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, a revered figure believed to be an incarnation of Lord Buddha.

Key points:

• The origins of the Hemis Festival date back to the 8th century, celebrating the significant spiritual figure Guru Padmasambhava. 
• Various legends suggest that Guru Padmasambhava drove out demons and evil spirits from Ladakh during the 8th century. 

Highlights of the Festival:

• Chham Dance: The masked dance is a highlight, depicting the triumph of good over evil. Lamas and monks wear vibrant costumes, long gowns, elaborate masks, and headgear, each holding special significance.
• Sacred Plays: Sacred plays performed during the event keep spectators entertained.
• Devil Dances: Vital aspects of the celebration include Devil Dances and the ritual destruction of a dough sculpture representing evil powers by the head of the Black Hat dancers. The broken pieces are thrown in four directions, symbolizing the purification of the soul.
• Local Drink ‘Chang’: A traditional Tibetan drink made from rice water, served during the festival.
• Handicrafts Exhibition: Striking handicrafts, including gemstones, jewelry, wicker baskets, carpets, paintings, and indigenous goods from Ladakh, add to the festival’s charm.
• Thangkas: Every 12th year, known as the Tibetan Year of Monkey, features the display of the largest thangka of Guru Padmasambhava, decorated with semi-precious gems, stones, and pearls.

• Scientists have discovered a way to control the Casimir effect, potentially revolutionizing nanotechnology. 
• This advancement could lead to smarter and more agile nanotech machines.

Key points:

About:

• The Casimir effect is a quantum phenomenon where two materials placed close together are attracted or repelled due to quantum fluctuations. 
• Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have managed to manipulate this effect, reversing the transition from attractive to repulsive using a ferrofluid as an intermediate medium. 
• This ability to control the Casimir effect marks a significant breakthrough for engineering nanotechnology, which often accounts for this effect in its design.

• Recently, “Snana Yatra” – a bathing festival – was  celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of ‘Jyestha’ in Odisha Jagannath temple.

Key Points:

• The ceremony is known as ‘Snana Jatra’ of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
• It is a significant ritual in the run-up to the annual ‘Rath Jatra’ festival. 
• It was performed on a bathing altar known as the ‘Snana Mandap’ in which priests poured 108 pitchers of aromatic sacred water on the deities.

• Newly-elected Lok Sabha members, including 21 from Odisha, are slated to take oath in Parliament, with BJP leader Naba Charan Majhi, elected from Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha constituency, taking his oath in the Santali language.

Key Points:

• Santhali is one of the 22 official languages of India and is included in the eighth schedule of the Constitution of India.
• It is used in Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura and Mizoram.

Think

• Who administers the oath to the members of parliament?

• According to Minister of Housing and Urban Development Krushna Chandra Mohapatra, the works of Bhubaneswar metro rail project are set to meet a deadline earlier.

Key Points:

• This is a flagship programme under the 5T initiative of Government of Odisha and is set to transform the transport landscape of the Capital Region. 
• Multi-Modal integration is an essential feature of Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project, with complete emphasis on First & Last Mile connectivity.
• The first phase of the Metro project will serve major educational institutions, hospitals, commercial complexes, transport nodes and Government & corporate offices.

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Adda247.