BWF World Tour 2021: PV Sindhu wins Silver
The BWF world Tour 2021 finals was held between PV Sindhu of India and Seyoung of Korea. Seyoung won the cup and Sindhu settled in for a silver medal. In Men’s Singles of the BWF World Tour 2021, Viktor Axelsen won the cup.
BWF World Tour
The BWF World Tour is a Grade 2 Badminton tournament series. It is held by the BWF, Badminton World Federation. It is held among the top world ranked players in singles (men and women) and doubles (men, women and mixed).
There are six levels in BWF World Tour. They are as follows:
- World Tour Finals
- Super 1000
- Super 750
- Super 500
- Super 300
- BWF Tour Super 100 level
The BWF rank the players based on the above tournaments. The prize money of the levels are as follows:
- World Tour Finals: 1.5 million USD
- Super 1000: 850 thousand USD
- Super 750: 600 thousand USD
- Super 500: 320 thousand USD
- Super 300: 140 thousand USD
- Super 100: 75 thousand USD
India – Russia 2+2 Dialogue: Agreements on AK-203
The India – Russia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held in New Delhi in December 2021. It was held by the defence ministers and external affairs ministers of the two countries.
India – Russia 2+2 Dialogue
- This is the first 2+2 Dialogue held between India and Russia.
- During the dialogue the countries discussed the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.
- The dialogue expanded military cooperation and joint development between the countries.
- It also focused on the production of military platforms in India.
- The leaders also discussed the regional and global issues apart from the developments in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.
Important points
India’s focus in the dialogue or the reasons why India participated in the dialogue are as follows:
- India aims at greater engagements in central Asia
- To achieve self-reliance
- Free and open Indo – Pacific region
Agreements
- During the dialogue India signed a contract with Russia to procure more than six lakh AK – 203 rifles. The agreement was signed under the Indo – Russia Rifles Private Limited Programme. Under the agreement, rifles are to be manufactured under a joint venture in Amethi. The rifles are to be manufactured at a cost of Rs 5,000 crores.
- The countries signed a treaty to amend the agreement on Cooperation for Kalashnikov series small arms manufacturing. This treaty was signed in 2019. Under this, the countries are to extend the military technology cooperation for the next decade, that is, between 2021 and 2031.
- The leaders signed more than ten agreements in the field of oil, space, helicopters and defence logistics.
Importance
- The dialogue addressed the multipolarity and rebalancing. It also focuses on the newer challenges before the countries such as terrorism and violent extremism.
- The agreements help India enhance its regional security.
Indo – Russia Rifles Private Limited
- It is a rifle manufacturing facility in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. It is a joint venture of Ordnance Factory Board and Kalashnikov concern of Russia. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used guns in the world. Around 72 million rifles of Kalashnikov class guns are in circulation. AK – 47 is also a Kalashnikov class gun. AK – 19 and AK – 204 are advanced versions of the gun.
- The AK – 203 along with the SIG716 will replace the AK – 47 and INSAS rifles of India. The SIG716 is manufactured by US based SIG Sauer.
Project RE – HAB
Project RE – HAB is Reducing Elephant Human – Attacks using Bees. It was recently launched in Assam.
Project RE – HAB
The Project RE – HAB creates “bee fences”. The honey bees in these fences’ thwart elephant attacks in human habitations. They dissuade the elephants without harming them. It is highly cost – effective as compared to erecting fences or digging trenches. Simultaneously, it increases honey production and increases farmer income. Also, the project helps to address climate change issues by regenerating forest cover.
Important points
Under the project, the bee boxes are placed in the premises of human habitation. They are placed as fences. Around 15 to 20 bee boxes are placed around the habitation that is to be protected. The buzz of the bees irritate the elephants the most. They fear that the honey bees might sting them in their trunks and eyes. And therefore, they do not walk ahead of the boxes. The boxes are connected with a string. When the elephants try to pass through the string, a pull or tug causes the bees to swarm towards the elephant.
Implementing Agency
The Project RE – HAB is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). The KVIC is a statutory body established under Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956. The main function of KVIC is to plan, promote, organize and implement programmes for the development of village industries in rural areas.
National Honey Mission
The Project RE – HAB is a sub mission to National Honey Mission of KVIC. It was launched to provide awareness and training in using bee boxes along the bee colonies. The mission was launched in 2017 and is in line with Sweet Revolution.
Background
The Project was first launched in Karnataka. Upon its huge success in the state, it is to be launched in West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Significance
Between 2014 and 2019, around 403 deaths occurred due to elephant – human conflict. 397 deaths occurred in Odisha, 349 in Jharkhand, 332 in Assam, 170 in Karnataka and 289 in Chhattisgarh. Also, around 500 elephants died in human – elephant conflict in the last five years alone.
Exercise Ekuverin
The Exercise Ekuverin is a joint military exercise held between India and Maldives. It is held between the armies of India and Maldives.
Exercise Ekuverin
- Ekuverin means “Friends” in Dhivehi language. It is an Indo – Aryan language. It is spoken in India, Lakshadweep and Maldives.
- The Exercise is being conducted between India and Maldives since 2008.
- In 2019, the exercise was held in Pune, Maharashtra and in 2018, it was held in Maldives.
Important points
- The 2021 Exercise Ekuverin was held in Maldives.
- The exercise focused on enhancing inter – operability between the armed forces of India and Maldives.
- It also included counter – insurgency and counter – terrorism operations.
- The joint exercise in 2021, also conducted sports and cultural activities to enhance the bilateral and defence relations.
Background
- India’s Policy of Indian Ocean is centred around providing security and political stability to Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. With this India aims to counter the expanding face of China in the region.
- India sees itself as a net provider of security in the Indian Ocean Region.
- India is always the first responder in Human Availability Disaster Recovery Operations.
- The piracy in the Indian Ocean Region has increased.
The Exercise Ekuverin will aid in all the above issues. Therefore, it is essential to conduct Exercise Ekuverin.
Significance
- The exercise helps the militaries to understand each other’s drills and procedures.
- It helps to overcome language barriers.
- It aids in weapon familiarization which is essential in war or humanitarian aid such as disaster – relief. It is also essential in disaster relief operations.
Mahaparinirvana Divas: December 6
The death anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, which falls on December 6, is dubbed as Mahaparinirvana Divas. On this day each year, millions of people throng to Dr Ambedkar’s Samadhi in Mumbai, which is called Chaitya bhoomi to pay respect to the father of Indian Constitution. This year, due to the on-going pandemic, the Maharashtra government has urged people to refrain from visiting this site and observe the day staying home.
Mahaparinirvan
Mahaparinirvan is one of the major goals of Buddhism. It means ‘’Nirvana after death”. Parinirvan is written as Parinibbana in Pali. Pali language is native to Indian continent. The Buddhist text “Mahaparinibbana Sutta” considers the death of Lord Buddha at the age of 80 as the original Mahaparinirvan.
Significance
Dr Ambedkar died in a few days after completing his work “The Buddha and his Dhamma”. Also, he converted to Buddhism after studying the religion for years together. He converted to Buddhism on October 14, 1956 in Nagpur along with five lakh supporters. These supporters considered Dr Ambedkar as their Buddhist leader. Also, he was considered as a Buddhist guru for his contributions to the eradication of untouchability. Thus, Ambedkar’s death anniversary is marked as Mahaparinirvan Divas.
Dr B R Ambedkar
Ambedkar is called the father of constitution of India. He was the first minister of law and Justice of independent India and is considered as the chief architect of the Constitution of India. He was an Indian economist, jurist, social reformer and politician. He inspired several dalit Buddhist movements and fought against social discrimination towards untouchables. He on doctor it’s in Economics from University of London and Columbia University.
In 1956, he converted to Buddhism and initiated mass conversions of the lips. He was awarded with the India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 1990.
