News In Short 22-1-2025

Parakram Diwas

Syllabus: GS1/History

Context

  • Parakram Diwas is observed annually on 23rd January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

About

  • The first Parakram Diwas was held at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. 
    • The year 2022 saw the unveiling of a hologram statue of Netaji at India Gate, New Delhi; 
    • and in 2023, 21 unnamed islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago were named after the 21 Param Vir Chakra Awardees. 

About Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

  • He was a prominent Indian nationalist and leader who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement. 
  • He was the first person to call Mahatma Gandhi “Father of the Nation”, in his address from Singapore.
  • Indian National Congress: 
    • He was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress twice, in 1938 and 1939. 
    • Ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi led to his resignation and the formation of the Forward Bloc, a political faction committed to radical change.
  • Azad Hind Radio 1942: He established Azad Hind Radio in Germany to reach out to Indians and spread his vision of independence.
    • He coined several patriotic slogans, including “Jai Hind,” “Dilli Chalo” (On to Delhi), and “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”.
  • Formation of Indian National Army (INA): In 1942, he formed the INA with the help of Japanese forces.
    • The INA was an armed force aimed at securing India’s independence through military action against British rule.
  • Azad Hind Government: In 1943, Subhash Chandra Bose renamed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as “Shaheed” (Martyr) and “Swaraj” (Self-Rule) during his leadership of the Azad Hind Government.
    • This was a symbolic gesture of asserting India’s sovereignty against British rule.
    • On October 21, 1943, Netaji declared the establishment of the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Sarkar).
  • Subhash Chandra Bose reportedly passed away in a plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945, from severe burn injuries. 
  • Legacy: 
    • He is widely respected for his contributions to the nationalist movement, and his legacy continues to inspire people across India and beyond.

Source: PIB

Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme

Syllabus :GS 2/Governance 

In News

  • According to recent reports, many companies are supporting the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, with many embracing internships through CSR.

About Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme

  • It has been announced in the Budget 2024-25. It aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies over five years.
  • Interns will gain exposure to real-life business environments and employment opportunities.
  • Features :  Partner Companies can offer internships starting from October 2024
    • Top 500 companies identified based on CSR expenditure.
    • Participation is voluntary, with approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs  for other companies to join.
    • Internship Duration is 12 months, with at least half of the period in a real-world job environment.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Age: Between 21 and 24 years.
    • Educational Qualifications: High School, ITI, diploma, or undergraduate degrees (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, B.Pharma).
    • Ineligibility: Graduates from IITs, IIMs, etc.
      • Candidates with master’s or higher degrees.
      • Those enrolled in government-sponsored skill/training programs.
      • Candidates with family income above Rs 8 lakh or government employee relatives.
  • Benefits: Interns gain practical experience, with certificates provided by Partner Companies.
    • Financial Assistance is  Rs. 5,000 per month (Rs. 4,500 by government, Rs. 500 by company). One-time Rs. 6,000 for incidentals.
    • Insurance Coverage under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. Companies may provide additional insurance.

Source :TH

Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme

Syllabus: GS3/Economy

Context

  • The Department of Commerce has introduced the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme.

About

  • Aim: To enhance the global competitiveness of India’s diamond sector.
  • Key Features of the Scheme:
    • Duty-free imports: Allows the duty-free import of Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds, of less than ¼ Carat (25 Cents).
    • Export obligation: It mandates export obligation with a value addition of 10%.
    • Eligibility: All Diamond exporters holding Two Star Export House status and above and having US $15 Million exports per year, are eligible for availing the benefit under this scheme.
  • Need: 
    • This move comes in response to policies in diamond-producing countries like Botswana and Namibia, where manufacturers must process diamonds locally.
    • This scheme is aimed towards retaining India’s position as a global leader in the entire value chain of the Diamond industry. 
  • Significance:
    • The scheme is designed to provide a level playing field for Indian diamond exporters, particularly MSME exporters, enabling them to compete effectively with larger peers. 
    • It is also expected to create employment opportunities for skilled craftsmen in the diamond industry and is also expected to increase the export of Cut and Polished Diamond from India.

Source: PIB

Pinaka Rocket Systems

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

Context

  • The Indian Army has set a Rs 10,200 crore order for ammunition related to the Pinaka multi-launch artillery rocket system. 

About

  • The Pinaka MBRL system was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India.
  • The system is named after “Pinaka,” a mythical weapon used by Lord Shiva.
  • It has the capability to hit targets at 75 kilometers and beyond.
  • The Pinaka MBRL is capable of launching a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds, which makes it an effective weapon for quickly overwhelming enemy defenses.
  • Armenia became the first export customer for the indigenously developed Pinaka with interest expressed by several countries in the system. 

Source: FE

Scramjet Engine For Hypersonic Missiles

Syllabus: GS 3/Science and Technology

In News

  • Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad, under DRDO, is developing long-duration Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet) powered Hypersonic technology.

About the Developments 

  • Three key air-breathing engine technologies are being developed globally.
  • Ramjet: It uses forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion without a rotating compressor.
    • It operates efficiently at Mach 3 to Mach 6 but becomes less efficient at hypersonic speeds.
    • It requires rocket assistance for take-off to reach necessary speeds.
  • Scramjet: It is an advanced version of the ramjet that operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5).
    • It is an air-breathing engine that sustains combustion at supersonic speeds without moving parts.
    • It allows supersonic combustion, making it suitable for hypersonic vehicles.
      • In August 2016, ISRO successfully flight-tested its Scramjet Engine in Sriharikota.
      • Recently DRDL successfully demonstrated India’s first Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor ground test for 120 seconds, a significant milestone for hypersonic missile development.
  • Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ): It can operate both as a ramjet at subsonic speeds and as a scramjet at supersonic speeds, typically within the Mach 4-8 range.
Do you know ?
– Hypersonic missiles are a class of advanced weaponry that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 i.e., five times the speed of sound or more than 5,400 km/hr. 
1. These advanced weapons have the potential to bypass existing Air Defence Systems and deliver rapid and high-impact strikes. 
– Several nations including the USA, Russia, India and China are actively pursuing Hypersonic technology. 

Source :TH

Jawaharlal Nehru Port

Syllabus :GS 3/Economy 

In News

  • Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways launched multiple projects worth nearly ₹2,000 crore in order to expand capacity at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
    • He  also launched one Solar powered boat, two indigenously developed tugs and three fire tenders, boosting the safety and efficiency of the port.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port

  • It is situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra and is one of the premier container-handling ports in India.
  • It was commissioned in 1989 and  it is the country’s first 100% Landlord Major Port. 
  • It is India’s Best-performing port, accounting for around 50% of the total containerised cargo volume across the major ports of the country.
  • It is ranked 26th among the top 100 container ports in the world and it is connected to over 200 ports globally.
  • In 2024, JNPA achieved a record of 7.05 million TEUs, operating at over 90% capacity with an 11% year-on-year growth. 
  • It  aims to become India’s first port to handle 10 million TEUs((twenty-foot equivalent units)  by 2027. 

Source :TH