PSLV-C43 successfully launches earth observation satellite HysIS and 30 foreign satellites

       About HysIS:

          HysIS is an earth observation satellite built around ISRO’s Mini  Satellite2 (IMS-2) bus weighing about 380kg. The mission life of the satellite is five years. HysIS is a            state-of-the-art satellite with many indigenous components.

        Goal:

• The primary goal of HysIS is to study the earth’s surface in both the visible, near infrared and shortwave infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Data from the satellite will be used for a wide range of applications including agriculture, forestry, soil/geological environments, coastal zones and inland waters.
• Main purpose of the HysIS is to exactly identify the objects on the surface of the earth with high precision and resolution.

        About PSLV:

• PSLV is a four stage launch vehicle with a large solid rocket motor forming the first stage, an earth storable liquid stage as the second stage, a high performance solid rocket motor as third stage and a liquid stage with engines as fourth stage.
• Thursday's was the 45th flight of PSLV and 13th one in the Core Alone configuration. So far, the PSLV has launched 44 Indian and nine satellites built by students from Indian universities. The vehicle has also launched 269 international customer satellites.

South Asia Youth Peace Conference:

         Highlights:

• The Conference is being organised by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, UNESCO MGIEP and STEP (Standing Together to Enable Peace).
• About 100 youth leaders from South Asian countries and different parts of India have come together to discuss different dimensions of ‘peace’.
• The countries represented include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• As part of the ongoing celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, the young people have come together to create an action plan to power the Sustainable Development Goals through the lens of love and kindness.

         Objective:

• The objective of the conference is to eliminate stereotypes, prejudices across all borders, to understand micro-macro aspect of the issues, identify common challenges and develop plan of action, to build a network of youth leaders.
• The conference will have conversations on Gender, Food Security, Interfaith Harmony, Digital media, Art Democracy and other Dialogues.
• Amongst the objectives include the aim to equip young leaders with skills and knowledge based on peace education, critical enquiry and socio-emotional learning as a tool to engage with their peers.
• The aim is also to build a network of youth leaders and change-makers across South Asia who will join hands to address common challenging issues together.

Exercise KONKAN-18

        Highlights:

• Naval cooperation between India and the United Kingdom is based on the long term strategic relationship between both countries.
• Both Navies have, over the years, undertaken bilateral activities such as training exchanges and technical cooperation.
• The Bilateral KONKAN exercise provides a platform for the two Navies to periodically exercise at sea and in harbour, so as to build interoperability and share best practices.
• The regular IN-RN interaction over the years has resulted in an increase in the professional content of the bilateral exercise.
• The thrust of the exercise this year would be on Anti-Air warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) and Seamanship Evolutions.
• Besides exercises at sea, KONKAN-2018 also encompasses professional interactions and sports fixtures.
• The exercise is aimed at deriving mutual benefit from each others’ experiences and is indicative of the continuing cooperation between the two countries.
• The inter-operability achieved over the years as a result of such exercises has proved to be operationally beneficial to both navies.
• The naval cooperation is a tangible symbol of the commitment of both nations in ensuring a positive climate at sea for enhancing strategic stability and promoting economic prosperity.

8 States achieve 100% household electrification under Saubhagya

        About Saubhagya:

• Saubhagya – ‘Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ was launched in September, 2017 with the objective to provide access to electricity to all the remaining households in the country.The Minister informed that as many as 2.1 crore connections have been released under Saubhagya so far.
• There are around 4 Crore un-electrified households in the country and they are targeted for providing electricity connections by December 2018. 
• Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has been designated as nodal agency for the Saubhagya scheme.

         Salient Features of Saubhagya are:

• The prospective beneficiary households for free electricity connections under the scheme would be identified using SECC 2011 data. However, un-electrified households not covered under SECC data would also be provided electricity connections under the scheme on payment of Rs. 500 which shall be recovered by DISCOMs in 10 instalments through electricity bill.
• The electricity connections to un-electrified households include provision of service line cable, energy meter including pre-paid/smart meter, single point wiring. LED lamps and associated accessories in line with technical specifications and construction standard.
• In case of un-electrified households located in remote and inaccessible areas, power packs of 200 to 300 Wp(with battery bank) with a maximum of 5 LED lights, 1 DC Fan, 1 DC power plug etc. may be provided along with provision of Repair and Maintenance (R&M) for 5 years.
• All DISCOMs including Private Sector DISCOMs, State Power Departments and RE Cooperative Societies shall be eligible for financial assistance under the scheme in line with DDUGJY.
• Some of the eligible entities are yet to provide free connections to BPL households already sanctioned under DDUGJY. In case such entities are not able to find the adequate number of BPL households in the project area, such number of households shall not be considered for funding of service connection cost under Saubhagya to avoid any possibility of duplication.
• The details of consumers viz, Name and Aadhar number/ Mobile number/ Bank account/ Driving License/Voter ID etc., as available would be collected by the DISCOMs.
• The defaulters whose connections have been disconnected should not be given benefit of the scheme. However, the utilities may consider settlement of old dues and reconnection as per norms.

         Award Scheme under Saubhagya:

• For creating healthy competition amongst various DISCOMs/Power Departments of States,     an award scheme has been instituted with awards of more than Rs 300crore to be won by States/Discoms.
• The first DISCOM/Power Departments to complete 100% household electrification will be felicitated with cash award of Rs. 50 Lakh for the employees and Rs.100 crore grant to be spent for distribution infrastructure.
• For the purpose of award, States have been divided into 3 categories and award would be given in each of these categories.

HAUSLA-2018

        Highlights:

• The National Festival for Children of CCIs witnessed participation of more than 600 Children drawn from CCIs from 18 states in the various events like painting competition, athletics meet, football, chess competition and speech writing as part of the Festival.
• The team from Orissa walked away with the Rolling Trophy with the Chhattisgarh team finishing close second.

         Objectives:

• The idea behind the entire event was to provide a national platform for the children from CCIs across India to showcase their talent, to make them realise the hidden talent they possess and to help take it forward in their life.
• Event has instilled confidence in them to achieve greater heights in life.