Himachal Pradesh Affairs
Phase 2 of crop diversification project to begin in Himachal soon: Minister
<a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture Minister Virender Kanwar today said the second phase of the Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion (HPCDP) Project, funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be launched soon in the state.
About 25,000 farmers of the state would be covered under the Rs 1,010 crore project, which would focus on bringing rain-fed land under Irrigation, crop diversification and bringing new cultivation techniques for the farmers in their fields.
306 new irrigation schemes would be implemented in the state which, when complete, will have a total irrigation command area of about 9,000 hectares. He added that new irrigation techniques like drip and systems would be adopted to conserve water.
Besides, high-yielding varieties of seeds will be introduced to the farmers to boost their produce. In order to provide road connectivity for transportation of produce from remote areas, the construction of village roads has also been proposed, he said, adding that a sum of Rs 30 crore had been set aside for strengthening 13 existing agriculture produce Marketing yards.
National and International Affairs
Booker Prize Won By Damon Galgut
Damon Galgut, a South African playwright and writer, has won the 2021 Booker Prize.
Highlights:
He is honored with the award for “The Promise,” his third shortlisted novel about a family in his nation from the end of apartheid to the election of Jacob Zuma.
The book spans several decades and depicts the family’s gradual disintegration as the country transitions to Democracy.
Mr. Galgut won his third medal as a finalist for a novel that the judges described as a “tour de force.”
He had previously been nominated for “The Good Doctor” in 2003 and “In a Strange Room” in 2010, but both times he was unsuccessful.
The indigenously-developed smart anti-airfield weapon (SAAW), which is a precision-guided bomb designed to destroy enemy runways, bunkers, aircraft hangers, radars and other reinforced structures at a maximum range of 100-km, has been tested twice byDRDOandIAFin recent days.
The electro-optical configuration of the system is equipped with imaging infra-red (IIR) seeker technology to enhance the precision strike capability of the weapon. In both the tests, the intended target was hit with high accuracy.
Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana – Highlights
Around 15,000 students have enrolled for coaching classes in the year 2021, under the Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana Scheme.
Highlights:
The Delhi government initiated this scheme. It was started at a few private facilities for a variety of competitive tests.
It is for children from economically disadvantaged families and marginalized communities.
In addition to free coaching, the Delhi government would offer students a Rs 2,500 travel allowance.
It allows bright students from the SC, ST, OBC, and EWS groups to receive free competitive test preparation from private coaching institutes.
The scheme is available to families with annual earnings of less than Rs.8 lakh.
Students can benefit from free coaching classes at 46 different coaching centers.
MoU Signed Between Rural Development Ministry-Flipkart
An MoU was signed between MoRD and Flipkart for The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM).
Highlights:
By bringing local companies and self-help groups (SHGs) into the E-Commerce fold, the government and Flipkart hope to empower them.
The DAY-goal NRLM’s of increasing rural communities’ self-EMPLOYMENT and Entrepreneurship capabilities are aligned with this PARTNERSHIP.
As a result, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of an Atma Nirbhar Bharat gains more traction.
The Memorandum of Understanding is part of Flipkart’s Samarth program.
It was struck with the goal of providing national market access to skilled and underserved communities of weavers, craftspeople, and artisans through the Flipkart marketplace.
International Exercise Blue Flag 2021 – India
At Israel’s Ovda Airbase, 84 Indian Air Force (IAF) soldiers and a Mirage 2000 aircraft squadron took part in the international multilateral combat exercise Blue Flag 2021.
Highlights:
Integration of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft in complicated operational circumstances is the focus of Blue Flag 2021.
Air Force missions from eight countries are participating in the exercise.
This aims to share information and battle experience in order to strengthen operational capabilities.
The US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, and Israel are the other seven countries that took part in the exercise.