< Daily Current Affairs & Important Editorials

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Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) Rail Link

GS- II >> International Relations >> Neighbouring countries

Context: The first trial run of a goods train was conducted between Northeast India and Bangladesh.

About Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) rail link:

Significance:

• This rail link is being seen as a first step to connect Tripura to Kolkata through Bangladesh.
• This link will significantly reduce the time and distance needed to reach Tripura, Southern Assam, and Mizoram from Kolkata.
• It will help to boost India-Bangladesh trade in agricultural products besides boosting people to people ties.

Source: indianexpress.com

In News: India’s ‘Deep Ocean Mission’

GS- III >> Science & Technology >> Mission

About Deep Ocean Mission:

• The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is India’s ambitious program for underwater exploration and harnessing deep-sea resources.
• Six Pillars of DOM:
• Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and a crewed submersible to reach 6,000 meters in the ocean.
• Ocean climate change advisory services.
• Technological innovations for deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation.
• Deep-ocean survey and exploration for potential mineral sites.
• Harnessing energy and freshwater from the ocean.
• Establishment of an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
• The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is responsible for developing indigenous technologies for deep-sea mining and a crewed submersible called ‘Matsya6000.’
• The design of Matsya6000 is complete, and it can accommodate a crew of three. It has been certified for operations up to 500 meters depth.
• India aims to mine polymetallic nodules from the central Indian Ocean bed, which includes valuable minerals like copper, manganese, nickel, and cobalt. NIOT has conducted successful deep-sea locomotion trials using the underwater mining system ‘Varaha’ at a depth of 5,270 meters.
• The mission aligns with India’s focus on the blue economy, designated as the sixth core objective for India’s growth in the ‘New India 2030’ document. It supports blue trade and manufacturing.
• The Deep Ocean Mission aligns with global initiatives for sustainable ocean resource management and contributes to India’s growth and technological advancements in the field of oceanography and marine sciences.

Source: www.thehindu.com

Sant Meerabai

GS- I >> Art & Culture >> Personality

In News: The Prime Minister has paid rich tributes to Sant Meerabai on her Jayanti.

About Sant Meerabai:

• She was a devotee of Lord Krishna and her verses adorn every household and her life is an inspiration for the society.
• Meera, also known as Mirabai and referred to as Saint Meerabai, was a Hindu mystic poet and Krishna devotee who lived in the 16th century.
• She is a well-known Bhakti saint, especially in the Hindu tradition of North India.
• Raag Govind, Govind Tika, Raag Soratha, Meera Ki Malhar, Mira Padavali, and Narsi Ji Ka Mayara are some of Mirabai’s compositions.

Source: newsonair.gov.in

Kavach

GS- I >> Economy >> Railways

In News: Trains involved in accident not fitted with Kavach but have Vigilance Control Device, says Waltair Divisional Railway Manager

About KAVACH:

• The KAVACH is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with the Indian industry.
• It is a state-of-the-art electronic system with Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4) standards. It is meant to provide protection by preventing trains to pass the signal at Red (which marks danger) and avoid collision.
• It activates the train’s braking system automatically if the driver fails to control the train as per speed restrictions.
• In addition, it prevents the collision between two locomotives equipped with functional Kavach systems. The system also relays SoS messages during emergency situations.

How does Kavach work on railway systems:

• The Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), with the help of equipment on board the locomotive and transmission towers at stations connected with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, helps in two-way communication between the station master and loco-pilot to convey any emergency message.
• The instrument panel inside the cabin helps the loco-pilot know about the signal in advance without visual sighting, and the permissible speeds to be maintained.
• If a red signal is jumped and two trains come face to face on the same line, the technology automatically takes over and applies sudden brakes.
• Additionally, the hooter activates by itself when approaching a level crossing which serves as a big boon to loco-pilots during fog conditions when visibility is low.

Source: www.thehindu.com

Crab-plover

GS- III >> Environment >> Flora & Fauna

In News: For the first time, breeding nests of crab-plovers spotted at Great Vedaranyam Swamp.

About Crab-plover:

• Long-legged bird of Indian Ocean coasts.
• Lays white eggs, chicks stay in burrows.
• Found in Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and more.
• The bird is normally considered a winter visitor to Pakistan, peninsular India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, northern Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, and a vagrant to Bangladesh.
• Inhabits sandy coastlines, mudflats, and dunes.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).

Source: www.thehindu.com

Carbon Nano florets

GS- III >> Science & Technology >> Emerging Technology

In News: Carbon Nano Florets (carbon ‘flowers’) made by IIT Bombay researchers.

About Carbon Nano florets:

• Tiny carbon structures resembling marigold flowers.
• Synthesized from silicon dust with acetylene gas.
• Efficient at converting sunlight into heat (87% efficiency).
• Absorb multiple frequencies of sunlight.
• Reflect very little light due to cone shape.
• Effective solar-thermal conversion.
• Low heat dissipation due to long-range disorder.

Source: www.thehindu.com