Russia starts delivery of S-400 missile systems to India
Russia has started the delivery of S-400 missile system to India, in a bid to boost India’s air-defence capabilities.
Important Points
- Russia started the delivery for deployment on schedule in 2021.
- India bought this system for US$ 5 billion in 2018.
- This deal between India and Russia became contentious amid a threat of sanctions from the United States on countries engaging in defence deals with Russia.
- India had bought five units of S-400 system in 2018, for which it had made the first tranche of the payment of $800 million in 2019.
Importance of S-400
The S-400 is considered as the most advanced air-defence system worldwide. The missile is capable of protecting its air defence bubble against missiles, rockets, cruise missiles and aircraft. This system is available with China, that was deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, amid military standoff with India.
S-400 Triumf
S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. It was developed in by Almaz Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in 1990s, as an upgrade to S-300 family. The first battalion of newest surface-to-air missile systems assumed duty on August 6, 2007. China was the first foreign buyer of the missile, in 2014. Since then, countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Belarus and India have all acquired, or expressed interest in the system. S-400 missile systems are organized across the 30K6E administration system. It is having the range of 400kms.
November 16: International Day for Tolerance
The International Day of Tolerance is observed every year on November 16.
Important Points
- This day was declared by United Nations with the aim of creating public awareness on dangers of intolerance.
- The idea to observe this day propelled from the increasing need of ensuring people are aware of negativity that originate from intolerance.
- Thus, UN General Assembly started observing this day in order to promote tolerance as the staple of society.
Year of Tolerance
United Nations had declared a Year for Tolerance in 1995. The Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was formulated in 1995 itself by UNESCO on November 16. The UN decided to pay tribute to 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 1995, by kickstarting the commemoration of International Tolerance Day in the year 1995. The annual observance of international day for Tolerance marks the anniversary of UNESCO’s declaration, as well.
Award by UNESCO
As a part of this annual observance, UNESCO introduced an award to honour individuals who contributed towards promotion of the spirit of tolerance or non-violence by their behaviour, and work across the fields like arts, science, and culture. The award is called as “UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize”.
Importance of the day
The International Day of Tolerance encourages listening and open-mindedness, in a bid to drive the fact that tolerance is a universal human right. Its significance also lies in the fact that, tolerance is not only a moral obligation but an essential need of the hour.
White-tailed deer being infected with SARS-CoV-2-Study
A new study from US shows that white-tailed deer are being infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19 in humans.
Important Points
- During the study, Antibodies were found in 40% of deer. They were tested in between January to March 2021 across Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York state.
- A similar unpublished study also detected virus in 80% of deer in Iowa in between November 2020 to January 2021.
- Considering the high level of infections, researchers concluded that, deer are actively transmitting the virus to one another.
- Researchers also identified different SARS-CoV-2 variants, which suggests that there have been several human-to-deer infections.
Reason for infection
Large numbers of white-tailed deer in North America got infected with the virus because they often live close to people, providing opportunities to the virus to transmit between both the species. People often get involved in wildlife management operations, recreation, field research, tourism and hunting. However, it is also being suggested that water sources contaminated with covid-19 virus might provide a pathway for transmission.
White-tailed deer
The white-tailed deer is scientifically called as Odocoileus virginianus. It is also called as whitetail or Virginia deer. The deer is a medium-sized and is native to North America, Ecuador, Central America, Peru, South America, and Bolivia. It has also been introduced to New Zealand, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Hispaniola as well as some countries in Europe like Finland, Czech Republic, Romania, France, Germany, and Serbia.
Longest Partial Lunar Eclipse of The Century
On November 19, 2021 in the morning, several countries will witness the next eclipse of the moon. It will be the longest Partial lunar eclipse of the century.
Important Points
- It is going to be second lunar eclipse of 2021 and will be similar to the last one, that occurred on May 26.
- It is going to be the longest lunar eclipse in 580 years.
- The eclipse will last about 3 hours, 28 minutes and 23 seconds.
- 4% of the moon’s diameter will be immersed in the dark umbral shadow of Earth at maximum eclipse.
Visibility
The partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Eastern Asia, Australia, North America, South America, and the Pacific Region. In India, a small part of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam will observe the partial eclipse. End part of the eclipse will be visible from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.
Umbra
Umbra is the innermost and darkest part of a shadow. Here, the light source is completely blocked by occluding body. An observer within the umbra observes a total eclipse. The umbra of a round body which occludes a round light source forms a right circular cone. Distance from the Moon to the apex of its umbra is equal to distance between the Moon and Earth that is 384,402 km. As the diameter of Earth is 3.7 times the Moon’s diameter, its umbra extends correspondingly farther, that is around 1.4 million km.
Frost Moon
The full moon, that will be observed on November 19, is also known as the frost moon or beaver moon. Full moons in November have been named so, because this is the time of first snowfall and frost, while beavers start building their traps or dams.
Food Security Museum inaugurated at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
India’s first Food Security Museum was inaugurated by Union minister of consumer affairs, food & public distribution, Piyush Goyal, on November 15, 2021.
Important Points
- The food security museum was established by the Food Corporation of India in Thanjavur.
- The museum has been co-developed by Food Corporation of India (FCI) and Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museums, Bengaluru.
- It was built at the cost of Rs 1.10 crore on an area of 1,860sqft.
- Museum was established in Thanjavur, which is the birthplace of FCI. First office of FCI was inaugurated there on January 14, 1965.
Food Security Museum
- Food Security Museum showcases the evolution of man from nomadic hunter groups into settled agriculture procedures, marking the beginning of civilization.
- It also showcases several ancient global & indigenous grain storage methods, challenges in storage as well as food grain production scenarios in the world & India.
- It digitally displays informative content regarding the journey of FCI, its present operations as well as journey of food grains from farm to plate through FCI.
Entry to the museum is free.
State of the art
The food museum also houses state of the art exhibits comprising of breakthrough technologies like Radio frequency identification, projection mapping, proximity sensors, touch screen kiosk, and touch sensors.
Importance of the museum
Food security museum will showcase the agricultural evolution of India, from dependency to self-sufficiency.
Govt and ADB sign $61 million loan for development of Agartala
Indian government and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan agreement of $61 million in order to improve liveability, promote new developments and harness technology.
Important Points
- The loan agreement will help in accommodating the expanding population in Agartala city.
- It will also build capacity of state agencies for improved service delivery.
Agartala City Urban Development Project
Loan agreement between India and ADB was signed for Agartala City After Urban Development Project. This project is aligned with the vision of Centre’s Smart City Mission for upgrade urban infrastructure services. It will improve liveability in Agartala by providing better road connectivity, flood resilient measures as well as by making tourist places more attractive. ADB seeks to catalyse synergies with components of smart city which are being implemented in Agartala by means of this project. Components of the scheme include:
1. Shifting of electrical lines,
2. Improving road geometry,
3. Incorporating elderly, children, women, & differently abled responsive features
4. Urban design interventions.
Provision of Asset management
The scheme comprises of the provisions of an asset management and sustainability strategy, livelihood improvement of street vendors & artisans, and capacity-building of tourism operators. These provisions will act as a model for other assets and tourist attractions in Agartala.
Upgradation of water drainage system
Under the project, 48 kilometres of new or existing storm water drainage will be built and upgraded. 23 kms of climate-resilient urban roads will also be constructed. Other projects include renovation of open spaces, water recreation and lakeside walkways in Maharaja Bir Bikram College Lake etc.
India launched 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica
India successfully launched the 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica, recently.
Important Points
- The first batch of Indian contingent arrived at the southern white continent.
- First batch comprises of 23 scientists and support staff. They reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri recently.
- Four more batches will land in Antarctica by air using DROMLAN facility. They will land by mid-January 2021, onboard chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin.
Major Programs of 41st expedition
41st expedition comprises of two major programs:
- The first program is “geological exploration of Amery ice shelf” at Bharati station. This programme will help in exploring the link between India and Antarctica in past.
- The second program is “reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work” to drill 500 meters of ice core near Maitri. This programme will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, sea-ice, greenhouse gases from a single climate, and westerly winds.
Apart from accomplishing scientific programs, 41st expedition will replenish annual supplies of fuel, food as well as provisions & spares for operation & maintenance of life support systems set up at Maitri & Bharti.
The ice core drilling will be done in association with British Antarctic Survey and Norwegian Polar Institute.
Indian Antarctic programs
Indian Antarctic programs started in 1981. It has completed 40 scientific expeditions. The programs helped in building three permanent research base stations in Antarctica:
- Dakshin Gangotri in 1983,
- Maitri in 1988 and
- Bharati in 2012.
Base stations Maitri and Bharati are fully operational, as of now.
The entire Indian Antarctic program is managed by “National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa”. NCPOR is an autonomous institute working under Ministry of Earth Sciences.
